CHAPTER XIV
Joseph Wellsley had been putting sniper rounds into enough heads that he knew exactly what do to in order to take out his target. He maintained a timed, steady breathing pace, along with a heart monitor to make sure that was nice and slow. Winds weren't terribly bad that day, making the job just a little easier. His com-link buzzed and he heard, "Chester, you ready?" "Almost, boss," he said, "Give me just one…second." He locked in his round, keeping his eyes closed until he was given the word. His target wasn't Carmine Falcone, though. The Joker would handle him. His target was still one of the heads of the crime families in Gotham, however. And he would soon be delivering a speech. Kami had already gotten inside disguised as a guard. Smiley was making sure no one got to Chester. Harley was driving the getaway car.
Joseph only had to wait a few minutes before his target was up in the middle of the room, raising his glass. The Joker said, "Alright, that's your cue." Joseph opened his eyes to see his target. He breathed in and out a few times, eventually firing on his fourth exhale. The target's head snapped to the side, blood spurting out of both temples. The room erupted in horror as Joseph continued firing, effectively killing most of the guards, leaving the few that were left to Kami. They were no problem. It was the Joker's stage now. The Joker walked towards the center of the room, disguised as a waiter, his makeup off. As he stepped over the dead bodies, he would lean towards random people and say, "Hors d'oeuvres?" Eventually he tossed the tray of mini crab cakes he was holding into someone's face, afterwards carefully walking to the table where Carmine Falcone was seated.
Carmine smirked and said, "What's with the smile?" "Oh, I'm just a very happy man," said the Joker. Carmine laughed and pulled out a compact .45. The Joker also laughed, gesturing towards Kami to begin laughing as well. The Joker abruptly stopped and wrenched the gun out of Carmine's hand, breaking Carmine's wrist. The Joker pointed the gun at the faces of everyone around Carmine in turn, eventually zeroing in on Carmine. "You want to know what I think about guns?" said the Joker. Carmine didn't answer. "Well," continued the Joker, "they're not much fun." As he said this, Kami tossed him a corkscrew. The Joker deftly caught it and slammed it into Carmine's head. Those surrounding him scrambled away, terrified. "I'm surprised at you guys," said the Joker, looking at them and disassembling the gun, "I mean, most of you are mob, aren't you? I guess people really are afraid of clowns."
One of them eventually stuttered, "Y-y-you killed him!" The Joker sniffed and said, "Sorry, who?" He turned towards Carmine and smacked his forehead. He turned back around and said, "Oh, HIM! Yeah, I must've mistaken him for a bottle of wine. You wouldn't believe how many times that's happened with other people." With that, he downed a glass of champagne left by the others and began to walk out, with Kami in tow. He let Kami go out first, turning around and closing the double doors at the same time, shouting, "CARRY ON!" A minute after he left he came back in and said, "Nearly forgot." He took out his wallet and began rummaging through it, muttering, "This is embarrassing." Eventually, he said, "Ah. Here's my card." He placed a Bicycle brand joker card on the floor. Exiting, he said, "Give Jim Gordon my regards! And this!" He threw a file backwards, making it land next to his 'card'.
One of the terrified party members gingerly took up the file and opened it as the police arrived. It was evidence concerning Carmine's life of crime. But, as it were, I wasn't actually there. Though I realized that the Joker was going after Falcone first, I was closer to Antonio Guile's house. I had been watching closely since the moment I'd gotten there, but nothing happened for a long time. I stayed on his roof until morning. And then I stayed another day. Still nothing. But I had to stay. I knew that something would happen to Guile. Eventually he left his house, which meant, of course, that I had to follow him through the alleys with the Batmobile. He was nervous the whole way, looking this way and that. He arrived at his office, the Batmobile and I only a second behind. He walked inside, and I climbed the building to his office window.
I must add one thing before I get to the chase. Though the police had attempted to convict Guile, once again he hired expert lawyers, and he claimed that he only confessed out of fear. He was in the process of cutting a deal that would entail his testimony for lenience. It helped him that he also had the judge paid off. Anyway, I got in and hid myself in the corner. I stayed stock still as Guile entered. He was carrying a parcel. He opened it up, revealing a digital watch. I immediately realized what it was and lunged forward as he put it on, shouting, "STOP!" It was too late. The watch blew up on his wrist, launching his hand across the room and spraying blood all over. He screamed and covered the bloody stump that was in place of his hand. I tore off his jacket and ripped off the sleeve, wrapping it around the stump. I contacted the nearest hospital and had an ambulance come by. It quickly arrived, taking Guile to the hospital.
Looking for the parcel, I noticed it still wasn't empty. I checked, and there was a file with evidence that Guile had let all the crimes he'd been accused of go, as they were all actually committed by his many 'associates'. There was a tape as well. I went into the conference room once again, playing the tape. The Joker's face appeared on the screen. He said, "HI! How're you folks doing tonight? Good? Good. Now, as you might have realized, the Perriman files never existed. Of course, I figured it really was connected to Guile, so I knew you would go for it. But anyway, I'm going to clear something else up. You thought I would kill Guile, didn't you. Well, sorry, someone else is going to bite the big one. Remember that I said you would see what his blood looks like. I imagine there will be enough for you to thoroughly observe. Really, all Guile is guilty of is being a moronic coward. I think losing a hand might teach him a lesson, along with jail. Alright then, I'm going to take a nap. All this filming has me tired. Bye-bye!"
