You're His Favorite Joke

Chapter 1: Think again

Dr. Harleen Quinzel

My first day. Shouldn't I be nervous? Why am I so gleeful? I mean, it happens in all the movies. It's almost an unspoken law, you should always be nervous on your first day. Of course, I am a conduit to it. No nerves at all. In fact, all I can feel is excitement.

I left everything behind. But when I really think of it, I didn't have much to leave. All I have now is this job. It was offered to me by Dr. Joan Leland. It came as a shocker. I still don't know what about me caught her eye. But she sees something in me, and I prove to live up to expectations.

I left Metropolis and came to Gotham. The move is still fresh, I still have boxes scattered all around. Hell, it took me an hour to find my lucky bracelet. But I'm making it work. I have no friends or family here, so I spend much of my time studying. Hopefully, with this new job, it will all change.

While closing the door of my apartment, I bump into my landlord.

"Quinnie, you pay me at end month." She orders in broken English.

"I know, Mrs. Lopez. I'll have it in full, don't worry."

"I worry over those ugly pups of yours."

I couldn't help the gasp I let out. She wasn't a fan of my pugs. Making me pay extra for them. But with my new position, I'll be able to move out of here by the end of the year. With my "ugly pups". Mrs. Lopez leaves me as she walks away talking up a mess in Spanish.

In the elevator, I give myself a small pep talk. Hyping myself up until the doors open and a man with a hoodie walks in. I don't pay much attention to him while looking down at my phone. Okay, I still have time. I got up an hour before my alarm clock. I will rather be early than on time. The man next to me looks away from me. Now, for some reason, I am getting nervous. And when I am nervous, I get talky.

"I got up an hour before my alarm clock. I'm not nervous, just excited. But now I'm nervous. I don't know why. I'm happy, and when you're nervous, it's not happy it's your nerves going hectic. Should I be nervous? It's just a job. A job that, if I fail, will stain my personal record. I'll never get a job--." My rambling was stopped when the man spoke calmly, without looking at me. "What?"

"I said, breathe."

Right. Come on, Harleen. Rule number one to calm yourself down: breathe. So I do just that. "Wow, it actually works! I always tell my patients to do it, but I never tried it myself. Kinda hypocritical, I know. But I never had reason to use it before--I'm doing it again, aren't I?"

"Yup." Was his dry response.

I cover my mouth and feel my face get red with embarrassment. I slightly jump a bit when the bell rang and the doors opening up. The man pulls himself from the wall and walks out the elevator. While the doors were closing, with his back to me, I hear him say, "Good luck."

Before I could I respond, the doors shut.

I gather myself and leave for Blackgate prison. I'm still not used to Gotham. It's so different from any place I lived at. But different is good, right? If it was like every other city, then it wouldn't be as popular as it is.

Arriving at Blackgate, I was stopped at the front gates by a man and his large flashlight. As I rolled my window down, the bright light hit me right in the face. I cover my eyes with my hands as I spoke, "I-I'm Dr. Quinzel." The guard chews on his toothpick as he put his hand out. At first, I was confused. He rolls his eyes, "Identification."

Come on, Harleen. What else would he want? Your number?

I dig into my purse then hand him what he asked for. With his sketchy eyes, he scans my I.D and then at me. I don't know why, but I got nervous from his gaze. Thankfully, he gives it back to me and gives me directions on where I need to go.