Chapter Four
"Emily, PR's on line 1 for you," the HR secretary announced through my phone's speaker.
I groaned and nearly collapsed on my desk. It was only 10 am, and I was already exhausted and ready to go home.
It was a week to the day since I first met Loki on the T, making it six days since that incident at the club. Despite my determination not to submit to him, the sad truth was that he was constantly on my mind, and it was taking its toll on everything. I dreamt about him all night, then thought about him all day at work, and even when I got home, he was still on my mind. TV wasn't helping. Keeping myself busy as work wasn't helping. Not even talking to Keisha on the phone was doing anything. All week I had been trying everything I could to get my mind off of him, and no matter what I tried, nothing worked.
Yet another thing that prick said was coming true.
Today was no exception, and it didn't help that everyone in the PR department was being an excessively needy pain in the ass.
"Thanks Vanessa," I replied into my phone's speaker. I picked up the phone, dialed line one, and prepared for the inane dribble that was inevitably to follow.
"Oh good, Em, I have another question for you," the woman on the other end of the line said as soon as I picked up.
"Bea, need I remind you that I'm not in the PR department?" I replied. "Aren't these questions better suited for Nancy?"
"Nancy's out sick with pneumonia," said Bea, "and we need your input because you were at the last job fair. Company image and all that stuff. But anyways, I do have a very important question for you…"
I spent the entire conversation rolling my eyes and stating what I thought were obvious facts. Today I was beginning to feel more like a PR rep than an HR rep. In fact, thinking back on it, I didn't end up doing a single HR thing all day. Instead, I got to deal with PR and their incompetence. And to top things off, they seemed more on edge than usual. They were frantic and were being slightly rude and obnoxious about it.
I found out why when my boss, Jim, called me into his office sometime around 2 pm.
"Emily, come in, please, sit down," Jim said upon my entrance, gesturing graciously at one of the hard-backed chairs in front of his desk. He was in a jubilant mood, and it contrasted sharply with the frantic, stressful mood of the PR department.
"Jim, what's going on today?" I asked point-blank as I sat down. There was no dancing around the subject. He was in a much better mood than he ever was, PR was in a panic, and I had been swamped all day. There had to be a connection between all of this, and I figured it had something to do with the reason I was sitting here in his office.
"I have some very exciting news!" he said, practically dancing behind his desk. "The annual East Coast Energy Fair is coming to Boston, and it's happening next weekend!"
I raised an eyebrow. This was definitely not the news I was expecting. It was so… random.
"That's good," I said, putting on my best (forced) enthusiastic.
"I know!" He said, practically leaping into the air as he continued to pace behind his desk. "This is going to be such a great opportunity for us! Ooooh I can just see it now, how much this firm is gonna grow if we pull this off!"
"Excuse me, sir," I said, no longer able to pretend that I knew what the hell he was excited about. "But we're a financial consulting firm. What does an energy fair have to do with us?"
"I was hoping you'd ask that," he said, finally taking a seat at his desk chair. "It actually has everything to do with us. You see, this is the energy fair of the year. Every energy company on the east coast, every major name in energy, will be represented, right here in Boston." He saw my confused look and decided to finally clarify. "It is an opportunity for the public to see all of the major names in energy all in one place. The place will be crawling with big investors… investors that will need investment counseling."
"Ah," I said, "so that's where we come in."
"Bingo!" He said, pumping his fist into the air. "When I saw this opportunity, I took it, and I booked us a table at the event."
"That's great!" I said, trying to act enthusiastic, even though I was still thoroughly confused. I understood now why he cared so much about the fair, but I was struggling to see why this would matter to me. Were we hiring people from the fair?
"The trouble is," my boss continued, "we won't be the only financial consulting firm there. There are three other investment firms that are going to be represented. We are going to need really good PR on this one."
Ah, hence why PR was in such a frantic panic.
"So I have PR working overtime," Jim went on. "We will have a lot of competition. We need a team that is going to sell our message and sell it well."
Sir," I interjected, unable to contain myself. I was tired, mentally drained, and I didn't have a lot of patience at this point. "This is great news and all, but why tell me this?"
"Because we're going to need you on this one too," he said with a beaming smile.
"But isn't this PR's job?" I protested. "PR has been on the phone with me all day, and I'm not even in their department. Unless I'm charged with recruiting new hires, I really don't see what any of this has to do with me."
"Yes it is PR's job," Jim replied, "and PR will of course be there, along with a number of our best financial consultants. But with our PR director on bed rest, we're at a distinct disadvantage."
