A Musical Mystery: Part 2 The Dance of Doom

[Bat-Tiger]

Chapter 1
The days came and went in Gotham City, and Miss Voleur was quite a sensation.

Surprisingly enough, there had been no attempted breakouts from Gotham Penitentiary since Warden Crichton had begun playing her album during recess periods to boost morale. To the citizens of Gotham, it seemed that this was the best thing to happen since the arrival of Batman & Robin.


At least to some of the citizens. During a visit to City Hall, librarian Barbara Gordon had been pulled aside for a secretive talk with police woman Mooney.

"Don't get me wrong Miss Gordon, I'm overjoyed that things have been so quiet in Gotham since Miss Voleur arrived..." She folded her arms and looked down as if it pained her to continue. "But none of my fellow officers have acted the same. Especially your father."

Barbara was taken aback by this, but she knew Officer Mooney would never say something unless there was truth to it. "How do you mean?" Barbara asked.

"Well, Bonnie has mentioned to me that he plays that album every day, and while it's on, he won't even move from his desk. Not even if he has an appointment. I checked myself and when I asked about it, he acted like I was crazy."

"That is odd..." Barbara replied. "I was on my way to visit him, I'll see if maybe there is something on his mind." The two exchanged brief goodbyes and parted ways. As she walked down the corridor to her father's office she could hear a light rock tune. She knocked, then opened the door.

Commissioner Gordon was at his desk, sitting still as if mesmerized. As usual, Chief O'Hara was at his side, he too seemed to be in a daze.

"Daddy..." Barbara said, waving a hand in front of his face. He didn't even blink.

"This is very odd. I wonder if that record is the culprit, but why isn't it effecting me?"

She hurried over to the record player near the door and unplugged it. Both Gordon and O'Hara blinked and shook their heads.

"Barbara, when did you come in?" Commissioner Gordon said, a bit embarrassed.

"Just now Daddy, you must have fallen asleep to the record." She decided to play it cool and not make a situation.

"Begorrah, I must have too. I hope that doesn't happen tonight." Chief O'Hara said, a bit red-faced.

"Why what's tonight?" She asked.

"Well as you know, we've been reclaiming old villain hideouts and selling them at low prices to the citizens of Gotham." The commissioner said proudly.

"And the money goes to the Wayne Orphanage." O'Hara added.

"Well to celebrate her rapid success here in our fair city, Miss Voleur had purchased The Pink Sandbox. She is throwing a party free of charge, and her band is playing."

Barbara stifled a shudder, as Batgirl, she often compared notes with Batman and Robin. If not for an eclipse, they would have met their end there.

"Is something the matter Barbara?" Gordon asked?

"No Daddy, I just remembered something I have to do at the library. What time is the party?"

Gordon checked the pocket watch his daughter had given him for his birthday. "In half an hour."

"Well I'd better finish my business at the library before then. Bye Chief, bye Daddy, see you at the party."

They waved goodbye and Barbara rushed home to her apartment. "Barbara Gordon won't be at the party tonight, but Batgirl will be." She thought to herself.


A few minutes later, Batgirl was ready to be on the streets again. "I wish I had a way to contact Batman. Its too bright out for the bat-signal. I couldn't use the hotline in Daddy's office without arousing suspicion. Maybe I could call Bruce Wayne's butler Alfred, he's helped Batman a time or two."


A moment later at stately Wayne Manor...

"Wayne Manor. Oh yes hello miss. Well yes I have aided Batman on occasion, but it may be beyond my abilities to contact him, especially on such short notice. Something strange may happen at The Pink Sandbox tonight? My word, well I will certainly try miss. Good luck to you too."

Alfred hung up the phone. He couldn't let on that in addition to being the butler of Bruce Wayne and his ward Dick Grayson, he also had his duties as part of the world's greatest crime fighting duo, Batman & Robin. He also couldn't betray Barbara Gordon's secret identity as Batgirl.

Meanwhile as Bruce and Dick prepare for what could be the social event of the year...

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us tonight Aunt Harriet?" Dick said.

