Beautiful Anti-Hero

I miss you

Dear Peter,

Gotham is very different to New York to say the least. I hope you are doing well. As for me, I am working at Gotham Amusement Park. I know, I know. Not really me. However I need money and I am a little shy to go out yet in my costume. My work is pretty easy but my relationship with my boss (Mr Riley) is a little awkward. He seems troubled. I saw a blonde woman approach the park yesterday when I was working. I wonder if it is his wife although he said that him and her had split. Anyways take care and don't forget to write back little spider.

I miss you

Felicia

Felicia put her pen down and read over her letter to Peter a couple of times. She sealed it up in an envelope and sent it down to the post office outside the hotel. Going back to her room, she got dressed for bed and tucked herself under the warm covers and rested her eyes. Drifting off to sleep she had a dream about herself riding on one of the park's rollercoasters. Mr Riley was in one of the carriages which started to break. Felicia tried to yell to him but he looked too upset to even notice her. He did not flinch when the carriage topped to the ground and Felicia subconsciously heard herself screaming in the dream. Waking up in a cold sweat, she could see daylight seeping in through the black curtains and groaned. Looking at the alarm clock on her bedside table, she could see that she had to get up in half an hour.

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"I'm late. I'm late." Felicia panicked as she scrambled around trying to find clean and smart clothes. Putting them on and after a quick shower she headed out and ran to work. Checking her watch, she realised that she was five minutes late. Mr Riley was in his office and she burst in out of breath. She noticed the same blonde woman with glasses with her boss holding a notepad.

"Mr Riley I am so sorry." Felicia panted. "I will get to work right away."

"No worries Felicia. Oh and by the way have you met Doctor Harleen Quinzel? She is a trained therapist with a Masters in Psychology. Very impressive."

"Nice to meet you." Harleen said in a professional tone smiling at Felicia. She extended her hand. Felicia hesitated but shook it feeling a little weary about this woman. There was something not quite right about her. Maybe she was being paranoid but she usually was a good judge of character.

"Anyways better be off to get on with my work." Felicia told them.

Mr Riley gave her a friendly wave. "No worries. I am about to have my first session with Doctor Quinzel. What time you finish at today?"

"Half five." Felicia answered. She noticed Harleen giving her a creepy smile and pretended not to look at her. Shuddering as she exited the room, she bumped into Harriet.

"Sorry." Felicia mumbled at the tearful girl.

"It's okay."

"Why are you crying?" Felicia asked her seeing the tears beginning to pour down.

"My brother went to live with my mum. I am staying with dad. He seems so unhappy and I don't like that doctor. Her smile is scary."

"No kidding." Felicia mumbled to herself but bent down to wipe the girl's tears away. "No worries. I will be around a lot to work at the park. You probably have gone on these rides countless times before but you can visit me anytime you like. I am sure your father will not mind."

"Thanks. Felicia." Harriet said remembering Felicia's name. She ran off to get some candyfloss and left Felicia to operate the ride.

"Sweet kid. Every girl needs her daddy. I hope the therapy sessions work." Felicia said pulling down a lever.

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"So Mr Riley. Are you taking any medication at this current time." Doctor Quinzel asked.

"Not as of yet. I did not want to considering the side effects some have." Mr Riley gave a faint smile as he wiped his face with a handkerchief.

"I understand." Harleen pursed her lips into a smirk. "So talk to me."

"My wife cheated and left me a couple of years ago. Today she came and took my son away. I still have my daughter but by court's law she wants to have shared custody. I am struggling to keep this park in business."

Harleen clicked her fingers. "What this place needs is a little spice." She cleared her throat remembering to keep it professional. "At least you have a new worker. She seems cute."

"Felicia? Yes she does seem lovely. A real angel. Getting on well with the kids and no complaining."

"Great. Shall we try a little word association. I say a word and you tell me how you feel about that word. Understand?"

Mr Riley nods.

"Loss."

Mr Riley puts his head in his hands. "Well nobody said therapy was easy." He gave a short hearty chuckle. "I feel like I have lost a lot. My life has gone down since my wife decided to act promiscuously."

"Park."

"My park is everything. The colourful lights, the glittering stalls, the fancy rollercoasters. Also the food is good. Problem is a lot of customers have done it all and are not coming. Maybe I should add in more rides, hire some more staff and redecorate the place."

Harleen nodded to her patient. "Yes you should. I can help you with your problems and may think of some suggestions on how to improve the park. Sound good?"

"Very helpful. Thank you."

Once the first therapy session was over and contact details were exchanged, Harleen left. She noticed Felicia looking at her and gave her a little wave. Felicia waved a little then went over to Harriet who had approached the ride. With her back to Harleen, Felicia did not hear the short chuckle as Harleen made her way out of the park.