New Gotham City (Open to one woman)

[guyloveshotstories]

BATMAN IS DEAD!

With the Dark Knight out of the way the mafia families and super villains of Gotham turned the city into their own warzone. Each one trying to stake claims and usurp the others with murders or alliances. Not a day goes by where at least one person was gunned down on the streets. It's a wonder why people still live in this god forsaken city. The police were either inept or corrupt, using their badges to help one or more of the bosses. The Bat Family, all of them-Robin, Batgirl, Batwoman, Nightwing, and all the others-they scattered about to save themselves. With the Batman gone they had no leadership. Nothing to bind them together. If you wanted something done, you had to do it yourself. That was what I did. Name's Clyde Zimmerman. Not a mafia don or a supervillain. Just a businessman that was fed up with the skirmishes on the streets. The blood. Innocent people being caught up in the crossfire.

When the Batman was confirmed as dead the first thing I did was make a move, taking a large sum of money from my bank account and using it to lay claim to the old harbor and warehouse section on the north end of the city. This place was dead. Long since forgotten after the war. That only made it cheap. Buying the lot and putting money into rebuilding and rejuvenating the area. It worked.

The harbor was alive again. Dozens of ships arrived every day disgorging their cargo from overseas. Customs agents and their dogs roamed the containers to sniff out contraband. That's what I was seeing in my loft overlooking my territory. In one hand was a mug of hot coffee. My body wrapped in a robe and slippers. Behind me my secretary was reading off all of the appointments for the day.

"At 11AM Dr. Ziegler from Overwatch is to meet you at your office in the city," said my diligent secretary. "She has a program that is in need of a grant. Such money would be used to fund research into an advanced AI programming for their bots." That was the extent of the proposal that Dr. Ziegler was willing to give. Corporate espionage was rampant. She didn't want to risk anything getting out. 'Ah. Dr. Ziegler' a smile came across my face. 'Such a talented doctor. Swiss by birth she had a German accent. A frequent guest and always turned up a profit when it came to asking for money.'

"After lunch, Ms. Rebecca Chambers of Umbrella also needs a grant for her biological experiment with this new virus" my secretary paused. A virus? For a weapon or research. I knew the answer. Just couldn't give it. Again, trade secret. "Very well. I enjoy seeing here" I said with a lift of my cup. Chambers was younger than Dr. Ziegler, perky and eager to please.

"Lastly, Catwoman says she'll meet with you tonight at your office" my secretary finished. That was it. And left. Now I was alone to ponder. In order to maintain my territory there were a lot of people on retainer: Some bad. Some good. All were great at what they did. My hidden weapon. Batman gone the thrill of stealing went with it. What Catwoman liked was the chase, Batman going after her from rooftop to rooftop during the night. Now that there was no one to chase her, there was no point. However, that didn't pay the bills and she was willing to do my little snatchings or eavesdrops, for a fee.

Tonight would end with a visit to the Red Velvet Lounge, a high-end club in the downtown district of the city. Exclusive. I was eager to go to that. Just needed someone to go with. Best chance to get through the door was to have some hot arm candy to go with you.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

My secretary left the office to carry out her duties. Left alone with my work, I stood glaring out the bay window at the city below. What a place Gotham was. Gothic in design. Bleak at night. What do people see in this place that kept them here? With Batman gone, all the people in his rogues gallery were now key figures in the city's life. They had more power than the mayor even. Commissioner Gordon was struggling just to keep himself going let alone keep his officers clean. Don't trust anyone. That's one of my rules. Everyone is an acquaintance or an employee, people looking for money or a job. No personal relationships. Why? Losing them was just too painful.

Stepping away from the window and slowly walking to my desk, I grasped the head of the plush leather rolling chair and pulled it back, sat down, and scooted forward using my feet. Before me was a stack of papers and letters. This was the tedious part of my day. This sort of job I could have delegated to someone else. No. I wanted to ensure that every offer, counter offer, threat, or promise was read by my eyes. After all, it was my life and livelihood on the line.

Dr. Ziegler, Rebecca Chambers, Catwoman...those were just a few of the people in my life. Like everyone else, they were just people. No serious attachment. Most of the time I see them is when they needed something from me. That's the consequences of having a lot of money. People look at you differently when they know that you have nearly one-billion dollars. Then they look at you and see that you're not Bruce Wayne, a genius, billionaire, playboy. Just a boy from somewhere who popped up when everything in the city was dying.

If that's the way it was going to be, so be it. At least I would be able to try cleaning up this god forsaken city.

 

[AWhoopsieDaisy]

((Neat prompt but you don't leave much indication as to who or how you want a partner to arrive. Are you looking for a catwoman player? Can any hot lady get him through the door?