IC Contact

[chiroptophobic]

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

Comments

[video]

[glassinine]

[ 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.

[video]

[chiroptophobic]

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?

[video]

[glassinine]

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

[video]

[chiroptophobic]

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.

[video]

[glassinine]

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

[video]

[chiroptophobic]

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.

[video]

[glassinine]

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.

[video]

[chiroptophobic]

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.

[video]

[glassinine]

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.

[video]

[chiroptophobic]

[ 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.

[video]

[glassinine]

As you say.

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

[video]

[chiroptophobic]

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.

[video]

[glassinine]

Of course.

So any inheritance would be enough that there might be...fighting.

[video]

[chiroptophobic]

Between the inheritors? No, none.

[video]

[glassinine]

You're certain of that? Money can cause conflict where previously there was none.

[video]

[chiroptophobic]

Very confident. They weren't raised to covet.

[ He doesn't know that about his Robins, but he knows it in his bones, and that's enough. ]

[video]

[glassinine]

[ A hesitation. ]

Well. That is good. That will make things less complicated.

[video]

[chiroptophobic]

Hopefully it won't fall on you to worry about it at all, as you say, but we must lay down precautions no matter our hopes. If you believe I should put in a cooperation clause, then we'll do so without hesitation.

[video]

[glassinine]

It's never a bad idea.

Will you have any special instructions? Anything in particular you would want, any conditions? Or simply a straight division of assets?

[video]

[chiroptophobic]

Conditions, yes. The Wayne Foundations established in my parents' names benefited the city of Gotham in various ways, and while I don't presently have those kinds of assets, charitable work is incredibly important to be. The will would charter a percentage of future assets to be ringfenced for charity, a sum sufficiently beyond that which is tax deductable as to offset it; such as to benefit the homeless, orphaned children, and victims of violent crime.

There will be keys, which it will be the responsibility of the executor to distribute, and letters to be dispatched in the event of my death containing instructions and final words for each of my inheritors. The number and content of which is subject to flux given our circumstances.

[video]

[glassinine]

[ A small nod. ]

Understood. I'll draw up a list of local charities benefitting those groups that seem to operate honestly. If you're so inclined, I can also put you in touch with representatives from them, so that you can decide which one you see as worthy.

As for these letters. They are, I assume, to be kept confidential? I would be happy to help you draft these letters if there are any legal matters involved, but if they are personal messages to your heirs then I can ensure that they will be placed in tamper-proof envelopes without having to be aware of the contents.

[video]

[chiroptophobic]

I'd find that useful, thank you.

[ Research he could do himself, but it'd be useful to cross-reference what he found worthy and reputable with Edgeworth's list. ]

There will be six envelopes, to be kept with the hard copy of the will, each including instructions and a key, with the binding understanding that the contents of the lockbox the key accesses belongs to those individuals alone. As for my heirs, they'll be notarized in code, and the codex and true identities of the benefactors will be locked in a tamper proof account, the only key of which will be in my attorney's possession.

You can do that, I assume?

[video]

[glassinine]

[ He lowers his head in a bow. ]

I can, sir.

[ Though good lord - this all seems like rather extreme measures. Particularly considering that yesterday, Wayne had been rather goofily asking him tips on banking. ]

Do you have this code already prepared, or would you require the services of a cryptographer?

Re: [video]

[chiroptophobic]

No, I think I can find someone appropriate.

[ Carefully. Then: ]

I almost lost my company fairly recently. Due to a lack of clarity on my behalf, the board attempted to float it on the stock exchange; a gesture meant to oust me from the decision process, allowing them to pursue a deeper interest in weapons research that was contrary to my late father's explicit wishes.

Since then I've developed a far deeper respect for being thorough, at least in affairs of business and property.

[video]

[glassinine]

[ Ah. ]

Very comprehensible, Mr. Wayne. And heartening to hear: the law allows for so many protections, but so often people are unable or unwilling to take advantage of them. I'm glad to hear you're not among them.