Wayne Powers Industries, Wayne's "normal" job, stands at a commanding 114
stories before me. I gulp down my nervousness.
Oh God Wayne, what the hell have you gotten me into?
I enter the building. Powers is waiting for me.
"Mr. McGinnis." He's rather less than civil.
"The board is waiting." He leads us into a conference room. 24 middle aged executives turn and stare at me. I feel my stomach lurch.
"Gentleman, this is Mr. Terry McGinnis. He's skipped school to be with us today." A round of snickers flows up from the table.
"Well, gentlemen, as you are no doubt aware, the untimely passing of Wayne-Powers founder Bruce Wayne has left up with a 100% ownership of the company. However, I have since learned that the late Mr. Wayne has left all his worldly possessions, including his 49% share of Wayne-Powers Co. to his caretaker, our young friend Mr. McGinnis." His voice is crisp, irritated. The executives murmur and glance at me in a wholly impersonal fashion, as if I'm a bug flying incessantly around their heads.
"But," Powers continues, smirking at my understandably nervous expression. "I believe I have a proposal which will rectify the situation."
"What exactly needs to be rectified?" All heads turn to me, and I realize that I'm the one who said it. Powers goes on as if I'm not even there.
"Seeing as how Mr. McGinnis is a mere 17 years old-"
"18." Powers gazes at me.
"Forgive me, 18 years old, and in that he has no experience whatsoever-"
"How much experience is needed when you inherit something?" One of the board members begins to chuckle, but catches himself abruptly.
"Every man in here worked for their position. They did not have it handed to them from an old man's will." Powers replies smugly.
"Didn't you?" Powers, who has looked almost bored the entire time, suddenly glares at me. But I've found my confidence, and I won't lose it again.
"I was taught everything I know by my father. Somehow I doubt that, besides bringing him his evening pills, Mr. Wayne took the time to teach you the fundamentals of running a large corporation." I can't believe this guy. Then again, like father like son. I fight the urge to walk across the room and slam his head into the table. Powers regains his cool veneer, clasping his hands casually behind his back.
"Gentlemen, I believe that it is in the best interests of both the company, and yourself, Mr. McGinnis, to surrender your 49% to the board and abolish joint ownership, leaving everything in legal control of Powers Industries." For a moment, I see their nodding heads and collective power and almost feel tempted to agree. But I can't do that
You left this to me for a reason Wayne. And I'm beginning to see what it is.
Don't hesitate, McGinnis. A mere second may be all the time you have. Here we go, Mr. Wayne.
"No." 24 shocked faces and one look of death meet me. But I don't flinch.
"Excuse me?" Powers says in a low voice.
"I was left 49% of this company, and I intend to keep it." Power laughs. At me.
"With all due respect, Mr. McGinnis, you're not even old enough to drink yet."
"I'm 18. A legal adult. I'll be a high school graduate in 2 months. I realize that this is a relatively young age to own a business, but I've learned a lot from Mr. Wayne. I can handle this." The executives are impressed that I've transformed from a spineless teen to a fearless rogue in the space of 30 minutes. Powers laughs again. But there is something beneath it, something I can recognize very well: fear.
"Gentlemen, this is absurd! He's a teenager! What can he possibly know about running an international corporation? Do you really want to put the future of this company in the hands of this.boy?" They all look hesitantly at Powers, and then at me.
"Mr. Wayne thought so. And have any of you ever known him to be wrong?" They are silent. Powers' thin smile barely masks his fury. He's cornered.
"Very well, Mr. McGinnis. You are entitled to your 49%, by law, but let me warn you. If that 49% ownership in any way threatens the well-being or financial status of this company, we will foreclose on you." I nod. Powers is the first to leave the meeting, muttering a quick farewell. The executives file out, each glancing me over in turn. And I'm left alone in the meeting room; the long table suddenly mine to command.
How the hell did Wayne do it? How was he able to hold this pack of wolves at bay, save the city as Batman every night, deal with endless villains, plots, and threats against his life, watch over the many sidekicks and apprentices he had, and still make sure that no one knew who he really was?
I can't even get to school on time.
But Wayne's trusted me with this. And it's pretty rare that he trusts anyone. I won't let him down.
