The Joker's New Pet

Ok this is a rather long background. And remember, the Joker never remember's his past the same way, so if you don't like this background, you can think of it as him remembering it this way in his head. Anyway, once again I am half asleep, so this probably came out crappily and it probaly has tons of mistakes. I will have a beta reader check it shortly. But for now this is all I got LOL. Once again please read and review, and Thank you thank you thank you to all my reviewers! You don't know how much I really appreciate it and it really does motivate me to write more. So THANK YOU! And I hope you enjoy! Oh yeah and So sorry but no smut in this chapter really. Smut in next one I promise lol.

***

“Welcome son. I hope for your sake, that you knock em dead.” The short older and overweight manager greeted Jack as he showed up to perform. “Or you may be the one knocked dead with this crowd.” He looked Jack up and down, while puffing on a large Cuban cigar. He gave him a funny look. “Where’dya get that suite?”

Jack looked down at the chubby little manager. “Well. I figured if I wanted to be treated as a professional I’d have to dress like one.”

The manager raised a thick eyebrow. “Kid. You dress like that around here and you’re just asking to get jumped. I’d watch my back if I were you. Purple isn’t really the color of choice around these parts.”

The small smile that Jack had before was now wiped off of his face. “I kinda like this color actually,” he said with an air of innocence. “And it’s still a masculine color. It’s not like it’s pink.”

The manager gave him one more odd look and shook his head. “Your funeral.”

The Mad Hatter’s Comedy and Magic Club was small and modest. It was a cramped little hole in the wall place with a group of tables in the middle, and a bar off to the side. The minuscule stage was the main attraction of the club, where aspiring artists poured their souls out in front of a group of drunken strangers with dying hopes that a talent scout just happened to stop by while they were performing.

Jack had butterflies in his stomach, despite the fact that the audience was small. They were a small crowd but a rough crowd. He was waiting backstage as a singer was on before him. Jack watched the unfortunate man on stage, singing and strumming his guitar as the audience booed him and threw half eaten bar food and empty beer bottles at him. The man was a comedic singer, and was attempting to do humorous songs, but it appeared as though the audience didn’t find them very funny.

When the poor man was half way through a song, a drunken frat boy in the audience stood up and chucked his beer bottle right at the singer’s head. The bottle struck him right in the eye, putting an abrupt end to his song. Fortunately the bottle didn’t shatter. He wailed and nearly stumbled over, holding onto his eye. Drunken laughter erupted from the crowd.

Jack felt sick. “Okay. Now they’re crossing the line. Croc!” the manager yelled.

A very large man with horribly bad skin walked over to the manager. “You want me to take him out boss?”

“Yeah get that punk outta here. But please. Try not to send anyone to the hospital again. I’ve got enough lawsuits on my ass.”

“Sure thing boss,” Said Croc and he immediately went out to the audience and approached the drunken rowdy frat boy.

Jack peeked out from behind the curtain to see Croc talking to the laughing troublemaker. “Mr. Torlini wants me to take out the trash.” Croc glared down at the troublemaker.

The young man merely looked up at Croc, a big intoxicated grin on his face, and he laughed mockingly. “Oh my god, it’s the ‘Thing’ from fantastic four.” He turned to his drunken friends for approval who laughed along with him. “Where’s your fruity friends guy?” more mock laughter.

Croc grabbed the man’s hand, and Jack could hear the ‘crunch!’ from all the way in the back. The young man screamed. “He fucking broke my hand!” Croc picked him up along with his buddies and threw them outside, but not before breaking a few more bones first.

With the troublemaker’s whimpering screams in the distance, Mr. Torlini turned back to Jack. “That’s my main security guard. We call him Croc,” he said. “I think it’s obvious why.” Jack had to stifle a shudder. The man had an obvious skin disease. So bumpy it almost looked reptilian. “He’s good at what he does. Keeps the troublemakers in line. But gotta be careful, as most of my paying customers seem to be troublemakers. I’d still be wary of Croc though. He’s out on parole. He’s also been locked up in Arkham several times. The man has issues. I’m the only one who would hire him. He’s not very bright, but he’s got good muscle and that’s all it really takes to be a bouncer ‘round here.”

Jack nodded thoughtfully, and sucked in his breath. He was going on next. The manager walked on stage and gave Jack a brief introduction. The drunken crowd displayed a lack of interest and they talked over him. Mr. Torlini puffed on his cigar and walked back behind the curtain and addressed Jack. “Alright kid, you’re on. Good luck.”

With one last heavy sigh, Jack proceeded to walk on stage, tugging his little magic cart along with him. Cheesy music played as the spotlight shone on him and he introduced himself with a bow. A few of the audience members were still chattering away, but the rest were silent. A couple of people clapped weakly. Jack could feel sweat dripping off of his forehead. “Now ladies and gentle-man. I know what you’re thinking. And no I did not murder Barney the dinosaur and use his skin to construct my suit. I swear! I only use skin from animals that aren’t extinct!”

One drunk giggled in the audience. The rest were silent, with a few coughs. “Whose this joker?” He heard someone mumble.

Jack had to admit to himself that the joke was bad. But he had to try and lighten the mood somehow. He was already losing the audience, so he had to pull them in. “How ‘bout a magic trick?” The audience glared at him with disinterest.

“I need a volunteer who smokes,” He looked around the audience. “Anyone?” Silence. He eyed Mr. Torlini who was leaning against the wall in the back. “Mr. Torlini, will you come up here a sec please?” The manager shook his head no, but Jack insisted, and he reluctantly walked on stage besides Jack. “Now Mr. Torlini. You do know smoking is bad for you right? I’m going to show the kids at home that there are a lot more fun things to do with cigars.” He pulled the cigar out of the manager’s mouth.

“Hey! Be careful now. That’s a Cuban cigar!”

“Atatata,” Jack quieted him. “Don’t worry my good man, you’ll get it back in one piece. Now watch closely. I’m gonna make this cigar levitate.” With that he let go of the cigar, and it floated in mid air in front of him. Jack waved his hands around it, chanting silly words as if he were magically helping the cigar remain in levitation. The manager watched in astonishment. When Jack was done, he gently grabbed the floating cigar with his fingers and handed it back to the manager.

