Dr Harleen Quinzel (_drharleen) wrote in sog_ic, @ 2012-11-02 23:05:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | old - harleen quinzel, old - joker |
Who: Harley and Joker
NPCs: -
Where: Arkham Asylum, Dr. Quinzel’s Office
When: After several consultations together now.
What: The Arkham staff have noted that Harley’s made progress with the Joker. Or has he made progress with her?
Rating: PG.
Status: Completed in Gdocs
Harleen Quinzel had made progress. At least that’s what they had told her. Since the first meeting she had with the mysterious man known as Joker, he had opened up to her. In fact he had spoken very eloquently and was seemed even.. thoughtful. All the stories about him just didn’t match up with the person she saw in front of her. He was an enigma, sure, but there was something more to him and she was determined to find out what.
They had now met several times and with the progress he seemed to be making she was moved to be one of his permanent doctors. Although there had been several warnings about taking the position and even a little jealousy that a woman so inexperienced as herself got moved to the case.
Today had been the first time Quinzel had been allowed full control and finally was able to speak with the man one on one. She had asked the guards to wait outside and had entered with all the confidence in the world. Her appearance reflected that today; professional but alluring with glasses and a tousled bun.
Harley didn’t carry a pencil and paper or other clumsy equipment like she had her first meetings with patients. Dr. Quinzel was advancing and becoming better each time. Today she carried just a small metallic recorder with her and set it on the table smiling at the Joker who sat across from her.
He was still bound and chained and under the watchful gaze of cameras but the atmosphere certainly felt more relaxed. Taking a deep breath Harleen pressed the record button while smiling at her patient. “How are you feeling today?”
-----
Harleen Quinzel had been making progress. Or so they said. The Joker was... happy for her. He knew the importance of putting a smile on your face. After all of these years of giving Gotham what it needed, it was nice to focus on the little things. A smaller canvas, maybe, but no less a masterpiece. Harleen Quinzel was a woman, of that he was sure. As she walked into the room his fingers tapped the metal armrest of his chair in time with the click-clack of her heels. Turning his head to the side, he looked up at her and smiled warmly. Of all the smiles in his repertoire, this was the least natural for him. There was very little in this life to be warm about.
He supposed she was one of them.
“I’ve been better, Harley.” He brought his hands to the table, clasping them, his poise erudite and receptive. He did so enjoy his work.
-----
Harleen found The Joker interesting. She often devoted so much of her free time reading about him, going over their sessions, or even just thinking about him. It was almost delusional. There was just something about him that got to her and she couldn’t quite put her finger on it yet. Quinzel gave into his personable attitude and crossed her legs, settling in to listen.
Her brown eyes studied him for a moment, taking in his disposition. “I’m sorry to hear that. What’s the matter?” For whatever reason Dr. Quinzel couldn’t bring herself to ever call him ‘The Joker’. She tried not to indulge patients in their fantasies of alter egos or villains, as it were. Not to mention it felt wrong for that label when he seemed anything but that name.
“You know I’m here to listen.” She smiled honestly, waiting for his response.
-----
“Of course you are. You’re the one bright spot in this place.” He leaned back, holding his composure, always so very still. Listening, looking, always observing. The one thing predators and prey had in common. “The matter, as you put it, is that I find myself in an asylum. For the criminally insane. So the,” he waved his hand dismissively, indicating some unseen space out in the front of the building, “sign says. Not a lot of fresh air in here.” He stifled a strained laugh before it could escape. Instead, the patient busied himself looking at her, admiring the beautiful woman for what she was. She was very what-she-was, was she not?
“I was looking for shoelaces yesterday,” he said, eyes locked on her with unblinking focus.
-----
Sometimes he had this way about him that was, to say the least, confusing. It was almost maddening how sane he could be then how he could appear strange and foreign to her. “Well I appreciate that, thank you.” It always helped to feed her ego. Honestly what kind of girl didn’t enjoy compliments and sweet things said, even if it was from a crazy man?
“Perhaps if you continue working with me we can get you some fresh air? Maybe even a room with a view?” She enjoyed bargaining chips, who didn’t? Of course Harleen would avoid the comment about the shoelaces. They weren’t allowed for anyone because of the weapons and destruction they could cause. Who knew something so simple?
“Is there anything else troubling you today?”
