15836/Jokerz and the Bank!

Jokerz and the Bank!
Date of Scene:	11 September 2023
Location:	Third Gotham Bank and Trust
Synopsis:	The Jokerz fail today as Catwoman saves the day, but Franklin is now in. Though will the Bats find out Chaos kid is working in their turf, or can Selina keep a secret? Only time will tell!
Cast of Characters:	Franklin Richards, Selina Kyle

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Franklin Richards has posed:
The night settled over Gotham City, its usual ominous atmosphere hanging in the air. A few distant police sirens wailed, adding to the city's perpetual symphony of chaos. Gotham Bank and Trust, like many other businesses, had shuttered its doors for the night, its exterior lights casting eerie glows on the nearby buildings.

However, in the shadows, an unsettling scene unfolded. A group of individuals, their attire disheveled and their clothing predominantly adorned in various shades of purple, gathered around Gotham Bank and Trust. Their faces painted in clownish white and rosy red hues, some even sported red noses to complete their unsettling appearance. Each member carried a plastic clown mask on their waist, simple and unassuming.

Amidst the group, a man stood out, his black hair and painted face resembling a sad clown, complete with a frown and a teardrop painted in black and white. Known to the group as "Chaos Kid," he stepped forward, his voice betraying no hint of his true identity. If anyone in the city had recognized him as Franklin Richards, they would have been none the wiser. Franklin had assumed this undercover role to infiltrate the Jokerz gang, gather evidence, and uncover any connections to the infamous Joker himself. This mission served as a stepping stone in his pursuit of deeper insight into Gotham's criminal underworld.

Their leader directed Chaos Kid to take the lead, handing him a battering ram device and instructing him to proceed. "Your up, kid," the leader said, while the others waited eagerly. They anticipated that chaos would ensue, thanks to the actions of "Bozo," who was busy cutting power to the bank. A contact had also disabled the silent alarms, ensuring a smooth operation. The Jokerz gang, a local group of Joker enthusiasts with aspirations to follow in their idol's footsteps, typically engaged in petty crimes like vandalism and basic robberies. Tonight's venture, however, marked a significant step up in their criminal ambitions. As the main players positioned themselves in front of the bank, two others rotated around the building, and Bozo worked diligently on the rooftop, tinkering with wires that led into the bank's interior.

Selina Kyle has posed:
From across the street, someone else was watching the Jokerz. And judging them. Selina Kyle, a.k.a. The Catwoman, is leaning back against an air handler unit and blending perfectly in with the shadows. To anyone without advanced thermal optics, she's functionally invisible.

She should've brought popcorn; this is playing like a bad movie. A battering ram?

Her goggles are rigged for night vision and magnification, both of which she takes advantage of tonight. She clucks her tongue when Bozo goes up on the roof to cut the power, shaking her head. Catwoman would've been inside by now. Timing her descent with the rotating patrols, she slips down the side of her building and is halfway up the side of the bank before anyone could even see her. Not that they'd think to look up, of course.

She approaches Bozo from behind, of course. "Need some help there, Champ?"

Franklin Richards has posed:
Unbeknownst to the Jokerz gang, Selina moved silently through the shadows, closing in on Bozo as he labored diligently with the cables. Engrossed in his work, the shock of a voice suddenly speaking behind him caused him to jolt uncontrollably. In his panic, he inadvertently yanked some cables together, and the surge of electricity knocked him unconscious. He slumped among the cables, leaving Selina hidden from view. The sudden power outage plunged the bank into darkness, extinguishing the internal lights.

From her concealed vantage point, Selina could hear the commotion below as the gang members donned their clown masks, believing that Bozo had either fled or simply fallen silent. Chaos Kid, now attempting to break down the door, swung the battering ram with fervor, repeatedly striking it to no avail. The sturdy bank doors, reinforced for security in Gotham, showed signs of damage but remained intact. The remaining gang members remained vigilant, guarding against any potential threats.

Meanwhile, inside the bank, the night guard, puzzled by the sudden power failure, cautiously made his way toward the front of the building. However, he had been positioned in the back, so reaching the front would take him some time. The sound of repeated battering against the doors echoed through the bank, signaling the gang's determination to break in.

Selina also noticed a radio nearby, and through it, she could hear Chaos Kid's voice. He questioned the situation, asking, "Bozo, you there, man? Don't you think it's weird?" His words only heard as he forgot to release the speak button, as it was addressed to the people around him.