The manager looked at his cigar, before placing it back into his mouth. “How in the hell did you do that?”

“Ah, ah, ah,” Jack waggled a finger at him. “A magician never reveals his secrets. Now,” Jack clapped his hands together. “How’s about a card trick?” The audience now seemed slightly more interested, but still not overly enthusiastic. Jack pulled a balloon out of his Jacket, and stretched it out. He whistled and took out a card, and folded it up, then placed it into the balloon before taking out a bottle of helium and blowing the balloon up. He tied a string onto it. He handed it to a mannish looking woman sitting in the front. “A balloon for the lovely lady?” She took it, and a slight smile etched her drunken lips.

Jack pulled out a deck of cards, and began to shuffle them. He kneeled over at the edge of the stage and spread them out before a man who was sitting up front. “Now my good sir, pick a card any card.” The man set his beer down on the table for a moment, and picked a card. Jack handed him a pen and had him sign it. “Now show your card to everyone else, but not to me. Let me know when you’re done.” Jack instructed, and he turned and faced the other way, while the gentlemen stood up and displayed his card around the room with his signature written on it. When he was done, Jack had him place the card back into the deck.

Jack shuffled the cards, and then he took out a lighter and lit them on fire before the audience. “Ya ever get the urge to just burn stuff?” Jack joked with the audience. “Uh, sorry sweetie I’m gonna need my balloon back.” The woman handed him the balloon. He took out a needle and popped it, then caught the folded up card that was inside. He unfolded it to reveal the two of diamonds, with the man’s signature on it. “Was this your card sir? Good thing I put it in a safe place.”

The man nodded and clapped. The rest of the audience clapped as well, and Mr. Torlini smirked. For the next forty-five minutes, Jack continued to wow the audience and by the end of his act, he was actually able to put a smile on the faces of the overly bitter and rough crowd.

“You got talent kid. Don’t see that too often around here,” Mr. Torlini complimented Jack after his performance. “The night’s still young. We haven’t gotten our late crowd yet. I hope you can handle them. They’re the worst of the lot.”

*

For the next several weeks that Jack had been performing at Mr. Torlini’s club, Torlini noticed a slightly different crowd being drawn in. Nicer and classier people were showing up because they heard of the magician known as ‘The Incredible Jack’ and that the cover charge to get in was affordable. The seedy neighborhood still prevented the place from attracting a very large crowd, but at least it was attracting a more diverse crowd.

“You really should bring your little wife here one of these days. That picture of her that you showed me? Wow. You’re a lucky man!” Mr. Torlini told Jack one day.

“Oh believe me I know,” Jack smiled. “She’s my world. And I’d love to bring her here, but the usual crowd is…well. I worry about her being in a crowd like this. I guess I’m the overprotective husband.”

“Oh come off it Jack. We won’t let nuttin’ happen to her! I’ll have Croc tear em a new one if they touch your little wife. Come let the poor girl out of her cage. From what I hear, you won’t even let her shop around your area by herself!”

“With good reason,” Jack said seriously. “With all do respect sir, my main goal is to get Emma out of here, so I can give her everything she’s ever dreamed of, and so we can raise our child in a decent neighborhood.” Jack saw the look that Torlini was giving him. It was a look that just screamed ‘quit being a mother hen!’ Jack smirked. “Oh alright. One of these nights, I promise I’ll let her come.”

“Atta boy!” The manager patted him on the back.

*

Jack was preparing to go on stage, as Mr. Torlini was taking money for the cover charge at the door. “Welcome, welcome. Come see the Incredible Jack!” he was greeting people at the door, and welcoming them inside. The crowd in the room was noisy, though not nearly as rowdy as some of the other crowds had been.

A young nicely dressed couple greeted Mr. Torlini. “Hello, we were told that this is where we could see the incredible Jack perform?”

“Yes, yes right this way,” Said Mr. Torlini and he turned and motioned them inside with a big grin. “Okay next,” he turned and his eyes widened at a group of three men standing before him, all neatly dressed in Armani suits.

“Now Paulie, are you really gonna charge your old friends?” The tallest member of the group said coolly.

“Alfonso, Claudio, Joey,” Torlini greeted the three men warily. “What brings you boys here this evening?”

“Heard ya got a new act,” Joey said with his higher pitched voice and thick east coast Italian-American accent. He was the shortest of the three, shorter than Mr. Torlini even, but he had the biggest mouth. “Heard ya hired a clown. Just thought we’d drop by. We were bored. We always gotta drop in and see old Paulie ‘uh?”

Torlini stifled an exasperated sigh that was threatening to escape his lips. “Now look boys. You know I’m always happy ta see ya. But I don’t want no trouble. And by that I mean Joey. Joey please. You’re always bustin’ everybody’s balls. Try to be civil eh?”

“Now Paulie you know Joey just likes to have a good time,” Said Alfonso nonchalantly.

“I mean it. Please boys,” Torlini pleaded.

“What’s a matter? We just came for some drinks and some cheap entertainment,” Said Joey.

Torlini had a worried feeling in his gut, as he let the trio inside. They announced their presence to the room and all fell deathly silent as most of the people had an idea of who they were. They kicked a couple of guys off of the table that was in the center of the room, and casually sat themselves down. The waitress immediately served them drinks. Joey made kissy faces at her, and her face scrunched into a look of disgust when she turned away from him.

Jack was already walking up on stage when the trio sat down, and the cheesy music began playing. Jack greeted the audience with his usual silly jokes, and Joey scoffed. “Purple? What is this guy a faggot? ‘Ey Paulie! Ya hiring fairies these days?” Joey was so loud that the people sitting in the table next to him swore they’d go deaf. His other two companions snickered quietly and Paulie Tornlini sighed on the inside. Jack had already set foot on stage before he had a chance to warn him about that jerk Joey Biscotti.

