Back on the grind
Noon on October 31. Above him are hundreds of the winged creatures that inspired his alter ego, and around him is the soft glow of monitors reflecting data being filtered, sorted, and spit out by the high-performance systems installed in the Cave. The Joker's face is prominent on one - that recent report on religion - and Luthor's image dominates another.
The Cave's proprietor, the figure that haunts the dank chamber in many a waking hour, pays no mind to these readouts. Before him is a digital map of Gotham, marks indicating hot spots in the city on this date in the last five years. By sunset, the streets will be filled with children on their annual candy expedition, and as the evening progresses, the mischief being made will grow darker and more dangerous. The citizens of Gotham are vulnerable on Halloween, and as the city's sworn protector, the Batman will have his hands full come nightfall, hence the battle plan.
He still needs to tell Tim, Cassandra and Helena about the engagement. He needs to find when Alfred, Selina and Leslie are coming home - today, he believes - and he needs to check on Clark and Lois. So much backlog from a few days away, from relaxing his guard. All of these matters must wait. In a town where costumed villains abound, a day that celebrates costumed mayhem is a day that demands focus, and the Bat will be ready when the sun sets.
He just hopes to hell Boston Brand stays away this year.
The Cave's proprietor, the figure that haunts the dank chamber in many a waking hour, pays no mind to these readouts. Before him is a digital map of Gotham, marks indicating hot spots in the city on this date in the last five years. By sunset, the streets will be filled with children on their annual candy expedition, and as the evening progresses, the mischief being made will grow darker and more dangerous. The citizens of Gotham are vulnerable on Halloween, and as the city's sworn protector, the Batman will have his hands full come nightfall, hence the battle plan.
He still needs to tell Tim, Cassandra and Helena about the engagement. He needs to find when Alfred, Selina and Leslie are coming home - today, he believes - and he needs to check on Clark and Lois. So much backlog from a few days away, from relaxing his guard. All of these matters must wait. In a town where costumed villains abound, a day that celebrates costumed mayhem is a day that demands focus, and the Bat will be ready when the sun sets.
He just hopes to hell Boston Brand stays away this year.