Thanks for sticking with me to chapter two! FYI – Arkham Asylum's layout is based upon the videogame.
"Hiya Doc!"
Shouting like an overexcited five-year old, Joker beamed down at Dr. Arkham's head. As he was being un-harnessed from the cart and swiftly refastened to the sturdy metal chair bolted to the floor he scanned the man from head to toe, boldly announcing, "You look fatter than I remember."
Without glancing up from the piles of paperwork in front of him Dr. Arkham nodded to the guards as they silently stepped outside. The wooden table wobbled slightly as he shifted his papers from one pile to another. "Good morning Joker."
"Joker?!" Gasping in mock disbelief the clown's voice quickly deepened into a more mischievous tone. "What about all that psychobabble about not referring to me by my made-up name, so as to not reinforce my delusions of this false identity?"
Dr. Arkham sighed, finally looking up at the grinning maniac across from him. "You have to want to get better to actually get better. If you're not going to try, why should I?"
"Now doc, that's more like it!" His thin frame literally convulsed with his wild laughter, much to the doctor's obvious discomfort. "So am I free to go now?"
"However, according to the state as required by the Board of Mental Health Institutions, I am obligated to continually offer you the opportunity for as long as you are judged to be insane."
"Party pooper." Sulking as best he could while strapped in a straightjacket, Joker frowned dramatically. Dr. Arkham continued to drone on and on as if he'd never interrupted, ignoring Joker's antics as he shuffled the papers once more.
"Therefore I'm assigning you a new doctor, unless of course you're going to be a threat to their safety, in which case it is also my obligation to protect them from you."
"Spoil sport."
Finally looking back up at Joker, Dr. Arkham's mouth curled into a sardonic smirk as he concluded. "So do you, Joker, have any plans or intentions to harm, harass, intimidate, blackmail or otherwise threaten any of the guards, staff, visitors, inmates or any other person or persons upon these premises in anyway?"
Joker's smile darkened, the shadows over his face lengthening and distorting until he appeared almost demonic. The doctor drew back, his eyes widening as the clown slowly leaned forward like a predator closing in on his prey.
"Geeeeeeez Doc, how long did it take to memorize all that?"
"And three, two, one..."
The expected flash still made her eyes water as she struggled to keep them open. She'd never been a fan of her own pictures anyway, having this one pinned to her chest for the world to see was bad enough, looking half asleep or drugged wasn't an option. Praying her red and black outfit didn't make her look too pale; she blinked away the lingering spots in her eyes. With her blonde hair, blue eyes and athletic frame she recognized her own physical beauty but hopefully her elegant bun, thick-framed glasses and practical suits would hint at her mental ability as well. One can hope.
"Alright Doctor Quinzel, your card should be ready when you leave this afternoon. Here's a Visitor sticker for today."
Nodding her thanks to the bored-looking camera operator, she returned her attention to the other doctor who had escorted her here. Dr. Leland or Joan, as she preferred to be called, was everything Harley hoped to become as well. Intelligent, assertive and respected, yet courteous and friendly to everyone around her, Joan would be a perfect role model and mentor. It would be nice to have a friend here, she thought wistfully.
"Now that you're finished, I'll show you around. I remember how confusing this place can be when you're new." Pulling a glossy map out of her folder she passed it to Harley, pointing to the different locations as she continued walking, twisting and turning down the endless corridors. "Your office is located here, in the Medical Facility. We provide all the basics, office supplies, a lab coat and such but if you need anything else just let me know. As you can see it's across from the Penitentiary and the Visitor's Center though I doubt you'll need to visit them." Her finger rapidly danced across the map. "Over here is the Mansion where all of the records are kept and various other offices are located. Next to it is the Botanical Gardens, a very popular place to take a lunch break, especially in winter. Right now we're in the Intensive Treatment Facility where..."
Looking up from the map, Harley froze as a thunderous roar rumbled through the long hallway ahead of them, closely followed by the tortured screams of at least two men. A rapid burst of gunfire, too close for comfort, and a fleeting glimpse of a gigantic and very angry creature were all she could register before Joan pulled her back into a different hallway.
"Get Dr. Arkham!" Pointing much further down the hall at a door guarded by two of the biggest men Harley had ever seen, Joan quickly tugged her access card from her blouse, pressing it into Harley's trembling fingers before rushing off towards the destructive sounds.
"Killer Croc is loose!"
Coming soon: Chapter 3 – Their first meeting!