ALTER EGO AU

[enigmaster]

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[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.]

[enigmaster]

As... do I. Well, I'll just-- [And he turns to leave and walks right into the other chair, because it's dark and it blends in and he's already nervous ...and he wants to die.] ...Right! Well! Goodbye! [HE'S LEAVING NOW OKAY BYE]

[agoodname]

[Well that was informative AND entertaining. He watches Mr. Edward Nygma leave with plenty of amusement, watching the door close behind him. He'll be interested to see what he comes up with.]

[enigmaster]

[Edward does his best to forget about what an embarrassment that whole meeting was... and fails miserably, but at least he has the work. And it is nice getting to use his skills. Keeping a job in Gotham is difficult and he's been between jobs for a little bit now. Plus, well, now he won't have to worry about rent. As he predicted, the job is straightforward enough. Honestly, he goes over it several more times, just to be sure there's no catch he's missing. Even with that extra care, he's done pretty quickly. ...He checks a few more times after. Just to be absolutely sure he's missing nothing. But a new appointment is set up soon enough. They'll meet again soon, hopefully...]

[agoodname]

[They certainly will. Honestly, Oswald is both surprised and impressed at the speed at which the job is done.

Now he'll just need to see how well it was done.

The new appointment is set for the very next day, this time nearing noon, so at least there will be plenty of light for Edward to see any chairs in his way, what with those huge windows]

[enigmaster]

[He's there early, of course, so he can come in exactly on time. Having a much better time of it this time, now that he can properly see where he's going. That should cut down the embarrassment involved here.] Hello again, Mr. Cobblepot.

[agoodname]

Mr. Nygma. [Oswald shifts, setting down the report he was reading, and removing the monocle] Do come in and sit. [he motions once more to the chairs in front of the desk] I'm eager to hear your report.

[enigmaster]

[He takes a seat, trying to appear calmer than he did last time. Not that he has any idea if he's succeeding or not. It helps that he has a bit of a shield, in the form of his phone, which he's taking out to look at his written report.] Well, I can't say I have an awful lot to report. There were a number of holes in the security infrastructure, which were simple enough to locate and patch up. There were some holes that were easier to overlook and, well, usually if you'd be using exploits like that you'd probably be going for a bigger target than this particular operation, so I can't say it was a huge concern, but I took care of those as well. ...As well as some less... digital problems. [He taps something and his phone and turns it around to a photo he took. Looks like... a junction box, outside the building.] ...This was behind a gate, but that was about the extent of the security protecting this. Not to mention the weather proofing was a little lacking.