Things start to get worse for Dick.
CHAPTER TWO
Dick stood at the front door of the Manor watching as his friends drove up in two cars; the guys in one and the girls in the one behind.
"Hi, hey how did you know we were here?" Tina asked as she climbed out of the car.
Dick grinned.
"It's called security, I saw you coming as you turned into the drive."
"I might have guessed." John laughed.
Lisa and Emma stood gazing at the house.
"It's bigger than I imagined." Lisa commented.
"Yes and it looks like it came straight from somewhere in England. You know like those pictures you see of those country manors." Emma added.
"I'm told it is meant to be modelled on one, I can't remember which though." Dick told them. "Come on in then and I'll give you the guided tour."
Alfred was stood in the hall, in 'butler' mode.
"This is Alfred" Dick introduced him. "Alfred this is, Tina, Amy, Emma and Lisa." He indicated to each girl. "Then this is Kent, John, John B and Peter." He went on.
"Welcome, I understand Master Dick is going to show you around. If you let me know when you have done I will bring you some refreshments"
"Thanks Alfred. I reckon we'll go to my room after and keep out of your hair." Dick nodded.
The guys exchanged amused glances as Alfred marched away towards the kitchen.
"MASTER DICK?" John B chortled. "A bit formal aint he?"
"I know it gets me sometimes but that's what he calls me. He calls Bruce Master Bruce too, well most of the time. If he's mad at me I get my full name."
"It's kinda nice. What is your full name by the way?" Tina asked.
"Richard John Grayson." Dick told her. "The Richard is an old family name on my Dad's side and my Dad was John, as was my Mom's Grandfather. I was always introduced as Richard when we performed, but everyone called me Dick otherwise. Come on lets do the tour."
The group dutifully followed Dick as he showed them into the lounge.
"We spend a lot of time in here; it's probably one of the most comfortable rooms." He told them.
"Oh wow this sofa's comfy." Lisa exclaimed as she sat down.
"Tell me, it wouldn't be the first time I've fallen asleep on there, it can be fatal." Dick laughed.
"It must be nice in here in winter, with that huge fireplace, It does work I take it?" Emma asked.
"It is. I like to stretch out in front of it." Dick told her.
They followed Dick out of the lounge. He stopped at another closed door.
"Hang on minute." He cautioned as he tapped on the door. Hearing a response he opened the door a fraction.
"Bruce my friend's are here." He stood back from the door as his friends again exchanged glances.
Bruce came through the door.
"Hello, it's nice to meet you all at last. Dick has spoken about you often." Bruce proffered his hand to shake each one of the friends. "I'm afraid I am rather busy at the moment so if you will excuse me."
"Of course." Everyone nodded understandingly as Bruce retreated back into his study.
"Oh boy, he's better looking than I thought; I mean his pictures just don't do him justice." Amy drooled.
Dick looked at her eyes wide.
"Harrumph!" He cleared his throat noisily.
"No, but he is, I mean for an older guy." Amy stuttered embarrassed.
"She's right." The other girls nodded.
The guys just shook their heads.
"Women!" John B shook his again.
"This is my room." Dick told them as he pushed the door open and stood back for them to enter.
"Oh my it's huge!" Tina exclaimed.
The guys chuckled at the double entendre.
"You know what I meant." Tina blushed.
"Oh we know." Kent carried on. "We know."
"What a lovely bed, I bet there's room in there for all of us."
The guys exchanged knowing glances.
Lisa skipped over to the bed and dived on it.
"Ooh it's comfy too." She exclaimed.
The other girls followed suit, each one making similar exclamations.
Dick shook his head, smiling at their antics.
"It must be nice having so much space." Kent pointed out waving his hand.
"It's alright but it took some getting used to. The trailer we lived in wasn't as big as this. Well maybe just."
John B surveyed the room with a puzzled look.
"So where's all your 'stuff', you know T.V., stereo, computer, games console, you know?"
