139/A Monday is still a Monday

A Monday is still a Monday
Date of Scene:	25 April 2017
Location:	Upper East Side, New York City
Synopsis:	An evening out with Pepper, Tony and Steve with Elycia as their surprise waitress! Heavy hints are levelled at Steve as his not dating is a crime against humanity, and predictably, Tony disappears before the end.
Cast of Characters:	Iron Man, Pepper Potts, Captain America, Starr

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Iron Man has posed:
'Unseasonably cool'. That's what weathermen are calling it. That and 'chance of thunderstorms'. Of course, with meteorologic prognostication, there is a high percentage chance that it //won't// do all that is threatened. One of the only fields on the planet that isn't held to task regarding their errors. Still, 'unseasonably cool' means that there are fewer people walking the sidewalks of the Upper East Side, which means there are fewer gawkers craning their necks on the off chance they'll actually get to see someone famous. (Tourists. Have to be tourists. New Yorkers really don't care.)

Tony is dressed up, perhaps upon insistance, and over the Armani wool suit is a high-quality (and cost) lined trench. He's forgone the sunglasses in deference to the sun's setting, but it doesn't keep him from that deadpanned expression.

Leaning over as he walks, Tony keeps his voice canted low, "Dinner at 8. Show starts at 10:30. And this time, don't ask to sniff the cork, Steve. That went out about, oh... 30 years ago. Give or take a decade. We trust our sommaliers now."

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper is, as often, just slightly behind the two. She's not famous, not really. She's not a super hero. She's no one that anyone wants to see and, therefore, takes the place of secondary importance. She's wrapped up in a Burberry trench coat, of course, and a pair of sky high Jimmy Choos in a tasteful taupe color. The bottom of the trench coat just hints at the deep green dress she's wearing beneath and her legs are in nude stockings. SHe's got to be freezing, the price that women pay for looking good, but she's not complaining about it.

Despite the spike of her heels and the fact she's a few inches shorter than the men, she easily keeps pace with them on habit alone. She's looking over her phone, making certain the reservations are all in place and that no one is going to disturb their happy little evening. "Tony, if he wants to sniff the cork, no one really cares. He's Captain America. It's *charming* when he does it. It's only obnxious when YOU do it." Pepper chimes off smoothly as she walks along behind them, only half teasing with her words.

Captain America has posed:
     Rogers is dressed in one of his nicest suits, a simple black suit with a bowtie. It's not quite the height of fashion anymore but hey he wants to look nice for the evening.

     "That was one time Tony" He sighs with a bit of a chuckling smile. Towards his good friend. "It's alright Pepper, I made the mistake I get to live with it." A lighthearted shake of the head as he places his hands into his pockets. "And hey at least I knew how to pronounce the name."

Starr has posed:
    When they get to the restaurant, it seems the place is rather busy. It's a good thing they had reservations or else they'd be waiting, like the poor schmucks that are in the side hallway. Walking around, dressed as a waitress however, might be a familiar sight to Miss Potts. A tall red haired woman seems to be working here as a waitress.

Iron Man has posed:
"You were in France, right?" Tony already knows the answer to that one even as he asks Steve about his prior service. The question is asked pointedly, as if there's no quarter given on that one! He lowers his voice and tilts his head in Pepper's direction when he continues in a sotto voice, the theatric petulance entering his tones, "What do you mean it's charming when he does it and it's obnoxious when I do it? It's the eyes, isn't it. Or that whole cornfed look... I know." The later words come out in rapid fire even as they approach the restaurant.

"Here we go.." It's a subject change done by the best, and upon approach, he takes hold of the door to open it for his friends. "Looks like this is the place to be..." and it's time for him to do the civil smile and nod, smile and nod to those that actively acknowledge and/or greet him, them. Of course Steve is greeted as well, and more than a couple people raise their phones to take pictures. It's only one, two women that look around to try and get a glimpse of the elegant Pepper Potts. Brains, beauty AND connections. (Marry well, ladies!)

Pepper Potts has posed:
A deeper smirk crosses Pepper's lips, "It's obnxious when you do it because you ONLY do it when you think the Sommilier doesn't know what he's doing and you're trying to purposefully get in his face about it. So, yes, when you do it, you are being an ass hole and when Steve does it, he's being a charming midwestern boy." Of course, Steve is from Brooklyn, but that doesn't cut away his cornfed charm OR Pepper's point. With her statement firmly made, she waltzes into the place with both of them and smiles smoothly at the host.

