Scans_Daily

I think I prefer the first version to the second. I mean, don't get me wrong, I like both of them, but I'm not sure I like the idea of Martha Wayne being someone who marries out of family obligation to an older man. It just doesn't sound right to me - if nothing else, I'd always pictured the two of them as roughly equal in age. I DO like how you get a real feel for her as a person, with all her insecurities laid bare, but I prefer to think of the Waynes as a happily married couple.
Also, the first has a pretty crafty way of getting around the whole 'needs money, but won't take a bribe' thing. She WON'T take a bribe, but she WILL take a donation - a bribe is only a bribe if it influences your future actions, after all. I've always wanted to write a scene where something like this happens:

Hero: Alright, bad guy, hands up! You're coming with me.

Bad guy: You don't wanna do that, hero. Not when I can make your life so much easier. What would you say to $10,000?

Hero: I'd say 'gee, thanks!'

Bad guy: I knew you'd see it my way. *forks over the cash*

Hero: Now hands up!

Bad guy: What?!

Hero: Hands up!

Bad guy: What the hell are you doing? I just bribed you!

Hero: No, you didn't.

Bad guy: I gave you $10,000 cash!

Hero: Yes, and it was very nice of you. Up with the hands.

Bad guy: I BOUGHT you! You're DIRTY! YOU WORK FOR ME!

Hero: Listen, if you want to give me ten grand, that's your business. I'd be a fool not to take it. But you haven't BOUGHT me, you've PAID me.

Bad guy: There's no difference!

Hero: There's all the difference in the world. A BOUGHT person belongs to you, a PAID person is someone you've given money to. If you want to pay me for something I haven't done, then who am I to argue? I could use ten grand. But I'm not BOUGHT unless I let that money make you mine - and brother, that ain't happenin'. I like money, but I also like justice. Now hands up already!

Bad guy: I KNEW this was gonna be a bad day...