Reddit lies.
Peter’s nose was treated to the faint smell of urine, body odor, and, surprisingly, sauerkraut as he stepped off the bus into the terminal. He found a kiosk with a map and learned his first lesson in the City: Reddit is full of lying liars who lie. He could hear the sneer in his head, the voice of his uncle saying what did you expect, you’re so dumb, because of course he’d mix up Port Authority with Port Authority Bus Terminal. Standing in the middle of Times Square wasn’t quite what he had in mind when he planned on keeping a low profile and seeing that the dock he was looking for wasn’t even where he thought it would be (the marina in Queens, which wasn’t close by but three hours by foot if he believed the old man giving tourists directions), he realized he needed to adjust his plan.
He was a boss at adjusting plans.
Peter had $28 and it cost $2.75 per transfer for a bus, but the guy said it would take him at least two transfers and another $5 to buy the card. And that was if he didn’t want to use the subway, which would take $7 for a day-pass and $33 for a week. He was pretty hungry, having not eaten in about 24 hours, and tempted to buy the $3 hotdog outside the terminal. That would leave him with $25. Obviously the week pass wouldn’t work, but once he got to the dock he probably wouldn’t need it. He could stay in Queens, right? Honestly, that was even better than Brooklyn because it was further from the Tower and he heard that library at St. John’s University in Queens was open pretty late since some billionaire had sponsored it. (That was like #5 on the List: He knew all about libraries .) And his asthma rarely gave him trouble anymore since he had perfected the art of knowing when to stop and rest after his trip across the country. So really, the plan was still planning. Sure, he’d have about $14 and change left, but it was only 7 AM and he felt confident he’d be able to figure it out. He had given himself two months, after all.
Peter adjusted his glasses which were held together by duct tape and prayers to any god who would listen, bought a hot dog, covered it with mustard and relish, and found the bus he needed. It wasn’t the best thing that the only seat available was one in the back, but if he closed his eyes, he’d be fine. He moved the newspaper that was left on his seat and was about to put his head between his knees (he learned that would keep his motion sickness at bay, and he needed really badly not to throw up the hot dog he just ate, especially since they were the first calories he had in a while), when an article caught his eye.
Ten Year Anniversary of Missing Stark Heir: A Hero’s Plea
Tony Stark, known superhero and billionaire tech mogul, took to the stage this weekend with his wife (Virginia “Pepper” Potts-Stark—see page six for more information about her foundation for exploited and missing children) in memory of their missing son, Peter Stark, who at the time of this article, would be 14 years of age. While the famous philanthropist has never stopped searching for his son, who went missing at the age of four, law enforcement in both California and the federal government announced last week that they were officially closing the case. Public response has been mixed—a large faction believing the resources used to find the oldest Stark heir were unfairly given due to Stark’s influence and wealth. (See page eight for information about the youngest Stark heir, Morgan Stark, currently age five.)
“He’s obviously deceased, God rest his soul, and a parent never gives up hope, but that shouldn’t get in the way of taxpayers' needs.” Sen. Percy (TN, R) said Sunday. The U.S. senator has been extremely critical of the Avenger Initiative in the past, claiming the nation’s descent into “hero worship” was eroding family values and would usher in the persecution of “church-going” people. (There has been no comment from the Stark family on this latest claim by the senator, but yesterday, Captain America, The Falcon, and the Iron Patriot were spotted in Washington, D.C. See page seven for a reprinted interview Col. James Rhodes gave last year during the anniversary of Peter Stark’s disappearance.)
Dr. Stark, who was plenary speaker at a science conference in Cambridge, MA, presented on a new algorithm he developed for finding missing children. Using a program he called GIZMO (Guided Imaging for Zero Missing Offspring), he showed how augmented reality could improve aged-up images of younger missing children. He used his own son as an example, debuting a new picture (below) for distribution in hopes that it would offer their family new leads.
“I come to you, not as a member of the scientific community, or Iron Man, or the richest man in the world, but as a father. We will never give up. Please help us.” The Starks are offering a $100,000 reward for any credible information that will move their case along and $4 million dollars for the discovery of and reunification with their son. The Peter Stark tip line currently gets over 300 tips a day, and employs over 50 investigators assigned to their call center. None have yet to be substantiated.
Peter Stark went missing during Tony Stark’s well-known capture in Afghanistan. Four years later, when he would be eight years-old, the Starks announced a promising lead. The world waited with bated breath as evidence of Obadiah Stane’s hand in his kidnapping came to light (see page eight for the rise and fall of Obadiah Stane, godfather to Tony Stark). The search was fruitless, however, ending with Stane dead and no further leads.
