Spider-Man. The House Of Venom

One phone call was all it took and MJ was on edge. She was used to the one phone call a month that came with the aspiration of being an actress. Her job at the diner was boring but it paid. So when she got a phone call, asking if she wanted to be in the largest movie of the decade she naturally panicked.  She sat staring at her phone, wondering if this was a great idea after all.

As soon as he’d revealed himself to the world, every merchandising outlet went crazy. Everything was Iron Man, and Tony Stark was the newest biggest and hottest thing on the planet. Now, he wanted a movie, and MJ was being dragged into it.

A short trip into Queens and she was sat as her agent paced behind her desk. MJ had considered dropping the woman. She seemed to be the stereotypical terrible agent. The constant smoking and hidden but still obvious whiskey-filled cup capping it off.

MJ had had one decent offer that she scored herself, and the rest had all been assholes. It was this one job that was currently keeping her here. She might actually earn the fifteen per cent that MJ paid her.

“Look, sweety. We want someone young, talented and well, beautiful. You tick those boxes,“ her agent had explained to a stunned MJ. What she didn't mention was that Tony Stark had picked the actresses personally.

It wasn't uncommon. A lot of rich men financed films for that very reason and it was a stunt he had pulled before.  None of them complained. Being on the arm of Tony Stark, even if it was for just one party, never did anyone or their career any harm. Even if they complained most either shut up or were paid off and either went on to rise up or were never heard from again.

“I know, I know, it's a big one but honey, this is your break. I mean, it's just an audition okay but I've seen your work, even the small stuff, that'll be a piece of cake for you.”

MJ could only nod as the reality of the situation sunk in.

The part was for Tony Stark's girlfriend. Tony had signed a huge amount of contracts from toys to phones. As soon as he thought of it the giant egomaniac wanted a movie so of course, a movie was being made. A heroic tale of his time not just in the desert but building and testing the Iron Man suit.

MJ nodded. It was a drama, aimed at all ages so no nudity. There were a few kissing scenes but she knew she would be stupid to even consider turning this down.

As she signed all the legal paperwork she sat back, twirling the pen in hand and smiling. Peter had already told her that even if she wanted to do nude scenes he was fine with it, it was her life and her career. He had no say unless she started doing some very dubious movies.

Once she was back in the warehouse the group waited around the breakfast table for her news. She had told them she had an offer, just not for what.

“I, uh, got an audition for the Iron Man movie,” she admitted.

Peter had almost leapt on her, laughing and picking her up, twirling her around as she gave them the news.

“It's just an audition, Peter. Calm down,” she giggled and everyone joined in congratulating her.

“Uh, do you get to meet him?” Peter asked.

MJ shook her head, “But if I do, I’ll get an autograph for you,” she said chuckling and Peter fist-pumped.

“Fanboys,” was all Gwen said. “We, uh, don't need to be worried do we?” she asked, and Peter scowled and pouted at her to which she laughed, “it is Tony Stark you know, he does have a reputation.”

Peter frowned. He did. If anyone was in the news for a sex scandal it would be Tony Stark.

“Oh shit, no I meant you, not MJ, shit Pete, stop looking like that.” Gwen realised what she said.

“Hey, Peter, it's fine. Even Tony Stark can’t drag me away from my one true love.” MJ moved over to Gwen, hugged her, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "So don't worry Gwen."

Peter frowned and shook his head while the pair made kissy noises and giggle at him.

Liv wheeled herself out from Peter's home, “while this is a cause for celebration I've also got some bad news. Matt began to send out feelers. Oscorp might have blamed me for the incident but there are no formal charges."

Peter smiled. Oscorp had thrown both Norman and Liv under the bus. It had been blamed on everything from faulty technology to actual sabotage.

"but it seems Stark Industries scooped up a lot of the patents I was holding for you dear. Most of the older ones for the Goblin armour and glider tech, plus a few on the harness. Even if I could fight for them, it's about half a million dollars worth and we just don't have the money.”

Peter tapped a finger on the table. “Nah, don’t care. We don't have the manufacturing capabilities to work on anything that big. The CLS is my own tech and while it was nice to have them Liv, I’d rather have you.”

Liv smiled as Peter shrugged. Liv wheeled over to him and stroked his head. Peter frowned, something wasn’t quite right about that. Something forgotten but he gently shook his head and held Liv's hand against his cheek. She smiled as he took it and kissed the back of it.

“I know it's not over yet, but we should celebrate, get some snacks and, Gwen, what’s ready?” Peter asked as Gwen was the only one who kept a check on her brewery.

“A bit early. Let's celebrate if I get it okay?” MJ scolded them. She knew a party was already being planned, no matter what she said.

Peter nodded, but he had no doubts that she would. The one talent MJ had, even if she was a bit hesitant to admit it herself, was that she was a great actress.

The foursome cleared away their breakfast dishes and MJ headed to work. Gwen went into her brewery to plan for the party while Peter and Liv headed into his home. Matt had compiled a list of lost patents so they needed to shred anything Stark-Tech owned. The last thing Peter needed was to finish the design and have it stolen by Stark. A fan yes but in business, it was shark eat shark.

