ACT TWO

INT. STARK INDUSTRIES PLANE - NIGHT

Rhodey sits alone in the main cabin, looking just a little bit forgotten. He shifts uncomfortably, glancing up towards the cockpit.
Muffled, exasperated shouts sound from behind the closed door and Rhodey's expression becomes increasingly more and more worried. He stands, moving towards it and knocks.

RHODEY
Tony? You okay in there?

TONY
Son of a - Got you!

That does nothing to put Rhodey at ease and he pushes the door open to find -

INT. STARK INDUSTRIES PLANE - COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS

Tony sits in the pilot's chair, headset on and alone save for Rhodey. He looks back, his expression startled and he tugs the headset off.

TONY
Hey, Rhodey.

Rhodey gives the cockpit a quick once-over.

RHODEY
You toss the pilot out?

TONY
Huh? What? No. It was always automated.

RHODEY
I was... yeah. Got that. Never mind. What was the alarm for?

Tony hesitates before turning back to the controls.

TONY
They didn't want me overriding the autopilot.

RHODEY
So, naturally, the alarm went off BEFORE you came up here to override the autopilot.

Tony realizes that he's been caught in the lie and we see his expression shift rapidly. The panic is quickly covered by a mask of confidence that slips into place.

TONY
You wanna fly?

RHODEY
This?

TONY
No, the other plane I have hidden away with the luggage. Yes, this.

Rhodey watches him a moment. He's changing the topic. They both know it, but the incentive to forget is a good one. Rhodey takes a seat and both he and Tony fit the headsets on. A slow smile takes hold.

Tony risks a glance over at him.

TONY (CONT'D)
This one's one of the upgraded models with the enhanced fuel systems I was working on first semester. Remember?

RHODEY
Seriously? It went into production that fast?

TONY
Well, not for purchase.

RHODEY
We're both going to die, aren't we?

TONY
What? No. It's safe.

RHODEY
We're going to crash half way to London.

TONY
Where's your faith, Rhodes?

Rhodey grins at him and Tony mirrors it, relaxing.

RHODEY
Handles a whole lot smoother than the piece of crap I've been learning in.

TONY
Speed tops out faster than the Concord too. Must be a Stark plane.

RHODEY
You know you'll have to tell me eventually, right?

TONY
You saw the engine designs.

RHODEY
Not that. I mean what's really going on with you.

Tony pauses, startled by the words. Then -

TONY
Yeah... I know.

They continue flying in silence.

INT. SHIELD HQ - OPS CENTER - NIGHT

Military brass enter the ops center, drawing Peggy and Howard's attention. The set up is state-of-the-art for 1985. One of the techs is struggling with the equipment and Howard moves directly to him. A few quick clicks and the cluster of large screens against the wall jump to life with satellite images, maps, and various pieces of intel.

Peggy crosses to stand in front of the long table. She's the only woman in a room full of men in suits and military uniforms. Nothing new there. She commands their attention.

PEGGY
Thank you for coming. I know it's late, but this operation is a long time in the making.

EXT. LUTON AIRPORT, ENGLAND - DAY

A succession of images:

The wheels of the Stark plane touchdown on the runway.

The door is opened and the stairs curl out from the doorway.

Tony and Rhodey exit and are greeted by a pretty English woman. Blonde. Chipper. She's employed by the airport if her uniform is anything to go by. Her name tag says MANDY and the surprise at seeing two teenage boys instead of Howard Stark is masked almost immediately.

MANDY
I trust you had a good trip.

INT. SHIELD HQ - OPS CENTER - NIGHT

An image is displayed on one of the screens: a young man in a nazi uniform. He's all pale hair and pale eyes. Despite his youth, there's a hardness in his gaze. The Hydra pin is proudly displayed on his lapel.

PEGGY
SHIELD has had a number of Hydra officials on our radar for some time. One of those is Heinrich Wagner.

He worked under Schmidt to conduct a number of truly horrifying human experiments during the War.

A four star general shoots her a disbelieving look.