*****************************************************************
It seems like it always rains on funerals. Like the weather automatically arranges itself to fit the mood of the day.
But it's no ordinary day. Today Bruce Wayne gets buried.
I was forced to be host of his wake, a wake that was pointless and almost disrespectful. Everyone milled around, sipping coffee, completely ignoring the fact that Wayne's lifeless body lay behind them. Like everyone wanted to forget it was there.
I can't criticize though. I wanted to forget I was there.
And now we all stand around the 6 foot deep hole in the ground, listening to the priest's solemn benediction and only a few of us wishing we could be in the hole ourselves.
Namely me.
Powers stands close to the casket, trying as hard as he can to seem like the sympathetic and humble co-owner of Wayne's company, instead of the conniving snake that he is. A couple other members of the board and other people that I've never seen before hang around, but other than that it's a pretty small turnout. But that's probably the way he wanted it. Wayne never liked to dwell on things. Once they were over, they were over.
He'd expect no less for the end of his life, even though he never wanted to admit that it would come.
Commissioner Gordon stands off to the side, two middle aged and graying men standing by her. I'd guess that it's the old Robins- Dick Grayson and Tim Drake. Not one of them acknowledges me, and I don't attempt to bother them about the past. All of them are silent and morose, and I doubt they could think of words to say even if they had the will to say them. They're got a much bigger stake in this than I do, and for a second I almost feel like I don't have the right to feel as horrible as I do, and I don't have the right to wish that he would suddenly fight his way out of his coffin and tell me to suit up.
But they all left Batman. They moved on with their lives, and they probably buried him in their minds a long time ago.
I watch as Bruce Wayne, Batman the First (and to himself the only) is lowered into the ground. The few mourners and corporate guests of convenience casually toss handfuls of dirt on top of his casket.
I, Batman the Second, turn around and begin to walk away. The wind blows strong around me, almost taunting me to go against it. It's just Wayne's final warning that I'll come up against opposition at every turn. And I'll have to fight it alone.
I let a couple of tears fall, feeling like I've just buried half of my life in the casket with him.
*********************************************************
Thanks everyone for your reviews and feedback! This is continued in Reckoning Pt. 2
Oh God Wayne, what the hell have you gotten me into?
I enter the building. Powers is waiting for me.
"Mr. McGinnis." He's rather less than civil.
"The board is waiting." He leads us into a conference room. 24 middle aged executives turn and stare at me. I feel my stomach lurch.
"Gentleman, this is Mr. Terry McGinnis. He's skipped school to be with us today." A round of snickers flows up from the table.
"Well, gentlemen, as you are no doubt aware, the untimely passing of Wayne-Powers founder Bruce Wayne has left up with a 100% ownership of the company. However, I have since learned that the late Mr. Wayne has left all his worldly possessions, including his 49% share of Wayne-Powers Co. to his caretaker, our young friend Mr. McGinnis." His voice is crisp, irritated. The executives murmur and glance at me in a wholly impersonal fashion, as if I'm a bug flying incessantly around their heads.
"But," Powers continues, smirking at my understandably nervous expression. "I believe I have a proposal which will rectify the situation."
"What exactly needs to be rectified?" All heads turn to me, and I realize that I'm the one who said it. Powers goes on as if I'm not even there.
"Seeing as how Mr. McGinnis is a mere 17 years old-"
"18." Powers gazes at me.
"Forgive me, 18 years old, and in that he has no experience whatsoever-"
"How much experience is needed when you inherit something?" One of the board members begins to chuckle, but catches himself abruptly.
"Every man in here worked for their position. They did not have it handed to them from an old man's will." Powers replies smugly.
"Didn't you?" Powers, who has looked almost bored the entire time, suddenly glares at me. But I've found my confidence, and I won't lose it again.
"I was taught everything I know by my father. Somehow I doubt that, besides bringing him his evening pills, Mr. Wayne took the time to teach you the fundamentals of running a large corporation." I can't believe this guy. Then again, like father like son. I fight the urge to walk across the room and slam his head into the table. Powers regains his cool veneer, clasping his hands casually behind his back.