"Ah, that's the clever bit." Dick told him walking over to a bank of cupboards that lined the wall to the left of the door. "Voila!" He opened one of the doors revealing the T.V. Then he opened another to reveal the stereo. "The speakers are there look." He pointed to the ceiling, indicating to each side of the huge fireplace that dominated the wall opposite the end of the bed.
There was a sofa and two large armchairs placed around the fireplace with a low table in front.
"Ok how do you watch T.V. from here?" John asked sitting on the sofa.
Dick smiled.
"There's another in that cupboard." He pointed.
"Oh my….." John shook his head.
Dick pushed at a panel and it folded back to reveal another screen.
"So I guess you got cable?" John asked.
"Err, no we have a satellite dish. I don't think the cable company laid any out here."
"So where's the computer?" Tina asked as she came over and leant on the back of the sofa.
"Come this way." Dick led her over to a door at the other side of the room.
"This is my 'study'." He told her as he opened the door.
"Ooh, ooh." Everyone chorused as they crowded around to see.
"I don't recognise that model." Kent indicated the machine.
"It's one from Wayne Industries. It's meant to be a super dooper one. I still haven't got to grips with everything it does."
"What's this door then?" Lisa tapped the door next to the study.
"Have a look." Dick invited.
Lisa cautiously opened the door a fraction, then pushed it open wide.
"You lucky sod, I wouldn't mind a closet this big. It must be as big as my bedroom at home."
The girls moved across to inspect.
"The bathrooms that door." Dick pointed.
The girls were deep in the closet opening drawers and cupboards.
There was a tap at the bedroom door and Alfred appeared carrying a large tray laden with food and drinks. He placed the tray on the low table.
"I hope this will suffice."
"Thank you Alfred, I'm sure it will be ok." Dick thanked him.
Alfred nodded and retreated from the room.
Peter whistled, he had just entered the bathroom.
"Hey come and look at this." He called.
"Ooooh! All mod cons or what!" John B exclaimed as he went in.
"Hey Dick, you wouldn't mind if I borrowed this would you?" Emma emerged from his closet bearing a t-shirt.
"What!" Dick turned in amazement. "Oh boy is nothing sacred?"
"Oh go on, I'll wash it before I bring it back."
Dick inserted his key into the lock of his locker, then sniffed. He could smell a malodorous odour coming from it.
He gingerly opened the door a fraction and was met with the full force of the stench. Carefully opening the door fully he could see the source of the stench. The inside of the locker and its contents had been smeared with something foul. He had some inkling as to what it was. He closed the door and locked it again.
He headed for the janitors room.
"I wonder, have you a bin bag I could use?" He asked the Janitor, who was rinsing out his bucket in the sink.
"What do you need it for?"
"Err someone's put something unmentionably smelly all over my stuff in my locker." Dick told him.
"Ok son, Look here's a bag and you had better have a pair of these disposable gloves too." The Janitor handed them to him. "I'll come and give it a clean out, what number is it?"
"176. Its alright I can see to it though if you will lend me the cleaning stuff." Dick offered.
"No I'll do it, health and safety rules and all that. You had better report it." The Janitor advised him.
"Well, I dunno, what can anyone do?"
"I know what you mean. I bet I know who did it."
"You do?" Dick looked surprised.
"Oh yes, it's not the first time it's happened to some poor kid."
Dick picked out the items from his locker trying not to inhale the pungent odour. Luckily there was nothing in his locker he needed today.
"Oh Dick what on earth?" Kent wrinkled his nose in disgust as he came up to Dick. "Urgh!"
Dick just shook his head.
"Let me guess, Guy?" Kent asked taking the bag from Dick and holding it open for him.
"I can't be sure, but it wouldn't surprise me. Thanks." Dick acknowledged Kent's assistance.
"Have you cleared it out yet?" The Janitor asked arriving with a steaming bucket and various bottles.
