Today is not a good day. It's the very worst kind of day. One of those days when if it can go wrong it will go wrong.
I woke up 20 minutes late as my alarm clock ran out of batteries.
Because you didn't buy any.
Didn't have time to shower and barely had enough time to run a brush through my messy hair. And even when I did make it in time for the bus, it drove straight past me. I had my hand out, but the bus driver just went right past me and the other bus passengers.
Do you blame him, I would drive past you too.
So not helpful.
Which meant I had to walk my ass to work. I'm an avid supporter of not exerting physical energy when it isn't needed. So, walking up-hill really didn't sit well with me, especially this early in the morning.
"Katie! Antonio has been going crazy!" Jessie came out from behind the counter and dragged me in the back.
"I know, my alarm and the bus." I waved away the explanation, she was too frazzled to listen to me. I slapped her hand away when she went to chew her nails.
"Thanks. He said he is going to fire you." She told me worried, paranoid glances around the kitchen. I rolled my eyes, Antonio wouldn't fire me, just yell a lot, swear in Italian and then go about his day. This isn't the first I've been late.
It's thanks to him we have such a wide variety of Italian cursing.
He should teach.
"KATIE!" I heard Antonio before I seen him. He burst through the kitchen door, with a stormy look on his face. I quickly slapped Jessie's hand again as it went to her mouth.
"Thanks." She whispered before hiding behind me.
"Antonio, good morning." I greeted cheerfully. Trying to ignore the look of thunder on his face. I smiled widely as he tapped his foot on the floor.
"What time do you call this?" I could hear the anger in his voice, simmering just beneath the surface.
I quickly checked my watch, "8:15."
"You should have been here at 8:00! I'm going to fire you!" He threw up his hands and stormed out of the kitchen. I sighed and followed him out into the quiet café.
"Are you going to fire me before or after my shift?" I asked mildly.
He hesitated. "You may have your job back. But I'm docking your pay." Antonio threw his head back and stormed back into the kitchen, not being able to stay in one place.
"Sure." I mumbled, he wouldn't dock my pay, his wife handles the salaries and she loves me. He has zero sway with her, she does whatever she wants.
We could get him into trouble, tell Rosa he is being mean. She might chase him around the kitchen with the ladle again.
I had to stop the grin on my face remembering that particular incident. He had made Jessie cry by shouting at her for dropping a meal. Rosa came down the stairs quicker than a shot and began smacking him with a ladle. He is lucky she didn't pick up a hot pan. I hushed the voice in my head, I think she's the devil.
Jessie scurried out of the kitchen as Antonio began banging pans around, getting ready for the breakfast goers. Even though most of them only ordered a coffee. Antonio's was a little Italian café just off into a small alley of Gotham. It had a steady flow of customers, especially for late night Italian food. But it was the back room that the mob frequently used as a safe space that really kept the place afloat.
I just ignored them when they came out, pretended I didn't see them come in the back room or leave again. Head down, no questions, best way. I'm stupid but not suicidal.
Well at least not most days.
Best way to survive in Gotham, keep your head down, don't get involved, don't be stupid. Simple. I leaned against the counter taking out my phone from my back pocket.
Jessie came up next to me.
"I did text you." She popped her gum right next to my ear.
"I didn't hear it." I told her truthfully, I was dead to the world, but I could see two texts from her.
'Good morning' accompanied by an array of sweet emojis and a heart face. I raised an eyebrow at me and she smiled sweetly. She sent me a version of that text every morning, she just changed the emojis. And another text.
'You're late OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG Antonio is going crazy.' With all the shocked and scared faces there was. I dismissed the texts and bumped her hip with mine.
"How crazy was he this morning?" I asked.
She put her hands on her hips and began imitating Antonio, quietly though. Unless she wanted to face the head chef and owner's wrath. Although if he fired Jessie, she would probably cry until he re-hired her.
"Fuck!" I half yelled, quickly slapping a hand over my mouth.
"That's exactly what he said, but in Italian. Fanculo." She giggled, but then she could see I wasn't looking at her but my phone screen. She came to my side and angled my hand, so she could see the screen.
"You spent all your money?" She asked, looking at my £0.00 balance.
"No, my banks been emptied." That was my rent, my food budget and my in-case I actually do get fired back up savings. Which wasn't very much.
Jessie gasped and hugged me from the side. "Oh no Katie." She said sympathetically. "What are you going to do?"
"I'll have to go to the bank." I groaned, having to interact with a total stranger annoyed me. Why could I just have a robot fix this. "Will you give me a lift after work?" I asked Jessie who nodded hastily.
"Of course!" She grabbed a hand and looked me solemnly in the eye. "Would you like me to come in and cry?" The look on her face and the seriousness of which she asked, made me smile.
