Danse Macabre [Joker]

[Deleted]

He hated Arkham session rooms. He hated them more than he hated the police interrogation rooms. With the police’s there was always two way mirrors, it was a larger space and the lighting was brighter, crafted in a just a way to make the police seem more intimidating, but here in Arkham Asylum it was the exact opposite. The lighting made the one being interviewed or interrogated seem more intimidating and Gordon knew this from experience. It wasn’t that it affected him, however. After his years in the police force with its back alley dealings and corrupted attitude, he was used to the villains of the street thinking he could be bought or that they were superior. After his years in the military he’d learned that there were few things more frightening than man himself.

Gotham was plethora of just that and the man he was meeting today was nothing more than another card in the deck. He thought he was Joker, he thought he was wild, but Gordon saw nothing more than someone who enjoyed mind games. He was no different than any other Rogue save he enjoyed his theatrics. Maybe he was a clown, but not in the way he wished.

Gordon wasn’t afraid of him. He wasn’t intimidated. He simply stared at the surface of the table atop and the garish white walls and waited for his visit to begin.

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The most frightening thing about the interrogation rooms in Arkham was the doors. There were 2 in each room. Both were extremely heavily reinforced with locks upon locks. They had been modified over the years. Old doors that were proven to be inadequate would go out, stronger doors to keep *them* in would be installed. Many would say Dr. Arkham was insane himself for the absurdity of these doors. When the door slammed behind Gordon after entering the room and the loud buzz echoed through the asylum, one bolt and lock automatically fastening one by one would drive into anyone psyche that they were slowly being sealed in Arkham Asylum with these lunatics. Once the sound of the last lock clamping down quit bouncing off the walls, a distinct hum could be heard from the door. Any with a little sense would tell it had been electrified as well. This was not a normal occurrence and was only activated when there was a visitor. The protected flourescent light over head flickered violently from the power surge.

The opposite door groaned open like a bank vault door. Within was pitch blackness, then the lights there flickered as well showing flashes of color, green, orange, and white. The clanking of the chains around his wrists and ankles invaded the room as he slowly entered. His eyes locked on Gordon's and a smug grin on his face. He was flanked by 6 guards although he showed no signs of resistance.

He walked silently to his seat gently sitting down then slammed his fists onto the table the cuffs making contact with the metal surface was like an explosion of noise and an act of defiance as The Joker's reputation was easily known and he was where he was in this pit because he allowed it.

The guards fastened the shackles to the chair, his unblinking eyes still on Gordon, his smirk becoming a wider grin as he raised his brow at the Commissioner and gave him a wink.

A pitcher of water and 2 plastic cups were brought out and a straw. The guard poured the water for The joker and placed the straw and put it in his hand so he could reach it to drink from.

He leaned down his eyes still on the Commissioner and drained the cup the straw making that slurpy sound that many find annoying when someone is trying to get the last droplets of drink. The guard poured him another.

He finally sat back and took a deep breath and opened his mouth as if he was about to speak but simply shut it again and smiled.

[Deleted]

The Joker smiled and Gordon simply stared at him blandly.

How many times had Gordon walked through the doors? Perhaps the first few times he’d walked into a session room and heard the engaging locks, the buzz, and the hum of the electricity coursing through the door he’d felt claustrophobic and afraid. The feeling of being locked inside was a reaction one had to tame and if Jim still felt it as he went through the routine of noises in his head, he didn’t show it. His expression had remained resolute and calm. Not the serene sort of calm, but the calm that came over a soldier’s face. The calm that there was to be a mission done and the duties were understood and the soldier confident. It wasn’t arrogance, but acceptance and humble pride. It was the sign that one would be unmovable as a rock. Jim was.

He had stared into the blackness of the second door, straightening only as he recognized the face in the blackness. He wiped off the table idly as he waited for the guards to sit him down, restrain him. He blinked rapidly at the slam of his fists to the table and glanced at one of the guards as if asking, ‘Was that actually necessary?’ Yet he didn’t say a single word. He only stared at him through the wink and the slurping that came after the Joker had been given water. Gordon poured his own water and took a large sip before setting it beside his arm.

“Want a refill,” he asked.

[Deleted]

He sat back and smiled wide tilting his head slightly the gleam in his eye shimmered in the low light as he regarded Gordon.

I should feel honored that the man himself descended from above to visit lil 'ol me. But of course your office being smashed with His giant flashlight falling through it.  aheehee Soooooo what's the tally, Commish?   I lost count after 32.   Your department must be in chaos, and look at you all calm and collected.....stoic.  Did he teach you that?   Heeheee  I wonder what it'll take to make youuuuu blink?  hahaHA HA HAHAHAHAHAHAH!  In case you haven't been able to tell I"m not alone.  It's time for you to answer for your crimes.  COMMISSIONER.

He took a long drink emptying his cup and held it out towards Gordon.

About that refill.