Video

[liverletdie]

[ Is Tony Stark reporting in from a beach? He sure is, from Sunny Florida, because beaches are great, and also they don't get this kind of heat now in Virginia.

He even has a pair of sunglasses on, and the smile looks just a bit too self-satisfied. ]

I don't get to take enough vacations. [ Thankfully, the camera is focused on his upper half -- you're all spared the dreaded speedo for now. ] You know, being a CEO and everything, it takes a lot of time. Even now? I've got my comm and my work phone on me.

[ Which pings, right now, and he grins. ]

Oh, speaking of -- [ He holds up a phone for the camera to see. It's not an iPhone, but it is flat, and has beveled edging, but it isn't quite as big as an iphone, at least not for the moment. ]

Okay, okay, so it doesn't look like much. This is the new Starkphone, by the say. The one I've been working on...since the company started? I wanted to do something different with it, so... it took a bit. [ But he waves it again. ] It's going on sale...what, next week? Yeah, Wednesday, just in time for Thanksgiving. I'm sure you've seen the little adverts, but anyway, if you're looking for a phone, they're going to blow all the other ones out of the water, but... well -- we have our comms, right?

Now I was going to talk about how nice beaches are in the middle of November, but... you know, I got distracted. [ By talking about his own work. Go figure. ]

I'll leave it at that, I think. To all you new folks who keep coming in, if you want a job, just come talk to me, alright? I've got a heck of a company, and we can always use more.

[ With that, he pulls to the phone, and actually pulls up the display, which isn't just the screen, but instead what looks like a floating-light keyboard.

Oh yeah, it's definitely a floating light keyboard. It's only on an afterthought that he shuts the comm off. ]

Comments

[liverletdie]

Well, Billy, that's a lot of people.

And also not very encouraging.

[inmyothertights]

I think out of the two of us the encouragement should probably be coming my way, not yours.

[liverletdie]

Well, not when you sound like you're planning a hostile takeover.

[inmyothertights]

Let's be real here, if I had gone to college I would have majored in theoretical philosophy or something equally ridiculous.

Like the business school would actively not let me walk through their building.

[liverletdie]

What, did you wear your cape?

[inmyothertights]

My cape is fine, okay?

[liverletdie]

Well sure.

But did you wear it to a business college? They expect a certain level of conformity.

[inmyothertights]

I didn't go to college, I was too busy saving the world from an adult-possessing parasite.

[You know, that he introduced to their universe.]

[liverletdie]

Of course.

That's something our community does well -- sacrificing our own futures for everyone else's.

[inmyothertights]

Yeah, that's great, when I'm a homeless bum because I've been using my magic to keep the world from falling apart, who's going to take care of me, is the question.

[liverletdie]

Well, that's why you get a side-job. I've never been exactly resistant to employing imports, or superhumans, and I'm sure there are other companies out there.

Maybe even one that fits with your particular worldview a bit more.

[inmyothertights]

Here isn't the problem. It's back home that I'm likely to find trouble.

[liverletdie]

Contracts?

Find a rich patron? That's what the Avengers did -- I mean, it was me, but... I know other groups have the same deal going on.

[inmyothertights]

I had Kate, once.

Maybe I'll just go to law school.

[liverletdie]

Hey, nothing wrong with law school. If you want to worm your way out of the law.

[inmyothertights]

Prevent illegal arrests of sixteen year olds....

[liverletdie]

Right.

You should talk to Jen, if you want to go that route.

[inmyothertights]

I'll try and remember that.

[liverletdie]

It's hard to forget Jen, you know.

Maybe that's a part of you, setting a path for yourself, that you'll pick up on later. Who knows.