Cheerful music echoed through the night sky as a luxurious passenger liner festooned with colored lights sailed out of New York Harbor. Inside its spacious cabins, guests chatted and mingled, with bursts of laughter breaking out from time to time.
A conspicuous banner hung from the ceiling, which was covered in colorful balloons and ribbons: "The People of New York Thank the Fantastic Four." The presence of guests from the New York Police Department and government officials made it clear that this was no simple private party.
"Sorry. I only meant to throw a small gathering, but Johnny and that big mouth of his..."
Reed pulled Sean into a corner, looking rather embarrassed. He had originally planned to host a get-together among friends at noon, but after Johnny advertised it everywhere, a whole crowd of irrelevant people had shown up. Besides representatives from the fire department and the New York Police Department, there were all sorts of reporters and freelance writers, along with a group of voluptuous models.
Caught unprepared, Reed could only move the party to the evening and switch to a larger luxury liner. Fortunately, he was no longer as broke as he had once been, barely able to pay the rent.
Ever since Doctor Doom's rampage through Manhattan, the Fantastic Four had received immense publicity. Although Reed's scientific career had not gone smoothly—after Doom Group went bankrupt, no investors had been willing to approach him—their unconventional path to fame had begun. Advertising endorsements for all kinds of household products and invitations to talk shows came flooding in like snowflakes, making the Fantastic Four household-name celebrities overnight.
"It's a pretty good party, just a little too noisy." Sean shook his head, the roaring music nearly drowning out his voice.
Thing sat at the bar, chatting happily with a