"Quinzel speaking," I almost sighed into the phone. Just another day of sitting in my office and pretending that I wasn't in over my head with this job. That I was only one bad day away from making my big break out of here, never to be found again. The voice on the other end of the phone broke my train of thoughts, as they rattled on about a few dozen things I was already well aware of.
"Yes, yes, I am aware of that doctor," I tried to sound as interested as possible, but knew that I was still coming up short.
My headache was suddenly reminding me of its presence, and I rubbed my temples as best I could while cradling the phone between my shoulder and ear.
"Yes, right away, yes, of course, doctor," I droned on, anxious to get off the phone with the director.
I hung up the phone and stood up from my chair, scanning my desk for the files that I had no doubt forgotten to look over.
Once they were in my hand, I set myself into a brisk pace out the door and down the hallway to the elevator. I started humming to myself as I waited for the familiar chime that sounded like the tail end of a Jack in a box. I half expected something to pop out and attack me once the doors would open, but time and time again, I was constantly let down. Still, I looked up eagerly when I heard the ring, only to find that there was absolutely no one there.
My ride in the elevator was met with the same level of impatience as it always was, and when I reached the third floor I was humming again quite loudly. Figuring there wouldn't be anyone in the hallway either, I continued, not really bothering to even look up as I stepped out of the elevator.
"MOVE CLOWN!"
I nearly jumped out of my skin. I had walked right into a scuffle between a handful of guards and orderlies, all trying to escort our newest addition into a room to my right. His greased back green hair caught my eye as he disappeared from my line of sight in the crowd of bodies.
The hallway was suddenly quiet, and after taking a few seconds to collect myself, headed to the end of the corridor and knocked three times.
"Come in," I heard, a tinge of annoyance coming through the door.
The director of the asylum was most assuredly, a huge asshole. All I ever had to do was show a little leg in order to stop him from riding me so hard, work wise of course. He figured I was just another dumb blonde, and using my sexual appeal didn't exactly prove my smarts, but I knew how the world worked.
"Doctor," I nodded my head, moving to sit in the chair in front of his desk where he was going through papers like a mad man, pardon the irony.
"Don't get comfortable Ms. Quinzel-" he gestured to the seat right before I sat down.
"As you might already know, the Joker has just been admitted. There were three available doctors to question him and all have refused. I'm trying to find the number…" he trailed off, finding interest in a particular paper before setting it down with an exasperated sigh and continuing his mad shuffle.
"I'll do it," I blurted out.
He looked up at me and snorted, before shaking his head no.
"Ms. Quinzel, although it is, endearing," he stretched the last word out purposefully long, "that you're so eager to help, the Joker is the most serious case this asylum has ever seen and probably ever will. Needless to say, we can't afford to put our least experienced doctor in front of him-"
"But I- " I bit back my anger, here we go with the rookie shit again. "I know I am not as well versed with as many of Gotham's criminally insane, but I am determined to show you that I am capable of questioning that man. He is, at the end of the day, just a man…" I leaned over the desk, knowing full well how much cleavage he was getting a view of, "isnt he?" I asked sweetly. This case would prove my worth, I wasn't perturbed by my lack of experience, I was more psychologically capable then almost everyone gave me credit for. I wanted this case bad, and there was no way I was going to let it slip through my fingers if there was anything I could do about it. Problem is, how far would I have to go in order to secure this case? I was hoping not much, but it really depended on how stubborn this asshole was going to be.
"Ah, Ms. Quinzel- I'd love to give you a chance but I would never live it down if something happened in there, I'm in a difficult position," he said, his shoulders relaxing the more he spoke to me.
"And I'd be in a compromising situation if I failed.." I trailed off, tilting my head slight in order to let my hair fall past my shoulders.
He pursed his lips and rocked back in his chair, swiveling side to side as he considered me. He sat back up and reached for a file that was at least a few inches thick and barely capable of keeping its contents together, I held my breath as he weighed it in his hands.
"One chance, that's all you get," he said, throwing the file down close to me.
"You're basically keeping him busy until I can get someone more qualified, understand?"
