Children Of The World

"It's too bad you couldn't stay longer," Gwen Stacy said to her half-sister Sarah Delevingne as they hugged. "I really enjoyed meeting you!"

"Likewise," Sarah smiled, "but our flight leaves tonight. Besides, we can still keep in touch, right?" she reminded Gwen.

Gwen just grinned at that. As the daughters of the late, unlamented George Stacy, Gwen and Kara were curious to see if there were any other siblings out there. Desperate to have a son, George had cheated on his wife Helen Stacy numerous times, but had never seemed to be able to produce any children besides his two daughters. However, Sarah's mother Kara Delevingne had fled to live with family in Hartford before George learned about her pregnancy, fearing George's violent temper.

The two sisters had agreed to try and search for any other possible siblings out there with social media. They'd already sketched out some possible approaches, including setting up a website and a Facebook group, making searches through online databases, and so forth.

The sisters hugged one more time, before Gwen moved to hug Kara, who was waiting at the base of the steps of the townhouse belonging to Gwen's aunt Nancy Stacy. Even as she did, Sarah in turn moved to hug Nancy, Gwen's mother Helen and cousin Jill Stacy, who were also standing on the steps with Gwen.

It was with mixed joy and curiosity that Gwen and the rest of her family went back into the house after the Delevingnes had left in their cab.

She was happy to finally learn that she'd had a sister, but she had to wonder...

...just how many other children could George have had out there?

SPIDER-WOMAN #64

"CHILDREN OF THE WORLD"

"Just how long are you planning to do this?" Nancy asked Gwen as the Stacys went back inside and started making lunch.

"Why do you ask?" Gwen asked in confusion.

"I don't know if I told you, but George had a really low sperm count," Helen interjected. "He always made his doctor keep it a secret, but he ended up raving about it a couple of times while he was drunk," she continued with a half-smirk. "I honestly don't think there are going to be many other kids out there besides you and Sarah," Helen finished.

"How am I ever going to know if I don't try?" Gwen asked. "Sarah was around for all these years, and we never knew she even existed until three days ago!"

"I know," Helen nodded, "but I just don't want you to get your hopes up too high," she continued. "Even if there are any other kids out there, they might not want to meet us. I mean, we were lucky that Sarah wanted to meet us, and she only did it once George was dead. What if any other kids out there don't even want to do that?"

"I know, Mom," Gwen said calmly, "but that doesn't change the fact that I have to do this. I need to do this."

"I need to do this," she repeated with finality.

"You've clearly got a lot of potential," Mrs. Thompson nodded approvingly as she reviewed Gwen's portfolio and headshots. "I doubt we'll have much difficulty finding work for you, and I think you'll be an excellent fit with us!" she grinned.

"Thank you so much," Gwen said gratefully, as she stood up and shook Mrs. Thompson's hand. "I've always admired the Hanover Agency!"

It was the end of a long and rather wearying two days for Gwen, as she'd resumed her search for more modelling work. She had presented her portfolio to a number of agencies, and by her reckoning she'd probably gone halfway around the city. Still, Gwen knew it would probably be worth it, given that the Hanover Agency had worked with famous models ranging from Cindy Crawford to Millie Collins.

Her Shakespeare In The Park production of Othello was just about wrapped up, and Gwen wanted to get back to work as soon as possible. There was still a good two months before university resumed in the fall, and Gwen wanted to build up as much money as possible for it.

Sebastian Ziegler couldn't understand why Roderick Kingsley had demanded that he and the rest of Kingsley Cosmetics' talent scouts give him the lists submitted by many of the New York modelling agencies for his review. Kingsley had never been a micromanager, preferring to leave things like talent coordination and selection to his staff, while he focused on the broad product lines and concepts. There were occasional exceptions, though, such as when he'd directed Sebastian to make a substantial offer to that Gwen Stacy girl.

Still, what Mr. Kingsley wanted, Mr. Kingsley got, and so Sebastian dutifully sent all the talent lists on as per the boss's orders. Not that Sebastian would have ever expressed any doubts, anyway-Roderick might have been considered the "sneering lizard of the fashion world" by his competitors, but his ruthlessness had kept Kingsley Cosmetics a major player in the competitive fashion world for years.

Roderick Kingsley only smirked as he reviewed the talent lists gathered by many of the New York modelling agencies. While he hadn't been this hands-on with the talent in previous years, Kingsley knew that in the competitive world of fashion, he needed every asset he could get.

There were other reasons for getting information on the up and coming talent, of course-namely, getting material on some of these models to blackmail them or otherwise dissuade them from working for his competitors, if they wouldn't sign up with his company. It was just one of a long line of tactics Kingsley had made good use of over the years-planting false rumors about what competitors' products had done to their customers, stealing other firms' designs and ideas, hiring computer hackers to mess with their websites and social media, and so forth.

More recently, Kingsley had also been buying stock in many of his competitors' firms, whether directly or through middlemen, that he could use as leverage when he needed to.

