Title: Castle In The Clouds III: Raise The Drawbridge! (4/9)
Author: BradyGirl
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Alex Maycomb, Arlen Spear, Alfred, Bruce/Dick
Genres: Challenge, Drama
Rating (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
General Summary: Enemies of The Prince of Gotham and his Royal Consort storm the Castle!
Chapter Summary: New enemies swim the moat: The Church Of The Word declares war on Bruce and Dick.
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Date Of Completion: February 1, 2009
Date Of Posting: February 26, 2009
Word Count: 622
Author’s Note: This story fits my
2009 DCU Fic/Art Tabloids Challenge.
The entire series can be found
here. IV
THE CHURCH OF THE WORD
“It’s just horrid, my dear, horrid.”
“Hmm, yes.” Alexandra “Alex’ Maycomb kept a neutral expression on her face. Her long, chestnut hair was simply stylized, her squash-colored dress a complement to her coloring. As host of Gotham Today, neutrality was her stock-in-trade. “So what are your plans, Reverend Spear?”
“To coordinate with Gotham’s League Of Decency and oust this reprehensible sinner.”
“How do you intend to oust Bruce Wayne?”
“Do we really want a sinner as our leading citizen, Miss Maycomb?” The ruddy reverend leaned forward earnestly, wrinkling his pearl-gray vest. “He is not the kind of role model that we want for our children.”
“So you object to…?”
Spear huffed, waving a large hand. “To his homosexuality, of course.”
“I would say its bisexuality, considering all the women he’s dated.”
“Apparently they didn’t take.”
Alex crossed her legs. Her expert eyes catalogued Arlen Spear’s silver hair, expensive suit, and pale blue eyes. He had charm that he used to his advantage, and commanded a considerable amount of followers via the church he led, The Church Of The Word, and his own TV program, Live The Word.
“So will you continue to picket outside of Wayne Enterprises?”
“And every place Wayne appears.”
“Are you still picketing outside Gotham University where Dick Grayson attends?”
“Oh, yes, and we’ll be picketing outside Wayne Manor, too.”
“I see.”
“Those of us who believe in morality can never relax our vigilance, Miss Maycomb. Bruce Wayne has pushed his sinful relationship in our faces. We have the right to protect our children.”
“So you think that our children are threatened by Bruce Wayne’s relationship with Dick Grayson?”
“Of course! For several reasons.”
“And they are…?”
“Firstly, young Grayson was Wayne’s ward, for pity’s sake! That brings up all manner of unsavory questions.
“Secondly, Grayson comes from a sketchy background. Carny folk are unsavory with their history of petty theft and scams.”
Alex blinked. “I would say that circus performers would be surprised to be painted as thieves and con artists.”
“Not all, of course, but enough to get the reputation.”
“If you object to the romance, why not simply ignore them? Why try to drive them out of Gotham?”
“First of all, two men having sex isn’t a romance. Same as two women.
“Secondly, immorality should never be ignored.”
& & & & & & &
Alfred put down his cup of tea as he watched the repeat of the morning interview on Tea Time With Sarah O’Toole, Gotham’s most popular afternoon talk show. The morning show interview was the hot topic of the day.
“Good luck in driving the Waynes out of Gotham, you pretentious popinjay.”
“Talking to yourself, Alfred?” Dick asked in amusement as he entered the kitchen, black leather jacket creaking.
“Watching the ‘good’ Reverend Spear would get a mutant to talk.”
Dick looked at the small portable television on the counter. “Hmm, a jolly fellow.”
“Quite.”
“Let me guess…Bruce and I are the hot topic?” He took a chocolate chip cookie out of the cookie jar.
“Regrettably so, young sir.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’ll blow over.”
“Let us hope so.”
“Thanks for assist with the drawbridge.” Dick picked out another cookie.
“Draw…?” Alfred saw the mischief in Dick’s eyes. “Shall I feed the denizens of the moat, sir?”
“Nah, let ‘em forage for themselves.” Dick drank a glass of milk. “I’ve got some studying to do.” Dick filled a plate with several more cookies and bounded up the staircase toward his bedroom.
Alfred certainly hoped that all this nonsense would blow over soon.
He carefully tried to tamp his anger down, especially the slurs against Dick’s background.
He wondered if Bruce had heard the interview yet.