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Shout out to my reviewers, you guys are the best! So heres to:
Hermonine, who is wonderful as always. Congrats for stealing the first review!
Nelle07, who was wonderful enough to review for both chapters and came up with a idea I never thought of.
Pretty Much A Big Deal, who is awesome and I am really sorry I haven't been on Muse Bunny lately.
.Beckoning.Disaster., So glad this story "totally got my interest"
crazilazigurl, whose name is impossible to spell, but whose words were very encouraging.
Bellus, I have continued hopefully to your satisfaction.
Shifter1, keep reading, I hope you like it!
MrsKiLupin-Darcy, I am terribly glad that you really like Andrea, she is a blast to write about, though I was afraid of the whole "Mary-Sue" thing.
IKaide, It is rocking that you think my writing style is great, especially cause I have never gotten a review like that before!
-EvilsApprentice-, Your review made my day, made me laugh and I couldn't believe that I could have portrayed Heath's Joker to perfections, especially considering I have only seen it once.
Sy-Sy, …. Wow, hi Andrea! Haha No I'm not your stalker. Thank you for being in love with my story, I think it is the Joker, isn't it?
KymmiV, I am relieved that this story is different, it's great hearing it. I set out to make it different and hoped it wouldn't become some Joker/MS story…
And to Sirrius's Sister, who sent me a lovely PM telling me that my quotes on the author's page were actually funny, congratulated me on putting them up for others to enjoy, for being awesome and who enjoyed Redesigning Sanity very much.
Thank you.
To all the people who read this and have made this story have over a thousand hits within a couple months. I love you all.
To all of you how have added this to your alerts:
.Beckoning.Disaster.
AufCat
Bellus
BookLover786
Clan of Draconian Darkness
Cry Blood Tears
DeliriousJuliet
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LestatsLittleGirl
MagicalElf73
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MrsKiLupin-Darcy
Nelle07
Pretty Much A Big Deal
Ramla Okami
Sirius's Sister
Sy-Sy
Vanilla Bean CEO
blizzardtorment
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Drpepper77
Hermonine
I-love-jeff-effin-hardy
iKaide
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To the awesome Favourite Story folk:
-EvilsApprentice-
Bellus
DeliriousJuliet
KymmiV
MagicalElf73
Nelle07
Pretty Much A Big Deal
Shmellington
Sy-Sy
Crazilazigurl
iKaide
justafreak
And last, but most certainly not least, to the rocking beta whose life may be busy, but still finds the time to edit my errors, please give her a round of fabulous applause: SecretStrangeAngel
Oh yeah, I own nothing except Andrea, and hopefully one day in the distant future her car…, I also hold claim to Milo, the assistant (who was accused of stealing the drawing by Nelle07, that honestly never crossed my mind) I seriously wish I owned the Joker, but I think DC comics would be coming after me pretty fast if I stole him. Currently, a mini of him, is locked up in my mind, creating terrible notes about cherry tart can can dancers in the middle of a very boring socials class, and claiming that in order to redesign sanity, I need him. Which is very true. So here's to Redesigning Sanity, and what you all have been waiting for…
Chapter Three: That Son of A Harlequin!
Andrea woke up screaming. Her wide eyes searched the room in panic. She sighed in relief when she detected no sign of the madman, but horror filled her being when she looked down. Blood was dripping down onto the blanket. Suddenly, the pain her. Another piercing scream filled the air as she reached up to gingerly touch her face, finding it covered in blood and her face torn, reaching from the top of her cheekbone to her chin and continued along the length of her jaw line, down her throat and to the neck of her tank top. The white of the shirt was now a hideous red, turning darker as Andrea grew fainter.
Banging announced the entrance of her Italian neighbor, Greg Meggait. He barreled in with his little wife, Maria, behind him. He was about to yell something when he saw Andrea's injured face.
"Maria! Call the doctor!" he ordered his wife, who reached for the telephone.
"It's dead!" Maria exclaimed before racing out of the room to get her phone.
Greg had brought some warm water in a bowl and some clean cloths to wipe Andrea's face. He made soothing sounds, the ones he used to make when his little girl was afraid of the dark and woke with nightmares. Damping the cloth, he patted at her face, removing the top layer of blood to see the thin cut lines underneath. It was deep enough to scar, but what shocked the middle-aged man was the design. Who ever had done this to the girl was sick enough to create an elegant pattern of swirls on the side of Andrea's face.
"They're on their way," Maria informed her husband when she returned, first aid kit in hand.
The bloody water was disposed of and Maria, a retired nurse, carefully cleaned it with alcohol and bandaged it up. The poor thing was in shock still, Maria thought sadly, seeing the dilated eyes and unseeing expression on the girl's face, before the injured chit fainted.
Sirens were within hearing range now and soon the couple could hear the thunder of booted feet running down the hallway. The paramedics barged in through the open door, stretcher ready. They placed Andrea on it and assigned one of the men to question the couple as to what had happened as they escorted the woman downstairs and into the back of the ambulance.