The speech concluded with several handouts being distributed citing facts and resources for family members of kidnapped and exploited children. There is no denying that the story of Peter Stark, regardless of its outcome, has made a mark on the lives of Americans and the rest of the world.
For more information about Peter Stark, visit this website: peterstark.com. You can call the PS tip line at 1-800-346-3446.
Peter stared at the article, ignoring the rolling of his stomach. His face (kind of, without the glasses and a bit fuller than his own) stared back at him. He was thankful that his hair was currently matted and longer than he preferred—he didn’t think anyone would connect the two pictures, but he had to hand it to his dad, it was closer than it ever had been in the past.
“Hey. Are you alright?”
There was a middle-aged woman with brown hair and a kind face sitting next to him. She looked concerned (Peter knew his face had drained of blood as he felt another wave of nausea) and he wondered briefly—a second before actually doing it—if someone wearing scrubs would really mind if he threw up all over their shoes.
Peter paled as the woman let out a surprised yelp. “Oh my gosh, I’m so, so sorry. Oh my gosh, I’m sorry ma'am, really, I get motion sick and I just had a hot dog and I’m so sorry, maybe I can pay for them, I mean I don’t have the money now, but if you give me your address I can send it to you, gosh, this is so gross, I can’t believe it, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s alright, honey, I literally deal with this all the time at the hospital,” she looked so concerned and for a moment, Peter’s heart ached with longing, “but are you okay? You’re shaking.”
Peter looked down at his hands and realized she was right. The other bus passengers in the back started grumbling at the smell that was wafting around them, and having reached the stop at 71st Ave, he made a move to get off and find another way to get to his destination.
“Wait. I’m getting off here too.” The woman had a wad of baby wipes in her hands and was cleaning off her clothes. She handed one to him to wipe his face, along with a stick of wintergreen gum. “Maybe we can walk together for a bit and I can buy you a bottle of water and some Dramamine?” She tilted her head at him. “You look familiar, have you taken this bus before?”
Peter shook his head fervently. “No-–no ma’am. I just—I mean my family just—moved here and I was looking around, you know touristy things, and now I’m on my way home.”
She hummed as she looked him up and down. “By yourself?”
“I’m sixteen.”
“Ah. Well, please indulge me. I could never call myself a good nurse if I let you leave without something.”
He offered her a tentative smile as they walked into a CVS on the corner. She grabbed a couple of water bottles and some anti-nausea meds. On the way to the counter, she also picked up a box of Saltines and a couple of granola bars. He looked at her questioningly, but she was busy telling him about the patient who she treated last night with a marble stuck in his nose.
“For goodness sake, the man had to have been in his late twenties.” She grabbed the bag the cashier handed her and handed it to Peter.
“Oh no! I can’t take this, it’s too much!” Peter grabbed the granola bars and saltines and tried to hand them back to her but she just waved him away.
“Don’t worry about it, sweetie. You look like you’ve had a rough day.” She said it in a way that wasn’t pitying like some of the people he met in his past, or the way his Uncle Obie always said it, mocking and exasperated—it was said like it was a fact, kindly, but not too saccharine. “I’m May.” She stuck out her hand and after putting the things she bought him in his backpack, he shook it.
“Hi! I’m Peter,” then a pause, not long enough to be suspicious but long enough for him to curse his lack of foresight of making up a new name, “Peter, um, just Peter.”
She looked amused. “Well, just Peter, welcome to Queens. It’s nice to meet you. Maybe we’ll run into each other again sometime.”
Peter nodded and smiled at her, and then turned around and quickly walked down the street. It was doubtful he’d see her again (especially since he’d be gone in two months—maybe three given how quickly his funds were going), but he always enjoyed meeting new people and she was so nice. Two water bottles! A whole pack of granola bars! A box of crackers!
Buoyed by his interaction with the friendly nurse ( May ), he stuffed the newspaper he grabbed from the bus into the bottom of his backpack. Honestly, he couldn’t have asked for a better outcome to his day. How in the world did New York get the reputation for being unfriendly?
They were just so nice here!
Meanwhile...
It's not often you see Iron Man bailing out Captain America from jail (usually it's the other way around), but the man's right hook was impressive, and even if you're the most famous superhero in the world, the government still looks down on assaulting US congressmen. Rhodey said later that he would have done it instead, but as Sam pointed out, being discharged from the military would only hurt their message--not help it.
Sam was an asshole.