ALTER EGO AU

[enigmaster]

Comments

[agoodname]

[Edward will find himself greeted by a lavish, organized office with windows on all sides, showing the spread of the city. The light is lower than a normal office, spreading over the room from the candelabra hanging from the ceiling. Behind a large mahogany desk sits the Penguin, dressed in his customary suit, a black cigarette holder dangling from between his thumb and one of his two fingers. A sharp, blue-eyed gaze immediately lands on him as he enters, one of them peering through a monocle, and seems to scan over him, taking in every inch. There's a moment of silence--before a small smirk curls up the edge of his mouth, revealing just a hint of white teeth that might be a bit sharper than normal] Mr. Nygma. So lovely to meet you, finally. [The Penguin motions to one of the chairs in front of his desk] Please, come in. Have a seat.

1/3

[enigmaster]

[The office has an intimidating energy, even after moments of being inside. And catching sight of the man himself, the Penguin, is... definitely something. Edward almost wants to take a step back, at this scene...]

2/3

[enigmaster]

[...IF HE COULD ACTUALLY SEE IT PROPERLY WHAT SORT OF LIGHTING IS THIS IT'S NIGHT]

3/3

[enigmaster]

[He stands up a little straighter and starts walking forward. Come on, Edward, you can do this.] Ah... you as well, Mr. Cobblepot. Thank you. [is that what he should say, is that what is the mob boss etiquette should he say sir instead ...he's just going to take a seat.]

[agoodname]

I do appreciate your prompt reply to my inquiry. I realize it came a bit out of the blue, but this is a matter of utmost importance to me, and I've heard good things about your work. [he takes a drag off the cigarette holder, tapping the ash into an ashtray before blowing out a trailing stream of smoke] So. Speaking of such good things...I know what I've heard. However... [Oswald leans forward a bit, resting his arm on the desk] I'm interested to hear things from you. [that smirk widens] Tell me about yourself~

[enigmaster]

Oh, I'm... glad to hear that. [He's a little amazed that the Penguin has actually heard about his work at all. He's worked with cybersecurity and the like, he's done some freelance work, some contracted jobs, but nothing in a little bit now. He didn't realize it was the sort of thing someone like this would hear about. ... .......wait what was that question.] About... myself? I... ah. [OH GOD WHAT DOES HE SAY HERE] Anything... specific you want to know about? [SPECIFICS, PLEASE, THIS IS TOO BROAD A SUBJECT HE FEELS HIS MIND GOING BLANK]

[agoodname]

[Oswald tilts his head a bit at that, studying the man in the chair before him] Just some background. Previous jobs. Areas of expertise. [he flicks some more ash into the ashtray, before inhaling again, sitting back a bit in his chair to keep watching this Mr. Nygma, gaze intense and piercing, despite the light smirk that still sits at the corner of his mouth, almost indulgent]

[enigmaster]

[On the one hand, if ever someone wasn't going to get him in trouble for his credentials, it would be right here and now. On the other hand, he quickly decides that starting with "I have no formal education in the field" is NOT the way to go.] Well, I've done programming jobs for several companies. Just... freelance work, mostly. I had a brief stretch of employment in the Cyber Crimes division with the GCPD, but that... didn't exactly work out. After that, I did some cybersecurity work. Most notably I worked on the security for one of LexCorp's subsidiaries. ...Assuming you won't hold having worked for a Metropolis corporation, even just online, against me. [when in doubt just talk shit about Metropolis]

[agoodname]

[At that, the Penguin does chuckle, indulgently.] I suppose I can forgive such a thing, considering it's your work there that caught my attention. [he hums a bit, pausing to take another drag from his cigarette, letting the silence drag for a moment] That is of particular interest to me. I suppose when one works for such a renowned corporation like LexCorp, even a subsidiary, discretion is key?

[enigmaster]

Oh, ah. Yes, of course. There's NDAs involved and all that, so I can only talk about it in general terms. I've... had several jobs like that. Even with smaller companies, they don't exactly want anyone talking about holes in their security. [he knows when to keep his mouth shut ...sometimes ......for this specifically.]

[agoodname]

[He nods to that, once.] Understandable enough. Any kind of hole in security would not provide good publicity, I'm sure. [and Oswald tilts his head a little, studying him still] Mr. Nygma, I'll be frank. I would like to hire you for some similar work in cybersecurity. My system needs...an update, I think. However, before I give you access to my entire system, I would like to hire you for a smaller job. Simply the front end of things. Think of it like...a trial run. [he reaches for a drawer, pulling it open and retrieving a blank envelope, which he places on the desk and slides across towards Edward] Please--have a look.

[enigmaster]

[Is this what people talk about, when they mention Faustian bargains? Because it certainly feels like that.] ...Alright. Of course. [Because what else can he say, really? He's just going to take a look at what's in that envelope. What's this, now?]

[agoodname]

[Inside that envelope is a sheet of paper with a job description--checking and fixing any holes found in the security of a warehouse down by the docks. There's also payment information. It's.... well. Needless to say, it pays better than LexCorp.] Now, do understand that this is simply the first trail run. Should we decide to continue working together after this, of course you'll be put on the payroll and have access to the same benefits and healthcare as my other employees.

[enigmaster]

[Edward is definitely listening to all of that, but at the same time, he's definitely staring at that payment information.] Um. [UM???]

[agoodname]

[he'll get an eyebrow arch for that]

Is...something unclear?

[enigmaster]

No, no, um. It's all very clear. Just... Was there some sort of... printing error? [this is a lot of money? ...well, to him it is.]

[agoodname]

Hm? [his brow furrows a bit] No, I don't believe so. I checked it myself. Why? What appears to be misprinted?

[enigmaster]

I thought perhaps a decimal point had been misplaced. But, ah, if you say it's... correct... [aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?????]

[agoodname]

[oh. That.

Oswald chuckles, indulgently]

No, no misplacement of a decimal point, I assure you.

[enigmaster]

[holy shit] Well, then. Ah. I can... definitely do that. Yes. This shouldn't be any trouble. [A simple job, really, looking at it.]

[agoodname]

Good, I'm glad to hear that. [he sits back in his chair a bit, taking another drag off of the cigarette, apping the ash into the ashtray] Mister Penn will have the paperwork for you to sign on your way out, as well as your contact at the warehouse. After you've taken a look at the system and what updates it might need, call Mister Penn to set up an appointment with me. I'll be interested to hear what you find.

[enigmaster]

Right, ah, understood. I'll... do my best. [what is his life right now] So, um. Should I just... get to that, then? [IS THIS THE PART WHERE HE LEAVES, HE'S NEVER BEEN IN A MEETING LIKE THIS, HELP HIM]

[agoodname]

[There's that indulgent amusement again] Yes, indeed you should.

[enigmaster]

Right. Yes. I'll go... do that. And I will see you again, later. I suppose. [what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck Okay. Okay, he's just, going to... stand up, then, carefully, as if he's afraid of making a wrong move.] But, thank you for this opportunity, Mr. Cobblepot.

[agoodname]

You're welcome, Mr. Nygma. I look forward to our next meeting. [he's. so amused right now.]