XVI.

The receptionist of the place looked amazed at the last guest of the program. His facial paint, which was partly drained by his past persecution, worried a little bit to people behind the scenes. The woman led Arthur to his dressing room and he asked for more paint to touch up his make-up. She did not answer, just nodded and closed the door for the guest to prepare.

She walked through the halls, had complied with the whim of the guest, and while meditating on the aspect in which he had arrived she ran into the producer of the program and the host himself.

"Mr. Franklin, Mr. Philips. The comedian arrived and ..."

"Excellent!" Exclaimed Murray, the receptionist tried to speak but he interrupted her. "I still don't understand how people want to see him, but hey, they rule, right?" The producer smiling and the receptionist interrupted them. "Gentlemen, there is something you need know about this guest."

"What's going on?"

"It's painted like a clown." The two men looked confused. "I think he has something to do with those protests."

With an arched eyebrow, Murray looked at his producer and, with a frown, he turned his eyes to his host.

"Let's go see him," he said, and sipped the coffee he has in his hand.

Arthur took one of the lipsticks that was included in his make-up and looked in the mirror. He did the touch up on his face, he looked perfect. And while a host of tortuous thoughts passed through his head, he removed the lid, lifted the lipstick and wrote in the mirror: "Put on a happy face." Remembering that he should do it, he should put on his best smile and showing a pleasant happiness, as always do.

Concluded his motivation, Arthur took a seat and smoked quietly, as if ending the sexual act was. He saw a stalemate in the room when the door swung open. He rose and look marveled at his idol; Murray Franklin

"Hello, welcome," he said as he examined him from head to toe. "Murray, hello," he replied nervously. "Man, its Mr. Franklin for you," said the producer. "Nothing is wrong, Phillips."

"Thank you Murray. I am a big fan of your show."

"Glad to know it ... Oh, Excuse me? Your appearance ... Does it have something to do with the protests?"

"Oh no, no!" He exclaimed. "Not at all! I am apolitical."

"We're glad to hear it. Well, there are rules for the program." Arthur nodded. "One, nothing of offensive jokes, black humor and so on; we are a family program."

"Of course."

"And two, have fun."

"I like that last one."

"Already know it, now, you'll be after Dr. Cally."

"Oh, I love Dr. Cally!"

"That's good," he said strangely. "Then we'll see you at the show."

"Sure ... Oh, Murray!" He called once he turned around. They stopped and watched him. "Can I ask you a small favor?"

"Sure..."

"When you bring me out can you introduce me as joker?" They both frowned and looked skeptical. "You called me like that the first time."

"I did it?" Arthur nodded. "I don't remember ... But well, it will be ... See you in a while."

And both left the dressing room. Arthur vanished his smile as soon as he closed the door, took a seat again and pulled his revolver out of his pants. He leaned his head and watched the luminous ceiling. He was ready. Practical how he would make his biggest show as he smiled. This would be a night that no one would ever forget, just as he had told Grace.

The redhead looked through the window of her apartment. The street was covered in conflict, the majority of the neighborhood was forming chaos. Many were shouting, running and shouting under the blanket of protest in the city. Grace closed the curtain and looked at the time, Murray's show would start in five minutes.

She moved away from the place and turned on her television and she ignoring the news, she looked for the channel where they broadcast the program. The redhead finished enrolling the VCR and she wait patiently for the moment. At the end of the last program, Grace began recording the VHS and the music of the program sounded with its harmonious style. She lift up from the place and went to her sofa, took one of her cushions and hugged it.

Murray Franklin made his comedic and usual monologue, announcing the guests of the night and Grace posed a smile upon hearing the slight pronunciation about Arthur. Murray have a seat at his desk and started with the first guest, a television star. In what the first guest enjoyed his moment, Grace heard frightful scandal coming from the street. With fear she got up from her armchair and went to the window to discover that they had lit several trash cans and even bags of it.

The redhead sighed in terror, moved away from the window and turn up the volume of the television to avoid the scandal outside. The program went to commercials, hinting that the next guest was not Arthur yet. He was part of the end of the show, he painted to be the big star of the night and Grace was eager to see his beloved fulfill one of his biggest dreams.

Arthur hid his revolver when he heard how they knocked on his door, he opened it and saw the managers checking the programming.

"Fifteen minutes."

"Thank you," he replied and closed the door.

He looked at himself one last time in the mirror and took all the air and confidence he could gather from the depths of his being. He reminded himself that today would be a great night. Today everything would end. Death would make more sense than his life. He had always thought about it and today he would, today it would make sense.

He heard his last call, left the dressing room and being behind that large curtain where it would become a semi-colon in his life. Arthur reaffirmed his confidence with a good cigar, heard the words Murray Franklin spat, they were nothing but poison to his ears and heart. And, before appearing on the scene, Arthur left a dance on the air that made him feel liberated to what he would face when he crossing that threshold. People looked at him strangely, to them he seemed crazy and they were not so wrong.

"And our last guest, he wanted me to present him as a joker ..."

At those words Grace paid attention to the television, turned up the volume and clung to her cushion, feeling the emotion run through her body. Arthur would finally go on stage, today would be his big night.