GENERAL STRIKER
We know who he is. You're telling us you found him? That's a tiny needle in one hell of a haystack.

PEGGY
I never said it was easy.

INT. LUTON AIRPORT, ENGLAND - DAY

Mandy escorts the two teenage boys through the airport.

TONY
We need a car to take us to Wembley Stadium.

MANDY
Of course, Mr. Stark. Anywhere you need to go. You'll just go through customs there,

they'll take a look at your passports, and we can call a driver for you when you're ready.

Tony flashes her an already charming grin.

TONY
Thanks.

He doesn't realize until she's gone that Rhodey isn't moving forward with him.

TONY (CONT'D)
You coming, Rhodey?

Rhodey mumbles something indistinctly.

TONY (CONT'D)
Huh?

Only a little more clear this time -

RHODEY
I don't have a passport.

Tony glances at the customs agent who is checking every person moving through his line.

TONY
Oh.

RHODEY
Yeah.

INT. SHIELD HQ - OPS CENTER - NIGHT

The photo of a young Wagner is pushed to the background of the screen, replaced with photo surveillance of an older man, even if not a different one.

HOWARD
Using newly developed surveillance technology we've been able to pinpoint Wagner's location.

Another military man - Tallert - shifts in his seat.

TALLERT
And you know where he is now?

HOWARD
Yes we do.

PEGGY
Wagner has been living under an alias in Europe for years. Six months ago we received intel that he was reaching out to nazi contacts in Argentina.

Striker finally looks interested.

GENERAL STRIKER
And you have eyes on him?

HOWARD
Better than that. Our people have him cornered.

INT. LUTON AIRPORT, ENGLAND - DAY

Rhodey looks increasingly more nervous. Tony elbows him hard in the side.

TONY
Don't look so panicked, platypus.

RHODEY
They're not going to let me through. Tony, I'm sorry -

TONY
It's fine.

RHODEY
How is it fine?

TONY
I got this.

Rhodey looks between him and the narrow path out.

RHODEY
No way we can get past there without what they're looking for.

Tony studies the situation for a second before turning a confident look back on his friend.

TONY
You trust me?

Rhodey doesn't look certain.

INT. SHIELD HQ - OPS CENTER - NIGHT

The intel has been replaced with video feeds following operatives in.

GENERAL STRIKER
How the hell are the feeds so clear?

HOWARD
You're welcome.

TALLERT
(to Peggy)
Pays to have Stark onboard, doesn't it?

PEGGY
Please don't encourage his ego. It's difficult enough to control as it is.

Through the feeds they see a back street in Buenos Aires. The military and SHIELD personnel watch as the team moves through. They find their man and in a rush of bullets and loud shouts, they engage.

INT. LUTON AIRPORT, ENGLAND - DAY

Tony starts AROUND the line. People shoot him judgmental looks as he passes around them and Rhodey hurries to follow.

TONY
(to Rhodey, hushed)
Whatever happens, just keep going.

Rhodey doesn't have time to argue as a guard steps forward.

GUARD
Back of the line is over there.

Tony shoots him the most offended of offended looks and with all the sass of a billionaire's kid says -

TONY
Do you know who I am?

INT. SHIELD HQ - OPS CENTER - NIGHT

Howard is leaned forward in his seat, watching the display with all the focus he has to give. Peggy takes a seat next to him, her expression a little more toned down, but her focus just as absolute.

On the screen we see operatives fighting. Wagner breaks loose, taking off down the alley and into a building.

An AID enters the Ops Center, glancing around nervously. He spots Howard and tries to gain his attention. Howard doesn't know that he exists, much less that he needs a word.

The aid moves closer, apologizing as he bumps awkwardly into someone.

AID
(hushed)
Sorry, sorry. Mr. Stark? I'm sorry. Mr. Stark?

INT. LUTON AIRPORT, ENGLAND - DAY

The guard is NOT amused.

GUARD
I don't care who you are, young man. I need you to -

Tony whips out his passport, shoving it in the man's face. Rhodey starts to slip around, unnoticed.