Jack merely ignored him and continued on with his act. He was used to hecklers. Though he took note that this one was quite loud. He had a feeling he wasn’t going to stop either. Jack called a smoking volunteer up on stage for his cigar trick. “Hey, hey! Hey clown! I got yer cigar right here!” Joey yelled and laughed loudly feeling as though he was the funniest person on the planet. He took another big gulp of his hard alcoholic beverage.

Jack proceeded to make the man’s cigar levitate and the audience clapped politely. “Aw come on, he’s got invisible wiring or something comin’ out of his big purple trench coat! Oldest trick in the book!” Joey yelled, and took another swig of his drink. His companions merely shook their heads. They were used to Joey’s antics by now. No one in the club would dare speak up about it though.

As the show progressed, Joey seemed to get even louder and more obnoxious as his booze was kicking in. Jack had to hold himself back from leaping into the audience and pummeling the little asshole. Joey continued to try and foolishly explain every trick that Jack performed. When he did his escape technique, Joey yelled that he was using trick handcuffs. When he would have any audience members participate, Joey would yell that they were a plant.

Jack finally had enough when a half drunken Joey stood up and flung his drink at him, drenching the side of his jacket with alcohol. Jack now smelt the stench of liquor on his brand new suit, and that really didn’t settle well with him. Joey laughed to himself. “See clown? Now that’s comedy!” And he continued to laugh like a drunken hyena as the rest of the audience kept their mouths shut. A few people in the back had already gotten up and left.

Jack sighed loudly in obvious annoyance. He continued to ignore Joey, but instead addressed the rest of the audience. “You ever notice how the smallest, wimpiest looking little toy dogs have the loudest and most annoying bark?” He asked the audience nonchalantly.

Joey immediately stopped laughing, and his face turned instantly red with rage. Mr. Torlini, and also Joey’s friends looked at Jack in shock. “Joey relax,” Alfonso leaned over and whispered to Joey, knowing his temper.

“Also, have you ever wondered that the guys who have the biggest noisiest most obnoxious engines in their cars might be compensating for something?” Jack calmly asked the audience.

Joey slammed his fist on the table, and abruptly stood up. “You implying something faggot?!” He yelled at Jack.

Jack turned his attention to Joey, and glared at him casually. “Now sir, why so serious? I was only making a humorous statement. I meant no harm. Please. Sit.”

Alfonso and Claudio both grabbed Joey by the arm of his suit jacket. “Come on Joey. Calm down. Sit,” Claudio pleaded, not really in the mood for another scene. It would be the second one that night for Joey had already ‘offed’ a guy earlier that day for rubbing him the wrong way.

Joey reluctantly sat down. “Yeah, yeah ok clown. Just do your little dancing monkey clown bullshit and make us some balloon animals huh?” Joey waved his hand at Jack.

“As you wish,” Said Jack, giving Joey a sly glare. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a balloon. He stretched it in his hands, and blew it up then began twisting it as if he were about to make a balloon animal. Instead, he fashioned it into a hand that looked as though it were flipping ‘the bird.’ He faced the vulgar balloon hand to Joey, and he was clearly flipping him off with it. “Oops, I’m afraid I’m not very good at balloon animals. I suppose I could keep trying, but as far as balloons go I’m afraid I’m in SHORT supply.”

“You…!” Joey began, and then he noticed that his companions were snickering. “You fucks find this funny?!” He slammed both of his fists on the table, and quickly stood up again. “Why that faggoty fuck! I’ll kill him!” Joey reached for his pocket and was about to pull out his gun when the other two gentlemen restrained him.

“Joey, Joey, relax huh? It was just a joke,” Alfonso patted him on the shoulder as he was still snickering a little.

“Yeah lighten up ‘uh?” Said Claudio. “How’s about we just get out of here and go somewhere else?” he looked at Alfonso who nodded in agreement. Eventually they pulled a drunken and enraged Joey out of the club.

“You better watch your back clown!” Were the final words that Joey said, as his companions pulled him out of the club, trying to calm him down.

“Sorry for this Paulie. But you know Joey,” Alfonso told Paulie Torlini before they left.

“Yeah. Yeah, just tell Joey when he sobers up that Jack meant no harm. He’s still new around here and he has no clue, ya know? Go easy on him.”

Alfonso nodded and the trio of mob boys left the building. When he was sure they were safely gone, Mr. Torlini talked to Jack. “Are you suicidal Jackie boy? I’m warning you. Be careful. Joey Biscotti runs with the big boys.”

“I suppose he would, seeing as how he’s so small, I’m sure he needs bigger boys for protection,” Jack responded without a hint of mirth in his voice.

“Jack I’m being serious here. Biscotti is a mob name around here, and Joey has friends in high places. I’m just watching your back for you. Please be careful.” Torlini addressed him seriously. “Ain’t nobody stand up to that guy, he’s hot headed and I’d just stay clear from guys like him if I were you.”

Jack nodded thoughtfully, though inside he was still aching to pummel Joey.

*

With enough begging from Emma, and enough persuading from Mr. Torlini, Jack finally allowed Emma to come watch him perform at the club. Both Emma and Mr. Torlini had been giving Jack a hard time about his overly cautious ways. Jack was worried about the mostly drunken male crowd that the club seemed to attract, and he didn’t want his pregnant, fragile little wife to be around such an atmosphere. He certainly didn’t want drunken slobs hitting on her while he was on stage, or getting into a brawl while she was near them.

Emma insisted that he was being ridiculous, and Jack did enjoy the thought of having her in the audience. So one Sunday evening, he brought his beloved with him. The crowd was the least rowdy on a Sunday night as well.

Jack was backstage getting ready for his next performance, and getting annoyed that Emma kept playfully messing with his hair. “Emma, knock it off! I want it combed neatly!”

Emma giggled. “Jack I’m telling you, it looks better fluffy! Poofed out and a little messy! The just rolled out of bed look is in!”

“Emma, knock it off. I’m warning y…” Before Jack could finish his sentence, Emma stood on her tiptoes and smothered his mouth with a big wet kiss.

