A replica of which is the centrepiece of the new exhibit for which the museum is holding its grand opening tomorrow. Only the most elite members of society will be there. The richest and most influential.
[Regaining steam he manages to recover some of his previous sense of dramatics, gesturing expansively to the image of the museum that's appeared on screen.]
A veritable King's Chamber of treasures, waiting to be collected by some enterprising explorer, wouldn't you agree?
[ He knows what the Sphinx is and that there are riddles involved, but not what specific one! Cut him some slack, Ed. ]
Now you're speaking my language, at least. I love snagging jewellery right off of rich folks fingers. And we'll be taking the artefacts too, right? That stuff is always a pain in the neck to fence, but when you can... [ He rubs thumb and forefinger together, giving praise to the almighty dollar with its signature salute. ] ...And you, uh, want Batman to show? So there's a trap, right?
[Who doesn't spend all their time memorising riddles though? It's absolutely the only valid way to demonstrate intelligence!]
Naturally we'll be taking the artefacts as well. There's one piece I want for myself. [A picture of a board game pops up.] The rest is free for the taking. I know a few dealers who don't ask questions so fencing shouldn't be too hard.
[Not that money is his primary goal but it pays the help. When the question of Batman comes up he chuckles and spins to wave an arm at the barrels piled up behind them.]
What do you think all that is for? A special surprise just for him! ...And the party guests, if he's not smart enough. [He grins widely at Marko.] Well? What do you think?
Don’t take this the wrong way, but how about we just make it look like he’s got some kinda puzzle to solve and then I just- [ He turns one hand into a mace and the other into a Batman bust, and clonks it. The Batman face gets x eyes. ] Wallop, yah know?
[ ...look, Flint didn’t even finish high school. ]
No. [There's no room for debate in his tone.] It has to be this way. I'm the Riddler and that's how the game is played. He has to know I've outsmarted him. If you can't accept that then you are welcome to go on your way. I am not changing how I operate for anyone.
[Flint's far from the first to make such a suggestion but he can't just not leave clues to his crimes. It just wouldn't be right.]
[ There is time when Sandman is clearly weighing up he should take the payment he’s gotten so far and cut out. But ultimately, Riddler leaves clues and Sandman is a plutomaniac. Slaves to their natures. ]
We’re good. [ He shrugs, but in the back of his head he’s already thinking of how he’s going to get out of the mess that’s going to get Riddler locked up. ] I mean, I worked with Wizard for years, and Doc Ock. Both of them cared more about the winning than the pay off too. Least you’re not as big an ass about it.
[ Riddler’s downright likeable compared to those jerks. ]
[It would have been inconvenient if Sandman had chosen to cut ties - he'd gone ahead and factored the man's abilities into his plan - but Edward was far too proud to try and convince the man to stay. So it's fortunate - if not terribly surprising - that greed wins out yet again.
Scoffing at the comparison, he waves a hand dismissively at the idea of those other villains.]
Small minds overcompensating for their limitations. [It doesn't even occur to him that Marko likely heard the exact same sentiment from the aforementioned allies.] Since you're still on-board, let me show you the rest of the plan.
[More images pop up on the screens as he walks through the plan and their respective roles in it, in preparation for the following evening.]
[ Flint rolls his eyes- he's heard those precise words before. What is it about being smart that makes people so insecure? He's perfectly happy with everyone thinking he's a brainless thug. Makes it easier to surprise them with a smart move when they least expect it.
He has a small amount of insight into the plan, but not much. Edward is a smart guy, despite the flaws in the Riddler giving hints in the first place. He could make suggestions, sure, but it'd land on deaf ears he's sure. All Flint needs to know is his part, what he's getting paid for it and when to cut his losses and run. ]
Looks pretty solid. Bet they're gonna regret using real sand as decoration. [ It's always handy to have more around, after all. Might even by why Riddler called him up for this team-up. Speaking of which- ] One thing though. If anyone other than Batman turns up, you ain't gonna complain if I bop 'em my way are yah?
[ Because when villains team up, there's like a 60% chance their respective heroes are doing the same thing. Sandy's quick assessment is that Riddler could work wonders on the Fantastic Four (Reed is the wrong kind of genius) but Spider-Man? He can't think of anyone a worse match-up for Riddler. ]
[It's his plan. There's no way it could be anything other than brilliant. He's particularly interested to see what Sandman can do with the extra material that will be present. While it's easy enough to work out the basics, seeing it in action will be something else.
