video; like a LEAGUE of some kind...

[the_caped_crusader]

[The video opens to the interior of his personal office, towering at the top of Wayne Enterprises headquarters in De Chima. At his desk, Bruce Wayne sits at the foreground of a sprawling cityscape, dressed in one of his many bespoken heather gray suits.]

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Bruce Wayne, CEO of Wayne Enterprises and holder of the Wayne Foundation charitable organization here in De Chima. After nearly a year here, the influences of the Cold War are more apparent to me than they've ever been. Though we stand in a modern age, the unfinished business of the late 1940s survive. The fear of conflict, and division not only of post-war Europe, but here at home.

We live in a difficult and dangerous world, and there are no easy or magical solutions. Both imPort and native citizens alike look around and see social inequality and injustice, but we must seek diplomatic solutions before resorting to warring with each other. And while force must always be an option, it should be be considered a last resort. While we must be relentless in combating against enemies both foreign and domestic, neither of us can bear the burden of fighting it alone. We should all be a part of a united coalition, led and sustained by forces here that have the means to protect themselves.

It wasn't entirely too long ago that I thought I could protect the world by myself, but I was wrong. Working together, staying together, as a team, we would be a force that could truly work for the ideals of peace and justice. Organizations like R.I.S.E. have the right idea, but it's one that needs to be expanded upon. Back home, my world is protected by the Justice League, a strike force comprised of the world's mightiest heroes. Stalwart protectors of life, and a defense against all threats-- terrestrial and extra-terrestrial alike.

Through a group like this, it's my hope that we can relieve the financial burden of emergency management during a crisis, paving a way for the creation of a peace dividend; public money available to cities for other, very necessary purposes like education and health care, and a way to continue the efforts that Ambassadors Pevensie and Senator Hundred have worked so hard to establish. We were told when we first arrived here that we were going to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. I think, up until now, a lot of us feel like that hasn't quite happened yet.

If elected, I hope that you're all ready to change that.

Comments

video

[prostheticbody]

Some people might be a bit concerned about a team of gods watching over their city, regardless of how stalwart they are. How do you plan on choosing the members of this team, and who holds them accountable?

[the_caped_crusader]

The Justice League holds themselves accountable, through a careful vetting process controlled by it's founding members. Though ultimately the group is still requisite to answering to both the United States government and United Nations.

video;

[doctopussy]

A CEO running a group of superheroes will undoubtedly reach the capitalist vote, I'm certain.

[ Otto throwing stones in classist houses. ]

[the_caped_crusader]

Funding, not running, doctor. My super power is money.

video;

[cleptes]

You have a gorgeous office. Must be nice to be at the top.

[ Slightly off topic but she was a little envious. ]

What other promises do you have to offer if elected?

[the_caped_crusader]

[Bruce can't help but responding to her first with a roguish smile.]

You may have noticed a trend with De Chima's previous ambassadors in contributing to the safety and welfare of the city through it's town meetings and community centers. Senator Hundred, in particular, also campaigned on lowering taxes for local businesses. Unfortunately, with so many unforeseen states of emergency, most of that money granted meant for community outreach and tax relief has been relocated instead to rebuilding after disaster.

My plan is to be able to continue to expand upon their promises, and be able to provide small businesses like yours, Ms. Talbot, the opportunity to thrive and have their voices heard by their local government.

Text, private

[pummelgranite]

[ Shes still a little annoyed at him, but when is she not? ]

🌟🇺🇸🌟🇺🇸🌟🇺🇸📈⚖🖋☑👍

[the_caped_crusader]

I'm not sure if you're being genuine or facetious right now.

video;

[lempereur]

Could the mightiest among us even know what fighting for justice means? Where I am from, people of power and privilege are hardly concerned about things such as unity or peace.

[the_caped_crusader]

It's not power that makes a hero, Mr. Kitagawa, but the intent to do good. In your world, would you fight to change those sentiments?

video

[knaval]

Wow, this is what I'm running against? Good luck, mate. That's a terrible idea.

