The Only One Laughing
Bruce accepted a latté from his faithful butler, Philip, and walked through the massive kitchen into the banquet room. The gold painted room was looking spectacular. Glass tear drop shaped balls hung from the ceiling. They had cost Bruce an arm and a leg to get, but they were worth it. "Mr. Wayne!" Sidney, the party planner. Bruce turned around with a grin on his face and his arms outstretched. "Sid, this room looks magnificent." She kissed him on both cheeks. "Oh, I know, Mr. Wayne. What did you expect?" She raised an eyebrow. Bruce chuckled. "Nothing less." He confessed. "Good, now I want to make sure the caterers menu is alright with you." Bruce sighed and followed the woman. This was his daytime life; planning this, parties that. But at night, he could actually make a difference. At night, Batman saved the innocent, and helped to clean up the filthy streets of Gothum. Fortunately, though, not tonight. Tonight the Batman would be able to take a much needed break from his double life.
Scottie woke up with a start. He found himself lying on a park bench. People walking by shot him dirty looks. Fear rose in Scottie's chest. Where was he? And then it came back to him. After talking to the news man from ABC, Scottie and Frankie had walked to Holly's house. They knew she wasn't home, but they had nothing else to do. Every day since she had been taken by the Joker, they had religiously gone to Holly's house to make sure she hadn't come back. Though Scottie didn't know if he should call it 'taken'. From the way one of the janitors told it, Holly had basically begged Joker to take her in. With a threat and a couple of Benjamin's, Ooh, Benji, Scottie had made sure the Janitor wouldn't mention Holly's name to the reporters. He had tried to keep Holly's name safe, in hopes that one day of Joker ever let her go; Holly would be able to return home. The police had already pinned the murder of Roxanne, Ms. Benji, and Ms. Maxwell on a crazy homeless man. The cops were probably some of Joker's men. Scottie thought bitterly. How could the rest of the world STILL believe Joker to be in Arkham, when he was in fact running around town with Holly? Okay, maybe not running around, but still. How thick can you get? Anywhoo… then what had happened? Oh yes. They got tequila with the fake ID's Frankie made. LOTS of tequila. And then, drunkenly, Scottie left Frankie's house and wound up…on a park bench. Just like all of the other hobos of Gothum. Scottie blinked. Why was it so bright out! URG! His head was throbbing. Scottie needed coffee, PRONTO. Faltering, Scottie got to his feet, and stumbled the block and a half to Frankie's. "Frank!" He yelled, pounding on the door. "Frankers! I need a hang over solution immedi-" The door swung open. Frankie was pale and sickly looking. "You too, huh?" Scottie tried to grin, but couldn't muster it. Without a word, Frankie walked away. Scottie knew this was a way of saying, "Come in friend!" So he followed inside. The house was a mess! Papers lay askew on the china cabinet, and a dirty sock lay on the white carpet. Ok, so for normal people, this was an everyday look, but Frankie's parents weren't normal. They were rich, and had a maid. Scottie discovered the kitchen was even worse. Dirty dishes were pilled up in the sink, and the garbage was overflowing. Frankie opened a wooden cabinet and pulled out a second mug, filled it with fresh coffee, and handed it to Scottie. "So uh, what are we doing today? I mean besides recovering from a massive hang over." Scottie asked. He was quite impressed; Frankie actually smiled at him. "We're going to a party."