“I’m so proud of my adorably handsome star,” Emma giggled. “And you’re so cute when you’re trying to be all serious.” Jack felt the blood rush to his cheeks.

Paulie Torlini watched them with a grin. “Jack, she’s even more beautiful in person. You really are a lucky guy. A woman like that should be let out of the cage more often! You gotta have a talk with him. He worries too much.”

“Believe me I know,” Emma giggled. “Jack acts more like an overprotective daddy with me sometimes than a husband. Jack stop worrying so much. The crowd here isn’t half as bad as you said it was!”

“Okay, okay I know when I’m outnumbered,” Jack smiled. Mr. Torlini and Emma laughed.

*

After Jack had finished performing onstage, Emma gave him a standing ovation upfront, encouraging the rest of the audience to stand as well. It was the bartender’s night off, so Mr. Torlini himself was managing the small bar. He invited Jack and Emma over for a drink. Emma had sprite instead of alcohol of course, because she was pregnant. “Good show tonight kid. And I hope you enjoyed it sweet cheeks.” He looked at Emma, and she blushed.

The three of them partook in a pleasant conversation. But the peaceful Sunday evening wouldn’t last much longer. Paulie heard the front door of the club swing open hard, and then an all too familiar obnoxiously loud voice. “Hey Paulie! We was in town again and thought we’d stop by! How’s about some drinks on the house for your old chums huh?” Joey walked in and sat himself at the bar, followed by the two same companions as before.

Jack inwardly growled as soon as he caught sight of them entering the club. But he kept his mouth shut for Emma’s sake. He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “I think we should leave now Emma.”

Jack took Emma’s hand gently but firmly and pushed himself away from the counter, and they were about to leave when Joey halted them. “Hey clown ol’ buddy, where ya goin? Don’t ya wanna have a drink with your old pal? Come on, have a seat. I’ll buy you and your woman a drink.”

Jack didn’t say anything. He only gave Joey a hardened glare. “Come on. Sit down and have a drink with us.” Joey said again, a hint of disdain in his tone. Paulie made eye contact with Jack and was almost begging with his eyes, begging him to do as Joey wanted so he could avoid any trouble. Jack turned to Emma and nodded slightly. They reluctantly sat back down at the bar.

“Atta boy. Now what do you and the Mrs wanna drink huh?” Joey asked, already taking a swig of the beverage Paulie had poured for him.

“A..actually sir. I can’t have anything to drink because I’m pregnant,” Emma said nervously. Jack rubbed her leg underneath the counter to assure her that everything was okay.

Joey’s eyes widened, and with a large grin he leaned over and patted Jack hard on the arm. “So, ya ain’t a faggot after all eh clown?” He snickered to himself and took another drink. His companions cleared their throats and kept their mouths shut not bothering to get involved, instead keeping their attention on their beers.

“Nope. Not a faggot. Never was, never will be,” Jack said as politely as possible with a fake smile.

“Unless of course, the kid ain’t yours,” Joey chuckled to himself. Jack didn’t say a word and he instead kept his attention on his own glass of soda. “Hey clown, ya mind if I ask your wife for a dance? Hey Paulie, turn up the music will ya?”

“I prefer that she keeps her movement to a minimum in her pregnant state,” Jack said firmly.

“Aw come on! Let the girl have some fun,” Joey looked back at Emma who kept her eyes down. “Look at her. You have her on a tight leash don’t ya? He’s one of those overly controlling types ain’t he sweetheart? Gotta check in with him everywhere you go huh?” Emma turned her head in the other direction. “Aha! See? She knows I’m right. I’ll bet she’s a wild one as soon as she’s out of your sight Jackie boy.”

Inside, Jack was already fuming. Having seen Jack’s temper before, Emma grabbed his hand underneath the counter, hoping he wouldn’t explode. He had never taken anything out on her, but she had seen his temper erupt at other men before. Unfortunately for Jack, he inherited a little bit of his father’s short fuse.

Joey pushed himself away from the counter and wobbly stood up. He was clearly already a little tipsy. He sauntered over to the couple, and advanced on Emma from behind. “Come on sweetheart, how’s about a dance huh? He doesn’t own you. Let’s have some fun eh?” Emma bit her lip and shuddered as Joey ran his hand over her back and down her side.

“Joey. I’m warning you,” Jack said, gritting his teeth.

Joey put a finger up at Jack. “Hey clown. Just shut the fuck up for a moment all right? Me and the lady here are having a moment,” He ran his hand over Emma’s stomach and felt a little bulge there. “Aw, already getting fat. That’s a damn shame,” He snickered. Emma whimpered as Joey ran his hand lower. Joey didn’t get very far.

Jack bolted from the chair in a flash and belted Joey in the face. Joey didn’t know what hit him, and Emma immediately heard a sickening ‘crunch’ behind her as Jack clearly broke Joey’s nose. His companions looked up in shock, as did the rest of the bar, but no one tried to stop Jack. Joey staggered backwards still seeing stars. “F…fuck. Fuck my nose!” Joey gargled, as blood dripped out of his nose and down his lips. His eyes were watering, and he shakily reached for his gun that was buried in his pocket.

Jack saw Joey searching for his gun and he knew what he was trying to do. Jack immediately restrained him and turned him around then slammed his face against the wall. He held Joey’s hands behind his back and kept him pinned against the wall. Joey squeaked as Jack was twisting his arm from behind. “Listen you little prick,” Jack hissed in his ear. “You can mess with me all you want. But don’t you ever lay a finger on my wife again.”

Joey tried calling for his friends to help, but Jack grabbed his gun out of his pocket and pointed it at Joey’s head. “How does it feel huh? You know your friends hate your guts too don’t ya? No one likes you. They just put up with your shit because of your name. But I wont. Somebody’s gotta stand up to you, ya big mouthed little wimp.” Jack growled in his ear. He spoke the truth. Neither of Joey’s friends had come to his aid. “Now get the hell out of here and go terrorize another club. I don’t wanna see you around here again. You may know big people, but guess what pal. I know some too.” Jack lied.

