在斯塔克的实验室里,一个盔甲从烤箱里拿出一个热披萨,放在彼得面前.斯塔克打了个响指,"我的新发明.我终于创建了一个程序,让盔甲为我加热披萨.它使用与烤箱相同的智能算法.烤箱不断向其发送温度数据..."
彼得深吸了一口气,然后问道:"你为什么要用价值百万美元的西装,而不是花几美元买一副烤箱手套?
斯塔克摆了摆手,"你不明白.烤箱上的数据太复杂了.我怎样才能知道正确的温度和时间以避免燃烧它?这完全是一个谜.我讨厌神秘主义.使用装甲和智能程序看起来更方便.
彼得看着披萨,觉得它看起来很好,可以食用.然后他伸手去抓它,但不小心烫伤了自己.他哭了一声,说:"我还需要手套.太热了!
"好吧,让我们等它冷却下来.我们可以先聊聊,"
"好吧,我的作业还没有完成,"彼得回答道.
他从背包里拿出一摞书.斯塔克瞥了他们一眼,说道:"写这些有什么意义?这是对你的智力的浪费.
"不,我是个好学生.我从不晚交作业.
"好吧,你想写就写吧."斯塔克向后靠了靠,看着彼得做作业.他似乎想说些什么,但又犹豫了.
彼得专注地写了一会儿,然后抬起头,注意到斯塔克盯着他看.他们四目相对,彼得问道:"怎么了,斯塔克先生?我的写作有什么不对劲的地方吗?
"呃...无.我的意思是,如果你的笔迹能好一点,那就太好了.你为什么不尝试练习书法呢?你知道,那些有很多圈子的人..."
"我不能.我们不允许为考试写课程,至少在这种状态下不行.斯塔克先生,你能写出来吗?
"当然."
"当你穿西装不算数的时候..."
斯塔克抿了抿嘴唇,"其实,我有一个问题..."
"What question? I'm happy to answer."
"I...well... never mind. The pizza is almost cold, you should eat first."
Peter picks up the pizza with some doubts. It's frozen by the Italian chef who made it yesterday.They just need to be reheated before eating, and the taste is still very good.
Peter is quite hungry and devours the whole slice of pizza. Stark sits across from him, resting his head on his hand. While eating, Peter asks, "Don't you eat? It tastes really good."
"No, I'm not starving."
But Peter really enjoys his meal. He always takes big bites, chewing and filling his cheeks like a hamster. Seeing this, Stark also starts feeling a bit hungry and grabs a slice of pizza himself.
While eating, he asks, "If... I mean, hypothetically, if you want to help someone, what will you do?"
"Help someone? Well, I just help them. Is there any problem? If there is, solve it first and help them."
"But... it's just... there's some concerns..."
"What concerns?" Peter raises an eyebrow and glances at Stark, who seems conflicted. Peter continues, "If I want to help, I will help. If there are concerns, it might mean that I don't actually want to help."
Stark paused his chewing . Clearly, Peter hit the nail on the head. Stark replied, "It's not I don't want to help, I do want to help him. Because he... well, simply speaking, it's a good thing. He wants to do something good, but if he tries to do it himself, it might take a very long time..."
"If you want to help, just do it. Is it a problem to do a good thing?"
"But it makes me feel... well... a little embarrassed. You know..." Stark flips his hand and says, "I'm Stark! I can't just walk up and tell him, 'Hey, the great Stark is here to help you. ?'"
"If so,you'll get beaten up," Peter answers, taking another bite of pizza. He mumbles, "So, if you say that, would he be willing?"
"Exactly because he probably won't, that's why I'm conflicted."
"He doesn't want your help, but you still insist on helping him. Is that what you mean?"
"I'm not insisting!" Stark raises his voice. "There's nobody in this world that Stark must help!"
"Then don't help him. If someone doesn't need your help, you don't have to force yourself to help. Just mind your own business."
Stark covers his forehead and sighs, "No! I mean... I want to help him, but not necessarily... forget it, I know it is useless. Schiller told me to ask you, that damn vampire doctor. Millions of dollars for just a few sentences. I should have seen through his true face..."
"Doctor let you to ask me? Why? Is it a difficult question? If you want to help, help; if you don't , don't help. If someone wants your help, help them; if they don't, don't help."
"Forget it, you're just a kid, you don't understand the rules of adults..."
"Oh, I see. So, actually, you want him to beg you for help, right?"
"Nonsense, I never thought such a thing!"
Peter chews on the pizza and says, "You want to help him, but you're not willing to let go of your pride. It would be best if he could come and ask you for help, so you can do a good deed without losing face, right?"
Stark buries his head in eating pizza and doesn't answer.