The photos being taken don't entirely bother her, though she does slip out of her trench coat, handing it to the coat room girl, so the skin hugging, deep emerald Dior dress she's wearing can now be seen. It looks perfect with her red hair and even well compliments her freckles. "Reservations for three, please... Under Potts." She always made them in her name, less likely to be recognized. And then they are being lead across the room and their waitress is passed. She blinks, seeing Elycia and recognizing her, "I'd like her to serve our table. Yes. Thank you." She commands of the host, simply expecting her orders to be followed. THis would be a good test of the girl.

Captain America has posed:
     "Point taken." Steve states calmly as he gives a light look towards the ceiling. "Tend to pick it up as you go" Said more quietly under his breath. A light laugh and smile.

     The smile keeps right to the point they hit the cameras, with a friendly wave given from the overly musclebound soldier. He's got this down pat from years spent on the circuit, with that complete package smile and the occasional wink that sends the rare newbie reporter swooning.

Starr has posed:
    The Host nods to Pepper as she makes her wishes known, and they get a table away from the bathrooms and away from the kitchen, so...the best table in the restaurant. They're seated and the Host gives Pepper a look like 'Good luck'.

A couple of minutes later....a squeak of surprise can be heard, and if one is looking at the kitchen doors, ELycia's peeking out of the doors at the table.

A bit of time later (presumably to regain her professionalism), Elycia's at the table, with Menus and a notepad with a pen. "Helloooo." She tries to say cutely. "I'm Elycia and I'll be your waitress tonight." She says with a minor smile to Ms. Potts, then she hands them all the menus. Can I get you started with anything to drink, appetizers, or anything like that?" She says to everyone at the table.

Iron Man has posed:
Of course Tony helps Pepper with her jacket, and once she's got her jacket handed off, he removes his own and hands it over before reaching for Steve's, should he have it ready. "Thank you," is murmured to the coat-check girl. She'll be getting a tip by evening's end. Probably one that'll pay her rent for a couple of months, easily.

The photos that start thankfully don't have flashes attached; nothing worse than that! "Careful Steve," comes again in a sotto voice. "The headlines tomorrow will be filled with the fact you actually do eat." He's amused no end, and the truth of the matter is that Tony is probably right. There are more than a couple of swoonings, even from veteran journalists and normally indifferent New Yorkers. A hometown boy made good.

Now that the coats are taken care of, Tony sets a guiding hand at the small of Pepper's back to walk to the tables, not remarking on the choice of waitresses for the evening. He's got full trust! When the table is reached, chairs are pulled out, first for Pepper, then in general for Steve's before Tony takes his own. He doesn't bother looking at the menu, instead looking up at the almost stammering waitress. "Hello, Elycia. Scotch, please." As if he has to say //which// kind? "Ms. Potts? Steve?"

Pepper Potts has posed:
As he takes her jacket, Pepper's eyes might linger just a bit longer on Tony, searching for his approval of the dress. Did he even notice? Did he like it? Pepper wasn't certain why she was worried about that, and she shouldn't be, but she was. As he makes no comment, the woman tries to shake off the thought and focus on the business ahead. He was her boss, after all. Commenting on how she dressed was probably against HR regulations or something!

Pepper smiles to Steve, "Just relax, it's fine. Ignore them, don't offer to sign anything, and enjoy your conversation. They'll all go away soon." Pepper had been coaching people around handling PR and paparazzi for years. Being Captain America changed nothing. She then looks back up to Elycia, "...Elycia, right? I... still have your application at the office. I'm so sorry you are doing something like this. I'm sure I can speed it along and get you out of here." Because, of course, to Pepper, being a waitress is an awfully demeaning job. Even if she might not realize how it sounds when she speaks like that, "But, for tonight, scotch for him, yes. The Legavulin... 48 year." She wasn't going to assume anything, "I'll take a glass of the Jordan's Chardonnay... and Steve, do you know?" She smiles to the blonde. She's also taking all their menus away and handing them back to Elycia, "And we'll just have the Chef's tasting menu tonight. Tell him to keep sending it out until we say stop. The boys have large appetites."

Captain America has posed:
     "Well Tony, let's be honest they'll still be debating it on TMZ." Steve comments with a laugh as he waves to a group of photographers with a wide grin of pure white teeth. "There's still a few convinced I'm some kind of android." His own jacket is handed over, with a more quiet chuckle under his breath.

     Making his way to the table he takes a seat, relaxing somewhat from a long day spent saving the day. "Trust me I'm used to it Pepper, had to be when I was working the circuit, USO was one heck of a trip." He looks to the waitress with a smile, offering. "I'll just take a Hennessy."

