The First Ten

ONE:

CRASH!

Jonathan whirled around just in time to see a streak of green and orange come hurtling through the newly smashed sunroof and land with a curse and a soft THUMP in the piles of straw below. He sighed, set down Gray's Anatomy, and stalked toward the intruder, tugging his mask down over his face. It would not do for this person, whomever he was, to be greeted by anyone other than the Scarecrow.

It was a man, younger than Jonathan by at least five years, ginger-haired and pale, wearing a tacky bright green suit. He at first he didn't seem to notice Jonathan, opting instead to search for his hat (having apperantly lost it during the fall). A patient man, Jonathan waited for him to find it (a garish green bowler emblazoned with a question mark) before clearing his throat pointedly.

The intruder froze. His eyes travelled up Jonathan's long legs, growing wider with each inch. Finally, their gazes met. His eyes were dark green, framed by a violet domino mask.

"Uh...I do hate to...drop in unannounced, but..." He stood cautiously, never breaking eye contact, "...There was a bat in my bellfry." He looked Jonathan up and down again.

"I understand you've had the same problem." His sheepish smile revealed a small gap between his front teeth.

By all rights, Jonathan should have gassed him right then, or toyed with him a bit first, or at least tried to live up to his reputation a little. But for reasons he did not know or understand, he simply pointed with a needle-clawed hand.

"Out."

The ginger did not need to be told twice.