The Gym is old school, untouched by modern technology. A
boxing match is in full swing. The place is packed to the
rafters. Camera drones flying around, broadcasting the fight.
BEGIN TITLES
TERRY MCGINNIS has the appearance of a high school jock, and
the athletic ability to match. TERRY gives the vibe of a bad
kid attempting to reform.
Images of my Batcave, built into an abandoned subway station.
In my Batman Beyond screenplay, found on my Tumblr. Bruce Wayne has retired and handed the mantle to Terry McGinnis. They operate from an Batcave under Wayne Tower. Above is concept art of the cave.
It's an luxurious apartment building - plump carpets, wood
panelling along the walls. Complete opposite to where TERRY
lived.
The lift door PINGS and slides open. TERRY steps out -
freshly healing cuts over HIS face, holding some red roses.
TERRY makes HIS way down the corridor, glancing up at the
softly illuminated apartment numbers. Looking for DANA's
apartment.
HE stops in front of apartment 1940, takes a deep breath -
for confidence, then RINGS the doorbell.
TERRY waits for a few seconds, nervous...
The door CLICKs, sliding open - revealing DANA - dressed for
work.
DANA:
Terry, where you have been? I've
been calling you for the last two
days?
TERRY:
Yeah I know, I'm really sorry, it's
just this Wayne internship. I have
to be there when he needs me.
DANA:
Terry, what about us? I used to be
able to rely on you...
There's an awkward silence as TERRY stares down. Thinking
about what to say.
TERRY:
I promise you, you can.
DANA takes the flowers, smelling them.
DANA:
I hope so.
INT: BATCAVE: MAIN CONCOURSE
BRUCE is sat at the desk. Working away. The screens are alive
with scrolling data, graphics and diagnostic tests.
SASHA enters, carrying a silver tea set on a tray. SHE places
it on the desk, leaning forward, looking at what's on screen
- it's an rotating 3D model of a Bat-suit.
SASHA:
I'm guessing Terry's going to be
back?
BRUCE takes a sip of tea.
BRUCE:
Of course he will, He's already
made me change the suit.
BRUCE taps a key, swinging the 3D model round... showing of
the red bat emblazoned across the front of it.
The DRONE is ROARING through the night sky, heading out into
the ocean...
BATMAN's above the DRONE, keeping pace with it, we can hear
the ROAR of the wind WHIPPING past....
... The boot-jets cut out, the wings swing forward - catching
the air, pushing BATMAN rapidly down towards the DRONE...
EXT: CARGO DRONE - NIGHT - MOMENTS LATER
... CLAWS extend from the fingertips, BATMAN GRABS hold of
the DRONE, PULLING HIMSELF towards it, until HE's flat on the
fuselage. HOLDING HIMSELF in-place with the claws.
BATMAN pauses, catching HIS breath. HE glances around for an
entry point...
BATMAN:
Some help here!
INT: BATCAVE - MAIN CONCOURSE.
Not much has changed since last time we were here. There's
still the view from the cowl up on the screen.
BRUCE studies the schematics of the DRONE, looking for an
entry point. HE leans forward, slowly zooming in on a point
just above the rear ramp.
BRUCE:
(To himself)
Found you.
(To BATMAN)
Terry, there is an access point
above the ramp. Jack in there. I'll
get you in.
EXT: CARGO DRONE - NIGHT
BATMAN is tucked up against the hull of the CARGO DRONE. Wind
WHIPPING past. Below are the ROARING waters of the Gotham
River.
HE SLOWLY, CAREFULLY clambers down the drone. DIGGING in with
the claws each time...
...SUDDENLY BATMAN slips - maybe the claws detach, HE SLIDES
down the DRONE, SCRAPING the claws across it as HE heads
full-pelt towards the edge - about to fly off the DRONE!
... HE goes over the edge...The CLAWS DIG IN... SLAMMING
BATMAN hard into the side of the DRONE. Right next to the
rear ramp...
...BATMAN hangs on for dear life...
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Come on Terry!
...BATMAN slowly CLAWS back up onto the DRONE fuselage...
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Nearly there Terry, the access
point should be just above you now.
BATMAN glances up, seeing the illuminated access point.
BATMAN reaches up. Securing HIMSELF. HE disconnects a small
silver disk from HIS wrist, placing it on the access point -
struggling against the wind WHIPPING PAST.
BRUCE
Opening it now!
A KLAXON BLARES. The rear ramp starts to CLANG OPEN. Wind
WHISTLING into the drone.
BRUCE:
Get in there and finish this.
INT: CARGO DRONE - HOLD - NIGHT
It's full of crates of glass containers, rows and rows of
them. All containing a green gas - Blight. The rear ramp is
wide open. Wind WHISTLING into the hold. Containers CHING
against each other.
BATMAN swings into the hold, landing crouched - combat ready.
BATMAN SLOWLY, CAUTIOUSLY makes his way further into the
hold, looking out for DEREK. Behind the ramp starts to
ascend...
The intercom CLICKS on...
DEREK:
(out of the intercom)
Well, well... It's just you and me,
Terry.
BATMAN pauses - how did DEREK know that?!
The ramp CLICKS shut.
DEREK:
(V.O)
Ah, You gave yourself away...You
see Tully never had a family.
INT: CARGO DRONE - HOLD - NIGHT - MOMENTS LATER
All around TERRY are empty gas containers - strewn across the
floor.
TERRY stops over them - looking around, searching for POWERS.
DEREK:
(v.o)
Warren always spoke about you,
never once a positive word...
BATMAN clicks off the voice modulator...
TERRY:
(Shouting)
Shut up!
DEREK
(V.O)
Why, does the truth hurt? Careful,
you don't want to end up in prison
again... Warren never recovered
from that...
INT: CARGO DRONE - HOLD - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
TERRY cautiously walks forward, looking for any sign of
Powers. Hands balled into fists, ready to beat the hell out
of Powers...
DEREK
(V.O)
Strangely, he was very positive
about our human experiments...
Never once questioning how many
people died... actually I'm certain
it was his idea...
TERRY:
SHOW YOURSELF!
DEREK:
(From behind Terry)
As you wish...
TERRY turns towards the voice...
INT: CARGO DRONE - HOLD - NIGHT - MOMENTS LATER
DEREK is standing there,facing TERRY. DEREK's fully
transformed into BLIGHT. Eyes bloodshot, veins pulsating
green. Broken needles protruding from his arms.
The gun POINTED at TERRY's head...
TERRY:
What have you done?
BRUCE:
(V.O)
My god, he's on Blight...
...BLIGHT opens FIRE on TERRY...
...TERRY jumps, avoiding the gunshots. BOOT-JET's fire -
PROPELLING TERRY over BLIGHT. TERRY claws BLIGHT on the way
past, GASHING him across the face...
... TERRY lands, starts to turn to face BLIGHT...
...BLIGHT PISTOL-WHIPS TERRY across the face, FLINGING him
across the hold, into the opposite wall...
...TERRY SMASHES against the wall, SLIDING down it.
Electrical SPARKS flying...
TERRY slumps onto the floor, head down, dazed. BLIGHT
advances on TERRY.
BLIGHT:
Terry, be proud of your father.
Blight's going to change the course
of history.
BLIGHT GRABS TERRY, lifting HIM into the air. TERRY squirms,
trying to break free - failing. TERRY's hand reaching down to
the belt...
BLIGHT:
Be sure to thank him for me.
BLIGHT squeezes TERRY TIGHTER and TIGHTER. The Bat-Suit
CRACKING, the armour SNAPPING...
TERRY manages to pull a batarang free. HE PRESSES down on it.
The BATARANG BEEPS - counting down...
TERRY:
(Gasping for air)
Thank him yourself!
The BEEPING gets LOUDER, more frequent...
INT: CARGO DRONE - HOLD - NIGHT - CONTINOUS
An EXPLOSION RIPS through TERRY and BLIGHT, THROWING THEM
across the hold. SHREDDING the batsuit - FLINGING shards of
armour across the hold.
SHARDS knick the fuel-line - fuel spurts out...
INT: CARGO DRONE - HOLD - NIGHT
The explosion has destroyed the cargo hold, SPARKs fly,
cables hang from the ceiling.
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Terry!!
TERRY slowly staggers to his feet. The batsuit is TRASHED -
armour panels torn off, half the helmet smashed.
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Terry!! Talk to me!
TERRY glances down at the remains of the suit...
TERRY:
I think I broke the suit...
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Doesn't matter Terry. I'm just glad
you survived.
TERRY:
Yeah...
TERRY looks around - for BLIGHT.
TERRY:
Where's Powers?
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Terry, you're in no state to
fight... Just get that drone turned
around and come home.
INT: CARGO DRONE - COCKPIT - MOMENTS LATER
It's not much of a cockpit. A few screens scattered around a
tiny windowless cell. A keyboard and a joystick seem be the
only control method - downright unimpressive.
The door SWISHES open and TERRY staggers in, holding onto
whatever HE can to support himself.
TERRY:
Right, how do I do this?
TERRY stumbles over to the console, LEANING against it.
BRUCE:
(V.O)
We just need to set a new course.
EXT: CARGO DRONE - NIGHT
The DRONE is ROARING through the night sky.
SLOWLY, but SURELY it starts to turn, until we can the neon
lights of GOTHAM in the distance.
INT: CARGO DRONE - COCKPIT
TERRY types on the keyboard, setting a course for GCPD
headquarters.
TERRY:
Right, course set.
BRUCE:
Good, now just get home Terry.
The barrel of an handgun is placed against TERRY's exposed
head...
INT: CARGO DRONE - CORRIDOR
...a CUT UP, BLEEDING BLIGHT is standing BEHIND TERRY.
Gripping the handgun. BLIGHT's finger on the trigger -
twitching...
BLIGHT
You almost did it Terry...
TERRY raises his hands...
BLIGHT:
That's it... now turn around.
TERRY slowly turns, hands raised...
...BLIGHT cocks the gun...
Suddenly TERRY LASHES out. KICKING OUT BLIGHT's leg. BLIGHT
CRASHES to HIS knees....
...A GUNSHOT RINGS out...
... The bullet FLIES past TERRY's head - barely missing it.
SMASHING into the controls...
... The controls SPARK, error messages FLASH up on screen...
...TERRY and BLIGHT are fighting, beating the hell out of
each, TERRY on the defensive, BLOCKING BLIGHT'S attacks....
BLIGHT rips TERRY's chest plate off, FLINGING IT the room...
...The chest plate SMASHES INTO the controls - obliterating
them.
EXT: CARGO DRONE - NIGHT
The engines CUT OUT. IT drops out of the sky - like a stone,
spiraling straight towards the river.
INT: CARGO DRONE - COCKPIT
The drone is PLUMMETING down. Everything not nailed down
FLIES into the air, including TERRY and BLIGHT...
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Impact in one thousand metres.
The boot-jets FIRE - PROPELLING TERRY up. HE soars up,
towards the ramp - now at the top of the drone.
BLIGHT falls past HIM - FLAILING around, grabbing onto the
wall. A PALLET SMASHES into HIM, knocking HIM down.
Debris HURLS down - boxes of Blight, pallets FLY past.
TERRY ducks, dives underneath them. Aiming straight for the
closed ramp - Not slowing down! Picking up speed!
TERRY:
BRUCE! OPEN HER UP!
BRUCE
(V.O)
Opening now!
The ramp slowly CLANGS open - extending out, revealing the
night sky above.
TERRY looks behind him, one last time...
... We can see BLIGHT down at the bottom of the drone,
trapped under all the crates that fell to the bottom...
...BLIGHT extends his hand, BEGGING TERRY to save HIM...
BRUCE:
You can't leave him here. He's
going to...
TERRY looks back, up at the exit...
TERRY:
(interrupting)
Not everyone's worth saving.
EXT: CARGO DRONE - NIGHT
The drone is CAREERING down towards the river - completely
out of control.
TERRY arcs up above the drone, deploying the wings - they
catch the air like a parachute. The boot-jets sputter and cut
out.
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Careful, that's a bit too
vindictive.
HE glides down towards the river.
TERRY turns to watch as the drone SMASHES into the river,
breaking apart into a million pieces.
The Bat-Jet drops down out the sky, thrusters BURNING. It
swings around the control tower, lining up with the broken
windows...
INT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - CONTROL TOWER -NIGHT
It's a scene of carnage, consoles smashed, cables hanging
down from the ceiling - SPARKING. Outside the broken windows,
the Bat-Jet hovers...
BATMAN'S in the middle of a FIGHT with CONRAD and CONNIE,
BATMAN ducks under CONRAD'S attack, UPPER PUNCHING HIM...
... CONNIE swings a piece of wreckage at BATMAN. HE uses HIS
arm to defend HIMSELF, the spikes BREAKING it in two...
...BATMAN grabs a piece of the wreckage, SMASHING it across
CONNIE'S helmet. CONNIE staggers back, HER helmet cracked,
HER face just about visible underneath...
...CONRAD tackles BATMAN to the ground, it's an equal fight,
no one keeping the upper hand...
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Firing now.
INT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - CONTROL TOWER - CONTINUOUS
BOOM, the Bat-jet fires. The shell WHISTLES through the air,
EXPLODING above THEM. A thick layer of dirty orange gas
rapidly descends over the room.
CONNIE and CONRAD crawl off BATMAN, coughing their guts up...
BATMAN clambers to HIS feet - the armour pockmarked,
scratched up.
