J.O.K.E.R

The night time was the best time to conduct the business at hand. There was something secretive within the dark and fog of the city center. High up in the loft, above the city fog, sat the board room for Jester Industries. Five men sat around the board table. The thick redwood table cost a hundred and twenty five thousand dollars and was solid and ornately decorated. The redness was complemented by the black floor and brown oak walls. 

Mr. Jester, the man at the head of the table, was the founder and face of the company. Any time the media needed a moment of the company, Jester was there to explain. The man was built like a runner, tall and lengthy; handsome and easy to the eyes. A man women could trust and that men could rival. He was articulate and knew everything that Executive wanted him to know.

Mr. Executive was the CEO of Jester Industries. The man knew business and he loved the intricacies within all the workers building his power. He smoked cigars and his body was built like a rhino. He may have looked chubby, but one handshake with him, and any man would have sworn that he just shook hands with a steel crab. Mr. Executive knew all of the company’s innermost secrets and projects. Executive passed on any sort of information that Operation deemed necessary for the world to know.

Mr. Operation was the definition of a computer nerd. Skinny and thick rimmed glasses. He preferred to work in his pajamas somewhere deep in the bowels of the building. His division of tech maintained the security for the inner workings of all projects. Operation knew everything that Jester Industries needed to continue to make profits soar. He was often the buffer between Executive and Kinetic dealing with the secret parts of the company.

Mr. Kinetic was the assassin for the enemies of the company. Kinetic was a former Special Service contract killer. He was a Jester Industries dirty secret. Any time that an upstart company tried to threaten Jester Industries, Kinetic stepped in and his division would make the death of the small company look like a gang attack. Such a thing was a common occurrence in Gotham. Mr. Kinetic was often seen around Mr. Retention as a bodyguard.

Finally, Mr. Retention; he was the teenage son of Mr. Jester. Retention’s job was to learn how the company worked and was often seen as a sort of party animal. He respected Executive and Kinetic, he was doted on by his father, and thought that Operation was a bit on the creepy side. Retention was a boy that had yet to become a man. He knew very little about the company, and yet he was expected to take over eventually.

These five sat around the board room redwood solid table and Mr. Jester stood and said, “How goes the progress with the newest radiation suits?” 

“Testing is going surprisingly well. Some of our newest volunteers are showing more redundancy and resistance than previous batches. The cost is down and the burns are minimal.” Operations answered.

“When do you think that we can get them into production?” Jester asked.

“Within six months at this rate.” Executive said. “They are progressing nicely. Wayne Industries is starting to get anxious. I think that they are worried that the radiation cloud may dissipate before we have an opportunity to observe it up close.” 

“Then we shall announce our success next month, until then Operation keep our testing secret. And out of the country.” 

“What should I do?” Mr. Retention asked.

“Keep up the party scene. Keep that press attention off of the war in north Uzbekistan. Those tactical nukes will be seen, but your job is to see that they are quickly forgotten.” Mr. Executive said. “Perhaps if you were to marry that ward of the Wayne family. Pop that question and a couple of days of nuclear war in a foreign country will be quickly forgotten.” Mr. Jester said

“Sure thing, Dad. I’m sure Barbara is just awaiting the question since her family passed away.” 

“I will make sure that Retention asks the of the bomb drop to make sure we have maximum exposure.” Kinetic stated. 

With that said, the business was concluded. Executive, Kinetic and Operation left. Jester and his son stayed behind.

“Dad, do you really think that Barbara will make a good daughter? And you’re not just using our relationship as a business ploy?”

“I have enjoyed her company the few times that we have met. I think that your union with her will bring the two wealthiest companies in the world to a union that will shake the foundation of the Earth. Son, I wish the best future for you and her.”

Retention smiled and embraced his father once before leaving the large office. 

Jester maintained a warm smile as his son left the floor. Then he went to the window and stared out at the large city and Wayne Industries staring right back at him. Jester felt an all consuming rage as he stared out the window.