Peter quotes, "When I do good things, I just want to do good; it's not to. Actually, I don't like it when reporters chase after me all the time. They think they're reporting on a good person doing good things, but I just worry the aftermath of the battles might affect them, which is not impossible."
"Well, in my opinion, doing good deeds and helping others is nothing to be ashamed of. Just directly face person and say, 'I want to help you.' There's nothing to lose face over. Even if you can't help at end, at least your intentions are good."
Peter pauses for a moment and continues, "Some people may not actually want your help. As long as you tell them you stand with them and they're not alone, that should be enough."
"Not alone..." Stark says softly.
Peter replies, "Yes, it's really important. Sometimes it's like what all did for me."
"When I needed someone, I could always find them. It gives me confidence in whatever I do, and it feels great."
"Just like before, when the teacher asked me for my parents' phone number, I couldn't give them my uncle and aunt's numbers. But as soon as I thought about it, I could come up with several names, and I knew those people would definitely come."
"So why did you choose me,not them?"
"I don't know.The first number came to mind was the one for Stark Tower. Maybe because that number is easier to remember."
"Or maybe it's because I'm the best to you, kid! Those guys would never let you eat so much pizza. They would only tell you how many calories are in each slice and how it's equivalent to running several kilometers!"
Peter's swallowing motion suddenly stops, and he cries, "Oh-no. I just made a fitness plan yesterday, and now I've eaten so much. I'm going to become as fat as Pikachu!"
He laments, "My growth period of strength is already over. I have to control my diet, or even the strongest spider silk won't be able to move my body!"
Stark swallows the last piece of pizza and says, "Well, let's go. Do you know what activity burns the most calories? It's saving the world, especially when doing it with Stark."
In the psychological clinic, Schiller talks on the phone with Nick, "...I have little knowledge in this area. How could I know the progress of their serum development?"
"Last time, when I tried to enter Connors' and Peter's lab, I violated over 200 experiment regulations in less than three minutes. They immediately kicked me out, and I didn't even get a glimpse of a tube..."
"...Indeed, I studied medicine. Neurology is part of my psychology studies. But that was in college. Who can remember it? We only learn from textbooks, and don't have to step into a lab..."
"You can't expect a psychiatrist to crack open your skull or make some potions..."
"...I don't know , but I can sense it from Dr. Connors' recent tone... you know, he and Stark don't get along. Who can stand Stark's venomous tongue?"
"A few days ago, Connors even said Osborn Industries was stronger when it comes to biotechnology. Of course, he said that behind Stark's back; he doesn't know."
"I think it's about right. If I were Connors, I would choose Osborn Industries too. The two companies are rivals. If he helps Osborn Industries develop a cure serum, Stark must go loopy."
"...Collaboration between the military and Osborn Industries? Well, I don't know, you should have more information on the military side, right?"
"But even if Dr. Connors and Osborn Industries collaborate, it doesn't mean their achievements will end up in the hands of the military. I think you're worrying too much. Besides, only the healing serum can't turn the tide for the military, right?"
"Better safe than sorry?" Schiller switches the phone to his other ear and says in a relaxed tone, "I think you're being overly cautious. But it doesn't matter for me. Even if the military's power is strengthened, it's not me in trouble..."
"Salary deduction? It's a bit too much! I only receive basic wages..."
"Those bonuses? Well, well, you miser. In my opinion, if Osborn Industries gets the serum, they are evenly matched with the military. Osborn Industries is no longer concerned about military infiltration and control. They must use the cure serum as leverage to engage in more extensive cooperation with the military..."
"Although I don't fully understand those biotechnologies, they are quite useful. The military's power is enhanced. If they counterattack at the final negotiation table, S.H.I.E.L.D. suffer for a few days as well..."
"...You want me to persuade Connors? How can I do that? It is better if you try persuading Stark. If he sends an invitation to Connors first, maybe Connors would agree? Compared to Osborn, Stark is more inclined towards S.H.I.E.L.D. If S.H.I.E.L.D. has both Stark and the cure serum, the military will surely be defeated."
"But it is surely troublesome. You know, those crazy Tartu supporters can anything. They create such a huge monster. What if they kidnap Dr. Connors? A genius scientist who can research a cure serum, how much leverage does it give them at the negotiation table?"
Suddenly, there is a noisy sound from Nick's phone, then Schiller hears Nick shouting angrily, "What the hell is going on? Why is Dr. Connors is still missing?"
"Motherfucker! Do you think I don't know it was those Talbot people,don't you?! Tell them. Don't think S.H.I.E.L.D. is blind to their damn plans! We have evidence! If they dare to do anything, I'll report it immediately to the Security Council!!!"