"They're all still in electrotherapy, Mr. J," said Harley, returning to Joker and Batman's cell.
"Good Harley," he cooed, patting her head as he would a dog. "Bats don't seem none the worse for wear, but I'm gonna stay with him for a while, just to make sure he don't have an emotional breakdown or anything."
"Aw, you're so thoughtful, Mr. J!" sighed Harley, gazing at him adoringly.
He kissed her. "Goodnight, my little punching bag," he whispered, stroking her bruised face.
"I love you, Mr. J," she breathed. She kissed him again and then skipped happily back off to her cell.
"She's a good kid," said Joker, turning back to Batman and smiling. Batman said nothing – he sat on the edge of his bed staring at the floor.
"Y'know, with all this silence, I'm beginning to see how you might've gone nuts," muttered Joker, sitting down on the floor opposite him. "C'mon, buddy. Talk to me. You know who's behind this frame-up, doncha? Tell me."
Batman nodded heavily. "It's a man called…Ra's al Ghul."
"That a man or a soft drink?" chuckled Joker. "I can see Ra's al Ghul-aid being the next big thing for the kiddies!"
"He's a man who claims to be over six-hundred years old," continued Batman.
"He must eat his veggies!" laughed Joker. "Is that his secret?"
"His secret is…none of your business," finished Batman, realizing that he should never let Joker know that such a thing as a Lazarus pit ever existed. The idea of Joker achieving immortality was a terrifying one. "But his purpose, in his twisted mind, is to cleanse the earth of what he sees as the scum of humanity. Basically all humanity."
Joker snorted. "Is there anything more annoying than a criminal idealist?" he muttered. "Eco terrorists, religious terrorists, terrorists in general, all a bunch of idiots who just need to lighten up. People call me a terrorist, but I ain't a terrorist. Terrorists have motives for their attacks, even if that motive is just plain terror. I ain't like that. I'm a comedian. I'm trying to make the world smile and laugh."
"By killing people?" demanded Batman.
Joker grinned. "Not everyone appreciates the joke, Batsy. And not everyone has a sense of humor. You certainly don't. But my point is that I hate people who use crime to try to make a point. It's just taking yourself too seriously, and I don't like that."
"Well, at least we can both agree that we don't like terrorists," said Batman.
"Or Nazis," said Joker. "I really don't like Nazis."
Batman stared at him. "What does that have to do with…"
"Nothing, I just thought you should know," interrupted Joker. "They're all a bunch of goose-stepping morons. Hate 'em."
"O…K," said Batman, slowly. "Ra's isn't a Nazi. But he does want to purify the world of what he sees as inferior specimens of humanity, so I guess there's a similar thought process. He's the one who's been setting off these bombs. He runs an society called the League of Shadows, which has members in every powerful organization in the world. The media, the police, the government, you name it, Ra's probably has someone planted there."
"Sounds like a pretty obsessive guy," sighed Joker. "I pity the poor bastards, I really do, Bats. But what's this Ra's al Ghul got against you exactly that would be worth locking you up here?"
"Oh, it's a long story," sighed Batman. "I used to date his daughter."
"Ah. Women trouble. That explains it," said Joker, nodding.
"But I think it's mostly because I get in the way of his so-called work," said Batman. "I nearly stopped that last bomb, and I was very close to discovering where he's hiding out. He knew I was close, so he sent me here. I don't think he thought I'd ever get out of here alive."
"He obviously didn't count on having a Joker in his deck," chuckled Joker. He stood up, clapping him on the back. "Well, that settles it. We need to bust you outta here as soon as possible. You stay here – I'll go get the guys from the electrotherapy room and explain the situation. Then we'll arrange a little escape attempt for you."
Batman stared at him. "You'd do that for me?" he asked quietly.
Joker shrugged. "Well yeah, sure. Having you break out and bust this guy Ra's is gonna be quite the joke on him!" he laughed. "Plus if he wants to wipe the scum of humanity from the earth, how long is it gonna be before he starts targeting us? Better the Bat I know than the Psycho I don't, that's my motto!"
He headed for the door. "Joker!" called Batman. He turned. "Thank you," said Batman, quietly.
Joker grinned. "Don't mention it, Bats," he said. "But I'll expect a goodbye kiss before you go!"
He left the cell, chuckling madly. Batman stared after him, sincerely hoping he was joking.