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Wish Fulfillment Meme
(AKA a slightly different AU meme)

ROLL IT OR DON'T WHATEVER
THIS IS NOW AN ALTERNATE REALITY
(Disclaimer: Characters don't actually have to be aware anything's different and it probably works better if they're not anyway, this is wish fulfillment right here)

SUPERHERO WORLD: Put on your capes and keep your undies on the outside kids, it's time to save the world. Only those with the coolest names and the least crappy powers can survive in a world that doesn't understand. And something about responsibility I guess.
PIRATE WORLD: Because a whole meme dedicated to pirates isn't enough, it's never enough, never. Swash those buckles and put Errol Flynn to shame.
COWBOY WORLD: More lawless outlaws and people who don't need no stinkin' badges. Just make sure you're not the kind who wears flamboyant pink or you might mess up the timeline.
ROCK STAR WORLD: Sex, drugs, and stupid-looking outfits. From Gaga to Mercury to Richards to Jones, these proud innovators of the musical world (and other guys who played music I guess) pioneer new ways to look ridiculous and still get laid all the time. CATCH A PIECE OF THAT MAGIC AND BECOME A JUKE BOX HERO.
ROBOT WORLD: I don't even know anymore I'm just throwing this in here for the hell of it. You're robots. I guess do whatever robots do when they're not fantasizing about calculators.
DETECTIVE WORLD: Hard-boiled flatfoots chase crooked criminals in the black-and-white streets of a vaguely early 1900's America because that's the only place that ever had hard-boiled detectives, shut up, it's historical fact.
POTPOURRI WORLD: ROBOT COWBOY ROCK STARS. WHO ARE ALSO DINOSAURS.

I rescind the apology I was going to give for this meme because robot cowboy rock star dinosaurs.

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[She approaches the two of them cautiously, not wanting to scare the poor girl any further. Her words are awkward, but gentle.]

Hey. We just want to help, alright?

Y-you can't tell my dad! Please! He can't--

We won't tell anybody. I swear. Just gonna ask you a few questions, that's all. And if you don't want to answer them, just tell us.

[The girl hiccuped a few times, wiping at her eyes, before nodding]

[Gently:] Does your dad have any kind of association with the West Side gang?

[The girl seems startled, almost scared.] T-they...they financed his re-election campaign. He didn't know, not at first. But then he found out and they threatened to blackmail him. M-make him look dirty. [She hiccups again.]

['But he IS dirty' was what Zatanna wanted to say. She had to bite her tongue; comments like that probably wouldn't help things.]

How long ago did the blackmailing start?

[He shares a look with Zatanna. Daddy dearest seems to be hiding his shady dealings from his daughter.]

About six months ago. [She sniffles] I don't know what they want, or what they have as p-proof that he's "dirty." Daddy wouldn't do this! I swear!

[Gently:] We know. We're just trying to help. His safety deposit box was broken into. Any idea why?

No. He never even let me see what was in it. I had my own box for my jewelry and trust fund papers.

Which box was that?

I'd...rather not say, if you don't mind.

[She was retreating again. Zatanna eased off.]

I don't. It's probably not important anyway.

Is there anything else you can think of? A name. A face. Anything that might explain the sudden break-in?

[She thinks.] There...there was a man, last week. He called the house, said his name was Leo and that he wanted to talk to my dad. But Daddy wasn't home so I told him I'd take a message and he said "he knows why I'm calling.

I'm sorry, that's all I know.

[So now they had a name. For starting off with nothing, it was a pretty good lead.]

Thanks. You've helped us more than you realize.

[She motions with her head for Robin to follow her back the way they came.]

[Dick smiles] Thanks. And don't worry, it'll be okay.

[He walks along with Zatanna] Well, productive morning so far.

Stop me if this sounds familiar to you:

Dirty mayor, being blackmailed by a gang that allegedly contributed a hefty sum to his reelection campaign, has his safety deposit box broken into just days after some creepy guy named Leo calls and leaves an ominous message. A box which he wouldn't even let his own daughter have access to.

So, we need two things: we need to find Leo and find out what was in that safety deposit box. Those are the missing pieces.

[She glances up at one of the town clocks]

I'm not sure how much headway we're going to get on food in that department.

Maybe we should head back to the office and come up with our next plan?

Good plan. Wanna grab something to eat on the way back? We...kinda have a long walk to get back to the car.

[And it's just getting hotter as the sun gets higher in the sky.]

Great. I'm starving!

[Walking along, do de do. Don't want to get food in the shady part of town, uhhh.]

Any preferences?

[Yeah, no. Wait until they find a nicer neighborhood.]

I could go for a nice bowl of pasta.

Sounds good to me. I just want to get out of this heat.

Same.

If we have room after, maybe we can stop by the ice cream parlor?

Are you kidding? There's always room for ice cream.

[She lightly bumps into him at that, smiling. All things considered, she was enjoying herself. A lot. It was the most excitement either of them had gotten in a long while, and certainly the least frustrating. Clues were slowly falling into place, and though the majority of their evidence was second-hand gossip and speculation, it fit.]

[Eventually, they came to a small Italian eatery. The concrete steps led below the ground to a dimly lit, but otherwise pleasant cafe. With fans blowing everywhere.]

After you.

[He bows dramatically.] Thank you, my lady.

[He descends into the cafe and requests a table for two. The server gives them a knowing look and finds a nice table in the back, where it's cool and private.]

[Zatanna ignores the look because being out of the sun and under the gentle breeze of those fans was absolutely wonderful; she sunk blissfully into her seat with an expression of pure satisfaction.]

[Dick does likewise.] Great idea, Zatanna. [He doesn't even bother looking at the menu yet.]

I'm full of those.

[The serve comes over with a warm smile and overly-thickened accent to ask what they'd like to drink.]

Water. Lots of it. And don't skimp on the ice.

[It was tempting to also ask for a glass of wine, but she knew they wouldn't serve her one.]

[Dick's a bit tired so all he says is:] Ditto.

[Once the waitress walks away, he talks a bit more animatedly] I feel kind of bad for the mayor's daughter.

[Her eyes close as she fans herself with her hat. Still paying full attention, despite outward appearance.]

In some areas, yeah. The secrecy and mess her dad's gotten her into.

But some of those decisions that got her into trouble were her own.