BATMAN BEGINS By DAVID GOYER, Schemes and Mind Maps of Voice

Download BATMAN BEGINS By DAVID GOYER and more Schemes and Mind Maps Voice in PDF only on Docsity! BATMAN BEGINS By DAVID GOYER BLACK. A low KEENING which becomes SCREECHING that BUILDS and BUILDS until- RED flickers through black as the screen BURSTS into life: Clouds of REELING BATS silhouetted against a blood red sky, bolting away from camera, MASSING in the sky... FORMING a density the shape of an enormous BAT-LIKE SYMBOL. More BATS mass, swamping the symbol, DARKENING the screen to- BLACK. Distant children’s LAUGHTER which comes closer as- SUNLIGHT flickers through black. Sunlight through trees running through a SUMMER GARDEN. A BOY. Chasing a GIRL. The Boy reaches a Victorian GREENHOUSE. Stands in the doorway catching his breath. This is Bruce Wayne, aged 8, and we are- 1 EXT. GARDENS, WAYNE MANOR -- DAY 1 YOUNG BRUCE peers down rows of plants on long trestle tables. YOUNG BRUCE Rachel? No response. Sunlight streams through wrought iron and glass. Young Bruce advances, cautious. He is GRABBED from behind and pulled under a table by a young girl, aged 10. This is RACHEL. She puts her hand over Young Bruce’s mouth. FEMALE VOICE (O.S.) Rachel?! Master Bruce?! A woman STRIDES past the windows: MRS.DODSON, Rachel’s mother, housekeeper of Wayne Manor. YOUNG BRUCE (whispering) What’re you doing?! RACHEL (matter-of-fact) Kidnapping you. They” pay a lot for precious Brucie. Young Bruce stares, wide-eyed. She SMILES. He relaxes. Young Bruce BOLTS out from under the trestle table - SPRINTS for the back door. Rachel TEARS after him. 2 EXT. DISUSED KITCHEN GARDEN, WAYNE MANOR -- CONTINUOUS 2 Young Bruce crouches in the mouth of a DISUSED WELL, peering over the stone wall at Rachel, who searches for him. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 4. WAYNE You’re not the devil... The Enormous Man SWINGS again- Wayne CATCHES his fist, KICKS the big man’s knee out an, as he goes down, BOOTS his face. WAYNE (CONT’D) ...you’re practice. Six Prisoners RUSH Wayne all at once... Wayne fights skillfully and hard, FLIPPING one prisoner into another, KICKING as his arms are held... several Prisoners hit the deck before- GUNFIRE- two GUARDS break it up, shooting into the air... they GRAB Wayne. GUARD Solitary! WAYNE (indignant) Why? GUARD For protection. WAYNE I don’t need protection. The Guard points angrily at the unconscious prisoners. GUARD Protection for them. 10 INT. SOLITARY, BHUTANESE JAIL -- MOMENTS LATER 10 Wayne is tossed into the dark cell. The door SLAMS. VOICE (O.S.) I often wonder at the riches to be found in dark places. The voice is mellifluous. European. It comes from the shadows of a deep corner of the cell. WAYNE I thought the point of solitary confinement was the solitary part. Wayne can make out the profile of a MAN seated in the corner. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 5. MAN These men have mistaken you for a criminal, Mr.Wayne... Wayne reacts to his name. The Man steps into the light: powerfully-built, distinguished, in a well-cut SUIT AND TIE. WAYNE Who are you? MAN My name is merely Ducard. But I speak for Ra’s Al Ghul. Have you heard the name? WAYNE I’ve heard the legends...master warrior, international mercenary, feared by all the underworld... some even swear he’s immortal. DUCARD (smiles) Ra’s Al Ghul uses theatricality and deception as powerful weapons. Ducard approaches Wayne. Looks deep into his eyes. DUCARD (CONT’D) You have not escaped his notice- a man like you is here by choice... or because he is truly lost. Wayne’s eyes flick away from Ducard’s penetrating gaze. DUCARD (CONT’D) Ra’s Al Ghul and his League of Shadows offer a path to those that are capable of upholding our code. WAYNE Code? Aren’t you criminals? DUCARD A criminal is simply a man that someone else thinks... (gestures around them) ... should be put in jail. Wayne nods, conceding the point. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (3) 6. DUCARD (CONT’D) This world is run by tyrants and corrupt bureaucrats. Our code respects only the natural order of things- we’re not bound by their hypocrisy. Are you? Ducard moves to the door. Knocks. It is opened by a guard. DUCARD (CONT’D) There is a rare flower- a blue doublebloomed poppy- that grows on the Eastern slopes. Tomorrow you will be released. Pick one of the flowers. If you can carry it to the top of the mountain, you may find what you are looking for. WAYNE And what am I looking for? Ducard looks at Wayne with a glint in his eye. DUCARD Purpose. The door slams shut leaving Wayne in DARKNESS... 11 INT. BOTTOM OF THE OLD WELL -- DAY (WAYNE’S MEMORY) 11 Silence. Young Bruce lies there, exhausted, weeping softly. MALE VOICE Bruce? Young Bruce looks up: a FIGURE, long coat billowing, is lowered down the shaft... THOMAS WAYNE, Young Bruce’s father. 12 EXT. GARDENS, WAYNE MANOR -- MOMENTS LATER 12 Thomas carries his son towards the house. At his side, a 50- year-old man in a somber suit calmly coils a rope: ALFRED. ALFRED Will we be needing an ambulance, Master Wayne? THOMAS We have everything I need to set the bone. I’ll take him for x-rays later. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 9. WAYNE (hoarse) Ra’s Al Ghul? ARMED WARRIORS of various races emerge from the SHADOWS: BOWS taut, SWORDS drawn... NINJAS. Wayne freezes. DUCARD (O.S.) Wait. The Warriors hold. Wayne looks at the source of the command: Ducard leans against a nearby pillar. Wayne reaches into his layers of clothing. Pulls out the DOUBLE-BLOOMED BLUE POPPY. Holds it out, shaking. Ra’s Al Ghul starts to speak in Urdu. Ducard TRANSLATES. DUCARD Fear has been your guide. But now you must advance or fear will keep you on your knees. We will help you conquer your fear. In exchange you will renounce the cities of man. You will live in solitude. You will be a member of the Leagues of Shadows. And you will be without fear. Ducard takes the flower. Considers its delicate blue petals. DUCARD (CONT’D) Are you ready to begin? Ducard threads the flower through the buttonhole of his lapel. Wayne looks at Ducard, shaking with hunger and fatigue. WAYNE Ready? I... I can barely- Ducard KICKS him- Wayne Crashes to the floor. DUCARD Death does not wait for you to be ready... Wayne crawls, gasping. Ducard STRIKES him in the ribs. DUCARD (CONT’D) Death is not considerate, or fair. And make no mistake- today, death is your opponent. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (3) 10. Ducard turns- WHIPS his leg in a fearsome roundhouse KICK aimed straight at Wayne’s NECK- -but Wayne BLOCKS the kick with a lateral movement of his forearm. He stares at Ducard, eyes BLAZING. Ducard SMILES. Wayne RISES. Assumes a martial STANCE. Ducard STRIKESWayne BLOCKS and PARRIES, driving his body through pain into a series of FLUID, SKILLED moves... DUCARD (CONT’D) Tiger Crane... Ju Jitsu... (smiles) Skilled. But this is not a dance- Ducard GRAPPLES Wayne, BRAWLING, BITING, ENERGIZED, MESSY... DUCARD (CONT’D) Facing death you learn the truth... Ducard’s head smashes Wayne’s cheek- Wayne FALTERS- DUCARD (CONT’D) You are weak... Ducard SMASHES him in the groin. DUCARD (CONT’D) You are alone... Ducard SLAMS Wayne’s chin, sends him DOWN HARD. DUCARD (CONT’D) And you are afraid... Ducard crouches at Wayne’s side. Looks into his glazed eyes. DUCARD (CONT’D) (curious) But not of me. Ducard pulls the flower from his lapel. Leans in close to replace it on Wayne’s chest, his lips at Wayne’s ear... DUCARD (CONT’D) Tell us, Wayne... VIOLENT FLAPPING, SCREECHING BLACK RATS- swarming, chittering- DUCARD (V.O.) (whispers) What do you fear? 11. Young Bruce’s eyes OPEN, and we are- 20 INT. BRUCE’S BEDROOM, WAYNE MANOR -- DAWN (WAYNE’S MEMORY)20 Young Bruce, breathing hard. Light cuts across the bedclothes. He looks to the door. Thomas is there. THOMAS (gentle) The bats again? Young Bruce nods. Thomas approaches. Sits on the bed. THOMAS (CONT’D) You know why they attacked you? (off look) They were afraid of you. YOUNG BRUCE Afraid of me? THOMAS You’re a lot bigger than a bat, aren’t you? All creatures feel fear. YOUNG BRUCE (smiles) Even the scary ones? Thomas smiles back, reaches into his dressing gown pocket. THOMAS