54 West street in downtown Gotham was always busy at night. The entire block was lit up with traffic and pedestrians crowded around the main entrance of the Iceberg Lounge, especially on Saturday night; and after midnight was when the party really started cooking.
It was almost 1 A.M. – just a few hours after the warehouse shooting on Barlow street – when a long black limousine pulled up to the doors of the night club. Security held people back from crowding the vehicle. The driver hustled from his seat to the rear to open the door. Some folks in the crowd pulled out their cellphones to get a picture or video of whomever this mystery celebrity was.
The limousine door opened and a polished green shoe stepped onto the red carpet. The Riddler emerged wearing a custom green blazer with green LED lights blinking in the shape of question marks across it. A green bowler hat sat on his head, with a single question mark prominently stamped on the center. A thin purple mask sat across his eyes. He carried a golden cane with a question mark's curve for a handle. The flashy sight prompted a few cheers from the spectators, but there were a few noticeable groans. Riddler, unable to help himself, played to the handful of cheers and struck a pose, hands and cane in the air, for all to see. He filed away a few of the faces who were chuckeling or jeering in his memory. He milked the spotlight as he struted toward the entrance.
Inside the club was electric. The speakers thumped, and lights twirelled as people danced on the main floor. Waitresses weaved between the sea of people, carrying trays of drinks. A team of bouncers swarmed on Riddler as he entered. Riddler flinched for a moment, ready to shout that he was an invited guest, but realized they were his escort, not his exit. It wasn't often that he was actually welcome at a party.
"Right this way, Mister Riddler," said a very large man dressed in an all black suit.
Riddler smiled big. Now this is more like it, he thought. He was led to a grand staircase where more large dark dressed men unhooked velvet ropes for him. The upstairs VIP section of the Iceberg Lounge was the most exclusive and most sought after space in all of Gotham City society.
Super model Page Monroe sipped champagne with a gentleman by the balcony, there was Cassidy the rock singer, movie star Matt Hagen was rubbing elbows with Roland Daggett, CEO of Daggett Industries. Comedian Buddy Standler had everyone at his table in stitches; Brian Rogers, quarterback for the Gotham Knights was one of them. The only empty seat was a closed off corner booth with a card on the table with the letters 'LL.' In the very back was the biggest table of them all. The Penguin's private booth.
Beautiful women and his bodyguards flanked either side of Oswald Cobblepot, and everyone was all smiles, drinks flowing and glasses clinking. The Penguin noticed the Riddler approaching and vigorously waved him over.
"There he is," the Penguin said. "The most brilliant man in all of Gotham! The man of the hour! Somebody get this man a drink and a woman!"
Riddler bathed in the adulation and took a seat at the table. This wasn't just any seat or any table, though. This was a seat at the big table. Exactly where he belonged, Riddler thought.
"Satisfied, Ozzy?" Riddler said.
"Very much so!" Penguin said. He snapped a finger and a waitress brought over a polished silver tray carrying a Freeze Tech Emitter. Penguin grabbed and held the chrome and blue glowing device in one hand and examined it like it was a freshly cut diamond. "I'm not exactly sure what we're gonna do with these things, but at least Thorne doesn't have them! And I'll tell ya one thing! We'll never run out of ice ever again!" Penguin smacked the FTE against the table and a large cluster of ice formed in front of him. He laughed with amazement like a child who just learned how to strike a match. He broke a chunk of the ice off in his fingers and popped it in his mouth. "And it's actually really good, too," he said.
"I just love seeing that beautiful smile on your face, Ozzy," Riddler said. "That's why I do it! That's why I do what I do."
Penguin took a swig from a flute of champagne and set it aside. He dusted his hands clean and changed to a serious demeanor. "Riddler, we had a deal," he said. "You held up your end. So that means I'm gonna hold up mine. I'm a man of my word. You need men to help you take down the Batman, then you got 'em. However many you need. Done. I'll even give you Rhino, my favorite man!"
Riddler was served a drink. He took it and raised it to the Penguin's honor. "You're a heck of a guy, Ozzy," he said. "There are a lot of good days ahead for the two of us!"
"I hope so, my boy!" Penguin laughed loud and hard. He picked up his glass again and touched it to Riddler's. "I hope so. But look, Riddler, if I may. About your big master plan…well, I'm not one to tell another rogue how to operate…but are you sure about this? I mean, really sure? This plan you told me about…that's a lot of fire you're playing with, my friend."
Riddler leaned closer and smiled. "And what a glorious fire it will be that burns down the Batman!"
The two shared a big laugh. "My man Rhino will be in touch with you about the details, but tonight, my dear boy, let us drink and be merry!"
Riddler stood and straightened his jacket, question marks still blinking on it. "Ozzy, you're a gorgeous man. I thank you oh so very much, but sadly I can't keep you all night."
"You just got here, my boy! You can't be leaving now!"
"I mustn't dawdle, my friend, there is much work to be done."
"Well if you say so," Penguin said. "You're welcome any time."
Riddler pulled a small green envelope from his jacket pocket and leaned it against a flower fixture at the center of the table, so it was facing Penguin.
"What's that, now?"
"Oh, just a little card, expressing my appreciation. Good night, Ozzy," Riddler said. He tipped his bowler hat, and left the table.
Penguin waved goodbye and turned his attention to the beautiful woman sitting next to him. "Tracy, my dear, get 'ol Ruppy Thorne on the phone. It's time we had that little face-to-face."