003; VIDEO

[notyourfathersosborn]

[When the video turns on, Normie’s sitting in front of an impeccable desk, with a stunning view of De Chima behind him courtesy of the floor-to-ceiling windows in his office. Yes, sadly he’s at work, attempting to catch up on everything he’s missed in the past month. Still, he’s managed to find time to send out a video to the network. Why no, he isn’t procrastinating. What makes you say that?]

So it appears that I’ve lost almost the entire month of October here, thanks to getting ported out. While I’d be lying if I didn’t say it wasn’t nice to see all of my friends from back home again, even if it was like a day and a half, I’m weirdly glad to be back. Not going to lie, I never thought I’d say that.

Anyway, sorry if I scared anyone with my unexpected absence, especially you, Riku.

I’m slowly working my way through old network posts to see what I missed, but if anyone would be so kind as to fill me in on any of the highlights… or well, with this place, asking for lowlights would probably be a good idea too, I’d appreciate it. Man, I gotta admit I’m a little peeved I missed Halloween. It was nowhere near October back home, so technically I missed it twice. Guess my costume’s just going to collect mothballs until next year. Uh, well, if I’m still here, that is. I’m totally eating the candy, though. There has to be some perk to all of this.

[Normie fidgets, attempting to think of something else to say. Someone clearly doesn’t want to go back to work. ]

Oh, seeing as I missed all of the new arrivals last month, I should probably introduce myself. Normie Osborn. I’m currently the Vice President of OsCorp. We specialize in chemical R&D and distribution, electrical engineering, and tech development. While we’re obviously looking for anyone who specializes in any of those fields, even if you’re not and you’re looking for a job, talk to me and we’ll see if we can’t work something out.

[ It’s probably just your imagination that he doesn’t seem to put his all into that pitch.]

With that out of the way, I’m also a mechanical engineer, so if you need anything created or repaired, I’d be more than willing to help you with that. Do you have any idea how much a month’s worth of paperwork is? It’s not pretty. Someone please help by distracting me with something cool to make or fix. Or anything, really. I’m not picky at this point.

[Normie looks down at the stack of said papers, just off screen, and it reminds him of something. ]

Oh, one more thing real fast, because by now I’ve really gone on for far too long… I had been planning on creating a STEM program aimed at getting kids here more into STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education if you haven’t heard of the acronym before, but seriously thanks to this unexpected hiatus my planning’s gone sideways. Would this be something anyone else would be interested in helping me get off the ground? I was thinking of an organization that would create after school programs and workshops that would be low cost or free to the kids attending, but I’m open to suggestions.

Thanks guys. I’m done now, I promise.

[Sigh. Time to go back to work.

For now.]

Comments

[resipiscent]

Um, don't worry about me.

[notyourfathersosborn]

Hey there was worried text messaging. I had to acknowledge it.

[resipiscent]

[He's not wrong.]

You'd have done the same thing, I'm sure.

[notyourfathersosborn]

[Strokes his chin in an exaggerated manner.]

I dunno.....

private; voice

[walkingballpit]

Moving down in the world, I see, Mr. Osborn.

private; voice

[notyourfathersosborn]

Robbie. I didn't realize you were back.

Re: private; voice

[walkingballpit]

I didn't realize you'd compromised your morals.

private; voice

[notyourfathersosborn]

Who says I have?

video.

[sweetarts]

[ Some of her loyalty's already with StarkTech, but all of what this guy says has been right up her alley. She can't pass this up. ]

So, math and science education for kids... What kind of help are you looking for, exactly?

video.

[notyourfathersosborn]

Oh man, anything, really. I need help putting the organization together, ten down the line help with planning the events, and people to help run/teach them.

I've barely gotten this out of the "wouldn't this be a cool thing to do" phase.

[sweetarts]

It sounds like you've already got a base to pull your shiz and peeps together. Definitely good with funding this kind of deal non-profit? What about some kinda headquarters?

[ He is a vice president so it's probably not a big deal. Still, resources are important! ]

[notyourfathersosborn]

While in the planning stages, we can work out of OsCorp, but I will be looking to find a permanent headquarters before it launches. Funding won't be an issue.

