Chapter 2
Crazy
It was the afternoon; the day was slowly drifting into the evening. The 12th floor was alive with commotion as the recruits were getting used to their new surroundings. The Joker had not been seen since the announcement he made earlier, he was busy plotting future jests in his private room that sat behind the red-stained door.
Ana sat at the rickety dining table by herself. An assortment of guns, knives and peelers were spread neatly across the surface. Ana was individually cleaning them of their bloodlust and debris. She gently held a pistol as she glided the cloth over the barrel.
"What are you doing?" happily bellowed Allie from directly behind her.
"Jesus," Ana restlessly breathed as Allie sat down next to her. "What does it look like I'm doing?" Ana snapped as she glared at Allie.
"Sorry," Allie sarcastically whined. Ana continued with her chore as Allie stared at her. "So, are you and the Joker like an item?" She blurted out. Ana stared at her in confusion.
"Excuse me?" she scoffed.
"You know, you're a woman and he's… he's the Joker," Allie described the psycho clown as if he was a god or a legend.
"I don't have a death wish," Ana growled as she started cleaning the pistol in her hand more aggressively.
"But you work here, for him," Allie calculated. Ana couldn't deny the irony, it frustrated her.
"Why are you asking?" She changed the subject.
"No reason," Allie shifted in her seat, "I'm just wondering about him. Where is he anyway?" Allie looked over her shoulder.
"He's unavailable," Ana simply said. Allie let out a saddened exhale and brought her hand up to her face to rest her chin. She looked around the room at the remaining henchmen.
"So, are you with anyone else here?" Allie quietly asked. Ana raised an eyebrow to her query, and without thinking her eyes flickered over to Duncan who was chatting with a few of the recruits near the kitchenette.
"Nope," she simply said and continued cleaning the gun.
"Really? You work with all these guys and you've not been with any of them?" Allie cheekily smiled. Ana let a smile escape.
"Nope, not once," she shrugged whilst taming her face.
"There are some pretty cute guys here..." Allie looked at Ana as she got on with her duties, debating on her next sentence. "I bet the Joker is pretty handsome under that makeup," she mumbled.
Ana suddenly stopped cleaning the gun, sighed and put it down on the table. "You know, if you want to survive here, there are a few things you need to learn," she explained to Allie as the girl leaned forwards in anticipation.
"Like what?" Allie said with wide eyes. Ana paused as she studied the gleeful girl sitting next to her, watching her eyes sparkle with naivety.
"The most important thing to remember is… The Joker isn't human," Ana darkly spoke.
"What?" Allie scrunched up her face in confusion.
"He's the Devil. The moment you start thinking that he has a human side, you're dead," Ana breathed with a hint of fear. "One day something small will happen, like perhaps getting his coffee order wrong and he'll snap. The next day something major goes wrong, like the police confiscating half his weapons and he'll just laugh it off," Ana explained as if in a trance, haunted by her own memories.
"You're kidding," Allie innocently laughed.
"Does this look like I'm kidding?" Ana snapped back as she abruptly pulled the collar of her t-shirt to the right, revealing a malformed gunshot wound under her shoulder.
"Oh wow! Is that from a bullet?" Allie stared in awe.
"He shot me in my second year working for him, and why? I screwed up his coffee order," Ana exclaimed. "Oh and this," gesturing to the lumpy, decoloured area surrounding the wound, "He threw the boiling water on me… And laughed," Ana cleared her throat and straightened up her blazer. "You have no idea how many Crazies get used as target practice every week," Ana lowered her voice, just in case a few who were currently coherent were within earshot.
"Crazies?" Allie asked.
"Yeah, the ones talking to themselves and twitching. Crazies," Ana started to reminisce.
"I remember us losing about 20 Crazies during this one major plot. I had only been working for the Joker for a couple of months. He had purposely got himself and these Crazies arrested, because there was this high and mighty accountant locked up in the MCU that he wanted," Ana could remember sitting outside the police station, waiting for their signal to move. The night air was tense as Ana and Duncan stared at the building from a darkened alleyway across the street. They sat silently against a concealed car's bonnet.
"You weren't arrested with him?" Allie interrupted.
"No, we were too valuable at the time," Ana remembered the expansive explosion that soared across the police station. The heat consumed the cold night air.
