Chapter 7: Dinner And Dancing
Alice was currently getting ready for her date with Jervis who would be here any minute. They have been dating for about five months now ever since they first ran into each other on the street. She wasn't sure where he was taking her tonight, but he said he wanted to take her somewhere extremely nice, so she made sure she had a nice dress on which was light blue. There came a knock on the door just as she was finishing up getting ready. She answered the door and there stood Jervis in his usual Mad Hatter attire with excitement and nervousness in his eyes. "Good evening, my dearest! You look absolutely frabjous as you always do.", he told her as he tipped his hat. "Thanks. You look frabjous yourself as you always do. Just give me a second to grab my coat.", Alice said. "Yes, do bundle up. It's been a real chilly Autumn here in Gotham. I imagine Winter is going to be no easier.", he said. Alice put on her heavy winter coat over her dress and left with Jervis. "So, where were you planning on going tonight?", she asked him as they left the apartment. "I thought I would take my girlfriend to one of the nicest places in the city: The Iceberg Lounge.", he said. He still couldn't believe that he finally gets to call his precious Alice his girlfriend which he wanted to do for so long. "But isn't that place like crazy expensive?", she asked. "The owner's a friend of mine. I'm sure he'll give us a break.", he winked at her. "Oh, that's right. I forgot who owns that place. Sounds lovely!", she said as they headed for the club. When they got into the lounge, the couple noticed it was no warmer in there than it was outside. "It's still freezing in here.", Alice said. "Well, what do you expect for a place that has an iceberg in it?", Jervis asked/teased. "Touche.", Alice remarked. They got to the front desk when Jervis requested, "Table for two, please.". "Unfortunately, I don't know if there any tables available right now, but maybe if...", the guy at the desk was saying before he was cut off by his boss. "Jervis, my old friend! It's good to see you!", said none other than Oswald Cobblepot, otherwise known as the Penguin. He had been just recently gotten out of jail by his lawyers after his latest operation was foiled by Batman and was back to running his nightclub. The owner had waddled over to the couple with his umbrella in his hand. "Good to see you too, Oswald.", Jervis said as he shook Penguin's hand. "I hear you have officially gone straight. Good for you.", said Penguin. "Indeed, I have. And so far, it seems to have been going better than I ever could've imagined.", he said while looking at Alice. "And who is this here?", Oswald asked when he saw Alice. "This is my girlfriend, Alice.", Jervis said as he introduced the two. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Cobblepot.", Alice said. "Nice to meet you too. Anyway, I can set up a table for you two. This way.", Penguin said as he instructed them to follow him. He escorted them to a back table that was right next to the huge iceberg. "I think this will do fine. Thank you.", Tetch said. "No problem. Anything for an old friend.", Penguin said as he left. The couple sat down, and Alice looked over and saw the penguins swimming in the water right in front of the iceberg. "Oh, check out the penguins.", she said to her boyfriend. Jervis got up and watched the penguins with Alice for a few minutes. "Penguins have always been one of my favorite animals.", Alice said. "Yeah, they are really fascinating creatures. I just hope these guys here haven't helped Penguin in any of his past crimes.", Jervis said. After watching the birds, they sat back down at their table. After a little while, their dinner came out and was set in front of them. Alice had ordered steak, while Tetch ordered spaghetti and garlic bread. Once they were done eating, Tetch said, "Wow! That was some of the best food I've had in a long time! Definitely better than Arkham's food.". "I second that. I can't eat another bite.", Alice said, describing her satisfied appetite. Penguin went over to their table and asked, "I trust your dinner was satisfactory?". "Yes, it was. Thank you.", Jervis responded. "Would you guys care for a dessert menu?", he asked. "Normally, I would say yes because I have a sweet tooth, but I'm stuffed.", Alice said. "Very well. For a friend of mine, I will see that it's on the house.", Penguin said. "Oh, you don't have to do that, Oswald.", Tetch said. "It's okay. I insist.", Penguin said as he walked away. "Well, that was decent of him.", Alice said. "Yes, it was. He often just plays a typical gentleman to hide his true intentions.", he said. The man who was running the music started to speak up. "Alright, everyone. We hope you're enjoying yourselves here tonight, at the Iceberg Lounge. We think it's time for you couples out there to slow it down with a nice little slow dance.", he said as he put on a slow song which was Heaven by Bryan Adams. Alice thought this would be the perfect opportunity for a slow dance with her boyfriend. She got up in front of him and said, "Hey, Jervis?". "Yes?", he asked with curiosity with her standing in front of him. "Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?", she quoted the Mock Turtle's song like he did her years ago as she held out her hand to him. Jervis just smiled and said, "I will gladly join the dance.". They walked to the dance floor where the other couples were dancing and started to dance themselves. He had his hand on her waist, her hand on his shoulder, and the other hand in each other's. They just looked deep into each other's eyes as they danced with loving smiles on both their faces. "I've always loved this song. Very romantic.", Alice said. "And I think it's very suitable for this moment. "It really does feel like I'm in heaven with you. I've waited my whole lonely life for you. I love you, Alice. So very much.", he said to her. Alice smiled with happiness and hugged him while they danced. She then whispered to him, "I love you too.". This shook Jervis to the core as he heard her say the words he only dreamed of her saying to him. "Really?", he asked. "I do. You were the one who was always there for me when I truly needed someone. Whenever I was upset about something at work, you were there to comfort me. That one time when Billy and I broke up, you came to my rescue. Jervis, you're the one I've been waiting for all my life. I love you so much.", she sincerely said. She then kissed him passionately just as the song was coming to a close and they finished dancing. They then parted lips and gazed into each other's eyes for a minute before heading back to their table. They grabbed their belongings and made their way out before stopping to talk to Penguin one more time. "I trust you two enjoyed yourselves. It sure seemed like it on the dance floor.", Penguin said. "We did. Thanks for everything tonight.", Alice said. "Indeed. Goodnight.", Tetch said as both he and Penguin tipped their hats to each other. Jervis and Alice bundled up close together in the cool night air to stay warm as they walked together back into Gotham.