Joker (2019)/Transcript

JOKER
 AN ORIGIN
 Written by
 Todd Phillips & Scott Silver
 13 April 2018 
 This story takes place in its own universe. It has no
 connection to any of the DC films that have come before it.
 We see it as a classic Warner Bros. movie. Gritty, intimate
 and oddly funny, the characters live in the real world and
 the stakes are personal.
 Although it is never mentioned in the film, this story takes
 place in the past.
 Let's call it 1981.
 It's a troubled time. The crime rate in Gotham is at record
 highs. A garbage strike has crippled the city for the past
 six weeks. And the divide between the "haves" and the "have-
 nots" is palpable. Dreams are beyond reach, slipping into
 delusions.
 OVER BLACK:
 HEAR LAUGHTER.
 The sound of a man totally cracking up.
 FADE IN:
1 INT. DEPT. OF HEALTH, OFFICE - MORNING 1
 CLOSE ON JOKER (30's), tears in his eyes from laughing so
 hard. He's trying to get it under control. His greasy, black
 hair is matted down. He's wearing an old, faded red hooded
 zip-up sweatshirt, a threadbare gray scarf, thin from years
 of use, hangs loosely around his neck.
 WE NOTICE TWO FADED OLD SCARS cut at the corners of his
 mouth. Almost forming a smile.
 He's sitting across from an overworked SOCIAL WORKER (50's),
 African American. Her office is cramped and run-down in a
 cramped and run-down building. Stacks of folders piled high
 in front of her.
 She just sits behind her desk, waiting for his laughing fit
 to end, she's been through this before. Finally it subsides.
 Joker takes a deep breath, pauses to see if it's over.
 Beat.
 JOKER
 --is it just me, or is it getting
 crazier out there?
 Despite the laughter, there's real pain in his eyes.
 Something broken in him. Looks like he hasn't slept in days.
 SOCIAL WORKER
 It's certainly tense. People are
 upset, they're struggling. Looking
 for work. The garbage strike seems
 like it's been going on forever.
 These are tough times.
 (then)
 How 'bout you. How's the job? Still
 enjoying it?
 JOKER
 Yeah, I mean, it's different each
 day, so I really like that. I don't
 think I could ever work in an
 office. Behind a desk.
 (MORE)
 2.
 JOKER (CONT'D)
 (beat)
 No offense.
She smiles. Writes something down. Looks at the clock, she's
running late for her next appointment.
 SOCIAL WORKER
 Have you been keeping up with your
 journal?
 JOKER
 Everyday.
 SOCIAL WORKER
 Great. Did you bring it with you?
Beat.
 JOKER
 (dodging the subject)
 I'm sorry. Did I bring what?
 SOCIAL WORKER
 (impatient; she doesn't
 have time for this)
 Arthur, last time I asked you to
 bring your journal with you. For
 these appointments. Do you have it?
 JOKER
 Yes ma'am.
Beat.
 SOCIAL WORKER
 Can I see it?
He reluctantly reaches into his bag. Pulls out a weathered
notebook. Slides it across to her--
 JOKER
 I've been using it as a journal,
 but also a joke diary. Funny
 thoughts or, or observations-- Did
 I tell you I'm pursuing a career in
 stand-up comedy?
She's half-listening as she flips through his journal.
 SOCIAL WORKER
 No. You didn't.
 JOKER
 I think I did.
 3.
She doesn't respond, keeps flipping through his journal--
 SOCIAL WORKER
 Oh yeah. Because of what your
 mother said,-- about your purpose.
 "To bring laughter and joy to the
 world," right?
 JOKER
 Right.
ANGLE ON JOURNAL, pages and pages of notes, all in neat,
angry-looking handwriting. Also, cut out photos from hardcore
pornographic magazines and some crude handmade drawings.
A flash of anger crosses Joker's face. We see him picking at
his right eyebrow, almost obsessively. Trying to stay calm.
His eyebrow is actually half-gone. Something he does a lot.
 JOKER
 I didn't realize you wanted to read
 it.
The social worker gives him a look, then reads something in
the pages that gives her pause.
 SOCIAL WORKER
 (reading out loud)
 "I just hope my death makes more
 sense than my life."
She looks up at Joker. He just stares back. Lets it hang out
there for a beat.
Then he laughs a little, even though he doesn't think it's
funny--
 JOKER
 Yeah. I mean, that's just--
 SOCIAL WORKER
 Does my reading it upset you?
He leans in.
 JOKER
 No. I just,-- some of it's
 personal. You know?
 SOCIAL WORKER
 I understand. I just want to make
 sure you're keeping up with it.
She slides his journal back to him. He holds it in his lap.
 4.
 SOCIAL WORKER
 What about your mom? How's she
 feeling?
 JOKER
 She has good days. But mostly bad.
 It's been a big help having me
 there. She really needs me.
 SOCIAL WORKER
 Seems like she's been sick a lot
 since you got home.
 JOKER
 (nods)
 Yeah, it's good I'm there. When I
 was in the hospital, after my last
 episode-- she was having trouble
 getting over there to visit.
She looks back up at the clock, she needs to get to her next
appointment.
 SOCIAL WORKER
 All right. So, I'll see you again,
 two weeks from today?
He nods. But keeps sitting there for a moment.
She stands up, trying to signal it's time for him to leave--
 SOCIAL WORKER
 Is there something else I can help
 you with, Arthur? My next
 appointment is waiting.
He just keeps sitting there.
 JOKER
 Yeah, I was wondering if you could
 ask the doctor to increase the
 dosage on my medications? Nothing
 seems to make a difference.
 SOCIAL WORKER
 (looking over his record)
 Do you know which ones you'd like
 increased?
Shakes his head, no.
 SOCIAL WORKER
 Have you been sleeping?
 5.
 JOKER
 (lying)
 Some.
 She glances at his file again.
 SOCIAL WORKER
 Arthur, you're on seven different
 medications. Surely they must be
 doing something.
 He finally stands up. Zips up his faded red sweatshirt.
 Looks at her--
 JOKER
 I just don't wanna feel so bad
 anymore.
 CUT TO BLACK:
 TITLE:
 JOKER
2 EXT. GOTHAM SQUARE, MIDTOWN - KENNY'S MUSIC SHOP - DAY 2
 GOTHAM SQUARE IS CLOGGED WITH TRAFFIC. Non-stop honking
 horns, pedestrians crowding the sidewalk. Huge billboards,
 giant movie marquees, garbage bags piled high everywhere.
 Underneath it all we hear a TINKLING PIANO playing something
 bouncy and fast-paced.
 FROM ACROSS THE BUSY CITY STREET, we see Joker. He's dressed
 as a sad-faced HOBO CLOWN. This is his job.
 Dressed in tattered clothes, dark five o'clock shadow painted
 on his face, big bulbous red nose, his mouth's outlined in
 white, turned down at the corners.
 He's holding up a sign in front of Kenny's Music Shop that
 reads, "EVERYTHING MUST GO!" A banner above the store reads,
 "GOING OUT OF BUSINESS!" Behind him, an OLD MAN plays a piano
 on the street. Both of them there to draw attention to the
 big sale going on in the store.
 Joker's doing a little Charlie Chaplin like waddle to the
 music. Most people walk right past, ignoring him. A few bump
 into him by mistake.
 JOKER SEES A GROUP OF FIVE BOYS, no more than 15-years-old,
 walking toward him. He moves out of their way. They crack up
 laughing when they see him. Start making fun of him.
 6.
 Joker ignores them, tries to do his job the best he can while
 maintaining some dignity. Keeps dancing and holding up the
 sign.
 One of the kids knocks the sign out of Joker's hands--
 KID #1
 Suck my dick, clown.
 The kids laugh. Joker doesn't say anything. Just bends over
 to pick up the sign--
 Another kid kicks him in the ass--
 KID #2
 Whoops.
 Joker falls face first onto the sidewalk. Oddly, the old man
 playing the piano picks up the pace of the music--
 The kids crack up. One of the boys grabs Joker's sign and
 takes off running across the street--
 The other kids follow, weaving through traffic--
 Joker gets up and gives chase. He needs his sign back.
 He almost gets hit by a taxi, spinning out of the way just in
 time-- Spinning right into another taxi that stops just short
 of hitting him.
 Joker keeps running through traffic. People stare. A clown
 barreling down the street has got to be a joke--
3 EXT. CORNER, SIDE STREET - GOTHAM SQUARE - CONTINUOUS 3
 The five boys are booking it down the crowded street laughing
 and whooping it up. At the last second they take a sharp
 right turn down a cross street--
 Joker almost overshoots the corner, slip-sliding in his big
 red shoes--
 He rights himself and heads down after them--
 Sees them running up ahead--
 WHAP! Out of nowhere Joker gets hit in the face!
 He falls to the ground.
 One of the kids was hiding between parked cars and hit Joker
 with the "EVERYTHING MUST GO!" sign, splintering it in two--
 7.
 The other kids turn back and walk up to Joker down on the
 ground.
 Joker reaches out, still trying to save the sign--
 THE KIDS START KICKING AND BEATING THE SHIT out of Joker.
 It's brutal and vicious. Nobody on the street stops to help.
 CLOSE ON JOKER'S HOBO CLOWN FACE, down on the ground. Sweat
 running down his face, smearing his make-up. He doesn't even
 look like he's in pain. He just takes the beating.
 That stupid frown painted on his face.
4 INT. CITY BUS (PULLING OUT) - HEADING DOWNTOWN - DUSK 4
 Joker, makes his way toward the back of the crowded bus, now
 walking with a slight limp, but keeping his head held high.
 His make-up's washed off, costume and props all shoved into a
 big shopping bag slung over his shoulder. Some white grease-
 paint still smudged on the sides of his face.
 He finds an empty seat in the back of the bus. Sees a sad-
 eyed FOUR-YEAR-OLD GIRL, face puffy from crying, sitting on
 her knees looking back at him. Her mother's facing forward,
 but even from behind you can tell she's angry.
 Joker sees the sad-eyed girl staring straight back at him. He
 doesn't know where to look, feeling self-conscious and small.
 He gets back into "character" smiling like a clown and covers
 his face with his hands-- Starts playing the peek-a-boo game
 with her.
 The girl stares back at him for a moment then giggles--
 WOMAN ON BUS
 (turns back to Joker;
 already annoyed)
 Can you please stop bothering my
 kid?
 JOKER
 I wasn't bothering her, I was--
 WOMAN ON BUS
 (interrupts)
 Just stop.
 AND SUDDENLY JOKER STARTS TO LAUGH. LOUD. He covers his mouth
 trying to hide it-- Shakes his head, laughter pausing for a
 moment, but then it comes on stronger. His eyes are sad. It
 actually looks like the laughter causes him pain.
 8.
 People on the bus are staring. The girl looks like she's
 going to cry again.
 WOMAN ON BUS
 You think that's funny?
 Joker shakes his head no, but he can't stop laughing. He
 reaches in his pocket and pulls out a small card. Hands it to
 the woman.
 CLOSE ON THE CARD, it reads: "Forgive my laughter. I have a
 condition (more on back)"
 She turns the card over and there is a bunch of information
 in small writing--
 "It's a medical condition causing sudden, frequent, uncontrollable laughter that
 doesn't match how you feel. It can happen in people with a brain injury or certain
 neurological conditions."
 She doesn't read it (but if you freeze frame the movie you
 could). She just shakes her head annoyed and throws the card
 on the ground.
 Joker laughs harder. Tears running down his face.
 Not wanting to attract any more attention to himself, he
 pulls up his red hood, and uses his threadbare scarf to cover
 his mouth, trying to muffle the laughter.
 He looks out at the city passing him by.
5 EXT. LOWER EAST SIDE, STREETS - GOTHAM - EVENING 5
 The bus pulls away, sun almost gone.
 Joker heads slowly down the litter-covered streets. Garbage
 is piled along the sidewalks, the air thick with smog creates
 a haze over everything.
 The streets are crowded with the poor, the elderly and
 disenfranchised. Women with children in busted strollers.
 Homeless people sleeping on subway grates. Stray dogs. His is
 one of the few white faces.
 Joker makes his way into a run-down drug store, behind him
 two drunks fight on the corner, beating the shit out of each
 other. Joker, and nobody else for that matter, pays them any
 attention.
 No one here gives a shit.
 9.
6 INT. LOBBY, APARTMENT BUILDING - EVENING 6
 A shabby lobby in a building that was once probably pretty
 nice, but now it's a dump.
 Joker checks his mailbox. He's holding a small white
 (prescription) bag in his hand.
 The mailbox is empty.
7 INT. ELEVATOR, APARTMENT BUILDING - CONTINUOUS 7
 Joker steps onto the wheezing elevator, harsh fluorescent 
 lights, graffiti on the walls. As the door closes, he hears-- 
 SOPHIE (OS)
 Wait!!
 He puts his foot out with some panache to stop the closing
 door-- He's a romantic at heart. Ding.
 And SOPHIE DUMOND (late 20's), tired eyes, hands filled with
 grocery bags, steps onto the elevator with GIGI, her 5-year-
 old daughter.
 SOPHIE
 Thank you.
 (realizing)
 Of course it's you,-- everyone else
 in this building is just so fucking
 rude.
 Joker nods "thanks." Holds his breath, hoping he doesn't
 start to laugh.
 Floors dinging as the elevator rises.
 Joker sees GiGi licking the dirty smudged elevator handrail
 behind her mom.
 SOPHIE
 How's your mom doing?
 He takes a deep breath, he's uncomfortable talking to her,
 holds up the white prescription bag.
 JOKER
 It's day to day. I'm doing
 everything I can to get her back on
 her feet.
 (re: pharmacy bag)
 Picked up her medicine. Gonna make
 her some dinner.
 10.
 SOPHIE
 (smiles; being polite)
 She's lucky she has you--
 Joker smiles thanks, can't help but glance at GiGi licking
 the rail.
 Sophie finally notices. She wants to grab her but can't with
 her hands full. Tries to kick her away--
 SOPHIE
 Jesus. Don't do that, GiGi! How
 many times have I told you that?
 (to Joker)
 This building is so awful, isn't
 it?
 Joker just nods... he doesn't know what to say, but clearly
 wants to continue this conversation with Sophie.
 The doors open. They all step off.
 SOPHIE
 Okay. Well, tell your mom I said
 hello.
 And Sophie and GiGi walk down the hall-- the opposite way of
 Joker. He just stands there for a beat. Heart beating fast.
 JOKER
 (calls out after her)
 Hey Sophie--
 She turns around.
 JOKER
 I'll tell my mom you said hello.
 She smiles as in "yeah, that's what I said."
8 INT. MOM'S APARTMENT, FRONT DOOR - EVENING 8
 Old apartment, worn carpet. Nothing's new inside but it's
 fairly neat and well-kept.
 Joker closes the door behind him, leans his back against it
 and swoons. Hears a deep purring sound. He looks down and
 sees an OLD ORANGE CAT, rubbing up against his leg.
 Then--
 11.
 MOM (OS)
 (shattering the moment,
 calls out)
 Happy?! Did you check the mail
 before you came up?
 JOKER
 Yes, Ma. Nothing. No letter.
 MOM (OS)
 You sure you looked? Sometimes I
 don't know where your head is.
 Joker glances back down and sees the cat is gone.
 JOKER
 Yes I'm sure. And my head's right
 here. I'm gonna make you some
 dinner, okay?
 QUICK CUTS:
 JOKER TEARS OPEN THE PRESCRIPTION BAG... A FLURRY OF PILL
 BOTTLES TUMBLE OUT ONTO THE COUNTER.
 SEE HIS NAME, "ARTHUR FLECK" ON THE ORANGE PILL BOTTLES, AND
 GLIMPSE THE GENERIC DRUG NAMES, TEMAZEPAM... PERPHENAZINE...
 AHENELZINE... AMITRIPTYLINE... BENZEDRINE... DIAZEPAM...
 MEPROBAMATE...
 TAKES OUT ONE PILL FROM EACH THE TEMAZEPAM AND MEPROBAMATE
 BOTTLES.
 TWO PILLS BEING CRUSHED UP TO POWDER.
 SPRINKLES THE POWDER ON TOP OF A TV DINNER.
 SWALLOWS A HANDFUL OF PILLS FROM THE OTHER BOTTLES.
 LOOKS DOWN AND SMILES AT THE ORANGE CAT LOOKING UP AT HIM
 FROM THE COUNTER.
9 INT. MOM'S BEDROOM, APARTMENT - NIGHT 9
 Joker brings the food to his mother, PENNY (70's), lying in
 her bed. The TV is on, playing the local news.
 Joker sets the food down in front of his mother. He covers
 the pain from his beating the best he can-- His mother
 doesn't seem to notice anyway.
 MOM
 He must not be getting my letters.
 12.
Joker sits down on a chair next to the bed.
 JOKER
 He's a busy man.
 MOM
 Too busy for me? I worked for that
 family for 12 years. He always had
 a smile for me. Least he could do
 is write back.
 JOKER
 Ma, eat. You need to eat.
 MOM
 You need to eat. Look how skinny
 you are.
Before Joker can say anything, his mother points to the news
on the TV--
 MOM
 All day long it's more bad news.
 That's all there is.
 JOKER
 Maybe you shouldn't watch so much
 television.
 MOM
 (ignoring)
 He's the only hope for Gotham.
 He'll make a great mayor. Everybody
 says so.
 JOKER
 (playful)
 Everybody who? Who do you talk to?
 MOM
 Well everybody on the news.
 JOKER
 Stop it. He's not even gonna run.
 Why would Thomas Wayne want to be
 mayor? He can do more good as a
 businessman.
 MOM
 Because he cares about this city.
 And everyone in it-- that's why I
 can't believe he hasn't written me
 back.
 13.
 JOKER
 He will. Now eat some dinner.
He feeds her a bite of the food.
 JOKER
 How you feeling today?
 MOM
 I don't know. It always hits me
 worse at night, you notice that?
He shakes his head.
 JOKER
 (teasing)
 Maybe it's the moon. Maybe you're a
 werewolf?
HE HOWLS SOFTLY like a wolf. She laughs.
 MOM
 It's not funny.
Joker watches her as he cuts up some more of her food.
 MOM
 Anyway, I wrote a new letter today.
 A better one. I want you to hand
 deliver it to him.
 JOKER
 What? Why?
 MOM
 Cause maybe the mailman is throwing
 them away. We should have tipped
 him at Christmas time.
 JOKER
 Who tips their mailman?
 MOM
 Some people do. Rich people do.
Joker sighs, resigned.
 JOKER
 Okay. I can try his office.
 Tomorrow.
 14.
 MOM
 Thank you.
 (she pats the bed)
 Come sit. It's almost on.
 Joker gets into bed with her.
 CLOSE ON TELEVISION, intro to "LIVE WITH MURRAY FRANKLIN!",
 and we HEAR THE ANNOUNCER over clips of comedy bits, stars
 and Murray Franklin himself--
 ANNOUNCER (ON TV)
 It's Live with Murray Franklin!
 Tonight Murray welcomes, Sandra
 Winger, comedian Skip Byron and the
 piano stylings of Yeldon & Chantel!
 As always, Don Ellis and his Jazz
 Orchestra. And now, without any
 further ado-- Murray Franklin!
 Joker and his mom watch from bed, this is a ritual of theirs.
10 INT. LIVING ROOM, MOM'S APARTMENT - NIGHT 10
 Late night. Joker's mom is dead asleep. Joker is alone in the
 living room, which doubles as his bedroom. He can't ever
 sleep. He opens his worn notebook. Flips to a page titled
 "Jokes" and starts writing--
 CLOSE ON WORDS, as he slowly writes: "The worst part about
 having a mental illness is..."
 ANGLE ON JOKER, pausing, thinking it over for a moment. Then
 he laughs to himself when he comes up with something.
 CLOSE ON WORDS, coming faster now, "...that people still
 expect you to behave as if you don't."
 CUT TO:
11 EXT. WAYNE TOWER, STREET - MIDTOWN - MORNING 11
 Joker's looking up at the intimidating steel and glass tower,
 he looks so small, holding his mom's letter in his hand.
 Bustle of professionals coming in and out of the company's
 corporate headquarters, Joker looks out of place.
 He heads inside through the giant glass doors.
 15.
12 INT. RECEPTION, WAYNE ENTERPRISES - 25TH FLOOR - MORNING 12
 Joker steps off an elevator and walks up to the white marble
 reception desk as if he belongs there--
 JOKER
 Hello. I have a personal letter for
 Mr. Thomas Wayne.
 RECEPTIONIST
 Okay. You can leave it with me.