TERRY:
I owe you one... They almost had
me.
BRUCE:
(V.O)
I noticed.
EXT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - CARGO BAY - NIGHT
Imagine the runway of an aircraft carrier, mixed with the
overhead cranes and containers of a dock. There's cargo bots
DRONING around - pulling shipping containers.
DEREK - brandishing a handgun, SPRINTS across the cargo bay,
DIVING around CARGO BOTs in HIS way, trying to get away...
Running towards the cargo drone in the centre of the bay.
VILMOS follows DEREK across the cargo bay, albeit more
controlled - with military precision.
Behind a BAT - shaped shadow lands on the crane overhead...
EXT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - CARGO DRONE -NIGHT
The drone is sat in the middle of the cargo bay, it's
massive- the size of an C-130 transport. The loading ramp is
down. Checkmate SOLDIERS are scattered around.
A CARGO BOT trundles past as DEREK runs across to the DOCK
WORKER wearing an VR headset. THEIR hands moving through the
air - controlling drones.
DEREK:
Is it on there?!
No response from the DOCK WORKER, they are in their own
little world...
DEREK RIPS off the VR helmet, STICKING the gun in DOCK
WORKERS FACE.
DEREK:
I SAID, IS IT READY?!
DEREK's finger TIGHTENS on the trigger...
DOCK WORKER:
Yes! Yes! Everything's on there!
DEREK SHOVES the DOCK WORKER to the floor, turning back to
the CARGO DRONE.
EXT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - CARGO DRONE - CONTINUOUS
...Behind, BATMAN drops down, wings ENVELOPING the nearest
SOLDIER, BATMAN dives from SOLDIER to SOLDIER - taking them
out.
Gunfire RINGING out as the SOLDIERS attempt and fail to fight
back - THEY get destroyed by BATMAN.
BATMAN lands on the ramp - facing DEREK. BATMAN does not move
as DEREK slowly raises the handgun and points it at BATMAN.
It's a standoff...
BATMAN:
YOU KILLED MY FATHER!
Wait a beat...
...A crane SWOOPS down, GRABBING BATMAN in its claw. CRUSHING
HIM. Armour plates CRACK, SNAP.
DEREK stands there, watching BATMAN struggle...
DEREK:
Do you have ANY idea how little
that narrows it down?
DEREK ducks into the DRONE, the ramp HISSING as it closes
behind HIM. It CLICKS into place. The DRONES jets BURST into
life. Pushing the DRONE up, into the night sky...
EXT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - CRANE - MOMENTS LATER
The crane lifts BATMAN into the air - the HOVERDOCK visible
below.
It tightens, CRACKING armour plates...
...BATMAN struggles, an arm servo POPS as HE tries to wrenche
HIS arm free...
BATMAN looks down - rapidly searching for the person
controlling the crane...
EXT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
It's the same landing pad where the CARGO DRONE took off
from.
VILMOS is wearing the VR headset, hands tightening - using
the crane to CRUSH BATMAN...
EXT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - CRANE - MOMENTS LATER
BATMAN STRUGGLES - PULLING HIS arm free, LAUNCHING a
batarang...
The BATARANG FLIES through the air, WINGING down towards...
EXT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
...The BATARANG SMACKS into VILMOS - ELECTROCUTING HIM,
shorting out the VR headset. VILMOS collapses to the ground,
CONVULSING.
EXT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - CRANE - MOMENTS LATER
The CLAW SNAPS open, DROPPING BATMAN...
...BATMAN PLUNGES towards the ground...
...The WINGS expand, catching the wind - pushing BATMAN up
into the air. The boot-jets FIRE - propelling HIM through the
night sky, towards the CARGO DRONE.
EXT: GOTHAM: NIGHT SKY
BATMAN flies through the night sky, heading straight towards
the DRONE.
BATMAN sweeps the wings back - streamlining, gaining on the
DRONE...
BATMAN glances across at the proximity screen - PROXIMITY
ALARMS BLARE.
ON SCREEN:
Missiles ACCELERATING towards the jet - PICKING UP SPEED.
ON BATMAN:
BATMAN leans forward, pulling up a safety - flicking a
switch, releasing...
EXT: BAT-JET - UNDERSIDE - NIGHT.
Bomb bay doors SLIDE open...
...Missile after missile drop out of the bay, falling towards
the ground below...
EXT: NIGHT SKY - NIGHT
Missile thrusters ROAR into life - heading towards the
incoming projectiles...
...They break apart, into smaller missiles - each one locking
into an incoming projectile...
EXT: NIGHT SKY - MOMENTS LATER
...EXPLOSION after EXPLOSION as the MISSILES COLLIDE
TOGETHER...
EXT: BAT-JET - NIGHT.
...The Bat-Jet flies through the explosions... EMERGING
UNSCATHED on the other side...
... THRUSTERS BOOM as it flies towards the Control Tower...
INT: BAT-JET: COCKPIT - NIGHT
BATMAN'S piloting the Bat-jet towards the control tower. The
HUD shows only a few hundred metres to go...
BATMAN:
Take the wheel!
BROTHER EYE:
Autopilot engaged...
The HUD flicks off.
BATMAN reaches up, unlocking the canopy, pulling it back...
... The ROAR of the WIND outside fills the cockpit..
... BATMAN jumps out...
EXT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
BATMAN glides down through the night sky, towards the control
tower below, WIND WHIPPING past him...
...WINGS fold in -JETS on the sole of the boots FIRE,
propelling BATMAN straight towards the control tower...
INT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - CONTROL TOWER - NIGHT
EVERYONE is watching the consoles, showing the Bat-Jet swing
away from the Hoverdock - heading out towards GOTHAM.
CONRAD:
There you go, Bat problem taken
care of...
CONNIE steps over to the WINDOWS - looking out, admiring the
view.
VILMOS:
Yes, all it needed once a show of
force.
CONRAD
As always.
INT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - CONTROL TOWER - CONTINUOUS
CONNIE looks out the windows. HER EYES WIDE as SHE sees it.
CONNIE:
(Her visor SLAMMING down)
Incoming!
INT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - CONTROL TOWER
The glass EXPLODES -SHARDS FLYING across the ROOM.
BATMAN SMASHES into CONNIE, throwing them both across the
room - SMACKING into the rear wall.
CONRAD'S visor SNAPS down.
CONRAD:
Everyone! Scram now!
INT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - CONTROL TOWER - MOMENTS LATER
Chaos, evacuation ALARMS BLARING. PEOPLE RUNNING to the exit.
BATMAN's on HIS feet - looking for DEREK...
...DEREK runs to the exit, PUSHING ANYONE in HIS way to the
ground...
...BATMAN sees HIM - charges after HIM.
CONRAD swings at BATMAN, knocking HIM back against the wall.
BATMAN throws a punch back, SMACKING into CONRAD'S chest -
doing absolutely no damage...
CONRAD:
You're going to need to try harder
than that...
...BATMAN ducks and dives as CONRAD swings at him - again and
again - BATMAN's getting desperate.
BATMAN:
What do I do?
CONRAD's fighting is brutal, almost animalike. Each missed
punch SMASHING into the wall - ELECTRICAL sparks fly, cables
tumble to the floor...
BATMAN:
Nothing's working.
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Terry, break their helmets open. I
can take care of the rest.
...BATMAN punches CONRAD - it's futile, still no damage...
...CONRAD SMASHES BATMAN across the face, PUTTING BATMAN to
the ground, behind CONNIE climbs to her feet.
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Move Terry!
CONRAD stands over BATMAN, fist raised, about to cave in
BATMANS visor...
BRUCE
Terry!
...BATMAN'S boot-jets FIRE, launching HIM out from under
CONRAD, across to the other side of the control tower...
INT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - CONTROL TOWER - CONTINUOUS
CONNIE opens fire with her back mounted machine gun, SPRAYING
bullets at BATMAN...
BATMAN dives behind an console, bullets SLAM into it, BLOWING
it APART...
...CONNIE advances as BATMAN throws a batarang, it spins
through the air...
...The batarang EXPLODES over CONNIE'S arm, BLOWING APART the
gun, knocking HER down...
INT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - CONTROL TOWER - MOMENTS LATER
BATMAN stands, facing CONRAD, the wind BLOWING through the
broken windows behind HIM.
BATMAN raises his hand, making the 'lets fight' gesture...
BATMAN:
Round 2?
CONRAD smirks. HE CHARGES at BATMAN...
BATMAN CHARGES, vaulting over a console...
THEY SMASH into each other,EACH SCRAMBLING for the advantage,
CONRAD hits BATMAN, BATMAN dives down - plunging HIS fist
into the knee joint of CONRAD'S power armour...
...BATMAN pulls out the cables from the joint, CONRAD'S leg
servos SCREAM as they fail. CONRAD COLLAPSES onto one knee -
the power armour no longer supporting itself...
...BATMAN reaches down, YANKING up on CONRAD's helmet. It
slowly CRACKS, SNAPPING... CONRAD struggles, trying to knock
BATMAN off...
...The helmet SNAPS off, just as CONRAD launches BATMAN into
the nearest console, BATMAN SMASHES into it, OBLITERATING it
- PIECES FLY EVERYWHERE
...JOKER slashes the rope. PLUNGING JIM into the river...
EXT: AMUSEMENT MILE - PIER- MOMENTS LATER
... BATMAN runs towards the river, going to dive in after
JIM.
...A GUNSHOT RINGS out. Hitting BATMAN in the chest, HE
stumbles back...
...JOKER advances - firing again. HITTING BATMAN again...
...BATMAN dives at JOKER, knocking the revolver onto the
floor...
...JOKER fights back, SWIPING again and again with the knife,
BATMAN ducking and diving out of the way...
TERRY:
(V.O)
Why?
...BATMAN keeps trying to get the edge of the pier, JOKER
coming back at him with the knife, BATMAN's fighting gets
more and more DESPERATE, HE's bleeding out, panicking about
JIM...
...BATMAN dives forward, tackling JOKER to the ground. THEY
grapple, DESPERATELY fighting...
...BATMAN clambers to his knees. The revolver in his hand.
HE's PANICKY, FRANTICALLY points it at the JOKER...
...The lever CLICKS...
SASHA:
(V.O)
To prove one point...
A maniacal smile CRACKS across the JOKER's face, He's
achieved his lifelong ambition - Broke the Bat...
SASHA:
(V.O)
All it takes is one bad day to
reduce the sanest man to lunacy...
MONTAGE ENDS.
END FLASHBACK:
INT: BATCAVE: MAIN CONCOURSE
BRUCE turns away from the ROBIN suit, to face TERRY. HE's
eyes are red, almost on the verge of tears - visibly shaken.
BRUCE:
Barbara never forgave me... I
couldn't do it anymore after
that....
THEY sit in awkward silence for a good few minutes. BRUCE and
TERRY not looking at one another.
BRUCE:
So... Terry, you sure you still
want to do this?
TERRY glances up, MEETING BRUCE's gaze.
TERRY:
Bruce... It's never been about
wanting to do this, this needs to
happen. Gotham needs hope.
INT: BATCAVE: BATCOMPUTER - MOMENTS LATER
An satellite view of GOTHAM appears on screen - flickering as
it ZOOMS in. Following an BLINKING RED DOT.
BROTHER EYE:
Target moving.
INT: BATCAVE: MAIN CONCOURSE - CONTINUOUS
BRUCE DIVES over - watching as the satellite ZOOMS in.The
screen flickering as the image becomes clearer and clearer.
BRUCE:
Powers is on the move.
TERRY turns. The RED DOT flying across the river, getting
closer and closer to an structure floating in the distance.
TERRY:
What's he heading towards?
BRUCE taps on the keyboard, bringing up a diagnostic screen -
clicking OPTIMISE.
ON SCREEN:
The image clears up - revealing GOTHAM HOVERDOCK. Imagine an
amalgamation of an aircraft supercarrier and a cargo ship.
All kept in the air by four massive rotor systems.
ON SASHA:
SASHA:
Looks like Gotham hoverdock... Must
be where they are shipping from.
BRUCE:
(O.S)
Terry, If you want to do this, you
better get in the air.
INT: BAT-JET: COCKPIT - NIGHT
TERRY'S in the cockpit, helmet on, visor up. The full HUD is
activated - boresight, flight path vector all hovering in-
front of BATMAN.
Lights flicker across the cockpit - forming into an
SHIMMERING HOLOGRAM of BRUCE.
BRUCE:
Terry, we got access to those
files... Have a look at this.
The full VENOM GENOME flickers into existence - hovering next
to BRUCE. Each gene labelled. BATMAN looks across at it.
BRUCE:
This Blight has an remarkable
similar genetic to street Venom.
TERRY
So Powers was supplying Venom to
those Jokerz?
BRUCE:
By the looks of it... BRUCE:
they dealt to the vagrants, in
order for Powers to study the
effects it had on them...
INT: BAT-JET: COCKPIT - NIGHT - MOMENTS LATER
TERRY
God... I hope Dad wasn't
involved...
A proximity alarm starts BEEPING on the HUD.
BROTHER EYE:
Approaching target.
BRUCE:
Terry, listen to me. We cannot
allow that weapon to leave the
city. It's more important than
Powers. Untold numbers of lives are
at stake.
TERRY glances down, gathering HIS thoughts.
TERRY:
I know Bruce.
