August 19, 2003.
I went back to that bar last night, and, just as I'd planned, Jack Ramone told me that the Joker was looking for some help for a job he was gonna pull. The Joker was being much more cautious after his run-in with Batman, so he wasn't in any hurry to pull the next job. I thought he would pull it tonight, as it had already been past time for him to make another hit. But Jack said to go to a certain warehouse a week from now, and that's how Matches would get connected with the Joker. It was a good thing it didn't go down tonight, because I ended up having other business.
"Master Bruce!" Alfred yelled, at the foot of the stairs leading to the bat-cave. "Master Bruce, I think you should come at once!"
Bruce, working out in the bat-cave's gym area, stopped and turned to Alfred. "Why? What's wrong?"
"It's your 'dear' aunt Harriet, Sir. She has just gotten back from her monthly quilting society meeting, and she is in a rather bad temper. One that is directed at you. I feel that it would put you in an awkward position if she tore the house apart looking for you, and found you were not here."
"Well, I think I could probably come up with an excuse. But I think I know what this is about, and I'll have to face the music. My bedroom door is closed, right?"
"As always, Sir."
"And she hasn't looked in there?"
"I believe not."
"Tell her that I'm taking a nap, and I'll be out shortly."
"Very good, Sir."
Bruce hurriedly wiped the sweat off of his face, and went to a secluded, narrow area of the cave. He pulled a lever on the wall, and a rope ladder fell down. He climbed up it, and at the top fingered a keypad, entering a code. The correct code caused a panel in the wall to slide over, revealing Bruce Wayne's bedroom. He stepped off the rope ladder, and into his room, the panel sliding closed behind him. He pulled on a bathrobe, and then left his bedroom, adopting the appropriate demeanor for someone who just woke up from a nap. He saw Aunt Harriet coming up the stairs, and moved toward her.
"Hello, Aunt Harriet," he said, stifling a yawn. "How was your, uh, quilt thingie?"
"Why, of all the nerve, Bruce!"
"What? What's wrong?"
"Julie Madison is a part of my Quilt Society, and she told me how her date went!"
"Oh…"
"And to think that I told her you were a gentleman!"
"Well, I…"
"You didn't hold the door for her, or pull out her chair, you were rude and unsociable. Why, you didn't even pick up the tab!"
"Separate
checks was her idea."
"Because she was afraid you'd pass the whole thing off on her, no doubt. Why, if I ever hear of you treating a lady
like that again, I'm just going to have to take you over my knee and spank
you!"
"You're
right, Aunt Harriet, and I'm sorry. I
was tired that night, and I wasn't myself.
I'll call her up and apologize."
August 24, 2003.
I surprise even myself sometimes. I don't know what was going through my head when I called Julie that night. I started out just apologizing, but before I knew it I had asked her out to dinner again, that very night. I was further surprised by how much I enjoyed her company.
But there are other, more important matters at hand. Yesterday the local news reported that Police Commissioner Aaron Nelson turned up dead in his home. Investigators aren't sure if it's murder, suicide or natural causes. City Council chairman Tony Zucco, however, has taken this opportunity to stomp on the man's grave. He raised questions about Nelson's investigation of trial-pending murderer Stephen Atkins, claiming misconduct on Nelson's part, and that of his staff. Because of this, Assistant Commissioner James Gordon has not taken over as the interim Commissioner. Zucco sited him as being involved in the misconduct, and he's on probation while another person, elected by Zucco's City Council, holds the position until another is elected, and is leading the misconduct investigation.
Zucco's not a simple councilman. He's a gangster, an underhanded chess-master who manipulates the goings on in this city. The charges against Nelson and Gordon are a sham, and Zucco is using this to get his man Atkins out of a murder rap. He must be stopped.
Next issue, the fight with the Joker is rejoined, and Batman sets his sights on Boss Zucco.
[I hope you liked this story. Please feel free to review; I accept criticism. Also read my work on FictionPress.com.]
