maskormenace

[Bruce had spent the afternoon wandering De Chima-- he found it odd. It fed off of the presence of imPorts, a title given to him unceremoniously upon arrival, while at the same time rebuffing their presence entirely. He judged the city critically; it was too bright, its grasses too green compared to the noisy, dirty, troubled city he called home. Even more uncomforting to him was seeing a skyscraper with a large "W" emblazoned on the side standing statuesque in the middle of the city proper.

He had thought about just walking in, maybe taking his chances, but he was dressed in the wrong sort of suit for that and his cuff links were expensive. In the end, he settled for the only other option he had-- he pulled the small phone-like device from his pant pocket and considered it critically. Essentially, he didn't have a choice; the small screen illuminated with a projection of his face, and he addressed whatever-- whoever-- was on the other end.]

Wayne Enterprises has been a part of my family and Gotham's history for as far back as anybody can remember. I didn't grow up with an appreciation for that, but an understanding that it and Gotham's foundations were intrinsically connected since the beginning. It's why I'm so curious to see a building with my name on it in the middle of Virginia.

In the late 19th century my ancestor, Alan Wayne, along with other prominent families undertook the project of modernizing Gotham Township. It all started with Wayne Shipping, sometime during the early Industrial Revolution. In time, small businesses became large corporations bookended by my father, Thomas, who created the Wayne Foundation.

My point is that this company couldn't have continued to grow without the help of family. You do what you can to help an idea grow, but as time goes on, for that idea to survive, you have to let other people share your dream with you.

I think it's something I've had trouble accepting for a long time... even as my predecessors had been doing it for centuries before me. Eventually, the people that you care about carry your torch when you can't do it any longer.

I don't expect this story to matter to any of you. Gotham doesn't even exist here, but my company... does. My point was to talk about the importance of family. It's why my next question is so important...

I'm looking for mine.

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Sometimes, yes.

[He sounds... serious.]

But good luck. It seems like you're not always given the job you had back home when you come here.

[It's not like he's supposed to be a lounge singer or anything.]

... Really?!

[Wayne Tower, a Gotham where Mass Freaky Shit appears to happen... and something clicks. Max remembers where she's heard that name before, and why that voice sounds so familiar. But it can't be... right?

Then again, considering all of the people who have been pulled in, maybe now's not the time to doubt.]

Well, it's not like we're not allowed to quit if we get the wrong job.

[Conversation is good, Max.]

That's the best news I've heard all day. [He says dryly.]

But I'm sorry, don't pay attention to me. Life is... interesting where I'm from.

[He is totally for cereal, Max.]

I hope not. That would be kind of sad. [She gets it, though; getting pulled in is... a roller coaster.]

How interesting?

[Because she's pretty sure she already knows.]

Interesting enough that... what was it? Submarines and brainwashings seem par for the course.

[Yep, he's almost definitely who she thinks he is.]

That sounds pretty awful.

Oh, don't get me wrong. There's a lot of good that happens there, too. Terrible things happen everywhere, Max-- what matters is what we do during those moments that matters.

[At that, she breaks into a smile.]

You're right. After the submarine and brainwashing things, I didn't really want to go anywhere or do anything. I almost wanted to give up. But my friends helped, and now I want to help others.

[She's not the Doctor, so she's really not good at inspirational speeches and whatnot.]

Well... what do you like about Gotham?

[He pauses for a moment, regarding what she said with a fair amount of suspicion. He hadn't mentioned Gotham by name, although it's possible that Dick had. He only notes it internally and moves on.]

Well, it's where I grew up. Most of my best memories, some of the people I care most about, come from there.

[A pause.] It's... admittedly not for everyone. But when I look around I can see good people trying hard to live their lives.

[He'd not mentioned it to her, but she'd heard him on about it in the initial posting.]

It sounds like a place that needs some help, but I'm glad to hear it's not all bad.

(Lol you're totally right, that went right over my head. We'll retcon that part of the conversation because I'm a dumb-dumb.)

I guess you can say that about a lot of places, but I wouldn't live anywhere else.

[He looks around.] Well. If I had the choice.

You might blink out, soon. A lot of people do.

Or you might be here for awhile.

Well... it's the second one I'm worried about, if I'm being honest.

[He regards her seriously for a minute.]

How about you, Max. Anything to look forward to back home?

[He's spoken to Ted, so he knows that not everybody is as anxious as he is to get back to where they're from. For everything that's wrong with this situation, he can understand how some people may consider it a respite.]

I hear that. It's always a possibility.

Not really.

[Because Chloe's here, and if she goes back...]

[He gives a solemn nod after a pause. It's not his place to inquire, but he's met kids her age who would say the same thing.]

I'm sorry to hear that.

That's okay. I have a life here.

Even if it is filled with political bullshit.

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