From her elevated position, Selina had a clear view of the gang members below, all dressed in purple and adorned with clown masks. However, one of them had taken a step away from the group as the leader took over the attempts to get in, seemingly more cautious and suspicious than the rest. Chaos Kid appeared particularly wary, doubting the wisdom of their actions and expressing concern about the noise they were making. Yet, his doubts were quickly dismissed by the others, who chided him for his apprehension, claiming that their martial arts skills would protect them from any interference by the Bat. Although Chaos Kid remained skeptical, he fell silent, and the gang's focus returned to their goal: breaching the bank's defenses and seizing the money within.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Selina Kyle stands over the unconscious Bozo, hands on hips as she clucks her tongue. "Guess you managed it after all." she muses to herself, as the bank goes dark. Wonder if the rest of the boys thought to bring flashlights.

Bozo gets quickly ziptied, wrists and ankles, and Selina scoops up the radio to listen. A major part of her wants nothing to do with this half-assed entry. A smaller part is reminded that she told Batman she'd help, and the smallest part remaining really wants to give these kids a lesson. In professionalism, manners, or just common sense.

She's very familiar with security for this particular bank, of course, and she even knows the model number of the safe. The night guard is a good guy, too, sadly enough. That tears it.

The lock on a rooftop access panel slows her for perhaps 15 seconds, then she locks it behind her. Gaining access to an upper office, Selina moves quickly and quietly to intercept the guard before he gets to the front door.

He sees her and reaches for his gun. She puts a finger to her lips in a shushing motion, then adds a wink. In a low voice she suggests. "Why don't you go on break and let me deal with the trick-or-treaters, Mike?" He's wearing a name tag, of course, but she recognized him even without it.

If the doors hold, then they hold. If not, then she'll be waiting just inside. In the shadows.

Franklin Richards has posed:
As Selina revealed herself to the guard, he was visibly startled but quickly recognized her as an ally in the ongoing battle against Gotham's criminal elements. In a hasty agreement, he reached for his half-eaten bagged lunch, muttering, "Looks like it's about time for a lunch break," before hurriedly retreating to a safer hiding spot, his desire to avoid further involvement in the unfolding situation evident.

Meanwhile, the Jokerz gang, led by the main figure, finally succeeded in breaking through the bank's doors and entered the premises. Their entry was far from subtle, and the damaged doors could not be closed again to hide their intrusion. Once inside, the gang members wasted no time and quickly moved toward the vault, following the leader's precise instructions.

Among the gang members, the sad clown walked in more cautiously, surveying the surroundings. When his gaze swept over the area where Selina concealed herself in the shadows, he momentarily stopped, as if he had detected her presence. However, he continued to scan the surroundings without reacting further. If he had indeed spotted Selina, he gave no indication of it. Instead, he suggested that someone should remain by the door, addressing his leader as "boss." The leader approved of the idea, acknowledging the sad clown's vigilance, and Chaos Kid didn't move in with the rest of the group.

With three gang members inside and an equal number patrolling the exterior of the building, there was a tense atmosphere as they prepared to carry out their heist. The gang members inside, unaware of Selina's presence, moved swiftly, and the leader mentioned the presence of a guard, instructing his companions to remain vigilant and deal with him if spotted. The gang member by the door, however, seemed disinterested, leaning against the wall and gazing outside, as if he were growing bored or contemplating an escape, waiting for whatever would happen next.

Selina Kyle has posed:
So they managed to bash down the doors after all. Effective, if noisy and sloppy. Not to mention far from discreet. The gang seems concerned about the lack of the guard, and probably concerned about the lack of response from Bozo as well.

The three on the inside pass her position and that's when the whip cracks, lashing out from the shadows. Catching one of the clowns by an ankle, she yanks him off his feet before anyone really notices. Except, perhaps, the guard by the front door. She'll have to take her chances with him.

The radio squawks, then, and a sultry female voice is heard. She's too quiet to be easily heard otherwise. "You're being very, very sloppy, boys. I hope no one has any plans on getting out tonight."

Franklin Richards has posed:
Several events unfold as she speaks over Bozo's radio and manages to catch one of the three criminals, though not the leader who had been aggressively trying to break through the doors. Instead, she apprehends the one on the leader's right.

The leader thinks quickly and reaches for his radio, only to find it missing. He looks rather confused and panics, frantically searching for his radio. A sinister smile stretches across the clown mask concealing his face, but his wide-open eyes reveal his surprise and panic.

The man who was whipped falls hard to the ground, injured but not unconscious. He clutches his face, realizing that slamming it into the floor at such speed and force hurts much more than his previously injured foot. He doesn't attempt to get up for the time being. In the meantime, the third guy charges recklessly at Catwoman, seemingly relying on brute force rather than any martial arts skills. He sprints toward her with his hands up, as if he intends to grab someone. He covers the ground quickly, but his lack of fitness becomes evident as he may be relying more on fat than muscle.