Especially the scary ones. (thinks) Here, let me show you something- (freeze) But you can’t tell anyone, right? Young Bruce nods, eager. Thomas pulls out a long jewel case. He opens it: PEARLS glow in the half-light. THOMAS (CONT’D) For your mother. Young Bruce GRINS. Thomas winks at him, SNAPS the case shut. CONTINUED: (2) 14. Thomas hands Young Bruce his coat, then reaches for his wallet. The Man JERKS the gun at Thomas, eyes DARTING. Young Bruce stares up at the gun TREMBLING in the Man’s hand. THOMAS (CONT’D) Here you go. The man GRABS at the wallet but FUMBLES it. It FALLS. The Man glances down at the wallet then back to Thomas, scared. THOMAS (CONT’D) (reassuring tone) It’s fine, it’s fine... The Man crouches for the wallet, eyes on Thomas. THOMAS (CONT’D) ...just take it and go. The Man feels for the wallet, looks at Martha. Her pearls. MAN I said jewelry!! She starts pulling off her rings. The Man JERKS the gun at her neck. Thomas STEPS protectively in front of his wife. THOMAS Hey, just- BOOM. Young Bruce FLINCHES. Thomas looks down at his bleeding chest. Then back to the Man, saddened. Thomas CRUMPLES. Martha SCREAMS. The Man REACHES for Martha’s pearls- but she SCREAMS desperately for Thomas. MARTHA THOMAS!! THOMAS!! MAN Gimme the damn... But Martha FLAILS, trying to grab her fallen husband. The Man SHOOTS her. Then YANKS at her necklace, which BREAKS. Spilling PEARLS all over the asphalt. The Man stands. Turns to Young Bruce. Who STARES at him. Uncomprehending. The Man cannot bear the boy’s gaze... And then he RUNS. Young Bruce looks at the bodies of his parents. DROPS to his knees, head down: PEARLS dot the asphalt beneath him. Some of them are bloody. 15. Young Bruce starts to SHIVER. 26 INT. POLICE STATION -- NIGHT 26 CHAOS: REPORTERS and COPS vying for a piece of the crime of the decade. In the Captain’s office, Young Bruce. Bewildered, forgotten. Still clutching his father’s overcoat. MALE VOICE (O.S.) Is that your father’s? Young Bruce looks up: a young beat cop stands over him- JIM GORDON (29). Gordon crouches, reaches for the coat. Young Bruce huddles over it, protective. GORDON (reassuring) It’s okay. Gordon’s tone prompts Young Bruce to trust him. Gordon takes the coat, DRAPES it gently across Young Bruce’s shoulders. MALE VOICE (O.S.) GORDON! You gotta stick your nose into everything! Gordon turns to CAPTAIN LOEB, who glares at him. CAPTAIN LOEB Outta my sight. Gordon NODS at Young Bruce, whose eyes wish Gordon would stay. Gordon leaves. Loeb turns to Young Bruce. CAPTAIN LOEB (CONT’D) Good news... we got him, son. Young Bruce looks up at him dazed. Uncertain. 27 EXT. GROUNDS, WAYNE MANOR -- DAY 27 Snow falls over two open graves. MOURNERS disperse, guided by SECURITY GUARDS. Alfred stands with Young Bruce. A man approaches, EARLE (47). He nods at Alfred, crouching. EARLE (indicates Alfred) You’re in excellent hands, Bruce. And we’re minding the empire. When you’re all grown up, it’ll be waiting. 16. Young Bruce looks blankly at Earle. 28 EXT. WAYNE MANOR -- LATER 28 Mourners file towards the gates. Rachel walks with her mother. Looks up at Bruce’s high window. Sees him watching. Waves. Young Bruce pauses, then returns the wave. 29 INT. BRUCE’S BEDROOM -- CONTINUOUS 29 Alfred enters. Looks tenderly at Young Bruce’s back. ALFRED I thought I’d prepare a little supper. No response. Alfred turns. ALFRED (CONT’D) Very well. YOUNG BRUCE (O.S.) Alfred? Alfred turns back. Young Bruce is looking at him with TEARS POURING down his cheeks. Alfred tilts his head. ALFRED (voice catching) Master Bruce? YOUNG BRUCE It was my fault, Alfred. Alfred’s mouth opens. YOUNG BRUCE (CONT’D) I made them leave the theater- ALFRED Oh, no, no, no- Alfred moves to Young Bruce, taking the boy in his arms. YOUNG BRUCE If I hadn’t got scared- ALFRED No, no, Master Bruce. Nothing you did. Nothing anyone ever did can excuse that man. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 19. WAYNE The man had a gun! DUCARD Would that stop you? WAYNE I’ve had training- DUCARD The training is nothing. The will to take control is everything. Your father trusted his city, its logic... he thought he understood the attacker and could simply give him what he wanted... Wayne considers this... breathing slowing... CALMER... they separate. DUCARD (CONT’D) (gently) Your father did not understand the forces of decay- cities like Gotham are in their death throes- chaotic, grotesque. Beyond saving. WAYNE Beyond saving? You believe that? Ducard regards the harshly beautiful landscape. DUCARD It is not right that one must come so far to see the world as it is meant to be. Purity. Serenity... Solitude. These are the qualities we hold dear. But the important thing is whether you believe it... Wayne stares at Ducard. DUCARD (CONT’D) Can Gotham can be saved, or is she an ailing ancestor whose time has run? Ducard STRIKES DOWN at Wayne with his sword. Wayne BLOCKS the strike with FOREARMS CROSSED, SLIDES BETWEEN DUCARD’S LEGS across the ice to where his sword lies. GRASPING his sword he SPINS, SWEEPING at Ducard’s feet. Ducard LEAPS- Wayne CATCHES his foot, brings him down onto the ice. Wayne THRUSTS his sword at Ducard’s throat- (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (3) 20. STOPS INCHES from Ducard’s bare neck. Ducard freezes, arms at his sides. Wayne looks down at Ducard, SMILING in triumph. WAYNE Yield. Ducard smiles. Shakes his head. DUCARD You haven’t beaten me. You’ve sacrificed sure footing for a killing stroke. Ducard TAPS the ice beneath Wayne’s feet with his sword- the ice gives way, PLUNGING Wayne through the surface. 33 EXT. SHORE, FROZEN LAKE -- EVENING 33 Ducard feeds a small FIRE. Wayne RUBS his arms, SHIVERING violently against hypothermia. Ducard looks at him. DUCARD Don’t rub your arms, rub your chest. Your arms’ll take care of themselves. Wayne rubs his torso, NODS at Ducard. Ducard feeds the fire. DUCARD (CONT’D) You have strength born of years of grief and anger, Wayne. The strength of a man denied revenge. Even in his shivering, Wayne REACTS to this. DUCARD (CONT’D) Why, Wayne..? 34 INT. WAYNE STATION PLATFORM -- DAY (WAYNE’S MEMORY) 34 A monorail pulls into the platform. Disgorges passengers. DUCARD (V.O.) Why could you not avenge your parents? Amongst them, Bruce, AGED 20, holding a bag. He sees Alfred, now 62, craning his neck, SEARCHING. He waves. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 21. BRUCE You didn’t have to pick me up- ALFRED Well, sir, the red line... well, it’s closed. Apparently Mr.Earle thought it wasn’t making enough money. 35 INT. CONCOURSE, WAYNE STATION -- MOMENTS LATER 35 Bruce looks sadly at the DECAY to his father’s station: glass CRACKED, marble chipped, HOMELESS bundled in shuttered storefronts... He looks up through the sparing glass: WAYNE TOWER looms overhead, gold lettering catching the sun... BRUCE How is Mr.Earle? ALFRED Oh... successful. 36 INT. ROLLS ROYCE -- LATER 36 Alfred glances at Bruce in the rear-view mirror. ALFRED Will you be heading back to Princeton tomorrow or could I persuade you to spend an extra night or two? BRUCE I’m not heading back at all. ALFRED You don’t like it there? Bruce smiles, sardonic. Looks out at the trees flashing by. BRUCE I like it fine... they just don’t feel the same way. Alfred purses his lips, IRRITATED. 24. 40 EXT. GATES, WAYNE MANOR -- MORNING 40 Rachel, now 23, stands by her car looking up at the house. She can see Bruce in the window. She gives a small wave. 41 INT. BRUCE’S BEDROOM -- CONTINUOUS 41 Bruce returns Rachel’s wave. Then FINISHES LOADING HIS GUN. 42 EXT. GATES, WAYNE MANOR -- MOMENTS LATER 42 Bruce walks down the drive to Rachel. He smiles gently. BRUCE You look well. "Assistant District Attorney", right? RACHEL (nods, smiles) You still trying to get kicked out of the entire ivy league? BRUCE (shakes head, smiling) Turns out you don’t actually need a degree to do the international playboy thing. Rachel smiles. Looks down at her shoes. Then back to Bruce. RACHEL Bruce, I don’t suppose there’s any way I can convince you not to come- BRUCE (cold) Someone at this proceeding should stand for my parents. RACHEL Bruce, we all loved your parents. What Chill did is unforgivable- BRUCE Then why is your boss letting him go? RACHEL Because in prison he shared a cell with Carmine Falcone. He learned things and he’ll testify in exchange for early parole. 