Group Therapy

Part 7

Our view transitions to the other side of the loudspeaker where a man is lifting his finger off the speaker button. He drags his hand down the rest of the control board. Tilting his head back, he takes a deep breath in and out. He looks back down and begins to speak.

Alfred: I never thought it would come to this. He wouldn't have wanted this. But I've chosen to live less subjectively now. His way never worked. It couldn't. But I supported him. I tried to find the good in them. They couldn't be saved.

Alfred had been Bruce Wayne's butler for decades, and his guardian for almost as long. Stricken with grief, he accessed the Bat computer and researched Bruce's contingency plans for everyone we saw in that room. He then used them to track and kidnap the criminals. He had help, of course.

Behind Alfred an ominous pair of eyes watch from the shadows. The eyes of an old friend. Red Hood moves forward from the shadows. He is unmasked. His name is Jason Todd, and he had given up the Robin mantle years ago when he was killed by The Joker. He was brought back to life via a mystical pool called the Lazarus pit. He has hated Joker ever since.

Jason: You did right by the old man. He lived his way. He fought for what he believed. But now.. it's time to clean up.

Alfred: As a soldier we were taught to kill or be killed. I was a fool to think I could leave that on the battlefield. Desperate measures, my good friend. Desperate measures.

Jason points to the camera focused on the prisoner cells.

Jason: What about him?

The Joker is seen coughing up blood and playing with it in his fingers. He giggles and shouts to the camera.

Joker: I'm gunna need a stronger dose, Dr. House! And three CC's of Stella Black. That's what the hot shots are drinking! Am I right, Rom?

Joker looks over to discover that Black Mask and the others have perished.

Joker: Hmm. Dead crowd. Oh wait! Have you heard the one about Commissioner Gordon and the midget fetish?

We go back to Alfred and Jason watching the TV screen.

Alfred: You know what to do.

Jason: Are you sure?

Alfred: Maybe it's not what we think. Or maybe it is. But he would've wanted us to do this, especially. Bruce, I mean.

Jason looks away from Alfred, then back at the screen. He slowly reaches down for a red button and presses it. The wall behind Joker's cell pulls apart in a symmetrical block formation, where he is greeted by a dimly lit hallway.

Joker: What's this? Ye' Ole Secret Passageway, aye? Whelp, when there's nowhere for it to go, sometimes you need to force it out. Here I go, doctor!

Joker walks the long hallway with a devilish grin, running his fingers along the wall. He only has one option. A single door stands in front of him. He opens it hastily and runs in.

Joker: Surprise! Yes! Hahahaha! You remembered my birthday! I swear I had no idea, this is my genuine reac-

Joker finally notices who is standing in front of him.

Joker: I knew I heard the sorrow in here. I could smell it, too.

Alfred: I can assure you, Joker, that Mr. Todd would gladly sever your head, provided you didn't show any promise.

Jason: I'm still considering it.

Joker: Promise? What do you mean promise? You knew that toxic gas wouldn't eat me up. You.. you kept me alive. But why? I won't accept "promise" for an answer.

Alfred: You respected Bruce in your.. demented ways. If anything, you just adored his company. We mourn different ways, Joker. A piece of us left with Bruce, just as you have lost a piece of yourself. You are genuinely plagued by his absence. Letting you live is not fully an act of kindness. Your medicine is a prolonged death. It's impossible for you to accept The Batman's passing. But you must live with it.

Joker: Nothing has been the same. But nothing else would change if I left here alive. The jokes just aren't funny anymore.

Jason: You can walk out right now, Joker. I'll find you again. It'll be hard not to kill you, but I will stop you. Maybe you can have a change of heart. Consider this a "Get Out of Jail Free" card. I know you like game references.

Joker grunts and smiles at Jason's remark.

Joker: Good to know you were listening.

Jason: I'll put our differences to the side for now. In the meantime you can suffer this gloomy existence alone. With no Batman.

Joker: Oh but one might be closer than you think, Toddy.

Alfred: We sure aren't friends now, Joker. Don't take our mercy as an invitation.

Joker: You two are my closest friends right now. You were the closest ones to him. So now you're the closest ones to me, can't you see? We'll have a slumber party! I'll add you on Myspace!

Jason: No one uses Myspace anymore.

Joker: Welcome to my Top 8, Jason! I'm warning you. Some things I post may be considered "suggestive" as in I "suggest" you check them out.

Jason: Get out.

Joker: Oh fine, I'm going! Thanks for the fun evening! Can't even lend a girl cab fair. Misogynistic swine!

Joker's voice fades out as he leaves through the hallway exit. Jason turns to Alfred with his arms crossed.

Jason: I'd say our group therapy wasn't a complete failure, right? You know, besides the bodies we have to clean up.

Alfred: We learn. We grow. Perhaps we can grow in darkness as well.

Jason: Gotham needs a Batman.

Alfred: Or perhaps something new. Something better. True justice. I don't think he would want us to give up just yet, Jason. This city cannot fall to crime. We honor his legacy in the best way we can. We persevere.

Jason nods in agreement and gazes down the long hallway that joker left through.

Alfred: Alas, the dance continues.

Jason: Are you ready for this, Alfred? We're making a pact to mop up this shit hole. No fuckery.

Alfred: I believe it's our shit hole, Master Jason. And that's all that truly matters.. in the end.

Jason half-smiles and turns off the cameras.

Alfred: Now, let's work on that suit. Shall we?

The two walk off down the long hallway exit. They open the door and the bitter Gotham wind begins to slap them in the face. There is no Bat signal in the sky. There doesn't need to be. A protector is someone who protects or guards, by assignment or on their own initiative. The method in which protection is achieved may vary from party to party. Yet the masses always sleep soundly knowing they are being protected. People fear the day when there are no watchful protectors. But a protector is destined to come around eventually. It is simply human nature. It is a marvel in itself.

                                THE END