— ︎︎︎ —
The attack on Pearl Harbor. FDR gives an impassioned speech.
"December seventh, 1941: the day the world changed forever." a voice narrated. Katherine swong her feet back and forth, This was the second event she had been to this week, though one was a birthday party for her friend Julia's mother. The party had actually been fun, all of her friends running around and a bunch of drunk adults partying. Something that Katherine witnessed seven out of ten times at every party. She also enjoyed arguing about stupid things with Julia's mother, all in light-hearted fun.
"President Roosevelt declares the United States will build fifty thousand planes to fight the armies of Hirohito and Hitler–" The voice goes on, a picture of S.S. Officers goose-stepping through Paris flashed on the screen. "I wonder what Dads doing right now." Katherine wondered to herself, looking around the room.
"Although no such capacity to build existed..." 1940s L.A., an unassuming hangar reads: "STARK INDUSTRIES." shows on the screen.
"Howard Stark, founder of the fledgling Stark Industries, answers his call to duty –" A Young Howard Stark shakes FDR's hand.
"And builds not fifty, but a hundred thousand planes".
An airfield covered in B-29s. Stark bombers in flight, strewing bombs and paratroopers across the sky.
"Later, Stark's work on the Manhattan project makes the end of the war possible." A mushroom cloud in the New Mexico desert. Howard Stark observes with Oppenheimer.
"Stark Industries would go on to contribute to every major weapons system through the Cold War –"
Korean War, B-52s, ICBMS, nuclear subs, F-16s launching from carriers. Howard Stark with Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon.
"But Howard Stark's greatest achievement would come in 1973–" President Ford, holding baby Tony, posing with Howard. Four year-old Tony building a massive building-block city. Howard and twelve year-old Tony assembling a hot-rod engine. Katherine smiled looking at little Tony.
"From early on, it was clear that Tony Stark had a unique gift–" Tony worked on turbine engines in a hangar full of F-18s.
"At seventeen he graduated summa cum laude from MIT. Four years later, tragedy would pass the Stark mantle from father to son–" Howard's funeral. Tony with Reagan, Bush Sr. and Clinton.
"The loss of a titan. But Tony did not let personal grief distract him from his duty –" Tony cuts the ribbon on a brand new arc reactor at Stark Industries West Coast HQ.
"At twenty-one, he became the youngest-ever CEO of a Fortune 500 company. And with it came a new
mandate –" A laser-guided bomb hits its target.
"Smarter weapons, fewer casualties. A dedication to preserving life." A visual crescendo of America's modern military might. "And at thirty-one he fathered an heir. A daughter, Katherine Stark, who was kept from the public until she was three. She stole the hearts of many, just like her father- '' Katherine sat up a little straighter, not having expected to be mentioned. A few people glanced back at her as a picture of her and Tony showed on the screen. It had been about a week after she had been revealed to the public, the duo posing for vogue.
"Today Tony Stark's ingenuity continues to protect freedom and American interest around the globe." A waving American flag superimposed with an Annie Liebowitz portrait of Tony. And as it faded out people clapped, then – A light shined on a podium, revealing Lt. Colonel Rhodes. Katherine smiled at one of her god-fathers.
"As Program Manager and Liaison toStark Industries, I've had the honor of serving with a real patriot, a man whose life has been dedicated to protecting our troops
on the front lines. He's a friend. A great father. And a great mentor. A man who has always been there for his friends and his country. Ladies and gentlemen, this year's ARES Award winner -- Mr. Tony Stark." thunderous applause sounded throughout the room and Katherine grimced, covering her ears. A spotlight fixed on Tony Stark -- or rather -- his empty chair. Applause waned, the lights faded up – Military brass, politicians, movers and shakers. Heads swivel and murmur -- where's Tony? Obiadiah Stane a man Katherine has always hated, CFO of Stark Industries, regards the
empty chair. He made his way to the podium. Awkward.
"Thank you...I, uhhh, I'm not Tony Stark, but if I were Tony, I'd tell you how honored I am and...what a joy it is to receive this award." Katherine rolled her eyes, "The best thing about Tony is also the worst thing -- he's always working." Katherine almost snorted. Because she knew for a fact that he was not.
