Chapter 777: A Crazy Round!

Nestled at the bustling crossroads of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Street, the newly christened Dolby Theatre basked in the midday sun's glow, though its brilliance couldn't pierce the brooding backdrop of the Batman poster adorning its entrance.

Meanwhile, the Hollywood Highland Center teemed with eager movie aficionados, many adorned in elaborate Batman and Joker costumes, adding a vibrant flair to the Avenue of Stars.

Over on Highland Street, a well-lit old warehouse buzzed with activity as three young men meticulously applied makeup, transforming themselves into ghastly versions of the Joker. James Holmes, the ringleader, approached a meticulously crafted map detailing their surroundings, festooned with photos documenting their reconnaissance missions around the Dolby Theatre.

Silently, Bob and Kevin surveyed the map, absorbing the intricate details of their mission ahead. With a flourish, James unveiled a hefty brown suitcase, brimming with weapons and gear sourced from the shadowy depths of Chula Vista, a stone's throw from the Mexican border.

Resourceful but cash-strapped, James had relied on Bob's connections to procure their arsenal. With steely determination, they prepared to arm themselves for their crusade.

"Open it," James commanded, his voice a mix of determination and fervor.

Bob and Kevin complied, revealing an array of firearms. James deftly selected an M76 submachine gun, concealing it beneath his coat alongside spare magazines. A revolver from Colorado found its place snugly in his waist holster, a silent reminder of their lethal intent.

Turning to his comrades, James proclaimed, "Why so serious? Our duty is to restore order to this chaotic world!"

Kevin, a burly figure cloaked in a similar jacket, echoed James' sentiment as he armed himself. "The road may be rough, but it's a necessary path we tread."

Bob, opting for the compact M76, eyed the cylinders resembling grenades with a hint of regret. "Shame we couldn't snag the real deal," he lamented, slipping one into his pocket.

With their arsenal secured, the trio stood poised on the precipice of their mission, ready to unleash their brand of justice upon the unsuspecting world.

Kevin patted the concealed submachine gun under his coat with a sense of grim resolve. "This'll do the trick," he muttered, his voice tinged with a mixture of determination and apprehension.

James had hoped to procure grenades or stun grenades, but their supplier had come up short, leaving them with only a handful of tear gas bombs. With a final once-over of their gear, the trio steeled themselves for the impending mission.

As they geared up to depart, Bob's gaze lingered on a Joker poster adorning the warehouse wall. It was Martin's poster, one of the main promotional images from "The Dark Knight," staring back at them with haunting familiarity.

"Boss, Martin's gonna be at the premiere too," Bob remarked, his voice trailing off as he contemplated the implications.

Kevin's gaze fixed on Martin's poster, his gray eyes piercing through the pale white makeup. Silence hung heavy in the air as tension mounted.

In a swift motion, James drew a knife from his pocket and plunged it into the center of the Joker poster, the blade penetrating Martin's vivid red grin, pinning him to the wall.

Bob and Kevin stood frozen, their shock palpable as they watched James' actions unfold.

James, seemingly possessed by a newfound clarity, spoke with an unsettling calmness. "We used to idolize Martin, thought he was different, thought he was the beacon of hope in this dark world. But he's just another cog in the machine, blinded by money and fame."

Kevin and Bob, products of shattered lives and disillusionment, found themselves nodding in reluctant agreement.

Without pause, James continued, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Martin's not the Joker. He's just another puppet of this decaying world, blind to its rot and decay."

Kevin's thoughts drifted to the injustices he witnessed daily, while Bob raged against the hypocrisy of Hollywood's elite.

With a final, resolute thrust, James drove the knife deeper into the wall, his proclamation echoing through the warehouse. "Hollywood's the root of this evil, and we're gonna tear it down, one scumbag at a time!"

Bob's fists clenched in righteous fury as Kevin's resolve hardened. "Let's do this," they chorused, following James out into the unforgiving streets of Highland.

The sweltering July heat bore down on the bustling streets of Los Angeles, but today was no ordinary day. It was the world premiere of "The Dark Knight Rises," and the city was teeming with clowns, their colorful costumes blending seamlessly with the vibrant chaos of Hollywood.

Approaching the Hollywood Highland Center, Bob and Kevin couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves as they navigated through the sea of eccentrically dressed revelers.

Sensing their apprehension, James halted their steps. "Stay calm, fellas. We're just drops in this crazy ocean."

As their nerves steadied, James outlined their plan. "Let's split up."

Bob and Kevin nodded in agreement, veering off in opposite directions amidst the throngs of clowns and Batman enthusiasts.

James positioned himself at the intersection of Highland Street and Hollywood Boulevard, seamlessly blending into a group of clowns waiting to cross the bustling thoroughfare. Despite the heavy police presence, the sea of costumed fans flowed freely, granting James anonymity as he made his way towards the Dolby Theatre.

Meanwhile, along Sunset Boulevard, a sleek black Escalade pulled up to Nicholson's mansion. Martin emerged from the vehicle, greeted by Lorraine and Bruce. Inside, Jack Nicholson, his once-imposing figure now weathered by age, prepared for the premiere.

Martin couldn't help but remark on Nicholson's attire, eliciting a wry grin from the seasoned actor. Jennifer Lawrence, ever the caregiver, cautioned Martin against getting too worked up amidst the excitement of the evening.

Lorraine, lingering on the opposite end of the hall, couldn't help but curl her lips in discomfort as she observed her father's latest paramour, who appeared scarcely older than herself. She silently prayed her father wouldn't seek out yet another 18-year-old.

Martin, checking the time on the wall clock, broke the tension. "It's time. Let's go."

Nicholson, adjusting his coat with a practiced hand and leaning on his cane, followed Martin out of the villa. His longtime driver, whose hair had long turned a pristine white, replaced Bruce behind the wheel as they set off for the Dolby Theatre.

As their car joined the procession of vehicles snaking towards the premiere, anticipation hung thick in the air. Tonight, both the old and new Jokers would grace the red carpet for the premiere of "The Dark Knight Rises."

Meanwhile, as the sun dipped towards the horizon, the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre erupted in cheers, signaling the commencement of the evening's festivities.

Michelle Pfeiffer and Anne Hathaway, both renowned for their portrayals of Catwoman, made a stunning entrance, drawing attention from the gathered throngs of fans and photographers.

Warner Bros. and DC Films had extended invitations to Halle Berry and George Clooney, but both had declined, their roles as Catwoman and Batman perhaps serving as reminders of past disappointments in their careers.

Luxury cars lined Hollywood Boulevard, disgorging a parade of stars onto the red carpet, each arrival eliciting a frenzy of camera flashes and excited chatter.

Director Nolan, producer Emma Thomas, and a slew of past Batmans, including Michael Keaton and Val Kilmer, made their grand entrances, momentarily stealing the spotlight from the awaiting crowd.

The arrival of the Batmobile heralded the appearance of Christian Bale, the current Batman, who exuded charisma as he greeted fans and made his way down the red carpet.

Vin Diesel, with his signature bald head gleaming, emerged from his car, casting an imposing figure befitting his role as the formidable villain opposite Bale's Batman.

Tom Hardy's absence, owing to past incidents on set and personal disputes, had led to Diesel's casting as the menacing Bane, injecting an undeniable intensity into the evening's proceedings.

As Diesel strode confidently down the red carpet, James, amidst the fervent crowd, fixated his gaze on the Hollywood heavyweight, his excitement palpable as he prepared to witness the clash of titans on screen.