"Then the other PR reps will have to take up the slack," I responded, "honestly, sir, I really don't see what this has to do with me. I'm HR, not PR."
"But we need someone who can sell," he replied, "you bring in hundreds of resumes every time we have one open position. You sell our company's message so well that we never have any shortage of highly qualified applicants." He paused and beamed at me. "You have charisma, Emily," he continued, "more charisma than most of the people in the PR department. We need you there to draw people in, to get them interested, and to get them excited. You can do all of these things like you were born to do it. Once you've drawn them in, you can refer them to the rest of the team who will complete the contracts."
"You can't be serious," I said, "I'm honored, but I'm not qualified for this."
"I think you'll do just fine," Jim said with a smile, "I have full faith in you. Emily, this is a huge opportunity for our company. We could expand and grow wildly if this is a success, so this fair is of the utmost importance. Besides, you're in line for a promotion. If this goes well, you may just be put at the front of the line."
My jaw dropped.
"So," my boss continued, "will you go?"
"Well," I replied, "if you put it that way, then I guess so."
"Excellent!" my boss exclaimed, jumping out his chair like a sugar-high kid. "I'll get you in touch with Bea again and she'll train you on the basics of everything you'll need to know. We've got a busy week ahead of us!"
Oh joy, just what I always wanted.
"Heyyy Em, it's me," Keisha exclaimed over the phone, "I was just calling to say hi and see how you were doing and if you were feeling better. I don't know what's wrong, but I'm here for ya girl. Call me back, kay? Love ya! Muah!"
I hung up the phone as soon as Keisha's voicemail was finished. I was in no mood to call her back. I hadn't exactly told her what happened at the club a week ago, and I was in no mood to tell her now. I tossed my phone onto my nightstand and clasped my hands behind my head. I lay on my bed on my back and stared at the ceiling. It was only nine o'clock, and I was already tired and ready to go to bed.
The rest of my workday had dragged. I had spent the remainder of the afternoon on the phone with PR, all the while battling thoughts of Loki creeping into my mind. It was an incredible struggle to remain focused and do my job, and the effort had left me mentally and physically exhausted. The thoughts of Loki did not go away once I left work, and they followed me all the way home. When I got home, I'm pretty sure I fed the cats more than I fed myself. I didn't have the energy to cook, so I just ate a granola bar and called it dinner. I tried everything I could think of to get Loki off my mind. I read for a while, to no avail. I tried watching the Bruins game, and it only worked for about five minutes. No matter how much I tried to focus on the men in black and gold and on the gameplay, I could not get that prick off my mind.
So eventually I gave up, turned off the game, and went to bed. I didn't know what I was thinking, going to bed this early, but I really didn't see that there was anything else to do. Of course, lying in bed only made things worse.
I closed my eyes, and I immediately pictured Loki's devilish smirk. That smirk had been on my mind almost constantly for the last week, and the more I thought about it, the more sexually appealing it became. At first it scared the wits out of me, but now I was obsessing over it.
The beginnings of sleep started to crawl over me. As I slowly started to drift towards unconsciousness, my inhibitions were lowered, allowing Loki to run wild through the dark parts of my twisted mind. My slowing breath turned ragged as I revisited the memories of the last time I saw him. Even now, almost a week later, I could still feel his hands everywhere he had touched me. What was even more torturous were the new fantasies of him that were running rampant through my mind.
"You are weak," the imagined image of him whispered in my mind, "give in to me, and I will give you what you desire."
I pictured him on all fours, leaning over me. I wanted so badly to know what he looked like naked, so I imagined it, and it made me moan softly in arousal and anticipation. He smirked at me, and one of his hands glided slowly up my thigh.
"I will bring you to the breaking point," he whispered seductively, "with naught but my fingers. And you, little mortal, will have no choice but to submit."
In my half-sleeping state, I was barely able to control my own hands, and they seemed to be controlled by my sub-conscious while my conscious mind controlled the imagery. My fingers slipped between my thighs, and I let out another moan as I imagined they were his fingers instead.
"Loki," I whispered, wishing that he were really there to hear me.
This made him…me… intensify the finger movement. A warm tingling sensation began under my fingers and rapidly spread throughout my body. It was invigorating, and the mental image of Loki's gorgeous body intensified the erotic sensation. My hips and back twisted in pleasure, and I cried out uncontrollably.
"Yes, my pet," his voice purred in my mind in response to my cries, "you belong to me."
