"Have you read the paper today?" Layla asked, walking into Jonathan's office, and placing the newspaper on his desk. "Disguised crime fighters place another criminal in Willowfalls Asylum" he read aloud. "Well, we're more popular than we anticipated". She glanced back to make sure the door was closed, then asked "Do you think anyone will figure out it's us?" "If they do, they won't know it for long" he replied, placing the paper in his desk drawer.
A voice blared over the intercom "Dr. Jensen, please report to room 79246 immediately". "I have to go" Layla said, turning to walk out. "Hey, Doc" Jonathan called after her. "Come back later, and bring Sparrow" he whispered. She knew when he said "bring Sparrow" he meant bring her costume, and if he said that he had something interesting planned. This was his subtle way of telling her. "OK, see you later". They kissed just before going their separate ways.
A nurse that was new to the asylum looked on in curiosity. "What's their story?" she asked the older nurse that was helping her. "Oh, they've been dating for years now." the older nurse explained. "Judging from the rock on her hand, I'd say they're engaged now." She paused and sorted some papers. "Strange couple. They came to town together about six years ago. We weren't really sure of their relationship when they first showed up, but Dr. Jensen told me the have only been dating for three years." The new nurse looked inquisitively at the spot where the two had been standing.
Layla went to room 79246 as quickly as she could. She had been so excited about the newspaper article that she had forgotten about administering electro-shock-therapy to one of her patients. After the electro-shock-therapy she grabbed her briefcase, which contained her sparrow costume. There was a note from Jonathan on her desk telling her to go to the basement. She found a discreet place, and changed into Sparrow's suit.
The costume consisted of a full body suit colored similarly to her fifteenth birthday party dress; white with brown, gray, and black stripes, but the stripes were shaped like lightening bolts. Since she did the kidnapping for their experiments she had a utility belt, which contained mostly tasers taken from victims. Her mask now had a breathing apparatus attached to it, that resembled a bird beak, so she would not inhale any toxins. To complete the costume there was a small pack on her back, which had a string attached that released "wings". The wings were made of parachute-like material that allowed her to "fall with style". They held their shape with umbrella-like wires that folded back into the pack when she pushed a button.
Sparrow entered the basement where Scarecrow waited. He not only wore a mask now, but a complete outfit which included an orange sweater, khaki pants, and a straw hat that made him look even more like a real scarecrow. He led her to their secret lab where Dr. Johnson sat strapped to an old, but not inoperable, electro-shock-therapy chair. "I've made an interesting discovery, thanks to your help" Jonathan said, his voice distorted by the breathing apparatus in his mask.
"Watch" he said, most likely smirking, but Layla could not tell. He pushed a button on his briefcase, and within seconds Dr. Johnson began screaming and twisting to be released. "It's..." "Invisible" he finished her sentence. "An invisible fear toxin" Sparrow said fascinated. "And an asylum in need of a head doctor" he replied, referring to the disoriented doctor.
They walked out of Dr. Johnson's sight, and took their masks off. "It wouldn't have taken me as long to invent it if it wasn't for...". "I know, the batman gassing you with your hallucinogen" she interrupted. "Well, you know what it can do to the mind. It's a very good thing I had taken the antidote, or it would have been a lot worse. Arrogant bat!". "I know" she said, hugging him to comfort him. "But you will get your revenge'". "I couldn't have done this without you" he said referring to the invisible hallucinogen. "And I can't defeat the batman without you either". She nodded. "Don't worry. We'll get him".
