The Thin Line of Sanity [Joker]

[Deleted]

The Riddler stepped out of the passenger side of his dark green car and into the muddy ground. He grimaced at his expensive italian shoes gathering dirt, but pushed the thought away. Before shutting the door he turned to Allen in the driver's seat. "Stay here. If I don't come back within an hour, set up the equipment," he stated then shut the door.

He turned back around and looked up at the entrance to the old Gotham State Fair grounds. The letters on the sign seemed to be barely holding onto a thread. The rust was incasing them, and if the wind were to blow a bit harder, Edward was certain it fall all together. He inwardly sighed as he brushed himself off, as if feeling the dust of the fair grounds landing on him. He could never understand how he could live here. He walked into the fair ground and underneath the sign. His cane seemed to sink into the ground each time he moved. Disgusting and filthy. He took note to the rides as he passed them. Some of them appeared in working order while others looked like death traps. Hmm...some of these could be scrapped for parts....and with the FBI...

A scowl formed on Edward's face as he was reminded of his true reason for coming here. The FBI had halted all of his shipments from coming into the city. He was running out of supplies. They also had frozen two of his bank accounts. He had fourteen all together, but the fact that they had frozen two was despicable. They also had raided some of his hideouts. Edward's grip tightened along his cane. He never particularly cared for the US government. The people who filled the ranks were mumbling buffoons, but the fact that they were interfering with his life was uncalled for. He rarely had time to even see Nina because of their constant pestering. He kept having to jump two steps ahead of them to prevent any future measures. He had hacked into their security system, which made predicting their moves quite easy, but still overall frustrating.

He had plan though. The US government was easy to manipulate. All he had to do was provide a distraction, and they would move on from this silly quest. Though he was currently debating between two options. He could either fly out to Aspen and be pampered until the fiasco is done, or he could take down the government. The problem with taking the government down was that he still considered himself an American. He realized he was far more intelligent then any other American, but he was an American. He enjoyed his riddles and his game, but he also enjoyed his high class living low taxes and low regulation. If he caused the US to fail then he would be forced to live in the slums...or Europe. He loved Europe for a time, but their governments had too high and to many entitlement programs for his taste.

His plan needed tinkering, but he knew one thing. He had to get out of the city, and he couldn't accomplish that with the embargo, not to mention the FBI little weapon. Hacking systems was quite useful tool. He needed help. He also knew that if anyone would make the FBI's life more difficult it would be this man.

He saw the large circus tent and knew that would be his location. The Joker was an easy man to find. He actually was quite surprise that the Batman never could easily deduce his location. To the Riddler is felt like finding a kid at a candy shop. It was too obvious.

Before he entered the tent, he mentally prepared himself for the complete insanity he was about to encounter. He had his weapons on him and his back up plan if things unfortunately went bad, but the Joker and him were on....relatively decent terms. He took a deep breath then opened up the curtain to the circus tent.

[missj]

Immediately after the Joker broke out of Arkham – well, after laughing maniacally and showing the asylum his erm… ‘full moon’ – he headed to his most sacred hide out on the old Gotham Fairgrounds. The worsening economy had run the place out of business years ago which was evident by the current state of the place. The majority of the game booths were rotted from termite damage and barely standing. The stuffed animals meant to be given to children weren’t fit to be given to the homeless due to the mold. The metal carnival rides were riddled with rust from months of rain and disuse and almost all of the mirrors in the fun house were broken or cracked. It was like the Joker’s Disneyland.

He had skipped, frolicked, and cartwheeled through his reclaimed home. The only thing missing was his irreplaceable, infallibly loyal, completely incompetent, obnoxious hench-wench, Harley Quinn. A frown crossed his face as he wondered exactly what could have been more important than greeting her Mistah J. Psh, the obvious answer to that was nothing. He shook off the thought as he heard shrieking laughter coming towards him. ”Oh, great, the ‘kids’…” He rolled his eyes as he placed a folded hand under his chin as the two hyenas approached him. ”What to do, what to do? Well, I guess they’ll just be part of my plot… hehehehe….”

Very much unlike the Joker, Harley seemed to fall in love with anything with fur and as such had ‘rescued’ the pampered pooches from the zoo. It had been amusing at first, but they didn’t clean up after themselves and the money spent on food could have been better spent on destroying Gotham. But, they kept her happy and shut her up. They were also good guard dogs.

