Batman: Hero of Gotham

41- Interview With The Batman

Cobblepot Park, 7:15 PM.

Vicki waited at Cobblepot Park with a coffee and a pen and notebook. Batman eventually arrived a minute later. "Strange place to meet." Batman said.

"Wasn't sure you were gonna show. Gotta admit, part of me thought it was a prank call. Nothing is ever this easy."

"I said I'd be here, didn't I?"

"Good to know."

"So...Batman. I'll skip the obvious question. The Children of Arkham seem to be your latest target. We all know their methods are extreme. But, what about their message?" Vicki pressed record on her phone. "Their leader claims that Gotham's elite have been abusing their power, often at the expense of ordinary citizens. For the record, do you think there's any validity to what they're saying? In your opinion."

"I don't want this conversation recorded."

"I thought we were here for an interview."

"Turn it off."

"Fine." Vicki turned it off.

"Their message is picking up traction. Especially since the interview."

"I need to know everything they told you."

"Does no one read anymore? It was a lot of posturing and grandiose monolingual, really. 'We're going to purge the city of corruption' sort of thing. Not great from an investigative standpoint, but the public will eat it up. Part of the job, you know. If that's the only reason you called me you should really just read it yourself. They aren't trying to hide their motivations."

"Gotham needs to know how dangerous the Children of Arkham really are. You're hiding the truth."

"My editor says the physical copies are practically sold out. I'd say the truth is getting out there. It just may not be the side you like. But that's why I'm here. To get the other half I'm missing."

"Where did you meet? How did they contact you?"

"Okay, I'm gonna stop you right there. I'm not selling out a source. Not even for Batman. The circumstances of that meeting are confidential. Just like this one. I'm sure you wouldn't want me telling everyone how to get a hold of you."

"You're putting the safety of everyone in Gotham at risk."

"Well, if you really care about the safety of Gotham, why aren't you looking at Bruce Wayne? I still want to believe he's a good guy too but with the information that's surfaced...everyone's angry. Everyone wants him to answer for what his family did. Everyone except for you. Why haven't you gone after him yet? No way he just slipped under your radar. But so far no action from you against him."

"I'm not protecting Bruce Wayne."

"Maybe not. But in this case doing nothing sure sends a strong statement. Don't think people haven't noticed. I don't know if you have some connection with him. Maybe there's more to this story than I realize. But you can't ignore the facts. Whether he intended to or not, his family has been stealing from innocent people for years. So what are you gonna do about it? What is Batman doing from protecting them from Bruce Wayne? The people wanna know."

"Believe me, I'll make sure Bruce Wayne's debt is repaid."

"Gotham will be glad to hear it. Thank you. Good luck with the Children of Arkham. I'll make sure your message gets out." Vicki started walking away.

"Please, Miss Vale." Vicki stopped. "Think what you want about Bruce Wayne but I need to find the Children of Arkham before they hurt anyone else."

"You're right. You upheld your end. I could lose my job for this." Vicki scribbled on a piece of paper she had and handed it to Batman when she finished. "That is where we met for the interview. Please don't tell anyone I gave you this." Batman nodded. He read the note.

"Skytrain Depot. Highland Line."