WARNING! Very vulgar language and illegal activities below!
November 5th 2016
The Sutton Place Youth Hostel
Gotham City
6:01am
Anna woke up to shouting. Two of her new neighbors were at each other's throats just outside her door. She was amazed she spelt so well considering her chronic insomnia. But last night she totally fell out. The room she was given was an 8' by 10' shoebox that was furnished with a bed, desk, desk chair, an old tube radio and a vintage looking armchair with a view of the brick wall from the building next door. There was only a 9' gap between her window and the wall. Regardless of what anyone from the outside might think, she loved it this room. It was the first place that was hers.
There was more ruckus in the hallway. Getting out of bed she reached for her homemade nun chucks she'd slept with under her pillow. Chucks in hand, Anna carefully opened her door to see what was going on.
"I swear to God Jorge! Give me back my watch or I'll kill you with my bare hands!"
"Fuck off bitch! I never touched your fucking knockoff watch."
"Then what's that on your wrist princess?"
Jorge looked at his wrist casually. "Gift from my honey."
"Oh please, like anyone you bang can afford an Omega? You took it off my desk when I went to the bathroom!"
"Bitch what are you gonna do about it? Jorge reached behind his back for a knife Anna could see clipped there.
Anna stepped out of her room wearing a t-shirt and plaid boxers. "Hey asshole?" they both turned. "Be nice and give the lady back her watch." Benny was tall and skinny with light brown skin and platinum blond hair. He was also incredibly gay.
"Mind your own business puta"
"You dweeb's woke me up and I got work in a few hours so it is my business pendejo." She knew a number of Spanish insults from a foster brother she had last year.
"You got a mouth on you bitch, how about I stuff it for you?" Jorge grabbed his crotch and took a step towards Anna. Ok maybe he was sexually fluid or whatever the term her generation used this month. She really didn't care.
"I'll make you a deal, I'll show you mine and you show me yours." Anna started twirling her chucks with ease at medium speed. Then she sped up swinging then around her back over her head. She looked like she had been training with them since she could hold a stick. When she stopped she looked Jorge in the eye and dared him.
"Come on guapo, show me what you got."
"Oh fuck that, here's your damn watch Jen." He unclipped the watch and gave it back to Jen. Then walked down the hall and out of sight.
Jen was a skinny blond with incredible curly hair and big blue eyes. She had that forever tween look where she could pass for either 25 or 12. "Thanks for the help."
"Don't mention it." Anna went to go back to her room but Jen stopped her.
"Hey wait, what time you got work?" she asked
"10 why?"
"That's in 4 hours, wanna smoke a fatty? My thank you for scaring the piss out of Jorge."
Anna thought for a moment. She didn't want her 'Uncle Gerry' to smell pot on her but if she was totally going to shower before going to work and she was up a whole hour before her alarm was set to go off. "Why not."
Jen nodded to Anna's door, "Lock that if you got anything you don't want stolen."
Anna looked ambivalent, "I got nothing worth taking."
"Doesn't matter, twats like Whore-gay will take it anyway if you keep that shit open."
Anna heeded Jen's advice and went to lock her door with the key Saul gave her last night; she also brought the nun chucks with her.
The girls went into Jen's room that was 2 doors down from Anna's. Jen closed and locked the door behind them. Anna looked around. Jen's room was the same size as her own but it was obvious Jen had been living here longer. "Saul doesn't mind you smoking weed in here?"
"Shoot girl I sell it to him. It's why my rent is so cheap. He's got glaucoma and the city hasn't passed the medical Mary Jane law yet. So where'd you learn all that ninja shit?"
"3 foster dads ago. Dude was obsessed with Bruce Lee movies."
"Ah a system refugee, you just age out?"
"Ya, my birthday was a few days ago." Anna half lied again.
Jen took a big hit off the blunt and passed it to Anna. "Welcome to the real world baby ninja. I ran away from my last group home when I was 17, been working the morally questionable circuit ever since."
