"Tony Stark. Visionary. Genius. American Patriot. Even from an early age, the son of legendary weapons developer Howard Stark quickly stole the spotlight with his brilliant and unique mind. At age four, he built his first circuit board. At age six, his first engine. And at 17, he gradated summa cum laude from MIT. Then, the passing of a titan. Howard Stark's lifelong friend and ally, Obadiah Stane, steps in to help fill in the gap left by the legendary founder, until, at age 21, the prodigal son returns and is anointed the new CEO of Stark Industries. With the keys to the kingdom, Tony ushers in a new ear for his father's legacy, creating smarter weapons, advanced robotics, satellite targeting. Today, Tony Stark has changed the face of the weapons industry by insuring freedom and protecting America and her interests around the globe." The deep voice overhead finally finishes and the video ends. The Stark Industries logo appears.
A spotlight shined brightly on a podium on the middle of a dark stage with glittery curtains behind it. A long time friend of Tony Stark stood by the microphone and began to speak. "As liaison to Stark Industries, I've had the unique privilege of serving with a real patriot. He is my friend and he is my great mentor. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present this year's Apogee Award to Mr. Tony Stark." Jazz music and applause filled the air, but Tony did not emerge onto the stage. "Tony?" he called again.
Another spotlight shinned onto the seat where Tony was supposed to be. Next to the empty seat, Obadiah leaned over to a twenty-five-year-old woman and asked he where Tony was. She didn't speak, but only shook her head. This wasn't the first time Tony had done something like this.
Obadiah stood up and walked to the stage himself. He took the glass globe award and accepted it on Tony's behalf. He even made up a speech from the top of his head, a skill he had developed from years for Tony Stark no shows. "Well, I'm not Tony Stark. But if I were Tony, I would tell you how honored I feel and what a joy it is to receive this very prestigious award. And how glad I was that my niece was able to take time out of her extremely busy schedule to be here with me tonight. Tony, you know... the best thing about Tony is also the worst thing. He's always working."
The young woman shifted uncomfortably in her seat as the crowd laughed. These people around her didn't know her uncle like she did. They believed the lie that Obadiah told to them, unlike her. She knew Tony had to have been somewhere, anywhere other than work. She was very observant thanks to him. He didn't raise her to be a fool.
After the speech was over and the crowd applauded once more, she excused herself and walked over to Tony's best friend, Rhodey. She pulled him in, not wanting the other guests to hear. Her voice is soft and sweet. "I think I know where he is."
"Let me guess. The casino?" Rhodey responded.
"The casino," she agreed.
Rhodey stuck out his elbow. "Accompany me to go kick your uncle's ass?"
Her arm, covered in an onyx, long glove, wrapped around his elbow. "With pleasure."
The pair walked in silence through the hotel's extravagant corridors. People passed by and stared knowing who she was, but didn't say anything to her. They knew she wouldn't respond. Tony's niece was a very private woman. She tried to keep her face out of the tabloids as much as possible. She would only allow it for two reasons: if she did something to raise awareness for a charity or if either her or Tony received an award. The ceremony fell under one of those conditions. That is until Tony didn't show up. She refused to be photographed without him there since it was his award that he was supposed to receive.
A hotel staff member approached them. "Do you need help with something?"
Rhodey grinned. "Yes, actually. Could you please direct us to the casino?
"Sure. Right this way." Rhodey nodded and the two followed him through a large crowd of people. What should have been a two minute walk across the lobby, turned into a ten minute shove fest through rich folks who believed they didn't have to move for anyone. She hated people like this, even though she knew that Tony tended to act the same way.
Once through the people, it only took a few steps to get to the casino. It was crowded, but not as bad as the lobby.
Rhodey thanked the man. The staff member nodded and began to walk away, but she stopped him. She reached into her small, black clutch purse and pulled out a one hundred dollar bill. She placed it in the staff member's hand. "Thank you."
"Ma'am, I can't-"
But she stopped him from speaking any further. "No, please. Take it. Without you, we wouldn't have been able to find this place." Her face slowly lifted into a small smile.
