Thanks to Vicious Bleu and her awesome fic-booster icons, you can read October that soon. Go give her a kiss for the trouble, and the meantime, enjoy!
Amanda: Quite right, it's mapped out! I always thought Harley's fall into madness has not been a straight line, but a jagged one. So she'll be a little more lucid in the chapter, before falling again, and so on and so forth…
Kelly Renee: Adorable is the word! Writing, I wanted to cuddle him like a cute stuffed animal. But now, let's get a taste of his evil sexiness… (laughing).
Nightmare1: I hope I don't deceive you in this chapter. And a guard is sure nice, but a cute psychiatrist is sure better…(winks).
Sno-Chan: I'm positive this chapter is very good on the grammar side! Perhaps a few verb tenses…had a lot of problems translating (sobbing). Anyway, enjoy the show, I just adore this chapter!
Thyme In Her Eyes: I was about to post October when I received your (delicious, as usual) review. I'm glad you liked the last chapter—and I'm proud to announce you this one sure won't deceive you. Power shift, Joan Leland, Joker's view, creepy interaction…everything! (and thanks for Arkham's first name—I'm going to correct that right away!). And now, I'm off replying to you at last…be prepared for a monstrous e-mail! (laughing).
A MADHOUSE ROMANCE
"Joan?"
"Harley! How are you doing?"
The naturally soothing voice of Joan's eased Harley's internal turmoil. Of course, she wasn't calling the older woman to tell her she had the worst white night in her life, but hearing the maternal tone sure put a balm on her worries.
A nice, hot balm; it didn't heal anything, but the pain momentarily disappeared, and that was more than what her last twenty-four hours had done for her.
"I'm fine, thank you. Just a little nervous, I suppose."
"Nervous? What for?..Oh, you wanna know if your sessions with the Joker are extended."
Harley cringed at the sudden coldness and distaste dripping from Joan's statement, but forced herself to sound nonchalant and detached.
"Yeah. I thought you could tell me…"
"What about your book?" interrupted Joan, slightly sarcastic.
What about indeed.
How can you say you were ready to reach your life's greatest goal, and yet the moment you touched it, all the happiness, the glory and the excitement faded away? How can you say "Joan, I sat down yesterday to begin my book, you know the one I've dreamedabout since I was sixteen, to cash on a famous criminal and rise my way to fame? Yeah, this one, glad that you remember. Well, I began typing and I felt this most peculiar unwelcome feeling…something like…like…"
In fact she didn't know which feeling it was exactly. Part remorse, part guilt, part shame, part pity…whatever it was, it was definitely linked to the Joker's adorable, childish pouting face, and his big, thrusting eyes. The guy needed a competent and understanding shrink to help him heal. She just couldn't imagine herself letting him down once her book was written.
What she could imagine, though, was his heartrending scream of sadness when he would learn he has been betrayed for cash. It was an unbearable thought; that alone stopped her from writing anything, and prevented sleep to shut off her mind.
"I think…I won't write the book, Joan."
"What?"
That was perhaps a premature promise. Just…she would have to ask the Joker if it was alright with him. When he would be healed, surely, it will not matter to him anymore if she cashed a little on his criminal past? For now, she needed to concentrate on his rehabilitation.
"Strange, isn't it? I just…get this feeling people won't understand. And well, you know…it isn't that easy."
"How so?"
"To be frank, I don't know. I guess it's the first time I really want to see science wins over chaos…"
Joan's tone softened.
"I'm so glad to hear you say that, Harley. You're making me very proud, I might add."
"Really?"
"Really. Dr. Arkham is very satisfied with your results. You have our famous clown until Halloween…wait, did I just made a joke?"
-x-x-x-
October 8th—3rd session of the month
"It's written here you don't really participate in social activities…"
"No, not really, Doc."
"Why? Don't you have some…friends?"
It sounded strange even on her own lips, but she needed to know. Did extreme psychopaths have friends? Was he all alone out there?
"My, Doc, you say that like there were goons outside just waiting for my escape to make a triumph or som'thing…"
"There isn't?"
"Nah. I'm a one-man party, sweets, all alone outside. Guess I haven't found my one true love yet."
"You believe in love?"
"'course I do! Tsss, don't look so surprised! Even I want to find my other half! Though I don't think I'll find mine anytime soon…"
"Why not?"
"Ya see a lot of cute clown girls around, Doc?"
"It must be a clown?"
He shrugged.
"Don't think anything else would work, Doc…"
She wanted to cry. Of course, he was a disfigured criminal, so not a lot of girls were interested in him, but…God help her, she was a hopeless romantic.
"…and yet you don't believe in friendship…"
"Ahh, Doc, I wouldn't say that like that…it's just…who do you want me to befriend?"
That was right, who was fit to bond with him? He didn't talk to anyone other than to annoy the hell out of them. In fact the only one he really interacted with was…
Here comes the touchy subject of Batman.
They had discussed a lot the topic of Batman these last sessions; and although he conceded he had to talk about him to heal (you're right Doc, I need to work on that) the truth was that he had a hard time keeping his temper in check; he had to stop often and sighed a lot, not to say he vengefully kicked the couch and bit his lip until he drew blood.
She didn't blame him. In fact, he was really doing a good job in her opinion. She could just imagine in what state she would be if Batman had wronged her like that.
Nevertheless, she had to say the next sentence. Jostling him a little can only benefit him, or at least she hoped so.
"…You know, I could almost suggest you have some repressed homoerotic tendencies towards Batman", she said, as lightly as possible.
