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1000
JOKER
AN ORIGIN
Written by
Todd Phillips & Scott Silver
13 April 2018
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?
Shakes his head, no.
SOCIAL WORKER
Have you been sleeping?
5.
JOKER
(lying)
Some.
She glances at his file again.
SOCIAL WORKER
Arthur, you're on seven different
medications. Surely they must be
doing something.
He finally stands up. Zips up his faded red sweatshirt.
Looks at her--
JOKER
I just don't wanna feel so bad
anymore.
CUT TO BLACK:
TITLE:
JOKER
2 EXT. GOTHAM SQUARE, MIDTOWN - KENNY'S MUSIC SHOP - DAY 2
GOTHAM SQUARE IS CLOGGED WITH TRAFFIC. Non-stop honking
horns, pedestrians crowding the sidewalk. Huge billboards,
giant movie marquees, garbage bags piled high everywhere.
Underneath it all we hear a TINKLING PIANO playing something
bouncy and fast-paced.
FROM ACROSS THE BUSY CITY STREET, we see Joker. He's dressed
as a sad-faced HOBO CLOWN. This is his job.
Dressed in tattered clothes, dark five o'clock shadow painted
on his face, big bulbous red nose, his mouth's outlined in
white, turned down at the corners.
He's holding up a sign in front of Kenny's Music Shop that
reads, "EVERYTHING MUST GO!" A banner above the store reads,
"GOING OUT OF BUSINESS!" Behind him, an OLD MAN plays a piano
on the street. Both of them there to draw attention to the
big sale going on in the store.
Joker's doing a little Charlie Chaplin like waddle to the
music. Most people walk right past, ignoring him. A few bump
into him by mistake.
JOKER SEES A GROUP OF FIVE BOYS, no more than 15-years-old,
walking toward him. He moves out of their way. They crack up
laughing when they see him. Start making fun of him.
6.
Joker ignores them, tries to do his job the best he can while
maintaining some dignity. Keeps dancing and holding up the
sign.
One of the kids knocks the sign out of Joker's hands--
KID #1
Suck my dick, clown.
The kids laugh. Joker doesn't say anything. Just bends over
to pick up the sign--
Another kid kicks him in the ass--
KID #2
Whoops.
Joker falls face first onto the sidewalk. Oddly, the old man
playing the piano picks up the pace of the music--
The kids crack up. One of the boys grabs Joker's sign and
takes off running across the street--
The other kids follow, weaving through traffic--
Joker gets up and gives chase. He needs his sign back.
He almost gets hit by a taxi, spinning out of the way just in
time-- Spinning right into another taxi that stops just short
of hitting him.
Joker keeps running through traffic. People stare. A clown
barreling down the street has got to be a joke--
3 EXT. CORNER, SIDE STREET - GOTHAM SQUARE - CONTINUOUS 3
The five boys are booking it down the crowded street laughing
and whooping it up. At the last second they take a sharp
right turn down a cross street--
Joker almost overshoots the corner, slip-sliding in his big
red shoes--
He rights himself and heads down after them--
Sees them running up ahead--
WHAP! Out of nowhere Joker gets hit in the face!
He falls to the ground.
One of the kids was hiding between parked cars and hit Joker
with the "EVERYTHING MUST GO!" sign, splintering it in two--
7.
The other kids turn back and walk up to Joker down on the
ground.
Joker reaches out, still trying to save the sign--
THE KIDS START KICKING AND BEATING THE SHIT out of Joker.
It's brutal and vicious. Nobody on the street stops to help.
CLOSE ON JOKER'S HOBO CLOWN FACE, down on the ground. Sweat
running down his face, smearing his make-up. He doesn't even
look like he's in pain. He just takes the beating.
That stupid frown painted on his face.
4 INT. CITY BUS (PULLING OUT) - HEADING DOWNTOWN - DUSK 4
Joker, makes his way toward the back of the crowded bus, now
walking with a slight limp, but keeping his head held high.
His make-up's washed off, costume and props all shoved into a
big shopping bag slung over his shoulder. Some white grease-
paint still smudged on the sides of his face.
He finds an empty seat in the back of the bus. Sees a sad-
eyed FOUR-YEAR-OLD GIRL, face puffy from crying, sitting on
her knees looking back at him. Her mother's facing forward,
but even from behind you can tell she's angry.
Joker sees the sad-eyed girl staring straight back at him. He
doesn't know where to look, feeling self-conscious and small.
He gets back into "character" smiling like a clown and covers
his face with his hands-- Starts playing the peek-a-boo game
with her.
