[right][h1]December 4, 9:33pm[/h1][h3]Wayne Tower[/h3][/right]"Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome to the floor, Le Cirque D'etrange!"

The roar of applause filled the hall at the words of Bruce Wayne. Truth be told, most people cared more about hearing what he had to say than watching circus performers. And truth be told, he cared for neither the performers nor the Gothamites that filled his building; he cared more for the goingson in the rest of Gotham City that night. He walked to a nearby window to glance at her, in all her beauty, and in all her madness. He could hear the police sirens sounding, as they did all of her nights. He could see the scurrying of thieves and dealers as they fled for the cover of her embrace. And he could see, in the sky, the symbol. The symbol that was more often on than off. The symbol that instilled hope in the citizens, but fear in the gangs of the Gotham.

The Circus performers came out now, all keeping to the Gala's theme and wearing their own masks and costumes. They began doing all sorts of tricks like fire-breathing and knife throwing, and the attendees all applauded. Amidst their act, Bruce Wayne made his escape; presumably to return to his routine of world-traveling and lavish spending. His private security made sure he was undisturbed on his way out, and continued to keep a watchful eye on the room; knowing full well the amount of money to be had and the likelihood of trouble.

It was Gotham, after all.

[h3]GCPD Building[/h3]
In front of the GCPD building, former police commissioner Ellen Yindel's press conference was beginning. Her tech crew performing the final tests and checks before she made an appearance. All the local media outlets had sent reporters to the scene, and even some far-reaching organizations like The Planet and Picture had sent their people. The crowd continued to amass and gather, filling in with interested Gothamites, city councilmen, and anyone else who had decided not to attend the Children's Hospital Gala. Several GCPD officers stood outside the building as a backdrop, but as was always the case in Gotham, the majority of the force was on the streets, attempting to keep the peace.

[right][h3]The Streets of Gotham[/h3][/right]
War is on the horizon; but then again, it always is, isn't it? Gotham's streets were riddled with criminals of all kinds, but within those ranks were collectives, groups of crooks who claimed a color and a name. Tonight they conspired and planned, and made their preparations; and tonight they would strike. GCPD patrols ran through the streets keeping watchful eyes on the banks and homes, trying desperately to live up to the Commissioner's vision of making Gotham safe again.

But of course, there was little that the police force could actually do. Towering above the streets of Gotham a figure sat perched, his signal illuminating the night sky. The Bat looked down on his city and smiled.

It was going to be another long night.