Joker (2019)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Running time: 2h 2m
Director: Todd Phillips
Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz
Plot: A socially inept clown for hire – Arthur Fleck aspires to be a stand up comedian among his small job working dressed as a clown holding a sign for advertising. He takes care of his mother, Penny Fleck, and as he learns more about his mental illness, he learns more about his past. Dealing with all the negativity and bullying from society, he heads downwards on a spiral, in turn showing how his alter ego, “Joker,” came to be.
* * *
[news anchor on radio] The news never ends.
This is 1080 GCR.
You get all the news you need, all day long.
Good morning.
It’s 42 degrees at 10:30 on this Thursday, October 15th.
I’m Stan L. Brooks, and here’s what’s happening.
It’s day 18 of the garbage strike, with 10,000 tons of garbage piling up every day.
Even the nicest sections of the city are looking like slums.
Health Commissioner Edward O’Rourke is declaring a city-wide state of emergency for the first time in decades.
[O’Rourke] There’s no need to wait until somebody dies or comes down with typhoid fever.
It’s already a serious situation.
[news anchor] It’s something that affects almost everyone in the city, no matter who they are or where they live.
[man 1] You can’t go down no one avenue without seeing nothing but garbage and rats.
[man 2] It’s starting to affect my business when customers can’t get in here because of the garbage situation.
[woman 1] I’m not out that long to smell it, but I think to look at it, it’s terrible.
[man 3] It don’t affect me except for the very bad smell here. It’s horrific.
[woman 2] It’s a mess. I’ve been in this country for 50 years, and I’ve never seen anything like it. What is this world coming to?
[man 4] Put ’em in a room, let ’em sit there and talk until they get it over with. 24 hours, 48 hours, how long it takes.
[man 5] The idea of the National Guard moving in and cleaning up is a good idea.
[news anchor] In other news, the building industry and landlords today expressed concern over the latest increase in heating oil prices. Renters in the metro area are certain to feel the pinch…
[grunts sadly]
[upbeat music playing on piano]
[people chattering and yelling]
[car horns honking]
[boy 1] Yo, what’s up with your shoes, bro?
[boy 2] Nice outfit, pal.
[boy 1] If you’re gonna be a clown, at least you could be a good one. You know that, right?
[Arthur] Hey! Hey!
[boy 3] Grab it!
[boy 4] Go, go, go!
[Arthur] Hey!
[boy 2] He’s coming!
Come on, clown, let’s go! We’ve got the sign.
[boy 2] Look at him running.
[boy 1] Let’s go!
[Arthur] Stop them!
[boy 1] Go, go, go, go! Watch the car, watch the car!
[horns honking]
[laughs mockingly]
[boy 1] Where’s your sign, clown?
[driver] Hey!
[yelps]
[horns honking]
[panting]
[boy 1] Go, clown! Come on!
[Arthur] Stop them!
[boys shouting]
Go! Come on!
[Arthur] Stop them!
Come on, run!
[Arthur] Hey! You fucking…
[continues panting]
[groans]
[boy 2] Oh, shit! Good hit.
[boy 1] Come on! Beat his ass up.
Come on! This guy’s weak. He can’t do nothing. Harder! Harder! Beat him up. Take his stuff. Let’s go, let’s go! Come on. Let’s go!
[breathing heavily]
[groans]
[labored breathing]
[strained laughing]
[clears throat]
[continues laughing]
[Arthur] Ha!
[chuckling]
[laughing]
[wheezes]
[grunts]
[laughing]
[wheezes]
[clears throat]
[laughing tearfully]
[Arthur chuckles]
[Arthur sniffles]
[Arthur] Is it just me, or is it getting crazier out there?
[Social Worker] It is certainly tense.
[Arthur] Hmm.
[Social Worker] People are upset. They’re struggling. Looking for work. These are tough times.
[Arthur] [exhales]
[Social Worker] How about you? Have you been keeping up with your journal?
[Arthur] Yes, ma’am.
[Social Worker] Great. Did you bring it with you? … Arthur. Last time, I asked you to bring your journal with you for these appointments. Can I see it?
[Arthur] I’ve been using it as a journal, but also as a joke diary. Funny thoughts or observations. I think I told you I’m pursuing a career in stand-up comedy.
[Social Worker] No, you didn’t.
[Arthur] I think I did.
[Social Worker] “I just hope my death makes more sense than my life.”
[Arthur] [laughs]
[Social Worker] How does it feel to have to come here? Does it help to have someone to talk to?
[Arthur] I think I felt better when I was locked up in the hospital.
[Social Worker] And have you thought more about why you were locked up?
[head thudding]
[Arthur] Who knows? … I was wondering if you could ask the doctor to increase my medication.
[Social Worker] Arthur, you’re on seven different medications. Surely, they must be doing something.
[Arthur] I just don’t want to feel so bad anymore.
[gasps]
[laughing]
Would you please stop bothering my kid?
[Arthur] I wasn’t bothering him. I was…
Just stop.
[Arthur laughing]
What? You think that’s funny?
[Arthur continues laughing]
[Arthur gagging]
[Arthur] I’m sorry. I have a… [laughing] I’m sorry. [continues laughing]
[woman exhales]
[Arthur continues laughing]
[music playing]
[exhales]
[Penny] Happy, did you check the mail before you came up?
[Arthur] Yeah, Mom. Nothing.
[news anchor 1 on TV] And finally, tonight, just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse… authorities are saying the city is under siege by scores of rats. And not just any rats, but super rats, who are hard to kill.
He must not be getting my letters.
[Arthur] Yeah. It’s Thomas Wayne, Mom. He’s a busy man.
Please. I worked for that family for years. The least he could do is write back.
[Arthur] Here. Don’t get all worked up. Eat. You need to eat.
You need to eat. Look how skinny you are.
[Arthur clears throat]
[news anchor 1] Both victims were taken to Gotham General.
[news anchor 2] Sounds like the city needs to find the Pied Piper.
He’ll make a great mayor. Everybody says so.
[Arthur] Oh, yeah. Everybody who? Who do you talk to?
Well, everybody on the news. He’s the only one who could save the city. He owes it to us.
[theme music playing]
Come sit. It’s starting.
[Arthur] Yay, Murray.
[announcer on TV] From NCB Studios in Gotham City, it’s Live with Murray Franklin!
Tonight, Murray welcomes Sandra Winger…
Oh, Sandra Winger’s on.
…and the piano stylings of Yeldon and Chantel. Joining Murray, as always, Ellis Drane and his jazz orchestra. And now, without further ado, Murray Franklin.
[upbeat jazz music playing]
[audience cheering]
[music ends]
[audience cheering loudly]
[Murray] Thank you.