Greg and Maria Meggait watched worriedly after the young woman, answering as many questions as they could, explaining how they had found Andrea, and who she was. After the young man left with the information, the older couple stayed behind to clean up the place.
Maria put all the washing on and threw the bloody blanket out. She knew the girl would not want a reminder of what had happened, and it would be nice for her to come back to clean clothes and a tidy apartment. Young people these days were so busy.
Her husband had tided up the living room, turning off the fireplace and setting the heat. Greg did not know when his young neighbor would be back, but he suspected it wouldn't be for a while, considering the marks on her face. He got down on his knees, scrubbing at a blood stain that marred the light colored carpet, when he noticed that something was sticking out from under the skirt of the couch – a card.
Greg shrugged and placed the Joker card on the coffee table. He knew Andrea was fond of playing cards when she wasn't drawing, and thought maybe she had just forgotten to put it away. He found it odd, however, that the card bore handwritten letters saying, "HA HA HA", on the bottom in red ink.
Of course, Greg and his Italian wife wouldn't remember the card. After all, it was nothing but a playing card to them.
JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ
Down below, a man sat in the shadows, eyes glinting madly in the darkness. He had heard the wonderful screams coming from that delicious mouth, the terror that had unfolded from her. He had seen the paramedics rush in and rush right back out, a injured woman in tow.
He had just sat there, serious and silent, watching it all unfold. He stood, putting away the now clean knife in his pocket, and throwing away the bloodied handkerchief he had used to clean it.
The Joker had just seen the grand effects of his master plan.
JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ
Andrea woke up to plain white walls and crisp white sheets. Feeling groggy, she squinted and reached up to touch her head. She felt the cloth bandage on the side of her face and fell back against soft pillows. It really had happened; the bastard of a harlequin had carved her face! Just because she had not given him her immediate answer! What an asinine thing to do to do to a person! Andrea attacked the Joker with every awful thing she had ever heard in her mind, and a few that she hadn't. Since the man himself wasn't here to take it, she was going to bottle it all up till she saw the bugger next. And if it meant hunting him down, she was going to damn well do it!
A quick glance over to her bedside table informed Andrea of the colourful flowers there. It was surprising how fast word got out, Andrea thought. She reached for the cards, which the nurses had thoughtfully taken out of the flowers and neatly piled up by her bedside.
The top one was a lovely handwritten letter from the Meggaits, who had sent some pink roses from Mrs. Phillips immaculate garden. In the letter, they had inquired about her health and told her that they had cleaned up the apartment in anticipation of her return. They had also sent along an overnight bag to the hospital once they had heard that she would be staying there for longer then planned. Must remember to send a thank you card and some chocolate to them, Andrea made a mental note before moving on to the next one.
The second one had been printed out in silver embossing and was plain. Inside was the Green Fashion's logo along with a short typed message that was from Milo, who he hoped she got better. Andrea was not fooled, though. She knew he only hoped she would get better so he would have his spokes girl back, if of course she did not have a scar to show for her dealings with the ever elusive Joker.
The last one had a erratic purple design on it, and held a smattering of playing cards glued on the front. Curious as to who it was from, she opened it and recoiled.
Dear Andy Dandy,
I sincerely hope you get better, especially because I am going to need this hospital in a little bit, and I am going to need you back as well. I am interested, however, in Milo's reaction to the news you will be scarred for life. I made sure to make the design pretty, though, so you can't blame me too much. I have much to do and will met up with you later, once you have been released.
Cheers,
J
She read the message slowly, hating each word. She picked up the signature Joker card that had been placed inside. It was painted with the words "HA HA HA", and it was with relish that she made confetti of it.
The squeak of the swinging hospital door alerted her to a visitor.
"Miss Masque, Mr. Green is here to see you," the little nurse said before exiting. Andrea looked up.
Milo Green stood there, twirling his plaid hat between his hands, looking rather uncomfortable. As usual, his assistant stood behind him, little Miss Emma with her unblemished features, Andrea observed bitterly.
"Andrea, how are you doing?" her thin, balding boss started off weakly.
"Just wonderful. As soon as I get these bandages off, I can be back to work, Milo."
Andrea was fishing for news here: news of what the future would bring.
"Ah, well that was… was what I came here to talk with you about, Andrea." Milo looked very nervous now. "I'm afraid the doctor's just informed me that your face will scar, and well… we need someone to be able to go out in public, be the face of Green Fashion, if you know what I mean." His eyes darted around, not meeting her gaze.
The light died in Andrea's green eyes.
"I see," she said quietly, refusing to look at him now. The mechanical swing of the door was heard and she closed her eyes. Milo had left, just left.
