Hello Mr. E. Nigma

Trial and error

Edwards pov

"Ay, Ed! ...Helloo Ed," Joker says snapping his fingers in front of my face. I jolted from my daydreams. I had been thinking about various things but the most prominent was Loreli which comes as no surprise. I suppose she's all I think about lately. I tend to picture her safe at home making a meal while she stupidly dances to the radio. That's what I hope she's doing at least. I turn my attention towards the psychotic clown beside me, "Welcome back comrade, now tell me... Are you gonna eat your roll or not?" I roll my eyes, pun not intended, and give the roll to Joker. "Thank you kind sir!" Joker says happily taking the bread. "Say, mind wiping that frown off your face. You're making me uncomfortable, I can't eat around such a gloomy aura."

"Sorry if I don't share your unpleasantly happy disposition Joker, however I never recall ever sharing it before." I answer while pushing around the food on my plate. Was it always this horrible? For some reason I remember it slightly better.

"Ugh, you know I hate it when you talk all fancy Edwardo. Don't tell me you're still whining about, uh...um what's her name."

"Loreli. Her name is Loreli. And if I remember correctly just a while ago you were complaining about the separation from Harley."

"I was upset due to the parting of the inmates. It just so happens to be the parting of females and males and she falls under the category separate from mine." he defends. "But... Even if I were speaking of her, I'm still in a relationship with her. And your not with Lor. What's it been a month or so now?"

"A month, 14 days, 8 hours and one-Two minutes." I say correcting myself at the end. Yes, it sounds pathetic to be counting like that but it's all I feel I can do. I can't be the only one to feel this miserable after a break up. Let alone a break up influenced by the danger that one's life inconveniences the other.

"Wow you're sad." Joker laughs hopping up to sit on the table. "Care to rant to uncle Jokey. I'm always up for a good laugh!" I frown at him, take my tray and walk off. "WELL SOMEONE'S A NEGATIVE NANCY TODAY! HEY! IT'S RUDE TO WALK AWAY LIKE THAT ED!" He yells at me.

Too bad Johnathan isn't here, the lucky bastard is still out there wreaking havoc. I wonder if he's seen her. Maybe he has some message for me when he gets taken in. I suppose that's too much to ask for. We broke up, and I ended it. No doubt she hates me for it. But it was for her own good. I tell myself that too much.

"Ah if it isn't dear Absalom, now reduced back to a mere caterpillar." Jervis says, thus stopping me in my tracks. "But it must have been glorious to have been soaring so high."

"Hello, Jervis. Sorry but I'm not in the mood for your iconic stories."

"Then I shall not tell such a tall tale but perhaps you'd prefer one of truth?"

"What are you going on about?" I ask dully as I head towards the cafeteria doors to exit.

"I speak of your dear Loreli."

I freeze in my tracks as her name pulls at my heart strings. "What? What about Loreli?" It's ever so rare when useful information has to be presented to me. And the fact that it's about the only person I find worthy of my affection makes this a large rarity.

"Have you not watched the news? She's being put on trial. It's been the buzz of Gotham." No, I haven't checked the news lately. I have been wallowing in my own self pity everything else has seemed pointless.

"Why? Cause she helped me?"

"Most likely."

"S-she's been put on trial?"

"Not yet, but she will be pretty soon. Rumor has it that they have a good case on her. However, the lawyer given to her seems to be most suitable. I wonder why they haven't contacted you though."

"That's a dumb question Hatter," Joker walks up with his hands casually in his pockets. "The reason is that they don't want him going on a rampage."

"So you knew of this and didn't say anything!?" I snap at him.

"Well that's rather evident isn't it?" he chuckles.

"Why?"I growl.

"Didn't care much I guess." he shrugged.

"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind you bastard."

"Ooo someone's sensitive." he cackles. "Anyways, my point is that no one wants to get a psycho angry. But if they are moving forward with this chances are that you'll be having company soon..."

"EDWARD NYGMA!" A guard bursts in yelling my name.

"Speak of the devil..." Jervis comments.

The guards escort me to a small closed off room from the rest of the facility and have me sit down at a small table. I'm securely restrained to the table, the chains being shackled to the center. I sit quietly wondering what will be asked of me. Wondering if she'd be walking through that door. How would she act? How would I act? Inevitably someone walked in and sat across from me. It was a woman, a lawyer most definitely. She had that way about her. She was beautiful in a classic Marilyn Monroe type way. She had the blonde hair and red lipstick. Only difference was that she wore a suit. "Hello Mr. Nygma. I'm Janice Porter, the District attorney." She's the one who's taken Twofaces place. I've heard of her work. Her cutesy act works for her both in and out of the courtroom. But despite that she's still strict on all kinds of crime and so far no one has her in their pocket, however that can easily change.

"I figured as much..." I say.

"Yes, well... Do you know why you're here Mr. Nygma?" Ms. Porter bats her eyes. I don't answer. I know why. It doesn't take much to guess that she wants to know if Loreli helped me. "Mr. Nygma, you hate this facility don't you?" I nod. "I don't believe you're crazy Mr. Nygma." she says putting a hand on mine. I glare at her as warning, she sighs and let's go. "Would you allow us to give you a psych analysis? Just let a psychiatrist see you and--"

"No."

"But Mr--"

"I said no."

"Why? Don't you want to be considered sane?" she persists.

"You're going after Loreli. You plan to have me declared sane so that I may testify against her. But even if I were to agree to the analysis I wouldn't testify making it utterly pointless."

The attorney tilts her head, "So you are close to her?" a small smile traces her lips.

"I think it's best you leave." I growl.

"I can court order you to cooperate, you know that, right?"

"I don't particularly care. What will you do? Keep me in here indefinitely? I already am. And I've gotten out before, remember that? If you put Loreli away I will get out. And I will track your ass down and beat the shit out of you! And just when you're about to breathe you're last breath you won't cause I'll keep you alive only to almost kill you again and again and again. That, that is a promise you bitch!" I threaten. She moves back unsettled and adjusts her suit in a orderly fashion. The attorney looks at me sternly with her dark blue eyes as I glare straight back. She sighs in defeat and stands up her small and fragile hands still placed on the table. In great reluctance they moved away and cross into her chest.

"This is ridiculous Mr. Nygma." she says with disappointment. She walks to the door but halts and turns back to me, "I expected more from you. Don't you want to save your own neck? I can threaten too. It wouldn't be hard to put you on death row."

"As if I care."

"Well when you compare it to being able to see your girlfriend whenever you wish it-"

"Get out." Silence filled the room.

"...Think about it." and so she left.