Somewhere A Clock Is Ticking

As par usual, Tim had been the early bird. Though this time it wasn’t his fault, nor was it intentional. It’s just that after a while working with Batman, you start to learn the city. A few choice routes and a little athleticism resulted in the Boy Wonder finding himself arriving early to this da- hang out. Gotham seemed different at this time of year. It didn’t look quite as mean, and not quite as daunting either. It gave off a feeling of hope; as there was something both magical and beautiful about Gotham under snow.

For now, it was rather quiet. There weren’t too many people out just yet, most likely at home, warm, having their dinner before setting out. Tim was stood at an opening, a park bench nearby and a small bin for trash, with trees scattered around, scarce of any leaves at all. Tim had his hands tucked into his pockets, in a futile attempt at staying warm. As time ticked by, Tim pulled his phone from out of his pocket. He wasn’t going to call or text Cass, he just wanted to be sure that no problems had arisen. Nothing… not even a text from Barbara, or a pocket dial from Alfred.

As Tim glanced up from his phone, something caught his eye as he squinted somewhat into the distance. By the road there was a truck, cobalt blue in color and on the side an embellished logo of a fish skeleton – which had caught the Boy Wonder’s attention. It was similar looking to something he had seen in Penguin’s main lair, the Iceberg lounge. Ordinarily, Tim would feed the information back to the Manor and continue on with his plans. But, Penguin was his responsibility, having spent the past couple weeks tracking his exploits.

It was one of those moments in which Tim couldn’t be happy with just being Tim. He needed to be Robin. He knew he shouldn’t, but he did. An exasperated look about him as Tim switched his phone off. He then pulled down the zipper on his red woollen hoodie, and beneath it you may catch a small glimpse of the utility belt strapped around him like a sash atop a white t-shirt. He stuffed his phone back into his pocket, and then reached into one of the belts compartments, removing his jet black domino mask. Putting the mask on, it all but confirmed his intentions; show-time for Robin. Tim hurried through the snow, the earth crunching beneath him as a pathway of tracks followed behind him towards the parked van.

As he got nearer, he glanced about in a frantic fashion, checking to see if anyone else was nearby; no-one was. He manoeuvred himself around to the back of the truck, where he knelt down on one knee. He took this moment to have a look beneath the vehicle before unzipping his hoodie once more, and retrieving another item. With one hand he zipped his hoodie back up, and with the other he nonchalantly placed a small circular device onto the bottom of the vehicle. He twisted the device forty five degree counter-clockwise, and then ninety degrees clockwise; hearing a small beep, confirming the device becoming active.

Tim would then stand up tall, and once again take a few moments to check his surroundings; he was still alone. Of course, Penguin’s trucks never peddled what they were advertising. Curiosity got the better of Tim, as he gently gripped the handles of the doors on the back, pulling them wide open. But as the doors began to open, Tim would see the very top of an umbrella, which spurted out a small blast of colored gas. Instantaneously did the Boy Wonder feint, but before he could fall he was pushed from behind into the truck where two thugs were situated. ”Everything’s set, back to the boss”. The doors were slammed shut as Tim was taken hostage. With the thug outside getting into the van to drive, as they soon disappeared into the city.

-----

”Told ya this would work. He may wear a mask, but under it, he’s as dumb as you idiots!”. It was the gritty sound of Penguin that could be heard, mumbled in its translation. Tim had his eyes closed, only just starting to come to. When he did open his eyes, Tim’s vision was something of a blur. There was a pungent smell in the air, and not a good smell either. It smelt like garbage, and it was a very strong scent – perhaps Penguins cologne. Tim tried to stand up right away, but met resistance. A look about and he found himself bound to a chair, courtesy of some good old fashioned rope. ”Boss, he’s awake”. Another mumbled voice, coming from a rough looking thug that Tim saw as he raised his head a little. Turning around away from several armed thugs, was the small plump figure of Penguin. He waddled over towards where Tim was located, a huge grin plastered across his face.

”Feelin’ a little uncomfortable are we?”. Penguin said with a snarl, puffing on his cigarette. ”Where are we?”. Tim asked, glancing about in front of him. But it was an open area, he could feel wind blow by; this wasn’t a hideout.”You might wanna take a look behind ya”. Penguin said in response, gesturing for Tim to look behind. Tim did, sort of. Doing his very best to glance back over his shoulder at what was behind. He didn’t see much, running water that dropped down to a level below. With the stench he first smelt, he put two and two together; they were at the sewage treatment plant. ”I don’t have time for this, Cobblepot”. Tim said as he turned back to look towards Penguin. Tim really wasn’t that okay with be used as a prop in one of Penguin’s attempts to lure out the Dark Knight. But more than that, Cassie was going to think he no showed. And even explaining what happened wouldn’t be good. He wasn’t meant to be Robin tonight, just Tim.

”No worries, it’s ‘bout time I had a chat with your old man”. Penguin grinned, reaching into the pocket of his coat, retrieving a cell phone. Tim couldn’t help but smirk, what was he going to do? Dial GCPD and ask to speak to Batman? ”And how are you going to do that? You may not of realized this, Cobblepot, but you’r-”. Tim was promptly interrupted as Penguin smacked him across the face with the end of his umbrella. ”Shut it… you best hope he picks up an’ makes time for me”. Penguin said as he began entering a couple of digits.

”This is just bloody rude!”. Penguin squawked out as he was left waiting for some time as the phone proceeded to just ring and ring. ”You bat folk ‘ave no manners? I’m a very busy man”. Penguin added once again. Tim remained sat there with his mouth firmly shut. He figured that a cell must have been left nearby to where he was nabbed, and that means that Penguin won’t be talking to a Bat, but Wonder Girl instead. In a weird way Tim felt a little sorry for Penguin, as he had no idea what he was getting into. No doubt, Penguin would take little to no care with what he says. Chances were that soon, very soon, Tim would get to see Penguin receive a talking to from a teenager who must be less than half his age.

And then it happened, there was an answer, and at the very moment the dial tone stopped, did Penguin begin chirping down the telephone. ”‘ows it going Bats? Miss me?”. The small chubby fellow opened with. ”Look, listen ‘ere. I caught meself one a your little vermin”. Penguin added, followed with a prompt cackle that Tim found himself siding with Penguins thugs as they each felt a little disgusted by that laugh. ”Here’s what’s going to happen, you’re going to do somethin’ for me, understa-”.