The next morning, the stock market opened and the shares of Stark Industries plummeted sharply. The company's board of directors sent Obadiah to talk to Tony.
"Tony, we are a defense contractor and weapon manufacturer. We consume steel to build weapons, and everything we do is to maintain world peace and stability," Obadiah said.
"That's not what I see. What we do isn't glorious, and we can do better, can't we?" Tony said.
"Then what do you want to do? Manufacture baby bottles and maternal products?" Obadiah replied.
"No, maybe we can enter the energy industry, clean energy," Tony said.
Then Tony unbuttoned his shirt to reveal the arc reactor, leaving Obadiah looking utterly shocked. Obadiah buttoned Tony's shirt back up.
"I'll find a way to persuade the board. You keep working on your research."
With that, Obadiah left Tony's mansion. Tony headed down to the mansion's R&D area, where Dr. Yinsen was working on the invention Tony hadn't finished in the Middle East—the Iron Man armor. Tony hurried over to join him.
"Yinsen, how's it going? I'm here to help."
"Hi, Tony. The design blueprints for the armor are already drawn up, and now I'm looking into the feasibility."
"Hey, Brown, come give me a hand."
"What is it, boss? What do you need me to do?"
"Drive that car to another parking space. Jarvis, project the armor blueprints, scale them up to life-size. Alright, let's get to work, everyone."
Then, with Jarvis controlling the robotic arms, Yinsen and Tony began assembling parts of the experimental armor. Brown waited by the entrance of the R&D room, complaining to himself.
"If I'd known, I wouldn't have agreed to be Tony's bodyguard. This is so boring." He pulled out his phone and checked the stock price of Stark Industries. It hadn't dropped by the fifty-six-plus dollars per share mentioned in the movie yet, so it wasn't time to buy the dip.
Pepper arrived at the R&D room with coffee and breakfast. At that moment, Brown walked over to her.
"Ms. Pepper, I have something to take care of, so I need to step out for a bit. Can I take a day off?"
"Oh, sure. Happy will be here in a little while anyway."
Brown stepped out of the mansion and sighed.
"It's still better outside. The inside is huge, but it's too boring. I should buy a car to get around. Tony already bought me a house, so I can't ask him to buy me a car too."
Brown hailed a cab and headed to a Maybach dealership. (Using a unified exchange rate of 1:10 since the author is unsure of the 2008 rates).
As soon as Brown saw the 2007 Maybach 62S, he was transfixed. It was simply stunning—the sleek lines, the imposing front fascia, the length of over six meters, and the V8 engine all highlighted the wild power hidden beneath its elegant body.
"How much is this car?" Brown asked.
"Sir, this Maybach 62S currently retails for $900,000," the salesperson replied.
"I'll take one. And get me an off-road vehicle as well." Brown made up his mind immediately and walked toward the off-road display area.
The salesperson felt a surge of joy. This huge commission would be enough to make a great living. It would be even better once the Maybach was customized; he had also ordered a G-Class SUV.
"Sir, please follow me. This is the customization room, where you can customize your Maybach 62S and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class."
Brown followed along.
"For the G-Class, all-black with full options is fine. The Maybach should be a black-and-gold two-tone scheme—black around the body, with gold on the hood, roof, and trunk. Fill the interior with the best of everything, like the tablets and trim."
Hearing this, the salesperson's smile widened even further, thinking to herself that this single commission would set her up nicely.
"Alright, sir, does this look good to you?" The salesperson handed over a tablet showing the vehicle's customized appearance.
"Looks good, that'll do."
"Very well, sir. A customized Maybach will take about half a year, but we currently have a fully-loaded all-black G-Class right here in the showroom."
"Then take me to see it. If it checks out, I'll drive it away today," Brown said, standing up.
"Right this way, sir," the salesperson said, leading the way.
They arrived next to the G-Class. Brown felt a small thrill of excitement as he looked at the car. He got inside and started the ignition in one fluid motion.
"Not bad. Let's do the paperwork, I'll take this car," Brown said.
"Certainly, sir, please follow me." Brown followed the salesperson to the payment counter, swiped his card, and received the invoice: $150,000.
"Sir, the G-Class might require a short wait. My staff is currently doing a pre-delivery inspection on your new car."
Two and a half hours later, the vehicle inspection was complete. Brown drove his new car away from the dealership, humming a little tune the whole way, feeling immensely happy. He found a restaurant, went inside, and grabbed a bite to eat. Just then, someone sat down across from him—Coulson.
"Hello, Mr. Brown. I am with S.H.I.E.L.D. I'm here to ask you a few questions. Do you have a moment?" Coulson said.
Brown looked around.
"I have the time, but this isn't really the place to talk, is it? Let's finish eating first."
After finishing their meal, Brown and Coulson got into the car.
"If you have questions, ask them in my car," Brown said.
"Mr. Brown, S.H.I.E.L.D., formally known as the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division, was established to ensure world peace and safety. We are currently planning to form a superhero team, and S.H.I.E.L.D. would like to recruit you," Coulson said.
"Why recruit me? I'm just an ordinary bodyguard responsible for protecting Tony Stark," Brown said.
"Our S.H.I.E.L.D. surveillance satellites captured the entire process of you rescuing Tony Stark, which is why I was specially sent to speak with you in the hope that you will join us," Coulson said.
"You're too late. I've already joined Stark Industries and won't be joining S.H.I.E.L.D.," Brown said.
"Mr. Brown, joining S.H.I.E.L.D. won't affect your job as Tony Stark's bodyguard. Here is my number; feel free to contact me if you change your mind." Coulson handed over a business card.
"Alright, Mr. Coulson. If I change my mind, I'll be sure to call you," Brown said.
"Very well, I won't take up any more of your time." With that, Coulson opened the car door, stepped out, and vanished into the crowd.
Brown muttered quietly to himself:
"Looks like S.H.I.E.L.D. has their eyes on me. I wonder if those Hydra guys are watching me too. Oh well, I'm practically invincible in this world anyway. Whatever, I'll just keep living my life of slacking off and waiting to roll for rewards."
Back home, he looked around.
"The house Tony bought me is nice. I'll just keep resting today and go to work tomorrow." Brown mumbled to himself, then wandered around the mansion.
"Director, I've finished making contact with Brown. He isn't very keen on joining the Avengers Initiative, but he isn't entirely resistant either." Upon returning to S.H.I.E.L.D., Coulson reported to the Director.
"Understood, Coulson. File Brown's records in the highest-level archive," Fury said.
The Baldy Egg wore a troubled expression. This sudden super-powered individual was driving him crazy, making him feel that forming a team of super-powered individuals was more urgent than ever.
Yet, right now, the team only consisted of Black Widow and Hawkeye. But those two could only handle ordinary criminals; they couldn't compare to people with superpowers. After watching the footage of Brown wiping out the Ten Rings stronghold single-handedly, he felt deeply worried.
Meanwhile, Brown was watching TV without a care in the world, eating fried chicken, and shouting out loud:
"Life is so much better this way!!!"
Once Tony successfully develops his armor in a few days, I'll pull for the gacha and see if I can get some good stuff.