"I'll be ok, but thanks." I put my phone in my back pocket and was about to go over to the old couple who had settled into a booth. "Keep busy, keep my mind occupied."
Jessie nodded and handed me my apron. I quickly tied it around me and got my little notepad out. I schooled my feature and plastered on a smile. I took their order and got Jessie to make the coffees, she was better at it than me. I went into the kitchen.
"Antonio? Two croissants." I called into the kitchen, I went to stand next to Jessie as I checked my phone banking again. Just to make sure I hadn't made a mistake.
No, definitely all gone. Fuck. Fuck. FUCK.
We're screwed.
Yeah, thanks for the input.
If they couldn't get my money back I would be royally fucked. If I can't make rent my landlord would happily kick me out, I would have to move in with Jessie. And her unicorn covered apartment. I shuddered at the thought of all that pink. She had offered last year when my apartments pipes had all frozen over and we had no running water. I accepted her shower every couple of days, but gladly just bought some bottles of water at home.
I spent the rest of the morning and afternoon keeping busy. Even sweeping when we had a lull in customers. But I was distracted, kept running through scenarios in my head of what would happen if my money was untraceable. I would lose my apartment, my shitty apartment. Jessie might not be able to take me in, I might lose my job, become homeless. Die in a fight over a sleeping bag. It was rough out in the streets.
Finally, the evening came and as soon as the other waitresses came in, Jessie and I rushed out. I wanted to get to the bank as soon as I could. Jessie giving me a ride really helped me out, it would have taken me 20 minutes to get here on foot, but even with Gotham rush hour, it only took us five minutes. I hopped out and thanked Jessie. Waving her off as she joined the rush hour crowd once more.
I usually kept a pretty cool head, but I was pissed. Having to remind myself I'll catch more bee's with honey than vinegar. Don't bite off anyone's head, unless I don't get my money, then all bets are off. I usually avoided conflict, like the plague.
But with impending homelessness hovering over my head like a noose, I was a little more open to the idea. Especially with my landlord, in the seven years I've lived there, I've been a day or two late with rent, twice. TWICE in seven long years. But the asshole seems to have the memory of an elephant when it comes to missed rent and reminds me of it every time he see's me. He would happily kick my ass out, he is just waiting for an excuse.
As I walked into the bank, I was taken back by it's beautiful design. I usually didn't come in here, I did it all online. But it really was a beautiful building. The tall columns, the perfectly polished marble floor, the sparkling chandeliers and the beautiful clear huge windows, letting in the late day sunshine. Not only could I never dream to afford this lavishness, I probably couldn't even begin to guess how much it cost. But I guess when your funded by the mob you can afford to be extravagant.
Maybe I should look into a career change, seems like good business. Life expectancy is short sure but being a civilian in Gotham wasn't much better. And if the mob didn't get you, you'd probably run into some dirty cops. It would be naïve to think all of Gotham's police force were shinning members of their community, and if they were, they were usually the first ones dead. Good people don't last long in Gotham.
Thankfully the line for the tellers was short and I stepped behind an older gentleman, he turned halfway around and smiled at me.
"Good afternoon." He greeted, and I smiled in return.
"Getting into the evening now." I replied as I looked out of the huge windows. The streetlamps beginning to softly start glowing.
He followed my gaze and then turned to his wrist. "My watch much stopped again, must have forgotten to wind it this morning. Do you have the time?"
"Sure." I lifted my wrist to glance at my own watch. "It's 4:56." I answered.
If you had to wind your watch every morning it would only be telling the time right twice a day.
"Thank you very much, miss?"
"My names Katie, Katie Jones." I held out my hand and he shook it. "Robert Taylor." He smiled again but started to sigh when the line moved forward no more than an inch or so. He was third in line but obviously not very happy about it.
"Back in my day, banks were small and run by someone you knew. Now I couldn't even tell you if a man or monkey runs this place." He huffed, clearly becoming impatient.
"I would put money on the monkey." I joked with him, but I don't think he heard.
"Now I have to wait damn near 20 minutes just to get some money out. My granddaughters birthday you see." The smile returned to his face when he mentioned his family.
"She's five." He beamed, reaching into his pocket he took out his wallet and showed me a picture. "She's called Adrianne. Isn't she the prettiest little darling you've ever seen."
"She's adorable." I agreed. She had the same blonde hair and blue eyes as her grandpa. The stark opposite of me with my long brown hair that only served to get in my way and hazel eyes. Robert flicked to a picture of her as a baby and I felt a sharp stab of pain in my chest.
Not here, not now, not ever Katie. Trying to contain my older memories and put them back in the chain covered locked chest deep inside where they belonged. I changed the subject desperate to talk about something else.
