The Last Laugh

[wayne_memoirs]

They have the best vantage point possible. Three stories up and across the street. The light rain is more of a nuisance than a hindrance. Otherwise they have a clear eye shot to the front entrance of The Last Laugh. A sign above the front door reads "Novelty Items, Gifts, and The Occasional Gag

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[_robin_3]

The last time rain had graced Gotham City, Jason had announced his presence. Not to mention, he nearly took me out for good. At the time, we thought he was just Clayface, taking on what he would've looked like had he not died. Now we knew better.

Jason wasn't our target this evening, however. Our target resembled a deadly clown who Batman and I had encountered more than once.

"Any chance he'll show up this evening?"

[wayne_memoirs]

The only immediate response to Robin's question is the sound of rain drops hitting the rooftop and pavement below. A car honks its horn a block or two away. A hooker is huddling under the overhang at the end of the street. Batman's senses do not wander from the shop's facade.

"He's here." There is no hint of doubt in the low pitched voice.

[_robin_3]

"Time to go to work?" I asked, knowing it really didn't need to be asked. I'd seen the car and had a sinking feeling I knew who was inside. I silently pulled a grapple from my belt and waited for the signal to move.

[rpgvillains]

The car flies around the corner, two wheels leaving the slick surface, and barrels down road. It comes to a screeching halt just feet from the front door. All four doors open. Five men pour our of the sedan. One of them is wearing a wide brimmed hat. They make hast for the confines of the building. Robin swears he can hear a maniacal laugh waft up on the wind.

[wayne_memoirs]

It isn't until all five villains are in the building that Batman retrieves from his belt his own grapple gun. A quick shot and he takes to the midnight air. His feet touch down a second later on the roof of "The Last Laugh". With a silent gesture, he motions to the top entrance.

[_robin_3]

I fired my grapple a few seconds after Batman and soared through the air with ease. A second after, I landed on the roof alongside my partner and, after seeing his silent gesture, made my way to the top entrance.

[wayne_memoirs]

The lock is easy to bust. Almost too easy. A short stair case leads them down into the heart of the shop. It comes to an intersection. The hallway runs left to the customer accessible part of the establishment and right to presumably the storage area. Batman turns to the left. The signal he gives Robin says 'watch my back'. He wants no surprises from either direction.

[_robin_3]

A fork in the road, so to speak. The customer accessible part of the establishment on our left; the storage area on the right. At seeing Batman turn to the left and the signal I'd seen him give me clearly stated "watch my back." And, I intended to do so. Pulling out my staff, I fully extended it and walked backwards, only facing forward when needed.

The last thing we needed were surprises popping in on us from our own turf-the shadows...!

[rpgvillains]

Voices drift back.

"Nah...That's not what da boss-" *thwack!*

"Shut your pie hole!"

"But we gotta-" *thwack*

[wayne_memoirs]

At the first sound of noise, he draws deeper into the shadows. Two clown faced thugs are standing watch at the front door. They seem to be beating on each other in a slap stick farce. With a glance towards Robin, he lays out the attack plan. Robin on the right. Himself on the left.

[_robin_3]

I heard the noises myself and pulled myself back into the shadows. Two thugs who resembled clowns were beating on each other in a slap stick farce. It would be humorous, if they weren't on the side of evil.

Taking a quick glance at Batman, I saw his attack plan: him on the left, me on the right. I nodded silently, then moved to the right and prepared myself for some action...!

[wayne_memoirs]

It has been said that Batman needs a Robin at his side. He tempers. Balances. Keeps brutality and inhumanity from overtaking the Dark Knight. Time and experience molds them into a perfectly honed team. No words are needed to signal the onset.

The attack is simultaneous.

[_robin_3]

One needed to be kept conscious, in order to pry information out of him. The other...

THWACK!

With a pair of well-thrown Rs, I pinned one thug to a wooden box, then expertly knocked him out. Turning to my right, I saw Batman send the other clown flying into another wooden box; it splintered and broke instantly with the impact.

Interrogation time. Meaning it was time for "good Bird, bad Bat."

[wayne_memoirs]

The clown is already whimpering. When he's seized by the lapels, he's ready to wail. Nothing in his life prepared him for this. A mask of black invades his space.

"Joker." The name is ground out. A demand. Not a request.

[_robin_3]

"I'd tell him what he needs to know if I were you." I advised, a light smirk on my face.

"There are times in which he gets so messed up in the head that he'll just grab hold of whatever's in his range and..."

Making a motion downward with my hand, the smirk grew as I grunted lightly while pretending to "grab" what was there and pulled-hard.

[rpgvillains]

Wide eyes shift frantically from Batman to Robin... Robin to Batman... Batman... .... Robin...

"I can't! I don't wanna die!!!"

Seems the caped crusaders aren't the only hands of influence in this low life's decision.