[Arthur cheering]
[Murray] Thank you. We got a great-looking audience tonight.
[Arthur] Yeah!
Wow. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. So, everybody’s heard about the super rats that are in Gotham now, right?
[audience] Yeah.
Well, today, the mayor said he has a solution. You ready for this? Super cats.
[all laughing]
[Murray] But in all seriousness, I mean, these rats are…
[Arthur] I love you, Murray!
[audience chuckling]
[Murray] I love you, too.
[all laughing]
[Murray] Hey, Bobby, would you put the lights on? Who is that? Was that you? You wanna stand up, please? Stand up for me. Go ahead. What’s your name?
[Arthur] Hi, Murray. Arthur.
Arthur?
[Arthur] My name’s Arthur.
Oh, okay. Well, there’s something special about you, Arthur, I could tell. Where are you from?
[Arthur] I live right here in the city with my [stammers] mother.
[audience laughing]
[Murray] Okay, hold on. Hold on. There’s nothing funny about that. I lived with my mother before I made it. Just me and her. I’m that kid whose father went out for a pack of cigarettes, and he never came back.
[audience] Aww.
[Arthur] I know what that’s like, Murray. I’ve been the man of the house for as long as I can remember. I take good care of my mother.
[Murray] All that sacrifice, she must love you very much.
[Arthur] She does. She always tells me to smile and put on a happy face. She says I was put here to spread joy and laughter.
[audience] Aww.
[Murray] Wow. I like that. I like that a lot. Come on down. Come on. For that, you gotta come down.
[audience cheering]
[Murray] Come on! Come on.
[upbeat jazz music playing]
[Murray] Come on.
[audience cheering loudly]
[Murray] Okay, we got a big show tonight. Stay tuned. We’ll be right back. … That was great, Arthur. Thank you. I mean, I loved hearing what you had to say. It made my day.
[Arthur] Thanks, Murray.
[Murray] You see all this, the lights, the show, the audience, all that stuff? I’d give it all up in a heartbeat to have a kid like you.
[Arthur stretching a shoe]
[indistinct chattering]
[music playing on radio]
[Athur sighs]
[Randall] What’s up, ladies?
Hey, Randall. What’s up?
Another day in chuckle town.
[man] Yup. … You okay? I heard about the beatdown you took. Fucking savages.
[Arthur] It was just a bunch of kids. I should have left it alone.
No. They’ll take everything from you if you do that. All the crazy shit out there. They’re animals.
[Arthur chuckles]
You know what? Here.
[Arthur] What is it?
Take it. It’s for you.
[Arthur] chuckling]
[Randall] You gotta protect yourself out there. Otherwise, you’re gonna get fucked.
[Arthur] Randall, I’m not supposed to have a gun.
Don’t sweat it, Art. No one has to know. And you can pay me back some other time. You know you’re my boy.
[Arthur laughing]
[Gary] Arthur, Hoyt wants to see you in his office.
Hey, Gary. You know what I’ve always wondered?
No idea.
Do you people call it miniature golf or is it just golf to you?
[Randall and Arthur laughing]
[man] Punch him in the dick, Gary.
[Arthur laughing]
[Arthur] Hello, Hoyt. Gary said you wanted to see me.
How’s the comedy career? Are you a famous stand-up yet?
[Arthur] Not quite. Just been working on my material.
No, don’t sit. This’ll be quick. Look, I like you, Arthur. You know, a lot of the guys, they think you’re a freak, but I like you. I don’t even know why I like you. But I got another complaint. It’s starting to piss me off. Kenny’s Music. The guy said you disappeared. Never even returned his sign.
[Arthur] Because I got jumped. Didn’t you hear?
For a sign? That’s bullshit. It doesn’t even make sense. Just get him his sign back. He’s going out of business, for God’s sake, Arthur.
[Arthur] Why would I keep his sign?
How the fuck do I know? Why does anybody do anything? If you don’t return the sign, I gotta take it out of your paycheck. Are we clear? Listen, I’m trying to help you. Okay? And I’ll tell you something else. The other guys, they don’t feel comfortable around you, Arthur, because people think you’re weird. Okay? And I can’t have that around me.
[Hoyt continues indistinctly]
[Arthur grunting]
[elevator bell dings]
[jabbing buttons]
[Sophie] Wait, wait, wait. Wait. Thank you.
[GiGi giggles]
This building is so awful, isn’t it?
This building is so awful, right, Mommy?
Yes, we can hear you, GiGi.
It’s so awful, Mommy.
[imitates gunshot]
Right, Mommy?
[elevator bell dings]
Good night.
[GiGi] This building’s so awful, isn’t it?
Mmm-hmm.
[baby crying]
[man shouting]
[Arthur] Hey. [imitates gunshot]
Come on.
[upbeat music playing]
[door closes]
[Arthur] Look up.
[Penny] Mmm. Maybe the mailman’s throwing them away.
[Arthur] Mom, why are these letters so important to you? What do you think he’s gonna do?
He’s gonna help us.
[Arthur] But you worked for him, what, 30 years ago? Why would he help us?
[Penny] Because Thomas Wayne is a good man. If he knew how we were living, if he saw this place, it would make him sick. I can’t explain it to you any better than that.
[Arthur] I don’t want you worrying about money, Mom. Or me. Everybody’s telling me that my stand-up’s ready for the big clubs.
[Penny] But, Happy, what makes you think you could do that?
[Arthur] What do you mean?
[Penny] I mean… Don’t you have to be funny to be a comedian?
[men on TV singing]
[Arthur imitates gunshot]
[Arthur] Hey, what’s your name?
Arthur.
[Arthur] Hey, Arthur, you’re a really good dancer.
I know. You know who’s not? Him.
[increases volume]
[Penny] Happy, what was that? Are you okay?
[Arthur] Mom, what?
[Penny] That noise! Did you hear that noise?
[Arthur] I’m watching an old war movie!
[Penny] Turn it down!
[Arthur] Um…
[men continue singing]
[Arthur] Sorry, Mom.
[children chattering]
[indistinct conversation]
You good?
[indistinct conversation]
[car horn honks]
[car horn honks]
[audience laughing]
It’s nice to see these couples out at my show. I have a wife. We love to role-play.
[audience] Ooh!
Yes, yes, very sexy. My favorite one right now is professor and senior who really needs to pass my class to graduate.
[audience laughing]
Yes.
[audience whooping]
So, I’ll tell you how I operate. I’m a professor at a prestigious New England university…
[Arthur laughing]
…and my wife is a senior in my “Intro To Western Civ.”
[audience laughing]
I know. I know. Why is she a senior in the intro? I didn’t buy it either. So, she comes to me during my office hours.
