America's Finest Craftsmen

Just after 10 am, a truck filled with construction equipment arrived at Wayne Manor. There were only two people in the truck. The side of the truck read in faded letters, "America's Finest Craftsmen." The pair of craftsmen exited the truck under the observation of the hidden Victor. 

Victor hid behind a tree as he watched the pair enter Wayne Manor. He observed the old butler, Alfred, open the door and invite the men in. 

After a while, Talent came out and started making measurements. Tommy came out about ten minutes later. This was Victor's queue to drive up. He entered another truck marked "America's Finest Craftsmen and joined Tommy and Talent. 

A few minutes later, Butch showed up in another truck. He got out and carried several pieces of equipment. Alfred watched from the door as the four men talked. Tommy and Butch walked around the house and disappeared from Alfred's sight. 

Fifteen minutes later, Tommy and Butch met up with Victor and Talent near the front door. The four men entered the house together. 

"May I get you gentlemen something to drink? Water, tea, a beer perhaps. Victor didn't want anything, but Tommy and Talent asked for beers, while Butch asked for some water. 

Alfred left to get drinks for everyone.

"You're really bad at this Victor," Talent commented.

"What are you talking about?" 

"You should have asked for something to drink. It's warm outside and there isn't any air conditioning in the house. It would make sense that you're thirsty. Not asking for something to drink doesn't make sense," Tommy answered.

"Should I ask for something to drink then?" Victor asked. He wasn't a field guy, he was more of a spring-from-the-shadows and do-you-in kind of guy. 

"Yeah, ask to use the restroom and then come back and ask for a drink, ask for water," Talent said. Victor did as he was told and left the group.

Talent looked at Tommy. "So?"

"It's done," Tommy said.

"Great, let's offer to give an estimate for the job when Victor gets back," Talent said. 

A few seconds later, Victor returned and asked Alfred for some water. 

"Hey ya, Mr. Alfred, sir," Talent motioned for Alfred who had returned with water for Victor.

"Sir?" Alfred asked. 

"We can do the job but it's gonna cost at least $20,000," Talent said.

"You told Master Wayne it shouldn't take more than $5,000!" Alfred said in a huff.

"Yeah, I told him it shouldn't cost more than $5,000 if the foundation were up to snuff and there weren't any other problems.

"The problem is that there are problems with the foundation. We're gonna need ta drill under da house and strengthen it. To be honest wit ya, I tink ya need to redo the whole foundation. Dese old Victorian Era houses, ya know with the tremors in Gotham we got problems. 

Redoin' de entire foundation would cost ya upwards of $80,000 clams," Talent said. 

"You assured Master Wayne that it shouldn't cost more than $5,000, but now you're asking for $80,000. Excuse me sir, but what kind of fools do you take us for?" Alfred snootily said to Talent. 

"Well pardon me Mr. Professor, but you can ask sum udder crews to lay their peepers on dis joint. They'll tell ya the same ting, but they're gonna ask fer at least $100k," Talent said. 

"Yes, I know the whole industry is run by a bunch of crooks. It's a conspiracy, you think rich people are too stupid to know better than to pay so much. I will tell you sir that people are rich because they won't spend so much money easily!" 

"I'm here ta tell you pops dat yer foundation is in bad shape. Ya can shell out $80,000 now or tear da whole ting down in ten years!" Talent insisted. Alfred's face looked both angry and unsure. 

"I'm afraid I am unable to answer. I shall need a few days to consult with Master Wayne," Alfred said. 

"Old man Wayne ain't around, when's he comin' back? I can walk 'em tru de whole place. Tell 'em ta invite his engineers along. The only one dat's crooked 'round here is da people who got enough dough ta buy enough property for a village and then build one house on it," Talent said resentfully. 

"Pardon me, sir, I did not intend to insult you earlier. You must understand what you are saying now is much different from what you initially stated. I am understandably upset," Alfred said. 

"Sir, I understand dat da lay person may not understand dat renovatin' is an art practiced over generations of people. Gotham's got soil dat's hard ta fathom. America's Finest Craftsmen is a family bidness passed from fahder ta son fer four generations. 

Ya can ask about us, no one knows dis bidness bedder than us." Talent pridefully retorted to Alfred.

"Of course, sir, I shall talk with Master Wayne when he gets back in three days. Rest assured that if what you say is verified we shall patronize your worthy establishment," Alfred responded with a grave expression. 

Victor watched the drama and almost laughed. He knew that this whole thing was a scam so they could get a look at the place. Somehow Talent was able to convince the wary butler to such an extent that he was forced to apologize for unfairly accusing him of being a crook!

About thirty minutes ago, in the Batcave, Batman was looking at a pile of information that appeared out of nowhere. It suddenly appeared with no sign of anyone bringing it in. 

He picked up some of the evidence and examined it. His eyes widened. He flipped through more of the evidence at almost a frantic pace. 

"Holy Mackerel!" Batman exclaimed. He rushed to his phone, it was his direct line to Commissioner Gordan. 

"Commissioner, things are even better than I imagined. We're going to need help. Call the National Guard! We're going to need Federal judges and maybe even the army," Batman said to the Commissioner. After a few more minutes, Batman hung up the phone.

"Robin, get over here and help me load up the Battruck!" 

"Battruck?" Robin asked. Batman pointed at an old truck sitting in the garage area. Robin made a funny face but gathered the evidence and carefully loaded the truck.

By the time Talent and the other three finished their discussion with Alfred, the evidence delivered by Tommy was in the Battruck on its way to the Commissioner.

Batman brought the material to a secret place in Gotham and parked the truck. He slipped away, and a few minutes later, Commissioner Gordan, Harvey Dent, and several police cars with trusted officers surrounded the building. 

Gordan and Dent went in and after twenty minutes the two came out weak from shock and excitement.

"Jefferson, Gambini, Moses, You three escort this material along with D.A. Dent to the stronghold. Harvey, work in the car!" 

"Don't worry, I have a lot of the paperwork ready. There's enough here to sweep up the entire crew today! There's enough to sweep up almost the entire Gotham underworld!" 

"Well...let's get it done!" Commissioner Gordan yelled. He was too worried that something would go wrong if they didn't get going. Batman watched the procession from a hidden place. He smiled and secretly followed, even he was nervous. This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance!

A couple of hours later, people thought war had come to Gotham. Soldiers from Fort Allen, National Guard members, Police officers, tanks, and all sorts of military vehicles headed for the Falcone Compound. 

After Don Carmine and everyone in the compound were arrested, the cops with the assistance of the army and the National Guard pursued the crooks. Throughout the day arrest warrants were issued for criminals, cops, judges, D.A.s, congressmen, the Governor, and even the Senator of Gotham. All of them were arrested, it was like the lighting of Justice struck Gotham city. 

There were so many prisoners that they had to empty a warehouse and turn it into a temporary holding place. President Roosevelt had to declare a state of emergency and send in more forces to manage the chaos of Gotham. It was now in a state of Marshall law. 

The press swarmed upon Gotham's police Commissioner and shared the same question, "What happened?"