First Day on the Job [Open]

[Heather Glass - VerMillion]

(OOC Note: This thread is open to one additional person at a time. If you want to jump in and she's already talking to someone, please wait your turn.)

What's perhaps the most surprising thing to Heather about all of this is just how calm she is. Sure, she's now making the leap from a once a week show on a fairly obscure station at an ungodly hour of Saturday night to a once a day show earlier in the evenings on a more popular station, but it's not like she hasn't talked on the radio before. And she got most of the kinks worked out during college: she hardly ever says 'um' anymore. The real trick will be to do seven days of interesting per week rather than one.

And if she can pull this off, she'll probably get an even better time slot or move to a station that can give her a paycheck because then she'll have a following. And if she can get a following people will actually know who she is. People who are not college students or don't know what to do with themselves Saturday nights.

She glances at the clock: 8:57pm. 3 more minutes. She can feel herself getting into the 'zone' she likes to be in. Never mind that she's sitting in a new chair today, or that the mic in front of her is of much better quality. Forget about the fact that she's now hearing the tail end of some boring show where they're discussing local politics. Forget the unfamiliar sound of a new station's transition music. She's VerMillion now, and it's her turn to talk.

"Hellooo Gotham! It's nine o'clock in the PM, you're listening to WGGZ, and that means it's time for News And Views with VerMillion - that's me. And if I sound a little excited, that's because it's my very first day on this station. I'd like to thank my loyal listeners who have followed me here from WDOX, you're awesome. And if you've never heard of me before then I'm pleased to meet you!

"My top story for tonight: (I'm sure that most of you have already heard about it, but I haven't gotten the chance to talk about it yet so I'm gonna) Gotham's very own Prince of Puzzles - that's the Riddler, for those of you who are a little slow - has tagged a billboard in central Gotham. Of course, as you'd expect from the Riddler, it isn't any ordinary bit of graffiti but a message of some kind. I have a picture of it linked to my page on WGGZ's website if you'd like to take a look. And if you like to share your View on this News, call 958-867-5309.

"Now, I don't know about you, but my View is that this is a perfect example of what I'm always asking: Where was Batman? Spray paint doesn't just appear on a billboard, and he's supposed to be watching after the citizens of Gotham, isn't he? Right in the middle of the city too... Of course, Gotham's Finest don't ever seem to have much luck with this guy either. We'll have to see if the FBI can do anything, but everyone else has proven how useless they are so I'm not holding my breath.

"Of course, an even better question is what does this message mean? Is he going after another stupid citizen, a bank, a museum, or is this a challenge to the FBI? Or is this just a sign that he got bored while playing hide and seek with Batman?" she finishes, before giving the phone a nervous glance. Much to her relief, the flashing light tells her she won't have to talk for an hour by herself tonight.

"But enough about what I think. Let's get to our first caller! Who are you and what is your view?"

[Deleted]

Edward happened to be driving back from the CVS store when he heard the radio change to a new talk store host. He didn't pay much attention to it. He had only been listening to the channel to hear the newest information on the politics involving the FBI. It wasn't until he heard his name did he pear up from his notepad to glance at the radio. He heard Allen smirk from the front of the car. Interesting, it looks like his riddle had caught the attention he needed. He did love when the public focused on his genius. It was the proper place to focus. He listened to her somewhat pointless comments. He did not find it surprising at all that she had not figured out his riddle. It was far one of the simplest riddles he had ever given. He hadn't had much time to focus on it. He was too busy preparing to his real riddle that would be placed in the FBI headquarters by Selina. He still needed to send that Get Well card.

But even his simplist of riddles was far too advance for the idiotic Gotham citizens.

He pulled out his blackberry and pressed in the number. He heard Allen sigh from the front. "You really going to call, boss?" he asked as he stopped at a stop light.

"I can't let fools analyze my work," he defended his need for attention. He heard the phone ringing, waiting patiently as he doodled on his pad. "Turn the radio down," he commented to Allen. Allen did as told.

Let's get our first caller! Who are you and what are your views?

