Chapter Nine

"26 bottles of beer on the wall! 26 bottles of beer! You take one down you pass one around, 25 bottles of beer on the --"

"Shut up!" I yelled out rubbing my temples. "Just. Shut. Up! God we all know that there's no bottles of beer in the end so just SHUT YOUR MOUTHS!" They all got quiet.

"Who pissed in your Fruit Loops?" Scooter mumbled.

"You did and it's 'who pissed in your Cheerios' thank you," I grumbled turning over in my seat so I was facing out the window.

"Geese doll put a smile on that-"

"Fuck off Joker. I've been in a van for 3 hours with you guys and it sucks! I swear if any of you open your mouths one more time I'm going to slit your throat!"

No one spoke for the next fifteen minutes until-

"Look at ya new home boys… and girl," the Joker said.

I stared out the window more intensely. We were at the Fun Times Carnival, the oldest carnival site in Gotham. "What the hell!? This is maybe 20 minutes away from the old hide out! Joker I swear to-"

"What was that Rosebud?" he turned to me, grinning. He was clearly just trying to annoy me. God I hate being the only girl.

As we came to a stop, I hopped out of the van and sank immediately into a muddy sludge. I looked down at my white Nikes. "Greeeeeeaaat," I mumbled. Seeing as how I was in my original clothing, I sub-conscientiously straightened my vest and loosened my tie a centimeter more.

I squinted my eyes through the fog. I could see a broken down merry-go-round along with other decrepit rides littering the park. I soon realized we weren't exactly in the park. The van was parked outside a fence that was padlocked.

"Uh… Joker… How we getting-?"

Just then the van's engine revved and it went speeding towards the gate. I jumped slightly as it slammed into the fence. All the boys around me were laughing. I cringed as the van backed up and repeated its previous actions, breaking through this time around.

"Get in!" The Joker yelled out of the driver's side window. The back double doors popped open and all the boys ran in. I walked my way lazily to the passenger side and got in. "What's wrong doll? Still mad about the three hour drive?" he giggled out.

"Shut up," I mumbled crossing my arms. I leaned back and stared out the window.

Many forgotten booths were still set up. Teddy bears and stuffed animals were hanging from ropes, mold growing on each of them from the rain. Though it was daylight, the clouds hung over the park blocking out light. There was a gray haze lingering close to the ground. The old Ferris wheel seemed to be tilting to one side and, along with the rest of the rides, was rusting. I grimaced; the entirety of the park had a depressed feeling about it.

"Aw, cheer up Rosie," The Joker whispered.

"How can I?" I mumbled.

Just then, the van came to a halt and all the boys jumped out, leaving The Joker and I alone. They all ran inside the Laughter House. It looked almost the same as it did ten years ago. The only difference was on the sign, someone had spray painted a red 'S' in front of laughter. Slaughter House huh? Wonder who did that one.

"Look Rosebud. You let me go so I'm gunna let you go-"

"Oh my god! Thank you thank you thank you-!"

"Hold on now! It's on one condition," he said lifting a finger and smirking.

"ANYTHING!" I said.

"You help me with another teensy tiny job."

"Sure thing boss," I smiled. I was finally getting my freedom back.

****

"So… why am I wearing this?" I asked looking down at my police uniform.

"We're going to give the Commissioner a little surprise," Joker laughed out. "And you," he giggled, "are going to kill the mayor!" his laugh became louder.

I cocked my head to the side and raised an eyebrow. "Oo that's so hard…" I said as I waved my hands in the air some. I rolled my eyes and held my hand out for my gun.

He handed me the big black shot gun every police officer would be using today. "Keep your head down," he growled and put a hat on my head. He ran out of the alley way and I was right behind him.

We ran down to the police station where all the officers were getting into line. We snuck into the third line and stood straight with our heads down. After about ten minutes or so, the entire force was walking down the streets of Gotham. People were cheering on both sides of the street; children were waving and laughing on their fathers' shoulders while their mothers clapped with them or held on to little hands. A slight guilt ran through me.


You're not hurting the kids, just the mayor,
I reassured myself. Don't think about them, just the mayor. Where was this emotion coming from? I never really thought of the kids before now, so why does it matter? I shook the thought out of my head as we came to a stop.

People were cheering louder than before. Balloons floated into the sky as the entirety of the officials on the platform stood and clapped. The Joker smirked and muttered, "Wait for my cue." I gave a slight grunt to let him know I heard.

The Commissioner started to speak about the police force and the new DA; about all the wonderful deeds that had been done. It wasn't five minutes into the speech when a gunshot echoed off of the buildings.

"Now!" the Joker said. He raised his gun to his shoulder, as did I; he aimed for the Commissioner, and I aimed for the mayor. We fired simultaneously.

****

"Today's top story: A Great Loss in Gotham. Both Mayor Garcia and Commissioner Gordon have been shot during today's parade. The Joker and possibly Scarlet Rose are believed to be responsible. Mayor Garcia died instantly after being shot in the forehead; the Commissioner, however, is in intensive care after being shot in the chest. He is not expected to make it."

I stared at the TV screen. I couldn't believe that I, Scarlet Rose, killed the mayor.


This is priceless.