Holly woke up to the feeling of someone prodding her face. "Ahh!" She snapped her eyes open and flailed her arms. She fell off of a chair, and onto the floor. "Oh, come on now, shuga, you made me mess up the foundation!" Holly looked around the room wildly. It had changed. In her sleep, she must have been moved to a different room…a HIDIEOUS room. Everything was black and red, and was covered in news clippings about the Joker. His face seemed to be laughing down at her from all four walls; there were also pictures of him. Purple and green J's were in the most random places in the room, like one on a pillowcase, or one on the leg of the chair. But the most disturbing thing Holly saw was the woman standing in front of her. Now Holly had heard about the Joker's play toy Harley Quinn, but she had never actually seen the woman. Harley had a red and black striped shirt on and red pants. In the middle of Harley's shirt was a big purple J. Her hair was in two high pig tales, and her face was painted chalk white with big black circles around her eyes, like a bandit mask. Harley was holding a cotton ball and a foundation bottle. Holly slowly got back up. "What's happening?" She asked. Harley huffed. "I was just gettn you ready for the party tonight. Mr. J said you should look extra good, so I figured a little make up to hide the bruises would help!" Holly sat back into the chair. Well, it makes sense. She couldn't find any reason for Harley to lie to her about this. After allowing Harley to continue with the makeup, she felt obliged to ask. "So just how long have you been working with the Joker?" Harley smiled widely and pulled out a tube of mascara for red heads. "This will be our eighth year coming up." She said proudly. Holly said nothing; she was to busy silently judging Harley Quinn. After what felt like to long, Harley stepped back to examine her handy work. "I must say, you look HOT with this stuff on!" She complimented Holly, holding up a mirror for her to see. Holly let out a sigh. She did. *Grrr. Holly generally tried to use little to no makeup, because she thought that it was cheating. A perfectly ugly person could be concealed under makeup. And what if people began to think you actually looked like that? "I got the perfect outfit for ya too!" Harley winked. She seemed to really enjoy doing this kind of thing…
Holly quickly threw off her cloths and changed into the dress. It was a perfect fit! Just as Holly was zipping it up, the door to Harley's room burst open. Holly was changing behind a curtain, but she could still hear everything that was happening. "Mista J!" Harley screamed happily. "No, Harley, not now! Get off of me! I SAID GET OFF WENTCH!" There was a slapping noise. "Where's my dolly? Hmmm? WE HAVEN'T GOT ALL DAY!" "Oh, she's just changing now." Harley said affectionately. Holly couldn't believe it. Even after Joker hit her, Harley was still in love with him. "Well I think she's done!" Joker snapped. With a sudden rip, the curtain hiding Holly was torn down. Holly froze, her hand still trying to reach the stubborn zipper. Joker let out a mad giggle. "Oh, there's my baby face!" Holly smiled at him. "Well, I'm not your baby face any more! Today I turn eighteen!" Joker turned her around gently and zipped up her dress. Leaning into her ear, he whispered, "Well then, I guess that makes you my doll face, now doesn't it?" Gooses bumps erupted down Holly's neck. Joker turned her back around and held her at arms length. "Makeup is a mask that hides true beauty." He said darkly. Before Holly could realize it, Joker was halfway across the room again. "Follow." He ordered. It was difficult for Holly to keep up with Joker's fast pace when she had such tight shoes on, but she didn't dare complain. "Now, dolly," he said as they walked down multiple flights of stairs. "All I want you to do tonight is get acquainted with Mr. Bruce Wayne. Can you do that?" Holly was surprised, but said, "Yes. Just how acquainted are we talking?" Joker laughed. "Oh, a couple of dances, exchanging pleasantries, and even a couple of kisses." Holly frowned. "Wait, why?" Joker turned around and slapped her in the face. "DON'T ASK QUESTIONS!" He turned and continued walking. Harley stayed behind and helped Holly to her feet. Holly whipped her mouth. She had to remember that she was now working for the Joker. He was her boss, and what he said was law. "How can you live with that?" She asked. Harley shrugged. "When you love someone, it doesn't matter what they say or do; you'll always love them." Holly rolled her eyes. This girl was insane! "HARLEY!" Joker screeched from somewhere bellow. "Coming Jay Jay!" Both girls ran down the last flight of stairs and into a parking garage. Joker was sitting in the front seat frowning. Harley got into the back of the van, and Holly tried to follow, but Joker said, "Holly, up front." So Holly slammed the back door closed and got in the front of the vehicle. Joker was dialing a knob on the dashboard. "Harley?" His voice was deadly quiet. "Yes, Jay jay?" Joker twitched when she called him 'Jay jay' and Holly could feel what was coming. "Who changed the radio station?" Harley paused. "I might have." She admitted. "And what did Joker say about changing the radio station?" One hand clenched the steering wheel. "Don't do it?" Joker spun around in his chair. "DON'T DO IT!" He roared. His voice returned deadly quiet. "So, since you have broken one of the rules, you will pay for it when we get home." Joker finally found a station he liked and turned up the music, blasting it. With a roar of the engine the car sprang to life, and zoomed out of the parking lot. Holly looked back out of a window and saw that the hideout was nothing more than a disheveled blue warehouse.
Warm yourself by the fire, son,
And the morning will come soon.
I'll tell you stories of a better time,
In a place that we once knew.
Before we packed our bags
And left all this behind us in the dust,
We had a place that we could call home,
And a life no one could touch.
