OPEN LATE ;; PENGUIN

0.9

7:58 PM

I walked into the club to find all of the lights off. " Uh... " I spoke out, expecting at least something, but getting nothing. " Oswald? " a light flickered on.

" Do you really want to work here? " he asked as I, obviously, stuttered from being put on the spot.

" U-Uh yeah. I guess so. You blew up my last job so I'll lose my apartment... " he smiled, then walked closer to me.

" If you were offered a different job for the same amount of money--which will be more than you ever made in two weeks at the old place, would you take the offer and abandon me? " I looked closer at him. His face was red and his eyes were puffy from now finally dry tears.

" Oswald are you okay? "

" I asked you to answer me, not question me. " I sighed.

" No. I don't trust people and Gotham but I at least know you in the slightest. " he looked down to the ground, and continued.

" We're closed tonight. " I frowned.

" Why? Today is only Tuesday... " he looked back up, and sighed before he admitted.

" My mother is being held captive. "

" ...And? "

" AND I OBVIOUSLY CAN'T DO MUCH ELSE BESIDES FROM KILL PEOPLE OR SIT AROUND AND WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO FIND HER RIGHT NOW! " he finally yelled as I jumped. That didn't take long...

" Uh...you know what--where's a rag I could use? "

" What the hell does that mean? " he asked, talking to me but staring at the ground again. He couldn't look me in the eye, he was so upset. I felt for him, but I also felt amused. Oswald Cobblepot? Actually being upset? how absurd...

" I mean this still is my shift right? We are closed, but I won't sleep so I might as well clean something... " he chuckled.

" You know, I've never had an employee ask me if they could still work their shift when unnecessary. " I laughed.

" Yeah. I've never had a boss burn down a building just so he could see me more often. " he smiled.

" Don't bother with the rag thing. I don't really want anything cleaned as much as I want to talk. " I shrugged.

" Well alright. Let's sit down and talk. "

10:59 PM

The sitting while talking didn't last long for me of course. And it wasn't his fault it all--it was mine. I hated being unproductive at night time when I couldn't sleep. But I listened well and took in it all; he told me everything about how much his mother meant to him while I washed counter tops and polished knifes & forks. He really did love her, so I wondered, how could someone love another that much yet be so sadistic to others? I kept my mouth shut.

10:59 PM

" Lyla? " he asked as I looked at the clock. One more minute and four hours to go. I didn't want to leave, but I was slightly obsessed with time.

" Yes Oswald? "

" You are listening, right? " I smiled at him as he turned to look at me.

" Yes, I am. "

" I asked you a question. "

" Oh god--sorry I dozed off for a second. What was it? " he chuckled, then asked.

" Where do you see yourself in ten years? "

" You ask a lot of questions today... "

" Well I did say I wanted to know you better... " I sighed. No loopholes--no gimmicks. Nothing could get me out of this. And I knew it. So I threw my philophobia over my shoulder and out the window as I answered.

" Dead. "

" Why do you say that? You're only around your twenties... "

" I am only around my twenties but...I am a woman. This is Gotham. Those two things do not often mix... " he paused.

" You don't have a lot of faith in my city. I see that. Now tell me--why? "

" Long story. "

" You have another two hours. "

" ...Long story. "

" Lyla I am your boss. It is mandatory. Tell me, and tell me now. "

" Fine... " I coughed slightly, then put down the cloth I had been using. I walked over and sat down next to him. " Your beloved city, it took my father. And it teared my mother limb by limb. And it terrified a young girl into never letting anyone call her by her middle name ever again. Understand? " he nodded.

" This place isn't that bad...not all parts of it. " I chuckled.

" I've lived here long enough--I doubt that. "

1:56 AM

It had been a pretty good work shift--not much more work than my previous ( and not to mention now destroyed ) job. But when he got up and handed over about a thousand dollars, I had no motivation to take it.

" Oswald what the hell? "

" You're a good companion. You deserve it. " he insisted, pushing the money at me once more. I scoffed.

" You know what, sure. I am a good compainion and I did clean a little but Oswald that kind of money? The place isn't even open. " he chuckled.

" You'll lose your apartment! " so I gave up, and took the money. I stepped a few feet away from him until he called for me. " Just one thing. " I took a large step closer to him, standing right in front of him. He chuckled, then held my cheeks with both hands. " Kiss me a little? "

" Ew... " he smiled, and pulled me closer to him, our lips colliding at instant. I opened my eyes, but I slowly closed them. I didn't need him. I didn't need his money or even his job. But what I did need was sleep and a few distractions--almost the same thing he needed. And almost a good enough reason to make want to kiss him again, but I eventually pulled away.