Note: Wow! This chapter completes one third of the whole project. The response has been great...The stats are saying that many people are reading this story and the feedback so far has been wonderful. Thanks all! Feel free to drop a review anytime, even if you think the story is not that good (even if you think it sucks). I enjoy your opinion, and threre's always room for improvement, maybe even changing plots trends. Your feedback is important for me, so keep it coming.
Disclaimer1: Batman and all related characters belong to DC COMICS.
Disclaimer2: Some scenes could be too hard on very young readers, viewer discretion advised
CHAPTER 10: THE NEW BEGINNING
"I don't want any business with you, Joker." Boss Garrison said walking away from the meeting, "I've lost valuable time coming here. I'm a very busy man."
"Why Harry…are you are afraid of the Big Bad Bat.?"
Garrison turned around and glared furiously at the Clown Prince. "You don't see it do you?"
"What?" Joker looked surprised.
"That you're crazy." The man in the monitor answered. Iago Thermopoulos was a well known mobster, of those that still practiced his trade in the old style of extortion and contraband. His Greek past was obviously still present in his face, with a prominent nose and strong squarely built face. He was well respected and more than that; he was feared, for he had quite a reputation with his short temper; with very violent outbursts if you got him really mad. Very difficult man to deal, that's what everybody said. Joker knew him through Blip who had bought some goods from Iago's large dealing stock for Joker's private 'marketing enterprises'. Joker eyed Michael who stood a few paces behind the monitor and the young man's eyes were opened wide, as if he had heard a ghost. Michael shook his head softly. Blip actually looked scared of the Greek crime lord.
Joker just stared at the monitor in silence for a moment. "What was that, Iago?"
"I've been listening to your nonsense and I have gotten to the conclusion that you're as crazy as always. Nothing in you has changed, Joker…you are the same wild card you've always been.
"Me, a wildcard? I'm hurt…after all I've been through to change..." Joker's voice cracked. "I really tried."
"Spare me those sad words, Clown. You are not moving me."
"I don't want to move you…I want to kill the Batman, and I alone cannot do it. Is that the ranting of a crazy man or the logic reasoning of a fellow businessman? You deal with drugs and sex, Iago and I know that the Batman has closed a few of your… markets. Are you going to let that overgrown mammal remove you from business?"
"You said it yourself, Joker. We are thousands and the Batman is one. He will never stop us, no matter how hard he tries. He's just a man, who doesn't get any younger and it's just a matter of time before the Batman will become a bad memory."
"Ahh, my naïve friend, that's the reason you will all become extinct. Batman is just one of many that will haunt your nightmares. Remember, I killed one of his sidekicks and what happened? Another one took its place. The same will happen with our rodent friend. The moment to stop the line of succession is now."
"And if you kill this Batman, you think no one else willfollow, right? You are contradicting your own logic, Clown." Tom riposted.
"You have to kill the Bat before the breeding season, Tom, only then the flying rodents will stop crossing Gotham airspace.," Joker said flapping his own hands by his side. "Because once they see what happened to the Daddy Bat…no one will ever dare take that cowl and cape again."
"And how do you plan on doing this, Joker. Making the Bat laugh to death?" Garrison said with a cackle.
The Joker glared and put his hand on his jacket. Garrison saw him and quickly retrieved a gun from a holster on the back of his pants and aimed the gun at the Clown Prince of Crime. The Leopards sheathed their guns and aimed them at the mobster with the rest of the Mafiosi quickly unsheathing their guns too. Joker started to giggle when he pulled a purple yo-yo from his jacket, making sure that everybody saw it.
"You people are just too nervous." Joke said starting to play with the yo-yo. Relax, this is a friendly party. No deadly pranks from the Clown Prince of Crime because he's on vacation...and the Batman lacks a sense of humor, so why make a joke about it?"
"Don't fuck with me Joker. You know I don't trust you."
"Too bad, Harry…" Joker threw the yo-yo down several time and then once forward hitting Garrison on the chest." …because with your help, I'm the one that can clean this city of the flying vermin." Joker threw the yo-yo against Garrison one more time hitting him on a shoulder.
"Stop that Joker…" Garrison said angrily.
Joker started to make figures with the yo-yo. "And I'm the one with the genius to fight the Bat in his own territory and win.., leaving you and your friends open space for profitable enterprises." Joker threw the yo-yo against Garrison who caught it in midair and pulled angrily from it.
