maskormenace | Ver 5.2

You know, we have a lot of really talented people here. Not that we didn't before -- us imports have always been pretty on top of things, but I think it goes without saying that without the talent and skill of everyone, there'd probably be a few of us that would be dead right about now. Or at least we'd have died. So, I don't think anyone's said it yet, but thanks, to everyone who helped get us out of there.

[ And there's a pause there, he's trying to be nice, and his ego is suffering. ]

I'd like to say we could have done it ourselves, but... well, you can't always predict for unpredictability, and getting us quickly could have been what saved our lives.

But, that's not the only reason I'm here. It's been a busy couple of weeks, not just from our unfortunate attempt to go to space, but for me personally. [ He indicates behind him, it's obviously an office, more strewn with metal and wires and parts than anything else. It's, frankly, an absolute mess. ] I got the loan a few weeks ago, but other than a few people I've gotten in on the ground floor, we haven't had much opportunity for hiring. Startups are always complicated.

But I'm happy to say, that if you want to work in tech and R&D, you should probably come talk to me. I can't promise high wages -- yet -- but I take care of my people, and with a few choice inventions, we'll be able to hit the ground running, and I'd like to see anyone with talent come talk to me. I promise, you won't regret it.

At least, you won't if you don't mind working for me.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Rhetorical, right. He catches that, and leans forward. ]

You and I are in the same business. Or were, at least. A family legacy?

Something like that. An old one, but you know how legacies are, they can be pretty fragile, so it's best to get away from that.

[ Or lose your fortune, and change Everything. ]

Except when changing means weapons contracts, in which case thank you very much, but I'll stick with smartphones and medicine. The board, though, they see it the way you do: Get away from that wholesome image thing; modern businesses aren't run on naive family values any more, etcetera.

Actually, I was the opposite, we Were into weapons, until I decided to move away from it.

And is that what you're doing here, keeping out of the weapons market? Spring loaded toilet seat pedals and anti-gravity vomit bags, that's got to be the lucrative end of the market.

Well, nothing quite that mundane, but close enough. Consumer electronics turn a hefty profit, after all.

Sure enough. But you're still better off designing a new microchip than a new phone in this climate, right? Still, I have to tell you, it's nice to have some fresh competition--and with a headstart, no less.

Only if you can't design a really good phone.

Believe me, mine are revolutionary.

Is there a pitch that goes with that, or do you usually sell units by that boast alone?

Normally, it's that and a live demonstration, but since my prototypes are in the very early prototype stage, you'll have to just wait and see.

Wait and see, huh? I'm sold. Where do I sign?

That depends on what you want to sign for.

[ Oh he likes you, Tony. Creative, smart, knows his way around a conversation, and they even ~~mostly~~ ruled out supervillain in the process with that moving away from weapons of mass destruction thing. ]

You got beta testers? I could give you feedback--I'm even willing to stay out of telecommunications. But you'd have to at least buy me a drink first.

Well, I think I could manage that.

I'd be happy to have betatesters, even telecom ones. I'm not worried about leaks.

[ He should be, but Tony Stark has a reason to be overconfident. ]

A drink then. I'll call you--or, you being such a busy man, should I expect to be put on hold indefinitely?

Oh, you have nothing to worry about that. I answer all of my calls.

[ His brain is a computer. He has ways of doing this. ]

Promise.

Then I'll find the time.

[ It's calculating, gives him time to ask around about Tony Stark first, see whose canopies he's been rattling. ]

It's been a pleasure.

Ver 5.2 | Video

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