Joker

The news never ends.

This is 1080 GCR.

You get all the news you need, all day long.

Good morning.

It's 42 degrees at 10: 30 on this Thursday, October 15th.

I'm Stan L. Brooks, and here's what's happening.

It's day 18 of the garbage strike,

with 10,000 tons of garbage piling up every day.

Even the nicest sections of the city

are looking like slums.

Health Commissioner Edward O'Rourke is

declaring a city-wide state of emergency

for the first time in decades.

There's no need to wait until somebody dies

or comes down with typhoid fever.

It's already a serious situation.

It's something that affects

almost everyone in the city,

no matter who they are or where they live.

You can't go down no one avenue

without seeing nothing but garbage and rats.

It's starting to affect my business

when customers can't get in here

because of the garbage situation.

I'm not out that long to smell it,

but I think to look at it, it's terrible.

It don't affect me except

for the very bad smell here.

It's horrific.

It's a mess.

I've been in this country for 50 years,

and I've never seen anything like it.

What is this world coming to?

Put 'em in a room,

let 'em sit there and talk until they get it over with.

24 hours, 48 hours, how long it takes.

The idea of the National Guard moving in

and cleaning up is a good idea.

In other news,

the building industry and landlords today

expressed concern over the latest

increase in heating oil prices.

Renters in the metro area

are certain to feel the pinch...

[upbeat music playing on piano]

[people chattering and yelling]

Yo, what's up with your shoes, bro?

Nice outfit, pal.

If you're gonna be a clown, at least you could be

a good one. You know that, right?

- Hey! Hey! - Grab it!

Go, go, go!

Hey!

He's coming!

Come on, clown, let's go! We've got the sign.

- Look at him running. - Let's go!

Stop them!

Go, go, go, go! Watch the car, watch the car!

- -

Where's your sign, clown?

- Hey! -

Go, clown! Come on!

Stop them!

Go! Come on!

Stop them!

Come on, run!

Hey!

You fucking...

- - Oh, shit! Good hit.

Come on! Beat his ass up.

Come on! This guy's weak. He can't do nothing.

Harder! Harder!

Beat him up. Take his stuff.

Let's go, let's go! Come on. Let's go!

Ha!

Is it just me,

or is it getting crazier out there?

- It is certainly tense. - Hmm.

People are upset.

They're struggling. Looking for work.

These are tough times.

How about you?

Have you been keeping up with your journal?

Yes, ma'am.

Great.

Did you bring it with you?

Arthur.

Last time, I asked you to bring your journal

with you for these appointments.

Can I see it?

I've been using it as a journal,

but also as a joke diary.

Funny thoughts or observations.

I think I told you

I'm pursuing a career in stand-up comedy.

No, you didn't.

I think I did.

"I just hope my death makes more sense than my life."

How does it feel to have to come here?

Does it help to have someone to talk to?

I think I felt better

when I was locked up in the hospital.

And have you thought more about

why you were locked up?

Who knows?

I was wondering if you could ask the doctor

to increase my medication.

Arthur, you're on seven different medications.

Surely, they must be doing something.

I just don't want to feel so bad anymore.

Would you please stop bothering my kid?

I wasn't bothering him. I was...

Just stop.

What? You think that's funny?

I'm sorry. I have a...

I'm sorry.

Happy, did you check the mail

before you came up?

Yeah, Mom.

Nothing.

And finally, tonight,

just when you thought it couldn't get any worse,

authorities are saying

the city is under siege by scores of rats.

And not just any rats,

but super rats, who are hard to kill.

He must not be getting my letters.

Yeah.

It's Thomas Wayne, Mom.

He's a busy man.

Please. I worked for that family for years.

The least he could do is write back.

Here. Don't get all worked up. Eat.

You need to eat.

You need to eat. Look how skinny you are.

Both victims were taken to Gotham General.

Sounds like

the city needs to find the Pied Piper.

He'll make a great mayor. Everybody says so.

Oh, yeah. Everybody who? Who do you talk to?

Well, everybody on the news.

He's the only one who could save the city.

He owes it to us.

- - Come sit. It's starting.

Yay, Murray.

From NCB Studios in Gotham City,

it's Live with Murray Franklin!

Tonight, Murray welcomes Sandra Winger...

Oh, Sandra Winger's on.

...and the piano stylings of Yeldon and Chantel.

Joining Murray, as always,

Ellis Drane and his jazz orchestra.

And now, without further ado,

Murray Franklin.

- -

- -

- Thank you. -

Thank you.

We got a great-looking audience tonight.

Yeah!

Wow. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

So, everybody's heard about the super rats that

- are in Gotham now, right? - Yeah.

Well, today, the mayor said he has a solution.

You ready for this?

Super cats.

But in all seriousness, I mean, these rats are...

I love you, Murray!

I love you, too.

Hey, Bobby, would you put the lights on?

Who is that?

Was that you? You wanna stand up, please?

Stand up for me.

Go ahead.

What's your name?