Who: The Joker, Gamblers (NPC), Mobsters (NPC), Dealers (NPC) Where: Gotham City. An illegal, underground casino. When: June 18th Summary: The Joker is trying to track down the new blood in Gotham. So he heads to a casino where those looking for info can usually find what they need.
"Changing hands!" A pit boss called from somewhere nearby.
"Thank you gentlemen and have a great night." The black jack dealer spread his cards out on the table and turned away. Moments later he was replaced by another immaculately dressed figure. The dealer turned his head down, visor obscuring his face, and cracked his knuckles. As the dealer began shuffling the deck, the gamblers lost themselves in idle conversation.
"You hear about that mess over at the Gazette last night?" One of the gamblers dished in that flat New Jersey accent of all Gotham Mafiosos.
"What do you think I am? Stupid? Whole friggin' town heard about that mess." Another mobster piped up, his voice almost identical to his friend's.
"Another one of them freaks." A third chimed in after a healthy dose of scotch and soda.
"Seem to be everywhere these days. Making it hard for decent wise guys to earn a livin'." The mafioso watched the dealer flick out two cards to each player.
"Ahh, fugeddaboutit. Not much you can do. They's got their hands in everything these days from weapons to drugs." This particular wise guy set his drink to the side so he could check his cards. "Only thing these mooks stay out of is the skin trade." With a gesture of his hand he signaled for another card. The dealer flipped over another card for the gambler,,.
The little harlequin on the card stared up at the mobster with a Cheshire grin.
"Ohhhhh!" The offended gambler stood up from his chair in a fit of rage. "Whatsamatta with you? You're suppose to take the Jokers out ya moron! Hit me again!" The dealer casually placed another card face up. This time a clown's face stared up with a horrible mocking grin. "Again!" Once again the dealer repeated the action, a third joker joining the ranks. As if compelled by some mad desire and not the gambler's commands, this new dealer set the remaining cards in the deck on the table face up. They were all Jokers. "Just who do you think you are?" The mobster moved toward the dealer while the other gangsters reached for hidden weapons.
"Tsktsktsktsktsk! Tonight's just not your night, friend." The dealer spoke in a voice that sent shivers down everyone's spine. Everything about that voice, from the mocking tone to the incorrect emphasis of certain syllables, was just wrong. With a flourish of his hand, the dealer removed his visor and set it down on the table. "If I were you." His voice fought back the laughter which threatened to erupt from him, "I'd fold." It was a true testament to the tenacity of Gothamites that the only person able to reduce an entire room to utter silence was the Clown Prince of Crime himself.
Silence didn't always preclude stupidity though. One of the mobsters drew a pistol under the table and stood abruptly with all intents and purposes of ventilating The Joker. The clown proved too quick for his attacker and with a flick of his wrist, he embedded two playing cards into the soft flesh on the back of the gangster's hand. "Naughty naughty." The clown chastised the mobster in a much darker tone. Cold, merciless eyes zeroed in on the would-be attacker. Joker's tongue lashed across the inflamed flesh that framed his mouth. "Papa spank."
It happened in a flash; the table was thrown over with relative ease. Skilled fingers caught one of his playing cards from the air and hurled it with deadly accuracy. The razor sharp edge slit the jugular on the offender's throat. Snorts of laughter freed themselves from Joker with each spurt of arterial blood. Gangly legs carried Joker across the fallen remains and to his next victim.
The clown invaded the mobsters space, his powerful hands resting gently around the other man's throat. Using his index and middle finger, The Joker simulated a man running up the mafioso's face. In the blink of an eye The Joker drew forth a blade and tapped the tip against the man's lips. "Ohh shush shush shush shush.." This calming tactic was disturbed by the random laugh and giggle. "Tell me everything you know about this new Red Hood..."