Mickey Conozzo was scared. This is important, because Mickey Conozzo wasn't scared of anything. Fear isn't something you should be feeling when you're part of a criminal gang. He was waiting for his boss to call him in. Well, his boss' boss. Mickey had never met this man before. He'd heard horror stories, of course. But there was a strict chain of command, which meant unless Mickey was bumped up, he'd never meet his boss' boss. If he was bumped up, that meant he was doing a good job, so he had no need to be scared. However, he hadn't been promoted. He and his brother Jimmy were charged with a very special mission by their boss. They had been asked to put together a crew, and rob the Gotham National Bank. Easy, for seasoned pros like the Conozzos. They'd done it a thousand times before. Nothing as big, but still, a piece of cake. That is, until some freak running around in a bat costume decided to stick his nose in. He took out the crew in less than a minute. Mickey had the good sense to run, while the bat-man was busy. Jimmy was less fortunate. He stood his ground, for all the good it did him. Now, he was rotting in Stonegate Prison. But who's the lucky one? Mickey, who managed to escape? Or Jimmy, who doesn't have to deal with the biggest boss there is?

His concentration was broken by the arrival of a small, balding, creepy looking man, carrying a big appointment book. He was dressed in a very expensive suit, which probably made him look far more impressive than he actually was. He walked over to Mickey. "Mr. Conozzo. We're very glad you could make it. My name is Julian Day. I am Mr. Nashton's right-hand man." This was the first time Mickey had heard the boss' name. Nashton didn't sound like a very intimidating name. Then again, as they say, what's in a name?

"Yeah, it's, uh.. it's no problem, Mr, Day, but I am actually kinda busy… I've got work to do and stuff… I was wondering if maybe we could do this some other time, you know, when it's less hectic for me? I'm sure Mr. Nashton is too busy to talk to me."

"I'm afraid that's not possible. Mr. Nashton is fully booked up for a good, long while."

"Haha, how do you know, you didn't even check your book there."

"I'm good with days, Mr. Conozzo. I'm afraid now's the only time Mr. Nashton can see you. Follow me, please."

Mickey gulped down some air, and followed Julian Day through ornate double doors, into the boss' office. Mickey surveyed the room as he entered. It was fairly dark. He could make out portrait frames, bookshelves, plants. Even a few windows, with the curtains closed. Mr. Nashton was sat at his desk, in a suit that looked even more expensive than Julian's, with a bright green tie. There was another man in the room, standing behind Mr. Nashton. He easily stood over seven feet, but that was all Mickey could see of him. He was shrouded in shadow.

"Mr. Conozzo, it's good to finally meet you. My name is Edward Nashton. You may have heard of me? I own and operate Nashton Pharmaceuticals, Inc." Mickey couldn't believe his eyes. This was a guy who kissed babies and shook hands for a living. He was the leader of a criminal empire? He was contemplating this, when Nashton's voice snapped him out of his shock. "Would you please take a seat?" He turned to Julian. "Thank you, Mr. Day, I can handle it from here." Julian nodded, and left the room. Mickey could've sworn he saw a smile creep across the creepy little bastard's face.

"Mr. Nashton, I just wanna say, it wasn't my fault. It was the bat-man, he came out of nowhere-" Nashton raised a hand.

"Ah yes, the bat-man. I believe your brother has the same excuse. Mr. Conozzo, I didn't get to where I am today by accepting excuses. If I ask for a job to be done, it gets done, or the person who fails me gets fired." These words turned Mickey's stomach. He had a family to feed. "I'm a man who likes honesty, and results. This… bat-man malarkey you and your brother are trying to feed me… it makes me a very angry man." Mickey winced in his chair. Nashton leant forward, and looked Mickey directly in the eye. "I hate liars, Mr. Conozzo…" Mickey was visibly fidgeting now.

"…which is why I had your brother killed last night."

Mickey's eyes widened. He felt like he had been punched in the gut. Jimmy was dead? He flung himself out of his chair, and turned to run for the door. Unfortunately, the door was now blocked. Nashton's associate had somehow gotten behind him. He didn't even see him move. What kind of man can do that?

"Now, I was going to give you a chance, Mr. Conozzo. Can I call you Michael? We can surely dispense with the pleasantries. I was going to let you leave this office intact. But you lied to me. Your own ineptitude got your brother caught, and got you in this office. There's no such thing as a man running around, dressed as a bat. And because you couldn't own up…" Nashton trailed off. Mickey looked up at the man blocking his path. He looked like he had some sort of skin condition. Like, his skin was all peeling away. Mickey tried to push away. That's when he felt it. It wasn't peeling skin. It felt like… scales?

"Waylon? Deal with this."

Mickey felt gargantuan hands close around his head. He felt immense pain, and his life draining away. The scaly man was crushing his skull. Within seconds, it was over. Mickey slumped to the floor. Nashton looked down at Mickey, and shook his head. He returned to his desk to grab his briefcase.

"Waylon, get someone to clean this up, please. I have a meeting to attend in a few hours."