⁂

When the time for the audition rolled around MJ was prepared. she’d been given a fake script, with a simple scene on it. It was standard that she wouldn't see the actual script until she had the part.

In it, Tony and the unnamed girlfriend were celebrating together. MJ rolled her eyes as it was a kissing scene right from the start. Her agent dropped hints that it was supposed to be Pepper Potts, Tony’s off and on again girlfriend. She was refusing to let them use her name, and a new one hadn’t been decided upon.

The audition was at Stark Tower, and MJ was impressed by the giant glass and steel building. It was no secret that Tony had spent millions on it. It was going to be a shining example of what his technology could do.

Getting through security was easy enough. After a quick pat-down and a trip through a metal detector, they were led into the audition room.

It was a meeting room normally but bottles of water, scripts and small snacks lined a table on one wall. There was a small set-up for microphones and lighting over at the other.

The group for the audition was smaller than MJ expected. There were only ten or so women there and almost immediately MJ recognised a type. Hair colour wasn’t important. The room was filled with a sea of redheads, blondes and brunettes. One thing was obvious. Every girl, herself included, was young, busty, and very attractive.

At one point MJ would have considered herself one of the most beautiful women she knew. Even comparing herself to Gwen and Felicia. In this group, it was a different story. They were all done up in their finest. All had perfect makeup and perfect hair. Perfect everything, fake or not. In truth, MJ had often strutted into an audition as the most attractive one there. Here, she was feeling a little overwhelmed.

MJ noticed the stoic-looking buff man standing in a black suit and tie.

Security, she thought to herself, but why here? But as she wasn't about to start anything she paid him no mind.

We see him, he is no threat. Now, show these peacocks why you are bonded to me, why we are Queen here.

MJ had to stifle a giggle at Muse, but she was right. Fake tits and fake smiles. She was Queen here, and she would show them.

MJ's agent helped herself to food and even as she brought over a plate that smelt divine MJ waved her away. She was here for a job, not a social visit. As the day went on, and each person before her got their reading, it soon became her turn.

MJ was slightly worried though. As each starlet took their turn she felt the actor’s excitement grow. After they were done she could see the flirting and the giggling going on between them.

Not very professional, she thought, but not my business.

MJ had dealt with creeps like that before, and this wasn’t anything new to her.

“Okay love, just read the lines, do the scene and we’ll talk, okay?” said one of the directors, he wasn’t the big guy. Tony had gotten one of those huge Hollywood directors for the actual movie. This was just the talent scout he employed to do boring stuff like this.

MJ composed herself. She had already memorised the simple enough lines and approached the actor, who smiled at her.

She could smell his excitement, not just for the location but for the girls as well.

Creep, she thought but smiled anyway.

He was tall-ish, only a few inches over MJ, and dressed in a well-tailored suit, a nice aftershave covering a hint of oil?

What the hell? thought MJ but, again, it was none of her business.

They really had gone overboard with his makeup though. The hair, slightly greying at the temples, and the beard was really attractive on the man. He really did look like Tony Stark.

He was sluggish as they played out the scene. She figured he was auditioning for a part as well. MJ didn't care, she was still going to give her best.

“It doesn't bother you?” he asked “Uh, that I’m Iron Man.”

“No Tony, if you can save people. If you can be a hero that the people need, then I don't care that you’re Iron Man.” MJ said with as much enthusiasm as she could muster for whoever wrote the crappy dialogue. “Iron Man, a shining beacon for all mankind. The glowing arc reactor, a hope to bring us into a new day.”

As she spoke, the Stark actor took her hand and kissed the back it and then pulled her in for a kiss. As MJ watched his hand in hers, she raised an eyebrow and pulled back. His heart rate had leapt up and while subtle she could see the smallest hint of an erection. A chilling thought crossed her mind.

As she took a good and proper look at him she took a gamble. “No, I'm not kissing you, Mr Stark.”

He stepped back and frowned. “Uh, no, just an actor,” he said, but his eyes flicked to the security guard and MJ noted he stood up straight.

“An actor with a Rolex. Smells slightly of machine oil but still has perfectly manicured nails. No, you’re Tony Stark.” MJ said, pulling her hand away from him and backing off, “and this is bullshit, isn’t it?” she said looking over at her agent, who with half a sandwich in her mouth, shrugged. Her reaction told her everything she needed to know.

“I should be happy, that uh, you think I’m Stark but, sorry, no. Not Tony," he said with a smug grin.

MJ shook her head. “You’re a bad liar. Security for a nobody. An audition in Stark tower, and nobody, I bet nobody calls him Stark or Tony unless they know him. So no, this is bullshit, and I'm leaving.” Muse kept her rage from consuming MJ as she knew this was a set-up. An audition to see who would fuck Tony Stark for the part and MJ took the only course of action she could.

MJ grabbed the fake backpack she took everywhere. She paused and looked over at her agent, ”and if you set me up with one more sleaze bag, I’ll break your fucking legs.”