I'll be a Super Hero! I'm brilliant!

[Lex Luthor]

“We need a gimmick.”

It was another bright and warm day in Metropolis. Lex Luthor was standing where he often found himself contemplating… Starring out the wall of windows that comprised a good portion of the parameter of his Lex Corp Tower office. He turned and began slowly pacing in black and gray pinstripe suit… On the side of Lex’s office opposite of where his desk was located, there was an almost living room-esque area. Two big brown leather chairs and a brown leather couch facing a glass and mahogany coffee table and beyond that, 62 inch wall mounted television with a stand located below it that laid host to a blue ray player, cable box, DVD Player and VHS Player (because you just never know what kind of media you may need to review). In one of those brown chair’s was a younger but clearly still sophisticated dark haired gentlemen. He wore a black suit with a light blue shirt and a blue and black tie and he sipped on a mixed drink in a small glass.

This man was Andrew Harington, the President of LexCorp and one of Lex’s most trusted advisors.

Andrew Harington, “I’m not sure I understand… We’re performing splendidly. LexCorp continues to expand daily…”

Lex Corp dismissively interrupts, “It’s not enough!”

Andrew Harington, “What exactly is it that you want, Lex?”

Lex Luthor, “What do I want? I want to be on the cover of every major publication in the world! I want our company logo on TV in some way, shape, or form every hour of the day! I don’t want to be able to turn on Fox Business without hearing our name… I want the President of the United States to be coming to us for economic advice… Hell, I want the masses to demand that I *Become* The President of the United States! That, Andrew, is the smallest TIP of the Iceberg of what I want.”

Andrew seems caught off guard.

Andrew Harington, “That’s a lot.”

Lex Luthor, “I was born Alexander Luthor… My father, despite being an abysmal failure named me after his favorite historical figure, Alexander The Great. While he could not possibly have been aware at the time, a more accurate historical figure to name me after was never created. I will continue to build our empire and it will be the most magnificent empire in the history of man. But I need a launching pad… In the city of Metropolis I can walk into any club I want to and never be asked to stand behind a velvet rope and wait in a line… I can go to the most exclusive restaurant in town at seven thirty on a Friday night and have my pick of any table in the building without so much as a momentary delay. If I ran for mayor tomorrow I’d be inaugurated before the end of the week… But Metropolis is one city. I want Lexcorp to have that kind of recognition, World Wide.”

Andrew Harington, “Wow…… I’m not sure that’s possible. I mean you’d basically have to be Ultraman.”

Ultraman. A comic book hero that had been worshipped by readers since it’s creation decades ago. If someone seemed perfect or completely void of weakness you might say they’re a real “Ultraman”.

Lex Luthor, “Ultraman… Of course… God, I’m brilliant!”

Andrew perks up a curious eyebrow, “I don’t follow.”

Lex rolls his eyes, “Of course you don’t. I’ll become a Superhero!”

Andrew blinks a couple of times.

Andrew, “I’m sorry, a what?”

Lex Luthor, “A Super hero! Lex Luthor, savior of the world!”

Andrew Harington, “What? You’re going to go out and become a crime fighter? Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?”

Lex Luthor, “It would be incredibly dangerous… If it were real.”

Andrew, “What do you mean?”

Lex Luthor, “I mean, we’ll stage crimes for me to stop. We’ll pay miscreants to do misdeeds through out the city and make a demand for a superhero and then, we’ll put on a show and before you know it, Lex Luthor, founder of Lexcorp will become a world renowned superhero. Every city will be begging for me to come there… Every nation… They’ll all want Lex Luthor…”

Andrew Harington, “Don‘t you think there‘s enough crime without paying criminals?”

Lex Luthor, “Not in the right places. If I go vanquishing crime in the Suicide Slums, who cares? But if crime comes to the Upperclass section of New Troy and more middle class areas of Metropolis, then there’ll be an outcry for a hero. And when I answer that outcry, we’ll get national attention. I mean, until he showed his true colors and killed the Gotham DA, You couldn’t go anywhere without hearing about that stupid Bat guy…”

Andrew Harington, “I believe he’s commonly recognized as Batman.”

