BATMAN FOREVER

by
Akiva Goldsman
Lee Batchler
Janet Scott Batchler

EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM NIGHT

A castle of shadow. (OVER) RAIN, HOWLING evil wind.
Sudden lightning CRACKS, illuminates the aged structure, the hanging
metal sign.

INT. ASYLUM CORRIDORS NIGHT

DR. BURTON, the Chief Psychiatrist moves down the old hallway, face
tense. He steps through a doorway into...

INT. MAXIMUM SECURITY NIGHT

Security cells. Criminal maniacs sealed behind protective casings.
A GUARD stands before a heavy door.
GUARD
Hell of a night, huh Doc?
BURTON
Hell's in here.
Hydraulics HISS. The cell door unseals.

INT. SECURE ISOLATION CELL

Small. Walls, ceiling, floor, padded. A single window casts the room
in pallid moonlight.
A figure sits in shadow, bound by the wraps and ties of a straight
jacket, gaze fixed out the window.
Lightning flashes, brightening the room. THUNDER CRACKS.
DR. BURTON
Mr. Dent...
No answer. Burton steps closer.
DR. BURTON
Counselor...
Still nothing. Another step.
DR. BURTON
Harvey...
Burton reaches towards the figure.
DR. BURTON
Harvey are you alright...
Burton touches his shoulder. Lightning flashes as...

THE BODY WHIPS around. An orderly, gagged, sits bound to the chair
with bedsheets.
The sheets around the chair have been rigged. Now they yank him up
so he spins frantically from the ceiling fan.
Lightning flashes again, illuminating a madman's scrawled writing on
the wall.

WRITING CLOSE
"The Bat Must Die!"
THUNDER.

EXT. GOTHAM CITY SKYLINE SUNSET FALL

Gothic towers of granite and glass shimmer golden in the late day
sun.
MOVE IN towards the city as an executive helicopter.
CROSSES FRAME. Through the window BRUCE WAYNE, still handsome but a
few lines starting to show, sits watching a seatback video screen.
CONTINUE in over Gotham Harbor towards the skyline as a NEWSCASTER
talks.
NEWSCASTER (OVER)
... And in Gotham City, ex-District Attorney
Harvey Dent escaped from Arkham Asylum for
the Criminally Insane.
CLOSER on a single building, its power generated by a small but
mighty dam below. A glowing sign reads Wayne Enterprises.
NEWSCASTER (OVER)
Dent, once Gotham's leading contender for
Mayor, was horribly scarred during an
indictment hearing over a year ago.
HOLD on a single window. MOVE IN.

INT. BRUCE WAYNE'S OFFICE

Elegant. Oak. A wall monitor runs the same newscast.

INSERT SCREEN
Dent questions a crime boss on the stand. A thug throws a vial of
acid toward Harvey, searing half his face.

NEWSCASTER (OVER)
Dent, whose left-brain was damaged during the
assault, launched a grizzly crime spree
before being captured by The Batman. He is
extremely dangerous. Repeat...

WIDER
Bruce Wayne ENTERS, his Armani suit the only thing fresh about him,
followed by a sudden stream of EXECUTIVES, SECRETARIES, ASSISTANTS
and GOTHAM SOCIETY MATRONS.
EXECUTIVE
The solar generator tests are back.
BRUCE
Uh... great, could you wait a second...
ASSISTANT
The Mayor's office called again.
SOCIETY MATRON
Who are you asking to the circus?
SECRETARY
Five minutes to your inspection.
BRUCE
Stop!
Everybody freezes.
BRUCE
Okay, I want you all to just stand here for
fifteen seconds, okay? Fifteen, everybody got
it?
Folks nod.
BRUCE
Good. Nobody move, now.
And with that, Bruce turns and walks out.
BRUCE
(to himself)
I gotta give myself a raise...

INT. WAYNE ENTERPRISES ELECTRONICS DIVISION TWILIGHT

Endless work-spaces stretching into infinity.
Bruce, a Junior Exec ENTOURAGE trailing, tours an assembly line
where robotic arms weld laser tools.
FRED STICKLEY, a fuss-budget plant manager, leads.

STICKLEY
Your weekly inspections are a departmental
highlight.
BRUCE
Really?
(a warm smile)
You all need to get out more.

CRANE UP
High over the factory floor, across acres of assembly lines and work
stations.

ANGLE DOWN ON:

INT. EDWARD NYGMA'S WORK STATION (CONTINUOUS)
A clutter of computer parts. Paperwork everywhere. Rubik's cubes,
games, dozens of puzzle books all boasting the green suited
caricature of "The Guesser".

MONITOR CLOSE
A crossword puzzle.
Features reflect over the acrostic. The two images resolve into one;
the face itself is a puzzle.

REVERSE ANGLE
EDWARD NYGMA, awkward, brilliant and feverishly anxious stares up at
the screen, TALKING to himself.
EDWARD
We'll probably go to the house for dinner.
Yes. Yes. Maybe he'll throw a little party in
my honor.
Suddenly Edward BANGS his head against the desktop. Hard. A brief
window on the inner Edward, all insecurity and self loathing.
EDWARD
Idiot! Should have rented a tuxedo.
(suddenly calm)
Relax. I'm sure Wayne manor has extra. After
all, we're almost the same size.
The opposing wall is a shrine to Bruce Wayne: Newspaper headlines, a
GQ cover, magazine photos.
Approaching COMMOTION.
EDWARD
Oh my God. It's him.

INT. WAYNE ENTERPRISES BREAK AREA

Workers greet the boss. Bruce is friendly, welcoming, Edward appears
on the edge of the group.
Stickley spots Edward. A cloud crosses his face.
STICKLEY
Well, Mr. Wayne, on to R&D?
Stickley rests his hand on Wayne's elbow. Begins to steer him away.
Not in time.
Edward steps forward. A man so uncomfortable, his very skin seems to
be a costume. He marches right up to Wayne, takes his hand, fawning,
the burning eyes of a sycophant.
BRUCE
Mr...?
EDWARD
Bruce Wayne. In the flesh.
BRUCE
(easy going)
Um...I'm pretty sure I'm Bruce Wayne. And you
are?
EDWARD
Nygma. Edward Nygma. You hired me.
Personally. Just like I tell everyone.
(sotto voce)
Well, we've never actually met, but your name
was on the hire slip.
He still hasn't let go of Bruce's hand.
BRUCE
I'm gonna need that hand back, Ed.
EDWARD
What? Ah yes. Of course. I'm sorry. It's just
that...you're my idol.
(off Stickley)
And some people have been trying to keep us
apart.
BRUCE
Mr. Nygma, you'll forgive me for being rude.
But what exactly is on your mind?
EDWARD
Precisely. What's on all our minds?
Brainwaves. The future of Wayne Enterprises
is Brainwaves! It's hard to imagine anyone
more awkward. The effect is painful. Folks
stare, mouths wide.

STICKLEY
(sotto voce)
I really do apologize, Mr. Wayne. His project
was terminated this morning...
EDWARD
(ignoring Stickley)
Let me ask you something, Bruce. What is
man's greatest tool?
A few of the WOMEN SNICKER. For a second, Edward's face twitches, a
crack in the facade.
EDWARD
Man's greatest tool is... The mind.
Edward gestures to his cubicle. A rat's nest cluttered with
components of his Rube Goldberg-like invention.
EDWARD
Voila. While holographically enhancing any TV
picture, my invention connects directly to
the viewer's brain, puts the audience inside
the show. Think of the entertainment problems
we can solve.
STICKLEY
I can think of a couple problems that need
solving right here.
A few more folks CHUCKLE. Edward looks around. Another ripple of
anxiety, another quick recovery.
EDWARD
Why be brutalized by an uncaring world? My
RES Box will give Joe Q Public a realm where
he is king.
(sultry)
Not that someone like you would need it.
Someone so intelligent. Witty. Charming. But
for the lonely, the...
STICKLEY
Paranoid? The psychotic?
EDWARD
(didn't miss it)
... The Box can change their lives.
(looking around)
Our stock coupons will spike.
Edward turns, actually CLAPS Stickley on the back.
EDWARD
Hell. Might even bring old Stickley here a
few extra bucks. Huh, Fred?
STICKLEY
Fred?