Holly knew this song well. 'Prayer of the Refuge' by Rise Against. As the chorus came in, she started screaming along with the band. "Don't hold me up now,
I can stand my own ground, I don't need your help now, You won't let me down, down, down!" Holly looked over at Joker and saw him screaming with her. She smiled at him, and he winked back. "We are the angry and the desperate, The hungry, and the cold, We are the ones who kept quiet, And always did what we were told." Joker was growling while he sang now. Anger and hate showed in his eyes, and he put more pressure on the gas pedal. "Wow!" Harley yelled; she was thrown backwards from the sudden increase of speed. "But we've been sweating while you slept so calm, In the safety of your home.
We've been pulling out the nails that hold up Everything you've known." "Mistah J, slow down!" But that only made him increase his speed. They were heading for the bridge, and now Holly was scared. She knew Joker would do it. So she turned to him, and placed her hand on his arm. "So open your eyes child, Let's be on our way. Broken windows and ashes Are guiding the way." He took his eyes off the road and focused on Holly. They were a mile from the bridge now. "Keep quiet no longer, We'll sing through the day, Of the lives that we've lost, And the lives we've reclaimed." Holly griped his arm firmly. Something in his eyes seemed to break, and Joker took his foot off of the gas. The car slowed down. They had been going a hundred and ten miles per hour. "Jay, are you crazy? We almost died!" Harley whined from the back of the van. Joker ignored her and stared into Holly's eyes. Holly understood how he was feeling. Well, most of it anyway. "Come on." She said softly. "Let's stick to the plan." Joker turned back to the wheel and continued on their way at a regular speed.
Scottie straitened his tie in the mirror, and examined himself. "Damn Frankie! How can you resist touching me when I look so good?" Frankie was combing his hair in the mirror. He looked over at Scottie and smirked. "Sorry Scott, I'm just not as homo as you are." Scottie threw a bottle of hair spray at his friend. "Haha. Tonight's gonna kick ass." Frankie grabbed a bag that they had on the floor. "Yup!" He pulled out a little club, one that police use. "Time to do our part in avenging Benji." Scottie went back to looking at his reflection. He had an awesome suit on. Actually, he had gotten it at a costume shop. Could he help it that it was supposed to be a costume? Besides, he looked sharp in it. Tonight was the night. He and Frankie would get into Commissioner Gordon's party, and towards the end, they would rip off their suits (don't worry, they had ripped cloths on underneath) and then they would reek havoc. The police didn't catch the right person. Even though Holly killed Roxanne, the police choose to put an innocent man in jail. It wasn't like Scottie or Frankie cared about the innocent man, but the fact that all of the policemen and authorities were pretending to care about Benji's death angered them. The day after Benji died, GOTH held a memorial service for him. Scottie and Frankie didn't go of course. Where was the establishment when Benji needed them most? Where was anyone when Benji was tormented? He had been there, Scottie, Frankie, and Holly had been there. They stood by him. And the fact that the principle and Commissioner could go on the news and say how sorry they were about what happened was complete and utter bull shit. So tonight was the night. "What time is it?" Frankie called from another room. "Time to go bro, if we don't wanna be stuck in line." Scottie left the bathroom and walked to the front door. "So where are your parents again?" Frankie walked into the room, stuffing the bat down his shirt. "At some business meeting in Vegas. You ready?" Scottie smiled. "Lets go." The boys left the house and froze. Across the street a massive line started outside Mr. Wayne's house and wound all the way around the end of the block. "God damn! And it's only seven!" Scottie huffed. "It's alright, Frankie, we'll just have to get to the front of the line." After several minutes of plotting, Frankie let himself back into his house and came back out a little later. "I lit all of the smoke bombs I had, so I'm gonna kill you if this doesn't work." Scottie grinned. "FIRE!" He yelled, running at the crowd of people and waving his hands in the air. People screamed and the crowd dispurst, running farther away from Frankie's smoking house. "Oh my god, I'm gonna die trying not to laugh." Frankie whispered as they made their way up to the bouncer. He was a tuff looking man with dark skin and bulging muscles. "Aren't you kids a little young?" The man had yellow teeth. (ewww). Scottie straitened up. "Excuse me but do ya know who you're talkn to mate?" He had to hand it to himself; the Australian accent was believable. The man crossed his arms over his chest. "Why don't you enlighten me?" Frankie stepped in. "This is The Kangaroo Rider!" Scottie and the bouncer both gave Frankie the same look. WHAT THE FUCK? Scottie tried to save them. "You know, in America you see the Crocodile Hunter, god bless 'em, but in Australia, they got me!" The bouncer did not look convinced. "Bruce is helping to fund our show." Scottie said proudly. The man's face changed all at once. "Oh, well then, come on in boys." Scottie and Frankie could not believe it. As they walked into a coat room, they burst out laughing. "What an idiot!" Scottie muffed Frankie on the side of the face. "Ow! Hey," "What was that? The Kangaroo Rider?" But he was laughing. Frankie grinned. "Well, some of us don't do well under pressure." Scottie shook his head. "Come on dip shit, let's get some food and hit on rich women."
