The Opera Job (for riddledthecity)

[hypnotic_patter]

[Carrying over from this post.)

Music Meister’s been in contact with the Riddler ever since his dramatic rescue and by now they’ve got the heist neatly planned out. He’s sent Riddler lyrics (and later recordings) of the be-riddled song he plans to use on his victims, and the puzzles are so woven into the more normal lyrics that the Batman will have to work hard to even know they’re there. Now it’s time for their final preparations.

The address Music Meister gave Riddler will lead him to a closed theatre. The doors are boarded up, though the boards are painted black with window patterns in order to make them seem more attractive. For an abandoned building it seems to be in fairly good shape. The doors are locked, though the lock is easily picked. Behind the doors the lie is further exposed. The lobby and box office have been completely refurbished with an elegant cream and gold tiled floor and walls hung with framed posters for musicals and concerts. The doors leading into the theater itself are also shut, the better to keep the heat in and the wind out.

Comments

[riddledthecity]

It showed remarkable dedication, he had to give him that. The theater was spotless and performance-ready on the inside, no matter what the outer walls looked like.

"And it certainly does have style." Which he had nothing against, as long as it wasn't 'over substance'.

Unless it has to do with riddles, of course. Well, they all had their little quirks.

Even though that was fairly complimentary, of the theater if nothing else, the Riddler wasn't in the mood to take the invitation and sit around. He preferred to see who he was speaking to, at least when they could see him, and headed toward the curtain as he heard shuffling behind it, moving it aside with his staff so that he could step through.

"Things are proceeding smoothly, and all the performers are in position. Bar us, of course."

[hypnotic_patter]

Behind the curtain were a pair of tables with tarps hastily thrown over them--one a worktable, the other used for sewing and costume design. An electric keyboard and piano bench were in the corner, next to a small end table covered in papers. To stage left was the dressing room, or what had once been a dressing room. Music Meister had knocked the wall down and expanded it into a bedroom, and while its walls were painted the structure itself was a little crude.

The door was shut and Music Meister himself was not in evidence. Can't be seen in ragged jeans and a band shirt, must be appropriately dressed. "I'm almost ready to begin, just let me get myself in order."

[riddledthecity]

...And, of course, the primo uomo was not ready yet. Honestly, he wishes he could actually be surprised about that.

"Don't take too long putting your makeup on, Meister. Our audience awaits." (Not that he has any experience whatsoever in waiting for a woman to finish getting ready for anything, but no one needs to know that. It's not necessary for the jab, anyway.)

He can find something to occupy himself for a couple of minutes, though. He has an idea of what the papers on the end table might be, but he may as well glance over them while he waits.

[hypnotic_patter]

Says the man in the goth makeup.

"Almost done!" Music Meister affixes the mask and takes a look at himself in the mirror. He smooths his hair back and starts getting his boots on. If he'd just gotten some advance warning he'd be ready by now.

The papers are half-written music, jotted down in pencil on blank score sheets and scrap paper. Sometimes there are lyrics, sometimes not. Poking out from the bottom are a set of papercliped sheets labeled 'Arkham Sonata'.

[riddledthecity]

The "goth" makeup that he isn't putting on at the last minute. Oh, well. He'd thought that knowing when the performance of Lohengrin was to start would be advance warning enough, but if and when they joined forces again, he'd remember to let the Music Meister know exactly when he needed to be ready.

The papers are, in fact, what he'd thought they would be. Meister certainly has a one-track mind. Everything here, and everything he's seen connected to the man, seem to directly relate to music and the musical theater...

He doesn't think too much of it, though; whether or not Meister has wide and varied interests or is completely obsessive doesn't concern him in the least. The idea of an 'Arkham Sonata' is entertaining enough that he pulls that one out of the bottom of the stack carefully, and flips through it.

[hypnotic_patter]

If Riddler's of a mind that can read music, the song comes off as extremely chaotic. He's written it in bits and pieces after his escape and the flurry of notes indicates the composer's panic. It's not even a rough draft and he's written notes to himself all over the place regarding how to better it. Half the notes seem to be the names of fellow inmates or references to specific incidents at the asylum--perhaps he is trying to find inspiration in suffering.

One more adjustment to the mask and Music Meister poses before the mirror, doing a silent cackle of evil glee just to get into the mood. There we are. He steps out of the dressing room, cloak flaring around him. "And now the performance may begin."

The costume is obviously inspired by the Phantom of the Opera. His mask features a set of musical notes across the eyes and his color scheme is the familiar purple and green, but besides that he's held to the original fairly well. His Conductor's Baton serves as a stand-in for a cane. Music Meister gives Riddler a gap-toothed grin and awaits the man's reaction.

[riddledthecity]

Sheet music wasn't a completely closed book to him, though what he knows is limited to what he'd learned in two years of piano during middle school. It's enough to give some gist of the chaos, at least, especially when combined with the notes scrawled everywhere. Fitting enough; Arkham Asylum is nothing if not chaotic.

When he hears the dressing room door open, the Riddler sets the papers down, stepping away from the table again and giving the Music Meister a cursory glance-over when he turns to face him. Even not being clad in black and white, and not having neat, dark hair, and that showy mask, the Phantom motif is readily apparent, and the Riddler puts a hand on one hip, leaning slightly on his cane for a moment.