"I said to stop it, Joker."
"You're not listening to me, Harry. You need to listen to me… "Joker smiled very wide and there was a spark in Garrison's hand holding the yo-yo. The mobster was thrown violently five feet back and landed moaning painfully on the bare floor. Dark Tom rushed to Garrison's side and helped the man sit up on the floor. Garrison's suit was smoking slightly. "And this is my yo-yo…if you wanna play, go and get your own yo-yo, fat-boy!" Joker kept throwing the yo-yo down towards the floor. "You all need to listen to me…I'm the answer to your murderous prayers. The pest control of your criminal dreams… I'm the Batmanator…." Joker started to laugh softly.
"You are the Crazy Clown that escaped from Arkham." Iago said through the monitor.
"Here we go again…" Joker rolled his eyes. "My deadly achievements run in the thousands: Gordon's daughter and wife, the First Robin…and so many more I lost count. Me." Joker rose and faced the gathered audience taking a bow. "Isn't that quite the curriculum vitae?" He started to laugh. "And I'm a hundred times funnier than Jack the Ripper."
"You just shot your second in command close to twenty times in front of everybody in this room, attacked Sergio with a gas bomb, almost barbequed Garrison... and you're still playing with that stupid yo-yo. I would hardly call that normal behavior."
"I'm a little odd, and yes, I was upset with Phil. Who wouldn't be? But insane is such a big word, Iago…I prefer the term "gifted". If I was really insane, the only one person breathing in this room now would be me."
"You're going to be even more gifted after I'm done with you, Joker" Garrison said angrily rising from the floor with Tom's aid.
"You can't improve in what's already perfect, Harry, and please, spare me the threats. You all know that I am the man for the job. I'm the only one with the guts to face the Batman and the only one with the slim possibility of winning. Come on place your bets on the best horse. It's a win-win situation."
"And how much is that going to cost us, because you're not working for free, are you?" Iago asked.
"Money is not as important as presence. What I want is to show this city and its vigilante that they are no longer fighting just the dealer on the corner, but a bigger, meaner enemy. And yes there is a cost involved…to pay for expenses. One fifth of your monthly income for six months, as payment for returning you a clean city. "
"I knew money was somewhere in the equation" retorted Sergio Ramirez between giggles after waking up from the forced nap. His eyes were red and swollen, his speech was slow, slurred and his accent extremely thick.
"Money makes the world go around, even in your side of the world. Sergio…you look tired… tuviste una mala noche, compadre?" Joker chuckled while Sergio glared back at him.
"And you are broke." Iago interjected. "What you're asking is ludicrous."
"Au contraire, mon amie. I have a plethora of resources. But why should I be the only one to invest the funds, when this is a plan that's going to benefit all of you? I think it is only fair that everybody does its part?"
"We put the money and what do you put in?" Garrison asked.
"I have already invested a large amount of the green stuff, boys, but I'm still supplying hardware, intelligence; and of course there is this handsome clown, setting all the details in person. You wanted freedom, right? Then let good ol' me direct the orchestra, and the spotlights will all be on me. Which reminds me…?" Joker extended a hand to the lady in black. She held his gloved hand and he slowly pulled her towards the center stage. "After my number two decided to quit living…I've established a new chain in command in this team. 'Mountain-man' Washington over there is in charge of the field tactics and security issues and all central intelligence should be addressed to Ms. Charley Almeida; she is my new number one. Talking to her is as good as talking to me. And to make our engagement official…an engagement present."
Joker produced a small black box with a purple ribbon on top that he quickly offered to Charley. Suspicious and very carefully, she took the box and opened it revealing a severed index, middle and fourth fingers joined together by a ring spelling TYRANT. She identified the name in the ring, which was worn only by the leaders of the Caesars' gang in Brenton.' Beside the fingers laid a bloody earring with a red feather. Jeremy Bloodfeather, the Caesars' second in command, wore an earring just like this. She looked at Joker who by now had a very toothy smile. She nodded in acknowledgment and he nodded back.
"This is not your organization, Joker. You were never part of this team." Iago said emphatically.
"I'm not? And who do I have to kill to get in?" Joker smiled. "Why don't you guys think this over and give this old clown a chance. I can get you places..."
