Batman: In Every Shadow

Scene Two

While Robin waits patiently in the Batmobile, the Arkham Guards greet Batman, having grown appreciative of the work he's done in both bringing criminals in as well as keeping them stagnant. Standing behind the heavily armed guards, the dark knight escorts Victor through processing. A handful of times he's had to come and shut down a prison escape or some other ridiculous crime, but it's rare for an emergency to occur on the island. After Victor is placed in a cell designated solely for his condition, Batman begins to make rounds in the asylum. While he does briefly check on the standard blocks, Bruce spends some extra time in the ward specifically meant for the most dangerous criminals. In particular, he approaches the metal door with a nameplate reading 'Dr. Jonathan Crane'. Each of these prestigious criminals has a much larger cell, the extra size made to outfit it with better defenses. Beside the metallic door is a large pane of what at first glance looks like glass. Of course, it's far more durable than that, a transparent material that is bullet and blast proof among many things. Conveniently, this wall can also be spoken through with ease.

"Batman? Come to beat an old man for staying put?"

His hoarse voice struggles to croak out each syllable, the damage likely from inhaling so many various dangerous fumes during his research. Batman doesn't reply, instead choosing to just stare at him.

'There's no particular signs of any sort of distress. He hasn't attempted to escape, and if anything, looks to be staying out of trouble. His hands are particularly clean, even more so than what good hygiene will do. There is a portion of shredded paper sticking out of his pillow, something to keep in mind. He also has a nametag in his pocket, through the fabric I can make out "S. F" before it becomes hard to see. Crane might have somehow stolen another prisoner's nameplate.'

Turning around, the cell across from Crane looks to house its new resident comfortably, one who slams into the glass with a bewildered look in his eyes.

"What happened to me?! I don't remember anything! What happened to me, Batman!"

It's Two-Face and he's having a psychological episode. He was knocked out as the criminal half that throws law to the wind, waking up to be a man who sincerely wants to change Gotham. Unfortunately, his mind is too volatile to let either man walk free.

"You're unwell, Dent."

"Who are you working for?! What slimy desk jockey has you on his payroll?!-"

His shoulders tighten and the veins on his neck begin to bulge. Suddenly, his radio broadcast voice transforms into a mucous-filled grumbling.

"See? This is why we have to take the city by force. How else can we win if we don't play dirty?"

Dent then slams his head against the glass and falls to the ground, rocking back and forth while muttering softly.

"Who am I? Who am I? Who am I? Who are you?"

Leaving, Batman proceeds down the line to continue checking on the other colorful characters. Suddenly, a man slams against the transparent wall. He's scrawny and tall, and his ginger hair plumes wildly.

"Tell me, Batman. I look like me, I sound like me, walk like me, even talk like me; but I'm not me, who am I?"

Looking the deranged man up and down Batman takes in his condition.

"I'm in a prison cell, I can't do anything. You not answering is just a show of poor sportsmanship."

He projects his voice loud and confidently, similar to a gameshow host who has the answer cards to difficult questions.

"Your riddles are poorly made, Eddie."

Batman booms, recognizing that there could be a hundred correct answers to the question. That doesn't stop the criminal from giving his answer anyway.