"Yes," I moaned as if on autopilot.
"Then come to me," he said, "like I told you to."
I whimpered when his…my… grip tightened.
"Loki," I breathed in between short, ragged gasps.
"Obey me," he growled, "or I will continue this torment."
Fingernails dug into my soft flesh painfully. I screamed and woke with a start, sitting bolt upright. I was alone in my apartment, but I could feel his presence in my mind, and it made me shudder. Even my fantasies of him creeped me out. He had invaded the most secret and intimate parts of my mind, and it made me feel almost violated. It was as if he were planting thoughts into my mind and talking to me. I shook my head and caught my breath. It was nothing but a fucked up half-dream. On that note, I stood up and started getting ready for bed.
Jim had us doing pitch rehearsals.
Can you believe that? Rehearsals! For an energy fair!
Jim had us working practically around the clock for the next week. Everyone in PR had to go to the office on Saturday to finish up some work for him. It was impossible to finish everything in the eight-hour workday, so every night for the next week I ended up taking work home with me. I didn't actually mind the extra work. At this point keeping busy was the only way I was staying halfway sane. At least working to the point of exhaustion kept me from dwelling on Loki too much, and for that I was grateful.
Things had been very quiet on the Loki front lately. I stayed as far away from the Back Bay as I could, and as a result I avoided him entirely. The following Friday marked two weeks since the club incident, and thankfully, things had been uneventful. I was just starting to think that maybe I would never see him again.
That is, until I got the schedule and location of the energy fair.
"You've gotta be shitting me," I exclaimed under my breath, putting my head on my desk. It was a good thing I was alone in my cubicle, because I was visibly distraught. There were much bigger venues than this one, especially by the river. Why the hell did this fair have to be in the one place I was trying to avoid at all costs?
It was in the Hynes Convention Center and Sheraton Hotel.
Which is exactly where Loki was staying.
It was all I could do to keep from crying in dismay. Why why WHY did it have to be there? Of all the venues and hotels all over Boston, why did it have to be there?
The walls of my cubicle started closing in around me. I could feel my heart racing, and I was starting to hyperventilate. I was getting dizzy from the lack of oxygen. I was shaking, and my chest was in searing pain.
Was I having a heart attack?
No, I was having a panic attack.
I needed some fresh air and fast before I fainted, or worse.
Practically gasping for air, I threw on my coat and rushed out of my cubicle. I announced to the secretary that I was taking an early lunch and stormed out of the office.
The air was biting cold, and the morning sun reflected brilliantly off the skyscraper windows. The city was buzzing with activity. I could hear the refreshing sounds of the wind, passing cars, the occasional horn, and the beeping, hissing, and clanging of delivery trucks. It was a beautiful mid-November day in Boston.
I decided to go for a short walk. I knew I couldn't wander far, but I had to keep moving and do something. So I started wandering around the streets surrounding my office building. It felt good to be out in my beloved city during the daylight hours, which were becoming scarcer as the days grew shorter. My breath billowed in a white cloud around my face, and the cold air nipped at my exposed ears, turning them pink.
When my extremities began to go numb, I wandered into the nearest Starbucks. I figured another cup of coffee, drunk in a relaxed atmosphere, would help ease my nerves. The heavenly aroma that filled my nose when I opened the foggy glass door made my mouth water with anticipation. Since it was the middle of the day, and most people were at work, the line was manageable, and soon I was sitting at a table enjoying my day's second cup of coffee.
As I sipped my drink, the café door opened, and in strolled a man and a woman. The woman had beautiful short, reddish-blond hair, a freckled face, and a gorgeous smile. She was the more casual of the pair, wearing a buttoned wool coat and jeans. The man was a brunette and had a receding hairline. His wool coat was unbuttoned, revealing a black suit, tie, and white shirt. They looked very normal, but for some reason they caught my interest immediately. I watched them indiscreetly as I eavesdropped on their conversation.
"While I am very glad to see you," said the woman, "I am curious as to what brings you all the way to Boston. Surely it can't be Tony."
"Unfortunately it is," the man replied, "it's nothing catastrophic at the moment, so don't worry. I just have to talk to him in person."
"About what?" the woman asked.
"It's classified," the man replied. "Though I can say that we need his help."
"It's gonna take some serious convincing," she said with a smirk, "after New York he's kind of fed up with all of this stuff. I don't blame him either. We just now finished the remodels."
"This matter may just convince him," he replied, "besides, he won't have to do much. We have other people on this as well."
