JOKER
Excuse me, I was wondering how I
could check my mother out of here?
One of the nurses at the desk looks up at him, seems slightly
annoyed.
ER NURSE
What's your mother's name?
JOKER
Penny Fleck. I'd like to take her
home.
65.
The sleep-deprived ER RESIDENT who was working on his mother
overhears Joker, comes over to talk to him with a clipboard
in his hand. Joker recognizes him--
ER RESIDENT
Mr. Fleck, your mother had a
stroke. It's very serious. You
can't "check her out." She's gonna
be here for at least a week.
JOKER
She's not gonna wanna stay that
long. She doesn't like hospitals.
Or doctors.
ER RESIDENT
I'm sorry to hear that. But she
can't just leave.
JOKER
I don't like hospitals either.
Beat.
The resident just nods okay. Looks down at his clipboard--
ER RESIDENT
Listen, I wanted to talk you about
something we noticed in her tox
report. We found heavy traces of
multiple medications in her system.
JOKER
Okay. Thanks.
He turns to go, but the resident continues--
ER RESIDENT
One of them's perphenazine. It's a
powerful anti-psychotic. If she was
taking that regularly and then
suddenly stopped, the withdrawal
could have contributed to her
stroke. Did you notice any
symptoms?
JOKER
Symptoms?
ER RESIDENT
Withdrawal symptoms. Nausea...
anxiety... hallucinations.
Joker shakes his head, no.
66.
ER RESIDENT
Do you know how long she's been
taking it?
Joker shakes his head no again, leans in closer to the
resident--
JOKER
Can you tell me what those symptoms
are again?
CUT TO:
63
INT. PATIENT BAY, EMERGENCY TREATMENT ROOM - NIGHT
63
CLOSE ON TV, Murray Franklin is in the middle of doing his
monologue.
MURRAY FRANKLIN (ON TV)
So I told my youngest son, Tommy,
remember he's the 'not so bright'
one,--
(laughter)
I told him that the garbage strike
is still going on. And he says, and
I'm not kidding, Tommy says, "So
where are we gonna get all our
garbage from?"
Murray Franklin cracks up at his own joke. Studio audience
laughs.
JOKER LAUGHS, LYING IN BED NEXT TO HIS UNCONSCIOUS MOTHER in
the large overcrowded treatment room.
Blue curtain dividers separate the bays. He's watching the
show on a TV bolted high on the wall. He glances over at his
mother, laughing over the sounds of her labored breath, the
pain and suffering of those around him.
He looks back up at the television.
MURRAY FRANKLIN (ON TV)
And finally, in a world where
everyone thinks they could do my
job, we got this videotape from the
Gotham Comedy Club. Here's a guy
who thinks if you just keep
laughing, it'll somehow make you
funny. Check out this joker.
67.
EXTREME CLOSE ON TV, GRAINY VIDEO OF JOKER'S STAND-UP
PERFORMANCE. Joker on stage smiling behind the microphone,
under the harsh spotlight.
Joker watching himself on TV, his jaw drops--
JOKER (ON TV)
(trying to stop himself
from laughing)
-- good evening, hello.
(deep breath; trying to
stop laughing)
Good to be here.
(keeps cracking up)
I, I hated school as a kid. But my
mother would always say,--
(bad imitation of his mom,
still laughing)
"You should enjoy it. One day
you'll have to work for a living."
(laughs)
"No I won't, Ma. I'm gonna be a
comedian!"
Back to Murray Franklin shaking his head, trying not to
laugh.
MURRAY FRANKLIN (ON TV)
You should have listened to your
mother.
The studio audience erupts into laughter.
ANGLE ON JOKER, watching Murray Franklin make fun of him on
TV. He gets up and starts walking toward the TV set as if in a trance. Unsure if this is really happening.
MURRAY FRANKLIN (ON TV)
One more, Bernie. Let's see one
more. I love this guy.
The tape continues of Joker at the comedy club.
JOKER (ON TV)
It's funny, when I was a little boy
and told people I wanted to be a
comedian, everyone laughed at me.
(opens his arms like a big
shot)
Well no one is laughing now.
Dead silence. Nobody is laughing. Not even him.
CUT BACK CLOSE ON MURRAY FRANKLIN, just shaking his head.
68.
MURRAY FRANKLIN (ON TV)
You can say that again, pal!
Murray cracks up and the studio audience laughs along with
him.
CLOSE ON JOKER, looking up at the television, hearing them
all laughing at him.
Beat.
JUMP CUT:
Joker is dragging a chair to the television set.
In a rage, he gets up on the chair and tries to pull the TV
out of the wall, as the show continues to play--
But the set is firmly secured to the wall, and Joker pulls so
hard the chair flips from underneath him and he goes flying
up the air, crashing down hard onto the floor.
64
INT. CAFETERIA, CITY HOSPITAL - EARLY MORNING
64
Joker walks with a plastic tray of food. Some runny eggs and
a coffee. He keeps his head down so no one can see his face.