Tears silently lolled down her face, sliding under the taped bandage and burning into the wound. Andrea made no noise of discomfort however. Pain seemed not to matter
anymore. Feeling dizzy, she laid back, staring up at the whirling ceiling fan and thinking of had happened to her. She was not going to be the spokes designer for Green Fashions any more. Which meant no grand parties, which meant no major paying customers for her designs, which meant no label for her. Which meant that Andrea Masque was screwed, in other words.
JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ
A few week later, Andrea received the formal letter informing her that she was fired, and that a year's pay plus health benefits would be given to her for all of the faithful years of service to Green Fashion.
Andrea was broken. All she could think of now was the sadistic Joker and how much he had ruined everything.
JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ
During the next few weeks, she made no comment to anyone, refused to gossip with the cheery nurses, and locked herself away in her mind. Enough comments were made to the doctors, so they would think she was recovering well (mentally at least). Physically, she could almost go home now: they just wanted to make sure it scarred clean. She refused to talk with policemen about what had happened, falsely claiming that it was nothing more then a manic ex-boyfriend. When nurses questioned her about the boyfriend, she airily said that he would have left town by now, and she highly doubted that they could find him.
Indeed, how does one press charges against a man with no name, just a affiliation to a wild card? Which is what the Joker was, a wild card, hinges undone and everything.
More news was made: the Joker attacking people, Gotham's White Knight making speeches, and she changed the channel. A hard glint came to her eye as Milo Green appeared on the screen, standing in front of Green Fashion, holding the thin waist of what Andrea would refer to as a pencil blond, proclaiming her the new head designer of his company.
"She doesn't look like she would have to brains to know how to design let alone design something better then mine," Andrea muttered, turning up the volume.
Bitterness filled her mouth, when one reporter asked after her, "And what about the Masque of Green Fashion? Is Andrea still working for you, even after what happened to her five weeks ago, Mr. Green?"
Milo gave off a smile, "We thought she should take some time off due to that little incident." He waved off the reporter's next questions, commenting that Andrea was perfectly fine with the new face of Green Fashion, Evian Waters. What a stupid name, Andrea thought, Evian Waters. She should be working for a bloody bottled water company!
"Are you alright, miss?" one young nurse inquired nervously. Andrea had been clutching the remote so hard that her knuckles had turned white and the glare from her furious eyes was enough to send anyone running. She clicked off the television, mind flashing red.
Andrea snapped her head over to the woman. "Yes, yes, I'm fine. No need to worry, Anne." Reassuring the nurse was nothing, she was quite used to the fake answers she gave to the woman.
The nurse nodded, unsure, and set the food tray down at the end of the bed before leaving, glancing over her shoulder as she did so. Andrea merely continued her glare at the now blank screen of the television.
"I…hate…Milo…Green." Andrea hissed slowly under her breath.
"Well, that is a relief! I didn't really like him either. How are you, my Andy Dandy?" came the merry voice of the man that had launched her into the mess that was now her new life.
Andrea looked up. "You!" She flung the remote at him, barely missing his head as the man ducked down. It smashed against the wall and broke, sending plastic and batteries sprawling across the smooth laminate floor.
The Joker slowly straightened, and then looked over his shoulder at the slight dent in the wall, "Such anger isn't healthy, ya know. You need some stress relief, kiddo. Maybe I ought to recommend my psychiatrist, " he commented, sitting down on the plastic chair in the corner, one legged crossed over the other at the knee. He remarked how her eyes were searching for something close by, most likely something to throw at him.
"I ought to..." Andrea started, her facial expression steaming.
"If you are going to say throw something at me, you've already done that. And I have to say, that was a close call." He licked his rouge lips as he spoke.
She straightened up, stretching for a vase of flowers. He was quicker though, and reaching forward, grabbed it, holding it out of her reach. "As much as I appreciate your enthusiasm, I'm afraid I like my face the way it is," he said, placing the daisies on the ground.
"Oh really? One would think you would want one more scar to brag about!" she growled threateningly, her hand inching it's way mechanically towards the food tray.
"Oh no, no, no, doll! I have one set to brag about already, which if you don't mind me asking, how are yours doing?" the Joker giggled, clapping his hands together.
"Just fine, no thanks to you!" The pudding went flying, making a sloppy brown mess on the window blinds behind the Joker. He tutted and shook his gloved finger at her. "No need for theatrics, doll."
"I really do think there is need for them, doll!" she hissed, venom dripping from her words as the mashed peas and sliced carrots followed after the Joker as he took cover behind a screen. The messy food was now sliding down to the floor, creating a sticky pile of what resembled vegetable baby food.
Andrea was breathing heavy now. She looked down at the remaining food on her tray. She knew she was going to hit the sucker with something today, and she wanted it to hurt. Food, of course, would hurt his suit, and she planned on wrecking that fine piece of clothing she had so cleverly designed.
"Done?" the Joker asked from behind his curtain of safety.
The reply alone should have been warning enough. "Oh yes. I do believe I am," came the sickly sweet answer.