Group Therapy

Part 5

Therapist: That's two exercises down and I think we've made some real progress. Our third exercise is slightly more personal. I'd like to go back to a certain night. And I think we know which night I'm referring to.

Joker: The last night in Gotham.

Black Mask: Huh?

Bane: The death of the Bat.

Riddler: The grand finale.

Therapist: What brought you all together? Was it a deeper reason than to just murder the vigilante batman?

Joker's eyes perk up. He felt a strange emotion behind the words. It was almost like a sadness in his voice.

Freeze: We had grown weary of Batman's stronghold. He costed me years of research. His self righteous vigilance had to be, for lack of a better term, put on ice.

Joker: There are many better terms. An absurd amount of terms. Ed, can you back me up here?

Bane: The clown was not involved. Insignificant as usual. The Batman fell to true power.

Riddler: We had been planning it for months I had all the schematics and everything. It was timed and executed perfectly. And with it, came untapped potential. And I can sleep commodiously knowing that I finally outsmarted the Bat-freak.

Bane: We all got a piece of what we desired. And now Gotham's underworld is ours.

Therapist: And Roman? What was your part in all of this?

Black Mask: We did it in a warehouse. One I happen to own. And because of our genius plan I now happen to own many other warehouses.

Joker scoffs and bangs his head on the glass.

Joker: You did it for a couple of warehouses? Pathetic.

Joker spits on the floor in disgust. Black Mask laughs a bit under his breath.

Black Mask: There he goes again. Hubby went bye bye, scumbag. Deal with it.

Joker: Oh I'm going to deal with it.

Riddler: What was your fascination with him anyway, Joker? You were always strangely obsessed with that guy.

Joker: Pot calling the kettle black, Ed? You don't get it. None of you ever will. He was.. the only thing that mattered. The only person I can say truly understood me. He's a part of who I am.

Freeze: So why attack and torment him? You evidently hold him dearly.

Joker: Because why not?! Our game was played in the face of daily monotony. A rift in the meaningless abyss. A supernova in the universal nothingness! We did what we did because it was fun. Remember Bobby?

Riddler: Billy.

Joker: Shit!

The speaker squeaks again and interrupts the flow of conversation. The airways pop open and The Therapist continues.

Therapist: We've reached the final stage of our therapy session, gentlemen. Now remember, the lie detectors are hot and ready to shock you. I have nothing to ask but a single question.

Riddler: My favorite.

Therapist: Do any of you feel remorse for your actions?

The room falls silent. Waves of uncertainty and confusion flow amongst the prisoners.