The Universe's Mixer

The mall. Bruce hated the mall.

There were too many people rushing every which way to screw someone out of a deal. Stores were overflowing with both Christmas Cheer and multitudes of restless shoppers.

Not the ideal place for someone like Bruce.

But he had a wife to get something for, which as almost as difficult as mustering up the courage to actually come to a shopping mall.

Lucky for the scientist they had a frozen yogurt stand. He could tolerate yummy goodness while he waited for the crowds to level out. Mostly he was there for Sanrio, Hello Kitty was one of Effie'a favorites. And now he was going to eat this yogurt and be patient.

He had managed to get all the way from the kiosk to a vacant bench, one that wasn't occupied by the work down shoppers or snot-nosed brats, and realized quickly to his dismay...."There is no spoon...."

With a frown Bruce sighed heavily

He hated the mall.

Slowly the scientist rose and carried his treat back to the kiosk, grabbing a spoon out of the cup at the counter. Now maybe he could finally enjoy something about this day. And watch with amusement as everyone else scurried about in hopes of finding the best deal.

The line for children taking photographs with Santa was almost too much in its own right. And far too expensive. Was Timmy too old for Santa? Did he even care? Doubtful.

The pawnshops had been hit for a few nights now, even prior to that one particular announcement, but the oddity of the robberies didn't require attention until after the announcement. The Bat needed to act; there'd been too much silence, and the woman who wore the cowl, what it was, needed to hurt something, to right some wrong.

The pawnshops in each case were more or less intact after the robberies, and they didn't lose much in the way of money. No, what they lost were odd little things. The thieves knew what they were looking for and got just what they wanted. They didn't bother with more. A watch here, a cufflink there, a trombone with a broken slide. It made no sense, but the latest one had left a young woman hurt.

Janet had had her eye on the charm bracelet for some time, and she'd had every intention of buying it that day when the shop was attacked. She tried it on, and then one of the thieves asked her for it. Janet had been ready to pay for it, and now some masked stranger was demanding it from her. She didn't want to give up the bracelet, but the robber wasn't taking no, not even a let me think about it. The robber knocked Janet out and took the bracelet.

The Bat got the report and decided to stake out pawnshops. This particular night two happened to be in spying distance from a rooftop corner. The Bat perched and watched. Maybe tonight there would be some justice and pain. Something would be done.