DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own the Dark Knight, Harvey Dent, The Joker or any other DC comic references. But, Emily Vallen and Twilight the cat are all mine. Thanks!
Chapter 2
The Exhibition
I woke early, rolled back over, shut my eyes and tried to sleep, but it was useless. My mind wondered on the worst that could happen. Today was the big day. All eyes were on me and my work. I wasn't afraid……I was terrified. I crawled out of bed around noon, still worried about tonight. Twilight greeted me with a nudge to the leg. That was his way of saying "get up and feed me." I stretched and made my way to the kitchen. I browsed in the fridge aimlessly and then the cabinets. I pulled out a can of cat food and placed it in Twilight's favorite bowl. The bowl was a light blue hue and had the word "stud" printed across its circumference. It always made me smile. As Twilight chowed down, I readied my paintings, placing each one carefully in a large black portfolio one at a time.
I had a lot of things to do to prepare for tonight. I slipped off my pajamas, put on some casual attire, grabbed my portfolio and purse, and headed out the door. "I'll be back in a few, little man." I bid to Twilight. He was oblivious to everything, he was still eating.
I headed to my kiwi green Honda element. I unlocked the doors and hopped in. I turned the key in the ignition. I had a few errands to run before dropping off my painting at the gallery. First I had to run to the bank. I've always hated the bank, long lines and older people working the desks. It always took so long, even for the smallest withdraw. I continued to drive, I was almost there. I pulled in to a parking spot on next to the bank, turned off my car and headed in. "Woe is me." I mumbled. I was never too happy about going to the bank.
I stumbled up the marble steps, through the revolving door, and took my place in line. About ten minutes had passed and it seems like the line hadn't moved at all. Suddenly three men in clown masks barge into the bank with guns and other weapons of mayhem. "Oh God!" I began to panic, "Just stay calm, and be brave." I regained my composure. "Ok, Hands up, heads down!" one of the men in the clown mask demanded. Of course I did what he said…..for now at least.
Rage began to build in me. I had never felt this way before. As shots fired, the two men in clown masks were dead and only one remained. He was wearing a blue button up shirt, a pair of grey slacks, and a matching blazer. His mask was different from the rest, it was frowning. "Th-ank you, ladies and gen-tlemen, for being so, uh, submissive." said the last man in a clown mask. He wasn't going to get away with this, not on my watch. I wanted my money back. I stood up and walked towards the man. I was infuriated. "What makes you think you can just take all the money in this bank?!?!?" I yelled, "What kind of moron are you?" He took off his mask. I felt a milky white paleness creep over me and my cheeks turn five shades of red. I was terrified.
"Maybe that wasn't the best idea." I thought to myself. This was the first time I had seen the Joker, apart from all the news flashes. To tell you the truth, he was quite handsome to be a criminal. "Well, He-llo beautiful!" He said cleverly. "Aren't you a feisty one?" He reached in his pocket a pulled out a knife. "This is the end of me." I thought to myself. I wanted to run but, my legs felt like boulders. "Ya know, No one's ever stood up to me like that before….at least no one of your beauty." He licked his lips, "What's wrong? You seem ner-vous? Is it the scars?" "No," I replied "It's the fact that you're going to kill me." "HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! I don't want to kill you! You're too much fun!" He said manically, "I just want to know your name." I felt a lump in my throat. I couldn't speak. "Not gonna talk, eh?" He reached into my purse and pulled out my wallet. He began to flip through it until he found what he was looking for, my driver's license.