 JOKER
 It's kind of important. I need to
 make sure he gets it himself.
 RECEPTIONIST
 Oh, in that case, I'll buzz you
 right in.
 Joker goes to enter--
 RECEPTIONIST
 I'm kidding. Leave it here.
 He laughs along with her, even though she's not laughing.
 JOKER
 Oh. Right-- well, my mom used to
 work for the Wayne family-- for 12
 years. She was their housekeeper.
 A couple other business people are now waiting behind Joker,
 there for meetings.
 RECEPTIONIST
 That's great. But you can leave it
 with me or you can leave with the
 letter. Those are your options. Now
 please step aside.
 JOKER
 Mr. Wayne knows her. Can you maybe
 at least call back to him? Tell him
 that I'm here.
 RECEPTIONIST
 Thomas Wayne is away on business.
 Joker is getting frustrated.
 JOKER
 Okay. Well, can I have your name?
 So I know who I left it with.
 16.
 Now Joker sees a GROUP OF MEN walking behind the glass that
 separates the reception area from the back offices. Amongst
 the group, he catches a glimpse of THOMAS WAYNE (60's), deep
 tan, hair dyed so black it's almost blue.
 JOKER
 Wait. He's right there.
 (goes up to the glass,
 shouts)
 Mr. Wayne! Mr. Wayne.
 He starts banging on the glass... but the group keeps moving.
 Not noticing him.
 RECEPTIONIST
 Sir. Please stop. Sir!!
 Joker keeps banging on the glass.
13 EXT. WAYNE TOWER, FRONT ENTRANCE - MORNING 13
 The glass doors swing open and Joker is forcibly thrown onto
 the street. TWO LARGE SECURITY GUARDS stand over him.
 He is still holding the letter.
 He makes as if he's going to leave peacefully, then at the
 last minute, TAKES ANOTHER RUN AT THE DOOR--
 The two guards stiff arm him.
 CUT TO:
14 INT. HA-HA'S TALENT BOOKING, LOCKER ROOM - DAY 14
 The cramped locker room of a small talent booking agency.
 This is where Joker works. They "rent out" talent for parties
 and events. Clowns, magicians, male strippers.
 Joker takes off his shirt, grimaces in pain as he moves. His
 body's bruised from the beating he took chasing after his
 sign.
 RANDALL (OS)
 You okay?
 He turns. RANDALL (mid 50's), a big bear of a know-it-all,
 standing there. He's a party clown as well. He's half-dressed
 in his clown suit.
 17.
 RANDALL
 I heard about the beat down you
 took. Fucking savages.
 JOKER
 It was just a bunch of kids. I
 should have left it alone.
Randall opens his locker--
 RANDALL
 It's crazy out there. And it's only
 getting worse.
 JOKER
 (nods)
 My mother says that the people
 nowadays lack empathy.
 RANDALL
 What's empathy?
 JOKER
 It means like "feeling for other
 people."
 RANDALL
 Like sympathy?
 JOKER
 Kind of. But different.
Randall comes over, hands Joker a brown paper bag-- Joker
looks inside. It's a GUN, a .38 snub-nose revolver. 
Joker looks up at him, confused--
 RANDALL
 Take it. I got a few. You gotta
 protect yourself out there, buddy.
 Too many wackos.
As Joker stares at it--
 RANDALL
 (lowers his voice)
 It's a .38 snub-nose. Gets the job
 done if you ever need to use it.
 Usually pulling it out is enough.
 JOKER 
 I, I don't have the money for this, 
 Randall.
 18.
 RANDALL
 Don't sweat it. You can pay me some
 other time. You're my boy.
 That lands with Joker, he smiles to himself.
 RANDALL
 (as he walks away)
 But you didn't get it from me,
 okay?
 Joker nods. Puts the brown paper bag in his locker. Slowly 
 starts to get dressed-- his eyes darting toward the bag as he 
 does.
 Another clown, GARY (30's), a dwarf, pops his head into the
 locker room.
 GARY
 Arthur,-- Hoyt wants to see you in
 his office.
 JOKER
 What for?
 GARY
 No clue.
15 INT. FRONT OFFICE, HA-HA'S TALENT BOOKING - DAY 15
 Joker still half-dressed, walks into the cramped office.
 His boss, HOYT VAUGHN (60's) sits behind a metal desk. The
 office is a complete mess, newspapers and files litter the
 desk. A giant ashtray filled with cigarette butts. A calendar
 of booking hangs on the wall. A scribbled, jumbled mess.
 JOKER
 Hey Hoyt. Gary said you wanted to
 see me?
 HOYT
 (without even looking up)
 How's the comedy career? Are you a
 famous stand-up yet?
 JOKER
 Not quite. Haven't even performed
 yet. Just been working my material.
 This business is all about fine-
 tuning.
 Now Hoyt looks up. Takes a drag from his cigarette.
 19.
 HOYT
 Right.
Joker goes to sit down--
 HOYT
 Don't sit. This will be quick.
Joker stops in his tracks.
 HOYT
 Look, I like you, Arthur. A lot of
 the guys here, they think you're a
 freak. But I like you. I don't even
 know why I like you. I mean, you
 don't say much.
 (beat)
 It's probably that stupid laugh. It
 gets me every time. Kills me.
Unsure how to respond, Joker just nods.
 HOYT
 But I got another complaint. And
 it's starting to piss me off.
Joker takes a deep breath, maybe picks at his eyebrow.
 HOYT
 Kenny's Music. Sunday. The guy said
 you disappeared. Never even
 returned his sign.
 JOKER
 No. I got jumped. I told you about
 that.
 HOYT
 For a sign? Bullshit. It makes no
 sense, just give him his sign back.
 He's going out of business for
 god's--
BANG! Out of nowhere, Joker slams his head into the wall.
Head-butting it hard.
 HOYT
 (taken aback)
 Hey!
BANG! BANG! He does it two more times. Breaking the plaster
on the wall--
 20.
 HOYT
 What the fuck, Arthur?!
 JOKER
 (voice tightens)
 I don't have his sign. 
 And Joker just stares at Hoyt, some blood forming on his
 forehead-- 
 CUT TO: 
16 EXT. BACK ALLEY, OUTSIDE HA-HA'S - AMUSEMENT MILE - DAY 16 
 WE'RE AT THE FAR END OF AN ALLEY, about halfway down, catch a 
 glimpse of Joker still half-dressed on the other side of a 
 dumpster. From this vantage, all we can see is him furiously 
 KICKING and STOMPING on something... or somebody. 
 We don't hear anything. And we can't make out what it is that 
 he's so violently beating down. 
 It could be a cat... a cardboard box... a homeless person... 
 We don't know. 
 Joker just continues unleashing his rage-- 
17 INT. CITY BUS (MOVING) - DUSK 17
 Joker at the end of his work day, sitting in his spot toward
 the back of the bus.
 Across the aisle from him, he's innocently watching a young
 couple, playfully teasing each other.
18 EXT. GOTHAM, LOWER EAST SIDE - EVENING 18
 Joker heading back home down the litter-covered streets like
 he does every night. Garbage still piled along the sidewalks,
 air still thick with smog.
 He's carrying the paper bag that Randall gave him.
19 INT. LOBBY, APARTMENT BUILDING - EVENING 19
 Joker checks his mailbox. Empty.
 21.
20 INT. ELEVATOR, APARTMENT BUILDING - CONTINUOUS 20
 Joker is on the elevator, as the door closes, he sticks his
 foot out to stop it.
 The door limps back open. Ding.
 He looks to see if anybody, if Sophie, is coming. He waits.
 Hoping.
 The door starts to close on him again-- Right before it does, 
 he stops it with his foot again. Ding.
21 INT. MOM'S APARTMENT, BATHROOM - NIGHT 21
 JOKER'S GIVING HIS MOM A BATH, being careful with her as he
 shampoos her hair.
 MOM
 --so what did he say when you gave
 him the letter?
 JOKER
 They wouldn't let me see him.
 (lying)
 But they promised me it would get
 to him.
 MOM
 It's good they promised. He only
 works with the best. We should hear
 something soon.
 He fills an empty plastic container with some bath water.
 JOKER
 Look up.
 She tilts her head back and he rinses her hair with the water
 from the container...
 JOKER
 Why are these letters so important
 to you, Ma? What do you think he's
 gonna do?
 MOM
 He's gonna help us.
 JOKER
 Help us how?
 22.
 MOM
 Get us out of here, take me away
 from this place and these-- these
 awful people.
 JOKER
 You worked for him over 30 years
 ago. What makes you think he would
 help you?
 She looks at him with conviction.
 MOM
 Because Thomas Wayne is a good man.
 If he knew how I was living, if he
 saw this place, it would make him
 sick. I can't explain it to you any
 better than that.
 Joker nods. Annoyed, but not worth the argument. He stands up
 to get her a towel.
 JOKER
 I don't want you worrying about
 money. Everyone's been telling me
 they think my stand-up is ready for
 the big clubs. It's just a matter
 of time before I get a break.
 She steps into the towel. He's helping dry her off.
 MOM
 Happy, what makes you think you
 could do that?
 JOKER
 What do you mean?
 MOM
 I mean, don't you have to be funny
 to be a comedian?
 Beat.
22 INT. MOM'S BEDROOM, APARTMENT - LATE NIGHT 22
 Joker's mom is out cold in her bedroom, a half-eaten plate of
 food is next to her on the bed.
 23.
23 INT. LIVING ROOM, MOM'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS 23
 Joker sits on the couch. The TV is on, but the sound is off.
 He holds the .38 SNUB-NOSE REVOLVER Randall gave him in his
 hand. He's never held a gun before, looks uncomfortable with
 it, the weight of it in his hand...
 He points it at the TV, hand trembling a bit... Points it at 
 the cat... Points it at his head.
 Looks closely at the grip. The barrel. The cylinder. Now he
 casually pulls the trigger--
 BLAMMMMMMM!
 He jumps up off the couch. What the fuck!? He looks around in
 a panic. His hands shaking.
 He shot a hole in the wall.
 MOM (OS)
 (awoken by the shot)
 HAPPY!? What was that?
 JOKER
 What?!
 He quickly turns up the TV volume. REALLY LOUD. Shoves the
 still smoking gun under the couch cushions.
 MOM (OS)
 THAT NOISE! DID YOU HEAR THAT
 NOISE?
 He's inspecting the hole in the wall. Shouts back over the TV
 noise--
 JOKER
 I'M WATCHING AN OLD WAR MOVIE.
 MOM (OS)
 TURN IT DOWN!
 He heads for his mother's bedroom.
24 INT. MOM'S BEDROOM, DOORWAY - CONTINUOUS 24
 Joker looks in on his mom in her dark bedroom, can make out
 the outline of her body sitting up.
 MOM
 It's so loud.
 24.
 JOKER
 I know. The Americans are really
 giving it to the Japs.
 He walks over to her in the darkness. Kisses her on the
 forehead.
 JOKER
 (softly)
 I'm sorry. I'll turn it down.
25 INT. KITCHEN, MOM'S APARTMENT - LATE NIGHT 25
 Joker is writing in his journal. He speaks softly to himself
 as he writes...
 JOKER
 Why didn't Randall tell me the gun
 was loaded? He's my friend. With my
 luck, I could have killed someone.
 (beat)
 I could have killed myself.
 CLOSE ON THE LAST LINE, he crosses out "could"...
 Writes... "should".
 JOKER
 (still to himself)
 I should have killed myself.
 CLOSE ON JOKER as he crosses out something again...
 JOKER
 (louder to himself)
 I should kill myself.
 Beat.
26 EXT. STREET, LOWER EAST SIDE - MORNING 26
 HANDHELD POV, see the run-down building where Joker lives
 from across the street.
 REVEAL, Joker is watching his own building on the far side of
 a parked truck. Red hood pulled up, covering his head. He
 waits. Watches.
 Now we see Sophie exiting the building with her daughter
 GiGi. Sophie's dressed more conservatively than when we
 previously met her.
 25.
 Joker starts following them.
27 EXT. PUBLIC SCHOOL - MORNING 27
 Sophie drops GiGi off at school. Joker's still watching.
 Following.
28 EXT. ELEVATED SUBWAY PLATFORM - MORNING 28
 Sophie waits on the platform. Lights a cigarette.
 We see Joker, hidden behind a steel support beam-- watching
 her from a distance.
29 INT. SUBWAY (MOVING) - MORNING 29
 Joker stands at the window between two subway cars. Just
 watching Sophie as she reads a book in the next car.
 The train comes to a stop and she exits. Joker exits as well.
30 EXT. STREET, UPPER EAST SIDE - MORNING 30
 Nicer part of Gotham. Joker follows Sophie from a distance,
 watches as she walks into Gotham First National Bank.
 Sees her say hello to the guard. This is where she works.
 Joker just watches and waits.
31 INT. GOTHAM FIRST NATIONAL - LATER 31
 A large, mid-level bank. Sophie is one of THREE BANK TELLERS
 working behind the plexiglass windows.
 Joker pulls the hood back off his head, takes a deep breath
 before he walks up to her window. She is looking down,
 counting her drawer.
 Takes another deep breath. Then--
 JOKER
 Hello. I'd like to open an account.
 She looks up.
 SOPHIE
 (surprised)
 Hey, what are you doing up here?
 26.
 JOKER
 Oh, hi. That's weird.
 (pausing to see if he's
 gonna laugh; he's good)
 I didn't know you worked at a bank.
 SOPHIE
 Pretty glamorous, right?
Not getting the sarcasm, Joker nods. Looks around.
 JOKER
 Very glamorous. Look at this place.
She laughs.
He stands there awkwardly for a moment looking around to see
what she's laughing about.
Realizes she thought he was making a joke.
Beat.
 JOKER
 I'm a comedian. I do stand-up
 comedy.
 SOPHIE
 Really? I had no idea.
 JOKER
 Yeah. You know, I'm always making
 funny observations. Always on the
 look out for my next bit-- so it
 makes sense.
 SOPHIE
 Right. Anyway, is there something I
 could help you with?
Beat.
 JOKER
 I said hi to my mom.
 SOPHIE
 Excuse me?
 JOKER
 Last week. You said to say hi to my
 mom. I did. Made her day.
They are interrupted by the BRANCH MANAGER (50's), white,
heavy-set, who has come up behind Sophie--
 27.
 BRANCH MANAGER
 Everything okay here?
 He puts his heavy hand on Sophie's shoulder. She practically
 shudders from his touch.
 SOPHIE
 Everything is fine Mr. Slotnick.
 Now he leans down and whispers something in her ear-- Joker
 just watches through the glass.
 SOPHIE
 (shakes her head; to her
 manager)
 No. He's not. He's interested in
 opening an account.
 BRANCH MANAGER
 (to Joker)
 Great. You just need to fill out a
 form. They are back there-- against
 the wall.
 As the manager talks, Sophie makes wide eyes at Joker, like
 "I almost got in trouble."
 JOKER
 (covering; trying to act
 cool)
 Okay. Thank you, sir. And thank you
 as well, Miss.
 Joker walks back to the wall by the forms.
 He fumbles around for a minute, clearly not there to open an
 account. He begins filling out a form. Then--
 JOKER
 (shouts out, to no one in
 particular)
 YOU KNOW WHAT?! I FORGOT MY ID!
 I'LL BE BACK. THANK YOU.
 He walks out of the bank. Head in the clouds.
32 INT. GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB, CHINATOWN - NIGHT 32 
 Joker sitting in the middle of a dark, crowded comedy club. 
 People on dates. Groups of friends. All here to watch the
 stand-up. He sits at a small table by himself, watching the
 act on stage.
 28.
 The comic on stage is killing it. The whole room is laughing
 and applauding. Everyone except Joker.
 He's watching. Studying. Diligently jotting down notes in his
 notebook.
33 EXT. GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB, STREET - CHINATOWN - NIGHT 33 
 People are piling out of the club, onto the narrow street, 
 jumble of lit-up signs, most glowing yellow or red. Joker 
 walks out alone, carrying his notebook. He sees a FLYER taped 
 to the entrance of the club. 
 CLOSE ON THE FLYER, "Open mic night. Thursdays. 10pm."
 He rips the flyer off the wall.
34 INT. HA-HA'S TALENT BOOKING, LOCKER ROOM - DAY 34
 Joker is working on his "Mr. Jingles" clown look, using the
 small mirror in his locker. Behind him a couple of other
 clowns are eating their lunch at a small table, not paying
 Joker any attention.
 Joker pauses half-finished, and stares at himself for a beat.
 He starts to examine the two small scars on the corners of
 his mouth, we really notice how they form a smile. Joker
 hooks the corners of his mouth down with his index fingers,
 turning his smile into a frown--
 He lets go and his smile returns.
 Does it again, up and down, up and down, his face a living
 comedy/tragedy mask.
 And then he pulls his fingers wider, stretching his smile
 into a grotesque parody, pulling his mouth so wide tears come
 to his eyes--
 AND WE HEAR JOKER SINGING "If You're Happy and You Know It"
 at his next gig.
 JOKER (PRE-LAP)
 (singing)
 --if you're happy and you know it
 and you really want to show it, if
 you're happy and you know it clap
 your hands.
 29.
35 INT. GOTHAM GENERAL - CHILDREN'S WARD - EVENING 35
 Joker is performing for a ward full of sick children, wearing
 an oversized white lab coat over his "Mr. Jingles" clown
 costume. A few nurses and doctors watch as well.
 His white clown face, mouth outlined in black and filled in
 with red, his green wig frizzy and worn out. Joker plays a
 UKULELE along with the song.
 JOKER
 If you're happy and you know it,
 stomp your feet.
 Joker and the kids stomp and sing along.
 JOKER
 If you're happy and you know it,
 stomp your feet.
 (stomp, stomp)
 If you're happy and you know it and
 you really want to show it, if
 you're happy and you know it stomp
 your feet.
 As the song winds down, the KIDS and NURSES clap.
 Joker takes an exaggerated and ridiculous bow--
 And as he does, his .38 SNUB-NOSE REVOLVER slips out of his
 pants and slides across the floor.
 Everyone stops. Looks at the gun on the floor.
36 INT. LOBBY, GOTHAM GENERAL - LATER 36
 Joker is on a payphone in the lobby of the hospital. He's in
 his street clothes, wig in his hand, clown-face still painted
 on.
 JOKER
 (into phone)
 Hoyt, let me explain.
 HOYT (OVER PHONE)
 Oh, this'll be good. Please tell me
 why you brought a gun into a sick
 kid's ward?
 JOKER
 (into phone)
 It was, it was a prop gun. It's
 part of my act now.
 30.
 HOYT (OVER PHONE)
 Bullshit. Jingles would never carry
 a fucking gun. Besides, Randall
 told me you tried to buy a .38 off
 him last week.
Joker's taken aback that Randall would do that to him.
 JOKER
 (into phone)
 Randall told you that?
 HOYT (OVER PHONE)
 He was with me when the call came
 in. You're a fuck up, Arthur. And a
 liar. You're fired.
 JOKER
 (into phone)
 Hoyt--
 HOYT (OVER PHONE)
 Say it, Arthur.
 (beat)
 Let me hear you say it.
 JOKER
 (into phone)
 Say what?
 HOYT (OVER PHONE)
 I'm a fuck up and I'm fired.
Joker picks at his eyebrow.
 JOKER
 (into phone; low)
 --I'm a fuck up and I'm fired.
 HOYT (OVER PHONE)
 Louder.
 JOKER
 (into phone; louder)
 I'm a fuck up and I'm fired.
 HOYT (OVER PHONE)
 Yes. You are.
Click. He hears Hoyt hang up.
Beat.
 31.
37 INT. SUBWAY (MOVING) - NIGHT 37
 JOKER SITS ON THE SUBWAY CONTEMPLATING WHAT JUST WENT DOWN,
 face still painted, his bag on the seat next to him, along
 with his wig.
 There's only one other person on the subway car, a YOUNG
 WOMAN (30's) sitting at the far end-- reading a book.
 The train comes to a stop and THREE WALL STREET GUYS enter.
 They are being loud and obnoxious, clearly drunk. One of them
 is eating some french fries out of a greasy McDonald's bag.
 He flops down on the bench across from the girl and checks
 her out. The other two guys start getting into it with each
 other--
 WALL STREET #1
 --I'm telling you, she wanted my
 number. We should have just stayed.
 The train starts moving again...
 WALL STREET #2
 You're dreaming, man. She wasn't
 interested-- at all.
 WALL STREET #1
 Are you nuts? Did you see how close
 we were dancing!? She was in love,
 bro.
