12617/Things Cost Money

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Things Cost Money
Date of Scene: 06 January 2021
Location: First Floor, Avengers Mansion
Synopsis: Drama! Suspense! Corporate Espionage!
Cast of Characters: Iron Man, Pepper Potts, Slipstream, Captain Marvel (Danvers)




Iron Man has posed:
"You're going to love it. Bunch of really great people, All-Winners and all that."

Shouting into the headset that's weighing down his already product-laden hair, Tony makes his voice heard over the whine of the helicopter's rotors. The ground below is coming up fast, and the familiar outline of Avengers Mansion's roof can be seen, all lit up with the LED lights he replaced the old gas lanterns with so he could qualify for a tax credit.

Sitting in the helicopter's passenger compartment, in one of his slightly more casual business suits, and with a frosty glass of scotch in one of his hands, our favorite Bitcoin Whale/Philanthropist/Job Creator looks fairly pleased with himself. And why shouldn't he be? He just conned... er... offered an opportunity to his long-suffering personal assistant.

Over the headset, the pilot lets them know that they're landing in three... two...

And Tony offers himself an opportunity to finish his glass, lest it get jostled during the landing.

One!

The rotors slow, and the craft comes to rest on the roof. Textbook landing.

"You know, we could have gotten here much faster if you'd just let me fly you. This phobia of yours is costing us... hey pilot! How much are we paying for this ride?"

"Uh... like forty grand, roughly?"

"Like forty grand, Pepper."

Pepper Potts has posed:
"Fly me in this helicopter while you *drank*? Or fly me in a single metal suit completely bare of any armor or protection myself *after* you'd been drinking? This *phobia* called logic and caution has kept me quite alive for nearly 40 years and I'm not going to start doubting it now." Pepper huffs a little, staring at him agog as he finishes off the drink just like that. She's ceased trying to lecture him on the booze, but she won't fly with him while he is. She has some standards.

Once they are landed, she eagerly starts unbuckling from the various safety harnesses she strapped herself into for the short flight. She straightens out her hair, the strawberry locks tied back at the base of her neck, and makes certain her bangs are in order. Feeling a bit fresher, she swings her legs down and out, expertly navigating on those stilletto heels she loves so much (Jimmy Choos today.)

"Besides, Fitzgerald here is on retainer. We'd be paying him to keep him grounded either way." No, not as much as when he flies, but he gets paid. She gives the pilot one last smile and then looks out over the roof thoughtfully. "And you're certain this isn't going to bother anyone? That I'm here?"

Slipstream has posed:
Hearing the copter land on the rooftop, Drake gives a few blinks of speed upwards to open the door and step out into the chilly air. He was curious as to who was 'coming home' or at least dropping by for a visit. The youngest Avenger is wearing a heavy hoodie and a pair of torn black jeans in a more casual manner. Sliding his hands back through his hair to push it away from his face, he offers up a grin at the pair.

"Hey Tony! Hey Pepper!" He calls over to them as he lifts a hand up to wave to them after a few moments. He gives an apologetic look to Fitzgerald who had to endure.

"Where did you two come back home from?"

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
Carol Danvers was in the mansion as well. But she was in the kitchen, making a smoothie. Not a healthy one, a tasty one. There is a difference she would defend to her last breath. Hearing the helicopter land, a brow arched curiously. But smoothie first. As the blending is finished, drink in hand complete with straw and a paper drink umbrella from Tony's stash, she begins to make her way toward the sound of voices.

Seeing Tony and Pepper with Drake, she offers a smile. "Hello Pepper. Tony. Drake." She sips her drink while waiting for the answer to Drake's question.

Iron Man has posed:
It takes Tony roughly as much time to get out of the helicopter, leaving his glass behind. His suit is made of whatever rich guy material doesn't wrinkle, probably the stem cells of the war orphans he's created, or maybe linen.

"I told you, it helps keep my repulsors steady... oh look, it's Drake..." Tony's voice lowers suddenly "... don't tell him about the action figure deal..."

