Batfamily rec: Able to Succeed by brown_betty
Title: Able to Succeed
Author: brown_betty
Fandom: Batman Comics
Characters: Tim Drake, Bruce Wayne
Rating: General Audiences
Length: 1152 words
Warnings: None
Why this must be read:
This is a story that I've recommended to Batman fans who are unfamiliar with fanfic but are curious because this is brilliant and it could so easily be canon (and I think it is actually better than what we do get in canon in some cases). As part of Tim's training, Bruce sets him the assignment of creating strategic plans for various scenarios that he might encounter and we get to see Tim's answers in essay form. The ending is a punch in the mouth and yet it is the only possible solution. One of the fascinating things about the story is that it perfectly highlights the many similarities between Tim and Bruce's approaches to their work, because you couldn't quite imagine this particular scene playing out this way with any of the other Robins.
Extract
Scenario: Two-Face has taken Fire Chief Anderson hostage at a Thursday matinee at the Princess Theatre. Two-Face has three male accomplices, all unknown. Anderson and Two-Face are on the stage, accomplices are blocking exits.
Describe how you will achieve the following: a) ensure safety of Chief Anderson and theatre-goers, b) apprehend Two-Face and accomplices, c) minimize property damage, d) remain uninjured. Prioritize in order given. List materials used, describe deployment, estimate worst and best case scenarios, and develop contingencies. Use essay format.
Tim looks up. "I don't know if I... If I could do those things."
"Assume success," says Bruce unencouragingly. "Describe how it's achieved."
Able to Succeed
Author: brown_betty
Fandom: Batman Comics
Characters: Tim Drake, Bruce Wayne
Rating: General Audiences
Length: 1152 words
Warnings: None
Why this must be read:
This is a story that I've recommended to Batman fans who are unfamiliar with fanfic but are curious because this is brilliant and it could so easily be canon (and I think it is actually better than what we do get in canon in some cases). As part of Tim's training, Bruce sets him the assignment of creating strategic plans for various scenarios that he might encounter and we get to see Tim's answers in essay form. The ending is a punch in the mouth and yet it is the only possible solution. One of the fascinating things about the story is that it perfectly highlights the many similarities between Tim and Bruce's approaches to their work, because you couldn't quite imagine this particular scene playing out this way with any of the other Robins.
Extract
Scenario: Two-Face has taken Fire Chief Anderson hostage at a Thursday matinee at the Princess Theatre. Two-Face has three male accomplices, all unknown. Anderson and Two-Face are on the stage, accomplices are blocking exits.
Describe how you will achieve the following: a) ensure safety of Chief Anderson and theatre-goers, b) apprehend Two-Face and accomplices, c) minimize property damage, d) remain uninjured. Prioritize in order given. List materials used, describe deployment, estimate worst and best case scenarios, and develop contingencies. Use essay format.
Tim looks up. "I don't know if I... If I could do those things."
"Assume success," says Bruce unencouragingly. "Describe how it's achieved."
Able to Succeed