Lex Luthor, “Case and Point.”

Andrew Harington, “This may assist your reputation but I don’t see how any of this helps the company as a whole.”

Lex Luthor, “Who’s not going to want to support a company ran by a beloved super hero? Bruce Wayne is essentially a rockstar with his women and his lavish, press covered cruises and trips… Taking the entire Russian ballet on his yachet… The world *thinks* they love a rockstar but a rockstar is no hero. Bruce Wayne, is no hero. If you could have a rockstar in the neighbor hood or a super hero, who would you choose?”

Andrew, “Well, the super hero I suppose…”

Lex Luthor, “Of course you would. People around the world will want Lexcorp in their neighborhood. Chick Fil A’s business went through the roof because the CEO refused to lay down and be bullied by gay movement… Imagine what our business would do if the CEO was a famed super hero? It’s Brilliant! I’m Brilliant!”

Buzzzzz… The intercom on Lex’s desk sounded as he verbally patted himself on the back. As Lex turned and headed toward his desk, Andrew looked down at his drink looking almost ashamed to be sitting in the room as Lex discussed motivating crime for his own PR purposes. Lex’s ego and power lust had always been there but he’d never shown it in front of people like Andrew before.

Lex presses the intercom button…

“Yes, Miss Shane?”

“Your eleven am appointment is here Mr. Luthor.”

Lex Luthor, “I didn’t even realize I had an eleven o’clock appointment… Well, fair enough. Send them in.”

Andrew stood up, placing his barely touched glass of liquor and ice on the coffee table. He walked across the room and looked at Lex…

Andrew Harington, “I’ll leave you to your business Lex.”

Luthor nods, “I’m sure I don’t have to say it but… Keep this conversation between us.”

Andrew nods, “Of course.”

With that the door to Lex’s office opens as his “Eleven O’Clock” is heading in and Andrew Harington is heading out……

((I did not have any one in particular in mind for Lex’s eleven O’Clock so if someone wants to jump in, they may.))

[Oswald Cobblepot]

"All politicians are crooks- the good ones are named Mayor and the bad ones only get to District."

● Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot ●

[/b][/center]

Things had turned into a pretty hefty clustercluck- Cobblepot's grip on Gotham's underworld took a massive hit in his absence as nothing seemed to be able to get done. Nevertheless he'd be back within the confines of his city soon. Until then he needed to continue his business, after securing Bromfield's donation it was time he see what he could manage from a more powerful source- Lex Luthor.

As corrupt as Cobblepot was, he was smart which made him dangerous.. And he knew that if the right sales pitch was given he could raise his total income by a few more digits. Anthony Garcia had a strong supporting cast in Gotham so Cobblepot needed as much backing as he could to get some programs off the ground- or well, pretend to anyway to ensure that the citizens could see what 'change' looked like. Filling them with false hope was a definite "must-do." With the news of Bruce Wayne from Gotham- how he'd be OK, Cobblepot needed to act quick and get back to the city as well so he could be seen giving his condolences for Wayne's tragic accident to gain some support. Everyone loved him there- Cobblepot though? A man FROM Gotham that knew of Bruce and his family?

Not so much.

Nonetheless- back at LexCorp's tower- Cobblepot had easily bypassed security with the same story he gave Bromfield's staff and was lead to the elevator, he knew the routine. Once in it, he was lead to a door that had creaked open as he hobbled himself towards it. Just as Harrington stepped out, Cobblepot's cane caught the door before it closed- allowing Lex to notice the mass of the man stepping into his presence. Lex and Oz never formally met- so the interaction between the two would definitely be stellar as they both shared a lot of qualities and the same basic outlook on life- the rich should get richer, the poor should work harder but NOT be enabled. Moving into the office- Cobblepot stepped to Lex as Cobblepot kept his glasses over those wicked brown eyes

● O. Cobblepot ● "Mister Luthor.. Oswald Cobblepot.. Candidate for Mayor in Gotham City."