Starr has posed:
    "It's okay, Ms. Potts. This helps me meet some people and I get to help them have a good meal, provided they treat me well." Elycia then winks to Pepper. "PLus, I know who's cooking, so I can make recommendations. Liiiike tonight, there's a chef back there named Lumiere. He is an excellent steak cook. If I might recommend, his 8oz New York strip with mushrooms is excellent, and his 10 oz prime rib is divine. If you're a steak and potatos person, he actually makes great homemade loaded potatoes, but they are NEVER on the menu. They're by request only." ELycia is talling the trio all of this while she's writing it down. "And.....I don't think." She then turns her head and rolls her eyes. "Yup. They forgot to stock the scotch." She then flips the page and writes down the name of the scotch. "Mister Stark, if you don't mind waiting a couple of minutes, I'll have your scotch for you shortly." She says as she strides her way into the kitchen....fairly quickly.

Iron Man has posed:
Of //course// Tony approves of the dress. His hand lightly touching the small of Pepper's back is that touch of contact 'allowed' in public. Gentlemanly and possessive all at the same time without being overboard. Any who may study body language would have a field day. Couple that with pulling out her seat and helping shuffle it forward again before taking his own?

Tony sits back in his seat and stares in mock disbelief at his friend, "TMZ? You've been reading the rags, haven't you. J-Lo will be knocking at your door when she finds out." He's teasing!

When Pepper clarifies Tony's order, brown eyes move to the hapless waitress and there his gaze sits. "She knew that, didn't you darling." It's both a statement and a question meant to fluster the poor thing before he nods rapidly in Pepper's direction again, and his eyes linger there for a long moment. "That's fine. I can wait." (Ever the martyr?) He's more than happy to have the menu taken, and he pulls his napkin off his setting in order to lay it in his lap, bringing himself to action once more.

"Now.. this dinner is in honor of the news. One of my colleagues across the Pacific claims that robots will replace CEOs in the next decade. So.. when our drinks get here, I propose a toast to redundancy."

Pepper Potts has posed:
They really WOULD have a field day with Tony and Pepper, the pair so firmly in denial of anything they actually feel, forcibly keeping it so professional and distant. Except when they weren't. Like the little touches tonight. It was almost bad enough that, if someone got the right photo, there'd be ANOTHER run of articles in the paper about how they were dating again. For now, Pepper ignores it, though, trying to act as proper and distant as possible, "...The steaks sound great, Elycia... three. Medium Rare... and two loaded potatoes." Pepper, of course, couldn't eat a potato. She still had to fit INTO dresses like this.

THen she's looking back to the boys and actually hears Tony's comment. A deep smirk crosses her lips, "..Does that mean we're actually taking a vacation? Or you're going to finish signing the paperwork taking the CEO position fully back so I can go back to being a secretary?" Pepper asks, still smirking, half amused and half worried about what Tony's reaction is actually going to be to this. "And don't scare the girl, Tony. She's quite nice and is going to be a new intern for us, as soon as I get HR to finish the paperwork. Especially now that I know she's waitressing. She's too bright for this."

Captain America has posed:
     "Gotta do something in my downtime." Steve shrugs slightly with a light hearted laugh. "I did see Brad got back together with her again after breaking up for the eighth time." Said with a bit of a nod as he looks over the menu checking out what they've got here. "I'll be honest it's a lot like radio plays, except the characters are real people!"

     A bit of good old fashioned excitement in his voice as he speaks up setting down the menu beside himself a wide grin ear to ear. "I've seen so many breakups and makeups the last 4 years." A light pause at the sounds of obsolescence. "Look on the bright side Tony, at least if they replace CEO's the next step is post-scarcity! Before you know it we'll all be living like kings" Just a light hearted joke.

Starr has posed:
    A couple of minutes later, a boom that shakes the restaurant can be heard, only about a minute before ELycia walks out with two full liquor glasses on a tray, and a third, empty glass, as well as a bottle in her hand....unopened. She sets the tray down on the table and gives Steve and Pepper their drinks, before she turns to Tony. "Is this the kind that Miss Potts meant, Mister Stark?" And she shows him the bottle. Legavulin, 48 year. "You're sorta lucky that pelluce's had a bottle on this sort of night.

One problem with that....Pelluce's is three miles away.