He rolled his eyes. The typical radio comment. "You may call me Mr. Fischer," he stated causally still not putting much focus on to the person on the phone. He was equally entertained by the question marks he was littering his notebook with. "I happen to agree with your comment of the Batman. He has been quite scarce recently. The Riddler has been running through Gotham for over a year now. In that period, he has robbed multiple museums and stolen millions of dollars from Gotham City Bank. It quite odd that the Batman hasn't appeared. Have the riddles gotten too difficult for him? As for the riddle itself, maybe you are thinking too small, dear."

[Heather Glass - VerMillion]

Actually, Heather is quite the intelligent young lady. It isn't as easy as it seems to carry a non-stop conversation for an hour, even with people calling in. Especially when people call in, sometimes. Problem is, if she were to talk at the level of her own intelligence, the average listening public would probably not be able to follow along. Unless she got a job on NPR, of course - the people who listen to that expect that sort of thing. But, unfortunately, VerMillion has to babble on like an idiot - it's the nature of the radio.

"Hmm, maybe. May. Be," she replies, "It's always so hard to predict a guy like the Riddler: operates on a higher frequency than most people. But if Batman can't keep up, then he should probably leave it to the professionals - or maybe he is and that's why he's not trying. Not that the GCPD is exactly full of 'professionals'." She gives a quick laugh. "But if I'm thinking too small, do you have a theory about what the Riddler is up to, Mr. Fischer?" she asks.

[Deleted]

His pen stopped moving at that compliment. He smirked and found himself leaning back into his seat. Was it possible that a Gotham citizen actually possessed a brain? He glanced out the window at the annoying people. No, very unlikely.

"No Darling," he said with the wave of his hand, "The Batman has not left it to professional. The man is obsessed. My barest dabbles in psychology taught me that he must have lost something in his childhood that he was unable save. With the Batman, maybe it was his barbie doll and his older brother ripped the head off of. One can never be quite sure with the Batman. He is a puzzle himself. I am sure that is why the Riddler must be so entertained and why radio host, like yourself, constantly bring him up." He glanced at the window, his eyes drifted upwards to the roof. It was a natural response when talking about Batman. He was quite insulted though. It had been over a year. Why was the Batman ignoring him?

"As for the riddle, well knowing the Riddler it is only a small piece in his overall plan. He always gives riddle after riddle. The first riddle in such a common place, but an easily attention setter is obviously the first, meaning the smallest and least important of all the riddles. The next riddle, I assume, would be in a far more selective place that would only happen if he succeeds at the first. The first riddle gives you the clue to the length of the scheme. Take the museum heist a year ago that was all over the news because it was his first action since escape of Arkham. The first riddle for the heist was to the GCPD. It was not made public. Therefore, it plan must not have been as meaningful as others. Why would he waste resources? We have to think economically, of course dear. We are in a economic down turn at the moment. Has anyone considered these rogues are facing the same hardships of the US economy? With that information, this risk, the time, the effort, seems a bit much for a small first riddle. What he is planning, well only a genius could be certain, but it seems far bigger then mere theft or a puzzle with people."

[Heather Glass - VerMillion]

Actually, VerMillion constantly brings up Batman because it's good for business. She gets so many listeners that way, whether they agree with her professed opinion on him or not. Why, exactly, the average person has such an interest in him is not something she's ever pondered. She simply knows that they do and exploits that to the fullest extent possible. "Well, if he's obsessed, it's even more pathetic then that he hasn't succeeded yet, isn't it?" she asks rhetorically before the man on the line moves back to the subject of the Riddler.

Now this is the type of caller she likes: someone to takes the pressure off of her by speaking at length without making it so boring that she has to cut them off to preserve the entertainment value of her show. "You certainly sound like you've done your homework, Mr. Fischer," she replies when she's finished, "Though if you're right that makes me wonder about that crossword he put in the newspaper not long after that. That was also very public, but after that all that happened was that they found a dead woman in a death trap."