TONY
Stark. Like Stark Industries? You get the news over here right?

INT. SHIELD HQ - OPS CENTER - NIGHT

Howard shoots the aid an irate look as the mission plays out on the screens in front of everyone. They're chasing Wagner through the building, pushing civilians out as they go.

HOWARD
I'm busy. Unless this has to do with the mission, I don't give a damn about -

AID
Sir, it's your son.

That stops him, and even though his voice his hushed, worry creeps in.

HOWARD
Tony? What happened?

AID
He's taken one of your planes, sir.

And just like that, all the worry dissipates.

HOWARD
That's it? It can wait.

AID
He overrode the controls and took it into international waters, sir.

That pulls Howard's attention back up, and he looks confused.

Loud shouts come from the screen and heavy fire can be heard. It's an ambush. The SHIELD team is coming under attack.

INT. LUTON AIRPORT, ENGLAND - DAY

The guard is 100% done with Tony's antics.

GUARD
I don't care who you are. Back of the line, you little -

From off camera we hear someone shout.

The Guard looks over and Tony realizes he's out of time.

TONY
Right. Cool. Gotcha. Bye.

He darts off, motioning at Rhodey to GO.

INT. SHIELD HQ - OPS CENTER - INTERCUT

In LA - The crowd circled around the table watches in horror as the battle rages.

In England - Tony races towards the exit, Rhodey just in front of him. Guards chase in behind them.

In LA - The team breaks free, chasing Wagner. One operative with a camera attached to his uniform pushes through a door and we see Wagner. The man is cornered.

Regardless, he looks smug. There's a bright FLASH and the feeds go dead.

In England - The boys jump the security and reach the main portion of the airport. They fade into the crowd, the guards losing them in it.

INT. SHIELD HQ - OPS CENTER - NIGHT

Everyone is silent for half a beat following the feeds dying.

GENERAL STRIKER
What happened?

PEGGY
We lost them.

GENERAL STRIKER
Get them back.

EXT. LUTON AIRPORT, ENGLAND - DAY

Tony and Rhodey exit the airport to flag down a cab. They're happy. Laughing. Free.

INT. SHIELD HQ - OPS CENTER - NIGHT

PEGGY
I don't think you understand, General. They're gone.

TALLERT
Gone?

HOWARD
Dead.

PEGGY
(softly)
It was a trap. They knew we were coming. How could they have known?

Striker straightens.

GENERAL STRIKER
They had you figured out. Obviously you have a breach in your security.

Howard bristles.

HOWARD
Obviously, huh? Where the hell have you been when we -?

GENERAL STRIKER
Doing my JOB, Stark. Which is all we asked you to do.

He stands.

GENERAL STRIKER (CONT'D)
You and Carter clean up this mess or I'll be forced to shut your division down.

He and his people exit, leaving Howard, Peggy, and a very small handful of beaten down SHIELD management behind.

INT. CAB - DAY

Rhodey is halfway dozing in the back of the cab as Tony watches buildings pass by. They're in the city now and he practically has his face pressed to the glass.
The cab pulls to the side of the road and stops.

CABBIE
Out you go.

TONY
What? This isn't the Wembley.

CABBIE
Didn't pay me enough to get you to Wembley. That's another twenty blocks that way.

He points like that is somehow helpful and Tony crunches up his nose in disgust.

TONY
C'mon, man. It's just a little further up.

CABBIE
Not if you ain't got the quid to cover the fare.

TONY
I've got a credit card?

The Cabbie snorts.

CABBIE
Out, boys.

Tony frowns deeply before he smacks Rhodey, waking him.

TONY
Up and at 'em, Sleeping Beauty. We're going for a walk.

RHODEY
Huh?

TONY
Up!

RHODEY
I'm up, I'm up... Geez.

EXT. LONDON STREET - DAY

They're slugging their way through the crowds. Rhodey looks jet lagged and even Tony's excitement has been dampened by the fact that they're having to walk.

RHODEY
Cab drivers in the US don't take credit, Tones. What made you think London drivers would?

