Batman: Hero of Gotham

9- The Ballroom Party

2 hours later....

Bruce returned home with his wounds and Alfred examined them. "Would you like me to call up Lucius? He is a doctor." He asked.

"No. I'll be fine." Bruce stood over the fireplace with his shirt off so his wounds were visible.

"But, sir. We have a party for Harvey starting soon. Actually, it's already started. People are arriving." Alfred noticed as he looked out the small window on the door that led into the ballroom. 

"I'm okay. I'll just cover them up." Bruce said.

"Bruce. You can't keep doing this." Alfred said. "All this crime fighting. You don't have to." 

"I do have to. No one else will." Bruce responded.

"Every drop of blood, everything you've sacrificed...this city is safer now. But it's made you a target. And people will keep you in the cross hairs until you're shot out of the sky." Alfred remarked.

"I can handle it." Bruce said as Alfred pulled out something that was lodged in Bruce's back.

"I know you're trying to become a myth. But be careful you don't turn into a monster."

"Sometimes you need a monster."

"If you want to be intimidating, you're succeeding." Alfred said as Bruce put on a shirt. "Criminals are becoming afraid of you and so are the police."

"It's a scare tactic, Al. Just a performance."

"A myth can't be killed. You, however, are flesh and blood." Bruce put on his pants and suit and made sure his tie was in place. He also buttoned up the suit to look professional. "Step out of the shadows and be Bruce Wayne tonight."

"That's a much harder fight."

"Don't let tombstones be your family legacy."

"Well then." Bruce said, opening the door that led to the ballroom. "Time to save the city." He walked out and into the ballroom where everyone was standing with drinks. Bruce's best friend, Harvey Dent, was speaking. It seemed as though the ceremony just started.

"Thank you, thank you everyone." Harvey said as the crowd of people applauded him. "A humble District Attorney like me is not used to such a ringing endorsement. Even one who cut Gotham's crime rate in half. For too long, this city has burned with corruption and greed under Mayor Hill's authority. But  I promise you, a vote for Harvey Dent is a vote to finally put your foot down. Together, we can stamp out the fire and save our great city!" Harvey waited for everyone to applaud him before speaking again. Harvey didn't notice Bruce. "If only Mr. Wayne, my campaign's largest backer, could have heard that applause, he--Well, there he is! Fashionable and fashionably late as always! Say 'hi', Bruce." 

"Hi, Bruce." Bruce joked, making the crowd quietly chuckle.

"I tee him up and he knocks them down. That's how Mr. Wayne and I do business." Harvey said. The crowd clapped again. "Thank you all again for your unwavering support. Together, we will change Gotham." The multitude of people clapped once more. Harvey stepped down from the top of the staircase and the classical music started, making everyone explode into a fit of commotion and chatting. Harvey walked over to Bruce. "Mr. Wayne! Thank you for opening your house to us. Now I know this the biggest mansion in Gotham, but I don't think you got lost on your way here. Where were you? I know you prefer the 'brooding billionaire' angle. So the sooner we make the donors, the sooner everyone will leave you alone."

"Just wanted to make an entrance."

"Congratulations, you almost missed it. You are a pillar of this city AND my campaign. I need you here, tuxedo'd and shaking hands. No one came here tonight to see me. They want to see the Bruce Wayne. Am I right?"