Lex lifted an eyebrow at his "11 o'clock appointment" but something about Cobblepot seemed to pique his interest. With that trademark hobble of his, Cobblepot reached out his right hand after his brief introduction and flashed a phony smile in Lex' way, one a crook would easily dismiss as a total act..

[Lex Luthor]

Lex snickered… Oswald Cobblepot had been in the door less than ten seconds and already had flashed him an excrement consuming grin. Lex new this grin all too well… It was the very same look he flashed Laney Summers from the channel seven news team in an interview. It was the same smile he flashed every time he had a press conference or played golf with that bumbling idiot Frank Berkowitz. It was the same smile he’d flashed every time he wanted people to see Lex as a nice, wholesome American success story instead of as the ego driven mad man beneath the suit.

Lex Luthor, “Don’t insult me Mr. Cobblepot.”

Oswald perked a curious eyebrow. He wasn’t used to being talked to that way and he certainly wasn’t used to someone cutting straight to the point quite the way Lex Luthor was. Even Commissioner Gordon would beat around the bush a little and play the game a little.

Lex Luthor, “I don’t know what you expected when you stepped foot into my building but rest assured Oswald… I can call you Oswald, can’t I?”

Cobblepot was about to reply but Luthor didn’t wait… In Luthor’s mind it was purely rhetorical. He’d call whomever, whatever he wanted.

Lex Luthor continued, “Of course I can. Rest assured Oswald, if I didn’t want you here, you wouldn’t be here. The fact is, when an alleged politician from Gotham City starts making calls to arrange meetings for endorsements and campaign contributions in Metropolis, I ask myself “Why?”. And when mister philanthropist, swell guy Bruce Wayne hasn’t endorsed a candidate, car crash or not, I assume I understand the reason why. You wouldn’t be in my office talking to me if I didn’t know everything that there was to know about you Cobblepot. You’re a crook… You’re a thug… You’re general on the streets of Gotham, creating a good portion of the very havoc you’re campaigning to cease. And yet despite all of this, somehow, someway you’ve managed to make most of Gotham turn a blind eye and assume your reputation to be nothing more than creative slander by those who fear the change you’re claiming to bring. It’s deceitful… It’s criminal… It’s reprehensible… And above all else, it’s even kind of impressive. So, let’s cut the twenty minutes of bullshitting each other in an effort to gauge one another, call a spade a spade and cut straight to business… shall we?”

Lex Luthor could bullshit and beat around the bush like few others when he had to. Media appearances, meetings with potential clients or investors… But when he was amongst his own element or amongst those he had nothing to gain from being fake around? He cut to the point like nobody else.

[Oswald Cobblepot]

As Lex did his research on Oz- it was likewise. Cobblepot looked into Lex' history, he had his boys come up with everything there was and he was too squeaky clean to be true. Hit with the offer to be straight up- Cobblepot instantly knew that there would be no lying- no tom foolery with Lex like he had managed to do with Bromfield, things was going to be as straight up as possible which would allow Cobblepot to blow off steam as the man he truly was.

● O. Cobblepot ● ".. Dats cool."

Lex smirked, he knew there was someone else beneath the mask that Cobblepot was parading around with.

● O. Cobblepot ● "You want the truth? I'll give you the truth. Six fuck'n guys was killed in Gotham. Six guys that work for me- politicians and cops on my payroll. You know what dat means, Lex? Dat means dat I got someone want'n to come up and challenge me for Gotham-"

As if they were on the same brain-waves, Lex had poured a glass of Scotch and slid it across the table to Cobblepot who was sweating bullets from the anger. Tanking the shot like it was a cup of water, he continued.

● O. Cobblepot ● "Between watch'n my ass from Gordon and protect'n my investments, I gotta worry about some looney tunes prick in a Bat costume sabotage'n my deals- I can't have it. I conned Bromfield earlier and truth be told? I was gonna con ya for a bullshit donation that I'd blow on importing some AK's and M-9's from the Irish across the way."

Unlike Cobblepot, Lex took the drink down a bit slower, he soaked up Cobblepot's words as he shrugged.

