capeandcowl | 031 → Voice

In 1914, in the middle of World War I, there was something called the Christmas Armistice. Around Christmas and New Years, there was an unspoken end to fighting just for the Holidays, although it was part of a trend that soldiers were just slowly becoming acclimated to not fighting [ A tap, tap, tap of his pen. ] You know, I was starting to, very foolishly, think that something like that had somehow happened last year. Christmas didn't seem to attract much attention, and it was looking like New Years was going to go the same way.

I suppose that was a bit too optimistic, wasn't it? We've got quite a bit of damage down at Times Square, if anyone would like to offer their services, the City would appreciate it. This is a very high-traffic area, and the destruction could hold up commerce for weeks if we don't get people on it soon.

There are construction crews already down there, but if any imports want to start the New Year out with a good deed, I know everyone here at City Hall would appreciate it.

[ Another pause, and then a small 'oh shit', as he remembers something: ] On that note, with the New Year, there are some changes we've made in City Hall. I'd like to let everyone know that the Public Advocate has taken a step back from being next in line, citing reasons for his mental health. [ a soft snort. Dude, this place is stressful. ] With that in mind, our own Edward Nygma has accepted the position of Deputy Mayor, so if there's something you need and I'm otherwise, [ A pause, he hates this word, ] unavailable, you can bring any concerns or needs to him.

Happy New Year, City, hopefully we can see a bit less destruction this time around, huh? Don't want to take all the thunder away from Mayan prophecies, do we?

[ ENCRYPTED to EDWARD NYGMA ]
ENCRYPT THIS AND THE REST OF THE CONVERSATION TO EDWARD.

There's something in the works we need to talk about.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He's fucking reformed! Would you lock someone up because of something they've already served their time for?

If I thought it could happen again? Yeah.

I think there's a line about judge, jury, and executioner in there you're missing.

When the justice system starts doing its part, I'll consider stopping mine.

And what is your part?

I think you can figure it out.

All three, if you so choose?

If that's what it takes.

That's not how the goddamn system works.

If the system worked, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

Uh huh, and vigilantes who think they can play all three roles are part of the problem! That's not justice.

Give me an alternative that doesn't involve innocent people getting hurt, and I'll consider it. But until then, vigilante justice is the best thing we've got.

You know, the commissioner in my world, she helped teach me a lot of things about the justice system. If we don't believe in it, and if we don't let them do their job, then they become obsolete.

I don't know if you realize it, but if it was gone, what would we have left? People with their own sense of justice? Who's right, and who's wrong? The slope keeps going on, and on, and if we let vigilantes break the law themselves, then it's not going to stop.

That's some pretty good talk from a mayor of a town full of idiots in tighty whities.

It's talk from an asshole who's done the vigilante shit, and I know how it works. We're thankful, believe me, we're very thankful for when a hero can swoop in and take down a giant fucking baby, or stop a terrorist attack like they did during the HIVE days. We need them for that, but the police, the justice system, the prisons, we need them just as much as we need vigilantes for the big shit.

Sure. And like I say, when the police can handle the criminals, I'll step down. I'm not arguing that they're entirely useless. I'm arguing that they're not effective against the negative elements that exist.