In the dark underground of Gotham, a hidden mobster relaxes comfortably in his chair at the head of a large table. All the men assembled at the table are some of the sneakiest wanted gangsters of Gotham, wondering why they have all been brought to this man's presence. However, the room is dark, and they can't even see the man.
"Joker," one of them asked, "Why did you invite us here? And why is it so dark?"
"You're questions will be answered in due time," Joker replied, "What I want you guys to do first is to give me all the details on this 'Bat-freak' that has been annoying my men these past couple nights. Cause from what I've heard; he's tempered with many of your people's affairs."
"Batman? He's been a threat for almost a year now; he's locked up guys like Crane, and even put Frankie Napier at the bottom of Gotham River a few months back. That's why we've been laying low since that event. Let's face it; Batman's taken back Gotham to its original form-"
"There is no way in Hell that I'll let that happen!" Joker snapped.
"But there's nothing you can do; he's-"
However, before the man could finish, Joker pulled out a small pistol and shot him in the chest, causing the man to fall to the floor. The others froze in their seats with fear, but then Joker laughed teasingly, causing the room to go into laughter nervously as well.
Finally, Joker stopped, causing the men to stop as well. Then, he rose from his chair for the first time and stated, "I have a plan gentlemen that not even 'Bat-Brains' will be able to stop. All I ask of you fine businessmen is the use of your men and whatever weapons you have that I might find useful while taking over this God forsaken city. In return, I offer you each a piece of the city to do whatever you like with. So fellas, what d'ya say?"
At that moment, the lights came on, and many of the men held in their surprised gasps. They had not seen Joker in a while, and now it seemed as though they still haven't seen him. His face was completely white, hair green, and lips red with a great grin. On top of that, his purple suit almost blinded the men into a creepy fright. From their silence, Joker smiled even bigger, "Good! Now, let's take a look at some files I've picked up just recently-"
"Um, sir?" said a soft voice from the door to the office, "I have the files you asked for."
Allie looked quietly but confidently around the room, looking for Bruce. He wasn't there, so, Allie walked up to his desk to lay down the papers. But just as she stretched out her hand, someone took them smoothly from her. Surprised, Allie turned to see Bruce standing next to her, faintly smiling.
"Oh, you startled me Mr. Wayne!" she said, curious of where he had come from.
"Allie, you can call me Bruce; I'm not like some of the other bosses in this corporation. I'm actually human."
He and Allie chuckled, but she stopped much before he did. Finally, she asked, "Your secretary said that I had to deliver these directly to you, and that you had to ask me something. What else is there that I can do for you?"
"Nothing you would expect Allie. You see, I was wondering if you would like to accompany me to dinner tonight. I have reservations at the Ritz and -"
"No, thank you for asking me though," she quickly cut him off, beginning to leave his office, "I don't think I'd be able to go; lots to do you know. Anyways,"
But as she turned to leave, Bruce called to her, "I know you don't have any more work to do tonight; I checked."
Turning, Allie looked at him, alert, "I appreciate you checking on my work, but I do have a life you know. Not everything evolves around your Enterprise."
Moving over to her, he said, "I don't want to sound forward Allie, but I know you're lying. I've tried inviting you the last two days through my secretary; but you haven't responded. Why don't you want to go out with me? I promise, it's just dinner."
He smiled kindly, causing Allie to look into his deep blue eyes. However, she quickly looked to a spot on the floor next to him, and simply said, "It's no secret; the life you live Bruce," suddenly, Bruce felt a great pain in his chest. Does she know? He thought worriedly, trying to act cool.
But then, she finished, "'Gotham's Playboy of the Year', I've seen you come into this office so many times with girls. And now suddenly, we meet, and all you're interested in is me. I don't know what kind of game you're trying to play; but I'm better than those, excuse me for saying so, sluts you usually 'hang out' with. I'm sorry, but I'm going to decline your offer once again. Goodnight Mr. Wayne; I need to be heading home."
She looked at him coldly once more with her simple green eyes, and then left him standing there, completely ashamed and shattered. Slowly, he turned around and went to his desk, leaning over it disgracefully. How he hated the horrible image he had to uphold just to keep his heroic actions a secret. Suddenly, Bruce had a thought. Despite what she had said, Bruce was determined to find out what Allie was all about. So, seeing that it was dark already, he went over to his closet where he had come from earlier, that had a direct line to the bat cave through a secret door.
Pushing a few numbers to open a wardrobe from inside the wall, his bat suit was revealed quickly, and he hurried to get it on. Just as he put on his mask, someone knocked at the door. Panicking, Batman shut the closet behind him and opened up a hatch just at his feet, sending him straight down to the sewer. Once safe there, he came up and out into the back alleys of Gotham, just around the corner of Wayne Enterprises. Going high over the alley, Batman could see Allie leave the building and head down the street, into the darkness.
