The story takes place when Dick is 9 years old, approximately 8 months after Bruce took him in and started to intensively train him.
A stretch limo pulls up in front of a ramshackle rented house in one of the worst parts of Gotham. A tall blonde woman in a chauffeur's uniform, followed by a most imposing man wearing an expensive suit, steps out. The man looks around at the flaking paint and the crumbling roof for a moment before going inside. If he's uncomfortable in this poverty-stricken neighborhood, he doesn't show it.
The inside of the house is worse. There are beer cans and bottles all over the floor even on the pull-out couch the dweller occupies. There are also dirty clothes everywhere. In short, the house looks like it's never been cleaned. The air is thick with a musty smoky smell,and the ashtray is overflowing with cigarette butts.
"My Valuable time is limited, as is yours, so I'll get right to the point. I know how your only son died in a construction accident, and how the Wayne Industries legal team deemed him to be at fault. I believe the latest version of the story is that, at the time, he was high on some controlled substance.
"His name was Patrick, right? Patrick Russell, Jr. He was just 20, wasn't he? That's a real shame. I'm sure you loved your boy so much "
"We called him Pat. He was the whole world to my wife & me. He was an only child; we couldn't have any more. She got cysts after he was born. The doctor took out everything. We had dreams that he'd do big things with his life."
"Yes, it must be tough losing your son, and then your daughter-in-law, especially with the baby, and then, your poor wife's condition. Frankly, I don't know if I could have handled it as well as you have so far. I probably would have lost it by now. Especially after seeing Wayne's face plastered all over the newspapers every day, it seems like. The great philanthropist."
"He was so excited about the job. Wayne construction is a huge company with good benefits. He would've never gone to work high. He told me he quit it all when Connie got pregnant.
"Now, I heard Wayne's gonna adopt some kid. Why should he have a son to carry on HIS name? We don't have one anymore."
"Now there's the perfect example of a foster father, still that boy he took in will have everything he could ask for. Just like I'm sure you wanted for your son.
"I understand how you must feel Mr. Russell. Having a son is a wonderful thing and maybe someday I will have one of my own. I know how special that boy is Wayne now. I saw the boy when he came in Wayne's office after school. You should have seen his eyes sparkle when the boy talked to him. There is nothing more precious than a father's love for his child, is there?"
"Do you know where little Dicky goes to school? Patrick, Sr. asks.
I must leave now. One of my attorneys will help you with anything else you might need if you decide to act against Mr. Wayne. From now on, only contact me though them Do what you will, just leave my name out of it," Russell's mysterious visitor says.
"Should be easy. Since you never told me your name, Mister?" Patrick, Sr. says
"Mr. Alexander. Thomas Alexander," he says as he hands him a slip of paper. With that, he leaves.