writing_shadows

I met Emma Poole on a rainy Thursday evening at the offices of Batman Industries. The security guard - the only other person in the building, as far as I can tell - takes me through a building that rivals the Science Museum in terms of décor. I feel like a character in Minority Report as I am shown up to the top floor.

Miss Poole dispels any feeling of foreboding I might have with a friendly American handshake. She gets me a bottle of water and makes sure I'm comfortable before she is happy to let me start. Once an orphan, Miss Poole came into the public eye as abruptly as her pest-controller-turned-inventor employer, but both have shone in terms of philanthropy. This dynamic duo are certainly a pair to watch.

CEN: Thank you for meeting with us today, Miss Poole. The Batman building is impressive! How do you get any work done here?

EP: [laughs] Oh, you get used to your environment after a while, no matter what it is. The people here are just as brilliant as the architecture, but after a while it all becomes much of a muchness, which is kind of sad, now that I think about it.

CEN: Let's get started. What would be the first thing you would do if today was your last day?

EP: Have a healthy breakfast, and during that I'd probably try to figure out who'd get my cat.

CEN: What's your vision of a perfect society?

EP: Oh, good one. I guess one where each person is free and equal, where everyone is fed, clothed, and has somewhere safe to live. Not very exciting I know, but there you go.

CEN: What's your own definition of happiness?

EP:

CEN: What were your dreams as a child?

EP: This is going to sound a lot more sad than I mean it, but...I don't think I had any.

CEN: What's your favourite invention not by Batman Industries?

EP: ...The aeroplane?

CEN: Now the gossip: is it true that you are seeing radio personality Krystian de la Wolfe?

EP: [makes an odd noise and I think blushes] Yes. Is that- How did you know that?

CEN: We have our sources. How much like his public persona is he?

EP: I don't actually know much about his public persona. I think it's probably very similar, though.

CEN: How much like his public persona is Michael Batman?

EP: [laughs] Exactly the same. Maybe more brilliant.

CEN: Do you have any plans to follow in Batman's footsteps?

EP: I'm not sure I can, but it's a happy thought.

CEN: Any last thoughts for our readers?

EP: "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."