The next chapter of The Very Last Laugh.
A group of men stood around in a fancy Italian restaurant called 'Cucina del cielo'. They were armed and stood around each exit. On the floor were people with huge grins on their faces, laying completely motionless. At one table sat a man in a purple suit, orange dress shirt, blue vest, and a green bowtie. He had pure white skin, green hair, and a big, red, permanent smile on his face. It was soon clear that this man was the Joker (Jack Nicholson). He brings a fork full of Lasagna to his mouth and takes a bite. He chews on it for a bit, then gives a confused face.
"Bob, there's a little issue with my lasagna." Joker informs, "I need to see the chef responsible for making it." Bob nods, then goes back into the kitchen. A few minutes later, he comes back out, dragging a frightened chef behind him.
"Padre nostro che sei nei cieli, sia santificato il tuo nome!" the chef prays in Italian, "Venga il tuo regno. La tua volontà sia fatta sulla terra come in cielo. Dacci oggi il nostro pane quotidiano..."
"SHUT UP!" Bob yells, pistol whipping the chef, then drags him in front of the Joker's table.
"So, you're the guy who prepared my meal?" Joker questions. The chef nods, extremely nervous. "Well, chief, there's a bit of a problem with my lasagna." Joker informs, "Ya see, I asked for a little more ricotta, and I can barely taste any."
"Signore, I put lots of ricotta in it, just for you!" the chef states.
"Then let me ask you this." Joker replies, "You ever danced with the Devil in the Pale Moon light?"
"What?" the chef replies, confused.
"That's just something I like to ask all of my victims." Joker explains, "I just like the sound of it." Out of nowhere, Joker pulls out a gun and shoots the chef, killing him. "Now, back to my dinner." Joker says, putting the gun away. He takes another bite out of his lasagna, then gives a questionable look. "On second thought, he did give me enough ricotta." he states, "Oh well. Heh, hee, ha, ha, haaa!"
"Hey, boss, your guest is here!" one of the men informs. A figure strolls in, and slowly makes his way towards Joker's table. He looks down at the bodies that laid on the floor, not seeming to care. As he steps closer into the light, the figure is soon revealed to be the Joker (Heath Ledger).
"Sorry I'm late." Joker(HL) says, as he straightens his tie, "Ran into a little... traffic."
"Well, I'm glad you're here." Joker(JN) replies, sounding happy, "I was beginning to think you wouldn't show up." Joker(HL) giggles a little as he takes a seat.
"Oh, I wouldn't miss this for the world." Joker(HL) states. Both Jokers look each other in the eye, both grinning.
"Well, now that you're here, would you like something to eat?" Joker(JN) questions, "I hear they make a nice ravioli."
"No thanks." Joker(HL) answers, "I've had my fill for the day." Joker(JN) shrugs.
"Oh well." Joker says, then takes another bite of his lasagna. Both study each other closely, both sensing a little similarity between each other. "So, let's get down to business." Joker(JN) says, pushing his plate to the side, "From what I've heard, you believe that you're the true 'Clown Prince of Crime' around here. You even named yourself after me."
"That... is debatable." Joker(HL) replies, brushing some of his hair to the side.
"Hah, hah, you might be right!" Joker(JN) informs, "But let me tell you this right now, junior, I've made the name of the Joker a legacy that can't be denied. There will never be a greater Joker than me! But you know, I give you credit, you did a hell of a job taking out those other copycats. I'm actually impressed. I mean, blowing one to bits and stabbing the other to death was just priceless to me! And you have no shame whatsoever! Dressing like a woman in order to fool the last copycat was just insane!" Joker(HL) just shugs.
"I just let chaos decide what I do next." Joker(HL) states, "Plus... it made me feel pretty."
"Yeah, and the whole chaotic outline of your routine is interesting." Joker(JN) says, "I kind of like it. But you're doing it all wrong. Ya gotta make the people laugh a little. You see, I experimented with a chemical I call 'Smilex' and added it to all the cosmetics in Gotham. You see, once applied, the chemicals enter the body and cause the victim to break out into a laughing fit by attacking their nervous system. Soon after, they drop dead, with huge grins on their faces. It's just so funny! Ha, haaa, ha!"
"Yeah, that's pretty clever!" Joker replies, chuckling a little, "But you see, I don't really like that. I mean, I like to make people smile... but I like to do it a different way. You see... I use a knife. It reminds me of how I learned to smile. And it gives me an even greater thrill to watch them bleed out. Guns... a means for surviving or for a quick kill. But knives... you're on for the whole ride. You're there for each moment, each scream, each drop of blood that spills." Joker(JN) nods.
"You know, in ways, we're the same." Joker(JN) states, "Permanent smiles. A few screws loose in the head. We both love purple and green! Ha, ha, haaa!" Joker(HL) smiles, straightening his jacket. "I bet the Bat made you who you are too, didn't he?" Joker(JN) questions. Joker(HL) is silent, then shakes his head.
"You wanna know how I got these scars?" Joker(HL) replies.
"Not really, no." Joker(JN) answers, grinning. Joker(HL) makes a pouting face.
"Oh, now you've ruined my fun." Joker(HL) says, giggle.
"Sorry, just not that interested in lies." Joker(JN) informs, "You have a different story for everyone you meet. My father did. I did it for my wife. Daughter would cut herself. It's all... boring." Joker(HL) stares at him in silence.
"You know, at some point, I've actually told the truth." Joker(HL) replies, "I just throw the others in there to make it more chaotic." Joker(JN) leans back in his chair and props his feet up on the table.
"I think that's enough bullshitting." Joker(JN) says, "We're both here for a reason."
"Aren't we all?" Joker(HL) questions.
"We both feel that there can only be one Joker." Joker(JN) informs, "So, why don't we both just get it over with." All of a sudden, Joker(HL) pulls out a revolver and points it at him. Joker(JN) is still for a moment, then makes a clicking sound with his mouth and turns his head to some of his men.
"Didn't any of you think about searching him before ya let him in?" Joker(JN) questions.
"Oh, they tried." Joker(HL) says, "And now one of them is now missing a thumb." Joker(JN) giggles a bit.
"I think I like you." Joker(JN) replies, "It's a damn shame that I'm gonna have to kill you."
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Sorry that it took me so long to get around to it, but things have come up. Some writer's block. But I'll try to update again as soon as possible. What will happen next? Please Review. Thanks.