"Gentlemen, I believe that it is in the best interests of both the company, and yourself, Mr. McGinnis, to surrender your 49% to the board and abolish joint ownership, leaving everything in legal control of Powers Industries." For a moment, I see their nodding heads and collective power and almost feel tempted to agree. But I can't do that
You left this to me for a reason Wayne. And I'm beginning to see what it is.
Don't hesitate, McGinnis. A mere second may be all the time you have. Here we go, Mr. Wayne.
"No." 24 shocked faces and one look of death meet me. But I don't flinch.
"Excuse me?" Powers says in a low voice.
"I was left 49% of this company, and I intend to keep it." Power laughs. At me.
"With all due respect, Mr. McGinnis, you're not even old enough to drink yet."
"I'm 18. A legal adult. I'll be a high school graduate in 2 months. I realize that this is a relatively young age to own a business, but I've learned a lot from Mr. Wayne. I can handle this." The executives are impressed that I've transformed from a spineless teen to a fearless rogue in the space of 30 minutes. Powers laughs again. But there is something beneath it, something I can recognize very well: fear.
"Gentlemen, this is absurd! He's a teenager! What can he possibly know about running an international corporation? Do you really want to put the future of this company in the hands of this.boy?" They all look hesitantly at Powers, and then at me.
"Mr. Wayne thought so. And have any of you ever known him to be wrong?" They are silent. Powers' thin smile barely masks his fury. He's cornered.
"Very well, Mr. McGinnis. You are entitled to your 49%, by law, but let me warn you. If that 49% ownership in any way threatens the well-being or financial status of this company, we will foreclose on you." I nod. Powers is the first to leave the meeting, muttering a quick farewell. The executives file out, each glancing me over in turn. And I'm left alone in the meeting room; the long table suddenly mine to command.
How the hell did Wayne do it? How was he able to hold this pack of wolves at bay, save the city as Batman every night, deal with endless villains, plots, and threats against his life, watch over the many sidekicks and apprentices he had, and still make sure that no one knew who he really was?
I can't even get to school on time.
But Wayne's trusted me with this. And it's pretty rare that he trusts anyone. I won't let him down.
*****************************************************************
It seems like it always rains on funerals. Like the weather automatically arranges itself to fit the mood of the day.
But it's no ordinary day. Today Bruce Wayne gets buried.
I was forced to be host of his wake, a wake that was pointless and almost disrespectful. Everyone milled around, sipping coffee, completely ignoring the fact that Wayne's lifeless body lay behind them. Like everyone wanted to forget it was there.
I can't criticize though. I wanted to forget I was there.
And now we all stand around the 6 foot deep hole in the ground, listening to the priest's solemn benediction and only a few of us wishing we could be in the hole ourselves.
Namely me.
Powers stands close to the casket, trying as hard as he can to seem like the sympathetic and humble co-owner of Wayne's company, instead of the conniving snake that he is. A couple other members of the board and other people that I've never seen before hang around, but other than that it's a pretty small turnout. But that's probably the way he wanted it. Wayne never liked to dwell on things. Once they were over, they were over.
He'd expect no less for the end of his life, even though he never wanted to admit that it would come.
Commissioner Gordon stands off to the side, two middle aged and graying men standing by her. I'd guess that it's the old Robins- Dick Grayson and Tim Drake. Not one of them acknowledges me, and I don't attempt to bother them about the past. All of them are silent and morose, and I doubt they could think of words to say even if they had the will to say them. They're got a much bigger stake in this than I do, and for a second I almost feel like I don't have the right to feel as horrible as I do, and I don't have the right to wish that he would suddenly fight his way out of his coffin and tell me to suit up.
But they all left Batman. They moved on with their lives, and they probably buried him in their minds a long time ago.
I watch as Bruce Wayne, Batman the First (and to himself the only) is lowered into the ground. The few mourners and corporate guests of convenience casually toss handfuls of dirt on top of his casket.
I, Batman the Second, turn around and begin to walk away. The wind blows strong around me, almost taunting me to go against it. It's just Wayne's final warning that I'll come up against opposition at every turn. And I'll have to fight it alone.
I let a couple of tears fall, feeling like I've just buried half of my life in the casket with him.
*********************************************************
Thanks everyone for your reviews and feedback! This is continued in Reckoning Pt. 2