With one hyena on each side, the Joker strode into the big tent like the King of England, pulling the curtains open wide before bellowing into the empty arena. ”Honey, I’m hoooooooooooome!” He skipped forward into the tent, twirling around magnificently until he reached the star decorated armoire. Slowly, as if savoring the moment, the Joker pulled his signature purple coat from the hanger. Shaking the unseen dust from it, he pulled the jacket over his shoulder and adjusted the acid filled poesy attached to the left lapel.

As he broke into maniacal laughter, the hyenas began to growl… or at least their version of growling. Turning around, he skipped over to a small panel on the wall which held several seven inch screens displaying various parts of the fairgrounds. Standing under the decrepit ‘Gotham Fairgrounds’ was his favorite green clad rogue. Pressing one of the various buttons on the panel, the intercom in the fairgrounds crackled to life. ”Well, Riddle me this! What does a desperate man look like? Heheh.” He knew he didn’t need to tell the Riddler where he was. The arrogant man would have already deduced just where he was, not that it took a friggin’ genius. He was a clown. In a tent. Duh.

He sat cross legged in the center ring on the podium the ring master would typically stand on, leaning his pointed chin into the palm of his left hand, his right hand resting haphazardly in his lap. Harley’s hyenas, whom she had named Bud and Lou for only God knew why, sat at his feet somewhat protectively. Heh, maybe they would entertain him and chase the Riddler around the tent. That would be a sight to see; Riddler limping around the tent while Joker’s hyenas got free dinner.

Shaking himself from the fantasy, he fixated his beady black eyes on the entrance to the tent. He couldn’t help but wonder just what the Riddler had come to ask him. Did he need someone killed and think that the Joker had stooped to the role of a simple thug? Perhaps he was interested in partnering with the Joker to create chaos for the FBI. Nah, a partnership was unlikely. The Riddler didn’t like anarchy and chaos. Maybe he just needed a good ol’ pick me up. The Joker had plenty of Joker toxin he wouldn’t mind ‘sharing’. Either way, the game between two of Gotham’s brilliant rogues was about to begin.

[Deleted]

When the degrading remark sounded all over the Fairground and particularly through the intercom right above him, he winced. He was not desperate. He was merely making the logical step that would garner the highest benefits to him. It had nothing to do with desperation, but he couldn't find himself surprised by the comment. Edward Nigma was the Riddler. He created some of the most intellectual challenges this city and Batman had ever seen, but the other rogues merely shrugged him off.

To them he was just a person. He hadn't fallen in toxin, burned half his face off, had a split personality, used venom for super strength, or had an animalistic disease. He hated the fact that even though he possessed far more intelligence then any other rogue, they treated him like a wannabe. If he were to dig deeper he would have realized that the issue was the core reasoning of his recent fights with Nina. He hated being treated as something average or unimportant. It would be like someone taking the holy grail and tossing it into the cabinet with all there other glasses. It doesn't belong there. He doesn't belong there. He was meant to be something spectacular.

He pushed through the circus tent and walked past the audiences bleachers to see three rings. Of course, the Joker sat in 'throne' in the center ring. It was like looking at a kid in his plastic castle. The kid ignorantly thought he was the king of the world because he had the plastic toy...then again, this was the Joker. To some extent, this city was his.

"I would answer the riddle, but I have not seen Roman in some time. I do have Facebook on my phone if you are that desperate for an answer," he smirked turning the insult on him off on someone else. He would not welcome an insult, especially an incorrect insult. "Though I can't remember ever friending him. The man has the same thought process of a Gorilla." Edward placed his weight on his cane as he eyed the hyenas. He had not considered them being here. They usually were with Harley, and if he remembered correctly, she was still in Arkham. Nonetheless, it was not the end of the world. Even if the Joker managed to sic one on him, he would kill it and let the other one eat it. The Joker would be angry, but Edward was not going to risk losing his other leg as well. over hurt emotions.

Edward reached into his pocket for his tootsiepop at the mere thought of his leg. "Joker, I hope you don't mind the interruption," he stated politely, though his eyes had fallen to his tasty candy. He pulled the wrapper off. "But I have looked at the pieces on the board and realized that I must choose a side. Therefore, I am choosing yours," he said calmly before putting the candy into his mouth.

