Attending fundraisers is a typical part of the life of a billionaire, and so every Gotham City citizen worth over seven figures obligingly makes an appearance at the Gotham Opera House once every year. One man attends the event every year like clockwork, and this year is no different. His fellow bluebloods gossip and guzzle champagne, playfully signing checks while their eyes dart to make sure that the numbers on their slip are the highest. Selections from upcoming operas are played by a live band as stone angels and gargoyles stare down at the crowd from their perches high above the floor. The music and architecture is lovely, the company is of the highest class, and Bruce Wayne has never been this bored.
The normally dull affair is only slightly tolerable by the presence of Annelise Richarde, Gotham Opera House curator and an old friend of the late Martha Wayne. Enthusiastic and passionate about the arts and a rather kind woman for a person of her wealth, Richarde makes up for in good naturedness what she lacks in interesting conversation. Out of respect for his old family friend and because of the expectations of a man with his massive wealth, Bruce laughs at dull jokes and raises his champagne glass while making his way around the expansive opera house lobby.
He is chatting with the opera curator an hour into the event, preparing to sign a fat check and flirt with a few tipsy socialites before making his escape, when the old woman spots a face in a nearby crowd and cries, "Oh, Bruce, here's someone I'd like you to meet." Annelise conjures a man from the partygoers and beams as she makes introductions. "Jack, this is Bruce Wayne. Bruce, this is Jack White, one of our newest investors."
Bruce turns to see a tall, brown-haired man, smartly dressed with the appearance of a person well-bred. "Pleasure to meet you, Mister Wayne." White takes Bruce's hand with one of his own white-gloved ones. "I had no idea Gotham's most infamous local celebrity was a fan of the opera."
"Mister White has given over five hundred thousand to our upcoming season," Annelise gushes as the two men before her shake hands.
Bruce doesn't take his gaze off White's brown eyes, raising his eyebrows as he hears the sum behind the donation. "Well," he says, smiling politely. "It's nice to see a citizen of Gotham so dedicated to the performing arts."
Jack White stares back at Bruce, still keeping a tight grip on his hand. Suddenly the corners of his eyes wrinkle, and the corners of his lips pull back into a full, white-toothed smile. "Likewise."