His voice raises back, to almost a shout, to be heard over the winding-down rotor noise.

"Oh hi, Drake! And Carol!"

Again the voice lowers, and he cranes his head to the side closer to the Executive Assistant's (don't call her a secretary) ear.

"Don't tell her about the action figures either..."

Adjusting the lapels of his suit jacket, and then shivering almost instantly, Tony points toward the door that leads down into the mansion proper.

"Let's get out of this weather, huh? My silky boxers don't really have the insulation of the Mark 50, but SOMEONE didn't want me to fly here in that, and I... valued her opinion."

It looks like that last part of the sentence is tough for him to say, but Tony's been practicing it more and more lately.

Pepper Potts has posed:
That ever harrowed 'Executive Assistant' is smoothly walking along side of Tony, easily keeping up despite her heels. She's got a briefcase in hand, tablet and other work things inside, and generally has the demeanor of a woman who is readied to be here not just for a social call. But maybe that's Pepper's demeanor always.

She's dressed as sleek as her boss, in a dark charcoal bespoke fitting pant suit with double breast buttons and a gorgeous red silk chemise beneath, for a pop of subtle color. Her hair is pulled back off her face and her bangs neatly trimmed, though tucked off to the side to look that very put together, planned, messy chic. She smiles to Drake, "No where, just up from the city. Though... Philadelphia, most recently. Tony needed a cheesesteak. And he complains about me wanting to take a helicopter to visit *you* all." She gives her boss a sideways look, but nods in agreement about getting off the roof.

No commentary is made on the action figure issue, but the other pair might easily see something displeased on Pepper's freckled face. She's edging on frustrated with Tony, but it softens when he mentions valuing her opinions. She immediately looks flattered and confused.

"Good evening, Carol. It's good to see you about..." There's not exactly a hero-worship in Pepper's eyes for the woman. It'd be very uncool to feel that way, but she can't entirely hide her blatant admiration for Carol.

Slipstream has posed:
"Oh. Phili. For a sandwich. That sounds .. environmentally .. friendly.. to fly a copter out for a sandwich .. " Drake trails off a bit, slowly blinking before he gives an amused shake of his head. "So, anything else going on guys? Things have been quiet in the city parts that I patrol. Though there was a major explosion in Bushwick last night. Some type of terrorist attack. Police are looking into it, but looks like a buncha anti-mutant types decided to bomb vest a citizen. I got the report that came through, but doesn't look like it's 'our' thing."

He gives a long stretch, then flops his hands down against his sides again. "But I'm pretty bored. Was hoping to see Cap tonight, get some training in."

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
Carol Danvers listens with amusement. Most things Tony does are amusing to her. Not because she exactly approves of them, much of the time, but because it offers a glimpse into how the 'other side' lives. That side being those with more money than sense.

"I try to be here as often as I can. Given my obligations with Alpha Flight, I get a lot of frequent flier miles between Manhattan and Vancouver" she says with a light laugh. "Besides. It's hard to know when Tony is going to need a wing-woman to save his tail in a test flight..." An innocent look aimed to Tony.

Iron Man has posed:
"What? No, we took the jet to Philly..." Tony gives Pepper a look like 'This guy...' and makes his way toward the door.

The stairway down from the roof isn't exactly Hulk-friendly, but it's aaaaaaalmost Thor-friendly, so ninety percent of the Avengers find it pretty roomy. Leading the way down the stairwell, Tony pulls out his Stark Glasses (don't call them bifocals) and nods along while people other than him talk.

Meanwhile, he's getting like stock market quotes and funny videos beamed directly into his brain, via the glasses.

Finally in the mezzanine that overlooks the foyer, Tony pauses, looks left, looks right, and then frowns.

"Dammit, where'd we move the Conference Room to? I wanna have a conference. Normally I'd ask Pepper... but Pepper came with me... which of you knows where the Conference Room is, and before you answer that, who messed with my temperature settings? It's like 68 in here, that costs money."

