Chapter Text
A long, wide environment shot shows the skyline of a city. Accentuated with upbeat music, the sun rises above the sea in the background. The camera pans over a couple of luxurious mansions and beach villas until it focuses on one particularly impressive house which appears to be designed to look very modern with a lot of glass and steel, a large swimming pool at the side despite the closeness to the beach. A hard cut transports the viewer down from the bird perspective onto the ground in front of the gate granting entrance to the premises.
A young woman smiles into the camera with a dazzling but surely bleached smile, contrasted by her tanned skin. She wears a tight dress in a silvery grey color that matches her eyes astoundingly well. In her right hand, she holds a stack of cards but instead of looking at them, she begins talking.
“Welcome to Malibu, city of the rich and beautiful. Welcome to a very special treat, dear viewers. Welcome to this year’s incredible season of The Bachelor, a real treat with a beloved celebrity trying to find the one person for them in our show’s one-season Tony Stark Edition! I am Zoe Calliero and today I am granting you an exclusive first look at the hot new location where a very special group of people will fight for the attention and interest of the world’s most famous genius, billionaire, playboy and philanthropist superhero. After saving the world with the Avengers, Iron Man’s alter ego had surprised everyone with his announcement of downshifting his participation in the world-saving business in favor of concentrating on his private life. Will our help be what he needs to find Mister Right? Yes, you heard right, we have an exclusive all-male cast participating, but I am not allowed to say more just yet. The surprise will be even bigger when the contestants are officially announced, believe me. Now, come along for a first view at Tony Stark’s bachelor Malibu house.”
Another cut excludes the walk up to the door and welcomes the viewer into the spacious entrance area with a large mirror on one side of the hall, a coatrack opposing it. A strange device is attached to the wall, looking one part security panel and one part snatched straight out of Star Trek. A small blue light flickers inside the glass panel, but nothing of note happens as the camera moves past it. The next room – the living room – is more of an area, eventually leading over into the kitchen on one side, on the other having a grand glass panel wall with access to the terrace, the pool and the rest of the garden. In the living area, there is not only a spacious couch accompanied by a loveseat and several armchairs and a large TV screen, but also a generously stocked bar, a well-groomed potted ficus, several surprisingly tasteful artwork on the wall and, in a slightly secluded niche, a grand piano. A set of stairs goes up to the first level where a long hallway leads to at least ten bedrooms, a gym and a laboratory. The camera merely passes all the rooms, gaining a peak inside at best. Instead, the balcony is entered, granting the viewer the breathtaking view over the beach and the sea, still reflecting the orange shimmer of the rising sun. After a few moments of actually staying still, the camera begins to move back inside. After another cut the viewers find themselves back downstairs. Voices echo in the background, drawing closer, and the camera points at a small set of stairs, next to an elevator, which both have not really been noticed before. The voiced grow louder and finally some of the words are understandable.
“-already on a tight schedule. I cannot believe you’re trying to get me to shove in even more of that.”
The first voice is male, sounding slightly annoyed, but still recognizable, unmistakable. The replying voice is female, slightly exasperated but tinged with fondness.
“I’m not sure since when you know that much about your own schedule, Tony, but these two additional board meetings won’t kill you. They are important.”
“Fine. Fine, it’s not like I have a choice, anyway.”
Finally, a mop of tousled dark hair, followed by a head full of fiery red locks, emerges from the staircase leading downwards. Tony Stark himself enters the room, his former assistant now CEO Pepper Potts right behind him. She carries a stack of various folders and papers, undoubtedly Stark Industries business. Tony is preoccupied buttoning up his black vest over a crisp white shirt and a wine-red tie. As soon as he notices the filming team, however, he slips into a sleeker kind of behavior, his lips turning into his patented thousand watt smile, shrugging on his jacket and pulling a pair of sunglasses out of his pockets, giving the camera a cheeky wink before putting on the glasses. “Good morning,” he goes to shake the hand of the camera man, the audio man and the hostess of the program.
Tony gives Pepper a questioning look, only identifiable as such by the one raised eyebrow. Pepper glances at her wristwatch and subtly shakes her head before heading towards the hallway. Tony sighs theatrically and slips his hands into his trouser pockets. “I’m afraid we’re in a bit of a hurry right now. Business meetings and all that, you know how it is. Please, take your time filming, my forehead of security will stay with you in case you need anything. If you’d like a small interview for your piece, please call my office and my assistant FRIDAY will look into making an appointment. Sorry, gotta dash.” And with that he rounds the filming crew and leaves his house with Pepper, already talking business again. Zoe the hostess turns to the camera, her smile slightly dazzled, for a moment fumbling for words before regaining her professional attitude. “Well, what an entrance. I don’t think any of us counted on actually meeting Tony himself today. What a treat, right? I can barely wait for the show to start and if you are also anxious for more news on anything Bachelor, follow us on social media and we will keep you up to date with the latest buzz around Tony Stark and his quest for love. The Bachelor: Tony Stark Edition premieres on May 24, at nine p.m. Pacific Standard Time, only here on ABC.”
@abc_official: Now confirmed: New season The Bachelor featuring @tonystark premieres late May! Tell us what you think! Are you excited? Who will compete for #ironman’s heart? Tell us what you think with #btse
@fierysun681: So even Tony Stark can’t get a date anymore without help? What has the world come to #smh #btse
@clarissa_cole_clarke: Omg Tony Stark on the bachelor! I don’t even care who the contestants are, we get exlusive footage of the man under the armor! #btse #starkbachelor
@establishmess commented: Yo, @peteparker Relevant for your interests?
@peteparker: answer to @establishmess: I’ve literally told you about this yesterday, MJ….........
@establishmess: answer to @peteparker: Can’t afford to remember trash tv info, sorry :/
@celeb_update: NEWS! TONY STARK ENTERS THE BACHELOR! READ ALL ABOUT THE RUMORED CONTESTANTS http://www.celup.com/article/a80dg6...
@mechanickid: Am I really hearing about this here for the first time??? Gotta make a call and verbally whoop some old man ass. Srsly