The Joker's New Toy { Wattys 2016}

Day At The Museum

**

Stacey's little hands were sweating uncontrollably. The Joker held his large hands firmly over her dainty fingers, making sure she kept a firm grip on the small handgun. He could feel her entire little body shaking from nerves. Perhaps this was a bad idea.

"Stacey," the Joker coed in her ear. "Relax darling. The gun's not gonna turn around and shoot you in the face ya know."

"But, d-daddy J," Stacey stuttered. "W-what if I shoot Stanley?"

"Well that's the whole point in me helping you sweetie pie. We're gonna make sure you don't," said the Joker.

"I-I think this is a bad idea," Stacey's voice shook.

"I agree," Stanley suddenly chimed loudly from a few feet away.

"Shut up Stanley. No one's talking to you," the Joker snapped.

"Sir please, can't we just hang the target on a tree or something?" Stanley asked uneasily.

"No," snapped the Joker. "This is a far better way to practice. See, she'll be so concerned with not hitting you that it should help her focus on her target."

The Joker was outside on the estate's massive lawn teaching Stacey how to shoot a gun. Stanley still wasn't on the Joker's good side. He was still the newest of the bunch and there were already several incidents where he had greatly annoyed the Joker. Being late to meetings, the infamous mall incident where the Joker had to teach him some manners, and of course the obvious wolf eye he gave Stacey every time he saw her walk by. He was going to have to prove himself if he wanted to continue being one of the Joker's cronies.

And the Joker had many creative ways to make his personal soldiers prove themselves to him. He made Stanley stand in the grass holding a large bulletproof target in front of him. Luckily for Stanley, the target covered his whole torso. But if Stacey missed the target she could very well shoot him in the head or one of his legs, or possibly shoot off a finger since the Joker made him hold it with his bare hands. The only plus side, Stanley thought to himself, was that at least she couldn't shoot him in the crotch.

"I-I don't think I can do this," Stacey stuttered.

"Of course you can," the Joker said gently. With his hands still clasped over hers he guided her arms up further and helped her aim right for the middle of the target. He still felt her shaking, but he held her hands steady. "Just think about what a beautiful day it is outside and focus on the feeling of the sun warming your pretty skin."

It was a beautiful day out. The sun was shining, the sky was an ocean blue and the weather was perfect which was somewhat unusual for Gotham. The Joker could see rain clouds gathering in the distance though and he knew that a storm was coming. He wanted to enjoy this weather with his little pet while he still had the chance, even if he usually preferred the night. For target practice the Joker allowed Stacey to dress casual for a change. She had on a normal white T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans, and her blond hair was tied back into a bun.

"Now just relax. Take a deep breath and let daddy J help you," he whispered in her ear. "See that target? Just focus right there in the middle, and gently pull the trigger. You'll feel the power in the gun when the bullet shoots out of it. You'll feel it jerk your hands back, but don't panic. Just keep a very firm grip on the gun. Whatever you do, don't let go of the gun. Always keep a firm grip on it and keep your hands steady," he lectured.