"There's the signal," The memory of Duncan spoke as he stood up, pulled the cover off the car and revealed the vehicle to be a police vehicle. Ana copied him with another police car that sat behind his; they each got into their vehicles and drove towards the blazing building. With their sirens blaring, any patrol outside allowed them through with no hesitation. Ana recalled the Joker striding out of the building violently hauling a small Asian man to her car. They both looked dishevelled and slightly seared. The masses of thick smoke, and the distraction of the ember, obscured him from the patrols.
He threw the accountant into the back seat of her car and handcuffed both of his hands to his headrest, causing the man's arms to sit uncomfortably behind his head. The Joker scoffed at his work, then snapped his head to Ana. Ana stared at him, questioning in her head whether to ask about the other henchmen that were arrested with him. She told herself not to and just nodded at her Boss, signalling that she was ready to move on. The Joker acknowledged her nod and abruptly stood up, closed the car door, and strode to Duncan's car.
As Duncan drove off, Ana followed. She noticed Duncan repeatedly swerving his car side-to-side when they got further away from the scene. She chuckled as she gave a glance in her mirror at the dazed captive then stared back to the road. She joined in with his movements just as she saw the Joker lean out his window and let the wind hit his face. She heard frail whines from the passenger with each swerve.
"The Crazies were still in their cells when the bomb went off, they all died," Ana carried the conversation away from the memory. "He didn't care. You see, here there is a hierarchy," Ana explained.
"A hierarchy?" Allie asked again.
"Like a pyramid. At the top is the Joker…" Ana started as she shoved a few of the armaments away that sat in front of her, to create space. She placed one of the pistols at the top of the area to represent the Joker.
"… and we're at the bottom," Allie finished.
"No. The Crazies are at the bottom," Ana lined up five peelers at the bottom of the space. "While we're in the middle," she said as she placed three knives in between. "Well, me, Duncan and Charles have worked for the Boss a lot longer than anyone else. So, we're a tad higher up the pyramid," Ana slowly moved one of the knives a few cm upward, toward the Joker depiction. "But that doesn't really matter most days," she mumbled to herself.
"How long have you worked for him?" Allie asked as she gazed at the hierarchical image.
"Roughly 5 years. He found me when I was 24 years old... I was struggling with... stuff," Ana trailed off. "Duncan has been here for around 8 years and Charles over there", gesturing to the older man walking into the storage area at the back of the room, "Has been with the Boss for almost 10 years, he's not much of a talker. Some say that he knew the Joker before he was... you know... the Joker." Ana looked back to Allie, "How old are you?" she asked.
"24 years old," Allie smiled. Ana scoffed and nodded as she reached into her pocket for her favourite, white-powdered substance. As she placed it on the table, Allie shifted uncomfortably.
"Do you use?" Ana asked as she fiddled with the bag.
"No, I never have," Allie smiled sweetly. Ana looked at her in confusion.
"But you're so… happy," Ana analysed. "No one's that happy, without a little help," Ana gazed down at the tiny bag and flicked it for emphasis.
"Nope, just a cheerful person," Allie beamed. Ana scoffed and sprinkled a small pile of fine white powder onto the side of her hand, she sensed Allie watching her with interest. Without hesitation she snorted up the substance, letting out a satisfied moan.
"That's good," Ana grinned. Allie stared as Ana was overcome with ecstasy.
"What is that stuff?" Allie asked.
"Coke," Ana breathed as she closed her eyes and tilted her head back. Allie went to speak again but Ana raised her hand, "I need to savour this," she exhaled. Ana opened her eyes with a small smile and rested her hands on the table. She looked around the room, which now looked brighter and more alive, she felt happier that there were familiar faces around her. She looked up at Duncan and let out a little chuckle. Allie followed her gaze and saw Duncan. Ana noticed this and shifted in her seat, taming her emotions. "It doesn't have the same kick as it once did," she said referring to the cocaine, drawing Allie's attention back to her. "Do you want to be useful?" Ana asked changing the subject. Allie nodded quickly. "Good, help me clean these knives,"
"Sure thing," Allie smiled as she grabbed a spare cloth and started to scrub one of the peelers. Her tongue stuck out slightly to the side as she concentrated on cleaning off the bloodlust. Ana stared at her, then let a scoff. Her eyes fell on Duncan again who happened to look over at her as he was showing one of the recruits how to use a gun. He let out a small smile and then continued his conversation, Ana smiled back and got back to her job.
