You're His Favorite Joke

Chapter 5: Gotham's Metaphor

Dr. Harleen Quinzel

I opened my apartment door and made my way inside. Almost immediately, I heard the small pitter patters of tiny paws rushing towards me. I lowered my gaze to reveal my two pugs: Freud and Jung.

"Babies!" I gleefully screeched as I knelt to loving kisses. I finally retreated to my feet and wiped away saliva from my cheek.

After taking off my coat, I decided to take a well-deserved shower. When I began to head to the bathroom my two pugs followed after.

"Uh, uh! No boys allowed; not even my babies. Mommy needs some 'Me' time," I said as I patted both disappointed pugs on the head.

When I closed the door, I took a small breath and began to remove my clothes. I looked into the mirror and saw my sad reflection.

I studied myself and quickly realized the small strands of massacre and eyeliner that travelled down the top of my cheeks.

I also came to notice of the black roots that began to resurface above my blonde hair.

"Great, I need to dye my hair again," I made a mental note. Because you know what they say-- blondes have more fun. And that's exactly what I need--some fun.

After my shower, I opened the door to find Freud and Jung sleeping right outside the bathroom door. They both quickly awoke and began to bark happily.

I picked Freud in one arm and Jung on the other.

They both kissed my cheek as I sat on our sofa.

"Want to watch T.V?," I asked and was quickly answered by excited barks.

I placed both pugs on either side of me and switched the T.V on to the Gotham News Channel.

"Wow, Harleen," I said to myself,"this is how your nights are spent."

Myself hate was interrupted by the alarming news heading.

"Gotham City is in turmoil due to the sighting of masked vigilante: The Batman. There's no evidence to confirm nor deny the Batman's existence. But in the past several months, crime rate has dropped by 22 percent. Being the best crime rates Gotham has ever seen in the past 20 years. I just got news that we have a statement from Gotham's own police department, Captain James Gordon. Signing off now to reporter Vicki Vale. Vicki?"

"Well, we moved into a city with a flying Bat Guy," I said to my pugs as they just looked at me and turned their heads in confusion.

I turned my sights back to the T.V and now a blonde woman with a eager smile waited her cue.

"Now?," Vicki Vale asked looking at the side of the camera.

"Yes now!," Loudly whispered the camera man.

"Thanks, Cathy! Hello Gotham, I'm Vicki Vale and here is where we will hear from Gotham's very own, Captain James Gordon! Who says he has a statement on The Batman controversy," Vicki held her huge smile until the camera changed view to a middle aged man with reddish brown hair with a matching mustache.

"Hello citizens of Gotham, today I come to you to put away your worries and to calm your nerves. Gotham has seen the greatest decrease of crime rate in the past two decades, thanks to the work of our fine police officers. Yet, there has been assumptions of a masked vigilante known to the crowd as The Batman. I'm here to let you all know that there is no such thing as a Batman. The decrease of crime rate is thanks to our officers, not a superhero metaphor. As Gotham grows, we begin to face challenges, but from those challenges we grow strong. We do not need to be depended on an idea of a hero; it should only be the belief of it. The idea of Batman gave hope and false recognition. I'm here to put an end to it and stop this challenge from holding back Gotham's progression. No questions, please."

Captain Gordon left and the reporters roared for questions. With that I decided to turn off the T.V.

"Enough with the heavy." I sighed to my pugs as I carried them to my bedroom.

I entered my medium sized room; which was decorated with pale yellow walls, my diplomas and pictures of my dad dangled on them. The only picture of me is me at my prom, my date was my cousin-- he was twelve.

I pushed away all of my fluffy pillows off my full size bed to the hard wood floor.

I gathered myself into the warm sheets and felt my body relax. I looked up at my ceiling and saw countless cracks. I fell into though of my first day; I placed both hands on my eyes trying to force out the memory. With all my force I still remembered: Black Gate, Dr. Leland, Ivy--I mean Pamela, and even Officer Boles. I sadly remembered all of it.

Whatever pulled me to come this crazy city with these crazy people, have better be worth it.