[missj]

The Joker sat in the center of the ring with great anticipation. The Riddler could be as fun to mess with as the next guy, and the clown loved mind games. It was just a matter of choosing how far to push the man. The Joker was like a living cartoon. He facial expressions, mannerisms, body language, and even the things he said were like something from a Tom and Jerry cartoon. It was what made him so memorable. That and the Joker grin he left plastered on his victims post-mortem. It was those kinds of things that separated the Joker from a common crazy. Everything was a production to him. He wasn’t much for a thought-out-ahead-of-time plan kinda guy, but more of the spontaneity the both he and Harley enjoyed.

Regardless of the lack of prior preparation, though, each scheme came together beautifully and the twists and turns he created for anyone involved were worthy of an Oscar winning suspense movie. He loved for Gotham to see what he saw; insanity. He saw the ordered lives of these people who conformed to the rules of society. Each day people woke up, ate breakfast, went to work, came home, ate dinner, and went to sleep. Lather, rinse, repeat. So boring.

In the Joker’s world, life was chaos. Everyone did what they wanted when they wanted. People murdered and maimed each other for the smallest of things. Anarchy would ensue and the Joker rose to the top. The Joker was the master of anarchy. An agent of chaos. And if chaos was what Gotham needed, which she most certainly did, then it was chaos she would get. He would rid his city of the vermin known as the FBI, and then the Bat-family, working his way up.

The Joker leapt off the platform with agility that most children didn’t possess. There was an advantage to be as lanky as he was; he was extremely flexible. It made all the animated movements all the more important and effective. Plus, his antics tended to piss the Riddler off, which was another plus. ”Eddie! How’s everyone’s least favorite genius doing?” He clapped a pale hand on the Riddler’s back before swinging the adjacent arm out wide, gesturing towards the tent. ”Mi casa nostra es su casa nostra, mi amigo! Heheh!”

He bounded away from the Riddler, standing between Bud and Lou proudly. ”Harley’s trained them so well. Boys, out! Daddy’s got company!” He pointed his hand towards where Riddler had just entered. The two hyenas proceeded to walk out of the tent with their tails between their legs, but not before giving the Riddler a warning growl.

”So, Mr. Nigma, what is it I can do you for? Don’t tell me this is just a social call.” His grin widened, displaying his yellowed teeth before he broke down into laughter again.

[Deleted]

The hard clap on his back caused the lollipop he had been sucking on to fall back into his throat. He couldn't even get irritated by the annoying nickname as all his focus turned to choking. His eyes widened for a moment as he started coughing, pulling the candy out immediately. He preferred his distance from the Joker. Edward had to control his slight glare as he was lead into the circus tent.

When the Joker spoke spanish, he had to remind his somewhat surprised self that the Joker knew as many or more languages then him. Though he doubted the Joker knew that he knew so many languages, or maybe he did. Edward could never quite determine how truly intelligent the Joker was compared to his insanity. Was he insane or was he a super genius and humanity had yet to catch up? Then again, no matter how smart the Joker was, he was not as smart as Edward. Edward had sanity on his side.

"Penthouse de una carpa de circo. Gracias, supongo," he responded to his friendly statement with barely a smile. It was hard to act joyful around the Joker, but the man made up for everyone else's poor attitudes. Edward watched as the hyenas left. Thank god. Edward was never an animal person, and he definitely was not a hyena guy. As the Joker continued to talk and laugh and talk, he only listened with bare interest. He was cared for what the Joker had to say, but the majority of what came out of his mouth was pure garbage said to annoy who ever was within earshot. Hearing recurring laugh was also something you, as a rogue, started to numb yourself too. Though the noise always caused his level of caution to shoot up, which was the very reason his eyes were taking in every twist and curve of the tent.

He finally turned his gaze back to the man with the creepy yellow smile. "I have never been one to waste my precious time, so yes, you're correct. The idiotic FBI believes that they are smart enough to track me down like some mangled stray dog," he started, his fist tightening along his cane as he thought about how insulting the entire situation was. He finally manage to calm himself by putting his lollipop back in his mouth. Edward's eyes locked with the Joker as a smirk formed on his lips, "I was merely puzzling over what you plan to do with the new guests. You're parties have a flare I can't compete with."

He knew how the Joker worked. He couldn't go up to him with a plan and expect him to sign on. He had to prove to him that whatever he planned had some sick humor in it, but he might not have to present his plan in the first place if the Joker already had his own. With the Batman, Edward played a strategic game of chest, but with the Joker, Edward was playing a game of cards. He didn't want to give them all up at once.

Translation: Penthouse to circus tent, thank you, I suppose.