 He starts dancing a bit with himself, mimicking what he
 remembers. Wall Street #2 takes a swig from the brown bag he
 is carrying.
 WALL STREET #2
 She couldn't wait to get away from
 you.
 Joker is watching them closely, impressed by their confidence
 and easy-going camaraderie.
 WALL STREET #1
 (to the third guy)
 Ryan, am I crazy? Tell him what you
 saw.
 But the third Wall Street guy isn't paying his friends any
 attention. He has his eyes set on the young woman sitting
 across from him, reading her book.
 WALL STREET #3
 (to the girl)
 Hey. You want some french fries?
 32.
He holds out his McDonald's bag and shakes it to get her
attention. The other two share a look. Joker watches from his
seat.
 WALL STREET #3
 Hello? I'm talking to you. You want
 some fries?
She looks up and shakes her head, polite smile.
 YOUNG WOMAN
 No thank you.
The other two guys crack up at this apparent blow-off. The
third Wall Street guy shakes his head, embarrassed, and
starts softly flinging fries at the young woman.
 WALL STREET #3
 You sure? They're really good.
She just buries her face deeper in her book--
 WALL STREET #2
 Don't ignore him. He's being nice
 to you.
One of the french fries lands in her hair. She looks down
toward Joker, looking to see if he's going to do something or
say something--
Joker just sits there nervous. Not sure what to do, or even
if he wants to do anything at all.
AND HE JUST BURSTS OUT LAUGHING. He covers his mouth with his
hand as they continue to harass the woman.
They all look over-- What the fuck is this clown laughing at?
 WALL STREET #1
 Something funny, asshole?
With their attention diverted, the young woman rushes out
through the door between subway cars, glancing back at Joker
before she goes--
 WALL STREET #3
 (shouts after her)
 BITCH!
Joker laughs even harder through his hand. The Wall Street
guys turn to him sitting by himself at the end of the car--
 33.
Joker sees them staring. Looks down at the ground, hand still
covering his mouth, face turning red. Subway swaying, lights
flickering on and off.
Beat.
One of the guys heads down the car toward Joker, starts
singing "Send in the Clowns" as he approaches--
 WALL STREET #1
 (singing)
 Isn't it rich?
 Are we a pair?
 Me here, at last on the ground 
 You in mid-air
 Send in the clowns. 
The others crack up and follow after him. The guy plops down
next to Joker, puts his arm around his shoulder as he sings--
 JOKER
 (shakes his head, stifling
 the laughter)
 Please. Don't.
 WALL STREET #1
 (continues singing to him)
 Isn't it bliss?
 Don't you approve?
 One who keeps tearing around,
 One who can't move.
Joker starts to get up-- The lead guy pulls him back down.
 WALL STREET #1
 Where are the clowns?
 There ought to be clowns.
As he finishes the song, Joker's laughing fit is coming to an
end. One of the other guys sits down on the other side of 
him. He's now sandwiched in between them-- 
 WALL STREET #2
 So tell us, buddy. What's so
 fucking funny?
 JOKER
 Nothing. I have a condition--
Joker reaches into his bag to get one of his "Forgive my
laughter" cards, the third guy sees him reaching and tries to
grab the bag from him---
Joker pulls on it--
 34.
 JOKER
 No. It's just my stuff. I don't
 have anything.
The guy rips the bag from his hand--
 WALL STREET #3
 I'll tell you what you have,
 asshole.
Joker gets up from between them to go grab his bag back. The
two guys are cracking up.
 WALL STREET #3
 You want it back? Here--
Joker reaches out to grab the bag--
And the guy tosses it over his head to one of his friends.
Keeping it away from Joker.
Three guys in suits tossing a bag around, playing 'monkey in 
the middle' with a clown. THE LIGHTS ON THE TRAIN SEEM TO 
GLOW BRIGHTER AND WE HEAR the drum roll opening to BOBBY 
SHORT singing "Send in the Clowns" Live at the Caf� Carlyle. 
Joker keeps trying to catch his bag until suddenly--
WHAP! Out of nowhere one of the guys punches him hard in the
face.
Joker goes down as if in slow motion. Blood coming from his
nose. He tries to get up, but his feet slip from under him
and he falls back down--
 WALL STREET #1
 Stay down you freak.
And the third Wall Street guy starts kicking him--
The others join in. Surrounding Joker on the ground, kicking 
him deliberately, sadistically, and the music swells-- 
BLAM!
SUDDENLY THE LIGHTS GO BACK DIM, and one of the guys stops
kicking and falls back dead. Blood splattering on the subway
wall behind him--
And we HEAR Bobby Short sing out, picking up from where the 
Wall Street Guy left off-- 
 35.
 BOBBY SHORT (SINGING) 
 Just when I'd stopped opening doors 
 Finally knowin' the one that I 
 wanted was yours 
 BLAM! BLAM! Wall Street #2 goes down--
 Revealing Joker on the ground, opening his eyes to see what
 he did, smoking gun in his hand--
 BOBBY SHORT (SINGING) 
 Making my entrance again with my 
 usual flair 
 Sure of my lines 
 No one is there 
 The third guy takes off running for the doors that separate 
 the cars. 
 Joker starts after him, but then stops... turns back to grab
 his bag and his wig, his hands shaking from the adrenaline.
 The train is coming to a stop.
 BOBBY SHORT (SINGING) 
 Don't you love farce? 
 My fault I fear... 
 Joker picks up his bag between the two dead bodies, blood 
 everywhere...
 The subway doors wheeze open and Joker steps halfway off the
 train, waiting to see if the third Wall Street guy gets off
 in the car ahead of him. Joker sees him run off--
38 EXT. SUBWAY PLATFORM - CONTINUOUS 38
 The platform is empty, the Wall Street guy is running toward
 the stairs--
 Joker follows--
 Behind them, the train pulls away--
 BOBBY SHORT (SINGING) 
 I thought that you'd want what I 
 want. 
 Sorry, my dear. 
 The guy makes his way to the stairs, unaware that Joker is
 behind him--
 BLAM!
 36.
 The third guy falls, tumbling down the stairs. Joker walks
 over to the body and empties the chamber-- BLAM! BLAM! 
 BOBBY SHORT (SINGING) 
 But where are the clowns? 
 Quick, send in the clowns 
 Don't bother they're here. 
 And as "Send in the Clowns" ends, Joker fires the last shot-- 
 BLAM! He's got nothing left. 
39 EXT. STREET, ROBINSON SQUARE PARK - NIGHT 39 
 Joker hauls ass out of the subway and makes a mad dash across 
 a busy street, horns honking-- 
 Running as fast as he can past piles of garbage, he takes a 
 sharp turn high-tailing into a small, run-down needle park, 
 disappearing into the darkness. 
40 INT. PUBLIC BATHROOM, ROBINSON SQUARE PARK - NIGHT 40 
 Joker runs into the bathroom, locks the door behind him and 
 SUDDENLY EVERYTHING HITS HIM ALL AT ONCE-- 
 He throws up into the dirty toilet, puking his guts out-- 
 He finishes, wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. And 
 pulls the gun out of his waist, looking around for someplace 
 to throw it out. Under the sink he sees a rusted, metal grate 
 hanging off the wall covering some pipes. 
 Before he bends down, Joker catches his reflection in the 
 smudged mirror. Sees himself holding the gun in his hand-- 
 Beat. 
 He raises the gun to his head and pulls the trigger-- 
 Click. 
 It's empty. 
 He gets down on his knees, sweat dripping off his face, pulls 
 the grate away from the wall. And tosses the gun away inside. 
 Moves the grate back in place. 
 Joker stands back up and turns on the faucets. Rinses out his 
 mouth. 
 Looks at his smudged reflection as he starts washing the 
 clown make-up off his sweaty face-- 
 37.
 JOKER
 Hi. Do you like to laugh?
 Water dripping, white grease paint running off his face-- 
 JOKER
 Remember how I told you that I'm a
 stand-up comedian?
 (again)
 Hi. How are you?
 Beat.
41 INT. APARTMENT BUILDING, LOBBY - LATER 41
 Joker enters his building with great urgency. No time for the 
 elevator, he takes the stairs. Two at a time.
 He races up the stairwell.
42 INT. HALLWAY, APARTMENT BUILDING - CONTINUOUS 42
 When he gets to his floor, instead of making a left toward
 his apartment-- He makes a right, toward Sophie's. He stops
 at her door. Out of breath.
 Knocks.
 He hears footsteps. Quickly pulls the folded-up flyer out of
 his pocket.
 The peephole in the door goes dark and then light again. He
 hears locks unlocking. Sophie opens the door halfway-- 
 Joker looks down at his feet-- 
 JOKER
 Hi. Do you like to laugh? 
 SOPHIE 
 What? 
 JOKER 
 (continuing without taking 
 a breath) 
 Remember the other day when I told 
 you about my stand-up comedy. Well,
 I'm doing a set next Thursday and
 I'm inviting a bunch of my friends
 and I was wondering if maybe you
 wanted to come and check it out.
 38.
He reaches out to give Sophie the flyer, she opens the door 
wider-- He notices her face, sees her eyes are red. 
 JOKER
 Were you crying? Why are you
 crying?
Beat.
 SOPHIE
 I had a bad day.
 JOKER
 I'm sorry. I, I didn't--
 SOPHIE
 It's okay. How would you know.
 JOKER
 What happened?
 SOPHIE
 I got fired. From the bank.
Joker takes a deep breath and smiles without realizing it,
hoping he doesn't start to laugh.
 JOKER
 What for?
 SOPHIE
 Because,-- I don't know. It doesn't
 fucking matter. I don't know what
 I'm gonna do.
And she starts crying again. Joker doesn't move. Just stands
in the doorway awkward.
 JOKER
 (finally)
 Okay. Well, all the info is right
 there on the flyer.
He starts to walk away, then turns back to her--
 JOKER
 You know they say laughter is the
 best medicine.
Sophie wipes her eyes and manages a smile.
 SOPHIE
 Is that what they say?
 39.
 Joker just nods yes and walks back toward his mother's
 apartment.
43 INT. DEPT. OF HEALTH, OFFICE - MORNING 43
 JOKER SITS ACROSS from the same Social Worker from the
 opening scene. Same depressing office.
 She stares at him for a beat, clearly annoyed.
 SOCIAL WORKER
 We spoke about this last time,
 Arthur. You're supposed to bring
 your journal with you.
 JOKER
 Well I didn't think you were going
 to read it.
 SOCIAL WORKER
 You said it didn't bother you.
 JOKER
 I lied. Everything bothers me.
 SOCIAL WORKER
 What about it bothered you?
 JOKER
 It's personal. It's my private
 thoughts. Plus it contains original
 comedy material that I don't feel
 comfortable handing over to you.
 She looks at him and shakes her head. Not in the mood to deal
 with this.
 SOCIAL WORKER
 Arthur, I have some bad news for
 you.
 He looks up, intrigued.
 SOCIAL WORKER
 They've cut our funding. We're
 closing down our offices next week.
 He looks around, just noticing some MOVING BOXES stacked
 against the wall.
 JOKER
 So where will we be meeting?
 40.
 SOCIAL WORKER
 We won't be. The city's cut funding
 across the board. Social services
 is part of that.
 Joker nods, not hating the idea.
 JOKER
 Okay.
 SOCIAL WORKER
 They don't give a shit about people
 like you, Arthur. You don't have a
 voice and they don't really care
 what happens to you or to us for
 that matter.
 He sits there for a moment. And then it dawns on him--
 JOKER
 How am I gonna get my medication?
 Beat.
44 INT. MOM'S APARTMENT, KITCHEN - MORNING 44
 CLOSE ON A COUPLE OF PILLS, as they get crushed up.
 CLOSE ON THE RESIDUE, as it's sprinkled on top of a bowl of
 oatmeal.
 MOM (OS)
 Happy! Come in here. Thomas Wayne
 is on TV.
 Joker takes a couple of pills for himself. Looks inside. Not
 many left. He looks over at the orange cat sitting on the
 counter, purring loudly, watching him.
 MOM (OS)
 Quick! Come.
45 INT. MOM'S BEDROOM, APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS 45
 Joker walks in carrying her breakfast. She waves him over to
 her bed.
 MOM
 They're interviewing him about
 those horrible murders on the
 subway last week.
 41.
 JOKER
 Why are they talking to him?
His mother shushes him. Joker sits on the end of the bed next
to her. It's one of those "Good Morning, Gotham" shows.
 THOMAS WAYNE (ON TV)
 --as you know, Jerry, all three of
 them worked at Wayne Investments,
 and they were the best of the best.
 Solid young men.
A small smirk registers on Joker's face when photos of the
THREE WALL STREET GUYS come up on the screen.
 THOMAS WAYNE (ON TV)
 And while I didn't know them
 personally, like all Wayne
 employees, past and present, they
 were family.
Joker's mom perks up at that--
 MOM
 You hear that! I told you. We're
 family.
ANGLE ON TELEVISION, footage of GRAFFITI around the city.
"KILL THE RICH" spray painted on a storefront. "F CK WALL
STREET" written on a subway wall. "RESIST" scrawled across a
billboard.
 "GOOD MORNING" HOST (ON TV)
 There now seems to be a groundswell
 of anti-rich sentiment in the city.
 It's almost as if our less
 fortunate residents have taken the
 side of the killer.
 THOMAS WAYNE (ON TV)
 Yes and it's a shame. It's one of
 the reasons I'm considering a run
 for mayor. Gotham has lost its way.
 "GOOD MORNING" HOST (ON TV)
 Are you announcing your candidacy?
 THOMAS WAYNE (ON TV)
 (smiles)
 No comment.
We hear his mother gasp, excited.
 42.
 "GOOD MORNING" HOST (ON TV)
 What about the eyewitness report of
 the suspect being a man in clown
 make-up or a clown mask-- Care to
 comment on that?
 Joker leans in, intrigued. The camera zooms in closer to
 Thomas Wayne on the screen...
 THOMAS WAYNE (ON TV)
 It makes total sense to me. What
 kind of coward would do something
 that cold-blooded? Someone who
 hides behind a mask. Someone who's
 envious of those more fortunate
 than themselves, yet too scared to
 show their own face.
 (to camera)
 And until that jealousy ends, those
 of us who've made a good life for
 ourselves will always look at those
 who haven't as nothing but clowns.
 CUT TO:
46 INT. COMEDY CLUB, BACKSTAGE HALLWAY - NIGHT 46
 JOKER'S POV, slowly walking down the hall -- as if in slow
 motion -- toward a curtain at the end, spotlight bleeding
 through, other wannabe comics looking at him as he passes--
 CLOSE ON JOKER, eyeing the others, sweat beading on his
 forehead--
 He gets to the curtain, the light, pulls his worn joke-
 notebook out of his back pocket. Glancing into the room he
 sees it's a pretty good crowd. Sees Sophie taking a seat in
 the back.
 Wheeling back into the dark hallway, he catches his breath in
 the shadows--
 And starts BANGING HIS HEAD BACK against the wall--
 He hears the EMCEE from the stage.
 EMCEE (OS)
 This next comic describes himself
 as a lifelong Gotham resident who
 from a young age was always told
 that "his purpose in life was to
 bring joy and laughter into this
 cold, dark world." Ummm. Okay.
 43.
 He hears the crowd laugh.
 EMCEE (OS)
 Please help me welcome Arthur
 Fleck!
 There is a smattering of applause.
 CUT TO:
 JOKER STEPPING ON STAGE, out under the spotlight, lifts the
 microphone in front of his mouth, the light so bright he
 can't see faces in the dark audience, his hand trembling
 holding onto his worn notebook--
 He takes a deep breath, looks out at the dark crowd, and
 opens his mouth.
 And starts to laugh. His eyes go wide. God no, not now. A
 terrified look comes to his face under the laughter. He just
 keeps laughing. The crowd is just staring back at him.
 Finally he composes himself--
 JOKER
 (trying to stop himself
 from laughing)
 -- good evening, hello.
 (deep breath; trying to
 stop laughing)
 Good to be here.
 (keeps cracking up)
 I, I hated school as a kid. But my
 mother would always say,--
 (bad imitation of his mom,
 still laughing)
 "You should enjoy it. One day
 you'll have to work for a living."
 (laughs)
 "No I won't, Ma. I'm gonna be a
 comedian!"
 Dead silence. Except for Joker, who's still cracking up.
 CUT TO:
47 EXT. COMEDY CLUB, CHINATOWN STREET - NIGHT 47 
 Joker and Sophie walking out of the club after the show, the
 audience trickles out around them. Nobody looking in Joker's
 direction, nobody says anything to him, maybe one or two even
 cracking up at him behind his back. Garbage bags crowding the 
 narrow street, lit up by the bright signs. 
 44.
Joker and Sophie walk a ways without saying a word. Awkward
silence.
Then--
 JOKER
 So, did you laugh? Really couldn't
 see much from up there.
Sophie pauses, doesn't know what to say. She lights up a
cigarette.
 SOPHIE
 (trying to be nice)
 Of course. Yeah. You couldn't hear
 anything?
 JOKER
 All I heard was my heart pounding.
 SOPHIE
 It was good. I really needed to get
 out of my apartment so, thanks.
 (beat)
 What happened to the rest of your
 friends?
 JOKER
 What friends?
 SOPHIE
 Didn't you say some of your friends
 were coming?
 JOKER
 (he forgot; recovers)
 Yeah, I decided not to invite them.
 As a performer sometimes you want
 to see how a "real" crowd reacts.
 People who don't already love me,
 or, or have a notion of who I am,
 you know?
 SOPHIE
 (nodding)
 Yeah. I get that.
Joker smiles at the connection. They walk past a newsstand--
a wall of Chinese language newspapers mixed with local papers 
and tabloids, screaming headlines about the three Wall Street 
Guys gunned down on the train.
Joker stops and stares at the headlines--
 45.
CLOSE ON HEADLINES, "Subway Vigilante"... "Yuppie Slaughter"
"Killer Clown On The Loose?"...
 SOPHIE (OS)
 (re: the headlines)
 You believe that shit?
 JOKER
 Yeah,-- I don't know how something
 like that happens.
 SOPHIE
 Please. I'll bet you five bucks
 those rich assholes deserved it.
He turns to her.
 JOKER
 You think?
 SOPHIE
 Look at their faces. Those smug
 smiles. I've seen that look. Fuck
 them.
Sophie flicks her cigarette away and starts walking.
 SOPHIE
 The guy who did it is a hero. Three
 less pricks in Gotham City. Woo-
 hoo! Only a million more to go.
Joker watches her walk for a beat.
 JOKER
 (calls out to her)
 Hey. You want to get some coffee?
Sophie turns around and smiles. She looks great, even in
front of the mounds of garbage bags that line the sidewalk.
AN AMBULANCE SCREAMS BY, SIRENS BLARING as Sophie says
something that Joker doesn't hear. She keeps walking.
Joker chases after her and trips over a TIN GARBAGE CAN LID--
CLANG. CLANG. He falls down flat on his face.
Sophie turns and bursts out laughing. She can't help but
laugh. It's the first time she's laughed all night.
 46.
48 INT. SZECHUAN ACE RESTAURANT, TABLE - NIGHT 48 
 Table covered with plates of half-eaten Chinese food. 
 Joker and Sophie sitting across from each other, middle of 
 conversation. Crowded room, brightly lit, looks more like a 
 casino. Almost everybody eating there is Chinese. It's loud. 
 SOPHIE
 --I'm telling you, it's across the
 board. Wall Street, the banks,
 politicians. They've been making a
 killing for years. Fuck them.
 Joker takes a moment to think about what she said.
 JOKER
 I don't know.
 SOPHIE
 What don't you know?
 JOKER
 Not all of them are awful. Take
 someone like Thomas Wayne for
 example. He's a hero.
 SOPHIE
 Oh c'mon, he's the worst!
 Joker is taken aback--
 JOKER
 Sophie, he's the only one who can
 save this city.
 SOPHIE
 You can't be serious!? He's a
 complete narcissist. Brags about
 his money. Meanwhile, the rest of
 us can barely make rent. Or feed
 our kids.
 Joker nods. Thinking about it.
 Then--
 JOKER
 What happened?
 SOPHIE
 With what?
 47.
 JOKER
 With your job. At the bank?
 SOPHIE
 (suddenly uncomfortable)
 Oh. Yeah, I was, um,--
 JOKER 
 We don't have to talk about it. 
Beat. 
 SOPHIE 
 Have you ever been fired before? 
Joker thinks it over for a moment. 
 JOKER 
 Every time. 
