Holly had a difficult time not drifting off during lunch. Thoughts flooded back to her after Roxanne spoke about the aquarium. Holly hadn't been their in a very long time. Not since she was seven years old. After meeting the Joker at age three, Holly began to see the man's face appear on the news almost nightly. From bank robberies to murders, the Joker seemed to be in on it all. Holly didn't want the other kids at her school to think she was any weirder, so she never tried to tell them that she ran into the Joker. It was hard to keep that secret from her friends, because she began to think about him more and more lately. For some reason, it just didn't seem right to tell her group what happened. Even Benji didn't know. Holly saw the Joker in person more than once.
The second time she saw him, she was in first grade on a field trip to the aquarium.
Holly remembered she was wearing a green corduroy jumper with a purple under shirt.
Horrible color combo. "Ok now kids, I have a real treat for you!" The tour guide said.
All of the children looked up eagerly, hoping for candy. "The next room we are going to
holds some of our most expensive and exotic fish in the Aquarium." The woman led the
kids into a large room. The walls were made of glass fish tanks. All of the kids ran over
to the tanks and exclaimed in delight at the fish's pretty colors. Holly, however walked
over to the tour guide. "Where do the fish come from?" She asked. "Well, some come
from Africa, but most are from Australia." Holly frowned. "So you just separated the
fish from their natural environment and families and brought them here to entertain kids
like me?" The woman looked very taken back and Holly's question. "Well…" the
woman faulted. "Yes." She said slowly. "That's not fair." Holly pointed out. "Holly!"
Mrs. Read gave Holly a look that was supposed to silence her, but it didn't. "Well I'm
Just saying, Mrs. Read." Holly began. "Why should you get to play god and control
These fish's worlds?" Both of the women gaped at Holly, flabbergasted that a seven year
Old girl was actually questioning them like this. "Go have a time out on that bench,
Holly." Mrs. Read pointed to a hard looking wooden bench at the far end of the room.
"Why?" Holly Asked confused. "You are being very rude little girl." The guide said
sharply. "By questioning you?" Holly frowned. "Well that's not very fair either."
A cackle filled the air. Everyone looked over at the security guard at the door. He was
The one laughing. "Richard? What's so funny?" Asked the guide. "hahahaHAHAHAH
HAHA!" Richard laughed madly. "Oh…oh…oh…" The man gasped, holding his side
As tears fell from his eyes, he was laughing so hard. "That is rich."
"What are you talking about Richard?" The guide began to get angry. Richard straitened
up and paused to lick his lips. "As soon as someone goes against the establishment." The
guard said, unbuttoning his shirt. "You punish them. As soon as a question is asked," Now the shirt was off, and underneath it was a purple suite, with a blue snake skin patterned shirt, and a purple tie. The guide took a step back in horror. "you silence the questioner." Ripping off his hat, the man reviled his greasy green hair. Holly knew the face of the Joker only to well. She wondered if her remembered her though. There weren't many red heads in Gothum. But then Holly stopped wondering and remembered she was supposed to be scared. The Joker took a threatening step closer. Suddenly he pulled a knife out of thin air.
"Ya see lady," he said, grabbing hold of the guide's shoulder. "I have been working hard
Expose people like you." Now he put the blade in the woman's mouth. One of Holly's
Classmates began to cry, along with the tour guide. Holly didn't know why, but she
Wasn't afraid. It was like she was too small to defend herself from the adults, so this
Man stepped in and helped her out. Holly didn't want him to hurt the guide, but she
Could tell by the look in his eyes that he was truly angry at the woman. "Please!" The
Woman begged, cutting her own mouth on the blade of the knife. Holly felt bad for the
Woman, but couldn't help letting out a small snicker. The Joker's eyes went to Holly's,
And he began to howl with laughter again. Holly merely looked at the clown. He was no
Older than twenty five. She saw that youth still glowed in his eyes. "You think that's
Funny, kid?" The Joker asked between giggles. "Well," Holly felt unsure. "Not really,
But that she would say please? Yes." The Joker stopped laughing, and gave Holly a
Piercing look. "Explain." He ordered. And Holly obliged. "Well, with a knife in her
Mouth, and the look on your face, did she really think that would make a difference?"
The Joker smiled evilly. "I like this kid. What's your name child?"
"Holly."
"Well, Holly, I like your jumper. But now I am going to have to take your innocence
Along with your classmates." And with that, he slashed the woman's throat. He then
Turned to leave, calling, "oh, and I left you all a little present in the fish tank." He
Pointed at one of the walls. Inside the tank was an open grenade. "Have a nice swim!"
And all at once, the Joker was gone. Before anyone could react a muffled boom was
Heard, followed by the breaking of glass. Water, fish, and glass poured out of the walls,
Quickly filling the room. Rising to the top of the water, Holly trod water inches from the
Ceiling. And just as soon as the water had come, it was gone. Holly found herself lying
On a wet floor strune with glass and fish. She spluttered and coughed. No one else had
Been killed. Holly felt uneasy with herself. What if it was her fault the guide was killed?
True, Joker probably would have killed her anyway, but there could have been a chance for the woman to survive. And now what? The man was defending Holly in a way, but did that place her on his side? Thinking back on it, Holly was sure there was a moment in the Joker's eyes that gave away something; he remembered her.
"Holly! HOLLY!" Frankie yelled. "Wow, sorry yeah?" Holly asked when she came to. "God Holls, are you ok?"
"I'm fine, Frankie." He gave her a look. "Seriously! I'M FINE." Holly assured him. "Now, listen up! I just had the best idea for our senior prank." Everyone leaned in at the table to listen to Holly. When she was finished, Scottie smirked. "Now I like that one!" He said enthusiastically. "Much better then Benji's." Roxanne said. "Hey guys come one! It wasn't that bad." Benji argued. Holly simply smiled at him. Everyone dress up like the Joker? No. Benji's prank idea would for sure get them expelled or shot…or both.
