<Arthur>

I could still feel the soreness of my back and rib cage. I stare off looking to the other end of the room. When I was in my head I felt safe, and like there was no one who could hurt me there. Except myself.

"Is it just me, or is it getting crazier out there?"

"It is certainly tense. People are upset. They're struggling. Looking for work. These are tough times. How 'bout you? Have you been keeping up with your journal?"

My eyes slowly look up at my counselor. She stares back at me with her brown eyes that match the same tone as her skin. She'd be so pretty if she'd smile more. I'd be happy to even get a smile from her. Someone, anyone.

"Yes, Ma'am." I mumble.

"Great. Did you bring it with you?"

I look away from her again and take a draw from my cigarette.

"Arthur...last time I asked you to bring your journal with you for these appointments. Can I see it?"

I blow out the smoke with a smirk of agitation before handing it over to her.

"I've been using it as a--as a journal, but also as a joke diary." Nervously I watch her flip through as she see's some of my pornography clippings I put in there. I clear my throat shaking my head looking at the cigarette between my fingers "Funny thoughts or observations. I think I told you I'm pursuing a career in stand-up comedy."

She continues to flip through not even half-way listening "No, you didn't."

"I think I did."

She stops on a page and reads aloud "I just hope my death makes more cents than my life."

I take another draw and smirk shaking my head. She sets my book down and leans forward "How does it feel to have to come here? Does it help to have someone to talk to?"

My mind flashes back to the white room that matched my clothes at the time. The locked door to my cell I banged my head against. "I think I felt better when I was locked up in a hospital."

"And having thought more about why you were locked up? Who knows?"

I put out my cigarette and clench my jaw "I was wondering if you could ask the doctor to increase my medication?"

She sighs folding her hands "Arthur, you're on seven different medications. Surely, they must be doing something."

I shake my head and mumble standing up "I just don't want to feel so bad anymore."

---

I clicked the lock to my mailbox. Opening it up my eyes fell onto the black grey insides clouded by the darkness of my shadow. I close it back and shove the key in my pocket. As soon as I turn I feel another body bump into my chest.

"Sorry...!" the voice speaks as I look down into a pair of ocean blue hues. They stare back up into my stormy sky eyes and a smile creeps onto my face.

"I like the ocean." I mumble absentmindedly, which is a state I find myself in usually. 

"Sorry?" the voice says again and I blink taking her into full focus. 

She was maybe a little over half my height. Reaching maybe 5'5? Her brown curly hair was pinned halfway up and it was obvious she had been out wearing a full face of makeup. She looked very pretty but I could read her well. She wore a nice outfit but her top was solid black. It clung to her curves and I knew she wore it in attempt to make herself look as small as possible. She reminds me of the plush dolls in the toy store down the street. Soft, round, and squishy.

"I'm-I'm sorry. I-" taking a step to the side I let her by me to the mailbox's. She gives me a small smile and steps by me. Standing there awkwardly I scratch my head looking around for a sign of anyone else I could focus my attention on, but the lobby was empty. 

"No mail today, huh?" she asks.

I shake my head mumbling a quiet "No."

Glancing down I see her open the box below mine reading M. Harring. 

"Your 3B?"

She looks back at me and nods "Yeah, I just moved into the building about two weeks ago."

I could tell by her southern accent she wasn't a natural-born Gotham resident. The light radiating off her was proof enough of that. Gotham was dreary all the time. No light here even on the sunniest days.

"How do you like Gotham?"

She closes her box but keeps her gaze on it to refrain from looking to me. With a shrug she bobbles her head back and forth "Its a change of pace, different scenery. It's alright I guess."

Before I can cover my mouth I let out a laugh. Her heads snaps back to me and I'm already unraveling. The laughs keep coming and I shake my head averting my gaze from her. My left hand covers my mouth as the other sumbles to get my card out of my jacket.

"Sorry, I have a condition" the first sentence she'll read explaining my uncontrollable laughter. Whenever my anxiety arises I can't help but laugh. Whenever I'm sad, I can't help but laugh. Whenever I get angry, I can't help but laugh. I've been this way for as long as I can remember. You figured I'd be use to it by now, but it's humiliating.

Frantically I fumble to find the card as my laughter becomes more and more progressive. Just as I feel it brush against my fingertips I hear another laugh. Calming down a little I see her laughing as well and shaking her head. My hysterical laughter simmers to a chuckle hearing her soft giggle. 

"Your-youre right. Its awful. This city sucks!" she says through giggles and I join her again in laughing. 

For once my condition payed off. Instead of getting an odd or uncomfortable glance, I actually stifled a laugh from someone. 

"Are you heading up?" she asks stepping towards the elevator.

I nod in response and we wait for the double doors to open. Both of us are silent for a moment making the awkwardness intensify. My eyes scan over her again and her body posture is stiff. She knows I'm watching her. The double doors open and we both step in. Clicking the button to the top floor the doors close and I separate myself from her as much as possible. Still remaining quiet I shuffle uncomfortable in my place. As my eyes rest on the buttons to the elevator a smile creeps on my face. 

"Wanna know something interesting?" I ask.

Her eyes meet mine again and she nods "Sure."

I smile and stare back at the double doors "Having sex in the elevator is wrong...on so many levels."

It goes back to the uncomfortable silence. I wait for a laugh but nothing. My heart picks up and my hands fidget. Perhaps I didn't deliver the punch line in the way I was suppose to. Or maybe just not at the right time. Hesitantly I turn and look back at her. She looks stone faced and is staring at me. A look I've seen from many people I've scared off. Before I can open my mouth to apologize she speaks.

"A man and a woman get on an elevator. She turns to the man and asks "Is it nice having a penis?" and he replied "Eh, it has its ups and downs."

I choke out a laugh and begin to chuckle. A smile spreads across her face and she leans her back against the silver wall. Both of us laugh until the door dings at the top. Putting her mail in her bag she turns to me letting out one last giggle left over from her own joke "Thanks for the laugh. It was good. What's it gonna cost me?"

I wave my hand "Free of charge."

She nods and smiles "Good. I didn't want to have to pay for a five cents joke."

"Ohhh...! So she's funny and sassy."

Her face turns red in a blush as she laughs "Kidding-kidding." her hands hold up in defense and we both stand in front of our doors directly across from one another. 

Extending her hand she smiles "Thanks again for the laugh. I'm-"

I cut her off "Don't tell me...Sassy?"

She giggles and shakes her head "I'm Marissa."

I nod slowly with a broad smile extending my hand "Arthur."

She takes my hand gently giving it a shake "It's nice to meet you Arthur."

As soon as our hands touch it felt like electricity. Like a magnetic force convulsing through my body. I had never had any luck talking to women. In high-school I never went on a date or asked a girl to the prom. I didn't even really speak to a girl until I was 14. This interaction here and now even made me tense to the point I almost couldn't speak. 

Giving me one last smile she pulled away from me and turned unlocking her door. Reaching into my pocket I grab my keys and unlock my own door. Taking another glance back I smirk as I watch her enter her apartment and close the door giving me a small friendly wave.