● L. Luthor ● "Ya know I've got this room tapped with a direct link to Metropolis Pee-Dee, right? You're caught pal.. You're going DOWN YOU CROOK!."

Cobblepot's eyes grew large as he ripped the glasses off of his face. About to curse the hell out of Lex as he staggered in his place, Lex fired off a smirk and chuckled.

● L. Luthor ● "Just kidding."

Almost on the verge of having a heart-attack- or a stroke, Cobblepot leaned on the table while hyperventilating as he cracked a smile and pointed in Lex' direction

● O. Cobblepot ● "You son of a bitch.. You had me.."

Lex passed another shot in Cobblepot's direction as Cobblepot picked the glass up and took a small sip, allowing the flavor to sink in.. before following it up and closing it out.

● O. Cobblepot ● "I ain't here to bullshit you, ya know the game Lex. With everything seem'n to spiral outta control in Gotham, I'm gonna need cash. Like I said, I conned Bromfield, she's think'n my money is go'n to some.. Project to clean up Gotham since that prick Dent bit the dust, and it is.. Sorta. To catch a wolf, ya gotta be a wolf.. And if it means gett'n my hands dirty then I will.. I've got a plan, together? We wipe out The Bat, I take Gotham- you take Metropolis and I pay you back, with interest."

Putting the glass down back on the table, Cobblepot put the offer on the table as Lex had his back turned to him. As he gazed out at the Metropolis skyline- Cobblepot could only imagine what was running through Lex' head. Would he help Oz? Would he shut him down? Oz wasn't sure, he couldn't read Lex as good as he could other people. Both men were very sharp, both were very cunning as well.. If a deal was worked out between the two there's trouble brewing.. Lex' act as a wholesome 'rags to riches' story? Cobblepot saw through it as Lex saw through Cobblepot's political front.. How these two interact with be interesting for sure.. For effin' sure.

[Lex Luthor]

The Metropolis skyline was therapeutic for Lex Luthor. He often gazed through the tall panes of glass in his office when he needed to think. When he wanted to drift away… Or, when he simply wanted his back to somebody. You don’t get to be a man like Lex Luthor without everything you do serving a purpose. Every movement. He came at Oswald head on to establish dominance. Lex Luthor couldn’t be anything less than the Alpha in any room he was in. But than he poured Oswald a drink to show a sense of understanding… To show a certain amount of hospitality. And yet, he turned his back to Oswald not out of disrespect but as a way to utilize his body language to relay to Oswald that no matter where this conversation goes, Oswald needs Lex more than Lex needs Oswald. Whether or not that’s true? That may be an entirely different case. It’s hard to tell as neither man really knows what the other wants or will offer. But Luthor understood psychology and he understood body language and as such, he utilized it whenever he could.

Lex continued to gaze out the window…

Lex Luthor, “Take out the bat? It’s my understanding that your nocturnal vigilantly hasn’t been seen or heard from since he killed Harvey Dent.”

Oswald shakes his head, “Don’t let the silence fool ya… He’s there. He hangs in the shadows like some God damn mongoloid!”

Lex strokes his chin, still looking out the window.

Lex Luthor, “It’s an interesting thing Oswald… Your bat guy… He saves the city from some runaway train bomb… He stops some kook in a nap sack from spreading fear through out the city… He even captures some poor man’s Pennywise… And yet proceeds to kill the “White Knight” Harvey Dent. Gotham is one screwed up city.”

Oswald, “You’re tellin’ me.”

Lex Luthor, “Your adversary… Mayor Garcia… He wants to shut down Arkham Asylum… Isn’t that right?”

Oswald, “Yea… Dats right.”

A grin came upon Luthor’s face as it reflected in the glass. Evidently the CEO of Lexcorp had a previously undisclosed interest in Gotham’s home for the criminally insane. He finally turned around and walked back to his desk, placing a hand on the back of his chair.

Lex Luthor, “Alright Oswald… We take out the Bat, we take over our respective cities -although I’m practically running this one as it is- and you pay me back, with interest? When a man like you is willing to put himself in a position to owe “Interest”, I know he’s serious. So why don’t you tell me exactly what you have in mind…… I mean, I do assume you have more of a plan than “Kill the bat and take over the city”? It’s a great destination but, I’m interested in what your route to get there looks like on the proverbial road map.”

