They were not without hope.
It was the Penguin Man of the Sewers who had rescued the baby from an uncertain fate. The citizens of Gotham City – like the gullible fools they were – didn't see right through this façade at all. They didn't see him as a monster, either. Not anymore.
They saw him as a noble soul, someone who wanted to do good. They saw his alliance with Max Shreck as visionary, and in the end, they would triumph, making Gotham City better than it had been in decades.
He could feel his cold heart heatedly beat against his chest at the very thought. They accepted him, despite his monstrous appearance.
He tried not to show it, but the very thought filled him with joy.
He may not be able to fly. Penguins didn't fly. But maybe he would rise instead.