"This is nice, isn't it?"
The Joker and Bruce Wayne walked through the downtrodden East End of Gotham City. What was stopping Bruce from escaping or attacking The Joker was a collar around his neck. A useful old gadget The Joker had picked up on his travels. He had the trigger strapped to his hand. If Bruce tried to run away, The Joker would press the trigger, and the collar would explode. If Bruce attacked him, The Joker would press the trigger, and the collar would explode. If Bruce tried to tamper with the collar or remove it, the collar would explode. The real Batman would have neutralised it within a minute, so that was something to look forward to. For now, though, it was a pretty good way to ensure he had the pleasure of his company for this important trip.
"I hope you don't mind me changing your outfit while you were sleeping. We don't dress up like ninjas in America, so I wanted you to look a little less....conspicuous."
Bruce Wayne was dressed up in a novelty beer hat, complete with twisty straws, a pair of oversized, pink-rimmed sunglasses, a Hawaiian shirt, a kilt, and a pair of bunny slippers.
"I think it's a good look for you."
Bruce made no response. He hadn't said a word to The Joker since he had awoken. And so they walked on in silence, until they reached their destination.
Crime Alley.
"Here it is, my friend. If this doesn't spark some memories, nothing will. Take a look..."
The Joker ran nimbly down the alleyway, stopping around halfway, not far from the back entrance of an old, disused theatre. He turned to face Bruce, and knelt down on his knees, making himself the size of a child.
"This is where you were when your parents were shot dead. You looked up at the man who killed them, and right then.... right then you knew your life would be dedicated to stopping people like him. At that very moment, in this very place.... you became Batman."
