Disclaimer: Not mine.
"All it takes is one bad day to reduce the sanest man to lunacy. That's how far the world is from where I am. Just one bad day. You had a bad day once. Am I right? I know I am. I can can tell. You had a bad day and everything changed. Why else would you dress up like a flying rat?"
The Joker: Batman issue #1 April 1940
"It seems our boy has finally flipped his lid. Big time!"
The old retainer had always expected something like this, just never from such a source.
The Joker of all people! How did he even know about Master Bruce being the Batman? And what's more: How did he know about the Batman's connection to the recent killings?
He had only just discovered this information, and he lived with the man!
Shoulders slumping, he suddenly felt very old. So many secrets, so many lies over the years; and now these new developments?
He was simply too old. Too old and too tired.
Looking at the madman on the front step, holding a duffel bag and looking to want to stay for a while, the old butler stepped aside.
"Please, come in." The least he could do is talk it out, it had been so long since he'd had someone to really talk to.
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The Joker looked around as he was led through the old manor house. He had been here many times over the years since figuring out just who the batman was, just never as a guest.
He had even traversed the Batcave a time or two!
He'd always loved this huge place. It might be old but it was well loved.
As they entered the small servants kitchen, the green haired man set his duffel down and had a seat. Alfred had looked a bit startled on first sight of his fine self, but now he seemed quite depressed. And with good cause, the madman mused.
Waiting for the proper British gentleman to make them tea and calm his nerves, the Joker let himself ponder the situation that they would have to deal with.
The Batman was murdering people, and wasn't even aware he was doing so! This was going to be a tough nut to crack.
Taking his tea with a quiet thank you that didn't seem to have been heard, the Joker got right to the heart of the matter.
"How long have you known?" He asked as gently as he could.
He didn't need to elaborate more, they both knew what this was about.
"A week now. He came home after that gang had been ripped apart. You heard of that?"
"Yes, it was all over Arkham. The headline 'The Great Gangs of Gotham are Finally Falling' was the talk of every ward." They had all laughed about it then, it didn't seem funny anymore.
"Yes, well, he was upset that night, of course he normally is on bad nights; but it was different that time. He didn't speak, just went right to the showers; he left a light blood trail. At first I thought he was hurt, he often is, but when I checked on him he simply yelled for me to clean the car and leave him alone. I-I went to the B-batm-"
"It's alright. You don't have to say it, I can imagine for myself." And he could too. He knew from personal experience just what a blood splattered car looked like, and how hard it was to clean.
"I-I managed to get all the stains out. It took hours, but I got them all out. The next day I took him his breakfast and he acted like nothing had happened. I tried asking but he didn't seem to know what I was talking about. And a few minutes later he wouldn't even remember that I had asked him anything.
"He doesn't remember! Do you understand?" The pleading eyes turned on him would have broken his heart if he had one.
"I know. If he knew what he was doing he would be the first to turn himself in." Seeing relief in the eyes of the only other person who cared for his Batsy as much as he did, Joker reached out and covered one worn old hand with his stark white one.
"We'll get our boy back, I promise." Or we'll die trying, he said to himself. Now it was time to get to work.
"Alfred, do you remember anything unusual happening to the Bats just before the killings started? We need to figure out what could have caused all this."
"Well-" Ding! Ding! Ding! A look of alarm passed across the butlers face.
"It's alright, he won't hurt you, and I'll stay out of sight."
"You're staying?" He didn't sound surprised, only seeking confirmation.
"Yes, if whatever is wrong with him gets worse you'll need help. Besides, if he kills you he might just off himself in grief. I can't have that now can I?" Looking actually relieved, the old butler left to attend his Master.
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"Another one Alfred. Another murder and no clues! Plus the Joker is still on the loose. Not even Quinn has heard from him."
"You found Miss Harleen I take it." With sigh and a relaxing of tense shoulders Bruce answered his old mentor.
"Yeah. She and Ivy have set up shop in skid row. It seems legitimate, but I'll keep an eye on them."
"Would you care for a light supper, sir?" The Butler asked, wanting to go and make sure his guest was staying out of trouble.
"That would be nice, thank you Alfred." Turning around Bruce began to input that nights' report in his computer.
Turning to leave Alfred almost missed a step, the Joker was leaning against the wall. Holding a finger to his lips he slipped into the shadows. Search as he might, the old man could not see where he had gone.
Felling better knowing someone would be watching over his Master, Alfred headed up to fix a light supper for the grown man he still remembered as a small boy.