He followed her closely above; darker than the night sky. He watched as Allie read through 'Gotham Times' and push her glasses up her face. After a moment or two, she looked up and took off her glasses. Putting them and the paper away, she walked with confidence and alertness to her surroundings. A couple of bums came up to her asking for money, and she declined them, speeding up her pace. Naturally, they followed eager to see what they could do to her. After she turned a corner, one grabbed her arm and swung her against a wall, causing Allie's head to ache from the hit. The other man joined the first and they took her suitcase away from her. Allie tried to scream for help, but her mouth was quickly covered by the first man and she was held up by her neck with his other hand. After struggling, she decided to knee him in the groin and when he fell to the ground, she quickly ran from them. However, she tripped from her short heels and fell to the ground.
The two men approached her just as she lifted up her head. Whimpering, Allie attempted to think of something to do, but could only feel a burning pain from her neck where she had almost been choked. The two men smiled at the defenseless woman, and began to come down over her. However, this was shortly altered by a black shadow coming from up above and hitting one man to the ground. The other approached the figure and tried punching him n the stomach. This only hurt the man's fist and was soon sent flying past the other hurt man, landing in some garbage.
Allie looked up at the dark figure just in time to see Batman turn to face her. Shocked, surprised, and grateful to see him, she was about to speak, but saw something behind him and yelled, "Watch-"
But before she said anymore, Batman had swooped her up and jumped high up into the air, taking her away from a third man she saw behind Batman with a gun. The man shot at them, but failed as Batman stretched out his wings, giving them air and more protection. After they got a few blocks over, Batman landed in an abandoned alleyway.
"Whew," Allie sighed as she checked her coat pocket for her wallet, which was still there.
"Did that suitcase of yours have anything important?" Batman asked in his deep voice.
"Oh, just some papers which I can easily make more copies of; so no." She brushed her messy hair behind her ears as she thought of how ridiculous her muddled bun must look. She looked back up at Batman, who oddly enough was still standing there. She had always figured that he was the type of hero who'd leave the victim once they were safe.
"Thank you Batman; it really is a blessing to have you around to help Gotham out." He nodded at her, but didn't leave. He only stared. Curious, but also very creped out, she looked into his dark eyes and wondered what he was thinking.
"Um, is there some sort of reward you wanted? Cause I didn't think that was how you-"
"You work at Wayne Enterprises don't you?" He asked darkly.
Confused and even more frightened, she replied softly, "Yes. What's it to you, if I can ask?"
"Nothing, I just have connections with different people in this city; Commissioner Gordon, the Mayor, Bruce Wayne,"
"You know Bruce Wayne? No, let me rephrase that; you talk to Bruce Wayne? Why on earth would you want to do that?"
"He has lots of knowledge on what is going on in this city; he like the others I know contribute in helping me seek out the villains of this place, and to stop them from their destruction."
"Oh, I always figured Bruce was the kind of businessman that got handed everything and knew nothing about his work. You know the spoiled rich playboy. That's what he seems like in all the papers, and in his office I might add." Allie thought for a few moments, forgetting her fear by now, thinking of how disgusting she thought he was.
Aggravated with this, Batman took his 'Bruce Wayne' connection even further and said, "I see. But, isn't it obvious that his lifestyle is just false? Since you work with him, don't you know what he's actually like?"
Confused with the conversation they were having, Allie perused, "Yes, now that you bring it up. He is a nice person when you take the girls and money away, I guess if you think about it, but I've grown up not trusting in people like that. Do you honestly think deep down he's a decent person? Come on, you're Batman; you seek out what isn't good and bring it to justice. You're telling me he's really alright?"
"Yes, I believe he is. I don't know the purpose for his actions but, I can tell the good guys from the bad. And Bruce Wayne isn't one of them. You should know, you work for his company."
"I'm only working at Wayne Enterprises for the pay; I'm struggling to stay in this city. The option of having a good or bad boss doesn't really matter at this point; most of the city's corrupted anyways. I don't know, half the time, I feel like giving up. But, when I look at you," she dared to move her eyes up to his, her hands trembling a little, "I feel a sense of hope; like Gotham is actually going to be alright. And I have you to thank for that. And this whole 'Bruce Wayne' business, I'll think about. If you say he's not that bad, then I guess I should treat him with a little more respect. But still, I don't see why he'd go gallivanting around Gotham like he does. I wonder what he's trying to hide. Hmm." Allie thought for a moment, and then looked back at Batman, "Thank you again for saving me; I hope to run into you another time. But, I have to get home now, so I'll see you around, or not."
But as she walked off, Batman asked her, "Do you want a lift?"
Allie laughed and replied, "No, I think one time is definitely enough. I'm deathly afraid of heights!"
As soon as she said that, she turned the corner into the crowded streets of Gotham. Batman had the intention of following her, but he saw the Bat signal shine in the dark sky, and knew he had to go see Gordon.