[Arthur laughing]
It’s Monday and Wednesday, three to five. She says, “Excuse me, Professor Lewis.” I can’t use my real last name at this college ’cause they don’t hire Jews.
[audience laughing]
It’s something I’ll address once I have tenure, but for now… She says, “Excuse me, Professor Lewis, I think I might be in danger of failing your ‘Intro to Western Civ, ‘ and I just want you to know I’m willing to do anything to pass.” And I said, “Anything?” And she said… [moans]
[Arthur chuckles]
[doorbell buzzing]
[Arthur] Oh, hey.
Hey. Were you following me today?
[Arthur] Yeah.
I thought that was you. I was hoping you’d come in and rob the place.
[Arthur] I have a gun. I could come by tomorrow.
[chuckles] You’re so funny, Arthur.
[Arthur] Yeah. You know, I do stand-up comedy. You should maybe come see a show sometime.
I could do that.
[Arthur] Yeah?
Yeah. You’ll let me know when?
[Arthur] Yeah.
[man] ♪ If you’re happy and you know it ♪
♪ Wiggle your ears ♪
[chorus] ♪ Wiggle your ears ♪
[all] ♪ If you’re happy and you know it ♪
♪ Wiggle your ears ♪
♪ Wiggle your ears ♪
♪ If you’re happy and you know it ♪
♪ And you really want to show it ♪
♪ If you’re happy and you know it ♪
♪ Wiggle your ears ♪
♪ If you’re happy and you know it ♪
♪ Stomp your feet ♪
♪ Stomp your feet ♪
♪ If you’re happy and you know it ♪
♪ Stomp your feet ♪
♪ Stomp your feet ♪
♪ 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 ♪
♪ If you’re happy and you know it ♪
[Arthur yelps]
♪ Shout “hurray” ♪
♪ Shout “hurray” ♪
♪ If you’re happy and you know it ♪
♪ Shout “hurray” ♪
♪ Shout “hurray” ♪
[child giggles]
♪ If you’re happy and you know it ♪
[Arthur giggles]
♪ And you really want to… ♪
[Arthur] Hoyt, please, I love this job.
Arthur, I need to know why you brought a gun into a kids’ hospital.
[Arthur] It’s a prop. It’s part of my act now.
That’s bullshit. Bullshit. What kind of clown carries a fucking gun? Besides, Randall told me you tried to buy a .38 off him last week.
[Arthur] Randall told you that?
You’re a fuck-up, Arthur, and a liar. You’re fired!
[hangs up]
[dial tone droning]
[announcer on PA] Jefferson Street. Next stop, Ninth Ave.
[man 1] I’m telling you, she wanted my number. We should’ve just stayed.
[man 2] You’re dreaming, man. She wasn’t interested at all.
[man 1] Are you nuts? Did you see how close we were dancing? She was in love.
She couldn’t wait to get away from you.
Ryan! Ryan, am I crazy? Tell him what you saw.
[slurring drunkenly] Hey, you want some French fries? Hello? Talking to you. Hey.
[woman] No, thank you.
[men laughing]
You sure? They’re real good.
Don’t ignore him. He’s being nice to you.
Whoo…
[men laughing]
[chuckles]
[laughing continues]
[Arthur laughing]
Is something funny, asshole?
[gasping]
[Arthur continues laughing]
Bitch!
[all jeer]
[men snickering]
♪ Isn’t it rich? ♪
♪ Are we a pair? ♪
[men laughing]
♪ Me here at last on the ground ♪
♪ And you in mid-air ♪
♪ Send in the clowns ♪
[Arthur continues laughing]
♪ Isn’t it bliss? ♪
♪ Don’t you approve? ♪
♪ One who keeps tearing around ♪
♪ And one who can’t move ♪
♪ Where are the clowns? ♪
♪ There ought to be clowns ♪
[both laughing]
So, buddy, tell us, what’s so fucking funny?
[Arthur] Nothing. [laughing] I have… I have a condition.
I’ll tell you what you have, you asshole.
[men] Whoa!
[Arthur] Please, stop!
[groans] We got a kicker, huh?
Hey, hold him steady. Hold him steady. Stay down, freak!
[men grunting and laughing]
[gunshot]
[screaming]
Hey! [continues screaming]
[breathing heavily]
[man continues screaming]
[announcer on PA] Ninth Avenue. Next stop, Hunter’s Point.
Hey!
Stand clear of the closing doors.
[man yelping]
[groans]
[man whimpering]
[breathing heavily]
[man screams]
[gun clicking]
[panting]
[ears ringing loudly]
[Arthur] Shit. Shit.
[panting]
[elevator bell dings]
[man 1] I read it was a guy in full makeup.
[man 2] No, it says right here it was a mask.
[man 1] Either way, I think it’s good for business. They got clowns on the front of every newspaper.
Big man, what’s the good word?
[Gary] Hey.
[“My Name Is Carnival” playing on radio]
Hey, Arthur, I heard what happened. Sorry, mate.
[Randall] Yeah. It doesn’t seem fair, getting fired like that.
Did you really bring a gun to the children’s hospital, Artie? What the fuck would you do that for?
Is that part of your new act, Arthur? If your dancing doesn’t do the trick, you’re just gonna shoot yourself?
[men laughing]
[Arthur] Why don’t you ask Randall about it? It was his gun.
[Randall] What?
[Arthur] I still owe you for that, don’t I?
What the fuck are you talking about?
[Arthur] Stop talking out of your ass, Art.
[honking horn]
[Arthur gasps] Oh, no! I forgot to punch out. [laughing]
[“My Name Is Carnival” continues playing]
[Chuck on TV] And as our city tries to make sense of the brutal triple murder on the subway last week, we’re joined by Thomas Wayne.
Happy, look, Thomas Wayne’s on TV.
[Arthur] Yes, Mother.
[Thomas] Thanks for having me on, Chuck.
[Penny] They’re asking him about those horrible subway murders.
[Chuck] Thank you, Thomas. I know this is a difficult time for you.
[Arthur] Why him?
Looks like he’s gained weight.
[Thomas] Yes, all three worked for Wayne Investments. Good, decent, educated. Although I didn’t know any of them personally. Like all Wayne employees, past and present, they’re family.
Did you hear that? I told you, we’re family.
[Arthur] [shushing]
[Chuck] There now seems to be a groundswell of anti-rich sentiment in the city. It’s almost as if our less fortunate residents are taking the side of the killer.
[Thomas] Yes, and it’s a shame. It’s one of the reasons why I’m considering a run for mayor. Gotham’s lost its way.
What about the eyewitness report of the suspect being a man in a clown mask?