Pepper Potts has posed:
"Yes, I just meant, that's the last place we... Never mind." Pepper exhales, an almost apologetic smile given to both Carol and Drake. She's following along loyally at Tony's side, looking vaguely embarrassed about just how NOT environmentally friendly their last few days have been, but Pepper tries not to think TOO hard about it. "At least I signed onto the flight offset initiatives in the fall, Drake. So... we should be planting a whole lot of trees and continuing work on carbon reclimation for both those flights.

Then Tony's on about conference rooms, Pepper half smiling, looking horribly nervous for some reason. Even more nervous than usual, which is rare because she's generally not involved in Avengers things, but she's here. "Tony. You don't live here. Give them the damn thermostat." Pepper chides as her mind catches up with what he just said.

Slipstream has posed:
"I mean, I don't really care about the environment. I'm no hippy. I play video games for a living. I'm ready for The Matrix. Just plug me in so I can dodge bullets." Drake says as he follows after them. "Then I'd never have to leave the house and know that we've destroyed the environment by taking jets and copters to get sandwiches." His lips curl upwards, amused.

"Hey Captain." He says to the other Captain. "How're you doing these days? I just got back from outerspace punching aliens in the face on Saturn. Was really fun. I shoulda had you tag along with us! Though, the Legion is kinda a sausage fest now and they literally have no clue how to talk to girls of any species."

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
Carol Danvers looks to Drake, "Oh? It sounds like you had it handled. But it does sound like a good time. For you at least..." she smiles however, "It's okay. I now how to talk to guys that don't know how to talk to girls..." if that wasnt a thinly veiled threat, what is? She looks over to Pepper and Tony, "Thermo..." about to ask what that was about. But duty calls. From Vancouver. An alert chirps and Carol reaches for her phone immediately based on the tone. "I've got to take this. I'm sorry gang. Hope to see you again soon Pepper. Maybe coffee?" she offers apologetically as she turns to walk quickly toward the doorway out to the pool area. "Director Danvers. Yes. Copy that. I'll be there in five."

By the time she is out the door her attire has morphed from civvies to Captain Marvel's uniform and she's blasting off from the concrete patio. In seconds she is gone, only a sonic booom cracking high in the atmosphere.

Iron Man has posed:
"Fine... they can keep it at 68..."

Apparently Tony has decided that the Conference Room is to the left, and he may even be right. Either way, he's started taking a few steps when Captain Marvel suddenly blasts off for her Other Team. He mutters something and gives everyone else a look like 'This guy...'

Moving down one of the mansion's many hallways, he pauses to push the actual physical button on one of the old intercom terminals. There's no tax credit for updating those, but he'll get around to it eventually.

"Emergency Conference! Avengers Assemble! And... uh... if anybody's here, can you bring me like... maybe a Clif bar? Does anyone else want a Clif bar? Know what, just bring all the Clif bars, then whoever wants one can just have one, I can't think of every little thing."

The button is depressed, and Tony keeps walking, eventually finding what may or may not be the Conference Room. But it definitely has a big round table in it with a giant 'A' emblazoned in gold across its surface.

And little name tags in front of all of the chairs. Some of the names are of people who haven't shown up in years, probably time to throw out their name tags.

"Just grab a seat anywhere, Pepper. Maybe not in Hulk's seat though, he... left some stains on it, I think."

All the way around the massive table Tony goes, until he gets to the chair that has an 'Iron Man' nameplate in front of it.

Just in case anybody wanted to know who he was... but you wouldn't believe how many arguments about seating arrangements happened before they got the nameplates.

Pepper Potts has posed:
"I...I can get you a cliff bar, Tony. Just get settled in with your colleagues. I've got this." Pepper reassures him with that usual smile that happens when she's smoothly taking care of at least five things at once. Then her pale green eyes flicker over to Drake and she tilts her head at his reassurance about the environment.

"Well, I think you'd get rather bored with NOTHING but video games after a while, and I am doing my best to make certain Stark Industries doesn't *hasten* the destruction of this planet, even if we don't manage to reverse it. Does anyone else want food while I'm in the kitchen?" She asks the room.

