Monster

Dark Reality

         "Guard, that's enough for today. Please escort Joker to his cell."
          "So early, I thought you were enjoying our date." He said in a rather charming tone, and I was both flattered and disgusted. I stood up as he was wheeled out of the room by the guard.
   

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        Not long after I arrived at Banning's, I stopped by just before to change into my uniform at my apartment. When I entered the restaurant I noticed something peculiar-Henry was missing. He was always there at 4:30 p.m, and I'd always arrived at 6: p.m. He'd told me this. Henry was probably bummed down from the previous night, so I tried not to think much of it. I started occupying myself with wiping down a dirty table while all of the televisions mounted on the walls said "breaking news."

      "Hello, I'm Melissa Hayes and tonight we bring you a special and breaking report at Herendell's, Gotham's main attraction for criminals alike. Owned by Fish Mooney, several more bodies were found in horrific states of early decomposition, believed to be the works of the mass murderer going by the name of "The Joker." While Fish Mooney is a gangster working alongside Carmine Falcone, they have been ruled out as accomplices."
          

          "Oh my..." I paused to stare at the screen, as did each employee and customer. We were all equally horrified, but I carried on with my work. It was the only thing I could do, for the following five hours.

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         Next Day, 8:30 a.m

        Back at Arkham, I sat again at that cold, metal table with my glasses and white trench coat on. While arranging my ponytail, Three guards (not one this time) wheeled in The Joker and departed the room. I turned on the recording device, and began our session.
         "Patient interview numbed two, in session. Hello Joker, how are you feeling?"
         "Peachy. What's with the increase in security?"
          "I don't know. Did you misbehave?" Laughing, as he always seemed to be, he managed to give a response.
           "And what is I did? Are you going to beat my bottom and tell me to stiffen my lip?"
            "Naughty. If you keep acting out, Dr. Quinzel won't give you a lollipop."
             "As if I needed something sweeter than Harley Quinn in my life." We both laughed, but I felt intimidated by him. His mannerisms lead me to believe that he was comfortable with me, like he knew me. I couldn't recognize him, of course, but he enjoyed my time. "You know...when I told my first joke my father beat me."
            "Oh, I'm very sorry...how horrible!" I gasped. I was surprised by what he said, I wasn't expecting anything to get personal between us. Stupid because nosing around is basically what I did, I was a psychiatrist. But he was also the Joker, an enigma.
             "Well, that's the least of it. I never had many friends either, like you."
             "I can be your friend, you can trust me." Smiling, I leaned into the table, and he whispered.
             "You can't trust someone who thinks you're crazy." I looked down, feeling bad. It was true, wasn't it? "But love, that's a different story."
             "Hm?" He smiled, and churned his voice into something somewhat sweet, although still clown-like.
              "Did I stutter? I kid you not, surprisingly." I giggled nervously, and he leaned in as far as he could, even with the restraints.
             "I'm just not used to speaking intimately with other individuals."
              "I didn't realize this was an intimate conversation."
               "I didn't realize monsters could be so kind." Even though he wasn't physically smiling, his half-Chelsea grin did it for him.
                "You truly are beautiful." I looked deeper, knowing I'd see those familiar eyes before.
                "No one ever, has been so kind to me besides..." I gasped, coming to a great realization. "Henry." Giggling in an devilish tone and crinkling every muscle in his face, his head shook side to side, the giggling turning into a laugh.
                 "Henry doesn't live here anymore."