Breaking Wonderland: Alice in Chains
BTAS (Batman Animated Series)
(Sequel to Breaking Wonderland) After her breakdown, Alice is forced to seek psychiatric help. Though the criminals in Arkham have other things on mind, again.
PS: Sorry for any grammar mistakes, typos, anything else.
=Lot's of change of POV in this chapter, sorry if my transitioning sucks=
Chapter 3: Dr. Harleen Quinzel
Alice dusted her living room as she hummed along to her favorite song on the radio. She had been working over time for the past week and hardly had time to do her daily chores. Alice's phone rang. She placed down her feather duster as she lowered her radio and made her way towards the phone.
"Hello?" Alice said happily catching her breath.
"Hello? Is this Ms. Alice Pleasance?" another female's voice replied on the other end.
"Yes, it is... who's this?" Alice asked calmly.
"This is... Dr. Quinzel, Harleen Quinzel, I'm an associate of Dr. Richardson."
"Oh, hello," Alice replied again.
"Yes, I'm calling you because Dr. Richardson believes that you're making great progress and was wondering if you would like to hasten your recovery by scheduling a few side appointments?" the woman asked professionally.
"Oh really?" Alice asked excitedly.
"Hehehe, yes really," Dr. Quinzel replied on the other in. "How about you come see me tomorrow at Arkham, is that okay?" Dr. Quinzel asked.
"At Arkham?" Alice asked unsurely.
"Yes, just for a while until... I get situated at an office elsewhere, hehe," Dr. Quinzel giggled.
"Oh well I suppose so," Alice said still hesitant.
"Ahem, don't worry Ms. Pleasance I'll have my head nurse Ms. Isley escort you through the asylum, she'll keep you safe don't worry," Dr. Quinzel affirmed.
"Oh well okay, what time then?" Alice asked.
"How about one pm," Dr. Quinzel suggested.
"Okay, then I guess I'll see you then," Alice replied.
"Yes, please be on time," Dr. Quinzel hung up.
"Good-" Alice was about to say when she realized Dr. Quinzel had already hung up. She hung up her phone as well, the thought of her getting through therapy faster made her feel anxious and excited at the same time.
Ivy managed to find some decent looking clothes from the laundry basket. She also grabbed a lab coat and a nurses outfit.
"How do I look?" Harley jumped out of the stall, she was wearing man's trousers and a woman's blouse, along with a man's belt and a lab coat. She had her hair tied back in a low bun.
"Hmm, you look nearly decent," Pamela said as she placed a hat on top of her head. "So how do I look?" Pamela asked Harley as she continued to examine herself in the mirror.
"Wow Pammy you look sizzling," Harley said as she checked out Pamela in her tight nurse's outfit with a pencil white nurses skirt and down to her white shoes.
"Good," Pamela smirked. "Here I got you something," and she tossed Harley a plastic name tag. Harley caught with ease she looked at for a few seconds smiling softly to herself. It was her old ID tag, Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel, with a picture of Harley's former self one whom she hardly recognized anymore. "What's wrong?" Pamela asked examining Harley.
"Oh nothing talk 'bout blast from the past," Harley said as she clipped her ID tag on. Pamela stared at Harley and the ID tag.
"Harley you never told me you wear glasses," Pamela noted as she saw the picture of Harley with round frames. Harley blushed a little.
"I don't I just wore them to make me look more... intellectual," Harley added. Pamela let out a chuckle.
"It's almost time," Pamela noted. Harley nodded as she let out a small cough.
"Show time," Harley said as she led the way out. Pamela escorted Harley towards the entrance of the Asylum, spraying pheromones to any man who got in the way as they sneaked by female nurses who passed along. A few minutes later Alice showed up to asylum, she made her way nervously about.
"Ahem," Harley let out. Alice looked towards her direction and made her way towards them.
"Dr. Quinzel?" Alice asked. Harley smiled.
"Yes, you must be Alice Pleasance pleasure to meet you," she said as she shook her hand. "This is Ms. Isley she'll be escorting you through the asylum as well," Harley noted. Pamela nodded in her direction. Alice smiled.
"Why hello," she said to Pamela's direction.
