The Joker And The Fool

3.(3) The origin of the Fool

3.3 ...and into the fire"

The cold winter air blew against her face. Diana had not noticed until the moment she woke up, that her face was glowing from the cold. Diana opened her eyes to see the Wayne tower, lit like a beam of light before her eyes. Wayne tower was known for being the ugliest building in Gotham City because of its enormity and the colour of its windows; they were all black. But at that moment one could still see a clear and heavy light shining through it. It seemed she had slept through the day, without being taken by any bothering citizen or sound. Surrounded by people on the street. The loud and busy street sounded like a choir from heaven to her but even more unknown. As if it was the first time that she had ever been in a busy street, surrounded by real-life people. The cold felt like a long-needed feeling that she hadn't had for months, perhaps almost years. Diana looked down onto her legs as she could not feel her feet anymore, to discover them being turned completely blue and pale.

She jumped up, and immediately felt a tingle in her legs, she could not feel the ground. But still, she could stand on those feet. And the tingling sensation only intensified as she stood on them. She seemed completely riddled with what to do and where to go. She had no money, not even shoes. But she had to get to Bruce, as she realised there was a chance of getting caught by the Joker once again. She wanted to be there as fast as possible. Which is why she probably found herself sleeping on a bench outside of the Wayne tower. She must have gone there that morning, with the hopes of seeing Bruce there. Somehow, she had been physically unable to do so.

She slowly but surely crossed the street to find the red-carpet entrance to the building. She was sure it hadn't been there before, but then again; she had been gone for so long now. Inside the building she was greeted by an immense warmth and the sound of talking and cheering. There must have been a party. When she had entered, she had found herself quite overwhelmed by the warmth and the smell and sound of the outside world. For a moment she had closed her eyes as she remained beneath the air-conditioning that blew warm air against her body.  She would have wanted to remain there, in the sweet warmth of the building, just besides de vents. But she thought not, no she needed to find Bruce. Yet the smell of the food and the cheering of people drew her directly to its source.

In fact, Diana knew not of it yet, but there was indeed a party. An opening to a new department of electrical engineering and the celebration of the newest designed television. It had been designed by Edward Nigma, an individual who worked for Wayne enterprises. Of course, he would never receive the credit for it. 

Diana stumbled to the receptionist. But was immediately stopped by two largely built and terribly humoured looking security guards. They were used to addressing homeless people, for she looked like one. Those large clothes, bare feet; she had to be homeless according to them.

"Excuse me ma'am," said one of the large men, "this is a private event."

Diana seemed to be startled, she had once been respected and yet they saw her as no more than a common beggar. Bruce Wayne remained the richest man of Gotham, many homeless people tried to turn to him for help. She did not know why those people were so silly to believe that the rich would ever care about them. Even with his peers, Bruce was known to be very selective of whom he invited to his parties. But one thing was sure: she had always been invited to his parties. She should have been invited to this one, if she hadn't been dead.

"A private event?" Diana seemed almost offended that she hadn't been invited.

You're dead, her mind quoted the words of the Joker, dead people don't get invited to parties.

"Please, I need to speak with Bruce Wayne- he is a friend." she stuttered.

The security guard, of course, thought that she was a homeless person. For it was common for anybody to come to Bruce Wayne for help, he was a philanthropist. He supported many charities and was likely to help anyone who would dare to ask. Besides that, behind the mask of charity, had the Wayne family and company not always been such warm-hearted people. There were a number of people that had once been loyal to the Wayne family yet had been deserted by them. They now came to Bruce with the hopes of gaining his sympathy and support.