Joseph Clarence

Joseph Clarence
In-Game Information
Gender:	Male
Nationality:	American
Status:	Deceased
Age:	48
Date of Birth:	1955/1956
Date of Death:	January 9, 2004
Occupation(s):	Owner of Southland Amusement Park (formerly)
Relations:	Scoop's Gang Scoop (squatter) Carol Anne (niece, secretary)
Signature Weapon(s):	None
Item(s):	Baseball (hanging on his office wall)
Real-World Information
Appearances:	Hitman: Blood Money
Voice Actor:	Alfred Fair

Joseph Clarence, also nicknamed Swing King, is a character appearing in Hitman: Blood Money. He is the bankrupt owner of the Baltimore Southland Amusement Park. He appears in the tutorial mission Death of a Showman

Biography

Background

Before the 2000s, Joseph Clarence was an amusement park entrepreneur until a Ferris wheel collapsed due to an operational failure that killed at least 36 people. He was sued by the victims' relatives for negligence but was cleared of all charges. However, the lawsuits and the accident cost "Swing King" his entire fortune, and he had to file for bankruptcy. Due to this, his trophy wife, Rachel, filed for divorce. With his life turning into shambles, Joseph Clarence decides to contact a local gangster, Scoop, to rent his ruined park to his gang for a percentage of the illegal profit. Scoop agrees but never pays and eventually completely occupies the amusement park with his gang leaving "Swing King" with only his office.

Swing King Contract Death

Joseph Clarence on the loading screen.

In 2004, an unnamed client who had lost his son in the Ferris wheel accident contacted the Agency to assassinate Joseph Clarence for revenge. The client requested that "the last thing Joseph Clarence sees was the photograph (of his son)." Agent 47 got the assignment, went to Baltimore and infiltrated the ruined park. Forty-seven met "Swing King" in his office, where he demanded the stranger introduce himself. Agent 47 coldly asked him to look at the photograph. Upon seeing it, Joseph Clarence understood what was happening and pleaded for mercy, only to be killed.

Personality

He appears to be a manipulative, meek and naive person, as shown when stating he would spend every single penny of his fortune defending himself from any legal consequences rather than trying to console and own up to the people who lost family and/or friends in the accident at his park. He is shown to be somewhat submissive towards Scoop, as not only is he letting him stay longer than agreed, but also without the required payment as compensation for the drug manufacturing being done in a remove location, avoiding law enforcement. After his Ferris wheel trophy is busted after Scoop threw it on the ground, Joseph just sat on his knees and cried before being punted aside by Scoop's foot.

Appearance

Joseph is a slightly overweight man, balding but still with black hair. He sports a goatee and a black suit with grey shirt.

Appearances

• Death of a Showman - is the sole primary target. He is assassinated by Agent 47.

Gallery

• In-game
• Newspaper
• Intro

In-game

Joseph Clarence in his office.

"Swing King" pleads for mercy.

Agent 47 swings away and home runs the Swing King.

Newspaper

Newspaper photo of Joseph Clarence.

Silent Assassin newspaper report of his assassination.

Intro

Mr. "Swing King" Walks!

Grieving families contemplate Million $ Lawsuit.

Victims' families unamused.

Mr. Joe "Swing King" Clarence denies safety violation.

Trivia

• Joseph Clarence is a big baseball fan. He has baseball memorabilia in his office, including signed posters, medals, and a bat on the wall, used for a "perfect home run" in the 1970s. He also has a golden Ferris wheel figure that gets destroyed after Scoop throws it on the floor.
• "Swing King" is one of the few characters who express remorse for his actions after seeing the child's photograph saying that he has been tormented by guilt over the deaths he had caused. He begs for his life, saying how he will "triple" the money Agent 47 receives for the contract, despite being bankrupt.
• After Joseph Clarence's death, it is reported that his lawyers were selling the amusement park to cover his leftover debts.

Easter Eggs

• The nickname "Mr. Swing King" is likely a reference to the song by the same name by the Danish 1980's band Gnags. The developers - IO Interactive - are from Denmark.