25. Bruce shakes his head, opens the car door. Rachel sighs. 43 INT./EXT. RACHEL’S CAR ON FREEWAY, GOTHAM -- MORNING 43 Rachel’s car heads towards the golden spires of Gotham. Bruce stares out the window in silence. 44 INT. RACHEL’S CAR -- MOMENTS LATER 44 Rachel pulls into the PARKING LOT of the COURTHOUSE. Parks. Bruce looks at her through the strained silence. BRUCE Rachel, this man killed my parents. I cannot let that pass. Rachel almost says something. Then SHRUGS. BRUCE (CONT’D) Rachel, I need you to understand. Rachel looks at Bruce. Considering. Gently NODS. Bruce nods back. Rachel opens her door and starts getting out. Bruce slips out his GUN, placing it on the ground behind the front wheel of Rachel’s car as he gets out. 45 INT. COURTHOUSE -- DAY 45 A small bureaucratic proceeding. A five person PANEL. Bruce sits amongst the OBSERVERS. Watching the back of Chili’s head. Rachel’s boss, FINCH, addresses the panel. FINCH Given the exemplary prison record of Mr.Chill, the 14 years already served and his extraordinary level of cooperation with one of this office’s most important investigations... we strongly endorse Mr.Chill’s petition for early release. The CHAIRMAN nods, consults his paperwork. CHAIRMAN I gather a member of the Wayne family is here today... Chill REACTS, TURNING. Bruce STUDIES his weathered face. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 26. CHAIRMAN (CONT’D) ...does he have anything to say? Chill notices Wayne’s cold eyes. Has to look away. Bruce RISES, walks out, all eyes on him. Including Rachel’s. 46 EXT. PARKING LOT, COURTHOUSE -- MOMENTS LATER 46 Bruce MOVES to Rachel’s car. Picks up his GUN, stuffs it up the sleeve of his overcoat. Waits. The side exit opens and two COPS come out. A shout goes up from the pressmen around the front of the courthouse. REPORTERS They’re taking him out the side!! REPORTERS swarm around the building as Chill emerges. REPORTER1 Chill, any words for the Wayne family?!! Chill, head down, presses on. Bruce straightens. Breathes. Starts WALKING towards Chill. A Reporter SPOTS him. REPORTER2 It’s Bruce Wayne! The Reporters clear a path, eager for a confrontation. BLONDE FEMALE REPORTER Joe! Hey Joe!! This one catches Chill’s eye- blonde, local t.v. type. Bruce’s hand DROPS to his side as he MOVES... he’s BREATHING HARD... THINKING... DECIDING... BLONDE FEMALE REPORTER (CONT’D) Falcone says hi!! She THRUSTS a gun at Chill’s chest and FIRES. Chill DROPS- Bruce STOPS in his tracks. Reporters DIVE for cover- COPS jump on the Blonde Reporter, pinning her... Bruce. Fifteen feet away. Loaded gun up his sleeve. Face as uncomprehending as the night Chill killed his parents. Rachel moves to Bruce, pulling him away from the chaos. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 29. RACHEL (CONT’D) (quiet) And what chance does Gotham have when the good people do nothing? She pokes him in the chest. Bruce looks down at her finger. BRUCE I’m not one of your "good people", Rachel. Chill took that from me. Rachel looks at Bruce strangely. RACHEL What do you mean? Bruce pulls up his sleeve. Turns his hand over. Rachel stares at the GUN in his hand, SHOCKED. BRUCE I was going to kill him myself. She looks at Bruce. Then SLAPS him. Bruce does nothing. Rachel SLAPS him again and again... Nothing. She stops. Tears flowing. RACHEL You’re no better than the rest. Rachel points at the gun. Looks into Bruce’s eyes. RACHEL (CONT’D) Your father would be ashamed of you. Bruce stares at Rachel. Opens his door. 50 EXT. DOCK AREA, GOTHAM -- CONTINUOUS 50 Bruce watches Rachel’s car disappear. Turns to look at the line of SHIPS in the harbor. He makes his way to the water. Takes out his gun. Turns it, STUDIES the light off its metal- INSERT CUT: the TREMBLING BARREL of Chill’s gun, inches from Thomas Wayne’s chest. Bruce, with contempt, FLINGS his gun into the black water. 30. 51 EXT. BASEMENT CLUB, FACING DOCKS -- LATER 51 Bruce walks towards the entrance. A BOUNCER steps out, looking at him with contempt. BOUNCER Get lost, kid. Bruce pulls a massive wad of cash from his pocket. Splits it in two. Offers one half. BRUCE The other half when you give me the nod that Falcone’s leaving. Unawares. The Bouncer looks at Bruce. Takes the money. 52 EXT. BASEMENT CLUB, FACING DOCKS -- LATER 52 Bruce watches the entrance from the shadows. Two THUGS escort a thickset man out of a club. The Bouncer waves- BOUNCER ’Night, Mr.Falcone. The three men move towards a waiting limo- WHAM- one Thug takes a kick to the head, goes down- Bruce steps from the shadows- the Second Thug goes for his gun- Bruce GRABS his arm- CHOPS his throat- JUDO FLIPS the thug... Bruce turns to Falcone who looks at him, curious. FALCONE The little rich kid. No gun? I’m insulted. The First Thug lunges at Bruce with a KNIFE- Bruce puts him down with a graceful SWEEP- BRUCE I don’t need a gun. FALCONE Yes, you do. CLICK. A gun is at Bruce’s head. Held by the Bouncer. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 31. FALCONE (CONT’D) Money isn’t power down here- fear is. The Bouncer pistol whips him once, hard. Bruce goes down. The Bouncer drops Bruce’s money onto him. FALCONE (CONT’D) You shoulda just sent me a thank-you note... Bruce looks up at Falcone. Spits blood. BRUCE I didn’t come here to thank-you. I came to show you that not everyone in Gotham is afraid of you. FALCONE (laughs) Just those that know me. You got balls, kid... (cold) But you don’t belong down here with us. We don’t play fair. Now go back to your big house, wrap yourself in your silk sheets and I’ll send you a shoulder to cry on. BRUCE You don’t dress well enough to be a pimp. Falcone lights a cigar. Stares down at bruce. Ice. FALCONE You miss your Mommy and Daddy? Come down here again, I send you to them. Falcone turns. His thugs get into the limo with him. Bruce watches it slide into the night. Struggles to his feet... Bruce walks the docks, wiping blood from his mouth. SHADOWS in doorways mark his progress. Three YOUTHS approach. Bruce stiffens, but they cross the street to avoid him. MALE VOICE (O.S.) No one’ll mess with ya. Bruce turns. A HOMELESS MAN warming at a flaming oil drum. One of many HOMELESS clustered around the docks. (CONTINUED) 34. Bruce picks up a mango from a stack to examine it. As he does so he uses his lower hand to slip a PLUM into his pocket. 55 EXT. ALLEY, AFRICAN PORT TOWN -- LATER 55 Bruce squats in a doorway. Bites hungrily into his plum. He looks up. A CHILD in rags sits in the next doorway, STARING. Bruce stares back, juice dripping. WAYNE (V.O.) ...you lose many assumptions about the simple nature of right and wrong. Bruce hands the Child the plum. Licks his fingers. Hard. 56 INT. TRAIN STATION, LONDON -- DAY 56 Bruce (bearded, filthy) in a crowd, with an ELDERLY MAN. WAYNE (V.O.) I needed to feel the fear before a crime... The Elderly Man SPOTS a BUSINESSMAN hurrying along- STEPS into his path, engineering a COLLISION, tumbling to the pavement. The Businessman and Bruce both CROUCH to help. WAYNE (V.O.) (CONT’D) And the thrill of success... Bruce SLIPS the Businessman’s wallet out of his pocket. The Businessman moves off. Bruce shows the Elderly Man the wallet for APPROVAL. Then HURRIES after the Businessman. WAYNE (V.O.) (CONT’D) ...without becoming one of them. Bruce CATCHES the Businessman, gives him the wallet. The Businessman thanks Bruce- noticing his destitution, he HANDS Bruce a banknote. Bruce nods thanks. 31. 35. 57 INT. WAREHOUSE, UNDER THE ARCHES, EASTERN EUROPE -- NIGHT 57 Bruce tries to crack a safe under the supervision of a YOUNG TOUGH. The Young Tough shakes his head, spins the dial and whips open the safe. Showing Wayne the action. WAYNE (V.O.) I thought I would find something... 58 INT. SMOKE-FILLED BACKROOM, SHANGHAI -- NIGHT 58 At a table with a CHINESE BOSS and SEVEN CRIMINALS drinking, laughing, showing each other their spoils (watches, phones). WAYNE (V.O.) I thought I would learn what I needed to do with my skills and my anger... 