"Sorry, Joker. But if you want to work with us you'll have to do better than just talk." Iago stated with a malicious half smile." We have to see more of this new you, before we can trust you. And so far I'm not impressed, just disappointed that my taxes have not gotten you the electric chair. You're incurable psychopath, Joker, a total nut." Joker glared to the man in the screen. "Maybe it's time you meet your maker…courtesy of me…."
"I agree with Iago when he says you are not trustworthy, Joker, so count me out too." Dark Tom said shaking his head. "You're just too crazy…too unpredictable."
"You're such a tough crowd to please." Joker made a raspberry. Don't blink but…YA'LL SUCK!! I'll give you proof you want and I can't wait to see you all groveling at my feet when you see my great genius defeat the Bat. Now LEAVE! Shoo, get out; au revoir; bye, bye; and don't call. You too, Iago… don't threaten me and take some time off... go get a trip to the Greek Isles or something…." Joker took his .38J and fired at the computer monitor in front of him and a large spear with a yellow banner embedded in the screen that shorted and started to smoke.
Everybody rose from their seats and headed out of the ballroom. Joker could hear them whisper, gossip between themselves, Sergio and Garrison, were now talking to each other and glaring at him as they left, and for the first time in his life he realized how much his insanity had undermined his authority. Prove himself? Preposterous! If he was the old Joker, the insane clown from Arkham, a few executions with a round of tortures and nobody would be questioning his request for funding this caper, but then, it would be the violent clown that had the control and not Joker. The clown needed some time off, the murders could follow later. Why was it so difficult to stay in control...he had tried with all his might to control this senseless urge to solve everything with bloodshed, but if he was not pointing a gun at someone, no one was going to pay attention to him. What had the Clown done to him? His credibility as a leader was undermined and that...even if he did not want to admit it...hurt...deep inside. What was this feeling? He never felt like this before. He was upset, he was angry, he was...remorseful? Whatever it was he hated feeling like this, and he needed some space to think, to be by himself. That always made him feel better. But first, he had to finish some business. As the room started to empty, Jake approached Joker and Charley joined them offering a glass of wine . He waved a hand in front of him and refused the drink.
"What do you want us to do with Phil, boss?"
"Deliver good ol' Phil to the police department. Bat-sap and Dumb boy are probably waiting for the bodies to start sprouting like weeds. Wait… what is a present without a card, right?" Joker fumbled into the pocket of his tuxedo and took out his diary notebook, ripping the last page. He wrote something quickly and folded the paper in four and using the pin with his initial that had substituted the well known boutonnière in his lapel, Joker pinned the note to Phil's bloodied clothes. He motioned to Jake who with the help of another Leopard, started taking the body away. "Don't forget Phil's friends. Send them via courier to Commissioner James Gordon. He'll make sure our Bat-brained duo gets them."
"There's still something bothering you, isn't it?" said Charley taking a sip from the glass of wine.
"You're good," said Joker with a large smile. "To tell you the truth I'm concerned about Iago. I think he's going to become a thorn on my side… that old dinosaur. Talking to me like that...I wish I had an asteroid to fling at him…" He chuckled and flicked his fingers. "Ka-plunk. Mass extinction and you're dead!
"Is he that important to worry you, Boss?"
"Important and dangerous," interjected Bllip from behind the monitor. "The guy is feared by most of these Mafiosi, and didn't you hear 'im threatened the Boss?"
"Shut up, Blip." Joker said obviously uncomfortable.
"You want me to take care of him?" Charley asked walking closer to the Clown Prince.
"Would you really?" Joker's eyes sparkled.
"It could be expensive, but if it makes you happy…" Charley smiled. "We love to see you happy, Boss."
"You really care...Ten grand for the favor, and if you bring me pictures for my scrapbook, you'll get extra credits." Joker smiled, obvious joy in his eyes. "But Princess, no jokes or playing cards on this one; it's too… cliché. Everything else is fair game, just let the bastard know who is sending HIM to his maker…and you know how much I looove torture…"
Charley kissed him softly in the cheek and came closer to his ear "You know you're sick, right?"
Joker put a hand on his forehead."Now that you mention it…I think I'm running a temperature. It's probably contagious." He giggled and saw her leave, her curved body swaying sensually, and with a mischievous look, she exited the room. The ballroom was empty by now, only Joker and Blip remained in the room. It was the first time it hit him but he was exhausted. It really had been intensive last few days.
"The conversation with Iago went well. It could've been worse." Blip said pulling the spear from the computer monitor. He handed the spear to Joker who waved it in front his of face. "You're lucky."