Bruce takes off his glasses, rubs his eyes in vague disbelief,
cleans the lenses.
EDWARD
Wayne Enterprises will spearhead an
entertainment revolution.
Edward removes his glasses, cleans them in exactly the same manner
as Bruce.
EDWARD
I just need a bit of additional funding. For
human trials. Let me show you...
Bruce seems about to speak when suddenly --

THE BATSIGNAL
Beams bright against the night clouds over Gotham City.
BRUCE
(time to move)
Maybe some other time...
EDWARD
I want you to know, we'll be full partners in
this, Bruce.
(waxing rhapsodic)
What talks we'll have, late into the night.
Now, I'm not used to business travel, so go
easy on me. As for recognition, I'm sure
after a time I'll get used to it.
(a beat)
Look at us. Two of a kind.
Edward is suddenly aware of dozens of co-workers all around him,
SNICKERING and WHISPERING.
EDWARD
Bruce...?
Bruce's eyes dart again toward the Batsignal.
BRUCE
Call my secretary, she'll set something up.
(turning)
Factory looks great, folks. Keep up the good
work.
EDWARD
(desperate)
Wait. You can't go.
BRUCE
We'll talk some other -EDWARD
(sudden rage)
No. Don't leave me! My invention! I need you!

Edward has grabbed Bruce's arm. The room goes dead quiet. Bruce's
eyes narrow. Then he dislodges gently.
BRUCE
I'm sorry, Edward. Just feels a bit like mind
manipulation. It raises too many question
marks.
Bruce heads off.
STICKLEY
Alright everyone, back to work.
(to Edward)
We'll discuss this later.
Edward stares after Bruce.
EDWARD
You were supposed to understand.
HOLD on this tiny man, all alone in the labyrinthine work-place,
eyes darkening now with growing obsession.
EDWARD
I'll make you understand.

INT. BRUCE WAYNE's PRIVATE OFFICE

Bruce ENTERS.
BRUCE
Lock.

THE DOOR CLOSE

LOCKS. Bruce falls into a leather chair.
BRUCE
Capsule.
Suddenly the chair seat drops, fast, sliding into a transport
capsule.

INT. TRANSPORT TUNNEL

The capsule shoots through the underground tunnel, lights WHIPPING
past at near super-sonic speed.

INT. CAPSULE
Speed and time readouts appear on the windscreen beside the craggy
face of ALFRED PENNYWORTH.
BRUCE
Alfred...

ALFRED
I saw the signal, is. All is ready.

INT. BAT CAVE COSTUME VAULT

Alfred watches the capsule arrive.

QUICK CUTS
Of glove, boot, and cape being donned.

INT. BATCAVE
FOLLOW Batman's feet as he steps up to the Batmobile.
ALFRED
I suppose I couldn't convince you to take
along a sandwich.
Batman jumps into the Batmobile.
BRUCE
(to Alfred)
I'll get drive-thru.
(to the car)
Go...
The car shoots a whitish-blue light from under it's belly. Hub Caps
and detailing glow as The Batmobile zooms out of the cave.

INT. CAVE ACCESS TUBE

The car SHOOTS through a series of underground arches.
The car picks up speed, the blue-white fusion drive going blue, then
purple, then red. The single bat wing splits into two as the car
becomes a stealth bullet.

EXT. WAYNE ESTATE NIGHT

The dark car WHIPS through a holograph of trees that masks the
entrance to the Batcave, SCREECHING onto...

EXT. FOREST ROADS NIGHT

The car speeds towards Gotham.

ANGLE OUTSIDE THE WINDOW ON

The Batsignal, cutting the darkness.

PULL BACK TO REVEAL:

INT. SECOND BANK OF GOTHAM 22ND FLOOR NIGHT

A worried THUG peers at the Batsignal out the skyscraper window.
Across a narrow abyss stands a skyscraper under construction, all
girders and scaffolding.
In foreground, a spinning silver dollar flips up into frame,
blocking out the Batsignal.
THUG #1
Bat should show any minute, Face.
A HAND catches the coin, flips it again.

WIDER
Witness the rakishly handsome profile of HARVEY TWO-FACE DENT, the
other side of his face hidden in shadow.
TWO-FACE
You. Sport. Any thoughts? Counting on Batass
to rescue you?

PULL BACK TO REVEAL:

A SECURITY GUARD, laying on the floor, wrists and feet bound,
trembling with fear.
TWO-FACE
We sure are.
GUARD
... You gonna kill me?
TWO-FACE
Might. Might not. Could say we're of two
minds on the subject.
GUARD
I got family... Please.
TWO-FACE
What say we flip for it?
Two-Face shoves the silver dollar under the Guard's nose. One side
shines in mint condition.
TWO-FACE
What could be fairer than the random toss of
an honest coin? Life...
The other side bears deep, disfiguring burns.
TWO-FACE
... or death.
GUARD
Please. I swear I won't say noth --

TWO-FACE
The coin wants to decide.
Two-Face flips. The coin spins, gleaming, lands on the floor only
inches from the Guard's face.
Two-Face STOMPS the coin. Winks at the sweating Guard.
TWO-FACE
Exhilarating, isn't it? The suspense? Sudden
death or a new lease on life? Really makes a
man live in the moment.
Two-Face removes his foot. Unblemished side up.
TWO-FACE
You're in luck. You get to live to whimper
another day.
The Guard SOBS with relief. Harvey's Thugs GRUMBLE.
Two-Face folds his jacket into a pillow, places it under the Guard's
head, now the nicest crook in the world.
TWO-FACE
That floor has got to be very hard. Is that
better?
GUARD
Uh, yeah. Thanks, Mr..uh...Face.
TWO-FACE
Just call us Harvey. Can we get you a
sandwich? A soft drink? Given all the trouble
we caused you, how about we cut you in for a
share of tonight's haul?
THUG #2
Face! For cryin' out loud! You're not gonna
pay him -Two-Face turns on Thug #2 with a vengeance, shooting out a hand that
pins the fellow's throat to the wall.
TWO-FACE
Did we ask your opinion? The coin has
rendered its verdict. This man has a family
to take care of. You have a problem with
that?
We now see for the first time the LEFT HALF OF HIS FACE: Hideously
repulsive, an acid eaten mutilation of flesh.
THUG #2
Oh no, Face. Anything you say.

EXT. PAN-ASIA TOWN STREET NIGHT

Sweeping spots. Swat teams. Police wagons.
COMMISIONER GORDON, 50s, a man who's seen enough pain for a
lifetime, stands in his trademark trenchcoat, lighting a cigarette.
Beside him stands a beautiful, professionally dressed young woman.
DR. CHASE MERIDIAN.

HIGH ABOVE
The Batmobile SCREECHES to a stop on a pedestrian bridge.
The BATSIGNAL is suddenly obscured, flows for a moment into the
shape of Batman's cape as the Dark Knight leaps down past the
spotlight, lands face to face with Chase.
CHASE
Hot entrance.
Batman turns, all business as he speaks to Gordon.
BATMAN
Two-Face?
GORDON
Two guards dead. He's holding the third
hostage. Didn't see this one coming.
CHASE
We should have, though.
The men turn to face her.
CHASE
Two million dollars waiting to be transferred
from the Second Bank of Gotham on the 22nd
How could Harvey? Two-Face resist?
BATMAN
And you are?
GORDON
Batman, I'd like you to meet -CHASE
(offering her hand)
Chase Meridian
GORDON
I asked Dr. Meridian to come to Gotham to
consult on this case. She specializes...
BATMAN
... dual personalities. Abnormal psychology.
Washington's poster child for the criminally
insane. I read your work.

CHASE
I'm flattered. Not every girl makes a superhero's night table. You might have some
interesting insights into Two-Face.
BATMAN
Why's that?
CHASE
Let's just say I could write a hell of a
paper on a grown man who dresses like a
flying rodent.
BATMAN
Bats aren't rodents, Dr. Meridian.
CHASE
I didn't know that. See? You are interesting.
And call me Chase. By the way, do you have a
first name? Or do I just call you bats?
GORDON
May I remind you two we have a psychopathic
murderer on the loose here?
A titanic BOOM rocks the night.
SEARCHLIGHTS race up the skeletal skyscraper to REVEAL...
A giant CRANE and WRECKING BALL. The wrecking ball SMASHES again
into the bank building.