59 INT. WAREHOUSE, SHANGHAI -- DAY 59 A TRUCK races through the door. Two Criminals yank the doors shut after. Bruce and the Boss jumps down from the cab. WAYNE But the harder I looked the less I saw. The less I knew... Bruce turns to the Boss wary. BRUCE Where’s this friend of yours? BOSS (shrugs) Not friend. Friend of friend. Bruce rolls his eyes. Looks at the Boss with contempt. WAYNE (V.O.) Until I wasn’t even sure what I’d been looking for in the first place... The doors EXPLODE COPS burst in, shouting in Mandarin. 36. 60 INT. SAME -- LATER 60 The back of the truck is opened. Cops inventory piles of BOXES pulled out of the back. WAYNE (V.O.) And I was lost. Bruce sits in a line of criminals, hands cuffed behind back. A Cop YANKS him to his feet, hauling him over to an OFFICER. COP (in Mandarin) He refuses to give his name. The Officer smiles solicitously at Bruce. OFFICER (in Mandarin) Fool- this is China, you’re a criminal, what the hell do I care what your name is? BRUCE (in fluent Mandarin) I’m not a criminal. The Officer, surprised, waves Bruce away. Looks at the truck. OFFICER (in accented English) Tell that to the guys who owned these! He KICKS a BOX: CLOSE ON the WAYNE INDUSTRIES logo. CUT TO: 61 EXT. WALL, HIMALAYAN MONASTERY -- DAWN 61 Wayne and Ducard cling to the wall just short of the roof, eyes LOCKED. Both are in AGONY, sweat-drenched, STRAINING. Ducard BLINKS. REACHES for the roof and pulls himself up. Wayne closes his eyes in relief. Ducard pulls Wayne up onto the roof. They lie there in the half-light. Ducard turns to Wayne. Puts a hand on his shoulder. Proud. DUCARD You are ready. CONTINUED: (3) 39. DUCARD (CONT’D) By blowing out this candle you renounce your mortal life. You renounce forever the cities of man. You dedicate your life to solitude. Wayne leans forward to blow out the candle. PAUSES. Looks at the rows of seated Ninjas. WAYNE Where will I be leading these men? DUCARD You will need them in Gotham. WAYNE You want me to go back to Gotham? Ra’s stares at Wayne. Starts speaking... DUCARD You yourself are a victim of Gotham’s decay. That is why you came here, and that is why you must go back. You will assume the mantle of your birthright. As Gotham’s favored son you will be ideally placed... WAYNE For what? DUCARD To help us destroy the city. WAYNE What?! DUCARD When Gotham falls, the other cities will follow in short order. Nature’s balance will be restored and Man will finally return to solitude. Wayne turns to Ducard. WAYNE You can’t believe in this. Ducard looks at Wayne, troubled. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (4) 40. DUCARD Ra’s Al Ghul has rescued you from the darkest corner of your own heart... what he asks in return is obedience. And the courage to do what is necessary. Wayne stares down at the flickering candle. At the bottle. Wayne FLICKS his sword out, SMASHING the bottle, TIPPING the candle- FLAMES spread across the wooden floor- DUCARD (CONT’D) (reaching to extinguish flames) What are you doing? WAYNE What’s necessary. Wayne STRIKES Ducard in the head with the butt of his sword, DOUSES his mask in the liquid fire and TOSSES it back into the mezzanine where the explosive powders are stored... Ra’s LEAPS from his throne, STRIKING at Wayne with his sword- Wayne parries- EXPLOSIONS roar from the balcony, shooting flame across the ceiling- Ra’s and Wayne fight as EXPLOSIONS surround them... Wayne LEAPS clear as FLAMING DEBRIS collapses onto Ra’s, CRUSHING him... the flames are rising, Ninja bodies are strewn around, fresh explosions rip across the hall as Ninjas flee and Wayne spots Ducard lying unconscious. Wayne PICKS UP Ducard, hauls him out of the Throne room, into a passage, SMASHING THROUGH an ornate screen... 63 EXT. MOUNTAINS -- CONTINUOUS 63 Wayne and Ducard CRASH down onto a steep slope of ice and rock, the monastery exploding above them... Wayne rolls over, GRABS a rock, looks across to see- Ducard UNCONSCIOUS, SLIDING down the icy slope. His limp form ROTATES, spinning as his body gathers MOMENTUM, rushing towards the EDGE of the CLIFF... Wayne DIVES AFTER HIM, SLIDING HEAD-FIRST down the ice... the cliff closer and closer as Wayne RACES after Ducard... 41. MERE FEET FROM THE CLIFF EDGE, Wayne GRABS Ducard- raises his free GAUNTLET-CLAD ARM, and SMASHES AT THE ICE, DIGGING IN with the BRONZE SCALLOPS... STOPPING on the edge- Ducard HANGS LIMPLY over a tremendous drop- Wayne STRUGGLES with the dead weight. Wayne PULLS Ducard up onto the ice. BREATHING. 64 EXT. TINY HAMLET, HIMALAYAS -- DAY 64 Wayne CARRIES Ducard down the road. 65 INT. SHERPA’S HUT -- MOMENTS LATER 65 Wayne KICKS the door open. The Old Man he saw on his way up the mountain stares back at him. Then motions Wayne to put Ducard down onto some mats. The Old Man wipes blood from Ducard’s temple. Looks at Wayne, who is moving to the door... OLD MAN I will tell him you saved his life. Wayne stops. Turns. Looks back at Ducard. WAYNE Tell him... I have an ailing ancestor who needs me. Wayne puts his hands together in formal salute. Bows. 66 INT. CLIMBER’S BAR, BHUTAN -- DAY 66 A smoky inn, full of SHERPAS and CLIMBERS. Wayne enters, FILTHY, RAGGED. Conversation CEASES. Everyone STARES. 67 INT. SAME -- MOMENTS LATER 67 Wayne uses a phone at the bar, waiting for an answer- ALFRED (O.S.) Wayne residence. Wayne SMILES at Alfred’s familiar voice. WAYNE (hoarse) Alfred. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 44. INTERVIEWER (CONT’D) ...couple big defense contracts in the bag... as well as rumors that the board is petitioning to have Bruce Wayne, missing for seven years now, declared officially dead. EARLE (smiles thinly) Our operating assumption is always the hopeful one that Bruce’ll resurface sometime soon. 72 INT. LIBRARY, WAYNE MANOR -- CONTINUOUS 72 Wayne HEARS a CHITTERING. He rises, moving out into the main hall... 73 INT. MAIN HALL, WAYNE MANOR -- CONTINUOUS 73 Wayne STARES: a small shadow SPUTTERS around the ceiling... ALFRED (O.S.) A blessed bat gain, sir. Wayne turns to find Alfred standing there with a tea service. ALFRED They nest somewhere on the grounds. Wayne watches the dark shape FLICKER around the ceiling. 74 EXT. GROUNDS, WAYNE MANOR -- DAY 74 Wayne walks across the gardens to the greenhouse. He wears a long overcoat, a coil of rope over one arm. 75 INT. GREENHOUSE -- CONTINUOUS 75 Now derelict. Glass cracked or missing, paint peeled from wrought iron. Wayne stands in the entrance, remembering- INSERT CUT: Rachel, LAUGHING, SPRINTING between the tables. 45. 76 INT. DISUSED WELL SHAFT -- MOMENTS LATER 76 DARKNESS, punctured by LIGHT as BOARDS are YANKED, splintering from the mouth of the well, high above. Wayne LOWERS himself down the shaft, overcoat billowing. He undoes his rope at the bottom. TURNS, finding- The DARK CREVICE between the rocks. Wayne CROUCHES, pushing into the BLACKNESS, crawling through into- 77 INT. CAVERNS -- CONTINUOUS 77 Wayne climbs down a jagged rock crevice. Air blows in his face. The crevice WIDENS into a low-ceilinged chamber. Wayne hears the RUSH of WATER. He crouches, advances through the low chamber. It turns DOWNWARDS, steeper- Wayne carefully slides on his back, LOWERING HIMSELF into... LIMITLESS BLACK. Wayne stands. A ROAR of water now. He REACHES into his coat, pulls out a CHEMICAL TORCH. CRACKS it, throwing LIGHT into... A VAST CAVERN. An underground RIVER, a JAGGED ceiling, far above, which, as Wayne PEERS, starts to MOVE- BATS EXPLODE from the ceiling. THOUSANDS DESCEND, SCREECHING, attracted to the light- Wayne instinctively CROUCHES. But as they SWARM around him terrifyingly... Wayne RISES to his feet amidst a CYCLONE of bats, watching the fluttering blackness with a profound CALM. And he knows the symbol he must use. 78 INT./EXT. ROLLS ROYCE ON GOTHAM STREETS -- MORNING 78 Wayne stares at the DECAY. Sadness gives way to anger. 79 EXT. WAYNE PLAZA -- LATER 79 The Rolls pulls up onto the Plaza in front of Wayne Station. The station is deserted. Derelict. Wayne gets out, staring. WAYNE Is it closed? ALFRED They still run a token service out of respect for your father. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 46. WAYNE (low) Respect? 