The Mechanic and The Clown (Robert Downey Jr/The Joker)

Chapter 3

He had sneaked past the the staff at reception, his from the sights of the doctors, nobody knew he was there. Just like the Joker liked. Tony would never think of looking for him there at the hospital ICU keeping Pepper company.

"Your husband," The Joker began, wiping his brow causally once he has sat down, "His pride makes him think he's different, he's just the same." He stared at Pepper. A blank stare, no sorrow, no anger, but there was a small glisten of glee in his eye seeing Tonys spouse in such a condition, "But sooner he's gonna have to take the shot, it's what always happens, that's what living in an illusion does to you."

This cryptic message was all he uttered to Pepper, The Joker was not a schemer but things were working out pretty well for him so far.

It was night now, The Joker swaggered off through the dark corners of the city, followed swiftly by a small groups of three streetwise thugs all with clown masks covering their faces. This was the Joker's 'team'. He had shot his last one just the week before, he didn't see the point of having them once their necessity had expired.

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"Who do you think you are?" Clayton, a local mob leader, hidden in the underbelly, the dirty part of Los Angeles, "You think you can just come in here and take over my joint?"

"Umm... Yes?" The tallest of the Jokers minions answered, his face still covered.

"That's nice but no," Clayton declined, he was disgusted and motioned for his men to escort the unwelcome group out.

"Ha, Ha, Ha, Hee, Aha, Ha," the Joker voiced, laughing slowly and menacing as he stepped from behind the shadows, "I know a joke... When I hear one."

"What the hell?" The mob leader had heard of this guy, The joker had slashed his cousin, Gambol's throat, killing him straight away, "I thought you were dead!"

"We differ on that," the Joker retorted, raising his eyes, scouring the room, "But I know you brother is!"

"Right that's it!" Clayton announced, slamming the desk and raising himself up. He circled The Joker, mocking him...

Suddenly The Joker lunged forward and grabbed Clayton roughly by the throat, a knife pressed threateningly near the mob leaders heart, "Let me tell you a story, there was a man, who LOVED to control people with money, if they couldn't pay, they'd be embedded in servitude. But one day, a storm approaches.... And do you know what happened to him?"

Clayton's face was mortified, the joker was choking him with leather gloves hand over his throat, he shook his head slowly. The joker, who was standing so close, added manically, "Well now we're gonna find out." The joker sent the knife through Clayton's heart in a violent stab, killing him in seconds.

"Now, our operation is small, but there's a lot of potential for "aggressive" expansion." The Joker addressed Clayton's men, "So, which one of you fine gentlemen would like to join our team? Oh, there's only one spot open right now, so we're gonna have...Tryouts." He threw four knives to the wall to his left to be used, "Make it fast."

"Hey!" One of the competitors yelled as The Joker walked away, "what do you want? Who are you after?"

The joker stopped in mid-step, his back to the the others and the man who asked. With a sly smile, widening devilishly, "Stark.... Tony Stark..."