Within six months, every American knew who Lucas Doe was, or had at least seen his work. He'd catapulted to success in advertising and public image management. But with all the money, the luxury apartment and the just-good-enough car, he still felt something was wrong, that he wasn't supposed to be here.
He stared at himself in the mirror almost daily, trying to figure out what his family might look like (if he even had any), praying that someday he'd get a call from Doctor Thurston and he'd stop feeling so alone.
One morning, after staring in the mirror even longer than he had before, Lucas headed off to a business brunch with some executives from Stark industries. It was unlike any job interview he'd had. For one, it was in a restaurant, but they had approached him. He was looking forward to becoming Mr Stark's 'Image manager'. Maybe he'd be able to travel for work instead of being stuck in his home office.
He'd always wanted to go to London.
The men from Stark industries were exactly what he'd expected. Three men in suits with such stern expressions Lucas wondered if they were simply a more advanced group of robots. This was entirely possible given Mr Stark's reputation.
"Mr Doe, so nice of you to join us." the first gentleman stood and offered his hand, which Lucas shook before taking a seat.
"Thank you for asking to see me, I believe Stark industries and I will make quite the team." Lucas' speech was interrupted by a shrill voice.
"Good evening gentlemen, what you are ordering this evening?"
Lucas waited patiently for the other men to order, internally cursing the waitress's interruption.
"And you?" She smiled, pen hovering over her notepad.
"Uh, I'll have the Salmon and some whiskey to drink."
"Excellent choice," I'll be back in a moment with your drinks, and your food will be along shortly."
During the meeting, Lucas and the team discussed what he would do to improve Stark's image, getting him even further away from the weapons expert of the past.
"Do you have any questions for us?" The third gentleman asked while politely declining some dessert, thus signalling the end of the meeting.
"Yes, will I be working with Mr Stark personally at all?"
"Sadly no, your job is to simply represent Mr Stark, and also appear at social events he does not wish to attend."
"So I'm a space filler?"
"Yes. If you must know you were selected for your;" the first gentleman pulled out a notepad, "Pleasant appearance, high level of charisma and intolerance for time wasters."
"We are very interested in your working for us, Mr Doe. The pay is good, and you will not have to pay for transport or appropriate dress. You will also work with a board once a week to discuss advertisement campaigns. You will have a personal assistant who will pass on everything to Mr Stark."
"Sounds pleasant." Lucas sipped his drink.
"So will you take the job?"
"Of course." Lucas stood, and the gentlemen shook hands with him in turn before leaving.
Across town a young woman also shook hands, with one Nick Fury, Director of SHEILD.
"Lyn Barker?"
"Yes, Director Fury?"
"Thank you for taking on this...Difficult mission. You've been told the risks?"
"Yes sir."
"You know you'll be working long hours?"
"I can handle it sir."
"Okay, are you ready to start?"
"Yes, Sir."
Director Fury nodded and pulled out a key card to the door they were stood by. The doors slid open without a sound. The two of them walked in, Lyn taking in the laboratory around her.
"Director Fury, what are you doing here?" A dark haired man with glasses moved out from behind a touch screen. He looked like he hadn't slept in quite a while.
"Dr Banner, This is Miss Barker. Yours and Mr Stark's new assistant and liaison."
There was a pause as Dr Banner looked her up and down. Lyn didn't like it when people did that. She'd always felt she was very ordinary, which was probably why she had been dying her hair green since she was 18, and still didn't like people looking at her.
"I'll leave you to become acquainted. Where's Tony?"
"Date." Dr Banner replied almost bitterly.
"Be sure to tell him."
"I will."
Lyn and Dr Banner chatted as he showed her round the lab.
"Did Tony hire you?" he asked suddenly.
"No, Director Fury did. He said you needed monitoring."
"Hmph."
Lyn could tell she struck a nerve, she reminded herself to actually read that file Fury gave her.
"So, um, When is Mr Stark going to be"
Lyn's question was cut off by a brown haired man in a shirt and jeans entering the lab.
"BRUCE! What mundane nationwide problem does Fury want us to solve this afterno-who is this woman and why is she in our science bro room of awesome."
"This is Lyn Barker, our new assistant. Do you even read the memos Fury sends anymore?"
"I have a spam filter."
"And the director of SHEILD doesn't make the cut?" Lyn chipped in. Tony looked at her, before looking at Bruce.
"Did I hire her?"