After three hours and forty minutes of flight, they finally reached their destination. John looked at the neon lights and bustling streets below from the plane window and couldn't help but feel excited.
But then, looking at his height of 1.25 meters, he wilted again.
After getting off the plane, the three of them went straight to the booked hotel and put down their luggage. Jenny and George looked at the Sky Tower outside the French window and hugged each other tightly.
There were two rooms in the small suite. John stayed in the one inside, which meant he had to pass through George's room to go out.
George glanced at his watch and lay down on the bed. "John, rest early!"
"Uncle George, it's only three o'clock in the afternoon."
"Las Vegas is a city that never sleeps. The busiest time is at night. Right now, many attractions aren't open!" George stretched his arms.
"I've planned everything. We'll leave at six o'clock, enjoy a delicious buffet, and then I'll show you the musical fountain!"
"There are pirate shows, volcanic eruptions, and roller coasters. John, go to bed!" Jenny gently pushed John into the inner suite. "This place isn't like New York. You can't go out alone. This is known as Sin City!"
In his room, John took out the map provided by the hotel. "Tony Stark wouldn't go to low-level casinos. There are seven top-level hotels and casinos. Let me think about where he might show up!"
Two days later, George and Jenny slept in until noon, and room service delivered breakfast, or rather, lunch.
John, who had gotten up early, had already eaten. He continued looking at the photos on his phone, debating which hotel entrances to check out. "These two places have statues and fountains. It's tough to decide!"
"John, why do you get up so early every day? Yesterday, you even went to the casino doors to check things out. Are you looking for something?" George asked, munching on a piece of cake.
"Well, I heard Tony Stark is in Las Vegas. I wanted to see him before but couldn't get into his company. Maybe I can see him today!"
"Why do you want to see that playboy? We have nothing in common with him," Jenny said.
"It's okay, I just want to give him a model I made a long time ago!"
"Alright, but we can't take too long. We have a plane to catch tomorrow afternoon."
"Don't worry!"
John finally chose the New York Hotel in Las Vegas. "I heard there's a costume party tonight!"
At 7 p.m., John, George, and Jenny arrived at the entrance of the New York Hotel. The fountain in the center and the white marble statues around it were striking, and John spotted a blonde reporter hiding on the side, which made him smile.
He walked over to the reporter. "Hello, Ms. Reporter!"
Christine Everhart looked at the child in front of her, then glanced at her chest to ensure she had her press badge.
She squatted down to John's level. "Hello, little one. How do you know I'm a reporter?"
"I recognized you from TV!"
Christine smiled. "Why are you here alone? Where are your parents? It's dangerous here; you should go back!"
John pointed to George, standing by the road.
"Are you waiting for someone?"
"That's a secret. Now, go back quickly; this isn't a place for children!" Christine replied while looking at her notes.
John just smiled and stood quietly behind her.
Christine focused on her notes, paying little attention to John.
John was excited to see the real Tony Stark, the Iron Man.
Minutes ticked by, and finally, around eleven o'clock, when Jenny wanted to take John back, there was a commotion at the hotel entrance.
Tony Stark walked out in a burgundy shirt and black suit jacket, wearing light red sunglasses, with his hair slicked back and his signature mustache.
Happy Hogan walked ahead, followed by three bodyguards in suits, heading towards a black Rolls Royce.
John's eyes lit up, and he gently nudged Christine, who was still reading her notes.
Christine quickly stuffed her notes into her bag and hurried after Stark in her high heels.
"Mr. Stark, excuse me, Mr. Stark!" she called out just as Stark was about to get into the car.
"I'm Christine Everhart from Vanity Fair. Can I ask you a few questions?"
John followed behind her like a little shadow.
Stark showed no interest in looking back.
Happy stepped forward. "On schedule!"
"Really?" Stark turned around, intrigued.
"Hi," Stark said with a smile.
"Hi," Christine replied.
"Well, let her come over," Stark waved, and the bodyguard stepped aside.
John also followed smoothly, catching Stark's eye.
Christine quickly began her interview. "Some call you a modern Leonardo. What do you think of that?"
Stark turned his attention from John to the reporter and said, "I don't know why; I don't paint."
"What about the nickname 'Merchant of Death'? What's your take on that?"
Stark lifted his chin. "That's not bad. I guess you're from Berkeley?"
"Brown University."
"Well, Miss Brown!" Stark said seriously. "This world isn't perfect, but we have no choice. I promise you, if one day we don't have to trade weapons for peace, I'll rebuild the children's hospital!"
John smiled, covering his mouth.
Christine narrowed her eyes. "Have you practiced that many times?"
"Every night before bed," Stark replied.
John's eyes narrowed more, and Stark looked at John again.
Christine responded, "I can tell!"
"I want to show you myself," Stark said seriously.
"Can you answer seriously?" Christine flushed.
"Okay, seriously, my dad had a life philosophy: 'Don't get pushed around. Have a bigger stick.'"
"For a stick seller, that's true."
"My dad helped defeat the Nazis and worked on the Manhattan Project. Many, including your professors, called him... Wait, is this kid with you?" Stark pointed at John, who was smiling.
Seeing John, Christine quickly said, "Mr. Stark, I don't know this kid!"
"Sorry, Mr. Stark, I came with the reporter on purpose. I want to chat with you alone!" John smiled up at Stark.
Stark looked at John, and the people around stepped back, except for Happy, who stayed close to John.
"Mr. Stark, people grow through experience. Sorry for the intrusion!" John looked at Stark, who still seemed arrogant.
"What?" Stark looked puzzled.
John took out a small metal model from his pocket and handed it to Stark. "This is for you, Mr. Stark!"
Stark put his hands behind his back and stepped back. "I don't like people handing me things!"
Happy reluctantly stepped forward, took the model from John, and handed it to Stark, who accepted it.
"A small metal model for you. Goodbye, Mr. Stark. I believe we will meet again." John said this and hurried back to George.
Stark glanced at the model, thinking of tossing it aside but found the craftsmanship and feel intriguing, so he kept it.
Christine stepped forward again. "Can we continue?"
"Of course."
She resumed her questions. "Many say your family profited from war."
Tony took off his glasses. "Tell me, why don't we report on saving millions with advanced medical technology or solving famine with smart crops? These are funded by military spending, my dear!"
Christine was captivated by the serious Tony without his glasses, a special light in her eyes.
John watched Christine get into Tony's car. As they drove away, he silently said, "I look forward to your return, Iron Man!"