Iron Man has posed:
Tony barks a soft laugh and shakes his head. "I don't even remember where all our houses are, remember? The flat in Paris. House in... Monaco? I know we've got the place in Abu Dhabi." Vacations are quite probably out of the question. "Besides, the papers are on my desk. When's the next board meeting? I'll have to show up to disappoint everyone." Or give everyone heart attacks. That could happen too! His voice lowers and he leans to the side, and he reaches for Pepper's hand for a moment, if only to lay his atop. "And you're never 'just' anything."

The news that the waitress is going to be coming to work for them... correction, for Pepper brings his attention back up and around to the girl. Brows rise and he doesn't quite say anything to it yet. Instead he cants his head and chuckles at Steve's responses. "That's about right. It's even worse when people are writing about you. Who is escorted and when... what they're wearing, what I'm wearing. Do I talk to my dates? Then there are cameras lined up outside the Towers thinking that perhaps they'll catch a hint." He shakes his head, the smile remaining behind, "We really need to get you a life." The smile turns into a laugh once again and he lifts a hand to gesture in Steve's direction. "Perfect." Though how much more could they live like kings? "I think the only things we haven't done is called out, 'Off with their heads'. And I swear, there are times when I'm sitting in those Congressional meetings when that's all I want to do." Maybe next time he will?

Now Tony returns his full attention to the bottle (and her words- the distance wasn't lost on him!), and begins to rise to his feet, nodding in the direction of the table itself, implying that he wants it simply placed there. He'll do the rest. "Perfect. Thank you." Though now, he rests a hand on Pepper's shoulder and offers to the table, "If you'll excuse me. I'll be right back."

Pepper Potts has posed:
Something in Pepper knows Tony isn't coming back. He's going to find a better bar to go to, a woman to dance with, something else more distracting and enjoyable than a too calm dinner. But she gives him a bittersweet smile and a small tilt of her head. "Go...do your work. I'll keep the food warm for you." She only half teases. She'll be surprised if he returns. Then she's looking back to the girl, a single brow arching, especially as she mentally notes that odd sound they heart. "Pelluce's? That's a ways away... Well, thank you. Yes, just leave it. And I'll give you a call tomorrow about a start date with us, I promise... give you plenty of time to put in notice here." Pepper states smoothly.

Then she's looking back to Steve and she does sigh a bit. "Tony is right. You should get out a bit more, meet some nice young women. Not like the girl's Tony dates. I can find you some sweet ones who are actually worth it, I promise. What... what are you looking for, in a lady?" Pepper asks, her smile sweet, genuinely rather motherly.

Captain America has posed:
     Speaking with a bright smile Cap gives the waitress a light toast. "Moving on up in the world already" A quick double-check to see if he can get away with a nice hamburger, or maybe just a malt. It's been too long since the last time he had a malt.

     "and hey, come on Pepper, I get out plenty, just the other day I had that showdown with the giant lizard near time square." Stated with the sort of cadence which shows clear as day he knows what she really means. Yet he adds into his glass. "Besides, where am I going to meet a girl close to my age who isn't on her fourth hip replacement." Said a bit quiet as he just runs through the list in his mind. It's not a big list to be certain. He can't actually think of many at all.

Starr has posed:
    Seting the bottle on the table, ELycia watches as Tony walks his way out. "I'm....not going to say what I think of him at the moment." She then shakes her head. "all right. I apologize Miss Potts....Sir." She doesn't seem to know Steve Rogers. prolly too young. "And, I could probably put in my notice tonight. I'm only a part-timer. The rest of the time, I'm in school."

Pepper Potts has posed:
    "I'm talking about actually seeing a lady. And no, not your age... but there are plenty of twenty or thirty year old women out there who are VERY nice, intelligent, mature... I can see about setting you up with someone who'd be really good for you, hmm? It'd be healthy. You need to get out NOT for work, that's what I mean!" Pepper insists with a little bit of a huff, genuinely concerned for the man across from her, even if she really cannot be one to talk about over working and having no personal life.

    THen she's looking back over to Elycia, a hint surprised as she talks about putting in her notice. "If you like, then do so. Come into the offices the first morning you can, 9:30 am. Ask for Natalie Rushman in HR. She'll set up all your paperwork. Since you are in school, you'll be at the intern payrate, but we pay respectfully and it means you can build your work schedule around your classes. Does that sound acceptable?" Hell, they are out to a proper dinner, even if Tony just walked off, and Pepper is clearly still working.

Captain America has posed:
     Steve quietly enjoys his drink, before setting back down the menu finding nothing that really just hits that spot in the back of his mind. "I seem to remember an old slogan about glass houses and the people in them throwing stones." A clear jab before he just laughs it off, enjoying another sip from his own glass.

