Chapter 3: Gotham's New DA
The night after Calendar Man was sent to Arkham, Alfred came upstairs to wake Bruce up with some breakfast. "Rise and shine, Master Bruce.", Alfred said with tray of food in his hands. Bruce woke up almost instantly to the sound of Alfred's voice. "A tray? You shouldn't have, Alfred. What a nice present! You know how much I love silver dining trays.", Bruce said sarcastically. Alfred chuckled knowing that Bruce still had some of the humor he had in him before his parents were killed. "I have an even better present for you right here.", Alfred said as he lifted the lid and showed the yummy food. "Eggs, hash, bacon, and toast just how you like it, sir.", Alfred said. "You're right. It is even better. Thanks, Alfred.", Bruce said as he began to dig in. "I also thought you might like to check the news and see what is being said about Batman this time.", Alfred said as he turned on the TV in the bedroom. "Police Commissioner Loeb says that it was the mysterious figure known as Batman that apprehended Day just before he was about to brutaly murder two innocent young women. Batman then made sure Day safely made it to Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane which is where he will receive treatments and therapy for his mental illness. The Batman has been a controversial topic of discussion among the citizens of Gotham City ever since he first showed up last Summer. Some people feel he has made the city a better place, but others feel he has only made things worse and that this city is no place for costumed vigilantes. But nevertheless, he did bring a serial killer to justice and did the city a huge favor by doing that. And I personally still owe him a debt of gratitude for saving my life months ago.", Vicki Vale of Gotham News was reporting. "Nothing seems to have changed regarding what people seem to think of me. There are still a great handful of mixed reviews about what I'm doing.", Bruce said. "It does seem that Ms. Vale continues to be on your side and she's right about you doing Gotham a favor by apprehending that madman last night.", Alfred said. "Is this all you wanted me to see?", Bruce asked. "Actually, no, sir. There's something regarding an old friend of ours I also thought you should see.", Alfred said as he directed his master's attention back to the news. "Gotham's newest district attorney, Harvey Dent has also recently just voiced his opinion on what Batman is doing for Gotham.", Vicki said. The screen then transitioned to a now grown-up Harvey Dent who was standing in front of tons of reporters and civilians. "As your new district attorney, I intend to do everything in my power to protect each and every person living in Gotham from the scum of this city's underbelly such as the recently committed Calendar Man. As far as my opinion on Batman, I at first thought he was no better than the likes of crime lords such as Rupert Thorne who is still serving time at Blackgate Penitentuary. But after everything he has done to help free Gotham from the hold crime has had on it for so long, I honestly do believe he is helping this city be restored to the grand place it once was. Of course, I don't approve of his violent methods just like the law doesn't approve of vigilantes, but he does get the job done. Seeing as how he has gained the trust of the GCPD's Captain who is a very good and honorable man, I think it's safe to say he has gained my trust. That's all I'll say regarding that matter for now.", Harvey said as he left everyone who was still pining on asking him more questions. "Good ol' Harvey. I'm so proud of him. He's gonna make a great DA.", Bruce said cheerfully. "And it's nice to hear he seems to think fondly of your darker self. You and he can work hand in hand to clean up Gotham's villainous contingent, but in different ways. He can be the city's White Knight, while you its Dark Knight.", Alfred said humorously. Bruce knew he was just trying to be funny, but he did like the sound of his old friend and him working together even if he wasn't aware of his alter ego. "Not half bad of an idea, Alfred.", Bruce said as he was working on eating his breakfast. Later on in the day, Alfred was dusting while Bruce was reading a classic Sherlock Holmes novel. They both came to a halt with their dusting and reading when a knock came at the door. "I'll get it, Master Bruce.", Alfred said as he went to the door. On the other side of it was Harvey Dent himself. "Oh, Harvey! What a pleasant surprise.", Alfred said. "Hey, Al. Good to see you. Is Bruce around?", Harvey asked. "Why, yes. Come in, please.", Alfred said as he invited the new