"Well shall we?" Harley asked a bit nervously. She quickly lead them way through the asylum. Most of the faculty was out for lunch except for a few security guards and orderlies. Harley made it to the right corridor and turned down making her way towards the end of the hall. Alice almost didn't turn until Pamela coughed.
"This way," she said quickly gaining Alice's attention. Alice turned and followed suit behind Harley. Luckily she turned just in time as the recreation room was starting to fill and the first one who popped in the other side of the room was none other than Jervis Tetch. Pamela's eyes widen as she stopped to think things through. She watched as Harley entered the office along with Alice. Pamela let out a heavy sigh. "That was close," she released as she took off her white nurses hat and made her way towards Tetch."Why, Jervis didn't you eat lunch?" Pamela asked curiously.
"Oh no, I just haven't had much of an appetite lately," he said in a melancholy manner. He made his way towards the chess table and sat down at one of the seats. Pamela sat across from him examining him closely. He looked tired and worn, a few scrapes had scabbed over and his bruises were nearly gone. "I hope you don't mind me asking," he started "would you mind joining me for a quick game of chess?" he asked politely. Pamela wondered what he meant by quick but decided to play anyways.
"Well if you insist," she said as they both started to put on pieces onto the board. "Ahem," Pamela coughed. She didn't know Tetch too well, she didn't understand why Harley liked him so much. "Jervis, Harley and I have been thinking," Pamela started. Jervis started first as he moved up a pawn.
"Yes, Ms. Isley?" he replied staring hard at the chessboard.
"We've been thinking about... breaking out of Arkham," Pamela whispered lowly. The corner of Jervis' lip twitched.
"Are you trying to make me lose my concentration, Ms. Isley," Tetch replied.
"Ah-ha, very funny but no I'm serious," she said as she moved her knight. Jervis raised a brow at Pamela's bold move. "The truth is I wouldn't be asking you to come along if it wasn't for Harley..." she paused wondering if she spoke too much.
"Why would Harley want me to come along?" Tetch asked interested. Pamela rolled her eyes.
"Well, she thinks..." Pamela thought for a good excuse, "she thinks that the faster you get out and get even with Crane, the faster you'll return to your old self," Pamela let out not even believing a word she just said. Tetch was quiet for a while as he moved up another pawn.
"Really? I do want to get my hands... on Crane, for more than one reason I might add," he said sorely. Pamela smirked, she couldn't believe that he fell for that little white lie. No wonder he's got no social skills, she thought.
"Well are you up for it?" she asked again.
"Very well, when is it?" he asked casually making sure no one else was listening.
"Next week," Pamela stated in a low voice as well.
"Next week? Why not now? Why not tonight?" he announced out loud. Pamela glared at him.
"Harley has plans to make, besides you should be happy we're taking you at all," Pamela spoke loudly. Tetch eyes widen before looking down sighing.
"I beg your pardon Pamela I didn't mean to-"
"Look forget about it... as long as you don't do it again," she replied as she finally moved another chess piece.
Meanwhile...
"So Ms. Pleasance it seems Dr. Richardson really grilled... I mean got a lot of information out of you already hasn't she?" Harley asked. Alice nodded as she looked around the office.
"Did this used to be Dr. Richardson's office?" Alice asked curiously pointing at the nameplate. Harley's eyes widen as she looked at the nameplate as well.
"Oh, yeah! It used to be her office well I mean it's still is. However, there wasn't another open room so I'm just borrowing her office for the meantime," Harley spoke quickly. Alice stared at her for a moment before shrugging.
"I see," Alice replied unquestioningly. Harley let out a loud sigh as she brought Alice's file and opened once again. Harley read it for a while.
"Hmmm," she let out as she examined Alice who looked about the room nervously. Harley smiled as she leaned back. "Hey, tell you what let's get acquainted with each other first, how 'bout it," Harley started. Alice stared at her confused.
"Oh-okay," she squeaked out. Harley grabbed a pen and paper and handed it to Alice.
