Chapter 5: Tony Stark

One had to admit, Little Spider was truly loyal—he actually helped Luke stealthily drive his uncle’s RV out. On a New York highway, a white RV wobbled along at a slow pace. Luke sat in the driver’s seat, gripping the steering wheel. He’d had a driver’s license in his previous life, but now he was driving without one, plain and simple.

As he steered, he kept issuing instructions, “Press the clutch. No, not that one, that’s the gas. Oh, hell…”

Because of his height, Luke’s seven-year-old body could only perch on the driver’s seat with his legs dangling, feet nowhere near the pedals. Peter Parker was crouched beneath him, following his commands.

“This one on the left?” Peter asked.

“That’s right, buddy. Press it.”

“Run them over! Run them over!!”

“Who’s talking?”

“No one. All right, now press the brake.”

“Got it.”

With a screech, the RV came to a sudden stop by the roadside. Luke wiped the cold sweat from his brow; thankfully, the journey had gone smoothly, and it seemed as if New York’s traffic police were on vacation. These two seven-year-olds had actually managed to drive the RV all the way to downtown.

“All right, we’re here. Out you go.” Luke hopped off the driver’s seat, pressed a button, and unfolded the RV’s side panel, making half the vehicle pop out like a tent.

“Awesome, buddy!” Peter Parker was visibly thrilled; this was his first time doing anything like this, and the whole adventure had been exhilarating.

But what was even more exciting was that they were about to sell burgers here!

“This is insane, buddy!” Peter rubbed his hands together in excitement.

“Stay calm,” Luke replied with a smile. He was a little excited himself, but, being an adult at heart, he kept it off his face. He carried a plastic rack to the RV’s door and handed a promotional poster to Peter, instructing him to stick it on the door.

The poster featured a huge burger and, in English, the words: “Bonina’s Delicious Burgers—starting at $7.”

Inside the RV sat a makeshift burger station—compact but fully equipped. Nearby were neatly stacked paper wrappers, clear sanitary gloves, a giant bottle of cheese sauce, a basket for lettuce, pre-sliced tomatoes, and, of course, the indispensable burger patties.

All of this had been purchased with the money Luke made from selling his toys.

The patties required advance preparation, being the very soul of the burger. Luke had spent an entire weekend perfecting the recipe, failing several times before finally succeeding in creating Bonina’s signature patty.

After sampling the finished burgers, both Luke and Peter Parker agreed—they were the best they’d ever tasted, far surpassing anything from KFC or McDonald’s.

Bonina’s Delicious Burgers was officially open for business!

The burger truck quickly attracted the attention of passersby. Luke assigned Little Spider the important task of hawking their wares and drawing in a crowd.

This was no difficult task for Peter Parker, who was more than happy to take the spotlight.

Standing atop the truck, he called out with practiced flair: “Burgers! Delicious Bonina burgers! Only seven dollars! Seven dollars—no rip-offs, no regrets…”

The street bustled with people. They were in a thriving commercial district, surrounded by several large office buildings. Luke had chosen his time well—it was lunchtime, and many white-collar workers were pouring out of their buildings, ready to eat.

There was a reason Luke had parked the RV here.

After all, who was the most famous burger lover in the Marvel universe?

Right across the street stood the iconic Stark Industries tower. People coming and going from the building couldn’t help noticing the new RV parked outside—selling burgers, it seemed, and run by…two kids?

At first, there was surprise. Some people approached, smiling, and asked Luke and Peter where the adults were. Then, as the first customer bought a burger and took a bite, his eyes widened in disbelief.

“Oh my God! This is the best burger I’ve ever had in my life!”

“Really? Get me one too,” someone nearby chimed in.

“Of course, sir. Would you like the classic or with extra toppings?” Luke grinned from ear to ear. Finally, it looked like they’d be making money.

“Extra tomato and lettuce—both, please.”

“All right, just a moment.”

With practiced hands, Luke assembled a burger: bun, lettuce, tomato, patty, a generous drizzle of cheese, the top bun, and then into the paper wrapper. He handed it over while Peter happily collected the cash.

The crowd around them grew. Two seven-year-olds selling burgers quickly became a spectacle.

Sales were excellent, and everyone who tasted a burger declared without hesitation that it was the best they’d ever had—then promptly bought two more to take away.

A black, bulletproof stretch limousine pulled up in front of Stark Industries. The chubby driver-bodyguard got out and opened the door for a man in his thirties, dressed in a suit and tinted glasses. The man glanced at the RV.

“What’s with the crowd? Bonina’s Delicious Burgers?” Spotting the poster, he seemed intrigued and walked over with his bodyguard.

“Hey, kid, who’s in charge here?” The man looked around—where were the adults running this operation?

“Me and him,” Luke replied, pointing to himself and Peter Parker.

The man’s eyes widened in astonishment behind his tinted glasses. “Just you two? This is your food truck?” he asked, pointing at the RV.

“Yes, Mr. Stark,” Luke replied with a smile.

He’d recognized him at once—the legendary Iron Man, billionaire Tony Stark, the true burger connoisseur.

Peter Parker recognized him too, his face turning pale with excitement, struck speechless.

“Give me one. Top of the line,” Tony Stark said nonchalantly, pointing at the burger table behind Luke. “You know what, make it two.”

“Certainly, sir. One moment.” Luke turned to prepare the burgers, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Poison him! This guy really annoys me!” Lotus poked her head out of Luke’s backpack, muttering encouragement.

“Shut up,” Luke replied, giving the backpack a swift kick.

After entering the building, Tony Stark unwrapped a steaming burger, took a bite, and immediately let out an appreciative “Mmm,” nodding in surprise. “That’s actually pretty good,” he praised his driver and bodyguard. “Happy, from now on, get my lunch here.”

“Are you serious?” Happy asked, astonished.

“Of course. It’s really good. Want one?” Stark offered one over.

Happy smiled in thanks and reached out, but just as his hand was about to touch the burger, Tony pulled it back.

Chewing his own burger, Tony said offhandedly, “I changed my mind. Get your own.”

Happy was speechless for a moment, then shook his head in resignation. His boss had many faults—capricious, arrogant, a jokester, sometimes like a big kid—but there was no doubt Tony was the world’s greatest genius.

Happy valued his job and decided not to take Tony’s antics to heart.

That evening, back home, Luke tallied up the day’s earnings and couldn’t stop grinning. He’d sold out of all his prepared ingredients—eighty burgers in total. He now had at least six hundred dollars in his pocket! Not only had he recouped his costs, there was even a small profit.

Luke kissed Franklin tenderly. “Finally, I’ve made money! My lovely magic box, just wait for me!”

“Look at you—so easily satisfied. We should have just blown up that building today!” grumbled a certain short-legged octopus in annoyance.