Just as Jonathan had said, Batman had indeed learned a lot from Shiller, but the truth is, he had not fully adopted Shiller's equal-opportunity approach when it came to his talking style. Therefore, when Jonathan shouted that name, Batman was somewhat confused.
Because he knew that if Shiller were here, there would be more than just Jonathan cursed and ridiculed. The absent ones like Green Lantern, Batman, and Superman, even the teachers in the enrolment department, would not escape the crossfire.
Batman's language style is like a sniper rifle. After confirming the target, he scopes it in and takes the killer shot.
While Shiller's language style is more like a machine gun, the kind with unlimited bullets. Whether it's his direct enemies or a mosquito flying over his head, all can be hit.
Jonathan seemed to have lost patience, he said: "You can't save Gotham... Batman!"
"But you might have Alzheimer's because you already said that once, just 2 minutes and 32 seconds ago." Batman quickly retorted.
A loud 'bang' was heard when the table was struck, causing the cups and water bottles on top to rattle.
"Do you know why that is? Because, the rain in Gotham, it contains a mysterious substance that activates the toxins in Gotham's metals. That will plunge Gotham into endless darkness, with no hope of return!"
"And then?" Batman inquired.
The calm expression on Batman's face did not surprise Jonathan because he also knew that with Wayne's resources, uncovering these issues would not be difficult. He took a breath and suddenly brought up a new topic:
"Do you remember? When you were investigating the disappearing population in the Morson district, those cases were mine."
"Your understanding of 'fruitless' is quite unique." Batman pointed out directly: "We found all the clues and captured you, sending you to a mental hospital. If you think that is 'fruitless', next time I will remember to break your spine before sending you there."
"But you couldn't save those missing people, did you know? I felt great joy while dissecting them…"
"Originally, I could have killed them first and then dissect their bodies, but I didn't. Not because I enjoyed hearing their screams, but because of you, Batman!" Jonathan squinted his eyes.
"While listening to their screams and curses, my pleasure did not come from themselves. They were as boring as fish on the cutting board at the moment of death."
"But the thought that a self-proclaimed vigilante is out there frantically searching for them, hoping to save them, and I am slowly destroying that hope, it makes me shudder with excitement…." Jonathan's tone became excited.
Batman paused for a moment, pursing his lips into a thin line, then remarked: "Hmm... it seems, you are a typical serial killer."
Jonathan's face froze, Batman rubbed the water cup with his finger, saying: "Obtaining spiritual pleasure from harming others, fooling passers-by and deceiving the police excite you more, very traditional, very typical."
"Are you insane? Batman!" Jonathan stood up and opened his hands, declaring: "Do you want me to describe in detail the agonizing deaths of the victims? Shouldn't you punch me? I am the type of criminal you hate the most: ruthless, evil, and unrepentant!"
"Definitely unrepentant. But whether you're ruthless or evil... it depends on who you are compared to." Batman was sitting in his chair, looking up at Jonathan saying, "I heard that there have been several rounds of innovation in the Serial Killer Crime Sphere. Professor Crane, didn't they inform you?"
Jonathan was stunned because Batman's words were too serious, so he instinctively asked: "What innovation? Who did not inform me?"
"Simply killing for the pleasure it brings would define a typical serial murder. That is to say, it would appear on the first page of the textbook section, and is tens of pages away from the real bizarre crimes."
Jonathan's face grew darker, but Batman didn't stop. He continued: "And if you turn two more pages, you might mention some stimuli from childhood that has brought special fetishes to these serial killers."
"If you flip to the end, in some of the unsolvable or horrific cases, the murderer is always communicating their philosophies to the audience. So, Professor Crane, what's your philosophy?"
Jonathan was choked up. His mouth slightly opened, it seemed like he was eager to say something, to answer Batman's question. But before he could think of an answer, Batman said: "It seems, you don't need to answer. Because if you and your case were to be featured on the last few pages, you wouldn't wait for me to ask you before you start thinking."
During Jonathan's silence, Batman remembered his casual conversation with Shiller.
Or that shouldn't be called casual conversation, it was more like the process of correcting the wording of a paper, a means to ease tension, ensuring both parties not to resort to violence.