A Joke By Any Other Name by L. D. Manning (free children's online books .txt) 📕

I leaned forward, and smiling lightly at the prosecutor.  “The Joker.”

“And how do you know the accused in question.” before he could even finish his sentence, I leaned forward and wiped away the tears on my face. “I'm his psychologies.”

“I know this is hard for you but please try to continue.” Clearing his throat the prosecutor stepped into my field of version. And handing me his handkerchief. I smiled and I looked up at him through my lashes.

“We were only there to help people.”

“Dr. Quinzel, would you please tell the Jury what you believe the Joker's mental state to be.”

Turning I looked at the Jury, all of them looked dull and bored.

Having been through trials just like this. Be it the same man or different, It was all the same.

“Albert Einstein is credited for saying, ‘The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.’ This definition is not the accepted one. . . But why is that?” I said looking not only at the jury, but everyone in the courtroom. “Because it can apply to every last one of us.”

“Dr. Quinzel, are you saying that in your professional opinion the Joker Is insane.” The prosecutor said clearly trying to move me along.

“Insane is sending the joker to a facility that he escaped from time and time again. Insane is having some random guy in a batsuit, with a enough money to equipped himself and his car with weapons just so he can run around at night and beat up ‘bad guys’. But not enough ‘sense’ to use that money to create jobs or programs to stop inner city crimes.”

“So is the Joker insane.” I through my head back and laughed. “No more insane than the rest of you. But then again, what do I know.”

The Courtroom went silent as the prosecution rest his case and proceeded to walk back to his desk.

It was the defense lawyers turn now

Dr. Harleen Quinzel would you say your the best judge of character.  

Yes

Really even though it has been recorded that you yourself suffer from a mental illness

Objection your honor.

Your honor I'm just trying to give the Jury a full picture of the psychologist.

The judge rubbed his face and looked over at me. “I'll allow it.”

“Did you or did you not stalking your previous mentor? Who called you delusional and unstable?”

“I did.”

“Did you or did you not assist the Joker even telling him where to lay traps for Batman?”

“I did.”

“So why Dr. Quinzel should the jury take your word that the Joker is insane.”

“I never said he was insane. In fact the letter he wrote me proves that he's not insane. That he's the most sane person here.”

“Really, and what did this letter say?”

“Objection your honor.”

“I'll allow it.”

“It's said something that made me want to blow my brains out, something that made me realize that I too can be sane.”

Frowning the lawyer stepped closer. “What did it say?”

I wave my hand at him, dismissing his question. “Oh you wouldn't get the joke.” I pulled out a little red button and pressed it.

The side of the building exploded, covering the courtroom with rocks and dust. People fell to the floor in both fear and anguish as a barrage of bullets filled the room. Men in animal costumes and machine guns entered laughing maniacally. Jumping over the stand I ran over to the Joker and helped him off the ground.

“All this for little old me?” He said with tears in his eyes.

“Anything for you,” I said cutting his free from his straight jacket.

Taking my hand, the Joker kissed each one of my finger tips, as he lead me into my new future.

Publication Date: 01-02-2019

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