Iris Crawsen: Hydra's Glorious Mistake

Origins-1961: Anything To Help

      Iris had taken a receptionist job at the request of her mother. She sits at her front desk, losing herself in a vintage comic of Captain America. With each turn of a page she feels her heart groan at the simple life she's been forced into. She was always craving adventure, even as a child. Her Mother however, did not. Not after losing Iris' Father, George. She was always sure to stray Iris  away from such prospects. Iris couldn't be mad at her Mother for sheltering her and her over-protectiveness. She knew she was all her Mother had left of her Father's memory. 

      Just as her comic starts it's climatic beginning, her day dream is interrupted. A shrewd man quietly makes his way to her desk. Allen Tanner, the pompous jerk of 31st Avenue. In his features, he is quite charming. Flaxen, volume hair. Green eyes that almost resembled emerald's in the right lighting. As he makes his way to Miss Crawsen, all the girls in the office sneak glances at the peacock of Tanner & Associates strutting past them.

      He leans his entire weight on one elbow against the front of her reception desk. Flashing his devilish smirk at her- but Iris doesn't look up from her reading. 

      "Miss Crawsen, I must say, you look so lovely in your blouse this afternoon- but I can't help but to imagine what it would look like on my bedroom floor after a few drinks." His handsome smirk still on his face. Iris rolls her eyes. Exhausted with Allen and his insufferable pick up lines.

      "Allen, what would your Father, Mr. Tanner, say about such relations among his employees. Besides, I'm clearly not your type. As my brain is fully functional and currently in use. If you'll excuse me, as I need to return to my work at hand." she says holding up her comic. 

      Allen is quietly fuming, but a predator will always be just that. Never letting his prey out-best him. He glances down at her comic and snickers " O yes, it seems I have caught you while your ego is still bruised." he says as he stares a hole through her with his jaded eyes.

      "I beg your pardon, Allen, but what is it that you could possible be referencing too?" she responds sharply. 

      "I heard about your mother causing a scene about you trying to enlist. Medic Support, if I'm right?" he says with a touch of venom "It's good to have such a proper woman in your life. One who is able to remind of your place in a man's world." 

      Iris is fighting back her anger. It takes everything she has to not pick up her stapler and drive it in his cranium. She calmly sets down her comic and shoots Allen a fuming glare.

       "Why yes Allen, you are correct. And seems you've been up Myrtle's skirt again to overhear such information." Iris says staying poised "My dear Mother did have quite a fit over my announcement of wishing to enlist in our military. As life has not been kind to such a beautiful woman, especially after the capture of the 107th regiment that resulted in my poor Father's demise. So it would seem that even a flea like you could understand why a proper Mother would raise a scene. Now, Mr. Tanner, it seems to be my lunch hour and this conversation has left a very bitter taste in my mouth." 

      Iris collects her belongings and walks away from her desk, brushing her shoulder against Allen's. He turns his head as she storms past him to catch one last look at her. Proud of himself for the damage he has inflicted. She keeps her head up and marches straight for the ladies room. Forcing the door open so hard it snaps back on it's hinges. She quickly glances to see if anyone is around. But she can't fight it back anymore and tears gather in her eye's. She can feel her heart crumbling into her stomach. "Why do you let him do this too you?" she says to herself.

      "Iris? Are you OK?" a small voice says behind her. Iris alarmed quickly dries her tears and spins around. She looks up to see her friend Sarah approaching her. Kindness beaming from her smile. "Yeah...Yeah I'm fine. Why do you ask?" she tries to act like nothing is wrong while drying her cheeks. "I heard everything.." Sarah says softly.