80 INT. BOARD ROOM, WAYNE TOWER -- CONTINUOUS 80 A board meeting in full swing. Earle presiding. He is addressing a portly, distinguished man at the other end. This is JUDGE PHELAN. EARLE Clearly, Judge Phelan, moving to have Bruce declared dead is not something that any of us here relishes... but as responsible managers it falls to us to act on behalf of Wayne Industries... 81 INT. OUTER OFFICE, WAYNE TOWER -- CONTINUOUS 81 Wayne walks past the young, beautiful ASSISTANT sat her desk. WAYNE Morning. The Assistant gets to her feet. ASSISTANT Sir, you can’t go in there! Wayne turns to her. Smiles. WAYNE Yes, I can. The Assistant RECOGNIZES him, stands there, SHOCKED. 82 INT. BOARD ROOM, WAYNE TOWER -- CONTINUOUS 82 As the door OPENS, Earle looks over, annoyed. EARLE I’m sorry, can I...? Earle STARES. Dumbstruck. All heads TURN- Wayne smiles. WAYNE Sorry to barge in, but I was in the areas... (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 49. ALFRED Shall I park, sir? Wayne wrestles for a moment... WAYNE No, let’s go. Alfred pulls out with a touch of disappointment. 86 INT. APPLIED SCIENCES DIVISION -- DAY 86 A massive WAREHOUSE, stacked with crates, odd-shaped under dust covers, lab equipment. LUCIUS FOX, aged 52, leads Wayne through the stacks, speaking in calm, knowledgeable tones. FOX Environmental applications, defense projects, consumer products... all prototypes, none if production at any level whatsoever. WAYNE None? Fox pauses, turns to Wayne, a wicked gleam in his eye. FOX What did they tell you this place was? WAYNE They didn’t tell me anything. FOX They told me exactly what it was when they sent me here... a dead end where I couldn’t cause any more trouble for the rest of the board. WAYNE You were on the board? FOX Back when your father ran things. WAYNE You knew my father? FOX Sure. Helped him build his train. Beautiful project- routed right (MORE) (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 50. FOX (CONT’D) into Wayne Tower, along with the water and power utilities. Made Wayne Tower the unofficial heart of Gotham. Fox stops at a tall CRATE. Checks paperwork. Opens the crate: a BODYSUIT- clear silicone over jointed armor. FOX (CONT’D) Here it is: the nomex survival suit for advanced infantry. Kevlar biweave, reinforced joints... Wayne feels the fabric of the suit. WAYNE Bullet-proof? FOX Anything but a straight shot. WAYNE Tear-resistant? Fox HACKS at the suit with his pen- it doesn’t even mark. FOX This sucker’ll stop a knife. WAYNE Why didn’t they put it into production? FOX The bean counters figured a soldier’s life wasn’t worth the 300 grand. Fox looks at Wayne. Suspicious. FOX (CONT’D) What do you want with it, Mr.Wayne? WAYNE I want to borrow it. For spelunking. (off look) You know, cave-diving. Fox shrugs. Puts the lid back on the crate. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (3) 51. FOX You get a lot of gunfire down in those caves? WAYNE (smiles) Listen, I’d rather Mr.Earle didn’t know about me borrowing- FOX Mr.Wayne, the way I see it... Fox waves his arm, taking in the enormous facility. FOX (CONT’D) All this stuff is yours, anyway. 87 INT. CAVERNS BENEATH WAYNE MANOR -- DAY 87 Wayne, high on the cavern wall, in climbing harness, HAMMERS a bracket into the rock securing a line of industrial LAMPS. WAYNE Okay! Give it a try. Alfred throws a switch on a portable GENERATOR: the lamps flicker on, dimly lighting the length of one wall. Alfred peers at the DAMP, DINGY surroundings. ALFRED Oh, charming. Alfred sees the BATS covering the entire ceiling. ALFRED (CONT’D) At least you’ll have company. Wayne RAPPELS to the cave floor, looks up to a HIGH corner: CRUMBLING BRICKWORK. Alfred follows his gaze. ALFRED (CONT’D) Must be the lowest foundations of the Southeast wing. Wayne CLIMBS up: poking through the rock ceiling: the bottom of a wrought-iron SPIRAL STAIRCASE. In the center of the spiral: a dumb-waiter lift, fallen off its track. Wayne grabs the chains of the lift, RATTLES them- sending a wave ECHOING up into the darkness. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 54. WAYNE He brings in shipments of drugs every week, nobody takes him down. Why? GORDON He’s paid up with the right people. WAYNE What would it take? GORDON Leverage on Judge Phelan. And a D.A. brave enough to prosecute. WAYNE Rachel Dodson in the D.A.’s office. GORDON Who are you? WAYNE Watch for a sign. GORDON You’re just one man? WAYNE Now we are two. GORDON We? No response. Gordon turns around. No one. He JUMPS to the window- looks down, looks up: a SHADOW slips onto the roof- 92 INT. BULLPEN -- CONTINUOUS 92 Gordon RACES across the bullpen, drawing his gun, hits the stairwell- two UNIFORMS see him go, run after him. 93 EXT. ROOFTOP -- CONTINUOUS 93 Wayne moves to the edge of the roof- the gap is TOO BIG- he TURNS BACK- the DOOR SMASHES open: Gordon GUN RAISED. GORDON FREEZE! Wayne RACES for the GAP- LEAPS... DROPS FAST... misses THE TOP STORY- GRABS the balcony below... it BREAKS AWAY- DROPS him onto the one below. Winded, Wayne CLIMBS onto the wall. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 55. From the other roof, Gordon watches Wayne melt into the shadows. The Uniforms arrive either side. UNIFORM 1 The hell was that? GORDON (dismissive) Some nut. But Gordon’s expression is less certain. 94 INT. EARLE’S OFFICE, WAYNE TOWER -- DAY 94 Earle sits at his desk conferring with two board members. BOARD MEMBER Is he taking over? EARLE Not yet. I checked the trust, and Bruce can’t assume control until his thirtieth birthday. (presses intercom) Jessica, where’s that coffee? BOARD MEMBER But that’s in three months. EARLE We’ll have to move fast. BOARD MEMBER 2 To do what? EARLE An IPO. There’s nothing in Bruce’s trust to stop us taking the company public... we’ll have an offering... BOARD MEMBER (getting it) And Bruce will become just another board member. EARLE Precisely. We can’t have some clown prince running things. (presses intercom) Jessica? No answer. Earle steps to the door and opens it. His assistant is GONE. So is the receptionist. 56. 95 EXT. ROOFTOP, WAYNE TOWER -- MOMENTS LATER 95 The SWISH-CLICK of a Titleist rocketing off the roof and out towards Gotham River. Wayne stands behind the Beautiful Assistant, hand on her hip, adjusting her grip on a gold club. Another YOUNG WOMAN watches, leaning on a driver. WAYNE Keep your elbows in... EARLE (O.S.) Ladies? They turn. Earle is standing there. JESSICA Sorry, Mr.Earle, Mr.Wayne insisted that all junior executives need to know how to play golf. EARLE Junior Executive? Who’s answering the phones? Wayne smiles pleasantly at Earle. WAYNE This is Wayne Industries, Mr.Earle- I’m sure they’ll call back. Wayne unwraps himself from Jessica and approaches Earle. WAYNE (CONT’D) (conspiratorial) I thought a few promotions might be good karma forgetting my new job. Earle smiles patiently. EARLE Of course, you’re not actually starting just yet, Bruce. Not until your birthday. WAYNE (grins) Three month’s time- I’m having a huge blowout and I expect everyone to be there. EARLE With bells on. How are things down at Applied Sciences? (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 59. ALFRED Precisely. Of course, they’ll have to be large orders to avoid suspicion. WAYNE How large? ALFRED Say, ten thousand. WAYNE (smiles) Least we’ll have spares. 99 INT. APPLIED SCIENCES DIVISION -- MORNING 99 Fox, at his desk, watches Wayne approaching. FOX (smiles) What’s it today? More "spelunking"? WAYNE Sper-lunking. And no, today it’s base-jumping. FOX Base-jumping? What, like parachuting? WAYNE I need some kind of lightweight grappling hook... FOX For what? WAYNE Base jumping’s illegal-you can’t just take the elevator. Fox shakes his head at Wayne. Gets to his feet. They sit. FOX We’ve got suction pads, grapples... WAYNE Any good? (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 60. FOX Nope. But this thing’s pretty neat. Fox pulls out a box. Inside: a bronze GRAPPLING GUN and HARNESS. FOX (CONT’D) Pneumatic. Magnetic grapple. Monofilament tested to 350 pounds. Wayne feels the weight. It is light. Strong. He picks up the HARNESS that goes with it. Shoulder straps with a wide, hi-tech BELT. Wayne shoves the back end of the gun into the belt buckle- it CLICKS into place. WAYNE Too expensive for the army? Fox takes it back from Wayne. Sardonic. FOX Guess they never thought about marketing to the billionaire base-jumping, spelunking market. WAYNE Look, Mr.Fox, if you’re uncomfortable- FOX Mr.Wayne, if you don’t tell me what you’re really doing, then when I get asked... I don’t have to lie. But don’t treat me like an idiot. WAYNE (nods) Fair enough. Fox looks at Wayne. Thinking. FOX Come on, I’ll show you something. 