Chapter 11

New Year, Same Old Life

From the diary of Penelope Halwind:

New Year’s Eve
The more things change, the more they stay the same…

Katie, the bartender at Pigeon’s Place, had thought she’d seen everything. Not true. Here it was, New Year’s Eve, and she was working; surrounded by Gotham’s Most Wanted. For instance, she not only worked for Penelope Halwind, the notorious Pigeon herself, but it was well known that Penelope was seeing Stanley “The Question” Marx. Therefore she wasn’t too surprised when Bruce Wayne himself walked up to the bar.

“What’ll it be, handsome?”

He smiled. “I’m looking for Penelope.”

“She’s in the office right now, but I’m sure she’ll be out soon to enjoy the party. I’ll let her know you’re here.” Katie watched him take a seat down the bar next to Selina Kyle, AKA Lady Panther, who was drinking a Kaluha and cream.

My intercom buzzed. It was Katie letting me know the “gold plated bachelor” was here. What did he want? What could he POSSIBLY want? Actually, it didn’t matter. I was going to have a couple shots of peach snappes and enjoy my party. I walked out of the office and ordered the shots. Bruce excused himself from Lady Panther and made his way over. What would she think of my suspicion that her crush and this “boring socialite” were one and the same? “What can I do for you, Mr. Wayne?” He looked at me like he was struggling with a decision.

“Have you heard the news about Joker? He is out again…I thought, if the tabloid stories are true, that might effect your business.”

I had to try very hard to cover my momentary fear (of Joker) and shock (Bruce just confirmed my suspicions: he IS Nightshade!) He cared enough to give me a ‘head’s up,’ he was concerned for me. “No, I hadn’t heard about the Joker.” I smiled. “I doubt you would be interested in any business the tabloids claim I have. Katie! Mr. Wayne’s drinks are on the house.” I looked at him. “I know you won’t abuse the offer. Take care.”

Bruce ordered a smoothie to go and Katie watched him leave. She had always admired him…kind of a schoolgirl crush thing. Speaking of crushes, she thought, as her former crush Leo Janus made his way to the bar. He was great in ‘Summer Heat.’ Too bad about what happened on his last movie though. He was playing a hotshot lawyer and his jealous co-star, playing a mobster, was supposed to throw a glass of water in his face. He threw acid instead. Now half of Leo’s face looked melted and he called himself Gemini.

“What’s up, Katie my dear?” Gemini said in a mock Irish accent. He liked teasing her. What was it about redheads that revved him up? Probably cause most of them were feisty…

“What can I get you?”

“Whatever you feel like pouring, just make it a double.”

Yes, Katie thought she had seen everything.