Chương 439: Talented Individuals in Arkham
When Arthur found Thomas Wayne, some viewers had already anticipated the outcome, just as Alfred had said when Arthur went to Wayne Manor, 'Go away, so you don't embarrass yourself more.'
But Arthur still held hope at that time, believing that Thomas Wayne was indeed his father. However, when this hope was completely shattered, he seemed to collapse.
Returning home, he emptied the refrigerator and locked himself in.
At this point, many couldn't help but sympathize. Peter Parker sighed, "The distance between people is sometimes significant. Mr. Wayne should be enjoying an opera at the theater right now, unaware of the harm he has caused to others."
Commissioner Gordon raised an eyebrow, "He was worried that Arthur would harm his son, but regardless, he shouldn't have resorted to violence, and his attitude was too harsh."
Speaking of this, he glanced at Bruce Wayne beside him and added, "But the Thomas I know wouldn't do this. He was polite to everyone."
Bruce Wayne pondered silently. Honestly, he also felt that the 'father' in the video behaved too unemotionally. It was quite different from the father he knew.
One could say that people in different parallel timelines indeed had significant differences.
While Bruce Wayne contemplated, he also discreetly observed Arthur, and both Peter Parker and Commissioner Gordon observed him cautiously.
They were careful because they feared triggering Arthur. After all, he wasn't a normal person but someone with mental issues, and his current state seemed quite distressing.
His eyes were fixed on the video screen, his hands involuntarily clenched into fists, and his body seemed to tremble uncontrollably. Though his face and eyes revealed sadness and pain, his lips outlined a faint smile, as if he could have an episode at any moment.
In the video, the scene shifted to Gotham City covered in dark clouds. Arthur found Arkham Asylum, intending to investigate the old stories mentioned by Thomas Wayne.
It was a large hospital, and one could hardly imagine how many patients it housed.
Soon, Arthur witnessed the kind of people inside. He found the hospital's file manager and asked, "Are the people locked up here all criminals?"
Although it was a mental hospital, Arthur had encountered a patient in the elevator on the way in. The patient was extremely irritable, needing to be restrained on the bed; otherwise, he seemed ready to attack anyone. There were also police officers guarding nearby.
Clearly, Arkham Asylum was different from ordinary mental hospitals. It was larger, accommodated more patients, and was more complex.
The file manager didn't hide it, "Yes, some are, but some are just insane, posing a threat to themselves or others. Some have nowhere else to go and don't know what to do."
Gotham residents knew well about Arkham Asylum's reputation. It served as both a hospital and a special prison. Individuals coming out of Arkham, or the 'talents,' were all remarkable figures...
In the video, Arthur, seemingly unaware of the asylum's uniqueness, complained about his experiences to the file manager, "I understand what you mean, buddy. Sometimes, I don't know what to do either. Last time, I vented my grievances on someone else... I thought it would bother me, but it didn't at all!"
The file manager paused at his words, stopped his actions, and said, "What are you saying?"
Arthur looked at him with a half-smile, "I messed up, buddy. I did something bad! You know what I mean? It's hard to stay happy all the time."
The file manager, hearing this, seemed helpless, "Listen, buddy, I'm just an administrative assistant, an office worker. I'm only responsible for organizing files and records, so I don't know how to console you. But you should see a counselor. The government has related welfare programs, citizen welfare and such."
Arthur chuckled sarcastically, "Yes, you're right, but they cut all those budgets! People like me can't afford to go to regular hospitals for treatment. Even counseling is expensive. So, I have to rely on government and official basic welfare facilities."
This was why the file manager suggested seeing a counselor at these places. Arthur, with his social status, couldn't afford proper medical treatment, and even the basic welfare facilities were cut off.
Gordon shook his head, "Our Gotham has done similar things. For some people, these basic welfare facilities are deemed unnecessary burdens."
Peter Parker added, "New York is similar. Some welfare facilities are almost cut off, and even those remaining face budget cuts every year."
Bruce Wayne bluntly said, "Because these people's votes are not worth politicians' favor."
In the video, after a moment of silence, the file manager said, "I found the file you're looking for, Fleck, Penny Fleck. Let me see... the diagnosing physician is Dr. Benjamin Stone."
Under Arthur's gaze, separated by the clinic's wire mesh fence, the file manager read out the crucial information from the record, "This patient suffers from delusional mental disorder and narcissistic personality disorder. Her charge is harming her own child..."
At this point, the file manager suddenly fell silent, glanced at Arthur, and looked somewhat peculiar.
Arthur's expression at this moment became even more peculiar. He slowly smiled, eyes staring intently, "What's wrong?"
"Is she your mother?" The file manager asked with a solemn expression.
Arthur indeed nodded with a faint smile. Yes, he was the child of Penny Fleck mentioned in the record, a victim.
At this point, the file suddenly closed. "Sorry, buddy, as I said, without filling out forms and obtaining signatures, I can't give you these records. I could face consequences. If you bring your mother to sign, the process will be much smoother. But I can't provide you with the documents without proper authorization. Understand? I'm sorry."
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