"Here, take this," Harley commanded as Alice grabbed the pen and paper. "I'm going to ask a few questions and I want you to write the first thing that pops in your head, simple?" Harley asked as she leaned back and propped her legs on the desk. Alice glanced at Harley for a moment as she grabbed the pen and paper leaning close to the desk. "Okay, what's your name?" Harley started. Alice wrote down her name on the piece of paper. "Where do you live?" Harley asked and Alice began to write again. "Where do you work and what hours do you work?" Harley began to ask random questions about Alice's personal life that popped into her head, such as: What do you do on your spare time? What's your favorite restaurant? Your favorite dish, drink color, animal? Where do you shop? What do like to wear? What's your favorite flower? The list went on and on. After a few minutes Harley could not think of anymore questions to ask. "Now," Harley started once again. "I want you to look down at the list very quickly and remember what you just wrote," she commanded. Alice looked over the list as she was told. "See that, all that? That's you Ms. Pleasance, that list is Alice, it's what makes Alice who she is," Harley said strongly. Alice stared for a moment before smiling. "Now give me the list," Harley said strongly.
"But why?" Alice asked defensively.
"Don't worry it's for my eyes only," she swore. "How else do you expect me to get acquainted Ms. Pleasance," Harley smiled sweetly. Alice hesitantly handed Harley the paper. Harley looked over it briefly and placed it in her pocket. "Now," Harley started as she brought a notepad and another pen from the desk. "Is there anything you like to talk about?" Harley asked politely. She could feel that old tingly feeling of being a Psychiatrist again.
"Well, I've been doing a lot of Yoga lately to help me relax," Alice started proudly.
"Yoga? I've heard about that how is it?" Harley asked interestedly.
"Oh, it's fun! I like it very much and I'm very good at it according to my Yoga Instructor. I've become more flexible, you wanna see," Alice stated happily.
"Sure go on ahead," Harley replied. Alice blushed for a moment as she scooted back from her seat. She lifted her leg vertically and held it there for about half a minute. Harley clapped.
"Hey that's not half bad, check this out," Harley said with a smirk she pushed back the desk against the wall. She stretched a bit as she took off her white lab coat. Suddenly she did a backward flip. "Ta-Da!" Harley announced happily.
"Wow!" Alice breathed her eyes widening. "I don't think I can every do that even with Yoga," she said awestruck.
"Ah, don't put yourself down, who knows you just might," Harley said as she began to pull back the desk in place. Alice was impressed by how strong Dr. Quinzel was, as she was able to drag a metal desk about a room with little stress. "Ahem, where were we?" she said calmly as she put on her white lab coat. Alice just smiled nervously. She never would have guessed that Dr. Quinzel was so different than Dr. Richardson. "Okay well it's my turn to ask some questions," Harley said calmly grabbing Alice's file once more. Alice nodded as she sat back in her chair. "Now according to Dr. Richardson's paper, Billy was it was a real womanizer and was caught cheating is that right?" Harley started as she read from Alice's file. Alice looked down sadly and nodded.
"It's true," she said simply. Harley felt bad as she saw how Alice's face expression changed so drastically.
"Wow, he must have been a real jerk," Harley said. Alice's eyes began to water as her lips began to quiver.
"Yeah, he was!" she cried out. Harley frowned she didn't expect her to still be so caught up by a guy like him.
"Go on have a little cry, you'll feel better in a bit," she said as she handed Alice a tissue. Alice grabbed it and cried for a few more minutes. After a while she calmed and her tears stopped. "See the waterworks are already gone and I bet a lot faster than the last time you cried over Billy too," Harley added. Alice stayed quiet for a moment then she nodded her head slightly.
"Yeah, you're right," Alice replied softly.
"Of course I'm right that's why you're here," Harley added happily. "Now about Arkham, a little bird told me that Mr. Tetch, I believe..." she paused making sure she caught Alice's attention which she did. "Pleaded for you not be locked up here or go to jail, is that true?" Harley said pushing her seat real close. Alice turned slightly pale for a moment before looking off to the side and nodded.
"Uhm, yes that is true," Alice said simply. Harley snorted as she tried her best not to laugh out loud.
"So he pleaded for you not to come here even after you assaulted him?" Harley pressed on. Alice tilted her head. The look in her eyes told Harley that she was thinking seriously.
"Yes but it's because I thought he killed Billy!" Alice said out loud.
