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Post by Oracle on Aug 11, 2008 0:44:56 GMT -8
Traveling back and forth between Gotham and Metropolis was starting to wear thin. At least for the past week it was seeming that way. Living the jet-setter life was still something that she wasn't used to. Admittedly she liked the idea of just leaving a city at the drop of a hat for whatever reason just because her boss needed her to be somewhere.
It made her feel important.
Opening the backdoor to the newly re-built Iceberg Lounge, Barbara pushed herself toward the back hallway and exposed a hidden panel that would then lead to a secret elevator that brought her to Cobblepot's private office. Not many knew of the place, though Cobblepot trusted her enough to tell her of it's existence.
She smiled weakly to herself as the elevator arrived at it's location and she pushed the door open. Afixing the manila folders and small box she held in her lap she pushed herself into his office.
Catching the dark outline of a figure ahead of her she blinked. "Why are you in here with no light? If you're working you KNOW it's not good on your eyes..."
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Post by Two-Face on Aug 11, 2008 1:07:24 GMT -8
"I always like to reflect in the dark. You never know what will come to light."
Two-Face switched on the lamp sitting on Cobblepot's desk to reveal himself to Barbara. He was sitting in Penguin's chair and pointing a gun at her casually.
"Ms. Gordon. It's been some time. You're certainly not who I was expecting, but please. Stay a while."
Two-Face rose from his seat and made his way around the desk. He walked around Barbara and went to the door she had come in, shutting it behind her.
"You can set anything you've brought with you on the desk. Then tell me why you're here."
He sat again, the gun still fixed on her, waiting for a reply.
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Post by Oracle on Aug 11, 2008 1:14:54 GMT -8
The voice was a lot more scruffier than than what she was used to. It sounded like gravel, a bit more harsh-- almost the same tone Bbruce would get when in Batman mode.
That's not Cobblepot...
The moment the light came on, she almost jumped, but instead she didn't move an inch. Now this certainly was a surprise.
"You're not exactly the person I was expecting either."
Taking note to the gun in his hand, she sighed mentally. "If you hurt me, Cobblepot will be very disappointed in you, just by the way." she said to him, making her way over to Cobblepot's desk. Placing the folders and small box down, she turned.
Was it a bad thing that she wasn't showing any fear?
"I'm here to see my boss. And I have a feeling you're here for the same thing?"
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Post by Two-Face on Aug 11, 2008 1:29:36 GMT -8
"Cobblepot's disappointment is not something that concerns me, Ms. Gordon. What does concern me is that you're here when you shouldn't be, and now... the situation has become complicated. It does not escape me who you're connected to and where your loyalties are."
Two-Face looked at the watch on his wrist. "I don't know exactly what business your employer has you working, especially at this hour... but I won't let it interfere with mine. The question is, Ms. Gordon... what are we going to do with you?"
Two-Face reached his hand into his pocket and pulled out his coin. "I don't suppose you have any suggestions?"
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Post by Oracle on Aug 11, 2008 1:50:23 GMT -8
Faintly amused by the encounter, she rubbed her right thumb over her index finger. It looked like she would have to make a quick trip to the nail salon in the morning. "My plane just touched down and I'm simply here returning a few files before I retired for the night. And for the record, I'm allowed to be here.... You on the other hand--"
Listening to him speak in his third person sense sent shivvers down her spine. It always creeped her out whenever she heard him speak in the sense.
She mentally inhaled to take a moment to cool down. She didn't want to come off as too hostile... not with him. NO.. not with him. But then again, no matter it was always that coin of his that made the decisions. She could be screwed as it were.
"Actually I do have a suggestion." Boy this was going to go for a long shot. "Are you hungry? I was thinking maybe you could order us a pizza while I called Copplepot to let him know you're here to see him? If the two of you were supposed to meet and Oswald wasn't here to greet you, he'd want to make sure you were comfortable until he arrived. That and to be notified in case there were some kind of miscommunication."
