Chapter 29: The First Hundred Million
"What's your name?"
"Happy Hogan, Mr. Stark."
On the top floor of Stark Tower, there was a landing pad extending from the main structure. Security Chief Happy Hogan stood somewhat awkwardly while Tony Stark poured drinks at the indoor bar.
"Happy, I don't want another incident of strangers crashing my parties."
"Sorry, Mr. Stark."
Happy bowed his head apologetically. He had a feeling he was about to be fired, yet sensed it wouldn't be that simple. Tony Stark was always high and mighty—he'd never personally handle dismissing a security chief.
"But I have to admit, that guy you let up yesterday... Let me put it this way: I'd pay two hundred million dollars for the various ideas in his head."
"The AI model he gave me is half-finished, but already a product ahead of its time... Very mature technology. I strongly suspect he has many more similar ideas."
Tony Stark brought two glasses of brown liquor Happy had never heard of to the landing pad, handing one to Happy.
Happy accepted the glass somewhat awkwardly, looking at his boss in confusion. In a daze, Happy recalled what Peter Parker had said yesterday when he'd let him through:
"...I guarantee that starting today, you'll be more than just a security chief, because I've brought technology sufficient to double Stark Industries' market value."
Happy felt a hint of anticipation. He heard Tony Stark suddenly change topics:
"Happy, what did you do before?"
"Professional boxer, sir."
"Can you drive?"
"Yes, sir."
Tony Stark raised his glass, clinked it with Happy's, and drained it:
"Meeting him is half your credit, so... Congratulations, Happy. Starting today, you're my bodyguard and driver."
"Of course, if you don't want to, see that cabinet? Drawers have bank cards. Take a few if you like. Passwords are on the back."
Happy Hogan didn't need much time choosing between a definitely high-paying job and bank cards of unknown amounts:
"Bodyguard and driver, of course. When do I start, Mr. Stark?"
"This second."
Happy laughed heartily, brought his glass to his lips and drained it, immediately feeling dizzy. Everything from yesterday until now seemed somewhat unreal.
Yesterday he should have stopped Peter, but the man's confidence and words successfully convinced Happy. Though afterward Happy couldn't help regretting it, afraid of being fired.
But facts proved the other party's words were true. Happy's fate had completely changed from this small act of letting him through!
"Jarvis." Tony Stark patted Happy's shoulder and returned inside. "You know what to do."
Happy was confused for a moment. He didn't know becoming a bodyguard meant changing his name. But the voice that responded in the room quickly made Happy understand Tony Stark hadn't been talking to him.
"Yes, sir. I've updated Happy Hogan's file to your personal bodyguard and driver, and provided Mr. Hogan with a Harlem residence valued at $3.195 million and a vehicle matching his status."
"Reminder, sir: you have a guest to receive this afternoon. Should I order a sumptuous dinner for you both?"
Snap!
Tony Stark snapped his fingers:
"No problem."
Happy didn't understand but was greatly shocked.
He hadn't listened to anything about guests or dinner, wasn't surprised by how intelligent this "Jarvis" was. His mind only heard "residence valued at $3.195 million and a vehicle matching his status."
Happy knew very well he as a non-professional bodyguard absolutely wasn't worth this price. What was valuable was the technology Peter Parker brought!
Walking from the landing pad indoors, Happy surveyed this private area belonging exclusively to Tony Stark, feeling very wise about yesterday's correct decision. Passing the cabinet, he couldn't help asking:
"Mr. Stark, how much money is in there?"
Afraid of Tony misunderstanding, Happy quickly added:
"Just curious."
"Over sixty cards from different banks inside. Combined... about forty million dollars." Tony Stark sat at his workstation, answering casually without looking up. "You missed the opportunity to get forty million dollars, Happy."
Happy shook his head with a cheerful laugh. He could tell his boss was teasing him:
"I guess it's too late to regret now?"
"Of course." Tony Stark said.
"So... what technology did Peter bring yesterday?" Happy couldn't help asking curiously.
"Technology capable of doubling Stark Industries' market value." Stark said. "Alright, Happy, go downstairs to prepare to receive Peter. I'm guessing he should arrive soon."
On Stark Tower's first floor, Batman in his plaid shirt ran right into Happy Hogan exiting the elevator.
"Congratulations."
Batman's first words left Happy shocked again:
"You already know? I haven't said anything!"
Batman entered the elevator, pointing at the mirror-bright elevator walls.
Happy didn't understand. He looked in the elevator wall like a mirror and discovered his mouth corners were raised high at some point, impossible to suppress. He suddenly understood:
"Is it that obvious?"
"No, as Mr. Stark's bodyguard and driver, I need to learn expression management."
Ignoring Happy who'd already internalized his new role and was self-absorbed, Batman stepped out when the elevator reached the top floor.
"How long did it take?" Batman asked directly.
"Jarvis?" Tony Stark stood from his workstation.
"Twenty-seven hours and one minute, sir." Jarvis said.
Tony spread his hands:
"You won. Though I spent three pleasant hours with Vogue's latest cover girl in between... How much 'consulting fee' do I need to pay?"
"That depends on how far you think this technology can be applied?"
Batman responded with a question. He kept having the illusion that Tony Stark was a version of Bruce Wayne.
Equally handsome and dashing, equally intelligent, equally wealthy, equally surrounded by various women.
"Fifty million dollars. I'm willing to pay fifty million for the half-finished AI model you provided." Tony said. "I can tell your technology is very mature, far ahead of this era. Yesterday you deliberately gave me a half-finished product."
"The model itself is useless to me. What's truly valuable is the thinking behind it. I've already extrapolated and created the perfected artificial intelligence 'Jarvis.' Stark Industries will become a company with a lead over world standards..."
Batman interrupted Tony's praise:
"One hundred million."
***
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