SARAH goes investigating.

[smart_house]

According to nationwide white pages listings, there are 14,336 telephone numbers attached to the last name of 'Stark'. 1,159 of these are in California; 280 in Oregon. Nathan is unlisted (unless you count the personal rolodexes of most of the President's cabinet); there is no reason to assume that this Tony would not be as well.

SARAH, when researching, tends to rely on two sources.

What she can't find on the Internet can usually be found in the Global Dynamics central database network, and thanks to Doctor Fargo's direct link back to his office, the central feed is generally available for SARAH's use. She just has to get a little bit more...creative, when it comes to personnel files.

Comments

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

He does have a point.





"You would not believe me."

[director_global]

Without hesitation,

"Try me."

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

Now or never.

Even if there is something wrong with Stark finding out before Sheriff Carter.




"I met a man named Tony Stark at a bar at the end of the universe, and you sound very similar."

[director_global]

"Really."

Whatever might be running through his head on hearing this, none of it shows on his face. Stark sounds thoughtful.

"A Tony Stark, you said?"

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

"Yes."

She doesn't elaborate -- more like waiting to see when he's finally going to get around to the 'bar at the end of the universe' bit.

[director_global]

"I don't think we're acquainted."

A single beat.

"Perhaps you could introduce me."

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

"I've never been able to go to Milliways while someone else was present."

SARAH's wall panel above the fireplace dissolves into a view of the exterior, and one of Zoe's friends is dropping the blonde teenager off at the gate to SARAH's property.

"Doctor Stark, they don't know."

[felon-spice.livejournal.com]

Zoe enters the house.

"Hey, SARAH, is my dad..."

She stops and frowns. "Mr. Stark, what are you doing here?"

[director_global]

SARAH's going to owe him a favor for this.

"Dr. Stark." The correction is automatic and casual, as he continues, "Hello, Zoe." Stark turns and smiles courteously at her.

"I was just talking to SARAH while waiting for your father to get home. Do you happen to know when he'll be back?"

[felon-spice.livejournal.com]

"No, I don't," Zoe says. "I also don't think that he'll appreciate SARAH letting you in here to wait."

She would glare at the house if there was a way to do so.

"Why don't I call Dad and see where he is?" she suggests, pulling out her cell phone.

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

SARAH doesn't speak at this point, but the blue-purple of her wall panels dims to a dull blue.

This is going to go splendidly.

[director_global]

"Yes, why don't you do that."

Stark's tone is more than a little dry.

[jackcarter.livejournal.com]

Elsewhere, Jack answers his phone.

"Zoe? Kinda busy right now, what do you need?" he says.

[felon-spice.livejournal.com]

"I need you to come home," Zoe says. "I just got here and SARAH invited Nathan Stark in to wait for you to discuss something."

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

Audible in both the speaker system around the house and in Zoe's phone call: "Sorry, Sheriff Carter."

[jackcarter.livejournal.com]

"...Oooookay," Jack says. "I'm turning around now."

[director_global]

This is going to be interesting.

Stark turns away from Zoe's phone conversation and strolls over to stand by one of the wall panels, ostensibly studying the screen.

To all outward appearances, he looks remarkably unconcerned.

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

SARAH is otherwise occupied.

Doctor Stark's phone goes off.

To: NSTARK
From: CARTER RESIDENCE

I am going to have to tell them, aren't I?

[jackcarter.livejournal.com]

Jack enters through the front door, looking thoroughly befuddled.

"Okay, Nathan, can you tell me what the he---hi, Zoe, you're here too, that's right."

[director_global]

To: CARTER RESIDENCE
From: NSTARK

It's beginning to look that way. Do you want to?


He glances up from his phone and nods to the sheriff.

"Carter. You made good time."

Stark looks coolly amused.

[felon-spice.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, Dad, I'm here," Zoe says. "I called you, remember?"

She rolls her eyes. "And since when do you censor your language in front of me?"

[jackcarter.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, which brings me to the part where I wonder why exactly Dr. Stark is entering my house when I'm not here," Jack says.

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

To: NSTARK
From: CARTER RESIDENCE

No.

The panel which had originally shown Zoe's, and later Sheriff Carter's, returns, shifts image and dimension. Into something that looks oddly like an astrological chart.

Except far more complicated.

"Doctor Stark is here because of me, Sheriff Carter."

Doctor Stantz's notes are everywhere on the information collected on other worlds, other times, other people. The diagrams focus and zoom inward on what appears to be a perfectly recognizable graphic of the Earth as everyone in the room knows it.

The label above this graphic reads: HOME

"I've been travelling in my spare time," SARAH offers awkwardly.

[jackcarter.livejournal.com]

"...you're a house," Jack says, severely confused.

[director_global]

"In case you haven't noticed," Stark points out, dryly, "SARAH is far from an ordinary house."

It's not as dry as it might be, though, as Nathan Stark's attention is almost completely focused on the notes and charts displayed on the panel.

[felon-spice.livejournal.com]

"True," Zoe agrees. "But she's not a freaking RV either. How exactly does a bunker travel?"