INT. GOTHAM CITY BAKERY - NIGHT
The camera pans across a quiet, dimly lit bakery. In the center of the display is a towering, decadent birthday cake covered in colorful icing. The bakery bell suddenly chimes as the door swings open, revealing a figure in a purple suit—THE JOKER. He walks in with his signature wide grin, followed closely by TWO GOONS.
JOKER
(gleefully)
Ohhh, boys, look at that. A masterpiece of sugary delight! A monument to gluttony! Just begging to be stolen!
GOON 1
Uh, boss, it's just a cake.
JOKER
(turning to GOON 1 with a sinister smile)
Oh, is it now? Just a cake? Let me tell you something about cakes, my friend. They're not just desserts... they're symbolic! Celebration, indulgence, happiness—all of which I love to ruin.
Joker skips up to the counter, inspecting the cake with exaggerated delight. The GOONS look at each other, confused.
JOKER
(to the cake)
What a beauty you are! Who are you for, I wonder? Some poor little birthday boy? A wedding perhaps? Ah! Maybe a retirement party. Whatever the reason, this cake will now belong to Gotham's very own Clown Prince!
GOON 2
So, what do we do, boss? Just grab it?
JOKER
Oh no, no, no! We can't just grab it. We have to make an entrance. Something…dramatic.
Joker dramatically snaps his fingers. The goons shrug and start packing the cake in a box. Joker twirls around, pulling out a glittery PARTY HORN from his jacket and blowing into it.
JOKER
(yelling into the empty bakery)
SURPRISE! It's my un-birthday!
GOON 1
(muttering)
Do you even like cake?
JOKER
(freezing, then turning to GOON 1 with narrowed eyes)
Like it? LIKE IT?! No, I don't like cake. I love cake, because it's something to destroy! Just like everyone's dreams! Now, hurry up, let's make like frosting and…spread.
The GOONS have the cake packed. They start heading toward the door when the bell rings again. BATMAN appears in the doorway, arms crossed.
BATMAN
Joker.
JOKER
(gasping theatrically)
Batsy! Fancy seeing you here! I was just about to invite you to my little cake celebration.
BATMAN
You're not walking out with that cake, Joker.
JOKER
(grinning, tilting his head)
Really, Bats? You'd deprive me of my right to a little sweetness? That's cold, even for you.
BATMAN
This ends now.
JOKER
(laughing wildly)
Oh, but don't you see, Bats? I'm not stealing the cake for me. I'm doing it for…you. A little birthday surprise! Tell me, does that brooding lifestyle of yours even allow cake? I imagine you're more of a... kale salad type.
Joker starts backing toward the exit, cake in hand. Batman steps forward, but the GOONS throw confetti bombs at him. In the chaos, Joker makes his escape through the back door.
JOKER
(offscreen, yelling)
Enjoy your slice of the action, Batsy! Hahahahaha!
Batman wipes the confetti off his cape, narrowing his eyes as he watches Joker slip away into the night.
BATMAN
(grumbling to himself)
This city is getting weirder every day.
CUT TO BLACK.
TITLE CARD: THE END.