● Mayor in the Making ●

[Oswald Cobblepot]

"Flyin' Graysons in town!? I thought we taxed them so bad the last time we took the food out' their mouth and put it on my table? Where's Johnny Q at, he's supposed to be shutt'n these kinda tasks down!"

● Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot ●

The story of the man nicknamed "Penguin" by peers and foes a like is sad, almost.. depressing. Struggling with weight problems as a child and being pigeon-toed made it all worse. Walking with a noticeable 'limp,' Cobblepot was bullied unmercifully by kids of age and older until he no longer could take it and was home-schooled for his own safety. Becoming a self-indulged, narcissistic and egocentric individual, Cobblepot's life was ruined. He was cursed to follow the foot-steps of his mother, a push-over, a woman with no purpose.. a shopper with money.

Cobblepot languished, his father died and his mother grew weaker. The boy that was already disturbed mentally had lost his way because of the lack of guidance. There was no light at the end of the tunnel, just darkness; Cobblepot would embrace it and make sure to use it to his strength.

● O. Cobblepot ● "Hey, what's the E.T.A on the shipment?"

An oversized man with a noticeable center of baldness on the crown of his head asked- dressed in a black suit and a white dress shirt beneath it. In his right hand, between his thumb and middle finger was a cigar, probably Cuban.

● Random Thug ● "I dunno boss, Mikey is head of operations on this job."

● O. Cobblepot ● "I dunno if I asked for an explanation of why I ain't gett'n answers.. But I do know that I asked where the shipment is.."

The big man's tone dipped- he expressed a sentiment of annoyance as his henchmen picked up on it and fumbled for his phone in his pocket, eventually finding it.

● Random Thug ● "I'll check!"

With a nod, the big man remarked..

● O. Cobblepot ● "Good.. Great.. You do dat."

In recent time, Cobblepot adopted a thick East Coast accent that pretty much had "TH" sounding words replaced with "D" sounds. He only, however allowed this lapse of language happen when he was around his 'boys,' and never when he was in front of the masses..

.. Oh, it wasn't quite well explained who Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot the man called "Penguin" by his adversaries is, right? Welll, Cobblepot- after 'growing up,' lost his family estate to the bank due to back mortgage payments from his mother who squandered the padded checking and savings account away. Cobblepot turned to a petty life of crime, but nothing too serious as he was denied access to street gangs due to his physical stature and his background. Rich kids.. they didn't get their fair shake at the underworld.

● O. Cobblepot ● "So what's up?! You keep'n the nation in anticipation over here!"

Cobblepot was easily irritable. He lost his temper within his circle over the smallest of things and sometimes that worked against him as he'd make a decision based on haste and mistakes would happen. The thug henchman hung up the phone and slipped it back into his pocket as he shrugged.

● Random Thug ● "I ain't gett'n an answer boss, Mikey ain't pick'n up!"

Sucking his teeth, Cobblepot let off a grimace as totally unexpectedly he lunged towards his henchman and tightly gripped his collar as he shoved him into the wooden structure that sat on the harbor's end. Cobblepot clutched a custom made cane to aid in his walking as he leaned weight on it.

● O. Cobblepot ● "Well dats a problem den. Ya don't seem to know a lot of whats go'n on, so why should I keep ya 'round?"

Working for Cobblepot had it's good and bads.. The good was the constant job offer, the bad was the reason why there was was an open job within his organization. Since taking over the Falcone Family, Cobblepot has been weeding through the weak and discarding them like caviar tins. Realizing something all of a sudden though, Cobblepot looked at the hand clutching the man's color as the henchman's face went pale with fear-

● O. Cobblepot ● "See what you made me do, ya dummy?!"

Cobblepot's eyes darted towards the half puffed cigar on the pier as he once again scrunched his face up out of anger and this time- let go of his signature cane, letting it hit the pier with a >THUD<. Now with both hands on the henchman's collar, Cobblepot pressed into the henchman's throat.

● O. Cobblepot ● "YA FU-"

● "PUT YOUR HANDS UP! GOTHAM CITY PEE- DEE!" ●

Letting go of the henchman, Cobblepot let the man fall as he stepped back and grabbed at his right shoulder.

● O. Cobblepot ● ".. AND THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR TRYING TO ROB ME! THIS CITY NEEDS A SAVIOR!"