[Thomas] Well, it makes total sense to me. What kind of coward would do something that cold-blooded? Someone who hides behind a mask. Someone who is envious of those more fortunate than themselves, yet they’re too scared to show their own face. And until those kind of people change for the better, those of us who have made something of our lives will always look at those who haven’t as nothing but clowns.
[Arthur laughs]
Thomas Wayne, thank you for coming in this morning.
[Penny] It’s not funny.
[Arthur laughs] I heard this song on the radio the other day, and the guy was singing that his name was Carnival.
[Social Worker] Arthur…
[Arthur] Which is crazy, because that’s my clown name at work. And until a little while ago, it was like nobody ever saw me. Even I didn’t know if I really existed.
[Social Worker] Arthur, I have some bad news for you.
[Arthur] You don’t listen, do you? I don’t think you ever really hear me. You just ask the same questions every week. “How’s your job? Are you having any negative thoughts?” All I have are negative thoughts, but you don’t listen anyway. I said, for my whole life, I didn’t know if I even really existed. But I do. And people are starting to notice.
[Social Worker] They’ve cut our funding. We’re closing down our offices next week. The city has cut funding across the board. Social Services is part of that. This is the last time we’ll be meeting.
[Arthur] Okay.
[Social Worker] They don’t give a shit about people like you, Arthur. And they really don’t give a shit about people like me, either.
[Arthur] Fuck. … How am I supposed to get my medication now? Who do I talk to?
[Social Worker] I’m sorry, Arthur.
I think… I think most women look at sex like buying a car. You know, like, “Can I see myself in this long-term?” “Is it safe?” “Is it reliable?” “Could it kill me?”
[audience laughing]
Most guys, we look at sex like parking a car. We’re like, “There’s a spot.” “There’s another spot. That would work.”
[Arthur exhales deeply]
“Oh, I have to pay? Never mind.”
[audience laughing]
“Handicapped? I hope no one sees this.”
[audience laughing]
All right, that’s my time. Thank you very much, guys.
[audience applauding]
[emcee] One more time for Sam Morril, y’all. All right, now, 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 laughter and joy into this cold, dark world. Um… Okay.
[audience laughing]
Please help me welcome Arthur Fleck, y’all. Arthur Fleck.
[audience applauding]
[Arthur sighs nervously]
[Arthur laughing] [snorts]
[Arthur] Hello, it’s good to be here. [laughing]
[Arthur clears throat]
[Arthur coughing]
[Arthur laughing]
[Arthur gagging]
[Arthur] I hated school when I was a kid.
[microphone feedback]
[Arthur laughing]
[Arthur gagging]
[Arthur burps]
[Arthur breathing heavily]
[Arthur] I hated school as a kid. [laughing] My mother would say, [imitates Penny] “You should enjoy it. One day, you’ll have to work for a living.” [normal voice] “No, I won’t, Ma, I’m gonna be a comedian.” [laughing] Um… Here’s one. You know, I was just thinking the other day, why are the rich people…
[“Smile” playing]
[audience laughing]
[audience applauding]
[indistinct chattering]
You believe that shit? Fuck ’em. I think the guy that did it is a hero. Three less pricks in Gotham City, only a million more to go.
[“Smile” continues playing]
[laughing]
[TV playing]
[Murray on TV] And, buddy, as always, thanks for the laughs. I’m sure we’ll see you again. You know we’ll be here, right? I hope.
[audience laughing]
Tomorrow night, we have Diana Hudson, Greg Gordon, and animal expert, Hugh Little. Thanks for watching. Good night, and always remember, that’s life.
[“That’s Life” playing]
[audience applauding]
[Arthur, softly] That’s life.
[Arthur] Momma, time to wake up and go to bed.
[Penny] Hmm? Oh…
[grunting]
[Penny] Oh, Happy. Happy, I wrote a new letter.
[Arthur] Come on, dance with me.
[Penny] For Thomas Wayne. It’s important.
[Arthur whistles]
[Penny chuckles]
[Arthur humming]
[Penny] You smell like cologne.
[Arthur] It’s ’cause I just had a big date.
[Penny chuckles] Oh. Just don’t forget to mail it.
[music continues playing]
[announcer] The Murray Franklin Show is taped live before a studio audience in beautiful downtown Gotham City.
[music ends]
[Penny] You’re gonna kill me. You’re gonna give me a heart attack!
[Arthur] Don’t give me your…
[pounding on door]
[Penny] No. No. I’m not talking to you until you stop being angry!
[Arthur] Okay. Okay. I’m not angry, Mom. I’m not angry. Please. Mom, is this real?
[Penny] He’s an extraordinary man, Happy. He’s a very powerful man. We were in love. He said it was best that we not be together because of appearances. And I could never tell anyone because… Well, I signed some papers. And besides, you can imagine what people would say about Thomas and me. What they’d say about you.
[Arthur] What would they say, Mom?
[Penny crying]
[train horn blowing]
[Arthur humming]
[Arthur continues humming]
[Arthur] Hmm.
[Arthur exhales deeply]
[Arthur] Hmm.
[Arthur laughing]
[whistles]
[Arthur singing]
[Arthur] Hi. What’s your name?
[Bruce Wayne] I’m Bruce.
[Arthur] Bruce. I’m Arthur. … That’s better.
[Alfred] Bruce! Bruce! Get away from that man.
[Arthur] It’s okay. I’m a good guy.
[Alfred] What are you doing? Who are you?
[Arthur] I’m here to see Mr. Wayne.
[Alfred] Well, you shouldn’t be speaking to his son. Why did you give him these flowers?
[Arthur] No, they’re not real. It’s magic. I was just trying to make him smile.
[Alfred] Well, it’s not funny, is it? Do I need to call the police?
[Arthur] No. Please. My mother’s name is Penny. Penny Fleck. She used to work here years ago. Can you please tell Mr. Wayne I need to see him?
[Alfred] You are her son.
[Arthur] Yeah. Did you know her? [whispers] I know about the two of them. She told me everything.
[Alfred whispers] There’s nothing to know. There is no “them.” Your mother was delusional. She was a sick woman.
[Arthur] Don’t say that.
[Alfred] Just go. Mmm? Before you make a fool of yourself.
[Arthur] Thomas Wayne is my father.
[Alfred laughing]
[Alfred yelping]
[Arthur] He left me.
[Alfred choking]
[Alfred] Let go! Let go!
[Arthur grunts]
[Alfred continues choking]
[panting]
Keep the respirations above 15. Slow and steady. We got some stairs coming up.
[Arthur] Mom? What happened?
Who are you?
[Arthur] I’m her son. What happened?
You can probably help us out inside. We don’t know what happened yet. Hop in the back of the ambulance.