100 INT. LOADING DOCK, APPLIED SCIENCES DIVISION -- LATER 100 Fox hands Wayne a sheet of black fabric. FOX Notice anything? Wayne examines it, shrugs. Fox puts on a GLOVE. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 61. FOX (CONT’D) Memory fabric- dual layer polymers with variable alignment molecules. Flexible ordinarily, but put a current through it... Fox GRABS the fabric- which instantly POPS into the RIGID shape of a small one-man TENT. Wayne raises his eyebrows. FOX (CONT’D) ...the molecules align and become rigid. Wayne pushes on the tent, feeling its strength, fascinated. WAYNE What kind of shapes can you make? Fox releases the tent, which instantly COLLAPSES. FOX It could be tailored to any structure based on a rigid skeleton. Wayne lifts the black fabric, FLICKING it in a WHIPPING motion. Thinking. Then he sees something. Some kind of vehicle, covered by a tarp. HUGE TIRES visible. WAYNE What’s that? Fox, a twinkle in his eye, rolls up the memory fabric. FOX The Tumbler? Oh, you wouldn’t be interested in that. Wayne shoots Fox a look, and we CUT TO: 101 P.O.V.: RACING ALONG, INCHES ABOVE A TEST TRACKINT. TUMBLER ON TEST TRACK -- MOMENTS LATER 101 Wayne pilots using aircraft-like control sticks. Fox, in the passenger seat, hangs on as Wayne PUSHES the vehicle... The Tumbler SHOOTS PAST: LOW and WIDE, a cross between a Lamborghini Countach and a Humvee. Sandy camouflage, stealthangled panelling and variable-angle flaps across the back. Fox SHOUTS over the noise of the engine. (CONTINUED) 64. 107 INT. FALCONE’S CLUB, DOCK AREA -- NIGHT 107 Judge Phelan sits sandwiched between two GIRLS, drink and cigar in hand. He looks up. PHELAN Carmine! Where are you going? Falcone is putting his coat on. FALCONE Duty calls. You have yourself a good time, Judge. Falcone turns to the CLUB MANAGER. Leans in. FALCONE (CONT’D) If he’s too cheap to get a hotel, at least make him take his car around to the alley. (shakes his head) No class. 108 EXT. DOCKS -- CONTINUOUS 108 Down in the stacks, THUGS unload BOXES an open container. HEADLIGHTS light them up- everyone FREEZES. A sedan pulls up. FLASS emerges. Approaches one of the thugs holding a box. OPENS it, YANKS out a STUFFED TOY. FLASS Cute. Flass RIPS open the toy, pulls a plastic PACKAGE from inside. FLASS (CONT’D) (mock surprise) Oh? What have we here? Nobody reacts. Flass hands the toy back to the Thug. FLASS (CONT’D) Carry on, gents. Flass heads inside a massive warehouse to a set of offices. 65. 109 INT. OFFICE, DOCKS -- CONTINUOUS 109 Flass enters. Falcone sits at the desk. FALCONE You believe this hump, Flass? He indicates a thin man opposite. Flass sits. FLASS Problem? FALCONE Crane here’s making insinuations. The thin man, CRANE, leans forward. A cold presence. CRANE Insinuations? Well, let me be clearer- you stepped on the last shipment before you delivered it to me. You cut it with baby powder, and rendered it useless for my purposes. Falcone stares at the slight man, incredulous. FALCONE (furious) Flass, tell this guy what happens to people who talk to me this way. 110 EXT. FALCONE’S CLUB, DOCK AREA -- CONTINUOUS 110 Judge Phelan stumbles out of the club with the GIRLS. They pile into the waiting limo. The Club Manager gestures to the Driver to pull around into the alley. 111 EXT. ALLEY, DOCK AREA -- CONTINUOUS 111 The Limo idles in the alley. 112 INT. LIMO -- CONTINUOUS 112 The Driver picks his ear. The partition is closed. The Driver examines his finger... WHAM!!! A BLACK SHAPE LANDS ON THE HOOD- the Driver’s eyes go wide as- SMASH!!!- a BLACK-GLOVED FIST SHATTERS THE WINDSCREEN and GRABS the Driver’s neck... (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 66. IN THE BACK: Phelan sits BOLT UPRIGHT. The girls look around, ALARMED. THE PARTITION SLOWLY LOWERS, REVEALING: BATMAN. Crouched like a dark animal on the hood- the Girls SCREAM. 113 EXT. ALLEY -- CONTINUOUS 113 The Homeless Man looks up from his brazier, curious. He sees a dark shape on the hood of a limo, a LONG BLACK CLOAK BILLOWING out behind it... screams echo through the alley... 114 INT. LIMO -- CONTINUOUS 114 Phelan scrambles back in his seat, whimpering... BATMAN You have eaten well... As Gotham has starved. Batman’s eyes stare out of the black cowl at Phelan. BATMAN (CONT’D) This changes tonight. Batman SHOOTS UP OFF the hood, banging onto the roof- 115 EXT. ALLEY -- CONTINUOUS 115 The Homeless Man STARES OPEN-MOUTHED at Batman standing, ICONIC, on the roof of the limo, cloak billowing... Batman turns his head towards the Homeless Man- BATMAN Nice coat. -and FLIES UP from the limo, DISAPPEARING into the shadows high above... The Homeless Man looks down at his coat, then back up to the shadows... HOMELESS MAN (small) Thanks. 69. 121 EXT. TRUCK OUTSIDE THE STACKS -- CONTINUOUS 121 Other Thugs REACT to the SCREAM... 122 INT. OFFICE, DOCKS -- CONTINUOUS 122 Falcone and Crane hear the scream. Flass JUMPS up. 123 EXT. THE STACKS -- CONTINUOUS 123 Thugs, guns drawn, advance into the stacks... 124 EXT. THE STACKS -- CONTINUOUS 124 A Fourth Thug WHIPS around a corner to see a JUMPY THUG covering the other end of the corridor... The Fourth Thug nods, steps backwards. MOVEMENT in the shadow behind him... BATMAN IS ALREADY IN FRAME- his arm FLASHES forward with his CLOAK, WRAPS the Thug’s neck, YANKS him backwards into the shadows... Jumpy Thug sees the other Thug DISAPPEAR... he OPENS FIRE, STROBING the stacks, revealing INDISTINCT GLIMPSES of MOVEMENT. ELSEWHERE IN THE STACKS: Thugs REACT to the gunfire... Flass stands outside the stacks, gun drawn, listening. He moves back into the office. 125 INT. OFFICE, DOCKS -- CONTINUOUS 125 FALCONE What the hell’s going on?! Flass looks at Falcone. FLASS You’ve got a problem out there. Falcone reaches behind the desk, PULLS out a SHOTGUN. 70. 126 EXT. THE STACKS -- CONTINUOUS 126 Jumpy Thug FIRES blindly at STROBING SHADOWS- GLIMPSES of a DARK CLOAKED FIGURE moving from SHADOW TO SHADOW. Jumpy Thug empties the clip. FUMBLES for another as he looks out into the darkness. JUMPY THUG WHERE ARE YOU?!!! A whispered word at his ear: BATMAN Here. BATMAN’S FACE, UPSIDE DOWN, at the Thug’s shoulder- Jumpy Thug SCREAMS as he is ENGULFED by DARKNESS- 127 EXT. OUTSIDE THE STACKS -- CONTINUOUS 127 Flass scuttles over to his car. Crane pauses, listening to the shouts and gunfire. Then moves off into the night. 128 EXT. THE STACKS -- CONTINUOUS 128 Falcone advances through the stacks, shotgun in hand. He rounds a corner to find FIVE THUGS, various weapons in hand, in a loose defensive ring, peering out into the darkness... A SHADOW DROPS into the center of their ring- Thugs TURN, SHOUTING, one SWINGS a CHAIN, another a KNIFE- -Batman DUCKS the chain- SWEEP-KICKS the knife-wielder to the ground. Chain SWINGS again... Batman JUMPS up, one leg LOW to let the CHAIN WRAP around his ANKLE- Batman KICKS his leg sideways RIPPING the chain from its owner, then HEAD BUTTING him down - Batman SPINS his CHAIN-WRAPPED LEG in a ROUNDHOUSE KICK, WHIPPING THREE THUGS behind him in the fade with the CHAIN. All three go DOWN. The rest are unconscious or gone. Batman STANDS there, long cape BILLOWING out to one side. The chain SLIDES from his leg. Falcone is behind him, SHOTGUN aimed dead at Batman’s head. FALCONE What in God’s name are you? (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 71. Batman opens his hand, revealing TWO SHOTGUN CARTRIDGES. Then TURNS, billowing cape WRAPPING around him. BATMAN I’m Batman. Falcone pulls the trigger. CLICK. 