The girl stares back at him for a moment then giggles--
WOMAN ON BUS
(turns back to Joker;
already annoyed)
Can you please stop bothering my
kid?
JOKER
I wasn't bothering her, I was--
WOMAN ON BUS
(interrupts)
Just stop.
AND SUDDENLY JOKER STARTS TO LAUGH. LOUD. He covers his mouth
trying to hide it-- Shakes his head, laughter pausing for a
moment, but then it comes on stronger. His eyes are sad. It
actually looks like the laughter causes him pain.
8.
People on the bus are staring. The girl looks like she's
going to cry again.
WOMAN ON BUS
You think that's funny?
Joker shakes his head no, but he can't stop laughing. He
reaches in his pocket and pulls out a small card. Hands it to
the woman.
CLOSE ON THE CARD, it reads: "Forgive my laughter. I have a
condition (more on back)"
She turns the card over and there is a bunch of information
in small writing--
"It's a medical condition causing sudden, frequent, uncontrollable laughter that
doesn't match how you feel. It can happen in people with a brain injury or certain
neurological conditions."
She doesn't read it (but if you freeze frame the movie you
could). She just shakes her head annoyed and throws the card
on the ground.
Joker laughs harder. Tears running down his face.
Not wanting to attract any more attention to himself, he
pulls up his red hood, and uses his threadbare scarf to cover
his mouth, trying to muffle the laughter.
He looks out at the city passing him by.
5 EXT. LOWER EAST SIDE, STREETS - GOTHAM - EVENING 5
The bus pulls away, sun almost gone.
Joker heads slowly down the litter-covered streets. Garbage
is piled along the sidewalks, the air thick with smog creates
a haze over everything.
The streets are crowded with the poor, the elderly and
disenfranchised. Women with children in busted strollers.
Homeless people sleeping on subway grates. Stray dogs. His is
one of the few white faces.
Joker makes his way into a run-down drug store, behind him
two drunks fight on the corner, beating the shit out of each
other. Joker, and nobody else for that matter, pays them any
attention.
No one here gives a shit.
9.
6 INT. LOBBY, APARTMENT BUILDING - EVENING 6
A shabby lobby in a building that was once probably pretty
nice, but now it's a dump.
Joker checks his mailbox. He's holding a small white
(prescription) bag in his hand.
The mailbox is empty.
7 INT. ELEVATOR, APARTMENT BUILDING - CONTINUOUS 7
Joker steps onto the wheezing elevator, harsh fluorescent
lights, graffiti on the walls. As the door closes, he hears--
SOPHIE (OS)
Wait!!
He puts his foot out with some panache to stop the closing
door-- He's a romantic at heart. Ding.
And SOPHIE DUMOND (late 20's), tired eyes, hands filled with
grocery bags, steps onto the elevator with GIGI, her 5-year-
old daughter.
SOPHIE
Thank you.
(realizing)
Of course it's you,-- everyone else
in this building is just so fucking
rude.
Joker nods "thanks." Holds his breath, hoping he doesn't
start to laugh.
Floors dinging as the elevator rises.
Joker sees GiGi licking the dirty smudged elevator handrail
behind her mom.
SOPHIE
How's your mom doing?
He takes a deep breath, he's uncomfortable talking to her,
holds up the white prescription bag.
JOKER
It's day to day. I'm doing
everything I can to get her back on
her feet.
(re: pharmacy bag)
Picked up her medicine. Gonna make
her some dinner.
10.
SOPHIE
(smiles; being polite)
She's lucky she has you--
Joker smiles thanks, can't help but glance at GiGi licking
the rail.
Sophie finally notices. She wants to grab her but can't with
her hands full. Tries to kick her away--
SOPHIE
Jesus. Don't do that, GiGi! How
many times have I told you that?
(to Joker)
This building is so awful, isn't
it?
Joker just nods... he doesn't know what to say, but clearly
wants to continue this conversation with Sophie.
The doors open. They all step off.
SOPHIE
Okay. Well, tell your mom I said
hello.
And Sophie and GiGi walk down the hall-- the opposite way of
Joker. He just stands there for a beat. Heart beating fast.
JOKER
(calls out after her)
Hey Sophie--
She turns around.
JOKER
I'll tell my mom you said hello.
She smiles as in "yeah, that's what I said."
8 INT. MOM'S APARTMENT, FRONT DOOR - EVENING 8
Old apartment, worn carpet. Nothing's new inside but it's
fairly neat and well-kept.