With the entire club still watching attentively, Jack released Joey and pushed him towards his friends. “Go on, get out of here. Or I’ll call the cops right now,” Jack told the trio of mobsters, still holding Joey’s gun in his hand.

Without another word, the trio left. When they were safely gone, the entire club applauded Jack. Emma stood up and kissed him on the cheek, proud that her husband had defended her. Paulie was looking at Jack like he was nuts. “You got balls kid,” Said Paulie. “Ain’t nobody ever stood up to Joey before. You’re brave and pretty stupid. Do you have any idea the crowd that asshole runs with? For your sake I really hope you DO know some people in high places.”

“Aw Paulie,” Said Jack. “Have you ever seen those yippy little dogs who bark at you when you walk passed their houses? Their bark sounds pretty dangerous, but as soon as you appear as any type of real threat to them, they run back to their porch yipping with their tail between their legs. I know the yippy little dogs, and I don’t think Joey will be back here.”

“I hope that’s true. For everyone’s sake,” Said Paulie.

Jack turned to Emma. “But just in case, Emma, I don’t want you coming back to this club ever again. Do you see now why I preferred that you stayed home?”

Emma’s smile wiped off of her face. “But Jack!”

“No buts Emma. Being around a bunch of violent drunks is no place for my young pregnant wife.”

Emma scoffed. “Well Jack, if you are so worried about that idiot coming back with his friends now, you shouldn’t have lost your temper!”

“Would you prefer that I let him fondle and rape you in front of everyone?” Jack growled. “No one touches my wife. I only acted on a husband’s instinct.”

“I know, I know,” Emma sighed, a worried look on her face.

“But I don’t think that little jerk will come back. Did you see the look on his face? He’s scared to death of me now,” Jack laughed. “Besides. I have a gun now to protect myself. Seems like everyone should have one in this city.” He chuckled, sticking the gun in one of his pockets.

Outside the club Joey was holding his nose and yelling at the other two. “Why the fuck didn’t you stop him huh?! What the hell’s wrong with youse guys?!”

“Aw Joey, we were afraid that if we made a move the clown would shoot ya! We were only thinking about your well being,” Said Alfonso casually.

“Yeah…yeah right,” Scoffed Joey. “You really think that fag has the balls to shoot anyone? That clown’s dead. Dead!”

*

Another month had passed since the incident with Joey, and Paulie Torlini felt more at ease. Jack wouldn’t admit it, but he felt more at ease as well. No mobsters had been seen at the club since, and Jack figured he really did scare Joey off. He was a little wimp, all bark and no bite, and it was obvious to Jack that his companions didn’t care for him much either.

Jack still did not allow Emma to come back to the club, much to her dismay. Their neighborhood was too dangerous to walk around in, and they still couldn’t afford a car. She was bored to death most nights, watching movies by herself on their tiny, dumpy little television set. She begged him to let her come to the club with him again, even just for one of his earlier shows, but he was firm in keeping her safe at home, especially now that she was further along in her pregnancy. He preferred that she stayed home and rested.

Emma couldn’t take it. She had to get out of there otherwise she’d die of boredom.

*

It was a Friday evening, and a full house. There seemed to be more people there than usual that night, that Paulie had to pull out some extra chairs. Some people had to stand in the back. Jack had just finished another successful show, and a loud applause erupted over the club. He smiled inside as he received another standing ovation, and he ended his act with a modest bow.

As he lowered his head, a rose landed at his feet and he picked it up with a grin and sniffed it. “Thank you, thank you,” Jack said with a big smile, but his smile diminished when he spotted Emma now standing up front, clapping and smiling brightly. She winked at him. “Ahem,” Jack said. “Thank you,” He addressed the audience once more before motioning Emma to meet him backstage.

…

Backstage, Emma still had a big grin on her face, and she greeted Jack by flinging her arms around his waist and giving him a crushing hug. “Emma Napier, what are you doing here?” Jack looked down at her seriously.

“Aw Jack, aren’t you happy to see me? Why do you look so upset?” Emma peered up at him with innocent puppy dog eyes.

“Emma, I told you not to come here,” Jack said sternly. “How did you get here?”

Emma bit her lip. “I took the bus of course.”

“Emma! Did you at least bring pepper spray with you?” Jack growled.

“Oh Jack, relax! For Christ’s sake I’m not five! Besides, is this the thanks I get for wanting to surprise my husband, and getting him a nice rose for being such a great performer?” Emma glared up at him lovingly.

Jack sighed, but couldn’t hold back the smile that formed on his lips. He still held the rose in his hand, and put it safely in a pocket on the inside of his trench coat. He kissed Emma on the forehead. “You’re just lucky you’re pregnant young lady, or I’d take you over my knee right here.” Jack leaned over and tapped Emma on the stomach. “And you. You’re in trouble too for not stopping her,” He talked to her stomach then kissed it. Emma giggled and rolled her eyes.

“Ahem,” Both of the lovers looked up to see Paulie watching them with a smile on his face. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

…

The club was now empty as Jack and Emma were making their exit. “Alright you two lovebirds. Be careful,” Paulie bid them farewell as they left. Jack held Emma’s hand tightly in his as she trotted alongside him happily.

“See? Aren’t you happy having some company on your way home? And I’m just thrilled to be getting some fresh air!” Emma chirped excitedly. “Well, as fresh as Gotham air can get anyway.”

Jack was in deep thought. It was late and the streets were already empty and eerily silent. Jack’s deep thought was interrupted when Emma’s little hand began tugging on his arm. “Emma? What are you doing?”

Emma abruptly turned down the alley that was behind the club. “Come on Jack!’ She giggled. She backed against the wall of the alley and pulled him on top of her.

“Emma, I think we should really get to the subway,” Jack said anxiously.

“Kiss me Jack,” Emma cooed.

“Emma. I’m serious,” Jack insisted.

Emma sighed hard. “Jack, do you really want me to be a bored housewife at this age?”

