The Batman perched himself on a gargoyle, waiting.  He knew that the young man would be passing by here soon.  When he saw him, he turned on the bat-howl, and swung down.  The man heard it, and jumped back almost two feet.  Batman landed and approached him slowly.

"Hello, Vinny," He growled.

"I, I didn't do anything, really!" The frightened man tried to back up further.

"I know," Batman said, grabbing him.  "It's what you're gonna do.  You work for the Joker."

"No!"

"Is this your watch?" Batman asked, pulling the item out of his utility belt.

"Yeah, my father gave that to me."

"You dropped it at the Ace Cosmetics lab."

"I've never been there!"

"Of course you have!" Batman roared, yanking Vinny's shirt, pulling him closer.  "Where's the Joker going next?" Batman said, spittle flying into thug's face.

"I don't know!"

Batman's low voice went even lower.  "How hard will I have to jog your brain to make you remember?"

"Please, don't!  Uh, it was a law firm on 16th street.  Johnson, and, uh, Clark, I think."

"Why should I believe you?" Batman asked suspiciously, not relaxing his grip at all.

"If you found out I was lying, you'd hunt me down and hurt me a lot worse."

"You got that right," Batman said, letting the thug go.  "Oh, and Vinny," he said as he prepared to leave.

"Yeah?"

"I wouldn't tell the Joker about this.  I wouldn't hurt you if you did, because there'd be nothing left after he was done with you."  Vinny cowered at the thought as Batman rope-swung away.

Continued…

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