twenty-five. video. backdated to late last night.

[goryteller]

[The feed is filled with the sound of heavy breathing. Then choked laughter. Then the video snaps on.]

I'm so fucking bored today, City. What should I do?

[Something has snapped quite palpably in the man who was playing with shadow puppets only days before. The feed is focused on his face, on his manic eyes and disheveled hair. He's rocking on a chair that isn't meant to rock.]

I know. I know what I'll do. I'll kill someone!

[He stops rocking. Drums his fingers on the bottom of the seat.]

Maybe I'll blow up a hospital, show that off. Maybe I'll kidnap a bunch of other fucking imports, tie them to chairs, torture them, and broadcast their sorry, knife-ridden bodies to the network. Maybe I'll shoot a child in cold blood, you little bastard. [He affects, quite accurately, Ladd's accent.] Torture with spells. Slash throats. Decapitate. Trick people into solving madlibs and then beat them to death with sticks. Kidnap people weaker than me and cut into their heads ahah-ha--

[His breaths dissolve into something like the beginning of tears hitch hitch hitch and then spits into laughter instead. He drags his hands over his face. His voice is a frail whisper:]

Oh my God. You monsters.

Comments

voice; encrypted

[maskurbates]

I don't need Nygma in my proverbial hair and I don't need you thinking I'm moving in on what's yours.

voice; encrypted

[osreborn]

What's mine? [ Well... ] You misinterpret me. I know how to share.

voice; encrypted

[maskurbates]

Is that so?

[beat]

Because I'm expecting him to retaliate at some point and I'm sure you understand how that forces my hand.

voice; encrypted

[osreborn]

You're asking my permission. Aren't you?

voice; encrypted

[maskurbates]

[a pause]

I'm telling you that if your pet wanders into my yard and takes a shit on my lawn, the injuries he incurs are nothing personal, neighbor. You just got saddled with a dog who's too stupid to know he's got an electrical collar buzzing around his neck threatening to incapacitate him.

voice; encrypted

[osreborn]

Oh, he's far from stupid -- I wouldn't waste my time with anyone less than a genius. I don't think any of us would, because otherwise there's no danger.

And there's no challenge.

Because who lets themselves get bitten by a dog?

Just don't shoot him. If anyone puts him down it will be me.

voice; encrypted i am so sorry for your inbox

[maskurbates]

[he clenches his jaw for a moment, holding back his annoyance.]

I just want to run my business. And watch Edward Nygma spiral out of control into a slobbering, insane shell of a man.

But mostly just run my business.

I appreciate your professionalism in the matter.

voice; encrypted unf

[osreborn]

It sounds like we want the same thing. More or less. [ Norman's priorities are the reverse, but, same difference.

He lowers his voice slightly. ]

Believe me. It really is something of a sight.

voice; encrypted i was unforgiving in my onslaught of edits but you took it like a champ

[maskurbates]

Yes. He's sending coded messages now.

[roman sounds gleeful]

voice; encrypted i take a lot of things like a champ

[osreborn]

Is he. What do they say?

voice; encrypted i take a lot of things like a champ

[maskurbates]

"Can't you take a joke?" in Morse code.

voice; encrypted

[osreborn]

He really is baiting you.

voice; encrypted

[maskurbates]

You're telling me. All because I sent him a Christmas card at the office.

voice; encrypted

[osreborn]

Yes. He hates being mocked. Just make sure you remember what I said.

voice; encrypted

[maskurbates]

Getting between you and Nygma is among the last things I want to do, Norman.

voice; encrypted

[osreborn]

I understand how necessity sometimes beckons.

voice; encrypted

[maskurbates]

Then you should know the crosswords sabotage was a necessity.

voice; encrypted

[osreborn]

[ A long pause. ]

So that was you.

voice; encrypted

[maskurbates]

Who did you suspect?

voice; encrypted

[osreborn]

The man has dozens of enemies. I wouldn't even narrowing it down. [ But maybe he suspected James Bond... ]

voice; encrypted

[maskurbates]

I was wondering if he privately accused you of doing it.

voice; encrypted

[osreborn]

Not to me he didn't. It's not quite my style.

voice; encrypted

[maskurbates]

Well, at any rate, that was amusing while it lasted.

voice; encrypted

[osreborn]

Did you get what you wanted out of it?

voice; encrypted

[maskurbates]

Yes.