July 29, 2003.
Today, I'll be attending another board meeting of Wayne Enterprises. Although I ruled on the part of honesty in regards to women, I must keep up the deception here. If anyone knew how well I had been educated in the past ten years, they would be more likely to figure out that I was Batman, then if I seemed to be someone without even a high-school education. I think Lucius would be surprised at all I actually know about business. I learned a lot from my father when I was younger, and in the course of my training, I've picked up quite a bit of useful information. But what Lucius is going to see today is quite the opposite.
"…and the merger was a success, yielding a %3.37 increase in Net earnings, as well as a rise in the value of our stocks…" The meeting had been going on for almost an hour, and as the man droned on with his report, Bruce's eyelids were dropping. Lucius Fox, sitting beside him, nudged him with an elbow under the table.
"Do not fall asleep, Bruce!" He said under his breath, with gritted teeth. "Pay attention." The man continued for some time, while Bruce continued to feign trying to stay awake.
Finally the man finished. "Any questions? Mr. Wayne?"
"Yeah," Bruce said, leaning his head on his hand. "Can we form a merger with Hostess? I think that all of us could benefit from free Ding-Dongs."
The man looked to Lucius, silently asking what to do. "Never mind that, Carroll. I have some questions, I'll send them by later. For now, this meeting is adjourned, Bruce, I'd like to speak with you alone." After everyone but Bruce left, Lucius stood up, and began pacing as he talked. "Look, Bruce, this has got to change. Your father wanted you to be the next CEO of Wayne Enterprises, but you can't be if you continue to act like this. I know you, Bruce. You have a natural talent for this. Why can't you tap into it? Just try, and I think you'll surprise yourself; you might even enjoy it."
"Alright, Lucius, I'll try harder," Bruce answered, half-heartedly.
The Commissioner of the Gotham City police department, Aaron Nelson, sat in his office with the Vice Commissioner, James Gordon.
"This is the arresting officer's report, Commissioner," Gordon said, "The evidence here is irrefutable."
"I know. But it'll be a jury we have to convince. Send a copy to the D.A. as well."
"Yes, Sir."
"Commissioner," Nelson's secretary said, "Mr. Willis to see you, Sir."
"Thanks. James, can you excuse me?"
"Yes, of course, Sir," Gordon said, leaving. As he walked out, another man walked in.
"Hello, Commissioner."
"What is it this time, Willis?"
"I
think you probably have a fair idea, Commish.
Atkins is innocent."
"I don't believe that."
"Well, buddy, I'm sure you'd be the first to say that it doesn't matter what you believe, but how the jury finds."
"That's right."
"Well then, Commish, you need to see to it that the jury finds Atkins innocent."
Commissioner Nelson stood up behind his desk. "Now you listen to me! I'm tired of you, and Zucco, and the rest of your cowardly mob trying to push me around. Nick Atkins is a murderer, a gutless, filthy murderer. That's the truth, and I'm going to do everything in my power to see that that truth is discovered!"
"Let's don't be hasty, Commissioner," Willis said coolly. "Atkins' life isn't the only one at stake here."
"Are you threatening me?"
"Look, Commissioner, you know Mr. Zucco pretty well. You know he doesn't make 'threats.' That would be below him. If he wants to do something, he'll do it. You remember that; Zucco does what Zucco wants. You, or anybody else, isn't gonna stop him. Capice?"
"I understand."
"Good. You think about Atkins. And you just remember that there are consequences for your actions. Goodbye," the man said, walking out of the office.
Next issue, Batman faces off with the Joker, and Zucco makes a hit.
[I hope you liked this story. Please feel free to review; I accept criticism. Also read my work on FictionPress.com.]
