chiroptophobic | IC Contact

[ There's no voice, no response, just a different change in the quality of the sound to indicate that a message is being recorded. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Ring, ring, ring. ]

[ When he answers, Bruce is at work; washed and shaven, in a good charcoal suit and tie. He doesn't look like a man who's spent the night on the streets and is functioning on maybe a half hour's sleep. ]

Bruce Wayne speaking. Ah, Mr. Edgeworth, good morning.

Good morning, Mr. Wayne.

[ Edgeworth is clean-shaven and in a suit - a bit absurd, given the coziness of the cottage visible behind him. He's probably the first person ever to have worn dress shoes in this place, let alone a suit and cravat. ]

I hope today finds you well?

Very well, thank you. Busy, but I've got a lot to learn.

[ The bank is crisp and clean; he has a small office space to himself, desk, computer, an ocean facing window. ]

I'm afraid the things I know about brokering loans I could count on one hand. It's one of the things I was hoping to speak to you about.

I - Of course.

[ He furrows his brow, though, a little concerned. ]

Forgive me, though, sir - Is it...for your work that you need to know about loans?

[ Bruce shakes his head minutely. ]

Not at all. As I said before, the will is my top priority. It's only that you were discussing your fund before, and if there was ever interest--well, one of the things I have to do here is build up a client base.

Then you are...potentially soliciting business?

I prefer to call it making you aware of room for potential expansion. It pays to have good rapport with the people who hold the pursestrings--or so I'm told.

But it's not why I'm calling, so back to the matter of my will?

Of course. Forgive my distraction.

[ He clears his throat, straightens some papers in front of him. Pulls the cap off his pen. ]

First, let us discuss potential heirs. In the event of your demise, to whom would you wish to leave your belongings?

[ He straightens slightly, appropriating a somewhat more serious expression such as better fit the topic at hand. ]

Before I begin, it's important to establish that the identities of my heirs would be considered a sensitive matter in some circles. At home I was a man of some considerable worth, and there might be some here, either presently or in the future, who might seek to take advantage of such a situation. My preference would be a sealed envelope, to be opened and read only by yourself and my heirs in the event of my death. Would that be possible?

[ He can't help but be a little curious over that - but there's time, later, to uncover who this man was at home. For now, he answers simply and professionally. ]

Of course, sir. Whoever notarizes your document will of course also need to know the contents, but for that - you can wait for my return, as I am a licensed notary public, or find a disinterested third party.

You'll do just fine, Mr. Edgeworth. The less people who know the details the better.

I have no natural children. Will that be a problem?

Not at all. It only serves to make the will more important, since there's no natural line of succession.

Good. In any event, you can know the name of the man who would take the role of executor of my estate--Alfred Pennyworth; a servant to my family for the greater part of his life and a devoted friend and father figure.

He is present, I assume? And someone from home.

That's correct, and as the two of you would have to cooperate on this matter, I'll ensure that he knows to introduce himself.

That's...very good.

[ A hesitation, then: ]

Please do forgive my indelicacy. But would you perhaps object to my also selecting a native as a...back-up executor, as it were? I know several very trustworthy, honest attorneys. While I'm certain that Mr. Pennyworth is beyond excellent and capable, he will be subject to the same forces that we are. Sudden disappearance and the like.

It's understandable, and a reasonable request to make. I'd certainly prefer that if something were to happen to me, my will wouldn't be invalidated by something to simple as not having a living executor.

Corruptibility would be an issue, even if you vouch for them, but I see no other choice.

All right. Thank you for understanding, Mr. Wayne. Ideally, it will be a complete non-issue: not only will Mr. Pennyworth not be unable to serve as executor, he will not have to do so at all.

Now. Please do remember that I am bound absolutely by attorney-client privilege in this matter: even if I wanted to speak about the matter of your heirs, I am not legally allowed to do so. So any information you give me will be completely safe.

[ Of course that would be the case if Bruce were really just an ex-billionaire trying to be a bank employee and not an ex-billionaire who dressed up as a bat and threw himself in front of bullets. None the less Bruce nods on his end of the feed. ]

I'd still prefer to reserve such details for when we speak in person. It's sensitive, and I don't quite trust this connection.

The estate will include bank as well as creative holdings. My former business was in simplistic terms one of invention, and it's a direction I hope to expand in again while I'm here.

As you say.

What will you anticipate your net worth being once you've settled in?

Negative between 70 and 90,000 by the end of the first quarter. Up at least two point six by the end of the first year.

[ Ambitious, yes, but he says it with all the surety of a man who intends to do precisely that which he's claimed. ]

Conservative estimates, of course.