Chapter 10: New Plan
Yang Xu, ever pragmatic, knew that further scrutiny of the character cards would yield nothing new. He turned his attention to the artificial body standing nearby.
With a flick of his wrist, he sent the card spinning through the air, directly into the mannequin's chest.
"Thunk!" A resonant sound echoed as the card embedded itself.
Immediately, the card emitted a soft, dark green glow, engulfing the artificial body. The card then slowly sank into the mannequin's form.
Moments later, the green light dissipated, revealing a figure with dark green hair, a pale complexion, and a Glasgow smile—the Joker, now embodied in the artificial form.
The Joker appeared disoriented, as if just awakened. He scanned the room, his gaze finally settling on Yang Xu, who still held the pistol.
Sensing the tension, the Joker straightened, placed a hand on his lower back, and gracefully rotated his other hand before bowing slightly.
"I am the Joker," he announced, his voice a low, theatrical drawl. "My thanks, Boss, for summoning me."
Relieved by the Joker's docile demeanor, Yang Xu lowered his gun slightly. "No need for formalities. I have plans, and I summoned you for a reason. But first, do you retain your memories?"
Yang Xu, unable to contain his curiosity, posed the question directly.
The Joker straightened, his left hand across his chest, his right hand resting on his chin. "Indeed, I do. I recall every game I played with the little bat vividly."
"I also possess a general understanding of this world, though it differs from my own. A pity he's not here. This world would be far more amusing with the little bat."
Despite the regret in his words, the Joker's smile was unsettlingly gleeful.
"This Joker has no idea I used his power," Yang Xu realized, observing the exaggerated grin.
After a moment of contemplation, he addressed the Joker, who had begun to fidget. "I'm planning to kidnap the mayor of New York. What are your thoughts?"
The Joker froze, then began to tremble violently.
Yang Xu frowned. "Is he scared? That's not like the Joker."
Just as he was about to speak, the Joker erupted in maniacal laughter, a chilling sound punctuated by sharp, excited words.
"Boss, that's… brilliant! Let's make it bigger! More fun!"
The Joker, lost in his own reverie, began to dance erratically. The twisted movements and unsettling laughter transformed the cramped room into a scene from a horror film.
Yang Xu, understanding the Joker's process, decided not to interrupt.
As the bizarre dance concluded, the Joker grinned, his cut mouth stretching wider. "Boss, want to play? I have a fantastic plan!"
"We'll kidnap the mayor, expose his secrets, everything!"
"Naturally, I'm interested," Yang Xu replied, eager to cause chaos. He paused. "However, no television station would dare broadcast something of that magnitude."
The Joker's smile widened. Yang Xu, strangely attuned to the Joker's thought process, asked, "Central Avenue in New York?"
The Joker raised his hands, forming a circle, confirming the location.
"That will require significant manpower," Yang Xu cautioned. "We need to control the surrounding area."
Seeing the Joker's eagerness, he added, "Don't act rashly. I have a group of individuals you can select to execute the plan."
The Joker looked disappointed but nodded. "Understood, Boss. I'll prepare everything."
Yang Xu handed over the hostage information from the bank robbery. They discussed the plan's details for another half hour before parting ways.
…
Memorial Hermann Hospital, New York.
A young blond man knelt beside a hospital bed, gently holding the frail hand of the woman lying there.
"Mom, please hold on," he pleaded, his voice choked with emotion. "I have the money now. I can pay for the surgery. Please, just hold on."
A doctor, reviewing the medical records, remained impassive. He had witnessed too many such scenes to be moved.
Finally, he closed the file and addressed the young man. "Mr. Morritt, I regret to inform you that Mrs. Morritt's condition is critical. The surgery carries significant risks."
"Furthermore, your payment is insufficient…"
The young man, Joey, shuddered, understanding the doctor's implication. He looked at his mother, her face gaunt, and said, "I understand. Money is no issue, provided she can be cured."
"Very well, Mr. Morritt." The doctor instructed a nurse and left the room.
The woman weakly turned her head towards Joey. "Joey, enough. I don't want the treatment anymore. Give up."
"That's impossible!" Joey cried, tears streaming down his face. "I have the money, Mom. Don't give up!"
She forced a smile. "Joey, I don't know where you got the money, but there are no free lunches. And I know my body is failing."
"I don't want to be a burden. Please, let me go. It's enough."
Joey, his eyes red, choked out, "You're not a burden, Mom. Don't think like that. Just cooperate with the treatment, and you'll get better."
With Joey's comforting words, the woman drifted into a troubled sleep.