Chapter Two
I flew to Gotham City as soon as I got off the phone.
The whole time I worried about whatever Bruce's addiction was.
You could say it was the longest four seconds of my life.
Alfred wouldn't have called me unless this addiction was life threatening. So I've already assumed that it was drugs. But what type of drug?
It couldn't be a narcotic. His millionaire acquaintances couldn't possibly convince the most intelligent man at the party to experiment with heroin. Bruce doesn't even drink at these swanky parties. But for reasons I can't figure out, Bruce has always seemed a little overwhelmed by the metahuman superheroes. Almost like he was a little jealous of our powers.
Two thoughts enter my mind:
"Has he started using performance enhancers?"
And
"I wonder if he knows we metahumans are jealous of him?"
It was already past nightfall, so I flew right up to the front door of Wayne Manor. Alfred, of course was there to greet me.
"Superman," he answered the door. "Please come inside."
Alfred led me inside to the living room, which was about the size of my apartment.
"It's called Venom, sir."
"Is this some sort of a steroid?" I asked.
"Yes, sir," said Alfred. "Master Bruce had tried to save a little girl from drowning. The strength of the Batman was simply not enough to save the poor girl."
"So he turned to Venom."
"It has changed him so much, sir," said Alfred. "I fear his mind may nearly be gone. He has even stopped wearing his costume and has reduced himself to dressing in merely a trench coat and assaulting hoodlums."
Suddenly I realize why Alfred had called me and not Dick or Barbara. I'm the only one around him who is an equal. Alfred, Dick and Barbara are subordinates. It isn't their "place" to tell him to stop his destructive behavior.
"Alfred," I said. "I'll get him to stop."
"Thank you, sir."
"It won't be easy – you know how stubborn he can be."
"More than you can imagine, sir."
"I'll be back in a few hours – with Bruce."