"Yes just done." Dick told him dropping the last item into the bin bag. Kent tied the top in a knot.
"They made a good job of this didn't they?" The janitor commented as he sloshed the boiling water into the locker. "What are you going to do with your stuff?" He asked as he squirted something pungent in as well.
"I'm going to have to put it in the boot of my car. Hopefully I can get everything clean."
"I'll come with you." Kent offered.
As they got to the main foyer Guy and his cohorts were stood by the double doors.
"Oh no." Kent groaned. "They're the last people I wanted to see right now, you too I guess."
Dick didn't reply but continued on.
Guy saw him and held his nose with his finger and thumb.
"Phew, what a stench. Look guys it's that stinking gypsy, you can smell him a mile off."
The rest of his mates looked round and laughed mockingly. They moved to block Dick and Kent's exit. Others in the foyer also looked round. They eyed Dick and Guy suspicious that something may be about to happen.
Dick never missed a step and marched straight through Guys group shouldering them out of the way, Kent followed in his wake.
The kids in the foyer heaved a collective sigh of relief which settled to a buzz of speculation.
As Dick and Kent walked away down the drive towards the student parking lot Guy glared after him. He would have taken it further had he not noticed one of the teachers also watching from a little way down the hall.
"Boy that was close." Kent breathed.
"I think we were lucky, didn't you see that teacher watching?" Dick told him.
"No. Oh right, that says it all, he is stupid but not that stupid. Anyway what are you going to do?"
"Well I reckon I'm going to call Alfred, I mean I can't really leave this in my car all day, it will stink it out with it being warm."
Dick pulled out his keys as they approached his car and then opened the trunk, dumping the bin bag in. He slammed it shut then turned to lean on the car. He pulled out his phone and dialled.
"Alfred, look I have a bit of a dilemma….My locker was trashed….. No something worse, it was filled with some stinking gunk, I hate to think what it is…."
"We will be right there." Kent call across to a teacher who had urged them to get inside so as not to be late. Dick nodded at him too.
"Well I don't know Alfred." Dick continued. "It does smell bad and if I leave it in the car….Wont Bruce be mad? Well if you're sure? Well yes I had my gym stuff in the locker. Ok I'll see you in a bit." Dick broke the connection.
"So?" Kent eyed Dick questioningly.
"I'm going home. Alfred will square it with the school."
"Oh ok, wont you get into trouble though?"
"Well I'm sure Alfred will be able to smooth things out. Will you let the others know and mention it to the tutor's? I'll hopefully be back by lunch time."
"Ok will do. I had better run before I get done for being late too. See you later; I'll call you at lunch time anyway." Kent hurried back to the building as Dick climbed into his car.
"They certainly made a good job of this." Alfred lifted Dick's vest from the bag with two fingers and held it at arms length. "I think we may have to throw everything away." He lifted a finger before Dick could protest. "It's not a problem, we can replace the text books and any of the jotters can have their covers removed and be recovered. We will just have to check them."
"Thank you Alfred. I feel a bit daft coming home like this but I wasn't sure what to do."
"That's alright, I spoke with the secretary and she was sympathetic."
"I guess I had better get back for lunchtime though."
"Well I did say we would ask your friends to get your homework assignments for you, as you wouldn't be back today. Bruce is on his way back and wants a word with you."
"What, why, I mean…" Dick's voice trailed away.
"Bruce you have to let me deal with this myself. I appreciate your concerns but honestly I can handle it. If you go to the Principal it could only make it worse. Please Bruce."
"I only want to make sure this goes no further Dick."
"I know but let me deal with it my own way."
Bruce fell silent and looked at Dick, his eyes showing he was thinking. He sighed.
"Ok, but promise me if things get worse you will let me know. In fact I would like to know what happens." Bruce glanced at the wall clock ticking loudly behind Dick. "Look, I will square it with the Principal about your absence today, why don't we go and get some practice in?"
