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]

"Mayor's fundraiser on the first of April."

Six weeks out of Arkham and reports of chemical manufacturing. The two can only add up to one answer. Mass scale production of Joker's laughing gas. How could he resist? It would be the greatest April Fool's joke in the whole of Gotham City.

The hallway ends at an open door. The area beyond is pitch black.

[_robin_3]

A pitch black area, which meant only one way for us to get around: night vision.

I activated my night vision in my mask and noticed Batman do likewise, having heard what he meant about the Mayor's fundraiser, the six weeks he'd spent out of Gotham and the chemical manufacturing reports. Mass scale production of Joker's laughing gas. Not a good thing at all.

At seeing a figure a ways inside the room, Batman and I cautiously made our way in, making sure there were no surprises. It had to be Joker-no doubt about it. Within a few seconds, we both pulled out a pair of grapples and fired them forward...only to watch as they collided with what appeared to be a glass-shaped wall! We both came to a stop and pressed our hands against the glass; me in surprise, Batman with growing anger. We'd been set up!

Not to mention that a few seconds after we'd realized what had happened, the lights came back on; Batman and I instantly turned off our night vision and saw green gas spewing inside our glass-shaped box. Definitely not a good thing.

[wayne_memoirs]

The sudden onslaught of light momentarily blinds them. Precious time is lost. When their eyes adjust, the gas has risen to waist level. They have only seconds to spare before the green haze reaches the face. Re-breathers. Out of the belt and into the mouth.

The small devices have a short lifespan though. They have six minutes before the gas overtakes them. Five minutes more than they'll need.

A familiar voice echoes in the box. "Welcome Bat-brain and Boy Blunder! Looks like today, I'll be the one getting the last laugh! Ahahahaha..hahahhhhaaaa....hehe..."

[_robin_3]

"Welcome Bat-brain and Boy Blunder! Looks like today, I'll be the one getting the last laugh! Ahahahaha..hahahhhhaaaa....hehe..."

I was curious as if there was any chance we could shut Joker up, but with time not on our side, we would just have to grin and bear it; pun not intended.

Not intending to die this evening, I pulled out a familiar tool that Catwoman once used when she'd been a common thief and made a circle on the wall of glass that led outside. Kicking the circle outward, I silently eyed Batman, wondering if it would be wise to use one of our explosives to get out of this.