The Avengers Academy (ON HIATUS)

Lunch Time, Imbeciles

~~~~~~~~~~~Five's POV~~~~~~~~~~~~

I begin walking on the sidewalk, passing hundreds of people, all in their own worlds and pushing past each other as if they aren't there. As if they are the only ones in the world.

Things aren't much better where I live, either to be fair. All of my siblings and I have our own rooms and hardly see each other other than at mealtimes and on missions. We are all our own little islands.

I think about my only human interaction since I've been here and laugh. If the teens here are anything like him, the future of this world is in danger.

It's only when I pass a hot dog cart that I realize I'm hungry. I haven't had anything to eat since this morning when I went to Griddy's Donuts. The coffee there was terrible, too.

I walk up to the old bald guy who has on a white boat cap and a red-and-white striped apron that says 'Henry's Hot Dogs.'

"Excuse me, Sir. Where is the nearest gourmet restaurant? Preferably Michelin 5-Star?"

The guy stares at me like I have a third eye for what seems to be five hours.

"Do you want a hot dog, kid?" He asks me, in a bored, monotone voice.

'Do I look like I want this greasy, terrible, probably horse meat hot dog that tastes as cheap as it costs?' I want to ask him.

Instead, I shake my head. "No, you imbecile! I asked where the nearest restaurant is!"

He points down a block, still looking like a robot.

"All of those buildings are restaurants, but they're expensive. You got money?"

"What's it to you?" I ask as I head in that direction.

I walk into Old Homestead Steakhouse and go to the front desk.

"Hello, Ma'am. I would like a table for one, please."

The lady looks down on me with her cateye glasses and smiles.

"Hello, young man. Are you lost? Where are your parents?" She asks.

I sigh. I realize I'm not going to get anywhere with this lady, so I turn towards where people are eating and shout "Bob! I'm here!"

A few people look in this direction. I search faces to see who looks the least confused, and it's this wiry guy with brown hair with a tint of gray and glasses in a suit.

I march up to the empty seat across from him and sit down. He frowns and stares.

"Hey, kid, that seat is saved," he begins, standing up.

I teleport to right next to him and hold a steak knife against his throat. He sits, shocked.

"Just go with it," I say as I sit back down and smile through gritted teeth.

Cateye glasses comes over to where we're sitting.

"Is this young man bothering you, Sir? We can have him removed, or---"

"No, that won't be necessary, Ma'am. I hope Bartholomew hasn't been causing trouble. He notified me that he would be late, but he didn't mention that he would cause a scene,"  he replied.

Cateye shook her head. "Oh, he was no bother. I just wanted to make sure young Bartholomew found his family. What would you gentlemen like to drink, for starters?"

"Two waters, please," Bob says.

"And Bob here would like a margarita," I add, last minute.

Cateye looks at Bob, who looks at me for a brief second then nods.

Cateye, looking more reassured by the adult, walks away to help another table.

Bob turns back to me. "Excuse me, but what the heck was that? Who are you to just come in here and start bossing people around? You're just a kid! And why would you choose me to rob, of all people?"

I regard his question cautiously. "I would apologize, but I would be lying. So, I'll just tell you the truth. I am just a kid looking for a meal, but I have better strategies and, ah, resources than other kids have. And as for why I choose you?  Well, you looked like you had seen worse things than a kid making a scene, so I thought you'd be an easy target."

"You know, I could report you to the police, kid," Bob said, lowering his voice. "Or I could deal with it....other ways, but I don't want to make another scene, so give me a good reason. Why shouldn't I turn you in?"

"Well for starters, I am not just a kid, as you say. I have---"

"Don't tell me you have special powers or something. I deal with those kinds of people everyday. I live with them! I don't need you ruining my lunch! And besides, I have an appointment soon, and you're going to have to skedaddle."

I shift in my seat, suddenly uncomfortable. These people are too good at figuring stuff out. I have to come up with better solutions to try and be 'normal.' I shudder at he thought.

"What's your name? Or should I continue to call you Bartholomew for the rest of our meal?" He asks me.

I shake my head, no longer hungry. "Doesn't matter. Not to you, anyways. I'll be leaving shortly. I hope I don't see you again," I say, standing up.

"And by the way, please don't call me kid again. I probably have more knowledge and smarts than you'll ever have, seeing as you deal with 'people with powers' every day. It seems as if you should get that checked out. Enjoy the margarita!"

I walk out the door and break into a run. If I'm going to be in this place, I have to get some money, which probably means I have to get a job.

I slow down and stop at a nearby newsstand. I pick one up and go to the advertisement section. I look for something that interests me until I find one. It reads:

In need: some teenage or high school students, preferably good with technology and working with people for the Stark Industries Internship.
Will provide rooming, board, and meals. It will last for ten weeks and will be a competition. The winner will receive $10,000 in check form and will become assistant to Tony Stark of Stark Industries.

Bingo! It's as if a job just fell into my lap, which is impossible because you have to work hard for everything, especially to receive recognition.

Stark. The name sounds familiar, but I can't place where. I purchase the newspaper and head to the local library to call the number in the ad.