[missj]

The Joker considered his words carefully as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. While the Riddler had the right thought process in coming to the Joker, he was after all much better with the flair for the… dramatic when it came to destroying Gotham, he was still curious as to why. He didn’t particularly buy that Riddler was limited just because the Federal Bureau of Idiots was looking for him. Edward was a genius, he could circumvent that. There was something Eddie wasn’t sharing, and while the Joker wasn’t particularly interested in the Riddler or his personal motivations, this piqued his curiosity to a new level.

He turned his back to the Riddler, looking into nothingness with a thoughtful expression on his face. He wasn’t concerned with Edward trying a surprise attack on him. The Riddler was in his territory. He knew better than to cross the Joker here. They all knew better. He stopped going down that path and looked back at the Riddler, his smile wide on his face. ”What makes you think I have something planned for Gotham? Perhaps I’m a changed man! Maybe I want to settle down with Harley and have a few Joker Juniors.” He kept his smile fixed on his face as he danced around the Riddler’s question, giving him an answer without actually answering his question.

In all honesty, the Joker had something planned. Well, more than just something. He had the plan. He had slowly been constructing an ingenious plot that even old Fatman would be stumped by and while he was extremely proud of what he had come up with, he wasn’t ready to share it with the rest of the world just yet. He especially wasn’t ready to share it with a fellow rogue. Copyright infringement was something the Joker took very seriously.

Instead, he fixed a careful glare on the Riddler before jumping back and forth between his feet. ”Was there something particular you had in mind? Kidnap some kiddies? Blow up a random building if all of Akrham’s inhabitants aren’t released? Hold a fashion show?” He batted his eyes at the Riddler before laughing madly again. He loved annoying Eddie.

[Deleted]

Did the Joker think he was idiot? He must think he is an idiot to say something so utterly ridiculous and illogical. Why the hell did Edward Nigma not get the respect he deserved? He was a top class criminal! He came up with far superior plans! He taunted the Bat! He wanted so much to remind the Joker of these facts. He wanted to gloat and taunt his achievements like he would in front of any other human being, but he bit his tongue. He bit his tongue hard actually, causing the candy in his mouth to crack.

He mentally imagined banging his cane into the clowns head, but Edward was far too intelligent to take such an action against the Joker. Manipulating the clown and brutally attacking him were two very different things. He looked at the man as he continued to laugh. How did this man garner more fame then him? He was reminded of his conversation with Joan, but pushed her simple minded psycho babble out of his head. "A changed man still living in a circus tent?" he commented with a force smirk, "If I didn't believe that was evidence enough, I would second it by saying I haven't had my ear talked off by Harley's girlish squeals yet." If the Joker ever came to such a conclusion Harley would probably be the happiest she had ever been. He had no doubt she would call all of her friends, ie rogue gallery, and scream about a wedding. The thought caused a real smirk to appear on Edward's face. He doubted the Joker even realized that it was Harley's secret dream. She was merely his personal punching bag.

No, the Joker had a plan...a plan the Joker did not want to share. Interesting. What could this plan be? Oh a riddle. He did enjoy riddles.

But before he could pounder the thought, the Joker began on his 'guesses.' Looking at the man in front of him only made Edward certain he never wanted children. He could see them obnoxiously asking him similar questions and giggling like little school girls. Seriously, how does a full grown man have such a high pitched laugh? "Do you think I waste my time playing tic tac toe?" he finally announced annoyed. He couldn't hold back his agitation any longer, "I have far more taste then such childish antics."

The Joker eyes on him made him shift in a different direction. He turned away from the clown towards the circus tent. His mind was wandering away to his own plan. "Have you been keeping up with the news in Arkham?" he asked, knowing the answer was probably yes. There was little to do in Arkham besides keeping up with gossip. "Stock Markets collapsing, possible US default, and Eurozone collapse. It's surprising the government even has times for people like us. It brings up a riddle, why would a government already having major financial issues put so much attention on a small city?" he smirked to himself. He no longer took note to the Joker's presence. Edward Nigma was in his mind. "Simple. The answer: the Justice League. We're not the problem the Justice League is," he paused as he mentally went through each member, "Have you ever noticed that the US see the highest economic growth during war? Ironic. Violence leading to growth. If you consider it, you blowing up buildings has probably created hundreds of jobs, and not to mention, the killing of hundreds of people lowers the demand of labor which in turn increases wages and employment." Edward found himself smirking. It was almost humorous.

