The Set Up

What Did I Get Myself Into

"So, you weren't scared?" Leah yelled from my room, already in her pink night gown and eating popcorn.

We'd just gotten back to the duplex from work and were still wide awake and chatting. I walked out of the bathroom, toweling off my hair before throwing the towel in the dirty clothes. Adjusting my blue flannel pj pants' string and pulling the black tank top back over it, I sighed.

"Well, when he pulled the gun out, hell yeah I was. But after he put it away? Not really, just nervous that he was watching me like a fish in a tank. The only other thing that really scared me was the fact he knew my name and I didn't tell him." I stated while grabbing my nail polish box and sitting on the bed so I could touch up my nails with the black polish.

"Girl, he's the Joker. If he wanted to he could find where you live." She stated in a matter of fact tone.

I glared daggers at her before resuming my painting, "Shut up, I don't want to think about it."

There was a long silence before Leah broke it, randomly asking, "Does he smell good?"

I gave her a weird look, my eyebrows crinkled together, replying,"Just shut up and put something on the TV." Turning back to my nails, I continued my touch up before pausing briefly, "He cleans up well, so yes, he smelt good. Like soap and cologne."

3 Weeks Later

I hadn't seen or heard from the crime boss since that night weeks ago. I figured he probably just wanted to mess with my head and tried to forget the night (hard to though when your best friend asks about it constantly). It was a slow night. Mondays were never busy and usually my day off but someone called out so I had to come in. I was finishing up the glasses by stacking them under the counter top, sghing in sweet relief of finally getting my side work out of the way. There was maybe a handful of costumers in the whole place all seated at one table. I watched as Carl approaching the group, talked to them for a moment before they all started getting up, dropping money on the table, and leaving. My boss then walked up to me.

"We're closing early tonight. I already sent Amy home." He stated, referring to the last waitress.

I looked at the clock before looking back at him, "But its only 11:26."

He nodded, "Yes, but there's a business matter that needs to be handled." Carl rubbed his face a bit, "I tried waiting but they wanna do it tonight. Think you could clean up that table and finish Amy's side work on the floor?"

"Am I getting paid extra?" I grumbled, hating having to do others work cause they didn't want to.

"Yes, fine, whatever. Just get it done and don't worry about what's going on with the business deal."

Grinning at the prospect of extra cash I finished up the bar area, sweeping and mopping behind it before grabbing a small trash can and walking over to the messy table. Pocketing the money to put in the register, I started on tossing out the trash and beer bottles. Wiping down the table and placing the can back behind the bar before opening the register. I was in the middle of counting the night's earnings when men started walking into the bar, heading directly to the backroom. I continued to count everything, writing it on a note pad to do the math and occasionally glancing up to watch the men carry crates out through the back exit door.

Stacking the money together, I placed it in the bank bag and turned to bend down and place it in the safe. Standing up, I removed the apron from my waist and threw it under the counter top before straightening my gray tank that said EAT SLEEP GAME. Bending down one more time to grab my leather coat, I jumped when I stood back up to look into the bar's mirror shelves only to see a flash of green. Spinning around, I met those gray eyes again.

"A gamer," He said, dragging out the 'R', "That can destroy your brain."

Taking a steady breath, I started pulling on my coat slowly, hoping to maybe leave without any problems while answering, "There's worse out there I would think."

"Well, of course there is. I'm out there aren't I?" Joker started to giggle.

"Yeah," I cleared my throat, "I better get going."

I started making my way to leave when the clown stopped me.

"Now wait a second. I wanted you to keep me company before and you couldn't because of work."

We met each other's eyes for a shocking moment.

"You're off now and my men won't be done for sometime. How about you grab that bottle of Jack and some glasses and come sit with me." He finished.

I knew it wasn't a question and there wasn't an option. Grabbing the half full bottle of liquor and glasses reluctantly, I walked over to the platform where the Joker was waiting in VIP for me. Sitting down across from him, I poured the liquid into each cup before leaning back with mine. I watched the Joker take his and start drinking. It was a few moments before he spoke.

"So tell me about yourself." He seemed to demand.

I scoffed, sipping my drink, "Are you seriously gonna ask me that?"

"Why not?" He replied.

"You're the Joker."

"And?"

"You're psychotic." I stated.

"All the more reason not to upset me." He said coldly.

Sighing, I thought for a moment, not knowing what to say. What was I supposed to say? That my favorite color was red? The Joker seemed to notice my struggle.

"Where are you from?" He asked, pouring more Jack into his glass, "You have an accent."

I cleared my throat, "Florida, I moved away though a couple years ago. Needed a change of scenery and it was too hot."

"Ah, Florida! I have some businesses down there, nice beaches."

"You like the beach?" I asked, astonished.

"What do you think I'm in the crime business if not for cash?"

"Because you like killing people." I stated.

He pointed at me, giggling, "That is a good part of it, but the other part, besides power, is the lovely things I get to have in life." He drank more, "But the killing people part in very fun. Any family?"

I shook my head, "Just me, myself, and I."

The Joker went to say something when one of his goons coughed, making himself known. Joker's face suddenly twisted into a blood thirsty rage, "What? Can't you see I'm talking with my guest?"

The man swallowed hard and seemed to be sweating he was so scared, "I'm sorry, Boss. But the boys have everything loaded up and ready to take to the docks."

Joker put down his glass and stood while grabbing his purple cane before smoothing the wrinkles from his suit. Walking to me, suddenly calm as if his drastic change in mood never happened, he held out his hand. I stared at it like it was a death trap, which it could possibly be.

"I won't bite." He said, grinning wide and showing off his silver capped teeth.

Eyeing him, I slowly placed my hand in his. I was surprised that his hand was warm, thinking it might have felt cold as ice. His hand was larger then mine, engulfing my hand in heat. He pulled me up, to where we were eye level. I took notice that the crazy villain was only a handful of inches taller then my 5 foot 8 height. I watched quietly, stone cold still as he bent his head down, bringing my hand to his lips where he placed a searing hot kiss. I gulped, suddenly feeling my face light up and my stomach flip.

"I'll see you again much sooner this time, Sam." Joker said, voice slightly husky.

"H-How do you know my name?" I managed to ask the stupid question.

He grinned big, "Because I wanted to know it."

And with that odd answer, I watched the green haired man exit the bar, his men following behind him loyally, making it seem like they were never there. All I could think was what had I gotten myself into the time. 

'Sam, you idiot.'