A beam of light was fired forward from the boat that was littered with GCPD as a few of them jumped off of the boat and rushed forward. They were decked out with bullet-proof vests and goggles to protect their identities as Cobblepot turned around and fired off yet another grimace- this one was more to illustrate the 'pain' in his body as he stepped forward. The cop in the boat pointed towards Cobblepot-

● Police Officer ● "SOMEONE GET MAYOR COBBLEPOT SOME HELP, I THINK HE'S BEEN HURT BY THE PERP!"

Another boat pulled up- this one was bigger and behind it? A speedboat was being pulled with an attached chain. The bigger boat, also property of Gotham City's Police Department carried even more police officers as some jumped off the boat onto the pier, all as the man- he soon removed the mask and goggles, showing himself to be commissioner Jim Gordon. In an unlikely turn of events, Commissioner Gordon threw his name into the hat as he felt that Gotham's crime needed to see the new face of justice and Gotham's citizens needed to see that he wasn't going to take his job title for granted. Gordon stepped off of the boat as a few medic trained cops surrounded Cobblepot, all as Gordon did the same.

● O. Cobblepot ● "I'm alright.. I'm alright.. I think I just pulled something. I was gonna jump on my boat over there.."

Pointing to a small cruiser with "OZ" blasted on the side with an air-brush design, Cobblepot winced again.

● O. Cobblepot ● ".. But the damned bastard jumped from behind the harbor house and tried to kick out my cane from under me. I managed to catch myself before I fell but the son of a bitch has one hell of a kick and hit me square in the damn shoulder.."

● Commissioner Gordon ● "We've got an EMT on route, Mayor.. What are you doin' out here so late? I know you've been away from Gotham for a few years but it's still pretty dangerous out here."

A little known fact- when Gordon was just a street cop, he arrested a portly little teenager; Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot. But instead of taking Cobblepot down to the station and charging him with shoplifting, Gordon called Oswald's mother and had her pick him up from the shop with just a slap on the wrist. At the time, Gordon saw another major Gotham City family go down- Thomas and Martha Wayne in a botched robbery that turned into murder.. Gordon understood the pain of losing a parent and Cobblepot's father's death had happened not too long ago- Gordon warranted his action off of that. Cobblepot never forgot it- angry that Gordon ripped away his only chance at acceptance from 'the guys,' he held a grudge- one that never would go away.

● O. Cobblepot ● "And here I thought "The Dent Act" was working to the fullest extent possible..?"

Even while faking an injury Cobblepot was able to mock people, it was a skill he was very proud of. Gordon scratched at the back of his head after being put on the spot- but that didn't stop Cobblepot to notice the speed-boat- the one carrying the shipment with his name on it- well, not literally. Biting his bottom lip he nodded towards the speedboat.

● O. Cobblepot ● "What's in the boat, Commissioner?"

● Commissioner Gordon ● "We're expecting a major load of stolen electronics from Queen Industries.. Also, some heavy firearms, things of that nature."

Knowing there was more that was due to arrive from a contact along the way, Cobblepot moved forward and with his "good" arm patted Gordon on the shoulder.

● O. Cobblepot ● "You did a good thing Commissioner Gordon, the citizens of Gotham will be proud to know the universal generalization that your force is full of corrupted, donut eaters are on the case- I'll be sure to have my publicist mention this when I get a hold of her.. Oh wait.."

In the distance- another light was beginning to form, this one from above. Nearing was a helicopter with a red flashing light attached to the top as Cobblepot squinted his eyes.

● O. Cobblepot ● "Looks like Channel 4 news is gonna make it here before she does.. I guess I'll lea-"

Gordon stopped Cobblepot by patting him on the back.

● Commissioner Gordon ● "No Mayor, you stopped a wanted criminal.. You need to be here to let the fine people of Gotham see that! If the rumors of you running against Mayor Garcia is true, this could be a major boost to your supporting numbers."

.. And it was then, Cobblepot knew Gordon was a threat. Gordon fired off a smile.. a fake smile- one Cobblepot knew from putting on that same facade his whole life as Cobblepot returned it- this one as he nodded.

● O. Cobblepot ● "If you insist. I could definitely use the press.. I mean.. Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot of the once powerful Gotham City family; the Cobblepots.. The great grandson of the first mayor of Gotham.. You're right Gordon, I do deserve this exposure."

And it was that moment Gordon understood the threat that Cobblepot served to the city of Gotham..

● O. Cobblepot ● "When I get in Commissioner?.."

Leaning in, Cobblepot rested his heavy frame on Gordon's shoulder as he pressed down as hard as he could while whispering..

● O. Cobblepot ● ".. You bet your ass is finished in Gotham.. You have no power in this city, it belongs to me."

