Chapter 1 The Story so Far…
Disclaimer: I don't own Batman. Wish I did cause that would be awesome...kinda wish I owned Christian Bale too. Alas maybe next Christmas.
"There he is!"
Damn it, thought Batman.
The patrolman had seen him. Batman took off running; his cape flowing behind him. He could hear the footsteps of the patrolmen behind him. All he did was break into the government office building. He needed some information on an employee he thought might be taking bribes from the mob. He was a bit careless coming out of the building and he set off the alarm. So now the boys in blue were after him.
It had been like this ever since Dent died. Ever since it got out that Batman had been the one to kill all those people and their white knight, Harvey Dent. Not to mention taking Gordon's family hostage. It was hard to remember that he done it to save Gotham; especially when the very people he was trying to help wanted nothing more than his head on a post. He jumped onto the batpod and was off; leaving the boys in blue in the dust.
* * *
Commissioner Gordon sipped at his morning coffee while reading the newspaper. It was so far a good morning. It was rare that he had a day off. It was about seven in the morning and his children were just getting up for school. His wife, Barbara, was making pancakes with chocolate chips, the kid's favorite, when his cell phone rang.
"Gordon." he said answering.
"Sir…we have a problem." said his lieutenant.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Arkham, sir." said the man. "There's been an incident."
Gordon's blood ran cold. "Did anyone escape?"
"We're not sure yet sir." said the man. "I hate to do this sir but-"
"I understand. I'll be in shortly." said Gordon. He hung up the phone.
"Work?" his wife asked.
"Yes…I am sorry but-"
"Go save the world, Jim." said Barbara.
* * *
"You're nine o'clock is already waiting, sir." said his secretary, Grace.
Bruce nodded. "Who is it again?"
"The mayor sir…he wants to talk about his re-election campaign." said Grace.
"He wants money?" asked Bruce absentmindedly.
"I think so sir," said Grace.
"Alright…what else do I have today?" asked Bruce tiredly.
"Well…you have yet to RSVP on the museum dedication, the Gotham Chronicle called and wants an interview with you about the current economic situation that the United States is seeing and the board needs your signature on next year's budget." said Grace.
Bruce sighed. "Alright…put it on my desk and…I'll get to it…eventually."
Grace nodded. "Also Nadia called and wanted to confirm your date with her tomorrow night." said Grace.
"Yeah…call her for me. Tell her I'll have to take a rain check." said Bruce.
"Yes, sir." said Grace.
She left Bruce in peace.
Sometimes Bruce didn't know which life was harder. His own…or Batman's. Everyday it was something urgent that needed his attention. This dedication or that politician - for some reason they always wanted Bruce Wayne's opinion. What the hell did he know about politics? Or for that matter about the new Museum display on Anthropomorphic gods in fifth century BCE in Greece? He rubbed his temples. Today was gonna be a long day.
* * *
Three, two, one…BOOM!
The explosion rocked the cellmates in Arkham. All around the "crazies" were yelling or beating their fists on their doors. But there was one in particular on the very lowest floor of Arkham who wasn't doing either. This man…was laughing. Because fortunately for him (and perhaps unfortunately for us) everything was going according to plan. He was going to show Gotham that no matter how rich, how influential or how powerful you were, you could always be reduced to nothing. It just meant applying the right leverage. And, boy, would he apply leverage.
"Wait till they get a load of me…" he said.
The Joker was back. And he had his sights set on someone. He wanted them to come out and play.