Blind Ch 1

Clouds fell in jagged patterns over the Gotham sky, allowing just enough sun to light the drab streets. The Joker emerged from his hidey hole in the shadows and started towards Gotham Station, his latest game fresh in his mind.

Today he was going to cross another line. The excitement made him shiver and giggle quietly to himself. Today he was going to really upset the Batman.

See, Joker wasn’t missing many marbles. He had learned very quickly just who Batsy was, and it had left him cackling for days. Bruce Wayne, Gotham’s resident playboy millionaire, spent his extra time running around after the Joker and other criminals in a feeble attempt to put the world to rights. It was hysterical.

Brucey, Brucey! What a sad little boy you are!! Joker thought.

Maybe today he would learn to see the bright side of life. Today, Joker was going to threaten Batman’s latest pretty little girlfriend. Lucky for Joker, Batsy had finally gotten serious about one of them.

The number of women Brucey went through in the last six months! It was extremely difficult to get to any of them for any sort of leverage because as soon as he did, Joker would find out that there was someone else on Bruce’s horizons. But Joker knew why. It was that silly Rachael Dawes; openly engaged to Harvey, Harvey, Harvey Dent while keeping Bruce Wayne waiting like an obedient puppy on the side.

He really should be grateful; Joker had gotten rid of the little harlot without a hitch! But instead he tromped around like a scolded child, putting all his energy into futile attempts to catch the Joker. It didn't matter. The Batman would break sooner or later.

The Joker quickened his pace, his grin widening more than usual as the tall iron arches of Gotham Station greeted him.

Brucey had made one fatal mistake- he got in to a comfortable routine.

Monday they went to her place.
Tuesday they stayed at the newly finished Wayne Manor.

Wednesday they went to a swanky restaurant.
Thursday they worked in the disgusting public garden he had allowed her to plant. (She’s that strange artsy-nature type, Joker had noted.)
Friday they went to the theater.
Saturday they went to a museum.
Sunday they went shopping for things she didn’t need.
Every day they took the same path, the same streets, the same everything!

The Batman hardly even showed his face anymore. It was so…. boring. And it was very unlike Bruce to neglect covering his tracks. It was disturbing even to the Joker. So he decided it was time for her to go.

Today was Saturday. That usually meant that at 11 AM sharp, Little Miss Flowers and Sunshine would be getting off the train car and leaping into Dear Brucey’s arms for a fun filled day at some dreadful museum.

But not today, ohh no. Today, the bottom of the train car the little home wrecker always took was lined with explosives. Not the kind that would demolish the whole station, but enough to take out Princess Pansy and leave Bruce Wayne just a stunned spectator, helpless to do anything. (He wasn’t Superman; he couldn’t very well jump in a phone booth and come out in his little costume, could he! HAHAHA!!!!!) Joker had made sure the day before to have the train rigged to a detonator, and he was so very excited to use it. After all, how often do you get to see fireworks in the day time?

Joker stood in the shadow of a tall pillar and checked the time. 10:53 AM. He scanned the sparse crowd for Brucey’s perfectly gelled hair, finding him sitting on one of the benches with a bouquet in his hand.

Flowers?!? Joker though with a scoff. Looks like the Batman’s going a little batty!!!!

He chuckled to himself at his little pun. He moved in closer to the bench, positioning himself just next to it in the shadow of another pillar. He allowed himself a small yawn, slightly scolding himself for not getting enough sleep this week. He was human after all, albeit smarter than nearly all the rest of them. He still required food and rest occasionally.

Movement caused him to look up. Bruce had risen to stand by the edge of the platform. Joker checked the time again. 10:59 AM. That meant the train would be rolling by any second now.

He grinned at the excitement building in him, the pure chaos pulsing through his veins. This was his calling, causing mayhem and panic and pain. He could hear the train coming, the pillar starting to shake with the force. Joker stepped around the side of the pillar, giving him a view of where Bruce stood and effectively shielding himself from any stray debris that would fly. Time for the action!

He watched as the train started to slow down and pull up, and in the corner of his vision Joker saw Bruce pull his phone out and stare at the screen for a moment. And then he started to move.

Joker turned his head to take in Brucey’s action. He was heading in the opposite direction!

WHY?!? The voice inside the Joker growled. What is he doing!!!

Joker looked around in slight confusion. The pillar he was behind was a whole car length away from the usual spot the train pulled to, why was Bruce moving up a car length?? The train started to enter the platform. Joker turned his head to count the cars.

Two…five…seven…eight…eleven…THIRTEEN?!? Joker clenched his teeth in irritation.

The trains at Gotham Station always ran with fourteen cars! One of them was missing!! He squinted at the numbers on a few of them, and his eyes bugged out a bit.


To top it off, they were out of order! The cars weren’t in their usual numerical order, instead seemingly randomized. Of course he had left it to chance to ensure that everything would be the same as it had for the past month. He should have just rigged the whole place to blow! Now he wasn’t even sure if there were any explosives on any of the cars!

He pulled the detonator from his pocket and frantically scanned the side of the cars as the train crept to a stop. The car in question, number 4, was one car ahead of its usual spot. In its place was number 7, the car that carried the poor creatures from the Narrows. Joker moved towards the train and paused as Bruce moved to stand halfway between cars 4 and 7.

WHAT NOW???

The voice roared inside Joker as Bruce began to look between the two cars with doubt on his face. Joker peered at the windows, but he was still to far away to see into them.

Finally the whistle sounded, and the train doors opened. The Joker inched forward until he was just to the left of Bruce, who was now standing in front of…the Narrows car??? Joker blinked rapidly. He was all for chaos, and he didn’t really like plans, but this was ridiculous! He glared at car 7 as he lifted his detonator. The explosives were supposed to be in car 4, but there was only one way to find out.

He waited as people began to exit the train cars. After what seemed like forever, Bruce moved forward with a smile, as to greet someone. Joker’s thumb hovered over the button on his detonator, the excitement and anticipation setting in once again.

And off stepped…..

“Good of you to meet me here, Master Wayne.”

“Not at all Alfred, I wish I could have gone to see your sister as well. Let me get your bag.”

THE BUTLER??!?!?! WHAT!?!?!?

The Joker stared as the elderly man stepped off the train and handed his bags to Bruce. If Bruce was waiting for the old Brit in car 7… Was there anyone in car 4???

Joker looked up in anger at the window of car 4- and was faced with a set of the most beautiful blue eyes he had ever seen, staring right at him.