Murray welcomed the Joker and he entered triumphantly and dancer. Grace let out a slight smile, Arthur's presentation had been peculiar. He greeted Murray and continued with the guests; Dr. Cally extended her hand, which Arthur ignored to plant a long, deep kiss.

Grace was surprised and jealous at the action Arthur had done. The kiss he gave old Dr. Cally lasted almost a minute and a half. And at the end of it a cynical smile adorned the shameless face of Fleck, who sat down next to Murray's desk, the public applauded wildly in what the guests looked at each other astonished by such an act. Arthur crossed his legs and watched all the people.

"Wow ... What a great entrance," Murray began.

Grace was left with some indignation over what happened, and she would be willing to question Arthur about his act of scoundrel. She pressed the cushion and Murray began the interview.

"All the people asked us to bring you to the program." Arthur did not stop smiling. "What do you think if you tell us a joke?"

He took his gaze with Franklin and, behind his bag, pulled out his esteemed notebook. This time Grace showed a tender smile, she knew that in that notebook lay all the ideas that arose in Arthur's head. She appreciated how Murray questioned him about his notebook and he excused himself for not wanting to ruin his moment. Grace sensed that Arthur was nervous, and felt bad about not being by his side, but it had been his request.

"Knock, knock," he said. "Seriously?" Asked Murray. The people laughed. "For something so basic do you need to check your notebook?"

"I want everything to be perfect," he said again.

Grace noticed how Murray Franklin had spoken. His words were not to laugh with him, rather, to make fun of him. The redhead put her hands on her chest, wishing her thoughts were wrong. Arthur's countenance changed suddenly, the audience laughed cruelly. Arthur told an acid, almost black joke and the audience booed him. Grace affirmed her most terrible thought. Arthur was not on the show to make himself shine, he was there to see him humiliated.

"My God ..." she whispered. "Why?"

The redhead felt her heart break when she saw her couple being humiliated mercilessly. Arthur smiled, anxiety had begun to eat him, and knowing that the teasing was cruel, he decided to show his best show.

"It is all you have?" Asked Murray. "No ... No ... It's just, these weeks have been hard for me, Murray. More since I killed those three types of Wall Street; those workers of Thomas Wayne ..."

A raw silence formed and Arthur shaped his most cynical smile. Hearing those words, Grace was paralyzed by it. She felt her blood stop flowing and tried to analyze what Arthur had revealed. In that revelation Murray prepared to continue the game.

"Well, I'm waiting for the punch line."

"There is no punch line. It's not a joke, I killed those three bastards."

Grace brought both hands over her face, hiding the horror that had sheltered her. Arthur was revealing to be that murderous clown of the subway, the one who had started all this terrible movement. Murray decided to follow the clown's game and continued to question him about his actions. Arthur revealed a bitter truth, one that Grace did not know. Arthur Fleck was a man, not only economically miserable, but also with severe mental problems. Arthur Fleck blamed the society in which he had lived for how he was and he is treated, blamed the corruption of the rich for ignoring people like him and of many kinds. Arthur Fleck felt no remorse for his actions, he was happy with what he had created and was proud to be the cause of hell in Gotham City.

The expression of terror that Grace carried with her mixed with a bitter sadness. Arthur Fleck, the man he had fallen in love with, who gave herself body and soul, and was about to give him a son, showed the world his true identity. Grace's heart broke into thousands of pieces and her tears began to flood through her apartment. She wanted to believe that all this was a terrible joke, but every time Murray confronted Arthur more, the intensity between them increased.

"How about another joke, Murray?"

"Do not. We had enough of your jokes."

"What happens when you meet a man with mental problems, abandoned in a society which treats him as garbage?! I will tell you what happens. You get what you fucking deserve!"

Arthur brought out his revolver, pointed it at him and in an instant the bullet pierced Murray Franklin's forehead, perpetrating a live murder. Faced with that scene, Grace shouted in terror. Arthur had gone mad, Murray's blood dripped down his face as the rest splashed and slowly slid down the wall. Arthur's body was shaking, a huge laugh appeared and filled the silent place. The audience and guests fled the stage and, on the other side of the screen, Grace's tears fell nonstop. She saw a disoriented Arthur, he seemed to think what he had done and in the end he rose to finish off Franklin's body. The cries of anguish she emitted covered the entire floor of her apartment; she begged Arthur to stop, knowing that he was not listening to her, and to end the show, he walked towards the camera, giving an encouraging speech which was suspended.

Grace looked at the interrupted signal, her crying was unstoppable and in her tears she heard the scandal in the street, which had intensified. She lifted up from her chair and looked out the window as people shouted and danced full of happiness. Arthur had accomplished a great task. The redhead lost her reason, everything that had just happened had upset her and while her hands went through her long hair, she felt the urge to go to where Arthur was. She wanted to see him, she wanted to talk to him. And with the pieces of her heart stuck in her throat, Grace took her coat and went out to that hell that had begun.

A/N:

Thanks so much for reading. I will be deeply grateful with any comments, constructive criticism, opinions and / or suggestions :3