district attorney inside. Alfred brought Harvey into the study where Bruce was reading his detective novel. "Master Bruce, look who's here.", Alfred said as he addressed his master's childhood best friend. Bruce looked up from his book and instantly formed a smile on his face when he saw Harvey. "Hey, Harv!", Bruce said as he got up from the couch. "Hey, bro! Where have you been, my friend?", Harvey said as he bro-hugged Bruce. "Just been busy keeping up with my family business. I saw the news earlier this morning, and I can tell you've been pretty busy yourself. Congratulations on becoming a DA! You deserve it!", Bruce said. "Thanks. I have high hopes to make things better for Gotham.", Harvey said. "I know you will. Why don't you sit down.", Bruce said. They both sat down and continued their chat. Harvey looked around and remembered all the times he used to come over here to play with Bruce when they were kids. "I see the old place hasn't changed much after all these years, has it?", Harvey said. "No, it hasn't. How's your mom doing?", Bruce asked. "She's good. She misses this place, just like she misses chatting with your mom being the good friends they were.", Harvey said. "I wish she and my dad were still here with us more than anyone.", he solemnly said. "I know and that's why I plan to help make Gotham a safer city so that what happened to your parents won't happen again.", Harvey said. "I appreciate that. Anyway, what's been up with you other than your new job? You got a girlfriend?", he asked. "Actually, yeah. I've been seeing this really great girl named Grace for about a month now.", Harvey said. "That's great, I'm so happy for you!", Bruce said as he patted his buddy on the shoulder. "That's actually why I came by. Me and Grace got tickets to the circus that's going on this weekend. We were wondering if you might like to join us?", Harvey invited. "The circus, huh? That sounds fun. Will it just be me, you, and your girl?", he asked. "Don't you have someone to take along too so maybe we could double date? I thought you were still seeing that Julie Madison lady?", Harvey asked. "I haven't talked to Julie in a while, but I think she would like it if we start seeing each other again.", Bruce said. "I would imagine it wouldn't be easy for a girl to not want to go out with the Prince of Gotham.", Harvey teased. "Yeah, I guess so. While you're here, I also wanted to ask you if you meant what you said in your press conference this morning about Batman being good for the city?", Bruce asked. "I do. I personally never thought it was a good thing for some dude in a Halloween costume taking the law into his own hands. Not saying Gotham City isn't proud to have any ordinary citizen doing what's right. Of course, it would be. I just mean seeing as how the Batman uses extremely violent methods to dish out justice while concealing his face as any common bank robber might, it's not the kind of role model this city needs. But like I said, seeing as how he has given faith to the people when they were so afraid to walk the streets at night before he came along, and now they can knowing he's out there while crooks are running scared from him. And I get the sense he does want to help and he does get things done in his own unique and violent way. Why do you ask?", Harvey explained and then asked. "I was just asking because I honestly felt the same way you do about him not being good at first, but he ended up growing on me.", Bruce said to throw off suspicion from himself. An hour later after continuing chatting and having some of Alfred's tea, Harvey was getting ready to leave and made his way toward the door. "So, I'll fill you in on when me and Garce plan to go to the circus and I'll get back to you.", Harvey said. "Sounds like a plan, Harv. I'll get in touch with Julie and see if she's interested.", Bruce said. The two old friends said their goodbyes and Bruce closed the door. "That certainly was a nice surprise, wasn't it, sir?", Alfred asked. "Yes, it was. I'm looking forward to meeting his girlfriend.", Bruce said. "I take it that means you would be fine with taking a night off from your usual nightly escapades to have some fun for a change by going to the circus with Harvey and his lady love?", Alfred asked. "I'm not too fond of taking a night off, but I have to play the part of billionaire playboy to avoid any suspicion people might have of me being Batman and to keep a good public image for both myself and my family name.", Bruce said. "That's a good way to look at it. Shall I dish out Ms. Madison's phone number for you?", Alfred asked. "That would be good, thanks.", Bruce said.