Bigger and Badder [Cobblepot]

[Deleted]

Rooster did not take more than two weeks to get her club back in order, with a few little improvements.  Joker might try to wreak havoc again, but now she was ready for him, and they were kind of buddies.  She needed him to not meddle tonight so she actually had a shot at getting a crowd in.  She knew numbers might be lower this evening so she was sure to get people in the door quietly, but once all was said and done the doors were nearly jammed with patrons

By the end of the night there had been at least four brawls she had to break up, seven people that had to get kicked out, and three calls made to the police about the noise and what not. 

As her staff finished cleaning and she was counting up the night's profits.  Nearly $30,000 in one night.  Of course, Joker busting the place up before, while she thought it would do her no good, it apparently got her name and club's name around town.  People came out with an attitude of 'screw the bad guys, this is out club now'.  Rooster, to say the least, was pleased.  She gave all her staff some pocket change in thanks and once they left she began to lock up. 

The money was safe, buried deep down in the sub basement in a safe worth its weight in gold.  She was still in her evening giddup.  She set her hat on the bar and headed to the DJ booth before going to finish locking up.  She wanted to listen to a little music while she finished up the night.  She just put it on random and got something truly random.

She shuffled and waltzed back to the doors to lock them up.

[Oswald Cobblepot - The Penguin]

Restoration for the Iceburg lounge would soon be complete and so Oswald's attention had returned to considering the competition in Gotham's night scene. It had been a few months since he'd been part of the club business and new businesses were popping up all the time like weeds that needed pruning. While he was quite certain his establishment would once more claim it's place as the best in town it wouldn't hurt to take out a few of the most popular before they started to attract a little too much attention.

The Troubador was on the list. Records showed that the Joker had already taken an explosive interest in the place and that was all for the best, the faster they gave up and cleared out the better.

Only two thugs were sent though, turning up after hours they parked outside, donned balaclavas and carried shotguns to the door. They had clear instructions not to mention the Penguin but to get the days money and wreck the place.

The sound of music playing inside was off putting but for fear some member of the public would call the cops at the sight of them hanging around outside they didn't hesitate for long before they kicked open the door moments before Rooster could lock them "Get back! Hand over the cash!" One yelled, pointing his gun at Rooster while the other quickly scanned the room, checking they were all alone.

[Deleted]

Rooster was not startled by the busting of the door, she half expected something like this to happen. She continued her dancing.

"Gentlemen! Wow, I didn't know yas a bringin' me a pair of fancy new shotguns."

As they advanced toward her, she knew they had no intent to actually kill her, they honestly wanted the money.

"Now boys, I got my money all nice'n put away, won't'chy'all cut some RUG-"

She jumped up on the table between them, putting her hands on it and spreading her legs out rising to kick them each in the face simultaneously.

"WITH"

They fell to the ground, she hopped down taking their guns by the barrels, pulling them from them. Then the butts of their shotguns came to each of their noses.

"Me?"

Rooster had a nice little chuckle. She unloaded their weapons, set them aside, and grabbed some rope. By the time they could come to, thanks to Rooster throwing water over them, they would find themselves hog tied and sitting in chairs.

"GENTLEMEN, please, allow me to introduce you to The Governor."

An English Mastiff stood beside her, growling while slobber dribbled down off his jaws.

"See, ol' Governor here really don't like it when people come around demanding his Mistress' hard earned dolla bills, boys. Heh, heh, heh."

The dog growled even louder and barked.

"So, you got two options here. Y'all start talkin' and maybe Governor won't bite them nasty little faces off, or you don't talk and I just go ahead and shoot them knee caps right off for you and let Governor have his fill o' fun."

She pressed the barrel of a larupa to each of their knee caps and gave them her most charming of smiles, her eye lazily darting between the two of them.

"So what'll it be, hombres?"

[Deleted]

He had been upstairs playing poker with the guys and was cleaning house. Of course.....he was cheating the whole time. He came out carrying a small bag that jingled and paused to see Rooster holding two thugs at bay. he strolled up casually and looked over the situation. He casually examined the two men.

"Hello Mutt."
"Hello Jeff."

That wasn't their real names but when they worked for him that's what they called him. Joker dismissed them because he liked to rotate his flunkies to keep things fresh, but he knew where is past employees were at all times. You never knew when you had to go off a former accomplice.

He turned to Rooster giving her a disinterested expression.

"Penguin."

He made his way to the door.

