The Dark Knight Can someone tell describe the "pencil trick" scene for me?

[tang126]

In detail? Not "Joker does ****". I know "Joker does ****", but I'm curious about the general set-up, tone and the "why", for some reason. Details and specifics, please.



More than any other scene I've heard about, this one has caught my attention and I've been so curious about it. I've seen it mentioned in numerous reviews, with words like "shocked", "disgusted" and "stunned" used, so that really amped up my curiosity.

Feel free to place the scene/details in spoiler tags, or, better yet, simply PM me about it so we don't encounter any "I didn't want to be spoiled, but I clicked the spoiler tags anyway" controversy.

Two things:

1. This is a spoiler forum, so asking for such a thing shouldn't be any sort of violation or an unheard-of affront to anyone.

2. I'm actually asking to be "spoiled" on this one scene, so please don't take the time to post "just wait and see" or something equally unhelpful.

If I was interested in "waiting and seeing", I wouldn't be posting this simple request...



It's a serious request, and I'd really appreciate serious, helpful replies! I don't often do this, but this one scene is just scratching at my brain for some reason.

So anyone who's seen "The Dark Knight", please spill it about this "pencil trick" scene. Thanks in advance! Again, feel free to PM me if you'd prefer. Include as much detail as you can (dialogue, reaction, why it happened, who's involved, etc.).

 

[MessyPandas]

Spoiler

From what i know, Joker asks the mob bosses if they want to see a pencil dissapear. Theres a pencil stood in the middle of a table and Joker grabs a goons neck and pushes his head onto the pencil killing him.

Hope that helps

 

[Commodore Schmidlapp]

Spoiler

From what i know, Joker asks the mob bosses if they want to see a pencil dissapear. Theres a pencil stood in the middle of a table and Joker grabs a goons neck and pushes his head onto the pencil killing him.

Hope that helps

I heard that he moves it up and down real fast giving the illusion that it's rubber.

 

[Mako]

I've been wanting to know this to , I'm guessing he says he can make a pencil disapear and does a trick making the pencil disapear , when in fact its still in his hand and stabs someone in the neck with it ?

 

[Ferd]

I wouldn't mind knowing more about this bit, too. While I am prepared for Joker's psychotic behavior, and realize the rating of the film, the inner chicken in me squirms about

Spoiler

a pencil being jammed into someone's head.

I don't know, it's just one of those things that makes me squick.

 

[inflames]

ferd the terd

 

[Agentdemon]

I thought the trick would be a bit more clever. I imagined he would grab a pencil, ask them if they want to see a magic trick, then one goon might mock him. He'd make it vanish, then walk to the goon sitting down and make it "appear" from his ear, like some magicians will do with a straw. There would be some nervous chuckle from everyone. Joker starts laughing as well but suddenly rams the pencil through the goons ear, killing him.

 

[shadowdog]

Sort of reminds me of the 'trick' he pulled in the GN April Fool's Day

 

[ActuallyRobin]

Here's the screenplay, from an inside source:

Spoiler

MARONI
You need to wash off that make-up so we can get a good look at you.

GAMBOL
Yeah - we need to know what we're dealing with here. If things we go wrong, we know who to blame and we'll be able to put a face behind our man.

JOKER
If things go wrong, I'll find you, and I'll bring my friends. We're quite interested in sociopathy.

LEMMO
You got friends? Yeah, and I'd pass more for an ape.

The room breaks out in laughter. JOKER is not amused. He takes to his feet and approaches LEMMO.

JOKER
What's your name - Lemon or something?

He squares up to LEMMO.

LEMMO
It's Lemmo. L-E-M-M-O.

JOKER
Do you like magic, Lemmo?

LEMMO
I like money more. Why don't you sit down and cut to the chase?

JOKER
I feel hysterical. I'm going to show you some magic. It involves a pencil. You (he points at the CHECHEN), pass me that pencil.

The CHECHEN grudgingly passes JOKER the pencil.

LEMMO
Hey, I don't want to be seeing no magic.

JOKER
Sit down, Lemmo.

LEMMO
No one tells me what to do-

JOKER throws LEMMO onto the seat. LEMMO reacts, but the JOKER is quicker. He pulls out a gun and points it at LEMMO'S forehead. The room gasps.

MARONI
He's a good man, make-up boy. I don't want you messing with him.

