Chapter Five – Shattered Meetings

In a very large room filled with seated individuals, Terry and Jason Smythe sit beside one another on a large stage with other businessmen. The obvious morning meeting of the shareholders has come, the loud chatter among those invested with Wayne and Powers have waited this day for many years. The clear plastic podium in front of Terry has a scrolling logo of both companies in its liquid crystal screen built in. All of the top company officials are on stage with Terry and Jason, all of whom are riding on whatever the two have to say in this important event. The soft chime rings out in the large gray and blue room, the talking dies down and the people take to their seats quickly. Jason Smythe stands up and approaches the podium with a smile.

"Good morning everyone. My name is Jason Smythe and I'm the president and CEO of Powers Incorporated. Friends...we've brought you here today to discuss a bold new change...a change that could see the merging of both Wayne Industries and our parent company once again."

Terry shifts in his seat as he looks at the many Wayne supporters glancing his way.

"But this of course resides all on you..." Jason continues to speak. "Bruce Wayne, a very honest and loyal friend to many of you, has passed on with no one to take charge of his company that he fought so hard to take back from Powers grip. I don't blame him of course, my predecessors were very shifty and dishonest businessmen that sent his good name down into the mud. They mismanaged his company and took away what was once decent and trusting about the name Wayne. I took the burden of being hand picked by Wayne himself to run Powers as a separate entity, I restored our investments and worked hard to bring Powers up from the slime it was built on. Now the two major and...shall I say...competitive..."

The people all snicker at that bit of humor he tires to interject, Wayne Industries and Powers Incorporated always tried to out do one another when it came to stocks and product lines, it was a healthy venture for both companies that saw their profits triple during their years apart. With the businessmen having a good snicker about that fact, Smythe once again continued his speech.

"...Companies of Gotham City have finally come full circle and now have the chance to renew a united industry under one banner again. I for one will accept whatever way you choose...but the one person who can really say what will happen to this company merger is sitting right here. Ladies and Gentlemen...the appointed air of Wayne Industries and loyal friend to Bruce himself, I give you...Terry McGinnis."

Smythe begins clapping at Terry as he rises out of his seat and motions him to come to the awaiting podium for his talk as well. The people all stand up and clap in unison, a show of support and a sign of respect for the young man who now owns Wayne's company.

"Thank...thank you." He stutters in a shy manner. The sound of his voice echoing over the room from the built in microphone signals everyone to slowly end the applause and sit back down. Terry clears his throat and nervously tweaks his collar.

"Thank you all for coming. Thank you Mr. Smythe for agreeing to arrange this meeting of our shareholders. As you know, Bruce Wayne was one who literally made this company what it is today, he gave Gotham as much as he could and even beyond what was possible. He was there to rebuild the city after the major earthquake, he was there to serve the community in any cause, and he was the one man who knew when to draw the line when push came to shove."

Looking out into the sea of faces, Terry suddenly saw the press core at the back of the room; one face stood out more then the others as he stared right at them. Clark Kent, the news director of Daily Planet, was looking right back at him in a curious manner. They've known about each other for years now, they even know one another's secret identities having digged into each other's pasts. Wayne had told Terry about Superman after they tried to recruit him into the Justice League, but much like Bruce did back then, Terry refused to join the group. Clark tired many times since then to bring him in to the superhero society, but Terry was much rather happy being as solo as Wayne ever was. Terry kept his eyes locked onto this man of steel as he continued his talk with the shareholders.

"But like Jason Smythe said...change is coming, whether we like it or not. I know this will be hard for many of you, some will even question my motives for this bold leap backwards, but I'd rather entrust the welfare of this company into the hands of an experienced business man then to someone that is just trying live in another person's shadow."

••••••••••••••••

Hours after the meeting, Terry stands in the outside lobby with Jason Smythe as they share some refreshments with the other businessmen. The room is full of chatting people as they all discuss about the two speeches and of the future of their companies. The wide lobby has a grand red-carpeted staircase that leads up to the main meeting hall they've all just come out of. The same bland colors adorn this lobby as the hall inside, showing that this building is mainly used for any sort of occasion, but mostly for company meetings.

"That was a bold speech you gave Terry." Smythe said to him as he drinks from his white coffee cup.

"Thanks." Terry sighs. "Although I don't think it was enough to make them to forgive me for selling out."

"Nonsense. Don't beat yourself up about it McGinnis...Wayne Industries would have eventually lost out sometime. Bruce's company may have survived this long, but even his world must come crashing down at some point. All empires do eventually...history is nothing but full of turning points. Heck...even Powers industries would have."