"Oh my no, I have my bridge club meeting and a Gotham Church Ladies Auxiliary meeting later. You boys have fun, and don't wait up." She kissed them both on the cheek and called out to Alfred to meet her in the garage.

"Coming madam." Was his reply, but there was something else he must do first.

"Master Bruce, Master Dick, I'm afraid your presence will not be needed at the celebration tonight." He said, and bit his lip a bit nervously.

"What makes you say that Alfred?" Bruce asked.

"I received a tip that Batman and Robin may be needed even more. I'm terribly sorry that I can't offer more than that."

"No need old friend." Bruce said putting a hand on Alfred's shoulder. He trusted Alfred as well as he would his own father. "Your word is enough for me."

"And me." Dick added, with a smile.

"To the batpoles!"

Seconds later the dynamic duo were changed and in the Batmobile. They buckled up and their trusty vehicle roared to life.

[elmrgraham]

My guess is that Miss Voleur is The Catwoman in disguise.

[Hecate1966]

No need to guess. Miss Voleur's first name was given in the earlier chapter as 'Minou', ie 'Pussycat', the same as Catwoman's singing henchwoman from 'That Darn Catwoman'.

[elmrgraham]

Excellent guess.

[Bat-Tiger]

I hope you're enjoying everything so far Batfans. Chapter 2 is coming soon.

[Gorshin Romero]

Keep'em coming.

[Bat-Tiger]

I'm glad everyone is enjoying them. Chapter 2 should be up tonight.

[Bat-Tiger]

While on their way to The Pink Sandbox, our heroes had some time to speculate on the situation.

"Robin," Batman said, his tone had the inflection that he had something puzzling on his mind. "Doesn't it seem odd that there has been no criminal activity since Miss Minou Voleur came into town?"

"Gosh, that's right Batman. Do you think her music has been the solution to ending crime?"

"If that were true old chum, I would welcome it. But something has been puzzling me. How have you been coming with translating the French lyrics?"

"It was easy, at times. But the chorus is different. It almost sounds backwards."

"Correct, why would anyone want to do such a thing on a record?"

"Holy hypnosis! Do you think it could be planting some sort of suggestion?"

"Perhaps, but at the risk of sounding prideful, I don't believe that would work on minds honed as keen as ours. Nevertheless, we had better use our Bat-earplugs."


At the Pink Sandbox, Miss Voleur's band was just a few songs into their set. During each song there was lively dancing, and after each song, thunderous applause.

"Thank you Gotham." She said, blowing a kiss to the audience. "I have a special surprise for everyone tonight that I'm sure you won't forget."

Just then the caped crusaders made their entrance. Miss Voleur spotted them immediately as if she had been waiting.

"Ladies and gentlemen, how about a big welcome for Gotham's heroes, Batman and Robin. Take a bow boys." A spotlight shone on them, and the crowd cheered.

"Thank you citizens, but doing our civic duty is thanks enough." Batman said, "We just came here tonight to make sure there was no trouble."

"Why there will be no trouble at all Batman, not as long as everyone brings their valuables to the stage, and places them in the bags Whiskers and Manx are bringing now."

Upon her command, all the men in the audience obeyed mindlessly, those who brought dates took their purses and jewelry by force.

"That won't work on us Miss Voleur, or should I say Pussycat!" Robin said, punching his fist for emphasis.

"So, you figured me out." She said, taking off her pink mask. "And took precautions no doubt. Too bad for you I had all the men in my power from my first show. Now everyone... dance!"

On cue, all the men began dancing uncontrollably.

"Holy hoedown Batman! What's happening to us?" Robin cried out in surprise.

"Apparently a hypnotic suggestion from her concert, I'll never forgive myself for not catching it sooner!" Batman said, once again doing the batusi.

"Come on girls, let's go count our loot. We'll come back when they're exhausted. And don't bother trying to escape. The doors are reinforced." She laughed as they made their exit.

"How are we going to get out of this one Batman?" Robin asked his masked mentor.

"I don't know Robin. But at least women don't seem to be effected. Hopefully Batgirl is in town.


Just then, Batgirl had arrived and saw the batmobile. "Good, Alfred was able to reach them. I'll have backup."

