Reed didn’t get many visitors in the Baxter Building, aside from Sue, Johnny, Ben, and the handful of residents who lived on the upper floors. Even then, few were allowed into his private lab tucked along the top side of Floor 30, just past his office and near the guest bedrooms. The lab was quiet, surrounded by thick, sound-dampening walls and a sealed door — just how he liked it.

Today, though, was different. Reed was hunched over a mess of circuit boards and glowing screens when the wall intercom crackled to life.

“Reed, can you get the door? I’m busy,” came Sue’s voice, likely from the kitchen or the casual lounge across the floor.

He sighed, annoyed by the interruption, and pushed away from his workbench. The short walk through the private corridor led to the elevator cluster in the central section of the floor. He stepped into his personal lift and descended to the reception level, tapping his fingers impatiently as it whisked him downward — though, truthfully, it took less than ten seconds.

The doors slid open to the formal dining area, and he cut through it, passing the corridor to Johnny’s apartment and the pantry before reaching the front door at the bottom of the floor.

With an irritated glance at the monitor feed, he unlocked the door and opened it with a faux-smile. “Can I help you?”