Holly was in the back corner of a GIANT banquet hall. She was shy! And Bruce Wayne didn't seem to be at his own party yet. Holly scoped out the room again. Men in black tuxedos laughed nonchalantly with woman in long ball gowns. People danced throughout the room, and a couple of wall flowers, like Holly, stood on the outside of the party. Joker had told her to try and get Bruce interested in her. Hah. A play boy like Bruce? Interested in plain old Holly? She didn't think so. A handsome man in a white tux came up to the table next to Holly and poured himself a glass of punch. He glanced at her, and then looked back up. "Would you care for any?" Holly thought. Meh, I'm at a party, and this guy is pretty hot. Why not have some fun? She gave him her most wining smile. "Thanks!" He smiled charmingly and poured another cup. "So, do you have a name?" Holly wanted to burst into giggles, but held it in. This guy thought he was making her melt, but she wasn't. "Ginger." Joker thought of the code name. Holly thought it was totally obvious that it wasn't her real name; who would name a red head ginger? Well, then again, there is Andrea Anderson…. "Well, Ginger, it's a pleasure to meat you." The man held out his hand. "My name is Bruce." Holly froze. Bruce Wayne? This was too easy. She recovered by taking his hand. "Well, so this is how Gothum's richest man throws a party." Bruce smiled and held onto her hand. "Yes, it is." Holly blushed. Ooh she was doing so well! Until some bozos came up and ruined everything! "Excuse us, but may we have a dance?" Holly looked over at the two men and almost fainted in shock. How was it even possible Scottie and Frankie where here? Holly took a deep breath and threw on a fake smile. "Of course." She turned to Bruce. "But will you promise to save me a dance?" She asked. Bruce looked very pleased with himself. "You betcha." He winked and walked away. As soon as he was out of ear shot, Holly rounded on the boys. "So, honey! Mmmm, you look scrumptious. How about we dance over there?" Holly couldn't believe it. They didn't even recognize her! "Actually, my name is Holly." She spat coldly. Scottie and Frankie paused. Frankie scrunched up his face in concentration. "Holly? That you?" Holly stomped her heal on Scottie's foot. "Yes it is! And you two idiots ruined a perfect chance!" Scottie gasped in pain. "Oh, that didn't hurt." Holly said angrily. "Wow, you look so different. Wait, why are you here?" Frankie asked. "I'm on a little job, OK?" Her friends looked impressed. "And what are you guys doing here anyway?" They stiffened. "Just, party crashing." Holly was too distracted to notice that she was being poorly lied to. "Okay, what ever, I just need to go, and DON'T say hi to me again tonight." Frankie looked hurt. "Oh, Franks, it's just because I'm kinda undercover…in a way. And I can't blow this, or I think I might be dead." He nodded. "I understand." "God it's so good to see you're alive." Scottie hugged her tightly. "Yeah, you too." Holly hugged back. When they broke apart, Holly found tears in her eyes. "Are you ok?" Frankie asked. "Yeah, just…overwhelmed. Listen, I gotta go." Holly grabbed her clutch purse off of the punch table and walked through the dance floor. She was jostled by people moving in time to the jazz music. Spotting Bruce, Holly positioned herself several people away from him. She pretended to be dancing by herself. As soon as Bruce saw her he went to her. "So Ginger." He said, Taking her waist and hand. "Tell me about yourself." Holly let him lead her around the dance floor. "Well, I'm a vegetarian Gemini, and I enjoy long walks on the beach." Bruce laughed along with her. "No, but seriously." Holly spun. "Okay, seriously…hmm…" She pretended to think. "I am a sculptor." Bruce smiled at the lie. "Wow, what do you like to sculpt?" Holly smiled slyly. "The human body." Bruce grinned and spun her again. "You know, I'm a fan of Michelangelo." Holly nodded. "But what about you? What exactly does Bruce Wayne do in his spare time?" He seemed to twitch, but maybe Holly imagined it. "I model for artists." They both laughed. "Are you flirting with me, Mr. Wayne?" Holly 'giggled'. "Well, that all depends." Bruce replied. "Will you have lunch with me Sunday at noon?" SCORE! She was in. "I'll pencil you in." "Why thank you for your consideration." They ended the dance with a long dip (you know, that thing where she leans back). "Oh, I'll be right back, I have to make a toast to Commissioner Gordon." Bruce slipped out of sight.
