33 Apocalypse Ave., Tuesday Morning

[tyler_gone]

Tyler listened to radio as he made his coffee, and, at the mention of him, Tony and boykissy, added a healthy shot of whiskey to his mug. He carried it into his room and settled before the TV, tuning it to a Crime and Punishment rerun.

Of course, it was about illegal underground boxing.

His mug was very close to becoming a projectile.

[OOC: For a phone call.]

Comments

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

She had almost missed making these sorts of phone calls. Almost.

Nevertheless, Pepper Potts was perched at a desk in Malibu, a small array of tabloids before her, as she dialed the phone and waited for the gentleman in question to pick up.

[tyler_gone]

The gentleman in question glared at his phone, wondering what it was this time, and clicked off the TV.

"Yeah?" It wasn't a snarl, exactly, but the tone was less than friendly.

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

Ah. What a pleasant individual. Pepper was so delighted.

"Hello, this is Pepper Potts calling for Mr. Tyler Durden."

[tyler_gone]

Oh.

"You found him," Tyler said, trying to sound somewhat more like a human being who didn't want to take anybody's head off. "Tony's assistant Pepper?"

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

"That...would be correct, yes. How are you today, Mr. Durden?" she asked, smiling at that tone shift.

[tyler_gone]

"Fine," Tyler said, shifting a little in his seat. "Tony mentioned he'd talked to you about ... you know. Things."

Such a precise use of language.

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

"Yes, he did," she said, flipping through a few of the pages now. "I'm calling mostly to ask after you, actually, sir. Have you had any encounters with the media?"

[tyler_gone]

"Not as such," Tyler hedged. Fight club missions had gotten into the press plenty, but he hadn't exactly taken reporters' phone calls.

"I've never had paparazzi follow me around, if that's what you're asking."

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

"It can be a little...bewildering, if you're not used to it, Mr. Durden," she said carefully. "As I'm sure you're learning."

[tyler_gone]

"I don't need a security detail," Tyler protested, jumping a couple of steps ahead of Pepper. "I can take care of myself. But I'm still going to lay low until Tony gives us the all clear."

A beat.

"And keep out of alleys with him."

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

"That would seem wise. There's a great deal of speculation about who you might be, where you're from, and what you're doing with Mr. Stark," she said delicately. "Entirely unavoidable, of course, but it'll blow over.

[tyler_gone]

"Any interesting theories about me yet?" Tyler wanted to know. He always loved when he turned into a myth.

Shaking it off, he added, "I'm nobody. A science teacher from Wilmington. If they even find me in your world I'm a kid there." With a different name.

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

"Theories are that you're a European diamond mogul, the sole heir to the throne in an independently-owned island nation, and that you're one of the Maxim girls after some extensive plastic surgery," she said smoothly. "Things will calm down soon."

[tyler_gone]

There was a high-pitched snort at the other end of the line, then a series of guffaws.

"Okay. Okay," Tyler said, once he'd recovered. "None of the above, but I'm impressed by the creativity."

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

"I'm glad to hear that," she said dryly. "As long as you're prepared, sir, in case they find you. Paparazzi are remarkably resourceful."

[tyler_gone]

"Any advice?" Tyler asked. "I was just going to 'no comment,' if it happens."

He sucked in his breath, thinking of something. "We made the radio here this morning, but I don't think it goes off-island. It's just a reference to me and boykissy anyhow, nothing that couldn't be handled."

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

"...boykissy," she repeated slowly. "That's...certainly a term for it. 'No comment' works but it can also just add more ammunition, as they'll think you're hiding. I'd really recommend just talking to Mr. Stark about your respective stories."

[tyler_gone]

"The language here can be a little ... unique," Tyler said, rubbing his temples against the oncoming headache. "He said something about saying we were rehearsing for a play."

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

"...that's creative," she said slowly.

[tyler_gone]

"I'm not sure he was serious."

"I'll swing by the shop and make sure we're clear on the official story," Tyler promised. "And we aren't ... you know. Boyfriends."

[OOC: Heading home, later!]

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

"If you are," she said carefully, "that's fine, but Mr. Stark may need to do some additional interviews to avoid further speculation."

And she'd just...deal with that.

[tyler_gone]

Tyler rolled his eyes at the phone. "Nothing like that is happening," he stressed. "Tony will be back to the Maxim chick of the month anytime."

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

"How reassuring," she said dryly. "Well, thank you for your time, Mr. Durden. I'll be in touch."

[tyler_gone]

"Not a problem," Tyler said. "And I'll try to keep out of the tabloids."

"Bye, Pepper."