Glancing through the lists, Kingsley's eyes lit up as he saw the name of Gwen Stacy appear several times. He had neither forgotten nor forgiven how Gwen had hit him when he'd groped her after a photoshoot, and he was eager for some payback.

His initial efforts to disparage Gwen hadn't worked out very well, due in no small part to his own bad reputation among his fellow fashion magnates. But if that didn't work, Kingsley had other ways to make things go the way they wanted.

More than that, he also had the influence to make them happen.

"I'm not sure you're quite what we're looking for," the director told Gwen after he'd heard her read for the lines.

"Well, I can do it another way, if you like," Gwen offered.

"That's not quite what I meant," the director shook his head. "What I actually mean is, I can do without someone who mouths off to a producer when they critique her performance."

Gwen's cheeks flushed angrily at that. She had auditioned for a role on a hot new TV series, but one of the producers was Carol Jannetty, a woman whose bad side Gwen had gotten on previous occasions. Mrs. Jannetty had provoked Gwen into insulting her by saying that Gwen was just trying to get by on her looks and get cast as eye candy, which immediately cost her the part. Gwen was still upset about Mrs. Jannetty's dirty trick, not to mention her own stupidity for falling for it.

Don't reinforce it, Gwen pointedly reminded herself. Show that you can learn from this.

"I understand," Gwen nodded. "Thanks for your time!" she made sure to smile as she left the stage.

I have enough problems with my luck, Gwen thought to herself, and I don't need my stupidity making things any worse. That cow Jannetty might have set me off, but I was the one dumb enough to lose my temper.

I'm not going to let it happen again, she thought determinedly.

"I've heard some things about you-and I don't know if those are the qualities we're looking for."

"We need someone who can be more than just eye candy, and so far you haven't proven that."

"You've got potential, kid, but we need someone with more experience."

A week of auditions and readings had left Gwen more and more discouraged. Most of the producers and directors she'd held readings for had all turned her down, and from what she'd heard from other actors, Mrs. Jannetty had made sure that Gwen's reputation preceded her. It was extremely frustrating, although Gwen had made sure to always keep a stoic and polite face.

Her efforts to find more modelling work weren't turning out much better. Several of the agencies she'd applied for hadn't called her back, and when she'd tried calling the agents on the other end had been strangely evasive. Gwen couldn't understand why, and could only wonder.

I did really well with Vaughn-Pope Cosmetics, she thought, so what gives?

Sighing, Gwen continued reading through her email, until she came to the last message, which was from the On Target Advertising Agency.

We're a hot new agency, and we're looking for hot young things, the e-mail read. We've got a new campaign going for Silver Ice Beer, and our commercials are going to rock the airwaves! We've noticed your work, and we know you've got potential. So if you're looking to party with other gorgeous young people, then come on down for an audition!

Silver Ice Beer had a great reputation among the college keg party crowd, but Gwen didn't really like it. She wasn't all that fond of beer, preferring drinks like wine coolers and pina coladas. On the rare occasions she drank beer, she definitely preferred light brews, not heavy stuff like Silver Ice. The commercial was no doubt intended to appeal to young men who enjoyed keg parties and football games, with a periphery appeal for older men who wanted to relive their youth.

I can't say doing beer commercials was ever high on my priority list, Gwen frowned. All I'm going to be is eye candy-and that's what these directors are already saying about me!

How's this going to prove I can cut it as a serious actress?

That said, Gwen glanced over to her bedroom closet, where she'd hung her purse.

...Says the girl whose bank account isn't exactly overflowing, she sighed. It's probably going to be good-paying work, at least, and even the biggest stars all had to pay their dues before they hit the big time.

Gwen reviewed the information for the casting call.

Well, here goes nothing, she thought.

In between submitting updated portfolios to modelling agencies and replying to casting calls, Gwen had worked with Sarah to set up a website and Facebook page reaching out to any other children that George Stacy might have had. They'd waited a few days before checking the responses, and to Gwen's delight they already had several e-mails. Eagerly, she opened up the first one.

Hello,

I feel sorry for you, being spawned by that racist asshole George Stacy. He was guilty of hate crimes against mutants, you know-or maybe you don't, driving your fancy Ferraris and wearing your Donna Karans and attending your fancy private schools while young mutants were being beaten to death by the people George's blood money was paying for.

You probably don't need to feel too bad about it, though-I'm sure you'll get what's coming to you soon enough.

Burn in hell!

Aghast, Gwen deleted the e-mail. The sender was anonymous, not willing to reveal who he or she actually was. Whoever wrote the e-mail also clearly didn't do their homework, not knowing how Gwen and Helen had been screwed over by George and certainly didn't have the country-club lifestyle this idiot thought they enjoyed.

The next e-mail was no better.

You two are so fucking hot. Interested in a three-way?

Gwen found this even more insulting. They were trying to reconnect with missing family members, and this jackass was hitting on them!

Gwen made a mental note to ask Sarah how often she'd had to put up with that as she opened the last e-mail.