[the_caped_crusader]

Thank you... talking... sailboat...?

video

[dendarii]

A very nice speech, Mr. Wayne.

[the_caped_crusader]

Thank you, ambassador. I hope that it wasn't too heavy-handed.

[airshow]

Wow, get a load of the bajillionaire over here! How much was that desk?

[the_caped_crusader]

Honestly? I couldn't tell you, it was here when I got here.

[voice]

[hellrisen02]

Okay, we get it, you've done this before. [A beat. Jackassery aside;] Wayne, Wayne... Gotham, right? Interesting speech for a filthy rich guy from a city like that.

[Even with all the tidbits he knows of Bruce Wayne, he's not sure whether the guy just had a really good public face, or a really good other kind of mask.]

I'll take your idealism at face value. How useful are the diplomatic channels to a government that's been embroiled in an ideological war for half a century, if your values don't match? In your opinion, of course. Dissent generally breeds suspicion, in this kind of climate, which is not all that conducive to accomplishing jack shit.

[Just a bit of feeling out.]

[the_caped_crusader]

In '49, Truman pushed a similar platform with his fair deal expansion, and although it failed, I would like to imagine we've made more liberal progress in 68 years. Our politics have to be progressive and expansive, but also cautious and restrained. I'd certainly like to refrain from accusing anybody of McCarthyism before even taking my seat.

Video

[viced]

You're -- running? Congratulations, I think you'd be good for the city.

[ Wait wait wait wait.

Wait.

A pause. ]

Mr. Wayne, perhaps we should speak privately? If you have a moment?

video; private

[the_caped_crusader]

[Bruce takes a moment to switch the video over to a private feed.]

I didn't mean to catch you off guard with the announcement, Mitchell. What's on your mind?

video.

[glowsferatu]

[ And here's Kanaya, totally oblivious to the fact that she's met him before. ]

Mm, teams are very tricky. I've seen many try to organize them among imPorts, and it rarely goes well. I've even tried dabbling in it myself, on a couple of occasions. imPorts tend to have bigger egos than attention spans, and that can make herding them towards a common goal a very frustrating affair, particularly on a long term basis.

Do you have much direct experience in that, Mr. Wayne?

[the_caped_crusader]

Superhero teams? No, to be honest with you. But I do have more than 17 years in running a multi-billion dollar conglomerate, and I've never been afraid to get my hands dirty. And while this would be a new experience for me-- both politics and funding a team of metahumans-- what I am good at is making sure the right people are put in the right positions to make things run smoothly.

video

[khajidont]

[ HOW DOES HE RESPOND TO THIS... ]

Man. Looks like this is gonna be a tough race already. So, um... have you... [ How does he put this? Hey Batman, is Ted a part of the League again? You gonna be nice to him? Or Hey Batman, who the heck is even here to be a part of the Justice League? ]

Have you started putting the League together? From what I know about the League, you're missing a few core members.

[the_caped_crusader]

The uncertainty of this world isn't going to allow us to build a team like the Justice League we know back home, and we can't be biased in thinking that other heroes from other worlds may not be a better fit for a team here. But regardless of who ends up being a part of it, what the League represents is ubiquitous.

video, private

[zee_zatara]

I don't know if there's a spot on that team for me or not, but you know I'll be there if you ask.

[the_caped_crusader]

I don't know if this team is going to be able to work the same way as the one we're used to, Zee. I'll keep that in mind, though.

private;

[deadkord]

Well, you have my vote.

[the_caped_crusader]

Thanks, Ted.

Video;

[shutterbugged]

Question from the floor: Mr. Wayne, are you, or have you ever been, the kind of person who might be described as a supervillain? Any crime-committing urges, any secret desires to level cities or grind entire populations under your designer shoe heel? I'm assuming designer; you're obviously a snappy dresser.

[the_caped_crusader]

Just your everyday capitalist, I'm afraid. Although if it helps you, people call us criminals all the time.