Chapter Text
It was about two years ago when I arrived to Gotham. And why would someone from Eastern Europe travel this far away? Well, I heard that Gotham is the home of the oddballs. And that was exactly what I needed.
And sure it didn't disappoint. From costumed vigilantes chasing deranged clowns to secret societies, I sure felt like I could blend in. I still made sure to avoid people as much as possible though.
The hideout that I found, was also perfect. Far enough from the city, where I could settle with my accomplices in peace.
This meant things started looking up for me. There was one thing however that needed to be solved. I had to look for a job.
I decided I might just work for one of the bad guys. Not an ordinary career choice, but clearly this city has an abundance of mobsters, serial killers, bank robbers and the likes who are apparently always in need of new employees.
I quickly learned who I should avoid. Like the Joker who is crazy and unpredictable or the Riddler who is a primadonna, and I wanted to save myself from some headache so I passed.
Others like the Penguin or Two-face seemed to be much nicer to their employees, at least compared to the Joker.
However I paid attention to the reputation of the various rogues as well, and one person especially peaked my interest. The Penguin. What I heard about him ranged from him being the biggest joke in Gotham to the most diabolical mastermind in the world.
I wanted to see him at the very least out of curiosity. And if I get lucky he might employ me. I had no idea where to start but I heard that he owned a club named Iceberg Lounge. I went there one night. It was kind of funny that the place actually looked like an iceberg. However I had to realize that I was way underdressed. The place was too fancy for me, I wasn't even sure I would be let in. I had to figure out something.
I was loitering there for a while until I started to bother the bouncer.
'What are you doing here?' he snarled.
Now there was the chance to say something, but what? Should I have said the truth? That I wanted to work for the Penguin? I wasn't sure that was the best idea, I would have been probably shooed away. I was well aware that I wasn't built to be as intimidating to be a henchman or as attractive to be a waiter or whatever. So I had to think of something clever.
'I... uhm... I brought something to the Penguin.'
The man looked at me suspiciously. 'What exactly?'
'I don't know dude, I'm just the mailman here. Why don't you ask your boss?' I took a huge risk by saying that. I took a deep breath when he started a phonecall.
'Boss, someone's here, they say they have something for you, and... Oh... Got it.' And then finished te call. He lookad at me with an annoyed face. He let me in, altough he wasn't very keen on it.
The interior of the club was quite on theme. It was mostly stark white with some pale blue and lavender highlights, lots of crystals that resembled ice, there was even an attraction with actual penguins. I thought it was nice. Across the room there was a large, black, ornate door, I was almost sure it led to the Penguin's office but thought it would be better to ask one of the tuxedo clad waitresses. After the confirmation I headed to the big door. I was nervous. What if I just knock?
But there was no need for that as the door just opened before me.
'I was waiting for you. Come in.' a grating voice invited me in.
In the office room the air was heavy with the smell of cigarette with a touch of mint. The room itself wasn't very well lit, giving some dark and mystrious feel to it. The furniture was black, maybe made from ebony, with golden accents, one wall was filled with books, the other was decorated with a huge painting of an antarctic scene. With penguins of course. Next to it multiple umbrellas were hanging on the wall. Opposite to the large desk was a black leather couch, behind it a window with heavy purple curtains and a black leather office chair, on which the man himself, the Penguin was sitting.
He looked like he was delighted to see me, I felt almost bad for him that he would be disappointed. He stood up to greet me and when he walked past his desk I noticed his limping. When he was in front of me I could see a brace on his right foot. I also took a good look at him. He was short, even shorter than I am. And quite portly just like me. His appearience with him wearing a tuxedo really made him resemble his namesake. Then I looked at his face. He smiled jovially at me but I still could feel something sinister in it and his eyes were piercing light blue, the ones that can look into your soul. Yet for some inexplicable reason I found him utterly adorable. He also smoked a cigarette which explained the smell.
'Did you bring the samples?'
I didn't know, what samples he was referring to, maybe drugs, but I had to break it to him in some way that I didn't have them on me. I just had to figure out how. I certainly didn't want him to release his anger at me, I wasn't looking for the aftermath.
'I... I didn't...' the silence after my answer was almost deafening, as Penguin didn't say a word but I could see in his eyes, as he became more and more furious, yet somehow he was able restrain himself to not blow up with rage.
'I beg your pardon, I believe I didn't hear you clearly. Do you want to tell me, you lost it?' he said finally with a dangerously quiet voice.
I gulped.
'No, Sir, I... I'm sorry, I didn't...'
'What?!' he finally snapped at me so I tried to get myself together.
'I'm sorry Mister Penguin. I didn't mean to decieve you... uhm... I'm not the guy you were waiting for... I'm here because I wanted to see you.'
Well, this came out really weird. I was sure he thought I was some stalker. He definitely looked shocked for a moment.
'I'm here because... I want to work for you.' He was still looking at me with disbelief for a while, then chuckled.
'Oh, well...' he looked at me with a pleased smile on his face. It looked like this whole situation stared to entertain him. 'If you went to this lenght for a job interview with me then so be it. Please take a seat' he ordered me then went back to his chair. I sat down on the leather couch which was quite comfy, honestly. 'What's your name?'
'Sam Hyde, Sir... he/they...' I added the last part with a bit of hesitance. It seemingly took him off guard a little bit, but after the initial surprise he moved on.
'Oh... alright. And Sam, how old are you?'
'36, Sir.'
'You have an interesting accent. Where are you from?'
'Hungary.'
'Right. By any chance, do you have any experience in being a henchman?'
'Uhm... I don't...'
'That's fine, with this little shenanigan you showed me that you are quite eligible for the job. Now only thing left is for you to pick a codename. Let's see... we have Shoebill, Vulture... then Finch... we lost the previous one last week... Which one would you like to choose?'
'Vulture... I choose Vulture.'
'Alright, then we finished.' he said with a smile on his face that only an unscrupulous businessman could make. 'You can start tomorrow.'
'Uh Sir... thank you very much, I am so grateful.'
'I am sure you will be.' again with the threatening aura. I couldn't decide if he was like this by default or he actually was still mad at me and just tried to conceal it. I turned my back to him and was about to leave, when he said.
'Vulture, one last thing. Vulture!' he yelled the last one, when I realized, oh, he was talking to me. I had to have to get used to this name yet.
'Y-yes.'
'From now on you call me Sir, Boss or Mr Penguin, understand?'
'Yes Sir.'
'Oh, and Vulture.'
'Yes?'
'Listen to your codename.'