-----
“You begin to miss the normal things. And then you begin to forget them.” He said, hands still clasped pleasantly. “Like tying your shoes. You get up in the morning, you go through your routine, and the last stop is the shoes. The tactile sense of the laces in your fingers, aglates pinched between thumb and forefinger---”
Joker closed his eyes, reliving the memory. “Your fingers dance around each other, lace under, over, through. You pull it taut. You form the loops, wrap one around the other, and pull it taut again. The shoe hugs your foot like it was always meant to be there.”
Opening his eyes, he rested his gaze on her again. “Normalcy. At least the guards are treating me better, now. Thank you, Dr. Quinzel.”
-----
Harleen listened to him carefully, noting the longing in his voice. Perhaps he actually did miss the little things in life? Maybe he did miss a normal life on the outside. However on everything she had ever read about him nothing was normal. He didn’t enjoy normalcy. He was ‘The Joker’ out there and his schemes had landed him here. That, at least, is what she had to keep telling herself.
“I’m glad to hear they are treating you better. Working together has seemed to work on in your benefit greatly.” Something about her couldn’t help but smile at him. Maybe it was his manners or the way he worked with her but something about it she was happy about. “What else do you miss about the outside world?” She was curious now about his ideas of the outside world or what his ‘normalcy’ even meant.
-----
“Coffee cake.”
-----
"Coffee cake?" The surprise was evident on Harleen's face before a smile started to spread and she just begun to laugh. She didn't know why it was funny.. it just was. Finally she was able to stifle a her laughter before speaking again. "Oh yeah.. anything else?"
-----
He leaned forward with a substantial grin. “Laughter. Truly the best medicine, wouldn’t you agree, Harley?”
-----
"Laughter certainly can be the best medicine. In some cases we have nothing else to get by." She sat silent for a minute thinking about her own issues. How did this get turned on her? "So coffee cake, shoelaces, and laughter. A man of simple means." What about murdering, stealing, and dark plans?
-----
He inhaled deeply through his nose, looking at the wall, as if he could summon all the vigor of life from nothing. “I miss the city. The noise, the people, even the smells. Life is on hold here. Sterile. Unchanging. A special hell for people whose insights into the mysteries of life unsettle those outside. You stand on the edge and look in, Dr. Quinzel. I admire your courage, your recklessness even. It takes a mind as sharp as yours to really perceive those things,” he smacked his lips and creased his brow, as if tasting his next words first. “Beneath the surface. You see me for who I truly am, and for that, I have nothing but love. Love, and hope.”
The Joker’s eyes cast down to his hands. The fingernails were as short as could be, kept immaculate and clean. “My only hope, in this place. I didn’t think I’d find it here, but you, Doctor, are my light. My guide. Arkham doesn’t deserve someone of your gifts. It’s a dead end. You deserve a bigger world, don’t you think? A spotlight, and people who appreciate what you are.”
-----
Harleen sat back and listened to his speech and couldn't help but honestly get swept up in the idea of it. If Harleen wanted anything in her life it was to be noticed. She had strived to be in the spotlight and be loved for that. Who didn't want to be praised? Then loved... well, that was always an interesting subject for Harleen.
The closest she ever felt of love was Dick Grayson and they had been two different people. She would have never been the prize on his arm like Elizabeth was. That woman had power and that magical good two show vibe. It just fit. Harleen didn't. Maybe even now she clung to that bitterness and blamed her life on it.
Sure she was successful but at what cost? To spend her life delving into crazy people hoping that their problems and psyche was worse off than hers. Then she meets the Joker. A man who sees life for what it is.. a realist. How can she even rationalize this?
"I appreciate your praise. I believe our time has ended for today though. I hope to speak with you soon." There was a lot stirring in her mind and heart and she needed answers. Hopefully ones not provided by a man named the Joker.
-----
“You’re welcome. Anyone who couldn’t see you for what you are is a fool.” He looked at the clock on the wall. “Soon. Yes, that would be very nice.” He turned and smiled in her direction. The warm smile.
-----
Harleen turned off her recorder and stood from the desk, straightening her jacket sleeves. As she turned to go she froze, listening to his words. She dared a glance back at him to meet that smile. The true smile. "Thank you Joker.."
The words were spoken softly but she was sure he had heard them. Then without a second thought she slipped out the door and signaled to the guards that it was okay to move in.
While she was walking away she paused at the aid station. "Deliver a coffee cake to him, would you?" The nurse raised an eyebrow but did as she was told. Harleen smiled for a moment more before heading upstairs.