"Don't yell Ms. Pleasance," Harley scolded the same manner as Dr. Richardson said to her. "Really, even after the whole trying to kill him incident, Mr. Tetch still forgave you and begged with Batman for your sake?" Harley asked. Alice sat straight as she grew tense.
"I-" she paused. "I-I never thought about it like that," she said simply as she furrowed her brows and bit her lower lip.
"Hmm, it seems you owe him an apology," Harley stated as she leaned back in her chair. Alice stayed quiet lost in thought.
"Have you consider that maybe that you're misplacing your hate on the wrong man?" Harley spoke again looking over her finger nails. Alice's face snapped up her blue eyes wide.
"Wha- what do you mean?" Alice asked.
"I mean think about it, Ms. Pleasance," Harley started. "Perhaps if it wasn't for Billy's betrayal you wouldn't have been so angry about his death. Perhaps you wouldn't have changed your last name if Billy died an honest man?" Harley stated strongly.
"Are you saying that it's Billy's fault?" Alice asked angrily.
"Not necessarily," Harley said defensively.
"I mean Billy didn't force you to break into Arkham, you did that all on your own," Harley criticized. Alice stayed quiet for a bit thinking about Dr. Quinzel's words. "Have you ever had dreams about Billy or Mr. Tetch?" Harley started as she grabbed her pen and paper. Alice nodded with a shrug.
"Yeah, I mean I have dreams about Billy all the time but..." she paused wondering if she should continue on.
"Go on," Harley asserted.
"Well, there was this one dream... it was awhile back, I dreamt I was chasing Billy up this huge hill and there was Jervis, Denise, and Catwoman was there also," Alice paused.
"Catwoman? Really?" Harley asked interested.
"Uhh, yeah I mean I've read about her in the newspapers all the time," Alice added in quickly.
"Uh-huh, go on," Harley said scribbling on her notepad.
"Well Billy fell down this hole and Jervis was there too but he wasn't Jervis, he was..." she paused trying to force herself to say it. "He was the Mad Hatter!" Alice stated loudly. Harley raised a brow as she scribbled hastily on her notepad. "And he was there taunting me well not taunting me he was more like warning me," Alice said in realization. Harley smirked a bit.
"About what?" Harley asked.
"About not following Billy down the hole. He said it was a trap, that once I went down I... may... never.. come back," Alice said slowly her voice monotonous as if she saw her dream with new eyes.
"Hmmm," Harley said loudly.
"He jumped in and then Catwoman came from a tree and jumped in as well. Then I heard Billy yelling for help and I felt so bad I jumped down too," she said simply. Harley wrote down on her notepad quickly.
"Such a strange dream," Harley observed "I see do you know dreams consist of everyday thoughts that process through your deep subconscious," Harley let out smartly.
"What do you mean?" Alice asked interested.
"Well deep down this hole is something very bad, dangerous for you to go. Though Billy jumps down, depending how you interpret it he's fallen out of reach from you," Harley sprouted. "Though the Jervy- I mean the Mad Hatter, he warns you not to go in. Why do you think that is Ms. Pleasance?" Harley inquired seriously. Alice thought quietly as she opened her mouth about to answer when the door knocked. Ms. Isley opened the door.
"Sorry to interrupt Ms. Quinz-"
"Dr. Quinzel," Harley scolded. Ms. Isley paused for a moment.
"Dr. Quinzel, I'm here to remind youyour time is up with Ms. Pleasance, you have other things to attend to," she dictated seriously.
"Oh! Well thank you, Ms. Isley," Harley said gratefully.
"Well you heard the nurse get movin'," Harley said as she stood up and placed Alice's folder back in the file cabinet. Alice jumped up quickly as she made her way towards the door. "Ms. Isley if you please escort Ms. Pleasance will ya?" Harley asked as she made her way toward the restroom.
"Of course," Ms. Isley said as she lead Alice back to the entrance. Moments later Pamela came out of the bathroom as well, back to her regular asylum garb. She made her way towards Harley who was chuckling with Victor Fries.
"Well how was it?" Pamela asked Harley casually. Harley smiled.
"Swell," she replied simply. Pamela smiled as well. "So how was your chess game?" Harley chortled.
"Quick," Pamela replied venomously, her face red with anger and embarrassment.