"What's got you in a tizzy?"

"Absolutely nothing," says John. "Everything about this situation is completely normal."

The Joker giggles.

"Not a problem," Elle assures him. She steps inside and picks her way across the floor to the little folding table they brought with them. That and the accompanying plastic folding chairs are clean, at least.

"Hi," the Joker chirps. He came in the full suit and makeup. "So, what do you think of" (he flutters his fingers dismissively) "that Bane guy?"

"I think he's even more dangerous than he wants us to believe," she says. "I think he's planning something more than enforced anarchy, and I don't want to wait around for it, whatever it is."

"I knew it," says the Joker, leaning back satisfiedly in his chair.

John blinks. "Uh," he says, not entirely sure he should be asking, "knew what?"

"You're not just a local representative. Are you."

"I had intended to wait a little longer before revealing that, but yes," says Elle. "I am the person you know as James Moriarty."

"Thought so."

"Very astute of you. I'm honestly not sure how you figured it out."

"Our little game of tag's been going for a while now. Enough for me to get a sense of you. Now isn't the time to be screwing around. If you were in town and you believed it was me, you wouldn't send an underling, make it another week until we actually talked. You'd come yourself, or you wouldn't deal at all. And then you sit down like you own the place and talk like you're the boss? It wasn't that hard."

"Fair enough. So, to business. What are you bringing to the table here? You're not the first group I've contacted who thought they were starting the resistance, but you're definitely the first one I thought might have had a chance of getting anywhere on their own."

"I tried Batman first, believe it or not," he says. "Batman didn't show. Johnny here's got a line on Jim Gordon, though."

John stiffens slightly with surprise. He didn't expect that to come up so soon.

"...That's a lot of trust to be placing in someone you only just met, game of tag or no," says Elle/Moriarty.

"Now is not the time to be screwing around," the Joker repeats. "But Gordon's not even our best resource, necessarily. The other one's just... harder to explain. Of the 'seen to be believed' variety, you might say. D'you know that half-finished opera house on Martial?"

"Let's suppose I do," she says. "What about it?"

"If you're serious about working with me on this, meet me there tomorrow. You, personally, nobody else. And I do believe you're serious about working with me on this."

"Right," he confirms serenely.

"And it's enough of a game-changer that you don't want to discuss anything else until I've seen it. More so than Commissioner Gordon, even."

"Mm. You came alone," he says. "Didn't try to dodge when I found you out. Clearly you have decided to trust me. Only polite to do the same. And, of course..." He lets the sentence trail off, quirking an eyebrow.

"...now is not the time to screw around?" she finishes for him. "I see what you mean. Thank you for being so willing to share your resources with me. I think we will be able to work together more easily than I was expecting."

"That's what I wanna hear."

"I... found out a few things about what happened to Batman. Stumbled across the Joker's message while I was at it. Decided to meet him and see if there was any chance he could help. Seems like there's a pretty big chance."

"It does seem that way," Elle agrees. "What did you find out about Batman?"

"Well, that's not the most reassuring thing I've heard all day," Elle remarks.

...John snorts.

"Still, I would definitely categorize it as useful information. Thank you."

He shrugs slightly.

"What, 'got a line on Jim Gordon' wasn't enough to explain him?"

"To explain why he's here, yes, at least partially. To explain how he got here? No."

"Fair enough."

"When should I be meeting you tomorrow?"

"Let's say... afternoon. Fourish. Sound good?"

"See ya," he echoes. "Take care."

John watches her go, then looks over at the Joker. (When did he stop keeping half an eye on the Joker at all times?)

"Curiouser and curiouser," he says cheerfully.

"I'm glad you're having fun."

"Should I be coming to this meeting tomorrow?"

"Oh, suit yourself. I bet you know what I'm gonna do."

"Introduce her to the little girl with wings, get her on the brainphone? Why do you trust this Elle person so much?"

"Because she gets what's important and she's not fucking around. And Moriarty treats his people like gold. As long as she trusts me to stay on the right side of this mess and not fuck her over, she'll play as nice as you please. And the quickest way to get that is to be, mm, generousss."

"How'd you end up so good at this stuff, exactly?"

"Natural talent?"