Heather remembers that one very well herself, since she'd covered it. Of course, virtually nobody had heard it since she'd still been on WDOX at the time. It hadn't received much coverage in general because the woman killed was extremely unimportant and the rest of the evidence prompted many questions and few answers so it didn't make for a good story. But it was enough for VerMillion that the one obvious thing about that incident was that the dark knight had failed to save someone yet again, and the coincidence that the woman had shared her name had helped it catch her attention.

"If you're right, that case may have been more meaningful than it seems. I might have to look it up again," she comments. Though of course, she won't since she doesn't really care. But pretending to take her callers seriously is good for business, after all. "So if he's up to something much bigger this time, any guesses about what it could be?"

[Deleted]

His eyebrow furrowed in annoyance at the mention of Nina's riddle. He hadn't even considered that when he came up with his personal analysis of his riddles. Had Nina's riddle been important? Nina, herself, had been very important to him. If only she would stop being so difficult and secretive. He shook his thoughts away from Nina. She was always too distracting for him, especially when he needed to focus.

"The Riddler's riddles always hold more value then what the average mind believes," he stated, slightly irritated. If a radio host wanted to look into it, he doubted she would find anything useful. Batman and the GCPD had figured out nothing. Even with Nina's disappearance, reappearance, and disappearance again, they had still yet to trace her to his location. Stupid. They were all stupid.

"Guesses?" he commented to her next question. He almost laughed, but held it back. "No, I do not have guesses," he stated honestly. He smirked as he leaned his elbow against the car door. "A better question to ask is why has the FBI decided to start their mission with Gotham City?" he asked. His mind jumping to all the answers he knew. It was the same thing he had told the Joker. If you start of we the simplest riddle, you can figure out all the pieces to the puzzle. The riddle started with the FBI.

[Heather Glass - VerMillion]

"Oh, I'm sure they do," VerMillion responds immediately to Mr. Fischer's first statement, her tone completely sincere. She's gotten so accustomed to expressing a strong level of respect for the rogues of Gotham that she hardly pauses to reflect upon whether or not she actually believes what she's saying as she says it - it just naturally pours out any more.

She's mildly surprised when the man takes her question, turns it around and suddenly asks her a different one. On a subject she'd rather be wary of, actually - she's in a position to hear some of the more... uncomfortable rumors about the FBI and knows for a fact that she doesn't want them paying any attention to her. She has nothing at all to hide, in all actuality being simply a recent college graduate from rural Kansas, but that doesn't mean she wants them to be looking anyway.

Still, she doesn't miss a beat when she comments, "Well, I'd guess Gotham got that honor by being the most crime-ridden city in the U.S. We've been up to our armpits in street gangs, organized crime, and the costumed set for years and it's only gotten worse, not better. Might as well get the hardest city over with first. And if they do it here, then they know they can do it everywhere." At least, that's the first largely neutral thought that comes to mind, and she need not dig any deeper than that on her show. Again, this is not NPR.

And expressing her own opinion on the fly is a lot of work, which is why she's quick to shift that burden back onto Mr. Fischer with, "Would that be your answer too, Mr. Fischer?" Since he's the one who brought up the question, she can hopefully assume that he has an interesting answer.

[Deleted]

His finger tapped along the side door as he listened to the predictable spill leave her mouth on the phone. He almost felt like whistling to entertain himself. The statement was the first step in analyzing the situation, but to come to the true answer you had to dig deeper.

"No, my answer is far more complex, but as always it starts with one simple statement," he paused as his thoughts went over to the man who constantly hid in the shadows, "The Batman."

His eyes looked into the shadows, almost as if the Batman were right there watching him at the very instant. "Gotham City might have the highest crime rate, but it has something far more unique. It has Batman. Batman is a hero that some don't even see as a hero. He goes pass the laws and even breaks others. Batman provides the perfect propaganda tool for Washington. A tool that can be used to convince the public that the JLA is a useless but dangerous organization."

[Heather Glass - VerMillion]

"Oh?" VerMillion asks after his first statement, honestly curious to see what the answer is. Whoever this Mr. Fischer is, he's clearly a smart guy so his answer will probably not be the same predictable fare that she tends to dish out. And he definitely doesn't disappoint: it's fortunate that nobody except one of the tech guys can actually see her because her jaw drops in delighted surprise before being replaced by a malicious grin. Did her caller just logically connect Batman as the cause for the F.B.I.'s presence in Gotham?!? Could anything possibly be better for her show at this moment?!

