I knew Batman

Chapter 16 -- The game is on

Bruce in his own charming and playboy way got us to sit at the Dents' table. But of course, who wouldn't want to sit beside Bruce Wayne?

"You must be the man whose face was all over Gotham recently: Harvey Dent," said Bruce.

"Yes, and you must be Bruce Wayne." Dent introduced us to her wife, Gilda Dent.

The Dents seem nice at my first impression. Harvey was obviously a bit embarrassed in the presence of Bruce. He admitted that he was here only because of his duty as DA of Gotham and generally hated these kinds of events. He won my sympathy with that right away. Gilda was a thin and fragile-looking woman. She worked as a social worker and led an NGO for homeless kids.

The conversation went through some pleasantries about tonight's event, the guests and the decorations. Then we started to talk about the city. Gilda's opinion about the city was quite dark. It was understandable considering that she as a social worker sees just as much human misery as me at the emergency department.

"And we have this masked vigilante as well. Who gave Batman justification?" Gilda asked with bitterness in her voice.

"Exactly, who gave him?" answered Bruce with enthusiasm and I wondered in myself how good he is at playing this game.

But Harvey was just as enthusiastic as Bruce. "We justified him! All the people who just stood by and let Gotham sink into the grip of the mob! I say he has all the rights!"

"But what if he goes rogue? Becomes aggressive? There is no democratic control over his actions," said Gilda. They strongly disagreed about the topic.

Harvey continued, „He wouldn't. He has a code. Anyway, whoever this guy is, he doesn't want to do this forever. Who knows, maybe he has someone special in his life at home and he is looking for someone to take over."

Bruce gently touched my hand under the table and I suddenly felt warmer.

„And who would take up his mantle, maybe you?" I asked Harvey joking but he answered very seriously.

„Yes, I am!" Harvey had admirable confidence, „as a DA this is exactly what I plan to do."

Gilda started to cough, excused herself and went to the restroom. We continued the discussion about Harvey's plans as the new DA but Gilda was missing for too much time so I followed her to check on her.

I found her in the lady's room. She was bending over the sink coughing. The tissue in her hands had blood spots in it. I already suspected earlier at the table that she was sick but this was worse than I thought -- lung cancer. There was nothing I could do to help her now but I put my hands on her back, I knew that sometimes it helps to ease the coughing attack.

After the coughing attack went away, I asked her, „At which stage are you?"

„The final. The doctors gave me a year or so." She said it with a sad smile. I was shocked. She continued. „Please don't tell Harvey. He thinks I'm curable."

„But.." I wanted to disagree but Gilda interrupted me.

„Please, Judy. He just started at his new position. I don't want him to worry about me or to stop his mission because of me." Her arguments were painfully familiar to me. She studied my face closely and continued. „I believe this is something you understand as well." I blushed. She was right. I wondered how much she recognized about Bruce and me.

„I'm better already. Thank you. We should get back."

We joined Bruce and Harvey at the table. They were discussing a fundraiser Bruce wanted to throw for Harvey. They looked together as if they were friends forever. Harvey looked worriedly at Gilda but she was smiling as if nothing happened.