"You're always early," Adriana said to the Joker
She had just arrived at the warehouse and he was already on the computer, watching as each frame was changed on a video. The video showed him at the police station being interrogated by the Batman. Adriana watched as the Batman smashed the Joker's head into one-way mirror glass before punching him repeatedly.
"Yes, well," the Joker said. "I do not exactly have a full schedule."
"Oh," Adriana said as she watched the Joker being beaten on the screen.
"And you are late," the Joker said.
"Things have been crazy in the city," Adriana said. "There's some new drug on the street and...it's hard to track down anyone using or buying it. As soon as they're discovered the police kill them for behaving like monsters..."
"I've seen it," he said. "News."
"Yeah," she said. "It's worse in person."
"So Bruce has gone to Russia," the Joker said.
"Yup," Adriana said and dropped her purse onto the table. "We might be able to finish these videos by the time he gets back."
"We will," the Joker said. "I've been here four hours. Got a lot done."
Adriana raised her eyebrows. "Good job."
"Mhm," the Joker said and looked away from her and back at the screen.
"Bruce told me he's invited you to his track," Adriana said.
"Ah yes," the Joker said. He was actually looking forward to it.
"Jack," Adriana said, looking again at the screen and the video of him being given a beatdown. "I understand you and Bruce are having fun hanging out or whatever but.."
The Joker looked at her curiously.
"I see," he said, his voice almost sounding like he was singing. "You don't approve."
Adriana stared straight at him, saying nothing.
"Right then, " the Joker said. "But you know, when someone invites you to race cars you don't exactly say no. Sounds fun doesn't it?"
"No," Adriana said. "Not really."
"I disagree," the Joker said. "If it's such an issue why not ask Bruce to stop inviting me everywhere?"
Adriana looked away and pressed her lips together.
"Ahh okay so you already tried to do that," the Joker said, putting the pieces together easily. "But you didn't want to be the bad guy so you just let him be friends with me. Instead of being the bad guy to Bruce and forbidding him to associate with me so much, you will be the bad guy to me and ask me not to associate with him so much."
The answer was yes but Adriana didn't say it.
"So, you think I'm being a bad guy?" Adriana asked. "A fun killer?"
"Of course not," the Joker smiled, the brilliance of his smile made Adriana look away. "You don't want to bully your husband but you're just fine with telling me what to do."
"I'm not a bully," Adriana said firmly. "Hang out with him if you want to, but I just find it weird."
"We all do," the Joker said. "But we are having great fun."
"Okay then," Adriana said. "Like I said. I'm not a bully, do what you want. I just wanted to tell you what I thought."
The Joker kept smiling as she walked over to her seat. She sat down and saw that he was still smiling at her.
