Alvin rubbed his chin thoughtfully before flashing Phil Coulson a broad smile.
“I think one million dollars is a perfectly reasonable number.” Coulson clutched his chest as if he’d been punched.
“You’re joking, Mr.
Satō.” “SHIELD is never going to pay one million dollars over this.” He looked genuinely pained.
“That’s impossible.” “I was prepared to cover some of this out of my own pocket if I had to.” “But a million dollars?” He shook his head helplessly.
“That’s ten years of my salary.” Alvin wasn’t remotely moved by the performance.
“So what you’re saying…” “…is that SHIELD’s reputation isn’t worth a million dollars.” He folded his arms.
“Maybe you should call your superiors.” “I’m not interested in your salary.” “Otherwise…” “We can settle this in court.” Beside him, Foggy practically bounced out of his chair.
“That’s right!” “Sue them!” “Sue them into the ground!” It wasn’t hard to understand his excitement.
This was, without question, the biggest case Nelson & Murdock had ever seen.
Coulson shot Natasha an exhausted look before retreating to a quiet corner with his phone.
Judging by the expression on his face during the conversation…
Headquarters wasn’t particularly sympathetic.
Several minutes later, he returned looking thoroughly defeated.
“Five hundred thousand.” He sighed.
“That’s the absolute limit.” “I’ll already have to write more than fifteen reports because of this.” “If you refuse…” “Then I suppose we’ll see each other in court.” He emptied the rest of his beer in one swallow, looking like a man who had accepted his fate.
Alvin glanced toward Matt.
The blind lawyer gave the slightest shake of one finger.
A silent message.
Coulson is bluffing.
After a moment’s thought, Alvin nodded slowly.
“Agent Coulson…” “That’s still a long way from what I had in mind.” He turned toward Foggy.
Foggy immediately understood.
“I’ve got this.” He jumped to his feet.
“This case is a slam dunk.” “I can push that settlement past three million.” Coulson nearly choked.
“Absolutely not!” “SHIELD doesn’t have that kind of discretionary budget.” “If you keep demanding more…” “The case will drag on forever.” He looked desperately at Alvin.
“Mr.
Satō…” “I apologize again.” “Please.” Alvin shrugged.
“A lengthy lawsuit doesn’t really inconvenience me.” Then he smiled.
“That said…” “I’m willing to accept five hundred thousand.” Coulson visibly relaxed.
“…On one condition?” “No.” Alvin held up a finger.
“Several.” The relief vanished immediately.
Coulson suddenly had the uncomfortable feeling he’d stepped onto a sinking ship.
“I’ll listen.” “I can’t promise anything.” Alvin began counting on his fingers.
“First.” “Our local police precinct desperately needs new equipment.” He nodded toward Officer Michael.
“He’s still carrying a sidearm that’s over a decade old.” “The precinct doesn’t need anything fancy.” “Just your retired vehicles.” “Old weapons.” “Surplus equipment.” “I’m sure SHIELD has plenty gathering dust.” He smiled.
“And I’m equally sure the officers would be happy to write the mayor praising SHIELD’s generosity.” Officer Michael and Scott stared at Alvin in disbelief.
The first thing he’d negotiated…
Was for them.
City Hall had practically forgotten their precinct existed.
They received enough funding to keep the lights on and pay salaries.
That was about it.
No modern equipment.
No renovations.
No opportunities.
Even the station’s front doors were falling apart.
Neither officer knew what to say.
Coulson looked equally surprised.
He had been expecting something outrageous.
Instead…
He nodded almost immediately.
“Done.” SHIELD retired enormous amounts of equipment every year.
As a Level Seven agent, approving a transfer like that was well within his authority.
Alvin smiled.
“I had a feeling we’d get along.” He raised a second finger.
“The daycare center being built around the corner needs a proper security camera system.” “I’m sure SHIELD can spare one.” Coulson let out a long breath.
Then he looked around the restaurant.
Every customer was watching Alvin with unmistakable admiration.
He straightened his suit.
When he spoke again, it was with genuine respect.
“You’re a true gentleman.” He extended his hand.
“Phil Coulson.” “Level Seven SHIELD Agent.” “It’s a pleasure to meet you properly, Mr.
Alvin Satō.” The two men shook hands firmly.
For the first time that evening, Coulson no longer felt like he was simply being extorted.
Alvin grinned.
“So that’s a yes?” Coulson nodded.
“Compared to what I expected…” “Those barely qualify as demands.” Alvin lifted one final finger.
“The third condition.” His expression became serious.
Coulson instinctively tensed.
“I’m listening.” Alvin pointed toward Natasha.
Then back toward the restaurant.
“I’d appreciate it if SHIELD stayed away from me.” “And away from my restaurant.” “Can you do that?” Coulson froze.
The request somehow hit harder than the million-dollar demand.
Just moments ago, he’d begun believing the two of them might actually develop a productive relationship.
Instead…
Alvin simply wanted SHIELD gone.
He sighed.
“I can’t promise that.” “But I can promise…” “We won’t bother you without a legitimate reason.” Alvin nodded.
“That’s good enough.” He turned toward Foggy.
“Work with Agent Coulson on transferring the five hundred thousand.” Then he looked back at the two agents.
“I hope we never meet again.” “Agent Coulson.” “Agent Romanoff.” It was a polite farewell.
And an unmistakable dismissal.
Foggy and Coulson exchanged phone numbers before discussing the details of the settlement.
Jessica happily escorted the two SHIELD agents to the front door.
Just before they stepped outside, she smiled brightly.
“I hope we never meet again.” She even managed a remarkably convincing imitation of Alvin’s tone.
Watching the two agents leave in defeat, the restaurant erupted into celebration.
People slapped each other on the back.
Glasses clinked.
Cheers echoed through the dining room.
Most of them had spent their entire lives in Hell’s Kitchen.
Government officials had rarely treated them with respect.
Tonight, one of their own had stood up to an organization as powerful as SHIELD…
And won.
The victory felt personal.
Alvin looked around the room and laughed.
“Jessica.” “A beer for everyone.” “It’s on me.” The cheering somehow became even louder.
A moment later, Alvin carried a fresh beer over to Matt.
He flicked the side of the glass with one finger.
Ding.
“Thanks.” “You saved me a lot of trouble today.” Matt smiled warmly and raised his glass.
“You earned it.” “You’ve made these two blocks a better place.” “As someone who lives in Hell’s Kitchen…” “Supporting you is the least I can do.” He lifted the beer slightly higher.
“To victory.” Alvin clinked his glass against Matt’s.
“To victory.” He drained half the mug in one long swallow before looking at Matt with a trace of concern.
After a brief hesitation, he spoke.
“You should slow down.” “You’re not made of iron.” “Running across rooftops all night in Hell’s Kitchen isn’t exactly healthy.” Matt set down his empty glass.
A faint flush colored his normally pale face.
He smiled.
“Then maybe your pets should expand their patrol.” “That would lighten my workload.” Alvin chuckled.
“I’ll think about it.”