The Broken Ladder Tavern stood on the corner of this street.
The wooden sign outside was so old that its original color was impossible to make out. Painted on it was a ladder with three broken rungs. Beside the ladder was a crooked line of writing.
If you can't make it up, have a drink first.
Peter Parker stood outside, his feelings very complicated.
They were complicated mainly for two reasons.
First, Spider-Man had just saved a school.
Second, Spider-Man was now wearing a fake beard.
The fake beard came from a two-dollar store. The packaging said, "A must-have for the mature gentleman's party."
Peter had found that claim suspicious when he bought it. Once he put it on, he felt even more like an idiot.
He had actually wasted two dollars on this thing.
It didn't look like a beard.
It looked more like a malnourished raccoon had died on Peter's face.
Peter tugged down his cap, then glanced at the old jacket he was wearing.
His suit was hidden underneath.
The fake beard was stuck on the outside.
Peter felt he probably didn't look like an adult right now, but more like a middle schooler trying to sneak into an adult movie theater.
The sort of middle schooler whose parents the doorman would call on the spot.
"This is so stupid."
Peter spoke under his breath.
But...
He was already here.
Peter pushed open the tavern door.
A bell rang.
The tavern was filled with a darkness that suggested electricity bills, not romance.
Several yellowed lights hung from the ceiling, and the tables and chairs looked like they had been scavenged from different failed restaurants. An old television sat in the corner, playing the news, its sound breaking up beneath the conversations in the tavern.
Behind the bar,