Twoface didn't much like it, but Halloween belonged to Harvey Dent. The crime lord had to admit, Dent had been gutsy; their first Halloween 'together' he'd put EVERY Halloween on the line for the coin toss. Good side had come up, and now Harvey was in charge each and every October 31st.
Harvey Dent, District Attorney, had never much cared for Halloween. Oh, he attended all the important parties, made the photo shoots, and even did some "Impromptu" trick-or-treating. But deep down inside he disliked the holiday- it seemed to be tailor-made for vandalism and crime. A lot of people running around in masks and costumes, carrying large containers…in his mind, it was just asking for trouble. He'd never understood why the costumed criminals didn't make more trouble on that night. That is, he never understood it until he joined them. The reason the Rogues were usually quiet on Halloween was simple; it was the only night that they could mingle with the normal folks. Even the most deformed and twisted among them could walk the streets in peace, since everyone assumed they were just wearing costumes. It was a wonderful experience to simply stroll down the street and not be noticed.
Tonight, Harvey intended to take full advantage of that. Mrs Ketheridge (of the North End Ketheridge's) was holding a costume ball for some charity or other. Harvey liked attending such gatherings but he'd never seen why they felt the need to dedicate it to charity. Then again "Rich People Amuse Themselves" probably didn't look as good in the society pages.
He wasn't technically invited but he knew that to be no obstacle. If you knew how to act, how to dress and most importantly which servant to bribe, you could easily crash any large gathering. A hundred dollars to the butler would see him in the door, and from there it would simply be a matter of blending with the crowd. Of course, it didn't always work- Bruce Wayne's butler, for example, was totally incorruptible. Still he had high hopes for tonight. Accordingly, he put on his best suit- half black Armani, half white Versace, with perfect lines and crisp fabric- and dabbed on his favorite cologne, "Twice Shy".
He stepped out the door and told his henchmen he'd be back by two o'clock. While technically Halloween would be over at midnight, neither Harvey nor Twoface would go back to their routine at 12 if they could do so at 2. He drove down the street, and kept one eye out for his fellow Rogues.
The Joker and Harley Quinn were literally skipping down the street holding large sacks with jack o'lanterns on them. Harley was dressed as a fairy princess, with a bubblegum pink gown, tiara, and shimmering pink wings. Her face was make-up free, and she was wearing her hair down tonight. The Joker wore tight jeans, cowboy boots, a gunbelt (with what Harvey hoped were only toy six shooters) and a ten gallon hat. He had fleshed out his skinny frame by stuffing something itho his shirt which made him look twenty or thirty pounds heavier, no doubt to avoid Bat troubles. Yet the clown had done nothing to cover his 'natural' coloring, and looked as freakish as ever. He even had a small sheriff's star, which actually startled a laugh out of Harvey. The thought of the Joker parading through the streets as some sort of Clown Lawman was so surreal as to be funny. 'I Wonder what those two are up to tonight.' Harvey thought to himself 'And how many cadavers will be found in the morning? Ah well, not my problem anymore'
Further along, he saw the massive form of Killer Croc moving slowly through the mass of pedestrians. Despite his hideous visage, the crowd seemed to take no notice of the reptilian giant. Even from his car, Harvey could see the big smile on Croc's face- and understood completely. He could also see the hefty brown shopping bag the big man carried in one arm. He wondered what was inside, but not enough to stop and ask.
Finally, he saw Jonathan Crane, dressed in civilian attire, ambling through Central Park. Under one arm, he carried a weighty book. For all the world, Crane looked like a middle-aged intellectual, out for an early evening stroll. 'God help any muggers who try to take advantage of him' Dent thought sardonically 'If he isn't carrying his fear gas, we'll take up Uno'
Finally, he pulled up to stately Ketheridge manor. While not as classically beautiful as, say, Wayne Manor, the new style mansion was nevertheless a striking building. Tall plantation-style pillars gave the front a southern charm, which contrasted beautifully with the large windows lining the front. Harvey drove up to the front and gave the valet the keys. He proceeded to the front, and prepared himself for the first hurdle of the night.
