You're His Favorite Joke

Chapter 15: Breathe life into Harley

Dr. Harleen Quinzel

"Strangers in the night. Exchanging glances. Lovers at first sight."

I fluttered my eyes open. My head pound with every beat of the song. My vision was hazy, but soon it cleared. As the brown fuzz from my eyes drifted away I saw a man wearing a mask. The mask looked like a scarecrow.

It was Dr.Crane.

I can't remember much, but I remember him and that god awful mask.

The mask was brown and had wholes in it for his eyes, it was beyond terrifying. I never saw something so horrible in my life.

I tried to get off my seat but I was tied to it. I groaned in pain and frustration. I was ready to scream for help, but Crane's filthy hand covered my mouth.

"Shh, Dr. Quin-zel," He began with a sympathetic voice."It is going to be alright, dear."

I felt tears stream down my face. I was terrified, hurt and tired. I want this night to end already. Crane cleaned away my tears and pout.

"I like you, Dr. Quin-zel. But," Crane huffed, "you are so extremely dull. So very boring." He then got up from his chair and crouched.

"I feel...I feel that we all have two personas in us. One persona is the mask we all wear. The one who is just there. People see the mask and feel safe. Then there's the second persona, the face underneath the mask. The stern, gruesome face that disgustingly growls at all around. All that persona asks for is to have full control. It begs for it! Cries for it!"

Crane grabbed my mouth harder and I shifted in pain.

"Yet it can't been seen with a mask over it. You can't see the truth under a lie. It's useless while the other persona is in charge. So, Dr. Quin-zel, how do we get rid of that persona?"

"What were the chances we'd be sharing love --before the night was through?!"

My mouth was aching as he grabbed harder.

"We scare that persona away!" He yelled.

Crane hissed as he pulled out a tube with gray smoke streaming out. My heart pound so fast that it began to hurt. I couldn't see with all the tears in my eyes. The tube was brought closer to me. I shut my eyes and began to shake off the rope. But nothing happened. Crane pulled harder at my mouth.Then the door was slammed open. A loud roar made me winched.

"CRANE!"

Crane let go off my face fast and fell back to his chair.

"Something in your eyes was so inviting. Something in your smile was so exciting. Something in my heart told me I must have you."

"I told you," The roaring man walked out of the shadows, "NOT HER!"

It was Joker. Behind him were two guards that coward at him. Joker's face threw daggers at Crane.
As he walked closer to us he looked down at Crane, his breathing was harsh. I took pride as I saw Crane and even the guards shake with fright.

Joker then looked at me. His once angry face washed away and replaced with worry--for me.

"Look what you've done, Crane! You made my poor Harley cry!" Joker cupped my face and scanned it for any signs of abuse. He then softly wiped away some tears that leaked away from my eyes.

After a small smile Joker let go of my face. He turned and threw something at Crane.

"Your damn formula!" Joker yelled as Crane scattered to the floor to pick up a bottle.

"Nice doing business, Clown." Crane whispered as he left the room. Joker paid him no attention. All he seemed to care about was me.

"Strangers in the night. Two lonely people, we were strangers in the night. Up to the moment when we said our first hello little did we know. Love was just a glance away, a warm embracing dance away."