Adam Davis, a DC comics fanatic, loved Batman—specifically Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, especially the second film. Unlike most who raved about the Joker, Adam believed Batman, the hero who defeated him, was the true star. He was skeptical about Martin's The Joker, a film centered on a villain. In the comics, the Joker was just one of many rogues—not standout material for a protagonist. Adam wasn't sure he'd watch it.
His roommate, Daniel Mann, disagreed, eagerly awaiting The Joker's release, obsessively collecting news about it and yapping nonstop, much to Adam's annoyance.
"Dude, can you shut up? The Super Bowl's starting," Adam snapped, turning on the TV.
Daniel quieted down. The Joker was exciting, but so was the Super Bowl—America's annual NFL championship, a cultural juggernaut dubbed the U.S.'s Spring Festival. its top viewership was driven by commercial spectacle: thrilling games, celebrity performances, and high-quality ads, making it a massive money magnet. Its influence dwarfed MLB and NBA, with final viewership triple their combined totals. Typically held the last week of January or first week of February, this year's game was delayed two weeks due to the election.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the 43rd Super Bowl is about to begin, featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers versus the Arizona Cardinals…"
The game kicked off spectacularly. When their beloved Steelers scored, Adam and Daniel cheered wildly. As long as Daniel didn't mention The Joker, they were good friends.
At the stadium, newly inaugurated President Obama attended with his family, drawing cheers from the crowd. Though a basketball fan, he played the everyman, cheering passionately for the Steelers—his chosen team after Martin mentioned betting on their victory in a casual call. By halftime, the Steelers led by 15 points.
"We've got this!" Adam exclaimed.
"Yeah, we—wait, what's that?" Daniel stopped, eyes glued to the screen.
The Super Bowl halftime ad break was a spectacle in itself, featuring models, music stars, creative commercials, and movie trailers. Each year was unique but always dazzling, often boosting viewership as some tuned in just for the ads, not the game.
This year's halftime opened with Britney Spears in a jeans ad. Her perfect proportions—toned, shapely legs filling out stretchy denim, paired with a tight white crop top—flaunted her curves without revealing skin. The sight had millions of male viewers, on-site and at home, swallowing hard.
"Wow, Britney's stunning. No wonder they call her Sweetie," Daniel said, blushing.
"Nah, she's a queen now. 'Sweetie' doesn't cut it anymore," Adam countered.
[This shit was supposed to be on the first paragraph, but i changed it since its fucking annoying and useless as fuck.]
The Wall Street Journal: "In the coming months, Barack Obama will be busy planning his political agenda and assembling his administration. Some extremist groups, particularly white supremacist organizations, may exploit the chaotic transition period before he enters Washington's protective bubble to plot assassination attempts. Congressman Thompson has noted, "As African-American U.S. citizens, we've witnessed shameful acts during the civil rights movement. I know some compatriots, driven by hatred, commit heinous acts of violence." Obama addressed his safety earlier this year, stating he's under Secret Service protection and urging supporters not to worry…"
The Washington Post: "Obama has begun forming his presidential team, with several campaign aides joining his administration. Rumor has it Martin Meyers will receive an advisory title. Outgoing President Bush recently stated at the White House that he's willing to work with Obama's transition team, ensuring his administration's final major decisions facilitate a smooth handover…"
The New York Economic Review: "Disney and Marvel have entered a second round of negotiations, with both sides reporting smooth progress. It may not be long before Marvel becomes a Disney subsidiary…"
Presidential elections and acquisitions might tie to Martin, but he wasn't focused on them. The election was over. From his memories of the original timeline, Disney's Marvel acquisition would succeed, and he'd profit from his shares' rising value. For now, Martin poured his energy into Inception's production and a 30-second The Joker trailer.