It was Alfred's suggestion - and the man was right - that Bruce Wayne put in an appearance at the gala celebrating the City Opera House's newest production. Carmen was a well-loved classic, and there was no denying that. But the production itself transcended the best of his previous experiences with the particular opera. There'd been a strange choice of instrumentation: piano, where other instruments usually carried the part. But the choice wasn't wrong -- it was just different. And it lent the entire opera an extraordinarily fresh perspective. If the production were set on CD, he'd purchase it. As it stood, however, Bruce made a note to support the opera house here, so they'd continue to make music like this.
The gala itself was a classy sort of affair. Already well-versed with the citizens that could possibly pose true concerns, Bruce was surprised to recognize more than a few milling around in the Grand Foyer. There, Jonathan Crane, who was sometimes known as 'Scarecrow'. And his arm was looped around Edward Nigma, who was sometimes known as 'The Riddler'. There was the Riddler's daughter as well -- and she was the leading lady in this production. More than grateful now for Alfred's careful tutelage upon his recent arrival, Bruce quietly slid into the crowd and began listening, being careful to remain out of sight.
It was possible that these people, who were new to him, might also know him from another time. The City was strange indeed, but nothing had changed - corruption was still corruption. And this City still needed protection from it.