"If you're sure?" Dick ventured not wanting to sound too enthusiastic.
"Yes, but only this once." Bruce got up from his chair. "I reckon you just might need the extra work out."
Dick emerged from the shower just as his mobile chirped.
"Hi Kent… Bruce told me to take the rest of the day off…. No I'll be in tomorrow…He wasn't pleased but I persuaded him to let me deal with it…Ok I'll see you tomorrow then."
He broke the connection and finished drying himself before donning fresh clothes. He still couldn't see why he had to dress for dinner when it would only be him and Bruce, but those were the rules.
Dick met his friends outside the main entrance.
"So how'd it go?" Tina asked him looking concerned.
"Well I got interrogated by Bruce, and we had to throw most of my stuff away. It was because I had to wait for Bruce to get home that I got to stay at home."
"Was he really mad?" John B asked.
"Well he wasn't pleased but hey come on lets forget it." Dick smiled.
"I don't think Guy will." Peter warned.
"Me neither." Emma agreed.
"Come on I need to put things back in my locker." Dick told them.
"Is that wise?" Tina asked him.
"Look, I can't let him intimidate me."
They all walked into the school together. Dick headed off to his locker. Opening it he smiled. The caretaker had cleaned it out and there was an air freshener hanging inside. The grill on the front had also been blocked up to prevent anything being pushed through. He deposited his things and headed of to class.
The class were sat around a table with a jug and some fruit sketching the still life. Dick hated art and didn't think he was any good at it. Still he managed to get reasonable marks.
As usual Guy and his cronies were messing around instead of getting on with the work. The art teacher was a little lax when it came to keeping order. Dick tried to concentrate.
"I think you need to add a few lines here." A voice came over his shoulder, followed by a hand holding a black marker pen. Before he could react thick black lines were scribbled on his paper.
"That's better." The low voice chuckled.
Dick sat back and sighed looking at his ruined work. He pulled the paper from the holders and screwed it up. He stood and walked to the waste bin and threw it in. He then went and got a new piece and went back to his seat to begin again.
"You haven't done much Dick." The teacher chided him. "You need to get more done before the end of class.
"I made a mess so I've started again." Dick told her.
"Very well, but you had better hurry up."
A low snicker came from behind.
Lunch time couldn't come soon enough. Guy and his friends hassled Dick all morning. It was nothing more than looks and threatening laughs, but Dick was totally fed up with it. He felt it was a warning of more to come.
He put his tray down on the table and sat down with a sigh.
"You ok?" Kent asked concerned.
"Yeah, I'm just a bit pee'd off with Guy that's all."
"They look like they're plotting something so be careful." Lisa warned.
"I know." Dick agreed.
Guy and his buddies had their heads together deep in conversation.
"I just need to get through today. Its not that it bothers me but it's getting rather tiresome."
"Well at least this afternoons sports. He will be occupied with football practice." John told him. "I hear you've been asked to join the gymnastics team."
"Yup, again." Dick laughed. "I wonder why."
"Hmm you have a point there." Amy laughed pushing Dick's shoulder playfully.
As they left the cafeteria Guy and his pals eyed them menacingly.
"I don't like the look of that." Peter shivered.
"Me neither." Dick glanced back to see them laughing.
"I wonder what they are up to." Tina puzzled.
"Oh don't worry about it." Dick advised.
Dick was enjoying being able to show off his gymnastic skills. He felt at home in the gym and was confident performing most of the routines. He was able to temporarily forget Guy.
Mr Beaufort had decided to have the trampoline out and he soon discovered Dick was more than capable on it.
"Dick I think I can leave you in charge here, if you would help the others to practice the short routine I would appreciate it. I can concentrate on the floor routines."
Dick felt a little awkward at first but it soon became obvious the others respected his abilities. They kept asking him to demonstrate and he realised it was because they just wanted to see him work. Laughing he urged them to practise themselves.
