The Boon Dock Bar & Grill had once been a popular haunt in one of the sleazier areas of Gotham City. But now, the place was in disrepair. It had been closed several years ago, but rather than being reopened under new management, or even demolished, the place had been left to rot. Just recently, someone had finally bought up the lease for the property. That someone was The Joker.
With the windows boarded up, and only one naked overhead bulb providing light, The Joker was in near complete darkness. He was sat at one of the tables, now covered with a layer of sawdust and cobwebs, cradling a scotch in his hand. This was one of those rare occasions when he was in a quiet, pensive mood. He was staring solemnly at the small stage at the far end of the room. Every Wednesday night, The Boon Dock had held Laff Night, where regulars could get up and try their hand at a little stand-up comedy. The Joker smiled fondly at the memories of a past life long gone
But despite that feeling of nostalgia, he was feeling rather disappointed. Batman hadnt picked up on his handiwork as fast as hed hoped. Hed already told the first two gags in his routine: the one about the depressed guys who laughed themselves to death, and the one about the doctor who got hit by an ambulance. And then there was the one about the crime-fighter exposed as a criminal. Good old Harvey Dent was helping him with that one. But what reaction was he getting? Nothing.
Tough crowd, The Joker muttered under his breath.
But not to worry. Brucie was probably just engaged elsewhere. The Joker just needed to do something big to attract his attention. Oh, wait until Batman saw this baby it was going to be a hoot!
The Joker stood up, cracking his knuckles. He swaggered across the room, and limberly hopped up onto the stage. He grabbed onto an imaginary microphone.
Good evening, Gotham! I am The Joker, as Im sure you all know. Im here to tell you a little story. This one had me in stitches! Okay, theres this guy, goes by the name of Bruce Wayne. Hes rich, hes famous, he has everything a man could want. But heres the funny part. He feels the need
to be someone else. He isnt happy as Bruce Wayne, no, he has to be both Bruce Wayne
and Batman! HAHAHAHAHA! Isnt that just hilarious?
The Joker paced back and forth across the stage.
But who really deserves to have two lives? Certainly not him! So, thats where I come in. Im going to take both his lives, one at a time. First one, and then another. And then, Gotham City, youll belong to me! This city is like a dirty ****e, just waiting to be royally screwed!
The Joker threw his head back, bursting into maniacal laughter.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
And he didnt stop, falling down onto his knees as the laughter built and built. He could hear laughter everywhere, all around him. He was laughing, but in his head, everyone else was joining in. At last, they thought he was funny! Oh, one day, everyone would be in on the joke.
When youre smiling, when youre smiling, sang The Joker,
The whole world smiles with you! Hee Hee Hee Hee HA HA HA HA HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!