129 INT. BEDROOM, RACHEL’S APARTMENT -- LATER 129 Rachel TOSSES, trying to sleep, eyes shut. VOICE (O.S.) Rachel Dodson. Rachel bolts upright, GRASPING at her bedside table. RACHEL Who’s there?!! She pulls out a TASER- PEERS into the shadows: Silhouetted by the window- a dark, cloaked figure. Batman. RACHEL (CONT’D) Take one step, I drop you! Batman moves his arm- something DROPS onto Rachel’s bed: a FILE, spilling PHOTOS. She FLINCHES. GLANCES DOWN: photos of Phelan and the girl in the limo. RACHEL (CONT’D) What the hell is this? BATMAN Leverage. RACHEL What do I need leverage for? BATMAN To get things moving. RACHEL Who are you? BATMAN Someone like you. Someone who’ll stand against the corruption. Rachel reaches for the lamp, her eyes off the window for the INSTANT it takes to ILLUMINATE the room, revealing- No one. CONTINUED: (2) 74. LOEB (glares) No one takes the law into their own hands in my city, understand? 133 INT. MASTER BEDROOM, WAYNE MANOR -- DAY 133 Alfred opens the curtains. Wayne WAKES, squinting. WAYNE (groggy) Bats are nocturnal. ALFRED Bats, maybe... but even for billionaire playboys, 3 o’clock is pushing it. The price of leading a double life, I fear. Alfred PUTS down a tray: water, fruit, newspaper. ALFRED (CONT’D) Your theatrics made an impression. WAYNE Theatricality and deception are powerful weapons, Alfred. It’s a start. Wayne glances at the paper. Gets out of bed, bare-chested. Alfred sees BRUISES across his torso and arms. ALFRED If those are to be the first of many injuries... it would be wise to find a suitable excuse. Polo, for instance. Wayne throws Alfred a look. WAYNE I’m not learning polo, Alfred. ALFRED Strange injuries, a nonexistent social life... these things beg the question of what, exactly, Bruce Wayne does with his time. And his money. Wayne considers this. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 75. WAYNE What does someone like me do? ALFRED (shrugs) Drive sports cars, date movie stars... Buy things that aren’t for sale. Wayne looks at Alfred. Nods. DOWNS the water, stands straight, feet together- FALLS FORWARD to the floor- into his dizzyingly fast push-ups. Alfred watches. Concerned. ALFRED (CONT’D) Who knows, Master Wayne- if you start pretending to have fun, you might even have a little by accident. 134 INT. COUNTY JAIL, RECEIVING -- DAY 134 Crane, briefcase in hand, is BUZZED through thick steel and glass doors and met inside by a PRISON OFFICIAL. They walk. PRISON OFFICIAL Dr.Crane, thanks for coming down... CRANE Not at all. So he cut his wrists? PRISON OFFICIAL Probably looking for an insanity plea, but if anything happened... CRANE Of course, better safe than sorry. 135 INT. INTERVIEW ROOM, COUNTY JAIL -- CONTINUOUS 135 Crane enters. Falcone sits at a table, wrist bandaged. Crane places his briefcase on the table. Falcone smiles. FALCONE Doctor Crane, it’s all too much, the walls are closing in, blah, blah, blah. Couple more days of this food, it’ll be true. CRANE What do you want? (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 76. FALCONE We got a lot to talk about. CRANE Such as? FALCONE Such as, how you’re gonna convince me to keep my mouth shut. CRANE About what? You don’t know anything. FALCONE I know you wouldn’t want the cops taking a closer look at the drugs they seized. Crane REACTS to this. Falcone SMILES, enjoying the reaction. FALCONE (CONT’D) I know about your experiments on the inmates at your nuthouse... (off look) I don’t get into business with someone without finding out their dirty secrets. Those goons you hired.. I own the muscle in this town. Falcone leans forward. Looks Crane in the eye. FALCONE (CONT’D) So what have I been bringing in for you hidden in my drugs, Crane? CRANE If he wanted you to know he’d have told you himself. Falcone shifts slightly. FALCONE I’ve been smuggling your stuff in for months, so whatever he’s got planned, it’s big. And I want it. Crane studies Falcone. Considering. Sighs. CRANE I already know what he’ll say... that we should kill you. (CONTINUED) 79. 139 EXT. AIRBASE -- MORNING (FLASHBACK) 139 ARMY BRASS and SCIENTISTS waiting for a demonstration... an industrial MACHINE the size of a small van sits on the ground a hundred feet from a WATER TOWER... EXECUTIVE (V.O.) It’s designed for desert warfare- it uses focused microwaves to vaporize the enemy’s water supply... The Scientists and Brass don goggles. Fire up the machine... the water tower starts SHAKING... then EXPLODES in a CLOUD OF STEAM that drifts towards the observers like FOG. 140 INT. EARLE’S OFFICE, WAYNE INDUSTRIES -- CONTINUOUS 140 EXECUTIVE It looks like someone fired it up at sea- judging from the damage to the ship and cargo. EARLE What about the weapon? The Executive shifts, uneasy. EXECUTIVE It’s missing. 141 EXT. HOTEL RESTAURANT, DOWNTOWN GOTHAM -- EVENING 141 A BUGATI VEYRON (looks, and costs, a million) pulls up to the valet station. Wayne emerges, impeccably tailored, from the driver side. The VALETS scramble to the passenger side. Open the door to find TWO BLONDES, one on the other’s lap. 142 EXT. HOTEL RESTAURANT -- CONTINUOUS 142 Tables around a decorative infinity pool. Earle and his GUESTS at a table. Earle sees Wayne enter with the Blondes. He sighs. Then waves. 80. 143 EXT. SAME -- LATER 143 The table is littered with bottles and empty plates. FEMALE GUEST At least he’s getting something done. MALE GUEST Bruce, help me out here. Wayne turns from the Blondes. They stand up and walk over to the pool. Wayne smiles, turns to the Female Guest. WAYNE A guy who dresses up like a bat clearly has issues. FEMALE GUEST But he put Falcone behind bars- MALE GUEST And now the cops are trying to bring him in, so what does that tell you? FEMALE GUEST They’re jealous? Wayne watches as, behind them, one of the Blondes slips off her dress and lowers herself into the pool... the other one, giggling, follows her lead. WAYNE If he’s so benevolent why does he hide his face? FEMALE GUEST Maybe he’s protecting the people he cares about from reprisals. Wayne nods, considering. The MAITRE D’ slides up, annoyed. MAITRE’ D Sir, the pool is for decoration, and your friends do not have swim wear. WAYNE Well, they’re European. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 81. MAITRE’ D I’m going to have to ask you to leave. WAYNE (turns to Earle) Mr.Earle, I’m buying this hotel. Will you please broker a deal? Earle nods. Patiently. WAYNE (CONT’D) (turns to Maitre D’) I think we should make some new rules for the pool area, don’t you? The Maitre D’ stares at Wayne. Dumbstruck. BLONDES (O.S.) Bruce! The Blondes beckon Wayne. He comes to the edge of the pool. WAYNE Ladies? They SPLASH him. Earle turns away, shaking his head. Behind him, out of focus, Wayne is PULLED into the pool. 144 EXT. HOTEL -- LATER 144 Wayne and the Blondes, wet hair, in white HOTEL ROBES, waiting. The Valet pulls up in the Bugati. RACHEL (O.S.) Bruce? Wayne turns. Rachel is standing there, dressed for dinner. Stunning. WAYNE Rachel. BLONDES (from car) Come on, Bruce. We have some more hotels we want you to buy. Rachel glances at the Blondes. Then back to Wayne. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (3) 84. GORDON He moonlights as a low-level enforcer. BATMAN There was another man. Testing the drugs. GORDON (surprised) It wasn’t a buy- why risk opening a package on the docks? BATMAN Flass knows. GORDON He won’t talk. BATMAN He’ll talk to me. Gordon looks up. Close on Batman, in the shadows. GORDON Commissioner Loeb set up a massive task force to catch you. He thinks you’re dangerous. BATMAN What do you think? Gordon gets to his feet, dusts off his pants. GORDON I think you’re trying to help... Gordon looks up. But Batman is gone. GORDON (CONT’D) ...but I’ve been wrong before. 147 EXT. CARGO SHIP, DOCKS -- NIGHT 147 Three MEN walk through the canyons of shipping containers, checking the tags with a flashlight. They stop at one. CUSTOMS AGENT This is the one I’m talking about. DOCK EMPLOYEE 1 What’s your problem with it? (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 85. CUSTOMS AGENT It shouldn’t exist. This ship left Singapore with 246 containers and arrived with 247. Probably dead illegals. You got a strong stomach? They HAUL the doors open. The Customs Agent looks inside: an industrial machine the size of a small van. His torch picks out the WAYNE INDUSTRIES logo on the side. CUSTOMS AGENT (CONT’D) What the hell is this thing? BEHIND HIM: Dock Employee 1 raises a SILENCED GUN. FIRES. Dock Employee 2 helps DRAG the body into the container. 