Dee spent all of two days barricaded in Palindrome, with only Tangram to
keep her company. She couldn't find anything on the radio to hold her attention
enough, and there was no television here. Instead, she spent hours working
on the puzzle book she had purchased. Once she finished a puzzle, she took
the time to search for words that had mistakenly been added, or playing
around with the jumble of leftover letters.
On the night of the second day, she grew bored. Her food had consisted of
crackers, ramen, and some fruit. She was in the mood for a real meal now,
and she wanted some meat. Though she was loath to return to the place, she
decided to go to the Iceberg Lounge. If anything, she knew she could get
a good meal, as well as have her tiger with her for company. Gathering his
leash and collar, she called him to her.
"We're going to go see that icky bird, darling. He has good food for the
both of us. And Mommy is very hungry right now, so I want you to be on your
best behavior tonight, ok?"
The cub responded by licking her cheek. She smiled as she gathered him into
her arms. He was starting to get almost too big for her to carry. Tangram
sat on the passenger seat, nose pressed to the glass as Dee headed for the
Iceberg. When she arrived, she allowed the valet to take the car, walking
straight into the club, and getting a seat immediately.
"Query, you came back," the waitress, Swan, said.
"Yes. I want to apologize for last time. I was having a really bad day,
and..."
"No need to explain. We've all heard what happened. I can't believe that
he would do such a thing to you! Mr. Cobblepot sends his regards, and wanted
to let you know that you're welcome here any time. Now what can I get you
tonight?"
Dee placed her order, and was surprised when Swan brought over Eddie's bottle
of scotch. She gave a wink, and told her to take it easy this time. Nodding,
Dee poured herself some scotch and sipped it while she waited for her meal.
When her meal arrived, she ate silently. Her mind had ground to a halt,
having so much to process, she wasn't certain where to start. Swan came
back to check on Dee now and then, making certain the woman was being careful
with the scotch.
"Well, well. Look who we have here," a voice sneered.
When Dee looked up, she was confronted with the two women she had seen in
the hideout. She was not shocked by the fact that they were still dressed
like cheap hookers, but she was shocked that they were at the Iceberg. More
shocked that they had actually found her. Tangram bristled as the two slid
into the booth. With a quick wave of her hand, Dee ordered him quiet.
"So you're the one that has Eddie all up in arms." the blonde said.
"Yeah. Why he chose you over us is a mystery. Did someone hit you with the
ugly stick?" the brunette asked.
Lips pressed tightly together, Dee filled the glass almost full of scotch.
She took a sip, counting to ten. She knew she was a far cry from these two,
and had always been aware of it. The kids in the orphanage never let her
forget how ugly they thought she was. Only Eddie had ever made her truly
feel pretty, though Manchu and others had said she was.
Swan had noticed the two enter the booth, and hurried to Oswald's office.
She quickly told him that the two women responsible for the argument between
the Riddler and Query had managed to get into the club. Not only that, but
they had seated themselves at Query's table. Oswald growled. Whoever had
let them in was fired.
Oswald instructed her to gather a few men from security. Before she left,
she informed him that Edward Nigma had been notified that Query was in the
club, as he had requested. Grumbling to himself as he tugged his jacket
on, he made a mental note to have a discussion with Edward to keep his domestic
disputes at home, where they belonged.
"To what do I owe the displeasure of your company?" she asked.
"We just wanna talk, girl to girl to girl," Diedre said, a smile floating
on her face as she gave Nina a wink.
"You should've stayed. We had quite the party after you left," Nina added.
"He wanted you to stay, but we convinced him that we'd have more fun with
just the three of us there."
Dee took a gulp of scotch. She knew she shouldn't, but she couldn't stop
herself. Had it not been in front of her, she wouldn't be drinking at all.
Instead of looking at the women, she concentrated on the glass in front of
her.
"It's funny. We would never have suspected that he'd hook up with a prude
like you," Nina said.
Sip.
"A prude and a troll. Seriously, was he drunk when he met you? Tell us the
truth!" Diedre laughed.
Gulp.
"I think that answers it all. We noticed how sick you looked when you saw
his dick hanging out. Scared of them are you?" Diedre asked, nudging Nina.
Breathe. Control your anger. Do not let them push you. Do not...
"Maybe the reason he's keeping her around is that she's a lesbo. You a lesbo,
girlie? Like a little pussy? We swing that way on occasion. Wanna have a
threesome?"
By now Dee had consumed the entire glass. Full stomach or not, she was drunk.
The smirking faces of the two hovered in front of her.
"The only thing that scares me are your manners. No, that's a lie. Your
fashion sense scares me too. Whores R Us having a blow out sale?"
Nina was the first one to throw a punch. Drunk or not, Dee still had enough
control over her reflexes to duck. She quickly got herself out of the booth,
Tangram following as usual. Standing unsteadily out in the open, Dee readied
herself should the women come at her. The two stood as one, each moving to
flank Dee. The security men, having kept an eye on the situation, started
cautiously closing in on the trio.
"We told you once, girlie, to watch what you said to us." Diedre threw the
second punch, this time catching Dee in the jaw.
Stumbling back, Dee regained her balance, tasting the blood in her mouth.
Her ring was in her pocket, but taking the time to get it out and put it
on would take too much attention away from the two women. She couldn't afford
that in her state.
With a nod to each other, the two swarmed Dee. All three hit the floor,
nothing more than a pile of flying fists and feet. Nina and Diedre soon
found that Dee was still quite capable of fighting. The two resorted to
hair pulling and scratching, squealing when Dee would land a punch or kick.
As fast as it had started, it was over. Three hulking bouncers had a tight
grip on one woman each. They dragged the struggling women over to where Oswald
stood. The man was fuming, chewing the end of his cigarette holder. He wasn't
certain where to start with these three.
"I am certainly disappointed in the behavior shown here tonight. How you
two got in, I have no idea," he said, addressing Nina and Diedre. "Either
way, you two are banned for life. If you ever set foot in my club again,
I shall be forced to call the police on you."
Oswald turned to Dee, who hung limply in the arms of the bouncer. Her hair
fell across her face, but he could see the welts of scratches appearing
all over her exposed skin. With effort, she lifted her head.
"I think I'm going to be sick," she croaked.
"Get her to the restroom, quickly!" he urged, not wanting her to be sick
on his imported wood floor. The bouncer holding her picked her up and hurried
away. "You two take the trash out. Bring whoever let them in to my office
immediately. When Edward Nigma gets here, bring him straight to my office."
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