"I'm glad it worked out," the Joker said over the phone.
"So am I," Adriana said. "Thank you for...pushing me to find out what was really going on."
"How long will Bruce be away?" the Joker asked her.
"At least 30 days," Adriana said. "Hopefully no more than 30 though."
"Arsenio is not going to like this at all," the Joker told her.
"I know..I know.." Adriana said. "That's going to be the hardest part. Especially since there's a cell phone restriction at the rehab center. We don't know yet if he has to go through detox and then rehab first or just..straight into rehabilitation. Bruce hasn't really talked to Dr. Kapoor about anything and..if he has to detox it's going to make this whole process take even longer."
"It must be done," the Joker reminded her plainly.
"Yes..that's true," Adriana said. "I was thinking maybe you should come by sometimes? To keep Arsenio company? I mean he has me and Alfred but...I think the more people around for him right now the better."
Adriana could hear his smile.
"Of course," he replied.
.
.
.
"I have to go on a very important business trip," Bruce explained to Arsenio as he held him. "I'll be leaving early tomorrow morning and I will be away for a while."
"Where?" Arsenio asked Bruce.
"Where..." Bruce asked and glanced at Adriana. "You mean, which country?"
Arsenio nodded.
Bruce knew he wouldn't be able to tell Arsenio he was only going 30 miles away for rehab. He had to lie.
"Well," Bruce said. "I'm going to..New Zealand."
Arsenio knew the map of the globe quite well. He knew that New Zealand was far away.
"For week?" Arsenio asked.
"A bit longer than a week," Bruce said and gave Arsenio a little kiss.
Arsenio looked at Adriana and then back at Bruce.
"Daddy.." Arsenio said. "How...long you go?"
"You're getting better at putting sentences together," Bruce said.
"Two week?" Arsenio asked.
"A little longer than that," Bruce said. "But listen.."
Arsenio looked like he was about to cry.
"I want you to do something for me while I'm away," Bruce said. "I have a big job for you."
"Daddy, I go too!" Arsenio said.
"No, son," Bruce said. "I need you to stay here and look after your mother. Do you know how much I love her?"
Arsenio nodded.
"Since I will be away for so long I need someone to stay here and make sure she gets plenty of hugs and kisses every day," Bruce said. "That will make me very happy. Who better for the job than you?"
Arsenio looked like he was thinking. "Loosis!"
Adriana and Bruce began to laugh.
"Yes, Lucius is one of your mother's best friends but," Bruce said. "I'd rather it be you. You'll do a good job, keeping her company."
