Important Matters

Joker was starving. His had delayed his usual post-operation celebration after the clown's reunion with his nemesis. There was so much to do! So many…not plans, never plans…surprises to think up. Old Batman had been out of the game, and Joker had been changing what little rules that had been left in Gotham. Joker let out a small giggle at this thought and turned out his pockets. Empty. Not that they were ever full. Joker had a certain way with others. People just seemed to throw things at him.

Including themselves, thought Joker, recalling his chest's meeting with Batman's body the previous night. Just thinking about his resurrected foe caused another fit of giggles to erupt. A particularly loud rumble caused Joker's thoughts to turn to more important things. Namely his poor, empty stomach.

Even though it was day, the alley Joker strolled down was dark enough for the clown to remove his large hat. It obscured his lovely green hair anyway. Where to go, where to go. A stray piece of paper blew passed Joker's head, and he automatically reached up and caught it. After a great deal of smoothing, he realized that it was an advertisement for a new sandwich shop. Apparently the subs were "magically delicious", and Joker was always up for a good magic trick. Memorizing the address, Joker tossed the paper to the ground in front of a "No Littering" sign and changed course for the Subway Station.

His men were not going to be very happy when they discovered that Joker had snatched food without them, not that they would ever say anything. Joker reached into his pocket and jotted down "Bring back biggest sandwich can get hands on. Make sure to eat in front of fat one." It was a little hobby of Joker's to see how far he could push his cronies until they stood up to him, at which point they would receive a knife in their back, or broke, which met with the same result plus a new smile as a bonus. Either way, it was a lose-lose situation for the henchmen and a win-win for the Joker.

As Joker rounded the corner, he saw a group of people standing in front of the place that the Subway Station was located.

"I can't wait 'til this opens," one man said to a girl next to him.

"Only three more days," the girl said back.

Joker's stomach sank. Three days? Three days until he could sink his teeth into the biggest sandwich he could get his hands on? This was unacceptable. Whoever owns this restaurant has just made the list, Joker thought darkly. So what if it wasn't fair? Nobody toyed with his hunger and then snatched his treat away. Batman could wait. Revenge was now his number one priority.

Spinning on the spot, Joker noticed a cameraman. Never one to miss a photo-op, Joker grinned broadly at the camera before the operator turned to film another part of the crowd. Joker giggled at the thought of the police watching the news later that day and noticing his cameo. Better yet, what if Batman was watching? I should have worn my good suit, mused Joker, thinking of his closet, which was "packed" with an extra pair of shoes and a second purple coat.

Scratching his scars thoughtfully, Joker turned the situation over in his mind. This place was family owned. Perfect. People would get so upset when he destroyed the place, and Joker lived for a good audience. Maybe even his old pal would show up to "save the day", growly voice and all. Joker turned to walk back into the alley. As he entered the shadows, a shiny yellow arch caught his eye. Thinking could wait, his stomach waited for no one.