Puzzling Business [Lex]

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He sat in the back of an old school american pub that used to be the center of business for people like Falcone back when the mob were the biggest fish in Gotham. The light was dim, so faces could be hidden and transactions would be unknown.

Edward sat in a booth with a dark black suit and bowler cap covering his face. On first glance, you wouldn't assume him to be the Riddler. The only inch of green there was, was on his lapel with a question mark. Though the large riddles had cascaded Gotham, there had been very little sightings of the Riddler. Edward wanted to keep it that way.

A bald man came into the back area, his presence demanding and mood dampening. Edward grinned when he noticed and stood from his seat. "I'm glad to see our last meeting hasn't chased you away, Luthor," he commented with a smug expression, "I'll tell you now, I have not poisoned your drink this time." He chuckled with a sense of arrogance. He took his seat again, not shaking the man's hand only waiting for him to sit as well.

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The schedule was busier than usual today –Flight to Singapore, video conference on Bio-engineering, weapons deal with Metropolis gangs, LexCorp board meeting, Briefing on LexCorps new additions, Meeting and reviewing 25 needed applicants for top LexCorp jobs, firing of employees, Flight to speak with top government officials, and finally meeting with Lexcorp’s lobbying and public-policy team. Normally the schedule would be completed, but Edward Nigma’s strategic move seems to absolve Lex of his initial plans.

The call came directly to Lex’s phone –a fact that made him defensive, suspicious, and curious within a matter of milliseconds. The last time he had met Edward Nigma was one year, minus five months ago: May-28-2011 to be exact. The meeting was one that Lex buried; he had won and lost in that meeting. Lex listened to the quick and shady instructions, his eyes glistened relating all the information that he had uncovered now and then. Lex’s mind worked like a supercomputer, triangulating facts and parallels, maps and reasoning, hidden motives and possible outcomes.

Every move and meeting had a purpose, motive, and consequence. Granted that Lex – though he would never ever verbally or mentally accept it- had been duped by illogical, idiotical, immoral and irregular people many many times – he promised to not be duped again. Once again the sleek limo enters grimey, toxic Gotham city – calling it a city was a leisure that it didn’t deserve. Metropolis was a city, Gotham was garbage. Mercy, as always, is the first one to open the American pub door. She does it out of courtesy and a grudgingly strong respect that, for the first time, is being questioned. Already inside, Mercy analyzes the situation, but rather than just doing that she looks to Lex.

Her gaze while on duty is cold, powerful and unyielding. But ever since Lex’s meeting with Crane she has had mixed feelings altogether. While Mercy is concerned for Lex, he doesn’t pick up on her vulnerable gaze. This location went against Edward’s usual choice. Their last meeting had people and fine food – the pub had few people, not to mention it was unusually dark. Amist, his initial annoyance, a man grins and stands up… Nigma. Without glancing or turning his attention, he responds in a quick and marcato inflection, “Get something to drink and keep an eye out for danger”.

Luthor hoped that this meeting would be in his favor. Edward looked exhilarated and quiet – things that would surely lead to a calculating plan and pitch for Lex. Luthor listened to Nigma’s arrogant comment, noticing smug and all. He also offered his hand, a gesture of formality – only to be in vain with Edward doing nothing but sitting down. Lex’s lips curled slightly, and his resolve to leave the meeting now was growing. Lex didn’t trust Edward in the slightest bit; he had ever reason not to. So when the comment about drugging his drink was made, Lex didn’t laugh a bit. He supplants Nigma by staring at him, focused and oddly cold. After a brief pause he asks, “And what do I owe our reunion to, Mr. Nigma?”