Even though I write about Leto Joker, I still appreciate all the other men who have played the Joker. So congratulations to Joaquin Phoenix for his winning best actor at the Oscar tonight for his portrayal of the Joker.
The Joker and Jester stood on top of a landing, staring down at the clowns.
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He had assembled them to give out orders before he left for New Orleans to free Harley. He would be leaving Jester in charge for the first time. Admittedly, he was a bit nervous about leaving him in charge. But Ace would be with him, and the Joker knew Ace was more than capable of watching over things while he was gone. Plus, he knew Ace would lay his life on the line to protect Jester.
The Joker just had to learn how to trust his twins judgement. After all, he has given Jester equal parts in everything. What belonged to him, belonged to his brother. It's just that Jester still hadn't gotten over the Joker's decision to kill Jason. The Joker knew that Jester was capable of pulling the trigger in a tight spot. He had done it at Arkham, and it probably saved Ace's life. That incident was what compelled the Joker to assign Ace as Jester's right hand guy. He knew Jester had a bond with Ace. Much like he himself had with Frost.
The Joker steps forward to a railing and raises his hand. His clowns instantly go quiet. Every set of eyes and ears fix at attention on their boss. They know that not paying attention is most likely a death sentence. And all of them know the horrific means of punishment their boss is capable of. And the Joker ruled Gotham City through fear.
The Joker couldn't help but notice the confusion on the clowns faces. Their little wheels were in overdrive trying to figure out why there were two Joker's. And more importantly, they are preplexed as to why the Joker would allow Jester to copy him. If any of them tried to emulate the Joker, the boss would make cherry pie out of their brains. Yet, there he stood next to this guy like it was nothing. Who was this man that was gutsy enough to copy the Joker?
The Joker looks back over his right shoulder at Jester. Jester stood arrow strait. His suit was immaculately starched and pressed. There wasn't a single à wrinkle on him. His green hair was swept back neatly without a single stray hair. His expression was a stone-like blankness. So because of that, the Joker couldn't tell that Jester was nervous and uncertain. Being in charge of Gotham City's criminal network wasn't going to be a cake walk. And Jester, with no experience in being a mobster, had every right to be a little apprehensive.
The Joker looks back down at his army of clowns. "I've asked you all here tonight so that I may have a word with you. As many of you know, my wife is in federal custody, and the duty of freeing her has fallen on my shoulders. Which means that I will be leaving Gotham for an undetermined amount of time. Some of you shall go with me. But that's not what I called you here for. I wanted to take this opportunity to inform you of a slight change to my leadership," he looks back at Jester and motions for him to step forward stand at his side. The Joker returns his eyes to the clowns, "You may realize that this gentleman to my right bears an uncanny resemblance to me. That's because he is my twin brother, Jester. I have decided to share my responsibilities as boss with my brother. What's mine is also his. He has every right and privilege as I myself do. He has just as much power as I do. You will treat him as you would me. My number one rule applies to him too. And you know the punishment for not treating him as your boss. And in my absence he is the boss. Am I clear?"