Mr Beaufort called him over.
"Dick, I wonder can you demonstrate for me. I need you to show these a tumble routine."
Mr Beaufort explained what he wanted and Dick dutifully demonstrated.
The watching students clapped him as did Mr Beaufort.
"Have you given any more thought to joining the gymnastic team?" He asked looking hopeful.
"I guess I can do that, as long as you don't get accused of fielding a ringer."
"I'm sure that will not be a problem." Mr Beaufort laughed. "Welcome aboard. Now we need to decide which disciplines we can have you do. Can you do the pommel?"
"I dunno, I don't think I have ever tried that." Dick told him.
"Well let's give it a go shall we? You know what it entails I assume?"
"Well yes, I reckon so."
Mr Beaufort explained the principals and stood back as Dick mounted the horse.
He slowly raised himself up on the handles.
"Ok let's start with the scissors." Mr Beaufort instructed. "You need to move in this direction." He indicated.
"Move your right leg back and then you need to swing like this." He moved Dick's leg in the right direction. "You need to clear the horse by between one to two feet."
Dick did a few slow rotations
"Good, good." Mr Beaufort encouraged. "I thought you would be good at this."
"Phew, it's hard." Dick puffed a little adjusting his grip.
"Yes but with your obvious upper body strength I think you will crack it. You are doing very well for someone who hasn't done this before. It is meant to be the hardest discipline for the men. With plenty of practice you will be very good. I'll walk you through the other required elements."
Although it was difficult Dick soon began to feel more comfortable with it and even managed to do several perfect scissors.
"Well done, I can see we are going to be able to field a more than competent competitor in the next competition."
"When's that." Dick eyed Mr Beaufort suspiciously.
"Oh not for a couple of months yet. We are holding the event here this time." He told him.
"A couple of months! You don't want much; do you reckon I'm going to be ready in time for that?"
"Oh yes, I'll make sure you are. I think we can fit in extra practice, and maybe we can do some work after school. If that's alright with you. I will speak with the other members of staff and see if we can't arrange for you to miss some lessons. There are also lunch times; I'm willing to put in the extra time to teach you if you are."
"I will have to check about the after school thing but otherwise, Ok, yes." Dick agreed.
"Good boy." Mr Beaufort patted him on the back. "Ok everyone hit the showers."
"I made the gymnastic team." Dick told his friends. "I'm learning the pommel horse. Mr Beaufort wants me to do extra practice because I haven't done it before."
"I knew you would get on the team." Tina said proud of her new friend.
Dick retrieved his crash helmet from the box on the back of his bike and donned it as he slid his leg over the machine.
"I had better get home and catch up on what I missed yesterday." He said as he buckled it on. "See you all tomorrow."
The others dispersed in the direction of their own transport waving as they went.
Dick adjusted his bag on his shoulders and was just about to insert the key in the ignition when he notice Guy and the gang hanging around at the edge of the student parking lot near Guys car. They were watching him and grinning.
Dick glanced down. Something was not quite right. Then he noticed that the cap to the gas tank was not quite sitting right. He slowly unscrewed it, it felt 'gritty', grating slightly as he opened it. He removed his glove and ran his finger around the rim. Inspecting his finger he then tentatively tasted the end.
"Damn!" He thought. "Sugar." He screwed the cap back in place thankful he had not kicked the bike up. It would have done a lot of damage. As it was it would be a job to drain the tank and sort it out.
Guy sauntered over.
"Oh dear have you got problems? Can we give you a lift?" He laughed.
"Guy I'm warning you, stop messing with me or you will be sorry." He warned.
"Oooh I'm scared." Guy pretended to quake with fear. "Hey guys." He shouted over to his giggling friends. "The dirty gypsy here is threatening me. That's not nice at all, especially when I have just offered him a lift because his bike's broke."
They all laughed
"And just what do you think you can do? You jumped up piece of dog crap. If you think I'm frightened of a little runt like you, you have another thing coming."
