On being homeless.

[laughingalltheway]

What? You're expecting a joke? A laugh? I can't be funny all the time, see. That's just, bland, repetitive, boring, stagnant, hah.

[ He pauses, letting it sink in that his last little "hah" lacked even the slightest funny undertone to it. ]

I'm hardly a challenge to amuse, dear, ah, mun, was it? Yes, mun, fine, too easy to run with, to laugh at, so easy that... no, no, far too easy. Do try harder with the next name, if you would. This whole procedure of yours isn't humorous at all.

Comments

[aria_di_celes]

Just when I thought I'd seen the last of you.

[Long time, no see.]

I think you're better off where you can't hurt anyone.

[laughingalltheway]

[ Oh, well, hello there. Dear Celes, you've earned a slight smirk at the corners of the Joker's lips. ]

And yet here you are, dear me, my my, one could think you were here asking for trouble.

[ And yet he seems disinterested. ]

Is there, ah, something you want?

[aria_di_celes]

Just to keep you out of trouble.

[Why else would she ever seek him out? She certainly didn't enjoy his company.]

[zeroasspats]

I was under the impression that a joker who could not provide laughter was unemployed, thus making him nobody's fool, even his own.

[laughingalltheway]

[ He had to try to find the Batman who was keeping him "out of trouble" and yet he and Celes kept bumping into eachother. How odd that was. ]

Uh-huh. I suppose, see, that this could be story time.

[laughingalltheway]

But who's the joker, see? I'm certainly the Joker, but I've gone and fired the ones trying to make me laugh. Do tell, then, are you stepping up to the podium for a try? Do you think you can tempt out a little laugh, a tiny chuckle, a small chortle?

[ He seems to have worked a bit of himself back up again. ]

Oh, you've got me all excited already.

[aria_di_celes]

[She blames her mun. And she made it a goal to keep others safe from him back on the island and, well, old habits are hard to break.]

I don't have much interest in your stories.

[zeroasspats]

All it takes is an old man reciting Danny Kaye to get you excited? Should I endeavor to quote the entirety of The Court Jester in order to see you completely ecstatic, sir?

[alienate]

What, is all you do make people laugh? How pointless.

[laughingalltheway]

[ What a fantastic turn of events, then. ]

My stories? My stories? No no no, I expect one of your stories.

[laughingalltheway]

And what a, ah, thoughtful quotation it was. See, that's more, more effort, more of an attempt, more of a swing and a hit than what others have tried and struck out with.

[ And he's a bit of a sucker for good stories; quotes come from stories, so... ]

A quote here and there, see, would just, you know, make my day.

[aria_di_celes]

What kind of story? i'm not here to entertain you.

[She might regret asking, but what the heck this is dear mun she might as well.]

[laughingalltheway]

No no, see, I laugh, you laugh, we all laugh. It's all about the laughter, see, it has to keep going around and around. Someone's gone and stopped the turning wheel, see, they've put a damper on all the fun.

[laughingalltheway]

What story are you willing to tell, hmm? Oh, oh I know, I know the perfect one, you see, somewhere along the line you started hating the, ah, clown types, oh yes, the face paint, the big smiles, the laughter so do go on, do tell, do share with me just what it is, just why it is, that led you there, do tell me this little story of yours.

[zeroasspats]

[It's a musical...does he like musicals?]

I do believe there was a compliment there, sir. Is that truly all it took to, ah, make your day?

[laughingalltheway]

[ The Joker likes just about everything, to a degree. I'm sure he'd love a musical or two going up in flames ]

See, every day needs to have that moment of sunshine, that little glimmer of amusement, that step towards humor, and look at what you've done, look at this smile of mine.

[ He smiles big and wide, distorting the painted red smile, for emphasis. ]

This is shaping up to be an explosive day.

[alienate]

[ Hahaha... he doesn't laugh. ]

And? Do something about it.

[zeroasspats]

[Sir you are excited and then you are exploding does Alfred need to give you some time to yourself in your room?]

I've no idea why; I'm just a butler, after all.

[Wayne Manor's butler, but hey! That's splitting hairs.]

[laughingalltheway]

[ Well, the Joker's just going to stare, now. ]

I might find it funny to be reminded of how, ah, fragile some people are.

[savedbatman]

There is nothing about you that's funny.

[gothamscop]

[Because he remembers you. So he'll just sit and watch.]

[laughingalltheway]

[ What a familiar face. ]

After all we've been through, commissioner, not even the slightest laugh? Not the tiniest little titter? You're just reminding me of all the fun we had. Just think of how I opened your eyes, his eyes, the city's eyes. Why, without me, just think where you'd be.

[laughingalltheway]

[ Just watching? Not even a kind little "hello"? Well that's awfully cold. You could've at least brought a second chair along for the Joker to use, too. ]

[laughingalltheway]

[ A room would be a terrible idea, unless the goal is to gain a new disaster area in place of a room. ]

I'd think you more informed, being a butler. Tell me, do you warn who you work for in the morning about all of gotham's, ah, terrors?

[ Things would be so interesting if the Joker was told that bit. ]

[savedbatman]

[Gordon's lips press together and his hands fold in his pockets. He's gripping his police badge like a lifeline.]

You didn't do anything to me.

[Not true.]

I'd be where I am now. Fighting for what's right. You look awfully comfortable in there.

[He pushed Harvey into the abyss, he drove Batman into hiding, and he made an honest man a liar.]