The Joker And The Fool

6.(2) A new Regime

6.2 L'Arlequin

It was not long after Penguin's seize that tragedy struck once again to the operation of Gotham's leadership. Though, Penguin was not involved with this at all, not like Falcone. Diana was aware that the dead body of the late mayor's nephew had been found in a terrible, mutilated state. Though, the information had not yet been brought to the public. Knox, the infamous journalist often offered her such information in exchange for some kind of protection or sometimes money. He was a better spy than any criminal she could account for. He was a smug, that she knew. He could not tell her whatever exactly happened to Graham's nephew, but she doubted it had anything to do with Penguin. For he did not mettle with such things. It was a question that remained2 unanswered.

It was also publicly known that the Joker, who had long been contained by Arkham Asylum had somehow managed to escape it once again. She did not know exactly what she felt about it. on the one hand she was most relieved and happy. For she wanted to see him again and she felt that she had indeed done him ill by locking him up. He deserved not to be mistreated and punished for her crimes, so she thought. on the other hand, did she feel some sort of mild anxiety. She was afraid that Joker would be too angered with her. She was afraid that he meant to take his revenge out on her. Though, she knew not in what way he could try to harm her. But still, after years of abuse and since she truly believed him to be a very powerful man, she could not help but fear him. She did not attempt to find him; she went on with her life. She assumed he would find her when he found the time to be right. Though, she was sure that she would not be willing to live with him again. Some people worked better together when they were not together.

She spent most of her nights away from Roman. Her favourite places to be were quite close to the Penguin. For at that moment, she would feel her influence meant something. She liked to give him her opinions, with the hopes of obtaining something. Roman rarely went outside of his home. The roles had reversed.

On the particular night in question, he had quite impulsively decided to go with her. To what she had not objected, for she could not. The night had only just begun when Diana and Roman had sat down in the Iceberg Lounge another club which belonged to Penguin. And just like every other club which had belonged to Falcone, thus belonged now to Penguin, this club too had a "restricted" club within the club. It was called Forty-Four Below. It looked exactly the same as The Blackspot, one of the most criminally occupied places in the city. One did not go there to party; one went there for business. Which made it all the more peculiar that this event took place there.

When Diana and Roman had entered, they had not yet greeted the Penguin. He was quite occupied in conversation with other businessmen. But he had seen them when they entered and when they had decided to stand at one of the tables, not too far from the bar.

Penguin looked smug, as always, he was looking at Diana from across the room, but then again, he was always looking at Diana. She was not only strategically useful to most men, but she was also pleasant to be with, she was beautiful and intelligent. He too looked for that in a woman, though he mainly disguised it as mere professional interests. When Penguin was sober and in his right mind, he was able to suppress that common feeling. For he was very much intelligent enough to understand that no good would come from an individual such as her. But when he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, he would gladly express it to her. He had done so before. But she never told Roman. Then again, she needn't do such a thing for Roman could see it in his very eyes.

It was clear that for some reason Penguin found Roman to be eliminated, even though he had spoken of him with much respect. He even dared to act behind Roman's back and actively pursue Diana. He was afraid of her, he intended to keep her influence small and pity. He knew that she had taken over Roman's  life and business, for she had been gaining much profit. And for that matter she had been gaining a name for herself. He hoped that perhaps if he was able to woo her enough, she would not gain any more influence and agree to work for him, instead of with him.