INT. BANK OF GOTHAM NIGHT

The already crumbling wall behind Two-Face EXPLODES. Two-Face checks
his watch, unfazed, as the giant wrecking ball CRASHES into the room
within inches of the villain.
TWO-FACE
Right on schedule.
Two-Face's men scramble to the hole, attach chains to...

EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)

... an even thicker chain dangling 30 stories from the roof of the
construction site.
FOLLOW THE CHAIN UP as it yanks tight, revealing...
A BLACKHAWK HELICOPTER already atop the construction site, perched
on steel beams. REVVING its mighty rotors.
A giant winch aboard the Blackhawk starts to haul the safe chain
over pulleys up into a cargo hatch.

INT. SECOND BANK OF GOTHAM 22ND FLOOR NIGHT

Thug #1 stares out the window.
THUG #1
The Bat's taking the bait! What now?
Harvey flips the coin.

FOLLOW THE COIN

As Two-Face snatches it from mid-air, slaps it on his wrist. Bad
side up.

ANGLE ON:
Two-Face's left side. Scarred, gloating evil.
TWO-FACE
At last, The Bat dies!
The chains suddenly yank the safe towards the hole in the wall. Thug
2 gestures to the Guard on the floor.
THUG #2
What about him?
TWO-FACE
Kill him too.
Thug #2, grinning, draws a GUN from his waistband.
GUARD
Wait! You said you'd let me go!
TWO-FACE
Never heard of a double-cross?
A DING from the elevators.
The Thugs and Harvey all whirl, machine guns coming up, open FIRE,
armor piercing bullets punching holes in the metal doors, shredding
anyone inside.
The GUARD lays bound on the floor. Suddenly a clamp-ended bat-cable
drops from above. With a tiny CLICK, the smart-clamp hooks onto the
Guard's wrist bindings.

ELEVATORS
Harvey and Thugs empty magazines. Re-load.
TWO-FACE
Come on in, the water's fine.
All stand watching as the now perforated elevator doors slide,
jerking, open to reveal...an empty elevator.

The skylight overhead EXPLODES and, in a rain of glass, Batman drops

to the floor on a Batrope.

THE GUARD
... is apparently attached to the Batrope's other end because, as
the Caped Crusader comes down, the Guard shoots up, hoisted fast to
the safe rooftop above.

FIRE DOORS
BLOW open. TWO SWAT TEAMS burst in, armed for bear.
SWAT LEADER
Police! Freeze!
TWO-FACE
Not the guest list we had in mind. Boys, the
party's over.
Two-Face drops a SMOKE GRENADE. Then he leaps directly out the hole
in the wall. His Thugs take off after him.

EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)

The Thugs come leaping through the hole, using the now rising safe
as a springboard to close the windy gap, roll to safety on the
construction site next door. They scatter, begin scaling various
beams and girders.

INT. BANK
Swat Teams race through the smoke in close pursuit, come up short at
the edge of the urban precipice. The safe has risen too high, now,
to serve as a springboard, so the cops drop, begin FIRING across the
gap. Suddenly...
A DARK WING explodes out of the smoke behind them, flying across the
abyss.

INT. CONSTRUCTION SIGHT

A Thug fires at the figure hurling towards him. Batman lands on the
Thug's chest, smashing him to the floor.
Suddenly, from above, BULLETS CRACK off the girders beside the Caped
Crusader's head.

REVERSE ANGLE
Two-Face glides upward, riding the wrecking ball as it overtakes the
safe, shooting down at Batman.
Batman starts scaling the scaffolding after Two-Face.

He's climbing fast but Harvey has too great a lead.

BATMAN POV
A motorized gantry is carrying one of the Thugs up to the roof.
Batman FIRES a Batarang. The bat-shaped clamp bites into the wooden
base of the rising gantry.
He toggles the launcher into winch mode, is hoisted fast towards the
rising gantry above.

ON THE GANTRY
The riding Thug leans down, sees the rising shadow, grabs the
Batrope in both hands and flips over the gantry.

ON THE BATROPE
The Thug slides fast down to kicking range, draws back his boot to
dispatch Batman.
Batman hits a switch on his launcher, increasing the winch speed,
shooting him higher, faster. He grabs the Thug's foot in his hand,
shoves him up so his head CRACKS against the bottom of the gantry.
Batman swings the unconscious Thug onto a hanging construction hook,
leaving him dangling in mid-air by his nose ring, hoists himself up
onto...

THE GANTRY
From the scaffolding above, a Thug drops to one end of the gantry,
nun-chucks spinning madly.
Behind Batman, another Thug drops INTO FRAME, drawing a machine
pistol.
Batman reaches forward, grabs the Thug's spinning nun-chuck,
stunning his face with the wooden sticks. In a single move, Batman
spins and lets the weapon fly into the pistoled assailant, knocking
him flat.

BATMAN POV
Two-Face has reached the chopper.

INT. HELICOPTER NIGHT

Two-Face climbs into the chopper's cargo bay.
TWO-FACE
(to the pilot)
Let's fly.

EXT. GANTRY NIGHT

Batman sees the helicopter start to rise, pulling the safe overhead
along with it.
Batman jumps, drops through the abyss between the two buildings,
landing on...

A HIGH TENSION WIRE CLOSE

The wire bends like a bow, shooting Batman like an arrow straight
into the air.
Batman grabs the rising chain, slides down it's links so he is
standing atop the safe.
He FIRES a Batarang into the bank wall, making an anchor, attaches
the Bat-cable to the hitch atop the safe.

INT. HELICOPTER NIGHT

The chopper is straining against Batman's bank-embedded tether. TwoFace looks down in fury.
TWO-FACE
The man is taking his job much too seriously.

EXT. TOP OF SAFE NIGHT

Batman palms a compartment on his utility belt and a small delivery
mechanism SNAPS a tiny acetylene torch into his gloved hand.
A BLUE FLAME ignites. Batman starts to cut the chains.

EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE NIGHT

Batman's torch slices the last link. Batman reaches up and grabs the
winch chain, is jerked suddenly upward with the now un-tethered
chopper as...

THE SAFE
Now freed, swings like a pendulum on it's anchor line, arcing
straight for the hole in the bank wall from which it was originally
drawn.

INT. BANK BUILDING

The safe comes flying through the hole, sliding across the floor and
SLAMMING back into place before the bewildered faces of the SWAT
team.

INT. HELICOPTER NIGHT

Two-Face stares out the side of the chopper.
TWO-FACE
That was our money.
Two-Face grabs the controls from the pilot.
TWO-FACE
He wants to play. Fine, let's play.
Two-Face pulls back on the throttle, the chopper shooting straight
up into the sky like a rocket.

EXT. GOTHAM SKY NIGHT

Batman hangs from the chain, trailing the chopper, a wing of shadowy
quicksilver disappearing into the night.

EXT. ARKHAM SQUARE NIGHT ESTABLISHING

Gotham's Times Square. Tall. Narrow. The crawl of bumper-to-bumper
traffic. Glutted with neon signs and giant animated billboards.
The helicopter ROARS into view. Batman hangs on for dear life as the
city rushes past.

A SERIES OF SHOTS
As street folks look up in wonder.

SIGN CLOSE
For Ginsu Knives. A couple of giant hands make fast work of a steak
on a smoking barbecue.
The chopper swings Batman through the ad, falling blades just
missing him, dragging him through the thick smoke.
The chopper swings across the square, heading for...

ANOTHER SIGN CLOSE

This time a tremendous set of clacking teeth turn yellow to white
each time the cap lifts off of a giant tube of toothpaste.
The chopper barrels straight for the opening mouth.
At the last moment the chopper banks, whipping the dangling Batman
inside the mouth.
The mouth closes on the Caped Crusader.

The chopper pulls away, the chain pulling like floss through the
closed teeth.

INT. MOUTH
Batman, still clutching the chain, is flying towards the barricade
of closed teeth.

EXT. ARKHAM SQUARE MOUTH SIGN

Batman SMASHES through the two front teeth.

BATMAN CLOSE
His face suddenly bathed in an ever brightening yellow glow.

INT. CHOPPER
TWO-FACE'S POV THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD
Dead ahead, another sign. This one is essentially a giant neon sun,
the Wayne Tech logo burning bright yellows and reds over the message
Solar: The Power of the Future.
Harvey GUNS the chopper's engines.
PILOT
Face!!!