"You know you can take money out of the machines outside?" I asked, not knowing whether he knew or really thought he had to wait in line.
"I don't trust machines; I would rather have a real person to deal with. Also, can't charm a machine either." He winked. Sly old Robert, an old charmer, the female tellers didn't stand a chance.
I laughed as the line began to move.
"Next in line please." As Robert looked behind him to the teller, he quickly tipped his hat and gave me another smile before walking away. Funny how a three-minute conversation can brighten your mood, it was almost like the bad events of today never happened. But as I heard.
"Who is next please?" I quickly remembered my empty bank account and walked to the window next to Robert.
"Good evening madam and welcome to 'The Bank of Gotham'. How may I assist you today?" I was nearly blinded by the overly whitened teeth. Of all the bank tellers I get the preppy, bleached, and jumped up human Chihuahua. I inwardly groaned and took my bank card of my purse.
"Hi, I'm actually here because it seems my bank accounts been emptied, and it wasn't by me. It had all my rent money in there and I really need it back." I handed over my bank card.
"Well okie dokie Miss…. Jones. I will have a quick lookie look and see what the problem is quick as a flash. " She practically sang at me and nearly blinded me again with her shiny whitened pearls. Damn I need sun glasses; she should really wear a notice around her neck. 'Caution overly happy and keep vigilant for my smile, it may blind.' As I heard her clicking her long fingernails across her keyboard I resisted the urge to sigh and start to tap my foot impatiently. But as I looked at her neon pink nails I couldn't help but think how jealous Jessie would be.
"EVERYONE DOWN ON THE GROUND NOW!" I had barely turned around before I heard a gunshot echo through the building and the screams begin. As I looked toward the door there was a swarm of men, about fifteen or so invading the bank. Carrying big guns and wearing disturbing clown masks that looked like the belonged in a horror movie instead of a bank robbery. I guess it served to add more fear to the victims. And it was highly effective.
I instantly went down to the ground and pressed myself against the wood behind me and inched closer to Robert, the man I had met before. I was desperate to find some security, thankfully he held my hand as we sat on the marble floor I had earlier been admiring. Watching on in terror as the men started waving guns in people's faces and tying their hands behind their in front of them.
"Fuck." I swore as I realised they were making their way down towards us. Tying and yelling as they went.
"Hello citizens of Gotham. I'm so very sorry to interrupt you as you go about your… Buis-nesssss. But I need to make a withdrawal and I'm in a bit of a hurry. I hope you don't mind if I skip the que, do you? Ha-ha-ha" I stole a glance towards the voice and it was another clown, only this one didn't wear a mask like the others. But his painted face looked even more frightening. Also, the long scars along his cheeks I could see from over here, covered in red, appearing as if he had a huge Cheshire smile. Thanks for the nightmares I will no doubt be having now. Asshole.
"That's the Joker." I heard a hushed whisper and for a minute couldn't place it until I felt my hand squeeze. "Don't worry, we'll be alright." Unfortunately for both of us, he didn't whisper the last part.
"Old man, don't make promises you can't keep." One of the masked clowns made his way toward us and grabbed Roberts hands tying his hands together in front of himself. "Now shut the fuck up."
As the clown came to me to tie my hands Robert said "I'm not scared of young thugs like you. Nothing but scum." He dropped my hands and went back to Robert. "Oh, old man, you should be, you really should." He stomped his foot on the floor like a child when throwing a tantrum and delivered a sharp kick to Roberts ribs. I only noticed the small knife sticking out when he retracted his foot and kicked him again.
"Stop it! Leave him alone!" I screamed "What the fucks wrong with you!" I jumped over Robert to try and protect him. I took my scarf off, quickly folding it and pressing it against his wounds.
"Who the fuck do you think you are? Talking to me like that. Sounds like the bitch needs taught some manners." He raised his knife foot again and without warning there was a gunshot and the masked clown suddenly fell in front of me, his head making a sickening thud as he hit the floor. I turned away, already seeing blood seep out of his clown mask.
"No. But it appears you were in dire need of manners." For a second I was filled with relief at the prospect of being saved, until it was replaced with horror. "Sorry about my err associate here. He always did have a quick temper." He pulled up the dead clowns head by his hair. "You always seemed like a, ah, a bad egg. I'm going to have to let you go ha-ha." He laughed as he dropped the head back on the floor. Making the blood pool splatter slightly. I jumped back to avoid it and focused on Robert.
"Now kiddies, daddy needs to talk business with the nice lady." He stood to the side of me leaning against the window, a little too close for comfort but I'm not about to bite the ankle of the one, who technically saved me. Technically.
