CHAPTER 2: Into the Madness…

Jonathan Crane sat in the airport lounge, knowing he was attracting he was attracting stares. While others were reading the usual magazine trash and basic romantic popcorn comedy novels, he was intently reading a huge tome, "the truth of Fear".

Then the loud speakers crackled on and Crane heard the call:

"Flight BAR222 to Calcutta, India is now boarding."

Crane rose, slid the heavy volume into his bag and stretched, then proceeded to Gate 17…

Crane strode out of the dishevelled Calcutta Airport and a burly Indian man in dark glasses and a black suit stopped him, saying:

"Mr Crane?"

"Dr, actually!"

"Dr Crane… this way please. Mr Ducard is expecting you, but please do not try his patience, he is currently on a very important assignment involving another Gothamite, in fact…but we cannot reveal our plans to you just yet, Mr Crane…"

"I told you before… DR Crane!"

"As you say…" the man produced a key and unlocked the door to a black Rolls Royce, a very uncommon site in the poor, down trodden streets of the city, "It is only a short journey to the drop off but Mr Ducard prefers to be as sheltered as possible…"

Crane accepted the chauffeur's gesture at the back door and opened it, slipping in beside a man in shadow with the blacked out windows.

"You are Dr Jonathan Crane?" The man spoke in a cold voice. He was rally just making a statement, not asking a question.

However, Crane felt inclined to answer:

"Yes, and you are Mr… Ducard? Why did you want to meet with me?"

"Because, Mr Crane… I work for a man who is greatly feared amongst the criminal element, a man named Ra's al Ghul. We know of your… interests, Mr Crane, of how you are an expert…. An expert in Fear! And we need that kind of man for our coming endeavours… a capable man who could see to it that our plan shall succeed. Have you ever heard, Dr Crane, of the League of shadows?"

"Never," sighed Crane, wondering if this… Ducard, was insane.

"Good, for if you had, you would likely be dead. Mr Crane, soon a certain… colleague of mine, will have it arranged that you are appointed a doctor at Arkham Asylum. There, you will receive shipments… of a certain drug. A drug that can induce Fear, Mr Crane… and with it, we shall require you to set our plan in motion. For now, Mr Crane, I wish you well. You will receive further instructions shortly but, doctor, do NOT double cross us, or you WILL pay!"

"You're mad," Whispered Crane, "You bring me all out to India t tell me THIS? This drug formula, it's crazy! Let me out of here!"

The Rolls screeched to a halt and Crane grabbed at the door handle…

"It's locked! Let me…"

"Care for a taste of my very own medicine, doctor?" Smiled Ducard, pulling on a gas mask, "Hideshi!" Suddenly, gas was seeping into the Rolls and Crane began to cough, gasp and yell! Madness… pure glorious Fear… Jonathan Crane opened his mouth wide in a silent scream!