"Maybe Bruce will have something to say about this. After all it is his bike when all's said and done."
"Oh yes and just how are you going to prove it was us?" Guy sneered.
"Oh I'm sure I will, given time." Dick said his voice low. "Now if you would just get out of my way."
Guy appeared to recognise the threat in Dick's voice and stepped back unsure at what was coming next as Dick reached into his jacket pocket.
Dick pulled out his phone then looked at Guy with a look that said 'well?" Guy turned on his heal and headed back to his car, halfway there he turned.
"You will be sorry Grayson, I promise."
Dick dialled the manor and explained to Alfred his predicament. Then he dismounted and kicked the stand away and pushed the bike in the direction of the gates.
As he approached Guy sped past in his car clipping the back wheel of the bike knocking it over. Dick went sprawling with the bike landing on top of him.
"Hey are you ok?" A couple of students stopped and helped lift the bike up. "We saw what he did, if you want witnesses?"
"No it's alright, but thanks for the offer and the help." Dick said gratefully dusting his trousers.
"No problems." The two saluted and continued on.
He waited at the gates, sitting on the bike till Alfred appeared with the truck. Together they pushed the bike into the back.
"Are you alright?" Alfred asked as Dick climbed into the passenger seat of the truck.
"Yes, I'm ok. Thanks for coming Alfred."
"Oh all part of the job young man. I take it it's the usual suspects that are responsible."
"Yup, you got it, but I don't know how I can prove it."
"You know you should let Bruce help."
"Alfred I told him I would handle it and I will." Dick protested.
"I know but how long is it going to be before they inflict some damage to you? I do worry about you sometimes."
"Alfred I appreciate it too, but honestly I will be alright."
Alfred shook his head.
"Oh by the way, I got on the gymnastic squad today." Dick changed the subject.
"So how come you've come in a car today?"
"Someone sugared my gas tank yesterday. I thought it would be marginally safer in the car. At least the gas cap locks." Dick told Amy as she met him.
"I can guess who that was."
"Yup, but I don't have any proof so…" Dick shrugged.
"I don't know how you can put up with them. They scare me."
"Oh you know, practice." Dick gave a wry smile.
"Oh Dick, it's horrible though. Was it bad for you when you were in the circus?"
"It had its moments. Not everyone appreciated us in their town."
Amy slipped her arm through Dicks as they walked towards the others waiting by the front doors.
"Well you know we will all be on your side, you can rely on us."
"Thank you but I wouldn't want to involve you all in my problems"
"What problems?" Kent asked as they reached the others.
"I was telling him we would support him with the Guy problem."
"Too right." Kent agreed.
"Look I am grateful but I don't want any of you getting caught up in anything." Dick pleaded.
"Least we can do is watch your back." John B told him.
"Thanks, I'd appreciate that. At least then I can be forewarned."
Tina slipped her arm through Dick's free arm and together with Amy they went into the school.
"Look, the gypsy got a couple of girl friends" Guy sneered as they walked past him in the corridor.
Dick felt the girls grip tighten on his arms, but he propelled them on. Guy was alone and he knew he wouldn't be brave enough to try anything without his back up.
Dick swung his bag onto his shoulder and followed his friends out of the room.
"So what are you up to tonight?" John asked as they walked down the corridor to the exit.
"Well I guess homework, then I dunno." Dick shrugged. "I guess it depends on Bruce, if he gets home early, or if he is off out with his new girlfriend."
"Ooh who is she?" Emma asked interestedly.
"You know I haven't met her yet. He doesn't always bring them home right away. I'm not even sure of her name. No doubt it will be in the gossip columns tomorrow." Dick laughed. "They seem to know everything before he does. You know, they will have him engaged and married off."
"He does seem to have a lot of different girlfriends though." Tina pointed out.