He finally turned back around to face the Joker. "I need to get out of this city, and I am intelligent enough to recognize that you are the only other man within the city limits who might have the ability to accomplish it," he stated still keeping his own plan close to his sleeves.

[missj]

The Joker tipped his head with a conceding look fixed upon his face. The Riddler did have a point. Harley’s insufferable babbling would be impossibly worse if he had agreed to a wedding. Ugh, what a thought that would be. Committing himself to something other than destroying Gotham for the rest of his insane life? Ha, what a laughable thought. He looked at his left hand with disgust as he less than attentively listened to the rest of the Riddler’s tirade. It amused him that simple jokes that the Joker wouldn’t even waste on Batman could push the Riddler’s buttons. All you had to do was treat Eddie like a moron and he would go on and on like the Energizer Bunny. It only made his smile grow more.

The question of childish antics was too easy not to key into. ”Oh, but Eddie! Childish antics arealways the most fun! I am, after all, a clown. Hehehehe….” His small interruption was not acknowledged, but he knew it annoyed the green clad man. Most of what the Joker said annoyed him. Most of what the Joker said annoyed pretty much everyone and that was why he said it. He needed to know whose buttons could be pushed and how much they could be pushed before they caved. It was all about pushing until they were on the brink. Pushing until they were ready to jump, but not quite letting them jump. It was all an intricately played game; more intricate than checkers or chess. It was a mind game; his favorite.

It was when the Riddler went on his tangent about the FBI that the Joker began to actively listen in. This piqued his interest. The Riddler had a very complex mind, and in that complex mind, he was able to break things down into the smallest of variables. If he was under the impression that this was all about the Justice League, then that was most likely the truth.

The Joker waited for the Riddler to finish before commenting. He, after all, was not in the mood to make the man repeat himself. ”Well, I have always been trying to do what’s best for Gotham. Consider me an opportunist. I’m just trying to help the job market.” His smile was ever present as he turned his back to Nigma in a dramatic fashion. He could only wonder why the FBI would target Gotham if what they wanted was the Justice League. Gotham was notorious for being a city of vigilantes and powerless wannabes. Did they think that the Batman was their way in? That was rich. Did they think that they could crack the Batman? That they could get whatever secret files he surely had on the members of the Justice League?

That brought an even bigger smile to his face as he thought of how stupid the FBI had to be to think they could get the Bat like that. While he wouldn’t flatter the Riddler with any questions, he would ask a few. There were things he needed to know if he was to agree to something that was surely intended to blow up in his face. ”Tell me, Riddler, why would the FBI come to fair Gotham for the Justice League? Wouldn’t they want Big Blue over in Metropolis?” This was a legitimate question. Superman was the public appointed leader of the Justice League. It would make more sense to go after him; unless the FBI needed the intel. That would change things greatly for the Joker’s plans. Add on to that the fact that the Joker refused to let anyone take down the Batman but himself. It would ruin his fun.

[Deleted]

He had to control his eye roll to the Joker's first comment after his long rant. He watched the Joker's dramatic shifts and movements with weary eyes. He looked forward to the day when the Joker actually took something seriously besides the Batman. Is he gay? He thought randomly to himself. Edward knew he, himself, had an obsession with the bat, but that was because he was the only person who could challenge him intellectually. The Joker's obsession took things to another level. Well it didn't particularly matter to Edward, as long as the Joker could focus for five minutes on what Edward was saying, and with the Joker's question he realized the Joker had managed to get past his attention deficit disorder.

When he heard the question, Edward couldn't help the evil grin that played on his face. There were only a few times that people could note Edward having this particular look. It probably was the very reason he could be deemed evil by the media. It was the look he gave when he knew he was ten steps ahead of everyone, and he had a plan to trap everyone within their own strategies. Edward was a talented man and a man who liked to brag so he had no problem informing the Joker of how he came to this conclusion.

"It's so simple," he exclaimed, "Don't you see? The government are playing the puppeteer while the masses are their puppets. Every person knows Superman follows the laws and see him as an international hero. Batman, on the other hand, goes past laws. You know as well as me that what that man does could hardly be considered legal. The public already questions whether he should be arrested or not. The government is smart. There putting on a show for the public, and they are hoping every person acts the way they expect. They come to Gotham to 'clean' the streets, but the real reason is that they expect Batman and the other wonderful vigilantes we have patrolling here to stop them. When the vigilantes take actions the government can now point to the Justice League and say to the public 'Look, they are attempting to stop us. They are against the United States. If they were to go to Metropolis, Superman would have minded his business. The government would not get their desire reaction." Edward finished. His arm had waved and pointed as he described the entire situation he saw in his mind. He didn't need to spy through Congressman and Senator's mail to know that was what was going on, but he had anyways. It was better to be certain then to be taken by surprise.

