The Joker reclined on the couch waiting for Harley to come home. He had been waiting for hours, reading the "1,500 Best Jokes" book she had given him for his birthday. He absently turned the radio. The song "Oh, Mandy" by Barry Manilow blasted from it.

I remember all my life
raining down as cold as ice.
Shadows of a man,
a face through a window cryin' in the night,
the night goes into

Morning just another day;
happy people pass my way.
Looking in their eyes,
I see a memory I never realized
how happy you made me.

Oh, Mandy well,
you came and you gave without taking,
but I sent you away.
Oh, Mandy well,
you kissed me and stopped me from shaking,
and I need you today. Oh, Mandy!

The lyrics penetrated the Joker's mind, as they repeating like a perpetual cycle in his head. He turned the radio off.

'Oh, Harley, how I need you today…' he thought to himself.

The doorbell rang and he quickly jumped up, but didn't want to seem desperate, so he waited a little while before answering it.

When he did open the large mahogany door, Edward Nygma, Harvey Dent, and Victor Fries stood there. The Joker disappointedly greeted them. "Oh, it's only you guys."

"Disappointed are we?" Edward asked. "Who were you expecting?"

A rare rose hue was seen against the Joker's pale face. "No one…I just forgot we had a card game today."

The men walked into the living room where the oak card table stood. Each of them took their seats, and Harvey started dealing out the cards.

Everyone seemed quiet, but only Victor commented on it. "It seems really silent in here today. Silent like a cold wind in the winter."

The men, used to hearing Victor's continuous comments on cold weather, rolled their eyes.

Edward agreed, "Yes, it does seem different in here."

Harvey suggested, "Maybe because we don't smell the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies we usually have."

"Yes, that's part of it," Edward deduced. "Where's Harley, Joker?"

Joker decided to ignore his question. "So, who wants to go first?"

Edward, Harvey, and Victor stared at the Joker as is he were from Neptune. But deciding it was really none of their business, they continued just playing cards.

An hour passed and Edward got up and put on his coat. Harvey questioned, "Hey, where are you going, Eddie?"

"I'm in the snow-skiing competition, remember? It starts in a couple hours, so I should probably go."

"Try not to get stuck out on the wrong slope, Eddie," the Joker said, giggling. "And good luck skiing in the sun…you'll definitely need it!"

The Joker laughed, but no one laughed with him. His laugh dwindled down quickly, coming to the harsh realization that even his jokes were taking a turn for the worst without Harley.

Edward asked, "But before I leave, care to partake in a riddle?"

The men looked upon him indifferently. Edward continued, "What has six legs, three smiles, and one award?"

No one answered.

"Me winning the competition with two women on my arms, of course!" Edward said as he left laughing.

After an hour of arguing with Mr. Rejokis, the head of the competition, about letting her enter at the last minute, Harley finally decided to just stay and watch the contest. She went to a seat in the back where Ivy was waiting for her.

"I'm guessing you couldn't get him to cave."

Harley shook her head in a pout.

"That's okay. I mean, just watching a bunch of guys ski in the blazing sun will be fun enough."

Harley shrugged. "I guess you're right."

"And guess what?" Ivy asked excitedly. "I heard Robby Mallasko entered!"

"So?"

"So! I know I'm not into men very much, but I have to admit he's cute." Ivy smiled.

Harley's eyes cast downward. "I don't know. Just looking at another man feels like cheatin' to me."

Ivy rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on, Harley. I'm not saying you're gonna get married and have seven children together! I'm just saying maybe flirting a little with other guys wouldn't be so bad for you." Ivy thought maybe Harley could see what she was missing, but she knew that would only make Harley in a worse mood. Although not much better, Ivy continued, "I mean…do you think the Joker has never flirted with another girl before?"

Harley looked up in shock. "You think he has?"

"I don't know, I'm just saying that it's possible when the Joker goes on his long 'business' trips to kill Batman, he might see another girl he doesn't mind looking at. That's all."

Harley began to feel nervous and unsure all over again. 'Does he even miss me? Does he realize I'm still gone?' she wondered silently to herself.

"Anyway, Harley, I'm just suggesting you live a little. You don't need the Joker to be happy," Ivy pointed out. Changing the subject, she mentioned, "And speaking of Gotham's most notorious villains, I heard the Riddler entered the contest too."

At that moment, Edward approached Harley and Ivy with a grin plastered on his face. "Oh, so I'm among Gotham's most notorious villains huh? I'm flattered!"

Harley and Ivy turned around in surprise. Harley smiled. "Edward, hi!"

"Hey, Eddie," Ivy said coolly.

"Harley! So, that's where you were," Edward cried.

"What do you mean?"

"I was over at your house today to play cards with the Joker and realized you were gone. All the guys missed your bubbly voice, your feminine aroma, and your star-spangled eyes. Well, at least I know I did."

Harley blushed and smiled sweetly as Ivy nudged her in the arm.

Harley said, "Well, thank you, Edward."

"So, why are you at the competition?"

Harley began to explain her predicament. "Well, Mistah J..."

Ivy intercepted, "Um…Harley's living with me now, and we thought we could enter last minute but it turns out we can't."

Harley looked a bit startled by Ivy's comment about her new residence. But she reluctantly figured it was true.

Edward appeared shocked as well. "Oh, you're living with Pam now? I know it's none of my business, but…what happened with the Joker?"

Just before Harley could reply, the announcer called all contestants to the front.

"Oh well…it was nice seeing you girls."

Harley and Ivy wished him luck, before he left, when Ivy immediately turned to Harley. "He was obviously flirting with you, Harley."

"Was not."

"Was to."

"Was not."

Ivy sighed. "Oh, come on, Harley. 'Your feminine aroma and star-spangled eyes'? You can't tell me that's not flirting."

Harley shook her head stubbornly. "That's just flattery, not…flirt-ery?"

Ivy smiled. "Right…"

Harley watched Edward go smoothly down the largest slope. She felt like she looked like mess in her old T-shirt and bell-bottoms. But she thought Edward looked good. Really good.