The dim, flickering light in the abandoned warehouse cast long, jagged shadows across the floor. Joker stood at the center of the room, practically bouncing with anticipation. His hands were covered in red paint, oh no, not paint. Blood. But not his own. No, his “masterpiece” required more..someone else's pain, someone else's confusion. He spun around in a circle, the flick of his wrist creating another splash of color across the floor as his eyes danced with manic glee.

He paused, looking over at the bound victim, a middle-aged man with an expression that read pure terror. The man was tied to a chair, helpless, his eyes darting around, trying to comprehend the situation, but Joker was already two steps ahead. Joker always was. The man’s chest bore a crude message scrawled across it.

“Happy Birthday, Darlin'! I love you! 🥳”

Joker grinned at his work, inspecting the message like a connoisseur appreciating fine art. But this wasn’t a masterpiece for just anyone. No, no, no. This was for him. For Batman.

Joker clapped his hands in mock excitement, his voice rising to an exaggerated tone as he began to speak aloud, imagining the conversation that would soon unfold.

“Oh, Batsy, my sweet, sweet Batsy… you’ve been so busy lately, haven’t you? Fighting crime, stopping the ‘bad guys’, saving the day, how boring! You’ve been so wrapped up in that tedious justice of yours, I thought I’d surprise you, give you a gift… just for you. For your special day. Oh, I know what you’re thinking, ‘But Joker, my birthday isn’t for another few months!’ Well, my darling Batman, that’s where you’re wrong. I decide when your birthday is. And today, right now, on this lovely day..this is your day. Your very own Joker’s Special Birthday Bash!”

He twirled around the room, giggling madly, his voice lifting higher and higher as his excitement bubbled over. He waited for batman to arrive, he knew he would arrive his batsy can't resist!