I remember the day the asylum opened. The citizens of Gotham all took a deep breath of relief, watching as the cities most wanted and deranged criminals were lifted from Blackgate prison and placed upon the island where Arkham Asylum resided. The opening was broadcast on every news channel, showing off the brand new facilities and the sensational team of psychiatrists who all claimed that they would be working miracles and curing inmates left, right and center. The biggest announcement had been that Dr Jonathan Crane would be managing the team of doctors at the asylum. Crane was known all over the city for his successful career in curing mental disorders so it seemed only right to appoint him at Arkham..so everyone said anyway. The good doctor has also been my professor at university; the entire class felt a pang of sadness when he announced he would be moving on to greater things.
A year after the asylum was opened, I stood in front of my bedroom mirror readying myself for my first day at the damn place. My parents had objected to the idea, naturally, firstly due to its reputation for housing criminals such as Bane and the man who resembled a crocodile. Secondly, there was the incident that happened not long after the asylum was opened, where Dr Quinzel helped an inmate called the Joker escape who still to this day hasn't been found. The doctor on the other hand has since been arrested and sent to Blackgate. Fixing my pony tail, I took one final look in the mirror, you could tell I was a rookie psychiatrist, my face still didn't uphold that professional edge like Dr Crane, I was nervous and for a good reason too.
Flashing my new ID badge, the guard nodded and proceeded to open the large iron gates that separated the asylum from Gotham. With a piercing screech, I was allowed entrance and drove carefully down the road, it had started to rain and as I drew closer Arkham Asylum looked even more eerily gloomy.
The rumours I had heard from the news were true, the security at this place was tighter than anything meaning I had to go through various tests and scans before I was finally greeted by an old face.
"Miss Jones, it's a pleasure to see you again! Or should I say Doctor now?"
"Hello Doctor Crane" I was embraced by my university professor as if we were old friends, the entire thing still seemed strange to me. Ending the hug, he straightened up and gestured towards the corridor, we began to walk through the asylum.
"I must say Doctor Jones, I was quite taken aback when I heard you would be working here."
"How so, Doctor Crane?"
"No disrespect of course, I just always thought what with your quiet personality you would settle for a smaller, mediocre job, and please, call me Jonathan".
"Well, Jonathan I figured a more challenging job would better my career." We turned a corner, making our way through a corridor of offices.
"Oh, I must say you will find no trouble fitting in here, you always had remarkable talents even as a student." Doctor Crane stopped next to an empty office room which had my name displayed on the office door in large black letters. I stood there, blushing at his comment.
"Thank you, Jonathan. I'm guessing this is my office then?" Both of us gave a small laugh, and with that he opened the door introducing me to my very own office. Bouncing my way in excitedly, Crane begins the introduction.
"As you can see, there is a computer on the desk to be strictly used for patient records, notes and research, not Facebook. There are also some files on the shelf behind you, should you wish to make paper based documents too. Next to the computer, is your day to day diary, here you will write each appointment date. I have marked out today's schedule for you so that you can meet some of the patients you will be treating. If you need anything, my office is down the hallway here. Good luck, Doctor Jones." With that, he gave a simple nod and swiftly left the room, the door swinging shut behind him.
The entire thing felt surreal to me. To be sitting in my very own office at Gotham's finest asylum was something that I hadn't gotten my head around still. Picking the medium-sized diary up in my hand, I flicked through the pages to today's date; my schedule was pretty small. I had only one patient to see today, and of course lunch was also written on the page in Doctor Crane's handwriting. The patient's name was 'Pamela Isley" and our appointment wasn't until 11:30am.
After about an hour of going through her record on the asylum database, I began to feel a little nervous about speaking with my first patient. There wasn't much about her, apart from the state of her health which made a point of saying that she was immune to all poisons, viruses, bacteria and fungi, claiming to be the result of a failed experiment. I hadn't seen this woman for myself and couldn't imagine what the experiment had done to her appearance. Checking the clock on the wall beside me, I noticed that the appointment was looming ever so closely, standing up I decided to go get a coffee beforehand.
It felt like I had been walking for an eternity. The entire building looked the same everywhere I went, and only by asking directions from a friendly looking security guard, did I manage to find Pamela's cell. There were two guards stood in front of the small room, clearly expecting my arrival. One of them gave me a smile before giving me some reassurance, aware that I probably seemed nervous for this first visit.
"Don't worry Doctor Jones, Poison Ivy's the only one that won't attack ya as soon as she see's ya" he gave a small chuckle which caused me to awkwardly smile back. The cell was opened and in I walked, noticing a figure draped over the bed.
"Good morning, Pamela".