A year to Remember. Part 1, the Wrong Number

Banner's Banter

Bruce POV:

The Avengers are all on some mission, teaming up with Charles' team to fight some evil brotherhood or whatever.

Usually I'd care more, but today has not been a fun day. First Tony had used up all the coffee and didn't restock, and the rest forgot to order food, I got no breakfast. Then Shuri was blasting music top volume in the living space, so I left to get breakfast and coffee, hoping food and a nice walk could keep the big guy down.

Bad call.

As I'm walking to a cafe around the block a car speeds by, lifting all the water from a street puddle and onto my shirt. "Calm thoughts Bruce", I whisper to myself, seeing a little streak of green flash on my arm. Lucky it's not to long a walk to the cafe. The bell rings as I walk in, a long line stopping me in my tracks. "Great, now the street water's gonna set", I complain to nobody, as the woman in front of me scoffs annoyed.

It takes about 10 minutes before she's finally placing her order, my hopes high to finally get my coffee... only for a gaggle of 12 lawyers to walk in, spewing a, "move over hobo", before cutting in front of me. "Umm, hi?", I try and get their attention, "I was in line". It doesn't dissuade them. So another 15 minutes pass, the grime and dirt staining into my shirt.

"What's your order", the Cashier lady barks at me, her previously polite demeanour with the lawyers gone. "I'll have a large latte and an eggs and bacon sandwich please", I remain polite.

"We're out", she spits, "just sold the last sandwich", she explains as she plays with her nails and points at one of the lawyers. "Couldn't you just make another one?", I try and reason, it's just eggs and bacon in a bun. "No", she snaps. "So?".

I sigh, "I'll take the large latte and a croissant please", it's fine, anything to eat will do.

"Name?"

"Banner?", I provide.

"Next", she shouts as soon as I pay, motioning for me to move. I stand around for a couple of minutes while they work through their orders, around 10 minutes until they call mine... I think.

"Barrett?", The barista calls. I don't recognise the name and no one responds. "I got a large latte and a croissant for Barrett". Ugh, again. "That's me!", I call as I run to the counter to pick up my order, still dropping $5 in the tip jar to a still uncaring workforce. My morning however wasn't done torturing me, one more problem to come.

As I'm walking towards the tower, I see a couple of teenagers eye me suspiciously for a second before exaggeratedly gasping and running towards me. "You're- you're", oh no, "You're the Hulk!". They yell in my face. "I'm one of your biggest fans, Name's Flash Thompson-" (yes Peter was happy he was skipping today)- "I'm sure it's a pleasure", he shakes my hand while his friends ogle at me... eww.

"Can he come out?", they ask in my face, "can we meet the hulk?".

I put my hands between us, trying to make some personal space. "No, No", I decline, "He's not coming out today, sorry". Their attitude changed. "Then what good are you for? Without the hulk you're just some weak guy I could beat up in a fight", that certain 'Flash' kid comments, it takes me all of my focus to keep the big guy down. Luckily they leave now disinterested.

Finally I make it to the tower, to eat my soggy croissant and lukewarm latte. Shuri still with her music in the main living space and Hulk ready to come out, I head to the hulk padded room just in case. It's quiet, it's empty, it's safe.

... it's also an echo chamber of emotions, rage, and memories of the day.

*Buzz Buzz*

To breaking the echo chamber: