Perspective 3: Jervis Tetch

For the first time in almost two months, Jervis Tetch was content. He hummed to himself quietly, but sounding extra loud in the silence of his cell, and flipped another page. A flower appeared. Well, flowers really, and incredibly rude ones at that; no wonder Alice was so annoyed with them, Jervis would be too if some unknown flower suddenly felt the need to criticise his… his everything really. His being him. Come to think of it, that actually did happen to him many a time. It was not flowers doing the whispering though, which was the problem; flowers can at least be killed easily. He flinched slightly. According to good Doctor Leland, he was not supposed to have those kind of thoughts. Still, he was thinking about flowers. Surely, he was allowed to have murderous fantasies on flora, as long as Pamela did not catch wind of it. Batman was surely some kind of parasite plant, sucking fluids away from all the other innocent plants just trying to live their lives. Jervis snapped the book shut, blue eyes staring daggers at the white wall before him. He probably should steer clear of flowers, for now; he flipped the book open again and lost himself in the endless teatime party of Mad Hatter and Alice. Alice. Alice. Alice. Alice. Alice.

"Jervis?"

The scientist jumped at hearing his name, and reflexively hid the book behind his back. He was not doing anything wrong, the book had been regularly taken out of the Asylum's library, he was most definitely not thinking of murdering flowers and Batman and Alice, he did not think about Alice at all. The explanations bubbled into his mind and threatened to spill out of his mouth, but then he caught sight of who was outside his cell and instantly relaxed: "Mr Wayne", he breathed with relief. Then, he suddenly remembered his manners and went on: "Hello, how are you? I would offer you some tea, but I am not really allowed my own tea kit as of now…"

He embarrassedly trailed off, mentally berating himself again for mentioning in group therapy that many infusions with tea leaves had hypnotic powers. Did they really expect him to be able to whip up some powerful mind-controlling potion with Earl Grey? He sometimes despaired of his fellow humans. Were they his fellows though? Were they really? Was he still considered human if he came from Wonderland? Was the Mad Hatter human at all?
He realised that he'd been quiet for a long time, head lowered in thinking, and fretfully fixed his gaze back on Bruce Wayne; the man was staring at him patiently, a small, sad smile etched on his features. His eyes had a liquid quality to them and were painfully dark-rimmed, while worry lines marked the normally youthful face. Someone was not having a good day. Tea would have really come in handy. When Bruce saw that he had his attention again, his smile grew a bit wider, possibly in an effort to keep up appearances, and he replied with an almost normal tone: "I am quite fine, Jervis, thank you. I just wanted to check if the book you requested was received alright and it seems it was".

The Mad Hatter offered his former boss a Cheshire Cat grin, and held up his personal version of the bible, Alice in Wonderland, for his perusal. He opened his mouth with the intention of saying something, make a flippant comment, possibly a quip of some kind or inform him outright that, in light of previous events, his hunch that he was the reincarnation of the Mad Hatter was definitely correct, but words died in his throat. He never quite managed to communicate all he wanted to say, too used to being ignored or ridiculed by a world that made as much sense as Wonderland but was never any fun at all. Not for him, at least. He lowered his head in defeat and murmured a quick "thank you". Mr Wayne watched the display in silence, probably pitying him, probably wondering what was wrong with him, probably thinking that he deserved to be there. He had quite liked Bruce while working for Wayne Enterprises, he was the kind of boss that minded his own business, did not organise countless, pointless meetings and was very understanding. But he had also very much disliked Bruce, because he was handsome, confident, rich and women were automatically drawn to him. He was everything Jervis knew he would never be. At least he did not flaunt it. That was good, because it was what kept Jervis from hating him. Not that he minded the money much; or the good looks, all in all. He very much wanted the confidence, because confident men got the girls. Girl. There was only one he wanted. Couldn't even get that one. Couldn't even cut one single head. He'd had it all wrong though, it's the Queen who axes heads, but he is not the Queen, he is the Hatter. Maybe Batman would take some tea next time. And come to think of it again, Bruce also lost the one girl he wanted when Selina Kyle broke up with him; so, if a man such as billionaire Bruce Wayne was still unable to keep the one girl he wanted, there was hope for all of them. No, there wasn't, which was the point. It made him feel better.

He raised his head, expecting to see Bruce gone, but he was still there, leaning against the Plexiglas wall (something which he was not supposed to do) and staring pensively at him. Maybe he was angry he ignored him. Jervis had also been ignored many times in his life and he had felt… well, not exactly anger. More like resentment, boiling slowly in his being, warmed by a low flame, until the pressure became too much and he just exploded. He wondered if Mr Wayne would be scared to see him like that. A pity his axe was confiscated as well.

"Jervis, may I ask you something?"

The question took him by surprise, he thought Bruce would be gone for sure by now. "You already did", he blurted out and immediately covered his mouth with his hand. That was not him, Jervis Tetch would never say something so flippant, but the Mad Hatter would. The Mad Hatter did. He glanced at the other man, anticipating anger, but Bruce merely chuckled: "You are right", he sighed. "Then may I ask you something… after the thing I have just asked you?"

Jervis nodded, not trusting himself to speak. His former boss hesitated still, murmuring that it was just silly. The Mad Hatter interjected again: "That's good, if its' silly it means it's true". Bruce paused at that, as if considering the point. "You know, you are right", he enunciated slowly. "It may be very silly, but it is also true for me. I think… I think I might be seeing someone I should not and that might make my life all the worse for it. Maybe it already did my life worse".

