Chapter 3
The next night,
"So, stop me if you've heard this one. What was it, Killer Bee?" The Joker asked as he stood before another tied up villain who had tried to attack him again. "Moth," The man simply said. He wore a bright body armor and face mask that vaguely made him resemble the Killer Moth he called himself. "Oh, that's much better. Hahahahahaha!" The Joker replied.
"Well, where was I? My Joke, that's right. A guy, normal guy, is just relaxing at his home. The place where he sleeps and all of the sudden people start showing up trying to kill him! Two times in as many nights! The nerve, right? And then suddenly when the man doesn't choose to immediately kill his attacker but to find out who he's working for instead, he gets nothing. Isn't that funny? Hahahaha!" The Joker laughed. He quickly ceased laughing after Killer Moth did nothing.
"Oh, come on, you're no fun. Won't give me anything and you won't even laugh. Now tell me before I have to get violent. Did you see what I did to Anarky last night? That could be you but instead you'll be burned alive if you give me nothing," The Joker hissed, quickly losing patience. Killer Moth seemed to freeze up, saying and doing nothing.
"Fine! But don't say I didn't warn you," The Joker snarled as he pulled out a small container to lighter fluid from his left pocket and a lighter from his right. He poured the fluid all over Killer Moth's lap. "You know what happens to a moth when its burned by a flame?" The Joker asked.
"The same thing that happens to everything else," He said without giving Killer Moth a chance to speak. He lit the lighter and slowly moved it in before Killer Moth spoke. "Ferris Boyle! He's hiring people to kill you! He wants your Steelmill!"
"Oh really? Old Ferris of Gothcorp, eh? I suppose it's time to pay him a visit. Any idea where he might be tonight?" The Joker queried. "He's got a party going on tonight at his penthouse," Killer Moth replied. "Well, thank you, Moth. I'll be sure to bring back a nice sweater for you to eat with me when I come back," The Joker said. "You're not letting me go?" He asked. "Not on your life, sonny!" Joker called as he stormed off.
Elsewhere,
"So why am I here with you again tonight, Lexi?" Harleen asked her best friend Alexis as the two of them, wearing fancy dresses and lots of make-up, walked into the apartment building that held Ferris Boyle's penthouse. "Mr. Boyle wants me to come here tonight and I didn't want to go alone. I know it's last minute. I didn't even want to go but you're my boo, so I picked you," Alexis explained. The two of them walked through the ground level to the elevator whilst casually greeting people.
"You know, I feel like a clown wearing all this," Harleen said. "A clown? Pshh, sexiest clown I've ever seen. You look hot," Alexis replied. "Thanks," Harleen simply replied. "I know what you must be thinking, Harley. You think this is going to be just fancy rich people here," Alexis said. "You're not. You're just his secretary," Harleen replied quickly. Alexis nodded. "Exactly, he's got a bunch of lower tier people here too. Ferris Boyle is a man of the people," Alexis said. Harleen laughed. "Right."
The two of them arrived as the elevator leading to the top floor before the roof opened up. "It's this one," Alexis said, leading the way to the obvious penthouse at the end of the hall. "How could I have guessed?" Harleen asked sarcastically. Boyle's penthouse had a guy standing in the front, an obvious bouncer.
"Hey, Alexis," The Bouncer said, almost too excitedly. "Yo," She replied with a girly wave. "Who's your friend?" He asked. "Harleen Quinzel, she's my Plus One," Alexis explained. "Oh, awesome, nice to meet you, Harleen," The Bouncer said as he opened the door for the two of them. "That guy's kinda a creep a work. I catch him checking me out all the time. He doesn't think I see him, but I do," Alexis whispered as they went in. Harleen giggled.
"Oh, look. Ferris is about to speak," Alexis said as they walked into the fairly large crowd. Ferris was on top of a balcony with multiple people. Harleen assumed they were family except for Bruce Wayne, who she recognized but had never seen in person. "Oh, crap. This is a fancy party, Wayne is here," Harleen whispered. Boyle looked about 35 years old and he exuded 'arrogant rich man' while Bruce Wayne was about 29 and looked to be the strong, silent type; at least to Harleen.
"Welcome, everyone. I see a crowd of very familiar faces here tonight," Boyle began. "I'll keep this short. I hope for a great night in celebration of Gothcorp's collaboration with Wayne Enterprises on our joint Cryogenic Research Project. And now, I will allow Mr. Bruce Wayne to say a few words," Ferris said taking a step back. Bruce got up out of his seat and walked forward.
"Hi all," He said earnestly, "I hope you all have a party. Like Ferris said. And I really don't want to bore you with the details on our work. But some crazy stuff will be happening if all goes as planned. We're gonna be able to save a lot of live and really that's what matters." The crowd began to cheer as Bruce stepped back.
"Wow, Lexi. I never would've guessed Wayne would have such a way with words," Harleen said mockingly. "Well, his parents died in front of him when he was a kid. He's gotta have some screws loose," Alexis replied. "Yeah, hopefully all just in his head," Harleen giggled. The two of them mingled with various people at the party for the next 15 minutes until finally gun shots fired.
The Joker's men stormed inside followed by the Joker himself. "Hello all. I'd like to speak with Mr. Boyle if that's alright," The Joker explained. "Is he here? I'd like to borrow some sugar if I may?" He asked with a grin.