“Reed Richards! My God, it’s been years. How are you, lad?” Dean Collins had a broad smile as he shook Reed’s hand. “You’re our most famous alumnus, Reed. You don’t know how pleased I am you came.”
Reed smiled, happy to see the older man. Dean Collins had been his mentor throughout his four years at E.S.U. “I’m glad I could make it. You know my wife Sue, of course.”
Sue Richards nodded at the retired Dean. “I’m happy to finally meet you, Mr. Collins. Reed has told me so much about you that I feel I know you personally.”
Dean Collins took her hand and kissed it. “And you’re even lovelier than your photographs picture you to be, my dear. Come, let me introduce you to some of the others.”
Dean Collins led her into the large crowd of people milling about the bar. Reed smiled. Retirement hasn’t aged him one bit. Good for him.
The room was a converted gymnasium, with the bleacher seats rolled back, decorations hung, and tables hastily set up with food and drink. A portable bar was manned by professional bartenders who carefully poured drinks for the joyous crowd. Reed estimated more than three thousand schoolmates jammed the large gym.
Ben Grimm stiffly picked at his collar. “Sheesh, Collins didn’t even give a hello. Ya think he didn’t recognize me, Stretcho? Ya don’t think I changed that much since college, eh?” Reed suppressed a growing smile.
“Dean Collins and I worked together for several years, Ben. He got me my first job with the Science Institute. You were here on an athletic scholarship.”
“Sure, sure. He just didn’t realize who I was, right? I mean, ya seen one orange-skinned monster an’ they all get ta look alike, don’t they? Sheesh.
“Alicia, ya want me ta get ya a drink?” Alicia smiled sweetly. “Yer regular, babe?”
Ben plodded over to the bar, where several of his old classmates toasted one another. One of the women saw him first and gasped. “Oh, God, what is he? Look at him! He’s a . . .” She couldn’t say “monster” as Ben stared into her eyes.
“I’m the school nurse, blondie. Ya wanna make somethin’ of it?” His coarse voice thundered in the woman’s ears. Frightened, she backed away from him and clutched her husband’s arm.
The man gulped in horror. He had to say something. He had to protect his wife from the . . . the thing that stood no less than three feet from him. “Wh-why did you scare Madeline like that? She didn’t do anything to you.” His knees wobbled in fear. What would the creature do?
Ben turned to the bartender and ordered two vodka gimlets, then returned to see the small man quaking before him. “Lemme see, here, I was just orderin’ a couple o’ drinks, an’ yer old lady called me a monster. The way I see it, she’s the one who scared me. Ya gotta understand, shortie, ta me, yer the monsters.”
The man backed off a foot and tried to shake off his fear. “P-please apologize to my wife. Look at her.” He puffed out his chest, regaining his lost courage.
Ben stepped closer to the man and stuck out a finger. It hooked the man under his collar, and effortlessly, Ben lifted him off his feet. “Tell ya what, baldie, how’s about we both ferget this before ya make me real angry an’ ya force me ta ferget this is supposed ta be a party. Understand?”
The room was silent now, all eyes turned toward Ben and his frightened adversary. Would there be a fight, even though everyone knew it would only last a fraction of a second?
Alicia spoke up. “Excuse me, Ben, I thought you were getting me a drink.” Ben nodded sheepishly. It had been years since he had become the Thing. By now he should have been accustomed to the horrific stares his presence elicited.
“I was doin’ just that, babe—then baldie, here, hadda go cause some trouble. Ya know me. I hate trouble.” Ben ambled over to the bench where five rather heavyset men sat. “Don’t get up,” Ben said as he lifted the bench and the men with one hand.
“Ya know how I just shrivel up when trouble comes my way, babe. Anyway, he was just gonna apologize an’ then we wuz all gonna go back ta havin’ fun.” Ben gently put the bench back in place. “Weren’t ya, shortie?”
The man nodded. “I’m sorry. I won’t bother you again. I promise.” He looked back at his wife, glaring at him. Madeline would have to understand. He didn’t want to find himself dismembered. Not this evening.
Ben smiled. “I knew ya’d see things my way, guy. Tell ya what, the drinks’re on me. Awright?”
The man shook his head. “I’m giving up drinking. I don’t want to touch this stuff again. In fact, I don’t feel very well. I’ve got to go. C’mon, Madeline. We’ve got to go.” He tugged at his wife’s arm.
“But, Gregory, I—”
“We’ve got to go, dear. We’re selling the house tonight and moving to another state . . . maybe another country. Uh, good-bye. Nice meeting you all. Madeline . . . c’mon. Now!”
They left Madeline confused. Then Ben turned toward the crowd. “I said the drinks were on me—at least the first dozen. C’mon.”
Within moments, the joyous drone returned to the gymnasium. The band began its stirring rendition of “How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?” And voices could be heard everywhere. The minor distraction was all but forgotten.
For one hour, the party continued, couples danced, old acquaintances were renewed, business cards were exchanged, and phone numbers were traded along with mutual promises of getting together soon.
Old flames came upon each other, men meeting women they had loved and left, women introducing their current husbands to old boyfriends. Embarrassing stories were dredged up; school songs thought to be forgotten were remembered and sung out of tune.
It was ten-thirty when Reed noted a commotion at the gymnasium door. There were crowds of men and women streaming to the door. “Something’s happening, Sue,” Reed said. “I’ve got to see what’s going on.”
Sue held him back. “It’s probably nothing, darling. Or maybe Ben’s getting into another ruckus. C’mon, introduce me to that stunning redhead who’s been giving you the eye all evening.”
Reed shot Sue a strange stare. “What redhead? I didn’t see anyone.”
Sue smiled cunningly. “I bet you didn’t. Confess, husband, was she an old girl friend you don’t want me to know about? I’m not letting you off the hook so easily.”
The commotion at the door continued. Then there was a hushed silence as Reed could hear Dean Collins’s voice coming from the crowd. “I—I don’t think you should come in here. You’re not—” Collins’s voice stopped abruptly.
It was replaced by another voice, a cold voice, one devoid of any emotion. It sounded harsh to the ear, rasping, as if it were mechanically filtered. “I was a student here, Collins. I demand entrance, and I will not be denied.”
Reed recognized the voice instantly. He had heard it many times in the past, and each time it filled him with dread.
He stretched his neck to the gymnasium roof to peer above the crowd. It was him. His worst fear had been realized. Of all of Empire State University’s students, he was not expected to show his presence here. Certainly not without fanfare. Indeed, Reed had not even known he was in the country.
The crowd parted, and the tall man entered. Then Sue let out a stunned gasp.
Majestically, powerfully, he stepped inside the gymnasium, knowing all eyes were now upon him, as well they should be.
The large hall seemed to shrink with the sudden and unexpected appearance of Empire State University’s most infamous student . . . DOCTOR DOOM—MONARCH OF LATVERIA!
