158 The Capital Game

"Money, Capital..." Bruce muttered the word, a bit perplexed by its implications.

"You've got luck on your side, Bruce. Plenty of capable folks paving the road for you, allowing you to splash around with capital. However, you're also a bit daft, not maximizing the use of it," Jack remarked, sighing. "Let me put it this way, what's your take on New York City?"

"...Safe?" Bruce cautiously responded, mindful of their previous discussion. Development wasn't on the table, so he settled for the safest description.

Jack, despite the scolding earlier, struck a chord. Bruce didn't get angry because deep down, he sensed the truth in Jack's words. It had nothing to do with some mysterious allure.

"It's not entirely secure, but it's not a haven for drug lords either. Why?" Jack asked. "Attention and the power of capital. They've brought in enough benefits. That's why various consortiums have moved in. Imagine, would these powerful entities tolerate gangsters threatening their safety?"

"No," Bruce thought of his wise butler Alfred and the wisdom he shared. It resonated.

"Exactly," Jack grinned. "If it reaches that point, the problems in Gotham, root and all, would sort themselves out. No need for your little game of pretending as a bat."

Was Gotham's situation really such a complex puzzle?

Jack added, "I'm here to teach you the capital game. When the benefits are massive, even the Joker can't stand against a military presence in Gotham!"

Bruce fell into a momentary silence.

Reluctantly, he admitted that when he considered Jack's perspective, the suggested method seemed... plausible.

"Of course, it's not as straightforward as I make it sound. Before that, we need to address the surface security issues in Gotham," Jack explained. "This is where you come in, Mr. Bruce. I need your assistance in every sense, and as a reward, I'll help you tackle these problems."

Bruce, curious and somewhat skeptical, questioned Jack about the apparent contradiction in his earlier statement that only one person could complete the assessment task.

Jack clarified that while he couldn't utilize department resources, personal assistance gathered through his own abilities was unrestricted. He proposed a unique collaboration, aligning Bruce's goal of changing Gotham with Jack's mission to investigate gangs and companies for tax evasion.

Intrigued by the proposal, Bruce contemplated the feasibility of working together. Although cautious and not entirely convinced, he found Jack's reasoning compelling. Bruce planned to verify the details through thorough investigation before committing.

Jack, pointing at Bruce's incomplete Batman uniform, advised him to proceed with his original plan of gathering information on the gangs' power. He urged Bruce to share a mobile phone number for communication before briskly dismissing him.

Left without further answers, Bruce contemplated unconventional ways to extract more information from Jack, even considering buying the rented house to approach him as a landlord.

Money, it seemed, spoke a different language in Bruce's world.

...

Back at Wayne Manor, Alfred noticed a change in Bruce's demeanor. Bruce, still deep in thought, shared the information from Jack. Alfred, drawing from his past experience as an MI5 agent, validated the credibility of Jack's claim about the strength of the IRS intelligence and secret service departments.

While uncertain about the titles of senior and special agents, Alfred found Jack's proposed method for solving Gotham intriguing and worth considering.

The collaboration with Jack had added a layer of complexity to Bruce's mission, leaving him with much to ponder.

"Do you think so too?" Bruce nodded thoughtfully, appreciating the insights.

"Of course, I don't know anything about capital operations, but I suggest you go find Mr. Fox and ask," Alfred added, his wisdom evident in the suggestion.

"Why not Earl?" Bruce inquired, curious about the choice.

"Master, I never like to speak ill of people behind their backs, but Earl... he is not a good person. I always feel that making him the chairman of Wayne Group was a wrong decision," Alfred expressed candidly. "In comparison, Mr. Fox is more reliable. He's very capable, much better than Earl in every sense."

"I understand. I will ask tomorrow, and by the way... get some new equipment," Bruce affirmed.

The formidable skills displayed by Jack fueled Bruce's desire for even more powerful equipment to enhance his capabilities.

.....

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