Monster

Henry

        I guess I should start from way back, before all the crazy motherfuckers with superpowers, machine guns, psychosis (myself included), and all that jazz gave Gotham City it's infamous and deadly reputation.
         You're in luck tootz, but just know that before you continue, it ain't pretty. Did I introduce myself? I believe not. Harley Quinn-but once I went by the name "Harleen Francis Quinzel." Not very cute, a bit long, but that's the name my momma gave me. I grew up on the outskirts of Gotham City in a town called Devil's Meadow. Boring, but peaceful. I was a waitress at Banning's while also completing a psychiatry residency at Arkham Asylum. It was never a busy place to work at, but I was frequented by a nice man by the name of "Henry Heatherington." The man was probably three times my age, but knowing me and my daddy issues, I'd pursue this man gladly.
           He'd come in about every three days, telling me about a new joke he'd been working on. I respected Henry, he was definitely driven and intelligent. A single, forty-five year old with not much going on for him other than wanting to make people smile. He was nice, and he saw through my exterior appearance. Maybe there was more he wanted (eventually he got exactly what he'd seen all along, but that's for a different time).
            "Harleen. There's a secret in those pretty eyes, why do you always look so sad?" I stared back at Henry blankly, shaking my head a bit, in denial of the emotions I couldn't make out myself.
             "I don't know. Maybe it's the weather?"
             "I thought you loved the rain. There's always worth something smiling about. I know! Why don't you come see me at Trellis Gardens tonight? I finally got my own act scheduled." Grinning, I looked back up with pride written across my face.
              "Wow you got an act? That's amazing! I don't know if they'd let me in though, isn't that club run by Carmine Falcone's nephew? I think I'd need an invitation."
                "And who else would you get one from?"
                 "The clown himself, of course I'll go!" I hugged Henry from across the marble counter, careful not to spill his coffee or bash his plate of breakfast. Some found it odd that I'd take a liking to him, but he was more of a fatherly figure. My heart raced in excitement for him, I was in love with his passion.
                  "Well what time is your act? I get off at about five and Gotham City is thirty minutes away."
                   "It started at ten, I think you'll have enough time to get ready, Har."
                    "Yeah I'll be there, I don't take long to get ready anyway." I filled up Henry's coffee cup and went towards the kitchen, picking up an order for an elderly woman. That would be the night that everything changed. Henry, and even the start of myself. Neither of us would be the same again, and I hate to say that all the brutality we'd each endured I'd live through that inferno again-it made the evil inside show. The devil in us all arise, and I wasn't afraid to make my demons dance with his.