I use to hate furnerals, but now that I've had to go to two of them in less than a week, I now completely and utterly dispise them.
The first was Lucious Fox. He's the only one outside the family who had, if not known who I completely was, then knew without a shadow of a doubt that the image I put out for the world was not who I am, that there was much more of me than just some shallow playboy.
I met with his remaining family: his wife and two children. They're very good people. They almost consider me like an uncle they never had. I'll make sure that they will be taken care of.
Then, there was Alfred's furneral. I almost didn't go, but I knew that I had to, if not just to say my good-bye. Before it started, the preacher asked me to say a few words. I didn't want to. I didn't want everyone there seeing just how weak I've become, but somehow, if felt like I had to. After the preacher started, he showed me to the podium and I started to speak.
"Good morning." I couldn't help but feel the irony about that statement. "Of cource, everyone knows who I am, but very few knew about my butler, Alfred. He was much more than that to me. After my parent's death, he became my legal guardian, helping my cope with my loss. He has been by my side for everything. Even when I went outside the country, I knew if something were to happen, I would just have to call, and he'd be there.
"There was, and probably will never be, anyone like Alfred Pennyworth. Never, in my whole life, could be so sarcastic and yet so caring. He was my serrogate father, and I will miss him for the rest of my life. Thank you."
I stepped off the podium, thankful that I didn't cry. It was at that point where Leslie stepped up. I was suprised that she was here, I didn't even see her come in. I was amazed that she was able to come here. When I told her what happened, she was completely distraut. I knew about the two of them, they had something together. I'm not sure if it was consumated or not, and I won't ask, it is still their personal business.
After the furneral was all finished, I stayed for a moment, watching everyone leave. The only person left was Leslie, who was standing in front of Alfred's gravestone.
"Leslie?" She turned, facing me with her eyes brimming tears. "Will you be alright?" She broke down then, and without having to think I wrapped my arms around her, letting her cry on my shoulder.
I remember when I was 8, after my parent's furneral, and crying in Leslie's arms.
It's amazing how things can change, yet stay almost exactly the same.
After driving her home, I went back to the penthouse, surprised how empty a place can be without his presence, cleaning and making his signature sarcastic remarks, and tryed to lose myself in work, both business and vigilantie. I signed deals for business murgers and approval for new testing, and then I checked the Arkham archives and police scans, noting Crane's recent escape and Joker's escape from police custody.
I changed from my regular suit into my tuxedo. There was a cheirty party that Wayne Enterprises, and I could not disapoint, no matter how hard it was not to just stay here and brood, comptemplating drinking myself stupid with the brandy kept in the liquor cabnet here; espically because of my extreme dislike of my playboy persona I have to use in such occasions.
But, I have to go. At ten minutes before 6, I get inside the limo supplied to me and headed for the party. Perhaps I'll use the alcohol there, then I could kill two birds with one stone. It'll sure as hell make having to be the playboy part much easier.
I use to just hate these playboy parties, now, like the furnerals, and down-right dispise them.
..."
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