 SOPHIE 
 And have you ever wanted to torch 
 the place? 
 JOKER 
 (thinks it over again) 
 Every time. 
Sophie smiles. 
 SOPHIE 
 Right. And this was like the first 
 good job I had in like, years. Not 
 waitressing or anything like that. 
 It was 9-5. I had benefits. You 
 know what that means when you have 
 a kid? 
Joker just looks at her, he doesn't really know what that 
means. He just smiles. 
 SOPHIE 
 But from the very first day, the 
 manager guy starts smiling at me, 
 whispering in my ear, touching me, 
 trying to get me to sleep with him-- 
 JOKER 
 (interrupting) 
 Did you do it? Did you go to bed 
 with him? 
 48.
 SOPHIE 
 Fuck no. The guy's a fucking pig. 
 So finally I complained to his 
 boss, and they fired me... And now, 
 now I don't know what to do with 
 myself. 
 JOKER 
 Right. Wait, what do you mean? 
 SOPHIE 
 I finally felt good. Like I had a 
 future. A purpose. And now I don't 
 even know how I'm gonna pay my 
 rent. 
AND JOKER STARTS LAUGHING. He puts a hand over his mouth
trying to cover it, but he can't stop cracking up--
It's unsettling and disturbing for Sophie. People eating, 
waiters in red vests, busboys, all look over and stare at 
him. A few laugh. Joker turns away embarrassed, he looks out 
the plate-glass window, face turning red from laughing so
hard--
AS HE LOOKS OUT, HE SEES A GROUP OF ROWDY KIDS walking down
the street. One of them glances back before he turns the
corner-- HE'S WEARING A CLOWN MASK THAT LOOKS JUST JOKER'S
CLOWN FACE. And then he's gone. The group disappears around
the corner--
Joker can't believe his eyes, still laughing-- He turns to
Sophie who didn't see them. Just sits there awkwardly waiting
for it to stop.
Finally, it subsides--
 JOKER
 (catching his breath)
 I'm sorry. I have this thing--
 SOPHIE 
 I know. 
Awkward beat. 
 SOPHIE 
 How did you get it?
 JOKER
 I don't know. I read you can get it
 from a brain injury or, or a lesion
 in there. My mom said I was born
 this way. Born laughing.
 49.
 SOPHIE
 Is that why she calls you Happy?
 JOKER
 Kind of. That actually started when
 I was a kid. The other kids made
 fun of me, called me Happy-- but
 not in a good way. I got so sick of
 it, one day when I was about ten,
 I, I,--
 He smiles.
 SOPHIE
 What?
 JOKER
 I took a razor and cut this smile
 onto my face.
 (she's taken aback as he
 points to the scars)
 Sort of like "You want happy? Here,
 how's this for happy?"
 He looks down, still smiling. She just watches him for a
 beat.
 SOPHIE
 You okay?
 JOKER
 I've been thinking about this night
 my whole life.
 They just sit there for a beat. Quiet.
49 INT. MOM'S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 49
 Joker opening the door to his mother's apartment, holding a 
 doggie bag in his hand, sees the flickering blue light of the 
 TV on in the living room, hears the end of "LIVE WITH MURRAY
 FRANKLIN!" He locks the locks, drawing the security chain
 high on the door.
 TURNS TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF HIS MOTHER PASSED OUT in the
 living room, the cat jumping up next to her on the chair.
 Joker watches for a beat as Murray does his signature sign
 off, the one he's been doing for years--
 50.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN (ON TV)
 (looking into camera)
 Good night! And always remember,--
 That's life.
 JOKER
 (quietly)
 "That's life."
He hears Don Ellis and his Jazz Orchestra playing the show's
closing song-- the instrumental version of Frank Sinatra's
"That's Life".
As the music continues, Joker puts his face up against his
mom's nose, to see if she's breathing or if she's dead.
He feels her breath against his cheek.
Now he picks his mother up in his arms and carries her into
her bedroom to the music, almost as if he's dancing with her
as he leaves the room...
We stay behind.
"That's Life" still playing from TV.
He comes back into the living room and turns off the TV.
Takes off his jacket and throws it on the couch. Notices
something sticking out of his jacket pocket. He pulls it out.
It's the envelope he was supposed to deliver to Thomas Wayne.
He stares at it for a beat. And then--
Quietly rips it open, starts to read the letter:
CLOSE ON WORDS, "Dearest Thomas, I don't know where else to
turn..."
"Need your help..."
"You have a son. We have a son. His name is Arthur."
Stops reading, stays on--
"You have a son."
JOKER STARING DOWN AT THE LETTER, reading those words over
and over again -- "You have a son."
 CUT TO:
 51.
50 INT. MOM'S BEDROOM, APARTMENT - EARLY MORNING 50
 JOKER'S SITTING IN A CHAIR in his mother's room watching her
 sleep. He has clearly been up all night. Still wearing the
 same clothes.
 He's holding her letter in his hand as the sun is just
 starting to rise outside the windows, light just beginning to
 crack the gloom.
 THE ORANGE CAT SITS AT HIS FEET staring up at him, won't take
 her eyes off of him.
 Joker impatiently sits there for another moment waiting for
 his mother to wake up, then suddenly--
 SHRIEKS OUT AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS like a teapot, kicking
 his back on the chair like an excited toddler--
 His mother wakes with a start, looking around half asleep and
 confused--
 Joker turns and sees the cat run out of the room--
 MOM
 --what, what time is it?
 He doesn't answer.
 MOM
 What happened? Did you hurt
 yourself again?
 Joker holds her letter up in his hand.
 JOKER
 What is this? How come you never
 told me?
 MOM
 Is, is that my letter? Is that my
 letter, Happy?
 JOKER
 How could you not tell me, Ma?
 MOM
 You told me you dropped it off.
 You have no right opening my mail.
 Who do you think you are?
 JOKER
 (raising his voice;
 excited)
 (MORE)
 52.
 JOKER (CONT'D)
 Apparently I'm Thomas Wayne's son!
 How could you keep that from me?
His mother slowly getting up out of bed.
 MOM
 Stop yelling at me, you're gonna
 kill me, give me a heart attack!
She goes into the bathroom.
 JOKER
 (shouts after her)
 I'm not yelling! I'm just, excited.
 How can any of this be real!? How
 can Thomas Wayne be my father?
 MOM (OS)
 (shouts back from behind
 the door)
 I'm not talking to you until you
 calm down.
Joker sits for a minute then gets up and goes to her bathroom
door. Talks to his mother from the behind the closed door.
 JOKER
 (lowers his voice; trying
 to sound calm)
 Okay. How's this, Mom? Better? Will
 you please talk to me?
Joker leans in closer to the door. Leaning against it with
just his head--
 JOKER
 Please.
 MOM (OS)
 He is an extraordinary man, Arthur.
 We had a connection. I was so
 beautiful then. We were in love.
Joker just leans there, listening. He closes his eyes, it's
all too much.
 MOM (OS)
 His wife could see it. She was
 jealous from the moment I started
 working there. She fired me before
 I even knew I was pregnant with
 you.
 (hear her crying now)
 (MORE)
 53.
 MOM (OS) (CONT'D)
 And, I never told him or anybody
 because, well, you can imagine what
 people would say about Thomas and
 me, and, and what they would say
 about you.
 JOKER
 (eyes still closed, head
 leaning against the door)
 What would they say, Ma?
 MOM (OS)
 That I was a whore, and Thomas
 Wayne was a fornicator, and that
 you're a little, unwanted bastard.
 AND THE BATHROOM DOOR SUDDENLY SWINGS OPEN, and Joker falls
 face first into the bathroom--
 Just missing his mother, crashing down onto the floor--
 CUT TO:
51 EXT. BOARDWALK, AMUSEMENT MILE - MORNING 51
 Joker heads down the boardwalk toward Ha-Ha's, a bounce in
 his step.
 Looming behind him like the skeletons of monsters, a
 sprawling rickety-looking wooden roller coaster and the
 gigantic steel Wonder Wheel in the amusement park by the
 ocean. Sound of waves crashing, seagulls squawking.
52 INT. HA-HA'S TALENT BOOKING, LOCKER ROOM - MORNING 52
 Joker walks into the locker room, sees Randall half-dressed
 for work, red nose, big pants, big shoes, no wig yet, sitting
 with Gary, TWO OTHER CLOWNS AND A MAGICIAN around the small
 table, shooting the shit, drinking coffee.
 They nod hello at Joker or give him a perfunctory wave, most
 of his co-workers think he's a freak.
 GARY
 Hey Art, I heard what happened--
 I'm sorry man.
 RANDALL
 Yeah, Hoyt did you wrong, buddy.
 Doesn't seem fair.
 54.
Joker looks hard at Randall for a moment, just slowly nods,
and continues on to his locker.
He starts to clean it out, stuffing all of his clown gear
into an old brown paper shopping bag. Hears them talking
about him behind his back, about why he got fired, laughing
at him--
 HA-HA CLOWN #1 (OS)
 Did you really bring a gun to the
 kid's hospital, Artie? What the
 fuck would you do that for?
Joker doesn't answer them, just continues emptying his
locker, a bag of balloons, a magic wand, some trick flowers--
 HA-HA CLOWN #2
 No, I heard he pulled it out and
 waved it around like a cowboy.
His co-workers crack up. Joker answers the guy without
looking back--
 JOKER
 It was a prop gun. And I didn't
 pull it out, it fell out.
 MAGICIAN
 So is that part of your new act? If
 your singing doesn't do the trick,
 you just gonna shoot yourself? 
More laughter.
 HA-HA CLOWN #2
 I thought Jingles was a lover not a
 fighter.
Joker turns and looks at all of them, nods at Randall--
 JOKER
 Why don't you ask Randall about it?
 It was his idea.
 GARY
 (to Randall)
 Since when do you use a prop gun?
 RANDALL
 What? I don't. Stop talking outta
 your ass, Art!
 (to the guys)
 (MORE)
 55.
 RANDALL (CONT'D)
 I think all his stupid laughing
 musta scrambled his brain or 
 something.
 The guys laugh and keep jawing. Joker doesn't say anything.
 Just finishes packing his bag and closes his locker door--
53 EXT. HA-HA'S, BACK ALLEY - AMUSEMENT MILE BOARDWALK - MORNING
 53
 Joker exits the back door holding onto his brown shopping bag
 under his arm, starts down the alley.
 Behind him, Randall hustles out and chases down the alley
 after him, still half-dressed for work.
 RANDALL
 (calling out)
 Art! Hold up,--
 As he catches up with Joker his red nose falls off, but he's
 so out of breath he doesn't realize he lost it--
 RANDALL
 What the fuck was that about?
 Beat.
 JOKER
 What?
 RANDALL
 Why would you say that? That, that 
 it was my idea. 
 Joker just looks back at Randall. Sees his red Styrofoam nose
 bouncing down the alley behind him.
 JOKER 
 ... 
 RANDALL 
 You don't get it, do you, buddy, 
 that shit that went down on the 
 subway, that's no joke. They got 
 clown sketches on the front of 
 every fucking paper. It's just a 
 matter of time before the cops come 
 around. 
 Beat. 
 JOKER
 I don't know anything about it.
 56.
 RANDALL
 (leans in close; lowers
 his voice)
 Art, you know you're my boy. I'm 
 not gonna say shit. I just hope you 
 got rid of that gun. That can't 
 come back on me, okay? 
 JOKER
 Randall, I didn't shoot anybody.
 That wasn't me. And I don't have
 time for this, I got somebody real
 important I gotta go see.
 Joker turns to go--
 RANDALL
 You know they're sellin' masks.
 JOKER
 (turning back around)
 What?
 RANDALL
 They're selling masks of your clown
 face,-- based off the description I 
 guess. It's like a thing now.
 JOKER
 What are you talking about?
 RANDALL
 There's a lot of people in this
 city who are happy you did what you
 did. If you did it.
 JOKER
 Randall. Your nose.
 RANDALL
 What?
 Randall touches his face. Realizes his nose is not there.
 Joker points to Randall's clown nose tumbling back down the
 alley. And Randall hustles after it, chasing after his red
 nose blowing skipping away in the wind--
54 INT. METRO TRAIN (MOVING) - COUNTRYSIDE, OUTSIDE GOTHAM - 54
 NEXT AFTERNOON
 CLOSE ON NEW "KILLER CLOWN" SKETCH ON FRONT PAGE OF THAT
 DAY'S TABLOID, a more detailed drawing.
 57.
 HEADLINE, "KILLER CLOWN STILL ON THE LOOSE!"
 SUB-HEAD, "'Kill the Rich' -- A New Movement?"
 ANGLE ON JOKER LOOKING DOWN AT HIS NOTEBOOK, STARING AT A
 PHOTOGRAPH OF THOMAS WAYNE RIPPED OUT FROM A MAGAZINE, taped
 to a page. He glances at his distorted reflection in the
 window, takes his hand and parts his hair to the side, more
 like Thomas Wayne's hair. Maybe there is a resemblance.
 WIDER ANGLE, train is packed with wealthy white businessmen
 and a couple businesswomen heading home after work, many of
 them reading the same tabloid. The "Killer Clown" sketch of
 Joker's clown face dots the train. No empty seats -- except
 the one next to Joker.
55 INT. TAXI CAB (MOVING), COUNTRYSIDE - AFTERNOON 55
 JOKER IN THE BACK OF A TAXI STARING OUT AT THE COUNTRYSIDE, 
 at the trees and green grass and blue sky and open spaces
 whizzing by. The sun is getting low, bathing everything in a
 golden light.
 He doesn't see garbage anywhere.
56 EXT. WAYNE MANOR, FRONT LAWN - MAGIC HOUR 56 
 Joker walking along an intimidating wrought iron fence, 
 surrounding the estate like prison bars, the brown paper 
 shopping bag stuffed under his arm. The big house set up a 
 small hill, evergreens dot the lush grounds. As he walks
 around looking for the front entrance, Joker catches a
 glimpse of an innocent looking EIGHT-YEAR-OLD BOY tracking 
 him from behind the trees, hiding as he follows.
 Joker stops.
 He sees the boy stop behind a tree.
 Joker continues walking until he gets to the front gate. He
 digs into his bag and pulls out the magic wand--
 He holds it up for the boy to see.
 The boy steps out from behind a tree to get a closer look.
 Joker puts the brown bag down on the ground, looks over the 
 wand, pretending like he's trying to figure out what it does.
 He waves the wand over the front gate lock to "try and see"
 if it will open-- It doesn't.
 58.
The little boy walks down toward the fence, face like an 
angel. 
Joker waits until he gets closer and then reaches his hand 
through the fence and hands the kid his magic wand so he can 
try and figure out what it does--
The boy takes the wand and it goes limp in his hand before he 
can wave it-- He laughs, surprised. He hands it back to
Joker.
The boys sees Joker's face up close, staring at his scarred 
smile--
Joker straightens the wand back out, and reaches in through 
the fence again so the kid can give it another try. 
AND AGAIN THE MAGIC WAND DROOPS IN THE BOY'S HAND. He laughs 
and gives it back to Joker-- 
Joker examines the wand as if its "broken", stiffens it one 
last time, crouches down lower, and... 
Ta-da! A bouquet of flowers bursts out the end of the wand--
Joker smiles and hands him the wand bouquet of flowers-- 
The little boy takes the flowers. Keeps staring at Joker, at 
the scars around his mouth. 
Now, he reaches his hand out through the fence and touches 
Joker's face, tracing his finger around the edges of Joker's 
mouth, over his scarred smile-- 
Joker closes his eyes -- embarrassed -- but it feels good to 
him, nobody ever touches him besides his mother.
He starts to smile, when a man's voice shatters the moment-- 
 ALFRED (OS) 
 (shouting; slight English 
 accent) 
 Bruce! What are you doing? Get away 
 from that man. 
The little boy pulls his hand back. Turns and runs away-- 
Joker looks up and sees a balding, tired-looking, ALFRED 
PENNYWORTH (50's) bounding down the hill toward them. 
Joker stands back up. 
 59.
 ALFRED 
 (still shouting) 
 What are you doing? Who are you? 
Little Bruce runs behind Alfred, hiding behind his legs. 
 JOKER 
 My name's Arthur. I'm here to see 
 Mr. Wayne-- 
 ALFRED 
 (interrupting) 
 You shouldn't be talking to his 
 son. Why did you give him those 
 flowers? 
Alfred takes the flower-wand away from the kid-- 
 JOKER 
 I, I was just trying to make him 
 laugh. 
He hands it back to Joker. 
 ALFRED 
 Well it's not funny. Do I need to 
 call the police? 
 JOKER 
 No, please. My mother's name is 
 Penny Fleck. She used to work here, 
 years ago. Can you tell Mr. Wayne 
 that I need to see him? 
 ALFRED 
 (color drains from his
 face; beat)
 You're her son? 
 JOKER 
 Did you know her? 
Alfred doesn't say anything. 
Joker puts his face right up against the bars, whispers so 
the boy can't hear him-- 
 JOKER 
 You don't need to cover for them. 
 I'm sure Mrs. Wayne was very upset 
 when she found out. 
 60.
 ALFRED
 There was nothing to find out 
 about. Your mother was, was 
 delusional. She was a sick woman. 
 JOKER 
 No. No, just let me speak to Mr. 
 Wayne. 
 Now Alfred leans in closer to Joker, almost looks like he 
 feels some pity for him-- 
 ALFRED 
 Please just go, before you make a 
 fool of yourself.
 Beat.
 JOKER
 (blurts out)
 Thomas Wayne is my father--
 Alfred looks at Joker, and can't help but crack up laughing 
 at him. 
 AND JOKER REACHES THROUGH THE BARS AND GRABS HIM. Pulls him 
 in close, trying to choke him, still holding the wand of 
 flowers in one hand-- 
 AS HE CHOKES ALFRED, Joker sees little Bruce, wide-eyed in 
 the shadows, looking out at him in horror. 
 Joker stops.
 Lets go of Alfred... Takes off running back down the street 
 away from Wayne Manor, magic wand in hand, leaving the rest 
 of his clown gear behind. 
 CUT TO:
57 EXT. LOWER EAST SIDE, STREETS - NIGHT 57
 JOKER'S BACK IN HIS PART OF TOWN, garbage everywhere here.
 The neighborhood at night is alive. Loud kids on the street
 corners... A drunk seemingly fights no one... Hookers working
 the street... He hears a wailing siren...
 As Joker turns the corner, he sees AN AMBULANCE PARKED in
 front of his building. Lights flashing. Hit with a sense of
 dread, he runs toward the building--
 61.
58 EXT. STREET, APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT 58
 A SMALL CROWD OF GAWKERS have gathered around watching the
 drama unfold. Shouting and laughing, loud dance music blaring
 out an open window, feels like an impromptu block party.
 Joker runs up, sees his mother being wheeled down the front
 steps unconscious on a stretcher, AN EMT holding an oxygen
 bag on her face. TWO DETECTIVES IN PLAIN SUITS following
 behind them. It's a chaotic scene.
 FROM ABOVE, Joker pushing through the crowd, rushes to his
 mother's side. We don't hear what he says to the paramedics
 over the music and the crowd, just see them nod okay and
 Joker follow after them into the back of the ambulance--
59 INT. CITY AMBULANCE, BACK (PARKED) - NIGHT 59
 Joker looking out the back doors as they start to shut close--
 CATCHES A GLIMPSE OF SOPHIE, coming out of the building. He
 stares at her through the small back door window. Casually
 waves at her, trying to connect with her--
 Joker sees the two detectives approaching Sophie as the
 ambulance pulls away. Speeding away down the street, siren
 wailing--
 CUT TO:
60 INT. CITY HOSPITAL, EMERGENCY TREATMENT ROOM - NIGHT 60
 Joker's standing near the doorway of a large overcrowded
 treatment room. Watching a sleep-deprived ER RESIDENT (late
 20's), and an EMERGENCY NURSE start to intubate his mother.
 He hears shouts and cries of pain from around the crowded
 room.
 Joker turns away when he sees them insert a thin endotracheal
 tube into her mouth and down through her larynx. It makes him
 gag--
61 EXT. CITY HOSPITAL, ER - NIGHT 61
 Joker sits on a bench outside the bustling emergency room.
 He's getting some fresh air, but he picked a weird spot to do
 it.
 He watches the sick and dying being rushed through the glass
 doors. Opening and closing. This happens in the background
 throughout the scene.
 62.
The two detectives walk up to Joker, interrupting him
watching the doors. Gotham police detectives, GARRITY (50's),
grey hair, and BURKE (30's), his partner.
