S.H.I.E.L.D. wanted to temporarily take over the city's defenses, but met with unprecedented resistance. For some reason, Gotham City's rejection of outside forces far exceeded many people's expectations, reaching an almost absurd extent.
When Coulson found Donnie, he was sitting in the room playing cards with Klein. The room was still the VIP suite provided by Wayne Enterprises. Ever since arriving in Gotham City, Donnie had shamelessly stayed there, and the Wayne Enterprises staff showed no intention of throwing him out—surely Wayne Enterprises could afford a room?
"Mr. Donnie, it has been a long time." Coulson entered with his trademark smile, May following beside him. He looked over the luxurious room and said with a smile, "It seems you've been living quite comfortably in Gotham, as though you're in a completely different world from the chaos outside."
Klein revealed his final cards: the two Jokers. Donnie had lost again. His record was now three wins and three losses. Playing cards against someone intelligent really required caution. Despite Donnie's continually improving memory, he and Klein had ended up evenly matched.
"Stop probing me, Coulson. You're no less cunning than Fury." Donnie tossed away his cards and stretched.
May kept a wary eye on Klein, paying particular attention to his clothing. There might be lethal gas hidden somewhere. After all, Klein's gas had once taken down even Batman.
"Donnie, we want to understand the situation in this city." Coulson grew somewhat serious. "We want to get involved here, but we've met enormous resistance. It's very strange."
"Not strange. Hasn't Gotham City always been like this for centuries? Merchants, gangs, and politicians can all come here, but certain forces simply can't get involved. The people of this city can assimilate individual outsiders, but they can't assimilate a behemoth like S.H.I.E.L.D." Donnie poured himself