Meanwhile, the one who had stood alone and hadn't moved to intervene barely shifts his position. He leans against the counter of one of the closed tellers, crosses his arms, and quietly observes the unfolding situation. After the leader becomes preoccupied with searching for his lost radio, the young man raises a radio to his lips.

"Relax, guys," he says with a tone that suggests a smile. "Boss says it's just some lady. He's got this." His voice carries a hint of amusement, indicating that he understands the whole fake Joker persona. He even chuckles a bit as he watches the others, leaning back and not taking any action for the moment.

From outside, they radio back, "Alright, Kid, just call us if there's trouble." The other henchmen who had been advancing on the situation stop and return to their observation posts, not thinking much of Chaos Kid contacting someone other than the leader. Kid shakes his head, recognizing how disorganized they truly are.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Selina Kyle sees the guy barreling towards her and rises, standing in profile. She casually coils the whip and waits for him, night vision singling out the others as if in broad daylight. Selina has regularly fought Batman and his recruits. In addition to whip, her costume bears long, steel claws at the end of each finger.

She is as deadly as she wants to be.

Tonight, however, the masked clowns haven't hurt anyone so she's in a good mood.

Catwoman pivots at the last moment, hooking an arm through her attacker's. Rolling over his back, she swings her legs high for extra momentum. And she uses that momentum to alter his course and half-throw him into a wall. His mask is gone, and there are three parallel scratches down the side of his face.

Franklin Richards has posed:
The Leader glances back just in time to witness the man being tossed aside. Thankfully, Chaos Kid had stowed the radio before turning his attention to the Leader. However, the Kid's seemingly casual demeanor prompts the Leader to yell at him, "What are you doing?" He's puzzled as to why Chaos Kid is standing there laughing at a moment like this.

The Kid responds with a flat tone, "Waiting. Now, finish the joke." He waves his hand dismissively, as if urging the Leader to get on with it.

The one who hit the floor first starts to get up, looking to the Leader for guidance. He's walking a bit funny, likely due to the pain from the foot injury. Meanwhile, the one who collided with the wall remains unconscious.

The boss shifts his attention to the one who just got up and continues, "Chaos Kid has cracked; it's just us. Surround her and get her." He tries to convey this plan but is interrupted by another henchman. "Umm, Boss?" the interrupter begins, only to receive a stern "Hush" from the boss, who wants to finish his instructions. After the second interruption, he finally snaps, "What!"

The interrupter points to Catwoman, who has been approaching while they were busy discussing their strategy. She has now disrupted any plans they might have had to surround her.

Meanwhile, in the lobby, Chaos Kid's chuckling escalates into laughter. He finds the situation highly entertaining, as it's not something he witnesses every day. He begins to ponder whether a career change might be in order, as it seems that these criminals are ill-suited for a life of crime. However, he remains a passive observer, choosing not to interfere with their confrontation with the whip-wielding lady.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Selina Kyle's footsteps are deliberate. Patient. Her every movement is smooth and graceful. Feral. Dangerous. She sizes up the two of them, and the whip uncoils to slither onto the floor like a snake.

"I'd ordinarily offer you a chance to leave, right about now, but you're a disgrace to burglars."

The whip swirls around on the floor, flicking a little towards the boss. It's a distraction, feint to hopefully make him recoil. Catwoman immediately reverses towards the guy who just got up, dropping him again with a sweep-kick behind the knees. As he falls back... again... she drops with her full weight. The knee drives hard into his solar plexus, and he's going to be spending the next few minutes remembering how to breath.

Rising slowly, Catwoman faces the leader.

Franklin Richards has posed:
As the man struggles for breath beside her, and the leader backs away, still looking at her with his arms raised defensively from her feint, a gasping noise emanates from the fallen henchman on the floor. The third guy remains incapacitated, seemingly out of it. The tense standoff is abruptly interrupted by a simple noise from the entrance?a single snap of the fingers.

The man who was backing away suddenly collapses as if someone had taken out his batteries. His eyes roll back in his head, and he lies on the ground motionless. The gasping man stops as well, no longer in pain. His eyes also roll back, and his breathing becomes regular, he's unconscious and obviously not faking as he would be unable able to mask the pain.

