"So listen Bruce, can I count on you to play nice with the Dent kids? This may just be a party, but we need to treat all engagements like potential business meetings. I need to get Christopher on board with this plan." Thomas stands before a full length mirror putting together his tie as Bruce stares outside the window at nothing in particular.
"Bruce, do you hear me talking to you?" Thomas' tone grows deeper, with more annoyance sprinkled in.
"Yes, Father. I will play nice with the Dent's. Is that enough of an answer for you?" Bruce shoots back a look that instantly reminds Thomas of Martha. The same look of disappointment he saw on her that night five years ago. This time however, instead of shame, the elder Wayne is filled with anger at his now teenaged son.
"Watch your tone Bruce. Tonight is very important for me. Just please, can we get through tonight without any issue? Please?" Bruce, his face unchanged from the stoic pose it has since grown accustom to wearing, begins to walk away from his father, towards the door.
"I will be doing this for her, Thomas. I hate parties, but she seemed to always enjoy them. You can go do whatever you need to do without worrying about me." Alfred walks into the tension, stopping the younger Wayne in his tracks. No matter the situation, Bruce always regarded the butler as his friend. His very first memories have always included him.
"Master Bruce, where is your tie?" Alfred asks sternly. Embarrassingly, Bruce looks away from him without answering.
"I'm still not sure how to tie one Al. I don't even know why I have to wear one!" Bruce quips. With a heavy sigh, Thomas brushes by Bruce and Alfred.
"Unbelievable." he remarks as he hastily exits the room. "Alfred, please see to it that Bruce is ready for our guests. He's promised to make an appearance." Thomas exits the room without another word to either of them.
"You mustn't get your father riled up this way Bruce, especially not on nights like tonight." Bruce turns away from Alfred as he speaks, not wanting his mood shown.
"If you ask me, there have been too many nights like tonight Al. Father has thrown so many of these parties lately. And as always he disappears with those same four people." Curiously, Alfred follows Bruce over to the window.
"What four people Master Bruce. What are you talking about?" Bruce draws open a table and pulls out a notebook that is filled with various scribbles. He furiously turns the pages until he comes upon one in particular. Alfred stares at the boy, who has now become lost within his own thoughts for a moment.
"These are the dates of all the parties Father has thrown just within the past year. At first I didn't notice it, but now its truly impossible to not see. These may be holiday gatherings to everyone else, but at every one, Father has gone into his private study at some point with these four men." Alfred takes the book and is immediately abhorred at the sight. Each page is fully covered with words and incoherent sketches that resemble a creature withnwings. As he reads the names to himself, Bruce recites them out loud.
"Christopher Dent. Mayor-elect Hill. Commissioner Roberts. Tucker Cobblepot." Bruce stares outside as the first of the guests arrives. "Ever since she passed Alfred, Father has been spending more and more time with these men. I was too weak to notice it before, but now, my mind is becoming clearer."
Alfred closes the book and returns it to the cluttered drawer. Silently, he walks to the boy's closet and peruses the collection of ties before selecting one. He thinks back to that night, pulling Bruce away from the deceased Martha, his face covered in the mess that were her remains. The thought always brought him sadness, but watching the culminating effect on Bruce brings along a deeper sorrow.
"Come Master Bruce. Let me show you how to put together this tie. Your appearance should always be important to you. How you present yourself to the world says a lot about who you are." Bruce pulls himself away from the window and walks over to Alfred.
"Did you hear a word I said Al. Father is acting weird. He's keeping company with some terrible men. Whenever I try to approach them, he doesn't even let me in. I need to find out why." With conviction, Bruce slams his fist against the closet door. Alfred, remaining as calm as possible, motions to put the tie around Bruce's neck.
"Right now Master Bruce, what you need is to get ready. The eyes of Gotham will be on you tonight. You so rarely attend these things, your presence will surely be all anyone talks about after tonight." Bruce does not fight Alfred and pays attention as the elder instructs him on tying a tie.
"You have one thing right Al. Tonight, my presence will surely be felt."