gotham gazette

@ creeps

Layla couldn't help but to grin when he winked at her, walking into the kitchen as he continued talking to her. She grabbed a glass from the cabinet and poured his drink, carrying it up to the office. "I see you found it with no problems," she murmured, handing over his drink before she sat down next to him. Her mind started racing as she picked up the pad that contained all of her notes. Now that she actually had him here, what would she ask? She rubbed her temples and sighed before picking up a pen.

"Alright, for starters.. d'you got a real name, or just Joker?"

@ destroya.

He nodded when she set down the cup, bringing it to his lips and taking a big gulp. When she asked her first question, the Joker smiled and pulled a playing card out of his pocket: instead of his signature Joker card, it was a Jack of hearts. Carefully placing it on the desk in front of her, he leaned forward and ran his tongue over his front teeth. "Tell me, Layla Jenkins, do you go by any pseu-doh-nyms?"

@ creeps

Layla eyed the card for a few moments before she turned her attention back to him, making sure to jot down Jack on her notes. She gave him a small smile and shook her head. "No, actually. I have no reason to go by anything other than Layla," she said with a slight shrug of her shoulders. She leaned back in her chair and bit and watched him, thinking of her next question. She wanted to be careful. If she set him off, then all of this would've been for nothing.

"I've heard a few different stories behind how you got those scars. Care to tell me the truth about them?" She raised a brow, looking from her noted back to him. "By the way, this is information for me.. no one else."

@ destroya.

Jack sighed, leaning back and propping his feet up on the desk. He folded his hands behind his neck slowly. "Once u-pon a time," he began as if he were about to tell a child's story and shut his eyes, "there was a few smaller mobs in the great and powerful Gotham. Long before the Joker this world has come to know and love, little Jack needed to make a quick buck." He laughed harshly, shaking his head at the memories. "What better way than to be a runner for the mob? Do a job or two a week in exchange for some dirty money. Made a mistake and had to pay the price. They tied me up, slit the corners of my mouth, and beat me until my face was permanently ripped."

@ creeps

Layla listened closely to the story, wincing slightly at the end. She nodded her head, trusting him enough at the time to think he was telling the truth, and sat up. "Was that long ago?"

@ destroya.

"Seven years." He said, swinging his legs down and scooting up to the desk. He finished most of his drink, a small 'ah' falling out of his mouth when he set the cup down. "Why would you ever want to be a journalist," he questioned, "and what makes you so interested in me?"

@ creeps

"Did you get the guys who did this to you?" Layla eyed him curiously, shrugging her shoulders at his question. "I guess I just like asking questions and providing the people with somewhat important information," she said, looking down at her notepad, starting to doodle on the top of the page. "You're just a very interesting individual. I'd like to know your story."

@ destroya.

Jack's eyes widened, looking at Layla in a feign shock. "Do you really believe I would let those bastards get away with mutilating me? They got what was coming to them. And thank you, doll, for thinking I am interesting! It's not everyday that I get complimented by a reporter." He stood up, brushing the invisible lint of his shirt and walking to the other side of the desk. He leaned back on it, staring at the young woman. He was suddenly a little more aware of how damp he was in contrast, and that she was doodling on a notepad. "I don't think you should keep that job of yours much longer."

Faintly, a police siren could be heard whirling down the street and the Joker's body tightened with tension: not fear, no, he wasn't afraid of the police. They'd thrown him in Arkham and he'd be gone by dawn. But if they were coming for him and they found him in a civilians house, they would rip the place (and Layla) apart.

@ creeps

Layla nodded her head, offering a sweet smile to the man. "You're very welcome, J. Do you mind if I call you that?" She looked up at him, laying her pen and notepad on the desk, not bothering with them anymore. She tilted her head in a curious manner at what he said and raised a brow. "And why not?"

She looked towards the window and shook her head, sighing. "This is an every night thing.. The guy two houses down always calls the cops on the kids next door because of their parties. I'm not sure why they still bother anymore, they know they're gonna get in trouble," she muttered. She looked back to him and noticed how tense he was now, and she stood. "Don't worry, they don't have a reason to come here. How about another drink?"

