"What do you mean you don't serve tea?" demanded Tetch angrily, glaring at the terrified bar staff during the interval of the show. "What kind of theatre doesn't serve tea?!"
"Um…most of our patrons prefer…alcoholic beverages," stammered the man behind the counter.
"Well, I prefer tea!" snapped Tetch. "And if I were you, I'd set about finding me some this instant, young man! Do you have any idea who I am?"
"Mr. Tetch?" said a voice behind him.
"Yes, that's right!" snapped Tetch, whirling around. His face instantly changed from threatening anger to nervous apprehension as he recognized his former employer standing behind him. "Mr…Mr…Wayne," he stammered, shocked.
Bruce Wayne was looking at him curiously, as was the attractive woman on his arm. "Is there a problem?" asked Bruce.
"No, no, no problem," said Tetch hastily. "Just…um…whatever drink you have on hand will be fine, my good man. Two, please," he said, turning back the bartender. The last thing he wanted to do was cause trouble when a celebrity like Bruce Wayne was around. He certainly didn't want to test out his mind control prototype with the threat of such publicity looming over him.
"You've been declared legally sane now, haven't you, Mr. Tetch?" asked Bruce.
"Yes, that's right," replied Tetch.
"Congratulations," said Bruce, sincerely. "You must be very proud."
"Yes. Yes, very proud," said Tetch, wishing the bartender would hurry up with those drinks. He didn't want to speak to his former employer any longer than necessary. It was awkward.
"You haven't seen Professor Crane anywhere lately, have you, Mr. Tetch?" asked Bruce. "I understand you're good friends, and I've heard he recently broke out of Arkham Asylum."
"Did he? How interesting," said Tetch, hastily. "But no, no, I haven't seen him. I haven't the foggiest idea where he could be."
"Any reason you're ordering two drinks?" asked Bruce as the bartender placed them on the counter.
"I'm…ah…thirsty," retorted Tetch. "Always am – that's why I drink so much tea. Thank you very much, my good man, keep the change," he said, shoving a twenty dollar bill at the bartender. "Nice seeing you again, Mr. Wayne, I hope you enjoy the rest of the show, and have a delightful evening with your very charming young lady…oh, not that I'm implying anything in particular will happen with the young lady…and not that it would be improper if it did, of course, far be it from me to criticize someone like you, Mr. Wayne. Of course what you do in the privacy of your own home is your own business, and your own affair…not that you're having an affair, of course, I didn't mean to imply that…um…yes, have a…nice night. Goodbye," he said hastily, rushing away.
He returned to the private box Crane and he had rented, wiping sweat from his brow. "You had better be careful, Jonathan, they've put out the notice of your escape…" he began, but stopped speaking when he entered the box to see Crane talking to an incredibly attractive young lady.
"Ah, Jervis, you're back," he said, standing up and smiling. "Allow me to introduce Miss Tina Reeves. She recognized me from the wanted posters."
"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me," said Tina, beaming as she extended her hand. "I'm just pleased to have run into Professor Crane, and here of all places. I've studied his research extensively."
"Miss Reeves is a biochemist working for Lexcorp in Metropolis," explained Crane.
"I…see," said Tetch, shaking her hand. "Well, what brings you to Gotham, Miss Reeves?"
"I'm visiting friends," she said. "But unfortunately none of them would accompany me to the theatre tonight. Gilbert and Sullivan isn't for everyone, but I just love it. The lyrics are so witty, and the music is worthy of high opera."
"Yes, indeed," agreed Tetch. "Which is your favorite, if I may ask?"
"Ruddigore," she replied.
Crane stared at her. "Nobody ever knows Ruddigore," he murmured. "But it's my favorite too."
"Of course it is, Professor Crane," she replied, smiling at him. "Cursed baronets and haunted castles – I'd expect the Master of Fear to adore it."
"Oh? Has Jonathan's fame spread even to Metropolis?" asked Tetch.
"Oh yes, we hear all about the supercriminals of Gotham," said Tina, smiling. "The Mad Hatter is pretty well known too, Mr. Tetch. We don't have any such problems in Metropolis, of course, with our own particular superhero defender. He's basically unbeatable - it would be the height of foolishness to try to go up against him."
"I hear the Joker has," replied Tetch. "Though knowing him, he probably just thought it was funny."
Tina shrugged. "Clown, fool, very similar, wouldn't you agree?"
"I wouldn't say that to him if you value your life or sanity," retorted Tetch.
"Don't worry, I have no interest in meeting him," retorted Tina. The bell rang to signal the end of the interval, and Tina turned to Crane, smiling. "But I certainly wouldn't mind a lengthier conversation with you, Professor Crane. Perhaps if I gave you my phone number you could call me sometime?"
"Or perhaps you could join me and Jervis for drinks at our apartment after the show," suggested Crane.
She beamed. "I'd like that," she said. "I'll see you when the performance is over. Enjoy the rest of the show."
She left them. "What a charming young lady," commented Crane.
"Yes," agreed Tetch. "A little too charming, and a little too convenient, wouldn't you say?"
"Convenient?" he repeated.
"You know, the fact that she just happened to be here and just happened to see you and just happened to have an interest in your work and now has just happened to invite herself over to our place for drinks."
"She didn't invite herself – I invited her," he retorted.
"The point is, it's all very coincidental, wouldn't you agree?" asked Tetch. "I wouldn't be at all surprised if there was some ulterior motive behind her eagerness to get to know you."
"Oh Jervis, you do think the worst of everyone," sighed Crane.
"Yes, and so should you," retorted Tetch. "You're a wanted man, don't forget. What if the police have sent her to find out your location?"
"Then I will be sent back to Arkham with my lesson learned," retorted Crane. "And I will thenceforth never trust anyone again. Is that what you want to hear? Now do be quiet – the second act is starting."
The lights dimmed and the music started playing again. Tetch tried to focus on it, but he couldn't help worrying about their meeting afterward. He didn't trust Miss Reeves – something didn't feel quite right about her. Tetch was a man of science who didn't usually pay heed to irrational ideas, but even a scientist knew to trust their instincts. And his instincts said the woman was dangerous. He only hoped a closer acquaintance with her would make Jonathan feel the same.