There was a long pause as Jervis digested that bit of information and a longer one still as he wondered what Bruce expected him to say. It then occurred to him that Wayne actually intended to say more, but the tears in his eyes and the fact he was being shaken by sobs prevented him from doing so. He would have offered him a handkerchief, but even if he'd had one there was a Plexiglas wall in the way. He merely stayed silent then and waited for the other man to calm down.
Bruce regained control of himself in record time, tears drying in less than a minute and sobs disappearing as if Jervis imagined the whole thing; he fished his own handkerchief out of his pocket, (of course he had one) and patted his cheeks dry with a self-deprecating laugh.

"My apologies, Jervis, I did not mean to… It is just that I fear I have lost a friend today".

The Mad Hatter nodded, avoiding looking at his face to give the man some time to regroup. "I know", he mentioned almost casually, "I have seen the wardens drag in Mr Dent last night. Quite a chilling sight, truly". His mouth snapped shut again, Jervis being painfully aware that that was the most he'd ever spoken in Bruce Wayne's presence. He tried to keep it under control, but his real character kept bleeding out, probably aided by the insanity that was Arkham. The Prince of Gotham seemed not to notice and simply nodded grimly. "I should have done more for Harvey", he stated in a tone that admitted no discussion. "I should have been there for him when I first sensed something was wrong, I should have been able to see what was happening and lend a hand. But I did not and I did not because I was too caught up in... in this". He made a vague gesture with his hand that was probably meant to describe the "this". "I have met a person after Selina", he continued. "And it felt new and intriguing and exciting, but I fear now that maybe that is all it is. I was so distracted by the novelty that I let one of my best friends slip under my radar and I might never get him back. I... I am losing sight of what is important and what is not. What if I cannot regain control? What if I let something else slide and then the avalanche hits someone else close to me? What if…"

Bruce was speaking in such a low voice now that Jervis had trouble hearing him, so he slowly got up and walked to the transparent wall, trying not to spook him and to keep following what he was saying. Halfway there though, his hesitant gait became confident and it was with a big smile that he tapped the glass near Bruce's head. The man was startled and immediately stopped his mumbling, to stare at him with wide eyes. "What are you asking me, Bruce?", the Mad Hatter wondered sweetly and the billionaire blinked, looking utterly confused. "You said you wanted to ask me something, so what was it?", the creature repeated, chuckling when Wayne shook his head and murmured an uncertain: "I don't…"

"Of course you don't", he interrupted him, "because you do not have anything to ask me, but something to ask of me!" The amused laugh returned, the other man still looking at him deer-in-the-headlight-like, and the Hatter decided to be less cryptical. "You came here, Bruce my dear, because for love's sweet embrace you fear to lose face. Your soul, your morals, your sanity too, given up for an emotion that makes you a fool. All picturesque rhyming aside, you fear that you are about to ruin your own life running after a ghost that can never be yours. That is what moved you to give poor little Jervis a visit, to see just how bad the outcome could be".

Bruce shook his head in denial. "No, Jervis, I swear, I would never…"

The Mad Hatter gestured for him to stop, smile never dimming. "It is alright, Bruce, really. Were I in your shoes, I would also want to know what the worst-case scenario looks like. Still… Do not take this the wrong way, but I have some trouble seeing you putting on a costume and attempting to conquer the heart of your girl through a genius invention that grants you full control of the human mind. However, one thing I do know: you might not end up in the cell next to mine, Mr Wayne, but an insane passion left unchecked is enough to land the best of men in the worst of trouble, and it is just the worst of luck that such passions are so hard to control!"

Bruce shut his eyes then, massaging his head as if trying to clear it. The Hatter kept smiling at him, that wide grin that made him look like a cat who got the cream, and he leaned against the Plexiglas, light blue eyes finding his. "I can help you with that, and you know it. This is why you came here today. This is the reason you do not want to say out loud. You have nothing to ask, but something you hope you might get. Not today, Mr Wayne, not today. I have no tea to offer you and seem to have lost my hat. Still, if that little flame kept annoyingly burning and you ever found your feet bringing you to Wonderland again… I might be able to help".

"Will you cut my head off?", Bruce wondered aloud, sounding as if he was only half-joking. The Hatter's blue eyes were so sharp they could have cut through diamond and he froze the billionaire with a polite smile. "Not a Queen, nor a Bat. I am the Hatter… once I get back my hat". The blonde scientist gave an embarrassed chuckle and watched fondly as Bruce finally relaxed and laughed along.

"Thank you", his former boss said, still smiling. "I am glad I stopped by to talk to you, I really needed to get this off my chest. Sorry for abusing of your time, can I make it up to you? Is there anything you require?" The Hatter sighed, somehow wistfully: "I have plenty of time on my hands, I do not mind the diversion. But, tea would be beautiful, if you could". Bruce nodded but still lingered, prompting the blond to give him another wide grin. "Go home, Bruce, and try to get your head off things. And, should your thoughts still annoy you, come see me. I should have my hat back by then". Bruce's smile was a little unsure as he left, but he still promised to get him tea.

The Mad Hatter hummed delightedly and Jervis collapsed on the floor, shaking his head and trying to forget the fact that he spoke to Mr Wayne in rhymes and that he actually called him Bruce from start to finish. Still, he did not seem to mind too much and there was a part of him that felt pretty confident he would be back again to keep him company. Now, to turn his mind to more important things…

He retrieved his abandoned book and sat back on the cot, immersing himself in his favourite tea party. Ten minutes later, a warden grudgingly brought him a steaming cup of Earl Grey; outside, the wind screamed and the rain battered Arkham's old walls. Jervis sipped his tea and sighed, content in the knowledge that all was right in his world for now.

Thank you for reading!