Author's note:
- Hope you guys like this chapter and PLEASE leave a comment on what you guys think about this story.
- This chapter is basically just a flashback based form the popular comic 'Batman: The Killing Joke', exploring The Joker's origin story.
8 years ago....
At this point of time, Mavis and Johnny were still engaged after their vacation trip to Hawaii and this was just the beginning of Johnny's career as the Batman.
There was once a man who worked in the chemical plant as a lab assistant who was struggling to provide the needs for his pregnant wife.
Being uncomfortable of working in a place near experimental chemicals, he quit his job and started a new career. He wanted to become a comedian. He thought he could support his family even more than the job he had back at the chemical plant.
When he joined the comedy club, he got nervous up on stage in front of the audience that he messed up the timing of delivering his punchline. Not only didn't he fulfill his new career, but he also lost both jobs leaving him no other choice to support his pregnant wife. It was a completely failure.
The man went back to his old crappy apartment. While walking upstairs at the hallway, he sees his landlord, Mrs. Burkiss, scowling at him while holding her cat. All he did was to ignore the old lady and continued walking. He opened the door to his small apartment only to find his pregnant wife sitting on the table waiting for her husband.
(woman): Well, how did it go? Did they like your act?
(???): They.... they said they might call me.... I dunno.... I messed a few punch lines.
The man said in a weak tone as he sat on the table with his wife and facepalmed in frustration.
(woman): Oh....
The man removed his palm from his face and glared at his wife as he thought that his wife was upset at him.
(???): What do you mean 'oh'?
(woman): I didn't mean anything!
(???): Yes you did! The way you said 'oh' like that! You said 'oh' as in 'Oh, I should've known!' as in 'Oh, so how are we going to feed our baby?' You think I'm not worried about!? You think it's all a BIG JOKE!
The man stood up raising his voice and paced around in their small apartment room trying to control his temper.
(woman): Cheez... all I said was...
(???): I have to go up on stage and NOBODY LAUGHED! And you think....
The man cried and knelt down on his knees while hugging his pregnant wife.
(???): (*sobbing).... Oh god.... I'm so sorry.... I don't mean to take it out on you... you're suffering enough.... being married to a loser!
(woman): Honey, that's not.....
(???): (*sobbing) Yes it is true.... I can't support you.... oh Jeannie, what are we going to do?
JEANNIE: Shh... it'll be okay. The baby won't here for another three months. Mrs. Burkiss will let let the rent go a little longer. She feels sorry for me.
(???): She hates me.
The man stopped crying and walked towards to the window watching the poor neighborhood in a heavy rainfall.
(???): She comes out of the hallway to scowl at me every time I go upstairs. It stinks of cat litter and old people. I just got to get you out of here before the baby comes. I just want enough money for a decent neighborhood. There are girls on the street who earn that in the weekend without having to tell a single joke.
Jeannie laughed as she held her husband's hand to ease his worries, and it did. The man calmly smiled at his wife.
JEANNIE: (*laugh) Honey, don't worry. I still love you. Job or no job. You're good in the sack... and you know how to make me laugh.
The next day....
The man headed on an old indoor diner where he met up with his 2 'friends' to have a couple of drinks and ate shrimps. His 2 friends were planning a big heist soon that he wants to get involved in order to provide his wife's needs for their unborn baby.
(???): You see, I have to prove myself. As a husband and a father. I wouldn't be doing this sort of thing if it wasn't important. I used to work as a lab assistant and I quit to become a comedian. I wanted to make people laugh because when they laugh, they feel good. But it turns out, they didn't laugh. So if I just do this big score....
(man 1): (*whisper) Hey! Jeez, man. Be cool.
His friend silenced in case the crowd of people might hear their entire conversation.
(???): Sorry. I don't usually drink lunchtimes. You're sure we can get away with this thing and that nobody will know I was involved?
(man 2): Don't worry, friend. We'll take care of you. We need your help getting through that chemical plant you used to work and the Playing Card Company next door. We really appreciate your expertise.
(man 1): To absolutely guarantee nobody connects you with the robbery... you'll be wearing this.
His friend grabbed the box that he brought with him and opened it. Inside the box was a red dome helmet and a red cape.
(???): Wearing? But there aren't any eye-slits. I won't be able to see.
(man 1): There's two red two-way mirror glass lenses set into it. Pretty smart stuff, right?
(???): I've seen that mask from the papers. That belonged to the Red Hood! He raided that ice company last month.
(man 2): Smarten up. There ain't no 'Red Hood'. They're just a bunch of guys in a mask.
(man 1): Right! We just let the most valued member of the mob to wear it for additional anonymity. That's you, man.
(???): I don't know. That chemical plant is so grim and ugly. That's partly why I quit.
(man 2): Listen, do you want to raise your kid in poverty?
