Author's Note: The prologue is much different than the chapters that follow. The formal transcript perspective will only be used here. Please leave a review, thanks!

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters or places from Batman: Arkham Asylum.

The following is a transcription from the first interview of Patient #373 (Edward Nigma) and Dr. Ophira Zane

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DR. ZANE: This is Dr. Ophira Zane starting the recording of the first interview for Patient #373 Edward Nigma, a.k.a. The Riddler.

The date is Monday, the 26th of November.

This is Mr. Nigma's sixth change of doctor over the last two years. From the notes I have received from his previous doctors he seems to have made no significant progress during his time here. In fact he seems to be becoming more and more cryptic and hostile during his therapy.

Mr. Nigma had been placed in solitary for the last two weeks following an incident involving Patient #478 Jervis Tetch and an argument over quantum physics that resulted in violence. I believe his stay in solitary will make this therapy session very difficult as he has had no human contact over the last two weeks.

[KNOCKING AT DOOR]

AARON CASH: Are you ready to receive your patient Dr. Zane?

[PAPERS SHUFFLING]

DR. ZANE: Yes, Mr. Cash, please bring him in.

[DOOR OPENS]

EDWARD NIGMA: Riddle me this, Cash, what has four legs but cannot run?

AARON CASH: I couldn't give a rats ass, Riddler, now shut up and sit down before I take you back to solitary!

[CASH CLICKS RESTRAINTS INTO PLACE ON CHAIR]

AARON CASH: He is secure, I'll be right outside if he starts getting out of hand. Good luck doctor.

DR. ZANE: Thank you Mr. Cash.

[DOOR CLOSES]

EDWARD NIGMA: Well, well, looks like I have yet another doctor. Honestly, it doesn't surprise me, the last five were complete imbeciles. Do you know the answer to my riddle? Cash is a brute, I'd be surprised if there was anything actually floating around in that cranium of his. But perhaps you are different?

DR. ZANE: I should introduce myself first, my name is Dr. Ophira Zane and from now on I will be your permanent physician. I hope that we will be able to make it far with your therapy. As for your riddle, the answer is a chair.

EDWARD NIGMA: Very good! Although a child could have guessed the answer to that one. Still, better than nothing. However, your hope is misplaced, Ophira. There is nothing wrong with me, I am so intellectually superior to you, and everyone else in this godforsaken city, that the powers that be chose to hide their inadequacies by locking me away in this ruin of an institution.

DR. ZANE: So you don't believe that forcing sixteen people to participate in a chess tournament designed to kill them after one false move was why you were placed here?

EDWARD NIGMA: They couldn't see the intricacies of the plan. I was doing Gotham a FAVOR! Riding this city of the stupidity that plagues it. They should have thanked me! But NO, instead I was interrupted by that flying rodent and his little companion. How could he ruin my plan? I will ruin him, show Gotham what a complete fool their so-called hero is! Mark my words, Ophira.

DR. ZANE: Okay, Mr. Nigma, I can see that this topic has made you quite upset. Lets talk about your incident with Mr. Tetch instead. What happened?

EDWARD NIGMA: Hatter likes to think he is operating on another plane of existence. Everything he says comes straight out of that old book and yet he still has the audacity to try to argue with me about basic science. It's ridiculous and of course he brings up that terrible riddle 'How is a raven like a writing desk?' There's no answer to that! Its nonsensical! I couldn't suffer through anymore of his delusions so I set up a puzzle in his room. It's not my fault he can't figure out a simple physics problem, he deserves those burns for being so stupid.

DR. ZANE: Is that how you justify the violence? By making it a test of intellect so you don't have to feel guilty about maiming or even killing a person? Jervis Tetch is certifiably insane, how could you expect him to answer even a normal question let alone a physics conundrum?

EDWARD NIGMA: You are aiming quite high for your first interview, aren't you? Trying to solve all my 'problems' before lunch time! Oh ho, I wish you luck doctor. Perhaps you are the one who should be sitting in this chair, hmm?

DR. ZANE: Mr. Nigma you are avoiding the question.

EDWARD NIGMA: I give them a CHANCE! I'm not like the Joker or any of the other murderers running around here. Those people were just too dumb to escape. If they focused more on challenging themselves intellectually rather than watching reality television and staring at their phones all day they would've been fine. It's not my fault that they can't be bothered to pick up a book.

DR. ZANE: It sounds like you are very quick to separate yourselves from the rest of the residents here at the asylum. Is there anyone here that you can identify with, have you befriended any of the inmates since your admittance?

EDWARD NIGMA: HA! Befriended? Everyone here is completely gone in the head, even if they have a lick of intelligence it is hidden behind a deranged mind. Anyway, I don't need friends, relationships are for the feeble-minded.

DR. ZANE: I take it that relationships in your life have not been the best. Did you have many friends as a child?

EDWARD NIGMA: I'm am NOT talking about my childhood to some ninny head like you.

DR. ZANE: Mr. Nigma for the therapy to work we must work through some of your issues-

EDWARD NIGMA: Wait, do you actually believe that you will be successful? HA! You are more of an idiot than I thought! You. Can't. Fix. Perfection. And let me remind you, Ophira, I am perfection.

DR. ZANE: Look Mr. Nigma, I want to help you. You have to open up if you are to make any progress.

EDWARD NIGMA: The second I open up to someone like you I will be lobotomized with the mind numbing drugs that will be forced down my throat. I'll spend eternity as a vegetable! No thank you.

DR. ZANE: Mr. Nigma-

EDWARD NIGMA: I have had enough psychoanalysis for today! How about a riddle?

DR. ZANE: We should probably-

EDWARD NIGMA: Riddle me this! What is always coming, but never arrives?

DR. ZANE: Tomorrow.

EDWARD NIGMA: Wow! Look at you, Ophira, two correct riddles. My other doctors always refused to play along, I must be honest I am quite enjoying the change.

DR. ZANE: I'll make a deal with you Mr. Nigma, you can ask me as many riddles as you want during our sessions and in exchange you have to answer a question of my own.

EDWARD NIGMA: Hmm...Well, I suppose I will take your offer on one condition: you will have to answer harder riddles for more...probing questions. Sound like a deal, doctor?

DR. ZANE: That sounds fine Mr. Nigma-

EDWARD NIGMA: You can call me Edward, we might as well be on a first name basis if we are to be intellectual sparring partners.

DR. ZANE: Alright...Edward, I believe we have a deal. It seems that we have run out of time but I will be seeing you again next week. Mr. Cash! The session is over!

END RECORDING

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