— ︎︎︎ —
Tony plays craps, a crowd erupting as they all win big. Chips pile up. Tony's flanked on both sides by lucky ladies. In between rolls, he whispers into one Woman's ear.
"You think we're having a 'moment' here, but this is actually the logical conclusion of several mathematical truisms. Your hypothalamus is flooding your system with a chain of proteins called peptides, so that every cell in your body is opening itself up to the happy chemical: oxytocin." He informs her.
"That's...wow..." The woman stammers.
"Hold on a second –" He rolls again. The table is hot. More cheers.
"-- so now your limbic system is positively...throbbing. A Kirlian photograph of us right now, occupying this space, would show serious subatomic particles being
exchanged between us, with a rapidity that transcends–" Tony paused. "Are you getting this? You will be quizzed –" And now he sees Rhodey pulling up, glowering, with his daughter in tow.
"My God, what are you, they roped you into this thing too?" Tony looked down at Katherine as she hugged his side.
"Hi Kitkat." he says before looking back at Rhodey.
"Yeah. They said you'd be deeply honored if I presented. Even your daughter showed up to watch, which is way past her bedtime." he told Tony off, the four year old pouting when he brought up her bedtime.
"Okay, let's do it." Tony looks at him expectantly. Rhodey plops the ARES statue down on the felt.
"That was quick. Thought there'd be more of, you know, a ceremony. Maybe a highlight reel –"
"There was, Daddy." Katherine rolled her eyes. Tony shakes karma into the dice, rolls again. He craps out.
Groans from the table, everyone staring at Rhodey the "cooler".
"Color me up," Tony told the boxman. "My chaperone has just arrived with my-- Degenerate of the Year Award. Judging from his look, I may have just peed in the kiddie pool." Katherine wrinkled her nose in disgust. The Boxman racks up Tony's chips.
"I must now take my ease, along with the House's funds." He's handed racks of chips, then tips the table Operators and heads off with Rhodey and Katherine, who was holding his hand. Two hotel Security Guards fall in behind. As they meander past tables – People gawk, snap photos of Tony and Katherine with their phones.
"A lot of people would kill to have their name on that award." Rhodey said, looking at Tony.
"It belongs to my old man. They should have given it to him." Tony replied bitterly.
"What's wrong with you? A thousand people came here tonight to honor you, including your daughter, and you leave them with egg on their face. This award means something, Tony, it's bigger than you –"
"Hold that thought a sec." He's stopped in front of a roulette wheel. Puts all his chips down on, nods to the wheel operator.
"Put it all on black. Don't worry – it's approved."
The Wheel Operator spins -- the ball finally settling on red. The Dealer scoops away Tony's chips.
"...you just blew three million." Rhodey said, flabbergasted.
"Yeah. Don't know what was more exciting -- winning it...or the fact that I don't care I just lost it." Tony said, nodding when Katherine asked if that was a lot.
"Everything's funny to you." Rhodey said.
"No. You're not funny." Katherine giggled at her dad's response.
"We've got a hell of a day tomorrow. Can we get out of here now?" Rhodey asked.
"One more stop." Tony says.
— ︎︎︎ —
An empty palatial bathroom. Tony's in the stall on his throne. Rhodey splashes his face by the mirrors, before fixing his hair, Katherine looking very focused as she copied his actions.
"Of course I respect your opinion." Tony called out.
"This is no joke. You're going into a hot zone. We should be doing this test here in Nevada." Rhodey told him.
"This system has to be demonstrated in true field conditions." Tony deadpans. The Bathroom door swings open and Virginia "Pepper" Potts enters, Tony's assistant and an important figure in Katherine's life.
"Tony, it's the President. Wants to congratulate you personally. Heads up" She tosses the cellphone over the top of the stall. All very routine. Rhodey listens to Tony talk, shaking his head.
"...Jim, how're the trout running? Yeah, sitting on top of the world here. Working on my masterpiece –" Tony talked to the president, while Pepper held Katherine whispering to each other and smiling. A couple moments later, Tony washes up. As they leave, Rhodey drops money in the absent Attendant's tip basket. Tony adds the ARES statue to the basket and follows Rhodey out.
"You're leaving the country for a week. I need five minutes –" Pepper told him, still holding Katherine, as they walked out. Tony heads for his waiting limo, the entourage hanging back.