 DET. GARRITY
 Mr. Fleck, sorry to bother you, I'm
 Detective Garrity, this is my
 partner Detective Burke.
Joker looks up at them. Doesn't say anything.
 DET. GARRITY
 We had a few questions for you, but
 you weren't home. So we spoke to
 your mother.
 JOKER
 You did this to her?
 DET. GARRITY
 What? No. We just asked her some
 questions and she started getting
 hysterical-- hyperventilating,
 trouble speaking-- then she
 collapsed. Hit her head pretty
 hard.
 JOKER
 They told me she had a stroke.
Beat.
 DET. GARRITY
 Sorry to hear that.
AND JOKER BURSTS OUT LAUGHING, he can't stop it.
The detectives are taken aback. They don't know what to make 
of him laughing. They share a look.
 DET. BURKE
 (confused)
 I'm lost. Is something funny?
 JOKER
 (laughter choking up in
 his throat)
 No I,-- I have a, a--
Tears rolling down his face, he takes out one of his cards
and hands it to Det. Burke. Burke glances over the card, a
skeptical look on his face.
 63.
 DET. BURKE
 Okay. But we have some questions
 for you.
 DET. GARRITY
 About those subway killings from a
 few weeks ago.
Joker pauses for a moment, his laughter subsiding. He holds
his breath.
 JOKER
 I don't know anything about that.
 DET. GARRITY
 We have an eyewitness who described
 a white male, about 6 feet tall, in
 clown make up. Or a clown mask.
 Spoke to your boss at Ha-Ha's, Mr.
 Vaughn, and he said you were on a
 job the day of the shooting.
Joker's still holding his breath, he nods yes.
 DET. GARRITY
 (just continues)
 He also said you got fired that
 day,-- For bringing a gun into the
 children's hospital.
And Joker cracks up again, his laughter coming back harder--
He covers his mouth with his hand, shaking his head no, his
face now turning red.
 DET. GARRITY
 You weren't fired?
Joker catches his breath as the intensity of his laughter
starts to wane, petering out.
 JOKER
 Not for having a gun. That was prop
 gun. Part of my act.
Joker's laughter finally stops for good.
 DET. BURKE
 So why were you fired?
 JOKER
 They said I wasn't funny.
The detectives share another look.
 64.
 Joker stands up.
 JOKER
 Now, if you don't mind, I have to
 go back and look after my mother.
 Detective Burke steps close to him, holds up the card that
 Joker handed him--
 DET. BURKE
 Hey lemme ask you a question? This
 condition of yours,-- Is this real
 or is this like some sorta clown
 thing?
 JOKER
 Clown thing?
 DET. BURKE
 I mean, is it part of your act?
 JOKER
 What do you think?
 And Joker walks away-- heads for the sliding glass doors.
 Only the motion detector doesn't engage--
 AND HE SLAMS RIGHT INTO THE GLASS DOOR.
 HARD.
 He bounces back.
62 INT. HALLWAY, NURSE'S STATION - CITY HOSPITAL - NIGHT 62
 Joker walking down the hallway, ER flooded with the poor and
 uninsured. Overwhelmed doctors and nurses trying their best
 to keep up. He stops at the busy nurse's station, and stands
 there for a moment, trying to get a nurse's attention--
 JOKER
 Excuse me, I was wondering how I
 could check my mother out of here?
 One of the nurses at the desk looks up at him, seems slightly
 annoyed.
 ER NURSE
 What's your mother's name?
 JOKER
 Penny Fleck. I'd like to take her
 home.
 65.
The sleep-deprived ER RESIDENT who was working on his mother
overhears Joker, comes over to talk to him with a clipboard
in his hand. Joker recognizes him--
 ER RESIDENT
 Mr. Fleck, your mother had a
 stroke. It's very serious. You
 can't "check her out." She's gonna
 be here for at least a week.
 JOKER
 She's not gonna wanna stay that
 long. She doesn't like hospitals.
 Or doctors.
 ER RESIDENT
 I'm sorry to hear that. But she
 can't just leave.
 JOKER
 I don't like hospitals either.
Beat.
The resident just nods okay. Looks down at his clipboard--
 ER RESIDENT
 Listen, I wanted to talk you about
 something we noticed in her tox
 report. We found heavy traces of
 multiple medications in her system.
 JOKER
 Okay. Thanks.
He turns to go, but the resident continues--
 ER RESIDENT
 One of them's perphenazine. It's a
 powerful anti-psychotic. If she was
 taking that regularly and then
 suddenly stopped, the withdrawal
 could have contributed to her
 stroke. Did you notice any
 symptoms?
 JOKER
 Symptoms?
 ER RESIDENT
 Withdrawal symptoms. Nausea...
 anxiety... hallucinations.
Joker shakes his head, no.
 66.
 ER RESIDENT
 Do you know how long she's been
 taking it?
 Joker shakes his head no again, leans in closer to the
 resident--
 JOKER
 Can you tell me what those symptoms
 are again?
 CUT TO:
63 INT. PATIENT BAY, EMERGENCY TREATMENT ROOM - NIGHT 63
 CLOSE ON TV, Murray Franklin is in the middle of doing his
 monologue.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN (ON TV)
 So I told my youngest son, Tommy,
 remember he's the 'not so bright'
 one,--
 (laughter)
 I told him that the garbage strike
 is still going on. And he says, and
 I'm not kidding, Tommy says, "So
 where are we gonna get all our
 garbage from?"
 Murray Franklin cracks up at his own joke. Studio audience
 laughs.
 JOKER LAUGHS, LYING IN BED NEXT TO HIS UNCONSCIOUS MOTHER in
 the large overcrowded treatment room.
 Blue curtain dividers separate the bays. He's watching the
 show on a TV bolted high on the wall. He glances over at his
 mother, laughing over the sounds of her labored breath, the
 pain and suffering of those around him.
 He looks back up at the television.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN (ON TV)
 And finally, in a world where
 everyone thinks they could do my
 job, we got this videotape from the
 Gotham Comedy Club. Here's a guy
 who thinks if you just keep
 laughing, it'll somehow make you
 funny. Check out this joker.
 67.
EXTREME CLOSE ON TV, GRAINY VIDEO OF JOKER'S STAND-UP
PERFORMANCE. Joker on stage smiling behind the microphone,
under the harsh spotlight.
Joker watching himself on TV, his jaw drops--
 JOKER (ON TV)
 (trying to stop himself
 from laughing)
 -- good evening, hello.
 (deep breath; trying to
 stop laughing)
 Good to be here.
 (keeps cracking up)
 I, I hated school as a kid. But my
 mother would always say,--
 (bad imitation of his mom,
 still laughing)
 "You should enjoy it. One day
 you'll have to work for a living."
 (laughs)
 "No I won't, Ma. I'm gonna be a
 comedian!"
Back to Murray Franklin shaking his head, trying not to
laugh.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN (ON TV)
 You should have listened to your
 mother.
The studio audience erupts into laughter.
ANGLE ON JOKER, watching Murray Franklin make fun of him on
TV. He gets up and starts walking toward the TV set as if in
a trance. Unsure if this is really happening.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN (ON TV)
 One more, Bernie. Let's see one
 more. I love this guy.
The tape continues of Joker at the comedy club.
 JOKER (ON TV)
 It's funny, when I was a little boy
 and told people I wanted to be a
 comedian, everyone laughed at me.
 (opens his arms like a big
 shot)
 Well no one is laughing now.
Dead silence. Nobody is laughing. Not even him.
CUT BACK CLOSE ON MURRAY FRANKLIN, just shaking his head.
 68.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN (ON TV)
 You can say that again, pal!
 Murray cracks up and the studio audience laughs along with
 him.
 CLOSE ON JOKER, looking up at the television, hearing them
 all laughing at him.
 Beat.
 JUMP CUT:
 Joker is dragging a chair to the television set.
 In a rage, he gets up on the chair and tries to pull the TV
 out of the wall, as the show continues to play--
 But the set is firmly secured to the wall, and Joker pulls so
 hard the chair flips from underneath him and he goes flying
 up the air, crashing down hard onto the floor.
64 INT. CAFETERIA, CITY HOSPITAL - EARLY MORNING 64
 Joker walks with a plastic tray of food. Some runny eggs and
 a coffee. He keeps his head down so no one can see his face.
 There are a few DOCTORS AND NURSES sitting and chatting at
 one table. A group of ORDERLIES are sitting together at
 another table.
 He goes and sits down in the far corner, far away from
 everyone else. Sees a tabloid newspaper left on the table,
 and picks it up to read so he doesn't seem so alone.
 ANGLE ON FRONT PAGE HEADLINE, "Thomas Wayne Announces Run",
 over a full-page campaign-style photograph of Thomas Wayne
 waving to a crowd standing next to his wife, MARTHA (50's), a
 severe looking, well-preserved former model, and little Bruce
 Wayne standing in front of them. Photo catches Bruce looking
 into camera, eyes wide, scared by the crowd.
 SUB-HEADLINE READS, "Protest Planned at Wayne Hall Opening
 Tonight"
 Joker stares at the family photo.
 CLOSE ON BRUCE WAYNE IN PHOTO, Joker's fingers ripping his
 picture out of the front page.
 YOUNG DOCTOR (OS)
 -- I'm sorry to bother you, but can
 you settle an argument for us?
 69.
 CLOSE ON JOKER LOOKING UP, interrupted from ripping out the
 picture. One YOUNG DOCTOR and TWO NURSES are standing around
 him. We stay with Joker, don't see their faces. Just their
 bodies, all dressed in green scrubs, uniforms.
 JOKER
 Excuse me?
 YOUNG DOCTOR (OS)
 You were the guy on Murray Franklin
 last night, right?
 He hears the nurses giggle.
 JOKER
 No, sorry. Wasn't me.
 NURSE #1 (OS)
 Of course it was you. You were the
 comedian.
 YOUNG DOCTOR (OS)
 Except you weren't funny. You
 didn't tell any jokes.
 He hears the nurses giggle again.
 STAY CLOSE ON JOKER, getting upset. He just shakes his head.
 JOKER
 I don't know what you're talking
 about.
 YOUNG DOCTOR (OS)
 No. It was definitely you, buddy.
 You're the guy who couldn't stop
 laughing. Murray killed you.
 More laughter. Joker looks up at them.
 JOKER
 If I were you, I'd walk away from
 this table before I strangle all
 three of you with that fucking
 stethoscope hanging from your neck.
 Beat.
65 EXT. CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS, WAYNE HALL - UPTOWN - DUSK
 65
 Joker crosses a busy street heading to the Center for
 Performing Arts. Light falling. Storm clouds gathering.
 70.
 Joker stops when he sees--
 A CROWD OF PROTESTERS SCREAMING AND SHOUTING IN FRONT OF
 WAYNE HALL, behind steel barricades. Many wearing Joker's
 "clown face" mask... A few wave homemade signs, "CLOWN FOR
 MAYOR"... "KILL THE RICH"... "MR. WAYNE, AM I A CLOWN?"
 A LINE OF POLICEMEN AND SECURITY GUARDS stand between the
 crowd and the lit-up white marble building.
 Joker watches the protest for a moment, then continues across
 the street. It starts to rain.
66 EXT. WAYNE HALL, FRONT ENTRANCE - EVENING 66
 A FIGHT BREAKS OUT between a "clown" masked protester and two
 cops. The crowd goes crazy, pushing through the barricades
 toward the building in the driving rain. The police and Wayne
 Hall Security fight to keep them out--
 Amidst all the chaos, we glimpse Joker slipping into the
 building unnoticed--
67 INT. LOBBY, WAYNE HALL - EVENING 67
 Joker walks through the massive multi-level lobby. It's
 completely empty since the performance has already begun and
 whatever security was available is outside helping the police
 deal with the protesters.
 He looks up in awe at the crystal chandeliers... The shiny,
 marble floor beneath his feet. He's never seen anything this
 opulent in his entire life.
68 INT. BACK OF THEATER, WAYNE HALL - EVENING 68
 JOKER MAKING HIS WAY THROUGH THE DARK SHADOWS ALONG THE BACK
 WALL OF THE AUDITORIUM, looking for Thomas Wayne in the sold-
 out black-tie audience--
 He catches bits of Chaplin's MODERN TIMES projected on a
 screen behind the Gotham Philharmonic playing the silent
 movie's score... the Tramp roller skating blindfolded on a
 date with the Gamin (Paulette Goddard) in a department store.
 He continues moving along the wall from aisle-to-aisle
 looking for Thomas Wayne...
 The audience laughs as the Tramp skates blindfolded, skirting
 along the edge of a balcony with no rail, orchestra playing
 the bouncy score. Joker can't find Thomas Wayne in the dark--
 71.
 He moves to the top of the next aisle, pausing to watch more
 of the film. Suddenly somebody bumps into Joker--
 He looks up and sees it's one of Thomas Wayne's TWO SECURITY
 GUARDS, escorting Thomas Wayne out of the auditorium--
 Joker turns and watches them lead him out. Behind Joker on
 screen, the Tramp is rescued by the girl before he falls off
 the edge, orchestra swelling--
69 INT. LOBBY, WAYNE HALL - CONTINUOUS 69
 Joker peeks his head out of the auditorium, sees Thomas Wayne
 heading into the men's room, his two security guards waiting
 by the door, still hear the orchestra playing the score--
 Joker glances back into the auditorium--
 Sees a lobby broom and upright dustpan tucked in the back
 corner--
70 INT. HALLWAY, MEN'S ROOM - WAYNE HALL - SECONDS LATER 70
 Joker's sweeping up the hallway with his head down, hear the
 orchestra playing the melancholy "Smile" from the film's
 score. He sweeps along to the music like Emmett Kelly's
 famous hobo clown... Sweeping around the two security guards'
 feet... Annoyed, they move a bit away from the bathroom
 door... And don't give Joker a second look as he heads
 inside...
71 INT. MEN'S ROOM, WAYNE HALL - CONTINUOUS 71
 Joker sweeps his way into the cavernous, black & white tiled
 bathroom, ornate gold fixtures. It's empty save for Thomas
 Wayne peeing at the far end of a long line of urinals.
 Joker takes a deep breath, and walks down the line of urinals
 right up next to Thomas Wayne--
 He stands there for a beat while Thomas urinates, lobby broom
 and upright dustpan in hand--
 THOMAS WAYNE
 (glances over; annoyed)
 Can I help you, pal?
 JOKER
 What? Yeah. No I, I--
 72.
 THOMAS WAYNE
 (interrupting)
 You need to get in here or
 something?
Thomas Wayne finishes and zips his fly back up. Joker is not
sure what to say to him, just says--
 JOKER
 Dad. It's me.
Beat.
But Thomas Wayne doesn't hear him, he was flushing the
urinal. He walks toward the sink.
 THOMAS WAYNE
 Excuse me?
Joker follows after him.
 JOKER
 My name is Arthur. I'm Penny's son.
 (beat)
 I know you didn't know about me,
 and I don't want anything from you.
 Well... maybe a hug.
And Joker smiles, it's all very emotional for him. Thomas
looks over at him like he's fucking crazy.
 THOMAS WAYNE
 Jesus? You're the guy who came by
 my house yesterday.
Joker nods, relieved he finally broke through.
 JOKER
 Yes. But they wouldn't let me in,
 wouldn't let me see you. So I came
 here. I have so many questions.
Thomas Wayne just laughs to himself and turns on the gold
faucets at one of the sinks.
 THOMAS WAYNE
 Look pal, I'm not your father.
 What's wrong with you?
 JOKER
 How do you know?
Thomas Wayne just keeps washing his hands, doesn't even look
over at Joker.
 73.
 THOMAS WAYNE
 Cause you were adopted. And I never
 fucked your mother. What do you
 want from me, money?
 JOKER
 No. What? I wasn't adopted.
Thomas starts drying his hands.
 THOMAS WAYNE
 She never told you? Your mother
 adopted you before she even started
 working for us. She was arrested
 when you were four years old and
 committed to Arkham State Hospital.
 She's batshit crazy.
Joker starts to smile, feels a laugh coming on.
 JOKER
 No. No, I don't believe that.
Thomas finishes drying his hands. Turns to Joker, his tone
way more serious now.
 THOMAS WAYNE
 I don't really give a shit what you
 believe.
 (steps in closer)
 But if you ever come to my house
 again, if you ever talk to my son
 again, if I ever even hear about
 you again, I'll--
AND JOKER CRACKS UP LAUGHING, interrupting his threat.
Laughing right in his face--
 THOMAS WAYNE
 Are you laughing at me?
Joker's laughing so hard he can't answer.
THOMAS SHOVES JOKER HARD UP AGAINST THE TILED WALL, gripping
his neck with one hand. Joker just cracks up louder, he drops
the dustpan and broom--
 THOMAS WAYNE
 (shouting)
 You think this is funny?
Thomas Wayne's security guards bang open the door, rushing
into the bathroom when they hear the shouting--
 74.
 They stop when they see Thomas has Joker jacked up against
 the wall.
 JOKER
 (tries shaking his head
 no; still laughing and
 choking)
 No, no I have a con--
 THOMAS WAYNE
 (interrupting; raising his
 voice)
 Is this a fucking joke to you?
 AND THOMAS WAYNE PUNCHES JOKER STRAIGHT IN THE FACE with his
 free hand, blood spraying from his nose--
72 EXT. WAYNE HALL, FRONT ENTRANCE - PLAZA - NIGHT 72
 The two security guards roughly throw Joker out of the hall,
 right in front of the drenched crowd of screaming protesters,
 TV cameras and photographers now on hand, bulbs flashing--
 Joker knowing how to take a fall, plays it up in front of
 this audience for all it's worth, tumbling end-over-end out
 onto the plaza in the rain--
 He rolls to his feet with a bit of panache and brushes
 himself off like it was nothing.
 The protesters go crazy, cheering and applauding his act--
 And Joker takes a deep dramatic bow. Wet hair. Bloody nose.
 He turns and sees the security guards coming back out--
 Joker takes off running through the plaza in the downpour,
 running out of the Center for Performing Arts. Turns down a
 side street almost slipping--
 And keeps running even though nobody's chasing after him.
 We HEAR the familiar beats of THE SUGARHILL GANG'S "Apache"
 as Joker just keeps running and running.
73 INT. APARTMENT BUILDING, HALLWAY - NIGHT 73
 Joker knocking on Sophie's apartment door, "Apache" blaring
 inside. He's soaking wet, clothes clinging to his body.
 There's no answer.
 75.
 He knocks again. Hard to hear anything over the loud music.
 Now he tries the door. It's unlocked.
74 INT. SOPHIE'S APARTMENT, FRONT HALL - CONTINUOUS 74
 Joker walks into Sophie's apartment, "Apache" thumping,
 lights dim.
 JOKER
 Sophie?
 WALKS INTO THE DARK LIVING ROOM, catches a glimpse of Sophie,
 naked riding on top of SOME GUY on the couch--
 The guy sees Joker standing in the shadows and jumps. Sophie
 turns and sees Joker as well. She screams--
75 INT. HALLWAY, APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT 75
 Joker rushing for his mother's apartment.
 Behind him, the guy comes out half naked into the hallway,
 zipping up his pants, screaming at Joker--
 Joker doesn't look back, doesn't hear the guy yelling at him--
 Quickly opens the door to his mother's apartment and hurries
 inside.
76 EXT. ARKHAM STATE HOSPITAL - MORNING 76
 A GRAY, BEHEMOTH STATE HOSPITAL looming over the city block.
 Metal screens cover steel-framed windows. Joker crosses the
 street toward the building, eyes weary, he hasn't slept in
 days.
 HE SEES TWO GOTHAM CITY COPS AND A PARAMEDIC rolling a gurney
 into the entrance... a naked, sunburned man screaming his
 head off is handcuffed to the stretcher underneath a white
 sheet. Joker follows them inside.
77 INT. ARKHAM STATE HOSPITAL - ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE - MORNING
 77
 Joker sits waiting in a cramped office, looking out a
 plexiglass window that overlooks the crowded hallway--
 76.
A constant din of people moving about, talking and shouting.
Patients handcuffed to the armrests of their wheelchairs,
lying on stretchers, heads covered with pillowcase turbans or
forearms to block out the harsh fluorescent lights.
His gaze is interrupted by a CLERK (40's), ID clipped to his
shirt, who's lugging an old heavy file storage box.
He drops the box down on his messy desk with a thud.
 CLERK
 Sorry for the wait. All our records
 that are 10 years or older are
 stored in the basement. You're
 talking over 30 years ago,-- I had 
 to do some serious digging.