Jack raised an eyebrow. “You are so lucky you’re pregnant little girl.”

Emma giggled. “Come on Jack. Kiss me.” She ran her hands underneath his trench coat seductively.

A small smile pursed Jack’s lips. “You manipulative little imp,” He chuckled and pinned her against the wall with his body weight, then kissed her passionately. The kiss didn’t last long though, when he abruptly pulled away. He darted his head back and fourth anxiously.

“Jack, what’s wrong?” Asked Emma.

“I thought I heard something,” Said Jack.

“Jack,” Emma sighed. “You worry too much. You hardly ever smile lately.” Emma pulled him back down and kissed him.

“I suppose you’re right,” Said Jack, and he passionately returned Emma’s kiss.

“You really oughta smile more,” Said Emma.

“Well how can I not smile when I’m in the presence of such beauty?” Jack chuckled.

“Now that was corny,” Emma giggled.

“I am glad you showed up today, I missed my little bunny,” Jack said lovingly, and began to kiss her fervently once more. Soon the two lovers were caught up in a whirlwind of passion and nothing else mattered. They paid no heed to their surroundings, and all they could see was each other.

“Well, well, two love birds about to fuck in the alley. Isn’t this a romantic little scene?” A malicious voice struck through Jack’s ears like an ice pick.

Jack had no time to react as he felt a sudden excruciating blow to his back. Jack grunted in pain, and then another agonizing wallop soon followed. Emma squealed as Jack fell to the ground.

A large man had hit Jack on the back with a baseball bat, causing him to drop to the floor in pain. Emma immediately rushed to Jack’s aid and tried to help him to his feet. A group of five men now surrounded the couple. With a groan, Jack attempted to get up, but the man with the bat struck him again, causing him to keel back over.

“Stop it, stop it!” Emma screamed in agony, tears already invading her eyes. She threw herself on top of him, trying to protect him from the blows.

Within the darkness, the five men loomed over them, the shortest one in the middle laughing wickedly. The moonlight revealed the shortest man to be Joey, smoking a cigarette. His grinning face was alighted with pure malice. The large man was about to raise the bat again, but Joey raised a hand to halt him. “Just a second Bobby. Don’t be hittin’ the girl now. I wanna have some fun with her first. And I’m gonna make fag boy watch.” Joey grabbed Emma by the arm and yanked her off of Jack.

“Let go of me you little asshole!” Emma screamed. Joey merely laughed as she pounded at him to let her go.

A sudden burst of energy flew through Jack’s veins and he leapt from the ground and shoved Joey away from Emma, his eyes ablaze with fury. He looked like an angry lion defending his pride. Joey backed away from him in fear. “Grab him, grab him!” he ordered his boys. Two of them immediately restrained Jack, one for each arm. It eventually took three of the men to hold Jack back from ripping Joey to shreds.

When they finally had Jack under control, Joey had the fourth guy holding Emma. He took out his knife and waved it in front of Jack’s face, still smoking a cigarette with his other hand. He spat hard in Jack’s eyes, and Jack flinched. Joey still had a bandage on his nose because Jack had broken it. “You see this you fuck? My nose is never gonna be the same again. It’ll be crooked for the rest of my life. You humiliated me that night. This is payback brother.”

Growling like an angry beast, Jack attempted to free himself from the three men again, but Joey kicked him in the stomach as the other three men held him, knocking the wind out of him. Joey snickered evilly. “Remember how you hated anyone touching your woman? Well how’s it gonna feel watching a guy have his way with her and then some? And there ain’t nothing you can do about it tough guy. How does that feel huh?!” Joey grabbed Jack’s hair and painfully pulled at it, jerking his head as he yelled in his face.

“If you lay one finger on her, I’ll chop your dick off. And I mean it,” Jack spat, managing to catch his breath.

Joey laughed in his face. “I’m afraid that’s not gonna happen clown. Ya see my buddies here are on my side. Not yours. They’re gonna do what I say capisce?”

“Why don’t you be a man and take your revenge out on me instead of my wife?” Jack hissed through gritted teeth. “Have some respect for yourself. Be a man and fight me yourself and leave my wife out of it!”

Joey ignored Jack, and sauntered over to Emma who was being held by the other man, tears streaming down her face. “Please let us go,” She begged.

“I’m afraid your hubby brought this on ya doll, so blame him,” Joey turned to Jack. “Ya see what happens when you mess with the wrong people Jackie boy? Now you’re gonna see your poor little wife suffer for it.” With a vicious grin, Joey took his cigarette and burned it into Emma’s chest. Emma screamed in agony.

Like a mad pit bull, Jack fought with every ounce of strength he had, his intent on killing Joey. The three men had a hard time holding him back. “Christ he’s strong for a skinny guy!” One of the men yelled in astonishment, grunting as he had a hard time holding onto Jack.

Joey laughed with all the malice of the Devil himself. “First, I don’t like doing pregnant broads. So we gotta get rid of the kid first. Makes ya look fat anyway,” Joey laughed and he began callously punching Emma in the stomach. Emma nearly vomited as he belted her in the stomach with no hint of remorse.

“You coward, you little fucking coward!” Jack screamed so loud his lungs hurt, and one of the men tried covering his mouth.

Joey continued to punch Emma in the stomach, then grabbed her and shoved her to the ground, forcing her to land on her stomach. He beat her until blood trickled down her legs, and he was sure she had a miscarriage. “This is gonna be pretty messy. Oh well the messier the sex the better,” Joey laughed.

Feeling powerless, Jack’s screams of fury now nearly sounded like sobs as he helplessly watched his little wife being beaten to a bloody pulp on the hard concrete floor. Joey continued to laugh, enjoying his sick revenge, and the other man now helped him undress Emma. They tore her clothes off, and all Emma could do was whimper Jack’s name, as Jack looked on in horror, unable to save his precious little wife.

They took turns violently raping her as the other men forced Jack to watch. Jack prayed to the heavens that someone would come by and see this and call for help. He prayed someone would hear their agonizing screams and rush to their aid. But no one came. Was it because they were afraid, or was it because they didn’t care? Was it possible that not even one person could hear this going on in such a huge city like Gotham?