[Clark Kent]

Lois, “Clark, this is Lois – get over to Lex Corp. and fast, I got word that Cobblepot is meeting with Lex as we speak.”

After deciding to walk during his lunch break, Clark hung up his phone and stuffed it into his pocket beginning to run towards his car, upon getting there; he enters quickly and grabs the keys from out of his pocket – putting them into the ignition, he starts the engine and backs out really heading towards Lex Corp needing to get there before this possible rumored meeting ends.

Twenty minutes later…

Upon arriving a block away from Lex Corp, traffic was terrible; Clark parked the car and got out looking to run in-order to get there, however; hearing some screaming – Clark sees a masked man snatch a child and pull her into a black van, as the van speeds away we see a mother crying hysterically screaming for help.

Mother screaming hysterically, “HELP!! PLEASE, SOMEBODY HELP!!!”

Knowing what was the right choice, Clark took off running towards the van – he knew that he couldn’t fly in-order to get there so instead he started running faster than the van not thinking this through entirely, upon catching up to the van, he reaches out grabbing the door handle while running alongside the speeding van and with one swift pull; he ends up pulling the door right off the van on accident, his adrenaline is rushing. Hopping into the van, he grabs the child and then punches one of the abductors right in the face but while doing so, the driver turns around not paying attention and drives up on the curb hitting a red fire hydrant which causes the large van to flip almost as if in slow motion but really in normal time.

Mother screaming and crying, “NOOOO!!!”

The mother falls to her knees crying hysterically as the van is upside down, things are looking bad right now. After a moment, here comes Clark walking around the van heading down the street with a four year old unharmed little girl in his arms, her arms tightly wrapped around his neck. Upon seeing this, the mother gets up and takes off running towards her daughter – upon reaching Clark, the mother immediately grabs her daughter hugging her tight while crying.

Mother happily crying, “You ok baby?!”

The little girl turns looking at Clark.

Little girl, “Mommy… This man saved me!”

The mother still crying looked at Clark talking, tears streaming down her face.

Mother crying, “Thank you… Thank you… Thank you… God sent you here!”

Lunging out and hugging him, Clark hugged back – he knew that while he would get severely chewed out by Mr. White for not getting the scoop, again but he knew in his heart that he had done the right thing.

[Oswald Cobblepot]

● O. Cobblepot ● ".. First off, I need guns, i need ammo, I need explosives. My crew is getting taken out by some guy in a black mask, he's dump'n dem in acid. I get guns to replace the shipment I lost a few weeks back and I can make the moves needed to do dat. So I'm think'n dis.. The donation Bromfield threw my way? I use that legit on runn'n ads.."

Lex turned just a bit, enough so Cobblepot could see only half of his face as he chuckled lightly.

● L. Luthor ● "I don't know if i should be complimented or offended by her giving donations to people I openly disagree with. On one hand it's good business, but on the other? It's occupational suicide to get in bed with a foe of mine."

Turning his eyes back to the skyline, his face beamed off of the glass window there as Cobblepot continued.

● O. Cobblepot ● ".. She's naive. She doesn't have a good mind for dis, I know I ain't gonna be da only one play'n her for green.. It wasn't even a challenge. But anyway.. Once I get control of Gotham's underworld, I invest most of Bromfield's donation into legit ads and movements.. People are really mad at da Bat for kill'n Dent- now whether or not he did is beyond the point, I've heard conflict'n reports- but in da end.. he's a murderer. So we up the ante, we push da issue and we let Gotham know he ain't gonna be able to live it down and he gotta pay for what he did. On da flip-side? I use dat as a distraction as I continue to use money from drugs and rent I charge da small-timers towards finalizing my big financial scene- The iceberg Lounge."

Cobblepot had things figured out for the most part, he knew there was kinks and knots here and there but nothing that couldn't be managed on the spur of the moment. With a feeling of arrogance running through his body, he cocked his head back and took a seat in one of those overstuffed leather office chairs provided- leaning back in the process. Oz locked both hands behind his head as he continued.

