……………………………….

I Promised You Entertainment

……………………………….

A crowd had gathered on the outer balcony. People standing, pushing. Voices a mingle of hush and confusion. Evey drew herself into the midst, having to know for herself. Her heart ached with hope.

The consequences for a murder had not even crossed her mind. She pushed her way through until she caught a glimpse of the red-colored symbol. She felt her breath catch and a disappointing relief sweep over her as she noticed an important detail. It was not a Violet Carson.

A hand gripped her by the arm, pulling her away from the crowd. She turned in surprise to find the Captain pushing through the people.

"Wait!" She tried pulling back to no avail. He continued until they had broken free. The surrounding elegance seemed to feel more comfortable in a quieter gossip about the situation than to see for themselves. Evey pitied them.

"There's no reason for you to get into the middle of that," he remarked in a protective tone. His grasp released yet she remained close.

"What happened back there? You said you were going to see him. Were you there?"

"I never got to him. I was told he was out front, so I went to go search for him. Got stopped by an acquaintance at the bar. Were you anywhere near him?"

Suddenly his tone had had turned into an accusation. She found herself backing away.

"I was dancing with the man you asked me to dance with, or are you forgetting that already?"

"I'm sorry…I didn't mean to imply…"

"Well you did." Her tone was sharp, but she didn't need to say any more.

They stood there quietly for a time. The woman looked away and towards the scene. More people began to disburse as the guards started pushing them away. Announcements were made for a sweep of the area. No one was allowed to leave until cleared. Everything had been under surveillance, so the tapes would be viewed in good time. Now was a time for them to play the situation down. Guests would be consoled. Gifts would be distributed and apologies for the upset. Evey felt a hand touch her arm, realizing that the Captain was still there.

"The party is over for the night. We should try to get the reports done quickly so we aren't here 'til morning."

Evey nodded with a forced smile. More than likely the plans for the late evening were cancelled as well.

"I'm sorry it didn't turn out the way we both would have liked. It was truly wonderful until…" She looked down, playing the bashful card.

"How would you have liked it, dear Rachel?"

She caught the opening and went for it. Smiling, she leaned in closer, a hand moved to his chest. The smile wasn't faked as she felt him startle at her touch.

"I've dreamed for a chance to be at a party like this. Full of masks and mysteries. It seems like I've gotten a bit of both tonight. Yet I always wanted to see what happened next." She let her voice drop seductively. "I do love masked men. They're so...exciting."

His eyes glinted with understanding. She knew he hadn't had a woman in months.

"Perhaps I spoke too soon about the party ending."

Evey wrapped her arm under his as they made their way back to the table.

…………………………….

(E.V.)

The butler had long retired for the night by the time we returned. It really was a large house. Four stories in all, if you considered the basement and the lone room where the attic usually resided. Everything was sparse for the most part. The furniture looked hardly used. That comes from living mostly by yourself. I would know.

I sifted through the files: taxes, order confirmations, bills. Nothing that was of much use yet, but there was still some time before morning. The drugs would last a while longer. The bedroom had been the first place I had checked. I did discover he had a fetish for cloaked, mysterious women. Figures. I hadn't expected anything sexually extreme from him. Although he did actually have scripts all written out for the women to play. I moved onto the rest of the house from there, finding nothing more of interest. A quick mental note to remind me his keys and wallet remained on the dresser.

So here I was…checking files. He had them numbered in categories. I started in cabinet #1. Yet I kept finding my eyes drifting to #5. It wasn't long before I gave into my curiosity. So far it had turned out fruitless. I contained a groan of frustration until I found a section of school records for a Norsefire School of Medical and Psychological Sciences.

I straightened instantly as I remembered his comment about his brother and Mark Thomas going to school together. No one seemed to remember what the school was called before Norsefire placed their 'charitable' name on the title. Perhaps they didn't want to. I pulled the file and a small business card fell out. The word convenient passed through my thoughts, but I quickly shoved it aside. A phone number was included.

It took only a moment to pull my wallet from my purse. Surprises never cease to amaze me as I found a piece of paper folded neatly inside. I didn't remember ever… "I am a man in a mask."

The world paused for just that moment as I took the familiar words in. It had to be that man. The man in yellow. No one else would have an answer to a question I refused to ask. He was the only one with an opportunity.

I had to admire him for his skill. It wasn't just anyone that was able to touch my purse without any notice. Come to think of it, it never had before. He was an imitator, a copy-cat. And he was good. The murder, flower, the dance…the note. But what was his game? And how had I missed any sign of him? He had to have been watching me for a while.

I was getting sloppy. Just like I was wasting too much time in the house that could very easily become my deathtrap. I quickly skimmed the file and pulled it out into a pile of things coming with me.

Standing, I examined the walls, moving lamps, pictures, anything that could move. My confidence had a small boost when I found a petite safe under the floorboard of the center desk. It was locked, naturally. Good time as any to grab the remainder of my things from the bedroom.

……………………………...

The woman entered the dark room. A calm breathing from the sleeping form let her know that the liquid had done its work. The vial had been long replaced in her purse. The cup remained untouched by her at least. The less evidence she could leave behind the better. They would soon discover that Rachel Fisher had been in the room. That she was a thief and a con. They would soon connect her with Evey Hammond who had been missing for five years now. Perhaps they would tie together the two names with Megan Turner and Emily Summers. By tomorrow she would be Candace. Perhaps she should start a game. A new letter every so many months. She was letting John choose the last name this time.

It took just a moment to get her cloak and fasten it around her neck, pulling the hood over her face. She swiped the keys and tossed the wallet in her purse before leaning down to the sleeping Captain.

"Really ought to work on your vigilance, sir. Should be thankful I didn't wish you dead."

Evey returned to the office, unlocking the small box quietly. Files marked with the initials RI filled the container. With a brief scan, she smiled at the achievement and closed the box. Tucking it safely under her arm, she paused to replace the floorboard. With a bag in one hand, box in the other the women left the dark house. She had no reason to look back.

……………………………..

"I promised you entertainment…" - Mr. Seaman, The Great Impersonation by E. Phillips Oppenheim

A.N.- Just wanted to thank anonymoose for letting me know about the lyrics! I don't speak French myself, but I love the song. The translated lyrics I posted are the only 'full lyrics' that I've been able to find with regards to the song. And have searched a darned long time :P If you have the whole translation, I would love to get it from you!

I used the Violet Carson in here as it is used in the comic and novelization. Although, I could have sworn in the movie they called it the Scarlet Carson.

Thank you so much everyone for your reviews! I would have liked to post some more up since then, but it's been a long week for me. I've mostly been working on writing out a storyline/plot so that I know how people are all connected into it. Very excited with what I've come up with, hopefully you will be too :P

Hm….to tell you what's coming up soon or not…I think not ;) More coming soon to a fanfiction near you!