Blogging the Gotham University Crisis

Mike Engel

Oh, this, this was pure gold. Being kidnapped by the Joker and being able to offer an insider's prospective? Well, that was a close second. But wasn't this what every reporter dreamed off? Not for the violence of course, he didn't want any of the hostages to be killed, but for the drama. Every network in the country, hell even a few foreign ones, would be watching to see what was going on.

And he would tell them.

He, Mike Engel, would be the one to inform the world of what was happening. None of those other network anchors. In situations like these, they went straight to the local guy. This was better than the Fear Week that had overtaken the Narrows, back when Crane's gas had sent the slum over the edge. A week of reporting on missing serial killers and crazies, touting reports about Gotham's finest saving the city. This was better than the Joker killings. That was more anticipation than being worried about who was next. If the Joker had decided you were next, you would know.

Besides, every city had some psycho serial killer set up shop.

This was better than the goddamn Batman.

Not every city had a hostage crises.

And there was a rub to it, like everything in Gotham City. Now law enforcement could get close to the building, hell, none of them wanted to. Parents had come pouring in, begging the officers to stay away so that their children wouldn't be killed. Jim Gordon wouldn't comment, merely saying that they had set up a perimeter for 'precautionary measures'. Engel knew better, they wanted to make sure no one got out.

Or in.

Frankly, he wasn't sure what the Batman would do. Fly in, bash a few skulls, then zip out before the fireworks started. Engel reached down, feeling around for the gum he always kept in his dressing room drawer. He's quit the cigarettes a long time ago, but sometimes he just needed that little bit of nicotine to calm him down before he went on. He looked up as the door opened, and a producer stuck her head in. "Two minutes, Mike." He nodded and tried to suck out that last little bit of nicotine from the gum. He wove through the busy studio, settling himself down behind the desk. The intro music began, and he looked up, smiling for the camera.

"Good evening, this is Gotham Tonight." He spoke slowly, "I'm Mike Engel. Our top story, the developing hostage situation at Gotham University." He tapped the edge of his papers against the desk, following the words on the teleprompter. "So far, no demands have been released but what we do know is that three hundred students are being held hostage in the university's Arkham Tower. We go live to our reporter in the field, Jack Ryder, with more on the story."

The recording light on his own camera blinked off, even as the television set across from his desk buzzed to life. Jack Ryder, their newest reporter, was fumbling with his microphone in front of the camera, oblivious to the sendoff Engel had just given him. Somebody from offscreen hissed. "You're on!"

Ryder panicked, dropped the microphone, squeaked, grabbed it, and popped back into frame, his gelled brown hair flopping over from the sudden movement. "Sorry, just a little nervous here." He tried to smile, but it came off more creepy than bashful. "I'm, uh, here in front of Arkham Asylum."

Engel wondered exactly how hard he'd have to slam his head into his desk to knock him out.

"I mean Arkham Tower! Sorry, things are just a little chaotic. We don't know much about exactly what is going on inside, but we do know that the Scarecrow, the Joker, and Two-Face are holding the students hostage." He looked over his shoulder towards the building. "We've seen lights on and we could even make out a few of the students. They appear to be in good spirits, and we wish them the best of luck in these trying times."

Engel watched the camera come back on, and smiled for it again. "Ah, Jack. He's new around here, so don't be too hard on him out there folks." He turned in his chair, even as another camera zoomed in. "We'll have more coverage of the hostage situation at ten. But first, just take a look at this report on Gotham's finest chocolate chip cookies." The camera's red light fizzled out again.

He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, he quickly pulled it out. The report was three minutes long, enough for a short talk. "Make it quick, I'm on set."

"Mikey," He heard his girlfriend sob, "Mikey my sister's in there!"

"Michelle, what?" He hissed into the phone, ducking down below his desk.

"The university! Bev's in there! Mikey, you've got to do something." Michelle was turning hysterical. "Tell Batman to save them or something!"

He almost banged his head as his producer tapped on the desk. "Thirty seconds!"

"We'll deal with this later." He snapped, before hanging up and sliding his phone back into his pocket. He smoothed out his coat, smiled, and raised his eyebrows. "Yum, weren't those just delicious looking. You can find the recipe on our website. We'll be right back after these messages." The camera light blinked out. It continued throughout the night.

Out.

On.

Recording.

Not.

On air.

Off.

And if anyone thought Engel glanced to his pocket more than he should have, they didn't say anything.

AN: Thank you all for reading! And (possibly) reviewing! I want reader input.

I want you guys to help write the blog posts, or perhaps direct me to some. It could be anything, psychological analysis, beauty tips that use things from your refrigerator, how to make toilet wine. I want you guys to help me out, and it can't just be things like "OMG I LOVE THE JOKER! HE'S SO HAWT!11!". You've got to try and make it sound good.

If interested, PM me or leave your review.

I really hope you guys participate.

Seriously guys, help me out here. Leave reviews, message me. Because if you don't reach out to me, I might just have to reach out to you instead.