EXT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - NIGHT
A massive CARGO DRONE WHINES down through the sky. IT passes
through a cloud, revealing... Gotham Hoverdock.
It's floating way above Gotham city. Imagine an amalgamation
of an aircraft supercarrier and a cargo ship - Two runways,
surrounded by cranes.
Our DRONE flies down, towards the hoverdock. Blades HUMMING.
IT swings down, around the control tower...
INT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - CONTROL TOWER - NIGHT
It's the main hub of the hoverdock, A central control table
surrounded by consoles and windows. It's alive with activity.
PEOPLE running about, every console manned.
VILMOS is standing at the control table, watching the
shipment being loaded on the overhead monitors.
VILMOS:
How long until the transport is in
the air?
Behind VILMOS, the double doors SWISH open. DEREK POWERS
steps through, making HIS way to the control table.
DEREK:
Why? Feeling like you've outstayed
your welcome?
VILMOS turns, watching DEREK.
VILMOS:
After the government raided your
office? Of course I am!
DEREK:
Relax, it was only GCPD. I'll make
a call in the morning and it will
all be cleared up. The Mayor owes
me...
VILMOS:
What about this Bat?...
DEREK looks up at the monitors.
DEREK:
I doubt he's the real one.
DEREK looks over at VILMOS. VILMOS is still not convinced.
DEREK:
Even if he does show up, I've
brought some friends along,
shouldn't be a problem.
On cue, the double doors SWISH open and two soldiers - clad
in bulky mechanized armour MARCH in, their visors raised.
Each has a insignia on their armour, a black chess piece - a
Knight.
VILMOS turns - looking them over...
VILMOS:
Can I help y...
DEREK
(Interrupting)
Ah, may I introduce Checkmate,
America's finest private army.
DEREK moves across to introduce the Checkmate soldiers -
SERGEANT CONRAD MACKAY and SERGEANT CONNIE WEBB.
DEREK:
This is Sergeant Conrad Mackay.
VILMOS shakes HIS hand. The armour WHIRRING.
DEREK
And this is Sergeant...
CONNIE:
(Interrupting)
Just Connie, sir.
VILMOS shakes HER hand. the armour WHIRS.
CONNIE:
Heard all about you Vilmos.
VILMOS:
Ah, What did you hear?
CONNIE:
Only the best things Sir.
VILMOS nods - impressed.
VILMOS:
(To Derek)
So these were the friends that you
were referring to?
DEREK:
Yes, We have these two and some
others.
VILMOS:
How many others exactly?
CONRAD:
We've deployed two squads on this
rig. More than enough to deal with
some man in...
INT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - CONTROL TOWER - MOMENTS LATER
An ALARM BLARES across the control tower.
VILMO'S, CONNIE, CONRAD watch the screens above. Looking for
the cause.
DEREK
What the hell's going on?
CONNIE points at the screen.
VILMOS:
He's found us.
DEREK looks up... seeing the BAT-JET on approach...
...Derek turns to CONNIE...
DEREK:
Deal with him!
EXT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - WALKWAY - NIGHT
The walkway runs along the edge of the hoverdock, on one side
there is the cargo - rows and rows of containers. The other -
the night sky.
CHECKMATE SOLDIERS charge onto the walkway, all carrying
multi missile launchers...
The SOLDIERS crouch down. Look through the targeting
sights...
SOLDIER 1:
Target locked!
SOLDIER 2:
FIRE!
EXT: GOTHAM HOVERDOCK - WALKWAY - MOMENTS LATER
...BOOM! MISSILE after MISSILE ROAR out of the tubes, towards
the BAT-JET...
BATMAN plunges ten floors. BATMAN lifts HIS arms, the wings
SNAP out.
The WINGS catch the air - EXPANDING, BATMAN glides down.
BARBARA'S still at the broken window - staring down, watching
BATMAN glide away... HER coat SWAYING in the wind.
BARBARA:
Why now Bruce?!
BARBARA turns away - SMACKING the wall - frustrated, into the
corridor.
INT: POWER TOWER: CORRIDOR - NIGHT - MOMENTS LATER
A FORENSIC TEAM'S is SCOURING the CORRIDOR - scanning the
walls, taking photos. DRONES BUZZING around taking photos.
JENNIFER NASHTON - BARBARA'S young, trendy PROTEGE weaves
through the crowd.
JENNIFER stops next to BARBARA - leans forward, out the
broken window - WATCHING BATMAN glide away, BEHIND a
building.
JENNIFER:
So he's back?
BARBARA reaches into an pocket - PULLING out an pack of
cigarettes. LIGHTS one, BREATHING it in.
BARBARA
Yes... I need to know why.
JENNIFER turns back, seeing the cigarette.
JENNIFER:
You know that's going to kill you?
BARBARA turns to leave...
BARBARA walks away, through the FORENSIC team. Not turning
around.
BARBARA
I want every sighting, every
rumour, reported directly to me!
INT: BATCAVE: PLATFORM LEVEL
The Bat-jet ROARS into shot - VTOL JETS BLASTING, the jet
lowers down onto the tracks. It's canopy SLIDING back, the
ladder folding out from the fuselage.
INT: BATJET - COCKPIT
BATMAN'S sat in the cockpit - reaches round to the back of
the helmet, pressing in an panel.
The eye-lights flicker and die, the helmet CLANKS apart...
... TERRY pulls it off - HE'S battered and bruised, small
cuts and scrapes over HIS face.
HE places HIS head in HIS arms, attempting to come to terms
with what just happened... HE's now Batman, the iconic hero.
TERRY
(Taking a deep breath)
What just happened to my life?
TERRY stays like this for a beat, contemplating...
INT: BATCAVE: PLATFORM LEVEL
BARBARA:
(O.S)
BRUCE!
TERRY looks up - towards the concourse level - the source of
the NOISE, TAKEN ABACK.
TERRY:
What the...?
BARBARA:
(O.S)
WHY NOW?!
TERRY clambers out of the jet - SLOWLY making HIS way across
to the escalator...
TERRY CAUTIOUSLY makes HIS way up, into...
INT: BATCAVE: MAIN CONCOURSE - MOMENTS LATER
An BLAZING argument...
BRUCE, with HIS back to BARBARA. HE's staring into the
cabinet with the smashed, battered ROBIN suit. The pristine
Batgirl suit hanging next to it.
BARBARA:
Well?!
BRUCE turns to respond...
BARBARA
You know what... Just tell me, who
is out there in that suit?!
TERRY slips into the room, behind BARBARA.
BRUCE:
You know that I'm not going to do
that... Barbara, this city is
falling apart, every year more
people die. The Mafia get richer...
TERRY steps into the shadows - keeping out of sight, sneaking
round, towards the exit...
BRUCE:
Tell me, how much have I given GCPD
to try and fight this?
INT: BATCAVE: MAIN CONCOURSE - CONTINUOUS
TERRY watches on, hidden, ASTOUNDED, at seeing the Police
Commissioner in a shouting match with BRUCE.
BARBARA:
That is not the point. You are not
the law!
BRUCE
You made that perfectly clear
twenty years ago... But you are,
and you have failed this city.
BARBARA
How is one man going to save the
city?!
BRUCE
That's what you never understood...
INT: BATCAVE: MAIN CONCOURSE - CONTINUOUS
TERRY steps forward, out of the shadows, revealing HIMSELF...
TERRY:
(Interrupting)
It's not about one man, its a
symbol. Something to be feared...
or to inspire hope.
BARBARA turns, DUMBSTRUCK at seeing TERRY. SHE slowly takes
it all in...
BARBARA:
Is this who you have out there?! A
kid who's just lost his father?
He's barely older than I was...
BRUCE:
He has more invested in this than
you ever did.
BARBARA:
Why?... because he lost his father
before becoming an vigilante?
Pause...
BARBARA:
Unlike me?!
BRUCE winces, looking down in shame.
BRUCE:
That's not what I meant...
INT: BATCAVE: MAIN CONCOURSE - MOMENTS LATER
BARBARA glances back to Terry. HER hand reaches for the cuffs
on her belt...
BARBARA
I should arrest him for torture...
...TERRY's hand reaches down to the utility belt, HE looks
over to BRUCE for confirmation...
BRUCE looks up, THREATENING but CALM...
BRUCE
Barbara, if you do that, Gotham
will know how Jim closed all those
cases... They will reopen them...
BARBARA turns - facing BRUCE, daring HIM to finish that
sentence...
BRUCE
Just imagine the impact that would
do to his legacy...
BARBARA slaps Bruce. TERRY watches on ASTOUNDED...
BARBARA:
How dare you threaten me? After
everything we went through?
BRUCE stands there, gathering his thoughts. HE shakes his
head, this conversation is over, HE's had enough.
BRUCE turns away, walking back towards the desk.
BRUCE
Sasha, see her out.
INT: BATCAVE: MAIN CONCOURSE
SASHA appears out of the shadows, SHE GRIPS BARBARA'S wrist -
SQUEEZING HARD. Manhandling HER towards the exit.
BARBARA FURIOUSLY SHAKES her off, STOPS, turning to BRUCE -
wanting the last word...
BARBARA:
Bruce, so help me if he ends up
like Jason.
BARBARA STORMS out.
INT: BATCAVE: MAIN CONCOURSE - MOMENTS LATER
TERRY turns, wanting to speak to BRUCE.
BRUCE is now at the display cabinets, staring deeply into
them... This is the first time that we have seen them in
great detail - The Robin suit has clearly been repeatedly
smashed with an crowbar...
TERRY:
Erm... Who's Jason?
BRUCE'S eyes settle on the long revolver on the floor of the
display case, under the Robin suit.
BRUCE:
Terry, not now...
SASHA:
He needs to know Bruce...
TERRY:
Someone tell me what's going on?
BRUCE closes HIS eyes, placing HIS head against the glass...
BRUCE:
Barbara, she blames me for what
happened...
TERRY sits at the desk, leans forward - watching BRUCE. BRUCE
does not turn - staring deep into the case.
FLASHBACK TO:
MONTAGE:
EXT: PAST GOTHAM - GORDON'S HOUSE - NIGHT
It's a modern day, quiet, well kept suburban street, rows
upon rows of the same houses. Gotham dockyards visible in the
distance.
BRUCE:
(V.O)
They didn't want her, they wanted
Jim...
A beaten up saloon car SPUTTERS into the street, coasting to
a stop outside the house in the middle of the street.
The doors of the car swing open. A group of MEN step out -
they look average - non descript.
One final MAN steps out, dressed for an holiday - Fedora,
hawaiian shirt, shorts...
EXT: PAST GOTHAM - GORDON'S HOUSE - NIGHT
THEY walk up the drive of the house, past the post box. It
reads 'Gordon'.
TERRY:
(V.O)
Who?
The MAN in the hawaiian shirt reaches out and RINGS the
doorbell.
INT: GORDON'S HOUSE -HALLWAY - NIGHT.
Imagine the perfect family home, family pictures on the wall.
The doorbell RINGS out.
A younger, 25ish, BARBARA GORDON steps into the hallway.
SHE'S in PJ's, ready for bed.
BARBARA reaches out and opens the front door...
SASHA:
(V.O)
Joker...
EXT: GORDON'S HOUSE - DOORWAY - NIGHT.
The JOKER is standing in the doorway, he's the MAN in the
hawaiian shirt - shocking white face, bright red lips,
emerald green hair carefully slicked back. It's the clown
prince of crime that we know and love...
JOKER cracks a massive smile..
...Fires his long-barreled revolver...
...BARBARA's knocked back from the gunshot,
BRUCE:
(V.O)
He crippled her...
INT: GORDON'S HOUSE - DOORWAY - NIGHT.
SHE falls back, SMASHING onto the the floor...
INT: GORDON'S HOUSE - LOUNGE
Fairly standard lounge, family photos scattered about.
JIM stands, turning towards the GUNSHOT...
... A RIFLE BUTT SMASHES into JIM's face, knocking HIM down.
EXT: GORDON'S HOUSE - DOORWAY - NIGHT.
SASHA:
(V.O)
.... Taking her father...
BARBARA watches as JIM'S pulled away. TEARS in HER eyes.
EXT: GOTHAM - AMUSEMENT MILE - NIGHT
It's an abandoned theme park. We're in the Main Street
section of the park - where the shops and restaurants were
located. Now trashed, graffitied - derelict.
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Jason was my partner in all this...
my friend...
A red sports-motorbike ROARS to up the derelict street. It
skids to a halt, dust FLARING up...
BRUCE:
(V.O)
I told Jason not to engage, to wait
for backup...
ROBIN (JASON) climbs off the bike. Sliding HIS green helmet
on the handlebars.
BRUCE
(V.O)
To wait for me, he was impulsive,
wanted to prove himself...
ROBIN's suit is very lightweight, more stab proof than
bulletproof, red torso, black underlayer. Black cape
BILLOWING in the wind.
ROBIN looks around, reaching for his staff...
SASHA:
(V.O)
Springing the trap.
EXT: AMUSEMENT MILE - NIGHT - MOMENTS LATER
On every building, GOONS appear on the rooftops -All wearing
CLOWN masks...
...The GOONs point assault rifles, light machine guns, rocket
launchers straight down at ROBIN...
... ROBIN slowly raises his hands into the air...
INT: AMUSEMENT MILE - THEATRE
The theatre is trashed - completely destroyed, chairs pulled
up, paint peeling from the walls.
ROBIN's chained to a chair, in the middle of the theatre.
