Strange Birdfellows Who: Louis Oswald, Dick Grayson NPCs: Ted Where: Dick Grayson’s Office, Wayne Tower, Midtown When:September 5, 2012 What: Oswald pays Grayson a visit in an attempt to broker a business deal, but both of them have ulterior motives. Rating: PG Status: Completed
Louis Oswald was all about appearances. He smiled briefly on the way up the elevator with the single thought, *this is what it must feel like to be made of money.* He quickly did a mental tally: $5,500 custom tailored suit, $6,000 Tag Heuer watch, $500 hat, $800 monk-style shoes, $500 shirt, $350 undergarments and a personalized umbrella from his collection (priceless, at least as far as he was concerned).
The doors parted and he was admitted to an expansive waiting room. “Exactly as I remember it,” Oz said, sauntering forward, toward the only other human in view. “You must be Mr. Dick Grayson’s secretary. I am Mr. Louis Oswald. Here is my calling card,” he offered, extending his hand. “He should be expecting me.”
“Oh,” Ted responded, “I’m sure he is then...” He gingerly took the card and - in order not to betray a snide *people still carry these* look - glanced down at his ledger. “I’ll inform him you are here.” He keyed in a message for Dick. “Please, have a seat.”
Oz nodded and retreated to a nearby chair.
“Is it raining?”
“No.” Oz followed the secretary’s gaze to his umbrella. “Since when is rain a prereq for carrying an umbrella?”
- - -
Standing on the other side of the door, Dick composed himself carefully. This was going to be a challenge for him, more so than usual. For years Bruce had tried to get solid proof that the man waiting outside the office was in fact the Penguin. They knew, with certainty, that it was the case. They couldn’t prove it. But that was Batman, and Dick wasn’t his alter ego currently. He was the Wayne heir, CEO in training, completely oblivious to accusations of gun-running, drug running, illegal gambling, and other lawless acts.
Taking a deep breath, he opened the door and stepped outside the office. “Mr. Oswald. It’s an honor to see you again after such a long time. I’ll be honest in saying I never quite imagined this happening.” Dick laughed briefly and offered his hand. “Dick Grayson.”
- - -
“Mr. Grayson, welcome back to Gotham.” Oz shook the outstretched hand firmly and chuckled in return. “Consider me part of the welcoming committee. Even CEOs need to make house calls every now and then. But alas, we also have much to discuss.”
- - -
“Your people told me this was more business than social call,” Dick replied, and waved the Peng-- Mr. Oswald into the office. “Which will be a nice change of pace. I never realized how much time Bruce spent simply making small talk. I thought for sure the affairs of state took precedence over how well the Rogues were going to play this season. I’m told they have a better defensive line this year, by the way,” Dick offered a somewhat cutthroat smile at the last remark. He stood behind the ebon wood desk, his hands on its surface. “Would you like a drink?”
- - -
“Gin and tonic,” Oz replied neatly. “I don’t follow basketball, to be honest.” He continued, entirely unaware the Rogues were actually a football team. ”But the Gotham Exchange - now that is a game I watch quite intently. And it truly saddens me to see such a fine establishment as Wayne Enterprises being beaten down so badly.”
- - -
Dick marched over to the mini bar, and paused at Louis Oswald’s comments - first the faux pas about the Rogues, which he decided not to mention, and then the comment about the stocks. As he prepared the drink, Grayson decided to make two. He was going to need it. “My advisors tell me it was unavoidable. Something similar happened to Apple when Jobs died, and we think it will follow the same trajectory, provided we can get out in front of this and show them the company hasn’t lost direction.”
Turning, he walked over and handed Oswald the glass, then indicated the seats off to the side, a small table between them. He’d read Bruce’s file twice, which included his best psychological evaluation of the man. There was a lot of pride with this man, and a small gesture of acknowledgement seemed in order. Dick waited for the banker to sit, and then took the other chair. There would be no sitting behind a desk. It was a message of authority he thought would only get in the way of making this as painless as possible.
Also, he wanted the Penguin within close reach if he had to strike him. Wishful thinking. But if you were behind his murder... “So tell me, what do you see?”