● O. Cobblepot ● "I figured I'd do dis.. You invest in my vision, I get the guns, da ammo, I get Gotham locked down. Once dat done? I win the election, I get in as Mayor and I own da city. When I get that done, I keep Arkham open.. 'cause I've got a bigger vision for that place. I ain't gonna close an untapped resource for goons- goons dats crazy and don't have a conscience to get the job done under the promise of getting pardoned and time cut off their sentence.. I've got a plan Lex, I know it's hard to trust a fellow criminal- but I don't burn people dat I respect.. And that ain't a lot of people."

Whether that was a truthful statement or not was still to be determined, but Cobblepot had no reason to lie to Lex. With the amount of power Luthor had due to his seemingly unlimited source of income, he could get anything done- no anybody. Cobblepot didn't want to rip Lex off, he wanted to keep Lex as an ally as he was a very powerful man. With most of Cobblepot's plans on the table, he looked on towards Lex who kept his eyes on Metropolis's skyline- just analyzing.

[Lex Luthor]

Luthor nodded. It looked like there was some commotion in the street down below. The specs seemed to be rushing around the building, out of his sight. He shrugged, whatever it was going on down there it couldn’t possibly be as interesting as what was going on up here.

Luthor turned and said, “You’re right… I read in the Financial Journal this morning that Mary Bromfield had donated a foolish amount of money to gubernatorial candidate David Patrick. David Patrick can’t win. It’s why I left him hanging when he kept trying to get my endorsement. Business one-oh-one, don’t invest in a ship that can’t sail. Would you mind showing me how much she invested your way, Mr. Cobblepot?”

Oswald probably wasn’t the type of guy to put his financial records on the table for anybody’s eyes but, he needed Luthor to do business and he wasn’t going to let something as silly as refusing to flash a check get in the way. Oswald withdrew the check from his inside jacket pocket and showed it to Lex. Lex never took it out of Oswald’s hand. He just looked at the amount and let out a light laugh.

Luthor, “Pride is a dangerous thing Oswald. Or, allow me to make a rare correction… Foolish Pride is a dangerous thing, Oswald. Miss Bromfield longs so desperately to be perceived as a major player that she’s throwing around money she barely has on investments who’s sole return is ten to fifteen minutes on the MBS Evening News and a blurb in the Daily Planet. However… This could be beneficial to both of us.”

Lex slowly paced, stroking his chin. Clearly he was contemplating. Oswald, being a mastermind of sorts himself, could recognize the process and he chose to stay quiet and let Lex’s gears turn.

Lex Luthor, “You need Guns and I need to crush the opposition because, frankly, it’s not enough to just succeed… You need to make sure everyone else fails. A Valuable lesson I learned from a wise businessman before I crushed him like a bug and took over his assets. Mary Bromfield is a wounded animal hobbling lost in the woods, searching desperately for a way out. I believe we should give her one.”

Oswald shrugs, “All do respect Lex… Once I cash this check, I ain’t really got a reason to give a crap about Mary Bromfield.”

Lex shakes his head and sighs, “Don’t be so short sighted Oswald. Are you aware of what it is Bromfield Enterprises specializes in?”

Oswald shrugs, “Camping crap or somethin’ like dat.”

Lex Luthor, “Survivalist goods… Not just “camping crap”… Hunting… self preservation materials… But above all else Oswald… Firearms and Ammo.”

Oswald perks an eyebrow.

Lex Luthor, “Ah yes, a light bulb has suddenly appeared over your head as you flash back to two minutes ago when you mentioned a need for firepower… A need I believe I can fulfill. Mary’s in over her head and surely she realizes it whether her foolish pride would let her vocally concede the point or not. When kind Mr. Luthor heads to Bromfield Enterprises in the morning and explains that for the sake of Metropolis’ economy I feel that it’s good to have Bromfield Enterprises and Lexcorp both running successfully… And that I want to see Bromfield Enterprises succeed and help carry the weight of Metropolis’ economy like Lexcorp has done virtually single handedly for so long… And when she realizes what a booming success I’ve created here and how quickly she’s burning through money over there… Well, she’ll be ecstatic when I offer to make a quiet business arrangement to consult for Bromfield Enterprises.”