"Why hello there, I'm going to need to make a withdrawal." Miss preppy seemed to have lost her prep and whimpered as she stood up slowly. "NOW!" He barked making her squeal and sob loudly. I heard her heels tapping as she practically ran to open the door leading to the vaults. He waved his hand at the other clowns as they picked up duffel bags and disappeared.
"You, under the desk. Yeah hi. I'm going to need you to empty all the money trays and step away from the silent alarm. Before things get really, shall we say bloody." Roberts face had grown pale, but the bleeding seemed to have slowed a little. He groaned loudly as he tried to shift.
"Excuse me I'm, I'm trying to discuss my finances up here. If you don't mind." I could hear him sucking on his cheeks and tried not to shudder thinking about the scars.
"He needs a Doctor, he has lost a lot of blood. Thanks to your friend." I barely whispered.
The Joker crouched next to me looking at Robert. "Ouch. Don't worry it's barely a scratch, old dear dad here will be fine." I groaned loudly "He isn't my dad and no he won't. Not without medical attention."
"Granddad? Uncle? He seems a little old to be your lover. Please tell me he isn't your husband."
"Jesus Christ, I don't know him ok, but please, he needs help. Can you not see how much pain he is in?" I looked up into his blackened eyes trying to find some sort of human emotion behind the purple suit and paint. What I found wasn't promising; if anything, it made me even more afraid. He looked away quickly avoiding my eyes.
"If you're that bothered I can put him out of his misery right now." He pulled out a switch blade and swung the knife out.
"Don't you dare!" I answered quickly, shaking my head as he dropped the blade back in his sleeve. Keeping the pressure on Roberts chest I stared straight into the Jokers eyes. I was scared as fuck, but I wasn't about to let him know that.
"Oh, kitten is angry. A little fight in you. I like that. Hey, you want to know how I got these scars?"
"Boss we got the money we're good to go." The Joker dropped his head down.
"Trying to talk to the little lady, you are so rude-" Before he could finish sirens sounded outside and police burst through the door. The joker leaned over me and took Roberts arm. "Hey old boy lets go for a, a little ride."
"No!" I pulled the jokers arms away and apparently, he didn't like the contact as he stared me down. "Take me instead, Robert will die if you take him." I offered. Instantly regretting my words. What happened to keeping your head down, not getting involved, don't be stupid. Simple.
Apparently not for you.
Really? That's your input, are you fucking with me.
You're the one offering yourself as a human sacrifice.
"Your chances aren't too good either, but who am I to deny a ladies last request." He grasped one of my arms and dragged me up. He pulled out an automatic and put the gun to my temple and pulled my back against his chest. Just as man I recognised off the television appeared at the bank door. Commissioner something.
"Commissioner Gordon! How nice to see you, tell me how's the wife and kids?" The Joker laughed and backed a couple of steps back, taking me with him. My hands instantly went to his arm around my chest trying to keep my balance.
"Let the girl go Joker!" The commissioner yelled angrily. I could feel the gun being pressed harder to my head making me wince.
"Now why would I do that Jimbo? So, your little buddies can pump me full of lead? Tsk, tsk, tsk. How stupid do you think I am. Ha-ha-ha. No, me and the little lady need to get going you see. We have a date!" He took his gun and shot out one of the bigger windows behind us. His maniacal laughter filled my ears and echoed through the bank as the glass crashed to the ground.
"Boys let's get going!" He yelled. I looked toward the officers who raised their guns.
"No! Don't shoot!" While the commissioner raised his arms as a signal to lower their weapons, the joker dragged me back and I looked over to Robert who lifted his hand, trying in vain to reach me." Tears began to roll down my face as I suddenly realised.
The joker wasn't one to keep his victims. He was going to kill me.
Maybe we're more suicidal than we realised.
"Move it doll." I was forced back through the window and thrown into one of the large black cars parked up on the curb. I stumbled in and pressed myself up against the door while the joker slid in next to me. "GO." He bellowed to the driver. Who immediately stepped on the gas and turned into the street followed closely by the van filled with masked clowns and stolen mob money.
The last thought that went through my mind before we set off was, I still don't have the money to pay my rent…
***Authors note***
Hi guys. After finishing my other story 'A past forgotten' and its sequel 'A future uncertain.' (You should go read those too. Wink-wink) I wasn't sure what I wanted to do next, writing wise. So, I thought why not revisit this story. I've deleted all the chapters and will be re-writing them again. Nothing major happens with the story line, but I just thought I could make it flow a little better. Add in some more story, make the main character a little less Mary Sue ha-ha. But please let me know if I haven't succeeded! I welcome all reviews, kind and constructive. But let me know what you think. I love hearing from you guys.
xoxo