"WHAT?"
…And then all hell broke loose.
He snarled like a wild animal; his whole face screamed hate, hate for the idea, and hate for her for having suggested it. His voice dropped to a low octave of pure anger, as he began shouting obscenities and curses.
"Come on Daddy's lap, baby, I'm going to show you I'm not some fucking gay!"
He began struggling with his restraints, and at the same moment the door was forced and Daniel and Darrell came in repeating "Calm down! Calm down!" to no avail, then "Put him down, Danny! Quick!" and Danny went to execute the order but was instead kicked on the nose by a very white knee and punched in the gut by the Joker's strangely shining fist, and he began laughing and laughing and laughing and continued laughing even though Darrell shot him sedatives…
And it was all. He collapsed on the floor, grin plastered on his face, while Danny was clenching his bloodied stomach, his face twitching from the pain as Darrell went check on the Joker's thumb and swore.
"Christ, the clown had a fucking paper-clip! Harley, call the meds! QUICK!"
But Harley couldn't move. She was paralyzed, in a state her co-workers assumed was "incredulous terror".
-x-x-x-
"I..I d-don't know what…what I…"
In the staff's room, Joan was softly patting Harley's shoulders, encouraging the sniffling trembling girl to continue.
"Is...Was it normal, Joan?"
"Actually, yes, Harley. You didn't do anything wrong, I should have told you to not even hint he was homosexual. His reaction is always the same, though I think you had the worst to date."
"Oh…r-really…g-guess I should be r-reassured then…"
"Don't worry. Four days in the isolation room will make him think twice before acting like some unbridled beast next time."
Wiping her nose, Harley nodded mutely.
"There, all better. You know, why don't you go outside tonight? Have fun and forget the Joker for two seconds, it'll do you some good I'm sure. And I heard a certain chestnut haired guard is literally dying to have a date with you", she added with a wink.
A guard. A date, restaurant. Yes, that's nice. I need to change my surroundings a little.
I need to stop thinking about him.
-x-x-x-
October 8th, 9h00 pm—"Eastside Mario" restaurant
"I'm so happy you accepted my invitation, Harley."
"Pleasure is all mine Danny. Are you feeling better?"
"For sure I am! T'was nothing, don't worry. Cheese on your spaghetti?"
Harley barely repressed a sigh. She had been with Danny for less than one hour and was already bored out of her mind.
I told you so, sweets.
It wasn't like he was bad a conversation, or stupid or just eyeing her boobs…in fact he was genuinely nice. It's just…something, some glimmer, some sparkle was missing in his eyes. Not to say between them.
Would it have been that boring with me?
And she couldn't help but wonder how she'd get her way out of this. She wanted to return home and have a nice bath. And work a little on the Joker's case.
Of course not. I'm not boring, am I, honey? I always have lot of funny stories to tell twice a week.
Would the evening be as boring with him?
Of course they can't be boring; I practice the whole week to polish my act. They have to be perfect for you, sugar.
Exasperated with herself, Harley shook her head. She had enough of the clown for today. She needed to clear her mind of him.
You're frustrated. You wanted to take the evening lightly, to escape me. But you came back to me nonetheless.
Indulging in her fantasies was really the last thing reasonable to do tonight.
Sooner than you thought.
But she couldn't help it. She felt like a helpless moth to a flame.
And you don't completely hate it.
Later she made some excuse to Danny (who totally understood. "You had a rough day, Miss Harley, go get some rest!") and went home. She barely took the time to remove her shoes. Instead she walked to her office, sat down in her chair and looked at her wall.
Do you have a room full of newspaper where I make the front page, pumpkin? I'm sure you do. You want so badly to help me. To understand me.
She wasn't terrified earlier. She was…awed. He had taken off his cuffs and gravely injured an armed guard with a mere paper-clip. They had to shoot him down to stop him!
And if they didn't, what would have he done?
Is there a stuffed bear in this room? I don't know yet. Will you tell me next time we see each other?
The perspective sent a delicious shiver down her spine.
I'm the perfect pet, baby. The child you dream of having.
She grabbed Dumbo, her favourite stuffed animal, and with the other hand her nicest photo of him. She should have it framed. A green frame, wouldn't that be great?
…the lover you'll soon yearn for. You have my special promise for that.
But as soon as the idea crossed her mind, she threw the offensive paper as far as she could, like it was burning her fingers. For the love of God, what was she thinking?
I told you so, Harley-girl. Daddy's still in his prime.
"Having fun in there, clown?" said a random guard's voice through the communication panel of the isolation room.
"A lot, thank you", answered the evil monstrous mastermind known as the Joker, plucking an innocent flower he was the only one to see.
-x-x-x-
October 13th—the session after
He just said one thing different from their comfortable routine this time, after saying he was so sorry for last time, that is.
"I told you so."
Unable to meet his eyes, Harley feigned she didn't hear—she knew what he was talking about, and she knew he knew she knew too. If she did, she had this feeling she'd see he knew a lot more, perhaps even more than she did.
And for the first time in their sessions, Harley experienced something close to fear—not quite, but definitely close.
-x-x-x-
A Madhouse Romance- 54 sessions remaining
Notes on Chapter 3
Was it because of the feedback? My mood? My carefully built calendar? I don't know. This chapter just wrote itself, flowing out of my hands. Practically no editing. It was done in one day—one day! And it's my best!
Chapter 4 is scheduled for next week, still in the PG-13 section.
I'm off congratulating myself now. In the meantime, please leave a comment!