It Works (Part 1)

In the bustling press conference venue, all the guests attending the conference were dressed in suits and ties, including many important figures.

The seats on the left were occupied by high-ranking military and political figures, including a White House advisor, while the seats on the right were occupied by prominent business figures, including Pepper and Stark, Osborn, the head of Hammer Industries, and the boss of more than 20 companies of various sizes.

The people in the right rear row are academics, including Schiller, Strange, Connors, Yinsen, and more than 30 other PhD holders or professors from well-known universities. The two rows behind them probably have hundreds of PhDs combined.

Strange and Schiller sat together on the far right, behind Stark. Both were dressed in suits and sat upright in their chairs. Strange didn't even turn his head, but whispered to Schiller, "That so-called theory about the repair effect of Immortality Factor on the nervous system is such nonsense that I can't even read it aloud."

"Whenever you can't read any further, just think about the last string of numbers in the contract."

"So for the next few months, I had to be in these kinds of situations every day, like a conman or charlatan, reciting those completely nonsensical theories?"

"No, you have much more to do in the next few months, such as leaving your job and moving, and most importantly, counting your money."

At this point, the host of the press conference invited Strange to the stage. Strange stood up, straightened his suit and tie, and then, holding a speech, walked to the front of the stage.

"... Just like the research findings previously announced by the Stark Industries and the Osborn Group, as an expert in the field of neurosurgery, after obtaining valuable experimental samples, I also discovered the secrets of the human body's self-repair and reverse aging..."

Stark, who was dozing off in the audience, was patted on the shoulder by Pepper. He jolted awake, rubbed his eyes, looked around, and noticed that the chair next to Schiller was empty. He quietly walked over, sat down next to Schiller, and said, "How much money did you promise him to be able to say such lies without batting an eye?"

"In short, it's much higher than his salary."

"I thought he would be the kind of person with some career ambitions."

"Of course he is. He calls himself the world's best Doctor, and it's true. You must have heard of him, right? 'God's gift to the medical community.'"

"That's quite a boast. I haven't even called myself 'God's gift to the scientific community' yet."

"I promised him a number he couldn't refuse, and then hired him as the head physician at the new sanatorium. You know, he's a big name, good enough for the job."

"And what about you? I thought you would personally serve as the attending physician."

"No, I am the hospital director. I don't have time to treat patients personally; I have many other things to do."

"You two are unscrupulous quacks," Stark concluded. "Anyone who goes to your hospital is really unlucky."

After a while, Strange finally finished speaking. When he returned, he found that Stark had taken his seat. He and Stark stared at each other, neither willing to give in. In the end, Dr. Ethan, who was sitting next to him, moved another chair for Strange.

Strange told Stark, "You better make sure the salary your so- United Group pays me is commensurate with my brain, which is tainted by these lousy theories."

Stark snorted dismissively and said, "Your annual salary isn't even as much as the Stark Industries earn in a minute."

"Don't say that." Then Schiller comforted Strange, "I'll introduce you to Bor Porter later. He's very interested in Immortality Factor and happens to be looking for a private wellness consultant."

"Wait a minute." Stark looked at Schiller with a puzzled expression and said, "What, is there something to do with senators?"

"You two aren't trying to get paid from multiple sources, are you? You two are consultants for the United Group, and both the Osborn Group and I pay you salaries. You're also employed by S.H.I.E.L.D.., so Nick should also be paying you. There should be a portion of your salary in the construction funds for the nursing home. And now, you're going to get to know a senator?"

Strange's eyes lit up, and he said, "I think it's necessary to broaden one's career path appropriately."

Schiller wholeheartedly agreed, saying, "That's right, and they begged us to do it. The gentlemen on Capitol Hill all wanted to know some information about the drug from me in advance, but you have to understand, I'm just a Doctor and don't understand the specific medical principles. At this time, I always need some professionals to help me."

"By the way, Stephen, you and Dr. Connors should coordinate your statements later. Those congressmen have their own health consultants; they're your enemies..."

Strange scoffed and said, "I'm just pretending to be a conman, and those health consultants are a bunch of ignorant, real conmen."

Then, he leaned slightly towards Schiller and asked in a low voice, "Was what Stark just said true? You're planning to collect money from multiple sources?"

"Not me, but us." Schiller leaned closer, and the two whispered together. Schiller said, "When a new technology that can change the future of humanity comes to market, what do you think is the most needed right now?"

Before Strange could answer, Schiller replied, "Every power wants someone to explain to them what this is and what changes it will bring."

"As those who were truly involved in the research, we have the clearest and most explicit right to interpret it. Everyone is vying for it. We not only collect money from multiple sources, but we also serve whoever offers the highest price."