"The Board meeting is on the eleventh. Should I tell them to expect an appearance--?" Pepper asks, as Katherine rested her head against her shoulder.
"Mr. Stark!" Tony turns, spots Christine Everhart, a young Reporter holding a recorder. Security keeps her at bay.
"Christine Everhart, Vanity Fair Magazine. Can I ask you a few questions?"
"Can I ask a few back?" She gives him a disarming smile. Tony waves at Security to let her through. Pepper shakes her head, then takes a call.
"Okay, shoot." Tony says.
"You've been described as a Da Vinci for our times. What do you say to that?" Christine asks.
"Ridiculous. I don't paint."
"And what do you say to your other nickname: "The Merchant of Death?"" She then asked.
"That's not bad –" Her gaze is suddenly cold.
"Let me guess. Berkeley?"
"Brown."
"Well Miss Brown, it's an imperfect world and I assure you, the day weapons are no longer needed to keep the peace, I'll start manufacturing bricks and beams to make baby hospitals." Tony says, never once losing his wit.
"Rehearse that much, Mr. Stark?" Christine said.
"Every night in front of the mirror. Call me Tony."
"I'm sorry, "Tony", I was hoping for a serious answer."
"here's serious: my old man had a philosophy: peace means having a bigger stick than the other guy." Tony said, coldly.
"Good line, coming from the guy selling the sticks."
"My father helped defeat Hitler. He was on the Manhattan Project. A lot of people -- including your professors at Brown -- might call that being a hero."
"Others might call it war-profiteering." Tony has to smile, this gal is relentless.
"Tell me: do you plan to report on the millions we've saved by advancing medical technology? Or kept from starving with our inteli-crops? All were breakthroughs
spawned from, that's right, military funding." Tony tells her, not breaking eye contact.
"Wow. You ever lose an hour of sleep your whole life?" she asks.
— ︎︎︎ —
Christine pads over to the closet, and tries to open it.
"I'm sorry, Miss Everhart, you are not authorized to access that area." JARVIS tells her. She jumped, freaked out, grabbed Tony's shirt on the floor and covered herself. Just then Pepper enters, holding dry-cleaned clothes in plastic.
"Don't worry, that's Jarvis -- he runs the house. Jarvis: deactivate security." Pepper eyes Tony's oversized shirt on Christine.
"Here, your clothes are cleaned and pressed. Anything else I can get you?"
"Look, Tony wanted me to stay for Breakfast-"
"Tony only ever has breakfast with his daughter." Christine ignores her. "but I've got to get a jump on the day. Call me a cab, would you?"
"Cab's waiting outside." Pepper tells her, a very fake smile plastered on her face. A beat, then --
"And a coffee, hon. Black. One Splenda." Christine repiled.
"Should I tell Mr. Stark, were you satisfied with the interview?" Pepper smiles sweetly, ready to get her out of the house.
— ︎︎︎ —
It's like the chaos inside Tony's head -- ultra-modern drones and missile parts, sports cars and long-abandoned prototypes. Framed photos of Tony and his Dad working on a classic '32 Ford. Music drifts from an old Wurlitze, as Katherine swings her feet back and forth. Screens containing various CAD images of a flathead engine.
Tony, in suit-slacks and an undershirt, grimy from working on the same '32 Ford as in the photo and Katherine in a pink short sleeve dress that cinched around her middle stomach and colorful leggings. Pepper enters holding her PDA
"You still owe me five minutes–" Pepper said, kissing Katherine's forehead before turning fully to Tony.
"Five? I'll need a bit longer than that –" Tony says off-handedly.
"Focus. I need to leave on time today." Pepper rolled her eyes.
"You're rushing me. What, you have plans tonight?" Tony asked, him and Pepper walking to the other side of the room, Katherine's eyes following them.
"The MIT commencement. Yes or no?"
"Maybe. Tell me your plans."
"I'll tell them 'yes'. You want to buy the Jackson Pollock? He's got another buyer in the wings –"
"What's it look like?"
"It's a minor work in his later Spring Period, it's ludicrously over-priced–"
"Buy it." She's interrupted by her phone and taps her blue-tooth headset and listens.
"He left an hour ago. Okay," she hangs up. "It's Rhodey again."