148 EXT. FALAFEL STAND, SURFACE STREET -- NIGHT 148 Raining. Flass stuffs falafel into his mouth. Grabs a banknote from the VENDOR. Flass walks down a dark street... YANKED from the pavement, he’s PULLED up between buildings, falafel falling, UP and UP until face-to-face with. The Batman. Rain pouring off his cowl. Holding Flass by his ankle. Flass is SCREAMING. BATMAN Who was with Falcone at the docks? FLASS I don’t know, I swear to God- BATMAN Swear to ME. Batman DROPS Flass three flights down on the wire. PULLS TAUT- WHIPS him back up. FLASS (terrified whispers) I never knew his name... never... Sometimes shipments went to this guy before they went to the dealers- BATMAN Why? FLASS There was something else in the drugs, something hidden- (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 86. BATMAN What? FLASS I don’t know- something! I never went to the drop-off- it’s in the Narrows- cops can’t go into the Narrows except in force... BATMAN Batman can. 149 EXT. THE NARROWS -- NIGHT 149 AN ISLAND IN GOTHAM RIVER: a ramshackle LABYRINTH of crumbling public housing, makeshift additions GROWING LIKE FUNGUS AROUND AN INSANE ASYLUM. A walled city. Slick with rain. Batman LANDS, CROUCHING, looking at the windows of a WAREHOUSE built around the supports of the MONORAIL tracks. 150 EXT. WAREHOUSE, SHANGHAI -- MOMENTS LATER 150 Batman slips through a louver, drops SILENTLY to the floor amidst. By the freight elevator is a massive shipping crate. Batman leaps up onto its lid- pries it open. Inside: the industrial machine the size of a small van. Batman sees the WAYNE INDUSTRIES logo and a number: M-EMIT.42B NOISES. Batman melts into the shadows. THREE MEN enter. Two are the Dock Employees. The third is Crane. DOCK EMPLOYEE 1 The boss wants you to keep it in the asylum until the time comes. CRANE Fine, leave the body. Torch the place. No traces. The Thugs pull the Customs Agent’s body out then push the crate onto the elevator. Crane notices RAIN spattering off the open louver. He steps towards it. Thug 2 turns from the elevator holding a Molotov cocktail. LIGHTS it- A cord WRAPS around the BOTTLE- YANKS it into the shadows. Its fuse is EXTINGUISHED. The Thugs STARE at the darkness. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 89. ALFRED I dread to think, sir, what would’ve happened if you’d had a lungful. WAYNE I’ve felt those effects before... but this was much more potent. ALFRED I took a blood sample and sent it to a laboratory known discreet both discreet... (hands Wayne paper) ...and prompt bloodwork. BRUCE (reading) Protein-based compounds... might be possible to work up an antidote. ALFRED Shall I contact Wayne Pharmaceutical? BRUCE I’ve got a better idea. 154 INT. APPLIED SCIENCES DIVISION -- DAY 154 Fox looks over the toxicology report. Looks up at Wayne. FOX This was in your blood? WAYNE It’s some kind of weaponized hallucinogen. Administered in aerosol form. FOX Mr.Wayne, you are definitely hanging out at the wrong clubs. WAYNE Could you synthesize an antidote? FOX Well, the hallucinatory compounds can be balanced... but this receptor’s a compound I’ve never seen before. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 90. WAYNE (reaches for paper) So you can’t. FOX (snatches it away) Did I say that? I just want you to know how hard it’s gonna be. Fox puts the report on his desk. WAYNE Do you know what a Wayne Industries M-Emit42B is? FOX No. But she will... Fox starts typing on his computer. FOX (CONT’D) Oh. WAYNE What? FOX It won’t tell us... (turns to Wayne) It must be a defense prototype. WAYNE Could you find out? FOX I’ll make a couple calls... I still have a couple friends in defense. 155 INT. D.A.’S OFFICE -- AFTERNOON 155 Gordon finds it. Knocks. Rachel looks up from her desk. RACHEL Sergeant Gordon? GORDON Councilor. Thanks for seeing me. Gordon enters, shuts the door behind himself. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (2) 91. GORDON (CONT’D) (they shake hands) Will Finch go the distance on Falcone? RACHEL He’ll have to because of the press. GORDON What about Judge Phelan? RACHEL Someone gave me leverage. GORDON Who? RACHEL I’d rather not say. GORDON (shrugs) There’s a loose thread on the Falcone case- I want to see what unravels higher up. I’m told you can be trusted. RACHEL Who told you that? GORDON (smiles) I’d rather not say. Rachel looks at Gordon, sizing him up. RACHEL Gordon, we’re working for a masked vigilante. Maybe from a rival gang. GORDON My gut says he’s okay. And he’s getting things moving in this town. RACHEL And when he gets bolder with success? Goes too far? GORDON Councilor, this guy took down a dozen of Gotham’s most vicious wiseguys single-handed and without killing one of them- he’s plenty bold already. (CONTINUED) CONTINUED: (5) 94. RACHEL (CONT’D) Happy Birthday, Bruce. She races down the steps. Wayne watches her go, thinking. 156 INT. MAIN HALL, WAYNE MANOR -- LATER 156 Wayne hurries through the hall. Alfred in pursuit. Tables of food and decoration fill the hall. ALFRED But Master Wayne, the guests will be arriving. Wayne turns. WAYNE Keep them happy until I arrive. Tell them that joke you know. Wayne hurries off. Alfred watches him go, exasperated. 157 INT. STUDY -- CONTINUOUS 157 Wayne steps to the piano, hits 4 notes- the bookcase SWINGSOPEN. Wayne steps through. 158 INT. STONE STAIRCASE -- CONTINUOUS 158 Wayne descends. Arrives at the top of a wrought iron SPIRAL STAIRCASE, steps onto the dumb waiter at its center. Wayne pulls a lever, RELEASING the lift which PLUMMETS VERTIGINOUSLY DOWN the CENTER of the SPIRALING stair. 159 INT. BATCAVE -- CONTINUOUS 159 The lift hits the bottom with a great RATTLE of crimes. Wayne moves to a PADLOCKED BOX. Opens it: the BAT SUIT hangs there- a PHANTOM, black eyes STARING back at him. He reaches for it. 160 EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM, THE NARROWS -- EVENING 160 Rachel’s car crosses the bridge to the Narrows. 95. 161 INT. CRANE’S OFFICE, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- MOMENTS LATER 161 Rachel sits in front of Crane at his desk.. CRANE Ms.Dodson, there’s nothing to add to the report I filed with the judge. RACHEL Well, I have questions about your report. (off look) Such as, is it unusual for a 58-year old man with no history of mental illness to have a complete psychotic break? CRANE Yes. But this is a mental asylum for the criminally insane. The unusual is usual here. 162 EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS 162 The GLOWING WINDOW of Crane’s office. Batman, crouched on the fence, adjusts mikes in the ears of his cowl. 163 INT. CRANE’S OFFICE -- CONTINUOUS 163 RACHEL But isn’t it convenient for Falcone to suddenly develop these symptoms when he’s about to be indicted? CRANE There’s nothing convenient about his symptoms, Miss Dodson. (smiles, sympathetic) Look, I doubt we’re even supposed to be having this conversation, but off the record... Crane RISES, motioning. 96. 164 INT. CORRIDOR, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS 164 An ORDERLY talking to a NURSE. Crane leads Rachel past. CRANE We’re not talking about a few easily-manufactured eccentricities. Crane stops at a door. Motions Rachel to look: Falcone STRAPPED to the bed. He STARES at the door, mumbling. FALCONE Scarecrow... s-scarecrow... s-s... RACHEL What’s "scarecrow"? CRANE Patients suffering delusional episodes often focus their paranoia onto an external tormentor, usually one conforming to the Jungian archetypes. (shrugs) In this case, a scarecrow. 165 EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS 165 Batman, upside down, CLINGS to the wall above the window at the end of the corridor. He RACKS AUDIO FOCUS THROUGH the Orderly’s conversation, SETTLING on Crane’s voice. 166 INT. CORRIDOR, ARKHAM ASYLUM -- CONTINUOUS 166 Rachel looks at Falcone, mumbling, delusional. RACHEL He’s drugged. CRANE (nods) Psychopharmacology is my primary field- I’m a strong advocate. Crane turns to Falcone. Staring. CRANE (CONT’D) Outside, he was a giant. In here, only the mind can grant you power. (CONTINUED)