He grins…

Lex Luthor, “And upon making this arrangement, I’ll get access to all the inside workings of Bromfield Enterprises… Including, when and where their trucks of guns and ammo will be. And imagine if somehow, someway, a group of unruly criminals kept hijacking her shipments.”

Now Oswald grins as he clearly reads between the lines.

Lex Luthor continues, “Mass quantities of weapons would be lost to whatever criminal outfit hijacked these trucks and at the same time Bromfield Enterprises would be hemorrhaging money in lost merchandise and the end game would be that the trusted friend and confidant Lex Luthor will -with a heavy heart of course heh-… Offer to buy what’s left of Bromfield enterprises and you, Mister Cobblepot, will be loaded down with more firepower than the damn US Marine core. “

Lex was beaming… Nothing made him happier than when his brilliance took over and a great scheme came to be. Before Oswald could reply, Lex Luthor was at it again.

Lex Luthor, “…Imagine, if you will Oswald, the future as I see it. Crazy street violence growing worse and worse for Gotham’s streets under Mayor Garcia. Oswald Cobblepot on every major TV outlet between Metropolis and Gotham vowing to end the outrage. A Full bill put together that you’ll call Cobblepot’s Way… And this bill will be incredibly tough on crime. So tough in fact that it’ll make Gotham’s Dent-Act seem like a slap on the wrist to the criminal element.”

Oswald gives Luthor a look…

Lex Luthor, “And you’ll be elected and the crime will stop. Or, it’ll appear to stop anyway. Because you’ll own the city so the need for open criminal activity will cease. You’ll be able to do every back door deal or scheme you want to do out of sight and out of the mind of the public eye. To the people of Gotham, you’ll appear to have genuinely invoked positive change. And to the people of Metropolis, this great candidate who cleaned up the cesspool of Gotham, did so with the support of Metropolis’ own Lex Luthor showing once again just how much Lex Luthor cares about the people. After all Mr. Cobblepot, they claim you can tell a lot about a man by the company that he keeps… What better company to keep than the Mayor who saved Gotham from the brink of destruction?”

Luthor smirks. When he got on a roll like this, he really relished in it. It added to his already profound belief that he was the most ingenious man on the planet. And if there was one thing Lex liked more than making money and ascertaining power, it was patting himself on the back.

Lex Luthor continued, “Oswald… I don’t believe in God. The concept of a divine entity more powerful than myself just seems too unrealistic to be possible. But I do believe in fate and I believe that fate has brought us together today. I’m going to invest in your campaign Oswald… I’m going to support you to the fullest extent of the Lex Luthor name and brand. On the record Metropolis’ favorite son will support a great candidate to bring about the necessary change that Gotham’s longed for, for so long. And when you bring forth that change, the people of Gotham will know Lex Luthor pushed adamantly to give his neighboring city the candidate they needed and the Lexcorp brand and the Lex Luthor name will grow prominence in an area that once refused to acknowledge anything that didn’t have the Wayne family name attached to it.”

There was clear disdain in Lex’s voice as he mentioned the “Wayne Family”. It drove Luthor nuts to be considered second to anyone, anywhere and while in Metropolis nobody would consider Lexcorp second to anybody, in Gotham it was a totally different story. Wayne Enterprises and Lexcorp were a lot like Microsoft and Apple in the sense that everyone had their own opinion on who the best CEO Was, Steve Jobs or Bill Gates… Who had the best product line, Apple or Microsoft. However, Wayne Enterprises and Lexcorp made Apple and Microsoft seem like small potatoes because they both stretched into so many different fields of productivity. At the end of the night Microsoft and Apple both just dealt in Electronics. Computers, computer software, programs, cell phones, whatever… But it all still remained under the umbrella of Electronics and Computer Software. Wayne Enterprises and Lexcorp had their hands in nearly everything. Because of this, they were competitors in many areas.