"Oh don't believe everything you read. It's often just someone he knows who he invites to be his guest at some function or other. He doesn't have as many actual girlfriends as you may think." Dick told them.
As they walked out and down the drive they noticed a group of students stood around talking and gesticulating. They drew closer and could see that the interest was centred on Dick's car.
"This does not look good." Dick's stride quickened.
As he drew close the crowd of students parted to let him through, they became silent. Dick halted and stood silent.
"Dick what is it?" Tina asked trying to see around him.
Dick suddenly dropped his bag from his shoulder and threw it at the car in an exasperated manner.
"Dick?" Tina manoeuvred past him and pulled up suddenly. "Oh no!"
Dick ran his fingers through his thick black hair, grasping a handful at the back of his head.
"I reckon you need to call the police." One of the students advised.
"I'll go fetch Principal Macklin." Another offered.
Dick stood silent, dropping onto his haunches to inspect the long gouges in the paintwork.
"It's as bad this side too." Another student told him.
"Oh Dick that's awful." Emma sympathised.
"And we know who it was don't we?" John B told him indicating the words scratched into the side.
Dick stood up shaking his head.
"What are you going to do?" Tina asked him as she grasped his arm.
"What's going on here?" The Principal shouted as he approached. "What has happened?"
Everyone stood back to allow the Principal to approach.
"Who did this?" He demanded glaring at everyone. Well Mr Grayson?"
"Sir I have an idea but I cant prove anything, so I'd rather not say." Dick told him. "I think I should tell Mr Wayne and maybe call the police."
"Police, I don't think we need involve them. Tell me who you think it is and I will deal with it."
"With respect Sir I would rather not do that right now."
Kent tapped Dick on the shoulder.
"I just called Alfred for you." He whispered in Dick's ear. "He says stay put and he will be along to deal with it."
Dick nodded.
"What was that?" Principal Macklin said annoyed.
"Sir it's alright the problem will be sorted out. Alfred is on his way to deal with things." Dick said quietly.
The other students began to drift away in dribs and drabs glancing back in case they missed anything.
Principal Macklin stood not quite knowing what to do next.
"Very well, but this is not the end of the matter. I will be investigating myself." He said loudly.
Dick just nodded.
"They have made a fine mess of this." Alfred pronounced as he checked the car. "It will need a total re-spray. I think we should inform the police." Alfred produced his phone and dialled.
"Bruce will kill me." Dick said woefully.
"I don't think so Sir; after all it's not your fault is it." Alfred assured him. "Don't worry."
Alfred turned his attention to giving the information to the police.
"Yes but I mean, he wanted to intervene and I told him no. Now he will be mad as hell." Dick told him as he concluded the call.
"Young man I will handle Bruce, although it may not be a bad thing if he did intervene."
"With the police involved Guy is going to be worse." Dick said dismally.
"Maybe but what else could we do? Principle Macklin will be asking questions too and that will incite him anyway." Alfred cautioned.
"Oh well I guess I will just have to play it by ear." Dick sighed.
"Come on I'll make some tea. The police will no doubt be here in a while; they will want to speak with you." Alfred said as he gently guided Dick out of the garage.
"Dick you can't let this go on. I really will have to do something."
Dick looked crestfallen.
"I know but I really think its going to get worse now. You know what guys like him are like. I'm going to get some reprisals whatever we do now."
Bruce studied Dick for a few moments.
"Ok, look I can see that maybe you will get some hassle from this because of the police involvement and Principle Macklin, so I'll hold off for now. I will inform Principal Macklin that if anything further happens then I will be taking it further. I can't see why I should have to keep having to pay out to have things repaired or replaced. I may be a billionaire but that's not the point."
"Thanks Bruce, and yes I guess you have a point." Dick agreed albeit reluctantly.
"Ok. Now let's forget it for now and go and see what Alfred has cooked up for dinner."
"I had better go and change." Dick looked down at his attire.
"Oh I think we can forget about it this once." Bruce smiled.