"By the way. You my want to give your guys and advance on their next checks. they're all broke."

[Deleted]

Beretta just stomped at Joker. Half out of being pleased to know, but half to express her discontent.

"Can't'cha jus' let a girl bussa kneecap? Hmm? Alright, have a good night, sug. Don't forget that mallet I done made for Mizz Harley next to the door."

Once he was gone she looked back at her two little captives. She gave them a savage and toothy grin.

"MMMM y'all lucky when the Joka's Wild, beaus. Why don't we send gy'all off with a little burn instead of a bang, eh?"

She walked over to a fire place nearby and pulled a rod off of it. At the end of it was a brand that looked like a rooster but was arranged in a way that the word Rooster made up the image of the rooster through metamorphosis. She dipped it in a bucket of water and kicked them off their chairs. She used her the knife in her boot to cut their pants. She gave them each a brand on their rears and then cut the ropes tying them. She threw the brand into the bucket of water and picked the larupas back up.

"Now, y'all get the hell out my club and you go tell Mr. Cobblepot the Rooster's a crowin at the Penguin to come on yonder to the farm house, but he will find they ain't no hens here. Now go on, get!"

And a couple of shots at their feet to motivate them to make haste were added.

[Deleted]

As Mutt & Jeff The Joker burst out laughing as he exited he declared seemingly to no one.

"The Battle of Gotham has begun!! is it Bats vs Joker? NO!!! Hold on to your down pillows gang, this one is for the birds! It's Penguin vs Rooster!!! Yes Gotham, place your bets! The cock fight will begin any day now! Who will come out the prize turkey and who will just LAY an egg?

The Rooster crows at dawn! Be here or be chicken feed!!"

His laugh echoed though the streets until it faded away.

[Oswald Cobblepot - The Penguin]

The Penguin removed his monocle and rubbed his eyes as he listened to the tales of two thugs he'd sent out on a simple job to scare some competition out of town. He didn't care that they'd been threatened, shot at and beaten, he didn't even care that they'd been branded though he wished they'd shut up about it. He'd been happily relaxing at home and they'd gone and ruined his evening with their incompetence.

They'd run out of the club and driven straight over to Oswald's mansion to whine about this woman without so much as a thought to the notion that Oswald might be mad enough to kill the messenger. It wouldn't be the first time, good thugs were so hard to find and he was very determined not to have some idiot destroy his carefully constructed life and send him back to jail.

He quickly grew tired of the grovelling pair and with a wave of a hand they were dragged out of the room never to be let out unsupervised again.

He spent the next hour doing research into this club owner and didn't much like what he found, particularly the knowledge that an ex-law enforcer knew anything about a connection between him and the thugs. That could be dangerous but easily denied. She couldn't be that involved with the police if she was willing to let the Joker come and go anyway, though the clown was another uncomfortable addition to the problem.

He needed to know if this woman was going to be a threat and clearly couldn't trust someone else to deal with her. Finally about two hours after the thugs left Oswald's car pulled up to the front of the club and he sat in the passenger seat next to Terry, one of his smarter and bigger thugs who was playing driver for the evening.

After a few minutes of quiet study the pair leave the car and Oswald waits for Terry to knock on the door while he watches the quiet streets.

[Deleted]

Rooster was still awake, though she had been finally preparing for bed. She heard security system alerting her to someone at the door of the club. She pulled the feed up on her computer behind her. She smirked and her voice came through.

"Mmm, you comin' to give me a lift or comin' up for a night cap? Hmmm?"

She sat at her vanity again, picking up a bottle of a perfume and misting it around her neck and wrists. She set it down and picked up one of her larupas, making sure it was loaded. She walked over to her closet and slipped into a pair of red boots and pulled one of those sheer robes with the rich and full feather boa at its edges, including the cuffs. It was blue. Aside from that she only wore undergarments, the patch over her eye. Her hat was absent.

The lady headed down to the front doors and unlocked them. She smiled as the doors opened.

"Forgive me, but I was 'bout to slip inta bed, gentlemen, but I suppose I can keep away for a little business."

[Oswald Cobblepot - The Penguin]

The pair glance over at the source of the voice and Terry quickly fixed on the speaker before leaning in to check exactly where the camera is "The night's still young" he mutters as a joke to himself, despite the small frown it gets him from his boss.

