Harlequin

The Clown Prince of Crime

For as long as she was at Arkham, it was the first time the guards opened her cell and let her out. She walked out of her cell, a little terrified, because she knew the kinds of crazy she could meet. She did her research on this place, after all. It was even an ambition of her's to land a job as a psychiatrist here. That, however, does not seem attainable any time soon. She looked to the left, a dead end. She was placed at the most isolated corner. "How nice." she sarcastically mumbled to herself. The guards led her to a large space where a lot of Arkham's residents interacted, relaxed, and did whatever. Guards were located in every opening, just in case. You never know what could happen at Arkham.

She didn't know any other lunatic here, well, no more than knowing them by name. Harley sat down on one of the empty benches and observed her surroundings, trying to be a wallflower. To her far front, there was Harvey Dent, aka "Two Face" and the crazy plant lady, Pamela Isley, better known as "Poison Ivy", engaging in a heated game of chess. As she moved her vision towards her right, she spotted Edward Nigma "The Riddler" reading some books. And of course, there was the Mad Hatter drinking his tea. "How predictable", she thought to herself. It appears that this is where the big fish like to spend their time.

As a psychology major, and being the best at what she does, she knows their trump cards and their profiles. She lived to study these people. But, as she turned her head, she spotted a mess of green-tinted hair. He's always been a mystery to her. The Joker.

The Joker was sitting, watching the television. He held the remote and was watching a stand-up comedy. He was in control of the only television in the area and no one tried to take that from him. It's as if it was an informal indication of authority. Harley studied the side of his face, and tilted her head in curiosity... Then her mind spaced into a daydream, still keeping her eye on Joker. Before she realized it, he was already looking back at her with his ever-present grin. As she averted her eyes, he stood up. She hoped it isn't true that he's making his way to her. Oh. It's true. "Crap.", she thought to herself.

The Joker sat himself down right next to her. He didn't have a sense of personal space. Harley shyly looked at him, trying to keep her composure. Her eyes were locked into his piercing, green eyes. The Joker winked and it surprised her. He burst out in laughter and the other inmates stared briefly, then resumed doing whatever they were doing.

"Awww... The new meat is a coy little one. Now, tell me, pretty miss. What is your name? Ahehehe" teased Joker.

"H-harleen Quinzel."

"Ooh I like your name! It gives me tingles! Ah, sounds a bit like harlequin, yes? Change it a little bit you get Harley Quinn!!"

"Oh. Um yes. Call me Harley. Everyone does."

"HAHAHA! I like you. You're an interesting character. I know you are. There's something I see..." He stood up and circled her. He stopped at her front and stared so close at her. Grinning. "Ooh you have something..."

"You said that already mister."

"Oooh! You're funny too! And smart. I see we're getting to nicknames already now are we?" He giggled. "Hmmm okay! I've got it! You can call meeeeee- Mister J!!!" He stood still, and paused. "But I haven't even told you my real name! HAHAHAHAHA! Joker! Ah, a backwards introduction. Very cute."

"Ahahahaha yes I know your name. You're famous." He seemed harmless after all. Harley thought that she was safe because there are guards.

"I'm like a celebrity then!"

"More like a criminal. You're a sociopath and a psycho. A ruthless murderer." Harley got a little brave and spoke her mind.

"HAHAHAHA OH. YOU'RE BRAVE." He growled. In an instant he had his hands on her neck and she was slammed on the table. "I COULD KILL YOU RIGHT NOW."

The little situation was like a domino. Aggression broke out and the other inmates were fighting. It's like a prison riot... But in an asylum. Harley and Joker were at the center of it all. The guards were having a tough time with even the outer most layer of the chaos. Despite the havoc surrounding them, they were undisturbed. Others knew not to mess with The Joker.

Harley toughened up and looked him in the eye. She smiled, a strange kind of smile. The Joker kept his position and his threat. Then he broke out in laughter, holding his head and banging the table. No one's ever smiled at The Joker that way. She wasn't scared. Not compared to the experience given to her by the fear toxin. She was prepared.

"Harley, Harley, Harley!" Said Joker with an emphasis on each H sound, half laughing. "You're mad! Nuts! Bonkers! HAHAHAHAHA"

"Actually, I'm sane. I'm not even supposed to be here." Said Harley. Most of the others were taken by the guards already.

"I'll see you again Darling! AHAHAHAHAHAHEHEHEHEHEE!" Said Joker as he was shot with a tranquilizer dart, and carried away.

Harley stood there in the middle of the mess. At the eye of the tornado where it was silent, yet everything around was a catastrophe. Standing there... Curious of the strange mind of the strange man that now goes by "Mr. J" to her, she uttered.

Meanwhile, Crane was standing behind her from a distance. Watching the scene take place. Observing Harley's reactions... To what would normally be considered... Scary.