@ destroya.

"You can call me whatever you want." Jack licked his lips, chuckling. He didn't look away from her face when he began speaking again. "There are a lot of people who would kill to get some info on me," was all he said. He picked up his cup and walked towards the rooms door. "Lets get that other drink. And maybe a smoke." He carried himself down the steps and made into the kitchen.

@ creeps

Layla swallowed thickly at his comment and nodded, walking out of the room. "I wouldn't really have any other source of income if I did quit," she murmured, running a hand through her hair. She walked into the kitchen and took his glass, mixing him another drink before handing it back, getting pouring some for herself as well. She grabbed her cigarettes and led him to the back porch with a nice view of a wooden fence to keep the nosey neighbors out of her business. She lit a cigarette and handed the pack to him before she sat down, blowing the smoke out through her nose, deep in thought.

@ destroya.

After finishing off the new glass, he said, "Don't worry about that." He took the cigarette, took a drag while looking around the back yard. It was still dark out, but he wasn't sure what time it was. He hadn't took any time to look for a clock. "Any more questions?" He quietly asked, almost as if he raised his voice people would know he was there.

@ creeps

Layla was quiet for a few more moments as she thought of something to ask him, finally remembering something that she'd wondered about for a while. "Is there anyone that you've ever felt the need to protect, or just keep around? Like, a companion, a significant other.. something like that?" She turned to face him, a curious expression crossing her face.

@ destroya.

Jack looked over at Layla, raising one of his eyebrows. "Not usually," he admitted. "Harley Quinn likes to think she can stay around. She's back in Arkham, though." He shook his head at the thought. He really couldn't stand her. "I imagine you've heard of her."

@ creeps

Layla nodded her head and leaned back in the seat, taking another hit off of the cigarette before speaking. "Yeah, I've heard of her. Not a lot though. She wad your doctor or something, right?" She raised a brow, laughing softly. "You really know how to drive a girl wild, huh?"

@ destroya.

"She was my doctor. I used to her to get out of Arkham. I didn't know she'd hang around," he sighed. "She's more of a hassle than anything. Guess I'm just too charming to pass up." Jack winked. The sky was beginning to lighten and Jack stood up. "I need to leave. Quit your job," he told her firmly looking down at her. "Do not tell anyone what I've told you. Word travels fast."

@ creeps

"Wait," Layla said quickly, standing up. "Am I gonna see you again?" She asked him, biting at the inside of her cheek in a nervous manner. She didn't want to quit her job over this one chat. Besides, she didn't know what else she was going to do in order to make money. It wasn't exactly easy getting a job here, and she didn't really have any other skills, or the money to go back to college for something else.

@ destroya.

Even though she stood up, the Joker still hovered over her with his height. "I'm sure you will. I'm a big fan of the public spot lot, but you already know that." He handed her his empty glass. He gave her a soft smile, something he would think about later and blame on the alcohol, and said "Thanks for the drinks. I'll see you again, doll. Just stay out of trouble."

@ creeps

Layla nodded her head, watching as he smiled at her, returning it in the same soft manner. "Yeah, I'll try," she said to him, holding onto the glass. She rubbed her face with her free hand, starting to feel a little tired. "You can go out through the gate if you don't wanna be seen. There's an alley behind it, and I'm sure the cops are gone by now. I'll see you around," she murmured, nodding towards the gate before she smiled at him and went into the house, sighing softly. She grabbed her phone and dialed up her boss' number, leaving a short message telling him that she was unable to work for him anymore, and not going into any more detail. She hung up and went to the living room, laid down on the couch, and passed out shortly after.

@ destroya.

A few hours later, the Joker sat in the basement of his safe house at his small desk, scribbling out blueprints of building and potential plans. After crumpling up his fourth sheet of paper, he stood up and knocked everything off the desk. "Fuck." He growled, rubbing his eyes. He hadn't slept since the morning before his attack, he was going two days of no sleep. Even the Clown Prince of Crimes needs a few hours of z's to work with. His mind kept stumbling to Layla and how he'd need to have his goons check the area every so often to make sure none of his enemies messed around near her.