Chapter 2 – Jump City: Prosperity of the West

"So this is the Tower?" Richard asked.

"Yup," Garfield answered. "This is it." The Tower was a three story house with a larger third level held up by support beams. It looked like a 'T' and Richard thought it looked a bit rickety.

"Well, let's not just stand out here!" Victor exclaimed. "Let's give him the grand tour Gar!"

"Be careful when you step inside," Garfield whispered to Richard. "I swear the place sways when I just take a breath."

"Great," Richard muttered.

"Hmm?" Victor turned to them. "You say something Gar?"

"Nope," Garfield replied quickly.

"Good," Victor replied. "Now let's take that tour!" This being said, he ushered the two into the building. Once inside, Richard looked around.

"Well the holding cell will need some re-enforcing," he stated. "And we should verify some of the criminal files with the ones in Gotham. But other than that, this seems like a fine setup you got."

"Wait until you see what's upstairs!" Victor exclaimed. Garfield looked nervous. Victor began to ascend a spiral staircase. Richard followed. The staircase creaked with every step. At the top of the stairs was a large room. In the centre were two large couches and a gramophone. There were a couple of coffee tables and a wall full of filing cabinets. Above the filing cabinets were a bunch of 'Wanted' posters. Richard recognized the Hive Five, but there were two that he didn't. One was a man in bulky armour that appeared to be made of stone, and the other was dressed in purple.

"Who are those two?" Richard inquired.

"Cinderblock and Plasmus," Garfield replied. "Two of our other local problems."

"And there's just the two of you?" Richard questioned.

"Pretty much," Victor nodded, "yeah."

"No wonder Bruce sent me here!" Richard exclaimed.

"Well we've been trying at least," Garfield muttered.

"All things considered you've been doing very well," Richard complimented. Garfield sighed and rubbed his sore shoulder.

"If this is 'well,'" he muttered. "I'd hate to see your definition of 'badly.'"

"If you think this is good," Victor seemed to be ignoring his friend. "Wait until you see the bedrooms!" He ushered Richard into the first room. It had mounds of scrap metal and wood. He introduced it as his own and then ushered them into a second room. This room was messy and had Native American paintings on the wall. He introduced this as Garfield's room. The three exited, and Richard noted that the hall was full of rooms.

"What about the rest of the rooms?" he questioned.

"Victor made a few rooms," Garfield answered. "Just in case we needed them."

"So pick a room," Victor encouraged, "any room except mine or Gar's."

"Uh," Richard looked around, hoping to find a room that was structurally sound. Garfield noticed, and nudged him. He then discreetly pointed out a room. Richard went in. The room consisted of a bed, a dresser, and a nightstand with some candles. "So what's our next step?" He asked.

"Um," Victor looked at Garfield.

"Uh we were kind of hoping you would know that," Garfield admitted. Richard frowned.

"Is there anyone else who can help us?" he asked.

"Not really," Victor admitted. "No."

"Why don't we go back to where the fight took place?" Richard suggested. "We might find something to help us out." Victor and Garfield agreed and the three trooped off. When they arrived, the three found nothing. Richard was disappointed, and wanted to check multiple times to be sure. Victor also searched, but Garfield's eye was caught by a carriage off to the side. It said 'Gypsy Mistress, Lady Raven' on the side.

"Hey guys check this out," he called to them. He pointed the sign out to Victor and Richard. They seemed sceptical. "Hey you said 'Look for a sign.'" He pointed out. "And there's one right there."

"Not that kind of sign," Richard mumbled under his breath.

"What do we got to lose?" Garfield continued, oblivious to Richard's comment.

"Only our reputation by consulting with a gypsy," Victor whined.

"Oh come on!" Garfield frowned. "It's our only option right now!"

"Isn't there anyone else we can talk to?" Richard asked. "I doubt a gypsy would be of much use to us."

"Well we'll never know until we try," Garfield pointed out.

"Come on man," Victor pleaded. "A gipsy? We'll be the laughing stock of the town!"

"There's hardly enough people left in town to make a chuckle," Garfield argued. "Let alone a full laugh."

"I still don't see what use a gypsy would be to us," Richard repeated.

"Just stop being difficult and let's go!" Garfield exclaimed.