EXT. GOTHAM SKY

The chopper BLOWS straight through the nova, neon EXPLODING like
stars in all directions.

INT. HELICOPTER
As the Pilot, in the background regains control of the chopper,
Harvey walks to the hold, looks down through the hatch at the
dangling chain below. No Batman.
TWO-FACE
Ah, to finally be rid of that pointy eared,
steroid eating, rubber suited, cross
dressing, night rat...

THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD

A familiar blue cape falls down over the plexi-glass.
PILOT
Uh... boss...
Harvey spins, draws his machine pistol.

PILOT
No!
Too late. Harvey SPRAYS wildly, blowing holes in the windshield and
Pilot as well.

EXT. HELICOPTER
The cape slips off the windscreen.

INT. HELICOPTER
The chopper dives. Two-Face staggers towards the pilot's chair. He
rests free the corpse, regains control.
A FIST SMASHES through the side window into Harvey's jaw.
BATMAN
Harvey, you need help. Give it up.

EXT. HELICOPTER
Batman stands on one of the struts, begins trying to climb into the
open side of the speeding bird.
TWO-FACE
Words of wisdom from our ex-friend?
Harvey SLAMS Batman's face with his foot. He goes down.
TWO-FACE
Mano a Mano a Bato.
Batman pulls himself back up. Grabs Harvey's foot. Flips him to the
floor. Drags him half way out of the bird.
BATMAN
Surrender.
TWO-FACE
Ever been to Arkham, Batman? You'd feel right
at home. You took a year of my life. So I'm
here to pay you back. There's only one way
out of this waltz. One of us dies.
BATMAN
I won't kill you, Harvey.
Batman gets Harvey by the throat.
TWO-FACE
Batman doesn't kill? Bullshit.
(epiphinous)
You're a killer too.
Somehow Harvey's words seem to shake Batman a beat. It's all the
distraction Harvey needs. He SMASHES Batman across the face.

Batman slips, falls out of sight.

WINDSHIELD CLOSE
Lady Gotham is coming up fast.

EXT. HELICOPTER
Batman hangs by one hand from the support strut, the bird hurling
towards the giant statue.

INT. HELICOPTER
Harvey locks "The Club" onto the controls, fixing the chopper on
it's deadly course.
Batman hoists himself into the chopper through the open side in time
to see Harvey standing over the cargo hatch.
TWO-FACE
Goodbye old pal.
With that Harvey leaps through the cargo hatch.
Batman stares frozen in disbelief as Two-Face plummets to the dark
water below.
Then a sudden flurry of expanding color caught in Lady Gotham's
lighthouse beam, and a parachute opens over Two-Face, unfolding into
a giant Yin-Yang.

BATMAN POV
The windshield SHATTERS into the statue.

EXT. HELICOPTER LADY GOTHAM NIGHT

The helicopter EXPLODES into the left side of Lady Gotham's face. A
tremendous fireball splits the night.

EXT. GOTHAM SKY NIGHT

Batman is falling. Still. Eyes closed. Maybe dead.
FLASHES OF A SCREAM. Two SHOTS. A pair of roses hit pavement.
A BOY runs through a storm, a book clutched in his hands.
A FALL down a narrow stone chute, into a cave.
A BAT, huge, evil, SCREECHING.
TWO-FACE'S WORDS (OVER) "YOU'RE A KILLER TOO."

BATMAN FALLING CLOSE

Batman plummets towards the water. His eyes open.

EXT. GOTHAM HARBOR (CONTINUOUS)

Batman SPLASHES into the harbor. Dark. Still.
Then, a familiar cowl breaks the surface, GASPING for breath. Batman
stares up at the sky.

PAN UP
Lady Gotham's one beautiful face now burns the night.

INT. WAYNE ENTERPRISES NIGHT

Dark, save the light from a single cubicle.

INT. EDWARD'S WORK STATION NIGHT

Edward sits hunched over his desk, working on his invention. Sweat
beads his brow, lips MUMBLING furiously.
EDWARD
(obsessive repetition)
Too many questions. Too many questions.
Edward glances up at the picture of Bruce Wayne.
EDWARD
I'll show you it works.
STICKLEY (O.S.)
What the hell is going on here?
Stickley stands before Edward's cubicle. Not happy.
STICKLEY
Your project is terminated. I'm calling
security.
Stickley turns to go. Mistake. Edward CRACKS Stickley on the head
with a coffee pot. Down he goes.
EDWARD
Caffine'll kill you.

INT. EDWARD'S CUBICLE MINUTES LATER

Stickley awakens to find himself strapped in a swivel chair. Edward
is placing an elaborate computerized headband over Stickley's head.
(OVER) a small TV hooked into Edward's contraption runs a fishing
show.

EDWARD
This won't hurt a bit.
(musing)
At least I don't think it will.
Edward reaches for a small transceiver fused to the TV.
STICKLEY
Goddamnit, you press that button and -Too late. A green beam explodes from the TV screen, engulfing
Stickley.

IN THE BEAM
A small holographic representation of the fisherman reeling in a
prize bass.

STICKLEY POV
As far as Fred is concerned he's on the shore, the fisherman's catch
flapping in his face.
The TV signals begin to waver and tremble.
EDWARD
Loosing resolution. More power.
He increases the power toggle. BACKFIRE. A sudden white light shoots
back into the TV and up, surrounding Ed.

STICKLEY CLOSE
His eyes dull, glaze over.

EDWARD CLOSE
The effect on him seems to be quite the opposite. Invigorating,
sexual.
The BEAM-FLARES. A tiny nova. Overload. Both men SCREAM.
All light vanishes.

EDWARD CLOSE
His face buried in his hands.
Edward peers up from his hands.
Look into his eyes. One thing is sure. Edward Nygma has gone power
mad, totally insane.

EDWARD
(game show host)
Fred Stickley. Come on down. You're the next
contestant on I Want Your Brain.
(Wayne-like)
Nygma your machine has unexpected side
effects. A feed back loop has caused your
brain to absorb Stickley's neural energy.
(hyper)
Stickley, I've had a break-through! And a
breakdown? Maybe. Nevertheless. I'm smarter.
Hell, I'm a genius. More than a genius.
Several geniuses. Genae. Genie.
Ed rises, BABBLES a dazed Fred's lips with his finger.
EDWARD
(short order cook)
Yo. Charlie. Gimmie an order of brain deepfry. Extra well done. Hold the neurons.
(a scientist)
Patient exhibits symptoms of psycho neural
overload. Notation: Obviously higher settings
can be dangerous to the subject.
(pacing)
Riddle me this, Fred. What is everything to
someone and nothing to everyone else? Your
mind of course. And now mine pumps with the
power of yours.
(urban)
New from Brain-bok. Da pump. Think faster.
Reason higher. Out-cog-nate every homey on
the court of life. Da pump. Yeah.
(Shakespearian)
Ho! Mark. I sense an odd penchant for the
anagramatic. The acrostic. The
cryptographic. What doth this bode? Answer me
Marcutio, you little runt.
(gourmet)
Fred, I must confess you were a wonderful
appetizer. Simply divine. But now I yearn for
a meal of substance. The main course. A wide
and varied palette. Ah, to taste the mind of
a hero. A nobleman. A poet.
(Groucho)
A chick in a short skirt wouldn't be so bad
either.
STICKLEY
... Fired... your fired... your fired. You
understand?! Fired!!
EDWARD
I don't think so.
Edward savagely sends Stickley careening across the slick floor
still strapped to the swivel chair.
Stickley heads straight for the huge round window.

Edward seems like he has regrets as he dashes after Stickley. The

chair...

SMASHES THROUGH THE ROUND WINDOW

It teeters on the edge of the building, dam and RUSHING water below.
Stickley is being held on the precipice by the long wire attached to
his headband. It is really only this that Edward came to save.

EDWARD
Fred. Babe. You are fired. Or should I say Terminated!
He yanks the invention from Stickley's head and he crashes below to
certain death. Ed races back to...

