milliways_bar | (no subject)

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There is an Alfred sat at the bar.

He's enjoying a full English breakfast.

[OOC: Hey, I'm back! Here, have a post-canon Alfred]

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"You are a chef, monsieur?" That would of course be the first guess.

Well naturally.

"No, I was the butler, ostensibly. But, after a reduction in staff, I took on other roles as well."

Like, all of them (save gardener).

"Ah. But you are retired now?" No butler would ever dress so casually. "I had a butler in my day. George was quite capable till the end."

Not on duty, no. Alfred pulls himself up, and stiffens his posture in a way that seems to say I could still be.

"The time was right to move on." Never mind that Bruce was 'dead'.

"As it comes to be for all butlers. Sooner or later, the master and the butler must part." Poirot wishes he did not need to fire George, but it was necessary to finish that one last case.

"This is true more generally, I think. Why did you part with yours?"

"Ultimately, because my time was short and I had no need of a butler. But also because I was attempting to prove the malfeasance of a particular man and needed to lay a trap, one that George could accidentally undo. George, he knew me too well." And would have no doubt stopped Poirot from the scheme.

"Well, that very much is our job, to know those we serve. But I can see how that would be a hindrance in such circumstances."

Poirot appreciates the understanding. "George, he served me well many years, even through the war. I left him a portion of my savings in my will, in hopes could retire as you did." George earned it for coping with the odd visitors and the odd hours during the odd cases.

The corner of Alfred's mouth just might have twitched upwards. Maybe.

"I am, enjoying the Riviera. It has much to favour it, compared to Gotham."

"Ah, the Riviera. I was there often when I was younger. I am glad that it has recovered from the war. But I do not know this Gotham." Not even as a literary reference to the Wise Men of Gotham.

"It seems not to exist in some worlds, even as other places and events map nicely. It's an American East coast city. Not much to recommend it at all, really. But, it was home to a number of old families, ah, old by American standards, at least."

He takes in the idea that there are cities that do not exist in some realities, but does not truly understand. And puts it aside.

"Yes, that is America. A nation of noveau riche. Forever trying to make the rest of the world think it has been there for centuries. Not that I did not appreciate the aid and the soldiers when they were needed. But they are much different, and I do not envy you spending your time there."

That gets a small grin from Alfred. Noveau riche would describe Alfred well, these days.

"Didn't we just, though I was only very young then. Thomas Wayne was one of the finest men I ever met. Far too few Americans were like him though."

"And he was your master all those years?" Poirot can do the math - this butler is from a good deal of years into the future.

"I served Thomas for 12, 15 years, I guess. And then his son for 30."

Which surely says something about the family. And probably Alfred too.

"Such devotion. George, he was only with me perhaps 15 years. Though at first I did not wish a butler." He only took one as time took its toll. "The son, he must have been like family?" He saw such things on occasion.

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