The butler was a stout man in his late fifties or early sixties, who stood at rigid attention beside the entrance. Harvey had a lot of experience assessing people; both as a lawyer and as a gangster and he could tell this man took his position far too seriously. However, while the man's suit was immaculate, his shoes were old and rather scuffed- which meant that the man could probably do with some cash. Harvey walked straight up to the man.
"Name, please sir?" the butler said, his accent oozing Olde Worlde Charm and Poise.
"Arnold Hepplewyte, of the Georgetown Hepplewyte's. I…oh dear, I appear to have left my invitation at home. Will this do?" he held up five hundred-dollar bills and raised his 'normal' eyebrow,
The butler sniffed as though the whole business was beneath him but took the money with remarkable speed. "Enjoy your evening, mister Hepplewyte."
Harvey entered the ballroom and looked around, scanning for people who'd been close to him before…well, before Twoface. Fortunately, most of his closest friends had moved away after his…change…and the rest weren't high society types. He was, however, amused to note how many people had chosen (chosen!) to dress up as Twoface. He was also slightly disturbed by the number of Jokers he saw in the crowd.
But the important thing was to be sure no one here would know him as the real Twoface. The only one he really had to watch for was Bruce Wayne, but Brucie didn't seem to be here tonight.
"Ha! Knowing Bruce he's probably holed up with some good wine, at least one woman and some light music, playing his own version of Trick Or Treat' he thought, knowing his wild playboy friend. 'Always knew how to have fun.'
Batman slammed the goon against the wall, and leaned his face in close. So close he could smell the large man's abject fear. It smelled good to him.
"Start talking before I lose my patience. Where's Twoface?!"
"I don't know! He don't tell us where he goes on Halloween Night! I swear it on my mothers grave!"
The Dark Knight could hear the truth in the man's words. He whirled away and walked down the filthy alley, stepping around the unconscious forms of Twoface's other henchmen. In a moment, he'd vanished as surely as though he'd never been there.
Harvey stood to one side of the ballroom and drank in the atmosphere. The large room was painted an off white color, and was illuminated by a massive crystal chandelier that hung high overhead. Pleasant music played in the background, not yet loud enough to dance to- it was simply part of the décor. The room was filled with laughter and conversation, as the high society set enjoyed one another's company. Harvey had always liked this sort of scene- dignified and formal, yet not to the point of stuffiness. He felt a tap on his shoulder. Looking down, he saw a woman of about his age looking up at him with more than casual interest. She had brown hair, fair skin and green eyes, and wore a dress that probably cost more than his last heist had netted him.
"Excuse me" she said "But I don't believe we've been introduced. My name is Tiffany Van Kriel. And you are…?"
"Ah, but that would be telling, wouldn't it?" Harvey said with a smooth smile. She laughed softly, and nodded. At that moment, the band struck up a waltz and Harvey, never one to miss a cue, took her hand. "May I have this dance?"
She nodded, and they headed out to the floor. They moved gracefully to the music, and Harvey couldn't recall a finer dance. They kept on dancing, until finally someone cut in. Harvey headed to the buffet, and loaded his plate with good food and drink.
He fell into a conversation with some businessmen about the new special prosecutor appointed to take on the Rogues. Harvey had to work hard to avoid laughing in their faces when one of them said that 'this should put paid to that ridiculous Batman rumor once and for all!'. Still, he so rarely got to enjoy civilized conversation that he was determined to enjoy it for as long as he could. He eventually moved from the circle, but not before everyone complimented him on his marvelous costume. "But I must tell you that that Twofers chap isn't nearly as badly scarred as all that" One particularly vapid man commented "Afraid you overdid it a tocuh old chap"
Harvey laughed and said that he probably had.
Tomorrow, Harvey Dent would again be a crimelord. Tomorrow, he would once again take up the never-ending battle against his own darker side, with lady luck as the arbiter between them. But tonight he could be a normal person. For right now, everything was all right.
A/N
This is part one of a series examining what I think the Rogues do on Halloween. All the characters here (except Batman) will have their own segments. Next, the Scarecrow!
And the scene with Batman was there to showcase just how effective the Fop act really is.