"You're certainly going to make an impression," he says, to Meister's expectant grin. "You don't have anything unexpected planned for the chandelier, do you?"

[hypnotic_patter]

"Not if the audience is as compliant as they should be--and if your distraction techniques will keep the Batman from interfering with our plans." If they don't Music Meister has some minor backup plans but he doesn't delude himself by thinking Batman won't figure a way around it. Stalling him until he can make a daring escape is the best way to go, not something as foolish as trying to kill him.

Music Meister twirls his cane and points to the door out to the back alley. "Shall we adjourn to the stage?"

Wow, again, I am sorry for that delay, I am back now!

[riddledthecity]

"I trust you'll provide the audience's compliance," he says, narrowing his eyes slightly. "You can trust me to distract the Bat." There was no way the Batman would be able to get anywhere near the opera house before they were finished with this crime, he was certain of it. And if he does, on that incredibly unlikely, off chance... He's already made a few preparations, himself.

Even if he's sure he won't have to use them, it's always better to have a backup plan.

The Riddler nods, and heads in the direction of Music Meister's pointing cane, smirking to himself.. "It's showtime."

[hypnotic_patter]

As gorgeous as the lobby is, it's always more efficient to leave by the back door. Especially when he's dressed like this. Music Meister saunters out, swirling his cane, a giddy grin on his face. He's got a suitcase full of necessary supplies, mostly what he needs to hijack the speakers of the opera house to ensure that everyone gets to hear his song.

Hopefully Riddler's brought the transportation, or else he'll need to hypnotize a cab.

[riddledthecity]

He needn't worry. The Riddler presses a button on his staff, and by the time they reach the end of the alley, an entirely unremarkable car with tinted windows has pulled up. When he opens the back door, and they get inside, one of his uncostumed Riddlemen, nods to them, giving a fleeting grin before turning back to face the road and pulling out.

The Riddler smiles, lounging in the backseat. "Not exactly a limousine," he says airily to the Music Meister, "but I hope it will do for today."

[hypnotic_patter]

"In this case the company makes it regal regardless." Music Meister slides in, looping the cape around so it goes on his lap instead of being sat on. He looks out the tinted window, feeling his heart racing. He did not get stage fright, of course, but an impending performance always excited him. This would be perfect. He would be the belle of the ball, the star of the show, by tomorrow he would be headlining in the paper.

meister is the best belle of the ball

[riddledthecity]

It's not a very long drive, especially since they're being let out around back of the building next to the opera house. It has a fire escape with roof access, after all; a few more of his Riddlemen are already in place on the opera house roof, and when they see the two "stars," they extend a sort of metal bridge over to them - only about two feet wide and lacking handrails, but perfectly sturdy.

He nods to one of the Riddlemen. "Take Meister here, show him where he needs to go. He'll be hijacking the speakers. How long," he continues, turning to address Music Meister this time, "would you say you'll need before you can be ready and in position?" Even with Meister's mind-controlling songs, the Riddler had decided they should make their entrances from different directions, in a sort of pincer maneuver. There was very little chance they'd need it, but it certainly would look properly theatrical, wouldn't it?

[hypnotic_patter]

"Give me ten, it won't take long to get into position. You've all got your filters, I assume?" He'd devised a few audio filters that removed his hypnotic pitch but allowed mostly normal healing otherwise. "Don't move until I'm singing, though. It'll take me a few seconds to make sure everyone's under my control but after that the crowd's all mine."

He got out, heading up the ladder, singing quietly to himself.

Oh, better far to live and die
Under the brave black flag I fly...

This would be exquisite, and from the stage he'd have a perfect view.

[riddledthecity]

"Naturally. I'll be in position, and I'll give you a bar before I make my own entrance." While the Riddler does love a showy entrance himself, he's known for a long while how much of a diva the Music Meister can be, and he's happy to let the man have a few moments in the spotlight all to himself if it means the audience will stay compliant -- and under their spell.

After Meister left, there wasn't much to do for those ten minutes besides getting into position. He checked one or two things on the way, making certain that all his little back-ups and failsafes were in place... and that his own little surprise with the chandelier was ready. He'd had a feeling the Music Meister might go with the Phantom look for this, and if Batman did drop in on them -- or the Gotham P.D., for that matter -- there would be a little surprise in store.

The lights were dimmed, and the opera was already in full swing; when the Riddler put in the audio filters Meister had designed, it barely muffled the sound. He'd just have to trust they were going to work properly. And as long as they did...

This was going to be -- dare he say it? -- fun.

[hypnotic_patter]

It was a simple matter to entrance the stagehands into setting up his equipment for him. Meister kept his voice quiet, not interrupting the opera until the number was over.

And then he stepped out onto the stage. There was the obligatory moment of shock and horror at this strange interloper, and Meister basked in it with arms outstretched.

"My apologies for the interruption, dear patrons, but you've got a much better show in store for you tonight."

He tapped the microphone headset and began to weave his enchanting tune. The audience wouldn't notice the riddles, of course, they wouldn't notice anything but the beautiful music compelling them to rise to their feet. A bit of cash and jewelry deposited on the stage wouldn't hurt, though it was hardly the goal, and Meister found their looks of rapture far more valuable.

Your cue, Riddler.