NotValentine's Day, or, Let's Have Some Fun!

[gotham_knocking]

Alex and Rapunzel left the Bar for Gotham on April 13, 1990. A Friday. For most of that Friday and good chunks of Saturday, they dove into the neglected mess that was Alex’ one-bedroom apartment in West Gotham Heights. To her credit, Rapunzel never once commented about the layers of debris, the empty pizza boxes and beer cans that have been a hallmark of bachelor living since time immemorial, or even the girlie magazines that would pop up every so often. To his credit, Alex helped as much as he could, let Rapunzel use her superior skills at organizing, and acted rather abashed at the state he let his place fall into. Though truth be told, he never minded it at all

When they weren’t cleaning, Alex would take Rapunzel for walks, showing her the working class neighborhood he called home. First stop was Barney’s, the men’s store of choice for men with money, where one finely tailored Armani suit was to be found. (They ran into a couple of Alex’s high school classmates, who couldn’t take their eyes off Rapunzel.) They stopped at a cheesy souvenir shop and got Makita a Gotham City Police t-shirt and Wayne Tower snowglobe. They got dinner from a Chinese takeout, lunch from McDonald’s – which she assured him was on her world as well – and videos from a local chain. (He offered to watch the Mets game with her Friday night but she politely and firmly passed on it.) And of course, they caught a moment or two of affection her and there.

Oh, and she also borrowed four Hawaiian shirts.

It had been years since anyone stayed in Knox’s cramped place. It was cozy and not unpleasant at all to have her around, but he looked forward to the move, and to having a place where there was room for guests. He promised himself he’d keep the new place clean, but knew deep down that unless Rapunzel made regular visits and insisted on him keeping it clean, he’d fall back on old habits.

Saturday arrived. Valentine’s Day at the Bar, just another windy April day in Gotham. But a day that would lead to the Top of the Nines, and to seeing just how old Gadfly would react to the Countess. As night fell, the cleaning ended, and Knox and Rapunzel showered and put on their best finery…

“How do I look?” he asks as he puts on his Armani suit jacket and then his gold watch.

Comments

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

Alex can see the driver making a very appalled face in the rear view mirror. Well, they wanted to be outrageous.

"Ah, fine champange. As suits you, my lady." He takes a look out the window now. "We're passing Wayne Tower (http://cgi.ebay.com/Batman-474-D-C-1992-NM-Destroyer-Anton-Furst_W0QQitemZ6631701508QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting). One of the few buildings with any style." (Unfortunately, there is no Batman in sight.)

[longlonghair]

She leans toward the window to get the full view and smiles.

"Now, that is a tower."

And she would know.

"Modern, but with a Gothic feel to it. Impressive."

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

"Wayne's grandfather commissioned it, before everything got out of hand around here. One of Anton Furst's finest works, I'm told." He says this with that odd civic pride only Gothamites can have. "It reminds you of home?" To the driver, that could merely mean England, but sometimes words have two meanings.

[longlonghair]

"A little."

She takes not of the street signs...Finger and Broome.

"Finger Street? Does it point to something in particular?"

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

"Just to more streets. The names here are quite old. Not as old as those in England, but they go back to the Revolutionary War. Though I think in this case, it's just named for someone." He really don't know, but wants to sound knowledgeable.

And now Kane Plaza, surrounded on all sides by identical bland box-buldings, comes into view.

"Ah, there is it, my dear. 99 Kane Plaza."

[longlonghair]

"Let's go give them something to talk about, then," she murmurs for his ears alone.

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

He just smiles, as the car pulls into an underground garage, and as the driver pulls up to an elevator clearly marked Top of the Nines.

The couple emerge form the limo, looking remarkably elegant. The elevator arrives, and Alex sees the driver get back into the Caddy as the doors close.

"I promise, Countess, you will love this place. One of the best views in Gotham, and a fine menu. It's were all the right people dine."

[longlonghair]

"I'm sure I won't be disappointed. I already see something yummy I know I like."

She keeps her face bland as she gives his bottom a quick pinch, but her lips are definitely working not to twitch.

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

"Thank you for saying so, my lady. YOu know I live to please." He's not doing too well with a straight face, either. But he'll manage. And he can't say he doesn't find all this to be rather intriguing.

The elevator opens on a well-appointed, dimly lit large dining area. There is a maitre'd immeidately outside the doors, studying the couple.

"Do you have a reservation?" Clearly, he's not impressed by anyone.

"Yes, my good man. For Countess Overbrook and companion?"

"Ah, yes. If you will follow me." The maitre d' leads Alex and Rapunzel to a table by the window, even as Alex scans the room.

[longlonghair]

And companion? She keeps a straight face, and acts just as unimpressed as the maitre'd. Then she sees the view and she eyes widen with appreciation.

She just barely remembers to keep her accent.

"Very beautiful, Allie."

She finds it a bit odd to see dirigibles hovering in the distance, used for law enforcement, but it's really cool at the same time.

"Every bit as impressive as you described."

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

"I know it's not quite London, but we like it. Sometimes." He pulls a chair out for her. "And from here, you can almost forget what it's like down there."

Not far away, a distinguished looking man with a gray suit and a white head of hair (and ponytail) thinks he sees someone he used to know. But it couldn't be HIM.

[longlonghair]

Rapunzel sits, and lets him push in her chair, smiling brilliantly at him, and letting her fingers trail across his hand as he withdraws. You never know who could be watching.

