part four
Norman watched Otto from his spot in the jar. The tentacles dragged his body around, inspecting for a way out. He wasn't too claustrophobic but it was uncomfortable. All he had was his thoughts and the other man to entertain himself. At one point the tentacles came to inspect Norman from inside their glass enclosure. They were... impressive, but intimidating. They tried to bash through the glass quite a few times, but it didn't work. Norman wondered if the enclosures were even made of glass. He felt like the glass should've been cracked by now, even if they were smaller than they used to be. Maybe the place that Dr. T took him to had some kind of glass that was stronger than the kinds from his earth. He had no reason to disbelieve the man--clearly, he had powers beyond anything anyone has been capable of where he was from. He wondered what technology this planet had if portal technology had already been invented. He was surprised that he was twenty years into the future right now.
He also wished that he had a way to disguise himself from Otto. He honestly didn't want to be recognized as the man who he had fought with years ago. He knew it'd be awkward between the both of them and he dreaded that. He wondered about maybe acting like he didn't recognize him if he said anything.
After however long of a moment, he heard T come back. He turned and saw him holding a large bag filled with take-out boxes. He went to his working desk and doled out the boxes. He then shot two of the boxes with a shrinking ray. He also grabbed plastic utensils and a water bottle and shrunk those too. Norman saw the man come closer with the items held in his palm.
"Alright fellas! I'm back. Hope you like Waffle House."
He unscrewed the jar and handed Norman his food along with the water bottle and utensils pack.
"Th-thank you."
"Good manners, pet. I'll let you back into the main enclosure once you've eaten. Looks like Otto isn't awake yet. The actuators of his are quite aggressive, so I would like to make sure you don't tear each other apart. I'll save his food for when he wakes up. Let's watch some tv together."
Norman watched as T pulled out a small device from his jean pocket and fiddled with it. He then propped it up beside the jar. It had a screen and on it was an episode of a show he had never seen before. He felt his stomach start to growl and then he remembered to open up his box. Just like he asked for, there was bacon, eggs, and hash browns. It looked pretty good actually. He's been to a Waffle House a couple of times in his life.
"Ah, right. This is a phone from this timeline. It's basically a pocket computer, a lot more advanced than a clamshell or flip phone or whatever. It's got internet and everything."
"That's amazing!"
It was. He again wondered what all else has changed between his world and this one. The both of them ended up shoveling food into their mouths rather quickly, watching the show together. They were mostly done with their food when they heard the man behind them in the larger enclosure. He was on the fake lawn, looking up at the taller man.
"You. Where are we?"
He grabbed his phone and clicked it off with a button and shoved it back in his pocket.
"You're awake! Just in time. You're in my lab, Otto. My name is Dr. T, God of technology and humanity. You're currently in a different universe from your own. It's May 2022. You're here to be my very own pet. All you have to do is be nice, and you'll live a very comfortable life. Mm, and if you play dirty, you'll have a hard time. I saved you from death in your universe, by the second fusion reactor. I took pity on such a beautiful waste of a life. So, here you are. Welcome to your new home."
"Right. You're insane. You can't keep me here. This is illegal."
"Are you so sure? Look at yourself. You're the size of a mouse, in a cage. I think I can. It's only illegal if someone finds out. There's no one else for miles, except one of my guard dogs. If you somehow got back to your original size I have a feeling you wouldn't make it past the guard dog."
Otto scoffed. "You really think a dog would hurt me if I was normal-sized?"
"Well, it's a very special dog. You'll end up meeting him at some point anyway. Are you hungry? Thirsty?"
"And if I am? You're going to poison me. I can't trust you."
"As I said, you're going to be my pet. I'm not looking to kill you. I would've done that already. So, you either trust me and eat and you'll live or you die from starvation and thirst. Do you like Waffle House? Your playmate already chose the food, so."
"What do you mean 'playmate'? What other poor fools have you kidnapped?"
"This one!"
With that, he picked up the jar and started to unscrew the lid.
"Wait, please. I don't want him to recognize me," Norman whispered to Dr. T.
"What? Why?" He whispered back.
"We left on a bad note..."
T considered it for a moment. He did act good for him.
"Fine. I was going to give it to Goblin when he was acting the way I wanted, but you can have it as a treat for now. But it's not good to lie for too long or you'll get caught eventually and make it even more awkward."
He held the jar close to him and went over to his work desk and shuffled through a box. He handed Norman a mask--Goblin's mask, and it looked like it was in a new condition. He hated seeing the damn thing but that was fixed by putting it on. At least he could dodge questioning for now. T held his hand on top of the jar and then went over to the bigger enclosure to let him out.
"The Green Goblin? So this is where you've been hiding out?"
"Ahem. To be fair, I'm in the same boat as you. I'm not hiding on my own accord." Norman said. Maybe he would just keep responses short... He should also try to act like Goblin, right?
"Great, the man who killed someone I cared about in the same room as me. Why him? Why me?"
"Well, like I said to him. Think of it like those people who keep cheetahs or something. You guys are like, exotic."
"Tell me why you don't just go grab a cheetah with your portals then? Seems like it'd be less illegal." He blurted out angrily.
T chuckled. The two of them were just alike.
"Because you guys can talk. And no, I can't speak to animals. I get lonely."
"Who did I kill that was close to you?" Norman was still shocked by Otto's statement. He was trying to imitate his darker half, so he tried to act casual and cold.
"You're not asking in good faith. Shut your trap or I'll shut it for you."
"Hey, no hurting each other physically. I mean it."
"I'd shut yours too if I were any bigger."
"I'm sure you would. I'm going to get you that food I talked about. Not to reward you for your shit behavior, but because I'd rather you not hurt yourself by starving. By the way, I rigged your house to have working plumbing, water, and lights. Everything should be working. The kitchen has everything too."
So he did give him his food. And then he yawned.
"I might have to end up sleeping in the lab tonight. You two are handfuls."
"You say that as if there's another option," Otto said, looking through the box of food and eyeing it.
"Well, yeah. I have an apartment. I planned on leaving you both here overnight."
"And what if something happens to us while you're gone?" From Otto between a bite of cold scrambled eggs.
"Then I'll find you."
"How are you so sure?"
T smirked in response. Otto squinted at him and frowned. He started to eat a piece of bacon. Norman went to try out the couch in the model living room and sprawled out on it. It was pretty comfortable. He would've curled up and gotten cozier under the throw blanket but figured Goblin would've sprawled out like he owned the place.
"What about us? We have our own ambitions. I was helping people out in my life. I was this close."
"Forget about them. I'll make you a new inhibitor chip for you and then it'll be easier. Less of your children yelling about building the reactor. And by the way, you weren't and aren't close to making one that sustains itself. You should've gotten the hint after attempt two failed."
Otto's actuators whirred angrily.
"How would you know?"
"One: I'm a God, two: I know more than you think, three: science."
"Then help me to accomplish it. I mean, you helped destroy my work. If it goes wrong, you can do it again."
"I'm not interested in helping."
"You're not a real scientist. You're just like Osborn. There's no room for selfishness in science."
The actuators were still whirring and writhing. T chuckled. Norman perked up at his name. He still thought he was selfish. He could feel Goblin stirring. 'That's Otto alright.'