Wayne; Bruce (notbatty) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2012-08-12 17:58:00 |
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Entry tags: | bruce wayne (batman) |
Who: Bruce Wayne, Tom (NPC) at LA Magazine
When: (Backdated) to Friday evening.
Where: Telephone call.
What: Bruce decides to call in a favor.
Rating: PGish. Language.
Bruce had contacts everywhere. Over the years he'd done a lot of favors - given money, made time for interviews - and as a result, he had a lot of favors to call back in. LA Magazine had gotten the exclusive on a Wayne Enterprises product launch, and while he wasn't in a position to dictate hiring decisions, he hoped that he had enough leeway to suggest. Besides. Clark had landed that Banner story. That had to count for something. "Tom?" Bruce said, injecting a casual warmth into his tone. "How's it going?" "Bruce." The manager was surprised. "That carnival of yours isn't until later this month. Are you moving the date again?" Oh. Of course Tom would think it was about the story; Bruce had promised the man that he'd give a magazine reporter a personal tour of the preparations once the rides and game trailers had begun to move onto the site. Fluff piece, but he was sure they'd try to sneak other questions in, too. That was okay. If the article drew attention to CHOC, it was worth the price. "No. No, no, the carnival's still on for the 25th. I was calling about the Irvine Reporter. Did you see the August 10th edition?" "Bruce." Tom laughed, all good-natured amusement. "If I'm going to read a newspaper, it's the Los Angeles Times. The Reporter? Seriously?" "Seriously. It was a good piece. Clark Kent was the first to tie Dr. Banner to the incident in the lobby, and the Stane trial's a big deal." There was a sigh on the other end of the phone. "I'll look it up. Why am I looking it up?" "Tom. Your magazine's online site features a story right now casting the imaginary Curiosity Rover movie. I know you're a regional interest and lifestyle magazine, but Texas Monthly does harder-hitting stuff. Texas." "That hurts, Bruce." "The truth hurts, Tom." Bruce kept his tone light, but the conversation made him cringe. He sounded like his dream-self -- not Batman, but Bruce Wayne. Self-entitled douchebag. Not terribly bright. But it was working, because Tom took a breath. "Is he a friend of yours?" "Acquaintance," Bruce confirmed. "You could just skip the bullshit and say that you want me to give your friend a shot. I'll read his story. If it's any good, I'll look into taking him on temporarily. That's all I can promise." "That's good enough for me. Thanks, Tom." "You'd better be ready to answer questions about the Wayne Foundation's plans for future charity work in Orange County, Bruce. I'm talking big picture stuff - and don't hedge." "I don't hedge." This time, it was Bruce's turn to play mildly offended. It was a lie. Of course he hedged. "I'll give a good interview, Tom. I have the tour all planned out." "Okay. Goodbye, Bruce." |