Chained up next to him is Commissioner Jim Gordon. BOTH are
heavily BRUISED, BATTERED, BLOODY...
...JOKER stalks between them, CROWBAR in hand...
BRUCE:
(V.O)
When I found them... they had been
beaten... over and over...
JOKER stops in front of ROBIN, JOKER lines up the crowbar -
as if he's lining up a golf shot, closing one eye...
BRUCE
(V.O)
Jason was gone by the time that I'd
got there...
JOKER swings the crowbar straight towards ROBINS face.
EXT: AMUSEMENT MILE - PIER- LATER
The pier is rotting, almost falling into the water.
JIM's chained to a crane - hands first, dangling out over the
river.HE's STRUGGLING, trying to get free...
BRUCE
(V.O)
He waited for me...
JOKER's at the base of the crane, casually leaning against
it, playing with a knife...
JOKER turns, see's BATMAN standing at the end of the pier.
BATMAN's suit is not as advanced as the one TERRY is using -
a dark grey one-piece - some elements of an exoskeleton
visible, dark blue cowl and cape.
BATMAN grabs the gun from the nearest GUARD... disassembling
it...
...Servo's WHIR as BATMAN turns, THROWS the gun through the
nearest window. The window SMASHES. Sending glass shards
everywhere...
...WIND HOWLS. BATMAN lands a heavy punch on another GUARD.
Knocking them into the lift lobby...
...BATMAN LAUNCHES a batarang at the GUARD...
INT: POWER TOWER: LIFT LOBBY- CONTINUOUS
The batarang cuts through the air, past the lift doors...
...It HITS the GUARD square in the CHEST. It EXPLODES.
THROWING the GUARD against the wall.
INT: POWER TOWER: LIFT LOBBY
It would have been a standard corporate lift lobby. Now it's
carnage - everything trashed, the remains of the brutal fight
between BATMAN and the guards strewn across the lobby.
The lift PINGS, the doors SWISH open...
VIXX steps out the lift, pausing... looking around, taking in
the carnage. There's no sign of BATMAN...
VIXX:
(Into the audio-link)
Anyone! Check in!
No response...
HIS minigun activates - sliding down, CLICKING into place...
BATMAN:
(From behind VIXX)
Just who I was looking for...
VIXX turns, raising the minigun...
INT: POWER TOWER: LIFT LOBBY - MOMENTS LATER
... And sees BATMAN standing in the doorway.
VIXX:
You know, I thought the Batman was
dead, killed in some alley...
BATMAN:
Sorry to disappoint you.
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Terry, don't let him hit you. He'll
tear through the suit!
The minigun FIRES, BULLETS SLAMMING around BATMAN. BATMAN
dives forward, GRABBING the minigun!
THEY STRUGGLE...
...BATMAN slowly pushes the arm up towards the CEILING.Bullet
after bullet SMASHING into the ceiling...
...VIXX lands a punch on the cowl. Knocking BATMAN back...
VIXX:
You're pretty strong for some scum
who thinks he's Batman!
...They fight, VIXX keeping the upper hand, but it's close.
VIXX POUNDING away on BATMAN, heavy hits, wearing BATMAN
down...
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Terry! Move! Get out of there!
...VIXX lands another hit on the cowl. Then another, and
other, denting it everytime...
...BATMAN blocks the next one, Servos WHIR as BATMAN lifts
VIXX - swings HIM into the wall...
...VIXX kicks BATMAN off him...
INT: POWER TOWER: LIFT LOBBY - CONTINUOUS
...VIXX swings at BATMAN, misses. BATMAN GRABS VIXX, lifts
him high.
TERRY:
I AM BATMAN!
BATMAN drops VIXX onto his knee with a horrific CRACK.
VIXX collapses to the floor in an heap. Eyes shut.
INT: BATCAVE: MAIN CONCOURSE
BRUCE is sat at the computer, watching the various screens -
showing the completed download, TERRY's POV and various
camera feeds from Power Tower.
BROTHER eye flags up the GCPD sensor net. Taking over the
screens - Alerts flashing over Power Tower.
BRUCE leans forward, Tapping on the keyboard - bringing up
the GCPD tracker, a map showing the location of every GCPD
officer across Gotham. BRUCE reviews the screen.
BRUCE:
Terry, GCPD are about to storm the
building. You need to retreat! Now!
ON SCREEN:
An GCPD transport heads towards Power Tower, surveying the
roof, coming into land...
EXT: POWER TOWER: ROOFTOP - NIGHT
It's a flat roof, helipad in the middle.
An GCPD Quad-Jet transport ROARS over the rooftop, circling -
Landing vertically on jet thrust.
EXT: POWER TOWER: ROOFTOP - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
The transport's RAMP SLAMS down onto the rooftop.
An fully armed and augmented SWAT team swarm out of the
transport, followed by Commissioner BARBARA Gordon. She's
wearing full body armour under the trench coat.
THEY CHARGE across the rooftop, guns out - ready for combat.
INT: POWER TOWER: CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER
Carnage - cables hang from the ceiling, BULLET holes strewn
across the walls. Lights SPARK.
VIXX is thrown down the corridor - SKIDDING across the floor.
VIXX tries to stand, collapses to the floor. BATMAN strides
towards VIXX - barely damaged.
BATMAN:
Just wrapping it up now...
BATMAN reaches down and grabs VIXX by the throat,lifts VIXX
into the air. HE leans close to VIXX. The white eye lights
blinding VIXX. VIXX flinches.
BATMAN:
Why did you kill Warren?
VIXX does not answer, just staring at BATMAN... Almost daring
him to do his worst...
BATMAN reaches down, unfolding an BATARANG, flicking the
safety.
The BATARANG HUMS - powering up. HE places the blade against
VIXX'S neck...
BATMAN
TELL ME!
VIXX spits at BATMAN...
BATMAN activates the BATARANG - BLUE arcs of ELECTRICITY
shoots through VIXX.
VIXX fits, shaking in BATMAN's grip - VIXX'S augmentations
short circuit, SPARKS flying everywhere, RAINING down onto
BATMAN.
VIXX:
(Shrieking in pain)
AHHHHHHHH!
INT: POWER TOWER: LIFT LOBBY - CONTINUOUS
A lift PINGS and then the door slides open...
The SWAT team charge out, weapons drawn - ready for anything.
Closely followed by BARBARA, Jim Gordon's revolver drawn...
INT: POWER TOWER: CORRIDOR
VIXX is FITTING, SHAKING in BATMAN's grip...
BATMAN
Tell me!
The electricity stops. VIXX slumps - broken...
VIXX:
OK... Derek... He... ordered...
INT: POWER TOWER: CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER
The SWAT team cover the entrance to the corridor, SWAT on the
corners, BARBARA at the back...
THEY swing out into the corridor, CHARGING down...
INT: POWER TOWER: CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER
The SWAT team stop - spread out across the corridor. Weapons
pointing down the corridor at BATMAN.
BARBARA:
GCPD! Drop him!
BATMAN lets go... VIXX crumbles to the floor.
BARBARA
Good... Now on your knees and hands
behind your head!
BATMAN turns - slowly raising HIS hands.
BARBARA
Get on your knees!
BATMAN steps back - towards the BROKEN WINDOW.
BARBARA:
I said on your knees!
BATMAN steps off the ledge. free falling towards the ground.
BARBARA CHARGES forward - trying to grab HIM, reaching the
edge to see...
EXT: POWER TOWER - NIGHT
BARBARA watches, furious - leaning over the edge of the building - as
BATMAN plunges towards the ground...
BATMAN free-falls... PLUMMETING towards the white lights of
Upper Gotham below.
BATMAN extends his arms,deploying the wings. They expand bat-
like, catching the air... The red wings contrast against the
night sky.
BATMAN glides down through the clouds, passing between two
cargo drones. Getting ever closer to Power Tower.
INT: POWER TOWER: SERVER FARM - NIGHT
The whole floor is filled with lines of servers. All HUMMING
away, Lights flicker on the servers. Cable's hang from the
ceiling. It's the beating heart of the company.
The door at the far end BEEPS, HISSING open. A SECURITY
GUARD, one hand casually placed on the handgun. It's just
another day at the office.
SECURITY GUARD starts to make their way towards the windows.
SECURITY GUARD:
(Speaking into his throat
mike)
What did you send me down here for?
VIXX:
(V.O)
Building scans picked up an
structural issue on the north side.
SECURITY GUARD continues towards the north windows - passing
servers, they HUM, lights flickering.
SECURITY GUARD
What ya mean, structural issue?
VIXX:
(V.O)
I don't know... That's why I sent
you...
SECURITY GUARD reaches the north windows, starts to look
around. WIND HOWLS.
SECURITY GUARD:
Is the AC working? I'm freez...
SECURITY GUARD suddenly stops mid sentence, he's seen it... A
frozen patch of glass, broken... glass shards scattered
across the carpet.
SECURITY GUARD
What the hell?
SECURITY GUARD crouches next to the windows. Inspecting the
frozen glass.
SECURITY GUARD
Err... The window is frozen?
BATMAN's eyes LIGHT UP, reflecting back in the window -
REVEALING BATMAN standing behind SECURITY GUARD.
SECURITY GUARD looks up - JUMPS, starts to turn. BATMAN grabs
the GUARD, SMACKING THEM against the window. The window
CRACKS...
SECURITY GUARD slumps to the floor, unconscious.
INT: POWER TOWER: SERVER FARM - MOMENTS LATER
BATMAN turns, facing the servers.
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Now... Just jack into the nearest
server. I'll do the rest from here.
BATMAN heads to the nearest server - sliding open the glass
door, pulling out an server blade.
HE reaches across to HIS gauntlet, disconnecting an small
metal desk - attaching it to the blade.
It flashes red for a few secs, seeking an connection. Turning
green once it connects.
BRUCE:
(V.O)
I'm in... It's going to take some
time to copy the files across.
BATMAN:
Roger that, I'll have a chat with
Powers.
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Hmm... He's two floors down. Just
gone into an meeting.
BATMAN turns back towards the frozen window, reaching behind
HIM. An armour panel slides back, revealing the grappling
gun. BATMAN takes it.
BATMAN:
Well, let's see what he's got to
say.
INT: POWER TOWER: CONFERENCE ROOM - NIGHT
It's the main board room of the company, One side of the room
is floor to ceiling windows, we can see Gotham in all its
neon, scummy glory.
DEREK is sat at the head of the glass conference table.
VILMOS at the other end. VIXX standing guard by the door.
DEREK is in full salesman mode.
DEREK:
So, we still distilled Bane down
into this...
DEREK presses the touchscreen built into HIS chair. Shutters
slide down over the windows. CLANGING shut. The room darkens.
Holographic projectors fire up. Throwing multiple light
streams onto the glass table.
ON TABLE:
An holographic DNA sequence projected, SHIMMERING in the
light. It's the sequence for BLIGHT.
ON DEREK:
DEREK gestures at the DNA:
DEREK:
The ultimate in biological warfare.
A fast acting virus which
completely penetrates all living
cells... We call it Blight.
VILMOS leans forward - intrigued.
VILMOS
How exactly is this virus going to
end my war?
DEREK:
Just watch.
ON TABLE:
The hologram morphes - turning into an plant, sat in a glass
case.
A green gas is pumped into the case. The plant RAPIDLY
DISINTEGRATES into a dead shriveled mess. It only took a few
seconds.
ON VILMOS:
VILMOS
Impressive, but we are not looking
to destroy their food supplies, we
want a more final solution.
DEREK
Keep watching.
ON TABLE:
The hologram CHANGES into an chained up animal. Again we see
the green gas released, slowly enveloping the animal.
The animal COLLAPSES - fading into DUST.
EXT: POWER TOWER: CONFERENCE ROOM - NIGHT
BATMAN is clinging against the side of the building. Claws
digging into the building - grappling line holding HIM into
place.
The wiring across the palm is PULSING RED. Sound-waves moving
along the wrist touchscreen - BAT's listening in...
DEREK
(He sounds slightly distant
as we are listening in
through the gloves.)
That was actually our very first
animal test.
INT: BATCAVE: MAIN CONCOURSE
BRUCE is sat at the computer, watching - On one screen we can
see the progress of the upload, about halfway through. The
other screens show TERRY'S POV.
BRUCE:
Don't get any closer, I'm recording
it all from here. Just stay out of
sight and get out of there as soon
as the upload has finished.
Understood?
BATMAN:
(V.O)
Copy that.
INT: POWER TOWER: CONFERENCE ROOM - NIGHT
The meeting between VILMOS and DEREK is still in full swing.
VILMOS
And humans? You've tested it on
them, too?
DEREK:
Yes...Vixx here was fortunate
enough to locate a volunteer.
ON TABLE:
The projectors load up an image of HARRY TULLY, topless,
strapped to a gurney.
DEREK:
(O.S)
This is what he looked like the
next day.
The image changes - TULLY's bones have an slightly green
tinge to them. Eyes bloodshot.
DEREK
(O.S)
This is what he looked like the
next day.
It changes again - TULLY now has thin drawn skin, sunken
cheeks. Bones falling apart.
DEREK
(O.S)
And this is an hour after that,
unfortunately we lost him.
TULLY is pretty much an skelton now, hardly any skin left.
Green bones sticking through.
ON VILMOS:
VILMOS:
There is no cure?
