What is a Penny Worth?

My name is Alfred Pennyworth. I am a gentleman's gentleman, a term that is used in my native England. I am more than just a butler. My duties include, cleaning, cooking, valet, nursemaid, social secretary, medic, and confidant. It is something I was born to do, but before that I was an actor, a soldier, and a special agent. To many whom I greet, I am nothing more than a servant. To the Wayne family, I am much more.

My father, Jarvis Pennyworth had been Thomas Wayne's butler since Thomas was a small boy. He also served Thomas' father, Matthew Wayne. He was very old when he died, and he expected me to take over where he left off. I rebelled.

"Out of my two sons, you are the most gifted in this area," Jarvis said. "You cannot expect your twin brother, Egbert, to be a gentleman's gentleman. He does not have the aptitude."

"Father, I do not wish to be a butler. I want to be an actor," I told him.

I remember the look on his face that day. It was one of pure scandalous horror.

"No Pennyworth worth his salt has ever become so lowly a profession. Ours it a time honored profession. We have been serving the Wayne Family for generations. You shall follow in my footsteps."

Like a fool, I did not and followed my dream. I performed on the stage for three years, but nothing really came of it. What did I play? Ironically, a butler.

Then the War hit and I was called to duty there. I witnessed many of my fellow comrades fall. Then one day, my best friend was hit by enemy fire. The medic that was with us that day also died. It was up to me to save our wounded. I discovered that I also had a knack for it. Without much fanfare, I became a battlefield surgeon, doing more than just preparing wounded soldiers for transport. I lost count on the number of lives I was told that I saved. My skills as an actor and a battlefield surgeon came to the attention of my superior officer. He chose me to go behind enemy lines and find out the conditions.

I was to discover many secrets. I would carry those secrets, not on my person, but within my head. Secrets to this day, that if I told anyone I would be court marshaled, but over time, those secrets came in handy and used for another purpose.

When I returned from the War, I received a very rude surprise. My father had returned to England from America, no longer in the employ of the Wayne family. My father was dying.

"You must promise me, my son, that you will finish what I started. The Wayne family will need a gentleman's gentleman. You must return. It is my dying wish."

"Father . . ." I could not say anything to disway him from that course, and so I relented. Though I was trained in many things, I was not trained to be a gentleman's gentleman. On the death of my father, I began my training. And I discovered that my father was right. I had the aptitude, and I found that I enjoyed it. With my training completed and my father's letters and credentials, I proceeded to leave England and return to America, and to the Wayne Household.

To their surprise, they weren't expecting me. Thomas Wayne's boy that my father told me so much about, had grown into a man. His name is Bruce. And long side that man was another, a young lad about 12 years of age, named Richard Grayson. They had been together for two years. Though they appeared to handle things themselves, I soon found out that the household was far more of a mess. I would soon have everything running on a schedule that would make the Army appear lazy.

That night, I would also discover a secret that to this day, no one will ever hear it form me. As I said, I am a gentleman's gentleman, and to be a gentleman's gentleman you must be discreet. They say discretion is the better part of valor. There will come a time when I will give up being a gentleman's gentleman, perhaps because of health or for whatever reason there may be, but not right now.

For now, I am called for something greater than myself. For whatever purpose, I will to the best of my abilities be there for Master Wayne and for his ward, Richard Grayson. They need me. And so, what is a penny worth? I can only answer that with one word. Priceless.

End

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A/N

Not many people know this, especially if you did not read the Batman Comics BEFORE 1960. Alfred had two origins: One was that he raised Bruce Wayne since his parents were murdered and the second was that he came into Bruce Wayne's life after Bruce had adopted Dick. Alfred lived with the Wayne's for months without knowing they were Batman and Robin. One night, Alfred heard a screaming coming from the old grandfather clock, he opened and discovered the entrance to the Batcave and Dick Grayson as Robin with an injured and unmasked Batman. Dick was yelling for Alfred and he helped Batman back to his full health (The latter one was used during the Silver Age with the addition of him being an actor and fought in World War 2).