I tried not to seem annoyed, while also keeping my excitement to an absolute minimum.
"Thank you, Doctor. I'll do my best," I smiled and nodded sweetly, picking up the file with care and rushing out. Sitting on the bench right outside the door, I opened the file and read through the opening analysis while pulling my hair hastily into a tight bun. I tried to go through the rest of the file as quickly as possible but ended up just skipping to the very last few papers. I scanned everything while trying to breathe deeply, there was no way I could go in there looking frazzled. This clown would pick up on it right away, the best thing I could do was remain as calm as possible and ask every question with a sterility that would hide any inexperience.
I stood up, straightening my skirt and the collar on my lab coat before taking off to where I had last seen that lime green hair, file in my slightly trembling hands.
I clasped the door knob and took one last deep breath, eyes tightly shut as I listened for any noise coming from within the room. It was eerily silent as I opened the door, and when I walked I tried to keep my glance at him as cold as possible.
But then I saw that smile, and my glance became a gaze that told him everything I didn't want to tell him. All the airs I meant to put on, evaporated in a puff of smoke around me. His grill glinted off the blaring lights from above, his smile piercing my very soul and tearing into it with unhinged vigor.
I couldn't stutter when I spoke, he'd never open up to me if he saw any weaknesses. He was already picking and prying me apart with one look, engaging in conversation was going to be a whole other level of difficulty.
I couldn't be phased already, I needed to remain dominant and in control. I needed to say something.
"I'm Dr. Quinzel, I'll be conducting this session with you today," I said as coldly as I could manage while I made my way to the seat behind the desk. I laid the file neatly onto the desk, and opened it before reaching for the pen I kept in my coat pocket. I did not have the foresight to grab my writing pad, but I had to look like I had my shit together and everything was premeditated.
"Any questions before we start?" I looked at my watch even though I could not fathom what time it was, and glanced back to him.
His wide smile had not faltered whatsoever, and he leaned forward as much as the straight jacket, as well as all the restraints that bound him to the chair would allow him to.
"Just one," his voice sounded like he was parched, but I wasn't so sure that it was water he needed.
I nodded slowly before realizing my error and quickly recovered,
"Yes?"
"What's a doll like you doing in here with a monster like me?"
I had to think quickly, everything was supposed to be premeditated.
"Are you uncomfortable because I'm a woman? I can assure you that I am every bit as qualified to conduct this session as any man," I responded nonchalantly.
"No, no, no…" his smile somehow managed to grow wider. "Did they force you to come in here, or are you just too curious for your own good? Huh, kitten?" he was baiting me. It wasn't going to work, but I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling.
"I was assigned to you. Any further questions?"
"One more, and that's it- Scouts honor," he moved his arms, trying to recreate a salute as best as he could.
"Go ahead," I said, gesturing for him to speak.
He didn't like that, the signal that I "allowed" him to speak. I saw his eyes glaze over and his smile falter when I demonstrated my control. He was most assuredly, a control freak.
"If you were assigned to me, why aren't you prepared?" his smile returned in full force and I almost dropped the pen I was expertly twirling in my fingers.
He had picked up on the lack of paper almost immediately, he was sharp but something told me that had I not made that gesture, he would have asked me something entirely different.
Think fast. Think fast.
"To be honest, I didn't think you'd be up to answering any of my questions. You confirmed my preliminary suspicions about meeting you by seeming perturbed by my presence thus far, should I send someone else in?" I smiled inwardly as I waited for his response.
There we go Harley, give him the illusion of control.
I knew what I was doing. I wanted this case and now that I had it, I'd make him go so far as to beg that I be his only doctor. One chance is all I needed with the clown.
"And turn a doll like you away? What kind of gentleman would I be?" his smile returned in full force as he relaxed into his seat.
"Does that mean you'll be answering some of my questions, Mr…" I trailed off, not really sure what name he preferred and Mr. Joker just sounded stupid in my head.
"J," he grinned.
"Mr. J," I let a small smile grace my lips. "What brings you in today?" I read his expression which was now evolving into a mixed one.
