Volume 1: Welcoming Gotham Chapter 40 Although I am willing to support you with love, I still have to resolutely draw a clear line between myself and the violent forces.
When the next morning came, Mason climbed out of his suitcase and stood in the Penguin's office and stretched.
Another fulfilling evening has passed.
Although he was constantly disturbed by Lady Catwoman who was "on vacation" in the magic apartment, he finally made a new and very useful potion last night.
A small bottle of primary vitality potion was taken out and shaken in front of his eyes.
The liquid that had been filtered three times did not have any residue. The sleepy young man tilted his head back and drank it in one gulp. After a few seconds, he became lively and energetic again.
It is simply the perfect remedy for those who stay up late to cultivate themselves.
"Although the various alchemical potions simplified by Old K are very useful, perhaps I should try the ancient secret recipes passed down in Hogwarts ."
Mason ponders his plans for alchemy.
He planned to spend a week focusing on the alchemy branch, and if possible, upgrade it to Lv2 and then create the magical medium alchemy stone which was very important for alchemy.
According to Lao K's notes, if an alchemist can make the alchemist stone independently, it means that he has left the apprenticeship stage.
Then, Mason would start improving other branches of skills while studying engineering, but these were all "work plans" at night, and Mason did not intend to give up the equally precious daytime time.
He wanted to make full use of the daytime to improve those branch skills that did not require concealment.
And he already has a complete plan.
"Boss, here are the clothes you requested."
After a busy night but still full of energy, the energetic kite flyer Charles walked into the office carrying two sets of clothes, a black formal suit on the left and a gray casual style on the right.
This guy, who had a lot of work experience and often worked odd jobs to supplement his family income during his past career as a villain, said to Mason:
"If you're going to a job interview, I suggest you dress more formally, but considering your age, it's not good to be too formal, so stick with this grey suit.
It is casual yet formal, conservative but not old-fashioned, and it is most suitable for a handsome young man like you.
This is the advice my newly hired lobby manager gave me.”
"Okay, I'm not picky anyway."
Mason took the gray semi-formal casual suit and walked to the cubicle of Penguin's office to change his clothes. While changing, he said to Kite Man, who was sitting on the sofa and sorting some things:
"You found a lobby manager in just one day? Charles, are you really ready to take over this hot potato?"
"If you don't show up, do I have to rent out this building and collect rent?"
Charles complained, then said excitedly:
“But this job is actually not as difficult as you think, Boss. Although I had a miserable life in Gotham before, I still have some connections in this circle.
Yesterday I posted a job posting to a friend on the 'Minions Union'. Now I have not only recruited a lobby manager, but also interviewed the front desk, kitchen staff and bartenders.
The next step is to get some young, cute and coaxing waiters and enough security personnel, and then hire a few out-of-date singers and bands at a low price to reopen the business.
The only trouble was getting the drinks served.
The alcohol in Gotham's gray area is monopolized by the Falcone family mafia, and they've been doing this since the days of Al Capone.
I heard they're eyeing this bar, too."
"Wait, the Minion Union?"
Mason, who was changing his clothes, stuck his head out of the cubicle and said in surprise:
"Is there really something this outrageous in Gotham?"
“ There’s even a ‘Villain Forum’ in this city, and it has quite a few fans, so why can’t there be a union that specifically provides services for the minions of various forces and those unemployed young people who want to enter this industry?
Look at the worsening economic situation in Gotham City. Even Wayne Industries can’t offer so many jobs to unemployed young people.”
The kite flyer said confidently:
"And how do you think the Joker and Two-Face recruit enough followers overnight every time they are released from prison? Do they hand out recruitment flyers on the street?
No, no, no, these are all services provided by the Minions Union!
The boss longs for useful younger brothers, and ambitious younger brothers also want to follow a powerful boss.
This is called 'running in both directions'.
The union's service fee is quite high, and the agency fee for each level of minions is different. For a high-level minion like me with unique skills, the agency fee is one thousand US dollars each time.
This is a friendly price!
By the way, boss, do you want me to register you as a member of the Minions Guild?
They are having an event this month, where new members can get a 20% discount on the membership fee, and they also give you three free intermediary services, but you need a fancy nickname. "
"It's Gotham's specialty. This industry has become a systematic operation. I'm really impressed."
Mason complained, then walked out in his smart suit and looked at himself in the dressing mirror.
Because of the "employee benefits" of the previous star club, his thin body has become strong, and his height has increased to 1.85 meters, which makes him quite imposing. His short black hair and slightly immature face give him a youthful vitality.
But his big eyes with distinct black and white and the restrained light in them gave him a sense of stability and sophistication.
"good!"
The kite man looked around behind him and praised:
"With this packaging and operation, you can directly participate in the 'Gotham Flower Boy' talent show. But, boss, are you sure you want to apply there?