Joker nods thanks.
 CLERK
 Like I said, if it's in here, I'm
 still gonna need a release from
 her.
The clerk opens the file box. Starts digging though it. Joker
stares out the plexiglass window that faces the hallway--
 JOKER
 Can I ask you a question? How does
 someone wind up in here? Have all
 these people committed crimes?
 CLERK
 (going through the files)
 Some have. Some are just crazy and
 pose a danger to themselves or
 others. Some just got nowhere else
 to go.
Beat.
 JOKER
 (nods; looks down)
 Yeah, I know how that is. Sometimes
 I don't know what to do, y'know, I
 don't think I can take any more of
 this.
The clerk is half listening as he scans the paper work.
 CLERK
 Yeah, I can't take much more of
 this shit either.
 (MORE)
 77.
 CLERK (CONT'D)
 Now they talking about more
 layoffs, man, we're understaffed as
 it is. I don't know what I'm gonna
 do.
Joker looks up at the guy, thinking he's made a connection.
 JOKER
 Last time I ended up taking it out
 on some,-- people. Bad shit. I
 thought it would bother me but, it
 really hasn't.
For the first time, the clerk looks at him--
 CLERK
 What's that?
 JOKER
 It's just so hard to try and be
 happy all the time, y'know, when
 everything's going to shit all
 around you.
 CLERK
 (taken aback; beat)
 Listen, I'm just an administrative
 assistant, like a clerk. I file
 paperwork, fill out forms. I don't
 really know what to tell you, but
 maybe you should see someone-- they
 have programs, like city services.
 JOKER
 (backtracking)
 Yeah. They cut those. Anyway, I was
 just talking to talk.
The clerk just nods. Finally finds what he was looking for.
 CLERK
 (surprised)
 Here it is,-- Fleck. Penny Fleck.
He pulls out an old file, bulging with yellowing records.
Moves the box to the floor and sits down at his desk.
 JOKER
 (saying it out loud for
 himself to hear)
 So she was a patient here.
The guy opens the file. Yellowing pages of her records--
 78.
 CLERK
 (nods, skim-reading)
 Uh-huh. Diagnosed by Dr. Benjamin 
 Stoner... The patient suffers from 
 delusional psychosis and 
 narcissistic personality 
 disorder... Found guilty of 
 endangering the welfare of a child-- 
The clerk stops reading out loud, eyes going wide as he skims 
further ahead. Joker just looks at the guy, waiting to see 
what he's gonna say. 
 JOKER
 What?
 CLERK 
 You said she's your mother?
Joker just nods.
 CLERK
 (closes the file)
 I'm sorry, I can't. Like I said, I
 can't release this without the
 proper forms. I could get in
 trouble.
 (closes the file; beat)
 Besides, it's pretty bad.
CLOSE ON JOKER, he shakes his head and smiles to himself.
 JOKER
 I can handle bad. I've been on a
 pretty bad run myself.
The clerk puts the file down on his desk--
 CLERK
 I can't help you. If you want these
 records you have to get your mom to
 sign a patient disclosure form. I
 can have someone mail you one.
Joker just sits there, thinking it all over for a moment.
Then snatches the file off the clerk's desk--
The clerk grabs it as well.
They play tug-of-war with the file, it's awkward and goes on
way too long. Finally, Joker shoves the guy hard and pulls
the file away--
 79.
 He takes off running out of the office with it. The clerk
 watches for a beat, but does nothing.
78 INT. HALLWAY, ARKHAM STATE HOSPITAL - MORNING 78
 Joker running down the hallway, files in his hands. Frantic.
 Unaware he is not being chased.
 Turns a corner and runs down another long hallway.
 Gets to a stairwell door and runs in.
79 INT. STAIRWELL, ARKHAM STATE HOSPITAL - CONTINUOUS 79
 Bounding down the steps. He stops at a landing below. Looks 
 up, sees no one is chasing after him-- 
 ANGLE ON JOKER, catching his breath. He opens the file,
 flipping through the records, finds the page the clerk was
 reading. As he reads it over for himself, he HEARS his mother 
 being interviewed for her psychiatric assessment, over 30 
 years ago. 
 MOM (VO) 
 He's not adopted-- he's Thomas 
 Wayne's son. I work for him, I told 
 you, I clean his house. He's always 
 smiling at me. 
 CUT TO: 
80 INT. EMERGENCY INTERVIEW ROOM, ARKHAM STATE HOSPITAL - DAY 80 
 (FLASHBACK) 
 Penny Fleck (late 20's) is sitting across the table from DR. 
 BENJAMIN STONER (50's), in a dreary small interview room, 
 windows covered with security screens. Penny takes a drag off 
 a cigarette, her face is beaten to shit, nose battered, lip 
 busted up. 
 Dr. Stoner is going over Penny's thick file, the same file 
 Joker's holding in his hands. 
 DR. STONER 
 We went over this, Penny. You 
 adopted him. We have all the 
 paperwork right here. 
 Penny doesn't say anything, just smiles like she's in on a 
 big secret. And exhales smoke. 
 80.
Dr. Stoner keeps going through the file, pulls out black & 
white forensic photographs of three-year-old Joker's body-- 
 DR. STONER 
 You also stood by as one of your 
 boyfriends repeatedly abused your 
 adopted son. And battered you. 
Penny looks at Dr. Stoner like he's crazy. 
 MOM 
 He didn't do anything to me. Or to 
 my boy. Can I go now, I don't like 
 hospitals. 
Dr. Stoner lays out the photographs in front of Penny-- 
Penny keeps smoking her cigarette, glances down at the 
photos, we catch glimpses of various bruises on parts of 
Joker's body... A filthy crib... A rope tied to the 
radiator... 
 CUT BACK TO: 
Joker looking over the same black & white photographs, still 
HEARS his mother-- 
 MOM (V0) 
 I never heard him crying. Not once. 
 He's always been such a happy 
 little boy. 
 DR. STONER (VO) 
 Penny, your son was found tied to a 
 radiator in your filthy apartment, 
 malnourished, with multiple bruises 
 across his body and severe trauma 
 to his head. 
Joker looks up from the file when he hears/reads this, turns 
and looks at Penny's reaction-- HE'S NOW IN THE INTERVIEW 
ROOM WITH THEM, living what he's reading on the page. 
He sees his mother lean forward in her chair, glaring at Dr. 
Stoner-- 
 MOM 
 That's not true. My apartment 
 wasn't filthy. I keep a clean 
 house. 
Joker just stares at his mother. 
Dr. Stoner looks at Penny, not sure how to respond to that. 
 81.
 DR. STONER 
 (beat) 
 And what do you have to say about 
 your son? 
 ANGLE ON PENNY, thinking it over, taking a drag off her 
 cigarette. 
 MOM 
 I'm just glad I got to know him. 
 Joker just keeps staring at her as she exhales-- 
 JOKER BACK IN THE STAIRWELL LOOKS UP FROM THE FILE, looks 
 like maybe there's cigarette smoke drifting in front of his 
 face-- 
 CUT TO: 
81 EXT. SCHOOL PLAYGROUND, STREET - AFTERNOON 81
 Joker walking fast toward the playground. Sees Sophie talking
 with some other moms, as GiGi and a few kids play on the
 monkey bars.
 Sophie walks toward him, still disturbed about last night--
 SOPHIE
 What the hell was that? You can't
 just walk into my apartment like
 that.
 He is taken aback by her anger--
 JOKER
 No, wait,-- Sophie, we can get
 through this, that's why I'm here.
 SOPHIE
 What are you talking about? What do
 you think this is?
 JOKER
 I don't know. I mean I've never
 been with a woman "like that," but,
 this feels like a beginning to me.
 SOPHIE
 Arthur, I was just being nice to
 you. I felt sorry for you. I have a
 boyfriend.
 82.
 JOKER
 You what? What? What kind of woman
 are you? Who does that?
Some of the other mothers turn toward them--
 SOPHIE
 You need to leave. I'm not having
 this conversation with you.
 JOKER
 (shouts)
 Why not?
GiGi runs up to Sophie's side to see what's going on, to see
if her mother's okay.
 SOPHIE
 (turns to her daughter)
 Go back with your friends, honey.
 Mommy's having a grown up talk.
Before GiGi leaves Joker looks down at her--
 JOKER
 No. Don't listen to her GiGi, you
 need to hear this. Your mother's a
 bad person. She's a whore, she's
 seeing two men at once. You can't
 trust her,-- She'll break your
 fucking heart.
Joker turns to go, behind him GiGi starts to cry. He's close
to tears himself.
Sophie takes off after him, and reaches out and grabs him--
Joker spins quickly around to face her, looks like he might
even hit her--
 JOKER
 How come nothing ever comes easy
 for me?
And Sophie slaps him hard across the face-- Then turns and
walks away.
CLOSE ON JOKER, he begins to laugh--
 CUT TO:
 83.
82 INT. MOM'S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 82
 Joker manically pacing around the living room, banging the 
 side of his head with his hand, muttering to himself, almost 
 like he's having a conversation with himself, taking part in 
 some story in his head, in the background the 11:00 News is 
 playing on the television. 
 Footage of a protest in front of Wayne Tower... Protesters in
 "Joker" clown masks... Hear the NEWS ANCHOR's bombastic voice
 over, "The anger and resentment that's been building up for
 weeks now, seems close to exploding. Protestors today, many
 dressed as clowns, took to the streets in front of Wayne
 Tower in one of many planned demonstrations."
 Joker stops when he hears this, turns to the flickering
 screen--
 ANGLE ON TELEVISION, protesters in the middle of a massive
 crowd outside a Wayne Tower.
 "CLOWN" PROTESTER #1 (ON TV)
 You'll see what's gonna happen at
 City Hall next Thursday. We're
 gonna--
 Joker sits down on the couch eyes, leaning forward to make
 sure he's seeing what he's seeing--
 "CLOWN" PROTESTER #2 (ON TV)
 (interrupts; screaming
 into camera)
 [Beep] the rich, [beep] the media,
 [beep] the blacks, [beep] the
 whites, [beep] everybody. They all
 [beeped] us, that's what this is
 [beeping] about!
 CLOSE ON JOKER, doesn't even blink, it's like he's watching
 himself on television.
 CUT TO:
83 INT. MOM'S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM - MORNING 83 
 Sun peeking through the windows. PHONE RINGING. Joker opening
 his eyes.
 His orange cat is sitting on his chest, staring at him.
 Joker finally got some sleep. He lies there for a beat. Phone
 still ringing, until the machine picks up the call.
 84.
 SHOW BOOKER (ON MACHINE)
 This message is for Arthur Fleck.
 My name is Shirley Woods, I work on
 the Murray Franklin show. 
Joker sits up, the cat jumps off his chest. He can't believe 
what he's hearing. He gets up off the couch as the woman 
continues to leave a message on the machine-- 
 SHOW BOOKER (ON MACHINE) 
 I don't know if you're aware, but 
 Murray played a clip of your stand- 
 up on the show recently and we've 
 gotten an amazing-- 
Joker picks up the phone-- 
 JOKER 
 (into phone; skeptical) 
 Who is this? 
 SHOW BOOKER (OVER PHONE) 
 Hi, this is Shirley Woods from 
 Murray Franklin Live. Is this 
 Arthur? 
Beat. 
 JOKER 
 (into phone) 
 Yes. 
Joker looks down at the cat purring at his feet, and kicks it 
away. 
 SHOW BOOKER (OVER PHONE) 
 Hi Arthur. Well, as I was saying-- 
 we've gotten a lot of calls about 
 your clip, amazing responses. And, 
 Murray asked if I would reach out 
 to see if you would come on as his 
 guest. Can we set up a day? 
PUSH IN ON JOKER'S FACE, as it sinks in. 
 JOKER 
 (into phone) 
 Murray wants me to come on the 
 show? 
 SHOW BOOKER (OVER PHONE) 
 Yes. Isn't that great? He'd love to 
 talk to you, maybe do some of your 
 act. Does that sound good to you? 
 85.
 As the PUSH IN ON JOKER finishes. 
 Hold. 
84 INT. CITY HOSPITAL, HOSPITAL ROOM (SHARED) - MORNING 84
 JOKER WALKS INTO HIS MOTHER'S SHARED HOSPITAL ROOM, passing
 an elderly wheezing woman in the bed closest to the door.
 Sees his mom in her bed by the window.
 He pulls the blue curtain separating the beds, giving him and
 his mother some privacy. Sits down on the edge of her bed.
 She smiles when she sees him. Still fairly incapacitated.
 He leans down close to her. Speaks softly, but filled with
 rage--
 JOKER
 Ma, remember how you used to tell
 me that God gave me this laugh for
 a reason. That I had a purpose. To
 bring laughter and joy into this
 fucked up world,--
 She looks at him confused. 
 JOKER
 HA! It wasn't God, it was you or, 
 or one of your boyfriends,-- how 
 could you let that happen? What
 kind of woman are you? What kind of
 mother are you?
 She looks away.
 JOKER
 What's my real name?
 Her whole body is shaking, overwhelmed with emotion.
 JOKER
 C'mon, Ma, I know I was adopted.
 What's my name? Who am I really?
 She looks back him, struggles to speak--
 MOM
 H-h-happ--
 JOKER
 (interrupting, snaps at
 her)
 (MORE)
 86.
 JOKER (CONT'D)
 Happy?! I'm not happy. I haven't
 been happy for one minute of my
 entire fucking life.
 He reaches behind her, grabs one of her pillows--
 JOKER
 But you know what's funny? You know
 what really makes me laugh?
 Leans down closer, face-to-face with her--
 JOKER
 I used to think my life was nothing
 but a tragedy, but now, now I
 realize it's all just a fucking 
 comedy.
85 INT. BLUE CURTAIN, HOSPITAL ROOM (SHARED) - CONTINUOUS 85
 Other side of the blue divider curtain. We see Joker's feet
 shifting a little.
 SLOWLY WE PULL OUT, backing out of the room. Leaving behind
 whatever Joker's doing to his mother on the other side of the
 curtain. And we HEAR applause... 
86 INT. MOM'S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 86 
 JOKER'S STUDYING VHS TAPES OF "MURRAY FRANKLIN LIVE!", studio 
 audience applauding Murray... He jots down notes in his worn 
 notebook... Watches the guests come out... how they cross the 
 stage... how they greet Murray... how they sit down... if 
 they cross their legs or not... studying how he should act, 
 how to be a person like other people. 
 His cat sits on top of the TV watching him the whole time, 
 never taking her eyes off him.
 JUMP CUT:
 Practicing. Joker walks across the living room like he's on
 the show, smiling, waving to the "audience"... He mimes
 shaking Murray's hand... Mimes unbuttoning his jacket and
 sits down. He smiles and pulls out his worn notebook from his 
 pocket-- 
 JOKER 
 You wanna hear a joke, Murray? 
 He "waits" for Murray to answer. Then Joker nods okay and 
 opens his notebook-- 
 87.
 JOKER 
 (reading) 
 Knock-knock. 
 His cat still watching him, now at his feet. Joker crosses
 and uncrosses his legs... Looks uncomfortable.
 He glances down at his cat. It's as if he can hear the cat
 talking to him.
 JOKER
 (nods; frustrated)
 Yeah, I don't know if I should
 cross or uncross 'em. Both feel
 completely unnatural.
 Joker gets up off the couch and walks back across the living 
 room. Waves to the "audience"... Mimes shaking Murray's
 hand... Mimes unbuttoning his coat and sits down... Crosses
 his legs.
 JOKER
 Thanks for having me on, Murray. I 
 can't tell you how much this means 
 to me, it's been a life long dream. 
 I have a joke for you-- 
 Joker stands back up.
 Looks down at the cat again.
 JOKER
 You're right. You're right,
 uncrossed is better.
 Joker sits back down... Doesn't cross his legs this time.
 CUT TO:
87 EXT. POTTER'S FIELD CEMETERY - DUSK 87
 WIDE SHOT, a lone figure in a vast sea of mass graves, grey 
 headstones. This is where they bury the poor and the
 unclaimed dead.
 Joker stands by his mother's grave. His head bowed, face in
 his hands, his body convulsing. He's dressed in an ill-
 fitting faded rust colored suit, almost shiny from all the
 wear. Behind him in the distance, the TWO DETECTIVES stand by
 their parked car on the cemetery roadway. Sun dying in the
 sky.
 88.
 CLOSE ON JOKER'S FACE BURIED IN HIS HANDS, see he's laughing--
 impossible to tell if he's laughing because of his condition
 or laughing for real.
88 EXT. ROADWAY, POTTER'S FIELD CEMETERY - DUSK 88
 Joker walking away from his mother's grave, goes to the two
 detectives -- GARRITY and BURKE -- waiting for him by their
 unmarked car. His face is still red, tears in his eyes from
 laughing.
 JOKER
 (wiping his eyes;
 restrained anger)
 You shouldn't be here. It's not
 right.
 DET. GARRITY
 We just came to pay our respects.
 Sorry about your mother.
 DET. BURKE
 Yeah, it's too bad.
 Joker just stares at the two detectives.
 Awkward beat.
 DET. BURKE
 Where is everybody?
 JOKER
 It's always been just me and her.
 Joker pauses for a moment, then starts to walk away.
 DET. BURKE
 (calls out)
 We saw you on Murray Franklin.
 Joker turns back to them.
 JOKER
 You saw that?
 DET. GARRITY
 Yeah. Heard you were on, so we got
 a videotape.
 DET. BURKE
 I just couldn't tell if you were
 actually trying to be funny or not.
 89.
 JOKER
 Yeah, well I guess you didn't get
 the joke.
 DET. GARRITY
 Listen, we need to clear a few
 things up, we spoke to the hospital
 administrator--
 JOKER
 (interrupting)
 Which hospital?
 DET. BURKE
 The Children's Hospital.
 (reminding)
 The night you were fired. He said
 it didn't look like a prop gun, it
 was heavy, like a real one. We have
 some more questions for you.
 JOKER
 I just buried my mother.
 The detectives share a look. Garrity pulls out a card. Hands
 it to Joker.
 DET. GARRITY
 We can do it tomorrow. But you need
 to come down to the precinct--
 first thing in the morning.
 JOKER
 (looks down, reading the
 card)
 Right. Thanks for coming.
 DET. BURKE
 Of course.
 Joker looks back up.
 JOKER
 That was a joke.
 We hear applause followed by the familiar opening riff to
 ELTON JOHN'S "Bennie & the Jets".
89 INT. MOM'S APARTMENT, BATHROOM - NEXT AFTERNOON 89 
 JOKER'S LEANING OVER THE BATHROOM SINK, water running. He's
 wearing rust colored pants and a white "beater" T-shirt.
 90.
 A "Joker" clown mask hangs off the dirty mirror by its
 elastic band. "Bennie & the Jets" blaring from a transistor
 radio turned all the way up.
 Joker lifts his head up. He's dyed his hair green like his
 old "Mr. Jingles" clown wig-- but he's missed spots. Some of
 his hair is still its original color, sticking out all helter-
 skelter.
 JUMP CUT:
 Now he's smearing white grease-paint all over his face.
 He's dancing along to the music, gyrating and thrusting his
 hips to the beat, as he glances at the mask hanging from the
 mirror, trying to copy how it looks... A copy of a copy of
 himself.
 He barely hears someone banging on the front door over the
 loud music--
 Doesn't answer. Joker just keeps putting on his make-up,
 dancing provocatively to the music.
 More banging on the front door.
 Joker casually opens the medicine cabinet. Finds some old
 rusty scissors and turns the radio off--
90 INT. FRONT DOOR, MOM'S APARTMENT - AFTERNOON 90 
 Joker unlocks the locks, keeping the security chain latched, 
 and cracks open the door,-- Sees Randall. Looks down, and 
 sees Gary next to him. Undoes the chain and opens the door 
 for them-- 
 Randall and Gary get a look at Joker's face, his dyed green 
 hair still wet, streaking white grease-paint smeared over 
 part of his face-- 
 GARY
 (re: his look)
 Hey Arthur, how's it going? You get
 a new gig?
 Joker shakes his head no, steps aside so they can come in, 
 palming the scissors in his hand--
 RANDALL
 You must be goin' down to that
 rally at City Hall. Right? I hear
 it's gonna be nuts.
 91.
 JOKER
 Is that today?
Randall looks at him and laughs--
 RANDALL
 Yeah. What's with the clown-face
 then?
Joker shuts the door behind them. Locks the chain-lock.
 JOKER
 My mom died.
 RANDALL 
 (nodding) 
 Yeah we heard. That's why we're 
 here. Figured you might wanna go 
 out, get a drink or something? 
