Chapter 4
Numerous police officers surrounded the entrance to the Bank of America, all of them pointing their guns at the front entrance, with a Police captain obviously in command as he shouted into a megaphone, "Please come out with your hands up and surrender. We have you surrounded. There is no chance of escape. Please come out and surrender immediately."
Distinct radio chatter and whispering could be heard among the cops covering the entranceway as the squad car pulled to a slow halt – the sound of the siren's loud blare dying abrubly as the number of police officers responding to the call was increased by two.
Peter sat up straight, watching as 'Abbott' and 'Costello' lunged out of the squad car, instantly brandishing their guns as they spoke with the Captain - then took assigned positions covering the entrance.
The tension and buzz that surrounded the atmosphere was palpable as it escalated with each moment of silence, only ocassionally punctuated by the insistent barking of the Captain to surrender. The silence was suddenly broken by a slight ripple of laughter from within the Bank of America. This caused every officer standing outside to share astonished looks between them, but leaving their guns focused upon the entrance. Watching cautiously, Peter detected a slight trembling among them. This only intensified as the laughter progressed from light laughter to full blown sidesplitting laughter which sounded eerie as it grew louder and louder, echoing off the walls as it spilled off into the frigid afternoon air.
Peter began to feel a sinking feeling in his stomach, sitting up straight as suddenly the laughter died abruptly, leaving avoid of silence. The silence didn't last long though, as the Police Captain, shouted once again into his megaphone, "Please come out and surrender. We have you…"
But, the captain was cut off by a sudden voice from within the Bank, which sounded oddly jovial considering the circumstances, "I heard you the first time. I'm coming out, but don't shoot. I have a hostage." Not only did the voice sound curiously gleeful, but also very familiar to Peter.
Peter watched intently as four men walked out of the bank, all of them clad in ridicously garish sweaters and masks, which you might see ordinarily on young children at Halloween. In that situation, you might smile and find them amusing, but certainly nothing was amusing about them or the machine guns they pointed back at the police as they exited the bank. Each of the criminals had in the other hand a large duffel bag, undoubtedly filled with cash. None of these was the source of the voice, which followed out only seconds later.
The man was dressed in a bright purple suit, complete with matching pinstriped pants. White shoes clacked along the pavement as the wind brushed through his bright green hair, his face was chalk white, with blood red lips and wearing the biggest smile Peter had ever seen. In one white gloved hand, he held a large muzzled revolver, which was pointed at the object in his other hand, a yellow rubber chicken.
Peter sucked in his breathe as he recognized the man instantly as the Joker, watching the same flash of recognition appear in the eyes of numerous officers as a ripple of voices spread through the officers. Within moments, everybody knew their adversary.
"Nobody move, or the chicken gets it! I'll kill him – I mean it!" the Joker said – a statement which was followed by what can best be described as crazed, maniacal laughter as he grinned widely.
Nobody laughed along with him though.
"Joker – you can't possibly escape. Please surrender immediately." The Police Captain said, although Peter could've sworn a slight tremor existed in his voice.
"It seems my reputation has preceded me." stated the Joker, unable to keep the obvious pleasure at this fact hidden as he stepped forward, causing several officers to tremble with their trigger finger, tensed to shoot, "What's the problem here officers? Surely you heard the laughter – everybody here is just having a good time."
"Joker," the Captain said, "Please put the gun down and surrender."
"What about the chicken?" the Joker said in mock surprise and anger, "Is nobody concerned about the life of this innocent chicken?" as he gestured threateningly at the chicken, a crazed look flashing in his eyes.
"Please – please put the chicken down.", the police captain said, obviously forced and through gritted teeth.
"I never thought I'd hear that one from a member of law enforcement." Peter Parker thought to himself, "But this certainly is a day of firsts."
The Joker chortled upon hearing this, smirking as he took another step forward, eyes narrowing, "Well, what do I owe the audience? Do you want to hear a joke from the Clown Prince of Crime?", almost giggling as he appeared in complete control of the situation, despite the numerous guns pointed at him. Without waiting for an answer, he rattled off a particularly offensive joke towards policemen, roaring with laughter as the police captain clearly grew frustrated.
"Put the gun down now, Joker!" he shouted into the bullhorn, "Surrender immediately or we will open fire!"
The Joker's permanent smile never left his face, though his eyes glinted with uncontrolled rage as the laughter slowed down to a low, unhinged chuckle.
"Tough crowd.", said the Joker with a shrug, appearing to be genuinenly
bewildered as to his failure to elicit a laugh, beaming with laughter, "Well, either laugh right now or Chicken Little here is going to have a much bigger worry than the sky falling!"
Silence reigned for only a second, before a gunshot rang through the air and fragments of rubber chicken exploded through the air, falling to the ground as the Joker grinned, laughing in his eerie manner.
"Tsk, Tsk, Tsk." said the Joker, wagging his finger back and forth, "Now look what you've done.", taking another step forward, exuding confidence with each step.
"Joker – stay right where you are or we'll shoot.", the police captain said, "Stop right there."
Grinning, the Joker stood there, gazing at the police officer with an unblinking gaze as he stated coolly, "You didn't say please."
The police officer's jaw tightened as he spoke angrily, "Please Joker – surrender immediately and put your gun down." All eyes remained fixed and riveted on the Joker.
Peter, however, noticed the green gas emanated from the remains of the chicken as did the other officers, but too late as somebody tried to shout out Captain, but in vain, barely choking out the words as the Captain emmitted a loud guffaw.
Soon, the air was filled with chuckles, chortles, giggles, snickers, snorts and loud laughter. The Captain managed to get off one solitary shot, going far wide of the Joker as he stood there, watching his handiwork with obvious pride. The Joker gas had the officers reeling in laughter, doubled over as tears ran down their cheeks and within moments, they were on the ground. Kicking their feet as they convulsed with howls of glee, as the laughter slowly faded and their faces were frozen in a permanent smile.
Peter watched in horror as the Joker walked over to the police captain, looking down at him with obvious contempt and then started to walk away, motioning for his fellow clowns to follow him. At the last moment though, his eyes focused on Peter in the back seat of the squad car as he gave a laugh – heading his direction.
"Well, hello there kiddo," as the Joker flashed his trademark grin, "Looks like we have another misunderstood citizen here. I was just making a withdrawal from the bank like anybody else. What did they accuse you of?"
"Murder.", Peter said truthfully, watching the Joker carefully. Examing him up close, Peter looked into his eyes, which seemed like pools of poison glinted back at him.
Giggling as he stared at Peter, cocking his head to the side, "Congratulations - who'd you kill?"
Peter gritted his teeth, evenly saying, "My wife."
The Joker tossed his head back, laughing manically as he reached up to the carnation on his lapel, squeezing it as a thin stream of acid shot out onto the door handle, hearing the sizzle of acid melting the metal away as the Joker gave the door a kick, watching it pop open slightly.
"Well, good for you." the Joker said, beaming, "That's the way to do it. It's a lot easier than divorce, kiddo." as the Joker walked away, laughing crazily in between whistling to the tune of "I Shot the Sheriff."
Immediately, Peter kicked open the door as he pulled his wrists apart, snapping the handcuffs as he leaped out onto the pavement, standing there as he gazed first upon the police officers, sprawled upon the ground with their faces frozen in grotesque smiles. Then, Peter spun around to see the Joker.
But, the Joker was gone and moments later, so was Peter. In his place, Spiderman was swinging over the streets of New York City.