"The morally what?" Anna took a hit and passed it back.
"You know, the degenerate corporate latter?"
Anna still had no idea what this chick was talking about.
I'll explain, I started turning tricks soon as I got out of the group home then I made a friend who taught me how to pick pockets and became a pincher. After one mark busted me and beat me pretty bad Saul helped me out with a place to stay and I started selling substances instead of skin."
"I see, what's the next step? Supplier?"
"No next is drug mule, international drug mule, drug supplier, some rich bad guy's temptation, same rich bad guy's main squeeze, then lastly his baby mama and his replacement at the table after you kill him in his sleep."
"Right, I know we just met but I'm seriously tempted to point out how many fucked up things you managed to cram into that explanation. "
Jen coughed and laughed at the same time passing the blunt back to Anna. "Oh that's it! We have to be friends now!"
"I'm not good at friends," Anna said candidly.
"That's ok," Jen held her pointer finger to her temple and spoke like a doctor, "Borderline personality disorder paired with addictive tendencies and abandonment issues. You?"
Anna hesitated. She's memorized her diagnosis when she was 7 but was she really discussing this stuff with a total stranger who might be just as fucked up as she was? Why the hell not? "Antisocial personality disorder, Narcissism, Insomnia and intermittent explosive disorder. I'm also dyslexic so, don't ever ask me how to spell anything for you."
Mildly stunned Jen asked, "IED? You get black outs?"
Anna looked down, she didn't like talking about the times she lost it. She'd always been terrified when she heard the details of what she did when she went dark. She could never consciously remember what happened but sometimes she had dreams about what happened and would wake up screaming. She hadn't had a nightmare in weeks and she was hoping her accumulated Xanax script would last till she could het an off the books hook up. In her nightmares she was this completely different, animalistic person. She committed acts of savagery you would only see in movies. Whoever it was that drove her body in those moments was like a mad dog that took over from time to time then went back to sleep then it had it's fill. Dexter Morgan called it his Dark Passenger. "It happens, when I got really stressed or angry."
Jen nodded understanding exactly what Anna had gone through. "So, we're both masters at scarring people away. You bleed them and I smother them. Sounds like a match made in haven."
"Or hell," Anna was surprised that she actually liked Jen. They were both products of the system and were both hopelessly fucked in the head. Anna sunk into Jen's vintage style armchair briefly wondering if all the rooms were fitted with their own old as shit armchair. The girls passed the blunt back and forth till there was nothing left. As they talked they each started feeling much lighter than earlier.
"Who do you sell for? That shit made me giggly!" Anna asked laughing almost uncontrollably.
Jen was in the same state of giggle laying on her twin bed as she answered. "The main man himself Ninja! The King Clown of Gotham!"
All of Anna's giggling came to a halt. "You work for the Joker?"
"Well, he's kind of my boss's, boss's, boss but ya,"
"You ever meet him?" Anna was fascinated now. She'd read about the Joker and seen him on the news all her life. The man was a legend. Jen's affiliation couldn't be cooler if she worked for some Hollywood movie star.
"Not officially, I saw him once or twice at my supplier's place but that's about it. He's super intimidating! He doesn't even have to look at you. Just knowing he's in the same general area as you makes you fear for your fucking existence."
"Fuck Jen, you just became the coolest person I know."
"Aw, thank you darlin! Tell you what, what are you up to after work?"
"Nothing I guess, why?"
"How about I pick you up after and you come hang with me while I make my rounds. Just make sure you bring the broom handles, I could use a little protection while I sell. If we do good I'll cut you in at the end of the night."
Anna wasn't totally sure about this. She was supposed to be staying out of trouble. But in the end, she wouldn't actually be selling anything. Just making sure her new friend didn't get hurt on the job and making some money while she was at it.. As long as she didn't have anything on her she should be ok right? "Ya, sure."