DEREK presses on the touch screen. The projectors cut out,
the steel shutters SLIDE up, Lights flicker on.
DEREK:
Only extreme heat or radiation.
That's obviously not an option in
your country.
VILMOS stands to leave. DEREK watches - desperate to close
the sale...
DEREK:
One final point, consider what just
a few canisters of this gas could
do...
VILMOS pauses by the door, deep in thought.
DEREK
You could end that civil war in two
days, with no casualties... On your
side of course.
VILMOS turns, looking at DEREK.
VILMOS:
When can you deliver?
DEREK grins - Success!, He's made the sale!
DEREK:
We are loading the canisters as we
speak. They leave tonight on hover
transport.
INT: POWER TOWER: CORRIDOR
It's a standard corporate corridor, completely souless, no
personality. Meeting rooms branching off.
VILMOS steps out the conference room, DEREK standing in the
doorway.
DEREK:
I'll be personally supervising the
shipment.
VILMOS turns.
VILMOS:
Excellent, I look forward to seeing
this on the field.
INT: POWER TOWER: CONFERENCE ROOM
DEREK is standing by the window, eyes focused on the Hover
Docks in the distance.
DEREK:
Tell me, How's the McGinnis family?
VIXX:
Don't worry about that lot. They're
not going to be pointing fingers
anytime soon.
DEREK:
Good, and GCPD?
VIXX:
Still looking for someone who
doesn't exist...
DEREK
Good...
DEREK turns to face VIXX.
DEREK:
This deal is going to open the
entire eastern block for us. Make
sure that nothing ruins that!
EXT: POWER TOWER: CONFERENCE ROOM - NIGHT
BATMAN is still clinging to the outside of the building.
Listening in. WIND whistles past.
VIXX:
(V.O)
I took care of Warren, didn't I?
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Terry, take him down.
BATMAN kicks off from the wall - swinging away from the
building.
BATMAN swings forward on the grappling line, heading straight
towards the frozen glass.Feet FIRST.
INT: POWER TOWER: CORRIDOR - NIGHT
BATMAN SMASHES through the window, GLASS shards FLY down the
corridor.
ALARMS BLARE!
INT: POWER TOWER: CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER
GUARDS RUN towards the noise. THEY line the corridor, rifles
pointed at BATMAN.
GUARD 1:
Hands up Now!
BATMAN stands. HANDS going up...
Wait a few beats. The GUARDS, confident, they believe they
have the upper hand. After all, its three against one..
GUARD 2:
Kill him, dump the body.
They OPEN FIRE, GUNFIRE ECHOING down the corridor. Bullet
casings BOUNCE off the floor.
The FIRING stops... Everyone pauses... The GUARDS, squirm,
now very unsure, we can't see why...
INT: POWER TOWER: CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS
BATMAN's is still standing... the suit now pockmarked by
bullet hits... He's bulletproof...
BATMAN:
My turn...
KNIFE like SPIKES deploy from the gauntlets of the suit. One
after the other...
BATMAN dives forward. SERVOS WHIRRING...
INT: POWER TOWER: CORRIDOR
SMASHING into a GUARD, THEY hit the ground, HARD - out for
the count...
Another GUARD charges at BATMAN, throwing him to the floor. A
knife in his hand. He goes to stab...
...BATMAN catches the knife in his arm blades. SNAPPING the
blade off. They scramble on the floor. BATMAN mostly keeping
the upper hand...
Batman's style is fast, efficient, almost like a street
fight, going for pressure points with some heavy swings...
BATMAN KICKS the GUARD off... The GUARD staggers back...
TOWARDS the broken WINDOW...
...BATMAN throws a BATARANG, It SWISHES through the AIR,
IMPALING itself into the GUARDS thigh...
The BATARANG SPARKS, sending electricity coursing through the
GUARD.
The lift's WHIZZING up, towards the roof. Out the windows -
Gotham's FLYING past.
DEREK's watching the city fly past. VIXX, as ever, keeping a
watchful eye on HIM.
SUDDENLY KLAXONS BLARE out of the lift speakers...
INT: POWER TOWER: LIFT - MOMENTS LATER
The lift SHUDDERS to a halt. DEREK glances around - PANICKED.
DEREK:
Vixx, what's going on?
VIXX places his finger to HIS ear. Activating the audio link.
VIXX
Status update now!
VIXX listens for a beat.
VIXX:
Batman?!
DEREK glances over at VIXX.
DEREK:
Care to share?
VIXX
(To Derek)
Someone's taken out an squad,
dressed up as Batman?
DEREK sighs - frustrated... HE turns to the lift keypad,
typing a code.
DEREK:
Deal with it, make sure it does not
stop the shipment.
The lift doors SWISH open.
DEREK steps out.
VIXX turns to the lift panel, hitting the button for the 80th
floor.
Loud music BLARES. The frontage is covered in floor to
ceiling screens, FLASHING, showing images of the people
dancing. It's ABUZZ with people, all on a night out.
TERRY and DANA appear at the end of the alley. THEY walk down
the alley, towards the lengthy LOUD queue into the Lounge.
EXT: ICEBERG LOUNGE - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
TERRY and DANA slide into the queue, next to MAX - SHE's
dressed up.
MAX:
Terry, you know, this is the first
time I've actually seen you since
you started working for Bruce
Wayne.
TERRY:
Max, I know... I'm sorry, Bruce
works all-hours and I need to be
ther...
DANA
Terry, it's just a job... we must
be more important than that.
TERRY
Believe me... you are, it's just...
TERRY's phone RINGS, interrupting the conversation. The
caller ID states Bruce Wayne.
DANA looks down, TUTS loudly.
DANA
Terry, don't you dare answer that!
TERRY pauses, looking down at the phone. HE glances back up
at DANA, struggling...
TERRY SUDDENLY answers the phone.
TERRY:
This had better be good...
TERRY turns to DANA, mouths 'sorry'. DANA has a face of
thunder, absolutely FUMING.
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Oh... it is, we finally have a lead
on Warren.
TERRY:
Really? What?
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Sasha's on the way, I'll tell you
when you get here.
BRUCE hangs up. TERRY slowly turns back to DANA.
MAX:
WELL?
TERRY
...I'm really sorry...
Behind TERRY, a classic Rolls Royce cruises to a stop. DANA
looks over TERRY's shoulder at it - at SASHA, who's driving.
DANA
(frustrated)
Just go, this is clearly more
important to you.
TERRY's shoulders slump. HE makes HIS way over to the car.
TERRY opens the car door. TERRY pauses, turns back to look at
DANA.
TERRY
Dana, I'll make this up to you... I
promise.
TERRY ducks into the car.
DANA
You better...
INT: BRUCE'S CAR - MOMENTS LATER
It's a classic, luxury, well kept Rolls Royce.
TERRY slides into the backseat. SLAMMING the door.
SASHA:
Trouble in paradise?
TERRY:
Just drive, will you?
EXT: ICEBERG LOUNGE - NIGHT.
MAX and DANA stand there, watching the Rolls Royce pull away,
into the road.
MAX:
I can't believe he bailed on us
like that...
DANA:
Yep... I hardly see him now...
MAX pulls DANA into an hug - comforting HER.
MAX:
I'm sure it's nothing...
DANA:
I hope so, he can't go away again.
MAX:
I'll find out. I promise.
INT: BATCAVE: MAIN CONCOURSE
The cave is now all lit up. At the far end, we can see a
computer desk, surrounded by servers and screens. They are
showing camera feeds and constantly updating web-chats.
BRUCE is sat at the desk, working his way through WARREN's
chat logs.
TERRY enters - walking down the stairs.
TERRY:
You know that Dana hates me now
right?
BRUCE does not look up, or turnaround - carries on reviewing
the conversation.
BRUCE
Unfortunately, you'll need to get
used to that.
TERRY makes his way over to BRUCE.
BRUCE:
When I was young, women used to
throw themselves at my feet all the
time.
TERRY:
Really, what did you do?
BRUCE
Step over them...
TERRY:
Real smooth.
BRUCE:
I thought so.
INT: BATCAVE: MAIN CONCOURSE - MOMENTS LATER
TERRY'S reached BRUCE. TERRY stands next to BRUCE, looking
over the screens...
TERRY:
What's all that?
BRUCE looks up at the screens.
BRUCE:
Oh... All of the security apparatus
of this city; gunshot sensors,
facial recognition cameras,
internet searches...Feed into these
servers.
BRUCE points at the servers surrounding the desk - cables
running everywhere.
BRUCE:
I call it Brother Eye.
TERRY:
What about privacy?
BRUCE:
If you are not doing anything
wrong, why should you worry?
TERRY:
Yeah, but...
BRUCE:
Terry, if you want to find out what
happened to Warren, we're going to
have to use these methods.
Pause for a few beats.
BRUCE:
Now did you want to find what
happened to Warren?
TERRY:
Yeah, of course.
BRUCE taps a key and the security cam footage from Noonan's
Bar pops up across the screens.
BRUCE:
Good... now, what can you tell me
about Harry Tully?
TERRY
Oh, he was Dad's work best
friend... Why?
BRUCE gestures - enlarging the footage, zooming in on WARREN
and HARRY.
BRUCE:
He convinced Warren to steal a
project from Derek Powers. It was
called Blight?
TERRY leans closer, watching them talk.
TERRY
Really? Did they say what it was?
BRUCE
No, they were worried about Powers
having access to it though.
TERRY:
Why?
BRUCE:
I have no idea, seems Powers's
keeps all files offline... The best
way to keep secrets.
TERRY turns to BRUCE.
TERRY
So, what do we do?
BRUCE stands, and starts to walk towards the escalator down
to the platforms.
TERRY watches him.
BRUCE:
Well, you're going to pay Powers a
visit.
TERRY starts to follow BRUCE.
TERRY:
Sorry to disappoint, but I don't
think he's going to talk to me...
BRUCE:
No, not dressed like that.
TERRY stops, confused...
BRUCE
This is what all the trainings been
for...
TERRY:
You mean?
BRUCE turns, POINTING at the bat-suit.
BRUCE
Suit up.
INT: BATCAVE: MAIN CONCOURSE - MOMENTS LATER
TERRY presses his hand against the glass cabinet holding the
batsuit. A red ring appears on the glass, reading his
fingerprints.
The ring turns green. The cabinet HISSES open. The Batsuit
slides forward - UNFOLDING, opening up. It's one sleek suit
of armour.
TERRY steps backwards into the suit. It folds around HIM.
CLANGING shut. An ELECTRICAL WHIRL as the suit powers up -
running through it's start up procedure; Spikes SLIDE in and
out of the arms, Leg armour FLEXES...
TERRY:
This is epic!
BRUCE smirks, ever so slightly.
BRUCE:
Oh, There's more, come downstairs.
INT: BATCAVE: PLATFORM LEVEL
It's the platforms of the station, underneath the concourse.
The whole area has been turned into a maintenance and garage
bay - workbenches scattered about, cranes etc.
BRUCE steps off the escalator. Followed by batsuited TERRY.
TERRY'S holding the helmet in his hand.
TERRY looks around, impressed.
TERRY:
Oh... Wow...You really took over a
whole station...
BRUCE stops in the middle of platform. Looking at
something...
TERRY slowly turns and sees...
INT: BATCAVE: PLATFORM LEVEL - CONTINUOUS
The Bat-Jet. Imagine an armoured, armed stealth fighter jet.
Matte black with dark grey trim - invoking a Bat.
TERRY:
You had a jet?!
BRUCE:
It's yours now. Get in.
TERRY approaches the jet. The canopy slides open as HE
approaches. The slats on the side of the fuselage fold out,
into a ladder.
TERRY clambers up into the cockpit, SLIDING on the helmet.The
panels of the helmet CLANK together, forming the iconic
helmet.
INT: BATCAVE: PLATFORM LEVEL - MOMENTS LATER
The EYEs of the HELMET activate, GLOWING BRIGHT WHITE light
SHINES out.
The canopy slides back and CLICKS shut. VTOL jets activate,
HEAT HAZE below the jet...
The Bat-Jet lifts of the ground and hovers for a few
seconds...
THEN it ROARS up the TUNNEL.
INT: BATCAVE: SUBWAY TUNNEL
It's your standard subway tunnel... There's occasionally
lights illustrating it's unfinished nature.
The Bat-Jet ROARS along the tunnel.
EXT: GOTHAM ABANDONED TRAIN YARD - NIGHT
It's a large empty, destitute train yard, overlooking Gotham
Bay. Filled with broken up/broken down trains.
The Bat-Jet ROARS out of the subway tunnel. Wings EXPAND from
the side of the Bat-Jet as it flies UP, ARCING over Gotham.
INT: BAT-JET: COCKPIT - NIGHT
The front of the cockpit is made up of an holographic Heads
Up Display, projecting the various instruments onto the
canopy.
TERRY/BATMAN watches the various displays.
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Remember, easy gestures, let the
suit do the work...
EXT: GOTHAM - NIGHT SKY
The afterburners on the Bat-Jet fire - SPEEDING it across the
night sky.
INT: BAT-JET: COCKPIT - NIGHT
TERRY pulls back on the throttle - increasing SPEED.
The night sky flies past QUICKER and QUICKER.
TERRY:
WOO-HOO!
BRUCE:
Mind not doing that?
TERRY:
Sorry...
TERRY throttles down - decreasing speed.
BRUCE:
You scratch it, no allowance.