EDWARD'S CUBICLE
EDWARD
Question marks, Mr. Wayne?
He stands staring at the picture of Bruce Wayne.
EDWARD
My work raises too many question marks?
In a frenzy, Edward begins tearing up the magazines lying on his
desk, ripping out individual words, pasting them quickly onto a
blank piece of paper.
EDWARD
Two years. 3.5762 percent of my estimated
lifespan toiling for your greater glory and
profit.
He SMASHES the framed GQ cover of Bruce on the floor.
EDWARD
Well, let me ask you some questions, Mr.
Smarter Than Thou. Why are you so debonair?
Successful? Richer than God? Why should you
have it all and not me? Yes, you're right,
there are too many questions, Bruce Wayne.
Edward STOMPS on the picture, pulverizing the glass.
EDWARD
Like why hasn't anybody put you in your
place? And it's time you came up with some
answers. Starting right now!

A SERIES OF IMAGES
(OVER) A SCREAM. SHOTS. Roses fall to the pavement.

A YOUNG BOY stands staring into a parlor where two coffins rest.
Thomas and Martha Wayne. Dead leaves whip through the hallway.
SMALL HANDS touch a leather bound book. Suddenly the pages are
splattered with blood. Wind blows out two flickering candles.
The Boy runs through a dark, stormy night, the book clutched in his
hands. He slips. A sinkhole.
A FALL down a narrow chute. The boy lands in a dark cave.
A GIANT MONARCH BAT, fangs bared, SCREECHES towards us.
TWO-FACE (V.O.)
You're a killer too.

INT. WAYNE MANOR BRUCE'S BEDROOM MORNING

In his bed, Bruce wakes, trying to blink away the images. Alfred
draws the curtains, welcoming rich autumn sun.
ALFRED
The dreams again, sir?
BRUCE
I think they're getting worse.
ALFRED
It's a wonder you sleep at all.
As Bruce sits up, Alfred notices a fresh set of bruises.
ALFRED
What a marvelous shade of purple.
Bruce shoots him a look.
ALFRED
Really, sir, if you insist on trying to get
yourself killed each night.
Alfred picks up Bruce's carelessly-tossed Batsuit from the floor.
Ripped, dented, punctured.
ALFRED
... Would it be a terrible imposition to ask
you to take better care of your equipment?
BRUCE
Then you'd have nothing to complain about.
ALFRED
Hardly a worry, sir.
Alfred brings a robe, holds it out for Bruce.
ALFRED
Commissioner Gordon phoned. There's been an
accident at Wayne Enterprises.

INT. WAYNE ENTERPRISES MORNING

As the window is replaced in b.g., Edward Nygma stands SOBBING
before the head of personnel. With augmented brain power apparently
comes augmented acting talent.
EDWARD
(inconsolable)
Why? Oh, why? I can't believe it. Two years.
Working in the same office. Shoulder to
shoulder, cheek to cheek. We're talking face,
by the way, and then this.
(handing her a note)
I found this in my cubicle. You'll find the
handwriting matches his exactly as does
sentence structure and spelling.
(suddenly sobbing again)
I couldn't possibly continue on here. The
memories. I'll just get my things.

ANOTHER ANGLE
Edward slips out a side door, quickly avoiding Bruce and Gordon as
they walk towards Bruce's office.
GORDON
We've questioned everyone who worked on the
floor. Computer records show no one going in
or out after Stickley.
BRUCE
Computer records can be forged. I'll have my
people pull up -A cop hands Gordon the forged note.
GORDON
Suicide. With all due respect, leave the
police work to us. We'll be in touch.
As the Commissioner exits, Bruce heads into his office, followed by
his secretary, MARGARET.

INT. BRUCE'S OFFICE (CONTINUOUS)

MARGARET
The society matrons of Gotham have called a
record thirty-two times. Not to mention the
press. I think that if they don't know soon
who you plan to take to the charity circus,
the world will most surely come to an end.
Bruce notices an envelope on his desk.
BRUCE
What's this?

MARGARET
I don't know. I didn't see anyone...
BRUCE
No postmark. No stamp.
Bruce opens the envelope.

LETTER CLOSE
A photo of Bruce. Below: letters cut from newspapers and magazines
read:
"(RIDDLE#1) (to be written)
signed The Riddler"
Bruce raises an eyebrow.
BRUCE
The Riddler? Why can't anyone in this town
have a normal name?
Phone RINGS. Bruce hits a switch and a desk video-phone lights into
life. Alfred.
ALFRED
Channel 12, sir.
Bruce presses a button and Alfred's image shrinks to a small box in
the corner, superimposed atop a TV picture.

ON SCREEN
A talk show in progress. A radiant black host: VONDELLE MILLIONS
talks to a panel of experts.
VONDELLE
... joined us, we're talking about the
mutilation of Lady Gotham, caused late last
night by Batman...
BRUCE
Excuse me?!
VONDELLE
... will take up to nine months to repair.
Today's topic: Batman-crime-fighter or
criminal?
BATMAN
How 'bout Two-Face? Anyone here heard of him?
The shot WIDENS to reveal the panel.

ON SCREEN
Our first expert: DR. JANISLAUS ROYCE.
ROYCE
Batman is a major cause of crime in Gotham.
So-called super-villains seek him out hoping
to prove themselves in violent conflict.
Batman does not deter crime, he invites it.
VONDELLE
I'm sure our audience objects to your gender
bias. Batperson.
The second expert PIPES in, DR. DAVID AIMS.
AIMS
What is the Dark Knight's credo? Batman does
not kill? What of those slain during his
fight with Jack Napier aka Joker? Or in his
Christmas conflict with the orphan Cobblepot?
Batman belongs behind bars, not his morally
disadvantaged victims.
CHASE (O.S.)
Bull (bleep)!

WIDER
Chase sits at the end of the panel.
VONDELLE
What did you say?
CHASE
Which part of the word didn't you understand?
Watching, Bruce sits a little straighter, more hopeful.
BRUCE
I could like this woman.
CHASE
Batman is a reaction to the crime in this
city, not a creator of it! Without him many
more would be dead. Batman is a true hero...
VONDELLE
Hey, Doc, got the hots for Batman?
HOOTS and HOLLERS from the audience.

CHASE CLOSE
Busted.

ON SCREEN
A graphic: "BATMAN: CRIMEFIGHTER OR CRIMINAL?"
VONDELLE
What do you think? Call us at...
A HAND reaches up and SNAPS off the TV. The screen goes black to
reveal a reflection in the glass: Two-Face.

PULL BACK TO REVEAL:

INT. TWO-FACE'S HIDEOUT DAY
Two-Face turns away, disgusted.
TWO-FACE
Batman, Batman, Batman. God, we want that
man's blood on our hands.

WIDER
LEATHER sits to one side of Harvey. Ruby lipstick, tight leather
outfit, a choker o spikes, razor blade earrings, stroking a muzzled
black doberman.
LEATHER
Oh you are most obscene, my frightful
grotesque.
Another set of arms entwine Two-Face.
LACE, a submissive blonde in Victoria's Secret's lacy best nuzzles
his good side, pets a white kitten.
LACE
Don't listen to her. You're every girl's
dream.
LEATHER
Waste Dorothy and Toto here, you and me can
get down to business.
Harvey SLAPS Leather, hard.
LEATHER
Harder, baby. Hit me again.
TWO-FACE
No.
LEATHER
(hotter still)
Sadist.
He turns now to Lace, caresses her face gently.

WIDEN TO REVEAL
Two-Face's hideaway, divided straight down the middle. Lace's half
is all light and order. Leather's domain looks like an S&M club.
TWO-FACE
Too many bats to fry to think about fun. We
wanna take him apart limb by hyper-extended
limb. Feel his bones crunch in our hands.
Beat him until he's as black and blue as that
ridiculous rubber suit.
Without thinking, Harvey steps over the Laceland. His demeanor
instantly changes, now more reasoned and calm.
TWO-FACE
On the other hand, perhaps something slow, a
delicious incursion of despair, a campaign to
shatter his psyche and bring him crumbling to
his knees.
He wanders back across to Leatherland.
TWO-FACE
Hell. Why wait? Rupture his organs. Shatter
his spine. Still have time for a late dinner.
Back in Laceland.
TWO-FACE
But simple murder? It's just too damn simple.
Besides, it's been done. No. We need a plan.
Back to Leatherland.
TWO-FACE
Yes. Something senseless, brutal, savage,
violent.
Back to Laceland, stopping to add...
TWO-FACE
Yet witty.

EXT. WAYNE MANOR NIGHT

Edward peddles a bicycle down a service road towards
Wayne Manor, an envelope jutting from his shirt pocket.