[paramedic 2] Step.
[paramedic 1] One more. We got one more lift.
[paramedic 2] I’m getting a little resistance here, Michael.
[paramedics chattering indistinctly]
[paramedic 1] Lift.
[Arthur] I’m right here.
Excuse me, sir. Does your mother take any medications?
[Arthur] No.
Excuse me, I couldn’t hear you.
[Arthur] No.
Sir, when was the last time you spoke to her?
[Arthur] I don’t know.
[siren wailing]
[Garrity] Mr. Fleck. Sorry to bother you. I’m Detective Garrity. This is my partner, Detective Burke. We had a few questions for you, but you weren’t home, so we spoke with your mother.
[Arthur] Oh. What did you say to her? Did you do this?
What? No.
No, no, no. We just asked her some questions, and she got hysterical. Hyperventilating, collapsed and hit her head pretty hard.
[Arthur] Yeah. The doctor said she had a stroke.
We’re sorry to hear about that. But, like I said, I still have some questions for you. They’re about the subway killings that happened last week. You’ve heard about them, right?
[Arthur] Yeah. It’s horrible.
Right. So, we spoke with your boss over at Haha’s. He said you were fired for bringing a gun into the children’s hospital. Is that true, Mr. Fleck?
[Arthur] It was a prop. It’s part of my act. I’m a party clown.
All right. So, why were you fired?
[sighs heavily]
[Arthur] They said I wasn’t funny enough. Can you imagine that? If you don’t mind, I have to go take care of my mother.
[Burke] Your boss also gave us one of your cards. This condition of yours, the laughing, is it real, or some sort of clown thing?
[Arthur] A clown thing?
Yeah. I mean, is it part of your act?
[Arthur] What do you think?
[Burke] It’s exit only.
[Sophie] She’s gonna be okay. … I’m gonna get a coffee. You want one?
[Arthur] Yeah.
[audience laughing on TV]
[Murray] So, the other night, I told my youngest son Billy, you know, the new one, the not-so-bright one. I told him, “The garbage strike is still going on, Billy.” And he says, and I’m not kidding, Billy says, “So, where are we gonna get all our garbage from?”
[Arthur laughs]
[audience laughing]
[audience applauding]
[Murray] And finally, in a world where everyone thinks they could do my job, we got this video tape from Pogo’s Comedy Club, right here in Gotham. Here’s a guy who thinks if you just keep laughing, it’ll somehow make you funny. Check out this joker.
[Arthur laughing]
[Murray] Oh, my God.
[Arthur on TV] I hated school as a kid. But my mother would always say, [imitates Penny] “You should enjoy it. One day, you’ll have to work for a living.” [normal voice] “No, I won’t, Ma. I’m gonna be a comedian.”
[Arthur laughing]
[Arthur laughing on TV]
[Murray laughs] You shoulda listened to your mother.
[audience laughing and applauding]
[Murray] Hey, one more. One more, Bobby. All right, let’s see one more. I love this guy.
[Arthur] It’s funny, when I was a little boy and told people I was gonna be a comedian, everyone laughed at me. Well, no one’s laughing now.
[audience laughing]
[Murray] You can say that again, pal.
[audience applauding]
[Murray] All right, we got a great show for you tonight. Chuck Conby is here, actress Joanne Mulligan, and new music from Mel Rubin and the Stiffs.
[news anchor] As tensions mount around the metro area, Mayor Stokes has pleaded for cooler heads to prevail. City services have been affected, and some businesses have decided to remain closed amid the unrest. Chuck Stevens filed this report.
[Chuck] The anger and resentment that’s been building in the city for weeks seems close to exploding. Protesters, many dressed as clowns, took to the streets today in one of several planned demonstrations taking on the city’s elite, including a massive rally outside tomorrow night’s benefit at Wayne Hall.
[reporter 1] What’s the point of all this?
[bleep] the rich. [bleep] Thomas Wayne. That’s what this whole [bleep] thing is about. [bleep] the whole system.
[Chuck] Wayne, who recently announced he is running for mayor, will be attending the benefit. You might remember it was Thomas Wayne who first referred to many of Gotham’s residents as “clowns.” Today, he offered little in the way of an apology. Well, what I will say is, there’s something wrong with those people. I am here to help them. I’m gonna lift them out of poverty, help make their lives better. That is why I’m running. And they may not realize it, but I’m their only hope.
[protesters shouting]
[protesters] Down with Wayne! Down with Wayne! Down with Wayne! Down with Wayne!
[shouting continues]
[lively music playing in cinema]
[indistinct chattering]
[audience laughing]
[audience continues laughing]
[music continues]
[audience laughing]
[Arthur laughing]
[door opens]
[door closes]
[Thomas Wayne] Can I help you, pal?
[Arthur] I don’t know what to say.
[flushing]
[Thomas chuckles]
[Thomas Wayne] Do you want an autograph or something?
[Arthur] No. … My name is Arthur. Penny Fleck is my mother.
[Thomas Wayne] Jesus. You’re the guy that came to my house yesterday.
[Arthur] Yes.
[Thomas laughs]
[Arthur] I’m sorry I just showed up. But my mother told me everything, and I had to talk to you.
[Thomas Wayne] Look, pal, I’m not your father. [chuckling] What’s wrong with you?
[Arthur] Look at us. I think you are.
[Thomas Wayne] Well, that’s impossible because you’re adopted, and I never slept with your mother.
[Arthur] I wasn’t adopted.
[Thomas Wayne] What do you want from me? Money?
[Arthur] No, I don’t… I wasn’t adopted.
[Thomas Wayne] Jesus. She never told you?
[Arthur] Told me what?
[Thomas sighs] Your mother adopted you while she was working for us.
[Arthur] That’s not true. Why are you saying that?
[Thomas Wayne] Then she was arrested and committed to Arkham State Hospital, when you were just a little boy.
[Arthur] Why are you saying this? I don’t need you to tell me lies. I know it seems strange. I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I don’t know why everyone is so rude. I don’t know why you are. I don’t want anything from you. Maybe a little bit of warmth, maybe a hug, Dad! How about just a little bit of fucking decency? What is it with you people? You say that stuff about my mother.
[Thomas Wayne] She’s crazy.
[Arthur] She’s… [laughing]
[Thomas Wayne] You think this is funny?
[Arthur] Dad, it’s me. Come on. [groans]
[Thomas Wayne] Touch my son again, I’ll fucking kill you.
[Arthur] [laughing]
[door closes]
[phone ringing]
[Arthur laughing softly]
[answering machine beeps]
[Garrity] Hello, Mr. Fleck. This is Detective Garrity. We met the other night at Gotham General. My partner and I had a few more questions for you. We stopped by your apartment today, but you weren’t home. Please give me a call when you get this message. Again, Detective Garrity, and my number is 212… 99.