She motioned to his liquor cabinet. "Would you like me to make you a drink?"
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Post by Two-Face on Aug 11, 2008 2:58:19 GMT -8
"Cute, Barbara. We're not having a slumber party. I'm not ordering pizza and I'm not letting you make any phone calls of your own."
Two-Face looked over to the cabinet as she motioned toward it and looked directly back at her. The one eye that could be narrowed did so.
"I'll make my own."
He rose from the desk and crossed the room. When he reached the cabinet he set his gun down and slipped the coin back in his pocket.
"As for Cobblepot. He doesn't know I'm here. Calling him is out of the question, because as you say, I was uninvited. I don't need him calling your father on me either."
Two-Face returned with his gun in one hand and a drink in the other. It was a small glass, half full, with two ice cubes. He took a drink, then set both on the desk in front of him.
"How do I get in touch with Penguin?"
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Post by Oracle on Aug 11, 2008 2:59:43 GMT -8
Barbara shrugged weakly and threw her hands up in surrender. She meant no harm by anything she said, but she was trying to keep a cool head about things.... especially considering the situation. "Uninvited.... and you know about this room?"
Pulling a small pack of peanuts she had tucked away in her blazer, she popped a few in her mouth. Her stomach was starting to shout profanities at her. Maybe she could suppress it a bit longer with a few nuts dancing in her system.
She casually offered him some. "If you're looking to get in touch with Penguin, then you've already got the best resource available to you." She motioned to herself. "I'm his personal assistant. I handle what needs to be done when he's not 'home.'"
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Post by Two-Face on Aug 11, 2008 3:00:13 GMT -8
"There was a time when Oswald Cobblepot wasn't the upstanding gentleman he is today. I only had to assume his old tricks didn't get shed with this old reputation. I still find it funny somebody like Harvey Dent can go from being D.A. to... this... while Oswald Cobblepot can go from being the Penguin to Gotham's mayor."
Two-Face realized he had begun a rant and cut it short. He ignored the offer for peanuts and took another drink. He took out his coin and began flipping it absentmindedly.
"Unfortunately, I'm certain what I need would have to be handled by Oswald himself. An assistant won't do. Toss me your cell phone."
Two-Face reached out a hand.
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Post by Oracle on Aug 11, 2008 3:01:22 GMT -8
As Harvey spoke, Barbara hung onto his every word. She could actually hear Harvey speaking to her... for once. It put her in a somber state.
"There's nothing stopping you from reforming..." she said quietly. In part he hoped he wouldn't smack her across the face for even speaking her mind. "You're a good man, Harvey."
Maybe her words would stick. Maybe not. She had to try.
Reaching into her blazer pocket she pulled out her phone and handed it to him. "You'll have to slide the bar from-- well you'll figure it out. he's number one on my speed dial."
As she watched his body move half back into the darkened part of the room and his more handsome side taking the side of the light. Taking a moment, she poured a few more of the nuts into the palm of her hand and popped them into her mouth.
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Post by Two-Face on Aug 11, 2008 3:03:17 GMT -8
Two-Face slammed his outstretched hand down on the table at her comment and rose slightly out of his chair to lean forward.
"THERE IS NO HARVEY DENT ANYMORE!"
Two-Face gained his composure, leaned back, and took the phone. He opened it and hit the number one, then send. There was silence in the room aside from the clicking of peanuts on Barbara Gordon's teeth. When there was no answer on the other end of the phone within several rings Two-Face closed the phone and tossed it on the table. He sat thinking a moment, frustrated. Then he grabbed his gun and held his coin, ready to flip it.
"Wouldn't you know it? No answer. Question is... do I have you leave a message... or make you the message?"
Two-Face flipped his coin, caught it, and slapped it on the back of his hand... good heads.
"Tell him I was here Gordon. And tell him I'm coming for him."
Two-Face put the coin in his pocket and left without saying another word.
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