Business was booming at the bar and the people were dancing and having a good time at the club, unaware of the criminal activities that were going on in the back rooms. The Don who owned this club was content to sit at his table, and enjoy a drink while watching his place make a profit hand over fist. Despite the spats being made by some new competition, the Don wasn't very concerned. Quite the opposite, he was confident and had no reason to fear anyone. He had detectives in his pocket, politicians looking the other way as long as the campaign war chest was fed on a regular basis. Gotham was ripe for the taking, and at the moment no one was more capable of pillaging the city with more efficiency than Carmine Falcone. While the night was going well, it took an unanticipated twist when a man came strolling up to his table and stood there, waiting to be noticed. It took Falcone a few moments to realize who it was and when he did finally recognize him, a smile creased the Don's face as he was aware of what was going on.
"Doctor Wayne," he said, looking up at the man. He was dressed in a suit but the tie wasn't there and the shirt was open a few buttons. "And for what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"
"You know why I'm here," Thomas replied, his face as cold as ice.
"I do," Falcone said as he polished off his drink and put the glass down. "Before we get started, I wanted to pass along my condolences. A terrible loss, Doctor Wayne."
"Thank you," Thomas replied, "But I'm not a doctor anymore, so Thomas will be fine from here on."
"Okay, Thomas." Falcone said, "Care to have a seat?"
"Sure," Thomas said as he sat across from the mafia don. "I came her to return something to you."
He pulled something out of his trench coat and placed it on the table. "Your man dropped it while he was beating up a young man with a limp. What the hell did that kid do to piss you off? Did he forget to deliver your newspaper?"
"That bird faced little shit works for my competition," Falcone answered, "I was wondering who had attacked my men. I had heard of that masked man wearing body armor beating up criminals around town. Never in my life would I suspect it was you, Thomas."
"Things are changing in this city," Thomas replied.
"That they are," Falcone concurred, "And they always will. The day you stop noticing the changes, is when you time in the city is up. So, what do you want from me? Do you think it was one my purse snatchers that killed your boy?"
"That's not a bad theory," Thomas replied, "Jim thought so for a while."
"Well it wasn't," Falcone replied, "I do not target children. If I have a problem with you, I'll take it up with you personally. Your wife and child are innocent, and only a lazy idiot attacks with innocent bystanders in the line of fire. If one of my men had done that I would have shot them myself for their utter incompetence, and for breaking the rules."
"You have rules?" Thomas asked.
"Everyone has rules," Falcone said, his face going a little red. "We don't hurt women or children. Never. As a father myself, I would never commit such a terrible act since it's also one of my greatest fears. I'm a straight shooter Thomas, if I had a beef with you I'd look you in the eyes and take it up with you like a real man."
"So, you didn't do it," Thomas repeated, "Why should I believe you?"
"Because Jim Gordon believes me," Falcone replied, "And he believed me enough to ask for my help with his investigation. My people have been asking around and I even offered a reward to anyone on the street that brings Jim information that breaks the case."
"Why would you do that?" Thomas asked.
"I already told you," Falcone answered, "I'm also a father. Kids are off limits in my city. I told that to all the Dons years ago when I took over. Someone just stepped out of line and when I find that son-of-a-bitch, Gordon can have what's left of him after I make an example of that piece of human garbage."
"Alright, I believe you," Thomas said, as he could tell by the tone of the Don's voice that Falcone was almost as disgusted by Bruce's death as he was.
"I'm very sorry Thomas," Falcone said, a sincere look into his eyes. "Jim and I will find out who did this, and if you want first dibs... that can be arranged."
"I like the way you think, Carmine." Thomas said, "But I also came here to discuss business, now that we got that issue out of the way."
"What kind of business?" Falcone asked. "Didn't you just sell that massive company of yours?"
"I did," Thomas confirmed, "And now I'd like to use that money to start a new business and make even more money, and I'd like you to help me with that."
"What kind of business are we talking about?" Falcone inquired.
"Gambling," Thomas answered, "I'm sure you're having fun with this front, but wouldn't you like to have one that makes a fuck ton more cash?"
