The Way We Smile

A Match Made In Arkham

Harleen Quinzel

Born a high functioning Aspergers, she was always different from others. As a child, she was an observer, carefully watching others, examining them. She learned quickly how others behaved in social settings, and mimicked those that seemed most successful.
Privately, she held interests in all things macabre: Addams Family, Beetlejuice, all things Tim Burton, etc. However, her deepest fascination continued to be the observance of human behavior and the mind. Publicly speaking? She was a preppy, cheery, go-getter; she was a popular girl, on the cheerleading team, debate team, gymnastics team, and more. Straight As, a perfect student; not a bad thing could be said about her, for in public, she kept her perfect mask up for all to see.

She graduated, with honors, and gained multiple scholarships for excellence. She attended the top universities, starting college classes as young as 15 in her freshman year of high school, she was able to finish her Doctorate at 25.

Immediately after her graduation, she began to work at Arkham Asylum, eager to earn her keep. She was obsessed with the abnormal minds within, and studying them became her greatest pleasure.

After only a year she had managed to study all of the infamous villains of Gotham: Catwoman, Bane, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, Killer Croc, Clayface, Mr.Freeze, and so many others. She even visited Arkham Penitentiary to visit the Penguin. While not criminally insane, his mind was quite interesting to delve into. Last of all though, was her favorite, the Joker.

Her first time seeing the Joker in person was when Batman himself had dragged the beaten and bruised man in. That day she learned that whenever the Joker was brought in, the highest of security protocol was conducted. He was locked in an isolated room, not allowed any free time, and not allowed to talk with other patients.

Arkham was already split, between the criminally insane, and the normal civilian patients. However, the Joker had his own, underground level, dedicated to nothing but keeping him locked up and away from the world. And immediately, Harleen was intrigued.

It took her many months of begging for the chance to be the Joker's psychologist. However, her superiors did not think such an inexperienced doctor should be subjected to the harsh, verbal psychological torment the Joker could weave. The director of Arkham Asylum said, multiple times, he was merely saving Harleen from a fate she could not imagine. Countless of employees of Arkham became patients themselves once the Joker spun his web within their minds. Yet, as fewer and fewer doctors were willing to work with the Joker, the director could no longer refuse Dr.Harleen Quinzel's request.
Finally, the good Doctor was able to study her favorite patient, the Joker.

~😍~

As Harleen enters the therapy room, she sees the Joker lying on a chaise lounge, with his wrists and ankles strapped down tightly. The Joker turns his head to face Harleen as she walks in, and his complacent smile widens into a toothy grin. "Well hello there Doctor dear. What a joy it is to have a new therapist to speak to." Harleen looks him over, and immediately begins to study his every movement, his very speech pattern, and every expression that crosses his face. Little did she know, of course, he was doing the same to her.
"Hello Joker, my name is Dr.Harleen Quinzel and I will be your psychologist from here on out," She greets, giving him a small smile and a short wave before sitting down in the chair directly next to the chaise lounge. "Is there anything you wish to discuss with me? Keep in mind, all conversations between you and I are confidential, unless you divulge information that could pose a threat to yourself, or others."
Immediately the Joker bursts into laughter, manic and disturbing. As he calms down, he gives Harleen a joyous glance, "Why my dear Doctor Quinzel, if I were to filter out any conversation containing plausible or possible harm to myself or others... why... why we'd have nothing to talk about!"