Judge Herman Rothwax [To Joker bringing up and sitting on a stool chair before the jury]
A word of caution. This is not a comedy club.
Played by Bill Smitrovich 
Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) · 13 quotes
Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) · 13 quotes
Tied for most-quoted character in Joker: Folie à Deux (2024): in 3 of its 13 quotes
A line from Judge Herman Rothwax [To courtroom spectators]I realize there's a lot going on. But this is still a court if law. And and all outbursts will not be tolerated. And that applies to everyone in the courtroom.
More lines from Judge Herman Rothwax
1 quote Judge Herman Rothwax Scenes with Judge Herman Rothwax
1 scene Judge Herman Rothwax Mr. Dent. You may call your next witness.
Mr. Dent
The state calls Gary Puddles. Bailiff, will you please Gary Puddles to the stand?
Bailiff
[Hands out bible and Gary places hand on it]
Raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you're about to give is the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Gary Puddles
I do.
Mr. Dent
Good morning, Mr. Puddles. Thank you for being here. The person who you saw stab Randall Kleinmanhoffer to death, are they in the courtroom today?
Gary Puddles
Yes.
Mr. Dent
Can you point him out here to all of us? And... describe his clothing?
Gary Puddles
[Points to Arthur Fleck]
He's sitting right here at this table. Wearing a red suit and clown make-up.
Mr. Dent
May the record reflect the identification of the accused Your Honor?
Judge Herman Rothwax Yes, it will.
Mr. Dent
Nothing further, Your Honor.
Judge Herman Rothwax Your witness, Mr. Fleck.
Mr. Puddles. [Gets up and starts walking] Gary Puddles? Tell me, sir, is that your God-given name?
Gary Puddles
Yes.
Really? Really? Your last name is Puddles? [Chortles] Why, it sounds like a... a joke!
Gary Puddles
Well, it's not.
You expect us to believe that your last name is Puddles? Puddles?!
Judge Herman Rothwax Mr. Fleck. Where is this going? As I said, I'm not going to let you turn my courtroom into a circus.
Okay. But with all due respect, Your Honor, don't you think it's a little late for that?
Judge Herman Rothwax Don't try my patience.
Okay, okay. Mr. Puddles, earlier this afternoon you testified that you saw me stab Mr. Kliman Manhoff in the neck a couple of times, correct?
Gary Puddles
Kleimanhoffer. Yes, I saw you.
And what else did you see that day?
Gary Puddles
You stabbing him in the eye, and bashing his head into the wall, many, many times.
Yes, but Randall was a bit of a bully, wasn't he?
Gary Puddles
He didn't deserve to die.
I don't know. Never mind. Gary, did you catch my act on the Murray Franklin Show later that night?
Gary Puddles
No, I didn't.
No? May I remind you that you are under oath?
Gary Puddles
I was locked up at the police station. In an interview room. 'Cause they thought you might come and kill me. I was the only witness. They kept me there all night.
[Pinches and pulls out jacket]
Isn't that convenient, Mr. Puddles? That you didn't see the show, you didn't see anything I had to say, I can't believe it!
Judge Herman Rothwax Mr. Fleck.
Okay. When you were in my mama's apartment, God rest her soul, when as you say you saw me bash Mr. Klannonmen- whatever's- head into the wall, many, many times, did I seem crazy to you? Did I seem like a different person? Or was I the same old Joker that I always been? [Walks up to Gary and rest arms on witness box]
Gary Puddles
Arthur, don't do this to your self, it isn't you.
It isn't me? So you don't think this is me? Well, maybe... maybe... you don't know who I was really was.
Gary Puddles
I never saw that side of you.
Well, maybe you weren't looking. Maybe no one was. [Turns around] Because nobody knew I existed! [Gestures to spectators] But look around, look at all these people! Everyone outside! These cameras! Who do you think they see, Mr. Puddles?!
Gary Puddles
Joker.
[Turns to Gary and walks to him]
Oh, sweet child, what you have proven here today, is that you are no different that any of those people that underestimated me. [Scene cuts to Arkham guard Jackie watching on TV] From Franklin Murray to those goddamn fat, stupid guards at Arkham. They think that they can treat me like trash. But I will no longer allow you, or you, or you, or any of you to keep me down. [Raises both fists in air] I am free! [Spectators applaud and cheer]
Gary Puddles
Why are you doing this to me, Arthur?
What? Gary, I like you! I told you I wouldn't hurt and I didn't!
Gary Puddles
Not hurt me? I couldn't go back to work. I still can't sleep and I'm scared all the time. I never used to be scared. I'm scared right now, here. With you in front of me. I couldn't do anything that day. I felt so small. I was reminded how powerless I really am.
You got a flair for the dramatic. You are really tugging at my heart strings, little Gary. No more questions, Your Honor.
Gary Puddles
Do you know what that feels like, Arthur?
****!
Gary Puddles
You were the only one at work who never made fun of me! You were the only one that was nice to me!
I said, no more questions, Your Honor!
Judge Herman Rothwax Very well, Mr. Puddles. The court thanks you for your testimony. Please step down, you're excused.