[missj]

The Joker stroked his pointed chin curiously as he listened to the Riddler’s explanation. This was even better than he had originally thought. The government thought they could play the Batman to make him look like the bad guy. Of course, what the Batman did was not technically legal, but it wasn’t like they rogues in his gallery hadn’t asked for it. That’s what the Joker loved most about the Batman. That was why the winged rat completed him. He wasn’t afraid to try to play by the Joker’s rules. If only he would break his one rule and just kill someone, already.

”So, you’re telling me that the Feds are basically trying to goad Batman into making himself look like the bad guy to the entire country? Hahahahahahaha… and they say I’m crazy!” He held his stomach as he laughed heartily. That was one of the funniest things he heard in a long time. He didn’t understand why the FBI thought they could catch the Batman. If the Gotham City police department and the Rogue’s Gallery couldn’t do it, who knew him better than anyone other than his sidekicks, then how on Earth was a group of outsider Feds supposed to accomplish this? He shook himself of the annoyance that was building inside of him. Was everyone in law enforcement in this city incompetent?

He paced around the room thoughtfully, considering his next steps. No doubt that the Riddler, just as he was, was holding something back. It didn’t matter. Eddie could do as he wanted and it wouldn’t interfere with what the Joker was planning. ”So, what exactly did you have in mind for me to do? You’re just as capable of blowing up a building as I am, or is it because you know I have no intentions on leaving Gotham, and therefore can take the heat for it?” His tone was completely serious. He was ready to get down to business.

Again, he didn’t care what the Riddler asked of him. The Joker had his own brilliant plan that would be executed flawlessly. It would bring Gotham to its knees, and if he was lucky he would scare away the FBI with it. ”I’m sure I can fit… something into my schemes. It would, of course, not be free of, heheh, charge.” The Joker was not one who usually cared for cash, but his next plot did require a considerable amount of funding and the Riddler certainly had the means. It may have seemed petty, but this was easier than robbing mob bosses.

[Deleted]

Edward once again couldn't quite understand what was so funny about the conclusion he had come to. It was the fact of the matter, well the Feds themselves did not fully understand what the big wigs in Washington were up to, but it was still there overall plan. He had no doubt the FBI would be arresting vigilantes soon enough. It would only be a matter of time. He then thought over the matter more thoroughly. It would be quite difficult for them to capture the Batman. The Batman was on par with his own intelligence, and if the FBI could not catch Edward, he doubted they could make a move on the Batman. Not to mention, the Batman still had his secret identity. Most of the rogues real names were slashed all over the media.

Instead of commenting on the Joker's comment (why waste his time?), Edward merely watched as the laughter subdued and the man went to pacing. These were the moments that the Joker looked very much like a sociopath. He knew the man wasn't purposefully trying to give off that impression, but when the Joker got lost in thought you could only assume it was pure calculating and slightly twisted. The serious tone that followed the pacing only drove that weird feeling in Edward's instinct home. Yes, the Joker was definitely not a man that Edward would want on his bad side.

He smirked at the response though pushing away the caution warning in the back of his brain. "Correct, you are," he remarked, "I could easily place a few explosives, but you see the explosives will only draw some attention. What I need is someone who walks out and every eye focuses on them. The best riddle is created by distraction." He had to be careful on how he phrased this next part. He couldn't say, 'Idiotic people focus on the flashy big bright stuff and you provide that perfectly.' He had to compliment the man. "I need you to do something that will draw the FBI away from their blockade. I don't particularly care what, you tend to be a bit more creative on that front, but I know that you are the only one in the city that would make every man stop what their doing and focus on you." As he stated that he frowned. It was slightly annoying how the city attached to the Joker in such a way. When the Riddler acted people shrugged and went about their days....but when the Joker did something everyone went into complete panic.

He had to mentally shake that negative thought away as the Joker brought up his catch. Edward couldn't say he was surprise, but usually the Joker didn't ask for money. He usually asked for unusual odd favors or trinkets. Sometimes he offered his help for pro bono if he thought it was funny enough, but Edward didn't want to give away his entire plan just to give the Joker a laugh.

