At the law offices of Everson, Cohen and Malloy...
"Thank you for stopping by, Mr. Tetch. Now, can you tell us a little bit more about your case? We need just a bit more information before we can decide one way or another whether or not we're going to represent you."
This lawyer clearly wasn't one of the big shots here, but that wasn't really a problem. Jervis didn't need to speak to one of the big three. It might even make it easier. Help spread himself around a little more.
"Well you see, Mr. Watson, I'm really concerned about the Batman! Aren't the laws supposed to protect us from people like him? He's a vigilante! A common thug who pushes his own morals on the rest of us! And even if he does have a supposed police sanction, then doesn't police brutality matter anymore? He can't just be allowed to punch and kick his way into everything! I've, er, /seen/ people who still have bruises to show from him. And the medical bills for all the broken bones? The supposed 'villains' he apprehends are losing more money than they're making thanks to all the doctor's visits! It's unethical!"
The lawyer just sighs. He's heard this plea a thousand times, in a thousand better ways. He takes off his glasses and rubs the bridge of his nose before giving his standard reply.
"Mr. Tetch, while there are few more interested in this 'Batman' character than us and our clientele, we cannot bring him into court. 'The Batman' is an urban myth. A legend. There is no evidence to suggest he exists save a large number of people who claimed he attacked them. People, I might add, with a strong history of mental illness. And let's suppose that he is real. How do you send a subpeona to someone with no address? Put the bat-signal the police claim they don't call him with on top of the court house? There is no feasible way to bring 'the Batman' to court, Mr. Tetch. I'm sorry, but we cannot accept your case."
Jervis looks upset for a minute, but then breaks into a grin.
"I suppose you're correct. Still, do you mind if I leave you a business card of mine? In case your company changes its mind."
The lawyer tries to object, but Tetch shoves a card in his hand before he really has the chance. Or rather, a stack of them. And then he turns around and walks out the door, leaving the lawyer with the cards in his hand.
He rolls his chair to the trashcan to throw them away, but decides that, really, what is the harm? He'll even pass the cards around the office, see if someone else can think of a way to handle this. Even the big-wigs will get one.
Warren Watson IV whistles to himsef merrily as he visits each office with a card. How cheerfully he seems to grin, how neatly spreads his claws, and welcomes fellow lawyers in, with gently smiling jaws...
This lawyer clearly wasn't one of the big shots here, but that wasn't really a problem. Jervis didn't need to speak to one of the big three. It might even make it easier. Help spread himself around a little more.
"Well you see, Mr. Watson, I'm really concerned about the Batman! Aren't the laws supposed to protect us from people like him? He's a vigilante! A common thug who pushes his own morals on the rest of us! And even if he does have a supposed police sanction, then doesn't police brutality matter anymore? He can't just be allowed to punch and kick his way into everything! I've, er, /seen/ people who still have bruises to show from him. And the medical bills for all the broken bones? The supposed 'villains' he apprehends are losing more money than they're making thanks to all the doctor's visits! It's unethical!"
The lawyer just sighs. He's heard this plea a thousand times, in a thousand better ways. He takes off his glasses and rubs the bridge of his nose before giving his standard reply.
"Mr. Tetch, while there are few more interested in this 'Batman' character than us and our clientele, we cannot bring him into court. 'The Batman' is an urban myth. A legend. There is no evidence to suggest he exists save a large number of people who claimed he attacked them. People, I might add, with a strong history of mental illness. And let's suppose that he is real. How do you send a subpeona to someone with no address? Put the bat-signal the police claim they don't call him with on top of the court house? There is no feasible way to bring 'the Batman' to court, Mr. Tetch. I'm sorry, but we cannot accept your case."
Jervis looks upset for a minute, but then breaks into a grin.
"I suppose you're correct. Still, do you mind if I leave you a business card of mine? In case your company changes its mind."
The lawyer tries to object, but Tetch shoves a card in his hand before he really has the chance. Or rather, a stack of them. And then he turns around and walks out the door, leaving the lawyer with the cards in his hand.
He rolls his chair to the trashcan to throw them away, but decides that, really, what is the harm? He'll even pass the cards around the office, see if someone else can think of a way to handle this. Even the big-wigs will get one.
Warren Watson IV whistles to himsef merrily as he visits each office with a card. How cheerfully he seems to grin, how neatly spreads his claws, and welcomes fellow lawyers in, with gently smiling jaws...