The Dark Knight: Batman interrogates the Joker

Summary

Commissioner Gordon confronts the Joker about the whereabouts of Harvey Dent. The Joker taunts Gordon, questioning his alliances and challenging his sense of responsibility. He provokes Gordon by discussing the moral ambiguity of Gotham City and the precarious position of Dent. The conversation escalates as the Joker psychologically manipulates Batman, highlighting their contrasting philosophies on chaos, rules, and societal morality. The scene intensifies with the Joker's sadistic mind games, ultimately forcing Batman to make a difficult choice that could impact the fate of those he cares about.

Key words and phrases

• Depress (0:32): To make someone feel sad or disheartened.

  • Example: "Does it depress you, Commissioner? To know just how alone you really are?"

• Predicament (0:45): A difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation.

  • Example: "Does it make you feel responsible for Harvey Dent's current predicament?"

• Assuming (0:25): Taking something for granted or supposing without proof.

  • Example: "Assuming of course, they are still your people and not Maroni's."

• Good cop bad cop routine (1:10): A police interrogation tactic where one officer is sympathetic (good cop) and the other is harsh (bad cop).

  • Example: "Ah. The good cop bad cop routine?"

• Victim (1:26): A person who suffers harm or injury as a result of a crime, accident, or other event.

  • Example: "Never start with the head! The victim gets all fuzzy."

• Disappoint (1:38): To fail to meet the expectations, hopes, or wishes of someone.

  • Example: "I wanted to see what you'd do. And you didn't disappoint."

• Garbage (2:18): Something of low quality or worth; here used figuratively as an insult.

  • Example: "You're garbage who kills for money."

• Freak (2:32): A person or animal that is physically unusual or deformed; here used derogatorily to mean a strange or abnormal person.

  • Example: "To them, you're just a freak. Like me."

• Civilized (2:56): Showing evidence of moral and intellectual advancement; here used to contrast with the Joker's chaotic worldview.

  • Example: "When the chips are down, these uh, these 'civilized' people? They'll eat each other."

• Leper (4:22): A person who has been rejected or ostracized by others; originally referred to someone with leprosy, a contagious disease.

  • Example: "They'll cast you out. Like a leper."

• Morals (2:46): Principles of right and wrong behavior; ethics.

  • Example: "You see, their morals, their 'code'. It's a bad joke."

• Ahead of the curve (3:13): Being more advanced or innovative compared to others; being ahead in understanding or prediction.

  • Example: "See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve."

• Break your one rule (3:33): To violate or go against a personal principle or rule that one strictly follows.

  • Example: "The only sensible way to live in this world is without rules. And tonight you're gonna break your one rule."

• Blushing bride to be (4:17): A phrase referring to a woman who is about to get married and is shy or modest in demeanor.

  • Example: "Or his blushing bride to be!"

• Strength (4:24): Physical power or energy; here used metaphorically to denote power or authority.

  • Example: "Nothing to do with all your strength."

Transcript

Commissioner Gordon: Harvey didn't never made it home.

Joker: Of course not.

Commissioner Gordon: What have you done with him?

Joker: Me? I was right here.

Commissioner Gordon: Who did you leave him with? Hmm? Your people?

Joker: Assuming of course, they are still your people and not Maroni's.

Joker: Does it depress you, Commissioner? To know just how alone you really are?

Joker: Does it make you feel responsible for Harvey Dent's current predicament?

Commissioner Gordon: Where is he?

Joker: What's the time?

Commissioner Gordon: What difference does that make?

Joker: Well, depending on the time, he may be in one spot or several.

Joker: If we're gonna play games...

Commissioner Gordon: Hmm?

Joker: I'm gonna need a cup of coffee.

Commissioner Gordon: Ah. The good cop bad cop routine?

Joker: Not exactly.

Intercom: Door buzzes.

Joker: Never start with the head! The victim gets all fuzzy. He can't feel the next...

Joker: See?

Batman: You wanted me. Here I am.

Joker: I wanted to see what you'd do. And you didn't disappoint. You let five people die. And then, you let Dent take your place. Even to a guy like me, that's cold.

Commissioner Gordon: Where's Dent?

Joker: Those mob fools want you gone so they can get back to the way things were. But I know the truth. There's no going back. You've changed things. Forever.

Batman: Then why do you want to kill me?

Joker: (Laughs) I don't want to kill you! What would I do without you? Go back to ripping off mob dealers? No. No, no! No, you... you complete me.

Batman: You're garbage who kills for money.

Joker: Don't talk like one of them, you're not! Even if you'd like to be. To them, you're just a freak. Like me. They need you right now. But when they don't... They'll cast you out. Like a leper. You see, their morals, their "code". It's a bad joke. Dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these uh, these "civilized" people? They'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve.

Commissioner Gordon: Where's Dent?

Joker: You have all these rules and you think they'll save you.

Gordon: Who's in control?

Batman: I have one rule.

Joker: Oh, then that's the rule you'll have to break to know the truth.

Batman: Which is?

Joker: The only sensible way to live in this world is without rules. And tonight you're gonna break your one rule.

Batman: I'm considering it.

Joker: You know, there's only minutes left, so you're gonna have to play my little game if you wanna save one of them.

Batman: Yeah?

Joker: You know, for a while there I thought you really were Dent. The way you threw yourself after her.

Batman: (Yells)

Joker: (Laughs) Look at you go! Does Harvey know about you and his little bunny?

Batman: Where are they?

Joker: Killing is making a choice.

Batman: Where are they?

Joker: Choose between one life or the other. Your friend, the district attorney. Or his blushing bride to be! (Laughs) You have nothing! Nothing to threaten me with. Nothing to do with all your strength. But don't worry! I'm gonna tell you where they are. Both of 'em. And that's the point. You'll have to choose. He's at 250 52nd Street. And she's, uh, on Avenue X at Cicero.

Gordon: Which one're you going after?

Batman: Rachel.

Gordon: We're getting Dent!

Batman: Go! 250 52nd Street!