Chapter 6: The Charity Circus
We cut to later that week where the Riddler pays a visit to...a mysterious friend where it's decorated into two split images.
"Ho ho I see what you did with this place. Heavy metal meets house in garden." Riddler said.
A figure stands at a window staring out in the city.
"You think I care about your opinion?" Figure asked.
"Well I can care less how you decorate your lovely home. But I noticed you only target mob banks. You could give the Joker a run for his dirty money. If you don't mind me asking: Why mob banks?" Riddler asked.
"They were owned by the biggest crime bosses in Gotham. Rollin Dagget. Rupert Thorn. Salvatore Meroni. Harvey tried to put them away for years but they were more slippery than Penguin. Carmine Falconie got off more than them. But fate had different plans." Figure said.
"According to you?" Riddler asked.
"According to this." Figure said.
The Figure holds out the same coin from his pocket.
"Let's see if we should move in on the Charity Circus tonight." Figure said.
He flips the coin catching it and grips it Black heads side up.
"Time to step right up. Hurry hurry." Figure said.
We cut to that evening at Gotham charitable circus donated to Gotham's children hospital funded by Bruce Wayne himself.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages! Welcome to the Gotham Charitable Circus donated to Gotham's children hospital. Before we begin our show let us have a round of applause to our biggest supporter: BRUCE WAYNE!" Ringmaster said.
A loud applause took forward to Bruce in the audience.
With Chase as his plus one in a black dress.
He nods and waves at everyone.
Lucius Fox.
And Jim Gordon.
We're there to attend the show for their support.
Edward Nygma was watching it on TV at his apartment.
"Interesting. Both my bosses attended the circus and didn't invite me. Boy will they be in for a treat." Edward said.
Edward was more suspicious than before.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Introducing our first event 50 feet above the floor. The masters of the sky herself: The FLYING GRAYSONS!" Ringmaster said.
A family of four performing as Arial Accordancers prepare for their performance, their John & Mary Grayson.
With their 17 year old son Dick Grayson.
The first to take the first swing was his father and then Dick took a breath before taking his swing leaping off flipping over and grabbing hold of his father's hands hanging off the second rail by his legs.
The audience applauds and Chase turns to Bruce.
"So...did you bring me here just as your plus one or is this part of our session?" Chase asked.
"It's for charity." Bruce said.
"I know. Just often wondered. How many women did Gotham's eligible bachelor bring to the circus?" Chase asked.
"You're actually the first." Bruce said.
"So, no one that serious?" Chase asked.
"There were...two. A photojournalist and...and an executive assistant." Bruce said.
"Yours?" Chase asked.
"No. She...was complicated." Bruce said.
"Sounds to me you haven't met the right woman." Chase said.
Bruce and Chase chuckle and just before the Flying Graysons could perform their finale...
...guns were fired causing a panic Bruce stood up.
As Chase panicked with her hand on her mouth.
Goons in masks with Tommy guns appeared in the arena.
And to everyone's surprise, especially Bruce's.
They were led by his friend Harvey who is now Two-Face.
As the panic outbreak foresees Bruce and Chase look in on surprise as a figure, Harvey makes his way to the center of the ring with his half burnt face after barely making it out of the Riddler's game showing hate in both eyes on each half of his newly Two-Face flipping his coin.
Gordon stands up shouting.
"Harvey?!" Gordon called.
"Harvey Dent...is DEAD. Destroyed by the explosion set off by the mysterious Riddler. You Gotham nights can call me...Two-Face. Harvey Two-Face." Two-Face said.
Bruce was stunned as Chase looked at him in concern, knowing Harvey was once his friend.
"I know it's quite a shock but I'm here...to tell you all a story...what that weakling Harvey Dent learned before he was blown to hell. The Riddler told him that he was known as the White Knight that closed the cases on the Joker and Penguin. Even though they fell by the hands of Batman...Harvey was the real hero that took them down. And the Batman was JEALOUS! That's why he let that riddle crazed maniac push Dent to fall prey to his games. And I wouldn't be surprised if he's here now among the crowd." Two-Face said.
Bruce was now in chills seeing his former friend blame him unknowingly for the incident that turned him into this monster he is now.
Bruce was tempted to get up and reason with him but Chase held him back nodding not to.
"I hope you're looking at me in the eyes Batman. Are you happy now that Gotham's face of hope is now blown in two?! How do we even know...that you didn't hire the Riddler to capture me and DO THIS TO ME!" Two-Face said.
Edward was suspiciously smiling at this watching it on his tv.
"Even if you didn't tell me I'm wrong that you were jealous Gotham looked up to me more than you! Come out and say it to my face! And every five seconds you don't I'll flip the coin...heads I'll let a hostage go...tails...I'll blow their damn heads off." Two-Face said.
Bruce was in a pickle and he turned to Chase.
"Let me go. I have to talk to him." Bruce said.
"He'll kill you, Bruce." Chase said.
"He's my friend, Chase. I have to try." Bruce said.
Two-Face already flips the coin but just when he caught it…
...the Flying Graysons swoop down kicking him down and fight off Two-Face's men while their son Dick waits up High where it was safe.
The commotion caught everyone's attention, even Chase allowing Bruce to slip away.
On the floor Harvey barely recovered seeing the acrobatic family fighting the goons.
He turned back to find his coin and crawled to it but as he grabbed it...
...Bruce grabbed him by the arm.
Seeing his friend made the real Harvey speak.
"Bruce?" Harvey asked.
"Harvey, you're sick. Let me help you." Bruce said.
"You need to get away from me, Bruce. I don't want him to hurt you too." Harvey said.
"Who?" Bruce asked.
"Me, pretty boy!" Two-Face said.
Bruce flinched as Two-Face punched him back.
It's like Two-Face was two people in a one man body.
"I'm sorry Bruce!" Harvey said.
"But you will be!" Two-Face said.
Two-Face turns to the Grayson's while Dick sled down to help his parents.
Harvey flips the coin...
"Bad heads"
Two-Face snarls pointing the gun at the Grayson's who spotted him as did Dick and Bruce looked up…
"BANG! BANG!"
The gunshots brought Bruce back to the murder of his parents, even seeing Dick witnessing Two-Face shooting John and Mary...DEAD.
The crowd gasped as Bruce looked in utter horror and he could believe what Harvey had just done.
As Gordon called in reinforcements Two-Face and his remaining Goons escape out the back driving off 8n their gangster 60's car.
As for young Dick he was grief stricken his parents were murdered in front of him he let out an angry yell.
Which Bruce...understands his pain from losing his parents too.
To Be Continued…