EXT: GOTHAM - NIGHT SKY
The Bat-Jet HURDLES across the night sky. Upper Gotham below
- The skyscrapers RAPIDLY come into view. We can see Power
Tower just off in the middle distance.
The logo GLARING like a green lantern.
INT: BAT-JET: COCKPIT - NIGHT
The HUD goes DARK - holograms cut out.
BRUCE:
(V.O)
Ready?
TERRY:
As I'll ever be...
The canopy CLICKS and slides back - WIND HOWLS
The ejector seat FIRES,THROWING BATMAN up into the murky
Gotham night sky.
It's your standard trillion dollar company reception - sleek,
luxurious and hi-tech. The reception desk runs the length of
the foyer, manned by two RECEPTIONISTS.
TERRY walks across the marble floor to the reception desk.
HE's looking around, in awe. His footsteps ECHOING LOUDLY -
looking completely out of place, as if a street urchin had
just walked into a palace.
TERRY
Hello?
One of the RECEPTIONISTS looks up. Their entire lower jaw has
been replaced with an augmented jaw. TERRY is completely
unfazed. It's an everyday occurrence.
RECEPTIONIST
Ah, Mr McGinnis. You can head
straight up.
TERRY
How did you...?
RECEPTIONIST
Oh, Mr Wayne's slightly paranoid.
He's built facial recognition into
every camera in the building.
TERRY:
Why? What's he got to hide?
The RECEPTIONIST points towards the waiting open lift.
RECEPTIONIST
You can ask him yourself.
INT: WAYNE PENTHOUSE: PRIVATE LIFT - DAY
It's an exterior lift, showing Upper Gotham as it swoops up
to the Penthouse. Completely SILENT.
TERRY's standing in the lift, watching the world fly past.
ANNOUNCER:
(V.O)
Arriving at Penthouse.
The doors SWISH open. Into...
INT: WAYNE PENTHOUSE: ENTRY HALL - DAY
The entry hall occupies the two floors of the penthouse.
Sunlight streams through the glass ceiling. A grand glass
staircase snakes upwards from the centre of the hall.
TERRY steps out the lift, looking around - taking it all in.
TERRY
(Muttering)
So this is how the 1% life...
The two great oak doors, emblazoned with the Wayne family
crest, swing open together.
SASHA steps out, wearing military body armour on-top of an
sleek urban combat suit. A TASER is strapped to her leg.
SASHA:
Mr McGinnis, this way please.
SASHA gestures into the lounge.
TERRY turns and looks SASHA over, confused.
TERRY:
What's with the getup?
INT: WAYNE PENTHOUSE: LOUNGE - DAY
It's a palace to capitalism, with floor to ceiling windows,
modern and sleek furnishings. Antiques from Wayne Manor are
scattered throughout. There's a grandfather clock against the
far wall...
TERRY enters from the hall, SASHA a few steps ahead.
SASHA:
My job is to keep Mr Wayne alive.
TERRY
Didn't realise he needed a live in
bodyguard...
SASHA
Oh... He's always been good at
making enemies...
SASHA steps aside to shut the double doors, revealing BRUCE
WAYNE sat on the armchair facing the door. He's been WATCHING
TERRY as HE entered.
BRUCE is in his late 60's. Grizzled hair but still in as peak
physical condition as possible, just starting to show his
age. HE has the aura, style and movement of an ex-soldier.
BRUCE:
Terry, take a seat.
BRUCE gestures at the seat opposite him.
TERRY
Thank you...
TERRY sits, NERVOUSLY squirming.
INT: WAYNE PENTHOUSE: LOUNGE - MOMENTS LATER
SASHA shuts the double doors shut behind TERRY. SHE stands
guard in front of the doors. A hand resting on the TASER.
BRUCE:
Terry... do you know why you're
here?
TERRY:
Umm... Not really, Sasha mentioned
something about you helping me out?
There's a pause as BRUCE studies TERRY. TERRY squirms - still
nervous.
TERRY:
To be honest... I really don't see
how some money can help.
BRUCE:
That's a valid point. As much you
want it to, money can't solve every
problem.
TERRY:
OK... so how exactly you going to
help me out then?
BRUCE
All in good time. First... Just the
one question.
TERRY:
OK...
BRUCE:
What made you do this?
The windows tint, DARKENING the room. A hologram FLASHES into
the middle of the room, between TERRY and BRUCE, showing the
street fight between TERRY and the JOKERZ.
ON HOLOGRAM:
TERRY DIVES for the revolver. THEY GRABBLE over it. TERRY
struggling to pull it away...
...HE SMACKS JOKERZ 1 across the face. JOKERZ1 stumbles back,
hitting the pavement hard, dropping the gun.
TERRY grabs the gun,turns - THROWING it away.
ON TERRY:
TERRY
How have you seen that?
BRUCE
Money does have it's advantages...
So tell me Terry, why?
TERRY leans forward, deep in thought. It's a few seconds
before HE speaks...
TERRY
It was just, they were dealing
Venom, on the street, so openly. I
just felt that...
BRUCE stands and walks over to the grandfather clock. TERRY
watching.
BRUCE:
You had to do something about it. I
believe that you've felt like that
for a while. Have you not?
TERRY
So what? Nothing changes in this
city.
BRUCE reaches up to the clock face. HE sets the time on the
clock face to 10.47pm. The time HIS parents died.
BRUCE
It will, you can change it.
TERRY:
How?
A mechanism behind the grandfather clock CLICKS, BRUCE steps
back as the grandfather clock CREAKS open, revealing a narrow
secret passage behind it.
BRUCE
Follow me and you'll find out.
TERRY stands, SLOWLY...CAUTIOUSLY making his way towards
BRUCE.
TERRY
(Muttering)
This is crazy...
INT: SECRET PASSAGEWAY
The passageway is in darkness.
BRUCE makes HIS way along to the switch, halfway down the
passage. PULLING the switch down, it CLUNKS into place.
TERRY following, cautious... keeping HIS distance.
LIGHT'S flicker on, one after the other. Illuminating the
passageway.
The walls are made out of concrete. It has the look and feel
of a maintenance corridor. There's thick layer of dust
covering every surface.
BRUCE:
Terry, This way.
BRUCE steps into the elevator. TERRY CAREFULLY follows.
Leaving quite a bit of space between HIMSELF and BRUCE.
BRUCE leans across TERRY. HE presses the down button.
TERRY:
Bruce, One wrong move and I'm
running.
The metal lift doors close.
INT: BATCAVE: STAIRCASE CORRIDOR
Darkness. Unable to see anything.
The elevator PINGS, it's doors SWISH open. The noise ECHOING
down the corridor.
BRUCE steps out. Lights automatically switch on. Illuminating
the corridor.
It is an old subway station staircase, not well maintained.
The tiles covered in years of dirt and dust.
BRUCE makes his way down the stairs, keeping close to the
hand rail. TERRY follows at a safe distance. Always keeping
an eye on BRUCE.
INT: BATCAVE: ENTRANCE
At the bottom of the stairs is a floor to ceiling, heavy duty
security gate. Darkness beyond the gate.
BRUCE pulls out a key, placing it in the lock.
TERRY:
What's that? A key?
BRUCE
Terry... Sometimes the old ways are
the best.
HE unlocks the gate, pushing it open.
INT: BATCAVE: MAIN CONCOURSE
Black, nothing visible.
BRUCE steps out, followed by TERRY. Lights automatically
switch on. Illuminating the area.
It is a standard subway concourse, but abandoned before it
was finished - it was meant to be a major interchange, like
Canary Wharf or World Trade Center.
TERRY:
What is this place?
BRUCE walks briskly down the concourse, towards the line of
glass display case. TERRY slowly follows behind, looking
around - taking it all in, confused.
BRUCE:
Ah... This was meant to be part of
the Old Gotham subway extension,
but City Hall never got the funds
they needed to continue...They had
to stop construction during the
2018 shutdown.
BRUCE stops in-front of the middle display case. Waiting for
TERRY. .
TERRY slowly, walks down the concourse, utterly mind blown...
HE glances along one wall, looking over the trophy cases and
then the laboratory against the other wall.
BRUCE:
So me and Alfred turned this into
our forward operating base.
TERRY reaches the case that BRUCE is standing next to...
INT: BATCAVE: MAIN CONCOURSE - CONTINUOUS
TERRY turns to look into the case TERRY'S face DROPS in
abject surprise...
It contains a Batsuit - A sleek armoured suit, no arm spikes
or cape, it has an exoskeleton layered into it. The suit's
hanging there - waiting to be worn...
TERRY:
You were...
BRUCE:
The Batman... As the Gotham Gazette
put it.
TERRY turns to look at BRUCE - slowly taking it in.
TERRY
(Dumbfounded)
But you were...
BRUCE
(Amused)
A billionaire, playboy
philamperist?
TERRY:
Well...Yeah...
BRUCE:
Ah...That whole life was only a
disguise.
BRUCE GESTURES around HIM.
BRUCE
This is me, and this is what I want
you to be.
TERRY looks around, THINKING, taking it all in...
BRUCE:
But I should warn you, I can be a
difficult taskmaster. I accept
nothing short of excellence in all
who work for me.
TERRY turns back to the suit - looking it over.
TERRY:
I can handle it, but one condition.
BRUCE:
Yes?
TERRY:
We get justice for Dad.
BRUCE nods, agreeing.
BRUCE:
Mr. McGinnis. Let's get started.
TRAINING MONTAGE - BATCAVE
Quick training sequence, showing TERRY getting the skills to
be BATMAN.
- TERRY fights off training HOLOGRAMS.
- BATARANGS fly across, HITTING targets.
- TERRY fights SASHA, SHE WINS.
- TERRY fights SASHA, HE WINS.
EXT: GOTHAM - DAY
A sleek supersonic JET BOOMS as it appears through the
clouds. IT cuts through the clouds and we can see all of
Gotham lit up below.
The JET flies down, as it gets closer, the airport reveals
itself. We can see that the airport is built on an artificial
island just off Cape Carmine.
EXT: GOTHAM CITY AIRPORT RUNWAY - DAY
Snow has now set in, it's a freezing cold Gotham winter.
There's planes taxiing and taking off.
The JET lands, BRAKES SLAMMING into action. The JET taxis
upto the waiting SLEEK chrome luxury car.
EXT: PRIVATE JET - DAY
The airstairs lower... Revealing VILMOS EGANS, waiting at the
top. VILMO's is a general in the Kaznian army, and with the
arrogant swagger to match.
A rear passenger door of the car HISSES open, revealing the
OPULENT interior.
VILMO'S walks down and CLAMBERS into the back of the car. The
door HISSES shut.
INT: POWER'S CAR - MOMENTS LATER
The interior is complete luxury. Imagine a future Rolls
Royce.
DEREK POWERS is sat in the back of the car, reviewing news on
his tablet - reads It's been five months since the targeted
killing of Warren McGinnis. GCPD still have...'
VILMO'S SLIDES into the seat opposite DEREK.
EXT: POWER'S CAR
The car pulls away, with an ELECTRICAL WHIR - heading towards
the exit.
INT: POWER'S CAR - MOMENTS LATER
DEREK looks up, placing the tablet next to HIM.
DEREK:
Vilmos, How's the civil war?
VILMOS:
We are losing, as you know.
DEREK:
Don't worry, that will change by
the end of the week.
VILMOS:
I hope so, for your sake.
DEREK leans forward, responding to the threat.
DEREK:
And for yours...
EXT: GOTHAM BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
Imagine Queensboro bridge, covered in solar panels.
The bridge is full of RUSH HOUR traffic, POWER's car weaves
through the traffic, cutting off other CARS. Ignoring the
HORNS BLARING out.
It turns off at the exit marked 'Kane Building'
INT: POWER'S CAR - MOMENTS LATER
VILMOS and DEREK are deep in discussion, VILMOS is staring
out of the window, at the city passing by.
VILMOS
Why do people live in this cesspit?
DEREK
Not sure what you mean... Gotham's
a great city.
VILMOS turns and faces DEREK.
DEREK:
you can get away with anything...
No one seems to care.
VILMOS:
Such as running a multi-trillion
dollar company while supplying
Venom to drug lords?
There's a pause as DEREK trying to work out how VILMOS
knows...
DEREK
I'm guessing you found Bane?
VILMOS
Only after you'd literally drained
the blood out of him.
DEREK shrugs - nonchalantly.
DEREK:
He was the only surviving source of
Venom.
DEREK turns and stares out of the window. Watching the city
go by.
DEREK:
Wait until you see what we cooked
up thanks to his sacrifice.
EXT: GOTHAM STREET - NIGHT
DEREK's car WHIRS down the street. Past the alley where the
Iceberg Lounge is located.
TERRY and DANA make their way down the street. Dressed up for
a night on the town.
It's a dank, grimy reception area. Maybe a map of Gotham
covering one wall, armed guards scattered about? It's busy - A
QUEUE has formed leading up to the RECEPTIONIST. PEOPLE
bustle about.
TERRY CHARGES in, RUNNING straight over to the RECEPTIONIST.
Cutting in-front of the queue.
QUEUE PERSON:
HEY!
RECEPTIONIST:
(To Terry)
You know... We do have a queue.
RECEPTIONIST points at the queue.
TERRY:
Where's Mary?!
RECEPTIONIST:
Mary? Who?... I'm going to need
more than that.
TERRY:
Fine! Mary McGinnis.
