The makeup artist nodded approvingly. "You've got the mannerisms too. That smile's unnerving, in a good way."
Alex tilted his head, eyes narrowing in mock contemplation. "Good… bad… they're just words. What matters is the laugh." He let out a low chuckle that rolled into a manic cackle, so convincing that the artist froze mid-step. The sound bounced off the walls, echoing like something born from chaos itself.
Halle raised an eyebrow. "Okay, that's unsettling."
Alex grinned at her through the mirror. "You're supposed to be unsettled. That means it's working."
There was a knock at the door. Alexis peeked in, wide-eyed. "Holy hell, Mr. Wilson… I mean, Joker. You look terrifyingly creepy."
Alex turned, cane spinning between his fingers. "Why thank you, dear Alexis. Compliments are like candy. Sweet, short-lived, and occasionally poisonous."
Alexis blinked. "That's… actually kind of amazing. The crowd's already going nuts out there. They think there's going to be some surprise reveal. You're going to kill it."
"I hope not literally," Halle said dryly.
Alex grinned at her, voice dipping into the Joker's tone again. "No promises, darling. Some people need a little… chaos to live."
Halle smirked. "Try not to scare the children."
He picked up the purple hat and placed it on his head with a flourish. "Children love me. Parents… not so much."
As he turned toward the door, Alexis motioned nervously. "You're on in five minutes. Harley's already hyping up the crowd."
Alex leaned close to Halle, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "When this is over, you're going to have to remind me who I am."
She brushed a speck of powder off his shoulder and smiled. "I'll make sure of it."
He winked, adjusted his hat, and walked out.
...
[Cosplay stage]
The DJ played a chaotic remix of "Another One Bites the Dust." The crowd was enormous, loud, and hyped. The official photographers were doing their job, taking shots and recording. The security was tight as usual.
Max, in full Harley Quinn mode, twirled her bat and strutted to the edge of the stage, grinning ear to ear. "Alright, puddin's and pumpkin pies, who's ready to get crazy?"
The audience screamed back. Phones flashed like strobe lights.
A teenage fan near the front yelled, "Harley! Where's your puddin'?!"
Max leaned forward with a dramatic pout. "Aw, sugar, puddin's busy blowin' up Gotham or ghostin' my texts. Same difference."
Another guy shouted, "Can I be your puddin'?!"
Max gasped, putting a hand over her chest. "You? My puddin'? Honey, I don't even know if you can handle shared custody of my insanity!"
The crowd erupted in laughter.
Caroline, standing nearby in her Supergirl outfit, rolled her eyes with a smile. "You realize you've got like fifteen puddins now, right?"
Max twirled her bat again. "Well, I'm a generous gal, Super-snack. Sharing is caring."
Angela, in her Spider-Woman suit, laughed. "You're gonna break hearts and probably a few laws before this thing's over."
"Oh, sweetie, I break hearts and kneecaps. It's called multitasking."
The crowd howled.
Just then, the lights dimmed slightly. The big LED screen behind them glitched with static. The DJ stopped mid-track. Everyone looked around.
Then came a sound.
Low at first. A chuckle. Then louder. Then louder still—rolling into a full, manic cackle that filled the entire hall.
Fans froze.
Max blinked. "Oh no…" she muttered, then grinned. "That ain't who I think it is."
The curtains at the side of the stage burst open, and out strolled the Joker: white face, green hair, purple coat. He spun a silver-headed cane and tipped his hat toward the crowd.
"HAHAHA! Well, well, well… what do we have here?"
The audience went absolutely insane. People cheered, screamed, some gasped, others started recording instantly.
'Finally! I'm gonna rat you out on Alex, just you wait! Eating chillidogs with black coffee and making me do twice the job I've signed up for... Mental note to self: Alex owes me 1 week's worth of daily orgasmic foot massage and 20 minutes of cuddling three times a day.' Max's jaw dropped for dramatic effect. "Puddin'! You escaped Arkham again without me?"