The tape ended, and I pulled it out, reflecting on what he said and wallowing in my failure. I somberly returned to Wayne Manor, once again pouring myself a glass of Jack Daniel's. Dick came in, saying, "You look like you just got laid off." "Yeah, that's great," I said, "I really could use that, thank you, Dick." "I'll be here if you need me," said Dick. I sighed and said, "I guess I just feel like I'm not doing a good job. I mean, I got complacent. I got careless. I got overconfident." I finished my glass and continued, "I just didn't do it right." "Oh, come on," said Dick, "Stop with the pity party! You're Batman! And that's awesome! You might not have done it right now, but you've done it right enough that this shouldn't bring you down! I mean, all the little kids in Gotham love you, even if you're scary and hated by their parents." "Yeah, that's helping," I said sarcastically.
Dick sighed and continued, "Well, you are. But even with that, you're someone to look up to for them. I mean, if not you, then who? The police, which, by the way, has many employees who're corrupt? Or Guile? No. You might be a bat, but you're a light for this place. You are helping. You're no failure." "You should go into public speaking," I said. He shrugged. I turned towards him and said, "And how do you know that kids look up to me?" He turned and walked away, saying, "Because I look up to you." I looked at the floor, letting it sink in. I mulled it over. A minute later Dick came back in and began to say something, but I preempted, "No, you can't help me out there." He sighed and said, "I really meant that, you know." "I know," I said, "But that's why I can't let you. I wouldn't want you to get hurt." "Softie," said Dick as he walked away yet again. I chuckled lightly.
I was still sitting there when Alfred eventually came up to me and said, "Shall I gather some blankets and a pillow for you, Master Wayne?" "What?" I said. "Well," continued Alfred, "It looks to me like you're going to stay here for quite some time." I looked at the clock, which read ten thirty. I raised my eyebrows and said, "I guess I just got lost in my thoughts. But, uh, no, Alfred, I don't think I'm going to sleep just yet." "Very well then, Master Wayne," said Alfred. He walked away, and I put on a jacket and went outside on the lawn, sitting down on the grass and staring at the night sky. A few minutes into it, Dick came out of the house, saying, "Amateur astronomer and nightly crime-fighter? You must be a big hit for the ladies." I said, "Real funny, Grayson." Dick sat down next to me and said, "So, you come here often?" "Yes," I said, "It was a sort of tradition for me and my parents. We would always come out here and just look at the stars, marveling at…at just how amazing they are. And to think, they're just gigantic balls of gas." I sighed, reliving those happy memories.
I pointed at one star and said, "You see that? That's the north star. I remember feeling like the luckiest kid in the world when my dad told me about it." "Yeah," said Dick, "I felt the same way when my dad suggested a book to me." "Is that so?" I asked, "Tell me about it." "Well," said Dick, "like I said, when you live on a train, there isn't much to do except read. I had read The Iliad by the time I was ten. I went right through To Kill a Mockingbird when I was fourteen. And every time, my dad was the one who told me to read it. And every time, I felt like I was on top of the world. When you're a kid, your dad is the smartest person ever, you know? He's this big, strong guy who takes care of you every day without fail. That's how it should be, at least. I'm just glad that I had him for so long. You didn't get that chance." "I may have had my dad for only ten years," I said, "but it felt like an eternity. And a great one, at that." Dick yawned and said, "Okay, all the emotion has gotten to me. I'm going to bed." He left me sitting outside, allowing me to think about those amazing ten years.
Meanwhile, a far less touching scene was occurring in a run-down building where five criminals were hiding out. Masashi Ryukyu was playing a game of chess with Joseph Wellsley, Harleen Quinzel was touching up the white makeup on her face, Harold Barren was diligently sharpening his combat knife, and the Joker walked into the room wearing a purple jogger's suit. He began speaking in a loud voice, "That nap was invigorating! Granted, as this particular article of sidewalk athlete attire was made for a woman, it was slightly uncomfortable in the uncharted regions, but nevertheless it was great! I feel like a new clown!" No one showed any response to what he'd just said except for Masashi, who said, "Boss, could you please keep it down a little bit? I need to concentrate." The Joker was taken aback.
He walked to Masashi and said in an even louder tone, "REALLY? YOU NEED TO CONCENTRATE? LET ME TELL YOU BUDDY, THERE ARE, AT THIS MOMENT…" He looked towards the chess board and then back towards Masashi. He continued, "THREE WAYS YOU COULD CHECKMATE THE BRIT!" He stopped and said, "But really, my people, I have something to discuss. The next target is going to be a fun one…" That got their attention.