Based on The Dark Knight directed by Christopher Nolan. Original characters based on DC Comic's Fictional Batman universe. No Infringement intended

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Dr. Alexander Manhiem was a young man with a prestigious career under his belt. His soft features didn't show his experience in the field, to anyone else of his caliber he was known simply as "The Kid". Even though Dr. Manhiem was young, that didn't stop him from being the best damn psychiatrist in the state. A couple days ago he'd gotten a call from the Mayor of Gotham himself, asking Manhiem to meet him at his office at 1:00.

Manhiem agreed, but was curious when the Mayor hadn't told him for what reason.

It was 12:53, and Manhiem was running late. He did an illegal U-turn into the Mayor's office parking lot.

He gathered his suitcase and entered the building where he was met by a long counter where a secretary sat. She looked up at him over her spectacles as he approached.

"Hello, I'm here for a 1:00 appointment with the mayor."

The secretary looked in her book. "Dr. Manhiem?"

"Yes."

She picked up the phone and pressed a button. "Yes, Mr Mayor? Dr. Manhiem has arrived."

After a moment she hung up the phone and addressed Manheim, "Take the elevator to the ninth floor, it's at the end of the hallway."

"Thank you ma'am."

Manhiem rode the elevator up to the ninth floor and knocked on the Mayor's door.

A voice erupted from inside, telling him to enter.

"Dr. Manhiem. Pleasure, please sit."

The mayor's office was surrounded by windows, and he sat at a mahogany desk.

Manhiem sat in the chair opposite the mayor and the mayor closed the police system booklet that he was reading.

"Dr. Manhiem, I've heard that you're the best psychiatrist in the state, no?"

"That's what they say." Manhiem said in a slightly cocky manner. The mayor rose from his chair and walked over to one of the large windows.

"First of all, I need you to know that anything said in this room remains in this room."

"Ok."

"Ever since the Joker incident, crime is at a standstill in Gotham, and our police are trying their best to catch The Batman. They haven't been able to track his movements."

"I thought it would be better if the police let The Batman roam free, his presence does a good job at reducing crime in the city."

"I agree with you, I really do. But the fact is that his vigilante antics are illegal."

"He was the reason that the Joker was caught." Manhiem protested. "Without The Batman, Gotham would be pretty well burnt to the ground right now."

"I agree, as I said. But he needs to be brought in because it's not his job to ensure justice in Gotham. But that's where you come in."

"What does this have to do with me?"

"We need the Batman caught, and it's your job to assess the Joker to see if he's up to assisting us."

Manhiem stared for a moment, he couldn't believe what he had just heard. "Excuse me Mr. Mayor, would you mind saying that again?"

"I don't like the idea any more than you do." The mayor said with a solid expression. "But the Joker is the only chance we have at catching him."

"How would he be assisting law enforcement? I don't think any amount of assessment would really give you anything to go on."

For the first time, the Mayor didn't answer, he simply looked at Manhiem.

"It's not worth the risk." Manhiem protested. "If you have him on the front lines, you put all of Gotham at risk. He's already managed to outsmart law enforcement several times before, what makes you think he can't do it again?"

"We give him something."

"What?!" Manhiem demanded. "What could you give him that would possibly make him change his motives? This guy is a schizophrenic psychopath, that means that there's nothing that can stop him from hurting people."

"He'll be under swat team surveillance on a 24/7 basis. He won't have contact with anyone except law enforcement and myself. We won't give him a chance to plan anything."

Manhiem left the office feeling dumbfounded. Apparently Gotham's officials had gone completely bonkers. Manhiem knew their motive, but he knew that fighting fire with fire rarely resulted in a victory.

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Boring chapter, but please R&R. It gets better in the next one ;)