She jumps on it immediately when he finishes. "Now that's a thought, Mr. Fischer," she says, "Only an idiot would call Batman a hero. Before he appeared, Gotham's biggest criminals were the mob bosses, and that was the good old days compared to what we have now. Just by showing up he encouraged and keeps encouraging who knows how many people to go beyond basic cops and robbers - bigger and more dangerous. He's got to go on that alone. But now you're saying the F.B.I. are here to... what, catch Batman and show us how weak he really is?" Actually, she thinks that she knows where the man is really going with this, but she knows that her listeners are idiots who probably need it spelled out for them or they won't get it.

[Deleted]

He scoffed at that answer. These people truly knew nothing. They truly knew nothing about the Batman, but he shouldn't be surprised. To these people Batman was almost a rumored creature. Very few had actually seen him. Very few ever heard the man's voice or felt the grip in their collar as they are violently slammed into a wall. They never saw those dark blue eyes glaring into the soul. They never heard the annoying phrase, 'It's over, Nigma. You are going back to Arkham.'. No, these people knew nothing.

"The FBI is not trying to show how weak Batman is because the man is not weak. They are trying to show that Batman is the true villain. They are taking a city and cleaning up the crime, which admittedly they are not doing a horrendous job. They are ruining the city's economy in the process, but they are cleaning up the streets. The vigilante will act predictably. He will take down the FBI because the FBI is hurting the city. When the nation sees the move after seeing how successful the FBI has been, they will question the heroes motives. The government will use the action as proof that the JLA is against the United States and then use it as the reason to go to war with the JLA and take them out. The reason they choose Gotham is because they know Batman is the only hero who would willingly stand up against the government without care to the repercussions to the JLA. The Batman always does what he believes is morally right no matter societies views. It's quite an ingenious plan by the government because it might actually work.". He paused in his speech. He knew it sounded like a crazed conspiracy theory, but it was true. He had hacked into enough classified documents to know it was. It was the very reason he had come up with his plan and knew his plan would work. The government wanted war so he would give them a war.

"But enough of my rambling. I am sure most of what I said went over your listeners heads. I am certain they wish to get back to the boring tediousness of whatever other caller has to say," he finished.

[Heather Glass - VerMillion]

Whether it's a conspiracy theory or not doesn't really matter to VerMillion. As a supposedly legitimate news source, she's supposed to keep her reports factual and her commentary stated as being her own opinion. But if callers want to spout off theories with no evidence to support it, that's a different matter. She loves it! "Oh, but that's a very interesting idea, Mr. Fischer," she responds, "Of course, that would mean that the government is hurting Gotham on purpose, and that they're willing to sacrifice the safety and freedom of a whole city just to pick a fight with the Worthless League of America." But though the words themselves seem to suggest that she's arguing against his theory, her voice is instead casual and lacking any conviction, suggesting perhaps that the listeners should draw their own conclusions.

But though she's enjoying this particular caller's ideas, she has given a lot more time to this guy than she usually gives to one caller she takes his hint that he's said his piece. "Thank you for your call, Mr. Fischer," she adds as she disconnects the line. "A very interesting idea," she repeats idly, "Well, we have to cut for a commercial break, but don't touch that dial. We'll be back with more News and Views in a just few minutes."

Heather waits for the sound of the station's ads to start, and then breathes a sigh of relief. Her show is going well today, which is a relief because it would literally be horrible if her first show sucked. She's been wanting this opportunity to do her thing in a more public forum for awhile now. Grabbing her bottled water, she sips at it while she lets her mind just space out for a minute to the sound of people trying to sell stuff to her listeners.

But the commercial break doesn't last for nearly long enough before she's back at the mic, "Welcome back, Gotham, to News and Views! This is your host VerMillion and our story for today is that mysterious message that the Riddler left on a billboard in central Gotham. And it's time for our next caller! Who are you and what is your View?"