Laugh Lines

Minx

A/N: Ok, I have the story finished. The chapters are typed but still need to be edited. There will be 39 chapters and an epilogue. So 40 all together.*sigh*

~What if all the world's inside of your head

Just creations of your own?

Your devils and your gods

All the living and the dead

And you're really all alone?

You can live in this illusion

You can choose to believe

You keep looking but you can't find the woods

While you're hiding in the trees~

~Nine Inch Nails~

Bruce had accepted his punishment, they offered to let him watch the video, he declined. His lawyer had watched it, confirming with very little sympathy, that he had murdered a man in some kind of psychotic break. Bruce hated himself for it. He never thought he was someone who could be capable of murder.

He had met with Joan. She had watched the tape. She told Bruce that he had been absolutely crazed. Bruce took her judgment and in no uncertain terms told her to save the sympathy for the dead man. He couldn't tell her that he still believed that Joker had somehow had a hand in this, so he kept it all to himself.

With the video and Bruce not fighting the new Manslaughter charge, his day in court had come quickly. Within a week, they had met with the judge and he plead guilty. The judge said he had to meet with Bruce's doctors and determine his sentencing.

He was moved out of Ward B and into the violent offender ward. It was 23 hour lock down. He had 1 hour of time per day for outside recreation time, with no contact with other people. He ate in his cell, and was allowed to shower twice during the week and one day on the weekend. It was miserable, but Bruce felt like it was the least of what he deserved.

Joker had been in a great mood. His wife seemed happy, she had gotten some revenge on Bruce. Poor Bruce was broken so badly, waiting to find out his fate from the justice system he fought so hard for. Joker was sure he wouldn't get any plea deals this time. Once Bruce was sentenced, Joker could finish the last phase of his plan.

Joker's great mood had extended to the men in front of him. He currently sat at the table in the back of a laundry mat. It was hot, he could feel the sweat moving down his spine. What kind of person held meetings, in August, inside a steamy building with no AC?

He watched the three men talk in hushed voices, he had given them a choice and was waiting patiently for them to decide. The only reason he was giving them any consideration was thanks to his wonderful mood, but that would only last so long in this sweltering heat.

"Boys, do we have an answer?" his voice made all three turn to look at him.

The men looked at each other, then all three turned to face Joker. "Mr. Joker, we accept." The guy on the far right said.

"Wonderful," was all he said as he stood and walked to the exit.

The Gotham summer temperature felt remarkable cooler than that damn building. He moved to his car and started the engine, blasting the AC. He pulled his phone and called Ace.

"Get someone too burn it to the ground."

"Meeting not go well?" Ace asked.

"Oh, they accepted my offer, but." He paused. "They took too long to decide, having me literally sweating in my seat. This will be an incentive to decide quicker next time."