Oswald sat in his throne-like chair. The dimly lit room mostly illuminated by the fire behind him. The sound of shuffling papers could be heard as he counted out the money which he had neatly placed in piles. Coins were scattered here and there. "Four hundred and forty... four hundred and fifty... four hundred and...Piper could you please turn that down?"
"He's fascinating..."
Oswald looks up at her.
She sat cross legged in a chair a few down the table from him, one hand holding her fair skinned face, the other playing with her black hair, her dark eyes near enough glued to the television set.
"I'm sure he is, but please I'm trying to count."
"And that laugh..." a manic laugh burst out of the television, her smile widened.
"You know he belongs to Theo," Oswald stated.
She grunted. "I know," she looked over to him, "I want him."
"And I want to count this," he held up a wad of notes.
"We could use him Oswald," she shot over to the chair next to him. "He has potential. Big potential."
"Which I'm sure Theo will allow him to for fill."
"Theo won't allow him shit," she spat. "You know he uses people for what he needs. He is just using the Maniax as leverage to the next step of power via a publicity stunt. I however, I could make him big," her voice had turned devious, "I could make him into Gotham's worst nightmare."
He looked at her as she took a swig from his drink. "Fine. But he's your responsibility. You know I will happily clean up after you, but him, no."
A smile consumed her face and she kissed his cheek. "You won't regret this."
The GCPD was under siege. Cops had surrounded the front of the building, guns posed and ready. Gunshots could be faintly heard, followed by a door bursting open and a red headed man running out laughing manically.
"GCPD stop!" a voice called.
Jerome ceased his laugh, but his mischievous smile staid. He held up his hands.
"Drop the gun!"
He did so.
"Stay dead still!" Footsteps approached. Just as he was about to turn to attack, they abruptly stopped.
Jerome turned his head to see the cop laying dead on the floor, a bullet in his head.
"Well, he wanted dead still."
He turned his head back to see a woman stood in front of him. Leather trousers, a tight top matching the material, black wavy hair hung on her shoulders and a gun pointed at the dead cop.
She looked at Jerome. "Need a ride?" she turned and walked away.
Jerome raised an eyebrow and followed. He met her at a black sleek car.
"Where you heading?"
"Who are you?" he took a seat next to her in the car.
She started up the engine. "Call me Lilith Piper."
"I appreciate it Miss Piper, but honestly, I was fine," He beamed. "Had it all under control!"
"I'm gonna jump to the point. I want you."
"Oh well, I am flattered, but honestly, I'm not looking for-"
"To work for me," she added. "You have potential, intelligence and your showmanship is dazzling."
"I aim to please." he sang as he looked out of the window.
"But Theo won't allow it."
He looked over at her inquisitively.
"He had already killed Arnold Dobkins and I believe you are next. You plan to take over the charity gala correct?"
"Yes..." Jerome said slowly.
"That will be your demise. I like your style so I'm giving you an olive branch and a word of advice. Do not trust Theo," she moved up a gear, "his intentions may seem clear, but they are not."
"How exactly do you know all this?"
"It's not what you know Mr Valeska, it's who you know," she pulled into a side street and came to a stop, "your destination."
Jerome looked out of the window. "I don't recall specifying my destination."
"You didn't," she flicked a switch and the car door opened.
He climbed out and turned back to her.
"I'm giving you a choice Mr Valeska, stay with Theo and be used as nothing more than a pawn in his chess game or," she held out a small card, "come talk to me."
He reached in and took the card. He studied it for a few seconds as the door next to him closed. He opened his mouth and looked up to talk, but the car was already half way down the street.