Joker doesn't answer. 
Awkward beat. 
 GARY 
 We don't wanna bother you. Randall 
 just thought we should come and pay 
 our respects. 
 RANDALL 
 Yeah, we're family. We gotta stick 
 together. 
Joker stares at Randall. 
 JOKER 
 (beat) 
 It's not a good time. I'm in the 
 middle of something here. 
 GARY 
 Of course. No problem. Another 
 time. 
Gary turns to go. Randall pauses for a moment, has something 
else to say before he leaves-- 
 RANDALL 
 Yeah. Another time, then. Oh hey,-- 
 one other thing-- 
He takes a step closer to Joker-- 
 92.
 RANDALL 
 Listen, the cops have been poking 
 around the shop, they're talking to 
 all the clowns about those subway 
 murders and-- 
 GARY 
 (interrupting) 
 They didn't talk to me. 
 RANDALL 
 (snaps at Gary) 
 That's because the suspect was a 
 regular-sized person. If it was a 
 fucking midget you'd be in jail 
 right now. 
 (turns back to Joker) 
 Anyway, Hoyt said they were looking 
 for me, and, and I just wanna see 
 what you said. You know, make sure 
 our stories line up, bein' that 
 you're my boy and-- 
AND JOKER STABS THE SCISSORS AS DEEP AS HE CAN into Randall's 
neck. Blood spurts. Randall screams. Gary stumbles back in 
shock-- 
 GARY
 (screaming)
 What the fuck what the fuck WHAT
 THE FUCK--
Joker pulls them out and jams them into Randall's eye before
he can react. The sound is sickening. Gary's screaming in the
background--
Randall blindly fights back, screaming in pain, flailing his
arms, his own blood blinding him--
Joker grabs Randall by the head -- all of his pent up rage
and frustration pouring out of him -- AND SLAMS HIS HEAD
AGAINST THE WALL.
AGAIN. And AGAIN. And AGAIN.
Joker lets go of Randall's head, and Randall drops to the
ground. Joker leans back against the wall, out of breath,
kind of slides down the wall to the floor--
Sees Gary huddled in the corner, trembling with fear--
 93.
 JOKER
 (catching his breath)
 I'm gonna be on TV tonight. Can you
 believe it?
 Gary doesn't answer. Doesn't move--
 JOKER
 It's okay, Gary. You can go.
 Gary backs away toward the door. Joker sits there for a
 moment, breathing heavy, wipes Randall's blood off his face--
 GARY (OS)
 Hey, Art?
 Joker turns, sees Gary at the front door. He points up high
 to the chain-lock. He can't reach it.
 Joker just shakes his head to himself and gets up to unlock
 the door.
 He walks past Gary who's still trembling almost too afraid to
 look up at him. Joker leans over him and undoes the chain,
 opens the door. Gary bolts, running down the hallway as fast
 as he can--
 CUT TO:
91 INT. MOM'S BEDROOM, APARTMENT - LATE AFTERNOON 91 
 (Over the following, we don't see Joker's face. We don't
 reveal his finished "look" just yet.)
 CLOSE PICKING UP HIS NOTEBOOK, fanning through the pages-- 
 Pausing at the BLACK & WHITE RIPPED PHOTO OF BRUCE WAYNE for
 a moment. Continues, stopping at the same entry from the
 opening scene--
 CLOSE ON WORDS, "I just hope my death make more sense than my
 life."
92 INT. LIVING ROOM, MOM'S APARTMENT - LATE AFTERNOON 92 
 CLOSE ON TAKING RANDALL'S WALLET OUT OF HIS BLOOD SOAKED 
 PANTS, pocketing all the cash.
 CLOSE ON BUTT OF A GUN STICKING OUT OF RANDALL'S WAISTBAND, 
 glimpse Joker's hand reaching for it-- 
 94.
93 INT. KITCHEN, MOM'S APARTMENT - LATE AFTERNOON 93 
 JOKER'S P.O.V. FINISHING WRITING A NOTE, "On Murray Franklin 
 Tonight -- Please Watch!" 
 CLOSE ON STUFFING THE NOTE AND ALL OF RANDALL'S MONEY into an 
 envelope-- 
 TURNING ENVELOPE OVER, WRITING "SOPHIE" on the front. 
94 INT. LIVING ROOM WINDOW, MOM'S APARTMENT - LATE AFTERNOON 94 
 CLOSE ON THE ORANGE CAT AT THE WINDOW, and maybe if we're
 looking close enough we notice something strange... the cat
 has no reflection.
 ANGLE OVER JOKER'S SHOULDER OPENING THE WINDOW, shooing the 
 cat out onto the fire escape, out into the dying day-- 
 JOKER (OS)
 Go on. Go. You're free. 
 CLOSE ON THE CAT LOOKING BACK AT JOKER FOR A LONG MOMENT,
 before scampering off out into the world, leaving him behind
 for good.
 As he closes the window we almost catch Joker's reflection in
 the glass--
95 INT. HALLWAY, APARTMENT BUILDING - LATE AFTERNOON 95 
 FOLLOWING BEHIND JOKER, walking down the hallway as if in
 slow motion, heading for Sophie's apartment. His dyed green
 hair now slicked back.
 He's wearing the ill-fitting rust colored suit he wore to his
 mother's funeral.
 STILL FROM BEHIND, he lays the envelope in front of Sophie's 
 door, then pulls something else out of his pocket -- his body 
 obscuring what it is -- puts it down by her door and leaves. 
 As he walks away down the hallway, we see what else Joker 
 left behind-- 
 HIS WAND OF FLOWERS, at Sophie's door. 
 Hold. 
 95.
96 INT. ELEVATOR, HALLWAY - LATE AFTERNOON 96 
 FROM BEHIND JOKER STEPPING ONTO THE ELEVATOR, TURNING TO FACE 
 US AS THE DOOR STARTS TO CLOSE, FINALLY REVEALING HIS LOOK-- 
 Green hair slicked back like one of the Wall Street assholes 
 he killed... White grease paint smeared over his face... red 
 nose painted on... dark blue peaks over and under his eyes... 
 his mother's red lipstick crudely outlining his broken 
 smile... Under the harsh flickering fluorescent lights, he 
 looks like an insane version of his mask. 
 The door closes on his new face. Ding. 
97 EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - LATE AFTERNOON 97
 Joker steps out of his building into the setting sun, just as 
 Garrity and Burke are getting out of their unmarked Ford LTD 
 Crown Vic-- 
 DET. GARRITY 
 Hey Arthur, where you going? 
 DET. BURKE 
 Yeah, thought you were coming down 
 to the station this morning. 
 And Joker takes off running--
 Garrity gives chase on foot as Burke hurries back into the
 car-- 
98 EXT. 174TH STREET, TWO LANES - CONTINUOUS 98
 Joker darts out from his block into the avenue, sprints
 across the busy, two-lane street without looking--
 Running right in front of an oncoming YELLOW CAB on the far
 side of the street--
 BAM!
 The cab hits him and Joker goes crashing into the windshield.
 Bounces up and over the car. Landing hard on the pavement--
 The car directly behind the cab skids to a stop just before
 running over Joker's face. Swerving into the other lane and
 CRASHING INTO an oncoming truck.
 Cars on both sides of the street skidding trying to stop--
 Crashing. It's chaos.
 96.
 Joker pops back up from getting hit. He's in pain. But not
 dead.
 Garrity has drawn his service revolver as he makes his way
 through the pile up. And Burke, now blocked because of the
 crash has jumped out of his car--
 Joker takes off running, limping down the street toward an
 entrance for the elevated train--
99 EXT. ELEVATED TRAIN STATION, STEPS - CONTINUOUS 99
 Joker hustling up the stairs, dripping sweat, his white
 grease-paint running down his face. He gets to the top of the
 stairs, looks back and catches a glimpse of Garrity and Burke
 at the bottom--
100 EXT. PLATFORM, ELEVATED TRAIN STATION - CONTINUOUS 100
 Joker makes his way down the crowded platform, the passengers
 starting to file on a waiting Lexington Ave/Pelham Express
 Train heading downtown. The train's packed with protesters
 heading to the rally at City Hall. Many carrying signs...
 most of them in "Joker" masks... a few painted up to look
 like the "Joker" mask. Joker fits in with all of them. 
 He looks through the crowd of clowns and sees the two cops
 getting to the top of the stairs, looking up and down the
 platform for him. Pulling out their badges on chains from
 around their necks. Identifying themselves as cops.
 Joker's willing the doors to close. But they don't.
 The two detectives run onto the train just as the doors are
 finally closing--
101 INT. LEXINGTON AVE/PELHAM EXPRESS (MOVING) - CONTINUOUS 101
 Joker moves through the loud train pushing through the rowdy
 protesters-- Into the next car, all of them packed. 
 AS THE TRAIN GOES UNDERGROUND, the lights flicker on and off-- 
 car GOING BLACK FOR A FEW SECONDS as the train turns and dips 
 and speeds down the tracks. 
 Joker glances back at Burke and Garrity pulling out their 
 badges on chains around their necks. Smith & Wesson service 
 revolvers by their sides. Shouting at the crowd, identifying 
 themselves as cops. 
 97.
Joker hears some on the train shouting back in anger at the 
police, keeps moving... past clown-faced protestors carrying 
signs, "RESIST"... "AM I A CLOWN?"... "SAVE A CITY, KILL A 
YUPPIE"... 
The two cops push through the car, scanning all the "clown" 
faces... So many look like Joker. They just shove protesters 
out of the way, shouting at them all the while. A few more 
voices rising up in protest-- 
Joker feels Burke and Garrity behind him getting closer. In 
the flickering light sees a DRUNK GUY (20's) wearing a 
'Joker' mask and pulls it right off his face-- 
The drunk guy turns ready to fight. 
He throws a punch at Joker, and Joker steps out of the way-- 
The guy pummels someone else-- 
A FIGHT BREAKS OUT, spilling down the car. 
Joker slips the clown mask over his clown face-- 
AND JUST STANDS THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CHAOS, at home 
with the chaos all around him-- 
Garrity and Burke spot Joker's rust colored suit in the 
middle of the unruly mob-- 
Burke pulls his gun-- 
 BURKE 
 (shouting) 
 EVERYBODY DOWN, GOTHAM PD! 
The crowd doesn't drop to the ground. They just keep fighting 
with each other-- 
Burke sees Joker just standing there. Keeps yelling for the 
crowd to get down, get down, but they don't listen to him-- 
He starts shoving protestors down, out of the way-- and 
AND THEN THE MOB TURNS ON HIM AND GARRITY, starts closing in 
around them-- 
Garrity and Burke are pointing their guns at the crowd, 
yelling panicked for them to back off, back off, and one 
idiot reaches for Garrity's gun-- 
Bang. 
 98.
 Burke fires into the crowd, as the train pulls into the 
 station-- 
 A protestor falls dead. The other clowns on the train go 
 crazy, starting to riot. Glimpse Joker walking away calmly 
 out of the chaos. Taking off the mask and dropping it at his 
 side as he steps off the train, disappearing onto the crowded 
 platform. 
 CUT TO: 
102 EXT. WGCTV STUDIOS, FRANKLIN THEATER - MIDTOWN - EVENING 102 
 An excited line of ticket holders waiting to get in to "Live
 with Murray Franklin!" The poster marquee box near the door
 reads: "TONIGHT'S GUESTS. Lance Reynolds. Dr. Sally Friedman.
 And Special Guest."
 They swing open the doors and start to let the audience
 inside...
103 EXT. BACKSTAGE DOOR, FRANKLIN THEATER - SIDE STREET - EVENING
 103 
 Random fans and autograph hounds hanging out by the backstage
 door, waiting for the night's guests to arrive...
104 INT. STUDIO 4B, STAGE - FRANKLIN THEATER - EVENING 104 
 Studio audience filing into the studio, being seated in the
 wide bleachers along one wall. Three TV monitors hang from
 the ceiling, facing the audience. Three studio cameras on the
 floor, black cables strewn everywhere.
 The set for "LIVE WITH MURRAY FRANKLIN!" is dark... but we
 can still make out his desk... guest chairs... Don Ellis and
 his Jazz Orchestra's band stand... big blue curtain.
105 INT. HALLWAY, FRANKLIN THEATER - EVENING 105
 The host of the show, MURRAY FRANKLIN (60's), usually quick
 with a bemused grin but right now in a sour mood, walks fast
 down the hall toward the drab dressing rooms with his old-
 school producer, GENE UFLAND (60's), who's holding the show's
 rundown rolled up in his hand.
 GENE UFLAND
 --You gotta see this nut for
 yourself, Murray. I don't think we
 can put him on. With the rioting 
 out there. 
 99.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 (annoyed)
 Jesus, Gene, I don't have time for
 this. Cindy's been breaking my
 balls all day.
 GENE UFLAND
 She's still mad at you about that
 thing?
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 Three marriages, you'd think I'da
 fuckin' learned something.
 (then)
 What do I gotta see? I already know
 he's a nut. That's why we're
 putting him on, it's a goof.
 A young BLONDE INTERN walks by in the opposite direction. She
 nervously smiles to them and keeps walking. Both men turn and
 check out her ass. Murray winks at Gene.
 GENE UFLAND
 (just shakes his head, and
 smiles)
 I'm telling you, you gotta see him,
 Murray. I think it's too risky, the
 show's too big. It's worth too much
 to blow it on this,-- this freak.
106 INT. DRESSING ROOM, FRANKLIN THEATER - CONTINUOUS 106
 Joker's sitting on a small couch in the cramped dressing
 room, watching the local news on a TV that's mounted up on
 the wall, live shots from the subway station where Burke shot 
 the protestor, footage of the City Hall rally, clashes with 
 police. 
 He's cleaned himself up as best he could... white grease-
 paint smeared more evenly over his face, green dyed hair
 slicked back in place. Red lips redone.
 Murray and his producer Gene open the dressing room door
 without knocking--
 Joker gets up off the couch and goes to shake Murray's hand.
 Murray pauses when he sees Joker's face.
 JOKER
 (shakes Murray's hand;
 effusive)
 Murray, I can't believe this is
 real, that I'm really here.
 100.
 GENE UFLAND
 It's Mr. Franklin kid, show some
 respect.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 Oh shut up, Gene.
 (to Joker)
 Murray is fine. I prefer it in
 fact. Thanks for coming on the
 show.
 JOKER
 Are you kidding? Thank you for the
 opportunity. I've been watching you
 forever. My mother never missed a
 show.
Murray nods not listening, he's heard this before.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 So what's with the face? Are you
 part of the protests?
 JOKER
 No, I don't believe in any of that.
 I don't believe in anything. I just
 thought it would be good for my
 act.
 GENE UFLAND 
 (upset) 
 Your act? Didn't you hear that a 
 kid got killed on the subway and 
 two cops who were almost beat to 
 death? You didn't hear about the 
 dozens of protestors and police 
 injured in the riots? 
Joker looks like he's about to bust out laughing. All of that 
news is playing out on the TV above their heads. He takes a 
deep breath. Swallows the laugh. 
Beat.
 JOKER
 No. I hadn't heard.
Gene and Murray share a look.
 GENE UFLAND
 --the audience is gonna go crazy if
 you put him on. It was okay maybe
 for a bit, but not a whole segment.
 101.
Murray thinks about it for a beat.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 I like it. It's timely. It's edgy.
 It's, it's dangerous. The best
 comedy is all those things put
 together.
 (done)
 We're gonna go with it.
Gene rubs his temples, he doesn't like this, but Murray is
the boss.
 JOKER
 Thank you Murray.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 (flashes his bemused
 smile; condescending)
 Couple rules though,-- No cussing,
 no off-color material, we do a
 clean show, okay? You'll be on
 after Dr. Sally. Someone will come
 and get you. Good?
Joker nods good. Smiles back at Murray.
Murray and Gene turn to go, exchanging smirks with each other
as they walk out, making light of Joker who we see behind
them still standing there.
 JOKER
 Hey Murray,-- one small thing? When
 you bring me out, can you introduce
 me as "The Joker"?
Murray and Gene look back at him
 GENE UFLAND
 What? You don't want to use your
 real name?
 JOKER
 Honestly, I don't even know what my
 real name is.
Joker smiles, the guys can't tell if he's kidding or not.
 JOKER
 Besides, that's what you called me
 on the show, Murray. A joker.
 Remember?
 102.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 (to Gene; trying not to
 crack up)
 Did I?
 GENE UFLAND
 I have no idea.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 (turns back to Joker)
 Well, if you say so, kid. Joker it
 is.
 Murray starts to laugh at Joker as he closes the dressing
 room door, shutting it right in his face.
 CUT TO:
107 INT. BACKSTAGE, BEHIND CURTAIN - STUDIO 4B - NIGHT 107
 JOKER'S BACKSTAGE AT THE EDGE OF THE BLUE CURTAIN, trying to
 watch the show through a slim gap. Behind him there's a
 monitor on a cart playing the live feed.
 He moves the curtain aside to get a better look-- Glimpses
 Murray laughing, finishing up talking to noted sex therapist
 DR. SALLY FRIEDMAN (60's).
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 (to Dr. Sally)
 You gotta see our next guest for
 yourself. Will you stick around?
 Maybe you can help, I'm pretty sure
 he could use a doctor.
 The audience laughs.
 DR. SALLY FRIEDMAN
 Oh. Does he have sexual problems?
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 He looks like he's got a lot of
 problems.
 Another big laugh.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 (turns, looks into camera)
 It's been a crazy few days here in
 Gotham, and, I think maybe things
 are about to get crazy around here
 too. Don't go anywhere folks. We'll
 be right back.
 103.
 APPLAUSE SIGN LIGHTS UP. Everyone claps. Joker keeps watching 
 Murray through the slim gap at the end of the curtain. Hears
 the floor director shout, "And we're out. Back in three." 
 Joker adjusts the waist of his pants under his jacket. Takes 
 a deep breath. 
108 INT. DIRECTOR'S BOOTH, STUDIO 4B - NIGHT 108
 Perched one story above the studio. There's a long console
 where the DIRECTOR sits in front of a gooseneck microphone,
 looking over a double-bank of monitors.
 Sitting next to him are the ASSOCIATE PRODUCER who times the
 show, and the TECHNICAL DIRECTOR who operates the board. The
 monitor showing the live feed is playing a commercial.
 ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
 Back in 30 seconds.
 DIRECTOR
 Okay, cue the clip. We'll come to
 it straight out of break.
 ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
 Five... Four... Three...
 DIRECTOR
 Roll clip. Put up the show graphic.
 ON THE SHOW MONITOR, video of Joker's original stand-up
 performance comes up with the show's graphic in the lower
 right of the screen.
109 INT. TALK SHOW SET, STAGE - STUDIO 4B - CONTINUOUS 109
 ON THE SET, Murray watches the clip on the monitor above his
 desk, can't help but laugh. Sees the FLOOR DIRECTOR counting
 him down silently with her fingers... Three... Two... points
 to Camera One.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 (looking into camera)
 O-kay, you may have seen that clip
 of our next guest when we first
 played it two weeks ago. Now before
 he comes out, I just want to say
 that we're all heartbroken here and
 sensitive to what's going on in the
 city tonight. But, this is how he
 wanted to come on the show. So let
 me introduce-- The Joker.
 104.
BEHIND THE BLUE CURTAIN, Joker gathers himself, ready for his
moment. Doesn't hear his introduction or see a STAGEHAND pull
open the curtain for him to go out--
ON SET, THE CURTAIN'S OPEN, Don Ellis and his Jazz Orchestra
are playing Joker on. He doesn't come out. Murray looks over
to the empty space in the curtain.
The audience laughs.
BEHIND THE CURTAIN, Joker sees the stagehand motioning for
him to go out on stage. Joker starts out, pausing when he
takes a step into the bright lights. The stagehand doesn't
see him stop, and drops the curtain back on Joker before the
audience can really see his face--
Tangling Joker up in the curtain.
The audience keeps laughing thinking it's part of his act.
The band keeps playing him on. Joker untangles himself from
the curtain and the audience gets a good look at him.
Some continue laughing. A few boo. Most don't know what to
make of him.
Joker walks across the stage, forgetting to wave like he
practiced. He trips over the riser surrounding the set when
he goes to shake Murray's hand. Almost falls on him.
Murray tries not to crack up. The audience laughs. Thinks
it's part of Joker's act.
Joker reaches out to hug Dr. Sally as she goes in for a
handshake. Another awkward moment. More laughs.