[answering machine beeps]
[phone ringing]
[answering machine beeps]
[Shirley] This message is for Arthur Fleck. My name is Shirley Woods. I work on The Murray Franklin Show. I don’t know if you’re aware, but Murray played a clip of your stand-up on the show recently, and we have gotten an amazing response from our viewers. Murray asked me to give you a call and see if you’re…
[Arthur] Who is this?
[Shirley] Oh, hi, this is Shirley Woods. I’m the show booker from Live with Murray Franklin. Is this Arthur?
[Arthur] Yes.
[Shirley] 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 you to see if you would come on as his guest.
[Arthur] Murray wants me on The Murray Franklin Show?
[Shirley] Yeah. Isn’t that great? He’d love to talk to you, maybe do some of your act? That sound good to you?
[Arthur] Yeah, that sounds great.
[Shirley] Can we set up a date right now? Are you available next Thursday?
[inaudible]
[indistinct announcement on PA]
[Clerk] Hey. [sighs] Man, I’m sorry about that, my man. All records 10 years or older, they store in the basement, and you’re talking about something 30 years ago, so…
[Arthur] Can I ask you a question?
[Clerk] Sure.
[Arthur] How does someone wind up in here? Have they all, all the people committed crimes?
[Clerk] Well, yeah, some have. You know, some are just crazy. Pose dangers to themselves and others. Some just got nowhere else to go. Don’t know what to do, you know?
[Arthur] Yeah. I hear you, brother.
[Clerk] Hmm.
[Arthur] Sometimes, I don’t know what to do. Last time, I ended up taking it out on some people. I thought it was gonna bother me, but it really hasn’t.
[Clerk] What’s that?
[Arthur] I fucked up and did some bad shit. [chuckles] You know what I’m talking about, it’s so hard to just try and be happy all the time.
[Clerk] Hey, listen, man. I’m just an administrative assistant. Like a clerk, you know. All I do is file paperwork. I don’t know what to tell you. But you should see somebody. You know, they got programs, city services, stuff like that.
[Arthur] Oh, yeah. [in high-pitched voice] They cut all those.
[Clerk laughs] All right, here it is. Fleck. Penny Fleck. Let’s see. Diagnosed by Dr. Benjamin Stoner. Oh. “The patient suffers from delusional psychosis and narcissistic personality disorder.” Mmm. “Was found guilty of endangering the welfare of her own child.”
[Arthur] What?
[Clerk] You said she’s your mother. Uh… I’m sorry, man. Like I said, I can’t release these records, you know, without proper forms. I could get in trouble. Look, if you want to bring your mom in here to sign, that’ll be much easier, but I can’t let this go without her signature, okay? I’m sorry. … No, man! Shit! Come on, man. Give it… Hey! Hey!
[Arthur panting]
[door closes]
[Stoner] We went over this, Penny. You adopted him. We have all the paperwork right here.
[Young Penny] That’s not true. Thomas had that all made up, so it stayed our secret.
[Arthur gasps]
[Stoner] You also stood by while one of your boyfriends repeatedly abused your adopted son and battered you.
[Arthur laughing]
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.
[Arthur laughing]
[Young Penny] I never heard him cry. He’s always been such a happy little boy.
[Arthur laughing tearfully]
[Arthur crying]
[elevator bell dings]
[GiGi whines]
[Sophie shushing]
[Sophie] It’s time for bed.
[door closes]
[Sophie gasps] Oh, my God! What are you doing in here?
[thunder rumbling]
[Sophie] You’re in the wrong apartment. Your name’s Arthur, right? You live down the hall. I really need you to leave. My little girl is sleeping in the other room. Please.
[Arthur] I had a bad day.
[Sophie] Can I call someone? Is your mother home?
[gasps]
[Arthur chuckling]
[door closes]
[Arthur laughing]
[Arthur sniffling]
[Arthur laughing]
[sirens wailing]
[Arthur continues laughing]
[banging on wall]
[man] Shut up!
[Arthur continues laughing]
[heart monitor beeping]
[Arthur] Hey, Penny. Penny Fleck. I always hated that name. You know how you used to tell me that my laugh was a condition? That there was something wrong with me? There isn’t. That’s the real me.
[Penny, weakly] Happy.
[Arthur] Happy. Hmm. I haven’t been happy one minute of my entire fucking life. … You know what’s funny? You know what really makes me laugh? I used to think that my life was a tragedy…
[grunts]
[Arthur] …but now I realize it’s a fucking comedy.
[muffled grunting]
[heart monitor beeping rapidly]
[Penny fighting]
[muffled screaming]
[heart monitor stops beeping]
[Arthur exhales]
[music playing]
[audience applauding]
[fast-forwarding]
[music playing]
[audience applauding]
[fast-forwarding]
[Murray] A very fine actor. He’s got a new movie called American Playboy opening this week across the country. Will you please welcome a good friend of the show, Mr. Ethan Chase.
[music playing]
[audience applauding]
[Murray] Good to see you, Ethan. You’re looking great, Ethan.
[Ethan] Thank you very much. You’re looking good yourself.
[Murray] Ah, can’t complain.
[Arthur] Hey, Murray. Thanks so much for having… Hey, Murray. Thank you so much for having me on the show. It’s been a lifelong dream of mine.
[Murray] I’m nervous right now.
[audience laughing on video]
[Ethan] You are?
[Murray] I am nervous.
[Arthur] Hey, Murray. I’ve been on…
[muttering]
[Arthur sighs]
[continues muttering]
[Arthur] I’m sorry. What’s that? Oh, that’s very funny, Murray. You know, I’m also a comedian. Would you like to hear a joke?
[audience cheering]
[Arthur] Yeah? All of you? Okay. Knock… Knock, knock.
[audience gasps]
[Arthur chuckles]
[audience laughing]
[Arthur] Knock, knock.
[gun clicks]
[audience laughing]
[gun clatters]
[audience applauding]
[“That’s Life” playing]
[doorbell buzzing]
[music continues playing]
[doorbell buzzing insistently]
[Arthur] Coming.
[Gary] Hey, Arthur. How’s it going?
[Arthur] Oh, hey, guys. Come on in.
[Randall] Did you get a new gig?
[Arthur] No.
[Randall] Oh, you must be going down to that rally at City Hall. I hear it’s gonna be nuts.
[Arthur] Oh, is that today?
[Randall] Yeah. What’s with the makeup then?
[Arthur] My mom died. I’m celebrating.