"Stale mate… Wait until the rematch..."
"So, what's up with the new look, boss?" Blip wound a bundle of cables tightly together.
"Batman wears his black cape and cowl since the beginning of time, so why can't I have a black costume of my own? This one is classier and Charley says I look more menacing in black and white."
"You always look menacing, boss; in any color. But that girl, Charley…I don't know. There's something 'bout 'er."
"A little jealous, ma' boy?" said Joker not able to hold a chuckle. The nerd was all fuzzed up by a girl, this was going to be funny.
"Me? No, no," responded Blip fixing his glasses. "It's just, that she's a new comer and she becomes number two and… I think I wanna say I don' trust her."
"I'm noticing a little hue of green in your voice, Blip. She might be my second in command but let me tell you a secret." Joker came close to Blip's ear. "She'll be the first one, and probably the only one when the bullets start flying. You on the other side are the little genius behind the curtain who works these amazing tricks. Like in the Wizard of Oz. I just need you to stay behind the curtains away from the bullets and the batarangs. OK, Munchkin?" Joker laughed and Blip smiled softly. "How is our little project going?"
"Going. I have the daemon design cracked up. I'll probably have a workable model in a few days."
"Good, good. You think we can run a field test of the program?" Michael nodded. "What about next week? Nothing fancy, just a little test. The sooner we start to roll the ball, the better position we are going to be to negotiate."
"I'll try to be ready then but to drop the real one I'll need the security codes or it will not be completely functional. You promised you'll have 'em soon."
"I know, I know. It's just that I've been sidetracked with this whole new me, but I'm working on it, really."
"This is going to be one of the boldest things you've tried, you know? I'm just hoping we can get it through."
"We are, my boy!" Joker walked over to Michael and put his left arm around his shoulders pressing the young man hard against him. "You and me; the Laurel and Hardy of Chaos. The Abbott and Costello of Terror. What a duo!" Joker laughed loudly. He tried to speak between chuckles. "Just keep a low profile until the time comes and we'll deliver the punch line that's going to get our faces in Mt. Rushmore."
"Or in the ten most wanted," said Blip under his breath
"Heard that, Dorothy."
"And the-you-know-who, sir?"
Joker let Blip go. "Oh, he's not going to be a problem for long. The Dark detective is working in his last case as we speak: The Strange Case of the Missing Clown." Joker looked at his watch then picked up his trench coat and fedora. "I'll be heading back to the old hide out. Need to figure out a nice place for our field test. Meet you there."
"Boss, before you go, I wanted to talk to you about a new computer chip that they have developed. It's the first prototype of real A.I. nanotechnology, very neat. I told you about it when you were out of town, remember?"
"Yes, yes, I remember." Joker smiled gleefully. Sometimes talking to Blip was like talking to a child.
"Well, I was thinking it could be useful. Imagine… artificial intelligence at the Joker's fingertips… lots of possibilities." Blip smiled back, and after short pondering, Joker started giggling and to assented with his head. He obviously had plans for something like that.
"And where is this marvel of technology, Blip?"
"WayneTech HQ is making an official presentation of the prototype to the mass media sometime later this week."
"Interesting. Tell you what, you set the logistics of the entire operation and I'll get it for you. I have a few ideas for that chip too, and I think it's time to make a move or my cowled friend will think I don't love him anymore." Joker wiggled his eyebrows. "Think you can handle that?"
"Don't I always, sir?" Michael smiled.
Yes, Blip always handled the logistics of his most complicated jobs, and Joker knew he could trust the kid on this. He put on his trench coat and his hat and fixed the scarf loosely around his face. "Let me see the details when you're done." Jake intercepted Joker before he left the ballroom.
"Taylor called. They got Brufford in the old funhouse, sir."
"Goody. Tell the boys I'll be there soon to speak with him." Joker chuckled, put on the trenchcoat and adjusted the collar around his neck while he motioned to Blip. "The story of your computer codes, Blip, starts with a lawyer in a funhouse…(cackle)...HILARIOUS!!" Joker left the ballroom laughing.
Spanish crash course: ...tuviste una mala noche compadre? (did you have a bad night, man?)
TBC...Well, that's all for now. More postings will follow if the story is well received. Though the plot has been slow, from this point on, is picks up. Keep that feedback coming. Yours truly, Jokerlady (Isabel Gonzalez)