"You're suggesting a Casino?" Falcone said, surprised to even hear the suggestion. "It will never happen. The city doesn't give out gambling licenses."
"Well... not to you," Thomas replied, smiling. "But Thomas Wayne, former CEO of Wayne Enterprises, was accepted on the first try. You're looking at the owner of the only legal gambling license in Gotham to be issued in over twenty years."
"Then what do you need me for?" Falcone asked, impressed just a bit.
"I want to be partners," Thomas admitted, "The after hours work that I'm doing isn't going to slow down, not when I'm just getting started. I'm going to need someone who knows how to handle something like a Casino to run the show. You also seem like the kind of guy that others will think many times over before trying to screw with."
"Well, Color me surprised," Falcone said, smiling. "This was the last thing I expected you to talk about. What's in it for me?"
"Thirty percent," Thomas replied, "But you'll have to legally buy your way into the business so it doesn't arouse suspicion."
"I've got a fairly sized nest egg," Falcone replied, "Been saving it for a rainy day, and it looks like its pouring opportunity."
"I've only got a few conditions," Thomas informed him.
"Name them," Falcone said, eager to close the deal.
"Continue the no kid policy," Thomas told him, "But expand that to drugs as well. No dealing to anyone under twenty-one, understood?"
"Make it twenty and you have a deal," Falcone replied, which was alright with him. He already didn't sell to anyone under eighteen so two more years was fine. "Anything else?"
"I want the casino up and running in six months." Thomas said.
"Are you insane?" Falcone replied, "Just construction alone could take years!"
"I already have a location and it's will only need minimal work to transition it into a functioning hotel and casino." Thomas replied, "It can be ready in six months."
"Where is this place?" Falcone asked.
"Just on the outskirts of town, in a good area."Thomas replied, "There will be plenty of space for parking and guests."
"I get it," Falcone said, smiling as he figured it out. "Wayne Manor. You're going to turn your own house into a casino. That's why the city approved your license, because your location will almost be out of town and not in everyone's faces. Minimal exposure, but then again just your reputation will bring all the heavy rollers from Gotham, and even from around the world to your place. It's actually quite brilliant."
"So are you in?" Thomas asked.
"Damn right I am," Falcone said, as he could barely believe it himself. "But I have condition of my own."
"Name it," Thomas said, waiting for his terms.
"If I or one of my people do something you don't approve of," Falcone started, "You approach me, tell me to my face, and give me a chance to clean it up myself. No more beating my guys up in body armor. If my boys cross a line, the beating I give them will make what you're doing look like a walk in the damn park. You tell me, and I'll take care of it."
"That seems fair," Thomas said, "We seem to have struck a bargain."
"It's appears we have," Falcone concurred, "So, what are we going to call the place?"
"It already has a name," Thomas replied, "Why mess with something that's already well known?"
"Good point," Falcone said, laughing. "But don't you think the boys at Wayne Enterprises will not like their name being used that way, for gambling I mean."
"Do I look like I give a rat's ass what they think?" Thomas countered with a question of his own. "They can't tell me what to do with my own name, especially when it's already on the damn house."
"Sounds good to me," Falcone said, eager to get started. "How soon do you want to start prepping the place?"
"First thing tomorrow morning," Thomas said as he stood up, "Have your best overpaid, unionized workers there at eight."
"I prefer to start on Monday," Falcone said, "Give me a few days to get everything in order, and follow through on plans I already have with my own family. I'm also going to read my men the riot act to get our new deal pushed into their thick skulls. When the weekend is out, we'll get to work."
"Sounds good to me," Thomas replied, "I'll make sure the manor is cleared and ready by the time you get there.
Falcone stood up as well and offered Thomas his hand to shake. "A pleasure doing business with you Mr. Wayne. I have the feeling this is going to work out quite well for the both of us."
"Thank you, Carmine." Thomas said, shaking his hand. "It will work out just fine so long as you don't piss me off."
"Duly noted, Thomas." Falcone said, smiling. "Duly noted."