Lex shook his head forgetting about Bruce Wayne and continued, “Off the record, You’ll get your guns, and I’ll kill off Bromfield Enterprises… Not because I need to, but because it’ll just be so much fun for me. A nice little side project, like stamp collecting or whatever else the insects working nine to five do. It’s win, win across the bored Oswald. One day Oswald… You mark my words… I’ll run this entire country. And when I do, if things go as well as I’m expecting them to from our business venture, you may very well be standing right there beside me. Mark my words Mister Cobblepot, this is just the beginning! What do you say?”

[Oswald Cobblepot]

Stretching out. Cobblepot reached and grabbed hold of his cane and used it as a way to push himself back up to his feet. With a sigh, he hobbled toward Lex who had his arms crossed over his chest as he kept his eyes locked on the Metropolis skyline- it was a thing of beauty for the city that never slept.

● L. Luthor ● "You see that, Oz? That skyline? That belongs to me. Despite not having actual ownership, whatever comes through this city- whoever comes through this city.. I know about it. You? You can have that in Gotham."

Standing aside of Lex, Cobblepot too gazed out of the window as he brought his free hand up and scratched at the back of his head and let off a chuckle.

● O. Cobblepot ● "There's no way I'd pass this up. There's a lot of stuff dat happens in Gotham- Bruce Wayne? He's got eyes all over the place but the days where he runs everything? It's over.. It's done. The time for a new force to rise up has come.. My family was rich in traditional back in da day, but the Waynes took it all away from us. It's time I take back whats mine, and Gotham City belongs to me."

As both men stared out of the window overlooking the city, it was clearly apparent that they had schemes.. plans- that was bigger than life itself. Cobblepot by himself was bad- but mixing him with Lex was just terrible. These two would amount to big damage through their respective cities as they would ascend to the top of the mountain. Keeping their eyes scanning over the bright city, they shared the comfortable silence as things would come to be in a matter of time.. For now, Cobblepot could sleep easy knowing that he'd be able to confirm the replacement of the hardware he lost at the raid on Gotham Harbor- with the ability to fire off shots at the man who assaulted his crew on the underworld and Lex' acceptance on a media and public level- things couldn't go wrong for him, there was no way it was possible.

● L. Luthor ● "The business venture Oz, it's not going to be for the weak of heart. There's going to be casualties, I hope you understand that certain sacrifices will need to be made in order for it to work correctly. A man in your business should know that though."

Without bothering to look in Lex' direction, Cobblepot nodded and fired off that same old wicked smirk of his- he enjoyed the view of Metropolis but it wasn't for him. He preferred the darker- more gloomy look that Gotham offered, it gave him peace.. Peace Metropolis didn't emulate.

● O. Cobblepot ● "In our field, Lex? In the underworld? There's a say'n I picked up and applies.. You ain't a boss if you never took a loss. Before you can be taken seriously, you've gotta say you've felt the sting of losing either product or workers. It happens- but it makes the crew stronger. Once I get the guns locked up, sacrifices.. It'll be made happily as I need to get control of the city. Once I own it on both levels, that's when the clock begins to tick.. That's when the games start. The Iceberg Lounge'll blow up and become popular, I'll make the necessary changes to Gotham to be known as the greatest Mayor it's ever seen as all the meanwhile? I'll be scamming and conning the people with tax-hikes to pad my salary.. Gotta love the life of a politician."

Opening his chest pocket of his coat, he reached in and grabbed hold of a Cuban cigar and wet the end before placing it in between his lips and inhaling the dry flavor.

● O. Cobblepot ● "To business."

Tipping the glass in his hand to Cobblepot, Lex replied.

● L. Luthor ● "To business."

The deal was set, they didn't need a contract of a shake of hands. Business men could come to agreements just on words alone and the actions they shared. Cobblepot and Lex' joint business-venture remained to be seen if it'd pay off, but more than likely it would. With Gotham spiking out of control with the lack of THE BAT, it needed change- it needed spice.. And Luthor funding Cobblepot is just what the doctor ordered.