Joey slammed Emma’s head against the concrete while he was raping her. Blood trickled down her hair, and her eyes nearly rolled back into her head, and Jack was now sobbing and feeling pathetic because he could do nothing. “Emma, Emma! Stay with me! It’ll be over soon,” Jack tried to comfort her and talk her through this horrifying ordeal. Jack was now sobbing uncontrollably, and Joey was enjoying every minute of it. No one humiliated a Biscotti and got away with it.

Joey now took out his knife, and at that moment Jack actually hoped Emma was knocked unconscious because Joey began digging his knife into her flesh. He licked the blood off the side of her face, and dug his knife into her delicate fingers, lopping them off in the process. He trailed his knife all over her naked body casually digging it into her skin whenever he found a spot that he decided needed a cut.

Jack had to close his eyes now, because the rest of the scene was too horrifying to comprehend. When Joey was finally done, he was covered in Emma’s blood, and Emma was nothing but a bloody heap of human flesh on the alley’s floor.

Jack went limp, and his thick hair spilled over his face. His head was bowed in defeat, and his tears dripped from his eyes and splattered onto the concrete floor like rain. Joey casually strolled over to him, a satanic smile still lingering on his face. One of the men that held Jack grabbed his hair and yanked his head up. Jack’s red puffy eyes now glared back at Joey lifelessly.

“Hey funny man, why so serious?” Joey mocked him with a phrase he had used on him in the club that night. “You’re a funny man aren’t ya? A clown right? Well why aren’t you smiling then huh funny man? I thought clowns were supposed to smile? We’ll just have to fix that huh?”

Joey took his knife and stuck it in Jack’s mouth. He slowly sliced into the thin flesh of Jack’s cheeks. Very slowly, and it would have had anyone else screaming, but Jack was so emotionally distraught that the pain had little affect on him. He jolted, but the men held him tight as Joey completed his work. “Oops, one side’s a little off. Oh well, a crooked smile brings character no? Just like my crooked nose,” Joey laughed disdainfully.

Jack’s cheeks were now bleeding profusely. Joey then punched him in the gut, and the men shoved him to the ground on his knees.

Joey grabbed his hair and forced him to look at his mutilated wife. “Check it out Jackie boy. I figured you couldn’t afford a kid on your salary, so I thought I’d do ya a favor and give your wife a free abortion. But I had a little screw up and my hand slipped,” Joey snickered. Jack couldn’t stop the bile that crept up his throat, and he vomited at the sight of the bloody mess that was once his wife.

“Woah! Can’t handle a little blood this guy!” Joey laughed, and the other men laughed along.

Jack had a fleeting burst of furious energy flow through his body, and he grabbed at Joey’s leg knocking him to the floor. Joey panicked and tried to crawl away like a whimpering coward, but the other men quickly restrained Jack again.

Suddenly, the sound of a police siren reached Jack’s ears, and he squinted as the light from the squad car shun in his eyes from a distance. The first thought that entered Jack’s mind was why the cops had chosen this moment to show up. The five mob men shielded their eyes from the car’s lights, and two cops exited the vehicle and joined them in the alleyway.

Jack wondered why the mobsters weren’t running, but his question would soon be answered. “Hey Tommy!” Joey said with a friendly voice, and he was about to give one of the officer’s a big bear hug but the cop stopped him.

“Woah Joey I ain’t touchin’ ya. You’re covered in blood!” Said the cop. Jack saw the cop’s nametag and his heart sank when it said ‘Officer Biscotti.’ The other cop looked down at Emma’s body and coughed, then quickly looked away. He was going to be sick. Officer Biscotti looked at the bloody heap and grimaced. “Christ Joey. You’re one sick little fuck ya know that? I’m getting sick ‘o cleanin’ up your messes. Why do you always gotta make an elaborate scene?”

“Aw come on Tommy. The faggot broke my nose. What did you expect me to do huh? It’s all about respect you know?” Said Joey.

“Fuck Joey, couldn’t you just use a gun? Why ya always gotta make a mess huh?” The cop pushed Joey gently. He turned to Jack who was feeling so ill he was hoping they’d just shoot him and put him out of his misery. “So this is the fag huh?” Said the cop. He grabbed Jack’s hair and shone a flashlight in his eyes. “You been fuckin’ with my little brother asshole? Got what you deserved eh? Everyone’s knows Joey just loves ta make a mess. You must be new around here,” The cop laughed callously.

“How’s about my cut?” The other cop interrupted.

Both cops were paid off right before Jack’s eyes, and Jack’s hatred for cops grew times a hundred. Officer Biscotti was chuckling cruelly before he struck Jack’s head with his baton. Everything went black.

*

Jack awoke in a dark condensed place. He was dizzy and every inch of his body was sore. He licked his lips and tasted his own blood. The recollection of what had happened came flooding through him like poison, and he wanted to scream, but he couldn’t open his mouth because he could feel the wounds in his cheeks tearing further towards his ears. He could feel movement and he was clearly in the trunk of a car. His hands were cuffed in front of him and he began banging wildly on the ceiling of the trunk.

The vehicle soon stopped, and the trunk flung open. “Oh look, our passenger’s awake,” Chuckled one of the men. They roughly hauled him out of the vehicle, and made him stand. Everything was spinning, and slowly his surroundings were coming into view. They were at the lake pier right next to the carnival that overlooked the water. It was still late at night, and the carnival was closed. The Ferris wheel’s reflection shone in the rippling water, and the old decrepit theme park held an eerie presence.

They cuffed Jack’s ankle to a weight, leaving his wrists cuffed in front of him. Joey sauntered in front of Jack, and looked up at him happily. Emma’s blood was still stained on Joey’s suit. “Here ya go clown. A perfect place to die, right next to the carnival where you belong.” He snickered.