[Randall] Right. We heard. That’s why we came by. We figured, you know, you could use some cheering up.
[Arthur] Aw, that’s sweet. But, no, I feel good. Yeah, I stopped taking my medication. I feel a lot better now.
[Randall] Oh, okay. Good for you. So, hey, listen, I don’t know if you heard, but the cops have been coming around the shop, talking to all the guys about those subway murders. And, um…
[Gary] They didn’t talk to me.
[Randall] That’s because the suspect was a regular-sized person. If it was a fucking midget, you’d be in jail right now.
[Arthur laughing]
[Randall] Anyway, um, Hoyt said that they talked to you, and now they’re looking for me, and I just wanna know what you said. Make sure our stories line up. Seeing as how you’re my boy.
[Arthur] Yeah, that’s important. That makes a lot of sense.
[Randall] You know what I mean?
[Arthur] Thank you, Randall. Thank you so much.
[Randall groaning]
[Gary screaming]
[Gary] Arthur! No!
[Randall’s head thudding]
[Gary] What? No!
[Arthur panting]
[Gary sobbing] Why would you do that, Arthur?
[Arthur breathing rapidly]
[Gary continues sobbing]
[Arthur] Do you watch The Murray Franklin Show?
[Gary whimpering] Yeah.
[Arthur] I’m gonna be on tonight.
[Gary whimpering]
[Arthur in cockney accent] It fucking crazy, innit? Me on the telly.
[Gary] What the fuck, Arthur?
[Arthur] [normal voice] What? It’s okay, Gary. You can go.
[Gary groaning]
[Arthur] I’m not gonna hurt you.
[Gary] Oh!
[Arthur] Don’t look. Just go.
[Arthur yells]
[Gary whimpering]
[Gary crying] Fuck. [sighs tearfully] Hey, Arthur?
[Arthur] Yeah?
[Gary stammering] Arthur, can you get the lock?
[Arthur] Shit. Sorry, Gary. … Gary?
[Gary] Yeah.
[Arthur] You were the only one that was ever nice to me. Skedaddle.
[Arthur exhales]
[rock music playing]
[elevator bell dings]
[sinister music playing]
Hey, Arthur! We need to talk.
[Arthur] Oh!
Hey! Stop, Arthur!
[Garrity] Arthur!
Watch it! Out of the way!
[Burke] Move!
[horns honking]
Arthur!
[Arthur] Shit.
[detectives] Hey! Hey!
[Garrity] Arthur, stop!
[Burke] Go! Go!
[announcer on PA] Now departing, O-Train, downtown. Stand clear of the closing doors.
[panting]
Hold that train! Hold it! Get out! Get outta here!
[announcer on PA] Next stop, Bedford Park.
[crowd yelling]
Masks off! Get your mask off! Signs down! Now!
Police! Signs down! Signs down.
What the fuck!
[both grunting]
[man] Beat his ass!
[crowd shouting]
Stop fighting! Police! Police! Get down! Get down! Get the fuck back! Police! Get down. Get the fuck down! Stay the fuck back! Down!
[gunshot]
[groans]
What the… Arthur!
Burke!
[Arthur laughing]
[crowd shouting]
Don’t do it!
[Arthur laughs]
Two officers on the train were violently confronted by the crowd, and tonight are in serious but stable condition at Gotham Metropolitan.
[Arthur laughs]
We’re going live now to co-anchor Courtney Weathers, who’s standing by outside the Bedford Park Station, near where the shooting took place.
Courtney, what’s the scene there?
[knocking on door]
[door opens]
[Arthur] Murray.
[Gene] Hey, hey, hey. It’s Mr. Franklin, buddy.
[Murray] Oh, come on, Gene. That’s all bullshit.
[Arthur] Thank you, Murray. I feel like I know you. I’ve been watching you forever.
[Murray] Thank you. What’s with the face? I mean, are you part of the protest?
[Arthur] No. No, I don’t believe in any of that. I don’t believe in anything. I just thought it’d be good for my act.
[Gene] For your act? Didn’t you hear what happened on the subway? Some clown got killed.
[Murray] He’s aware of that. He’s aware of that. Yeah.
[Arthur] No, I hadn’t heard.
[Murray] Yeah.
[Gene] You see? This is what I’m telling you. The audience is gonna go crazy if you put this guy on. Maybe for a bit, but not a whole segment.
[Murray] Gene, it’s gonna work. It’s gonna work. We’re gonna go with it.
[Arthur and Murray laugh]
[Arthur] Thank you, Murray.
[Murray] Couple rules, though. No cursing. No off-color material. We do a clean show. Okay?
[Arthur] Mmm-hmm.
[Murray] You’ll go on right after Dr. Sally.
[Arthur] I love Dr. Sally.
[Murray] Good, good. Someone will come and get you, okay?
[Arthur] Okay. Perfect.
[Murray] Good luck.
[Arthur] Thanks, Murray.
[Murray] Okay.
[Arthur] Murray, one small thing.
[Murray] Yeah.
[Arthur] When you bring me out, can you introduce me as Joker?
[Gene] What’s wrong with your real name?
[Arthur] That’s what you called me on the show. A joker. Do you remember?
[Murray] Did I?
[Gene] I don’t know.
[Murray] Well, if you say so, kid, you know, Joker it is. It’s good.
[Arthur] Thanks, Murray.
[gun clicks]
[Murray] I’ll try it, you know, but I’m not sure my wife will let me do it.
[audience laughing]
[Murray] Maybe my next wife.
[Murray laughing]
[audience cheering]
[Murray] You gotta see our next guest for yourself. I’m pretty sure this guy could use a doctor.
[audience laughing]
[Dr. Sally] Oh! Does he have sexual problems?
[Murray] Oh, he looks like he’s got a lot of problems.
[audience laughing]
[Murray] All right, Bobby, let’s show that clip one last time.
[Arthur laughing on video]
[Arthur] I hated school as a kid. But my mother would always say, [imitates Penny] “You should enjoy it. One day, you’ll have to work for a living.” [normal voice] “No, I won’t, Ma. I’m gonna be a comedian.”
[Arthur laughing on video]
[Murray] Okay. You may…
[audience laughing]
[Murray] You may have seen that clip of our next guest. Now, before he comes out, I just want to say that we’re all heartbroken about what’s going on in the city tonight. But this is how he wanted to come out, and honestly, I think we could all use a good laugh. So, please welcome, Joker.
[music playing]
[audience applauding]
[audience cheering]
[audience whooping and whistling]
[Murray] Are you all right, Doctor?
[audience laughing]
[Murray] Well, that was quite an entrance.
[scattered laughter from audience]
[Murray] You okay?
[Arthur] Yeah. This is exactly how I imagined it.
