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

[longlonghair]

"The salmon looks lovely," she says, studying her own menu.

When was the last time she'd dined like this? Ever? Her hair usually prevent such things. Speaking of which...

"If you would excuse me, darling, I think I'll go and freshen up. Would you be a dear and order for me, with a suitable wine to go with?"

She picks up her small handbag, which has a small pair of shears inside along with her lipstick and powder.

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

"Of course." He smiles, thinks how nice it is being called "darling," and studies the menu a bit more before deciding on a steak for himself and a bottle of a fine red wine (hoping that his choice of steak means his food dictates the color the wine). The waiter soon arrives, and the order is placed.

While waits for Rapunzel to return, Alex looks out the window again as the signal shines for a while longer.

[longlonghair]

She returns to the table a short time later, hoping that it's not noticeable that her hair is now four inches shorter.

She leans in to kiss Alex's cheek before being seated again, and smiles.

"There we are, all ready for a fabulous meal."

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

Before long, dinner arrives, and the service that goes with it is elegant and almost unnoticed. The salmon is cooked to perfection, and the steak is soft and the closest thing to the ideal medium-rare Knox has ever had.

Over dinner, the couple slides back into their roles as heirees and kept man, Alex regaling his lady with tales of Gaddis and other reporters from the old days and Countess Overbrook maintaining that certain detachment from the whole thing even as she is paying attention. Only briefly does Alex break character when he tells Rapunzel about Bruce and the limo. He's really puzzled as to why Bruce did that, if not ungrateful. "There is something about him," he admits, "that I still don't get. Like he's in on a private joke and can't ever share it." But he lets it go.

By the time dinner is done and the dessert cart rolls around, Alex is intoxicated. Not drunk - though he's had a good deal of wine - but feeling giddy and elevated and good. It's Rapunzel, of course, and the glamour of the restaurant and the view. But it's also the game they're playing. It's silly and outrageous and a bit naughty and a bit exciting. In short, he's having the time of his life.

[longlonghair]

Rapunzel can't remember an evening she's enjoyed more in a long, long time. Alex never ceases to interest her with his bottomless well of information and keen observations about Gotham and the people who live there.

It's almost a pity when the meal is finished, and the game almost over.

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

They share a rather large piece of Black Forest cake and take two cups of Cafe Au Lait as the hour grows late. The check arrives, and the Countess pays with her American Express Platinum card, leaving a very generous tip. It's much more than either has ever paid for a meal in their lives, but it was worth it.

"Shall we return to our suite, my lady," Alex says as he rises and then mvoes to help her from her chair.

[longlonghair]

"Indeed," she agrees, standing and threading her arm through his. "The meal might be over, but evening certainly isn't."

Her voice still holds an accent, but the promise behind the words is genuine enough.

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

They ride down in the elevator and to the limo, Alex pulling Rapunzel close for a quick kiss before the doors opens.

Alfred is waiting, and lets his passengers in. "I trust the meal was satisfactory, sir?"

"Indeed it was, Alfred. And my apologies for not recognizing you before.

"No need to apologize, sir. I'm just a humble servant, and I do enjoy a night outside the mansion." Alex isn't sure but he thinks Alfred is being a little sarcastic.

"Alfred, take us home, through Centennial Park."

"Very good, sir." They into the limo, and it pulls away.

Not far away, there's a commotion at the Federal Reserve Bank. Something involving men in clown masks and cops and a certain costumed crimefighter. Alex couldn't care less.