"I thought you prided yourself for being above such menial things," he commented with a smirk as he pulled out his phone. He had no problem paying the Joker, but if there was a way to manipulate the man into not wanting it, Edward would give it a try. "But I am assuming we are not talking monopoly money, so how much are you thinking?" he asked causally as he kept his phone in hand. He could wire the money in seconds just from a few clicks on his phone, but it would all depend. Edward had just recently came into a large amount of money from his bank heist, but he didn't want to hand it all over to the Joker.

[missj]

The Joker shrugged unenthusiastically, his face still relatively serious – well, serious for the Joker, anyway. ”What can I say? The economy has hit us all hard.” He let the smile play at his lips before beginning his pacing again. He was trying to calculate just how much he could value his services – this was the Riddler, not some street punk – and how much he would need to fund his latest scheme. He wanted to crack an Austin Powers esque joke, but held it back. He was asking for money, he wasn’t going to piss off the money bank. Deciding he would ask a little high so that regardless the Riddler would settle on a reasonable number, the Joker fixed a calculating stare on the green clad man. ”How does three million sound? That pays for the supplies, the work, and compensates me for my time in Arkham I’ll be sentenced next time I let the Bat catch me.”

He continued to pace around the room, trying to decide which building would be the object of his torment. If he had to blow something up, he had might as well get something out of it. Eddie would likely want him to pick a building closer to the center of Gotham to keep the Feds as far away as possible. While the Joker would comply with this, he also would pick a building that would affect Gotham equally. Actually, he would have to pick two buildings if he wanted the façade to keep up. Let the Feds decide which one would go ka-blooey! Heheh, this might be fun after all!

Looking back at the Riddler, the Joker gave him a question look. ”No trinkets this time, Nigma. The only thing you can offer me is cash, which is coincidentally all I need.” He straightened out his purple coat, picking off a piece of lint one of the hyenas had provided. It was all about the performance.

He began to pace around his podium with a contemplative look fixed on his face. Would he blow up one of the hospitals in Gotham? No, been there, done that. How about one of the government buildings? Nah, that was boring, too. He needed something with valuable lives inside of it and something he could strike during the day, when the Bat would be less likely to show. Everyone knew the vigilantes were nocturnal. Luckily for them, the rogues were as well. The Joker would have to change the routine up a little. Heh, he had the perfect plan.

The clown contemplated sharing it for a brief moment, but shrugged his shoulders. He’d rather surprise Eddie. ”Just tell me when. Oh, and you’re going to have to do it in broad day light. Say, about two in the afternoon? Shouldn’t be a problem for someone as smart as you.” His voice held a slight hint of laughter as he shot the Riddler a devilish grin. This would be fun.

[Deleted]

It felt like someone had just punched him in the gut. His teeth even bit down on his lollipop when the Joker voiced the amount. Three million, for telling the Clown to do exactly what he probably planned on doing in the first place! The only thing Edward wanted from him was a particular date, so he could plan his own action. Changing the day of a plan could barely be called inconvenience and it definitely was not worth 3 million dollars!

Edward wasn't outraged because he didn't have the money to pay for it. Quite the opposite. After his recent heist where he hacked five millionaires bank accounts as the Bat Brats chased his dirty bombs around the city, he had a hold up of millions. Yes, the FBI had shut a few of his accounts down, but he still had most of his money. No, what infuriated him was the utter disrespect in the amount. What made it worst was the very fact that Edward could not object to payment. If he did, he would probably have a knife up to his throat.

He frowned as he spoke calmly. "Three million for a change in date. You are quite an expensive party planner," he paused as his thumb circled the top of his cane as he chewed it over. "I can give you 2.2 million," he stated, knowing the Joker would probably raise it to 2.5. It was bargaining after all, and if Edward could save half a million, he would do it.

Ridiculous, he shouldn't have to pay in the first place.

His comment about the daylight had no effect. He didn't particularly care whether it was in the evening or day, as long as the Joker accomplished his task and caught the attention of the entire FBI he couldn't care less. Catwoman would be handling the more difficult task, and Edward would easily slip by. He almost smirked. It was strange to think of the Joker and the Catwoman ever working together. They had little knowledge that they were all merely pawns in his game of chess.

