The Joke's On Batman

Chapter 2

Ah, The Truth

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The Joker licked the inside of his cheek. Batman heard an audible click. The door slammed closed behind him. He threw The Joker against the glass, not even caring if he sent the psycho through it, and tried to yank the door open.

"Oh, Bats..." The Joker got up dizzily, holding a hand to his head. "That was really too much. You're going to knock what's left of my sanity out between my ears." He giggled.

"What did you do?" Batman snarled, struggling with the door. It wasn't simply locked. No...it was jammed. And it was getting warm. He snatched his hand away.

"Batman, Batman, Batman." The Joker clasped his hands behind his back and paced through the small room. "I knew you would search me, so I hid a little device in my mouth. Glued it to my cheek with that wound sealant from the doctor's office, actually." He giggled, a giddy sound. "It worked like a charm. I laughed in your face and you didn't even see it. Did you, Batsy?"

"The door?" Batman's voice was wooden. He'd been beaten, and this time he didn't know what to do.

"Oh, just one of my good little helpers welding it shut from the outside."

He turned to stare at the Clown. "But how will you get out?"

The Joker shrugged. "Who needs to get out if they're going to die happy? I've finally outsmarted you, Bats, and I intend to take my reward."

Batman backed into the door, then recoiled from it. It was hot enough to burn him, now. "Reward?"

The Joker beamed, his face almost cracking with the size of his smile. "You."