TONY
I don't know. I don't pay when I come over here.

RHODEY
Let's be real, man. You're not paying now. We're still traveling on your old man's dime.

Tony bristles at that, hunkering down with rolled shoulders and crossed arms as they trudge forward.

Rhodey notices out of the corner of his eye.

RHODEY (CONT'D)
Cool of him, though. My dad would have called it a waste of time if I'd asked him to foot the bill for a concert, even in town. I mean,

Howard's got his faults - plenty of them - but I guess take the wins where you can get them?

TONY
He'd have to notice I was even gone first.

RHODEY
Wait... you didn't... He doesn't know?

Tony shrugs.

TONY
More like he doesn't care. It's fine. He owes me.

RHODEY
What'd he do, Tony?

Tony perks, gaze focused on something ahead of them.

TONY
Hey, that's it! C'mon!

He grabs Rhodey by the wrist and drags him forward. The older teen lets himself be pulled along, his expression resigned.

INT. SHIELD HQ - OPS CENTER - NIGHT

The room has been mostly cleared out, Howard and Peggy remaining. Reports are spread out across the long table where people had been seated just a few hours before. The SHIELD emblem is prominent against the folders, men and women's faces staring up from the open files.

Peggy paces the room, the cord on the phone threatening to tangle around her.

PEGGY
Yes. Yes, I understand. Thank you for the update.

She ends the call and comes to stand next to a very tense Howard Stark.

HOWARD
Another one?

PEGGY
Gonzales.

HOWARD
Dammit.

He jots a quick note on the file: KIA, 13/07/1985

PEGGY
What did Adams want?

HOWARD
Who's Adams?

PEGGY
The aid that came in during the op. You looked worried.

HOWARD
Oh.

Howard waves it off.

HOWARD (CONT'D)
Tony's acting out.

PEGGY
Acting out?

HOWARD
You know how teenagers are. He managed to override our protocols and took a plane to London.

PEGGY
Oh yes, a struggle every parent of a fifteen-year-old knows. Spontaneous international flights.

She watches him and he focuses on the file in front of him. Her tone is more serious as she asks -

PEGGY (CONT'D)
Any idea why he'd do that?

HOWARD
Who knows? He's in that stage where everything's about him, and if it's not, he wants it to be.

PEGGY
He could be in trouble, Howard.

HOWARD
He's not, Peg. Just rebellious, and right now these SHIELD agents need our attention.

Peggy sighs, taking a seat next to him.

PEGGY
Wagner was supposed to be a key asset. If they were willing to kill him, they were protecting someone more important.

HOWARD
My thoughts exactly.

He grabs for a tall stack of files. It's going to be a long night.

EXT. WEMBLEY STADIUM - DAY

The stadium is PACKED. People from every walk of life bounce in all direction, the energy matching the atmosphere. Rock music blares over the loud speakers, fans sing along, and there's plenty of booze to go around. Tony and Rhodey enter the stadium.

TONY
So?

Rhodey looks around, taking everything in.

RHODEY
I had my doubts.

TONY
But? Pretty awesome, right?

Tony's grin just won't stop as he waits impatiently for Rhodey to agree with him. Rhodey's expression, carefully neutral, slowly cracks to show amusement just beneath.

RHODEY
Yeah, Tony. This is pretty awesome.

Somehow Tony manages to grin even wider.

RHODEY (CONT'D)
So, when does Madonna go on?

The grin disappears into a look of pure, unadulterated judgement.

TONY
How are we friends?

Rhodey flashes a grin of his own as Sting takes the stage.

Not too far away, in the cover of the crowd of rock fans, a MAN stands looking just a little out of place. It's subtle, like he's trying to blend in but it's not quite his scene. His gaze is fixed on Tony and Rhodey for a long moment.

Then he moves, not too far away but just far enough that it's out of their line of sight if they should turn in his direction. He pulls a walkie talkie out of his pocket.

MAN
Tell him I have eyes on the kid. Awaiting orders.

His gaze zeroes in on Tony.

END ACT TWO