Riddle 039: Same Time, Same Bat-Channel

[questionauthority]

[ACTION - AROUND MAYFIELD

Well, that past couple of weeks sure was hell. But now that the Riddler's got his memories back and his brain in proper working order, he's going to be swinging around town---around the school, around the hospital, even door-to-door---to check up on certain people.

For some, he might stay to talk. For others? There may be no sign that Edward was even here, apart from an envelope on their doorstep. What do they say? Who are they for? Now that's a riddle, isn't it?

Knock knock.

ACTION - 726 ANDERSON LANE | THE HALL OF DOOM

And now that all that's taken care of, it's time to settle into his underground headquarters for a bit of contingency planning. If this place has the power to take his memories away again, then time is of the essence. He can't get distracted by---

Huh. This definitely isn't how the atrium of his headquarters looked earlier this afternoon. He's momentarily concerned about how all this junk got down here, and whether or not the Mailman tampered with anything in his supposedly secret HQ, but the suspicion is fleeting. Apart from the new decor, nothing appears to have been broken, stolen, tampered with, or otherwise touched. He really should be more worried about his security system, but that can be taken care of later on this evening. Right now, he's just recovered a blast from his colorful past, the set to something he's not seen in ages.]

Now, how did that old intro go again...? [He clears his throat, trying to remember.] Ladies and gentlemen...

[He glances around the seemingly empty Hall before twirling his cane and adopting the voice of something resembling a game show announcer, his tone suave, showy, and saccharine. As he continues with this incredibly self-indulgent introduction, it's easy to tell that he's really getting into it.]

Ladies and gentlemen, we're now only moments away from midnight... the Hour of Uncertainty. The time when all stands revealed, naked in the face of complexity. Ladies and gentlemen, The Riddle Factory is proud to present...

"Riddle Me This!" With your host... the man of questions, intrigue, and style... the lean, mean, green machine... the Riddler!

[He chuckles to himself, nostalgic at glory days long gone, before poking his head around his evil lair-turned-television set.]

Comments

[glowing_skye]

I'll see you at seven.

[She waves goodbye to him and heads back into the house to finish up some chores and get ready. The afternoon comes and goes, and by the time seven o'clock pm rolls around, Ema's wearing a not-too-dressy black dress and waiting for Edward to knock on the front door.]

[questionauthority]

[And once Edward's done conversing with Crane and chewing the fat with the Flash, he'll be at Ema's door. It'd probably be difficult else to notice, but the suit he's wearing now is a darker shade of green than the one he was wearing this afternoon. He's done a bit of cleaning up, too.

Knock knock.]

[glowing_skye]

[Ema gets up from where she's waiting, grabs her handbag as well as the overnight bag she's packed (just in case), puts on a coat, and answers the door. The change of outfit is noticed--he's dressed up, too.]

Right on time.

[questionauthority]

You look lovely. [A peck on the cheek.] The movie starts in twenty minutes. Dinner will have to wait until afterward, I'm afraid, but I took the liberty of picking up some snacks beforehand. You won't be going hungry.

[glowing_skye]

You look great, too.

[Snacks? Oh Edward, this is why she's dating you. Have a smile and a kiss.]

I think I can live with that. I can't imagine the drive-in is going to be very busy in February, but we should probably head out to get a good spot.

[questionauthority]

My thoughts exactly. [He offers a hand.] Shall we?

[glowing_skye]

Yes, let's.

[She takes his hand and lets him lead her to the car. Her overnight bag gets tossed into the back seat before she settles into her own seat in the front passenger's side.]

Do we have a blanket or anything? It's going to be cold.

[questionauthority]

Let me check.

[Before he can get into the front seat, he moves to check the trunk. And wouldn't you know it? Packed amidst Riddler trophies and a spare cane and other sorts of necessary supplies for survival (clearly), there's a thick blanket that's been folded up.]

It seems we do.

[He pulls it out, closes the trunk, and sets the blanket down in the backseat, next to Ema's bag. Following that, he settles into the driver's seat and slides his key into the ignition. Before he starts up the car, he spares a sidelong glance at Ema. There's a lot being unsaid right now and he's reasonably sure they both know it. They've been through a pretty awful couple of weeks together. But, much like everything else they've been through, now is the time to bounce back.

He grins before returning his attention to the car and starting it up, placing his hand on the headrest behind Ema and turning around in order to back out of the driveway.]

[glowing_skye]

[Ema returns his smile as he starts up the car. Yes, there's a lot that's being left unsaid--for now--but they have all night to revisit it all. Right now, Ema's just happy to be in his company without having to deal with pain, death, failing bodies, or amnesia.

Once he's backed out of the driveway and started driving toward the drive-in, she stretches a little in her seat.]

What movie are we going to see?

[questionauthority]

Abbott and Costello Go To Mars. Should be quite an entertaining picture.

[He smirks, knowing full well that this is exactly the sort of movie just waiting for them to rip it apart.]