"You have plans, don't you --?"
"I'm allowed to have plans on my birthday."
"It's your birthday again?" He turned to Katherine, "Did you know about this?" He teasingly pointed at her.
"Yep! I gave her a card this morning." Katherine smiled, nodding.
"Yep. Funny, same day as last year."
"Well, get yourself something from me. Something nice." Tony nods.
"Already did."
"And...?"
"It was very tasteful, very elegant. Thank you, Mr. Stark."
"You're welcome, Miss Potts." Tony tells her.
— ︎︎︎ —
Katherine climbed out of the car, Happy holding the door for her, a blank look on his face. Swinging her backpack onto her shoulder, she rushed into the house. She was incredibly excited since her dad was supposed to be back today. She ran into the hall and walked the rest of the way to the kitchen.
"No, Mr. Stane. I'll tell her, she has a right to know why he's not here- No! As close as you may be to Tony, you're not close to her- Do not tell me to calm down! I'll be the one to tell her. Goodbye Mr. Stane." Katherine overheard Pepper on the phone. Much slower, she walked into the kitchen.
"Pep?" She called, making the women jump, before she turned to Katherine. Her eyes were slightly puffy and there were red rings around them.
"Where's my dad?" Katherine asked slowly, watching as Pepper took a deep breath.
"Oh, Kat, I-'' Pepper stopped herself, took another deep breath and crouched in front of her.
"You know how some people don't like your dad?" Pepper asked, holding onto Katherine's shoulders, she nodded. Katherine was incredibly smart when it came to things like this, Pepper knew she had to tell her, no matter how much she didn't want to.
"Well," she paused, pershing her lips. "The bad people got a hold of him, so he has to be away for a little bit..." tears welded in Katherine's eyes.
"Is he gonna be okay?" She whispered, her lip quivering.
"I'm not sure.." Pepper whispered, pulling Katherine into a hug when she started sobbing. Tears streamed down her face and onto Pepper, as ragged breaths racked her chest.
— ︎︎︎ —
Three months later
— ︎︎︎ —
Three months. It took three months till Katherine was taken out of school and rushed to the airport because they had finally found her father. So, there she was, standing with Pepper holding onto as they waited for them.
The rear ramp of the C-17 comes down. Light blinds Rhodey and Tony -- who's in a wheelchair. Rhodey wheels him down. As they reach the ramp's end Tony speaks.
"Help me out of this thing–" He struggles to his feet, faltering. Rhodey steadies him.
"I got you, pal." They walk together as Pepper comes forward, but Katherine stays, frozen. She meets eyes with Rhodey, and he nods to her.
"Thank you." Pepper says and now she faces Tony. A ghost of his former self, but she puts on a brave face.
"Your eyes are red. A few tears for your long-lost boss?" Tony teases.
"Tears of joy. I hate job hunting." Pepper said, a small smile on her face. Pepper turns and holds her hand out, which Katherine takes. Tony kneels down and holds his free hand out. Katherine pauses, before gently pushing down on his hand, as if making sure he's real. Tony smiles and Katherine launches herself at him. Her arms were wrapped around his neck and they were now both crying, as Tony held her tightly.
"Hey Kitkat." He whispers. After a few moments, they break apart, but Katherine still holds on tightly to his hand.
Hogan comes around, holds the limo door open for Tony.
"Good to see you again, Sir" He gives a small smile.
"You do something new with your hair?"
"Wouldn't dream of it, Sir." Pepper helps Tony into the limo. Awkward silence. Pepper meets eyes with Hogan in the mirror.
"Where to, Mr. Stark?" Happy asks.
"We're due at the hospital." Pepper tells him, helping Katherine buckle up.
"No -- to the office." Pepper gives him a look. "I've been in captivity for three months. There's only two things I want to do. I want to eat a cheeseburger. And I want to hold a press Conference." Tony says, shocking them.
— ︎︎︎ —
Tony's limo pulls up, Hogan lets Tony out. He finishes a cheeseburger and Hogan takes the wrappers. Obadiah is waiting there with a group of gathered employees. They all start applauding. Obadiah with arms outstretched--
"See this. Huh. Huh." He smiles. He hugs Tony warmly, and speaks close.