Joker finally sits down next to Murray. Crosses and uncrosses
his legs. Can't get comfortable.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 So, ahhh, thanks for coming on the
 show. But I gotta tell ya, with
 what happened at City Hall today,
 I'm sure many of our viewers here
 in the studio, and at home, might
 find this look of yours in poor
 taste.
Joker's not listening to Murray. He's mesmerized by all the
lights shining on him... all the eyes on him... he doesn't
answer Murray.
Nervous laughter from the audience.
 105.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 (tries again)
 Can you tell us why you're dressed
 like this?
 AND JOKER STARTS TO LAUGH. Not embarrassed of it anymore. He
 goes with it. Giving in to it, enjoying the laughter.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 (can't help but smile at
 Joker's laughing)
 Okay. But I'm not sure how any of
 this is funny. A lot of those
 protesters are going with this
 look. City seems to be full of
 clowns these days.
 JOKER
 (just nods, still
 laughing)
 Yeah. Isn't it great?
 Joker just keeps cracking up. Audience still isn't sure what
 to make of him. There's some awkward laughter.
110 INT. DIRECTOR'S BOOTH, STUDIO 4B - CONTINUOUS 110
 Nobody's laughing in the booth.
 TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
 (looks to the director)
 This guy's got nothing.
 DIRECTOR
 (hits the producer's talk
 button; into the mic)
 Gene, what the hell? You wanna kill
 this?
111 INT. TALK SHOW SET, STAGE - CONTINUOUS 111
 Murray glances over at his producer Gene Ufland, who's
 sitting off-camera on a director's chair by a monitor. Gene
 shrugs at him.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 (smiles; trying to save
 the interview)
 So when we talked earlier, you
 mentioned that you aren't
 political. That this look isn't a
 political statement.
 106.
 JOKER
 (between laughs)
 That's right. I'm not political,
 Murray. I'm, I'm, I'm just trying
 to make people laugh.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 (beat; smiles)
 How's that goin' for ya? Have you
 been working on any new material?
 Do you want to tell us a joke?
The audience claps, egging Joker on to tell a joke.
Joker looks over at Murray -- his laughing fit finally
subsiding -- and reaches into his jacket pocket and--
Pulls out his worn notebook, catching his breath. Looks
through it to find a new joke.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 You brought a joke book?
The audience laughs. Joker smiles, opens the page to Bruce
Wayne's photo, pauses for a moment then turns the page. Finds
a joke--
 JOKER
 (reading)
 Okay. Here's one. Knock knock.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 Oh god, a knock-knock joke? And you
 need to read it?
 JOKER
 (nods, reads it again)
 I want to get it right. Knock
 knock.
Murray makes a face like, "Okay, I'll go along with this."
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 Who's there?
 JOKER
 (looks up from his
 notebook)
 It's the police, ma'am. Your son
 has been hit by a drunk driver.
 He's dead.
Beat.
 107.
112 INT. DIRECTOR'S BOOTH, STUDIO 4B - CONTINUOUS 112
 The associate producer tries not to laugh, but she can't help
 it. The director looks over at her like she's lost her mind.
 DIRECTOR
 (shakes his head)
 Okay, ready Camera Two. Take Two.
 Ready Three. Three.
 ON THE MONITORS, some of the audience cracks up. Joker smiles
 at the response. Murray Franklin shakes his head, smirking at
 the joke despite himself.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN (ON MONITORS)
 So, Arthur, you told me backstage
 that your--
 Joker leans over interrupting Murray, whispers something to
 him.
113 INT. TALK SHOW SET, STAGE - STUDIO 4B - CONTINUOUS 113
 Murray nods as Joker whispers.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 (bemused smile;
 patronizing)
 Right. Sorry. I mean Joker-- you
 told me backstage that your
 mother's a big fan of the show,
 that she never misses it.
 Joker puts the notebook back in his pocket. Crosses his legs,
 starting to get a bit more comfortable.
 JOKER
 That's right, Murray. But she's
 dead now.
 The audience laughs.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 (goes along with the
 "joke")
 Hold on. Your mother's dead?
 JOKER
 Yeah. She is.
 Murray's not sure if this is part of his act.
 108.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 Okay. What about your father? Does
 he watch the show?
Laughter from the crowd.
 JOKER
 I don't know who my father is,
 Murray. Turns out I was adopted and
 sexually assaulted by my mother's
 boyfriend.
A few in the audience groan. A couple even laugh. Still think
it's just Joker's edgy, off-kilter sense of humor.
Don Ellis plays "wha-wha-wha-whuuuuh" on his trumpet from the
band stand.
 DR. SALLY FRIEDMAN
 Ahhhh! No, no,-- You can not joke
 about that.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 (shakes his head;
 irritated)
 Yeah, that's not funny, that's not
 the kind of humor we do on this
 show.
Murray glances over at Gene in the wings. He gives him the
"wrap it up" sign.
 JOKER
 (just keeps going, on a
 roll)
 Sorry. It's been a rough few
 months, Murray. I mean, after my
 mother died, the police came to
 question me at her funeral. Who
 does that?
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 (too easy)
 Oh really? Were you a suspect?
The audience laughs.
 JOKER
 Very funny, Murray. No, they came
 because I killed those three Wall
 Street guys.
Beat.
 109.
 Studio audience can't tell if he's joking or not. Murray
 can't either.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 (looks at him confused)
 Okay. I'm waiting for the
 punchline.
 JOKER
 There is no punchline. It's not a
 joke.
114 INT. DIRECTOR'S BOOTH, STUDIO 4B - CONTINUOUS 114
 The director stares at the monitor.
 DIRECTOR
 Did he just confess to killing the
 Wall Street Three?
 TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
 (horrified)
 Yeah. I think he did.
 ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
 (turns to the director,
 nods)
 He definitely did.
 DIRECTOR
 Jesus Christ.
 (hits the camera talk
 button, into mic)
 Camera Three, get in close.
 ANGLE ON MONITOR, Camera Three zooming in close on Joker's
 face.
115 INT. TALK SHOW SET, STAGE - CONTINUOUS 115
 Gene Ufland is now standing up from his chair. Motions for
 Murray to kill the interview. Murray shakes his head to
 himself. This is a big "get," it could be great television.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 (turns back to Joker; with
 gravitas)
 You're serious, aren't you? You're
 telling us you killed those three
 boys on the subway. Why should we
 believe you?
 110.
 JOKER
 (shrugs)
 I got nothing left to lose, Murray.
 Nothing can hurt me anymore. This
 is my fate, it was always my fate.
 My life is nothing but a comedy.
116 INT. SOPHIE'S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS 116
 Sophie's sitting on her couch watching this interview play
 out on TV. GiGi's asleep next to her. The open envelope and 
 the money are lying on the coffee table. No sign of the 
 flowers anywhere. 
 MURRAY FRANKLIN (ON TV)
 Let me get this straight, you think
 killing those young men is funny?
 JOKER (ON TV)
 Yeah. But comedy is subjective,
 isn't that what they say? Besides,
 the way I see it, what happened was
 a good thing. All of you, Gotham,
 the system that knows so much, you
 decide, you decide what's right and
 wrong. What's real or what's made
 up. The same way you decide what's
 funny or not.
 Sophie edges forward on the couch, can almost see a hint of
 agreement on her face.
117 INT. TALK SHOW SET, STAGE - STUDIO 4B - CONTINUOUS 117
 Back on set, we can tell by the way Murray's now interviewing
 Joker, talking to him slower, more thoughtfully, that he
 thinks this is gonna get him an Emmy... Maybe even a Peabody.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 (beat)
 Okay, I think I understand. You did
 it to start a movement, to become a
 symbol.
 JOKER
 C'mon, Murray, do I look like the
 kind of clown who could start a
 movement? I killed those guys 
 because they were awful. 
 Everybody's awful these days. It's
 enough to make anyone crazy. 
 111.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 So that's it, you're crazy. That's
 your defense for killing three
 young men? Because they were mean 
 to you? 
 JOKER
 No. They couldn't carry a tune to 
 save their lives. 
Some audible groans from the audience. 
 JOKER 
 Why is everyone so upset about 
 these guys? Because Thomas Wayne 
 went and cried about them on TV?
 MURRAY FRANKLIN 
 You have a problem with Thomas
 Wayne, too?
 JOKER
 Yeah. I do. Everything comes so
 easy for him.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 And what's wrong with that?
 JOKER
 Have you seen what it's like out
 there, Murray? Do you ever actually 
 leave the studio? Everybody just 
 yells and screams at each other. 
 Nobody's civil anymore. Nobody
 thinks what it's like to be the
 other guy. You think men like 
 Thomas Wayne, men at ease, ever
 think what it's like to be a guy
 like me? To be anybody but
 themselves.
 (shaking his head, voice
 rising)
 They don't. They think we'll all
 just sit there and take it like
 good little boys. That we won't
 werewolf and go wild. Well, this is 
 for all of you out there.
Joker "howls at the moon." It's fucking weird.
 112.
118 INT. STATION SQUAD ROOM - 7TH PRECINCT - CONTINUOUS 118
 OFFICERS AND DETECTIVES JUMPING INTO ACTION, rushing past a
 small portable black & white television sitting on one of the
 desks, hear one of them shout--
 POLICE LIEUTENANT (OS)
 That asshole just confessed to
 killing those Wall Street guys on
 fucking live TV!
 ANGLE ON THE LITTLE TV, TIGHT TWO-SHOT OF JOKER looking at
 Murray.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN (ON TV)
 (shakes his head)
 So much self-pity, Arthur. You
 sound like you're making excuses
 for killing three young men. Not
 everybody's awful. 
119 INT. TALK SHOW SET, STAGE - STUDIO 4B - CONTINUOUS 119
 Back on set. Joker looks straight at Murray.
 JOKER
 You're awful, Murray.
 There is no more laughter. The audience is watching this
 exchange with full attention.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 Me? How am I awful?
 JOKER
 Playing my video, inviting me on 
 the show,-- You just wanted to make 
 fun of me. Well it's easy to laugh 
 at Frankenstein on a crowded beach, 
 isn't it? You're just like the rest 
 of them, Murray. Everything comes
 too easy for you.
 MURRAY FRANKLIN
 (on the spot; defensive)
 You don't know the first thing
 about me, pal. Look what happened
 because of what you did, Arthur,
 what it led to. There are riots out
 there. Two policemen are in 
 critical condition, someone was 
 killed today. 
 113.
 Joker nods in agreement, yeah, it's because of what he did. 
 JOKER 
 How about another joke, Murray? 
 What do you get when you cross a 
 mentally-ill loner with a system
 that abandons him and treats him
 like trash?
 Murray pauses for a minute, not really listening to Joker,
 suddenly realizing the seriousness of the situation. He
 starts to turn to camera--
 JOKER
 (pulls Randall's gun) 
 I'll tell you what you get. You get 
 what you fucking deserve,-- 
 And as Murray Franklin turns back to him, JOKER SHOOTS THE
 SIDE OF MURRAY'S HEAD OFF--
 Blood splatters all over the back of the set. Some spraying
 in Joker's face. AUDIENCE SCREAMS! Dr. Sally dives for the
 floor.
120 INT. SOPHIE'S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS 120
 Sophie screams and jumps to her feet horrified! Waking up
 GiGi who starts to cry when she sees what's on television--
 ON THE TELEVISION, Joker gets up and walks right up to the
 camera. Blood sprayed over his white painted face. Hear the
 studio audience still screaming, bedlam all around him.
 JOKER (ON TV)
 (looks straight into
 camera; screams Murray's
 signature sign off)
 GOOD NIGHT AND ALWAYS REMEMBER,-- 
 THAT'S LIFE! 
 And as Joker waves goodbye to the home audience, a black & 
 white "INDIAN-HEAD TEST PATTERN" cuts off the show-- 
 "PLEASE STAND BY"
 HERB ALPERT'S "Spanish Flea" plays underneath.
 Beat.
 114.
121 INT. TALK SHOW SET, STAGE - CONTINUOUS 121
 BACK LIVE IN THE STUDIO, JOKER'S TACKLED BY TWO SECURITY 
 GUARDS AND SOME STAGEHANDS, still hear screams of terror from 
 the audience around him. 
 HIS FACE HITS THE SHINY FLOOR AS IF IN SLOW MOTION-- 
 And we HEAR the soft and familiar opening to FERRANTE & 
 TEICHER's piano version of "Send in the Clowns". 
 CUT TO: 
122 INT. GOTHAM SQUAD CAR (MOVING), GOTHAM STREETS - NIGHT 122 
 JOKER GAZING OUT THE WINDOW, at all the violence and madness 
 in the city. We only see it in the reflection of the glass... 
 the fires burning... the mob crowding the streets. Joker's 
 handcuffed in the back of the squad car moving slowly through 
 the rioting, sirens wailing, red lights flashing, blood still 
 splattered on his face. 
 STAY ON JOKER'S FACE AS HE HEARS THE POLICE RADIO CRACKLING, 
 reports of rioters in "Joker" masks setting fires, breaking 
 windows, looting stores. 
 The images reflected in the window start to speed up as the 
 officer driving weaves faster through the chaos. 
 POLICE OFFICER #1 (OS) 
 Look what you caused, you freak, 
 the whole city's on fire because of 
 you. 
 AND JOKER BANGS HIS HEAD HARD AGAINST THE STEEL MESH CAGE-- 
 BAM. 
 POLICE OFFICER #2 (OS) 
 Keep it up, asshole. Watch what 
 happens when we get to the station. 
 HE BANGS HIS HEAD AGAIN. BAM. BAM. Some blood is forming on 
 his forehead-- 
 POLICE OFFICER #1 (OS) 
 (glancing at Joker in the 
 back seat, shouting) 
 -- Calm the fuck down, you're not 
 going anywhere! 
 And when the cop driving turns back, catch a glimpse of 
 someone or something running out into the street in front of 
 the speeding squad car-- 
 115.
 CLOSE ON JOKER AS THE SQUAD CAR SWERVES OUT OF THE WAY, Joker 
 banging up against the door-- 
 CRAAAASSSHHHHHH!!!! 
 The squad car hits a parked car hard and flips over, sliding 
 across the street on its roof-- 
123 EXT. SQUAD CAR (SLIDING), STREET - CONTINUOUS 123 
 SPARKS FLY UNTIL FINALLY THE UPSIDE DOWN SQUAD CAR COMES TO A 
 STOP. Smoke rising from the wreck. Ferrante & Teicher's piano 
 only version of "Send in the Clowns" still playing... 
 Both police officers in the front seat are either unconscious 
 or dead. We see movement in the back seat, hard to tell 
 what's going on inside. 
 Suddenly the back door kicks open-- 
 And Joker falls out of the car, landing hard on the street, 
 one hand free, handcuffs dangling from his other hand. Hear 
 sirens in the distance-- 
 JOKER LEANS BACK AGAINST THE CAR, his face bloody, his body 
 broken from the crash. Sitting there amongst the wreckage, 
 can still see and hear the chaos, the fires burning all 
 around him. He reaches for a jagged shard of broken glass-- 
 And pauses for moment catching his breath, hand holding the 
 jagged glass resting on his lap, wailing sirens getting 
 closer, looks like he's about to cut his wrists-- 
124 EXT. MOVIE THEATER, STREET - UPTOWN - CONTINUOUS 124 
 A WELL-HEELED CROWD LETTING OUT OF A MOVIE THEATER, the 
 violence has even reached up here, the nice part of town... 
 Sirens wailing, gangs of punks wearing "Joker" masks running 
 past, breaking car windows, fires burning... Catch a glimpse 
 of the lit up marquee listing the films playing, "Blow Out" 
 and "Zorro the Gay Blade". Hear "Send in the Clowns" still 
 playing... 
 FROM BEHIND SEE A SILHOUETTED COUPLE AND THEIR KID hurry down 
 the dark side of the street, ducking into an alley to avoid 
 the chaos-- 
 Catch a glimpse of a punk in a "Joker" mask following after 
 them pulling a gun-- 
 116.
125 EXT. SQUAD CAR (UPSIDE DOWN), STREET - CONTINUOUS 125 
 Joker lifts the jagged shard of glass, handcuff swinging... 
 Passes by his wrist... And starts cutting into the slit on 
 one corner of his mouth, making his smile longer and wider. 
 Blood pouring down his face, onto his hand... 
 Joker tearing into the other side of his mouth, jagged glass 
 ripping into his flesh, spurting blood, handcuff swinging-- 
 Sirens on top of him, red lights flashing over his face-- 
 ANGLE ON JOKER LIT UP RED, done cutting his smile, letting go 
 of the jagged bloody shard... Leans his head back against the 
 squad car, and closes his eyes, covered in his own blood. 
 He's finished. 
 Now he is the Joker. 
126 EXT. ALLEY, MOVIE THEATER - CONTINUOUS 126 
 FROM BEHIND, FAMILY IN THE SHADOWS sees the guy's eyes go 
 wide behind the mask, pointing his gun, music swelling-- 
 PUNK 
 (shouting) 
 You still think we're all fucking 
 clowns? 
 And the punk shoots the man. Reaches out and grabs something 
 off the woman's neck before he shoots her as well. Both fall 
 to the ground dead. Revealing their young son standing behind 
 them-- 
 CLOSE ON EIGHT-YEAR-OLD BRUCE WAYNE, closing his eyes as 
 blood sprays across his face. He opens his eyes and looks up 
 scared at the man in the "Joker" mask who killed his parents, 
 Thomas and Martha Wayne. "Send in the Clowns" ends. 
 CUT TO BLACK. 
 A long beat. 
 HEAR LAUGHTER. 
 The sound of a man totally cracking up. 
 FADE IN: 
127 INT. ARKHAM STATE HOSPITAL, INTERVIEW ROOM - MORNING 127 
 CLOSE ON JOKER, tears in his eyes from laughing so hard. He's 
 enjoying it, not trying to get it under control. 
 117.
His head's been shaved. He looks medicated or maybe even 
lobotomized. Wearing white institutional clothes. 
HIS NEW SMILE IS ALL STITCHED UP, cut deep up the corners of 
his mouth. Forming a longer, "happier" smile. 
He's sitting across from an overworked HOSPITAL DOCTOR 
(50's), African American woman. Somehow it's the exact same 
room Joker imagined his mother was in some 30 years ago. The 
room and the doctor also look vaguely similar to the social 
worker and her office in the opening scene. 
The doctor just sits there, waiting for him to stop laughing. 
A weathered notebook is on the table in front of him. 
Finally, Joker stops himself. 
 HOSPITAL DOCTOR 
 What's so funny? 
He takes a deep breath, his eyes are glazed over. His voice 
is scratchy, like he doesn't use it much. 
 JOKER 
 -- just thinking of this joke. 
 HOSPITAL DOCTOR 
 Do you want to tell it to me? 
Beat. 
 JOKER 
 No. 
 HOSPITAL DOCTOR 
 Because you don't think I'll get 
 it? 
 JOKER 
 Because it's personal, it's between 
 me and him. 
Beat. 
 HOSPITAL DOCTOR 
 Okay. Is the medication working? 
 How's your sleeping? 
 JOKER 
 (nods yes) 
 ... 
 HOSPITAL DOCTOR 
 How are you feeling? 
 118.
 JOKER 
 Good. Everything's good now. 
 HOSPITAL DOCTOR 
 Have you been writing in your 
 journal? 
 Joker slowly nods. 
 HOSPITAL DOCTOR 
 Great. I want to make sure you're 
 keeping up with it. 
 JOKER 
 (beat) 
 Yeah. 
 HOSPITAL DOCTOR 
 Have you written about your 
 episode? About what happened? 
 JOKER 
 How I remember it. 
 HOSPITAL DOCTOR 
 (re: the journal) 
 Can I see? 
 Joker slides his journal across to her. She picks it up and 
 flips through the pages-- 
 ANGLE ON JOURNAL, blank page after blank page, there's 
 nothing inside of it. 
 The doctor looks up at him confused. 
 ANGLE ON JOKER, a smile creeping across his face. And we HEAR 
 the groovy organ opening to FRANK SINATRA's anthem "That's 
 Life"... 
 Beat. 
128 INT. HALLWAY, ARKHAM STATE HOSPITAL - MORNING 128 
 From behind, see Joker shuffling down the hallway past all 
 the other mental patients, an orderly by his side. Sinatra 
 starts singing. 
 And Joker does a slide step to the music like he can hear it 
 too... into a skip... and another slide step into a spin... 
 Dancing down the hallway into the sunset... 
 IRIS OUT: 
 119.
"That's Life" keeps playing over credits.
Category:Transcripts
Category:Warner Bros. Transcripts