Hello Mr. E. Nigma

Gotham

You carry it with you all the time but people use it more than you do. What is it? Answer: Your name.

My name is Loreli. I've never been in Gotham. I've heard all the stories, clowns ran rampant, alligators in the sewers, plants attacking people, and a Batman watched over the city.  I came to Gotham for a change. I've been living a boring, normal life, i had suffered from depression and was put in a mental hospital for recovery. I was released 3 months ago but I still feel upset, like I'm missing something. I got a job at the Gotham daily newspaper. I made the riddles for a game in the paper, the pay is okay. It gives me a decent apartment.

Today I woke up and changed into my ever boring work clothes. It was a blue suit with a black tie, I had my brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. I quickly ate some breakfast and left. Once I got to the office I sat at my desk and checked my email. I made my puzzles into a bit of a contest. Whoever figured out all the riddles got a dedication, the weird thing was that for some reason no one could figure them all out except one. He called himself Mr. E, which was obviously a play on words Mr. E/ Mystery, haha! But he was the only one who sent in all the correct answers, it was actually kinda sad. He would always send me the answers and some comment this time he said: 'Give me a real challenge next time! I look forward to my dedication.'

I smiled he was always so full of himself. I must have laughed aloud because James popped up from his cubicle, "What's so funny?"

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to disturb."

"You never disturb me, beautiful." he said grinning from ear to ear. In case it wasn't obvious James had a bit of a crush on me. I've told him countless times that I wasn't interested, nor was I looking for a relationship. He asked me again what was so funny, "Oh, it's just Mr. E he got them all right again."

"You know Loreli, if I didn't know better I'd think you had crush on this 'Mr. E' guy."

"He's just a guy that email's me correct answers. I've never even met him!"

"Alright, I don't get it why won't you go out with me again?"

"Cause I don't date co-workers and you annoy the heck out of me." I answered blandly. "Now can I get back to work?" he sat back in his cubical. Lucky a friendly face arrived, it was Carry, she was the first person to make me feel welcome here. "Hey, look who decided to show up. You know it's funny how I'm the new girl and get here on time but the person who's worked here for 5 years is constantly late." I chuckled.

"Hey! I'm sorry if I got caught up. But Starbucks was packed! And you know how I need my coffee!" she smiled while hanging her jacket and setting her coffee on the table. "Soo? Did Mr. E win again? What did he say?"

"Yes he won, and he asked for me to actually challenge him for the next set!"

"Well I say he's cheating so he can talk to you!"

"He doesn't even know what I look like. And besides I'm not looking for a relationship."

"Says the girl who flirts back with every congratulations she gives him." Carry teased while I turned a light shade of red. "You have any new riddles?"

"I'm working on it." I said typing on my computer.

" Oh, Oh!" she raised her hand like she was in a classroom trying to get the teacher to call on her. "You should ask him! If he's so clever! Have him help!" It wasn't a bad idea, I hadn't ever responded to his email's except to say congrats but... I started to type to him asking if he wanted to help me out.

"WHOA!" "WOW" "IT'S HIM!" several people gathered at the window looking at the heroic Batman swinging by. I had never seen him before but I was pretty astonished. He really was a Bat-man or Man-bat thing. Photographers came rushing in trying to get a good shot of the Bat for the front page. I went back to my seat and was surprised to see that he had already messaged me back.

My Dear, I would love nothing better! I'll send you a list later tonight. ~ Mr. E

Carry was looking over my shoulder, "Oooo, he called you his dear! How cute! I wonder what he's like in real life? He sounds charming."

"Sure, if you like that sort of thing." muttered James. 

When it came time for lunch I ate in the break room along with Carry and James. While we ate we were watching the news. "Once again Arkham Asylum has lost another patient! The Riddler has broken out just this morning!" They showed a picture of him. "If you see him do not approach. He is declared extremely dangerous and is a madman. If anybody knows of The Riddler's whereabouts they are to immediately report him to the police."

"Does this happen often?" I asked nervously.

"Try 4 times a month! But don't worry beautiful I'll protect you." James wrapped his arm around me.  Forcing me to elbow him in the gut, he had it coming. Carry laughed as James struggled for air. "Don't worry about it, I've lived in Gotham my whole life and I've never run into these loons!" Carry reassured me.

"How does this town even have people still living here?" I smiled, "So what's up with this Riddler? I mean obviously his thing is riddles but that doesn't sound very threatening, actually none of these people sound scary!"

"I think the Scarecrow will make you change your mind about that. Or Killer Croc." Said James once he finally got the air back from me elbowing him. "And of course Riddler doesn't sound like a scary guy to you but he's a murder. You have to answer his riddles correctly in order for him to let you to live. It's like a game to him."

"I wonder what made these people like this? They all just sound like their obsessed with something. Joker; jokes, Twoface; twos, Riddler;riddles, Scarecrow; fear." I continued to evaluate them in my head. What made them this obsessed with such everyday things?

"Careful, Lor, your starting to sound like a psychiatrist!" Carry giggled.

I ended up working late due to my awful riddle block, I was only able to think of two and they weren't very impressive. I got to my apartment and unlock my door. And just as I'm walking in a letter falls in front of me. I pick it up and inspect it, there's no return address just my name on front and one of those wax seals but this one was green and imprinted in it was a E. I opened the letter and read it. It was a list of riddles, two pages full! They were all really good ones too, on the third page was a message to me.

Dear Loreli,

Surely these are worthy enough to be in the paper. After all they were created by me! I have been known to be the smartest carbon based life form on earth!

Sincerely,

Mr. E

"How'd he know my address!!!??" was all I got out of this.