Even if you don't want to get involved in the operation of the bar, you can be a hands-off boss. Given the location and conditions of this bar, it's no exaggeration to say that if we two brothers manage it a little better, we won't lack money for the rest of our lives.
You have to study alchemy and explore other worlds. Isn't it a waste of time to go out and show your face?"
"I told Batman that I would never get involved in these shady industries again in my life. A man should keep his word. It was not easy for me to clean myself up.
It can’t be dyed black again.”
Mason looked at himself in the dressing mirror and was quite satisfied with his new look.
He touched his eyes and felt that he needed a pair of glasses to cover up his overly mature eyes. While pinning Zha Kang's Eye of Hell collar pin on his collar, he said to the Kite Man:
"Besides, I have my own plans. You can run this place well without interfering in my life. We can better cooperate and hide in Gotham, one in the open and the other in secret.
But since you are so wealthy, Boss Charles, I will leave the money for purchasing materials to you in the future."
"Don't worry, Boss."
The kite flyer patted his chest and said:
"I will be your treasury from now on, if you need money, just ask.
Of course, those magical potions... I mean, since we can't run this bar the same as it was when the Penguin was there, it has to have some unique features, right?"
"Okay, I'll take some time to research and make some cocktails."
Mason nodded in agreement and asked casually:
"Didn't you say you wanted to get your son back from your ex-wife?"
"next month!"
Charles clenched his fist and said:
"When I make enough money next month and hire the best lawyer, I will definitely bring my son back and give him the best life. Since he could die in a distant country at any time, I don't want to miss the remaining time."
"come on!"
Mason patted his little brother on the shoulder, picked up his suitcase and was about to leave.
Mason declined Kite Man's suggestion to send someone to take him to check out the luxury cars in the garage.
Are you kidding? The cheapest luxury cars in Penguin's garage cost millions. He's going there to apply for a job, not to make a purchase, so why would he drive that thing?
Do we have to learn from Bruce Wayne, the playboy who parades around all day long and treats showing off his wealth as a boring job?
Mason hailed a taxi and drove all the way to Crime Alley, a dilapidated area that was sparsely populated even during the day. He got out of the car and walked into the four-story clinic in front of him with his suitcase.
"Hi, I'm Mason Cooper."
He gave a gentle smile to the yawning nurse at the front desk and said:
"I submitted my resume for the position of physician assistant yesterday, and Dr. Leslie responded to me this morning."
The young nurse, who had been busy all night, was drowsy, but when she saw a tall, mighty, and polite handsome man suddenly appear, she came back to her senses.
Not only did he give Mason a warm welcome, he also personally took Mason upstairs and sent him to Dr. Leslie's office.
The cold-faced doctor glanced at Mason, then stood up and closed the office door, leaving the young nurse who was waiting outside and ready to serve tea and water looking disappointed.
"Mason, is this a bad joke?"
Dr. Leslie, standing behind the door, crossed her arms, her green eyes, which were marked by years but still bright, stared at the young man sitting in the chair, and she said:
"While I appreciate you saving an old woman like me from the big mess Catwoman caused that night, my small clinic is no place for a 'Bat Son'."
"No, Doc, I really need a job."
Mason gave a job applicant's humble smile.
He carefully placed his paper resume on the doctor's desk and said to Dr. Leslie, who sat back in his chair and put on his glasses:
“Although I don’t have a nursing license and haven’t studied professional knowledge systematically, I wanted to be a doctor who saves lives when I was in school.
Plus, you’re not old at all.
This is the age when a woman is most endowed with the unique charm brought by wisdom and experience. I think Director Gordon, who always finds excuses to come to you, must agree with this.
He is my guardian now.
Maybe this will give me a boost in the interview?"
"Your opening remarks are terrible!"
The cold-faced doctor curled his lips and said:
“If you hadn’t saved me, I would have kicked you out the moment you mentioned Gordon… What does the ‘Alchemist’ marked in this professional skill on this resume mean?
This is a serious clinic, Mason!
Not some mysterious spiritual place."
"You can think of it as an ancient healing method. I brought samples with me."
Mason took out three test tubes of different colored liquids from his suitcase and placed them in front of the frowning doctor. He introduced them:
"From left to right, there are three potions: healing, vitality, and paralysis. Don't look so dismissive, Doctor Leslie. Gordon has seen their effects with his own eyes.
In addition, regarding first aid, if you have doubts about my skills, I can demonstrate to you on the spot the hemostatic bandaging techniques that I have practiced for a long time.
Do you have any patients here who need bandaging?"
"If I didn't know your identity, I would kick you out right now, young charlatan!"
