Dr Leland sat quietly in her office drinking a coffee and peering at new prescriptions for inmates and new ideas for the building. They were getting stronger meds to help inmates with severe mental issues and a bigger canteen and better cells.
On top of that they had bought new weapons for guards to better protect themselves. This came with Tasers, a thicker retractable baton and sleeping gas just in case. She wasn't really the violent sort of person but since some inmates were getting more and more violent and dangerous; she needed to take precautions.
They had hired new staff and added better bathrooms to inmate cells, new books in the library, a bigger gym and a drama club. As much as the staff were on her mind she wanted the inmates to be treated well too.
She did hate it how staff and society forgot these people were humans too; yes many of them were bat-shit crazy and incurable. But many were halfway to rehabilitation and still able to be given normal lives. That's what gave her hope; that some people were able to be cured even if others were not.
However on the odd occasion doubt did cloud her mind now and again; whether she was doing the right thing or if she was being too soft on the inmates. Being second in command at Arkham was stressful enough.
Suddenly there was a knock at her door snapping her out of her daydream. She was so busy stressing about the new projects she had barely noticed anything else.
"Come in" she called politely wanting to side less intimidating. It was bad enough that some inmates hated her of being "too cold" and "Bossy". She wanted to at least show to some outsiders that she was actually a good person.
A pretty brunette in her early thirties opened the door nervously. She was wearing a greyish suit and had her hair lose; She had a similar appearance facially to Harley but younger.
"May I help you?" Leland asked curiously taken aback by this young woman. She seemed like a smart young businesswoman. What the hell was she doing in a place like this?
"I...I'd like to see someone; An Inmate of yours" The girl said timidly not wanting to look like a pushover. Her parents would never agree to this but she didn't care; she would do anything to see her sister without their approval.
Leland raised an eyebrow; she wasn't against some inmates seeing their family however others were not so fortunate. Others were seen as too violent to even be considered such a request.
She placed her hands in a triangle position in front of her and stared intently at the girl "I see and which inmate would this be?" she asked curiously.
There were still a few people out there that wanted to write articles on Arkham on the inmates and their treatment. There were even some who called them inhuman and that they loved to torture the inmates. If they worked here they would understand how it really was.
"Harleen Quinzelle; She's my older sister" The girl said innocently her tone somewhat gentle and filled with fondness. As a child Harley had been her role model and very good to her; she wanted to at least show her how far she had some since then.
Leland raised her eyebrows in shock; this pretty innocent young woman was the sister of one of her most violent and insane prisoners? Then again working in this place anything was possible.
"I see; when exactly would that be?" Leland asked curiously typing at her computer schedule.
"As soon as possible; hopefully this week" the girl said eagerly. So many words were unsaid and she needed to convey them as soon as possible.
Leland browsed through her computer quickly; there were a lot of interviews this week for new staff which was a pain. Eventually she found a space the following Monday "I've found a free date this Monday coming; is that ok for you?" she asked kindly.
"Is that the only day you have?" The girl asked curiously suspicion hinting her tone. She did get a lot of bullshit for being the sister of one the most notorious villainesses in Gotham. So this meant many people in power drove to keep them apart.
Unknown to her parents and others; she and Harley shared the same temper. If someone came between her and people she loved she would take matters into her own hands. She didn't care of the price; nobody would stand in her way.
"I'm afraid so; I have a lot of interviews this week with new staff" Leland apologized humbly. It was a bother yes but there was nothing she could do about it; even if it was a pain in the ass.
The girl relaxed and smiled; if it was business then it couldn't be helped. I mean work was work either way and there was nothing she could do about it "I see; then I'll take it" she said sweetly.
"Great I'll punch you in; may I take your name please Miss Quinzelle?" Leland said politely feeling awkward about using that name when it wasn't a patient.
"Melissa Quinzelle" then girl said eagerly a wide smile appearing on her face. She couldn't wait to have a long chat with her sister after all this time. It had been WAY too long since they had last spoke.
Leland typed in her name quickly and placed her down at 12:00 in the afternoon; it would be at lunchtime so Harley would miss lunch but luckily would be too distracted by her family to notice.
"I have you down for 12:00 this Monday; it's tight but it's the best I can do" Leland explained politely.
Melissa smiled kindly her eyes twinkling "That's quite alright Dr Leland; I'm just grateful you could squeeze me in" she said gratefully.
Dr Leland sighed a breath of relief; at least she was reasonable. She was worried that she would get really mad for a second. The look she had given her had sent a chill down to her bones but she would never admit that.
Melissa then got to her feet and shook her hand before leaving Lelands office and closing the door behind her.
After she left Leland relaxed but placed her hand on her heart nervously. She hadn't expected to feel so much fear around a civilian. But that look had been the same kind of look Harley gave when she was seriously mad. "God help me" she whispered nervously as the wind blew outside swaying the tree's gently in the breeze.
