Requiem for a Jester

Introduction

"Pfft! What 'da hell?" She yelled as she pushed the cat off her face. "Where am I?" She sat up and surveyed the dark room; torn wallpaper, broken furniture and a ratty jester outfit folded neatly on the table by the bed that she lay in. The green-eyed black cat hissed at her as it leapt to the floor.

As she tried to swing out of the bed, she was instantly aware of the pain. "Oww! This sucks; what 'da hell?" Her head was throbbing and her leg hurt. She pulled back the surprisingly clean sheets that covered her to reveal a make-shift splint on her left leg. As she rubbed her temples, she became more aware of her surroundings. She sat in the bed, wearing only her SpongeBob panties and a white tank top. The head pain was due to a lump on the back of her noggin, on the black side of her parted red and black hair. Her milk-white skin was covered in scrapes and bruises; some bandaged and some not. She laid back in despair; every inch of her body aching. She closed her eyes and drifted off again.

"Pfft! Damn cat!" She bolted up again just to have the pain force her back down. As she looked around the room again, she realized it must be morning. Or noon; she had no idea what time it was.

"Don't mistreat my cats, Harley."

She sat up again as her defensive instincts kicked in, but the pain put her flat on the bed. "What happened to me? Who 'da hell are you?" She yelled in her practiced Jersey accent.

"Harley, you don't remember? It's me, Selina."

She turned to see a woman in a black body suit, with short dark hair and piercing green eyes. She had biker goggles pulled up on top oh head that gave the appearance of having cat ears. "Cat lady?"

"Cat Woman. Jeeze Harley, he really did a number on you."

"He? Who 'da hell is he?" She asked as her head began to throb. Her mind was murky, but the clarity began to set in. She put the index and middle finger of each hand together and began massaging her temples again. She performed some deep breathing exercises and then sat up and supported her upper body with both arms. "Ya know, you're not supposta let someone with a concussion sleep."

"And how would you know that?" Selina asked calmly.

"Cuz I gotta flippin' PhD; silly. I'm not as dumb as I sound... Usually."

"So, do you remember now?"

She lay back down and furrowed her brow. "Yeah, I remember. That maniac threw me off a freaking' building."

"Yes, and you landed in a dumpster. I saw it happen, and retrieved you personally. I did the best I could with your leg."

"Although I 'preciate the sentiment; why dincha just call an ambulance?"

"Had I done that, Harl, you'd be cuffed to your bed right now."

"You coulda cuffed me to the bed; sounds like fun!"

"Harley, must you always play the tramp?"

She frowned. "I don't know how to be anyone else. He was my everything... I just don't know..."

"Was?"

"Yeah. Was. I can't do this anymore. This time he went too far."

"This time? Harley, last year he threw you into a vat of chemicals that bleached your skin ghost-white! How was that not too far?"

"It bleached my hair too, I have to use Loreal Red number..."

"Harley! Seriously? Is everything a joke to you?"

*Sniff* "Mista J did that to make me more like him. He..." She began crying real tears.

"Harl, I'm sorry; I didn't mean to yell. I just can't understand why you have put up with his abuse for the last three years."

"Four. I broke him out or Arkham Asylum four years ago. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster ride."

"Harl, I just hope you can move past him."

She turned to Selina. "Why didja save me, Cats? I always kinda thought you didn't like me."

Selina smiled. "I never disliked you, Harley; but then again I never really got to know you. Joker's insane criminal activities caused increased police presence when I was trying to work. Cat burglars need darkness and quiet; not a laughing maniac and spotlights. Since you ware associated with him, I didn't really care for you."

She pouted. "That's not me anymore. New day; new Harley Quinn!"

"Yeah, until you see Joker again. Sorry Harl; I'll believe it when I see it."

A darkness crossed Her face. "When I see him again, it'll be a lot different. I promise."

"Okay, Harl. You can stay here as long as you need; just don't hurt my cats."

"Okay, Cats, you rescued me 'n bandaged me up. You're alright by me. Say could 'ya do me a favor?"

"What do you need, Harl?"

"My jester suit is lookin' a little ragged; could you get some stuff for my new getup? I have a cool idea in mind."

"Yeah, sorry Harl; I had to cut it off of you. It was covered in garbage and blood."

She put her thumbs inside her panties and lifted. "Hey, at least you saved SpongBob!"

"Oh my God Harley, stop that! Please, by all means make a list and let's get some clothes back on you."

"Thanks, Cats! You're a real pal!"