"You're so vague, Phil," the woman laughed. "Seriously, you know I'm going to find out what's going on. Can't you give me a hint? The suspense is killing me!"
Phil hesitated a moment, and was then cut off by the barista who took their drink order.
"You remember that incident in New York?" he asked once their order had been placed.
"Who doesn't?" she replied.
"It's not over yet," Phil answered.
"What do you mean?" she asked. "I thought-"
"That's all I can tell you right now," he interjected, "but I'm sure you'll find out more as things unfold. I need to talk to Tony tomorrow as soon as he's available."
"I can arrange that," the woman replied.
As soon as she said that, the barista came with their drink orders. They quickly grabbed their cups, and they left as fast as they had come.
It was past seven o'clock by the time I finally left the office. Exhausted, overworked, and nervous as fuck about being at the Hynes tomorrow, I headed home. I decided that tonight enough was enough with work. I needed a night to just relax and unwind, because tomorrow was going to be a high-stakes, high-stress day. The combination of the pressure from my boss and the location of the fair made me a tightly wound ball of nerves that was about ready to explode.
Most of the night was uneventful. I managed to somehow avoid fantasizing about Loki as I fell asleep that night, focusing instead on the pitches I was supposed to deliver tomorrow. However, this effort did not help me once I was asleep, and Loki once again entered my dreams.
I dreamt that it was summertime, and that I was at Fenway Park at a Red Sox game. Keisha was with me, and we were both sporting Red Sox jerseys and hats. We were walking down Yawkey Way along with what must have been thousands of other people, all in Red Sox gear. The summertime sun glistened beautifully off the windows of the surrounding buildings. The warm summer wind jostled the "Yawkey Way" banners that hung over the streets. The championship banners rippled in the wind as well, as if waving at the crowd below in a sentimental reminder of previously celebrated glory.
I breathed in the fresh air and relished the warmth on my skin. It was truly a perfect place to be on a summer day like this.
But something was wrong. There were simply too many people, and there was barely any room to move. It felt like the park was over-capacity. I seemed to be the only one who noticed it. Keisha was oblivious to the excessive crowds, and instead kept insisting on buying an overpriced beer. My focus was instead on getting to our gate and getting our seats. However, the crowd was too unbearable to do either, and we were swallowed up in the swirling masses.
Suddenly I heard screaming. A cloud drifted over the sun, instantly plunging the street into a dim half-darkness. I saw the crowd begin to part as people ran frantically in all directions. The panic spread throughout the crowd, and Keisha and I were swept up in it. We began to run along with everyone else. I didn't know what we were running from or why, but I kept moving out of fear for my own safety.
"Forget the seats!" I shouted to Keisha. "Let's get out of here!"
We decided to make for the end of Yawkey Way and get out onto the main road as fast as possible. I didn't care where we ran as long as we made it there fast. However, we didn't make it very far, because we soon saw what everyone was running from.
Various pictures from all of the news articles I read about him created a whole new vision of him in my mind. Keisha and I stopped dead in our tracks when we saw the towering form of Loki just ahead. My heart rose into my throat at his regal shape, with his tall stature, broad shoulders, and menacing posture. He wore a trench coat of black, green, and gold. On his shoulders he wore gold armor, and an emerald green cape billowed behind his back as he walked toward us. His black hair was all but hidden under a glorious gold helmet, crowned with massive horns. In his hand he held some kind of gold spear with a glass orb that glowed electric blue.
He looked down his nose at the crowd with a mocking sneer. His eyes twinkled with delight as he watched everyone around him running in terror, parting the way for him as he strolled down Yawkey Way. Keisha tugged my arm and we ran, trying to stay ahead of him. He came to a stop in the middle of the street and slammed the end of his spear onto the ground. Instantly, copies of him appeared on all sides of the street, effectively corralling all of us so that no one could escape. The orbs on all of their spears glowed, creating a cage of blue and gold light around us.
Keisha and I stopped dead in our tracks, and I turned around to look at the real Loki. He held up his free hand toward the crowd, and in a voice that commanded regal authority yelled one simple command: "KNEEL!"
Terrified, everyone obeyed him. I tugged Keisha's sleeve and we knelt as well. The crowd fell silent, and soon we were all on our knees in complete, obedient, silence.
"Humanity!" the real Loki cried, slowing striding forward into the crowd. "I am Loki, of Asgard, and I come with glad tidings of a world made free."
Shit, he was headed in my direction. I put my head down and tried not to make eye contact with him.