"Excellent! Where do you work?"
"Rags 'n' Tatters pawn shop."
"Uh you're working for Jerzy?"
"Ya, why?"
"Nothing, he just doesn't like me very much. He knows what I do and that his buddy buys from me but doesn't give me too much of a hard time since he knows the pot helps with Saul's pain. I'll meet you around the block from his place by the bodega. If Jerzy sees you with me he'll fire your ass for sure."
"Point taken. I better go get ready."
"See you at sun down Ninja!"
"It's Anna by the way."
"Eh, I'm gonna call you Ninja."
Anna rolled her eyes and laughed "Whatever Blondie. See ya tonight." She left the room and went back to her own to grab her shower stuff and a change of clothes.
She was in front of Rags 'n' Tatters by 9:45. Uncle Gerry was surprised to see her there 15 minuets early. First thing he did after letting her behind the security door was hand her a dust rag and a spray bottle of liquid cleaner.
"Start in the front and work your way to the back, you dust everything you see dust. When you finish you can go. Don't take anything that don't belong to you. If you do I'll know and I'll send the cops after you. Trust me you'll get caught. Every day you work I pay $35, $10 will go to your loan so you take home $25. If you wanna put more towards your loan you let me know. You got a problem with these terms, give me back the money and pay for that room you slept in on your own. You got it?"
"Ya, got it." She had no problem with hard work, especially when it was keeping a descent roof over her head and people treated her with respect while she did it..
7 hours later Anna was starting to get dizzy. This morning she'd only had a protein bar from the box she's taken from Tod and Nicole's place and totally skipped lunch. All the dust inhalation wasn't helping either. It appeared Rags 'n' Tatters hadn't been dusted since the Clinton Administration. She felt sick but it was done. She went to the bathroom to wash her hands and called out to the old man.
"Hey Uncle Gerry?" She called to the front of the shop. "I finished dusting!"
"Great, come up front!" He shouted back.
She smelled food and her stomach made a noise. "You rang?" She greeted the old man as she came to the workbench where Uncle Gerry was sitting.
"Sit," he told her.
"Why?" She asked back resentful of the dog like command.
He opened a paper delivery bag and took out something wrapped in foil and a large tub of soup. "Dinner. Matza ball soup and grilled cheese with tomatoes and kosher bacon."
"You bought me dinner?"
"You didn't eat lunch,"
"I didn't ask you to do that."
"If you did I wouldn't have done it."
"How did you know I like this food? Maybe I'm a vegan."
"You're not, I can spot the picky eaters, you eat anything. Now sit down and eat."
"I'm not going to put more on my loan old man."
Uncle Gerry looked at her seriously. "Considering, I have no idea where you came from or what kind of crappy hand life dealt you I'll look past you insulting my generosity. This has nothing to do with your loan. I noticed you didn't eat lunch and thought you might be hungry. You don't want it, more for me." He said matter-of-factly.
Anna still didn't sit. She wasn't used to people doing things for her. Then she smelled the food again and couldn't hold back anymore. She pulled out the stool Uncle Gerry had put out and dug in. The hot food going into her stomach was so good she couldn't help smiling thankfully at the old man. But before the warm feeling could take root the voice if reason stomped it out. This doesn't mean a thing Anna, he just feels sorry for you. It just means you don't have to spend any of your cash stash on food tonight.
November 4th 2016
The Joker's Penthouse
5:15pm
"Where the fuck is Frost?!" Harley screamed as she paced. "I told him where to find the ring hours ago!" she was genuinely taking the term Bridzilla to new heights.
"Harls, everything will be fine. Frost will be here soon. He and his boys also had to get the priest and the cake." Ivy said as she steamed Harley's dress.
"It's getting too close and nothing is ready yet! I'm gonna vomit! Why the fuck did I think this could be done in 1 day?! My wedding is gonna suck!" Harley began to hyperventilate.
