The Coffee Shop Girl ~ Bucky Barnes

Chapter 22

"Remind me why we're doing this," Steve mumbled to Bucky as he gazed around at the swarms of people surrounding them.

"Because Katia asked us to," Bucky replied, his expression guarded and his movements awkward as he tried to look natural in the crowd. "And because it's for a good cause."

He couldn't actually see Katia anywhere, but he knew she must be somewhere nearby. They had all arrived as a group, though very little explanation had been given as to why they were there, and it hadn't taken long for her and Natasha to split off towards the front of the group, near the stage which rose at the front of a building.

A cheer rose from the crowd as Stark appeared on stage, wandering up with a microphone in one hand and a charismatic smile thrown towards the waiting audience. His expression was easy, natural, and Bucky couldn't help feeling a little envious of how quickly he could throw himself into this persona, how able he was to pretend to be only there to please the crowds. If Bucky was able to do that, everything would be so much simpler.

"Alright then, I see no introduction is necessary. Though I shouldn't be surprised about that; I am me after all." Tony waited a moment for laughter to ring through the crowds before he continued. "I'm sure most of you know why we are here today, but for those of you that don't a short explanation will now be provided."

Tony took a single step to the side, taking the arm of someone standing near the front of the crowd and guiding them onto the stage. It was Katia, of course, and Bucky watched as she clutched the microphone with one hand and Stark's arm with the other.

"Hey guys, as you may already know I'm Katia Torres Castro and I was one of the people who helped organise today's event, alongside the wonderful Tony Stark, of course."

She paused as applause rang out. "Each year we try to run an event which helps emphasise the needs of people around you which you may not even consider, and this year is my favourite so far. Stark Industries have been working hard to produce technology which will help simulate a little of what it is like to have a disability, and we'd like you all to test it out for us. For those of you who know someone who is disabled, it may be that you understand some of the struggles they face in everyday life, but I'm certain most of you aren't aware of how difficult it can be, and we'd love to help you realise all the things that need changed about this city, and everywhere else in fact."

"In your packs," Tony stepped forward once more. "Which I am assured will be provided shortly, you will find a page about struggles faced by disabled people here. Please fill this out as soon as possible and hand it in when you come to collect your equipment."

"On the final day," Katia intervened, and Bucky got the distinct impression that they must have carefully planned out what each of them was going to say. "You will have to fill out a similar sheet with anything else you noticed over the week, so I hope you're all going to take as many notes as possible."

"And Stark Industries will be donating a generous sum to the government with the condition that they use it to improve anything you have brought up, so make sure to mention everything no matter how small it may be."

"Finally, we want you to live your lives as normally as possible. I know a lot of you will have booked this week off work, but for those of you that haven't please go in and find all the issues with your workplace, catalogue them and let your bosses know. It may be that they want to try and change things but haven't had the time or planning permission to do so. Otherwise, do activities you would on weekends anyway: go to the park, or the gym, eat lunch out with friends or family, visit the beach or go shopping, or anything else you can possibly think of. And most of all, enjoy it. And remember that you are only doing this for a week, whereas most people would be facing these conditions for the rest of their lives."