Several hundred yards away from the store, Batgirl sat waiting for the Joker to emerge. Glancing around, she noticed the sleek, dark edges of the Batmobile sticking out past other, smaller cars parked on the street. With a rev of her engine, she rolled up to consult with her colleagues.

She gestured at the House of Deathtraps. "This is his first stop on leaving prison? Not a very good sign."

Batman nodded. "A very bad sign for those all who cherish peace and order."

Seeing the Joker come stomping out of the establishment, Batgirl swiftly dragged her cycle off the street behind the Batmobile. The three heroes all ducked their heads for a moment, praying they hadn't been spotted. When they straightened up, the Chaplin of Chicanery was strolling down the street, his back to them. They scrutinized him for signs of purchases he had made inside, but the only thing in his hands was a hot dog.

"I'm finished at Honest Gabe's for the time being," the Joker muttered into his wiener-shaped phone.

"Groovy!" he heard Undine reply. "Did you get it?"

"I'm afraid our friends at Honest Gabe's were not as helpful as I'd remembered. They practically gave me the bum's rush. Me, one of their most loyal customers!"

"What a drag!"

He made a furtive glance behind him. "And the Terrific Trio is creeping along on my tail wherever I go. They're so impressed with their 'cleverness' that they don't think twice about violating a man's rights!"

The Joker paused to grimly consider his lot in life. "It seems the rest of the world has decided that the Joker is but a frivolous funster. Wellll, when I've finished with these uncultered boobs, they'll cower with fear and respect before me!"

Undine spared a glance at the driver of the red-interiored roadster in which she sat. "So…what are we going to be hauling? You?"

"No, you'd better not approach in the Jokermobile. I don't want to give the Dynamic Dunderheads any more excuse to bother me than they are already. Just lay low in the general vicinity of the Department of Motor Vehicles."

(Bat spin)

"Joker's inside renewing his license," said Robin, keeping an eye trained on the DMV building. "What's it mean?"

"Could mean a crime involving multiple vehicles," Batman surmised.

"Or perhaps he's merely trying to make sure he doesn't run afoul of traffic police the second he gets out on the highway," Batgirl offered.

Over at the side entrance, they could see a driving instructor holding the door open for the Joker to re-enter the building.

"My goodness, you drive well for someone who hasn't been behind the wheel of a car in over a year," the instructor said as he added up the villain's driving scores.

"Well, I'll tell you: once you've piloted a flying saucer, everything else is just child's play."

The man chuckled politely. "I see. Now, we'll have you step over her to take the picture for your license."

The Joker stood where he was told and struck a pose for the camera. His hand automatically rose to chest level, so accustomed was he to holding numerical placards when posing for government photographs. He favored the man with his toothiest grin as the flashbulb went off.

"All done."

"Oh, dear, I do hope that harsh light didn't make me look old."

"Why, you're as handsome as ever," responded the bureaucrat. The instructor told everyone exactly what they wanted to hear, regardless of character, appearance or driving ability. The Joker let out a delighted squeal at the compliment and moved his hand over his face as if his pale cheeks were blushing.

The Joker's noisy display was clearly irritating the man at the next counter, whose encounter with the DMV wasn't going as smoothly. The hooded man turned to glare at the Joker, then returned to his argument with the woman at the counter.

"What do you mean you can't take my photograph like this?"

"Sir, you're required to appear in everyday attire on your driver's license photo."

"This is my everyday attire."

Although he once held the entire city gripped in fear, the Wizard's time in the spotlight had long since passed and he had been largely forgotten. Since he now lacked the wherewithal to pull off any substantial crimes, his insistence on wearing his cowl in public reduced him to being just another curious oddity on the Gotham landscape.

"I have court records that can document my connection with this outfit for over…"

His plea was drowned out by the sound of the Joker hooting and clapping his hands as he was handed a new driver's license.

"Silence, idiot!" the Wizard growled.

The Joker's celebration ceased abruptly. Drawing himself to his full height, he took two menacing steps toward the Wizard.

"I beg your pardon?"

Unfazed, the Wizard reached over and grabbed him by the throat. "I told you to shut up! And I don't like having to repeat myself!"

Out in the Batmobile, Batman was saying, "Perhaps he's upgrading the Jokermobile for some sinister purpose."

Robin pointed. "Uh oh – looks like the Joker's gotten into an altercation!"

The three heroes leaped from their vehicles and made toward the glass doors. They could discern the Joker inside, his fists trembling in rage as he glared at the Wizard. Then the Joker glanced over at the caped crusaders, and his demeanor underwent an instant change. His scowl turned into a chuckle and he held his hands up, as if offering an apology.

Batman was just reaching for the door when the Wizard, satisfied that he had made his point, released the Joker and turned back to his business at the counter. The Terrific Trio hesitated in indecision, Batman's hand gripping the door handle. Seeing that they were starting to block pedestrian foot traffic, they chose to return to their vehicles.

Watching the crime-fighters retrace their steps, the Joker let out a relieved sigh. He pulled his hot dog phone from his coat. As he dialed, he could feel his anger returning.

"Undine, I'm going to need that parcel you purloined yesterday."

"But, Joker, you let them all loose now, and we won't have any left to unleash at the funeral."

"Mmmm. I'll be judicious in my usage. Now, I want you to bring it over – on foot - and leave it outside the building by the…" the Joker's voice dropped into an unintelligible whisper.