Chapter 19: A deal of inquiries...

December 3rd, 9:30 p.m

"So, it seems you are quite the handy man, Slade! You've made all these tactics and plans come together so gloriously!" Joker shouted, as he spun around in the office chair he was in sitting, before his computer.

**Booooooooooooop!** The computer monitors faded from their original screenings to black. A green flash of light shot from the computer blinding Joker and Slade.

When they looked back, a figure of a man shrouded in darkness on the screen.

"OOOOOHHHH! And to whom do I owe this pleasure?" The Joker said, as he gave the most sinister smile to the man on the screen.

"Maybe you have heard of me... I'm Enigma, and I have a proposition... for the both of you. However, firstly, you must solve a riddle; it's an enigma of it's own. I feel true minds of intellect and worth feed on the time to ponder. True genius is the ability of intuition. You know because you are supposed to. It gives me a certain sense of destiny. Hmm... 'The riddler of fate'. But more importantly, are you ready for the riddle?" Enigma questioned.

"Lay it on me," Joker answered, still with an evil grin upon his face.

"Riddle me this:

I am an illusion of evil,
but I am an oblivion of bliss.
I am a border no-one is willing to cross,
but most are unaware they've crossed me.
I am unlocked through tribulation,
but I will cage you... and confine you between my walls.
What am I?"

After Enigma concluded his riddle, a small input bar popped up underneath himself on Joker's screen.

"Here," Enigma said, as he gestured his hand toward the bar on Joker's screen. "Enter what you believe it to be... And by all means, take your time."

Joker leaned forward in his chair, placing his elbows down on the table, crossing his fingers before his face. Joker grinned through his fingers at the screen.

"But until then, Joker, Deathstroke... you've heard my synopsis. I'll be looking forward to your answer when I-"

"Oh, but that's unnecessary," Joker interrupted.

"Oh, really?" Enigma asked.

"Indeed it is. However..." Joker stood out of his computer chair, and mimicked Enigma's stance that he was standing in behind the darkness. "What do you find so intricate about your riddles?" Joker questioned.

"It's a simple test. Nothing more, nothing less. The simplicity of it is surprising, to say the least. However, to unlock the brain's depths to venture with the simplest act as a simple riddle is... well... beautiful, wouldn't you concur, Joker?" Enigma questioned.

"Some aren't so privileged to be able to see things in such a - as they would call it - ridiculous way. There is no such thought of simplicity in this here," Joker said as he pointed to his head.
"Something else walks the halls in this head. But you already knew that, didn't you? Joker questioned as he stood up in his office chair.
"And the word of the day is..." Joker screamed, as he placed one foot out and kicked himself and the chair away from the desk, causing him to spin in circles as he rolled back.
"INSANITY!" Joker shouted as he threw his hands in the air as he was still spinning.
Joker dropped down to his butt in the chair and lightly lifted one leg, to rest it on his knee. Joker crossed his fingers and sat them in his lap.
"Some consider me the professional of the matter... But who can blame 'em?
So, Enigma, what's this proposition you have kindly brought to us?"

"Im-peccable," Enigma stated in surprise to such an easy triumph. "Perhaps I've underestimated you," Enigma admitted. "But as for the proposition, there are a few," Enigma confessed.

"HUUGGGGGGHHHHH-HUUGHHH!" Joker pretended to sleep in his chair and snore himself awake, as if he wasn't interested.
"Bwah-haha-hahaha-hahahaaaa! I'm pulling your chain, man! Get on with it already!" Joker further teased.

"Anyway, Joker, I am aware of your attempts here in the near future on the great banks of Gotham. Therefore, I'm going to assist you in your heist falling here on the 5th. In exchange for your cooperation, of course," Enigma proposed.

"Very well. And in exchange you seek our allegiance for what exactly? Deathstroke questioned Enigma as he stepped forward accepting the proposal.

"Hmm... Who exactly is in charge here?" Enigma questioned.

"Hahahahaha! It's a mutual relationship." Joker chuckled out as he caught his breath.

"Well, Deathstroke, unfortunately, I have a detrimental need for your set of skills: two contracts. The first contract is Floyd Lawton, also known as Deadshot, the number two assassin of the world... Under you, of course. The second, though, it may sound, won't be so easy: Amanda Waller, the Governor of Gotham. She's protected around the clock with her own personal trained bodyguards. Getting in close on her won't be an easy task to accomplish. I'd advise an approach in guerrilla warfare. But hey, you're the expert. Deadshot is a valuable target. However, if you take out Waller, there will no longer be a valid contract on my head seeing how he couldn't collect. Deadshot will be rewarded dead or alive for 2.5 million. Amanda, however... you bring me her head, and I'll give you a handsome reward. How does 3.5 million sit with you?"