Tony straightened his bow tie as he got ready to head to Stark Industries for a meeting.
"Jarvis, get a suit ready for me. I think I'm going to come through the window. Scare them all out of their skin."
"I would love to Sir; however, no suits are available for flying. They are still being repaired."
"Every single one?"
"Every single one, Sir."
"Then pull the Lamborghini around."
"Ms. Potts has it, Sir."
"Then how do I get to this meeting, Jarvis?"
"Take the bus to Stark Industries, Sir."
"You're joking, right?"
"Not at all, Sir."
"Me? Go into public? On a bus?"
"Yes Sir. If you hurry, there will be a bus leaving opposite the tower in five minutes."
…
Tony grumbled as he headed down to the bus stop, uncomfortable with taking something the public used. Ever since he had helped stop the New York invasion, people all over the world knew about him, people all over town stopped him, begging for pictures, begging for autographs. It annoyed him greatly; he never got peace, even when it was just nipping to the doughnut store. People were a nuisance and he wanted to spend as little time as he could with them. He stood in line at the bus stop and stared at everyone in disgust. To his surprise, no one said anything to him. No one even took a second look at him. That was weird. He cleared his throat. A woman with a child looked at him in annoyance. Shit. He wasn't the kid's father was he? A quick peer of the kid's face assured him that he wasn't. The bus came and he stumbled on.
"What do you want, pal?"
Tony stared at the bus driver. He was no one's 'pal'. Well, maybe Bruce's.
"Downtown."
He went to sit down as the guy yelled back.
"Oi? Are you going to pay?"
He stared at the bus driver again. Pay? Jarvis's voice piped over Extremis.
"Yes, Mr. Stark. You need to pay for this service."
He grumbled back to Jarvis before walking back.
"How much?"
"$2.50"
He gave the guy a $50 note and waved his hand, letting him keep the change before making his way to the back of the bus, sitting down, scowling.
…
It had been an hour. No one had asked him for anything. Why was no one watching him? Why was no one murmuring to one another and looking at him? Why had no one asked for one damn autograph? He growled a little and stared out the window; he should be getting off soon.
"Sir, you seem aggravated. Whatever is the matter?"
"Not one person has noticed me. No one knows who the hell I am."
"I thought that was what you wished for, Sir."
"I was hoping at least one person would recognise me. It's embarrassingly painful."
"Sir, I would not suggest-"
Tony had stood up.
"Do none of you recognise me?"
From the blank stares, Tony assumed that was a no.
"I'm the god damn Iron Man."
A kid stood up.
"You're not Iron Man. Iron Man has an awesome goatee."
Tony ran his hand over his recently shaven face and frowned.
"I am Tony Stark."
"Yea yea."
Extremely hurt, Tony hit the stop button and stumbled to the front of the bus, getting off and beginning to make his way to Stark Industries.
"Excuse me, Sir?"
Tony spun around with a massive grin on his face.
"Yes?"
"You wouldn't be able to tell me where the Empire State Building is, could you? I've found myself quite lost…"