Joker

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?

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