Joker Page #28

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.

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