RECEPTIONIST
Ahh... Take the door over there.
RECEPTIONIST points to a door.
INT: GPD PRECINCT: FAMILY ROOM
It's made up like a lounge, There's also the standard police
paraphernalia covering the walls.
MARY MCGINNIS, TERRY's astronomer mother is sat on the sofa.
One arm wrapped around MATT McGinnis, TERRY's shy, nerdy
child brother. MARY is dressed affluently.
THEY are all in their own world - in shock.
The door CREAKS opens. TERRY walks in.
TERRY:
Mum...
MARY snaps out - wrapping TERRY into an long caring hug. MARY
break's - starting to CRY.
TERRY:
Can't believe it...
TERRY pulls himself out of the hug, passing MARY an tissue.
MARY wipes HER tears...
MARY:
Did they tell you if he's OK?
TERRY:
No... They just sent me in here?
INT: GPD PRECINCT: FAMILY ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The door CREAKS open. Commissioner BARBARA GORDON steps in.
She is the daughter of the late, great Commissioner Jim
Gordon. Early 50's, leaning on a walking stick, with her
dad's old revolver in a side holster.
BARBARA looks around, focusing in MARY. BARBARA limps over to
her.
BARBARA:
Mary?
MARY:
Yes...
BARBARA
I have an officer outside the door.
Do you mind if he looks after Matt
while we talk?
TERRY kneels down next to MATT.
TERRY
Matt, how about you go play cops
and robbers with the man outside.
I'm sure he'll let you be Batman...
BARBARA grimaces at the mention of BATMAN...
MATT:
What about Dad?
MARY crouches next to MATT.
MARY:
Go on, I promise you'll be safe.
TERRY takes his hand and walks MATT over to the door. TERRY
opens it.
INT: GPD PRECINCT: CORRIDOR
On the other side is a PLAIN-CLOTHED OFFICER - hand
outstretched.
TERRY:
(O.S)
Go on...
MATT walks through the door, taking the OFFICER's hand. THEY
lead MATT away.
INT: GPD PRECINCT: FAMILY ROOM
TERRY closes the door behind HIM. BARBARA limps over to one
of the armchairs and sit down.
BARBARA
Now... I'm afraid...
MARY:
(Interrupting)
What hospital is Warren at? How is
he?!
BARBARA pauses - gathering HER thoughts.
BARBARA:
There's no easy way to say this...
TERRY
Is he?
BARBARA
I'm sorry, he's injuries were too
severe for him to recover from...
He didn't make it.
MARY chokes up, on the verge of tears. TERRY wraps HIS arm
around HER in comfort.
MARY buries her head in TERRY's arm, and slowly starts to CRY
- Tears wracking HER body.
No one speaks, just the sound of the faint bustle of the
precinct, intermixed with MARY's tears.
TERRY
Do you have any idea who did it?
BARBARA:
No, not yet... Looking at the
footage, I believe it was a
targeted attack. Did he have anyone
who would want to cause him harm?
TERRY
No...Dad didn't have enemies
though. He was a scientist.
BARBARA:
No one at all?
TERRY nods, keeping one arm wrapped around MARY.
BARBARA:
Do you mind just taking a quick
look at the footage, just to see if
anything stands out? It would
really help us.
MARY pulls herself away from TERRY. HER eyes red and puffy.
MARY:
OK.
TERRY turns to MARY, concerned.
TERRY:
(whispering)
You sure?
MARY
(not whispering, resolute)
Yes... I'm sure.
BARBARA reaches into HER jacket pocket and takes out HER
smartphone. BARBARA unfolds the screen.
BARBARA
Just see if you can recognise
anyone, or if anything stands out.
BARBARA presses play.
ON SCREEN:
VIXX slowly walks to WARREN's body. The minigun transforming
as HE walks - stepping over bodies.
VIXX kicks it, waiting to see if WARREN moves. WARREN lays
there - lifeless.
VIXX turns and walks away. HIS transformed face on show.
ON BARBARA:
BARBARA
Do you recognise him?
TERRY shakes his head.
MARY
No... But is that who you think did
it?
BARBARA
Just a person of interest at the
moment...
BARBARA folds HER phone back up, sliding it back into HER
pocket.
BARBARA:
Just a few more questions if you
don't mind?
MARY wipes HER eyes.
MARY:
If you think it will help...
BARBARA:
When was the last time you spoke?
MARY:
...Not since the divorce. He was
just so wrapped up in work...
TERRY:
Yeah... always long hours in the
office, I only ever saw him for a
few minutes on the morning... We
always argued...
TERRY breaks, starting to CRY.
TERRY:
Dad always tried to do the right
thing, I can't think of anyone who
would want to hurt him.
EXT: GOTHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT PRECINCT - DAY.
It's now morning. The've been in the station all night. There
are a few OFFICERS just arriving the first shift of the day,
mingling around outside.
MARY steps out, SHE's holding onto MATT's hand. HE's been
crying. TERRY follows a few steps behind - deep in thought.
THEY head down the steps, into the street.
EXT: GOTHAM STREET - DAY
DANA runs across, cutting through the crowd. SHE grabs TERRY,
pulling HIM into a close embrace.
TERRY:
How did you..?
DANA:
Max told me what happened.
TERRY steps out of the hug - head down - broken...
TERRY:
I don't think they will find who
did it.
DANA:
Lets just worry about you right
now...
TERRY:
It just didn't seem like that they
had anything to go on...
DANA lets go of TERRY and takes his hand - leading HIM
towards the monorail station. MARY and MATT are a little
ahead, making their slow, sombre way towards it.
EXT: GOTHAM STREET - DAY - FURTHER UP THE STREET
MARY and MATT walk slowly towards the monorail station. MARY
tightly holding onto MATT'S hand - not letting go.
MATT
Dad always said that everything
works out well in the end.
MARY lifts MATT up. MARY looks at him lovingly.
MARY:
It will... I promise.
EXT: APARO PARK GRAVEYARD - DAY
It's a small community park. A small group of mourners
gathered around the open grave, all wearing black, sombre
suits/dresses. Including MARY, MATT, DANA and TERRY.
A PRIEST is standing at the head of the grave - blessing the
grave.
PRIEST:
And now, I would like to ask any
members of the family to speak, if
they wish.
TERRY awkwardly coughs.
TERRY:
Can I say something?
PRIEST:
Please do.
The PRIEST steps back..
TERRY carefully lets go of MARY and nervously steps forward.
TERRY keeps hold of DANA'S hand, almost for dear life.
TERRY:
Just wanted to say...Dad wasn't a
superhero. But...He was a good man
just the same.... Even after he and
Mom got divorced.
MARY starts to CRY - small SOBS.
TERRY:
he always tried to do the right
thing. My brother and I were always
provided for, alway helping when I
got in trouble... He tried to teach
me right from wrong. Would have too
if I'd ever listen to him.
The casket slowly starts to lower into the grave.
TERRY:
(His voice chokes)
Going to miss you Dad.
INT: APARO PARK COMMUNITY CENTRE: DAY
Warren's wake has already started, with mourners standing
around the hall. The room is filled with the low MURMUR of
polite conversation.
TERRY enters - working the room. Making HIS way round to
MARY. SHE'S just standing at the back of the room, looking
over the crowd.
MARY:
Warren would have been proud of
what you said.
TERRY:
I hope so.
TERRY turns and looks over the crowd, Looking for anyone that
actually knew HIS Dad.
TERRY
Who came in the end?
MARY
I think most of Warren's work
friends. That's about it though.
TERRY
Yeah... Dad was never good at
making friends.
TERRY and MARY stare across the crowd, both thinking about
WARREN. THEY stay like this for a beat or two.
TERRY glances up, looking at the holograms of WARREN's life
projected across the room.
ON HOLOGRAM:
A young WARREN holding a baby TERRY - making NOISES to keep
BABY TERRY entertained.
BABY TERRY GIGGLES.
ON TERRY:
A small WOEFUL smile creeps across TERRY'S face.
Suddenly TERRY's phone BUZZES, breaking the mournful silence.
TERRY fishes it out of HIS jacket. GLANCING down at the
message. It's from DANA, reads 'Terry, getting harassed by
some jerk. Can you come rescue me?'
TERRY
Mum, hope you don't mind, but Dana
wants some help.
MARY
Go on, it's fine.
INT: APARO PARK COMMUNITY CENTRE: BAR - DAY
It's a classic community bar, a wraparound wooden bar,
surrounded by cheap plastic bar stools. Large TV screens
overhang the bar. Sports BLARING out.
DANA is standing at the bar - in conversation with DEREK
POWERS. SHE's feigning interest. Behind the BARTENDER is busy
making up some drinks.
DEREK:
So... I really can't imagine Warren
spending time with a young thing
like you.
DANA physically RECOILS away from HIM.
DANA:
Yeah... well... I'm just here for
Terry.
DEREK:
Ah... Terry, such a shame losing
your father at that age.
TERRY enters, walking across the bar. Kissing DANA on the
cheek. TERRY turns back to face DEREK.
TERRY:
So who's your new friend?
TERRY extends HIS hand. DEREK shakes it - HARD.
DEREK:
Derek Powers.
TERRY:
Ah... Dad's boss.
DEREK:
Yes... We're going to miss your
father terribly.
TERRY:
Thank you.
TERRY wraps HIS arm around DANA - protecting her.
DEREK:
Now, tell me... Do you need
anything?
TERRY:
I don't accept gifts from
strangers... dad's advice.
DEREK leans forward - leering.
DEREK:
Who's the stranger? Besides your
dad's not around anymore.
TERRY looks down - upset. DANA comforts HIM.
DEREK:
Be smart Terry.
DANA:
We'll pass. Thanks.
DEREK puts HIS hands up - surrendering. Stands to leave.
DEREK:
Just trying to help...
DEREK walks towards the exit.
DEREK:
it's a horrible world out there
after all...
INT: APARO PARK COMMUNITY CENTRE: BAR - MOMENTS LATER
DANA:
God, he was a jerk.
TERRY sits on the stool next to DANA. Facing HER.
TERRY:
Yeah, you don't know the half of
it.
DANA:
What do you mean?
Behind them, SASHA BORDEAUX enters. She has the appearance
and characteristics of an US Marine, muscular and short
cropped black hair. SHE's wearing a black business suit.
TERRY:
Power's reclaimed the flat.
DANA:
Reclaimed, what do you mean?
SASHA makes her way over to the bar. SHE leans against it,
TAPPING her business card against the bar, watching DANA and
TERRY.
TERRY:
It was part of Dad's job...
Terry holds back a SOB.
TERRY:
As 'he's no longer around', we no
longer have it.
DANA wraps her arms round HIM, pulling HIM tight.
DANA:
That's horrible!
SASHA turns, facing DANA and TERRY.
SASHA:
Terry McGinnis?
TERRY turns and looks at HER - HIS eyes RED. HE has no idea
who this person is...
TERRY
(Confused)
Sorry, Do I know you?
SASHA stands and walks over to TERRY.
SASHA
No... No... Sasha Bordeaux, I'm
from the Wayne Foundation.
SASHA holds out her card.
TERRY
OK... What do you want?
SASHA:
We heard about your situation... We
have an outreach program, for
victims of crime that require
financial assistance.
TERRY
So...
SASHA:
We would like help you get your
life back on track, that's all.
SASHA places her card on the bar.
SASHA
Ten minutes of your time...Just
have a think about it.
SASHA stands and walks out. TERRY turns back to DANA.
DANA:
You should go Terry.
TERRY:
I don't need some rich guy's help.
DANA:
In your situation, I'd take any
help I could get...
INT: POWER'S CAR - MOMENTS LATER
Darkness, impossible to see.
The door HISSES open. DEREK POWERS folds HIMSELF into the
car. Looking across at the passenger seat.
DEREK:
Glad that you could join me.
Sitting opposite DEREK is...
HARRY TULLY, handcuffed. VIXX nestling an handgun into
HARRY's gut.
EXT: MEGALIFT - DAY.
It's an vertical subway car, SCREECHING up the side of an
skyscraper.
INT: MEGALIFT - DAY
Imagine a cross between an subway car and an elevator,
holding a hundred PEOPLE. The elevator has narrow windows, we
can barely see the outside world.
TERRY is sat by one of the windows, in the corner of the
Megalift. TERRY is pressed up against the narrow window.
Watching the city fly past.
MEGALIFT ANNOUNCER:
(V.O)
Next stop, Wayne Interchange.
TERRY stirs, stands and makes his way over to the glass
elevator doors.
INT: MEGALIFT - DAY - MOMENTS LATER
TERRY leans against the doors - looking out over Upper
Gotham. It's made up of massive megascrapers. Connected by
sleek walkways, almost like the High Line (NYC).
The view suddenly vanishes as the megalift enters the
interchange, revealing...
INT: WAYNE INTERCHANGE - DAY
A massive lift lobby, steel megalift tubes lined up across
the centre. It's like a major train station, with departure
boards and shops lining the walls.
TERRY steps out of the lift. HE weaves through the heavy
crowd of commuters, following the signs for the Wayne
Foundation.
The CAR SCREECHES to a halt, haphazardly across the alley,
blocking it.
Doors of the CAR swing open. Thugs wearing clown masks and
dirty suits clamber out. These are JOKERZ, criminals inspired
by the Joker.
TERRY:
Oi! What do you think you're doing?
!
One of the JOKERZ turns towards TERRY, reaching into THEIR
pocket.
