The Right Side of Wrong

83rd Annual Villy Awards: Part 2/ It's A Swamp Thing: Part 1

{A/N: Stop video at 1:47}

Veronica's POV:

The host of the Villy Awards is Harley's ex, my former kidnapper/tormenter, and Riddler's 'competition' for the funniest villain in Gotham? Well, this should be interesting. He faces the crowd after his dance number. But locks eyes with me at the last part.

Joker: "We've got an incredible show for you, folks. Some great guests, Sinestro, Solomon Grundy, Kevin Spacey! Stay tuned for some mayhem that'll really warp your mind."

I hear Riddler growl as he grasps my hand and leads me into the main hall.

Riddler: "Let's go."

Me: "It's fine, love. It's all in the past."

Riddler: "The past? It was 1 year ago!"

Me: "Exactly. 365 days. That's a long time if you convert it to seconds: 31,556,952. Or minutes: 525,949."

Riddler: "You sure you'll be-"

Me: "I'm ok, Riddler. Besides, I wanna be here when my sister wins, assuming you & I don't. He can't do anything without causing a scene and is probably just here out of spite."

Riddler: "Fine, but if you need to, we can leave right now. And, win or lose, I have a little surprise planned later tonight."

Before I can ask what he means, Harley walks over to us with a concerned look.

Harley: "Ronnie, you doing ok? You don't have to stay here for me. I have Ivy, and you have Riddler."

Me: "I'm fine, sis. Riddler's just a little concerned. Speaking of which, who's staying for dinner?"

I show Harley a picture of a guy tied to a dining chair with a fake smile, and it seems to take Riddler's mind off Joker.

Harley: "Who's that?"

Riddler: "Riddle me this, who's the overseas President without a country, who works in black & white, but gives out the gold?"

Me: "Why, the head of the Gotham Foreign Press, of course. A friend of mine has a dog who recently had a litter of puppies. We took one and gave GFP another. Grease the wheels for next year."

Harley: "Grease the wheels?"

Riddler: "Oh, Harley. You of all people must know that these awards are mostly political. Joker spent half the year campaigning for you two every time."

Me: "Well, maybe not primarily, but it does play a part in these things."

Riddler: "Gotta do whatever you can to get the upper hand."

Me: "Well, you'd know."

I take a sip from my martini as Riddler nearly chokes on his for my implication.

Harley: "Nice one, sis. You know what? I'm just gonna go check on Ivy, see if she's ok. Good luck, you two. Enjoy your surprise, Ronnie! Trust me, you'll love it."

Wait, Harley knows, and I don't? Granted, it's a surprise for me, but still. You know what? Not important. I lead Riddler back over to our table.

Joker: "And the award for 'Most Creative Nom de Plume' goes to Cock King! Oh, he's a chicken. That is creative."