Batman: The Killing Joke Page #4

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a problem with softbacks.

(CLICKS TONGUE) Oh, God,

literary discussions

can get so dry, can't they?

Finish the Commissioner, take him where he

needs to be and please, do be careful.

After all, he is topping the bill.

It really is a shame you'll miss

your father's debut, Ms. Gordon.

Sadly, our venue wasn't built

- for the disabled in mind.

- (SOBBING)

(GROANING) Why are you doing this?

To prove a point.

Here's to crime.

You see, I have a reason, a good one.

I have to prove myself...

As a husband and a father.

I mean, well, this isn't the sort of thing

I'd agree to do normally,

without an important reason.

Of course.

Did I ever tell you

I started out as a lab assistant?

Of course, I did, right?

A good job, a real good job,

but my heart wasn't in it.

So, I quit to be a comedian,

to make people laugh

because when they laugh, they feel good.

The thing is... (SCOFFS) They didn't.

Now I'm not feeling good.

That's why I'm here, for one big score!

Hey, can you try and be cool?

Sorry, I usually don't drink at lunchtime.

You're not lying when you say

we'll get away with it?

Nobody will know I was involved?

Not to worry, friend.

We'll take care of you.

We need your help getting into that

chemical plant you used to work in

and into the playing card company

next door.

It's your expertise we appreciate.

And to absolutely guarantee

ain't nobody connects you to the robbery,

you'll be wearing this.

Wait a minute,

I've seen that before in the papers.

That's the Red Hood's mask.

He raided that ice company last month.

Smarten up, wise guy.

There ain't no Red Hood.

Just a bunch of guys

like yourself and a mask.

Right, the most valued member of the crew,

he gets to wear it, no questions asked.

'Cause he needs the...

"He can't afford to be

connected to the job

"so he deserves additional anonymity."

Merits it.

Sure. That makes sense, right? That's you.

But there aren't any eye slits.

How am I supposed to see?

Well, therein lies the beauty.

Two-way mirrors,

just like the cops use, huh?

I don't know, I don't know.

That chemical plant...

I quit 'cause it creeped me out.

So grim and ugly,

it was getting under my skin.

But you know it

like the back of your hand.

Right.

But this ain't about you, though.

No. No, of course not.

Just this once,

then I can lead a proper life.

Exactly.

Can't make a nest

without breaking a few eggs.

(CHUCKLES) That's funny.

No, it's cliche.

So, 11:
00, Friday night,

friend?

Starting Saturday morning, I'll be rich.

Just trying to imagine that,

my life, completely changed.

Nothing will be the same...

Not ever again.

(POWERING UP)

(MONITOR BEEPING)

She'll never walk again.

I'm sorry.

Some woman found Ms. Gordon,

name of Colleen Miles.

She found the, uh, victim

in a state of undress.

Undress?

They didn't tell you?

Pretty sick, ain't it?

Leave us alone for a moment.

Barbara, I don't know if you can hear me.

BARBARA:
Batman?

Batman.

He took Dad, he...

Oh, God! I remember.

Barbara, take it easy. It's okay.

No, no, it's not okay.

He's taking it to the limit this time.

You didn't see his eyes.

He said he wanted to prove a point.

Said Dad was top of the bill.

What's he going to do?

What's he going to do to my father?

Huh? What?

- Wait!

- Up!

Stop! (SCREAMS)

Up!

(GROANING)

(ALL LAUGHING)

GORDON:
No, no!

Don't, please.

Why are you doing this?

Where are you taking me?

- Down!

- What?

- Down!

- (GROANS)

Please, tell me what I'm doing here.

Somebody!

JOKER:
Doing?

You're doing what any sane man in your

appalling circumstances would do.

You're going mad.

I remember.

JOKER:
(LAUGHS MANIACALLY)

I wouldn't do that.

Remembering's dangerous.

I find the past such

a worrying, anxious place.

Yes, memory is so treacherous.

One moment you're lost in a carnival

of delight, childhood aromas,

the flashing neon of puberty,

all that sentimental candyfloss.

The next, it takes you

somewhere you don't want to be.

Somewhere dark and cold,

filled with damp, ambiguous-shaped things

you'd rather forget.

Memories can be vile,

repulsive little brutes.

Like children, no?

(GIGGLING MANIACALLY)

Barbara.

(GRUNTS)

But can we live without them?

Memories are what our reason is based on.

If we deny them, we deny reason itself.

Although, what's wrong with that, really?

It's not like we're contractually

tied down to rationality.

There is no sanity clause.

So when you find yourself

locked onto an unpleasant

train of thought,

headed for places in your past

where the screaming is unavoidable...

Remember this, there's always madness.

You can just step outside,

close the door on all

those dreadful things that happened.

You can lock them away forever.

THUG:
So, everything's

settled for tonight?

We can count on you?

Uh... Well, of course.

It'd be crazy to back out now.

I mean, the worst part,

lying to Jeannie, that's done.

She thinks I have a club engagement.

No reason she shouldn't

keep right on thinking that.

Now, about tonight,

wear a suit and a bow tie.

It's kind of the trademark

with this Red Hood business.

It's what Jeannie

will expect me to wear to the night club.

Ah! It's perfect.

Excuse me, sir?

Could we speak to you outside

for a moment?

Me? But why? I haven't, I mean, uh...

It'll only take a moment, sir.

(INAUDIBLE)

Something you want to tell us, friend?

There was an accident this morning...

Testing the baby bottle heater.

An electrical short and my wife died.

Gee, that's terrible. We're really sorry.

The cops said it was

a million-to-one shot accident.

Said I should probably have another drink

before I went to the hospital.

And you should.

Rough break, man,

probably want to be alone, right?

That's cool.

We'll see you back here tonight.

Tonight?

I can't.

There's no reason anymore.

Jeannie's dead.

Oh, no, no, no, I'm sorry about your wife,

but what's happening tonight,

it's no little thing.

And we can't ensure that

anybody backing out remains healthy.

- Uh, but...

- No buts and no exceptions.

Look, tomorrow you bury

your old lady in luxury.

Tonight, you're with us.

Get the picture?

(GRUNTING)

(YELLS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(GROANS)

I'm going to count to 10.

One, nine...

I swear to God, man, he ain't been around.

- (SCREAMS)

- Swear to me!

You! I swear to you.

When he escapes, it ain't long till he

comes around, recruiting, you know?

But not this time. Nobody's seen him.

(GROANS)

MAN:
Yeah?

Step away from the door.

Oh, sh*t.

(MAN SCREAMS)

(GRUNTING)

(SCREAMS)

You done?

- Yeah, I heard he got out again.

- You heard?

Read.

Calm down, I have no idea where he is

or what in the hell

he's got planned, trust me.

I can't trust you.

No, but believe me.

If I knew anything, I'd tell you, honest.

People in my, uh...

Let's call it "line of work."

Criminals.

Yeah, we may be scared of you.

We're terrified of him.

Order in the court! Order in the court!

I'll have ham on rye.

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