The Joker wasn't seen out and about in Arkham for several weeks. The day after he arrived, he had killed one of his doctors by beating his face into a wall, and was locked up in solitary confinement. This took its toll on Harley, who sobbed herself to sleep every night. But during the day she put on a brave face in public. She was polite and courteous to everyone, but a far cry from her usual bouncy, affectionate self. She eyed every other inmate with suspicion, but that didn't bother Ivy. Let Harley think whatever she wanted, as long as it kept her out of it.
An incident with Harley occurred the same day as Joker's murderous outburst. The inmates were lounging the Rec Room when Edward Nygma strolled in. "Morning, everyone!" he said, cheerfully. He noticed that Harley had arrived and was sitting reading a book in the corner.
"Harley, when did you get here?" he asked.
"Bats brought me and Mr. J in last night," she replied.
"Bet he enjoyed that!" laughed Nygma. Harley glared at him.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she demanded.
"Nothing, Harley," he said, smiling.
"That's right. It don't mean nothing," she muttered, returning to her book.
Nygma couldn't resist enjoying himself a bit more at Joker's expense. "So tell me, Harley," he said, sitting down next to her. "You and J ever roleplay?"
"That ain't none of your business, Eddie," she retorted.
"Is it just Batman, or have you got a Robin costume too?" he continued, smiling. "Wouldn't be surprised if it was the Boy Blunder too – judging by you, J clearly likes them young…"
He was cut off as Harley hit him across the face with the book. She continued to beat him with it as the guards were called. "Now listen up, Eddie, and listen up everyone!" she shouted to the room in general, not pausing in her beating. "What Mr. J and I get up to in private ain't none of your business! Anybody mentions, hints, or alludes to it again, and it won't be funny! Get me?"
Everyone nodded as the guards rushed into the room. Harley held Nygma by the collar. "Now listen good, Eddie. Who'd you hear that sick rumor from? And tell me the truth or you won't live to tell another riddle!"
"How should I know who let the cat out of the bag, Harley?" he replied. She looked at him as the guards pulled them apart.
"That was a riddle, Harley," he muttered.
"Yeah, yeah, I got it," she retorted. "I ain't stupid. Not like the rest of you idiots, believing a stupid rumor! Mr. J loves me! Hear that? He loves me!" she shouted as she was dragged back to her cell.
"You think she can ever be cured, Pam?" muttered Two-Face, who returned to watching TV.
"Hope springs eternal, Harv," retorted Ivy. "If the Joker can be knocked off his merry throne, anything's possible."
"Harley's a sweet kid, and I know she would never suspect her best friend, but I can't help but think you had a hand in this whole rumor business," said Two-Face. "Clearly Harley didn't start it, but someone close to her obvously did. Someone people would trust as being Harley's confidant, someone she might share private information like that with."
"Wow, Harvey, I think Batman's got a rival for the title of World's Greatest Detective," said Ivy, rolling her eyes.
"You should tell her the truth," said Two-Face. "The longer you keep it from her, the more it'll hurt her when she discovers it."
"She won't discover it," snapped Ivy. "Nygma's told her it was Selina, who, in case you didn't notice, isn't here. We're locked up. Harley's not escaping without J, and J's in solitary for who knows how long. She won't be able to speak to Selina anytime soon. And even if she did, why would Selina tell her the truth? And even if she did, why would I care? Harley's my best friend and she knows how J tries to get on my nerves. She'll understand payback, and she'll forgive me."
"First rule of humanity, Pammie – they don't forgive," said Two-Face. "Second rule of humanity – in a contest between the lover and the best friend, the best friend always loses. I hope you know what you're doing."
"Gee, Harv, what would a poor dumb girl like me do without a big, strong man like you telling her what to do?" muttered Ivy, rising from the sofa and heading for her cell. "Who do you think I am, Harley? I know exactly what I'm doing."
"Famous last words," muttered Two-Face. "But good luck, Pam. I think you're going to need it."