Joker closes the door behind him, leans his back against it
and swoons. Hears a deep purring sound. He looks down and
sees an OLD ORANGE CAT, rubbing up against his leg.
Then--
11.
MOM (OS)
(shattering the moment,
calls out)
Happy?! Did you check the mail
before you came up?
JOKER
Yes, Ma. Nothing. No letter.
MOM (OS)
You sure you looked? Sometimes I
don't know where your head is.
Joker glances back down and sees the cat is gone.
JOKER
Yes I'm sure. And my head's right
here. I'm gonna make you some
dinner, okay?
QUICK CUTS:
JOKER TEARS OPEN THE PRESCRIPTION BAG... A FLURRY OF PILL
BOTTLES TUMBLE OUT ONTO THE COUNTER.
SEE HIS NAME, "ARTHUR FLECK" ON THE ORANGE PILL BOTTLES, AND
GLIMPSE THE GENERIC DRUG NAMES, TEMAZEPAM... PERPHENAZINE...
AHENELZINE... AMITRIPTYLINE... BENZEDRINE... DIAZEPAM...
MEPROBAMATE...
TAKES OUT ONE PILL FROM EACH THE TEMAZEPAM AND MEPROBAMATE
BOTTLES.
TWO PILLS BEING CRUSHED UP TO POWDER.
SPRINKLES THE POWDER ON TOP OF A TV DINNER.
SWALLOWS A HANDFUL OF PILLS FROM THE OTHER BOTTLES.
LOOKS DOWN AND SMILES AT THE ORANGE CAT LOOKING UP AT HIM
FROM THE COUNTER.
9 INT. MOM'S BEDROOM, APARTMENT - NIGHT 9
Joker brings the food to his mother, PENNY (70's), lying in
her bed. The TV is on, playing the local news.
Joker sets the food down in front of his mother. He covers
the pain from his beating the best he can-- His mother
doesn't seem to notice anyway.
MOM
He must not be getting my letters.
12.
Joker sits down on a chair next to the bed.
JOKER
He's a busy man.
MOM
Too busy for me? I worked for that
family for 12 years. He always had
a smile for me. Least he could do
is write back.
JOKER
Ma, eat. You need to eat.
MOM
You need to eat. Look how skinny
you are.
Before Joker can say anything, his mother points to the news
on the TV--
MOM
All day long it's more bad news.
That's all there is.
JOKER
Maybe you shouldn't watch so much
television.
MOM
(ignoring)
He's the only hope for Gotham.
He'll make a great mayor. Everybody
says so.
JOKER
(playful)
Everybody who? Who do you talk to?
MOM
Well everybody on the news.
JOKER
Stop it. He's not even gonna run.
Why would Thomas Wayne want to be
mayor? He can do more good as a
businessman.
MOM
Because he cares about this city.
And everyone in it-- that's why I
can't believe he hasn't written me
back.
13.
JOKER
He will. Now eat some dinner.
He feeds her a bite of the food.
JOKER
How you feeling today?
MOM
I don't know. It always hits me
worse at night, you notice that?
He shakes his head.
JOKER
(teasing)
Maybe it's the moon. Maybe you're a
werewolf?
HE HOWLS SOFTLY like a wolf. She laughs.
MOM
It's not funny.
Joker watches her as he cuts up some more of her food.
MOM
Anyway, I wrote a new letter today.
A better one. I want you to hand
deliver it to him.
JOKER
What? Why?
MOM
Cause maybe the mailman is throwing
them away. We should have tipped
him at Christmas time.
JOKER
Who tips their mailman?
MOM
Some people do. Rich people do.
Joker sighs, resigned.
JOKER
Okay. I can try his office.
Tomorrow.
14.
MOM
Thank you.
(she pats the bed)
Come sit. It's almost on.
Joker gets into bed with her.
CLOSE ON TELEVISION, intro to "LIVE WITH MURRAY FRANKLIN!",
and we HEAR THE ANNOUNCER over clips of comedy bits, stars
and Murray Franklin himself--
ANNOUNCER (ON TV)
It's Live with Murray Franklin!
Tonight Murray welcomes, Sandra
Winger, comedian Skip Byron and the
piano stylings of Yeldon & Chantel!
As always, Don Ellis and his Jazz
Orchestra. And now, without any
further ado-- Murray Franklin!
Joker and his mom watch from bed, this is a ritual of theirs.
10 INT. LIVING ROOM, MOM'S APARTMENT - NIGHT 10
Late night. Joker's mom is dead asleep. Joker is alone in the
living room, which doubles as his bedroom. He can't ever
sleep. He opens his worn notebook. Flips to a page titled
"Jokes" and starts writing--
CLOSE ON WORDS, as he slowly writes: "The worst part about
having a mental illness is..."