After exchanging information about criminal hideouts, Batgirl knew better than going in the front. She threw a batarang up on the roof and began her ascent.

Moments later she was up and over the side. She was greeted with Miss Voleur's band counting money.

"Welcome Batgirl the woman with her back turned said. She spun around to reveal herself.

"Pussycat!" Batgirl said surprised. "You're on your own now?"

"All I ever wanted to be was a rock singer. But once Catwoman got her claws into me, I saw how fun it was to be bad. Thanks to my benefactor, every man in Gotham is under my control. Any woman who wants to join me is welcome to. And if they don't, I'll just eliminate them."

"You won't have an easy time with me." Batgirl said, clenching her fists.

"I figured that." Pussycat said, and stepped on a switch. A trapdoor opened under Batgirl and she fell into a metal walled room. She quickly looked around, trying to find a way to escape. The trapdoor above her clamped shut. And a skylight opened above her.

"There's no way out Batgirl, you would need a bomb to get out of there. And this skylight is made of super tempered glass as strong as iron. I have the upper paw."

Batgirl decided to banter with her, if she could stall for time, she may figure a way out.

"Give up now Pussycat, and show me how to reverse what you've done. I'll do everything in my power to see that the court goes easy on you. I know Catwoman has poisoned your mind."

At that last comment, Pussycat slammed her gloved hand on the glass. "Nobody speaks of Catwoman like that. As soon as I'm done here, I'm setting her free."

A chill went up Batgirl's spine, she just sounded more threatening than Catwoman ever did.

"Everyone in Gotham is dancing to my music. I guess you need some motivation. She turned a dial, and the floor under Batgirl began to turn a soft red color.

Batgirl looked down at her feet, "ow!" she said quietly, and lifted her foot. "Ow, ow, ow, hot!" She cried out, slightly louder, and began to hop from one foot to the other. She looked around the room, the walls were bare, except for a thin pipe than ran the length of the room.

"Gas pipe." She thought to herself, remembering what Batman told her about being trapped in here.

Pussycat and her minions were giggling at Batgirl's predicament. "Olga told me she was a good dancer, I guess I had to see for myself." She laughed again.

Batgirl gritted her teeth, "at least the sabre dance was with frosted swords, I wish I had one right now, my boots are melting." She thought to herself.

"Aww... poor Batgirl, too hot?" Pussycat said, mocking her.


Will Batgirl be barbecued?
Will Batman & Robin dance themselves to death?
Will Pussycat succeed where others failed?

Stay tuned Batfans!

[Mr. Deathtrap]

Bat Tiger,

I'm enjoying your story very much. I think you explained Pussycat's acquisition of the Pink Sandbox nicely and like how Pussycat dealt with the Dynamic Duo.

Let me make sure I understand. Despite the precautions they took before facing her at the Pink Sandbox, Batman and Robin obeyed a previously planted post hypnotic suggestion to dance embedded in the album they heard earlier.

Your idea that the hotfoot room is a perfectly deadly trap and needn't simply be the means to capture the good guys makes sense.

I'm looking forward to more.

Mr. Deathtrap

[Bat-Tiger]

Glad you're enjoying it. Pussycat had been planting hypnotic suggestions in her music since her first show. (All will be explained)

Yes I thought that was a very dangerous trap, if you recall that was one of the situations where the dynamic duo didn't escape on their own. By luck, or otherwise.

A lot of my motivation for this story was thinking of a way out. And I hope I don't disappoint.

Even after the escape there is still a lot to clean up. And I hope I've elevated a sidekick villain to a main one.

[Gorshin Romero]

Holy Packed Dance Floor! Bat-Tiger has given us a rockin' good bat-time! I especially liked the return of the Batusi! But yes I must admit I was a bit confused how our heroes could be forced to dance uncontrollably if they are wearing their bat earplugs.

Holy Hot Foot! What's Batgirl going to do!? We eagerly await your next installment!

[Bat-Tiger]

Sorry I've kept everyone waiting, but I wanted to build some suspense. Part 3 will come soon.