Chapter 3

FLASHBACK TO THE MOVIE

I stood on top of the biggest pile of money I had ever seen. Working with to mob turned out to be a pretty good move. I spread my arms, feeling like the king of the world.

'Yoo not as crazy as yoo look.' Said the mob boss with the cigar dangling in the corner of his mouth.

I jumped off the giant heap of dollar bills while saying: 'I told you, I'm a man of my word.' I landed smoothly but not gracefully on my feet. 'Where's the Italian?' I picked up some of the piles and threw it roughly at one of my henchmen's head who sat on top of the pile. I didn't like the fact that he was sitting there, like it was his money, like he was king of the world.

'What yoo do with all yoo money?' The guy with the cigar asked me.

'You see, I'm a guy of simple taste. I enjoy dynamite and gunpowder and… GASOLINE!' My henchmen began throwing gasoline over the money immediately after I said the word.

The guy with the cigar startled and was about to walk up to my henchmen but I shushed him backwards, pointing my gun at him.

'And you know the thing that they have in common? They're cheap.' I told him.

He mumbled something I didn't quite understand and I pulled the cigar out of his mouth. 'Ow, and I'm only burning my half.'

I threw the cigar onto the billons of dollars.

'All you care about is money…'

The mob guy just stood there. Stunned. Looking with his big eyes at the raging fire. Completely dazzled and astonished. It was only then that he realised he had made a huge mistake. They had turned to a man they didn't fully understand.

END FLASHBACK

Bill didn't say anything for a long time. He just looked at me. I was on the ground, panting, clutching my wounded shoulder, blinking my eyes. I didn't really have those five million dollars I promised him, because I burned my share the mob gave me, just to see the look on their faces as I did it, to scare them, but I sure do hoped Bill would accept the offer!

'You're lucky none of my friends and family were on those boats!' Bill grumbled. He bent down to help me stand up again. Seeing that as a 'yes' to my proposal I let him slung my arm around his shoulders and half drag me over the streets.

He stopped in front of a huge flat. Inside it was dirty, it looked like some ghetto building were drug dealers would live. There was no lighting. He took me up the stairs and I think we were halfway there when Jenny re-appeared out off the shadows.

'Bill, why didn't you just take the lift? That poor man can hardly stand on his legs!'

Bill looked gruff and looked down at his feet. Now knowing who this man was, he didn't care at all whether he could walk the stairs or not. They just had to keep him alive and then they would get enough money for the rest of their lives. He could finally afford a better place for his child and girlfriend. They didn't deserve to live in this dump.

'Come inside, sir.' Jenny said kindly. She put the key in the keyhole and opened the front door. Bill dragged me inside.

'We need to get you out of these wet clothes, sir.' Jenny said and she started pulling on my coat. I let out a small moan of pain as Jenny pulled my sore arm. 'Are you hurt? I'm a –' Bill turned the lights on and Jenny stopped in her mid-sentence. She saw the scars on my face and my 'Joker outfit'. Anyone would recognise me in my purple suit and with my make-up on, but apparently the suit, the scars and the fact that her boyfriend was one of my henchmen, was enough for Jenny to understand. She jumped backwards and muffled a scream. She looked over at Bill and felt absolutely horrified. What kind of monster had they brought into their home!?

Bill gently grabbed Jenny's hands and took her into another room. I sat on the table, letting out a deep sigh. Looking around the room. I was in the kitchen. It was small but cosy and nicely decorated. I never cared about that kind of stuff. Actually, my current room wasn't even wallpapered. I licked my lips and touched the insides of my cheeks with my tongue. A habit of mine. I could feel the scars if I smacked like that.

I heard them whisper furiously. Bill was explaining to her I would give them a whole lot of money. Jenny didn't want to have anything to do with it. She almost begged Bill to put me back on the streets again. From the silly arguments Bill gave her I got the impression he didn't even dare to put me out of his house. Jenny became desperate and I heard her crying. She was afraid of their child's safety with me around. Then Bill put his foot down and made her clear their conversation was over.

When they came into the kitchen again Jenny was still upset.

'Fetch him up.' Bill commanded to her. He was holding a bundle of blankets. And he was carrying a big bag in rainbow colours. When his 'bundle of blankets' started crying it dawned on me that he was holding a baby. I stretched my neck to get a better look but Bill darted out of my reach. 'I'll be back as soon as I can, darling.' He closed the door behind him as he left the apartment.

I stood up warily and Jenny immediately backed off. I drove her into a corner. 'So, dear old Bill is dumping the kid someplace else?' I asked.

With my gloved hands I touched her face and smeared blood all over her.

Blood?

Where did that came from?

I looked myself over. I was covered in blood. No wonder my body felt so sore.

I passed out.

--

When I woke up again I was lying in a bed. The morning sun was blocked out with heavy curtains. On a small table next to my bed I saw my clothes. I got up and immediately regretted that. My body hurt like hell. I thought back to last night and grinned. I had had a great time, apart from the fact that I passed out in the kitchen.

The Joker wasn't supposed to pass out… What is wrong with me? I opened the curtains and blinked at the light. My head stung painfully.

The door creaked. I looked up and saw Jenny in the opening. 'You have to get back in bed.'

'Sure if you just come lay next to me.' I joked.

She didn't get that one.

It wasn't funny if you had to explain the joke…

My head really hurt from the sunlight.

'I think you have a minor concussion.' She closed the curtains again. 'Get back into bed, Joker.'

To be continued…

Author's note: Does anyone know the guy's name from the money scene? The one with the cigar?Ow, and let me know what you think of my story! It would really help me out :)