That request was quite unexpected. And if everything was more or less clear about the Joker, then the question about another patient - Pamela Isley, caused bewilderment.
"Why do you need all this information?" asked Bruce, glaring at me with his darkly thoughtful gaze.
"Especially the part about Poison Ivy," added Barbara, a bit of jealousy in her voice. "I hope you know that her kisses are poisonous, and she can kill you...I just said this for your information by the way."
"I know this, thank you for worrying about me. Barb, I will be careful."
"I see, my words went in one ear and out the other," the girl sighed, doing a facepalm.
"It's just that, in connection with recent events, I thought about a lot of things, and decided to adjust my plans a little. I need Pamela, or to be more precise, I need a scientist and an excellent specialist in botany. And she is the best in this business, isn't she?"
"Just don't tell me that you want to offer her a job?" Batman asked sarcastically. "And, let me guess, for this, you want to free her from Arkham."
"Forget it! She's a villain, and she doesn't really like people, much less work for them. She's a mentally ill person, fixated on protecting nature. And how, I wonder, do you plan to get her out of there?"
"I understand all this, Bruce," I looked at my friend in complete calm. "But I need her. And I think I can talk to her, because I'm a pretty good negotiator, you know that. Remember how I tried to persuade you to take on various adventures. If other people had offered them, you would have immediately refused. But I was able to convince you, and more than once…"
"You know," Dick took the floor, "He's right about something!"
"I can't help but agree," said the silent butler in an even tone.
"It's not the same thing!" the Dark Knight disagreed. "And how will you imagine it, Alex? You'll go to her, talk, offer her a job, and she'll agree?!"
"Um, something like that…"
"Why do I keep forgetting that it's useless to argue with you, and how are you planning on getting her released from there?"
"I was thinking of counting on your help, and the help of Commissioner Gordon, in this matter. After all, you two are two of the most respected people in Gotham, and the ones who have the most power in Arkham. You are the richest man in the city, and have a lot of authority. In addition, you are a well-known philanthropist, donating large amounts of money to various charities. Also, you are almost the only one who sponsors Arkham Asylum. You have a good reputation, and it is unlikely that they will refuse you if you ask them for something. More like they will all kiss your feet, just to please you. And James Gordon is almost the only honest cop who is completely accepted by the public. In addition, he bears some responsibility for this mental hospital, therefore, he also has a lot of authority in this place. If you two help me, say, write a letter of recommendation, I will be able to walk around Arkham unhindered. And ... I want to take responsibility and ask Pamela to get an early release, on the condition that she no longer returns to the life of a villain."
"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard in my life!" Wayne said each word clearly.
"Oh, come on, you've heard things that were even stupider," I said, waving my hand.
Barbara, having listened to my idea, decided to clarify the question that was tormenting her "And how are you going to get a recommendation from my father?"
"Well I get along well with him. And I was also hoping for your help," folding my hands in a prayerful gesture, I threw a pitiful look at her.
At my actions, she only snorted gracefully, folding her arms across her chest with obvious displeasure.
"What makes you think that she will improve?" Gotham's defender voiced his concerns. "And if Ivy does return to her evil deeds, who will take responsibility? Not only will your reputation suffer, but James's and mine as well."
"As if that means anything in this city. Gotham is a place where power rests on corruption and influence. Even if she does start causing trouble, no one will know how and with whose help she got out if we make "small" donations to "big" people... And besides, I'm absolutely sure that it won't come to that. I believe that I can change her villainous nature and bring back the scientist botanist."
The people in this cave looked at me as if they had just seen the stupidest fool.
"I wish I had your confidence," Bruce rubbed his temples, putting his thoughts in order. "And yet, I don't understand one thing, why do you need her? What do you want to entrust to her?"
"I'm afraid you won't be too happy to hear my intentions... So I'll tell you about it later, when you've cooled down and thought the situation over. Besides, I'll need your help and cooperation in this difficult matter. But nothing illegal," I raised my hands in front of me.
"Is this somehow connected with yesterday's events and the Joker?"
"You could say that... Actually, I've been planning this for quite some time, it's just... Yesterday's situation showed me how weak I am. And I decided to speed up."
"I see, so you want Pamela to help you become stronger somehow," the man in the cloak said, having figured out my words. "You must understand what risk you're exposing yourself to! And if she does something wrong on purpose... What will you do then?"
"Please, don't forget that I have a powerful intuition. I'll feel it if something goes wrong, so you don't have to worry."
"Guys, Alex is like a ram, if he decides on something, he won't back down," Nightwing said, trying to help me in a friendly way.
"Why are you so fixated on strength? Wouldn't it be easier to hire a bodyguard?" Bats suggested in a lazy tone, clearly not believing that I would listen to his words.
"Exactly!" I shouted, jumping up. "How could I forget about this?"
"What? You really want to hire a bodyguard?" Wayne asked incredulously.
"That's an excellent idea! I'll be able to sleep peacefully until I make myself stronger, so you'll still provide me with information about Arkham and a letter of recommendation…"
Hmm, I should think about who to take as my protectors. In fact, the name of someone who would be perfect for this role has already popped into my head. Sasha Bordeaux… In the comics, she was the one hired to guard Bruce Wayne.
However, Bruce himself did not trust her much. Eventually, thanks to her observation and dexterity, she was able to find out that her client, who constantly disappeared from under her nose, was the masked avenger - Batman.
She was shocked to learn this, but did not tell anyone, and only continued to do her job faithfully. Later, Bruce allowed her to join his nightly exploits, training and teaching her.
One night, the killer David Cain lured Wayne's ex-girlfriend Vesper Fairchild to his family estate and killed her, framing Bruce. He and Bordeaux were accused of the murder, and Sasha refused to justify herself by revealing Wayne's secret, despite the fact that she herself was not sure that the Dark Knight did not kill this girl.
Therefore, I can be completely sure that she will not reveal my secrets, and will be able to protect me. I can trust her with my life, because I am sure that she will do everything to do the best job as a bodyguard. And trust is at the top of my list of necessary qualities in a person ... And so, she is more than qualified to be my bodyguard.
From what I knew, she was an expert in the use of blades and firearms, and was also a master of martial arts. And this is very good, because I can ask her to train me in her free time.
It was decided, she will be my security! I should find her as soon as possible and offer her a job…
Thank you all for your support, please vote with power stones to get us a better ranking. And if possible, do write a review.
You can read extra chapters and support me on [email protected]/annihilator009
Ko-fi.com/annihilator009