Batman: The Killing Joke Page #6

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to all this struggling.

You make me want to puke.

(YELLS)

- (CATS SCREECHING)

- Shh.

I mean, what is it with you?

What made you what you are?

Girlfriend killed by the mob, maybe?

Brother carved up by some mugger?

Something like that, I know.

Because something like that

happened to me.

Sometimes, I remember it one way,

sometimes another.

If I'm going to have a past,

I prefer it to be multiple choice.

My point is...

I went crazy.

And I'm smart enough to admit it.

Why can't you?

(GROANS)

By clinging to reality, you're denying

the reality of the situation.

(GROANING)

(GROANS)

I mean, do you ever think

about how many times

we've come close to World War III over

a flock of geese on a computer screen?

Silly goose, it's all a joke,

everything anybody's ever valued

or struggled for, it's monstrous.

Why can't you see the funny side?

Why aren't you laughing?

(GRUNTING)

Because I've heard it before,

and it wasn't funny the first time.

(ELECTRICITY CRACKLING)

(GRUNTING)

I spoke with Commissioner Gordon

before I came in here.

He told me he wanted

this done by the book.

You know what that means?

It means that despite all your sick,

cruel, vicious little games,

he's as sane as he ever was.

So, ordinary people don't crack.

Maybe it's just you.

- No!

- (GROANS)

(LAUGHING)

(GRUNTING)

(GROANS)

God damn it.

Well, what are you waiting for?

Kick the hell out of me

and get your standing ovation.

Come on!

No, not this time.

I don't want to hurt you.

I don't want either of us

to end up killing the other.

But we're running out of alternatives.

Perhaps it all hinges on tonight.

I don't know what it was

that bent your life out of shape,

but maybe I've been there, too.

Maybe we could work together.

I could rehabilitate you.

You don't need to be alone.

We don't have to kill each other.

Let me help you.

I'm sorry, but no.

No, it's far too late for that.

- (THUNDER RUMBLING)

- (CHUCKLING)

You know, it's funny.

This reminds me of a joke.

See, there were two guys

locked in a lunatic asylum

and one night, one night they decided

they didn't like that anymore.

They decided to escape.

So, they made it up to the roof and there,

just across this narrow gap,

they see rooftops,

stretching across town,

stretching to freedom.

Now, the first guy,

he jumps right across, no problem.

But his friend, (CHUCKLES) no way,

he's afraid of falling.

So, the first guy, he has an idea.

He says,

"Hey, I got this flashlight with me.

"I'll shine it across the gap

between the buildings

"and you can walk across

the beam and join me."

But the second guy says,

"What do you think I am, crazy?

"You'll just turn it off

when I'm halfway across."

(LAUGHING) Excuse me.

Hmm.

(BATMAN CHUCKLES)

(BOTH LAUGHING)

(JOKER STOPS LAUGHING)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

Yeah, Dad, I just got back

from the lacrosse game.

Going to practice

some Wallball this weekend.

Getting pretty good.

Maybe another night, Dad,

I got plans tonight.

I can't help it

if your daughter's so popular.

I'll talk to you, later.

(PHONE BEEPS)

(POWERING UP)

Right then, back to work.

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