JOKERZ 1:
Who do you think you're talking to,
man?
TERRY:
Some wannabe Joker...
JOKERZ 1 shoves TERRY to the ground. Pulling out a REVOLVER
and points it at TERRY.
JOKERZ 1:
Get out of here!
TERRY very slowly gets to HIS feet, raising HIS hands.
JOKERZ 1:
Go on, get...
DANA grabs TERRY arms, pulling HIM backwards - up the alley.
HOLDING on with both hands, digging in, DRAGGING him away.
JOKERZ 1 watches... keeping the revolver trained on them as
they walk away.
JOKERZ 1
That's it man... walk away...
EXT: JOKERZ CAR - DAY.
JOKERZ 2 wonders around the car and yanks opens the trunk,
revealing tatty open boxes filled with small bags containing
various amounts of a green powder - all with a scrawled V on
them. This is Venom.
EXT: GOTHAM ALLEY - DAY DONE
TERRY stops, turns - watching, yearning to step in.
DANA pulls at him, begging HIM not to...
DANA:
Terry, Please let's go!
EXT: JOKERZ CAR - DAY.
JOKERZ3 raises THEIR phone to THEIR lips, holding it like a
microphone.
JOKERZ 3:
(Voice coming out of the
car speakers)
Citizens of Gotham, round up!
EXT: GOTHAM ALLEY - DAY
Every JUNKIE in the alley slowly stands and shuffles towards
the car. Almost zombie like...
TERRY stops, watching the JUNKIES stumble THEIR way towards
the JOKERZ.
DANA:
Terry, please don't get involved...
TERRY:
Dana...I have to...
DANA:
Why?!
TERRY pulls himself away from DANA and slowly starts to walk
towards the JOKERZ.
TERRY:
They just get away with it! No one
does anything!...
DANA watches TERRY walk away...
DANA:
(Shouting after him)
They are going to kill you!
EXT: JOKERZ CAR - DAY.
JOKERZ 3 turns, watching TERRY approach...
JOKERZ 3:
(Through the cars speakers)
Guys, look at this, the no-fun boy
came back!
JOKERZ 1 looks up, pointing his revolver at TERRY.
JOKERZ 1:
Stop!
TERRY stops... just inches from the barrel of the gun...
TERRY:
What now?
JOKERZ 1:
Now you do want your nice lady
friend said...
JOKERZ 1 jabs TERRY with the barrel of the revolver.
JOKERZ 1:
And walk away... Or...
JOKERZ 1 aims the revolver at DANA...
JOKERZ 1
I can just blow her away.
TERRY's fists ball up - anger flares...
JOKERZ 1
I mean, you clearly don't listen to
her anyway.
TERRY DIVES for the revolver. THEY GRABBLE over it. TERRY
struggling to pull it away...
...HE SMACKS JOKERZ 1 across the face. JOKERZ1 stumbles back,
hitting the pavement hard, dropping the gun.
TERRY grabs the gun,turns - THROWING it away.
DANA:
(O.S)
Look out!
EXT: JOKERZ CAR - DAY
JOKERZ 1 launches THEMSELVES at TERRY...
TERRY turns at the last minute, JOKERZ 1 punches TERRY across
the face, knocking HIM back...
...TERRY leaps at JOKERZ 1, pinning THEM against the car.
PUNCHING over and over...
...JOKERZ 1 struggles, fighting to break free, throwing
feeble punches...
...JOKERZ 1 stops struggling...
...TERRY lets go, JOKERZ 1 crashes to the ground...
TERRY turns back, looking for DANA.
EXT: GOTHAM ALLEY - DAY - MOMENTS LATER
TERRY turns, seeing the rest of the JOKERZ sprawled across
the alley.
TERRY sighs - weary, raising HIS fists.
The JOKERZ charge!
INT: BOXING GYM -DAY
The same club where TERRY had his fight. It's covered in the
remains of the fight, with bottles and general rubbish strewn
everywhere.
MAX is lounging in the middle of the ring, working away on
HER tablet - working out the profit from the fight.
The door to the Gym swings open, SMACKING the wall behind it.
TERRY limb's in. BRUISED and BATTERED from the fight with the
Jokerz.
MAX JUMPS at the NOISE, looking up - seeing TERRY. SHE runs
across to HIM, concerned at the state of HIM.
MAXINE:
Terry, what happened to you?
TERRY STUMBLES - grabbing MAX. SHE holds on, lowering TERRY
into the nearest chair.
TERRY:
Got into a fight with some
Jokerz...
MAX leaves TERRY, RUNNING across to the ring. SHE reaches
under - pulling out the FIRST AID KIT.
MAX turns back, moving across to TERRY.
MAXINE:
Guessing police had to stop in
again...
MAX sits next to TERRY, the first aid kit on HER lap.
TERRY:
Actually the bouncers from the
Iceberg helped out...
MAX starts to search through the first aid kit - looking for
plasters and antibiotics.
MAXINE:
I'm going to have to tell Dana...
There's no way I can keep patching
you up!
MAX pulls out two spray cans. One a plaster, the other a
antibiotic. MAX sets them aside.
MAXINE:
Right, lean forward.
TERRY leans, showing MAX the cuts on HIS face. MAX gets to
work. Spraying the antibiotic spray across the cuts.
TERRY:
She was there...
MAXINE
She's OK?
TERRY GRIMACES in pain.
TERRY:
Yeah... She's fine... Pissed at me
though...
MAX stops spraying and switches over to the plaster spray.
MAXINE
Not surprised... You need to look
after yourself, otherwise you might
lose her...
MAX sprays the plaster across the wound. It's a foam which
slowly hardens across the cut as MAX sprays it.
MAXINE:
Terry, I keep saying this... but
this is not your fight.
TERRY:
Max... Come on... You've seen the
world outside, we can't sit by and
do nothing... It's getting worse
and worse out there.
MAX angrily throws the cans back into the first aid kit. They
CLANG as they hit the kit. MAX SLAMS the box shut with a loud
SNAP - clearly not the first time TERRY's done this.
MAXINE:
The police can sort this city.
They've done it before!
TERRY:
Yeah...twenty years ago. Ever since
that night when HE disappeared, its
been getting worse.
MAXINE:
What do you mean by HE?... You
don't seriously believe in the
Batman, do you?
TERRY:
Something must have different back
then. Dad said that people could
walk the street and feel safe.
Something needs to happen now...
MAXINE:
You know that's just a legend, even
if it wasn't, he's not coming back.
TERRY:
Yeah well.. Something needs to
happen to this city. It's gone to
hell...
INT: NOONAN'S BAR: NIGHT
It's a classic dive bar. With lit up neon posters being the
only source of light. The bar's full of PEOPLE having a good
time - LOUD MUSIC, the LOW MURMUR of conversation.
WARREN is sat on a stool at the bar, halfway through after
work drinks. One empty beer infront of him. WARREN's drinking
his next one, he's about halfway through.
The door to the bar slides open. WARREN turns towards it,
looking through the crowd for...
HARRY walks in. WARREN stands and sticks his hand up above
the crowd - grabbing HARRY's attention.
HARRY sees it and weaves through the crowd.
INT: NOONAN'S BAR: - MOMENTS LATER
HARRY slides onto the stool next to WARREN.
HARRY:
Glad you could make it.
WARREN:
Yeah, we needed to talk about
today...
The robotic barkeep TRUNDLES over, hereafter known as
ROBOKEEP. ROBOKEEP's has an almost MR Gutsy appearance.
ROBOKEEP:
(Has a stereotypical posh
British voice)
Drink Sir?
HARRY:
Bud please Alfred.
ROBOKEEP:
Yes Sir.
One of ROBOKEEP's arms reaches under the counter, pulls out a
beer. Another arm swings round and opens the bottle.
ROBOKEEP slides it in-front of HARRY.
HARRY leans close to WARREN, making sure that no one can
overhear.
HARRY:
Powers gave you restricted file
access right?
WARREN leans in...
WARREN:
Yeah, for Blight's DNA sequence
why?
HARRY:
So you must have access to Bane and
the Venom files as well?
WARREN
Again... Why?
HARRY
I think the only way to stop Powers
is to expose all of it...
WARREN:
What about us? Do you want to
expose us as well?!
HARRY:
Calm down... Look, Blight's meant
to be for the D.O.D right. If we go
to them then I think they should
protect us.
WARREN:
What about MY family. What do you
think Power's will do to them?!
HARRY sighs...
HARRY:
I know, but do you have any better
ideas?
WARREN stares into HIS glass - thinking. HE downs the drink.
Standing.
WARREN:
No...no... Really can't say that I
do.
WARREN pulls on HIS coat.
WARREN
I'll get the files, then we can
talk...
WARREN heads out, weaving through the crowd to the exit.
EXT: GOTHAM STREET - NIGHT
It's raining heavily. Puddles have formed everywhere. The
puddles reflect back the lights and advertising billboards.
PEOPLE are bustling about, making their way home.
WARREN dashes along - dodging puddles, heading towards the
monorail station at the end of the street.
Behind WARREN, an heavy set MAN steps out of the shadows.
Wearing a black trenchcoat with a hood covering his face. No
way to tell who it is.
The MAN follows WARREN... Rapidly getting closer and closer,
shoving ANYONE in HIS way aside. PEOPLE hit the floor, turn,
stare, point.
EXT: GOTHAM STREET - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
The MAN shoves SOMEONE. SOMEONE falls against the MAN.
Pulling the hood down. REVEALING that it's VIXX stalking
WARREN.
VIXX THROWS THEM to the ground. Looking around for WARREN.
VIXX'S augmented arm TRANSFORMS into a MINIGUN...
Vixx see's WARREN. Raises the minigun. Pointing it at WARREN.
The barrel starts to SPIN... Getting LOUDER and LOUDER!
WARREN glances behind, looking for the source of the noise...
HE sees VIXX - PANICS, turning. Running for HIS life!
HE shoves anyone in HIS way, trying to get through the crowd
- heading for the nearest exit.
VIXX does not move. Keeping WARREN in the sights.
The minigun FIRES, mowing PEOPLE down - collapsing onto the
floor.
WARREN's hit - multiple times. WARREN writhes and collapses
to the ground, face down.
EXT: GOTHAM STREET - NIGHT - LATER
The firing has stopped. All around PEOPLE are lying on the
floor. Slowly bleeding out...
We hear a POLICE SIREN getting closer and closer.
VIXX slowly walks to WARREN's body. The minigun transforming
as HE walks - stepping over bodies.
VIXX kicks it, waiting to see if WARREN moves. WARREN lays
there - lifeless.
VIXX pulls up his hood. A veil drops down over his face,
TRANSFORMING VIXX's facial features as it does so. HE is now
completely unrecognisable, looking like someone else.
VIXX turns and walks away. Straight past a POLICE CAR which
has just SCREECHED to a halt a few metres away.
INT: BOXING GYM.
It has still not been cleaned or tidied up. Covered in
remnants from the fight the night before.
TERRY and NELSON are in the ring - in casual clothes. TERRY's
face is still bruised and battered. NELSON's pristeen, got a
perfect appearance - clearly a rich snob. HE's TERRY'S arch
nemesis in their group of friends.
THEY are sparring, circling each other, looking for a moment
to strike.
MAX casually watches from TERRY's corner.
NELSON:
You know what Terry?
MAX's phone RINGS out, SHE pulls it out of HER pocket. Heads
off to a quiet corner, away from the fight.
TERRY:
I'm sure you're going to to tell
me...
NELSON throws a sloppy punch at TERRY. TERRY ducks under the
swing.
NELSON:
Why is Dana with you? Of all
people, she picks someone who can't
afford their own home...
TERRY moves back, putting some space between them.
NELSON attempts to hit TERRY. TERRY easily avoids it -
getting angrier and angrier.
NELSON
I mean, she must know that you're
going to spend your whole life
paying off your debt to Powers.
TERRY snaps! HE's had enough - throwing PUNCH after PUNCH at
NELSON...
NELSON blocks them, one after the after. SMACKING TERRY
across the face.
TERRY stumbles back.
NELSON:
Don't be surprised if she got a
better offer...
TERRY SUDDENLY turns and throws a heavy punch into NELSON's
gut. NELSON steps back, folded over.
TERRY punches NELSON to the ground.
NELSON cowers as TERRY stands over him - fists raised, ready
to beat NELSON to a pulp.
TERRY:
Don't ever talk about her like that
ever again!
NELSON
OK OK, Jesus!
INT: BOXING GYM - MOMENTS LATER
MAXINE runs over, still on the phone.
MAXINE:
(Panicked)
TERRY!
TERRY turns, leaving NELSON on the floor - not bothering to
help HIM up.
TERRY:
What?!
MAXINE holds out the phone.
MAXINE:
(Concerned)
You need to take this... It's about
Warren.
TERRY ducks under the robes - making his way to MAX.
TERRY:
What happened?
MAXINE:
Terry... Please just speak to your
mother.
TERRY takes the phone from HER - confused about what's going
on.
TERRY:
Mum, What's wrong?
MARY:
(V.O)
Terry... It's Warren... He's...
been shot.
EXT: GOTHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT PRECINCT - NIGHT
The precinct is an old roughed up brownstone building.
Heavily reinforced, ready for a riot.
TERRY CHARGES up the stairs, DIVING through the double doors
into...
snowghoul
turnnoffyourmind
romaincrisis