BANG! A gun was fired into the air. Several people screamed, and the music stopped at once. "Hello ladies and gentlemen." Holly could hear Joker's voice but not see him over the sea of people. "We are tonight's entertainment!" A woman began to cry. The crowd parted and a path was made for the Joker. Holly stood at the other end of the pathway. She apparently was the only person who didn't move. Joker saw her and grinned. "Why helloooo beautiful!" He slicked back his hair and walked up to her, knife in his hand. Fear swelled in Holly, but she calmed herself. She didn't know anything like this was going to happen. This was not the plan. Joker was now inches from her. He put the knife inside her cheek. "You look nervous." He squealed. Holly tried to read his eyes but was not able to. "You wanna know how I got these scars?" Joker asked. "My father was a drinker and a fiend and one night he goes off crazier than usual. Mommy gets the kitchen knife to defend herself. He doesn't like that, not one bit. So, me watching he takes the knife to her, laughing while he does it. He turns to me and he says "WHY SO SERIOUS!". He comes at me with the knife "why so serious!" Sticks the blade in my mouth "lets put a smile on that face!" aaaand….. why so serious?" Holly tried to ignore the crawling feeling she got on her skin listening to Joker's story. She also tried to ginore the warm butterflies that swirled in her tummy with him being that close to her. "Leave her alone." Joker turned around. Batman was standing in the door way. "Hmm…I don't think so batsy." Now Holly could see delight in his eyes. "Don't be jealous, but I can't always be with you." Batman hurled a _ (make it up on your own, I can't decide what he threw). Joker sidestepped it and it hit Holly in the leg. She gave out a cry of pain and had to fight hard not to fall to the ground. Holly looked up at Joker, who was watching her. "Are you alright?" Batman called. To anyone who didn't know him, Joker looked as normal as ever. But Holly could tell he was pissed as hell now. Joker released Holly lightly, pausing only very slightly to make sure she could support herself, before he and Batman walked to the center of the room. "You think you can play with my toy, batsy boo?" Joker snarled, lunging for Batman. Batman punched Joker in the face, but the clown only laughed. From the ground, Joker kicked batman in the stomach. Batman flew up in the air and landed on his back. Scrabbling up, Joker jumped on batman and held his knife to his throat. "Now for the man behind the mask." Something small and fast whizzed out of the crowed and tackled Joker off of the batman. Holly felt her heart stop. Frankie. Joker cackled evilly as Frankie sat on Joker's chest. "Come on, do it!" Frankie was holding a small club in his hands. "Come on! HIT ME! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" In the moment that Frankie hesitated, Joker threw him off and ran back to where Holly was, by the windows. Two men in clown masks were waiting for Joker's cue. One had the commissioner at gun point, and the other had a sobbing woman. They stood at separate ends of the room. Batman was standing now. "So batman." Joker said mockingly. "I understand that you always save everyone. Well now, I'm gonna make you choose. The lying commissioner, or the blubbering woman?" With the flick of his wrists, each of Joker's men threw their hostages out of the windows. Without hesitation batman jumped out of the window Commissioner Gordon had been thrown out of. Joker smiled and turned back to Frankie, who was still on the floor. "You." It was a statement. Holly limped to where Frankie sat, and stood protectively in front of him. "No." She said. Joker was hunched over and his makeup was smeared. "HAHAHAHA!" He laughed manically. "Move it or loose it doll face." Holly stood her ground. As Joker approached her, she did not flinch. When they were almost nose to nose, Holly touched the side of his face. "No." She said kindly. Joker was caught off guard and for a moment his barriers slipped. Holly could see right threw him. There was so much anger and hate in this man, but Holly also saw remorse and loneliness. But then Joker got control over himself. He put his iron wall back up, and Holly was cut off from the human side of him. "Fine." He growled. "Come on!" He shouted to the rest of his men. The Joker and his people ran out of the room, leaving Holly behind.