Joan cleared the pair of them through security and began to guide the young doctor down the long corridor, guards were strolling up and down at least every other hallway, each one wearing thick protective gear and all carrying large guns. As they walked down the corridor to the heavy door, Harley's heart began to pound heavily in her chest.
Joan led her down the door and swiped her card which lit up with an instant green colour allowing them entrance to the Rogue Gallery. As they stepped through Harley couldn't help but stare at the sheer size of the place! Joan explained each area as they walked through, there was the visitor room, the social room, the exercise room and the medical room, which in Harley's opinion was more like a small hospital within a hospital. As Joan talked her through each section the ancient speakers came to life
"Code red patient is being transferred, shoot to kill permissions granted"
""Um Joan? What was that?" Harley felt a slight adrenaline pump, shoot to kill? Joan noticed the surprise in Dr. Quinzels face, Joan gently grabbed Harley's shoulder and turned her around so they could still see the doors they just came through.
"A code red patient has been somewhere else in the Asylum today, Jonathan Crane has been for a medical check up, he hasn't been very well since he nearly accidentally overdosed on his own toxin." Joan rolled her eyes, like a mother whose young son has just come back from having a fight in the schoolyard.
Harley felt slightly awed. She had studied him and included him in one of her final papers last year! "The Scarecrow?" She knew her mouth was slightly open, Joan laughed in amusement of the young girl.
"Yes, the very same, though I must warn you he is a rather silent inmate. However despite his obsession and split-personality disorder, he is…was a brilliant doctor. He was previously one of my patients when I was a little younger" Joan admits rather reluctantly.
Harley felt a small stab of jealousy, what it would be like to get a glimpse into the mind of the Master of Fear. "So when he was your patient-"
Just as Harley started to talk, she could hear the click of the door. Joan and Harley watched the door until it finally opened.
He was much skinnier than Harley imagined. Crane had very prominent cheek bones, full lips, he held a bored expression. He wasn't unattractive...The Madman of Nightmares looked up as he was escorted down the corridor with his wrists cuffed behind his back. He acknowledged Dr. Leland with a slight nod and then he noticed the young blonde doctor, his expression barely changing. Harley looked into his eyes, they were ice blue, beautiful, and intelligent. He cocked his eyebrow "So you've managed to catch another hopeless then?" His voice was full and calm.
Joan gave him a stern look "Actually Jonathan-"
"Dr. Crane." He corrected.
Joan sighed deeply "Jonathan, Doctor Quinzel is a very bright young woman who is very excited about working here. You know as well as I do that's not very common, she deserves a chance" She said with a scolding voice.
Harley felt rather stupid as she simply stood there however she didn't break eye contact with Crane as he was roughly pushed by his guard to start moving but before he left he whispered under his breath "All good and well but didn't you say something similar about the last girl? She lasted 3 months"
This slightly dampened Harley's spirits but she kept on a brave face.
Joan gave her a look "I'm sorry about him, he is one of our more...cynical characters.
Harley smiled at her, she wouldn't show weakness "Don't be sorry. It's obviously expected, especially from patients like him. If everything a patient said affected me, I wouldn't be a very good doctor."
Joan smiled at Harley's remark but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
As they went around the rest of the wing, Harley ate up any information she could. It was so fascinating for her, to learn about these criminals, their disorders, their pasts. Harley just wanted to know why they did the things they did, was there any reason to the madness?
As they passed the social room, Harley couldn't help but stop to observe. Poison Ivy was sat reading a book, The Riddler and newly returned Scarecrow were playing what looked to be, an intense game of chess and several other inmates were watching the TV. Such fascinating people all doing such mundane things, it was a strange sight to behold.
Joan began to lead Harley down a set of corridors, explaining to Harley as they walked that she wanted to show her the isolation unit. After what seemed an age of walking they finally came upon a series of doors requiring two key cards and a brass key for the door. Harley watched as Joan and one of the guard on the other side of the door nodded to each other before both swiping their keys. Once they turned green Joan unlocked the door with the brass key.
Joan turned to Harley as they stepped through the door "Harley, the patient that is currently in isolation is probably the most dangerous inmate we hold here at Arkham. Last night he managed to murder two orderlies using just a paper clip. He is to be kept here for a month, however I think it's important to show you just how serious the situation is." Harley didn't realise she was holding in a breath until Joan finished. Who was this madman?
Continuing past the guards down another corridor, Harley could faintly make out an entirely see through glass cube. Either side of this cube stood two guards, both carrying rifles. Harley could feel the blood pumping through her ears as they walked closer to the cube.
There was very little light around the prison leaving Harley no idea who it contained. As they walked closer, she could make out a man, a tall man lying on a cot, she swore she saw a flash of green hair before Joan stopped 5 metres before the cube wall.
Joan spoke quietly "Good evening, Joker."