ANGLE ON JOKER, pausing, thinking it over for a moment. Then
he laughs to himself when he comes up with something.
CLOSE ON WORDS, coming faster now, "...that people still
expect you to behave as if you don't."
CUT TO:
11 EXT. WAYNE TOWER, STREET - MIDTOWN - MORNING 11
Joker's looking up at the intimidating steel and glass tower,
he looks so small, holding his mom's letter in his hand.
Bustle of professionals coming in and out of the company's
corporate headquarters, Joker looks out of place.
He heads inside through the giant glass doors.
15.
12 INT. RECEPTION, WAYNE ENTERPRISES - 25TH FLOOR - MORNING 12
Joker steps off an elevator and walks up to the white marble
reception desk as if he belongs there--
JOKER
Hello. I have a personal letter for
Mr. Thomas Wayne.
RECEPTIONIST
Okay. You can leave it with me.
JOKER
It's kind of important. I need to
make sure he gets it himself.
RECEPTIONIST
Oh, in that case, I'll buzz you
right in.
Joker goes to enter--
RECEPTIONIST
I'm kidding. Leave it here.
He laughs along with her, even though she's not laughing.
JOKER
Oh. Right-- well, my mom used to
work for the Wayne family-- for 12
years. She was their housekeeper.
A couple other business people are now waiting behind Joker,
there for meetings.
RECEPTIONIST
That's great. But you can leave it
with me or you can leave with the
letter. Those are your options. Now
please step aside.
JOKER
Mr. Wayne knows her. Can you maybe
at least call back to him? Tell him
that I'm here.
RECEPTIONIST
Thomas Wayne is away on business.
Joker is getting frustrated.
JOKER
Okay. Well, can I have your name?
So I know who I left it with.
16.
Now Joker sees a GROUP OF MEN walking behind the glass that
separates the reception area from the back offices. Amongst
the group, he catches a glimpse of THOMAS WAYNE (60's), deep
tan, hair dyed so black it's almost blue.
JOKER
Wait. He's right there.
(goes up to the glass,
shouts)
Mr. Wayne! Mr. Wayne.
He starts banging on the glass... but the group keeps moving.
Not noticing him.
RECEPTIONIST
Sir. Please stop. Sir!!
Joker keeps banging on the glass.
13 EXT. WAYNE TOWER, FRONT ENTRANCE - MORNING 13
The glass doors swing open and Joker is forcibly thrown onto
the street. TWO LARGE SECURITY GUARDS stand over him.
He is still holding the letter.
He makes as if he's going to leave peacefully, then at the
last minute, TAKES ANOTHER RUN AT THE DOOR--
The two guards stiff arm him.
CUT TO:
14 INT. HA-HA'S TALENT BOOKING, LOCKER ROOM - DAY 14
The cramped locker room of a small talent booking agency.
This is where Joker works. They "rent out" talent for parties
and events. Clowns, magicians, male strippers.
Joker takes off his shirt, grimaces in pain as he moves. His
body's bruised from the beating he took chasing after his
sign.
RANDALL (OS)
You okay?
He turns. RANDALL (mid 50's), a big bear of a know-it-all,
standing there. He's a party clown as well. He's half-dressed
in his clown suit.
17.
RANDALL
I heard about the beat down you
took. Fucking savages.
JOKER
It was just a bunch of kids. I
should have left it alone.
Randall opens his locker--
RANDALL
It's crazy out there. And it's only
getting worse.
JOKER
(nods)
My mother says that the people
nowadays lack empathy.
RANDALL
What's empathy?
JOKER
It means like "feeling for other
people."
RANDALL
Like sympathy?
JOKER
Kind of. But different.
Randall comes over, hands Joker a brown paper bag-- Joker
looks inside. It's a GUN, a .38 snub-nose revolver.
Joker looks up at him, confused--
RANDALL
Take it. I got a few. You gotta
protect yourself out there, buddy.
Too many wackos.
As Joker stares at it--
RANDALL
(lowers his voice)
It's a .38 snub-nose. Gets the job
done if you ever need to use it.
Usually pulling it out is enough.
JOKER
I, I don't have the money for this,
Randall.
18.
RANDALL
Don't sweat it. You can pay me some
other time. You're my boy.
That lands with Joker, he smiles to himself.
RANDALL
(as he walks away)
But you didn't get it from me,
okay?