News anchor: ...The GCPD has been working hard to locate the members of the now infamous "Maniax" gang, whose latest appearance at an opera performance at the Gotham Plaza monday night ended with five guests being sent to the hospital with grave injuries. Aside from stealing, the gang also subjected the guests to a "game" where they had to guess which card Harleen Quinzel was holding from am ordinary deck of playing cards. If the guest guessed wrong, they were shot or maimed with a knife.

One guest had a rubber duck forced down their throat, after having protested against their treatment. This person is now in critical condition at Gotham General, and doctors think they cannot salvage what is left of his vocal chords.


Caller#1: I think it's disgusting how youth has been corrupted in this city. If the police can't catch them, what do we say to our kids? This will only give them a bad influence, someone to look for when they feel vulnerable. "Oh look, those kids are happy, those kids are free – and the police is doing nothing to stop it!"

Caller#2: I think you're overreacting Bob, I really think you – look, these people, they are not children. Sure they may be young, but just because we're young shouldn't mean that we automatically become psychopaths, roaming the streets. Why I never would have even thought of going to bed past curfew when I was a girl.

Radio Host: I understand that you have some difference in opinion here, but let's get back to the original question for a minute. What happened to Harleen Quinzel, how could this innocent, quiet young woman go from a normal teenager to take on a life outside the law?

Caller#1: It's a story that every dad tells his little girl, stay away from the bad boy. We say it a thousand times, and yet it still doesn't matter.

Radio Host: So you're saying it's all this...Jerome's fault, that she is now a criminal, wanted in 12 states?

Caller#2: As a psychologist and a mother of three girls, let me just say this; it's always the parents fault. That's why I am always so patient with my own children – show them the respect and love they deserve, and they will show the same to you.

Radio Host: Yes well, that's all we'll have time for today. Time to wrap things up with another weather update from our man with a plan, Sean Taggert-


"They've been doing well." Tabitha commented idly, sitting by their expensive dining table, polishing a knife.

Galavan was standing next to her, reading the article that covered what had happened (more unsavory details left out of course) the night of the opera. The diva had fainted on the stage out of shock, and the current mayor was at a loss with how to fix the problem. Prominent sponsors of the arts and culture in the city had been present, and they were having some serious thoughts of taking a long, long vacation. That would mean bad publicity for the Mayor, and thus, a bad reputation for the city overall.

Galavan would see to that, once he was elected mayor. Yes, the gang had done their part well.

Perhaps a little too well, a voice whispered in his head. He wasn't scared of much, but he was scared of Jerome, even he could admit to that. That young man was pure evil. He filed away this thought for later, turning to their current guest – the Mayors chief of staff.

He had important information about the Mayors schedule and upcoming plans for the re-election (which was not happening, because in a matter of days, he would be dead). Nevertheless, the information was still important for Galavan to take part of, in order to take his place.

But the Mayors staff was loyal, and did not speak. Even when threatened and beaten, the chief of staff would only spit in his face and stare up at him with defiance.

He was tied down to a chair and Tabitha had done her best (and she did it very well) to coax it out of him, but he would not budge. Admirable really.

Galavan glanced at him over the paper and smiled pleasantly.

"Sir, I think I shall send you over to a circus. They're new in town, eager to make new friends."