When: Halloween 1944
Where: 50 feet below the floor of a seemingly deserted barn several miles outside Gotham inside the mind of a madman

I am having second thoughts. Doubt is beginning to creep in.

Am I certain that the formula is perfect? I was, but now, I begin to question my work. The test subjects survived the process, and they would have lived forever had I not been required to destroy them to protect my work.

My work. It is the end product of my thoughts, my plans, my theories, my formulas, my skills, my secrets…my dark, dirty, little secrets. Should I fail, none shall reap what should have been mine.

Fail? Now, why should that word come to mind? Everything was perfect. There was not a single variable that I have not accounted for. There is not even the remotest possibility for failure. I simply did not allow for it.

But, if I do fail, it will be because of that accursed Batman and his smart-mouthed sidekick, and no fault of my own. They have been plotting against me for the past five years. They are determined to ruin my life.

Life is my weakness. Soon, that weakness shall be eliminated. Once the chemicals enter my body, this plagued mockery that is my life shall be transcended.

Strange. I am actually beginning to feel fear. Is this what others felt once they were strapped to my table? I shall have to remember this feeling so I can share it with others.

Uhn.

I didn't realize that the needle being inserted into my chest would be this excruciating. Any second now and it should reach my heart.

Arrrghh!

The blood being drawn from my body leaves me cold. Another moment and the second needle should pierce my…Arrrghh!

The chemicals filling my heart are like liquid fire as they pump through my veins. It's funny, but I assumed that I would have been driven into unconsciousness by the pain before now.

Oh, God! I only now realize that there is no one to initiate the final step. This whole process depends on that crucial surge of electricity.

If I can get free, I can still reverse the process. No! The straps are too tight. I can't get free. Oh, God! I can't get free!

I knew it. It's all Batman's fault. He has killed me.

Curse you, Batman.

Losing…consciousness…Must…fight….

Curse you, Ba…