
World's Finest
Monte Carlo
The man shifted the car as he drove through the winding roads. He was taking the long way, and the Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 Super Sport was making the trip absolutely amazing. The fastest street legal car in the world, it had a top speed of 267 miles per hour. Inside the car, Franz Schubert’s Quartet D. 804 was playing through the speakers. Idly, the man driving the car, allowed his fingers to tap lightly on the steering wheel in some kind of rhythm with the strings whose luscious sound filled the interior of the car. The drive was a long one, from his starting point, but he didn’t mind. It was all about the experience, and he had time to spare, at least this night.
The man finally reached the casino and hotel a good twenty minutes later, and the black on black Bugatti slid in front of the casino for the waiting valet. The man who took the keys from him had seen a number of different cars throughout his time on the job. Ferraris, Lamborghinis, even a McLaren. But this car looked amazing. The vehicle was a beast that was for sure. His eyes lit up as he took the keys, knowing that even if it was for a few moments, he’d be able to drive the car.
He turned to the man dressed in the dark blue Tom Ford suit and lighter blue striped shirt. “Nice car.” He said, looking the man up and down and noting the leather shoes that the man had on.
The other man smiled. “You should see my other one.” He said, with a slight hint of a Gotham City accent. “It’s even nicer.” Isaiah Muir said.
He left the man standing there and walked into the casino. The casino and the hotel was sponsoring some kind of charity event, and his name had been on the list of people who would be interested in such an event. Muir had opted not to stay at the casino, as he owned a house in Monte Carlo. While he hadn’t been that interested in attending the event, Winston, his butler and closest confidante had insisted that he go. The man had said something about children and that had made Muir even more hesitant to go.
Then Winston had stated that this would be a good test for Steven Santieri’s competency at the Major Crimes Unit in Gotham City, if the city could survive a few days without the man who kept the streets safe for the citizens of Gotham.
The Batman.
Muir had grudgingly allowed this argument to hold sway. Now he was here, at Monte Carlo, at this charity event. He walked in and immediately regretted it.
Opulence was everywhere. Luxuries that most could not even dream of affording. And he hated it. With a slight sigh, he put on the mask that the rest of the world saw on a daily basis.
Isaiah Muir, billionaire industrialist and playboy. In the top ten of the richest men in the world. The man who could buy anything he wanted, except for the peace of mind and peace of soul that he so desperately craved. He walked through the place, his eyes taking in everything. Even now, he was casing the place. The skills that he’d acquired in his travels, becoming the most dangerous man alive, they didn’t just go away even if he turned his mind into Isaiah Muir. They couldn’t. Those skills were what had brought him to the dance and they’d served him well so far.
“Isaiah.”
He turned at the sound of his name.
“Jerry.” He said, shaking the hand of the man. “How is everything at Cadric Enterprises?” He asked. “Great, after the business deal that we hammered out a few years ago. But I still haven’t forgiven you for stealing my assistant.” Jerry Santiago said.
“Interesting.” Isaiah said, accepting a glass of champagne from one of the people walking around with trays. “You had her as an assistant. I made her the CEO of the company. I don’t think you were utilizing her the way you should have, Jerry. You wouldn’t have needed Wayne Enterprises to bail you out if you had.” He said. “I need to speak to the host.” He said.
He didn’t bother to wait for Santiago’s response.
Moving through the crowd, he set the untouched glass of champagne down, and continued on his way. It didn’t take him that long to reach the host of the charity event. The woman turned, in the white bandage dress, and saw him. Her brown eyes danced with mischief as she walked up to him. He gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Isaiah Muir, I have to say I was surprised when I got the response from Winston that you would be attending.” She said.
“Ms. Walker.” Isaiah replied. “We both know that once I saw who was hosting it there was no way that I could turn down an evening of your company.” He said.
“It’d have been Mrs. Muir, if you’d given me the chance.” Blair Walker, the CEO of Frost International said.
“Well, this has been a lovely evening of your company. Unfortunately one that had to end far to early. That’s my cue to leave.” Isaiah said with a smirk.
She laughed and reached out ruffling his hair slightly. “We all know you’re never going to get married.” She said and when he gave her a look, the smile grew. “We meaning all of womankind. We had a meeting and it was discussed. But we all wish and hope.”
“At least I’m awesome enough to merit a meeting of all womankind.” He said.
“Of course you are dear heart. Don’t be a stranger, but for now I have to head out. I have to keep mingling.” She said and he nodded.
After she left, he looked around and saw an open poker table. Sitting down, he nodded at the dealer. The other man dealt him in, giving him about two hundred thousand euros in chips. Nothing too crazy.
A few hands in, and Muir had gotten his share up a great deal. Now he was looking at three hundred and twenty seven thousand euros. Not bad for a night at the casino. The charity even encompassed a number of different games and a number of different venues. It had cost a sizable amount to get in, and in an interesting turn of events, the charity took about sixty percent of any winnings that you got during the course of the evening. Muir didn’t mind. Not like he needed the money anyway.
“Can I join the game?” Someone asked behind him.