Batman vs. Daredevil Black and Red Chapter 6: The Kingpin
"Good morning Mr. Wayne. Mr. Fisk usually does not meet with anyone on such short notice, but few individuals have your reputation, stature or…."resources" shall we say." says James Wesley. Wesley is the personal assistant, translator, and manager of the day-to-day operations of Wilson Fisk…..aka "The Kingpin."
"Thank you Mr. Wesley." Bruce Wayne says as he stands in the lobby outside of Wilson Fisk's office.
Bruce knows that by "resources," that Wesley is referring to Bruce Wayne's extensive wealth and financial status as an elite millionaire. Bruce has found that even more than any type of possession that he could possibly buy, the greatest advantage of his wealth is that he can meet with nearly anyone upon request since most people are either wanting a part of his money, or they are not wanting him and Wayne Enterprises to swoop in and take away what they already have.
Mr. Wesley's cell phone rings and then….
"Mr. Wayne, Mr. Fisk will see you now." He says as he opens the door to Wilson Fisk's office.
"Ahhhh….Mr. Wayne. It is truly an honor….and pleasure to finally meet you." Fisk says as he reaches out to shake Bruce's hand.
"The pleasure is all mine." Bruce replies. He is shocked at the size and stature of Fisk. Bruce is 6'2 and Fisk is a bit taller…."He must be at least 6'7." Bruce thinks. At first Bruce thinks Fisk is a bit on the tubby side, but that handshake….even with all Bruce's strength he is shocked with how strong Fisk's grip is.
"I like the office Fisk….lots of space." Bruce retorts.
"Thank you for the compliment. Now, Mr. Wayne….to what do I owe this unexpected visit?" Fisk asks.
"Look, let me get to the point. There was a….situation at a building in Gotham City. Bad explosion. People got hurt. Maybe you heard about it?" Bruce asks.
"Why yes, I did hear about that Mr. Wayne. I like to keep close tabs on all of my properties. The accident was….unfortunate to say the least." Fisk says.
"Right….unfortunate." Bruce adds. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about what caused that explosion, would you Fisk?" Bruce asks.
"Of course not…..I'm guessing it was some sort of gas leak or…faulty wiring." Fisk replies.
"Right…..I also noticed that besides that warehouse, that you purchased several other properties in Gotham."
"Is that a crime? Real estate is one of my areas of…business, Mr. Wayne. I have been looking to expand my portfolio beyond Hell's Kitchen. I thought a man such as yourself would respect that?" Fisk contends.
"Of course I would….if you were really buying those properties to add to your real estate portfolio." Bruce adds.
"What do you mean…..if?" Fisk asks.
"Look Fisk, let me cut to the chase." Bruce says while leaning in close to Fisk.
"Please do Mr. Wayne." Fisk adds wondering where Wayne is going with this.
"Excuse my language….but those properties are "shit properties." They're all worn down warehouses and abandoned buildings. There's nothing they could possibly add to your real estate portfolio." Bruce says matter-of factly.
"I don't think I like what you're insinuating Wayne." Fisk adds. His previous calm demeanor suddenly changed like that of an animal that becomes fierce when prodded.
"I'm not insinuating Fisk. I just want you to know….Gotham City is my backyard. I like to know what goes on in my backyard." Bruce adds.
"Perhaps your city needs a bit of remodeling Mr. Wayne. My main concern is to see this city and its future….seeing Hell's Kitchen to its fullest potential. Perhaps we could form a partnership which would benefit both of our cities Mr. Wayne?"
"I don't partner with criminals Fisk." Wayne says seriously.
"I think this meeting has run its course Mr. Wayne!" Fisk then presses a button calling for Mr. Wesley to open the door. "Wesley, please see Mr. Wayne out." Fisk demands.
"I'll see myself out." Wayne adds. "After all,….I just bought this building. Don't worry though, I'm not kicking you out…..yet. Have a good one Fisk." Bruce adds before exiting.
Wesley stands looking at Fisk with a nervous expression. He knows that when anyone challenges his boss, it will not be a positive outcome.
"Wesley…leave me." Fisk says to his assistant.
"Mr. Fisk, I'm sure he wasn't serious….was he? Let me make some calls and…"
"LEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAVVVVVE MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Fisk demands in a voice so loud and thunderous it strikes pure fear into the heart of John Wesley.
As Wesley walks out and shuts the door, Wilson Fisk stands looking at his desk. He then raises his fists in the air and brings them crashing down on his desk! SMASH!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!" Fisk yells out like some rageful beast.
