Like Father, Like Son

A Fool's Paradise

He was 17 years old, though not a college student. For the teenage Arthur Fleck, he would have rather walk the streets than endure any more ridicule from classmates and teachers, alike. Besides, it has been said that you don't need college to become a comedian. Or better yet, a clown. Using his mother's neglected makeup, Arthur would experiment by dawning on various faces. This time, it was a white face with blue tear-drops upon his cheeks with red lips in the shape of Betty Boop's own mouth. With a light green wig, Arthur performed on the streets for the pocket change of mere strangers. With pennies, quarters and nickels adding up to only $10, he was doing well for himself under the August sky.

Then there were the passersby. Among them were a small group of four fellows around Arthur's age. They were named Vic Farmer, Kenny Jenkins, Jeremy Jonson, and Louie Howard. Upon seeing the quartet of laughing jokester, Arthur had quickly stopped what he was doing and began to collect his things. This was in vain as the boys were able to recognize him on the spot.

"Wow, Arthur!", Vic spoke with a mocking tone, "So the rumors were true! You truly have been a clown."

"Hi Vic...", Arthur responded as he looked down on the concrete floor.

"Why have you stopped? We just got here.", inquired Jeremy when the young clown sheepishly replied, "I-I got to take care of my mother...She's been sick and I gotta check on her."

Kenny scoffed at the explanation, "If she's been fine without you now, she'll be fine without you later. Listen," he wraps his arm around Arthur's neck as they all began to walk on, "we've been feeling guilty about how we treated you in school. Since we're with you now, we want to make it up to you. You're still a virgin right?"

"Don't ask me that.", Arthur freed himself from his grip, "That's too private."

"But, are you, Fleck?"

Kenny and the boys waited for an answer until the young clown shook his head vertically.

"Oooh!", the quartet joked about when Kenny spoke again. "Well, you're in luck, my friend. See, we got enough money to take you to one special place."

"I can't.", Fleck refused, "I don't believe in it before marriage. Mom told me it leads to trouble."

"Look.", Kenny spoke up, "We're giving you the chance of a lifetime here. No girl has ever noticed you and never will. Just face the fact and come with us while you can. Now, do you want to go or not?"

Arthur said nothing. All he could do was crack up with laughter. Not knowing of the lad's condition, Kenny sighed, "Same old Arthur. Always laughing as nothing."

"I-I-", his cackling continued to choke him when Kenny turned to his mates, "I don't know about you guys. But, I'm taking this as a 'Yes'."

So, the lads began to grab at him. But, Arthur struggled to strike back; pathetically striking their hands until he began to run off. Leaving the boys behind.

"Fine!", Kenny yelled out, "It's your loss, freak!"

He didn't hear a word that jerk said. Arthur was still running from them, around the corner and across the street. The clown would have ran forever had he not bumped into someone. She was his age, of Chinese descent, had long dark-brown hair and was simply gorgeous. And was on the ground with him for the collision caused them to fall on the concrete. While Arthur was trying to control his laughter, the confused and nervous Suzy Draven got up and gave out her hand.

"Need any help?", she asked with Arthur replying by taking her palm and being helped up. "Are you alright?", she inquired with him struggling to say, "Ye-Yes! I-I-", he continued to laugh and choke until he managed to retain himself. Once doing so, Arthur began to speak, "I'm sorry for bumping into you. I was just trying to get away from some jerks."

"Did they mug you? I could take you to the cops and-"

"No, no, no. They were trying to take me to some cat house. I don't believe in free-love, you know?"

"I understand.", Suzy nodded as the pair began to walk together, "Though, you're rare. Not every fellow thinks like that."

"Yeah...I'm Arthur."

"I'm Suzy."

"I like that name. It's pretty cute."

Suzy blushed a little when Arthur began to explain himself more. "I'm also sorry for the cackling. I have a condition that makes me laugh at odd times."

"Gotcha."

There was an awkward pause when Arthur went on the say, "To make up for the trouble-if you're not busy...would you like to have some coffee with me? We're getting close to a cafe, so we might as well-"

"I'd like that."

One coffee session later and the two became a pair. Arthur would entertain her with jokes and tricks. Suzy would sing and play her guitar while taking him to charity events to volunteer. And because she wasn't the best cook, he would take the helm as the chef in the relationship. Arthur's mother, Penny, approved of the lovers. She even looked to Suzy as her own daughter. As for the British-American Daniel and the Chinese immigrant Biyu Draven, they were not at all impressed.

"You could do so much better.", Biyu told her daughter, "He's broke, he's insane, and-for Pet's sakes, Suzy-he's not even that good-looking!"

"Why not go for that Phineas, kid?", Daniel would ask, "At least, he's working for Thomas Wayne."

Nonetheless, Suzy knew what she wanted and that was Arthur. She knew he was a hard worker and more than just his mental instability. Not to mention, in her eyes, he really was that good-looking. She loved him and he her. So much, the now 18-year-olds decided to run off to elope with Penny being the only witness on April 1st.

Living in the Flecks' apartment, Suzy adapted to wifehood just fine; cooking (with Arthur of course), cleaning and taking good care of the ill Penny while Arthur tries his best to bring in food. Even doing odd jobs such as dry-cleaning and selling cheap cosmetics. Things were going well until July came around.

A week after America's Independence,  Biyu and Daniel had found out about their daughter's marriage. Enraged, they barged into the apartment, collected their child and had the union annulled in another week. The Dravens then moved to Detroit where Arthur and Suzy could never see each other again. Arthur could not even know his unborn child.