"I don't particularly care on the time as long as it's exact," he remarked, "Besides my features look better caught on security tape during the day." He smirked. It always was entertaining when after being captured the police would show yourself on one security camera after another. "Can you be ready by next Friday?" he asked, looking back up at the Joker, "Or is make up and costume going to take longer then two weeks?" He couldn't stop the small insult from leaving his lips. The man was draining him of money, insulting him, and still annoying him. Edward could only hold back his pride for so long.

[missj]

The Joker smiled as the Riddler made his counter offer. He no longer wished to hold his tongue back of the jokes, especially if his counterpart was going to make quips of his own. Why should Riddler have all the fun? ”Two point two? Who do you think I am? Two-Face? Heheh.” He considered what number he would give the Riddler and how much of a pain he wanted to be. Normal people would make a final offer of two point five million, but this was the Joker; he enjoyed going against the grain. ”Two point six and you have yourself a deal, Edward.” He reached out his hand, sans joy buzzer, waiting expectantly for the Riddler to acquiesce.

”Make-up? Why, beauty like this comes natural, Eddie! Hehehehe…” His laughter was low and dark as he returned the Riddler’s comment happily. He enjoyed the war of words, especially with someone as intellectually quick as Nigma. It made things more of a challenge; a better game. ”Oh, I can be ready within thirty-six hours. You just leave all that to me. All you need to worry about is getting me my money and getting yourself out of Gotham.” He was half tempted to give the FBI an ‘anonymous’ tip of what the Riddler was plotting after getting his money in cash, but he wasn’t quite ready to make enemies again. His scheme would need cooperation and it would likely piss all of Gotham off. His time to make enemies would come soon enough.

Still, unable to resist the mind games and subtle hints that lead to paranoia in lesser men, the Joker let his smile grow before continuing. ”So, what is it that’s making you so trusting the crazy ol’ clown? I mean, what’s keeping me from going to the Feds and double crossing you? Who’s to say that I’m not wired right now? Heheh.” He bounced his head from one side to the other, giving the Riddler a quizzical look that he likely wouldn’t buy into. The Joker just wanted to know how confident the man was. It would tell him several things; how much the Riddler was keeping from him and just how much the man was trying to play the clown.

Nothing would change his participation at this point; his plan was formulated and he loved it. He just wanted to know for future reference. Plus, he loved it when the other rogues became all devious and thought that the Joker would just let them get away with trying to manipulate him. They would all get retribution; once he saw fit, of course.

[Deleted]

Edward frowned at the counter proposition. The man truly just like to annoy others for the fun of it. Was it so difficult to act like a gentleman? Edward shifted his wait between his cane and his good leg as he chewed over if he really wanted to put up with the man's nonsense. He could offer another proposal, but knowing the Joker, he would probably go even higher the next time, like 2.8. It was a more intelligent decision just to accept the outrageous deal. "Fine, 2.6," he agreed with a nod, but his hands stayed at his side. He knew better then to shake the man's hand. He had been electrocuted in the past, no need to relive that experience.

"I assume you still find bank accounts beneath your dramatic life style so you will want the money in cash," he stated. It would be difficult to get the amount in cash from his bank, but he could easily manage a way. He ignored the joke, his humor was slowly depleting the more time he spent with the man. His only response was, "Next friday." While the Joker could be ready in 36 hours, Edward still needed to secure his deal with Catwoman and get everything in place.

His mind wandered over his plan, and he only refocused when the Joker started muttering nonsense to him once again. His frown deepened. The Joker had betrayed him in the past, so the statement wasn't something surprising, but for the Joker to degrade his intelligence in such a way was. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. The Riddler could not be fooled twice. "You working with the FBI, now that is your first good joke of the evening," he remarked with a smirk. He knew the man was not wired. The FBI would never let a person who killed as many as the Joker did free, even if it caught more criminals. The true issue would be if the Joker dropped information somehow to them. He could see that taking place, "But you are correct, that is quite a riddle. I'll leave you to solve it," he nodded as he rolled the lollipop into his other cheek. He inwardly smirked. Even if the Joker betrayed him, the Joker didn't have nearly enough information for him to be captured. The Joker didn't even realize his larger plan. After all, the clown was only the Riddler's first move in his line of many. If the Joker did betray him, he could easily get around it. The true issue would be his 2.6 million going to waste.

...

So much money...

Ridiculous.

He controlled his grip on his cane. He shouldn't even have to pay him. He inwardly shook his head. It was a sacrifice that he would have to make.