INT. BATCAVE NIGHT

Alfred stands over a cage of bats. A hand-held scanner producing
distance readings.
Bruce sits before his Master Console.

BRUCE
How's the sonar coming, Alfred?
ALFRED
A few hitches sir, but I'm confident we'll
have a prototype in no time.
BRUCE
It'll never work.
ALFRED
I believe you said the same thing about the
Batmobile.
A doorbell RINGS. Alfred disappears upstairs.

BRUCE OVER THE SHOULDER

Bruce works a keyboard, manipulating the images on various screens.

SCREEN ONE
Replays the CNN story on Two-Face.

SCREEN TWO
Replays the Vondelle Williams show.

SCREEN THREE
Runs news footage of Chase.
As Alfred returns, Bruce splits the Chase screen, a list of
psychiatric texts scrolling beside her portrait.
ALFRED
Scholarly research?
BRUCE
She has an excellent mind.
ALFRED
If I misinterpreted your interest in the
lady, I humbly apologize.
BRUCE
I wonder if she'd go out with me.
ALFRED
Apology hastily retracted.
Bruce freezes the image of Vondelle Williams over the familiar
graphic: "Batman: Crimefighter or Criminal?"

BRUCE
They don't understand. They think I became
Batman to fight crime.
Bruce leans back, closes his eyes, his past never far.
BRUCE
Do you remember the night I fell into that
cave and the bat chased me?
ALFRED
Your parents' wake. Rain fell like tears.
BRUCE
... The night Batman was born.
(a beat)
What was I doing in the fields that night,
Alfred? What sent me running out into that
storm? I keep dreaming about it but I just
can't remember.
ALFRED
I don't know, sir. Your dear parents.
Suddenly gone. So much loss...
BRUCE
I remember the bat, though. His scream. Those
eyes. i was sure the fear would kill me.
(a beat)
In time I came to believe that if I became a
monster, that if I was feared, I wouldn't be
scared anymore. I was wrong.
(off the screen)
They think I became Batman to fight crime. I
became Batman to fight the fear. And instead
I became the fear.
Alfred hands him an envelope.
ALFRED
Perhaps it's time you paid a bit more
attention to Bruce Wayne. There was no one at
the door, just this.
Within, (RIDDLE #2). His expression darkens.

EXT. UGLY TENEMENT BAD NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT

SOUNDS of POUNDING.

INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE EDWARD'S APARTMENT NIGHT

The source of the POUNDING MRS. LUCERTOLA, Ed's middle-aged, nobullshit landlady.
MRS. LUCERTOLA
Ya wanna cough up your rent, or do I post an
eviction notice?

Locks TURN. The door opens a crack. Edward peeks out.

EDWARD
Mrs. Lucertola. What a surprise. Come in. I
was just sitting down to write the check.

INT. EDWARD'S APARTMENT NIGHT

Mrs. Lucertola barges inside then stops, aghast.

HER POV
Five people might live here. Sports magazines. Stock market tickers.
Half completed paintings and sculptures. Blueprints. In the corner
an old circus booth containing a manikin of the green-clad, can
wielding Guesser.
MRS. LUCERTOLA
What is it exactly that you do, Mr. Nygma?
EDWARD
My dear Ms. Lucertola. Italian, isn't it? For
lizard. How fitting. I think the question
better asked: What is it that I don't do?
Ed guides Mrs. Lucertola to a sofa before the TV.
EDWARD
Most recently I have devised a way to change
the destiny of mankind and the world as we
know it, all in my favor of course.
MRS. LUCERTOLA
The rent Nygma!!!
EDWARD
Might I persuade you to take a seat on this
couch? To indulge me in a little experiment?
He shoves her down.
MRS. LUCERTOLA
Hey, I got no time for -Edward clamps a new, streamlined headband on her head.
EDWARD
Showtime.
He clicks on the TV. An evening soap.
MRS. LUCERTOLA
My favorite story.
Atop the TV rests a small box. The next generation of his Remote
Encephalographic Stimulator.

EDWARD
Yes. TV. Balm to the minds of the masses. The
great deadener. If only it were more lively.
But wait. I can help.
He hits a switch on the Box and the familiar beam engulfs his
landlady, the holographic image of the screen's kissing couple now
hovering in mid-air before her.
MRS. LUCERTOLA
Oh my lord.
EDWARD
Not quite. But I'm getting there.

MRS. LUCERTOLA POV

She might as well be sitting on the foot of the bed as the two
lovers' embrace heats up.
Edward waves his hand in front of her eyes. Nothing. The same dazed
expression that Stickley wore.
EDWARD
Now this is much better. No pain. Just a
little holographic TV to keep your mind off
the fact...
Edward PLANTS an ELECTRODE on his forehead.
EDWARD
... That I'm taking your mind.
(professional)
Not your thoughts, mind you. Just your neural
energy, simply sucking some IQ points as it
were.
A GREEN-BLUE aura forms around Edward's head.
EDWARD
(announcer)
His intelligence jumps. Ms. Lizard don't know
it. The crowd goes wild.
(CEO)
Boys, I want one of these babies in every
home.
(Clinton)
It's the new information super highway and,
pay attention now kids. I'm the on ramp.
(ad-man)
From their brains to the TV to my brain, with
no commercial interruptions!
(announcer)
There are seven million brains in the Naked
City...
(menacing)
... and they're all mine!

EXT. MUNICIPAL POLICE COMPLEX DAY

Gothic. Active. Bruce enters the complex.

INT. POLICE COMPLEX CHASE'S OFFICE

Comfortable. Well appointed. Degrees on the walls.
Chase opens her door to Bruce Wayne.
CHASE
Mr. Wayne. Chase Meridian.
The sparks he felt from her as Batman don't fly.
CHASE
How can I help you, Mr. Wayne?
BRUCE
Somebody's been sending me love letters.
Commissioner Gordon thought you might give me
your expert opinion.
Chase spread the 'Riddler' letters before her. Bruce TAPS his
fingers absentmindedly as he watches her read.
CHASE
Psychiatrists make you nervous?
BRUCE
Just ones this beautiful.
CHASE
The infamous Wayne charm. Does it ever shut
off?
BRUCE
On occasion. Usually at night.
Bruce stops tapping, examines books on aberrant behavior. The Dark
Side. Turns a tiny wicker doll over in his hand.
BRUCE
Still play with dolls, Doctor?
CHASE
She's a Malaysian dream warden. She stands
sentry while you sleep and calms your dreams.
(off Bruce's expressions)
Need one?
BRUCE
Me? No. Only things that need calming in my
dreams are the Rockettes.
Chase holds his eyes a beat. Not buying. But she lets it go, looks
back over the letters.

CHASE
My opinion. This letter writer is a total
wacko.
BRUCE
Wacko? That a technical term?
CHASE
Patient apparently suffers from acute
obsessional syndrome with potential homicidal
styles. Work better for you?
BRUCE
So what you're saying, this guy's a total
wacko, right?
CHASE
(a slight smile)
Exactly.
He notices batman research on her desk. Spots a framed print hanging
on the wall. A bat.
BRUCE
You have a thing for bats?
Chase follows his gaze.
CHASE
That's a rorschach, Mr. Wayne. People see
what they want to.
Bruce looks back up. In fact, just an ink blot. Only he saw a bat
within it's bleeding lines.
CHASE
I think the question would be, do you have a
thing for bats?
BRUCE
So, this Riddler, he's dangerous?
CHASE
What do you know about obsession?
BRUCE
Not much.
CHASE
Obsession is born of fear. Recall a moment of
great terror in your life. Say you associate
that moment with...
(random)
... a bat. The bat's image becomes a cancer
of the mind, grows more real than your daily
life. Can you imagine something like that?
BRUCE
It's a stretch but I'll manage.

CHASE
The letter writer is obsessed with you. His
only escape may be...
BRUCE
To kill me.
CHASE
You understand obsession better than you let
on.
BRUCE
No insights here, doc. Just trying to get
comfortable on your couch.
(checking his watch)
Oops. Times up.
CHASE
That's usually my line.
BRUCE
Look, I'd love to keep chatting -CHASE
Would you? I'm not so sure.
BRUCE
But I'm going to have to get you out of those
clothes.
CHASE
Excuse me.
BRUCE
And into a black dress.
Bruce throws her startled expression his best smile.
BRUCE
Tell me, Doctor, do you like the circus?
Despite herself, Chase smiles back.

