Jim Gordon has been in the park for no more than ten minutes, looking for the perfect spot to set up camp. There's quite a few people out on this bright, beautiful day. No doubt some of them will stay all afternoon to catch the evening fireworks.
He has Barbara spotted in no time flat. His daughter is greeted with a kiss. "Hi Princess! Happy 4th of July!"
"Yeah, I'm just her chauffeur," deadpans Barbara. "She's been cruising pretty well at home, but I don't want her running around the park too much today. Heatstroke." And other things she doesn't have to mention to a man who was a cop long before he was a grandfather.
He'd thought about wearing the kevlar under his clothes, but he remembers the one time he tried that while he was a cop, and he almost sweated to death. Even so, what would be a casual day out for some is more like a minor Antarctic expedition with all the gear in tow. He catches up to Mary, Barbara and her father, a cooler trailing behind him.
Afternoon, sir.
It doesn't matter how often they talk. It'll always be 'sir'.
"I tried to teach Barbara growing up that its important to be ready for every circumstance. Sometimes I think she takes it overboard." He spares a friendly glance in his daughter's direction. "Sure you don't want to change your mind? I'd be happy to help."
He chuckles, hauling the second cooler out along with the collapsible playpen.
You said it yourself, sir - your daughter has a way of going overboard.
Privately, so does he - but look who -he- grew up around. He hands the playpen to the older man. As he turns to check for anything else that needs o come out of the vehicle, his sunglasses give away part of what they're hiding - a large, recent bruise right over his left eye.
He's ready and waiting with open hands to take the playpen. "Look up parent in the dictionary. One of the things it'll say is 'overboard'. Right next to 'scared for your life'. Next time we all get together, let me do the traveling. It's a lot easier for me --"
There's a brief pause. "That's a nice bruise you've got there."
He doesn't enjoy lying. Never has. But when it comes to explaining away cuts and bruises, he's an old hand. He sets down the cooler and flashes a mildly sheepish grin at his father-in-law.
I got a little too enthusiastic on the parallel bars yesterday.
He doesn't know much about the parallel bars but he does know a fair amount about lies. Sometimes its best not to inquire further. Now is one of those times. He lets the subject drop.
"I've got a free hand. Anything else you'd like me to carry?
He has Barbara spotted in no time flat. His daughter is greeted with a kiss. "Hi Princess! Happy 4th of July!"
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"Anpaw!" shouts Mary.
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A hand reaches down to caress Mary's face. "You have to save those first steps, pumpkin. Grandpa wouldn't want to miss those."
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Afternoon, sir.
It doesn't matter how often they talk. It'll always be 'sir'.
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He glances at the cooler. There's probably plenty more still packed away in the vehicle. "You need any help hauling?"
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Likewise, sir.
He glances over his shoulder.
No, I've got it.
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Well, if you insist...
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They arrive back at the vehicle a moment later. Gordon gets his first look at the cargo space. "Good Lord. Did you bring half of Bludhaven with you?"
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You said it yourself, sir - your daughter has a way of going overboard.
Privately, so does he - but look who -he- grew up around. He hands the playpen to the older man. As he turns to check for anything else that needs o come out of the vehicle, his sunglasses give away part of what they're hiding - a large, recent bruise right over his left eye.
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There's a brief pause. "That's a nice bruise you've got there."
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I got a little too enthusiastic on the parallel bars yesterday.
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"I've got a free hand. Anything else you'd like me to carry?
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Any more than that and Babs'll get on my case for working you too hard.
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