Fully disguised as the insurance representative, Barbara had returned to the hospital and was now making introductions.

"I'm Cecile Hamilton, with Glomco Insurance. I'm here about the Riddler," she said as she shook hands with Doctor Wow and his nurse.

"Thank you for coming so promptly, Ms. Hamilton," the doctor replied. "We've been told to treat Mr. Nygma's case as a high priority, but we've been trying to go through traditional channels and keep a low profile on this one. Speaking of which, what prompted Glomco to send someone out in person?"

"Well, I suppose I can tell you. Just between us medical professionals, we at Glomco aren't too sure we made the wisest choices with respect to Mr. Nygma. There's some concern at headquarters over Mr. Nygma being signed up under our double platinum unlimited coverage that has no maximum dollar limit."

The women watched an expression of pure rapture spread across Dr. Wow's features.

"Doctor?" asked the nurse, but he could not hear her - his ears were currently overwhelmed by the sound of angels singing. For a moment, Barbara could swear that she saw dollars signs instead of pupils in the man's eyes.

"Thank you, thank you!" Wow's breathless whisper seemed to be directed at a being other than Barbara or the nurse.

Finally noticing their quizzical expressions, he managed to snap out of his euphoria.

"Well, what are you standing around for, Blondy Jo?" he demanded. "A man's life is in danger! Run those tests!"

"Which tests, doctor?" asked the nurse.

"All of them!" he answered, waving the Riddler's chart. "Why, just look at his condition! He needs every test we've got! Heck, we may need to come up with some brand new tests just for this case!"

"Oh, thank you, Doctor," Barbara said, containing a grin. "I knew I could trust our client to your care."

"Why don't we go check up on him now?" he suggested.

Meanwhile, the peacefulness of the Riddler's hospital room had been invaded by the warped, scheming presence of Doctor Daka. The claw-handed doctor looked even more ancient than the last time he had crossed swords with the Caped Crusaders.

Daka hovered over the Riddler's inert, mumbling form. "Hear me, Riddler! You will reveal your secrets to me and me alone! I covet the submarines in your possession!"

The Riddler babbled another heavily slurred rhyme. "Here's a gem, but it'll cost ya. What's a walkway filled with pasta?"

Seizing his patient by the shoulders, Daka snarled, "You will take me to them of your own free will...or you will go there as a mindless zombie servant. It matters not to me. Speak, you over-rated simpleton!"

Drool dribbled down the Riddler's chin.

Behind him, Doctor Wow and Barbara entered the room. "This is your final chance to preserve the contents of your feeble trivia-filled mind!" Daka bellowed, unaware of their presence.

"Doctor, what's going on here?" asked Doctor Wow.

Grabbing up a tongue depressor with his good hand, Daka's tone abruptly changed. "Your reflexes seem to be progressing nicely, Mr. Riddler. Now be a good patient and say 'aah'." He turned and pretended to notice the pair behind him for the first time.

"Oh, Doctah Wow, how pleasant to see you. I was just trying to persuade the Riddler to open his mouth. It pleases him to make a game of it."

"Well, that's fine," Dr. Wow decided, after a moment's hesitation. "But be careful of how you address our patient. We've got a guest from his insurance provider. Allow me to introduce, from Glomco Insurance, Cecile..."

The door suddenly opened and Bruce Wayne entered, carrying his father's medical bag.

"Bruce Wayne!" said Dr. Wow. "Well, I see that some further introductions are in order."

Sensing her cover was about to be blown, Barbara promptly buried her face in her notebook and stepped out of Wayne's direct line of vision.

Daka chucked nervously. "I must confess that all these visitors are really not good for the patient's rest. Let me assure you that I will stay by this poor man's side each minute of the day until I see his full recovery."

"That won't be necessary, Dr. Daka" announced Bruce. "I believe I can treat the Riddler from this point forward."

"You...you can, Mr. Wayne?" asked Dr. Wow. "Have you ever studied medicine?"

"Oh yes, I've dabbled in it extensively in my spare time. And I fondly recall the bedtime stories told to me by my late father about his work here."

Daka looked at Wayne scornfully. "Do tell, Mr. Wayne," he said. "I am most anxious to learn the details of your medical certification. Please to tell us the school where you earned your medical degree."

"A more reputable institution than the den of vipers that spawned your certification, no doubt."

"Really?" sneered Daka. "And the name of your alma mater?"

"An Enduring Concern For My Fellow Man! You might call it the 'school of life' – in my case, a life lived cleanly and responsibly."

Daka made an insincere attempt to conceal his snickering. "Well, that is most impressive, Mistah Wayne. But I suppose we will have to let Doctor Wow settle this matter. He ultimately bears the responsibility for all physician work-assignments...in the event of future litigation".

"I'll need to check with his insurance provider," answered Dr. Wow. "What is your opinion on this, Ms....Hamilton? Where did she go?"

Slipping out into the hallway, Barbara lowered the notebook from her face and let out a sigh of relief. She briskly departed from the area.

"I guess she had to leave," Dr. Wow said, giving a shrug. "Uh, Mr. Wayne, are you sure that your medical...experience...qualifies you to handle advanced cranial trauma cases?"

"The four million dollars I donated to the Needy Children's Wing says it does."

"Well?" said Daka, growing impatient. "What is your decision?"

There was a long pause before Doctor Wow spoke. "After considering all aspects of Mr. Wayne's background, I'm satisfied with his credentials to practice medicine here."

"What?! That is absurd!" roared Daka.

"Now don't worry, Doctor. There are plenty of important assignments here that we need your help on," Wow said, moving to calm his subordinate.

Daka shook his claw hand in the air. "I have poured my efforts into this case! The Riddler must remain my patient! In his fragile state, any disruption to his routine could be catastrophic!"

"Sure, sure," said his superior, steering him towards the door. "Say, we're sooo shorthanded over in the bedpan cleaning section. Why don't you be a sport and see if you can give them a hand over there?"

Daka shot Wayne a look of pure venom. Wayne continued to smile confidently, ignoring Daka.

"You may have won this battle, Mistah Wayne. But you must be careful that your impetuous need to be of assistance does not result in an unfortunate death." Daka leaned towards Wayne. "You will find that life is a very tenuous thing within these walls."

"I won't keep you from your bedpans, sir. Good day."

As Wow escorted a grumbling Daka from the room, Wayne scrutinized the Riddler's patient chart. "Doctor Wow, I will report to you within the hour on my diagnosis."

"Thank you, Mr. Wayne!" chirped the eager-to-please Wow.