Mabel’s had been opened to the multitude of waiting party guests for over twenty minutes when the strains of Elvis Presley’s Blue Christmas filled the packed diner. Dick Grayson glanced forlornly at the empty seat next to him at the bar. It should have been occupied. His “Babs” should have been sitting next to him.

I’ll have a blue Christmas without you.
I’ll be so blue thinking about you...

The young man sighed. Then speaking out loud to himself, he complained, “How am I supposed to enjoy myself tonight...” Casting a melancholy eye to his ex-girlfriend talking to an ex-con, he continued, “...when she’s with someone else?”

“I’ll second that,” came a muffled reply from a few stools down.

Curiously, Dick gazed at the slumped form. He slowly scooted over next to the young lady, who kept her head down on her arms. “Brooke?”

“Yeah?”

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s her year, not mine.” Frowning towards Gina who was latched onto Bruce Wayne’s arm, she said, “That’s my Brucie! I know I tell little kids to share all day long. But sometimes, I don’t like sharing either.”

“Me too.” Dick suddenly smiled. “Hey don’t you have a back up?”

“Jean Paul?” Brooke asked. With an acknowledging nod, she stated rather woodenly, “He’s dead.”

“Oh. That’s right.”

Silence took over just in time for the jukebox Elvis to sing the last phrase of the depressing song.

You’ll be doin’ all right, with your Christmas of white.
But I’ll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas!

Watching with worried eyes, Bruce whispered something to Alfred. Excusing themselves from the group, the two men left the diner on a mission.

Will the show go on? Read the following transcript of the memorable event that was the 2003 Bludhaven Damn Fine Awards to find out!