"Interview"

Part I

By Mayumi Takanashi

Disclaimer: I do not, in any way, profit from this story. All characters are the property of DC Comics.

"There are men so godlike, so exceptional, that they naturally, by right of their extraordinary gifts, transcend all moral judgment or constitutional control. There is no law which embraces men of that caliber: they are themselves law." –Aristotle

As my taxi driver rounded the corner of Fifth Street, the sight of the architecturally unimpressive Gotham City Police Headquarters came into view. The street itself was nothing out of the ordinary. There was a pizza parlor across the way, a florist beside that, and pharmacist at the end. I noticed the bakery next door and watched with irritation as three GCPD officers stuffed their faces greedily with donuts and hot coffee.

However, the events taking place along that street were anything but ordinary. In fact, these proceedings were of particular interest to me, for that is what brought me down into this god-forsaken place anyway.

Cameras and reporters had amassed at the entrance to the headquarters, shouting questions and orders back and forth. A hoard of Gotham citizens were also present at this jamboree, whispering to one another and trying to get a peak inside those closed doors. I could feel the tension in the air, even before I stepped out of the car. Nonetheless, I was prepared to meet the throng head-on as soon as I'd heard the news. After all, the whole situation was inevitable.

I handed the cab driver a twenty and grabbed for the handle of the door. Stepping into the hazy daylight of Gotham City, I inhaled a deep breath and prepared for what was next.

"Excuse me," I muttered, pushing my way through the mass of onlookers. Every single one of these damned spectators didn't even realize what was going on. Sure, they knew what had happened, but did they truly understand the implications? Their ignorance only frustrated me.

"Hey, it's Professor Watts, from Gotham University!" cried a reporter. So much for entering unnoticed.

"I'm here live with Professor Jonathan Watts, Professor of Psychology at Gotham University," she said urgently to the rolling camera. "What have you to say on this situation?"

I was taken by displeasure as she shoved her microphone in my face.

"No comment," I growled, pushing my way further into the frenzy.

The same experience happened about twenty more times before I could finally get up to the policemen on crowd control. These reporters were ravenous to get even a scrap of information on the biggest upset in Gotham City's history. The upset that drew me from my cramped, stuffy office in the psychology building (I fondly call it my Cave. Seems almost ironic, considering the present circumstances).

I show my I.D. to the first officer I can reach, who moves the barricade for me to pass through. With a sigh of relief, I begin the journey into the Gotham City Police Headquarters, beginning with my ascension up the stairs toward the dark, looming doors of the building.

My name is Jonathan Watts, Professor of Psychology at Gotham University. I specialize in what I have dubbed "the superhero complex;" I study the psychology of America's most beloved protectors of the people. There is a lot of background behind what makes these men and women who they are, and that is what I have dedicated my life to understanding. It's fascinating, really, the psychology behind these superheroes. So many questions lie deep within their subconscious. That is my life's work: to understand the nature of the modern-day superhero.

Ever since the days of my childhood I've been in the pursuit of understanding my idols. Once a month I would hop on the city bus to the downtown comic book shop. It was there that I would splurge on the latest comic book releases, which is where the majority of my small allowance was invested in. When I got a little older I would do yard work, clean out garages, or help out with other manual labor around the old neighborhood. I soon as pay day rolled around, I would catch that bus, money in my pocket. My fingers itched to open the pages to the world of the superhero and delve into their lives. This childhood obsession has lasted with me to this day. It is due to my mania that I find myself entering the headquarters of Gotham PD at this very moment.

I come here today seeking out the knowledge that has driven my very existence. I yearn to understand why these men are so superior; why God has chosen them as our protectors. At last I have been granted the singular opportunity to interview one of the most mystifying and enthralling characters of our time. As I walk the white corridors of the GCPD headquarters, my heart begins pounding, anticipating the climax of my career. Today, I will sit down with a private interview with the Dark Knight himself, the Batman.