There are a few DOCTORS AND NURSES sitting and chatting at
one table. A group of ORDERLIES are sitting together at
another table.
He goes and sits down in the far corner, far away from
everyone else. Sees a tabloid newspaper left on the table,
and picks it up to read so he doesn't seem so alone.
ANGLE ON FRONT PAGE HEADLINE, "Thomas Wayne Announces Run", over a full-page campaign-style photograph of Thomas Wayne
waving to a crowd standing next to his wife, MARTHA (50's), a
severe looking, well-preserved former model, and little Bruce
Wayne standing in front of them. Photo catches Bruce looking
into camera, eyes wide, scared by the crowd.
SUB-HEADLINE READS, " Protest Planned at Wayne Hall Opening Tonight"
Joker stares at the family photo.
CLOSE ON BRUCE WAYNE IN PHOTO, Joker's fingers ripping his
picture out of the front page.
YOUNG DOCTOR (OS)
-- I'm sorry to bother you, but can
you settle an argument for us?
69.
CLOSE ON JOKER LOOKING UP, interrupted from ripping out the
picture. One YOUNG DOCTOR and TWO NURSES are
standing around
him. We stay with Joker, don't see their faces. Just their
bodies, all dressed in green scrubs, uniforms.
JOKER
Excuse me?
YOUNG DOCTOR (OS)
You were the guy on Murray Franklin
last night, right?
He hears the nurses giggle.
JOKER
No, sorry. Wasn't me.
NURSE #1 (OS)
Of course it was you. You were the
comedian.
YOUNG DOCTOR (OS)
Except you weren't funny. You
didn't tell any jokes.
He hears the nurses giggle again.
STAY CLOSE ON JOKER, getting upset. He just shakes his head.
JOKER
I don't know what you're talking
about.
YOUNG DOCTOR (OS)
No. It was definitely you, buddy.
You're the guy who couldn't stop
laughing. Murray killed you.
More laughter. Joker looks up at them.
JOKER
If I were you, I'd walk away from
this table before I strangle all
three of you with that fucking
stethoscope hanging from your neck.
Beat.
65
EXT. CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS, WAYNE HALL - UPTOWN - DUSK65
Joker crosses a busy street heading to the Center for
Performing Arts. Light falling. Storm clouds gathering.
70.
Joker stops when he sees--
A CROWD OF PROTESTERS SCREAMING AND SHOUTING IN FRONT OF
WAYNE HALL, behind steel barricades. Many wearing Joker's
"clown face" mask... A few wave homemade signs, "CLOWN FOR
MAYOR"... "KILL THE RICH"... "MR. WAYNE, AM I A CLOWN?"
A LINE OF POLICEMEN AND SECURITY GUARDS stand between the
crowd and the lit-up white marble building.
Joker watches the protest for a moment, then continues across
the street. It starts to rain.
66
EXT. WAYNE HALL, FRONT ENTRANCE - EVENING
66
A FIGHT BREAKS OUT between a "clown" masked protester and two cops. The crowd goes crazy, pushing through the barricades
toward the building in the driving rain. The police and Wayne
Hall Security fight to keep them out--
Amidst all the chaos, we glimpse Joker slipping into the
building unnoticed--
67
INT. LOBBY, WAYNE HALL - EVENING
67
Joker walks through the massive multi-level lobby. It's
completely empty since the performance has already begun and
whatever security was available is outside helping the police
deal with the protesters.
He looks up in awe at the crystal chandeliers... The shiny,
marble floor beneath his feet. He's never seen anything this
opulent in his entire life.
68
INT. BACK OF THEATER, WAYNE HALL - EVENING
68
JOKER MAKING HIS WAY THROUGH THE DARK SHADOWS ALONG THE BACK
WALL OF THE AUDITORIUM, looking for Thomas Wayne in the sold-
out black-tie audience--
He catches bits of Chaplin's MODERN TIMES projected on a
screen behind the Gotham Philharmonic playing the silent
movie's score... the Tramp roller skating blindfolded on a
date with the Gamin (Paulette Goddard) in a department store.
He continues moving along the wall from aisle-to-aisle
looking for Thomas Wayne...
The audience laughs as the Tramp skates blindfolded, skirting
along the edge of a balcony with no rail, orchestra playing
the bouncy score. Joker can't find Thomas Wayne in the dark--
71.
He moves to the top of the next aisle, pausing to watch more
of the film. Suddenly somebody bumps into Joker--
He looks up and sees it's one of Thomas Wayne's TWO SECURITY
GUARDS, escorting Thomas Wayne out of the auditorium--
Joker turns and watches them lead him out. Behind Joker on
screen, the Tramp is rescued by the girl before he falls off
the edge, orchestra swelling--
69
INT. LOBBY, WAYNE HALL - CONTINUOUS
69
Joker peeks his head out of the auditorium, sees Thomas Wayne
heading into the men's room, his two security guards waiting
by the door, still hear the orchestra playing the score--
Joker glances back into the auditorium--
Sees a lobby broom and upright dustpan tucked in the back
corner--
70
INT. HALLWAY, MEN'S ROOM - WAYNE HALL - SECONDS LATER
70
Joker's sweeping up the hallway with his head down, hear the
orchestra playing the melancholy "Smile" from the film's score. He sweeps along to the music like Emmett Kelly's
famous hobo clown... Sweeping around the two security guards'
feet... Annoyed, they move a bit away from the bathroom
door... And don't give Joker a second look as he heads
inside...