"Tony, thought we were meeting at the hospital. You know there's a lot of reporters in there. What's going on?" He asks.
"You'll see. C'mon –" They head inside.
— ︎︎︎ —
Packed with Reporters waiting for the hundred-carat headline. Pepper is approached by a middle aged man.
"You'll have to take a seat, Sir." Pepper kindly informs him.
"Oh, I'm not a reporter. I'm Agent Phil Coulson with the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division–" The man says.
"That's a mouthful." Pepper blurts out.
"I know. Here." He hands her a card. She squints at the tiny font.
"Look, Mr. Coulson, we've already spoken with the D.O.D., the FBI, the CIA–"
"We're a separate division with a more... specific focus. We need to debrief Mr. Stark about the circumstances of his escape. More importantly–"
"Well, great, I'll let him know–"
"--we're here to help. We're here to listen. I assure you Mr. Stark will want to talk to us."
"I'm sure he will. Now if you could just take your seat."
As Tony enters, struggling his way to the podium, followed by Obadiah. Tony gazes out over the reporters. Suddenly he seems
vulnerable, scattered. The silence grows awkward. Obadiah is mercifully going to save him when --
"I...can't do this anymore." Pregnant silence. Everyone is waiting for the Stark punch-line. Finally, a Reporter ventures --
"You mean you're retiring?" they ask.
"No, I don't want to retire. I want to do something else." The room waits through more awkward silence, then --
"Something besides weapons?"
"Yes. That's right." The room is suddenly buzzing with overlapping questions --
'The official report was sketchy. What happened to you over there, Mr. Stark?" Tony is pensive, then the floodgates open.
"What happened over there? I had my eyes opened, that's what happened. I saw my weapons, with my name on
them, in the hands of thugs. I thought we were doing good here...I can't say that anymore. I saw young Americans killed with the weapons I built to protect them." Tony admits.
Rhodey, just arriving in the rear, pulls up to Pepper.
"Uhh, weren't we taking him to the hospital?" Pepper is transfixed. Nearby, Agent Coulson watches stoically.
"What do you intend to do about it, Mr. Stark?"
"The system is broken -- there's no accountability whatsoever. Right now, as of this second, we are freezing the sale of all Stark weaponry worldwide." Tony said. Now the room is in chaos. Obadiah's ready to wrap this up, and moves towards Tony.
"We've lost our way. I need to re-evaluate things. And my heart's telling me I have more to offer the planet than things that blow up."
"So you're saying...what are you saying?"
"In the coming months, Mr. Stane here and I will set a new course for Stark Industries. "Tomorrow Today" has always been our slogan. It's time we try to live up to it." The questions are now firing in a cacophony. Obadiah takes the podium.
"Okay, I think we're going to be selling a lot of newspapers here. What we should take away from this is that Tony's back, he's healthier than ever, and as soon as he heals up and takes some time off, we're going to have a little internal discussion and get back to you. Thank you for coming by."
Tony steps down, exhilarated. He works his way through the swarming reporters, approaching Rhodey and Pepper -- who have stunned looks on their faces.
"You mean that? Or is this some clever stock-maneuver?"
"Wait and see."
— ︎︎︎ —
Stane approaches Tony, who stares at the Arc Reactor while eating fries and sipping a Coke.
"Well that went well. You just painted targets on our heads. Our stock is going to take a 40 point dive tomorrow." Tony says nothing.
"Tony, we are a weapons manufacturer. Turning this company
around to make baby bottles is like trying to get a bear to walk on its hind legs."
"I don't want a body count to be my only legacy or Katherine's. There are other things we can do."
"Like what?"
"We could develop the Arc Reactor." Obadiah points to the Arc.
"This? This was a publicity stunt. It's not even cost effective. We knew that before we built it, we did it to shut the hippies up.
Repulsor technology is a dead end." Tony rips open his shirt, revealing the glowing RT.
"No it isn't."
"Oh my God. It is a miracle you are alive. What must have happened to you over there?" He asks, touching the arc reactor.
"We're a team. There is nothing we can't do if we stick together -- like your father and I. Let me handle this. But you have to lay low. Don't talk to the press again. Can you do that for me?"
"Yes. Thanks Obie."
— ︎︎︎ —
How did we like it?