Chapter 14
"Good evening, I'm Summer Gleason, and welcome to another edition of Gotham Insider. Last month, we presented a historic discussion featuring philanthropist Ray Adams and notorious criminal Poison Ivy in a heated discussion about Gotham invasive species and habitat destruction. In the aftermath of that ratings shattering show, we would like to provide Gotham with a follow up on that story. Viewers may be shocked by the fallout of the discussion, and in the studio tonight, we have special guest Ray Adams returning."
As she finished speaking, the camera panned outward, revealing Ray Adams entering into the studio set. On camera a second time now, Ray cordially shook hands with Ms Gleason and gifted a smile towards the audience. "Confidently, he opened, "Thank you for having me again, it is a pleasure to be back."
"The pleasure is all ours Mr. Adams," and in that sentiment, Summer was entirely correct. She could care less about Ray as a man or what he had to say in of itself. She and her entire studio championed instead what he symbolized to them. The hyena eyes of the media cared only for the salivary story and controversy emanating from this man, this piece of social prey.
Summer seamlessly went on, "Now Ray, following your appearance last month, you have enjoyed a degree of celebrity in Gotham. Your fierce conviction and your riveting social commentary have become an inspirational battle-cry for Gothamites to stand up and take action to better our fair city. What a lot of viewers are not aware of, will perhaps surprise and amaze them."
"I would say so," Ray nonchalantly inserted, and then allowed Summer to resume, "A lot of viewers anxiously watched as you and Poison Ivy intensely defended your respective beliefs. Although sharp words were exchanged, the argument did not degenerate into a verbal assault on either party. The story, it seemed, ended there, but apparently more to this story has been added over the past several days."
Relaxed in his chair, Ray eased further against his back rest and remarked, "That is correct." Summer, bubbling with excitement, could not wait to break the story, and delved further, "The story has taken a rather bizarre twist as rumors have begun to swirl around Gotham that you, Ray Adams, have been seen venturing to Arkham Asylum and entering its premises as a visitor. Once inside, sources indicate that you spend your time conversing with none other than Poison Ivy."
Summer temporarily paused as she sensed the gravity of her claim ground her live audience. Giving them a moment to digest this almost preposterous assertion, Summer continued, "Ray, how do you respond to these rumors?"
Self assuredly, Ray maintained his lax posture and replied, "Summer, I would like everyone to know that these rumors are entirely valid; I have been going to Arkham to visit Pamela Isley." Fascinated by his bluntness, Summer pressed on, "I think I speak for the viewing audience by saying that it is quite shocking that you would travel to Arkham Asylum to speak with a woman whom you so acidly argued against. I think the question on everyone's mind now is the nature of these conversations."
Ray sat up in his chair, his face growing more serious, and candidly he told her, "I think that is just it Summer. I think the fact that we did have such an "acidic" argument, as you put it, that we have developed such a mutual respect for each other. It is not often that you find someone unafraid to disagree and be different. It is also just as rare to find someone who truly believes in something and is willing to fight for it. I have found that in Pamela Isley. Surely we clash on our values and ideals, but we are the same type of person. She is not a slave to convention or money or ratings, no offense Ms Gleason, she is a free human being; perhaps the freest person I have ever met in my life."
For a second, Summer took offense to his scathing remark. She was a successful and respected journalist who prided herself on being the best. However, as soon as these thoughts emerged they passed. It was about ratings, first and foremost, and this story had captivated Gotham. Who was Summer Gleason to go against society?
In response to Ray, Summer remarked, "All irony aside, it sounds as if you have a very high opinion of Poison Ivy. You seem quite fond of her. Every Gothamite is dying to know: have you grown to like Poison Ivy?"
Preceding thought, he acted on his thumping emotion and naturally responded, "I love her." As if thunder struck dead inside the center of the studio, the entire audience, Summer Gleason included, sat bedazzled by three words. In a flashing instant, the city was silent, deafened by what they had heard, but only one person, one woman, was truly listening. Shelled inside the core of the asylum, Pamela was permitted to watch Gotham Insider. Ray had told her he had been invited to do a follow up story, and Jeremiah Arkham obliged her request to be able to see the show.
By herself, she sat and watched, but as those three words escaped his lips, she knew she was not alone anymore. The decayed part of her soul immediately retracted her mind and furiously questioned the nerve, the audacity of this man to, to think that of her. But this stone defense crumbled.
It felt so good to hear that somebody loved her. Her plants had their own ways, she quickly rethought, her plants had numerous ways of telling and showing her they loved her. But there was something undeniably real about how he had made her feel. It had been so long since she had felt loved. It was so incredible, so wonderful that someone loved her, Poison Ivy, Pamela Isley. Ecstatic, Isley was full of the splendor of life once more and waited in anticipation to see him again.