Can you find what you need?

(("Mr Stark?"))

Having wandered through the crowd until he found a quiet space he engaged his personal assistant.

"Yes, go ahead."

(("Sir. Your BAC is reading a bit high. This is a reminder that you have a meeting with Rein Corp in the morning. You might not want to be hungover for, Boss"))

Sighing. "Thank you. I'll keep that in mind. I'm walking it off now." Spying a waitress, a Penny Polendina, he waved her over finishing his drink.

"Salutations, Sir."

"Hello, Ms Polendina. Could you take this glass for me and could I get a water, please?"

"Of course, Sir. One moment, Sir."

"Thank you."

Left alone again he turned his com channel open again.

"Friday, how important is that Rein Corp. meeting? Do I have to attend it?"

(("Sir, it's just a formality as the contract renewal is basically already formalized and approved. But you specifically ordered me to remind that you should attend as they'reone of our oldest and longstanding contractors. Are you saying now that you wish not to attend, Boss?"))

"No, one moment please."

Penny had returned. "Your water, Sir. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"Thank you, Ms Polendina." Seeing someone he recognized waving towards him and heading his way he quiped. "Don't suppose you could save me by flying me out of here could you, Penny?" he said with a wink.

"I could escort you out, Sir if that's what you're asking but I can't leave the premises at the moment."

"Shame. Thank you, Ms Polendina. That'll be all for now."

"Very well, Sir. I hope you have a pleasant evening."

"Friday."

(("Still here, Sir."))

"You're right. I need to attend that meeting." Inspiration striking he said quickly. "Please send me a reminder via the public line to this location to be transfered in 15 minutes preferbly relayed by a Penny Polendia among the waitstaff. Thank you."

(("Understood, Sir. I shall endeavor to fulfill your inscrutable requests as always, Boss."))

"Stark! I need to talk to you!"

"Hoofer! Good to see you. How have you been and how's that Alex treating you?"

Hoofer looked surprised. "Actually that's what I wanted to talk to you about. I lost her and need another or similar."

Walt blinked hard. "You 'lost' Alex? The one we gave extra training too?"

"Yeah, that's the one. You see it was poker night and-"

Walt gritted his teeth and bared them in a smile as he politely listened to Hoofer's rambling poker night explanation of losing Alex and how he was going to need another spy/chauffeur/right hand woman asap. Thankfully he noticed Penny beginning to make her way towards him.

"Well that's a shame Hoofer but that's why I suggested that you either should have had the whole set or gotten a different agent that works solo. A Romanoff or better yet a Snake or double 00 would have been better for solo operations. Having only one out of a team of characters isn't nearly as effective in operatives who are used to opperating in said teams. You'd have been better off with two or all three of them and then had them specialize to build off those strengths. "

"Yeah, but she was so cute in that tight yellow-"

Penny appeared and quietly cleared her throat. "I'm terribly sorry to interrupt you gentlemen but I'm told one of you is Mr Stark? You have a urgent communique waiting if you would please follow me."

"Sorry, Hoofer. Duty calls. Look think about what I said, then make your decision and if you need more advice call. Alright."

Hoofer sighed. "You're right. I'll take some time and think it over. Good seeing you Stark."

"Please lead the way, Ms Polendia."

"Should I fly us out of here?"

"I don't want to get you in trouble. I think the elevator would be fine."

After leading him from the event space Penny actually laughed. "I thought you were just kidding me about wanting to be 'saved'"

"Now you know my great and terrible secret. I actually hate these damn things."

"It's funny because he called you Stark. You're handsome like the Tony, but you look more rugged like the Game-", Penny gasped and covered her mouth. "Sorry that was rude of me."

Walt laughed. "Not at all, Penny. No relation to that Tony or the Winterfell bunch though if Martin did base them on history they could be based on my ancestors. Thank you for the compliments though." Sticking his hand out. "Walter Stark. Walt to my friends."

Penny took his hand smiling. "Nice to meet you, Walt."

"Feelings mutual, Penny."

"Did you really mean that, Walt?"

"What do you mean Penny?"

"I hadn't had very many friends before, mostly just the one, then I became human but it was only for such a short time before..."

Walt looked down. "I'm sorry to hear that, Penny. I take it someone told you what happened?"

Penny nodded and looked sad but thoughtful. "Yes. I was informed that I 'died' in my world but was taken to this one before it was final. It's a bit sad how it happened but I suppose I was saved by being brought here in a way."

Walt was surprised and shocked. "Do you really feel that way?" He couldn't help thinking about his thoughts previously at the bar. "To most people they'll only see you as a commodity. A thing to be used. Is that really saving anyone?"

The elevator was nearing the ground floor and Penny nodded. "I do. I maybe considered just a 'thing' to be used as you said. But surely not everyone sees it that way." She smiled. "It only take's one person to look past seeing a robot and see a person instead like my friend Ruby." She turned slightly to smile at Walt and touch his hand. "Or look past a 'thing' and see a friend instead, like you."

Unfortunately they had nearly reached the lobby. "Well your secretary said you had an important meeting scheduled for tomorrow and that you needed to be reminded of it."

"I do indeed. Thank you, Penny."

"You're very welcome, Walt."

Reaching the lobby. They stopped. There was a slightly uncomfortable moment. "This is as far as I can go. If you don't have to leave immediately I actually wouldn't mind spending more time with you. We're encouraged to-" Penny blushed. "'Entertain' the guests if asked. It's weird but I just get the feeling you're nicer than some of the others would be and...if... I have to... I'd rather it was with a friend..."

"Penny. I'm very flattered but I haven't... I don't... " Walter coughed, looked around and spotted a small alcove. "Come with me." Leading her to it he surprised her by sitting her down. "Penny," he began. "Are you owned by someone or by the company?"

Penny looked down. "I'm owned by the company."

"Alright. I'm somewhat well versed with your characters general specs. Is there anything special I should know? Have you been modified in anyway yet."

"No, sir. Other than the training we received we're to remain 'stock' characters for upcoming purchase or auction."

Walter sighed then smiled. "Well that makes that a bit easier. Could I have your I-dent code, please?"

She grimaced but gave it over hesitantly. She'd heard and been instructed that if someone asked for it usually meant they'd be making a complaint. Expecting that was the case she was surprised as Walt started talking quietly to someone she couldn't hear.

"That much? That's all? How soon could we have the transfer? Understood. No, Friday. It's not like that." Eye rolling. "Yes. Proceed. Everything up until the final authorization, thank you. Alright hold there a moment."

He looked Penny in the eyes. "If you want to come with me I will buy you from RealDreams. I'd try to find you work that was fulfilling to you. It's not freedom but you wouldn't have to worry about being **** into sleeping with anyone, including me. You'd still be an asset but you'd have some degree of agency in your life choices. So...