Then, just as Fisk exploded with anger a second earlier, he now stands still looking at the desk that is broken into two pieces on the ground in front of him along with papers and pens. His fast breathing slows back down. Fisk then takes out a handkerchief and wipes the sweat from his face and pours himself a glass of ice water from the side table in his office and sits down. He seems to be completely calm again like the moments after a harsh thunderstorm.
Fisk, then takes out his cell phone and makes a call.
"Wesley…I'm going to need a new desk," Fisk states. "And Wesley…..make sure our "friend" takes care of Mr. Wayne."
'Yes sir, immediately." Wesley responds.
As Bruce Wayne walks outside he sees his car waiting. He gets in the back of the car and starts to loosen his tie.
"Thanks Alfred. Fisk was just the type of guy that I thought he would be….dangerous. Bad seed. He hurts people. Alfred?"
Suddenly Bruce realizes that the man driving the car is not Alfred at all.
"I like him already!" Says the man driving the car as he turns around.
"Who the hell are you?" Bruce asks. "And where's Alfred!" Bruce tries opening the door but it is locked.
"Name's Bullseye rich boy! And don't worry….your butler is just taking a nap….in the trunk! It'll be over soon enough for both of you! Ha Ha!" Bullseye says as he starts driving faster and screeching down the street, cutting off cars and running red lights which causes three other cars to crash into each other. Screeeeeeeeeeeech! BAM!
"Watch out for Mayhem! Looks like you should have signed up for Allstate! Ha Ha!" Bullseye says while continuing to weave in between cars on the road.
Bruce knows he needs to do something but he doesn't want to give away his identity.
"What do you want! Is it money!? I've got plenty! Just let me and Alfred go. I'll double the price whoever is paying you to do this is promising to give you." Bruce pleads.
Bullseye is drinking a soda with a straw as he haphazardly drives.
"You probably could, but there's one problem! I always finish the job! Hey, wanna drink Wayne? You might be a bit thirsty! Ha Ha! Y'know Wayne….I could just kill you with this straw and make it easy!" Bullseye teases.
Bruce is then shocked to see that Bullseye literally takes the straw out of the soda can and starts to aim it at him with one hand while he is driving with the other.
"What in the…?" WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH! The straw comes flying at Bruce at an amazing velocity of speed. The straw is headed right for Bruce's neck. He moves out of the way just in time and the straw pierces through the seat of the car!
"Nice reflexes Wayne! Looks like all that pickleball paid off huh!? Ha Ha! Oh well, they say plastic is killing the environment anyway! Ha! Ha!"
SMASH! Just then a billy club comes smashing through the windshield breaking the glass and hitting Bullseye directly in the face.
SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEECH! CRASH!
The car crashes into a nearby building! Bullseye flies forward banging his head on the steering wheel and breaking his nose.
Bruce had braced himself before the crash so he is uninjured.
Bullseye opens his car door and falls out of the car to the ground. He is bleeding and disoriented.
As he shakes his head he looks up from the ground and sees….
"Daredevil! Damn you! Why did you have to interfere!?" Bullseye then goes to reach for a gun he had hidden. "Even in this condition I'm still a perfect shot!" POW! POW! POW!
Three shots fire, all direct hits to the chest and torso but…..Daredevil is unharmed!
"What the hell!? Those were direct hits! You should be laid out!" Bullseye yells.
"If you haven't noticed I'm wearing a new suit Bullseye. A new friend of mine made it for me and as you can see…it's a major upgrade. Daredevil then runs up to Bullseye and jumps in the air landing a flying kick directly to Bullseye's head, knocking him unconscious.
Bruce manages to get the door open and gets out of the car.
"Alfred! Alfred! Are you ok!?" Bruce yells.
"Don't' worry Wayne. I hear his heart beating. He's fine." Daredevil adds.
"Alfred! I'm here!" Bruce says while opening the trunk.
"Master Wayne!? There was such a ghastly man! He came out of nowhere and…..I was knocked in the head and thrown in this trunk like an old sack of potatoes!"
"Sorry about that Alfred! I'm glad you're ok. You know I couldn't find my sox without you." Bruce says as he helps Alfred out of the trunk.
"Good work Daredevil. I'm glad the suit worked out. Luckily I had some spare red paint. Black is more my color." Bruce contends.
"No problem Wayne. I was listening to your conversation with Fisk from outside the building. Looks like you managed to get on his good side." Daredevil adds.
"Right, enough of his good side that he sent someone to kill me."
To be continued….