在哥谭市南部富裕区郊区的一家小酒吧里,席勒在他精心制作的杜松子酒中挤了一些柠檬汁.他举起酒杯,转向戈登,"恭喜你,侦探.至少,现在你可以做你想做的事了.
坐在圆桌对面的布鲁斯也举起了酒杯.哈维拿起酒杯后说:"确实,这值得庆祝.你是我见过的最正直的警察.
四人碰了碰杯.戈登喝了一口饮料,脸色微微泛红——无论是因为兴奋还是酒精的影响.他叹了口气,"越是这样,我就越意识到我还有多远的路要走.
布鲁斯说:"进步总是好的.
席勒笑着把酒杯举到嘴边."是这样吗?看来我们的小男孩最近进步很大?
布鲁斯放下酒杯,说:"教授,我记得,你曾经说过,你对我的私生活没有建议.
"但我也提醒你要照顾好你的肾脏.这并不意味着只是避免被刺伤.特里克街的风景确实很棒;那里的霓虹灯在整个东海岸都很有名..."
戈登的目光在他们两人之间移动,然后挑了挑眉毛,问道:"你们俩在窃窃私语什么秘密?
"没什么,就像你的朋友建议你管好自己的事一样.有人对自己的肾功能很有信心.
戈登立刻明白了,轻笑道:"看来布鲁斯最近的生活太浪漫了.
席勒放下酒杯,微笑着说:"恰恰相反.
哈维知道一些内幕消息,用胳膊肘推了推布鲁斯,低声说:"你和你提到的那个女孩进展很快?事情进行的怎么样了?你们已经有关系了吗?
戈登立刻竖起耳朵,布鲁斯揉了揉太阳穴,看着那三张幸灾乐祸的脸.他投降了,"好了,好了,停下来.这有什么关系?那是我的私事.我们在这里聚会是为了庆祝戈登的晋升.
"我认为哥谭警察局局长不如我们世界首富找到新女友那样值得庆祝.Gordon咧嘴一笑.
"这有点夸张,考虑到世界首富有太多的女朋友.席勒说.
"但警察局局长和一个默默无闻的警察同样没用."戈登自嘲地讽刺道.
布鲁斯对他们的戏谑感到无助.他说:"好吧,我承认.是的,我爱上了一个女孩...不,不是那种吸引力,不是因为她美丽的脸蛋和身材...哦,她当然很漂亮,身材很好,但不是..."
Gordon and Harvey wear expressions of great understanding. Harvey even says, "When I was your age, if I liked any girl, I always convinced myself it wasn't because of their looks. But now I know that's bullshit. Men all over the world say that and it's all bullshit."
Gordon adjusts his tie, "Is there really a girl who has captured Bruce's heart? I'd really like to see who she is."
Bruce grins, "She's not anything special, just a girl from the slums. Like any other girl, she likes shiny jewels and dreams of having a castle filled with gems."
"Which castles do you prefer,German or French?" Schiller asks. "I think Neuschwanstein Castle is nice. What about you think?"
Bruce, unable to take it anymore, taps his glass and moans, "I'm not playing with her! I'm serious, don't look at me like that. I admit I used to be a bit... well, more than a bit... but I really intend to marr.."
"You're not facing her right now, no need to say these sweet words," Schiller interrupts Bruce's flag. Can anyone say such words?
But it doesn't really matter because he is Batman. If Batman says these words, it shouldn't cause any major consequences.
Bruce takes a sip of his drink, appearing unusually excited. He confesses, "We have defined our relationship, and been going on dates for several continuous nights. She gave me a beautiful gem."
"And what about you? Haven't you given her anything?" Harvey asks.
Bruce murmurs, "I'm thinking about it."
"That's a bit rude." Harvey says a true word, "Don't you look down on her because of her slum background? If I may so blunt, but not everyone is as lucky as you. I think, at least for you, class shouldn't be the barrier..."
"I definitely do not think that way."
"But the problem is, if you don't quickly give her a gift to show your sincerity, she might think so." Schiller talks straight, "Any girl from the slums dating the world's richest man would probably lack confidence."
"Well." Bruce sighs, "What do you guys think I should give her? I've been thinking for a while and can't come up with anything."
