As Alfred set a steaming cup of black tea beside the console, Bruce Wayne was studying the architectural plans of the East End Police Department on the holographic screen. He had held that position for over ten minutes.
"Master Bruce, your tea. Also, if you are quite so taken with it, you could buy the property and have the East End Police Department relocate."
"Thank you, Alfred."
Bruce did not touch the cup. His fingers slid across the console, bringing up another document: a report on Chinatown's cultural customs, accompanied by a handwritten list of precautions. The Chinese characters were so neat they looked almost unnatural.
"Your visit to Chinatown seems to have been rather fruitful." Alfred glanced at the screen. "I notice this list covers everything from the direction the shrine should face to the types of offerings, even the specific rituals for different festivals."
"They were enthusiastic." There was a rare note of bewilderment in Bruce's voice. "Too enthusiastic."
He played an audio recording. An elderly but powerful voice spoke without pause:
"...Lord Guan values loyalty and righteousness above all else. If you truly want to invoke him, you have to be sincere. Foreigners like you might not understand, but the rules must be respected. The statue should face south with its back to the north, and it mustn't face a bathroom door. The offerings have to be fresh. Apples and oranges are fine, but never offer pears. It's unlucky..."
The recording went on for seven minutes. Then came another voice, that of a middle-aged woman.
"You're Mr. Batman, right? My son loves you. You want to invoke Guan Gong? That's wonderful! Let me tell you, you need to burn three sticks of incense. They represent heaven, earth, and humanity. Replace the offerings on the first and fifteenth