The question gets another dismissive wave.] Yes, of course. Anyone other than Batman - including anyone associated with him - you have free rein to handle however you see fit. They're not worth my time.
[He might have to test himself against Richards or Stark at some point, given both supposedly possess impressive intellects but in the end its always going to be Batman he needs to best. There's too much history there and the vigilante is annoyingly good at solving or bypassing his riddles. Plus he's fun to rile up. None of the other masked crew are near as interesting.
...Although Spiderman in particular would absolutely be a disaster for any of his plans.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
an excellent skill to have!
[Moving right past that.]
A replica of which is the centrepiece of the new exhibit for which the museum is holding its grand opening tomorrow. Only the most elite members of society will be there. The richest and most influential.
[Regaining steam he manages to recover some of his previous sense of dramatics, gesturing expansively to the image of the museum that's appeared on screen.]
A veritable King's Chamber of treasures, waiting to be collected by some enterprising explorer, wouldn't you agree?
no subject
[ He knows what the Sphinx is and that there are riddles involved, but not what specific one! Cut him some slack, Ed. ]
Now you're speaking my language, at least. I love snagging jewellery right off of rich folks fingers. And we'll be taking the artefacts too, right? That stuff is always a pain in the neck to fence, but when you can... [ He rubs thumb and forefinger together, giving praise to the almighty dollar with its signature salute. ] ...And you, uh, want Batman to show? So there's a trap, right?
no subject
Naturally we'll be taking the artefacts as well. There's one piece I want for myself. [A picture of a board game pops up.] The rest is free for the taking. I know a few dealers who don't ask questions so fencing shouldn't be too hard.
[Not that money is his primary goal but it pays the help. When the question of Batman comes up he chuckles and spins to wave an arm at the barrels piled up behind them.]
What do you think all that is for? A special surprise just for him! ...And the party guests, if he's not smart enough. [He grins widely at Marko.] Well? What do you think?
no subject
[ ...look, Flint didn’t even finish high school. ]
no subject
[Flint's far from the first to make such a suggestion but he can't just not leave clues to his crimes. It just wouldn't be right.]
no subject
We’re good. [ He shrugs, but in the back of his head he’s already thinking of how he’s going to get out of the mess that’s going to get Riddler locked up. ] I mean, I worked with Wizard for years, and Doc Ock. Both of them cared more about the winning than the pay off too. Least you’re not as big an ass about it.
[ Riddler’s downright likeable compared to those jerks. ]
no subject
Scoffing at the comparison, he waves a hand dismissively at the idea of those other villains.]
Small minds overcompensating for their limitations. [It doesn't even occur to him that Marko likely heard the exact same sentiment from the aforementioned allies.] Since you're still on-board, let me show you the rest of the plan.
[More images pop up on the screens as he walks through the plan and their respective roles in it, in preparation for the following evening.]
no subject
He has a small amount of insight into the plan, but not much. Edward is a smart guy, despite the flaws in the Riddler giving hints in the first place. He could make suggestions, sure, but it'd land on deaf ears he's sure. All Flint needs to know is his part, what he's getting paid for it and when to cut his losses and run. ]
Looks pretty solid. Bet they're gonna regret using real sand as decoration. [ It's always handy to have more around, after all. Might even by why Riddler called him up for this team-up. Speaking of which- ] One thing though. If anyone other than Batman turns up, you ain't gonna complain if I bop 'em my way are yah?
[ Because when villains team up, there's like a 60% chance their respective heroes are doing the same thing. Sandy's quick assessment is that Riddler could work wonders on the Fantastic Four (Reed is the wrong kind of genius) but Spider-Man? He can't think of anyone a worse match-up for Riddler. ]
no subject
[It's his plan. There's no way it could be anything other than brilliant. He's particularly interested to see what Sandman can do with the extra material that will be present. While it's easy enough to work out the basics, seeing it in action will be something else.
The question gets another dismissive wave.] Yes, of course. Anyone other than Batman - including anyone associated with him - you have free rein to handle however you see fit. They're not worth my time.
[He might have to test himself against Richards or Stark at some point, given both supposedly possess impressive intellects but in the end its always going to be Batman he needs to best. There's too much history there and the vigilante is annoyingly good at solving or bypassing his riddles. Plus he's fun to rile up. None of the other masked crew are near as interesting.
...Although Spiderman in particular would absolutely be a disaster for any of his plans.]