[While not as wealthy as he is back home, Normie's not doing too bad for himself since he and his grandfather launched OsCorp.]

video;

[sidecars]

Huh. I missed October, too. They even changed my house number!

video;

[notyourfathersosborn]

Ah man, seriously? [Thank god that didn't happen to him.] That's gotta suck. What happened to all of your stuff?

video;

[sidecars]

I dunno. Maybe they tossed it. Didn't have much to begin with anyway... No skin off my nose. [ Besides he's one house closer to his arch nemesis! This is technically an upgrade. ] So what's this about STEM something or other?

You know, kids hate school at the best of times. Why make one more?

[ Hell, Bucky didn't even finish high school! But, well, there was also that pesky War thing going on. ]

video;

[notyourfathersosborn]

I'm not looking to start a school. What I'm looking to do is to get kids interested in STEM by showing them how cool Science, Technology, Engineering and Math can be. Show them how to create things like robots, or slime, or Rube Goldberg machines... Doing things kids would actually like.

video

[youbastard]

Welcome back. It is a bit weird to hear other people say they're happy to come back here.

[ A beat ]

I'd definitely be interested in helping you with something like that. What kind of help are you looking for?

video

[notyourfathersosborn]

Thanks. Trust me, it was a weird thought to have when I got back. Don't get me wrong, I already miss being back home and all, but I don't hate the life I've made for myself here.

[Plus, if he doesn't keep an eye on his grandfather, who will?]

Really, any help you could give me right now would be awesome. I haven't gotten very far with it at all. Which is a little embarrassing, considering I've been thinking about it since the fear gas attacks.

[youbastard]

There's something good to be found in this place for a lot of people. It's a hell of a lot better than my world.

The fear gas attacks gave people a lot of other things to think about, it's not surprising you'd be distracted for a bit after that.

video.

[tardily]

[ Did someone say science? Or STEM, but it's part of it, so same difference. ]

I'd ask you for repairs if I didn't have a best friend who's also a mechanical engineer. [ Barry Allen the nerd with nerd friends. ] But, I'd definitely be interested in helping you with the STEM program. Even with the paperwork. You just— might have to check that I did it all right.

video.

[notyourfathersosborn]

[Science!]

Damn. I swear half the imPorts here are secretly mechanical engineers.

[Barry you're clearly hanging out with all the right people.]

I don't mind paperwork, usually. Just... [Pulls the stack of papers back onto his desk. It's juuust under "comically large" on the largeness scale.] Yeah.

But in all seriousness though, I'd love for any and all help you can offer. I have ideas, but actually turning the into some kind of tangible program I need help with.

video.

[tardily]

[ Best way to be blinded. ]

If it makes you feel any better, I'm just a forensic science sort of guy. Chemicals and physics is my jam, but Cisco can build everything.

[ Clearly, after all you can only be as good as your friends are. ]

Yeah. That looks worse than my desk was at home when I caught the flu. Pretty sure it took me longer to do the paperwork than it did to get over it. Luckily, I do have superspeed here. So. Significantly less time is pretty possible. [ "Pretty possible" says Mr. Speed Reads Dense as Hell Science Papers. ]

That's always the problem with things like this— putting ideas into real world applications. I can't say I'm much better but— I might have benefited from things like this when I was younger, so I should know what works and what doesn't. And I like to think I could be a good hands on teacher. Like Bill Nye only— younger?

text; uh so this is super late I'm sorry. ignore if you'd like? or pretend its on time

[mathemagier]

What sort of assistance would you need with the STEM program?

[Because hello, he's interested in and can do all of those things, but he's not sure teaching is a good idea]

text; no worries at all!

[notyourfathersosborn]

Anything you'd be willing to offer. I know everyone's got different schedules and levels of what they're comfortable doing, so I plan on doing most of the bigger stuff.

text; ahhh thank you

[mathemagier]

I can do most everything but teach, I imagine. Lecturing at universities or conferences are one thing, but I don't do well with children.

[Bright young geniuses are the exception. see: Hiro]

But I could host workshops in my laboratory at StarkTech. I doubt the man would much mind. Engineering, programming- projects I could set them to pursue wouldn't be too much trouble. I work with my colleague in the biotech division however, and he's rather good with children if any were interested in biology.