The sky over Gotham City had, for once, lightened to a pale gray. Yet for the officers of the Gotham Police Department's East End Police Department, it brought no relief. Bizarre chaos was sweeping through the battered city with the arrival of a famous magic troupe.
The name "Zatara Magic Troupe" seemed to possess a magic of its own. Overnight, posters covered Gotham's streets and alleyways. The troupe's current leader, the beautiful, mysterious magician Zatanna Zatara, renowned for her incredible escape acts, appeared in her signature evening dress and bow tie. Her eyes were deep, as though she could see straight into people's hearts. The citizens greeted this visual extravaganza with astonishing enthusiasm. Lines at ticket windows stretched across several blocks, and scalpers' prices soared.
"Boss, didn't you hand security over to Central Headquarters?"
"We're all in this together." Bob stood at the window, watching the bustling crowds outside. "Besides, whose fault is it that your security plan was so fucking absurd? Block off the streets with light machine guns, require tickets for pedestrians to pass, ration supplies at every shop along the route-fuck!"
He exhaled a disgruntled smoke ring. "So now we're backing up Sarah's operation."
"Okay, okay, my fault." Li Jie shrugged and hurried from the office into the main hall. The dispatcher shouted the moment he appeared.
"Sheriff! A massive fight has broken out at Seventh Avenue and Oak Street over places in the merchandise line!"
"Have Bushnell take some people over!"
"Sheriff! Patrol reports that three self-proclaimed members of the Zatanna Fan Club tried climbing onto City Hall's roof to hang a giant poster. Now they're trapped on the edge!"
"Get the fire department to help! Call the fire department!"
"Counterfeit tickets have turned up! At least two hundred people were scammed, and they're gathering outside