If this is decaf, you better start running.
Tim fights back a yawn as he looks through yet another file that his assistant dropped on his desk before scurrying off. It's been a nightmare going through all of WE's financials, trying to understand things he barely remembers his parents talking about when he was younger. He doesn't often regret dropping out of school but right now is one of those times.
If he were normal, he'd be in class right now, the only worry in his mind would be the quiz next period or if he should try asking that cute chick from 3rd period if she wanted to go out for coffee sometime.
But no, this is his normal. Tim grinds his teeth in frustration. Bruce really needs to get his head out of his ass and realize that sticking a 17-year old high school drop out in the CEO's chair of an international conglomerate is not a good idea. To start, no one takes him seriously (although the board of directors would much rather deal with him than with the little autocrat that is Damian Wayne).
Second, he's pretty certain now that he took over just before Hush royally screwed up everything past the point of no return.
Which explains why the board likes him enough to at least let him sit in this chair for now.
Tim sighs as he sorts through the most recent folder his assistant left on his desk. It's full of invoices. He'd asked for an expense report detailing Hush's spending from the time Bruce "died" to the time he took over. The amount of money he'd spent is mind-boggling, even to him.
No wonder it had been easy to declare Bruce incompetent when it came to his finances.
But, Tim thinks as he leans back and stretches, there's a silver lining here. And it's a massive one if he chose to take advantage of it.
He now controls Batman's budget.
The thought amuses him greatly. Perhaps he should mention this to Damian the next time he finds something to rag on him about.
His assistant comes back in with another file, as well as a coffee mug. Tim eyes him warily, feeling like he's about to be bribed. "Ah, here's another file for you, Mr. Wayne," the man says. He's technically an intern who's been assigned to Tim for the time being.
"Does it contain more of the invoices I asked for?" Tim asks, peering at the man over the rim of his glasses. He suppresses an urge to drum his fingers on the desk as the man squirms a bit.
Yup, he's about to be bribed.
"No, sir. Mr. Fox gave this to me and said to bring it to you. And to bring you some coffee."
Tim gives in to the urge for a moment. What good are interns if you can't make them uncomfortable? He's yet to figure out what they do besides run errands all over the building. Besides, they're the few people he can intimidate with just his name alone.
Small victories.
"Did he now?" Tim sighs again and gestures to the stack of folders off to the side of the desk. "I'll get to it eventually."
"He said it was urgent, sir." The intern sets the coffee mug down and slowly starts backing away before his spine returns when Tim gives him a sharp look.
"Did he say why?"
"No, Mr. Wayne. Just that I needed to tell you it was urgent and that I should bring you some coffee. He said you'd probably need it." The man looks like he's about to faint and Tim realizes he's giving the man one of his Bat-glares.
"Fine," he tries not snap as he picks up the folder to place it in front of him. He then turns his attention to the coffee mug. "If this is decaf, you better start running."
The man bolts.
Tim turns his gaze on the folder and opens it. He grimaces as he reads the note Lucius included.
Tim-
I thought these might be of some use to you. Stop scaring the interns.
-Lucius
The folder contains a number of different pamphlets for high school prep classes, as well as a few for some GED study programs.
How is this his life again, Tim wonders. Lucius does have a point though. Even the interns have a piece of paper he doesn't. Time to stop messing around. If this is what he has to put up with, then he needs to get his GED. And some college. At least one degree. Maybe two. He needs to put a plan in place because if this is the shit Bruce is foisting off on him, he needs to plan his revenge now because by the time Damian turns 18, this company is going to be his.
Tim absently picks up the coffee cup and takes a sip. It's like they say… Behind every successful person is a substantial amount of coffee. He may as well get started.
AN: This drabble is a tie-in to another story I will eventually post here called Continuing Education. :)
