BAE Chapter 39

It’s Barbara’s first time on TV in a situation like this. She has watched Gotham Insider so many times, but never paid attention to the set, or much about it. Or Summer, for that matter. She was usually just wanting to know what was going on around town.

The lights are bright and there’s no studio audience for this broadcast. It’s just Barbara, Summer, and the crew. Barbara waits offstage as Summer begins the show, sharing some headlines and offering just a little commentary before announcing her headline interview for the night.

Summer is always relaxed and professional, but there’s an extra spark in her tonight. She’s naturally charismatic; it’s why people watch the show. Barbara knows what’s going on: Summer is used to her job. She likes a little excitement, and a sudden change of interview subject with a controversial topic is just what she needs to spice up her week.

“I know that the rumors are already making the rounds, and I know why you all tuned in tonight,” Summer is saying. “So let’s get to it.”

The manager signals to Barbara, and she walks out to take the chair across from Summer. She’s just wearing a long skirt and blouse tonight, without her usual blazer. She’s also done something with her hair. She looks lovely.

“Barbara Gordon. Thank you for joining us.”

“My pleasure,” Barbara replies, assuming a persona of steely cool and ruthless eye contact. It’s not quite the same Barbara that Summer had dinner with the other night.

“Ms. Gordon, while your sudden rise to prominence within Wayne Enterprises is a story in itself, I think it’s overshadowed by the rumors that Wayne Enterprises has initiated court action to see a furlough for Poison Ivy.”

“Well,” Barbara replies with a little laugh. “I can’t confirm that rumor. But I can tell you that I’m personally spearheading an operation for Wayne Tech to collaborate with Dr. Pamela Isley on a cure and a vaccine for the formula used in the Seed attack, which as we all know, affected about five thousand Gotham women.”

“Including you,” Summer replies. She didn’t expect Barbara to come out swinging like this, but she’s a pro. She matches Barbara’s energy.

“Including me,” Barbara says with a smile. “Is that why there’s no audience tonight?” she asks, looking directly at the camera for a moment. “Because you thought that what I’m doing might not be popular?”

Summer’s too good to look taken aback, but this level of candor is not typical on Gotham Insider.

“It’s a controversial thing to do,” she replies neutrally.

“Hardly,” Barbara tells her flatly. “Or rather, it wouldn’t be if the average Gothamite was aware that the formula is now in the hands of Gotham’s criminal element. Working with Dr. Isley might not seem so crazy of an idea when we start to think about the fact that this formula could be in your water supply. It could be slipped into your drink at the bar. This is a problem that we need a solution for, and there’s no better person than Dr. Isley to help us.”

“She created the formula.”

“No one is disputing that she’s good at what she does,” Barbara says.

“Being a criminal.”

“Being an activist. Dr. Isley has never sought to enrich herself or even to cause any harm. Her priority has always been protecting this planet. I don’t agree with her methods, but she shares a common goal with myself and with Wayne Enterprises in not wanting to see this world destroyed by greed.”

“She’s hurt a lot of people,” Summer counters.

“So has Roland Daggett. Last week’s train derailment? Have we forgotten it was only two months ago that Daggett personally broke the rail worker strike that would have guaranteed more safety precautions? Now half of Bludhaven doesn’t have safe drinking water. But I don’t see anyone trying to throw Daggett into Arkham,” Barbara says.

“Roland Daggett operates within the law. You can’t compare him to someone like Poison Ivy,” Summer fires back, indignant.

“You’re right. Dr. Isley tries to save endangered species from extinction. Daggett mounts them on his wall. It’s not a fair comparison,” Barbara says, crossing her legs.

“So, Wayne Enterprises wants to be the first to bring a cure to market,” Summer says, effortlessly changing lanes. She’s good at this.

“There will be no profit in the Seed projects. This isn’t about money. It’s about letting women retain control of their bodies,” Barbara says firmly. “If someone else has a pharmaceutical solution for this problem, they’ll have our full support.”

“Not all women affected by the Seed attack consider it a problem,” Summer says, hoping to throw Barbara off.

“The problem isn’t anatomy. The problem is that they weren’t given a choice in the matter,” Barbara parries.

“Isn’t it a little risky to bring someone so dangerous out of Arkham? What if she’s just using you?”

“She is using us,” Barbara replies with a shrug. “Like I said, we aren’t getting any profit out of the work that we’re going to do on the Seed problem. But Dr. Isley has a lot to gain by allying herself with the greatest company in the world. And people leave Arkham all the time. Frankly, I think the way that I’m proposing is the least risky. After all, no guards will get hurt this time. For a change.”

BAE

After the show, Summer finds Barbara in the Green Room, sipping water. She closes the door and lets out a long breath, giving Barbara a strange look before sitting down.

“What a night,” she says.

Barbara laughs. “Did you have fun?”

She grins briefly. “I don’t usually get pulled into a fight like that.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I see what you’re doing.”

“Think it’ll work?” Barbara asks, putting the cap on her bottle and setting it aside.

“For the people of Gotham? Probably. The board at Wayne Enterprises?” She lets out a nervous laugh. “I’m not so sure about that. You took shots at a lot of people.”

“I’m a firebrand. It’s my job. I didn’t give Daggett enough to bother suing.”

Summer nods. “It’s quite a thing.” She holds up both her hands. “The Seed problem. And using Ivy. It’s probably worth talking about without all the performative stuff,” she says ironically.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Barbara asks, meeting her eyes. “Because I’d like to have that conversation.”

Summer blinks, startled.

“I mean,” Barbara goes on. “A more in-depth conversation about the Seed issue specifically. Would you be interested in that?”

“Maybe?” Summer replies, watching Barbara closely as though unsure of what she’s getting at. But she’s not unsure. She’s just startled.

“You know. An exclusive. An intimate exclusive. At your place.”

Summer can’t seem to find words.

“I mean, if you have time tonight,” Barbara says graciously.