I had a relationship with George Stacy about fifteen years ago. He was rich, and I was looking for a good time, but I left him when I realized what a violent bastard he was. Since then, I've had two children, including a fifteen-year old boy. It's possible that he was fathered by George, but maybe not-there are a couple of candidates.

And if he is George's son, I don't want to know. Your father was a piece of human garbage, and I don't want anything to do with anyone else he might be related to.

I wouldn't advise you to put too much investment into this. Even if George had any more children, I don't think any of them will want to speak to you. I'm not sure you realize just how many people your father hurt.

That one stung perhaps worst of all for Gwen, knowing that there might be other siblings out there, but that none of them would ever want to meet her.

How many are out there? Gwen wondered to herself.

None?

Some?

Many?

What was most frustrating of all for her was that she might never know.

July 1st saw Gwen at the studio with about two dozen other people her age, gathered on a soundstage decorated to look like a stereotypical frat house. The commercial was going to be for a toga party, and the first thing Gwen noticed was how much skimpier the girls' togas were than the boys'. The script also called for the toga party to be loud and raunchy, much more so than the real fraternity parties Gwen had been to.

Sure, there was drinking, but it was mostly people just taking and doing some dancing, Gwen thought to herself. People who wanted to smoke up, or have sex, usually got some privacy for themselves first. This makes it look more like an orgy...

Of course, high-minded principles don't pay for university, Gwen thought to herself.

Gwen's part in the commercial consisted mostly of laughing and winking at the camera in between making out with two different guys in the background. The whole shoot took less than two hours, and by the time it was done the actors were given their paychecks and sent on their way.

Well, that's another one for the eye candy part of my resume, Gwen though to herself as she walked down the stairs of the subway station.

I mean, it's one thing to do modelling, and I know I've got to pay my dues, but I can't help but wonder how long it's going to take before I get some better roles...

Janice Olivia Yanizewski (who preferred to be addressed as J. Olivia, given her intense dislike of the name Janice), rubbed her chin thoughtfully as she perused the website Gwen Stacy and Sarah Delevingne were using to reach out to other possible children of George Stacy. J. Olivia had long known that she was the result of an affair between her mother and some unknown man who Mrs. Yanizewski had refused to name. That refusal had caused no end of trouble in the Yanizewski household, as J. Olivia's supposed father had begun taking up with everyone from his secretary to half the maid staff to some of the socialites he met at the country club. J. Olivia's mother, in turn, had only increased the number of flings she had, even to the point of hosting swinger parties whenever Mr. Yanizewski had been away on business.

J. Olivia had always had a great time at those parties, but at the back of her mind she'd always wondered who her real father actually was. Mrs. Yanizewski had always assured her that her real father was never on the list, so she could party on without any concern, but J. Olivia wasn't satisfied.

Even through all the orgies, all the drugs, and all the flings she'd had over the years, the question had still stayed with J. Olivia. She could vaguely recall her father dealing with George Stacy, and she recalled what a violent temper he had. Notably, her parents had always tried to avoid him, and clammed up whenever they were asked about him.

Was it because he was a short-tempered asshole, or was it because they knew he was my actual father? J. Olivia wondered. I mean, sure, I'm a little older than these girls, but...

...No, she realized. No, I bet he was. They actually got to know who the hell their father was, while I had to grow up pretending that dumb prick Oscar was my dad! I never even got to see George once, while they were able to see him all their lives! And now I'm stuck rotting in this hellhole, while they're both out there running around free!

J. Olivia was currently confined in the women's wing of Attica Prison. That was because of the bank robbery she had committed, which left seven people dead. The crime stood out because J. Olivia, always seeking new thrills in life, had decided to try becoming a supervillain. As the deadly Joystick, she'd enjoyed herself more than she had in years, with the sheer rush of supervillainy being even more exciting than all the ecstasy and three-ways put together. Although her first set of equipment had been destroyed by Spider-Woman, who'd defeated Joystick and captured her for the police, J. Olivia had the foresight to get the Tinkerer to make several spare sets for her.

Now all I have to do is get the hell out of here, she realized. Not that it should be much of a problem, mind you-there was a reason I held on to all of those photos!

J. Olivia had participated in a number of orgies with powerful businessmen, politicians and other people with pull. What most of them hadn't realized was that J. Olivia had secretly filmed and photographed many of those people in compromising positions. She knew that the films and photos would make for excellent blackmail material, although she'd made sure to keep them until she really needed them. It would be child's play to contact her attorney and get him to route the photos to the appropriate authorities, threatening them with exposure unless they pulled the necessary strings to get J. Olivia released.

Oh, this is going to be fun...J. Olivia thought to herself.

We're going to be one big happy family again...

(Next Issue: Gwen's efforts to find new modelling and acting work go from bad to worse, as Roderick Kingsley ratchets up his efforts to undermine her budding career. Her efforts to reach out to any other children George Stacy may have had are no more successful, but even that may not be Gwen's biggest problem, as Joystick attacks the Stacy family after convincing herself that George Stacy was her father! All this and more in Spider-Woman #65: Family Reunion!)