The grim doctor thought for a moment, snapped his fingers at Mason to signal him to follow, then took the bottle of blue vitality potion from him and handed it to the little nurse who was dozing off at the door as he opened the door.
"Wendy, this is a new medicine that can effectively relieve fatigue. Are you willing to try it?"
The doctor said to the nurse:
"You've been working overtime for two days straight. I know you need the money to help your sister with her schoolwork, but you really need a break, kid."
"I'd like to, if I can get an extra fee for the drug trial."
The young nurse grinned sleepily and took the test tube from Dr. Leslie. She sniffed it and found a faint orange scent in it, so she breathed a sigh of relief and drank it all in one gulp.
At the same time, Dr. Leslie took out a stethoscope and began to monitor the heart rate changes of his employees. Ten seconds later, the vitality potion diluted by Mason produced miraculous effects.
The young nurse, who was originally very sleepy, blinked her eyes and felt that her fatigue was released at once, and she became full of energy.
But she was not very happy. Instead, she looked at the test paper in her hand with fear and asked cautiously:
"Doctor, is this stuff really free of stimulants? You know I hate those things."
“It’s a pure natural extract, and as long as you don’t drink it as coffee, it’s absolutely safe and harmless.”
Mason explained with a smile and then reminded:
"If you feel any discomfort in the next half hour, please tell me immediately."
Looking at Mason's handsome and sunny face, the little nurse's heart was pounding. She whispered:
"Well, I feel my heartbeat quickening and my cheeks getting hot..."
"You really should find a boyfriend, Wendy."
Dr. Leslie took back her stethoscope and looked at Mason with a strange look. She said to the nurse:
"Go to work. The trial fee will be paid from your special allowance this month. Mason, put away your charming smile and stop harassing my employees.
follow me."
The doctor strode forward. Mason politely said goodbye to the young nurse and followed the doctor to the mild observation ward, where a nurse was changing the dressing on a homeless man with minor burns.
Dr. Leslie winked.
The young man took off his coat, rolled up his sleeves, put on medical gloves and took over the nurse's job. Then, under the surprised gaze of the doctors and nurses, he completed the cleaning and bandaging with swift and professional hands and feet.
His skillful movements and perfect details made the nurses around Dr. Leslie feel mysteriously like "I'm such a wimp".
By the way, I developed a sense of crisis about my career.
"Successfully completed an outstanding craft: Rapid Minor Injury Bandaging, and first aid skill proficiency increased by X10."
When the prompt appeared, Mason gave the patient a gentle smile and then stood up, taking off his medical gloves while looking at Dr. Leslie.
The grim doctor turned and left expressionlessly, and Mason followed him back to the office.
She opened a drawer, took out a document, threw it to Mason, folded her arms and said:
"Come to work tomorrow..."
"Now you can."
While filling in his personal information, Mason said to the doctor:
"I even brought my own nurse's uniform."
"That's great, but I have to tell you in advance, Mason, my clinic is a nonprofit organization."
Doctor Leslie pushed up his glasses and said:
"This means that the salary you get here is unstable, and you are at risk of unemployment at any time. Also, because it is a non-profit organization, your workload will be greater than that of a general treatment institution. You are not allowed to complain to me about being tired from work, and you are not allowed to take leave casually.
Your bandaging skills are the best I've ever seen, but perhaps you could continue to learn more about professional suturing, wound cleaning, and simple surgical procedures.
You also need to get a nursing license as soon as possible.
If applicable, a medical license is also required.
But the advantage of working here is that there is a staff cafeteria and dormitory, which can solve the problem of food and accommodation..."
"Just close your eyes and tell lies."
The young man complained in his heart.
With a world-class billionaire like Bruce Wayne secretly supporting you, your clinic will definitely be well-funded even if Gotham is destroyed one day.
He had never seen any public welfare clinic's emergency room with cutting-edge equipment that even large hospitals might not have.
“Oh, do you have a cafeteria here?”
Mason looked up, thinking of the branch of cooking that he had not yet started, and smiled at Dr. Leslie as if he was seeking a job, and said:
"My cooking skills are actually pretty good, so maybe I can work part-time as a chef? I'm not here to work for the money, doctor. I just don't want to waste my time, and I also want to contribute to this city.
Do you and your staff need to sample food on site?
There are still three hours until lunch time, I can totally accept this challenge..."
"Bang, bang, bang"
An anxious knock on the door sounded at this time, and the young nurse Wendy opened the door and said seriously:
"Doctor Leslie, there was a gunfight three blocks away. Six patients were sent here with gunshot wounds. One needs emergency treatment, and the others have traumatic injuries."
"Mason, put on your nurse uniform."
Ms. Leslie pushed up her glasses and said to the young man:
"Go and stop the bleeding and bandage the trauma patient. Wendy will assist you. This is your entry test, young man. Let me see your strength."