The possession of a sense of humour was one of the main reasons Terry had been chosen though. Oswald has several sets of staff that he'll choose between and keep close depending on the situation. Despite the suggestions that he's over compensating for his own diminutive stature he'll quite often be seen with two large and muscled, if smartly suited, men to give the impression that it was a very bad idea to do something Oswald didn't like. Terry was one of them, the other, Mike, was Oswald's preferred bodyguard but he only did intimidation so tonight he remained at home. Oswald still wanted the option to throw around a little muscle but he didn't want it to seem like that was his intention, Terry could actually look non-threatening.

Oswald remained quiet until the door opened, he was busy thinking. The club clearly had a decent security system with cameras, that could be an issue, he'd have to pick his words carefully.

His best smile was plastered on when Rooster finally appears at the door and he tips his hat politely, an eyebrow slightly raised for her attire though he doesn't comment on it "My apologies madam, the hours of a club owner are unpredictable at best but it was not my intention to keep you from sleep. I merely heard that you may have had some trouble recently and wished to enquire"

[Deleted]

Rooster smiled to the body guard and then to Cobblepot.

"Come up to my penthouse, I don't talk business at my doors."

Rooster beckoned them in, once they were in she shut and locked doors behind them. She led them to a hidden elevator and they headed to the fourth floor. Soon they were walking into her living room. It was simple, but large. Her couches were purple with teal patterns embroidered in. Her coffee table was a little tiny grand piano, meant to look like Schroeder's piano from the Peanuts. She beckoned them to take a seat and went to a wet bar nearby.

"Can I offer either of you something?"

She poured herself a whiskey and stood, looking back at them waiting for an answer.

Eventually once everyone got what they wanted she took a seat in an arm chair and looked over to Cobblepot.

"So, you tryin' to run me outta town, eh? I ain't so easy to scare, Mr. Cobblepot. Now, last I heard your club got a little torn up. I think I can help you out, but I don't help anyone that tries to chap my ass, so perhaps we can come to some sort of agreement."

She picked up some papers and tobacco from a box on an inn table beside her and began rolling herself a cigarette.

[Oswald Cobblepot - The Penguin]

Oswald got his first view inside the club as he followed Rooster. Immediately he started mentally picking out everything he didn't like and reassuring himself that the Iceberg was definitely going to be a class above once the rebuild was complete. He even thought his elevators were better hidden than hers but he had a very different purpose for hiding things.

"A scotch will suffice" Oswald replied as he took in the room, trying to guess the price of things and judging, always judging. The tiny piano seems to confuse him and he gives it a funny look as he sits down.

Terry doesn't respond to the question. He's staff, he's used to being ignored when people are meeting with the Penguin. He doesn't sit either but wanders the room, just appearing curious but keeping Rooster in his line of sight out the corner of his eye while he glances out the windows and looks for cameras.

Oswald fakes mild surprise and looks almost amused as he settles comfortably on one end of a couch "Run you out of town? I wouldn't dream of it. Our clientèle is clearly very different, I'm sure those who have to monitor their finances will be more than happy with what you have put together here" A small pause and he looks curious though "Do tell how you believe you can be of assistance however, I'm always interested to hear of the plans for new businesses"

[Deleted]

Rooster poured the man the finest scotch she had. She didn't drink it often, but when she did she wanted something only twenty years or older. After pouring the drink she grabbed a box off her wet bar. She set the drink down before him and opened the box to him, revealing highly illegal cuban cigars. People like he and herself did not put legality before quality. She smirked at the funny look he gave her coffee table.

"I'm a traditionalist, scotch always needs its sweet friend from cuba to go with it, eh?"

After that she was back to her chair, rolling that cigarette for herself. She listened to him, he was a bit pompous, but at least he knew how to play it cool. She had to give him that, even if his words dripped with arrogance.

"God loves a workin' man and so do I, Mr. Cobblepot. Stocks rise and fall, but the need for labor never falters, it only rises. Your patrons may have ivory towers but mine got gold hearts, sug."

Rooster chuckled at her observation and smiled at his question and the curious look on his face. She pressed a few buttons on her inn table and the television above her fire place came to life. Images of other clubs came up, one by one. The first was a simple, elegant, and attractive little night club, another was a rather irish looking pub with rich wooden bar tops and furniture, another was very fun looking with plenty of pin-up art on its walls, another looked as though every inch of it were intricate LED light walls, and the last was art deco with very regal vibe to it.

