Batman: Hero of Gotham

26- The Stacked Deck Bar

Bruce- I need to talk to you. Urgently.

Selina- Stacked Deck, 6pm. No capes.

The Stacked Deck Bar, 6:26 PM.

Bruce walked into the bar, courteously and aware of his surroundings. He scanned the room with his eyes for Selina but there was no sign of her. "Probably late." He said to himself.  He walked over to the bar where a lady was working. The nametag on her shirt said "Anna". 

"You lost? Cause I don't have time for tourists." The bartender named Anna said to Bruce. "Looks like you walked into the wrong bar."

"Uh yeah, I'm looking for a woman." Bruce replied.

"Ha. You wouldn't be the first. Most of these fellas are single and desperate to mingle." Anna laughed.

"Selina Kyle-- I'm told she practically lives here." 

"Selina, huh? You don't strike me as her type."

"You'd be surprised." Then, a guy who had been playing pool walked over to Bruce.

"Hey, don't I know you? It is you! Knew it. The cops take all your fancy clothes?" The man joked. "You trying to lay low? Course, you're not really the low-lying type."

"Nice to meet you..."

"Frank. Yeah-- Funny, seeing you here. So much in the papers. Whole other thing meeting the man in real life! You're shorter than I thought you would be." Frank introduced himself.

"Leave him alone, Frank. The man is just trying to have a quiet drink." Selina suddenly said from behind Bruce. 

"He didn't seem to mind the company. But, whatever." Frank walked back over to the pool table to play.

"Selina, I need to tell you something important." Bruce started.

"Better be an apology." Selina looked at him. "You were supposed to take care of our...mutual problem. Instead you just pissed him off."

"That's why I'm here. You're in danger."

"I've had rats on my tail all day."

"The man who hired you. His name is Oswald Cobblepot." 

"Never heard of him." 

"He goes by 'Penguin'."

"Penguin?! Shit. You've gotta be kidding me. You should have just killed me on that rooftop." She and Bruce sat down at a booth. "I'm dead anyway. When you screw someone over, you really screw them. The Penguin."

"It's not my fault that you're in this, Selina. But I can help you out of it. Tell me what you know about Penguin."

"I only know him by reputation. I'm surprised you've never heard of him. He's a big deal across the pond. He's more dangerous than you think."

"I grew up with Oz. He's the first real friend I ever had."

"I'm not surprised. Questionable morals, and a penchant for theatrics-- you two have a lot in common. The question is...why Gotham? Why now? It's not like he's hurting for crime syndicates abroad."

"He thinks he's changing the world for the better. No matter the cost."

"Well, he's no Joan of Arc, that's for sure. Well, I'm not sticking around here to find out."

"Oswald-- Penguin is about to unleash God knows what on this city. You can't just leave."

"A good reason not to be here when he does. You want to stay? That's your choice."

"If Penguin is everything you say, there's no tree high enough for you to climb. He will find you."

"So what are you suggesting? The bat helps the cat?"

"And the cat helps the bat."

"Bruce. Sweetie. The gallant knight thing, it really is adorable. But what would Harvey think? The two of us, working together. After all...I'm not really an all work and no play kind of girl. Harvey knows that."

"You and Harvey--it's pretty clear you aren't just friends."

"Please. I'm just toying with him. I only take my claws out for someone special. You and I--"

The door to the bar suddenly was kicked open. A group of gangsters walked in with clubs and pipes and crowbars. They slowly made their way over to Bruce and Selina. It was pretty obvious they were working for Penguin. "Well, Bruce. You were right." Selina said.

"Selina Kyle. Penguin says hello." The man looked at Bruce. "Beat it. We're here for her. If you care about your own skin...you'll get the hell out." Bruce simply punched the man in the face, beginning the fight. The man tried grabbing Selina but she kicked him in the face and elbowed his crotch. Another man rose up a beer bottle to hit Bruce with it but Bruce grabbed the man's arm and smashed the bottle onto another man's face. He also punched the man with the bottle. Bruce grabbed another bottle and hit it on another man's face. Batman got one of the men in a chokehold and Selina kicked him down. The group of men all got up and surrounded Selina and Bruce. They all pulled out switchblades. Bruce took down three and Selina took down the other three. Bruce and Selina stood back to back, catching their breaths. Bruce checked the pocket of the lead guy and found his cell phone. Bruce took it and the two ran out a back door. As the two heard police sirens in the distance, they hid behind an abandoned car. 

"Are we alone?" Selina asked.

"Yeah, yeah we're alone." Bruce responded, caressing Selina's face. Bruce leaned in to kiss but Selina stopped him. 

"Let's get out of here." She said, getting up. Bruce smiled in pleasure. "I'll take the rooftops-- you take the alley."

"Wait. Just...stay out of trouble."

"Now where's the fun in that? You shouldn't trust me, y'know?" Selina took out a gadget and she disappeared within seconds. Bruce got in contact with Alfred.

"Alfred, I'm uploading the contents of a smartphone to the Batcomputer. Check to see if there is anything on the phone we can use."

"Processing it now. Is everything alright? There are quite a few police cars convening on your location."

"It's fine. Has the Batcomputer found anything yet?"

"Bruce, there are a number of messages here. All from Mayor Hill."

"Mayor Hill?"

"The last voicemail is his. Listen to this." Alfred played the voicemail.

"I gave you everything I have on Wayne. I held up my end of the bargain and I expect you to do the same!" The message said.

"This is very shady indeed." Alfred came back on the mic. "Whatever they're talking about, it doesn't sound good."

"I should have guessed. Hill's working with Penguin. If Hill's talking to the Penguin, he must know something. It's time I paid him a visit."

"I agree. The mayor must have answers. But if I may offer a word of advice-- People are skeptical about Batman after how you handled Falcone. Terrorizing the Mayor could worsen those opinions. Then again-- Batman's methods would certainly get him talking immediately. Bruce would have to depend on his guile to loosen Hill's lips."

"Going as Bruce is the smart choice." Bruce said, climbing into his vehicle. 

"A wise decision, sir. Try your best. I know you'll get some answers. One way or another." 

"Don't worry, Al. I'll get him talking. I will."