Tonight in Gotham
I do not own Batman, no matter how much I want to.
There is a link near the top of my profile for the layout of the set.
It's color-coded for convenience, to for displaying the actual colors.
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Natalie Woods' heart began to hammer as the makeup lady applied a natural looking blush to her cheeks. Tonight would be her very first show, and she could hardly contain herself. The makeup lady had finished, and Natalie stood up, brushing off anything that could have gotten on her black sweater or dress pants. Her two-inch heels clicked each time she took a step, and she quickly made her way to the backstage room.
A man with a small microphone came towards her and pinned it on the lapel of her suit jacket.
She took a deep breath, nervous despite the hours she had spent memorizing what it was she'd be talking about.
"Ya nervous?" The guy asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Unbelievably." She replied, tucking a stray lock of dark brown hair out of her face.
"Don't be, you're gonna be great, kid." The man patted her shoulder and walked off before a woman carrying a clipboard and pencil began to usher her to the curtain area.
"We've got one minute 'til the show starts. You forget what to say, don't be afraid to look at the prompters."
The opening music to the show began to play, it sounded like the opening bars of Pump It by the Black Eyed Peas. She smiled as the announcer introduced her.
"And for the first time ever, please welcome to the stage Natalie Woods!"
The audience cheered and applauded as Natalie theatrically parted the thick, white curtains, striding to the center of the stage.
She began to wave to the audience, her heart beginning to slow in pulse.
I can do this. She thought, calming herself.
She began to speak into the microphone, her lips forming the words, but someone else's voice cut in, completely silencing the audience.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen."
She looked up above the audience, to the editing/sound room window to see the people in it shrug, shake their heads, and mashing buttons on the soundboard."
"Ms. Woods and I will be tonight's entertainment. So please welcome our first guest star… Me!"
Natalie turned and saw The Joker waltz through the curtains on the opposite side of the stage.
The set was completely silent as The Joker joined Natalie at the center of the stage.
"What?" he asked, licking his makeup-smeared lips. "No applause? Tough crowd." He gave a maniacal sort of cackle before jumping onto the plush, white leather couch, sprawling out and making himself quite comfortable.
"Oo. Comfortable couch you've got here, Nat." He said, snuggling into the cushions, smearing some of his makeup onto the leather.
Natalie was unsure of what to say or do.
"… Thank you." she murmured after a pause, voice ringing out through the speakers.
"Manners. I like that." He smiled, showing yellowed teeth. "Now take a seat in your chair, and give me an interview!"
Natalie nodded, stiffly walking over to sit in her own white leather armchair.
A member of the audience got up from her seat with her child, and began to walk towards the exit.
"Not so fast, mommy!" The Joker boomed.
Six men in clown masks carrying guns burst through the entrance to the studio, each one of them carrying a gun.
"If ANY of you get up and leave or call for help, you will die."
Two of the masked men took black garbage bags out of the backpacks they wore.
"Now put all of your little cell phones and other gizmos into the bags… If you don't… There are some really--" he licked his lips "--nasty consequences."
The woman quickly went back to her seat, dragging her child behind her.
The Joker looked at the nearest camera, whose "On Air" signal was flashing.
"We'll continue--hee hee!-- after a commercial break!"
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Bruce Wayne sat in his recliner, watching the show with a grim face. Alfred stood behind him with an identical expression.
"What do you think, Alfred?" He asked, pursing his lips as the first commercial came on. "If I go in, there might be a lot of casualties."
"And if you don't, it might be the same way. Do whatever you think is best, Master Bruce."
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So, my dear audience member, what questions should The Joker be asked? Put your suggestions in reviews or PMs. Don't forget to include a name you want to use if you want to ask from inside the audience. I will give you credit for your questions.
