In the lounge of the Grand Hotel, reporter Dirk Peterson gazed at the other guests. He noted the occasional casual tourist mingling amongst the smartly dressed corporate guests, and figured it was a typical Friday afternoon in the hotel. He had been sent by his newspaper, The Daily Chronicle, to interview property magnate Aaron Lansdown about his proposed new development. Dirk knew that Lansdown wanted to build homes and offices in the old part of town that was now a red-light district, occupied by winos and prostitutes.
As he adjusted his shirt collar, Dirk thought about his alter ego – a costumed crimefighter called Falcon. For years, Falcon had patrolled the mean city streets and apprehended petty criminals and persistent prostitutes, known locally as nightladies. Yet a month ago something had happened that had shaken him badly. He had entered an abandoned warehouse in the red-light district to apprehend a new female criminal called Domino. What should have been a straightforward task had turned into a disaster of epic proportions. He had underestimated Domino, who had trapped him and unmasked him. Dirk had expected her to trace him and either blackmail him, or reveal his true identity to the criminal underworld. Yet she had seemingly disappeared into nowhere. He was relieved of this, as she had also stripped him and violated his body in a humiliating way. Dirk had decided that it would be best if Falcon kept a low profile for a while – or maybe permanently.
His mind returned to the present when he saw two people walking towards him. The first was a large, middle-aged man, with a crew cut and wearing an expensive suit. Aaron Lansdown was instantly recognisable, although beside him was an attractive young woman with long black hair. She was wearing a smart blue jacket and skirt, and looked every inch a business woman. Dirk offered his hand to Lansdown who shook it with a firm grip.
'A pleasure to meet you Mr Peterson,' he said. 'This is my assistant, Miss Sadie Newman.' With the pleasantries over, they sat down and Lansdown wasted little time, as he spoke about his frustration with the delays over his new development. 'I'm desperate for work to start soon. This is a multi-million dollar project. It will provide homes and jobs for many people. The only thing standing in the way are the local winos and whores who are squatting on my land. They're intimidating my workers who are refusing to go there. Do you understand my frustration Mr Peterson?' Lansdown said, as he banged his hand on the table, causing other guests to look at him.
'I understand perfectly well Mr Lansdown,' Dirk replied. For the remainder of the interview, Lansdown made his feelings clear.
'The cops are useless,' he said. 'Whenever they arrest and charge a whore, they're out again after a few hours and causing more trouble.
'I'm sure the police are doing their best, but they have to work within the constraints of the law,' said Dirk. Without warning, Lansdown made a comment that surprised Dirk.
'What about Falcon? I hear he's a mysterious crimefighter, who catches criminals single-handedly.'
'I heard that he's just a fruitcake in a costume, who performs citizen's arrests on prostitutes,' he said, ensuring that he maintained an appearance of having little knowledge of his alter ego.
'Maybe,' said Lansdown. 'But I wish the cops or Falcon would just go in there and get rid of these criminals for good. I'd like to take a bulldozer, and go in there myself to clear them out.'
'I'm sure you don't mean that Mr Lansdown.'
'I certainly do, Mr Peterson.' It was clear to Dirk that Lansdown was very angry about the delays. The interview ended with Dirk giving the property tycoon his assurances.
'I'll send my report to my editor. The Daily Chronicle likes to support businesses like yours.' They shook hands and Lansdown and his assistant left. Once they were gone, Dirk typed his report on his laptop and emailed it to his editor. It was now late afternoon and he would finish early for the weekend. He was about to leave when he heard a voice behind him.
'Do you mind if I join you?' Dirk turned around to see Sadie Newman had returned. He gestured for her to sit down, and ordered two coffees. She sat opposite him and crossed her legs. Dirk found his eyes wandering to them, before he averted his gaze quickly.
'Your boss is a very determined man,' he said.
'He's used to getting his way. He's also interested in making money for his shareholders,' she replied.
'This new project means a lot to him. I can see that it will provide homes and jobs for local people.'
'Some local people,' she said. 'It will consist mainly of luxury apartments and offices for large corporate companies, so Mr Lansdown will make a lot of money.'
'What about you Sadie? Do you share his ambitions?'
'I'd like to see Mr Lansdown's new development built soon. If he's happy, then it would make me happy.' She replied. The conversation changed to more light-hearted matters. As he gazed into her eyes, Dirk realised that he found her very attractive.
'I know a nice restaurant nearby. Would you like to go to dinner tomorrow night?' he asked.
On hearing this, Sadie smiled. 'I'd love to.' They exchanged phone numbers and arranged to meet at the restaurant the following evening.
When Dirk arrived at his apartment, he found that he was unable to stop thinking about Sadie. He recalled how she wanted to see her boss's building project start soon. This could only happen once the nightladies had left. It was clear to him that Domino was protecting the nightladies. Dirk realised that if Domino was captured, then the nightladies would be weakened. The police could arrest the ringleaders, and the others would flee, leaving the area clear for Aaron Lansdown's construction workers to move in and demolish the site. All he needed to do was to capture Domino. He could write a report for his newspaper, and take a copy to show Sadie when he met her. That would certainly impress her. He hadn't succeeded capturing Domino the first time, but he would be stronger and better prepared the next time.
Dirk removed a phial of green liquid from his fridge and examined it. On his first encounter with Domino, she had gained the upper hand by spraying knockout gas in his face. The following day, Dirk had visited a biologist friend of his, who had taken a blood sample from him. He had then used this to develop a serum which would act as an antidote for the gas. Dirk removed the top from the phial and swallowed the serum in one gulp. Domino wouldn't overpower him again.
From his wardrobe he removed a box which contained his spare costume. Domino had destroyed or confiscated his original one, but he had the foresight to have a duplicate one to wear. He undressed and pulled on his red lycra leotard and tights, which showed every inch of his toned body. He then put on his black trunks, boots, gauntlets and utility belt with his reserve stun gun. Finally he placed his black hood over his head. Falcon was back and ready to go after Domino.
He opened the rear window and climbed onto the fire escape, and into the dark alley below. From there he walked briskly through the abandoned alleys until he reached the arches, which signalled the boundary to the red-light district. As Falcon approached Domino's lair, he saw several nightladies standing around waiting for passing trade. When they saw him, they stared at him nervously.