Harvey doesn't know the true identity of Catwoman because he didn't know that Bruce is Batman, let alone know their story.
But Schiller knows all about it.
Schiller advises, "How about a string of pearls necklace?"
Bruce tightens his grip on the glass, takes a sip of his drink , "I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of pearl necklaces. But if she likes it, I will get her the best one."
After the party, Schiller returns to his apartment to sober up.
There is a reason why Schiller is traveling between DC and Marvel. After arriving in DC, he wants to wait for the Marvel storyline to go ahead for a while, but at the same time, he needs to take care of things on this side.
He is a cautious person who likes everything has its good end. Although the fact that the old president has not been imprisoned comes as a surprise, his original purpose is to resolve the loose ends left by the Jonathan case.
The old president has now become Batman's target. Schiller has no intention of getting involved . However, there is another person who has gone missing, Commissioner Victor.
Schiller speculates that Sal Maroni has kidnapped him. Nevertheless, Maroni might not necessarily kill him. A former police commissioner can provide valuable information. Maroni has suffered such a huge loss, he will not let Victor die easily unless he can recover his losses.
But Schiller needs Victor to die.
During the early stages of the Jonathan case, his abilities are not enough. When stealing the fear toxin, he can only use the simplest method, burglary. At that time, he cannot completely wipe out all traces, even though he has eliminated 99% of them. He has to erase the remaining 1% chance of being discovered.
Victor has entered the evidence room many times to get Jonathan out. He is the only person who has the potential to expose Schiller's theft of the fear toxin.
After Jonathan is sent to Arkham Asylum, the traditional version of fear toxin concentrate has already been discontinued. However, due to Maroni's massive losses, many members of the mob are interested in obtaining such a weapon. Once someone exposes who has stolen the fear toxin, the mob will come rushing in like sharks smelling blood.
Schiller originally planned to pay a visit to Maroni, but before that, someone unexpected approaches him.
Schiller follows a man in black into a car. The man in the front seat in a suit says, "Professor Schiller, there's no need to be afraid. The Godfather has invited you because he needs your help."
The elongated luxury car quickly arrives at a mansion not far from the southern district. Schiller follows the guide inside. The mansion has a vintage decor. After going in, he goes upstairs and the guide knocks on the door. A deep voice from inside says, "Please come in."
Schiller goes in and sees a tall man, or rather, an old man. His hair is silver gray, dressed in a decent suit with a bow tie, and a red poppy is pinned to his chest, giving off an imposing aura.
He twists the ring on finger and speaks to Schiller, "Professor Rodriguez, I apologize for the intrusion. I brought you here because I need your help."
"I am honored to be of service, Don Falcone."
Schiller approaches and stands across the table from Falcone. Behind him is a floor-to-ceiling window, with two black-clad bodyguards on either side.
Falcone doesn't continue with small talk, he nods and goes straight to the point, "I have a son, and he's grown up. My family and business both require him to inherit. I would like to hire you as his tutor."
Before Schiller can ask any questions, Falcone continues, "His previous one was shot three times in the chest and didn't make it. I heard that you even manage to get Bruce Wayne to turn his homework in on time, so you should be a good candidate for the job."
"Of course, I'm not here to threaten you. I know you have caused some trouble in Metropolis. Some have followed the scent and found their way here, but now they should all be in the ditch ."
"This is my sincerity, how about it?"
Schiller looks at Falcone, who looks more like an early DC comic book mob boss. Falcone's inspiration comes from Corleone in The Godfather, played by Marlon Brando.
It now appears that compared to the image of Falcone in the movies and TV shows, with his jacket and quirky sunglasses, this old man truly resembles the godfather who rules over Gotham's extensive mob.
"Alright, but I have one request."
"The former police commissioner has disappeared..." Schiller says.
"You want to find him?"
"No, I want him die."
Falcone sits down. He takes a cigar handed to him by someone nearby, takes a puff, exhales smoke, and slowly says, "Victor... I know him. A clever old scammer. What grudge do you have with him?"
"I think, in Gotham, you don't need a reason to kill someone."
Falcone chuckles, holding the cigar, and claims, "Sounds like you will be a good teacher."