You Could Make a Case for That

Apparently there are prop-Tony folks that say Tony is not responsible for attacking Bucky because Steve kept a secret. It's like claiming if a woman cheats with her husband's best friend and the husband kills the best friend, it's the wife who is actually guilty of murder. It's like saying someone else shot the gun in Tony's hand. How does anyone believe these ridiculous things?

Matt Murdock could hear Foggy's heart beating faster than usual. Matt said, "I can hear you worrying from here."

Foggy turned to his friend and said, "I know he's not our usual client, Matt. But we NEED Stark's money. It's either that or close up shop. And I figure it can be a one-and-done."

Their admin Karen said, "I made sure Stark paid up front for the consultation. No refunds or bad reviews unless he can prove a problem with our service to US first."

Matt replied, "It's like you don't trust Stark or something."

He could almost hear Karen's eye roll as she said, "I almost added an extra fee for him being a sexist jerk. Stark could have paid all our salaries for the year."

Matt nodded and listened as Karen took a phone call, then left after saying Stark was there. As Stark and Karen entered the conference room, Matt could hear the hum of Stark's technology. Stark's aftershave gave Matt a headache.

Foggy made the introductions, then sat and asked, "So what can we do for you, Mr. Stark?"

Stark leaned back in his chair and put his boots on the table. He said, "I wanted to talk to you about a hypothetical situation."

Matt asked, "But why come to us? I'd think Stark Industries and you personally already have lawyers."

Stark answered, "THEY didn't give the scenario their full consideration. I expect you to do better."

Then Stark said, "As I was saying, here's the situation. Let's say there's a guy--handsome, rich, genius, you know. And this guy, he has this friend. Not you know, like a FRIEND friend. But you're part of a group that gets together every once in a while. You had at least one meal together. Shwarma. So yeah, a friend. And this friend, he keeps a secret from you. And when you find out about that secret, you get REALLY upset. So you attack the friend's friend. To punish the friend for keeping the secret that got you so upset. Get it?"

At the silence from Karen and Foggy, Matt said, "I think so. So what are you asking?"

Stark put his feet back on the floor and said, "It's the friend's fault, right? If he'd just spilled the secret, nothing would have happened, so HE'S the one who's responsible for the attack. It's not MY--uh, the guy's fault AT ALL. It's obvious."

Matt took a few moments to ponder just how Stark's mind worked, to actually believe such a flimsy excuse.

Karen sounded confused as she asked, "Who threw the first punch?"

Stark answered, "The guy. But he was UPSET."

Foggy cleared his throat and asked, "You're saying that because Person B kept a secret, Person B is responsible even though Person A is the one who attacked Person C?"

Stark said, "Exactly. I knew you'd work harder to earn your fee. Your rent's due next week and all and there isn't much in the company bank account."

Matt filed away the invasion of privacy for later. He asked, "What was Person B doing during the attack?"

Stark shifted in his chair and said, "Made things WORSE. He kept getting in the way. If he'd just stood there, I--the guy--Person A would have been FINE."

Karen still sounded confused as she said, "But you--he--Person A was assaulting Person C. You expected Person B to just stand there and watch someone get attacked?"

Stark sounded insulted as he said, "I expected Person B to ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY for causing the whole problem."

Foggy said, "But Person A started the fight."

He paused and Matt guessed Foggy was looking at Karen and him as Foggy repeated, "Person A was the person who started the fight, right?"

Karen said, "I feel like I need a whiteboard or something. It seems so obvious...it can't be that obvious."

Matt cleared his throat. He was glad Karen at least got this one-time fee up front, because he doubted they'd see any more business from Stark. He said, "Mr. Stark, I'm not sure what the other legal team told you, but this seems like an open-and-shut case. The person who attacked--Person A--is responsible for attacking. Anything B and C did to defend themselves was entirely justified."

Stark jumped up and said, "But Cap--Person B--kept a SECRET!"

Matt nodded and said, "And maybe that was very upsetting. But that doesn't change the fact that the attacker...is the one who attacked."

Stark stomped to the door. Before he left, he turned and said, "I should have known low-rent lawyers like you wouldn't understand."

After Stark slammed the door, Karen said, "I'm sorry I won't get a bonus this year, but I'm kind of glad you won't have Stark as a client."

Foggy said, "Yeah, that was weird. I feel like I was on one of those hidden camera shows. Did he really expect us to say that it's okay to attack people if you're upset?"

Matt said, "I can't help thinking of Mrs. Johnson, and Trudy Smith. Sure, maybe they shouldn't have stepped out on their husbands, but that didn't mean it was okay for their husbands to beat up their boyfriends--and THEM--because they kept secrets."

Karen said, "According to Stark, it does."

Matt shook his head and hoped Person B and Person C made it out okay. And hoped he'd never have to deal with Tony Stark again, as a lawyer or a superhero.