"But I can't really explain anything," Strange said. "I've seen Connors' research report; we haven't actually cracked this thing..."

"You don't need a real explanation. Just use the technical terms you know and repeatedly emphasize one sentence—'It works.' Remember, this will be the main theme for the next few months. Repeat 'It works.'"

Does it really work?

"Don't ask such a stupid question." Schiller glanced around at the members of parliament in suits and military representatives in uniform. He said, "We're just heartless harvesting machines. What does it matter to you how long these rich and powerful leeks live?"

"I really like your attitude." Strange tilted his head and said, "It seems I misunderstood you before; we still have a lot in common."

"Don't forget, once you've completed your resignation procedures at the Presbyterian Hospital, you should immediately start working at the sanatorium. The positions for the next two months are fully booked, and you'll be very busy from now on."

"So what about splitting it up?"

"Just like we agreed..."

Stark overheard the two of them whispering for a long time. He was curious about what they were talking about, but he was too embarrassed to openly eavesdrop. So he pretended to be disdainful and said, "You two unscrupulous quacks, you can't possibly be saying anything good."

Strange and Schiller exchanged a glance and said, "We might be unscrupulous..."

"... but definitely not a quack."

After the press conference, Schiller led S.H.I.E.L.D. to the Strange. reception center office. Nick was waiting for them in the office. As soon as Schiller walked in, Nick came up and shook hands with Strange, saying, "This must be the general consultant for the Immortality Factor product line? Hello, I'm Nick Fury."

Strange looked around the S.H.I.E.L.D.. office, but before he could even voice his questions, Schiller said directly to Nick, "The sanatorium should be nearing completion, right? When will it open?"

"The former owner of that old bank took great care of it. In fact, there wasn't much that needed to be repaired, and it could be opened in about a week."

"So, is the ribbon-cutting ceremony all arranged?" Nick and Schiller walked to a table and sat down facing each other, with Strange sitting next to them.

"No problem, everyone who needs to attend will attend. In addition, the follow-up construction plan for the nursing home has been put on the agenda. However, you will have to talk to Stark and Osborn Group about these follow-up constructions, as they are the real investors."

"Also," Nick said, looking at Schiller, "What do you plan to name this sanatorium? We can't just call it the Immortality Factor Sanatorium, can we?"

Schiller laughed and said, "How about calling it Arkham Asylum?"

"Arkham? That should be a surname, right?" Nick paused for a moment after saying that, then looked at the ring on Schiller's hand with Strange.

Schiller continued, "It was just a joke. The name doesn't matter; you can decide..."

"No, no, no, I'm sorry, you don't need to explain why. The naming right is yours; you can name it whatever you want."

Schiller glanced at the two of them; Nick and Strange's expressions were very strange, and he knew that the two must have misunderstood something.

When everyone's attitude towards a misunderstanding is "No, you don't need to explain," it's already very difficult to clarify. And when they adopt an attitude of "I understand, I understand everything," there's no point in even thinking about clarifying it.

Nick and Strange both knew about the source of Schiller's cryogenic technology. Schiller claimed, "I have a friend," but the more he said that, the more everyone felt he was hiding something.

"I have a friend," well, those who know, know.

In any case, the name was decided so hastily that, on the day the Arkham Asylum opened, no one knew why it was called Arkham.

Schiller had previously kept a low profile. He was not as famous in the medical field as Strange, and he mostly stayed behind the scenes. Apart from a few key figures, others did not know much about him.

As a result, most people assumed that the dean's surname was Arkham, so Schiller directly lost his real name and most people called him "Warden Arkham" instead of "Dean Rodriguez".

The day of the opening ceremony of Arkham Asylum was a rare sunny day. At the ceremony, Schiller invited all his friends in the world and gave them intensive training the night before.

"... Yes, I'm sure it works. Although I'm in charge of pathology research, I've also learned about some of the classified research findings, so I can certainly tell you that..."

"Oh, right... that's right, I'm a high school student, and I'm just helping Dr. Connors in the lab. What? I've seen the actual report? I can't tell you that, it's confidential... well, I can only tell you that with so many researchers working on this, it can't be completely useless, right?"

"Indeed, I am a PhD in physics, but I think you have a misunderstanding of the scope of physics. I did participate in this experiment, especially in the research and development of medical devices targeting the Immortality Factor. Do you think I would spend so much energy on something useless?"

"Longevity? You're being far too conservative in your assessment of its effects, sir. As a psychology expert, I can tell you with certainty that it's also effective in regulating emotions..."

"Anyway, don't ask so many questions. I'm Stark! Stark tells you it works, then it works!"

"I think you heard me..."

"Yes, that's right, that's what we all say..."

Is there a problem with this?

Do I have to emphasize this again?

"It is certainly effective..."

"It works!"