It's unexpected that there's a short bidding war over him - it's unexpected that there are bids at all - but his contract is in Tony Stark's hands now. It's a little weird to think about.

But even now, Gene is proud and preoccupied, so when the question comes from Stark, he says, "You could always look at your bill of sale." What did it matter if he played the part of the obedient slave? He'd either be escaped or back on the block within the week, Stark or no Stark.