Students bent over their final exams in a long, dark hall at Seattle University. The only sound that could be heard was the scratching of pencils on paper. Near the window, a woman with lavish red hair and porcelain skin watched the fog rolling in. Storm clouds tried to rain, splattering the pavement with a few drops now and then. But even the sky seemed to lack motivation.
Her eyes welled with pity when she noticed a row of flowers trembling in the damp cold. Their heads drooped as if dreaming of warmer places, exotic places. How could someone plant zinnias in the middle of Seattle? They hated the rain. Their beautiful splendor deserved better than the miserable courtyard.
But the zinnias were forgotten as she caught sight of a man pacing near the front. Professor Legrand looked deep in thought, taking great strides and gazing at the floor absent-mindedly. His hair reminded her of cinnamon bark, a pleasing brown that was the same color as his eyes. His jawline was smooth and strong. He was taller than average, and also more athletic than average. Nothing about him was average, in fact. At least not to the young lady.
She rose and collected her papers. "Finished so soon, Miss Isley?" the professor asked.
"Yes," she smiled. Her almond-shaped eyes smiled, too. "But don't worry. I'll be doing a lot of studying over the break."
A few hours later, the storm had still not broken. But a wind kicked up. The branches of a dogwood tree whipped against the windowpane of a small apartment on the south side of town. Inside, the young woman hummed to herself as she applied a tube of bright red lipstick. A thump on the door made her heart thump as well.
She flung the door open, brimming with anticipation. Her visitor shuffled inside furtively. As he tried to get out of his rain coat, she grabbed him by the collar and pressed her lips against his. "I'm ready for a nice, long study session," she whispered. "Professor."
"Not now, Pamela," he chided. "I just got here." He shoved a hand through his hair, smoothing evidence of the wind's abuse. "Is that dinner I smell?"
She stepped back, disappointed. "Yes. Roast beef. Your favorite." She helped him slough off his coat and hung it up beside a stand in the hall overflowing with ivy.
When she returned he was already sitting at the table, piling food onto his plate. She sat down across from him and flashed a smile that went unnoticed.
"Marc? Beloved?"
He paused, fork still in hand. "Hm?"
"Have you given it any more thought?" She played with a napkin nervously.
He took a deep breath and placed his hands on either side of his plate. "Actually, that's why I wanted to come here tonight."
She looked on anxiously. "You haven't changed your mind, have you darling?"
"No, no. I still want to marry you, Pamela. It's just...well, I want you to be comfortable, you know? It's the whole reason I've put off our engagement. The only reason." He reached across the table and took her hand in his. "A woman like you deserves more than this place. Rain doesn't suit you. Seattle doesn't suit you. We need to go somewhere more...exotic."
"Where should we go?" she asked, thinking of the zinnias in the courtyard.
"I've put a lot of thought into this," he said, watching her anticipation build. "And I think we should move...to Gotham City."
"Gotham City?" Her excitement flatlined.
"Yes! It's a big city, even bigger than Seattle. There are all kinds of opportunities there-"
"There are all kinds of maniacs, too. Didn't someone try to blow the whole place up a few years ago?"
Legrand looked at her sternly. "But that Batman guy stopped him, didn't he? Come on, it'll be an adventure! Think of all the companies who would be begging for a talent like yours. Top of your class, a degree in botany and biochemistry...the possibilities are endless!"
She blushed in the wake of his flattery. "And what about you, dear? How are the universities?"
"Oh, I wasn't planning on teaching. Not anymore."
"But then-how can we still get married?"
"See, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. I have a plan that can make us a fortune. That can make all of our dreams come true."
"What is it?" she breathed. Her eyes sparkled. Her stomach fluttered.
"It's...well, it's dangerous. I would need somebody to help me. Somebody I can trust."
"You can trust me!" she insisted, leaning forward earnestly. "I'd do anything for you, love, anything! Especially if it means we can finally be married!"
A smile spread slowly across his face. "Yes. Yes I know."