Chapter 12: House Call

"We're running late. Get in the car."

Arkham moved to the back of his car as Joker got into the

passenger's seat. Nurse Pearl, who was handcuffed to the

wheel, struggledfrom the driver's seat.

Arkham gasped. "Did he hurt you Pearl?"

"She's fine. Pearl's agreed to be our designated driver for tonight. And you get to be our official camera man. Just try to get my good side."

"What about me?"

Arkham turned the camera, revealing Lyle Bolton, sitting beside Dr. Arkham. Lyle was wearing a dress, pearls and heels.

Joker looked his way. "You just sit there and look pretty."

Arkham frowned. "Is that... my wife's dress?"

Joker nodded. "It looks better on Lyle. Start driving, sweetheart. Now, let's go over the rules. But first, we need to take care of a little business..."

Joker handed a clipboard and pen to Jeremiah.

"Just need your singature."

"What is this?"

Joker smiled. "Oh you remember. It's just a precaution to avoid any lawsuits."

Doctor Arkham scoffed. "There's no way that's going to hold up in court."

"I dunno... I've got a pretty good lawyer."

Pearl gulped. "W-Where am I driving?"

Joker flipped out and hit her over the head with the clipboard. The car swerved out of control. The camera shook and Lyle gripped the sides of the car.

"Nurses are to be seen, but never heard. And if I hear you again..."

He held a pen to her eye.

"You won't be seeing anything."

Lyle screamed. "Get your hands off of her!"

"Tut, tut, tut... Don't worry. No one is getting hurt. Least of all you. You're going to be playing a very significant part. Give me your foot."

"What?"

Joker growled. "Your foot, ape. Those things on the ends of your legs. Give it to me."

Lyle stuck his foot to the front of the car so Joker could lean down and attach the security bracelet around his ankle.

He smiled. "Oh! It's a perfect fit, Cinderella. Now we just have to get you to your glamorous ball!"

...

EXT. SEWER DRAINAGE RAVINE - NIGHT

Joker approached the security camera and smashed it as he, Lyle, and Dr. Arkham

walked down the reservoir.

Lyle sighed. "This is embarrassing."

"Don't be embarrassed. Get inside."

He hesitated. "I thought you said this was going to be glamorous."

Joker smiled. "Oh it will be. You just have to get there first. Through the sewers... to the ball."

"I'm not going in there."

"Well you can go with us. But when the clock strikes midnight, you're going to turn into a pumpkin. And you know what we do to pumpkins? We carve them..."

He gulped. "All right then."

Lyle stepped into the sewer and got inside as Joker reached up

and grabbed the cover.

He smiled. "Just keep walking, and eventually you'll come out on the other side. And watch out for crocodiles."

He slammed the door shut and dusted off his hands.

Arkham stepped forward. "Is there really an opening on the other side?"

Joker shrugged. "Beats me. I'm sure Gotham's finest will track him down. Now, back to the car. We've got a house-call to make."

...

EXT. THE NARROWS ALLEYWAY STREET - NIGHT

The car was parked in an alleyway. Joker stepped out of the car and looked back at Arkham.

"I'll just be a few minutes. You two wait here."

The camera went down to Jeremiah's wrist, which was handcuffed to the door. Panning up, Pearl looked back in fear, still handcuffed to the wheel.

The Joker started to walk away when Pearl began screaming.

Jeremiah joined in.

"Help us! Help, somebody please help us!"

Joker screamed, too. "Help them! Somebody help them!" He laughed. "Welcome to the Narrows. No one is coming to save you."

The Joker turned and headed up the staircase.