71
INT. MEN'S ROOM, WAYNE HALL - CONTINUOUS
71
Joker sweeps his way into the cavernous, black & white tiled bathroom, ornate gold fixtures. It's empty save for Thomas
Wayne peeing at the far end of a long line of urinals.
Joker takes a deep breath, and walks down the line of urinals
right up next to Thomas Wayne--
He stands there for a beat while Thomas urinates, lobby broom
and upright dustpan in hand--
THOMAS WAYNE
(glances over; annoyed)
Can I help you, pal?
JOKER
What? Yeah. No I, I--
72.
THOMAS WAYNE
(interrupting)
You need to get in here or
something?
Thomas Wayne finishes and zips his fly back up. Joker is not
sure what to say to him, just says--
JOKER
Dad. It's me.
Beat.
But Thomas Wayne doesn't hear him, he was flushing the
urinal. He walks toward the sink.
THOMAS WAYNE
Excuse me?
Joker follows after him.
JOKER
My name is Arthur. I'm Penny's son.
(beat)
I know you didn't know about me,
and I don't want anything from you.
Well... maybe a hug.
And Joker smiles, it's all very emotional for him. Thomas
looks over at him like he's fucking crazy.
THOMAS WAYNE
Jesus? You're the guy who came by
my house yesterday.
Joker nods, relieved he finally broke through.
JOKER
Yes. But they wouldn't let me in,
wouldn't let me see you. So I came
here. I have so many questions.
Thomas Wayne just laughs to himself and turns on the gold
faucets at one of the sinks.
THOMAS WAYNE
Look pal, I'm not your father.
What's wrong with you?
JOKER
How do you know?
Thomas Wayne just keeps washing his hands, doesn't even look
over at Joker.
73.
THOMAS WAYNE
Cause you were adopted. And I never
fucked your mother. What do you
want from me, money?
JOKER
No. What? I wasn't adopted.
Thomas starts drying his hands.
THOMAS WAYNE
She never told you? Your
mother
adopted you before she even started
working for us. She was arrested
when you were four years old and
committed to Arkham State Hospital.
She's batshit crazy.
Joker starts to smile, feels a laugh coming on.
JOKER
No. No, I don't believe that.
Thomas finishes drying his hands. Turns to Joker, his tone
way more serious now.
THOMAS WAYNE
I don't really give a shit what you
believe.
(steps in closer)
But if you ever come to my house
again, if you ever talk to my son
again, if I ever even hear about
you again, I'll--
AND JOKER CRACKS UP LAUGHING, interrupting his threat.
Laughing right in his face--
THOMAS WAYNE
Are you laughing at me?
Joker's laughing so hard he can't answer.
THOMAS SHOVES JOKER HARD UP AGAINST THE TILED WALL, gripping
his neck with one hand. Joker just cracks up louder, he drops
the dustpan and broom--
THOMAS WAYNE
(shouting)
You think this is funny?
Thomas Wayne's security guards bang open the door, rushing
into the bathroom when they hear the shouting--
74.
They stop when they see Thomas has Joker jacked up against
the wall.
JOKER
(tries shaking his head
no; still laughing and
choking)
No, no I have a con--
THOMAS WAYNE
(interrupting; raising his
voice)
Is this a fucking joke to you?
AND THOMAS WAYNE PUNCHES JOKER STRAIGHT IN THE FACE with his
free hand, blood spraying from his nose--
72
EXT. WAYNE HALL, FRONT ENTRANCE - PLAZA - NIGHT
72
The two security guards roughly throw Joker out of the hall,
right in front of the drenched crowd of screaming protesters,
TV cameras and photographers now on hand, bulbs flashing--
Joker knowing how to take a fall, plays it up in front of
this audience for all it's worth, tumbling end-over-end out
onto the plaza in the rain--
He rolls to his feet with a bit of panache and brushes
himself off like it was nothing.
The protesters go crazy, cheering and applauding his act--
And Joker takes a deep dramatic bow. Wet hair. Bloody nose.
He turns and sees the security guards coming back out--
Joker takes off running through the plaza in the downpour,
running out of the Center for Performing Arts. Turns down a
side street almost slipping--
And keeps running even though nobody's chasing after him.
We HEAR the familiar beats of THE SUGARHILL GANG'S "Apache"
as Joker just keeps running and running.
73
INT. APARTMENT BUILDING, HALLWAY - NIGHT
73
Joker knocking on Sophie's apartment door, "Apache" blaring inside. He's soaking wet, clothes clinging to his body.
The Joker (2019) Script Page 7