*J* (the continuation)

Part Thirty-Eight: Chapter 285: Neutral Rat

Jason needed a neutral rat. A rat that didn't have any allegiances to anyone, yet, ties to all. There weren't many criminals in Gotham that fit that bill. Of course the Joker did, but Jason was fairly sure he wouldn't help take himself down. There was Deadshot, but he always required cash up front, which Jason didn't have. Not yet anyway. That's why Jason needed a neutral rat to get all the drug smugglers in one room together. Therefore, the rat in question had to be someone with enough clout to pull that off. And they had to have enough balls to not worry about the Clown Prince finding out about anything.

So all that said, Jason's list was dwindled down to only one name. It didn't please him who was left because he had never cared for the guy. In Jason's opinion the guy was the biggest turncoat in Gotham. While that was exactly what Jason needed, it didn't mean it made him like the guy any better. Jason couldn't respect him, not ever. He's the type that turns on his own kind if it gives him a foothold. Gangsters, thieves, psychos, cops, it didn't matter to this guy who he fucked over. He was a self profiteer, which meant Jason couldn't exactly trust him. Not that Jason had ever trusted him, not as Robin, the acting Joker, or the Red Hood. But with a list of one, he didn't have a hell of a lot of choice.

So now Jason must find a way to have a sit-down with his potential rat. There was no way he could just call him up and schedule an appointment. Even if he could, he was literally a nobody to anyone with any power. And being that, no one was going to give him the time of day, much less listen to his proposal. And what exactly could Jason propose that would make it worthwhile for this guy? Sure, money talks, but this guy wasn't exactly strapped for cash. So whatever offer Jason made would have to be really enticing. Like a percentage or a partnership. Wether or not Jason planned to uphold it was another question all together. Killing the would-be rat might prove easier. Jason would lose no sleep over it.

For hours Jason paced the floors and thought to himself. He plotted, replotted, scrapped ideas, conjured more, and plot, plot, plotted some more. Just when he thought he had all the details worked out he would second guess himself and start all over again. Finally the frustration got to him and he destroyed the room in a fit of anger at himself. Then, panting hard, he shoved his green curls out of his face.

"Pull it together man! You were the goddamn Joker! You've got this! Just pull it together already!" He shout at himself from the top of his lungs.

He missed the confidence that came with being the Joker. But that confidence wasn't what mattered, it was the Joker's power and the fear he instilled in others that made things usually work in his favor. Jason knew he no longer has that power. Nor was he revered by every living soul in the city. He wasn't really sure if he had anything at all going for himself. Well, except a suit made of kevlar. At least there was that.

With a sigh Jason can't help but think of what Bruce would probably think if he knew what he was planning. He would probably think it was impulsive. That was normally his chief complaint with him and the things he did. And granted, Jason had a list a mile long of his own impulsions in hindsight. Most notably, his decision to become the Joker. But surely impulsiveness could serve as a benefit in certain situations. Right?

After many more hours of debate, as night set in, Jason had ran what was left of his sanity into the ground. His undecicive course of action had just managed to make him angry with himself. And that in turn, just made him doubt himself. Finally, with a deep gutteral growl and fists clenched in his green hair, he decided that he had tortured himself long enough. It was time to fish or cut bait.

"What the hell do you have to lose?" He muttered to himself. And the only answer he could come up with was, "Well, there's your life... But what good is it with absolutely no money, power, dreams, or companionship?"