"What's your name?"
"Happy Hogan, Mr. Stark."
At the top of Stark Tower, a helipad extended from the building's main structure. Happy Hogan, the head of security, stood there somewhat awkwardly, while Tony Stark poured drinks behind the indoor bar.
"Happy, I don't want any more incidents where strangers crash my parties."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Stark."
Happy lowered his head in apology, a sinking feeling in his gut that he might be out of a job. But deep down, he suspected it wouldn't be that simple. Tony Stark was always high above the fray; firing a security chief was something he'd never handle personally.
"But I've got to admit, that guy you let through yesterday…" Tony paused, choosing his words. "Let's just say I'd pay two hundred million dollars for the ideas in his head."
"The AI model he gave me was half-baked, but it's already a game-changer… The tech is incredibly advanced. I'm betting he's got a lot more ideas like that up his sleeve."
Tony Stark carried two glasses of amber liquor—something Happy had never even heard of—out to the helipad and handed one to Happy.
Happy took the glass clumsily, staring at his boss in confusion. In a daze, he recalled what Peter Parker, the guy he'd let through yesterday, had said:
"…I guarantee that starting today, you won't just be a security chief anymore, because I'm bringing tech that'll double Stark Industries' market value."
A spark of anticipation flickered in Happy's chest. Then Tony Stark abruptly changed the subject.
"Happy, what did you do before this?"
"Professional boxer, sir."
"Can you drive?"
"Yes, sir."
Tony raised his glass, clinked it against Happy's, and downed his drink in one gulp.
"I owe half the credit for meeting him to you, so… Congratulations, Happy. Starting today, you're my bodyguard and driver."
"Of course, if you don't want the gig, see that cabinet over there? There's a drawer full of bank cards. Grab a few and go. Passwords are on the back."
Happy Hogan didn't hesitate long between a guaranteed high-paying job and bank cards with unknown balances.
"Bodyguard and driver, of course. When do I start, Mr. Tony?"
"Right now."
Happy let out a hearty laugh, brought the glass to his lips, and drained it. The alcohol hit him with a dizzying rush, making everything from yesterday to now feel surreal.
Yesterday, he should've stopped Peter Parker. But the kid's confidence and words had persuaded him. Afterward, Happy had kicked himself, terrified he'd get fired.
But the truth proved otherwise. That single decision to let Peter through had turned Happy's life upside down in the best way possible.
"Jarvis," Tony said, clapping Happy on the shoulder as he headed back inside, "you know what to do."
Happy froze, momentarily thinking he'd have to change his name as part of the bodyguard gig. But a voice from inside the room quickly clarified that Tony wasn't talking to him.
"Yes, sir," came the reply. "I've updated Happy Hogan's file to reflect his new role as your personal bodyguard and driver. I've also arranged for Mr. Hogan a residence in Harlem valued at $3.195 million and a vehicle befitting his new position."
"Also, a reminder, sir: you have a guest to meet this afternoon. Shall I order a lavish dinner for you both?"
Snap!
Tony snapped his fingers.
"Make it happen."
Happy didn't fully process the talk of guests or dinners. He wasn't even shocked by how intelligent this "Jarvis" was. His mind was stuck on one thing: a $3.195 million residence and a vehicle befitting his position.
Happy knew full well he wasn't worth that kind of money as an untrained bodyguard. The real value was in the tech Peter Parker had brought.
Walking from the helipad back inside, Happy took in the exclusive top-floor domain that belonged solely to Tony Stark. He felt a surge of pride in his decision yesterday. Passing the cabinet, he couldn't resist asking, "Mr. Tony, how much is in there?"
Worried Tony might misunderstand, he quickly added, "Just curious."
"About sixty-some cards from different banks," Tony replied casually, already seated at his workbench, not looking up. "Adds up to… maybe forty million dollars. You missed out on a forty-million-dollar opportunity, Happy."
Happy shook his head with a chuckle. He could tell his boss was teasing him.
"Guess it's too late to change my mind?"
"Obviously," Tony said.
"So… what exactly did that Peter Parker bring yesterday?" Happy's curiosity got the better of him.
"Tech that'll double Stark Industries' market value," Tony said. "Now, Happy, go downstairs and get ready to greet Peter Parker. I'm guessing he's almost here."
At the ground floor of Stark Tower, Batman, dressed in a plaid shirt, ran right into Happy Hogan as he stepped out of the elevator.
"Congratulations."
Batman's first word left Happy stunned again.
"You already know? I haven't said a thing!"
Batman stepped into the elevator, pointing at the polished, mirror-like wall.
Happy, confused, glanced at his reflection and noticed his lips curled into an irrepressible grin. It hit him.
"It's that obvious?"
"No way. As Tony's bodyguard and driver, I've got to work on my poker face."
Ignoring Happy, who was already reveling in his new role, Batman strode out when the elevator reached the top floor.
"How long did it take?" Batman asked straight to the point.
"Jarvis?" Tony stood up from his workbench.
"Twenty-seven hours and one minute, sir," Jarvis replied.
Tony spread his hands.
"You win. Though, in my defense, I spent a delightful three hours with the latest Vogue cover model… So, how much do I owe for the 'consulting fee'?"
"That depends on how far you think this tech can go," Batman countered.
He couldn't shake the feeling that Tony Stark was a mirror image of Bruce Wayne from another life. Both dashing, brilliant, filthy rich, and surrounded by an endless parade of women.
"Fifty million dollars," Tony said. "I'm willing to pay fifty million for that half-finished AI model you gave me. I can tell your tech is light-years ahead of its time. You deliberately handed me a prototype yesterday."
"The model itself is useless to me. The real value is in the ideas behind it. I've already built on them and created a fully realized AI—Jarvis. Stark Industries is about to become untouchably ahead of the world…"
Batman cut off Tony's self-congratulation.
"One hundred million."
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