...
Night had fallen over Gotham, the corridors bled with darkness. Ana slowly made her way towards the blood-stained door.
"Boss?" Ana knocked on the Joker's door. She has worked here long enough to know to be cautious when entering any room where the Joker stands. She took a deep breath and slowly opened the door.
As the door creaked ajar, it let in any remaining light from the corridor. The room was a mess, papers sprawled across the floor, some in clear neat handwriting and others just scribbles and nonsense. All the windows that would reveal Gotham's horizon were boarded up, while crates and barrels were scattered around the decent-sized room. Ana noticed the Joker across the room, hunched over a crate that was acting as his desk.
"Boss?" Ana spoke again, careful not to sneak up on the Joker when his back was turned. "Boss, if it is alright with you, I'll be off now", she asked. The Joker looked over his shoulder.
"I have a question for you," The Joker spoke seriously. Ana closed the door behind her and took a few steps toward the Joker.
"Okay," she stopped to keep her distance.
"How long have you worked for me?" The Joker turned around, his position revealed his dishevelled tie, undone green waistcoat and an untucked shirt. It was clear that he had been in one of his moods, working violently hard with his recent plans.
"I don't know, 5 years?" Ana answered unsurely, she wondered where he was going with this, and how coincidental it was that she was talking about this previously.
"Hmmm, I overheard you talking to the newbie," the Joker walked towards her, with his hands behind his back. Ana was confused.
"How? Boss?" she asked.
"I was just going for a uh.. wander," The Joker moved his hands as he spoke. He stood in front of Ana and licked his scars. She turned to face the Joker and took a deep breath. "You don't appear to be afraid of me anymore." The Joker glared at her unamused, Ana felt uneasy at how close he suddenly was.
"With all due respect Boss, I am afraid of you" Ana shifted in her position but kept eye contact, the Joker smirked, "I'm just getting better at hiding it." She looked down, feeling defeated by the staring competition. The Joker raised his gloved hand and stroked Ana's cheek.
"Surprised I haven't killed you yet," he said with a grin. Ana looked back at the Joker and then turned her head away from his hand.
"I'm not an idiot, like some of the people you've hired," Ana said with a tiny smile. She looked back at the Joker and then gazed upon his undone tie. "Besides, I'm good at what I do," she nonchalantly grasped the tie and started doing it back up, "I like what I do," The Joker's eyes darted from her hands to her face as she continued fixing his tie, "And it's one of the few things we both agree with," she tightened the tie back up to his neck.
"Which is?" The Joker raised an eyebrow and cocked his head to the side.
"People", she looked down, "and how when the cards are down, people will show you who they really are," she stepped back from the Joker. The Joker chuckled whilst keeping his eyes locked on her.
"Anyway, is it alright if I finish for the day?" she asked with a kind smile. The Joker sucked his scars.
"No," The Joker turned back to face his desk. Ana's face dropped.
"What?!" She took a step forward.
"It's your… uh turn to keep watch tonight," he giggled. Ana suddenly grew angry.
"My shift is on Mon…" she suddenly held her tongue as the Joker abruptly turned around and glared daggers at her.
"Yes Boss," She looked down at the floorboards.
"I'm going out," the Joker said as he buttoned up his waistcoat, "Tell the others to get ready," he grabbed his pistol from the table. "You stay here," he pointed his gun at Ana and then pointed it to the ground to signal her to stay put.
"Yes Boss," she repeated and walked away from the Joker, clutching her fists. He always had to be in control. Sometimes Ana could manipulate the conversation to make the Joker think he was in control, but unfortunately, he was a smart man and rarely fooled. As Ana walked out of the area, past the corridors and back to the lounge that the other henchmen had been taking a break in, she mentally crossed out the activities she was going to do tonight back at home.
"Change of plans," she announced to the others, "You're moving out, get ready", the henchmen looked at each other and almost simultaneously ran in opposite directions to collect their gear. Ana collapsed on the sofa and changed the TV channel to something more to her taste.
"How come you're not coming," asked Allie, as she leaned on the sofa.
"I've been ordered to keep watch of the base," Ana said with annoyance.
"I thought it was Duncan's turn," she arched an eyebrow.
"Yeah, so did I," Ana flicked through the channels. Allie shrugged and turned to walk away. "Do me a favour," Ana called to her, she turned in confusion, "Don't get killed," Allie looked at her and smiled.