● "MISTER COBBLEPOT! COMMISSIONER GORDON! PLEASE, WE NEED A SHOT FOR THE GOTHAM GAZETTE!" ●

As fast as Cobblepot had threatened Gordon and his job, he fired off that facade- that phony smile as Gordon did the same, only as before the camera flashed, he too leaned towards Cobblepot and replied with a whisper of his own..

● Commissioner Gordon ● "I arrested you once but let you go.. Next time I won't be so giving.. Penguin."

As Gordon adjusted his head and kept the smile on his face- he had hit Cobblepot beneath the belt with that shot.. 'Penguin' was an insult, a name he detested and did whatever he could do loose. Through the course of his life, many died.. many was critically injured due to muttering that name in Cobblepot's direction but he didn't let it bother him.. Not when the media's eye was on him. Instead, he forced the smile but when the cameras went away? When Cobblepot went back to the Cobblepot Estate? Furniture would be moved.. items would be thrown.. And plots, oh yeah.. Plots on Commissioner James Gordon would be made- Cobblepot would pull the trigger on that.

● "MISTER COBBLEPOT, IS THE RUMORS TRUE?! ARE YOU GOING TO RUN AGAINST MAYOR GARCIA?!" ●

● O. Cobblepot ● "Well.. I'd be a liar if I said no.. So yes, I am going to be running for mayor as this great city?! It's citizens, good men and women like Commissioner Gordon? They need change! The city deserves better and I- I promise to supply Gotham City with change! I am a local of this city, my roots trace back to Gotham General Hospital, my great grandfather built City Hall with his bare hands! It's been too long since a Cobblepot has been in charge over this city, and since crime is still fluctuating despite the very successful "Dent Act," as mayor, I promise to bring the citizens and city of Gotham.. Change, I promise to make a difference!"

Questions continued to pop off but Cobblepot ignored them. Being handed his custom cane with a Penguin attached at the end of an emblem, a constant reminder of those that wronged him and kept him out of his youthful success- he begun to step forward before he turned and looked directly at the reporter.

● O. Cobblepot ● "Vote for Oz.. You deserve better."

With a cheesy smile and thumbs up shot it's way- that'd no doubt be front page for tomorrow's Gazette as Cobblepot looked directly in Gordon's direction and winked before continuing his path forward.. Let the plotting begin.

[John Blake]

Officer John Blake had been one of the cops that jumped off the boat onto the pier. He'd helped take the thug into custody that was "harrassing" Mr Cobblepot. And he'd been watching from a distance the exchange between Gordon and Cobblepot before and as the media arrived. Finally though a squad car had arrived to take the thug. John finished the miranda rights and turned over the thug.

Cobblepot hobbled by the young officer as he left. John arched an eyebrow as the mayoral canidate passed him. The portly fellow looked pretty angry about things. Didn't seem he liked the glance John was giving him either. Still though he continued on as did Blake.

Gordon was already headed towards the boat they'd caught in Gotham's waters earlier in the evening. John jogged to close the gap between them. He was now walking beside the commiss.

Friend of your's commissioner?

Blake asked speaking of Cobblepot. Gordon sighed and shook his head.

Not really. In his younger years I arrested him once, not long after the murder of the Wayne's. I saw how terrible that was on their poor boy and knew it hadn't been too long before that that Cobblepot lost his own father. So I took pity on the kid and merely called his mother.

The young officer nodded. Things like that were why he enjoyed working for Gordon. The man actually seemed to care about people, not just how crowded he could make his jails. It didn't seem that Gordon was only looking at statistics.

Its too bad he didn't take that oppurtunity to change his life...

Gordon looked at the young officer with a questioning look.

Did you see how terrified that guy was of Cobblepot?

Do you think maybe he was caught by surprise when he tried to rob a man only to have the tables turned on him?

Blake shook his head.

Maybe.....But its been my experience commissioner that criminals aren't that scared in a botched robbery without a gun involved. Cobblepot's a big guy but there was no reason for that guy to be terrified of him without a weapon. Most anybody else would've fought back.... Sir we should be picking up pieces of Cobblepot...

The two boarded the commendeered boat.

There's just no way that guy doesn't take down Cobblepot...unless Cobblepot is his boss....

Gordon probably suspected that Blake was correct, however he just held up a hand.

The thing is though, Blake, we have no proof of your theory. Without some kind of proof there's no good in accusing a mayoral canaidate of being involved in organized crime.

John nodded. His boss was right of course.

So lets see if we can find some.

That put a smile on John's face. He an Gordon joined the officers already investigating the contents of the boat. And as all these officers poured over the boat they found a virtual floating market. There was everything from car an home stereos new an improved by Queen Industries down to the new videogame system set to be released soon.