"I minored in Theatre during my college days. Never cared much for acting, but I did love me some stage craft, found my groove as a carpenter while I was there. I design and personally help craft my own clubs and all their associated parts and pieces. I serve many groups, I think each town has its own niche of people, so to speak. Anyway, in order to create these things I have I employ very talented carpenters, lighting designers, masons, and artisans."

She flicked the ash of her cigarette into the ash tray on her inn table, there was another tray before Mr. Cobblepot on her coffee table.

"If I felt so inclined, I think I could find some fine labor and talent to cut down your rebuild and restoration time to less than half of what it is currently estimated at. And maybe, if things continue to go smoothly, then if there are any future repairs and restorations that must be made those same people can be called upon again to do what they do so well."

Rooster dangled her ankle leisurely as her right leg was crossed over her left knee. She looked up to her clubs on the screen once again and then back to Cobblepot.

"I may be crass, but I got more than a few tricks and talents up my sleeves to back it all up, we stay on each other's good sides we might have a lot to learn from eachother."

[Oswald Cobblepot - The Penguin]

Oswald accepted the scotch and raised an eyebrow at the cigars. Someone was clearly trying to impress. He took one and gave it a quick sniff to try and decide if it was genuine before snipping the end and smoothly lighting it, he still gave it a moment before actually putting it to his lips but he seemed satisfied that it wasn't a horribly cheap knock off.

"If only hearts of gold had a bit more monetary value" Oswald mutters back before his attention is drawn to the television and he narrows his eyes at the screen. Interesting. He gets up and steps a little closer for a better look, removing his monocle in the process and tucking it in a pocket as he considers the quality of the work.

"I presume you would have some examples of this craftsmanship within the building I could peruse? Pictures rarely show a complete view, they're so often staged to get only the best side" Cheaper and faster labour did appeal to him, he'd been using the same few companies for years and they were coming to be increasingly complacent. He trusted them to keep their mouths shut though and given numerous things they've built for Oswald don't appear on any blueprints that trust was quite important.

"And in return you simply desire a cash sum of compensation for gathering these skilled workers or was there something else you were looking for?" He's curious, between the Joker hanging around before, the illegal cigars and now her striking up what potentially sounds like a deal he's wondering just how law abiding she is.

[Deleted]

Rooster just rolled her eyes bemusedly at his jab. She sighed and smiled watching him observe her and her people's work on the screen. She leaned back in her seat a little, taking a long drag of her cigarette and flicking ash in the tray once again.

"Oh I have a sample just for you down on the third floor, we'll go observe that in a moment, for now let's enjoy our drink and smoke, Mr. Cobblepot."

She crossed her legs the other way at the mention of compensation.

"Money, that ain't somethin' I really go for in exchanges like this, sug. Think of it as a favor to be returned. And don't worry, I don't ask anything more than what I give."

After a moment more she finally stood. She walked over to a long closet near the elevator and pressed a button at the middle. The door retracted and revealed a long line of coats. She began looking through them, looking over her shoulder to Oswald here and there.

"Perhaps you can afford me a time in the future to show me what's good in your eyes here in Gotham, Mr. Cobblepot. I may look and sound like a bit of a hillbilly, but I am a fan of the finer things, as well."

She reached into the closet and pulled out a lush and soft coat of beaver fur. It was tea length so it fell all the way past her ankles. She had slipped her robe off just before so they would not overlap one another. She turned to them with the fur pulled around her snugly.

"So, would you like to see a piece of what's to come, gentlemen?" she asked as the elevator doors opened.

"Please, bring your drink and cigar, you will need it."

[Oswald Cobblepot - The Penguin]

Oswald turns his gaze back to Rooster as she suggests a favour. Interesting. She almost reminded him of himself when he wasn't trying to show off for the public, which left him wondering just whether that was on purpose "A favour may be acceptable, though I reserve the right to discuss terms when it is called in to ensure everything is fair" He was treading lightly but clearly intrigued.

Returning his monocle to his eye he sips his scotch as he watches her searching through her coats and quietly made some guesses on just how much such a wardrobe collection must cost. There must be some money to the woman, that alone made her worth the time. The request for a trip out into the city is still unexpected, though only mild surprise shows "I fear there may be little in the way of bar fights in such an evening but perhaps it can be arranged, since you are quite new to the area" He chuckles lightly "Quite what I expected from this visit tonight I'm uncertain but it certainly wasn't a business proposition and the possibility of an evening out on the town. Do lead on though my dear, I'm keen to see what the evening is to hold next" He comments as he follows her into the elevator, Terry following close behind.