Running a bony hand through his green hair, The Joker closed his eyes tightly and began grinding his teeth. Surrounded by newspaper headlines praising Batman, it was no wonder why he was feeling so low. "Batman this, Batman that..." He grumbled, "If only I could get my hands on him, if I could just find out who he really is, then I-"
"Hey, Puddin'!" A female voice interrupted.
Eyelids lifted revealed the clown's bloodshot, lime green eyes, "What, Harley?" He muttered, glaring at her.
"There's some guy on the phone for ya." She chirped, grinning foolishly as she held out the small mobile phone.
"Tell them, I'm busy." He hissed, throwing the newspaper at her in disgust.
Flinching, Harley stepped forward and held the phone next to his ear, "He said it's important." She mumbled, her head hung as she sniffed softly.
"Fine!" The Joker yelled, snatching the phone, "I'll tell them myself!" He pressed the phone against his ear, his face a look of pure outrage, "Listen, I'm in no mood for-"
Harley watched with wide eyes as The Joker's mouth suddenly closed and his pupils became smaller. "W-Who is it Mister J?" She asked in a small voice.
Pulling the phone from his ear, a chuckle echoed throughout the abandoned the warehouse as The Joker held the phone shakily in his hand. "I have some information for you Joker." The owner of the laugh spoke.
"Sorry, I don't speak to ghosts, Hush." The Joker spat back, curling his lips into a frown.
He chuckled again, "Now now Joker, how did you know about that little incident."
The Joker grinned suddenly, laughing lightly himself, "It's no secret around here Hush puppy, in fact, you're the laughing stock of the underworld after Catwoman stole every cent you had."
"Yeah," Harley giggled, "We all got a share."
"Oh, you're little girlfriend there too Joker?" Hush said slowly, "She's a friend of Catwoman, is she not?"
Narrowing her eyes, Harley leaned in closer to the phone, pursing her lips, "I'd say more of, an acquaintance."
Hush laughed once again, "She's not to be trusted is she, Quinn?" He murmured, "She's double crossed just about everyone in Gotham City."
"You're point being?" She growled back.
"Well, kitty cat isn't a friend of mine, and I bet that after her recent relations with The Batman, she isn't in your good books either clown boy."
"Of course not." Joker spat, "Now, if you don't mind, I need to-"
"I can help you Joker." Hush said quickly, I can help you clip the bat's wings once and for all."
The Joker's head shot up, "What?"
"I can help you find out who he is."
"Wait, you mean-" Harley gasped.
"Shut up Harley!" The Joker ordered, raising a hand to intimidate her. "Now Hush, you say that you can help me, but how?"
Laughing once again, Hush breathed heavily for a moment before replying, "I know someone; someone who knows who Batman really is underneath that mask of his."
Narrowing his eyes, The Joker stared intensely at the phone in his hand. "Then why don't you find out for yourself."
"I already know." Hush said, tauntingly.
"What! Tell me!" The Joker demanded, slamming his hand on the desk.
"Now, now, where's the fun in that?" He cackled, "And besides, after the state he left me in, there's no chance of me getting my own back." His voice was suddenly deadly serious, all amusement gone as she ground his teeth.
"Who else knows Hush?" Joker urged.
"Yeah Hush, who?" Harley chipped in, leaned over the desk.
"It won't be easy to get the information off of them," He spoke slowly, not attempting to hide the malice in his voice, "they're strong."
"How do I get it out of them?" Joker asked, breath ragged.
"That's for you to work out Joker, but remember, even the strongest of people can be broken, and this one, well, she only appears to be strong."
"Who is it Hush, who knows?" Joker said, his mouth dry.
"Selina. Selina Kyle."
Gasping, Harley fell onto the desk, "Kitty!"
"Catwoman..." The Joker whispered in astonishment, "How could I have missed something so obvious?"
"They're clever Joker, the pair of them, but they let their feelings get in the way, that is where their weaknesses lye." Hush said, unable to stop himself from smiling, "Get to her anyway you want, it'll take a lot for her to spill, but she will."
"Oh, I'll get her to tell me." The Joker grinned, pushing Harley away as she tried to protest.
"I'm sure you will, but I need you to take care of something else in the process Joker, a favour for the information." There was a long silence on the phone, where the only sound was the heavy breathing on the other end, "Make her suffer, but don't kill her."
"What shall I do with her?" The Joker said breathlessly.
"Bring her to me, I want to see her begging for her life as she gives back every penny of my fortune..."