With a final chuckle, the figure in the hallway pushes himself off the counter and removes his mask with a sigh. "I'm sorry to ruin your fun, but time is limited. Eventually, the others are going to come, and that would make things complicated," he explains, expressing some regret as those guys really had it coming. He looks at Catwoman and raises his hands, signaling that he means no harm. "I'm not going to fight you, but I need one of them," he says, pointing at the henchman who collided with the wall. "He should do," he adds, almost randomly.

He doesn't appear worried, and in Gotham, a city distinct from New York, it's easy for someone not to recognize him, especially with the makeup. He's unsure if Selene has put him on the "do not mess with" list at her club yet.

Chaos Kid looks at Catwoman with a calm expression. With his mask off, his smile is evident. He continues, "The rest you can keep. I don't know what you do here-tie them up or something?" He offers a shrug. "I hope that's enough to appease you, whoever you may be."

Selina Kyle has posed:
Selina Kyle pauses at the sight of Chaos kid, looking curiously at the other, incapacitated would-be thieves. Red lips curl into an amused smile as she regards him. She coils the whip and hooks it on to her hip.

"You could've done that anytime." she declares. It wasn't a question. "Take whoever you want. I'll tie the others for Gotham's Finest. Technically, they only broke down the door. They didn't even hurt the night guard."

Catwoman steps over to start zip-tying while she talks. "I'm not sure why you're here or what your thing is, but if you're going to stick around you might want to check in with the Bat. He likes to know the wild cards in his city."

Franklin Richards has posed:
Franklin nods to her, relieved that she understood the situation. He moves over to the henchman who had been knocked out earlier and lets out a sigh. "I hate to say it, but I need one last thing," he mutters, looking down with a hint of reluctance. "Whip me in the back if you would. It's got to look real because it's a tough crowd here in Gotham." He knows that if he doesn't show any pain, it'll be difficult to convince anyone with his story, especially after all but one of them is captured.

He sighs again and offers an explanation. "I don't think there's much he likes. He'll get over it. I don't plan to be in town for long, but they know me in New York, so I had to start somewhere else." He points at the unconscious henchman below him. "This guy knows Cobblepot, and Cobblepot knows someone else who is the person I'm looking for." He shrugs, preparing for the impending whip. "Maybe this time we don't have to tell him. I'll just be some random thug," he adds with a grin while he still can.

Chaos Kid refrains from introducing himself by name, not wanting to bring the Richards name into this, which could only complicate matters further. He tries to inject some humor into the tense situation, saying, "If you don't promise, I won't!" He knows he hardly ever speaks to Batman, mainly being familiar with his activities through Damian, his friend from college. While he has trained with Damian to improve his combat skills, he understands that such interactions are rare these days, unless he puts himself into needlessly dangerous situations, like infiltrating a Jokerz gang.

Selina Kyle has posed:
Selina Kyle watches him and tugs firmly on the zip-ties, rising slowly as he explains further. She knows Cobblepot, but that's hardly something she's going to admit to the Kid.

"I'm okay with keeping you below the radar, at least for now. But don't let me see you in Gotham again, once your business with Cobblepot is finished."

The whip cracks suddenly, then, lashing across his back as requested. She draws it in, coiling it up against her hip once more. "I'm going to the break room to have a cup of coffee with the night watchman. You watch yourself, now. There are dangerous people in Gotham after dark." She smirks at the last.

Franklin Richards has posed:
Chaos Kid refrains from yelling out, instead taking a deep breath to endure the pain. He then hoists the man in front of him into a fireman's carry and, turning to look at Catwoman, offers a smile and a nod. "See, and everyone thinks all of you in Gotham are complete jerks," he quips, chuckling as he begins to walk out. Using his free hand, he dons his mask and waves to her. "Don't worry, I'm a bit stronger than I look," he adds, though it's clear that he doesn't mean physically, as he's already sweating while carrying the large man.

As soon as he reaches the door, his entire demeanor changes. He goes from the confident person who was chatting with Catwoman to someone who appears bent with pain from the whip. He shouts to the others, "Retreat, Retreat! It's a trap!" and moves away from the door.

Moving alongside the others, he spins a tale of what happened, mixing in some lies with the truth. He manages to come across as the bravest out of the group for rescuing his companion, though not overly strong since he couldn't defeat the assailant either. He doesn't elaborate or brag, only emphasizing how fortunate he was to escape the situation at all.

The other henchmen believe his story, and the infiltration mission is considered a success. None of the Jokerz suspect the ruse, and under his mask, Chaos Kid wears a huge smile. The Jokerz don't know his true abilities; all they see is that he now has the whip mark to prove his loyalty. He knows he won't be able to return home for a while, as explaining that mark to his family is something he'd rather avoid.