The Right Side of Wrong

Being Harley Quinn: Part 2

Veronica's POV:

Psycho: "What did we say about stripper rules?"

Harley: "I was just trying to touch myself. That is a stripper rule!"

Me: "And it triggered a brain lockdown. We're stuck in here until we can figure something else out, snd the brain's guard dogs get here."

Ivy: "Wouldn't it be 'guard hyenas'?"

Then, a child version of Harley appears, and Shark walks up to her. He's very polite, but then she freaks out and turns wild. I push her off him and freeze her in a block of ice.

King Shark: "Why did that sweet little Harley attack me?"

Harley: "Oh yeah, I wasn't sweet at that age."

Me: "Or any age, really. Her mind sent it after us because it thinks we're intruders."

Psycho: "Also, if we die in Harley's mind, we die in real life!"

Clayface: "Ooh, 'Nightmare on Elm Street' rules."

Suddenly, more little Harleys approach us.

Me: "Run!"

We run down the opposite hallway, only to be cornered and surrounded by more little Harleys.

Harley: "Harleys, this is Harley. Stop!"

They don't back down, so we rush through another hallway before Harley and I turn to face some of them.

Harley: "Play nice and I'll tell you where Mom hides the make-up."

When that doesn't do anything, I spot an elevator nearby.

Me: "Everyone, elevator, now!"

We manage to make it safely inside the elevator.

Harley: "You know, I'm starting to realize why our mom recycled so many wine bottles back then."

When the doors open, we're in the optic nerve. We see Sy and a woman looking over our frozen bodies. They'll burn our bodies in a furnace if we don't get the fuck out of here. And fast! The doors close, and I immediately hit the button to what I think is Harley's subconscious. When the doors open this time, a circus full of Jokers appears.

Joker(s): "Step right up. Guess your Wi-fi password. Whack-an-Insecurity. Try your hand at a game. Take your chance."

Ivy: "So, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say you're not over your ex-boyfriend. I mean, are you sure that this glitch  is just in your origin story?"

Joker: "Yes, you young lady, the one with the smeared lipstick who is still clearly obsessed with me. Try your luck at a game of skill? 'Win Daddy's Love'."

Harley: "Yeah, don't bother with that one."

King Shark: "Oh, I know. It's rigged."

Me: "Amen, brother."

Right then, the mini Harleys attack us until a cloaked figure leads us to the emergency exit. He pulls the cloak off to reveal a young Frankie Muniz.

Harley: "Oh, my God! It's eleven-year-old Frankie Muniz."

Frankie: "Hi, Harley."

Harley: "He knows my name. I could die!"

Me: "Of course! Some small sane part of your brain identifies him as your truest love, so he was sent here to help us."

Frankie: "That's right. Good luck, Harley. BTW, all those times you stared at my poster in your bedroom, I was staring back."

Harley: "I knew it!"

Psycho: "Let's go! There are 2 geriatrics trying to burn our bodies before 'NCIS' comes on."

Harley glances to the side and nudges my shoulder in a questioning manner.

Me: "Repressed Memory Island. Where all your screwed up memories go to be locked away forever so your mind doesn't dwell on them."

Harley: "Veronica, I know we're on a tight schedule-"

Me: "But, you deserve to know what happened in your origin story. I get it. Everyone, brace yourselves."

I summon some water from the ocean to guide us over it and to the island. When we land, Harley and I walk side-by-side as we review every memory Harley's ever repressed. In the first one, Mom's at the kitchen table drinking wine while Harley stands at the window.

Young Harley: "When will Ronnie & Daddy be done with their business meeting?"

Right outside the window, I'm using my powers to fight off the men who came to hurt Dad. We had all just discovered my abilities, and Dad saw an opportunity/bodyguard all wrapped up in one seven-year-old package. Present Harley squeezes my hand as we recite the saying Dad told us after every meeting.

Harley & I: "Anything for the family."

In the next memory, Harley's reading a legal document.

Young Harley: "If you violate the restraining order again, Mr. Muniz will take legal action.-*blows a kiss to the poster*-See you soon, Frankie."

Harley: "So, that's why I went juvie."

Finally, we reach the origin story memory.

Past Joker: "Here we are, puddin'. Dive in as Harleen Quinzel, and and rise as Harley Quinn! My beautiful creation."

Present Harley: "Ok, here it comes. Here's when that piece of shit pushes me in the acid."

Past Joker: "If you love me, then jump! And you'll be mine forever."

Past Harley: "A dream come true, puddin'."

Then, she willingly jumps into the vat of acid.

Harley: "Wait! No!"

Ugh, it's the proposal thing all over again. Harley falls to her knees, so Ivy and I kneel to comfort her.

Harley: "This whole time I thought he pushed me. That it wasn't my choice. But, it was."

Me: "You told yourself it was out of your control because it was easier to blame him. But, the truth is, you always had a choice."

Harley: "I was always in control, and I still am."

TO BE CONTINUED