"I'll be fine," she appeared confident as she put her pistol away and ran to join the others. Ana exhaled as she watched her leave. Duncan strode passed her holding a shotgun, completely ignoring her as he left. It suddenly became silent in the base minus the television giving a bad signal. Ana settled down for a long night.
...
The night grew darker, the hour turned late, and the television had begun playing nonsense that no one would be watching at this time. Ana had fallen asleep on the sofa, her head resting on the armrest. The television advert abruptly changed causing her to shift. She slowly opened her eyes, her mouth feeling dry and her neck stiff. Sudden realisation slapped her in the face, as she jumped up from the sofa to look around.
"I can't believe I fell asleep on the job," she mumbled to herself. She relaxed once again as it appeared that the others were not back yet. She dragged herself to the kitchen across the room, opened the refrigerator and took out a cold beer. With her beer in hand, she slowly made her way to the corridors connecting all the abandoned apartments just to scout out the area.
As she walked, she sipped her beer. She stopped in her tracks when she heard strange, echoing sounds. It appeared to be coming from a few floors down. It sounded like high-pitched teenagers rather than low-pitched brutes. Ana sighed. She strode to the storage area in the henchmen's apartment, put down her beer, and opened one of the crates. It revealed piles of shotguns and bullet boxes. Arming herself with this mighty gun and her refreshing beverage, Ana walked to the stairway; the echo was louder there.
Her adrenaline started to kick in the closer she got to the ground floor. Fear seemed to be a second thought these days, perhaps facing your ultimate fear every day dressed in clown makeup makes everything else seem like child's play. As she reached the ground floor, the doorway that sat to the right of the end of the staircase came into sight. She quietly leaned from a few steps up and peered around the doorframe to scout out the large, warehoused area. She saw five guys; they were just messing around with their skateboards in the open space. Ana sighed and sat down on the stairs, out of sight. She figured she wouldn't make herself known to them unless they started to snoop on the other floors, as there was nothing on the ground floor that was valuable. She took another sip of her beer and put it down on the step next to her.
The minutes drew longer, and Ana grew more impatient.
"Just leave," she mumbled before taking the final sip of her now-warm beer. She set it down once again and rolled her eyes.
"What do you think is upstairs?" echoed one of the intruders.
"Finally," Ana breathed, as she quietly picked up her gun and walked back up the stairs to the first-floor corridors.
"We could check it out," the voices continued to echo.
"I don't know if we should," said another.
"Come on, no one's here. What's the worst that could happen?" encouraged the first voice.
"Fine, but only the first few floors! This building is probably unstable," whined the other. The noise of skateboards rolling to the stairway entrance rang throughout the building and carried up the tower of staircases. It abruptly stopped and was followed by a series of footsteps, making their way to the first floor.
"It's pretty dark," said the whining voice, as the silhouettes peered down the first-floor corridor. It appeared never-ending as the darkness consumed it.
"Oh chill out, it's just the dark," the intruders walked down the corridor, they used their mobile phones as a source of light. They walked past a doorway, and slowly continued down the corridor.
"Are you afraid of the dark?" Mocked one of the intruders. A dark figure walked out behind the group from the ignored passageway.
"Oh contraire, it's not the dark that you should be afraid of," The dark figure spoke, causing the group of trespassers to abruptly spin around and shine their pathetic light sources in the face of the unknown. It revealed Ana standing there, pointing her shotgun at the group. "It's what's in the dark… You guys shouldn't have come up here," she shook her head with a smirk.
"Listen lady, we're sorry! We'll leave!" One of the intruders cried. Ana unenthusiastically cocked her head to the side and scoffed. Suddenly, a booming noise bellowed throughout the building; Ana shot her gun which splattered into the group; killing the one in front and injuring the others. The mobile lights disappeared from her figure and stared at the ceiling instead. She pumped the shotgun back and fired again. Slowly walking forwards into the light shining from the floor, she heard a whimper. With one final pump of the gun, she fired the weapon which ended the excitement.
Ana stood there in silence and let out a sigh. Her eyes darted down towards the light from the phone by her feet. In one swift stomp, the phone cracked, and the light flashed away. Ana could feel the warm drops of blood on her cheek, she wiped it off.
"I'll clean it up in the morning," Ana mumbled and walked back to the 12th floor.