[Murray] Well, that makes one of us.
[audience laughing]
[audience applauding]
[Murray] So, can you tell us about this look? When we spoke earlier, you mentioned that this look is not a political statement. Is that right?
[Arthur] That’s right, Murray. I’m not political. I’m just trying to make people laugh.
[Muray] And how’s that going for you?
[audience laughing]
[laughing]
[Murray] So, I know you’re a comedian. You been working on any new material? You wanna tell us a joke?
[audience applauding]
[Arthur] Yeah? Okay.
[audience laughing]
[Murray] He’s got a book. A book of jokes. … Take your time. We got all night.
[audience laughing]
[Murray chuckles]
[Arthur] Okay, okay. Here’s one. Knock, knock.
[Murray] And you had to look that up?
[laughing]
[audience laughing]
[audience applauding]
[Arthur] I want to get it right. Knock, knock.
[Murray] Who’s there?
[Arthur] It’s the police, ma’am. Your son’s been hit by a drunk driver. He’s dead. [laughing]
[audience gasps]
[plays sad note]
[audience booing]
Oh, no, no, no. No, you cannot joke about that.
[Murray] Yeah, that’s not funny, Arthur. That’s not that kind of humor we do on this show.
[Arthur] Okay. I’m… Yeah, I’m sorry. It’s just, you know, it’s been a rough few weeks, Murray. [chuckling] Ever since… I killed those three Wall Street guys.
[all gasp]
[Murray] Okay, I’m waiting for the punch line.
[Arthur] There is no punch line. It’s not a joke.
[audience murmuring]
[Murray] You’re serious, aren’t you? You’re telling us you killed those three young men on the subway?
[Arthur] Mmm-hmm.
[Murray] And why should we believe you?
[Arthur] I got nothing left to lose. Nothing can hurt me anymore.
[laughs]
[Arthur] My life is nothing but a comedy.
[audience booing]
[Murray] Well, let me get this straight, you think that killing those guys is funny? I do. And I’m tired of pretending it’s not. Comedy is subjective, Murray. Isn’t that what they say? All of you, the system that knows so much, you decide what’s right or wrong. The same way that you decide what’s funny or not!
[man] Get him off!
[Murray] Well, okay, I think I might understand that you did this to start a movement, to become a symbol?
[Arthur] Come on, Murray.
Do I look like the kind of clown that could start a movement? I killed those guys because they were awful. Everybody is awful these days. It’s enough to make anyone crazy.
[Murray] Okay. So, that’s it, you’re crazy. That’s your defense for killing three young men?
[Arthur] No. They couldn’t carry a tune to save their lives.
[audience booing]
[Arthur] Oh, why is everybody so upset about these guys? If it was me dying on the sidewalk, you’d walk right over me! I pass you every day, and you don’t notice me. But these guys, what, because Thomas Wayne went and cried about them on TV?
[Murray] You have a problem with Thomas Wayne, too?
[Arthur] Yes, I do. 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 ever think what it’s like to be someone like me? To be somebody but themselves? They don’t. They think that we’ll just sit there and take it, like good little boys! That we won’t werewolf and go wild!
[Murray] You finished? I mean, it’s so much self-pity, Arthur. You sound like you’re making excuses for killing those young men. Not everybody, and I’ll tell you this, not everyone is awful.
[Arthur] You’re awful, Murray.
[Murray] Me? I’m awful? Oh, yeah, how am I awful?
[Arthur] Playing my video. Inviting me on this show. You just wanted to make fun of me. You’re just like the rest of them.
[Murray] You don’t know the first thing about me, pal. Look what happened, because of what you did. What it led to. There are riots out there. Two policemen are in critical condition, and you’re laughing.
[Arthur laughs]
[Murray] You’re laughing. Someone was killed today, because of what you did.
[Arthur] I know. How about another joke, Murray?
[Murray] No, I think we’ve had enough of your jokes.
[Arthur] What do you get…
[Murray] I don’t think so.
[Arthur] …when you cross a mentally-ill loner with a society that abandons him and treats him like trash?
[Murray] Call the police, Gene!
[Arthur] I’ll tell you what you get!
[Murray] Call the police.
[Arthur] You get what you fucking deserve!
[audience screaming]
[Arthur laughing]
[screaming continues]
[gun clatters]
[Arthur] Good night. And always remember, that’s…
[upbeat music playing]
[news anchor 1] Breaking news. Popular TV talk show host, Murray Franklin was shot dead tonight on the live telecast of his program.
The man who was introduced by Franklin as “Joker” is currently under arrest.
Police led the suspect handcuffed out of the studio.
[Arthur shouting]
[overlapping chatter]
…merely just a punch line to a joke…
[Arthur] You get what you [bleep] deserve!
[reporter 1] Looting and rioting have intensified here…
[reporter 2] …rioting throughout the city.
[Arthur] …with a society that abandons him and treats him like trash?
[news anchor 2] This mob of clowns…
[reporter 1] …many wearing clown masks.
[overlapping chatter continues]
[Arthur] If it was me dying on the sidewalk, you’d walk right over me.
[news anchor 2] To all of those who have been ignored by the system.
[Arthur] And always remember, that’s life!
[reporter 3] And as you see, Gotham is burning.
[“Whiteroom” by Cream playing]
[sirens wailing]
[looters shouting]
[dispatcher chattering on radio]
[shouting continues]
[store alarms ringing]
[Arthur laughing]
[officer 1] Stop laughing, you freak! This isn’t funny.
[officer 2] Yeah, the whole fucking city’s on fire ’cause of what you did.
[dispatcher] All units, fire reported, north of alley. Code Four for medical.
[Arthur] I know. Isn’t it beautiful?
[chuckles]
[looters shouting]
[shouting continues]
[sirens wailing]
Go over there.
Hey, Wayne. You get what you fucking deserve.
No! Pal!
[Mrs. Wayne screaming]
[gunshot]
[body thuds]
[looters shouting]
[coughing]
[man] Come on, get up! Come on, man, get up.
[crowd shouting and cheering]
[crowd continues shouting and cheering]
[Arthur laughing]
[Arthur continues laughing]
[Therapist] What’s so funny?
[Arthur] Just thinking of a joke.
[Arthur continues laughing]
[Therapist] Do you want to tell it to me?
[Arthur] You wouldn’t get it.
[“That’s Life” playing]
[Arthur] ♪ That’s life ♪
♪ And as funny as it may seem ♪
♪ Some people get their kicks ♪
♪ Stompin’ on a dream ♪
♪ But I don’t let it, let it get me down ♪
♪ ‘Cause this fine old world ♪
[“That’s Life” continues playing]
