Bruce watched her glance over to her accompanist and with a nod of her head, he began to play their first song of the evening. It was a more upbeat melody, but Pamela's clear voice carried up and over the crowd. Bruce didn't care for her happier songs, but rather the slower ones. He felt as though through those songs, her voice reached its upmost potential-that she was her most musical and passionate through them. They were mostly about sadness and heartbreak as well and he knew she could relate to those subjects. Maybe too easily.
Time passed him by and before he knew it, she was already on her last song. Bruce was surprised, but also disappointed. He had been enjoying her voice so much because it brought him back to simpler times in his life. In some way, her voice was better than any cigarette he would ever light up.
He honestly didn't want this night to end. This was most likely his last chance to see her and he didn't want to blow it. He sat up some more in his chair when he saw she was going to speak into the microphone, her gloved hand wrapped around the microphone stand tightly.
"The last song of the night is new, but also one I've been working on for a while. I wrote the lyrics myself while Jimmy, my accompanist, helped out with the music." Pamela turned her head to give Jimmy a wink, making the accompanist chuckle.
"Anyway, this song was inspired by a man I know here in Gotham." Her voice reverberated through the microphone to the back of the club as she paused, her professional façade faltering slightly. Bruce could only wonder if she was possibly thinking about him or perhaps she was trying to search for his face in the crowd. She took a couple of seconds to compose herself and she cleared her throat, her easy smile returning to her lips.
"It's called 'Million Dollar Man.' I hope you all like it."
She looked over to Jimmy and with the nod of her head, he began to play the introduction of the song. As the piano played, Bruce shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He didn't have to ask her-he knew this song was about him. Who else could it possibly be about? Another rich, eligible man she happened to know? His thought had some truth to it, but it made him contemplate how long had she been working on it. If he really had been her muse, he was taken aback. He didn't think he ever could be. His attention went back to Pamela as she opened her mouth to sing the song.
You said I was the most exotic flower,
Holding me tight in our final hour . . .
I don't know how you convince them or get them, but
I don't know what you do, it's unbelievable
And I don't know how you get over, get over
Someone as dangerous, tainted, and flawed as you
Her voice already sounded bittersweet and the song had just started. Would he be able to sit through this? Bruce only hoped as that that wasn't what she truly thought of him. Dangerous and . . . tainted? Bruce understood he wasn't a perfect man-that was clear in his job description-but she wasn't an angel either. She had the looks of one, but it certainly didn't match her personality. If anyone was dangerous, it was her. She had the power to entrap any man she could and leave him the next minute, completely dazed and confused.
One for the money, and two for the show
I love you honey, I'm ready, I'm ready to go
How did you get that way, I don't know
You're screwed up and brilliant
Look like a million dollar man
So why is my heart broke
To anyone, these words were ambiguous-merely a love story that went wrong, but Bruce knew the context behind them too well because they were all too real. She did end up leaving him suddenly, but not without reason. His work ended up becoming his main priority and even though he had become successful, he had lost her in the end. Pamela . . . his rose. Perhaps they were both dangerous when it came to the matters of the heart.
You got the world but baby at what price
Something so strange, hard to define
It isn't that hard boy to like you or love you
I'd follow you down down down
You're unbelievable
If you're going crazy just grab me and take me
I'd follow you down down down, anywhere anywhere
Bruce technically did have the world or at least Gotham and it came at a heavy price: his love life and his sanity. While they were together, Pamela realized this and she didn't know if she could handle the consequences. He didn't blame her in the slightest-she deserved everything she wanted and more. He was upset that he couldn't give her everything she wanted, especially because one of those things were his heart. That was one thing he couldn't put in a box and wrap it in an expensive-looking ribbon.
While they were together, however, she followed him everywhere and did anything for him. She understood how rough his day to day life was, but she stayed because she cared too much for him. Bruce concluded that when they were together, it was one of the best times of his life, but it was also the worst. It ended with her abrupt departure.
Bruce waved a waiter over with a tray full of flutes of champagne and he picked up one, immediately throwing the golden liquid back. The fizziness of the drink was refreshing, but it didn't help numb the pain he felt. Only whiskey could do that for him. He held the empty flute in between his fingers miserably as his songbird continued.
I don't know
You're screwed up and brilliant
Look like a million dollar man
So why is my heart broke
Pamela's voice slowly and sadly tapered off on the last line, making Bruce feel like he just got punched in the gut. He looked up from the empty flute to see Pamela looking over in his direction, her eyes glazed over as if she was remembering a tragic memory. She didn't break this emotion until the accompanist finished and the audience broke out into applause, allowing Pamela to smile and take a couple of bows. She nodded her head and she waved, blowing some kisses out to the crowd.
One man even came up to the stage to give her a bouquet of roses, which she graciously accepted. Bruce cursed to himself. He should've brought her something. Would money do? No, she would hate that because not only did she not need it, but the gesture also would've been a mockery of their rocky relationship
The man then produced a glossy photo of her and instead of a signature, Pamela took it from him and placed a kiss on it. The audience erupted into laughter over this and Pamela's smile turned into a cheeky one. She took hold of the microphone and waited for the crowd to become silent again.
"Thank you to everyone who came tonight. I appreciate the support of every single one of you because you are the people who got me to where I am today." She took some time to pause again, her fingers nervously pushing some hair from her face. Her eyes sparkled, but not in the way they did earlier. She was fighting tears and Bruce could tell because she had that look on her face a good majority of their relationship.
"I-I'm afraid this will be my last performance in Gotham . . . and for a long time."
Bruce was completely stunned by her announcement and so was the audience. The couples and groups started to talk with each other in rapid fire whispers. Some gentlemen who were bolder stood up and began to yell at her, making Pamela visibly wince on the stage. Some people even got up and left the club completely.
Bruce watched her and felt terrible for her. Everything she had built was now coming to an end. Singing was her life and she worked so hard to get to where she was today . . . what had happened? Bruce had to figure it out. He knew everything that went on in his city and he would be damned if he would let this slip by, especially when it dealt with her.
Pamela let out another meek "thank you" amongst the loud volume of the voices before the curtains closed, ending her final performance. Bruce got to his feet as quickly as he could and before anyone could ask, he snagged a waiter and slipped him a fifty-dollar bill to show him to Pamela's dressing room. Slipping the money in his pocket, the waiter turned down the hallway and led Bruce to the back of the club.