Second Heist- The Madcap Museum (Pt. 1): Prologue

--- Joshua Durand ---

Feeling like he was running more than a little late, he made his way to the museum while wearing his groucho marx glasses, more in preparation for his heist than any actual need for the disguise.

He’d already informed the Malice Doctor that today was the day, and had been given the greenlight as well as a reminder that the point of his heist today was not actually to steal anything but to draw as much attention to himself as possible. That way whoever was actually furthering the Doc’s agenda would have an easier time of it.

(Not that that is the most important detail of this little show.)

Honestly, it was probably one of the least important ones overall when he considered how putting a large enough show on could let him build up Madness for the Cabaret, or how if he actually stole something it would probably net him a pretty solid profit. (Though I shouldn’t forget my own safety. Trusting the Doc’s people to bail me out if I get caught is ten different kinds of stupid.)

(You know that’s not what I meant…)

A pulse of pain shot through his head, drawing his attention to the flow of Madness he could feel directing him towards the Killjoy’s gun. Something that he knew was important, even if his every interaction with the thing left him with an ever growing list of problems and concerns. (It’s worth it… You know it’s worth it…)

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(Of course I do…) He admitted to himself. (But that doesn’t mean it’s the most important thing today.)

(Heh, and they call me mad…)

(I’ve got time… If worse comes true, I can always steal it later. The exhibit won’t disappear, as long as I don’t make it obvious that’s what I want.)

(But security might be up pulling the same job twice…)

(Or they might let it down, not expecting an encore on the same stage so quickly.)

Regardless of which it was, that wasn’t the only thing he needed to decide. He may’ve had less time than his previous heist but he had time to think about how he wanted to handle this, and in turn he’d put together the barebones of a plan, even if it wasn’t as well thought out as it could be.

(I did fine with no plan last time…) He told himself. (So what if the stakes are a hell of a lot higher now…)

(Look, it just means there’s room to improvise.) He reminded himself after a moment. (Remember, Joshua, the most genius parts of the show are the ones where you make the role your own. Follow the script when you have to but don’t be afraid to break away from it when you have something greater you can do. Know who you want to be and go for it.)

“Right.” He nodded to himself, considering any last minute details he should consider for this show. (I’m putting on a show, but I need to know what to prioritize, how I’m going to handle security, and -if things went to plan- how I’m going to respond when the heroes show up.)

Maybe he hadn’t thought this out as well as he should’ve…

(Doesn’t matter, after all…)

In spite of the stress he was feeling, he couldn’t help but grin madly.

“It’s show time.”