Terry nods in a somber manner, Smythe's words did ring some truth into them, without Bruce Wayne to guide his company the place would slowly crumble to the ground.

"I guess your right Jason. I kinda wish he would have merged with you a year ago, and then I wouldn't have to be here to settle all of this for him. Bruce did seem to think you were a shway guy..."

Smythe took the compliment with a smile and shook Terry's hand, "Hey now, come on Terry...you knew him a lot better then I ever would. But thanks just the same."

Suddenly Jason's eyes darted up and gave a look of surprise, he quickly looked very happy as he held out his hand forward.

"Oh hey, there's my new fiancé Terry...I want you to meet her. Over here darling!"

As the crowd parted and Terry looked up, there was the one woman he had hoped he'd never see so soon again.

"Terry...I'd like you to meet my future bride, Dana Tan" Smythe states with joy.

McGinnis saw her walk on up in a beautiful low back cut dress. It was almost like shimmering silver as she moved, the sparkling diamond jewels adorned her neck and ears and was of the most fashionable design ever seen. Terry's mouth gaped open as he watched her, it was almost happening in slow motion to him as he saw her sway her hips and the front of her long hair draping down as she soon saw Terry. Jason was looking at the both of them rather curiously; Dana had stopped as if in shock and the two former lovers just sat there looking at one another.

"Uhm...have you two met before?" Jason inquires.

"Yes...no...uh..." Terry and Dana answer at the same time.

Terry smirks in embarrassment and rubs the back of his neck; "Well...we kinda know each other from our school years."

"That's right..." Dana nods in agreement. "Terry and I are old friends...very old friends."

"Oh. I see..." Smythe simply utters. "Well...maybe I should let you two catch up on old times. After all, Terry isn't going to stay in Gotham forever and I'm sure he'd like to hear about the plans for the wedding."

"Oh, don't be silly Jason." Dana laughs oddly. "Terry doesn't need to be bored with hearing all that. Besides I'm just interrupting your conversation anyway."

"Nonsense my dear." Smythe joyfully replies. "You two chat away...I've got to go and mingle with the suits in here. Wish me luck..."

With a wink of his eye and a motion of snoring as to be humorous, Jason wanders off and starts shaking hands with everyone he runs into along the way. Terry and Dana fiddle with their fingers and give each other quick glances of awkwardness.

"Well...hello again." Dana said laughingly.

"Listen Dana...I'm...I'm really sorry I acted like a dreg at the cemetery. Can you forgive me?"

She sighed and tapped the end of her grey shoes on the carpet while in thought.

"Ok...sure. I'm sorry for bring up bad memories at a bad time for you. But...you know Terr...one of these days, we have to talk about what happened."

"Yeah I know." Terry shrugs. "But you could have at least told me you were engaged to him. How long have you too known each other?"

"Five years now. He's a good man Terry, he knows when to drop everything and come be with me. He treats me with respect and can give me everything I want."

"So I've noticed." Terry says to her pointing at her jewels. "I thought you once told me that money didn't matter to you."

She scowls at him for suggesting such a thing, "It doesn't ok! Geez, you think this is about money? Please...believe it or not I was hoping you'd come back and maybe we could work this all out. But when I realized you weren't I ended up going to the clubs alone and soon ran into Jason one night. He was understanding of my problems and truly cared about me. So things got ultra-high rez between us and now we're set to be man and wife."

"Did you talk to Max about any of this?" Terry says with curiosity.

"Of course I did." She nods. "But she told me I was making a big mistake. Can't imagine why...she got all bitchy on me and we haven't spoken since then."

Terry's eyes droop as he soon thinks of Max's betrayal; she was right there in the diner with him last night and never breathed a word of this.

"Damn you Max..." He whispers in anger.

Just then, a tall gentleman stands behind Terry and taps him on the shoulder. The dark blue suit and red tie even makes Dana's eyes look up at him.

"McGinnis...care to make a statement to the press?"

As the young man turns around to face the man interrupting him, he gives a sigh of disappointment and gives a very irritated answer.

"Clark Kent. Don't you have a newspaper to run?"

Dana giggles a bit at Terry's remark. She at least glad to see that he still has the witty humor that made her fall for him in the first place. Clark didn't find it amusing; he just took hold of the young man's arm and forced him over to another spot to talk.

"Just a quick word Sir." Clark says loudly as he tries not to make a scene.