     This was really the first time he'd gone out for just a meal in a few weeks, most the time it was work. There was always something he had to do, some big work assignment that he'd wind up doing for SHIELD, or earth shattering event that needed the avengers.

     "Trust me, if there's any company you want to be working for?" He Trails off just motioning over towards Pepper, a bit of a tilt forward of his head to add a bit of emphasis. "Plenty of opportunities, great work environment, just don't let Tony give you any trouble." His voice going serious for a moment as he gives a light point of the finger in the waitresses direction. "and that's a direct order from Captain America." And then he promptly breaks composure into a friendly smile, unable to keep from chuckling to himself.

Starr has posed:
    "You're....captain america. the history books said you were dead." Elycia says rather bluntly. "I'll be right back." She says as she makes her way into the back to drop off their orders, and double check on them.

Pepper Potts has posed:
    A slight chuckle escapes Pepper's throat as the girl finally realizes whom she and Tony were having dinner with. But, with every passing moment, it seems more doubtful that Tony is returning. Pepper is not surprised. She looks back to Steve with a quiet laugh. "You are going to give the girl a heart attack, you know? And she seems quite nice. Perhaps a bit young... but you could truly blow her mind and ask her out." Pepper makes utterly no comment about glass houses, though she's still smirking a touch in amusement.

Captain America has posed:
     "I'm dead?" Steve pokes down at his own chest. A quick tug on his cheek. "Don't feel dead." He starts trying to keep the humor alive as the waitress finds her way off to another table to do her job. Of course he can't be mad at her for doing her job, but man he was about to have some fun joking around.

     "Just might, if it'll get people to stop hooking me up." A slight smirk on his face. "Between you, the Lab Boys, and half my apartment complex you'd think I was committing a crime by being single." The smirk grows for a moment before vanishing as he sets the cup back down. "I swear every week Beth, the landlord is bringing up some new friend she met that's 'just perfect for you steve'" A quick impression of a little old lady given for effect but it's all in good fun.

Starr has posed:
    Elycia returns a few minutes later with Peppers and Steve's dinners. Prime Rib for Steve and loaded potatoes, and a New York Strip with mushrooms and a small cup of potatoes, as well as a side salad. "There you go. And, Miss Potts, I figured you didn't want the potatoes because youw ere watching your figure, so rather than get you a large bowl, like this man has, I got you a smaller bowl in the spirit of 'quality over quantity'." She then smiles. "The potatoes have sour cream, bacon bits and cheese in it. I assure you, the chef is excellent with these dishes." She then lowers her voice. "and I'm not kidding, I try to reserve myself when this chef is here. I LOVE how he cooks the steaks."

Pepper Potts has posed:
    "Steve, this might be... rude to say to a co-worker, but I'm not technically a part of the Avengers, so... You ARE committing a crime by keeping that body single. I think every woman in America agrees. ANd I'm allowed to say it because I'm one of the few women trying NOT to date you." Pepper states with a half smirk, truly seeing Steve as more of a brother than an actual romantic potential.

    Then the girl comes back to the table with food and Pepper just slightly clears her throat, a hint of heat touching her cheeks, "Thank you, Elycia, though... Just a hint. In polite society, we never actually *talk* about watching our figure, whether we are or not. But the thought is appreciated." She'll make a society girl out of this one yet.

Captain America has posed:
     "Wonder what the statute of limitations is on it." Steve offers with another smile and a sip of beer. The cold refreshing taste of a good one is never lost. "Who knows, maybe one of these days I'll just walk out the front door, and propose to the first girl I see, just right on the spot,"

     Steve is visibly in good spirits even when the waitress comes right back to their table. "Don't worry too much about Pepper, I made the same mistake when I was your age." He rubs the back of his neck for a moment. "Actually I made that mistake a lot."

Starr has posed:
    Elycia smiles. "Of course, Miss Potts. I apologize. And yeah, Mister Rogers, I goof every now and then. But I tend to say what's on my mind. it's....a fault of mine." She then leaves to go wait on other tables, and she's quite prompt it seems.....strangely prompt. Almost like she never runs out of energy.

Pepper Potts has posed:
    The rest of dinner is spent in casual, comfortable conversation and thankful words. Elycia is tipped obscenely well, in truth, and Pepper only slightly hassles Steve about dating a few more times, but doesn't push it. As expected, TOny doesn't return, but Pepper makes excuses for him as ever and handles the wrap up of the night just in time for the theater. Perhaps the show will be just as good.