IC CONTACT - MASK OR MENACE

[performance]

( text | call | email | voicemail | action )

Comments

[boobwindow]

I'm sorry, Robin. I know he's not the Scarecrow from your world, but it's still Gotham.

[ She doesn't mean to put pressure on him. ]

Think he'll start concocting his fear toxin again?

[performance]

It's possible. But if I had to guess? I'd wager he'll try something new. Same idea, different execution. They like to keep it fresh.

[boobwindow]

Starting with Superboy?

[ It doesn't make a lot of sense to her, but Superman did warn her once about this.

Damn, where's Big Blue when you need him? ]

If he's going to make his toxin again, is there any way a cure can be made? So if he does gas people, there's something to neutralize the effects?

[performance]

Maybe Superboy's the next best thing, in his eyes.

[ How many people is he going to have to warn away from Crane? ]

It is possible to synthesize an antidote. With the right equipment, the right knowledge and preparation... yeah. We could. But if he changes his formula... I don't know. I'm not exactly a chemist, but I could try to advise?

[boobwindow]

I hope not. Superboy might be from an earlier timeline, but he's still packing a lot of power that could be used against us.

[ Crane didn't waste any time the second he got out, didn't he? He's going to harass the lot of them and get a reaction out of someone or worse. ]

How would we do that? We need a sample of his toxin?

[performance]

Yeah. I don't know if any was saved after... but Batman might.

[boobwindow]

[ A beat. ]

Haven't heard from him in a while.

[performance]

[ Awkward. ]

Yeah. He's been, uh... well. You probably know.

[boobwindow]

Have you been in contact with him?

[performance]

Some. Not much. It's— we don't have the same kind of working relationship I'm used to.

[boobwindow]

Is it because he's from a different world? I imagine that might... make it difficult.

[ Or is it because of what happened in August? ]

[performance]

[ There's a hesitation, somewhat awkward. He doesn't like to talk about it, partly because it makes him uncomfortable to discuss it too much and partly because he doesn't know how much anyone else knows. But she asked, and he's promised himself he'll be more forthcoming, so... ]

Yeah. Or that's part of it, at least. There's no Robin in his world. Or at least he doesn't know me yet. And willingly taking on a nine year old is a little bit different than having a fourteen year old dropped on you. So it's... you know... circumstances.

[boobwindow]

I'm sorry that's been the case, Robin.

[ It's so strange to think of a Batman sans Robin. Bruce might be broody and standoffish, but most of them know how much his Robins mean to him. ]

He might be our best bet, but if we can't get a hold of him...

[performance]

I'll do what I can to help. I'm all in. And if we need assistance with the antidote... KF's a serious chemist. Replicated the Flash's superspeed formula in his garage when he was just thirteen. I know he'd be there for us, too.

[boobwindow]

Is he still over at StarkTech?

[performance]

Yeah. Both of us are.

[boobwindow]

He might be willing to help himself if he can. Maybe there's something he can build?

[performance]

You think so? I mean, yeah! It's possible!

[boobwindow]

There's no reason to keep this a secret. If people can have some kind of countermeasure in place, it's all the better.

[performance]

[ A painful reminder, but true. ]

Yeah, I-I know. I made that mistake before. Won't happen again.

[boobwindow]

That's not what I― it's not your fault, Robin.

It's never been an easy choice keeping information from civilians. Look how many people were ready to form an angry mob after Crane.

[performance]

No, no, that's not— you don't have to reassure me. I know it wasn't my fault, it was his, he did all of it...

[ He swallows, hesitating. ]

... I just don't want to lose faith in giving people second chances. I think that's what's really gotten to me. I know how he thinks and I'm not going to let him get in my head but I don't want to let him make me different—

[ Quieter: ] ... sorry.

[boobwindow]

I don't think he will.

I want to believe in second chances as well, but the sad truth is some people never change. Crane's not someone I've had to deal with really, but it's obvious he's got no plans to change his tune.

[performance]

[ Take a breath, let it out. ]

I know. Some people are just... evil. He's one of them.

[boobwindow]

So don't feel bad about it, Robin. You're doing good work already.

[ Changing people for the better isn't technically part of the job description. They can try, but mostly it's putting the bad buys behind bars and ensuring the world is safe. ]