(???): No, of course not! I mean, it's just this once, then I can switch neighborhoods and start a proper life.
(man 2): So next Friday night, at 11:00pm. See you there, friend?
Before the man could answer his friend, he look down at his drink seeing his reflection on it. He his reflection smile.
(???): Sure. Starting Saturday morning, I'll be rich. I can't imagine my life's going to be completely changed! Nothing's going to be the same... not ever again.
The next few days....
The man had a very bad day in his entire life. Earlier this morning, his pregnant died in a terrible accident. She was testing a baby-bottle heater that sent an electrical shortage.
After his wife died, the man wanted to back out from their heist. Jeannie was dead. There's no reason anymore. Unfortunately, his friends weren't happy about the man's decision. They threatened to kill him if didn't cooperate or if he calls the authorities. He had no other choice but to get the job done.
It was Friday night, the trio were inside the Van parked right outside at the playing card company and the chemical plant.
(Man 1): Alright, this is it! The Monarch Playing Card Company. Is everybody ready for this score?
(Man 2): Hey, man! You gonna help us or what?
(???): Oh... yeah, of course. Sorry, I was just... thinking about Jeannie.
(Man 1): Look buddy we're sorry about your dead wife, but now is not the time to mourn! We've got a job to do.
(Man 2): Here. Wear this for your disguise.
His friend gave him the box that contained the mask and cape of the Red Hood and wore it immediately.
RED HOOD: (*sniff) Ugh... smells like garlic.
(Man 2): Yeah yeah just quit yapping and get in.
The trio broke in to the Monarch Playing Card trying to rob anything valuable to them that they can tie into fortune. They failed to noticed that a guard spotted the trio and immediately grabbed his gun.
GURAD: Hey you three! Hold it right there!
(Man 2): Oh crap! They spotted us! RUN!
The men fired their guns causing a small shoot out within the building.
RED HOOD: (*scream) What's that noise!?
(Man 1): Just keep running!
GUARD: We need backup! We're being mob by the Red Hood Gang!
The trio quickly ran outside of the playing card company to escape in their Van. Unfortunately during their shoot out, the tires of the Van were shot and they can hear police sirens getting louder and louder by the second.
(Man 2): Damn it we're cornered! Which way!
RED HOOD: Over there at the chemical plant! We can hide in there!
(Man 1): Are you sure?
RED HOOD: Yes! I know where we're going!
(Man 2): No time to waste! Get in!
The trio immediately went inside the chemical plant before the police arrived and searched for the three criminals.
The chemical plant was completely empty and dark but was filled with experimental chemicals just below them. While the trio were finding another way out from the chemical plant, they heard a loud noise that came out of nowhere.
(man 2): Hey, did you guys heard that?
(man 1): Who's out there?!
Unexpectedly, something or someone grabbed one of them from above and screamed for help after disappearing within the shadows.
(man 1): WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!
A metal object hit his hand making him drop his gun down to the chemical vat. The metal object that hit him was a bat-shaped boomerang. A Batarang.
A dark figure performed drop attack at the last armed criminal unconscious making the 'Red Hood' startled in shock after watching that 'thing' knocking out his friend.
Red Hood slowly walked back nervously nervously while the dark shadowy figure kept walking towards him. This dark figure was Batman/Johnny.
RED HOOD: Oh dear god, what did I do to deserve this?!
BATMAN/JOHNNY: So you're the Red Hood. We meet again.
RED HOOD: Please don't hurt me! I beg of you!
BATMAN/JOHNNY: There's no where left to run. The only place you're walking is behind bars.
RED HOOD: What?! No, it's all a set up! I'm not a criminal, I swear!
Unable to see where he was going, Red Hood tripped on his cape with his back landing on the unstable railing.
The railing immediately detached as the Red Hood fell down to the chemical vat screaming. Batman/Johnny stretched his arm to catch and save the Red Hood but it was too late. The Red Hood landed on the vat of chemical and was sucked down.
Unable to save the Red Hood, Batman/Johnny quickly grappled up out of the building before the police arrived.
Outside the chemical plant, the Red Hood survived from the fall and ended up at the river disposal. The Red Hood grabbed on to a nearby shore and quickly removed his helmet
The man kept scratching his face like his skin was burning. When he sees his reflection on the river, he stopped for a minute. Due to the exposure from the vat of chemicals, his skin turned white, hair becomes green, and he was bleeding from his eyes and mouth.
(???): (*chuckle).... ha.... ha.... ha ha.... ha ha ha ha.....
The man kept laughing and laughing uncontrollably. He puts both of hands on his head grabbing his hair, remembering that one bad day that made him completely insane. He kept laughing until it drives him mad.
The Joker was born....
To be continued....
Author's note:
- Hope you guys like this chapter and PLEASE leave a comment on what you guys think about this story.