Disassociation

Chapter 3: American Psycho

Black eyes opened slowly and came into focus. The alcohol bottles scattered around the small room caused a smile to form on dry lips. The lovely night of sleep he had acquired was due to those bottles and he stretched, reveling in the fact that he couldn’t remember last night at all. Wincing slightly as a sliver of pain drew his attention to his side, the Joker felt his way through the covers. First he encountered a switchblade knife, his favorite, and he set it on the pillow beside him. When he felt his left side his fingers ghosted over a slash mark, the blood already dry. It was a pleasant waking but it wasn’t perfect. He always had to start his days with a drop of blood, and dried blood didn’t count. Raising his left wrist, the Joker took the switchblade and examined the deep scars on his skin. He chose a smaller scar and sliced at it, waiting until the blood started to trickle before closing his eyes. Now the day was perfect.

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Dr. Crane walked slowly through the large warehouse he owned, checking his testing lab first to see how his assorted specimens were doing. It had been easy to find able bodies to help transport his fear toxin because many of Arkham’s previous inmates still roamed the dark crevasse of the Narrow’s most potent areas. Without Batman around to intervene, work had been moving along rather quickly. The scarecrow mask hung unneeded from Jonathan's belt for the time being. There was no threat of being disturbed. Just when he was getting settled, a loud bang caught his attention and he growled.

“Idiots.” He muttered, equipping himself with his mask and a gun, he stocked towards the door.

“You hired them.” The scarecrow admonished with a cackle.

“Oh shut up!”

“Ohhh someone’s touchy this evening.”

“I’ll deal with you later.” Jonathan said allowed, as he exited his lab and made his way across the warehouse. Some men were righting oil drums of toxin which had obviously fallen over, and upon seeing the scarecrow, they backed away nervously.

“What do you think you’re doing gentlemen? Those biohazard signs are there for a reason.” They started pointing fingers at each other but Jonathan silenced them.

“I am immune to the contents of these containers, but the rest of you are not. Drop one of these again and I’m not going to save you when the demons of hell come for you.”

The men nodded and continued about their work, more cautiously. Once Jonathan was convinced nothing else was going to go wrong, he returned to his private side of the warehouse, closing the steel door behind him. Grunting and hoof stomping alerted him of his horse’s distress.

“Nightmare what is it?” He asked, rounding a corner to find his pet anxious and upset. He stroked him and tried to sooth him, but nothing seemed to work. He was perplexed by the animal’s behavior and knew something serious had to have occurred. Not much startled the over sized stallion.

“I don’t think he likes me.”

Jonathan spun around and pointed his gun towards the voice. Nightmare snorted and nudged his master a few times impatiently. No introductions needed to be made; the face paint spoke for itself. The Joker leaned leisurely against the far wall, smiling pleasantly.

“There’s no need for that gun,” he pointed at said object a few times for clarification, “I’m not here to fight.”

“What do you want?” Jonathan asked. He was able to keep his voice calm but his insides were pulsing with adrenaline.

“Why, I just want to talk, you and that, that thing,” he gestured to Nightmare extravagantly, “are the violent ones.”

“He’s not a thing, he’s a horse and his name is Nightmare. What did you expect my reaction to be? You can’t just pop in here unannounced.”

“Now where’s the fun in that? Tell your pony I’m sorry I didn’t tell him I was coming.” Nightmare made a move towards the Joker, but Jonathan stopped him. He could see his pets unnatural red eyes flaring with anger and he knew he had to get things under control.

“He knows what I’m saying,” the Joker rubbed his hands together, “Now I don’t know much about horses, but I do know that’s unnatural.”

“I genetically altered the size of his brain, he’s smarter than the average seven year old human. As a result, his physical attributes increased as well. He’s twice the size of the worlds largest Hanovarian.” Some of what the man said went over the Joker’s head. He had no idea what a Hanovarian was, but he didn’t need to know that to tell that the creature behind Scarecrow was a colossal beast.

“You’re smart alright, can’t deny that but I’ve got ways for you to use that brain of yours towards magnificent things.”

“Oh really? And what do you have in mind?” Jonathan asked lowering his gun a little.

“Chaos.” The Joker’s voice took on a lower more sinister tone as the words left his mouth.

‘I like him.’ Scarecrow said, but Jonathan ignored him.

“Very tempting Joker, are you purposing that we work together?”

“Well um yeah.” The Joker licked his lips and looked around, eyes sparkling.

Jonathan turned to Nightmare and studied him for a moment, “what do you think?” The horse bobbed his head a few times before nuzzling him.

“You’ve convinced Scarecrow and Nightmare, but I’m not quite sold yet.” Jonathan said.

“You should listen to your horse he’s smart,” he paused, “I thought you were the Scarecrow?”

“I’m not right now but he’s listening.” Jonathan said tapping the side of his head through the mask.

“And I thought I was nuts.” The Joker said, tongue clicking.

“Your insanity is not in question here I assure you.” Jonathan replied.

“Can we talk somewhere away from him?” The Joker pointed over Jonathan’s shoulder and the younger man turned to regard nightmare.

“Why?”

“Honestly.... He gives me the creeps.” Jonathan smiled in amusement and patted his horse lovingly with a soft chuckle.

“We can move out of sight but not out of earshot. Come into my lab, this way.” Jonathan instructed, leading the Joker into another room. The clown followed, casting the horse a nervous glance as he rounded the corner out of sight.

“So, the Joker does fear something after all.” Jonathan said as he took up a seat on the edge of his desk.

“Fear? Now I didn’t say fear. A horse that can learn long division makes me nervous. Who knows what he’s thinking?” The Joker said absently, as he poked around at the various items in the room.

“There is something I wanna ask you since we’re off topic anyway,” the Joker said turning to Jonathan, “why are you wearing that mask,” He pointed again, “I already know who you are doc-tor Crane.” He clicked his tongue.

“Because my appearance is anything but something to fear.” Jonathan answered smoothly.

“I wanna see, come on take it off.” The Joker finally stopped fidgeting and looked at him expectantly. Jonathan sighed, but if the Joker already knew who he was what did it matter. Slowly Jonathan slid the Scarecrow mask from his head and hooked it back on his belt.

“Oh now I see why,” the Joker giggled, “Little hard for thugs to take you seriously with such a pretty face.” Eyes like blue ice pierced the Joker’s endless black pools and the clown took a few steps forward. Maybe a foot separated them now and the Joker cracked a smile.

“A pretty face hides evil so well but those eyes give you away.”

“Not many people get close enough to see my eyes Joker, in fact, people who get this close usually die.” Jonathan said coldly.

“I can take it, you know I can.” The Joker licked his lips a few times, swaying slightly as he stared, mesmerized by Jonathan’s blue eyes.

“So what exactly do you have in mind Joker?”

“Now that beautiful, is the right question.” A low growl came from the clown as he leaned closer.

“Are you going to kiss me or are we going to talk?”

“Well first I’m gonna kiss you then we’re gonna talk.” Jonathan eyed that poison mouth, intrigued by the scars and the Joker’s change of tone.

When their lips met it was hot and frantic, each man trying to dominate the kiss in their own way. Jonathan pulled back a fraction when he felt a blade touch his neck. The Joker smiled, eyes momentarily regarding the gun pressed to his chest, before looking back up at Jonathan. Jonathan found himself smiling back.

“I like you doc-tor.” Jonathan’s grin grew more pronounced.

“So sorry, the doctors not in right now.”