Carol's already disappearing. Pepper gives her a quiet wave and a look of mixed envy and admiration. It would be nice to just fly off and genuinely help some things. But no, she's getting cliff bars. She double time jogs off to the kitchen to achieve them, and some soda water for herself, before returning for this 'conference'.

Slipstream has posed:
"You'd think that, but I'm pretty much an addict." Drake says as he heads into the room and flops down into a chair. He eases himself back and folds his arms over his chest after giving a slow swivel. "I'm good Miss Potts. Thank you though."

"So, what's the big emergency?" He asks curiously as his brows lift upwards, a hint of excitement creeping into his voice.

Iron Man has posed:
Taking the giant, luxurious chair behind the Iron Man nameplate, Tony settles in, and looks kind of dwarfed by the chair. It's really meant to hold 'Iron Man', which is both larger and heavier than Tony Stark in a David August suit and some silky boxers.

For a moment, it looks like he's going to wait for Pepper to get back, or for ANYONE else to arrive, but his attention span can only be maintained for so long, and within a few clacks of Pepper's Jimmy Choo heels, he's already slumped over in front of the table, looking like he got left at the bus stop in the rain.

Drawing himself back up, with some effort, he makes yet another face like 'This guy...' as if the answer to the question is incredibly obvious.

"What's the big emergency? What's the big emergency? Our 'Q' Scores are in the TOILET is what's the big emergency. Nobody's playing with Avengers action figures anymore... they didn't even OFFER to license our likenesses for Fortnite 3 even though they put characters from the TELETUBBIES REBOOT in it... and our NASCAR team didn't even place at Indianapolis."

"So, you know, no big deal, but the Avengers are FINISHED!"

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pep isn't long out of the room, knowing that Tony's on an obsession and ready to work. So, she's practically dashing by the time she makes it back with his energy bars, two of them in his favourite different flavors, and a seltzer for each of them. He might not drink his but she can have some nice dreams of a time where Tony Stark drinks something that isn't alcoholic for a little bit.

As she slides back into the room, she takes the seat right next to the large Iron Man chair, pulling out her briefcase as she sets down her seltzer and her tablet is in hand to take notes. She looks between Drake and Tony, then the empty room, before turning an almost apologetic glance to Drake. "I told him it's not the biggest problem. You all are worried about fixing actual problems, not being famous, but he thinks... well, he's worried about PR."

Slipstream has posed:
"No one plays Fortnite. That game is dead. It'd be embarrasing to have us even in that game. Why do you think they have teletubbies in there? It's a game designed for babies." Drake's brows raise upwards a bit. "I didn't even know we had action figures. That's cool though ... can mine look like a young Brad Pitt? I know it's a total catfish but it's not like anyone even recognizes me as an Avenger anyways."

"But, uh .. Miss Potts is right. I don't know why we need to worry about all of that stuff. We're called the world's greatest superhero team." Don't tell the Justice League that. "We save lives. That's way more important than a poster or an action figure."

Iron Man has posed:
"Well, it's different for ME, because I'm one of the most famous men on the planet. It's not ME that I'm worried about. It's the little guys, working hard behind the scenes, never getting the credit... guys like Drake, and Carol, and Steve, who are all part of the team, VALUED parts of the the team, but nobody cares about them toiling in... ignominy."

Surprise, surprise, Tony actually opens his seltzer up first. He even takes a sip of it, but only one, before he's turned up his nose at it and set it back down.

There's about a thirty second pause, while Tony tries to open the wrapper to his carbohydrate bar, eventually getting it open after much rustling of the foil and nearly dropping it on the table. Finally, he takes a big bite, devouring nearly half of the Banana and Peanut Butter bar.

Now with Extra Caffeine.

"So... it's like this... things cost money."

Chew. Chew. Chew.

"The Maria Shtark Fnndnnntshhnnn..."

Swallow.

