Life's a Joke when you're working for the Joker! (Chap. 1)

About a night later I was walking through the dark alleys of Gotham, thinking of where the Joker could be. As I turned down another street that was empty and dark I heard quite footsteps behind me and spun around, pulling out my gun in the process. Pointing it steadily at my would-be attackers forehead I saw the man's grin fade into shock.

"What were you trying to accomplish?" I questioned in an unemotional voice. The man scowled and focused warily at gun in his face.

"Paid." He muttered. I thought for a brief moment, who would hire someone to kill me? I was sort of well-known. I was known among the mob bosses because I could usually be hired out. But most of the others, the lower criminals don't know who I am, except of course maybe having heard of my name.

"Who sent you?" I questioned, my brows knit in slight confusion. The man grinned showing a smile full of completely rotted teeth.

"Can't tell the victim now can I? Wouldn't get my full payment if you found out and got away."

"What are you babbling about fool? I believe you are the one with a gun to your hea-" I heard a click and spun around to come face to face with a taller, fatter man pointing his own gun at me. As I faced him the man who I had previously been threatening grabbed my arms.

"Got'cha. Oh boy the boss is gonna reward us more than before now that we gots her live." The man with the gun cackled.

"And just who is this boss of yours?" I asked with venom in my voice.

"He's not exactly our boss but he's put a pretty good price on your head."

"So we's figured we'd kill ya and bring ya to him. But now that yer alive we get more." As soon as the thugs finished talking about a price on my head I knew who it was. Gambol. The guy still had a grudge against me for the car thing and it was probably an added bonus that before that I had never accepted a job from him.

I decided to not struggle and see how this would play out. Luckily these idiots hadn't checked me for any weapons thoroughly. They had taken my gun and checked all my pockets, but forgot to check any other places. I had three knives in my boot, some of my own hand-made weapons under my belt, and a bunch of my special explosives down my shirt.

As we got to Gambol's place the thugs went in and got into the elevator, something I found odd. Gambol was very serious about security, I would have expected guards near the doors to check us first before actually getting on the same floor as him. Something wasn't right. As the elevator opened I saw my hunch had turned out right. There in front of us was the Joker, grinning manically as the two men holding me froze in shock. I simply smiled and escaped from their grasp and took one of their guns, shooting one in the skull and then the other. As they both dropped dead I threw the gun away and turned to face the Joker.

"Thanks for the distraction. Joker, right?" My casual tone seemed to impress him but I couldn't be sure since his expression never changed. He licked his lips and studied me, nodding to answer my question.

"And who're you doll-face?" he asked.

"Name's Chance, jack of all trades, most of them illegal, for hire." I said holding out my hand, a natural reaction. As the Joker looked at my hand I felt a wave of fear threaten to engulf me. Here I was, standing in front of a man who even the mob bosses had no control over, holding out my hand for him to shake. I really must've been crazy. But the fear ebbed away as I saw the Joker extend his own hand and shake mine once.

Once both our hands retreated I saw three guys emerge from Gambol's room. The Joker turned to face them.

"Guess they failed the tryouts." He cackled before turning to me with a grin. "How 'bout it girl? Wanna join the group?" I smiled my most dangerous smile.

"Sure. I'm up for a little fun. Things have been much to boring and serious lately for my taste." The Joker laughed that same cackle I had heard twice before, the one that seemed to be his trademark.

"I like the way you think." For some reason those words sent a tingle through me although I ignored it. "Hurry up and let's go!" He yelled to his men. I walked past him and he slammed me into the wall and holding up a knife to my mouth.

"Just so you know, you betray me and I'll find you. I'll make sure you die in a painfully slow way." He said before throwing back his head and cackling. I followed him and shook my head. This was gonna be one hell of a ride.

The next few days were basically normal. For high-on-the-wanted list criminals that is. The Joker managed to threaten me a dozen times at least, obviously waiting to see when I'd break. At one point he even dug the knife into my cheek on one side of my mouth, making a half smile. He then walked away saying he was bored. The cut wasn't too deep, it would heal and leave only the faintest trace of a scar. For some reason the thought bothered me, the scar looked sort of like it belonged on my face.

After Batman caught Lau and made him squeal, the mob bosses were brought in to be persecuted. When I heard the news that even The Chechen and my former employer Maroni had been caught I burst into laughter. It seemed everyday my sadistic hyper killer side became more dominant.
While in the middle of my fit the Joker walked into the room, watching me with a smirk on his face.

"Ha-ha?" he said, obviously asking what was so funny.

"The mob. They actually made the deal with that obvious idiot Lau and now look at 'em. Stuck in county, even Salvatore and Chechen. I knew something was off about that nerd." The Joker grinned.

"How did you know about the deal?"

"I was there, acting as Maroni's temporary bodyguard, although I'm not surprised you didn't notice me. You were probably to busy watching that idiot Gambol." I said still laughing but abruptly turning serious towards the end. The Joker looked at me with curious eyes. He circled around me as I stood perfectly still, wondering what he was up to.

"Do you have any mental problems." He asked with humor obvious in his voice. Looking straight ahead as he circled behind me I answered.

"Never got the official scientific results. The doctor was too smart for his own good and tried calling the cops on me. I killed him and left. But I think it was something to do with personalities." I said my semi-serious tone fading into a giggle as I thought of the doctor.

"So you have split personalities and are pretty much an insane criminal…. I like it." He said laughing. I watched him before joining in quietly. My mind refused to get over the fact that I was actually talking with the Joker, something I thought even I would be sane enough to be frightened by just the idea. As his laughter finally ended he left the room and I looked at my special die. The one thing I always had with me. It helped me make decisions when I was in a tough spot.

"So, boss, what's up next for the idiots of Gotham to endure?" A wicked grin spread across his face.

"Now that the mob thinks I'm helping them and I've told Batman what I want, we just have to sit back, kill some idiots and wait for Batman to reveal himself."

"You make it sound so easy." I said, a slight mocking tone hidden in my voice. The Joker suddenly pushed me into a wall and slapped me before letting a chuckle escape his lips. I sank to the ground watching him warily.

"Don't doubt me doll face." He said kicking me before motioning for me to get up. I'd have to be careful with what I said.