NARRATION – THE WATCHER
Every future begins with a stage.
Not every stage has curtains — some have spotlights, spotty Wi-Fi, and VIP passes.
But beneath all the noise...
A boy stands behind one.
Waiting.
And when he walks out —
So does the future.
STARK EXPO – SHOWTIME
Lights shimmered.
Drones zipped overhead.
Corporate banners glowed.
A hologram of Howard Stark hovered near the entrance, smiling as it said,
"Welcome to the Future!"
Inside, the main hall buzzed with energy.
Thousands had gathered:
Journalists. Recruiters. Scientists. Families.
Everyone hungry to see what the next generation had to offer.
BACKSTAGE – YOUNG INVENTORS' PREP AREA
Teens and young adult candidates stood beside their creations —
Exo-gloves. AI tutors. Bio-printers. Plasma drills.
Tension buzzed in the air.
WHISPERS:
"That's CalTech's prodigy..."
"Is that MIT's full-body interface?"
Some were sweaty. Others over-rehearsed.
One kid looked like he was about to throw up in a trash can.
But off to the side — alone — sat Nolan Stark.
Black jacket. White shirt. Silver tie. A simple silver suitcase by his foot.
No banner. No hype. No team.
Just a boy no one recognized...
Yet.
MAIN STAGE – TONY STARK TAKES THE MIC
The lights dimmed.
Then —
🎸 "Shoot to Thrill" by AC/DC blasted through the sound system.
And in came Tony Stark.
Not flying in, but walking — arms raised like a rockstar.
The crowd went wild.
TONY:
"Good morning, world-changers!"
Applause. Cameras. Flashing lights.
He gave it a beat, soaking it in — then grinned.
TONY:
"The Expo isn't just about shiny gadgets or breakthrough patents.
It's about the minds crazy enough to think they can change the world — and sometimes, they're kids."
(Pause.)
"Our first candidate? Bit of a surprise — even to him.
But when your creation makes me shut up for five whole minutes… you've earned the spotlight."
The tone shifted — less snark. More sincerity.
TONY:
"He's someone I've kept out of the press. On purpose.
But it's time you all met him.
His name… is Nolan Stark.
My son."
BACKSTAGE – NOLAN
Nolan blinked.
NOLAN:
"…He did what?"
(He groaned.)
"He really put me first?"
ATLAS (V.O.):
"Affirmative. Also: your cortisol just spiked. A deep breath might be advisable."
Nolan grabbed his suitcase.
Took that deep breath.
And walked out.
STAGE – NOLAN ENTERS
Whispers erupted.
VOICES IN CROWD:
"Did he say son?"
"Stark has a kid?"
"Wait — that kid?"
A few chuckles. A few skeptical looks.
He was young. Too young. Just a boy.
But the moment he placed the suitcase at center stage —
Silence returned.
He pressed his palm to the lock.
CLICK.
HISS.
WHIRRR…
The case unfolded.
Parts shifted. A soft hydraulic hiss released steam.
And rising from within —
a white balloon-shaped figure inflated, blinking.
BAYMAX:
"Hello. I am Baymax — your personal healthcare companion."
AUDIENCE – STUNNED
Laughter. Confusion.
Then silence.
Then… surprise.
Tony's mouth curved into a proud smirk.
Pepper blinked back something suspiciously emotional.
PEPPER (to Tony):
"…He got the voice right."
TONY:
"He got everything right."
POV – NOLAN
Nolan smiled faintly.
There was something… familiar about it.
Not the machine.
The feeling.
Like a scene replaying from a dream he couldn't quite remember.
Had he seen this before?
Somewhere deep in the visions the dream gave him…
A white figure.
A hug.
A moment of calm in a storm.
He shook it off.
NOLAN (TO CROWD):
NOLAN:
"This is Baymax.
He's designed to scan, diagnose, and assist —
Not in ten years. Not hypothetically.
Now."
NOLAN:
"Baymax, scan the crowd."
Baymax's eyes glowed softly.
A pulse of light swept over the audience like a warm breath.
BAYMAX:
"Detected: 236 elevated heart rates.
12 cases of dehydration.
1 individual with signs of early gallbladder inflammation.
Please consult a physician."
Chuckles turned to gasps.
Then applause. Then awe.
BAYMAX – WALKS TO FRONT ROW
He spotted a small, nervous boy — maybe 9 years old.
BAYMAX:
"You appear anxious. Would a hug help?"
The boy nodded.
Baymax stepped forward and gently wrapped his arms around the child.
BAYMAX (softly):
"You are safe now."
Click. Flash. Click.
Photos. Videos. A moment captured across the world.
NOLAN (CALM, CONFIDENT):
NOLAN:
"He knows basic martial arts — only for defense.
He learns emotional cues.
He's not just code. He's care."
(Beat.)
"And… he gives excellent hugs."
Baymax raised a hand.
BAYMAX:
"Would anyone else like a hug?"
THE CROWD – APPLAUDS WILDLY
People stood.
Executives whispered to assistants.
A few scouts crossed out names on their notepads.
Because how do you follow that?
A 14-year-old had just changed the conversation.
NARRATION – THE WATCHER
They came expecting drones. Lasers. A new toy to sell.
What they got…
Was a reminder that the future isn't just built.
It's raised.
And in that moment,
Nolan Stark wasn't just a surprise.
He was the reason the world looked up.