JOKER
It's just a little trick, Mister Maroni. You see this pencil?

JOKER plants the pencil onto the desk. He grabs LEMMO'S head and rests it on top of the erect pencil.

CHECHEN
You got to be kidding me...

JOKER
Now let's be a little clownish.

Suddenly, JOKER pushes LEMMO'S head down onto the pencil. He starts to yell as the pencil impales his head.

That's all I got, I'm afraid.

ninja

Also, here's how I imagine the scene going

JOKER
Want to see me make a pencil dissapear

MARONI
Sure

JOKER
Well, I'll need a volunteer

GAMBOL
*puts hand up*

JOKER
Ok, now, I'll need you to bend over

GAMBOL
What?

JOKER
Just do it, or you won't get your money back

GAMBOL
Ermmm, ok *bends over the table*

JOKER
*shoves pencil where the sun don't shine*
There, can't see the pencil now, can you?

 

[MiniBond]

edit

 

[JMalone61]

When I first read the review mentioning this scene I thought he was going to slowly slide it through the scars next to his mouth.. And as the bosses get disgusted he laughs and you can see the pencil going across the inside of his mouth and going through both holes..

I have no idea why I thought that but I did.. So I wanted to share. That would definitely show them this isn't a guy who messes around..

But shoving it through some guy's neck works too..

 

[The Denialist]

Sort of reminds me of the 'trick' he pulled in the GN April Fool's Day

I think you mean Morrison's Arkham Asylum.

When I first read the review mentioning this scene I thought he was going to slowly slide it through the scars next to his mouth.. And as the bosses get disgusted he laughs and you can see the pencil going across the inside of his mouth and going through both holes..

I have no idea why I thought that but I did.. So I wanted to share. That would definitely show them this isn't a guy who messes around..

But shoving it through some guy's neck works too..

Neat idea. Very Ichi the Killer.

 

[jtfaria]

In detail? Not "Joker does ****". I know "Joker does ****", but I'm curious about the general set-up, tone and the "why", for some reason. Details and specifics, please.

More than any other scene I've heard about, this one has caught my attention and I've been so curious about it. I've seen it mentioned in numerous reviews, with words like "shocked", "disgusted" and "stunned" used, so that really amped up my curiosity.

Since you're so hyped about this scene, just do what I've been doing: Get a copy of Burton's 'Batman' and watch the scene where Jack Nicholson flings a quill pen through the mobster's neck. Now just pretend it's a pencil and Heath Ledger. That should hold you until the film comes out.

 

[Patty]

Id really like to know what he does w/ the pencil, and the grammar nazi in me wants to see this threads title fixed. How do you "tell describe" something?

 

[tang126]

I saw that earlier, and fixed it about five minutes ago. I actually know how to write/type a little (so no need to spend serious time or energy wondering how you "describe tell" something), but I must have gotten my thoughts mixed up when titling my new thread a while ago.

Looks like I got careless and blended "can someone tell me..." and "can someone describe...".

In any case, it's not the worst - not even close - grammar/spelling/punctuation offense you'll see at this site at any given hour, believe me.



EDIT: Hmmm, I really did fix it (went into the "go advanced" settings in the opening post's edit pane) and it reads correctly at the top of this page, attached to my first post ("Could someone please describe the pencil trick scene for me?"), but it's still reading weird on the main forum/thread list page and throughout the thread. Interesting. I don't know how to fix "the big picture".

Oh well. A moderator might have to work some behind-the-scenes magic if I'm overlooking something obvious...

 

[Patty]

I saw that earlier, and fixed it about five minutes ago. I actually know how to write/type, but I think I got my thoughts mixed up when titling my new thread a while ago. It happens.

I think I got careless and blended "can someone tell me..." and "can someone describe...".



EDIT: Hmmm, I really did fix it (went into the "go advanced" settings in the opening post's edit pane) and it reads correctly at the top of this page ("Could someone please describe the pencil trick scene for me?"), but it's still reading weird on the main forum/thread list page.

yea sorry bro im not dissin you or anything i just have a touch of grammar naziin myblood.

 

[tang126]

No prob. I don't know how to make that correction/edit show up globally.