Ever since Commissioner Jim Gordon was replaced with the ruthless Michael Akins, the police department's top priority has been the capture of the Batman. With no tolerance for vigilantes, Akins put the capture of the Batman above even that of the Joker. The result is one that both fascinates me and disturbs me.

After a forensics team analyzed the blood samples from a crime scene, the results of the testing were sent to a detective within the police department. After seeing the name of a man that shouldn't have been involved with the case, the detective took it to Akins with the claim that he may have discovered the identity of the Batman. After further investigation, the true identity of the Batman was finally revealed to be a man that shocked the entire country: multibillionaire playboy Bruce Wayne.

I was surprised that his identity took this long to uncover, considering today's advanced technological equipment. At the same time, however, I was also shocked that the Batman had allowed a simple forensics test to reveal a question years in the making. He was always a genius at covering his tracks, but I suppose even a superhero can't win the battle against modern science. As excited as I was to learn the answer to one of the century's foremost mysteries, I was incredibly disappointed in my fellow man in taking away what this goddamned city needs most: a hero.

The Batman has been one of the most intriguing characters of study in my fifteen-year career. While he has been placed among the top standings among the superheroes, he never displayed any sort of superhuman powers. I've always admired this caped crusader, whose ingenuity and inner strength made him who he was. To me he has always been an inspiration even more so than the likes of Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, the Flash, and so on. While they too were an inspiration to the youth of America, the Batman stands foremost as a hero. To think that an average human being, born without any particular outstanding powers, could one day be the protector of the Gotham City people or even a member of the original seven founding members of the Justice League of America. It should serve as inspiration for us all to become something great, even if on the surface we are not.

But the shock of my life came when the news of the Batman's true identity was revealed. I was grading a poor excuse of a thesis on Freud in my office, with the radio turned on for background listening. Just as I was losing all faith in humankind (as I marked the paper with a big F in red ink), the news of Bruce Wayne's façade was announced.

Bruce Wayne? I was highly amused at first, and it took a few minutes of laughter before the message sunk in. In fact, the persona of Bruce Wayne was the perfect guise for a character like the Batman. So different are the two that it's a perfect dichotomy. I'm almost surprised no one figured it out before.

Bruce Wayne. Multibillionaire born with a silver spoon in his mouth. His father founded Wayne Industries, which uses top scientists and engineers to create the top technology in the world. While a respected patron of various charities and scientific research, Bruce Wayne was always seen as a ridiculous playboy only interested in two things: parties and women. His reputation made him a mockery among many circles.

Exactly the opposite of the Batman. Exactly. The Batman has no time for play or humor. He goes in, gets the job done quick and without a fuss. He is intelligent, resourceful, and powerful both inside and out. Bruce Wayne isn't exactly renowned for those qualities. But now, upon further contemplation, it makes absolute, perfect sense.

At last I reach the door, where I know the Batman lies in wait. I stop before I enter, becoming unsure of myself. It is common human psychology to feel a sense of loss after obtaining a long sought-after goal. My personal interview with the Batman was one of mine. But this day had to come sooner or later. It was inevitable that we meet, face to face.

I show my I.D. once again to another officer, who stands guard at the entrance of the interrogation room. Without hesitation, he opens the door and gestures for me to cross the threshold. As I reluctantly stepped through the doorway, I felt as if I was entering the next stage of my career. I was about to make a breakthrough in human psychology. Although I felt that excitement once again, I also sensed that I was reaching the end in a way.

Immediately I noticed that the room was quite dim. Shadows seemed to creep along the walls, watching my every move. As I blinked I realized it was my imagination playing mind tricks. Was it fear that was the source of these demons?

A single lamp shone over a table, revealing two chairs in its soft, white glow. I couldn't help but think to myself that the scene before me was so very film noir. One of these chairs was unoccupied, while the other was filled. I was standing before Bruce Wayne. I was standing before the Batman.