Joker (Alex) tilted his head with a sly grin. "You know how it is, cupcake. I told them it was a mental health day… they didn't argue."
'Wait a sec! Why does he feel so familiar?' Caroline wondered as she squinted her eyes. 'Those eyes... Alex?!'
'That nose... Lips! That sly grin!' Max caught onto him. 'Alex?! Puddin''
The crowd burst into laughter.
A fan near the front shouted, "Joker! I told Harley I could be her puddin'!"
Joker froze, then slowly turned toward him. The grin stayed, but his voice dropped an octave. "Oh… did you now?"
Max backed up, still grinning but playing along. "Oh boy, you're in trouble now, sugarplum."
The fan laughed nervously as Joker leaned closer to the edge of the stage.
"You think you can just… replace me?" Joker hissed dramatically. "Do you have any idea how expensive therapy is for this woman?"
The crowd exploded with laughter.
Caroline facepalmed, whispering to Angela, "This is somehow the weirdest and most professional performance I've seen all day."
Angela whispered back, "Tell me about it. I'm both terrified and impressed."
Max clutched her bat and giggled. "Aw, puddin', don't scare the nice boy. He's sweet! Probably pays taxes!"
Joker spun around sharply. "Taxes?! Harley, I thought we talked about this! You know how I feel about supporting the system!"
Max stomped her foot like a bratty kid. "You said no murder before 3 PM!"
"Right! And it's only 2:45!" Joker yelled, pointing dramatically at his wrist. "We've got fifteen minutes to kill!"
The entire stage crew lost it. The audience was doubled over laughing.
Caroline leaned into the mic, deadpan. "On behalf of Titan Studios, we do not condone any form of murder before or after 3 PM."
Joker turned to her, waving the cane. "Oh, Supergirl, always the moral compass! Don't you ever get dizzy spinning that halo around your head?"
Max cackled, hopping next to him. "He's right, sunshine! You need some chaos in your cardio routine!"
Caroline crossed her arms. "I'll pass, thanks. I prefer saving people who don't threaten fanboys with homicide."
"Boooring," Max said, twirling her bat.
Joker raised a finger. "Wait, wait, wait! Before we lose our audience to logic and decency…" He turned to the crowd with a grin. "Who here loves Harley Quinn?"
The crowd screamed.
"And who here thinks they can be Harley's puddin'?!"
Half the crowd screamed again.
Joker nodded slowly. "Excellent. I'll be sure to send each of you personalized… restraining orders and your a list with your names on to the Riddler. Won't that be fun?" He gave another sinister grin.
'yep! That's him. You can't hide from your Spirit Animal, Mr. Wilson.' Max smirked and planted a kiss on his cheek, leaving a red lipstick mark. "Aww, puddin', you always know how to make an entrance."
He grinned widely, voice dipping low. "And you always know how to make me regret mine."
Caroline groaned. "You two are like if domestic violence had a fan club."
Angela tried not to laugh. "Oh my god, stop, I'm dying."
Max threw an arm around Joker's shoulder. "Ain't he dreamy?"
Joker tilted his head toward her. "Dreamy? Darling, I'm everyone's worst nightmare in a three-piece suit."
The crowd went wild again.
As the laughter died down, Joker raised his cane, pointing to the cheering audience. "Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! Psychopaths of all ages! Titan thanks you for believing in chaos, creativity, and everything in between! Remember—"
He leaned into the mic. "It's not about sanity…"
Max finished it perfectly, smirking into her mic. "…It's about style, puddin'."
Backstage, Alexis stood with her mouth hanging open. "Holy crap… that was actually him?"
Halle, watching beside her, smiled slowly. "Oh yeah. That was him."
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[POWERSTONES AND REVIEWS PLS]
Support link: www.patr eon.com/UnknownMaster
[6 advance chs] [All chs available for all tiers] [No double billing.]
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