The Right Side of Wrong

All the Best Inmates Have Daddy Issues: Part 3

Veronica's POV:

Harley & I walk into the maximum security room to see Joker.

Joker: "Who's your friend?"

I summon a ball of fire in the palm of my hand.

Me: "Touch my sister again, and you'll find out."

Joker: "You must be Riddler's new shrink. Well, ladies, you've got guts. I'll give you that. But a little thing like you isn't going to get me to confess where I hid the bomb."

Harley: "We don't wanna hear about the bomb. We wanna hear about what makes you tick."

Joker: *laughs* "That's good. And it's almost a joke."

Me: "Tell us about growing up."

Joker: "Oh, look who passed their freshman psychology class. We're in na insane asylum. Not a single person in here came from a happy home."

If that's true, Riddler & I have more in common than I thought..

Harley: "People around here seem to think you have real daddy issues."

Joker turns to lie on his side, his back facing us.

Joker: "Ha! Who told you that? Was it Penguin? That mutant orphan's the one with daddy issues.

Me: *sighs* "I thought this might happen. Come on, sis. He's too chicken to admit that he wasn't always the big shot he claims to be."

Joker: "I'm no chicken! Fine, you wanna know how I got these emotional scars? I'll admit my parents weren't too fond of me."

Harley: "What makes you think that?"

Joker: "Let me see. Quote. 'Son, we're not fond of you'. My parents were wealthy, but they never gave me much, especially not their attention."

Me: "So, you must've spent a lot of time alone."

Joker: "Well, I had Mr. Ferris."

Harley: "Was he a role model for you?"

Joker: "He was a ferret, a beautiful beast. With gorgeous ringed fur, Mr. Ferris, the ferret. Being an only and neglected child, the pet was a brother to me. We were inseparable. Until one night, while Mummy was away, I made the mistake of wandering into my father's study. There's I found dear, old Dad with our maid, naked. He roared at me, so I rushed out, went straight to bed. I hadn't even had supper. After all, the maid was busy. The next morning, I found Ferris' cage empty, and Daddy above it with the widest smile I'd ever seen. That day, my father took away the one thing I'd ever loved. Then he beat the shit out of me. I just remember him standing over me, punching and laughing, laughing and punching, and punching."

Joker laughs before breaking into a sob. Harley holds her hand out to him with a sympathetic look.

Joker: "Personally, I never got what was so funny. But that's the thing about comedy. Not everyone gets the joke."

Harley: "You're not defined by your father. You don't have to destroy the world. I can help you if you help me."

Joker: "All right. I'll 'fess up about the bomb. But promise me one thing."