"The only thing in the way of you and glory is people with low melanin"-Moses 2020

CLOSE ON JOKER (30's), tears in his eyes from laughing so
hard. He's trying to get it under control. His greasy, black
hair is matted down. He's wearing an old, faded red hooded
zip-up sweatshirt, a threadbare gray scarf, thin from years
of use, hangs loosely around his neck.

WE NOTICE TWO FADED OLD SCARS cut at the corners of his
mouth. Almost forming a smile.

He's sitting across from an overworked SOCIAL WORKER (50's),
African American. Her office is cramped and run-down in a
cramped and run-down building. Stacks of folders piled high
in front of her.

She just sits behind her desk, waiting for his laughing fit
to end, she's been through this before. Finally it subsides.

Joker takes a deep breath, pauses to see if it's over.

Beat.

JOKER
--is it just me, or is it getting
crazier out there?

Despite the laughter, there's real pain in his eyes.
Something broken in him. Looks like he hasn't slept in days.

SOCIAL WORKER
It's certainly tense. People are
upset, they're struggling. Looking
for work. The garbage strike seems
like it's been going on forever.
These are tough times.
(then)
How 'bout you. How's the job? Still
enjoying it?

JOKER
Yeah, I mean, it's different each
day, so I really like that. I don't
think I could ever work in an
office. Behind a desk.
(MORE)
2.

JOKER (CONT'D)
(beat)
No offense.