Ivy went to her friend and held her shoulders. " Harley! Harley listen to me, everything is going to be fine. It's your day remember? While I may detest your choice of groom, I have made it my mission to make sure this whole thing goes perfectly for you."
"Thanks Pammy, I couldn't have asked for a better maid of honor. I'm just freaking out. I've been dreaming of this day my whole time and I just want it to be perfect."
"Are you marrying the man of your dreams?" Ivy involuntarily locked her jaw considering the person she was talking about.
Harley's eyes softened. "I am, I know what you think about him but, my Puddin is the most intelligent, exciting, deep souled, adoring man I have every met. And he loves me. Oh my God! Ivy, I'm marrying him! It's actually happening!" Harley was her happy excited self again.
"You see? Everything is going to be perfect."
"Thanks Pammy. I couldn't do this without you."
"I'm glad to do it. But just so you know, I will never forgive that craven for not giving me time to throw you a bachelorette party."
"Oh be real bitch, like that man would ever be ok with me having a bachelorette party."
"It's tradition!" Ivy sang.
"It would have a body count!" Harley sang back.
Ivy groaned, "Moving on."
"Thank you. What time is it?"
"5:30pm we still have 4 hours till show time."
"4 hours? That's great! That's more than enough time to… FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY?!" Harley began her meltdown all over again.
Ivy was out of pep talks. Time for faze 2, "Ok hun? My I suggest a little herbal tranquilizer to take the edge off?"
"Fuck your hippy herbs! Xanax! A lot of it! Right the fuck now!"
And it was straight to faze 3. This was going to be a long 4 hours.
November 4th 2016
The Narrows
5:45 PM
Uncle Gerry locked the door behind Anna as she left. The old man lived just upstairs from the shop. As promised, Jen was waiting for Anna around the corner from the bodega.
"There she is." Jen said as she pushed herself off the tagged up wall. "Got the sticks?"
"Ya," Anna replied showing the chucks tucked into her studded belt.
"Awesome, whatever happens just go with it and you'll be fine. Got it?"
"Got it. Where are we going?"
"TQ Park then maybe midtown."
TQ Park was a known druggie hang out in the Narrows. Cops never really bothered with it since it was pretty much all bums and street punks. Nothing worth spending a ton of time on. The park was only a 10 min walk from the pawnshop. Anna was amazed they were approached so quickly. She studied how Jen passed the drugs into the mark's hands and took the payment in smooth hand gestures. She introduced Anna as her friend Ninja.
"Ninja?" One punk asked.
"Ya dude, I seen her fuck people up; crazy skills. So looser, you eyeing or buying? I don't cater to window shoppers."
She was starting to like her new street name. While they walked around the park and talked Jen would incorporated what sounded like little birdcalls into their conversation. Every time she did someone approached her to buy something. They'd been at the park for a while and it was starting to get dark.
"You are a kick ass little helper Ninja! Time for our union mandated cigarette break. Jen sat on a bench, pulled a pack of Newport's from her bag and took out 2 cigarettes offering one to Anna. Anna joined her new friend and puffed away. The menthol started giving her a head rush but she kind of liked it.
"Ready to hit midtown?" Jen asked.
"Sure, what happens there?"
"Line selling to the locals. Friday night is when the resident Gothamites party. Saturday is bridge and tunnel night and midtown is the epicenter of the elite party scene. We'll have to go home and change first of course."
Anna looked down at her shabby clothes. "I don't have anything that doesn't look like this."
"No worries, I'll lend you something and we'll divvy up what we made so far. Never carry more than you can afford to loose. Lets go." They tossed the butts to the already littered ground and headed back to the hostel to get glamorous.
It's Party Time for J&H and Anna, I mean Ninja and her new friend!
I was going to try and make what happens next with both teams all one chapter but there are too many cool things I want to include. I'll try to have the next chapter up sometime tonight!
Hope you guys are enjoying the story!