"As a visitor here, I can honestly say that Gotham is a unique and interesting city. I'm glad I've got such an expert to show it to me."

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

"Well, that is one reason you do keep me around, isn't it, my lady?" He tries to sound a bit more fawning than usual as he sits. He's also let his voice carry just a little, since he's spotted their mark.

Jackson Gaddis, former columnist, current novelist, noted bon vivant and frat boy, and all around jerk, is indeed taking in dinner. Just as Vicki promises he would. And he's doing his best to ignore Alex.

[longlonghair]

"Among other reasons, darling."

She infuses the statement with meaning, and gives a husky chuckle.

"You know, I think I'll have my assistant call Barney's tomorrow, and have them add the moleskin blazer to your order...the more I think about it, the more I think it suited you."

She really was considering it, since it had looked good on him when he had been trying on suits. No need to tell him that, though--she'd just have it delivered to him as a surprise.

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

Odds are he's feel like she is spoiling him. And that he's quite glad to be spoiled.

"Then I will wear it with delight, Countess." He picks up a menu and hands it to hand, and is about to take his when...

"Knox? Is that you?" Gaddis was coming towards their table, confused and a bit annoyed. "Here?"

[longlonghair]

Rapunzel hides her smile of glee. This has to be one of the jerks that needs to be taken down a peg. She already doesn't like him, by his condescending tone.

"Allie, you never told me that the sommelier here knows you by name. Thought I'm not sure I approve of such a familiarity from the staff."

Her tone at the last is a bit dubious as she eyes the newcomer with mild interest mixed with disdain.

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

It takes supreme effort for Alex not to laugh. (He knows the word sommelier, but only because he reads the food section of the newspaper.) "Countess, this is an old associate of mine, from the Globe. Jackson Gaddis. AKA Gadfly." He holds hand out to Gaddis. "I must say, it's been a while. Looks like we are both doing well." He resists the urge to say something about that pretentious ponytail.

"I suppose it has. I never thought I'd see you here. But please, no one calls me Gadfly any more and I prefer it that way." Gaddis studies the Countess for a second. "Good evening...Countess?" He looks very dubious. Knox must be with an escort (though how he could afford any of this is beyond him).

[longlonghair]

"They used to call you Gadfly? How...quaint."

And her tone is clear that by 'quaint' she means 'stupid.'

"My apologies for mistaking you for a staff member...it must be your suit. Countess Rapunzel Overbrook. Charmed, I'm sure."

She hold up a hand expectantly, waiting for the proper greeting due a Countess.

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

Gaddis gives her a handshake, nothing more. That remark about his $500 suit was unkind. "Countess...we don't see many countesses in Gotham. Any, in fact. And not with Knox. It's...different." Which is to say, he's not buying it.

"Give, Knox. I heard you just quit your job. How can you afford this place? I just signed a new deal with Random House, and I have trouble with the place."

(The elevator opens. A new couple is entering.)

[longlonghair]

"It is different. In England, people have manners."

She pointedly wipes her hand with the napkin in her lap.

"Allie doesn't need to be able to afford anything when he's with me. It's my pleasure to have him as my companion. Not that he - or I owe you any explanation."

She turns to Alex with a raised eyebrow, dismissing Gaddis simply by excluding him.

"Really, Allie, are all of your associates to gauche? As if it matters to us what his financial troubles are."

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

"well, my lady, Gadfly used to be a muckraker," Alex says as if Gaddis isn't there. "In his day, he made everyone's financial troubles his business. He really did get to the bottom of some major scandals. Despite his winning personality."

Gaddis seethes. "Companion? You don't mean...him? Alexander Knox?"

(Across the room, the new arrivals head closer, and a pretty blonde looks over and spots Alex and his friend, and she points them out to the handsome dark-haired man.)

[longlonghair]

"I see."

She looks at Gaddis as if he were a specimen found on the sole of her shoe.

"I'm sorry, did I stop speaking English? It's clear to me that you don't really know Allie at all. Exactly what is it that you interrupted us for?"

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

Gaddis is ready to offer a stunning and devastating series of comebacks, inpugning both Alex and this fake countess, when...

"Alex!" Vicki Vale has arrived at the table, with Gotham's richest man in tow. "Sorry we're late, but Bruce was busy with some work tonight." Bruce Wayne, wearing a hand-tailored suit from Saville Row that costs more than everything Alex, Rapunzel, Gaddis and Vicki are wearing combined, just nods.

"Vicki, it's great to see you! You look amazing. She keeping you busy, Bruce." Alex extends his hand.

"She tries," Bruce says as Gaddis just stares.

"Vicki Vale, Bruce Wayne, this is Countess Rapunzel Overbrook."

[longlonghair]

Rapunzel gets to her feet, completely ignoring Gaddis, and smiles winningly at the newly arrived couple.

"Mr. Wayne, Ms. Vale. What a pleasure it is to meet you, at last. I've heard such wonderful things about you both from Allie."

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

"And you, Countess," Vicki says in return, even though Alex hasn't told her much. "Oh, and I see you've meet Jack Gaddis." Who she dismisses fast.

"Wait. You know about this...this woman?" Gaddis sputters.

"Of course. The Countess Overbrook. Alex...Allie met her some time ago, when she arrived from England. I thought everyone knew about her." Vicki is being unusually catty.

The men just watch as Gaddis twitches. Bruce seems bored, though.

"But she...she would have him?"

"I'd be careful, Gadfly," Alex says in a low voice. "She can afford to buy and sell a lot of men. And a few publishing houses."