His young face burned red. "Thank you very much ma'am. Thank you."
She nodded and started to pull Rhodey into the casino. "We could have found this place without him, you know?"
"I know, but he was nice. He could have told us where it was, but he brought us here instead. He was young, too. Probably eighteen or nineteen. He's probably trying to work his way through college."
"You like to give people the benefit of the doubt, don't you?"
"Well, you should know by now that I never liked to judge people and I think everyone deserves a chance."
Rhodey chuckled. "Are you sure you're related to Tony."
She shrugged. "That was his money that I gave to the boy. He gave it to me to hold for the event before he left his room. I guess he went back up to get more."
"Yup, you're related. But in more of a distant cousin kind of way."
A small laugh emerged from her stomach. "If only."
A large crowd was gathered around one of the tables. "How much you wanna bet that he's in the center of that?"
"Well, this is a casino after all."
"Do you want me to go first?"
"Yes. Send him my way when you're done with him. I have some choice words to say to him. I'll be at the bar."
"You got it."
They broke apart and went their separate ways. She walked across the floor. Eyes everywhere watched her. After having this problem her whole life, she learned to ignore them. She also learned how to tell what each pair of eyes were saying. Today, they ranged from staring at her body to thinking they knew who she was. That was a typical day.
She sat down at the first empty seat she saw at the bar and waited patiently for the bartender. Although she had been able to legally allowed to drink for four years, she was still nervous about drinking in public. She had seen what a fool it had made her uncle and she was afraid that it would run in the family. Even though she always had a driver, she made sure she never drank more than two drinks while out somewhere. If she wanted to get drunk, she would stay home and do it without company.
It wasn't long before the bartender recognized who she was and immediately came her way. "What can I get for you, Miss Stark?"
"A Tom Collins please."
"Coming right up." In a matter of minutes, the drink was in front of her with a fancy napkin underneath it.
A deep voice spoke next to her. "A fancy drink for a fancy lady." Oh hear we go, she thought. "Can I buy you the next one?"
She looked up at him. It was clearly an older man with grey spots in his hair and a seasoned tan line on his ring finger. She knew the type. Married man who feels like he isn't getting enough at home so he goes around thinking he can get any woman he talks to. She got this all the time. She usually had a bodyguard accompanying her, but not tonight. Tonight she was alone.
She sipped her drink. "One's enough for me."
"Responsible. I like that. Can I ask you your name?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
"Yes, I would. I want to know the name of the sexy woman in the dress that will be on my floor later."
She looked at him and grinned. "You really think that's gonna get me to your bed?"
"It's worked before."
She turned away from him and sipped her drink again. "Right. You can leave now."
"Come on, baby. Don't be like that. Let's not fight. It'll be fun."
"I'll pass."
"I don't think you will. I think you're just playing hard to get, but I always manage to get." That is when he reached for her hand and tried to lean in for a kiss. She hated being touched without permission. She grabbed his hand, twisted his arm, and shoved him against the bar. She held his arm and forced his head to stay on the top of the bar.
The place went quiet, but that was ideal. She leaned down to his ear and yelled so everyone would hear. "Maybe this will make you think twice about cheating on your wife and touching other women without their permission, pervert."
"Mira, let the man go." Tony's face appeared in her peripheral vision. She knew it was over now. Mira released him as her uncle asked.
Tony grabbed her arm and pulled her close. "What are you doing? How did you even learn how to do that?"
"Why do you care? You only care about yourself."
"What are you talking about?"
"You know damn well what I'm talking about."
The man rose from the bar and shouted. "You crazy bitch. I should have you arrested."
Tony pushed himself over to the man and laid a right hook on the left side of his jaw. "Don't talk about my niece that way. You want her arrested? Have fun explaining to your wife why a young, beautiful women beat the crap out of you. I'm sure she'd love to hear any excuse you come up with." He pulled himself away and placed his hand on Mira's shoulder. "Come on. Let's go talk."