If a kind mod wants to re-title this thread "Could someone please describe the "pencil trick" scene for me?" that would be super-swell.

t:

 

[Anita18]

When I first read the review mentioning this scene I thought he was going to slowly slide it through the scars next to his mouth.. And as the bosses get disgusted he laughs and you can see the pencil going across the inside of his mouth and going through both holes..

I have no idea why I thought that but I did.. So I wanted to share. That would definitely show them this isn't a guy who messes around..

EW!

LOL, at first I was intrigued by the pencil since one of the first reviews announced, "You will be amazed" but now I'm just like, "Eeeuuuuugh." Still intrigued, but at least I'll be ready to brace myself.

 

[tang126]

EW!

LOL, at first I was intrigued by the pencil since one of the first reviews announced, "You will be amazed" but now I'm just like, "Eeeuuuuugh." Still intrigued, but at least I'll be ready to brace myself.

That's why I'm so interested. One of the first "official" reviews I read, the writer said something like "you'll be amazed". So, naturally, I'm sitting there thinking "ooh, a cool trick!", as though Joker is channeling Doug Henning or something.

But I've read other reviews that have put a more sinister spin on the scene. Which, frankly, made a bit more sense.

So I wonder if that first review was more of a tongue-in-cheek "amazed" comment, and not so "cool magic trick" (besides, how cool could a "magic trick" be in a huge blockbuster movie...they've got access to multiple takes, digital effects, editing, etc.

"Ooh, the pencil disappeared into thin air!"

"Yeah, goober...it's called editing and special effects."

t:

So I realized that Joker probably does something really mean and gross with it (naturally), but I guess I just got my curiosity ramped-up real good about it...



Oh well. If nobody comes along in the next day or two to give a straight, "I was there and I've seen it" answer, I guess I'll just find out on the 18th. I figured some people from here already saw it, and could easily lay the scene out. Hell, I can guess/speculate all day long all by myself...that doesn't help me. LOL.

 

[plod]

ninja

Also, here's how I imagine the scene going

JOKER
Want to see me make a pencil dissapear

MARONI
Sure

JOKER
Well, I'll need a volunteer

GAMBOL
*puts hand up*

JOKER
Ok, now, I'll need you to bend over

GAMBOL
What?

JOKER
Just do it, or you won't get your money back

GAMBOL
Ermmm, ok *bends over the table*

JOKER
*shoves pencil where the sun don't shine*
There, can't see the pencil now, can you?

Nice, not original (they did it in Batman already) but sounds good.

 

[Ferd]

ferd the terd

You do know the latter word is spelled with a U, right? Ferd is a nickname for Jennifer

 

[superkong 500]

If it is like i imagine it will be then they barely got the pg-13 rating I mean they're really pushing it beyond what any ther movie has before.

I'am guessing we'll see the thug struggling and then Joker pushes he's head really fast and deep in and then he lifts the guys head from the table and then... voila! the pencil is gone and we see the guy's head from behind while the joker holds it and the rest of the mob are gasping and repulsed by this.

I can imagine him saying you see ...its gone magic! hahahahahhahahaha.

 

[laudanum09]

wow. nice parallel to 'its your uncle bingo' from 89.

 

[JonnyQ]

I had a feeling it was going to be a little cheesier, like that bit in the trailer where he makes that movement with his hands, I thought that was the pencil trick. He made it disappear somehow.

 

[Synssins]

Spoiler

The Pencil Trick: In the scene where the Gotham Mob leaders are discussing what to do about Batman, and the new guy (Joker) who just robbed a bank with tons of Mob money in it, they are all sitting around a table arguing about it.

There is a TV at the end of the table, wiith a Chinese businessman video-conferencing with the group. He has removed the rest of their money from the banks to "Safeguard" it.

Joker shows up, dressed in purple. One of the mobsters is about to send one of his henchmen over to kill Joker and take care of the problem, when Joker pretty much does a "Hear me out" bit. (Summarized of course).

He then takes a pencil, and slams it point first into the top of the table so that it stands up on end. He says "I want to show you a trick. I am going to make this pencil disappear."

The mobster who was going to send the henchman says something along the lines of "I have had enough of this." and sends the henchman around the table.

The Joker grabs the guy, and slams his head into the table, right on top of the pencil. The guy slumps to the ground off screen.

The part from "I have had enough" to the pencil trick is less than 3 seconds, and it sets the entire mood for the role of the Joker for the rest of the movie.

Enjoy.