***Author's note: I pictured the Christian Bale at his prime from "The Dark Knight" and Anne Hathaway's portrayal from "Dark Knight Rises" as I wrote this, but feel free to imagine them, and how the Penguin looked, however you like. Everything that follows is
exactly 750 words
***
The Gotham Met was packed with the rich and glittering. Gleaming after a two-year renovation, the formal ball celebrated the grand re-opening the following day. Muttering into the concealed microphone in his boutonniere, adjusting his earpiece, Bruce worked to mask the intense stress that consumed him.
"Still no chatter, Alfred?" Carefully ensuring he wasn't overheard. "If Penguin's moving that weaponized avian flu virus, everyone from Al Qaeda to Ras Al-Ghul must be placing a bid."
"Patience, Master Bruce," the calm voice reassured him. "We'll know the moment it goes on the market."
"The means to wipe out half of humanity in that madman's hands and I'm stuck here." Impotent rage infused his growled whisper.
"You are the largest donor, sir, so-,"
"Hold that thought!" Bruce spotted the unmistakable profile of a masked Selena Kyle, slipping the velvet rope-line leading to the visiting collection gallery.
"Should I remote pilot the Batmobile around, sir?"