Terry looks back at Dana as he leaves with Kent and smiles. "You know the press...always pushing around for a story."

As Clark finally finds a spot to have a quiet conversation, he lets go of Terry and points at him.

"Listen son...you and I need to chat."

"Funny...that seems to be the running theme around here lately."

Clark calms down a bit and adjusts his glasses as he looks down, "Terry...I'm absolutely appalled your going to end Wayne's company like this. Bruce and I may have had our differences...but his charity and good name was always there to benefit this city in times of need."

"You? You are lecturing me about selling out?" McGinnis snickers. "Didn't you help Luthor at some point? Didn't you turn your back on the Justice League when the most needed you? In fact I seem to recall you taking over the Daily Planet and making it into your own little empire!"

"Enough Terry!" Kent shouts at him. "This isn't about me...this is about where your taking Gotham City into. If you merge this company with Powers again it will destroy all those that benefit most from it. They'll end all the sponsorship programs, the homeless shelters and the money going to needy families. If you dissolve Wayne Industries...you'll be putting in the final coffin nail in Gotham City."

Terry folds his arms and looks away from him, "Who's to say that will happen? Jason Smythe seems shway enough; he might just leave everything as it should be. He's just like Bruce...more then I ever was."

"You think so, huh?" The man of steel says as he adjusts his glasses. "How well do you know him Terry? Enough to gamble an entire city on? But...maybe your right...maybe you're not like Bruce at all. At least he would've kept a close eye on him...just in case."

Kent walks away from him and returns to the crowd as if nothing had happened. For such a strong and well-dressed individual, he seemed to blend in right away as if he vanished in a sea of expensive suits. Terry was surprised by Kent's concern, seemed to him that he never approved of Bruce or Batman's methods, still he had a point about the homeless shelters and various charities that the company was known for. Perhaps he could speak to Smythe and have him sign some sort of document to protect those necessary items. Terry straightened his ruffled jacket from Clark's manhandling of him, and walked back over to the refreshment table where Dana was waiting. As he came back over to talk with her again, Jason returned and gave his future bride a long kiss. McGinnis stopped dead in his tracks as he witnessed the embrace, the woman he had once loved was now in the arms of another man and he hated it.

"Oh hey there Terry!" Jason said as he finished his kiss to her and saw him standing in front of them. "Listen, I was just talking to the shareholders elected representative and they want to schedule a second meeting so they can take a few days to decide the vote. Looks like their still unsure of this merger. I can't blame them for being nervous..."

"No..." Terry states with an unemotional expression. "I can't say I blame them either. Guess that means I'm in Gotham City a bit longer."

Dana hides her eyes from Terry; she knows that seeing Jason holding her so tenderly is killing the young man inside. Smythe simply smiles and pats Terry on the shoulder.

"Great! Give my office a call sometime and maybe you, Dana and I can have a dinner some night? Oh wait...I've got a better idea. I'm having a party at the old Powers building to celebrate our engagement...just tell them to ask for me when you get the door."

"Well...I...I don't know..." Terry suddenly stumbles in his words.

"Aw come on McGinnis...Dana and I would love to see you there, wouldn't we dear?"

Dana smiles nervously and nods her head reluctantly, "Oh...of course sweetie. Whatever you'd like."

Terry and Dana lock eyes again, one could almost feel the tension between them as they could read each other's expressions of dread. Smythe shakes Terry's hand and snaps his fingers in the air. Mr. Winters appears at the man's beckoning call and stands beside his employer.

"Winters...give Terry here my Info-card. If you ever need to reach me just use my private number. Thanks Terry...see you there."

As Jason and Dana walk away, Terry gives a somber sigh as he watches his ex-girlfriend walk away from him yet again. Mr. Winters takes out a flat gold looking business card and hands it to Terry, an image of the Powers logo appears in a small hologram hovering over it, with a morphing picture of Jason Smythe and his vid-phone number.

"I hope you do attend Mr. McGinnis, I hear the party will be quite the blast indeed."

Terry eyes the blank faced man as he says that to him with an almost dry wit. The man's overly serious demeanor sends a chill down his spine as he looks at him with suspicion. Not even so much as a bow or a nod to him as he walks away, that felt kind of rude to him and noticed the man looking back at him with the corner of his eye. Terry stoked the gold holographic card in his hand and watched the image of the Powers logo disappear.

"Never mind about how well I know him..." He mutters to himself. "How well did Bruce know him?"