"... operates from a tax-exempt trust. Which is heavily invested in cryptocurrencies and payday loan companies. And every time we fuel up the Quinjet, we have to dip into the tax-exempt trust fund."

"Which is getting dangerously small. So if we don't turn around the Avengers' Q score ratings, enough to keep this a breaking even proposition...."

Another Big Bite.

"Th' 'Vnnngrrrrs rrr FNNNISSSSHED!"

Swallow.

"So Pepper's gonna fix that. Tell us how, Pepper."

Pepper Potts has posed:
"Drink it. It's good for you." Pepper states flatly to Tony as he turns his nose up at that seltzer. The tone is hard enough that while it's not exactly an order, it's the sort of expression she gets when she's not messing around and she's begging him to do this ONE THING for her. She doesn't dwell on it like a fight, but he's getting a look about it.

Then she's turning back to Drake as Tony explains the issues, and one hand opens in a motion of quiet agreement to Tony's worries. "While we might be able to find the money elsewhere... getting some good PR out there would be the most direct route to ensuring the team is stable. So, while you are all busy, I'm starting to book some 'New Year, Old Heroes' projects for you all. Going back on how the Avengers have been the most respected, reliable team for quite some time and that you aren't just here when the world is threatened. Charity dinners... food bank volunteering. A few more make a wish events. Really, I could book you in on anything you might LIKE to do. Maybe you could sponsor some sort of video game tournament, Drake? Play in it? Give a bunch of free spots and equipment to kids who aren't all that well off, have the rich people pay for their spots... put all the money to a charity of your choosing?"

Slipstream has posed:
"I can do that. I have my Overwatch League contacts. I can set up a meeting with Blizzard executives if you guys want." Drake says as he furrows his brows. He shifts his jaw in thought, then props his chin up in the palm of his hand as he drums the table with the other in a slow thumpity thump.

"But, yeah .. just let me know what you guys need me to do and I can do it." He doesn't have a lot of optimism in his voice. He looks worried and a bit thrown off by the events.

Iron Man has posed:
Leaning back, Tony looks suspiciously at his seltzer, but with only moderate urging, he takes another sip, struggling a bit for dramatic effect as if it were an extra helping of okra or something.

But then he takes another sip, as if he likes it, before putting it down suddenly so that he doesn't lose the moral victory.

Overall, he looks pleased with the former, well, current Executive Assistant, but now also Public Relations Guru. Though he likely doubts her skills as a bartender. Two out of three ain't bad.

"Look at that, already we're having ideas, people are contributing... the world's going to look back on this day and say 'Man, what a historic meeting, even if Carol left early to go to Canada for some reason and Hawkeye was AWOL even though it was his turn to be on monitor duty.'"

"So, first things, Pepper, you'll need to call up Bert Mifflin, get him to email you all of his files, and then let him know that he's fired. Be gentle though, he's been with us about eight years, I think. Don't want him slapping us with an ageism lawsuit. And then... I guess... let's all get to work, and go save the world!"

Pepper Potts has posed:
A slightly warmer smile crosses Pepper's features as Drake gets on board with the idea. And she even seems to have nailed the best way he'd be interested in it. "Like that... extra life day. We'll set it up close to that, and donate a quarter of the proceeds to their charities saying they inspired us. I think it'd be great, Drake, and something you *love* doing. So, that's a good start..." Pepper is genuinely pleased with herself about this idea. Why did she ever doubt she could do this job?

Then she's looking back at Tony as he says she has to fire the man. That gets a momentary wide eyed look from her and then a slightly more stern gaze. "I am NOT doing your dirty work, Anthony Stark. You either tell him yourself or let me move him into a more useful position, but I won't be the grim reaper about this. Bad enough you've put more things on my plate."

Having laid down that bit of law, Pepper turns back to the table and falls into a bit more intensive planning with them. She outlines a schedule, a few ideas for some of the others, and generally proves just how damn competent she is at most any task she's been given. How she puts up with Tony while doing it? That's a whole other mind boggling issue.