Black Mask Maybe my last request was too mired in subtlety. I want this man dead. When I say "dead", I mean seriously dead! Beaten. [anger rising] Broken. [suddenly shouting] His-head-mounted-on-my-wall kind of dead!
L Ms. Li
Understood. We'll be taking further precautions at every transaction.
Black Mask [bolts up]
Screw that! Time he learns that this is a contact sport. We're going on offense. Rough up his business, something big, something loud. When he shows up to shut us down, have a party waiting for him. And when I say "party", I actually mean a whole lot of people who are gonna kill him!
L Ms. Li
[completely deadpan]
I figured.
Black Mask Just being clear.
Black Mask [Black Mask is holding a meeting with Joker at Arkham] [trying not to get Joker riled up]
I hope you understand the trouble I've gone through to arrange this little get-together here. A lot of money. A lot of dead meat. [Joker remains silent, munching on potato chips] Look, I've got a problem. And you are absolutely the man who possesses the gifts to take care of this problem. I need you to murder the Red Hood. Think you can handle that?
[Joker is quiet for a minute, then coughs]
May I have some water? [One of Black Mask's goons hands Joker a glass of water; Joker promptly breaks the glass and kills the goon with it. He takes the dead man's gun and shoots all but Black Mask and Ms. Li. He then points the gun at Black Mask, laughing] I'm going to need... something to wear. And a very big truck.
Black Mask Sure. Anything else?
I'll need some guys. [pauses] Not these guys, because, well, they're kinda dead. [laughs maniacally]
[In the middle of traffic on the Gotham Bay Bridge, police helicopters shining their spotlights on him, Joker stands atop a toppled truck trailer, bowing theatrically to the SWAT teams surrounding him. Inside the trailer are the former drug dealers intimidated by Red Hood.] [singing; sadistically]
I'm a little teapot, short and stout... [pours gasoline into the trailer] Here is my handle, here is my spout...
Black Mask [Joker drops the remainder of the gas can inside the trailer, revealing that both Black Mask and Ms. Li are both inside as well.] [scared to death]
This wasn't part of the damn deal, you freak! Get me outta here! Right now!
I thought you'd enjoy seeing some old faces. After all, most of these guys used to work for you.
C Cop
[As Joker pulls out a lighter and tries to light it, something catches the attention of the police.]
Who's that? Get a light on him.
CG Commissioner Gordon
Up there!
[Joker looks up to see the lights shining on the Red Hood, standing on one of the bridge's towers.]
Heeeey, look at you! Mr. Hood! Or do you prefer Red? You know, I used to wear an outfit a lot like that. Mine was more flashy maitre d' than motorcycle fetish. You kids today... [flicks the lighter] I'm sorry, could you hold on? I was just in the middle of setting fire to your gang.
Go ahead. You think I care if that scum dies?
Don't know. I just wanted your attention.
You've always had my attention. But what I really wanted... was an audience with you.
[realizing something]
I'm sorry, that seems to imply that you organized this little clambake.
I did. Sure, I had lots of plans, but the endgame was getting Black Mask so desperate that he'd cut a deal. He was the only one with the connections to get into Arkham... and get you out.
Black Mask [to himself; as he listens to the exchange above, embarrassed]
You can't. Trust. Anybody.
So I've been bamboozled. [deadpan] Oh, my.
I wouldn't undersell it. It took a lot of work to bring about our reunion.
[confused]
"Reunion"? Have we met before?
Well, here's to warm memories. [finally ignites the lighter and tosses it into the trailer, setting it ablaze]