Jack barely recalled the last words that were said to him as he was thrown into the icy waters of the lake. After they had thrown him in, the mobsters drove off with lightening speed. Jack saw his life flash before his eyes, and it wasn’t a very good one. Snippets of memory flashed through his head of his abusive childhood, his struggling teen years and all the way up to meeting Emma. For a moment Jack almost let the water consume him and take his life. But as Emma’s death flashed before his eyes, his rage came back.

He sank to the bottom of the lake, and he could see trails of blood from his cheeks drifting before his eyes. Panic overtook him, and he regained a sudden will to live. He was magician and an escape artist and he had escaped from handcuffs under water before. He didn’t have much time and thoughts raced through his mind of what he could use. Then it hit him. He had a needle in his jacket, the one he had used to pop the balloon with in one of his tricks. Thanks to reading countless books by Harry Houdini, Jack knew his stuff.

He frantically searched his inner pockets, until he found the small needle. He anxiously undid his ankle cuffs first then undid his wrist coughs. He raced to the surface, barely reaching it before he passed out from the lack of oxygen. He inhaled some water on the way, and he swam to shore, coughing and spitting water out of his mouth. He crawled up on the sand, coughing and sputtering. He began crying hysterically again.

Jack couldn’t recall the last time he had cried, or if he had ever cried. He didn’t even cry when his father threw him down the stairs as a boy, or threw him against a brick wall. “Oh god no…this can’t be happening.” He choked. It was his fault that Emma was dead. It was his fault his two babies were dead. At least that’s how Jack felt. Emma’s parents didn’t want her to move to Gotham and Emma was reluctant herself. But she moved there because of him. And he was the one who had to per sue his theater dreams. He was the one who had to lose his temper and provoke Joey, and now Emma was tortured, raped and murdered, all because of him. It was all his fault.

Jack stayed there crying for quite a while until he found the strength to pick himself up and wobbly head towards his apartment. He was in unbearable physical and emotional pain, as he stumbled through the mostly empty streets of Gotham.

Surprisingly, there were a few people still wandering the streets. A middle aged couple passed by him on the sidewalk. “My god is he okay?” the woman asked her husband. Jack collapsed on the ground and unexpectedly vomited again. His body shook on the cold hard floor. The man tugged at his wife. “Come on honey. Don’t look at him. He’s clearly a drunk.” And they left him sputtering on the ground.

No one else approached Jack on his way home. In a big city like Gotham, citizens were used to seeing strange things and no one wanted to get involved. Jack stumbled up to his apartment, and let himself inside. He didn’t know what to do now. Cops clearly couldn’t be trusted in this city so he couldn’t call them for help.

He took off his Jacket and found the rose that Emma had tossed at him on stage that night. It was a little bruised from the brawl and missing a few pedals but it was still mostly intact. Jack began crying again as he set the rose on Emma’s vanity. He made his way to the bathroom and took out a medical kit and began stitching up his wounds. He winced as he pulled the skin tightly together. It was oh so delicate.

He stared at himself in the mirror for a moment, lifeless. He made his way back to the bedroom. He didn’t have any tears left. Pacing the room he caught sight of himself again in the vanity mirror. He glared at himself in hatred. He began sobbing again as he looked over Emma’s makeup, but his tear ducts were sucked dry. He remembered one of the last things Emma had said to him.

‘You really oughta smile more,’

Sniffling to himself, Jack took Emma’s lipstick and ran it over his lips. Then he ran it over his protruding scars. He began trailing it back and fourth over his lips and cheeks frantically like a five year old girl that had just discovered makeup, all the while having a complete mental breakdown. He was a clown. A horribly ugly, disgusting, evil, wife- murdering clown. Within his fits of hysterics his sobs turned into maniacal laugher. Everyone always told him to smile like the funny man he was supposed to be, and now he had a permanent smile.

His life was a big joke. It was all just one big joke and the joke was on him. He laughed at himself and he laughed at the ridiculous joke that was called life. All his life he tried to be the funny one, when he was the butt of the biggest joke of them all. His life was one big joke, and at this thought he laughed manically. His laughter echoed through the apartment. He laughed until his sides hurt, then he grabbed the vanity mirror and yanked it out, and shattered it on the floor.

He sat on his bed for quite sometime, just staring into space. Then he paced the room, and his brain felt like it was squirming. It felt like someone had thrown acid on it, burning every good thought he ever had.

Eventually his ears perked as he heard a car pull up outside of his window. He stared out of his apartment window in time to see the mobsters pulling up in their car. They excited the vehicle, casually chucking their cigarettes on the ground. This was just another job to them, just another day at the office. Jack’s mind raced and he grabbed all that he needed and ran out of the apartment. He took off out of the back way of the building.

When he was far enough away, he hid behind another car and watched his apartment building from afar. The window of Jack’s apartment soon exploded. His entire apartment was engulfed in flames. Jack saw the group of mobsters leave. They nonchalantly left the building as if nothing had happened. Jack watched them leave, and a flood of abhorrence flowed through his gut. The fire from the building reflected in his eyes and he could almost feel that fire in his soul. He had never felt hatred like the kind of hatred he felt now.

Jack Napier was no more. He had drowned in that lake and something else had emerged. He would have his revenge on them, and he would have his revenge on this wretched city known as Gotham.

**

Stacey sat on the bed watching the Joker from behind. He had been lost in thought for several long minutes now and she wondered when he planned to punish her again. She knew he would. It never failed. “Joker,” Stacey found herself saying. “I know something bad happened to you. If you loved her it’s o...”

The Joker slammed his toy treasure chest shut and twirled around. He glared at Stacey with a fire lit in his eyes, and it was about this time that Stacey wished she kept her mouth shut and didn’t say anything at all.

***

to be continued. Yes now we are back to the Joker and Stacey and for the smut lovers, I promise the next chapter will have smut. There will probably be more flash blacks in the future though. And points to those of you who know who Croc is. I got inspired by the latest Joker graphic novel LOL. This was also dedicated to "The Killing Joke" And the old batman where he smashed the mirror LOL. Anyway R&R and Dark knight comes out on Blue Ray Tuesday so I'll have more inspiration! Woohoo!