"Is this not simpler?" he asked the crowd as he continued to slowly stride forward. "Is this not your natural state? It is a simple truth of humanity that you were made to be ruled. Freedom is your life's great lie, and I am here to finally set you free. I am here to relieve you of your burdens of power."
He paused his speech and laughed. He was now dangerously close to me. Keisha and I kept our heads down and our eyes cast toward the ground. I hoped and prayed that he wouldn't see me, and that I would be able to just melt into the crowd.
"Fear not," Loki continued, "for I am here to claim my place as your king. Pledge your loyalties to me, and I will set your hearts and minds free as they have never been before. And in your newfound freedom you shall submit your eternal allegiance to me, as I rule over the Earth as your benevolent god."
When he was right next to me, he stopped. I stole a quick glance up at him. His eyes were focused on the crowd around me, and fortunately he wasn't looking at the little mortal woman at his feet. His eyes sparkled in the dim glow with a combination of malice and insane ecstasy. His lips curled into a warm and haunting smile. In my kneeling position he towered over me, and I somehow found myself liking the view of him from this vantage point.
He laughed again. "Dear Emily, don't think I don't notice you down there," he said, making me choke on my own breath.
He cocked his head to the side and peered down at me. Various members of the crowd gasped, and some began to murmur. His emerald eyes bored into mine, paralyzing me with fear, and his smile turned playful. He turned fully toward me, and placed the index finger of his free hand under my chin.
"Rise," he commanded.
I obeyed, and rose to my feet, my heart racing wildly and my limbs trembling.
"Emily," he said in a mockingly scolding tone, "why do you try to hide from me? Do you still question my power over you? Do you pretend that you still have your freedom? My lady, I took that from you long ago." He shook his head and leaned his face toward me, keeping those emerald eyes focused on mine. "You were made to be ruled, just like them," he said, "now don't resist me any longer." His smile widened. He turned back to the crowd, who watched in fearful anticipation of what would happen to me. "Behold," he said to the crowd, "let this woman be an example."
He wrapped his free arm around my shoulders, and with his other hand he brought the tip of his spear hovering mere inches from my chest. "You have a strong heart," he whispered to me. With that, he gently touched the tip of his spear to my chest, directly over my heart.
My mind suddenly went blank. A tight, warming sensation gripped my chest, and I felt dizzy and weak. My knees gave out, and I collapsed. Loki wrapped his arm around my back and caught me mid-fall, cradling my limp body and holding it to his. My vision began to blur and every sound around me was muffled. I could faintly hear screaming and shouting, and I made out the sound of Keisha's nearby screams. I tried to stay conscious, but my efforts were failing. I was slipping.
Was this what it felt like to die?
The last image I saw before my vision went black was Loki's eyes and his evil grin.
The dream shifted. My dream-self woke with a start. I was disoriented. All around me was a faint, gold light. Candlelight. I rubbed my eyes and tried to focus on what was around me.
I was sprawled on my back on a bed covered with gold and green blankets. The bed was soft, and warm from my body heat. Once my vision cleared, I sat up, my head searing with pain. I looked down at my body and gasped. I was dressed in an emerald green medieval gown.
"What the hell-" I said, examining my clothes in complete wonder and confusion. I looked around the room, but in the dim candlelight I couldn't make out much.
I jumped when I head the door to the room open. I gasped when I saw Loki enter. He was dressed in his black, green and gold trench coat. His cape, helmet, and spear were gone. The candlelight glimmered on the metal parts of his coat, creating a golden hue around his body.
"Where am I?" I asked bravely. I was scared, but at the same time I was angry and not in the mood for any more of his mind games.
"Does it matter?" Loki asked playfully, continuing to approach me.
"Yes it absolutely does," I snapped, "what am I doing here? Why am I here? What did you do to me?"
Loki walked over to the side of the bed, so that he was directly in front of me. He placed his index finger to my lips.
"Shhh," he whispered, "in time, all will be revealed. But first…" his finger trailed slowly down my chin and then down my neck. "…I need you to pledge your loyalties to me."
The lower his finger went, the more aroused I became. He slowly ran all four of his fingers down my chest, and eventually rested his hand on my heart.
"You have a strong heart," he whispered again, "and it is mine now."
"What did you do to do me?" I asked as strongly as I could in my shaking voice.
"I merely claimed what was already mine," he said. He smiled softly at me and took me by the hand. "Rise, my pet," he commanded.
I complied and stood up.
"Bare yourself for me," he commanded again.