A SIGN CLOSE
"Gotham Hospital Charity Circus"

WIDER
EXT. HIPPODROME NIGHT
Immense. On the lapping edge of Gotham Harbor.
Searchlights sweep the sky. FLAGS flutter on the Hippodrome's oval
roof, Limos spill Gotham's finest. The night of the season.

INT. CENTER RING

THE FLYING GRAYSONS Mother, Father, and two sons all wearing
colorful red and green outfits with yellow cape-race out to greet
the crowd. They discard their capes, cartwheel to four guywires.
RINGMASTER
Ladies and gentlemen. Seventy feet above the
ground, performing feats of aerial skill
without a net, the Flying Graysons!
The lights dim. Spots follow each Grayson as hoist cables whisk them
up to the trapezes and high wire.

ON THE TRAPEZE
Dad and Chris Grayson hang by their knees, upside down on opposite
trapezes.
Mom jumps to Chris' hands, hangs in mid-air. Chris swings back and
forth, building momentum, then sends her to Dad in a poetic double
somersault.

BELOW
The Hippodrome is packed solid.

VIP SECTION
Bruce and Chase in evening finery take their seats amidst a barrage
of flashing photographers. The Gotham Society matrons crowd for a
photo op.
CHASE
(off the flashes)
I'm surprised you aren't blind by now.
BRUCE
(as if he were)
I'm sorry. Who are you?
Chase smiles. The Press and Matrons disappear.
BRUCE
Now we can just sit back and watch the show like normal folks.
RINGMASTER (OVER)
Tonight's benefit has raised $2,000 for
Gotham Children's Hospital. Let's thank our
largest single donor: Bruce Wayne.
SPOTLIGHT finds Bruce and Chase. WILD APPLAUSE.
CHASE
(through her smile)
Like normal folks.

BRUCE
(deadpan)
What? This isn't normal?
RINGMASTER
And now Richard, the youngest Flying Grayson,
will perform The Quadruple Flying Somersault!
DICK GRAYSON, handsome, only happy when he is in flight, jumps to
his father's hands, hangs in air.

DICK'S POV
The world flips, dizzying, four times.
Chris catches Dick's hands. Shaky. One hand slips free. The Crowd
GASPS. Dick dangles for an instant.
Chris hoists Dick to safety. An uproarious OVATION!
Chase watches Bruce. He's riveted, eyes like a child's.
BRUCE
That kid is amazing.
CHASE
I don't get you Bruce Wayne.
BRUCE
Me? I'm easy. Especially after a couple of
martinis.
CHASE
The glib, cavalier routine, it really is an
act, isn't it?
BRUCE
Don't believe it. I'm just skin deep.
But he holds her eyes and in the smile that passes between them,
sweet electricity. Maybe something more.

THE RINGMASTER
... stands watching the Graysons feats of aerial wonder. Something
catches his eye.
A GLOVED HAND extends through the curtain leading backstage, beckons
him with a single finger.

THE RINGMASTER CLOSE

Puzzled. Steps out of the ring.

BACK TO BRUCE AND CHASE

BRUCE
Look, I'm rock climbing Sunday. How about
coming along?
CHASE
Bruce, much to my surprise, you seem like a
really great guy...
BRUCE
But...
CHASE
Well, I met someone...
BRUCE
Fast work. You just moved here.
CHASE
You could say he kind of dropped out of the
sky and bang. I think he felt it too.
BRUCE
He sure did.
CHASE
What?
BRUCE
(awkward)
I said I'm sure he did.
Bruce looks towards...

CENTER RING
A TINY CAR, horn HONKING away, ROARS into the middle ring and begins
dislodging clowns, all tumbling out of the cars and over each other.
A new Ringmaster steps into the arena. Two-Face.
TWO-FACE
Ladies and gentlemen, and I do use the term
loosely, your attentions please. Tonight, a
new act for your amusement. We call it
Massacre Under the Big Top.
His thugs slip out of their clown costumes and seal every exit.
They pull machine guns and start SHOOTING over the audience's heads.
PANIC. SCREAMS.
TWO-FACE
People, people. Show some grace under
pressure. A little decorum, please.
(into his mike)
SHUT UP!!!

More machine gun BURSTS as Thugs move into sentry positions at each
section of bleachers. Folks quiet.
TWO-FACE
If we may direct your attention...
A Thug trains a spot on a crate hung in the rafters.
TWO-FACE
Inside that wooden box: Two hundred sticks of
TNT.
(showing a box)
In our hand: A radio detonator.
Two-Face presses a button.

DETONATOR CLOSE
A digital countdown. 3:00. 2:59. 2:58...
TWO-FACE
You have three minutes.
THE MAYOR
What the hell do you want?
TWO-FACE
Want, Mr. Mayor? Just one little thing.
Batman. Bruised. Broken. Bleeding. In a word:
Dead.
Two-Face turns, showing his good side.
TWO-FACE
Who do we have assembled before us? Gotham's
finest. Rich, Influential. Smart. One of you
must know who Batman is. Hell, we'd lay odds
one of you is Batman.
Two-Face spins, offers his evil side.
TWO-FACE
So, unless the bat is surrendered to us post
haste, we're off on a proverbial killing
spree. City wide mayhem and murder. Starting
tonight. With all you lovely folks as our
very first corpses to be. You have three...
well just under three minutes.

BRUCE
His eyes riveted on the bomb. No secret is worth innocent lives. He
stands.
Chase, misunderstanding, tries to pull Bruce back down.

WIDER
Suddenly everyone jumps up, SHOUT and SCREAM, point towards the
rafters.

REVERSE ANGLE
The Graysons scale the scaffolding, heading for the bomb.
TWO-FACE
Boys! Move, move, move!
(a beat)
Cannot get good help these days.
Any Thugs not standing sentry fan out, speed up guywires.
CHRIS
(to Dick)
Go! We'll hold them off!
Mom, Dad and Chris swing from trapeze to guywire to platform, trying
to delay the Thugs who are actually well-trained gymnasts.
Dick launches himself from trapeze to trapeze, bounces off the high
wire, grabs a catwalk and hoists himself up.
Bruce uses the distraction to hop the rail, race through the
SCREAMING CROWD.

THE TIME CLOSE

1:03. 1:02. 1:01.

ON THE TRAPEZE
A Thug grabs Dad Grayson by the leg. Dad manages a jump to another
trapeze.
Mom's not so lucky. A Thug punches her off the uppermost platform.
She falls in mid-air.
FOLKS in the audience SCREAM.

BRUCE
Moves fast towards one of the sentry Thugs.

MOM
Snags a wildly swinging trapeze with one leg, wraps her ankle around
a rope, hanging over the floor.

A THUG
Points to the Time Clock 0:45. 0:44. 0:43.

THE THUGS
Quit the fight, slide down ropes and guywires.

DAD AND CHRIS

Form a human chain to reach Mom. Dad anchors Chris who swings out
towards Mom. Mom swings her trapeze to gather momentum.

IN THE RAFTERS
Dick has reached the Bomb. Begins un-lashing the crate.

ON THE CIRCUS FLOOR

The Thugs begin to pour through the trap door. A few thrill-seekers
fire their MACHINE GUNS over the crowd.

THE TIMER CLOSE

0:15. 0:14. 0:13.

DICK
Scales a service ladder, vies with a roof hatch.

TRAPEZE CLOSE
Dan and Chris make their final swing. Mom lets go and sails
gloriously towards Chris. Below them, no net.

BRUCE
Taps the watching Thug on the shoulder. He spins.
BRUCE
Show's over.
A punch and the guy is out. Bruce starts for Two-Face. Another Thug
springs up before him, blocking his way.

TWO-FACE
Stares up at the dangling Graysons. He reaches into his pocket.
Pulls out a familiar coin.

TWO-FACE
Day in, day out, it always comes down to the
same old question. Life...
(flips the coin)
Or death.
He looks down. Scarred side up. He draws his gun.
TWO-FACE
Our kinda day.

BRUCE
Fells the other Thug. Starts to sprint across the ring towards TwoFace.

AT THE ROOF
Dick shoves the hatch open, climbs out.

TIMER CLOSE
0:10. 0:09. 0:08.

MOM
Spots the pointing gun far below. She SCREAMS.

