When Curt got to his office, a representative of the Wayne Enterprises Board asked for him.

“The board wants to see you,” he said in a curt voice. There was a tag attached at the top of his blazers left pocket that said Williams. Curt followed Mr. Williams to the elevator where they ascended to the boardroom.

The board room was huge, the size of a lobby. In the middle of the room was a huge glass round table with a W in the middle. Sitting around it like King Arthur’s knights was the Wayne Incorporated Board, behind them a giant window with the entire city of Gotham spread out like a massive painting.

Curt felt his stomach twist in anxiety when he saw that acting CEO Lucius Fox wasn’t there to oversee the proceedings.

“Mr. Connors,” Williams said to the board before leaving the room. The board turned to face him, all twelve eyes drilling into him as if they were judging his every breath.

“Good morning,” Curt said. “What can I do for you?”

The first to start was Mr. Brown. Of course, it was him. “Mr. Connors, the board has called you here to inquire about your research on DNA transplants. We’ve been informed that you’ve been assigned new help on Mr. Wayne’s recommendation,” he said in his almost robotic voice.  

Curt nodded. “Yes, the new help is excellent and we’re making progress.”

“I see,” Mr. Brown said. “How far is said research going? Are you able to carry out human experimentation?”

“Well human experimentation is too risky as of…”

“What about simian?”

“I’m afraid with our current funding…”

Mrs. April spoke up. “I understand funding seems to be an issue however we have also not been met with any results. The board has read through all your papers and many of your experiments seem to end up in failure.”

“Scientific breakthroughs take time,” Curt said. “You can’t expect…”

“We’re afraid that the board doesn’t have the time,” Mr. Campbell said. “We’ve been pouring a lot of money and subsidies into your experiments and have been met with no tangible results.”

“The board wants results,” Mrs. English said. “Otherwise, we might have to cut funding off this project entirely.”

“What?” Connors said, almost shouting. “No, you can’t do that. Where’s Lucius Fox, he’ll explain the logistics to you. Or Bruce Wayne, he was very adamant about this project.”

“Fox is scrambling to keep this company together in Wayne’s absence,” Mr. Louis said. “And Mr. Wayne is busy lounging about somewhere in Switzerland or Antarctica while his family’s company falls apart, The board decided to take a more practical approach in their absence.”

“Wayne Inc has invested too much money into your venture,” Mr. Moose said. “We don’t want to come up at a complete loss. Therefore, you have until the end of this month to provide us with tangible results, otherwise…” Moose leaned forward. “We’re cutting you lose.”

Curt wanted nothing more than to argue his case but he knew the board’s decision was final. He left the room, slumped over and dejected, anger seething through his body. When he was alone in his office he ripped into his papers, letting out a scream of pure rage.

At that point he got a call from Sawyer. Curt tossed his phone against the wall, digging his nails into his missing arm till he felt his skin peel.

…

“I’m so sorry I’m late…” Peter said.

“Save your excuses,” Curt said. “We have work to do.”

Peter had been delayed because of an attempted robbery at a jewellery store. He would have been on time if one of the idiots hadn’t managed to get in his car and speed off.

As Peter walked over to the lab he noticed frustration in Connor’s face as he went over the lab rats, examining each of them with contempt in his eyes.

“Peter,” Connors said. “Forget about the lab, we need to work on the formula today.”

“Uh, sure,” Peter said. “If you don’t mind me asking why do you look so…”

“Well other than the fact that you’re late,” Connors said. “Funding for this project is being cut.”

“What?” Peter exclaimed. “They can’t do that. You’re…”

“We, Parker,” Connors said. “We’re doing great things. The board only sees profits, they don’t care about progress. Wayne and Fox managed to keep them in check but…” Curt sighed. “Look let’s just work, Peter. Let’s work on the formula and next time please don’t be so late.”

Peter nodded. “Yes sir.”

They started going through the formula, Peter having a silent vow to have a word with Bruce about this whole Connors situation the next time he saw him.