I had this all typed and saved (honestly) but when I went back to it, it had vanished! So it's taken me longer than I planned to get this one up. I tried to piece it all back together as best I could and made a few changes, not that any of you will know anyway! Enjoy!
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Gordon was outside the session room as I made my way to see the Joker.
"Afternoon," he said gruffly, pushing himself off the wall, "nice hair."
"Why thank you," I replied as I scanned my ID, "you know, I think you ought to have a room here."
"Do I give off that vibe?"
"Oh absolutely."
The Joker looked tense behind the glass, sitting upright and tapping his fingers impatiently. His head snapped in our direction as we entered, I figured the intercom must have been on.
"It's just that you're here so often, Gordon," I said.
"Yeah well, you know how it is - big case. I was gonna sit in on this one, if you don't mind."
Now it was my turn to be tense. I glanced at the Joker who, although couldn't see me, gave a discreet shake of his head.
"A-are you sure that's a good idea? It's just that, well I've been doing so well with him, I'm afraid that if he's put off he might not talk," I babbled. Gordon frowned.
"Well, uh, I suppose you're right. I'll just leave you to it, but could you fill me in afterwards?" he requested
"Of course."
He smiled appreciatively and opened the door.
"More guards are on the way, we still need the security after the escape incident. We'll all be outside," he assured, closing the door behind him.
"Good girl," the Joker said. I turned off all the cameras and mics and pulled a painkiller from my bag. I needed to remember to take those more often.
As I entered the bright room, the Joker looked up at me, his eyes studying mine.
"You have a strange aura around you today," he commented as I sat down.
"That so?"
"Indeed. And also the slight scent of alcohol. Good night was it?"
"We need to get the ball rolling here if you're going to have any chance of transferring to level 2," I said, quickly changing the subject, "and Gordon wants me reporting back to him like a little puppy. So are you ready to do this?" I grinned.
"I'm as ready as you are, my dear."
I pulled out the recorder, "Then let's do it."
Click.
"Doctor Harleen Quinzel reporting on session 9 with patient #227, the Joker. How are you today?"
"You, uh, not gonna ask me how I slept?"
"Well, how did you sleep?"
"Oh, I was plagued by nightmares doc."
"Really?"
"Yes. About my father."
"Do you want to tell me about that?"
"Well it was more like a memory. My dad taught me how to play poker, ya see, and I always wondered about the joker card. So I ask him, I say: "Hey dad, how come we don't use that card?" And do you know what he tells me?"
"What?"
"He says: "Son, go get me another beer." And when I don't bring it fast enough for him...well...he grabs his big leather belt and beats me for it..."
