Chapter 4: The Flying Graysons
The night that Haly's Circus was ready to put on their spectacular night of amazement had come and almost all of Gotham rich and poor were cramming themselves into the arena where it was going down. Bruce Wayne's limo had pulled up to the front gate and the paparazzi was immediately swarming the vehicle with hoping to get shots of the city's most eligible bachelor. The limo door opened and out stepped Bruce with his date, Julie Madison, who were both all dressed up in their respective tuxedo and black dress. Bruce poked his head back in the car to talk to Alfred. "You don't have to wait up for us, Alfred. You could always come in with us.", Bruce said. "Thank you, sir; but I'm fine waiting up for you and Ms. Madison. I have my phone games to keep me entertained in the meantime.", Alfred said. "See you in a bit.", Bruce said and closed the door. Bruce and his date walked the red carpet all the way inside. "I didn't think we'd be getting this much attention. If I did, I would've picked out a nicer dress.", Julie said feeling flustered due to the paparazzi taking dozens of photos of the two of them. "Don't worry about it, Julie. You look great just as you are.", Bruce assured her. In Bruce's mind, he tried to not think about his double life and just enjoy this night out. Him and Gordon were recently trying to crack down on mob enforcer, Tony Zucco, but the criminal's whereabouts are unknown at the present time. This bugged Bruce as he would've really liked to find him so that he could feel more at peace on this night off from being Batman. "Bruce, are you alright?", Julie asked as she noticed he seemed distracted and almost bumped into a couple people. "Yes, I'm fine. Just thinking about work stuff.", Bruce said. "Well, forget about your work for once. Enjoy this night out.", Julie told him. "Bruce, over here!", Harvey Dent called over to his friend and his date. Bruce and Julie walked over to Harvey who was with a lovely looking blonde woman in a blue dress. "Hey, Harvey. Who's this with you right here?", Bruce asked. "This is my girlfriend. Grace Lamont, this is my old pal, Bruce and his date, Julie.", Harvey introduced his girlfriend to his friends. "So, I finally get to meet the playboy. Harvey's said so many wonderful things about you.", Grace said as she shook Bruce's hand. "And I'm honored to meet the girl who's lucky enough to date Gotham's new white knight.", Bruce said. Grace and Julie shook hands and complimented each other's looks. "I love you dress!", Grace told Julie. "Thanks, I love how you have your hair styled!", Julie complimented back. "Well, let's go in.", Harvey said. Meanwhile backstage, all the performers were getting ready for the show. The acrobats were finishing their stretches, the clowns were finishing putting on their makeup, and a certain special effects guy was making sure everything was hooked up right. Garfield Lynns had always been fascinated by fire which is what led him to specialize in it by working for a circus. He also had a fiery temper to match, meaning he easily gets pissed when things don't go his way or when someone gets on his nerves such as the nagging ringmaster who was just about to have a word with him. "Lynns, is everything all set?", the ringmaster asked. "Yes, it's all ready.", Lynns answered. "Just be sure we don't have a repeat of the last couple accidents. You know, Georgie still has to wear a lot of extra makeup to cover up the burns you gave him from the show in Star City.", the ringmaster. "You don't need to lecture me again just because a stupid clown got burned.", Lynns talked back sounding annoyed. "If that isn't something that should wise you up, just be thankful that family didn't sue us over their daughter getting burnt during our show in Metropolis.", the ringmaster said. "Well, the brat shouldn't have had gotten too close to the ring. We've been over this a bunch of times already.", Lynns talked back again sounding even more annoyed. "Maybe, but it's also because your fire machines got too out of control and because you got too careless. I want this to be safe and enjoyable night for the people of Gotham where they don't have to worry about getting scorched by your machines.", the ringmaster said. "These idiots should be lucky they get to see my work at all. My pyrotechnics are art, just like fire itself is a work of art created by God himself.", Lynns said. "Just make sure no more accidents happen or it's your ass!", the ringmaster said and the walked away from the disgruntled worker. "Asshole!", Lynns cursed under his breath. "Alright, people. Let's get this show on the road!", the ringmaster told all the performers. In the stands, Bruce, Harvey, Julie, and Grace were looking for somewhere to sit. Harvey looked ahead of him and noticed his good friend Captain Jim Gordon with his wife and daughter. "Come on, guys. Let's sit by the captain.", Harvey said. "Hey, Jim. Didn't expect to see you here tonight.", he said to Gordon. "Harv, good to see a familiar face here.", Jim said as he shook Harvey's hands. Gordon looked over and saw someone else he recognized, who he hasn't seen since he was a rookie detective. "Bruce Wayne. It's been a long time, hasn't it?", Gordon said to Bruce as he hasn't seen Bruce Wayne in person since the night his parents were killed as a boy and he was a scared, sobbing mess. "Yes, it has, Captain. I've come a long way since you comforted me after I lost my parents.", Bruce said as he shook Gordon's hand. Gordon obviously was not aware that Bruce Wayne was secretly the one he's been working with for months. "I see that. You've made quite a name for yourself since you came home. Oh, this is my wife, Barbara; and my daughter, Barbara.", Gordon said as he introduced his family to Bruce. "Mom and daughter share the same name, what do you know.", Bruce joked. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Wayne.", Barbara said as she shook his hand. Bruce motioned to shake the younger Barbara's hand, but she seemed hesitant. "Come on, Barbara! Be nice!", Jim told his daughter. Barbara did as she was told and shook hands with the billionaire. "Nice to meet you.", Barbara said quickly and then turned her attention back to the center ring, waiting for the show to start. "Sorry about that. She's just grouchy because she had to miss out on hanging out with her friends tonight to come here with us. They have a hobby of looking over Jim's crime reports and do their own detective work.", Barbara said. "That's okay, I understand. Does she want to be a detective like her dad?", Bruce asked. "Not if I have anything to say about it. I don't want my girl in this line of work. She's a pretty skilled gymnast. I think she could qualify for the Olympics one day if she focused more on that rather than studying criminals.", Gordon said. "Dad, you're embarrassing me!", Barbara said. Everyone then took their seats as the lights went dim and spotlights shown in the center ring where the ringmaster made his entrance that included a flame-show, courtesy of Garfield Lynns. "Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls of all ages, welcome to the greatest show on Earth!", the ringmaster said. The circus had started with its usual performances that consisted of trained animals doing stunts and tricks, strongmen lifting really heavy things, clowns being funny, and so many other talented acts. The best was saved for last as the greatest acrobats in the country, the Flying Graysons were about to do their part. "Now, we have saved the best for last. The greatest acrobats in the country have come to Gotham this very night to amaze your eyes with their incredible act! I present to you the Flying Graysons!", the ringmaster said as the spotlight was directed up to the ceiling where the family of acrobats were standing atop a high platform. The Flying Graysons consisted of John Grayson, his wife Mary, and their 18-year-old son, Richard; or as preferred to be called Dick. "Alright, family. Let's put on a good show for these people.", John Grayson said. "We always do, Dad.", Dick said. "I'll go first.", Mary Grayson said as she was the one to begin the act. She grabbed onto a trapeze bar and launched herself into the air while doing all kinds of tricks and flips in midair. The rest of family did incredible moves on both the high wire and in the air. Dick had especially demonstrated some skill most likely because he was the youngest. He had been in the circus his entire life and couldn't have had a happier upbringing. "That kid sure has some skill.", Harvey whispered to Bruce. "I'll say he does.", Bruce agreed as he honestly was impressed with seeing Dick's performance. It all seemed like a very enjoyable night under the big top, but things are about to take a turn for the worst as a criminal car pulled up in front of the building and several thugs got out, planning to rob the circus.