- - -
Louis slid down casually in the seat and waited for Grayson. He extended his glass with a smile and a quaint, “cheers.” Then he promptly downed the entire drink in one go. “I am glad to see we are already on the same page, Mr. Grayson. Gotham is a rather small city, after all. It is good to know all the key players – and have people you can trust around. I decided to stop by with this in mind, as a friendly face. You probably know that the late Mr. Wayne and I did not always see eye-to-eye on all matters of business, but as fellow individuals interested in the maximization of profits, there have always been intersecting interests. I have been CEO of First Gotham for over 15 years now and I agree that at a time like this, it is all about direction, which is actually precisely what I wanted to talk about.
“I think a bold move is exactly what you need right now to restore the confidence of your shareholders and the market. There’s actually something of mine that Mr. Wayne had his eye on for a while now... Magnum R&D. Until today, it hasn’t been for sale. But I had a brainstorm this morning – it just completed its own series of acquisitions, launched its Aquarius energy efficiency technology and posted record high financial results for the first half of the year. It is a solid business with magnificent prospects. For you – this is exactly the sort of deal you need. For me – I need the cash. The unit has lost money for me for years – I can finally get a decent price for it and at the same time strengthen my other businesses. That’s what in CEO circles we call a win-win.”
- - -
Grayson sipped his drink thoughtfully. He wasn’t going to commit to anything without a much closer look; Dick knew that much. But there were better ways to say no. This was not a world he enjoyed navigating. It was difficult not to feel disdain for the operations of a business when he’d rather be down in the streets, dealing with problems in a much more direct manner.
He put a smile on his face.
“That sounds like a very equitable offer, Mr. Oswald. Something like this was on the table the last time I spoke to the board of directors. It’s always nice to see healthy growth in the tech sector.”
- - -
“Think it over, and why don’t you send over a team to do due diligence in the meantime? I think you’ll be pleased with what they find.”
- - -
“I’ll do that. I’ll also make sure we’re not putting ourselves in an awkward position with Federal antitrust statutes. As you know, Wayne Enterprises has always had a proud focus in that sector. I appreciate you bringing this opportunity to me in person.”
- - -
“Of course,” Oz replied as nodded and leaned back. “I hope I am not venturing out too far here... but you seem a little hesitant when it comes to the business end of things, Mr. Grayson. My advice for you - trust your instincts. You have something of a reputation - you have the drive and conviction that it takes to succeed. I can see it in your eyes. Naturally, you are right to be careful, but success as CEO is all about taking advantage of being in the right place at the right time. Don’t let opportunities like this pass you by.” He paused to straighten his neck and look Dick directly in the eye. “Bruce Wayne never would have.”
- - -
Dick’s eyes hardened. He almost reached for Oswald, wanting to strangle this man for even daring to mention Bruce. A moment after his pulse quickened and his knuckles whitened, he stood and walked to the window, where he could see the distorted outline of his reflection. “Opportunities. Yes.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bug, placing it on his thumb and turning to look at the untouchable businessman. “My father was always on the lookout for opportunities.”
- - -
“Well, Mr. Grayson, I think that is enough business for today. Let’s make our next encounter a social one. I am throwing a charity party on Friday night at the Iceberg Lounge as a welcoming reception of sorts for the Gotham Bird Sanctuary’s newest addition. Please feel free to stop by.”
- - -
Dick walked over to Louis Oswald, his hand swiftly brushing past the inside of the umbrella, placing the device inside and under a flap of fabric. Years of training, and dealing with highly skilled thieves, made the move indecipherable as he brought that same hand up to Oswald’s arm in a friendly gesture. “I’d like that, Mr. Oswald. I’m something of an amateur ornithologist, from my Dartmouth days.” Dick offered his hand as the businessman stood up.
- - -
“Always a pleasure to meet over shared interests, Mr. Grayson.” Oz countered, entirely unaware of Dick’s quick, covert movement. He was distracted with his own play - a tiny button cover that contained a high frequency bug that he imperceptibly flicked off his suit and placed under the bottom lip of the table on his way to his feet. “I hope our next encounter will be just as pleasant.” With that, he collected his umbrella and headed for the door. “Good day, sir... and good luck.”