Wow! Queen Industries' new game system? They say this thing puts Xbox to shame. There'd be some kids at the orphanage I gew up in that'd love one of these..

Blake had commented to no one in particular.

Sir over here!

Another officer called. Gordon and Blake went over and it looked like all the electronics were a bit of a front. Crates were found with loads and loads of fire-arms. There was eevrything from your usual small-arms like 9mms to revolvers to your standard shotguns. Then there were the saiga shotguns complete with 20-shell drums....guns that looked like they were right off the next Call of Duty game.....thousands of armor-piercing rounds. As many of the officers, including Blake an Gordon stood stunned, John said what alot of them were thinking.

Commisioner it looks like someone's going to war...

[Oswald Cobblepot]

"Crime doesn't pay, but politics does."

● Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot ●

Once in safe distance away from the harbor, Cobblepot let off a sigh of relief, his ability to change the flow of things on the spur of the moment came in handy once again.. the hate he had for Jim Gordon resurfaced also. Glancing over his shoulder as he stepped into the shadows, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a black cellular phone and dialed at the touch-screen pad.

● O. Cobblepot ● ".. I lost the entire shipment 'cause of a scheduling conflict.. Somebody is gonna get killed for this!"

Muttering a few words to himself, when the other line picked up Cobblepot placed the phone in his other hand as he leaned back on the wall- the expression on his face said it all regarding the mood he was in as he barked into the phone.

● O. Cobblepot ● "Between thousands of dollars in electronics from Queen Industries to the firearms, ya know how much money we're out?! DO YOU UNDERSTAND MIKEY?! HUH!?"

There it was; Cobblepot's temper. He managed to protect himself from being ousted in front of everyone with his quick- and absolute too sudden announcement of running for mayor but his temper.. it often got the best of him.

● O. Cobblepot ● "I don't want excuses! I don't want apologizes, I want the head of the guy behind the shipment on my desk when I get back to office!"

By "the office," Cobblepot meant an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Gotham. At the moment he had a plan in place to purchase prime real-estate in the most luxurious part of Gotham City where he had big plans for the building.

● O. Cobblepot ● "You failed me once already Mikey, don't make it twice. Ya think I liked being called "Penguin" by a pig?! Ya think I enjoyed watch'n those punks rip away my money?! Those guns Mikey, they're gonna be the way we take over Gotham and absorb the Falcone Family! We can't make a move without steel, now ya see what we're out?! DO YA!?"

Clenching his fist- Oswald's blood pressure was pumping to the point that he felt his head buzzing. Biting at his bottom lip, the thought alone of Gotham City Police Department and Jim Gordon being in the papers for the raid of a massive amount of stolen merchandise that belonged to him made him want to hit somebody.. Which is why he demanded the head of the mistakee on his table when he was back. Cobblepot was a lot of things.. vicious.. ruthless.. vindictive.. angry.. he also was very entertained at the most graphic and disgusting of things- like say for instance playing darts with a beheaded human head. Cobblepot cocked his head back and let off a deep sigh all as he growled into the phone once more.

● O. Cobblepot ● "I'm head'n back, I want results. I gotta get on the line and hopefully work out a deal to get more fire-power into Gotham 'fore we make a move. Ya better get dis done Mikey, 'cause if I gotta make moves, ya bet'cha your first. Oh an by the way.. Run dis name for me 'fore you get me results.."

Pausing, Cobblepot fought off the urge to sneeze as.. being as sheltered as he was as a child, he developed bad allergies, especially in the wide open. With the urge gone, Cobblepot continued- keeping the barking tone in his voice.

● O. Cobblepot ● ".. Blake.. John.. Blake. He's a cop, GCPD.. I've seen da kid around 'fore.. He don't look right. I want records.. family names, background, everythin'. Dis guy is always around the raids, I've got pictures of him everywhere. Unless Gordon has dis guy on a leash- he knows somethin' and I wanna know what da hell it is.. Get move'n."

Without waiting on a response, Cobblepot ended the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket as he kept his position against the structure, taking a second to catch his breath. A big man like him had to slow down once in a while, he knew his heart worked a bit harder than the ordinary man, but that was all a day in the life of Oswald Cobblepot. He knew he was out of the red after his Oscar-performance in saving face in front of Gotham's finest and Channel 4 news- but he couldn't allow much more mistakes because mistakes were expensive and if Cobblepot was anything, he was a man driven by greed. And greed? Well, greed only came in one color..Green.