Jenny sat in the chair half slumped over in the green dress and shoes. She was conscious enough to know that she was in pain. Someone held her arm out to the side. The Joker aimed, shot, and hit the center of her hand. Jenny managed to let out a scream and recoil her hand.
The Joker laughed. "I knew those rubber band guns would pay off."
Harley kicked Jenny off the chair. Jenny landed on a tarp that had been laid out on the concrete floor. Harley gave her a swift kick to stomach. The signaled for everyone to move back.
"Harley, get the car ready to go" Joker said. "Boys, open that box over there." The wooden box had a smiley face on it with a tag that read 'For Bruce'. "I want her in there once I'm done with her."
He cocked the gun and gave an evil, a very devious, smile. He pointed the gun at her and fired three times. Jenny's bloodcurdling screams echoed throughout the warehouse they were in. Jenny's legs and shoulder were bleeding now. The Joker bent down over her, careful not to get himself too bloody. He pulled out a bright red lipstick and gave her a large red smile.
"She looks ready to go" The Joker said. "Pack her up and get her in the car."
"Where's your date?" Bruce asked when he saw Dick getting a glass of champagne.
"I don't know" Dick said surveying the crowd. "Bruce, I think something's wrong."
"Because she stood you up?" Bruce asked. Dick gave him an angry glare.
"She left her apartment sometime today" Dick said. "Her purse was gone. I don't think she came back. Her dog wasn't fed."
"There was an explosion in a dress store earlier today" Bruce said.
"I have to go look for her" Dick said. Bruce shook his head.
"Maybe something came up" Bruce said. He was trying to make a comforting remark for Dick, but they were just words.
"I'll be back in a while" Dick said.
The benefit for St. Jude's was going as planned. The wealthy patrons that graced Wayne Manor were giving away money as if it were flowers. Bruce made his rounds, talking with the commissioner, the ladies, other businessmen. The band was playing jazz music that the guests found easy to dance to. No one expected what was to happen.
A tiny red ball was thrown into the main room of the benefit. It exploded and threw partygoers into each other. Bruce made his way up front to see what was going on. The music stopped and the attendants shrieked when they saw the party of people who had caused the fuss.
"It's the Joker!" Commissioner Gordon yelled. The sound of guns being drawn came from various areas of the room.
"What a bore!" The Joker said. "I thought this was supposed to be a party!"
"What do you want Joker?" Bruce asked. His fists were clenched tight.
"Want?" The Joker asked. He put a hand to his chest. "Oh, Brucie, I'm hurt. Look!" Two thugs carried the wooden crate between the Joker and Bruce. "I brought you a gift. A thank you present for sending me back to that rancid Arkham. Boys."
The two men turned the long crate upside down. The blue tarp covered up the item that was inside of it, but the blood gave it away. There were screams when the body hit the floor with a juicy thud.
"Joker!" Commissioner Gordon bellowed. He came forward and stood by Bruce. The Joker started to cackle. He spread his arms wide open as if he awaited applause for his deed.
Bruce knelt down by the tarp and pushed back the blue material. He gasped when he saw the bruised and bloody face.
"Miss Pierce" Bruce said. Her right eye twitched and it slowly opened. Her lips moved but nothing came out. In a breath she said Bruce's name.
The Joker had his walkie-talkie out and simply said "Now."
A gang of Joker's men infiltrated the benefit. They all had guns ready.
"She needs an ambulance" Bruce said. Bruce stood up and took a step closer to the Joker. "Let us call an ambulance for her."
The Joker grabbed his tuxedo and pulled him inches from his face. "Was she good Bruce? She's what? Twenty-two? A mere ten years younger then you. Was she sweet?"
"I didn't sleep with her" Bruce growled.
"Then I suppose you could say she got some dick last night" The Joker said with a chuckle. "This message is simple. Help out Batman again and you'll end up the same way." The Joker stuck out his tongue and licked Bruce's cheek. "Just so you can understand this just a little better –"
BLAM!
Joker pushed Bruce backwards and he fell into a heap.
"Bruce!" Gordon yelled.
"I'm okay" Bruce said. "He got me in the shoulder."
"Have fun boys" The Joker said with a laugh. Harley curtsied to the crowd and led the Joker back out to their car. The Joker's opened fire towards the ceiling and proceeded to rob the guests.
In the distance, police cars and ambulances could be heard. Through the front doors, Nightwing (Dick Grayson) ran in towards the Joker's men. He wasted no time in taking down any that tried blocking his path. A lot of the partygoers had run out of the benefit as the Joker's men had begun to leave. The few that remained were in shock or had been shot.
Nightwing made his way to the Commissioner and Bruce.
"Are you guys alright?" Nightwing asked. He furled his brow when he saw Bruce's shoulder. "Mr. Wayne –"
"Go get him" Bruce growled. Nightwing looked down at the tarp on the floor. "You don't want to see that."
"Bruce" Gordon said. Nightwing bent down and pushed the tarp away. He gasped and fell onto his butt. "Do you know her?"
Nightwing didn't say anything. He reached out to push some hair from her face.
Jenny's mouth opened and her eye opened. She saw the masked figure above her. She moved her lips until a word formed. "Docks."
Nightwing looked over at Gordon. "She's alive. Barely. Make sure she lives." Nightwing stood up and headed for the door. "He's at the docks."