Every part of my mind was screaming not to, but my body was acting on its own. Obediently, I reached behind my back and untied the sashes holding on the dress. Once I had them undone, I let the dress fall to my feet. Now completely nude before him, I cast my eyes downward out of embarrassment.
I felt his finger glide under my chin and lift my face toward his. I bit my lip to keep from crying in fear and embarrassment.
"Do not turn your face away from your king," he said in a stern yet gentle tone. "I want you to look at me as I take you, so that I may see the look in your eyes, and you see the look in mine." He looked me up and down, and I bit my lip harder. I felt like fainting again.
"Why are you trembling?" he asked.
"I'm frightened," I admitted.
"As you should be," he whispered.
"What will you do to me?" I asked meekly.
He looked into my eyes and smirked. "I will merely take what is already mine," he replied. He looked at me again, drew a breath, and smiled. His expression was full of desire. "You are ravishing," he said, his smile spreading wider.
Suddenly, he wrapped his hands around my back and drew me up against him. The cold metal and leather against my bare skin sent shudders down my spine. My heart and mind melted when he kissed me. I had been longing for this ever since that night at the club. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and drew myself further into his embrace. He then clasped his hands around my waist and abruptly threw me onto the bed.
There I lay, completely exposed and sprawled out before him, with my legs slightly parted. My breath was ragged and irregular. I was frightened and aroused at the same time. Loki smirked again, and his eyes glinted with greed and desire. With graceful cat-like movements, he crawled onto the bed over me, and hovered above me on all fours. I looked up into his beautiful eyes, and his gaze hypnotized me into perfectly compliant submission.
Loki chuckled mercilessly as his lips trailed down my neck and down my chest. I squirmed in delight under him. His hands gripped my wrists firmly above my head, effectively pinning me down onto the bed. His eyes grew dark with sinister delight as they looked into mine again.
"You are mine, Emily," he whispered, "Never forget that."
Suddenly, the dream vanished with the blaring sound of my alarm clock.
I practically screamed and sat bolt upright. Caesar and the Lady, who had been sleeping at my feet, screeched and leapt off the bed in surprise. I sat there for a moment, disoriented, and panting like I had just ran a marathon. My heart raced and my head was dizzy.
When I finally came to my senses, I realized that I was still in my apartment. The dream had seemed frighteningly real, and I sighed in relief when I realized that it was all indeed a dream.
"Good morning, Boston!" the radio announcer exclaimed. "And happy Saturday morning. We've got the top 30 hits in the USA for you this morning, being brought to you by-"
Shit, it was Saturday morning.
It was energy fair time.
With my heart heavy with the dread of the day ahead, I got up and started getting ready to head to the Hynes.
Luckily, my company's table was in the Hynes, not the Sheraton, so I didn't actually have to step foot inside Loki's hotel. I figured with my luck he would find me anyway, but I still hoped that the crowds would successfully hide me.
And boy was it crowded. When my boss said every name in energy along with thousands of investors would be there, he meant it. Not long after the fair started, there were massive throngs of people in business suits all over the place. As my boss predicted, our booth was attracting plenty of attention, along with the other investment consulting booths nearby. Yes, we were all grouped together in the same area, making the stakes of my job even higher. Despite my feelings of dread and resentment for the location of this place, I did everything I could to plaster a smile across my face and greet everyone with a warm welcome and a firm handshake.
By midday, about two hours into the fair, I was already exhausted. The other PR reps and I had managed to lure in dozens of potential clients, and more were coming by the droves. In between pitches, one of the PR reps named Marshall and I began chitchatting casually.
"Hanging in there?" he asked.
"Trying to," I replied with a sigh of exhaustion.
"We'll get a break around 2," he replied, "they'll close the fair for about an hour for lunch and some video presentation in the main hall."
"Thank goodness," I said breathlessly. "I think if I hear one more thing about someone wanting to invest in clean energy, I am going to scream."
Marshall laughed. "Speaking of clean energy," he replied, "look who's got a table right near us."
I followed his finger to the far side of the room. There was a string of tables with a very large glowing display of some sort. It was hard to make out exactly what the glowing display was through the crowds, but judging by the number of people it was gathering, it must have been impressive.
"I can't tell," I replied.
"Look at the logo," he said, continuing to point, "right there."
I craned my neck and tried my best to see. I made out a few letters at first, and then as people shifted around, I was able to see the entire logo.
It read "Stark Industries."
And then, to my amazement, standing right below the logo was Tony Stark himself.