BRUCE
Races for the aiming Two-Face. Almost there.
Another Thug hits him broadside, knocking him flat.
TWO-FACE FIRES. Twice, the first bullet cutting, the second severing
the rope that holds the Graysons.
TWO-FACE
Never did like the circus. Too many freaks.
Two-Face disappears down the tunnel. Bruce struggles to his feet. A
CHARGE blows inside the escape hatch, filling the access-way with
fire. No way out.

CLOCK CLOSE
0:07. 0:06.

EXT. HIPPODROME ROOF CONTINUOUS NIGHT

Dick scrambles onto the roof, begins whipping the bomb rope like a
sling.

INT. HIPPODROME CONTINUOUS NIGHT

CLOCK CLOSE
0:05. 0:04. 0:03.

EXT. HIPPODROME ROOF CONTINUOUS NIGHT

Dick let's fly, the bomb soaring out towards the harbor.
The BOMB hits the water. Sinks. A beat. The night is split by a
funneling EXPLOSION.

INT. HIPPODROME NIGHT

Dick swings excitedly down onto the catwalk. He freezes at the rail.
DICK
No!!!!

DICK CLOSE
On his face, his life's end.

DICK'S POV STRAIGHT DOWN

The dead bodies of his mother, father and brother. Bruce Wayne
stands over them, looking up at the boy.

BRUCE CLOSE
His face a tragic echo of Dick's pain.

EXT. WAYNE MANOR NEXT AFTERNOON

A police car heads towards the manor. Dick Grayson, pack on his
back, winds his motorcycle behind the cruiser.
Bruce comes out to greet Gordon. Dick, slightly awestruck,
dismounts, wanders into the house.
GORDON
It's good of you to take him in. He's been
filling out forms all day. He hasn't even
eaten.
Bruce nods, watches Gordon drive off. Heads into...

INT. WAYNE MANOR FOYER LATE DAY

As Bruce ENTERS through the open door, Alfred arrives from the other
direction.

ALFRED
Welcome, Master Grayson. I'm Alfred.
DICK
How ya doin', Al?
ALFRED
(mouthing)
Al?
DICK
(to Bruce)
Big house. How many rooms?
BRUCE
Gee, I'm not sure.
(across the foyer)
Alfred? How many rooms? Total?
ALFRED
Ninety-three, including the sauna.
BRUCE
Take any three you like. After you get
settled we can...
But Dick isn't listening, stares instead over Bruce's shoulder as
Gordon's cruiser disappears out of sight.
DICK
Okay. I'm outta here.
BRUCE
Excuse me.
DICK
I figure telling that cop I'd stay here saved
me a truckload of social service interviews
and good will. So no offense but thanks. See
ya.
Dick heads toward the door. Alfred slips away.
BRUCE
Where will you go? The circus is halfway to
Metropolis by now.
DICK
I got no place at the circus without my
family. I'm going to get a fix on Two-Face.
Then I'm going to kill him.
BRUCE
Listen, Dick. Killing Two-Face won't take the
pain away. It'll make it worse.
DICK
Look, spare me the sermons, okay. You're just
some rich guy who is trying to do a good
deed. You don't even know me.

Bruce stares beyond Dick, into his own past.

BRUCE
It's not just the sadness. Is it? The shame
is worse. Feeling like somehow you should
have saved them.
Dick is looking at Bruce now.
BRUCE
You're right. I don't know you. But I'm like
you.
Just then Alfred returns with a tray. Rare London broil. Baby
potatoes. Fresh greens. An aromatic feast.
ALFRED
Oh, is the young master leaving? Pity. I'll
just toss this away then. Perhaps the dogs
are hungry.
Alfred turns, heads up the stairs.
ALFRED
I'll set this up in the guest suite. Just in
case.
Dick follows, led by his nose.
Bruce smiles, nods slowly, heads into...

INT. WAYNE LIBRARY

Bruce touches a vase of fresh roses. Stares at framed photos of
Thomas, Martha, of himself, younger. Happy. With no knowledge of the
future.
He turns. Suddenly their coffins are in the middle of the room
again, the still corpses white in death. He's a boy.
There on the desk. A leather bound book. THUNDER CRACKS.
THE FRONT DOOR flies open. An evil wind whips the house.
THE BOOK is splattered with blood.
THE WINDOW explodes, shattering glass, and out of the darkness flies
a huge, evil bat.
ALFRED (OVER)
Master Bruce?
Bruce is sitting in a chair, holding a rose, head down, the images
only flashes of memory. Night has fallen. He looks up, eyes red.
BRUCE
It's happening again. Just like my parents. A
monster comes out of the night. A scream. Two
gunshots. I killed them.

ALFRED
What did you say?
BRUCE
He killed them. Two-Face. He slaughtered that
boy's parents.
ALFRED
No. You said I. I killed them.
BRUCE
Don't be ridiculous.
Suddenly a pale light through the window illuminates the room,
bathes their faces.
The BATSIGNAL beams in the sky.

INT. GUEST (DICK'S) BEDROOM

Dick Grayson finishes eating. He moves into the...

HALLWAY
The house seems empty.
DICK
Hey?... Hello?... Anybody home?
He's puzzled.

EXT. GOTHAM CITY STREET NIGHT

Batman speeds along in the Batmobile. He hits top speed as the car's
fusion drive glows red.
A giant projector, beaming the Batsignal on the fast night clouds.
Batman leaps from a neighboring roof to find no one. Just the huge
light and the city wind.
BATMAN
Commissioner...?
A shadow appears from behind the searchlight. Chase.
CHASE
He's home. I sent the signal.
BATMAN
What's wrong?
CHASE
Last night at the circus. I noticed something
about Dent. His coin. He's obsessed with
justice. It's his Achilles' heel. It can be
exploited.

He steps close to her. Intimidating.

BATMAN
You called me here for this? The Batsignal is
not a beeper.
Instead of backing off, Chase moves towards him.
CHASE
I wish I could say my interest in you was
purely professional...
BATMAN
Are you trying to get under my cape, Doctor?
CHASE
A girl cannot live by psychoses alone.
BATMAN
It's the car, right? Chicks love the car.
CHASE
What is it about the wrong kind of man? In
grade school it was guys with earrings.
College, motorcycles and leather jackets.
Chase is right up against him. She runs her fingers along the
outline of Batman's mask.
CHASE
Now black rubber.
BATMAN
Try a fireman. Less to take off.
CHASE
I don't mind the work. Pity I can't see
behind the mask.
Batman stills her hand.
BATMAN
We all wear masks.
CHASE
My life's an open book. You read?
BATMAN
I'm not the kind of guy who blends in at a
family picnic.
CHASE
We could give it a try. I'll bring the wine,
you bring the scarred psyche.
BATMAN
You are direct, aren't you?

CHASE
You like strong women. I've done my homework.
Or do I need skin-tight vinyl and a whip?
Their bodies are close.
BATMAN
I haven't had much luck with women...
CHASE
Maybe you just haven't met the right woman...
Their mouths are close. Suddenly Commissioner Gordon, trench-coat
over pajamas, rushes onto the roof.
GORDON
I saw the beacon. What's going on?
BATMAN
Nothing... False alarm.
Batman shoots a Batarang into the night and dives from the building.
CHASE
Are you sure?

EXT. SEEDY PART OF TOWN DAY

SIRENS WHINE as two cruisers fly down a pot-holed street.

ANGLE ON
A bridge structure.

INT. TWO-FACE'S HIDEOUT DAY

The room is dark. POLICE SIRENS FADE as a trap door opens in the
floor. Two-Face emerges.
TWO-FACE
Ever have one of those days where you just
want to kill someone?
VOICE IN THE DARK
Riddle me this. (Riddle #3)

REVERSE ANGLE
A mysterious silhouette stands in the dark.
Two-Face draws his gun.
VOICE IN THE DARK
The answer is, your enemy.

TWO-FACE
Who are you?
VOICE IN THE DARK
You can just call me... The Riddler.
The figure steps out of shadow. A new costume, lime green, covered
with question marks, an emerald eye mask, derby and cane. An exact
replica of the Guesser's outfit.
TWO-FACE
How'd you find us?
RIDDLER
You are Two-Face, you would need to face both
rivers, both uptown and downtown
simultaneously. Only one spot in Gotham
serves these bi-zonal, bi-coastal needs...
TWO-FACE
Congratulations. You get to die on the dean's
list.
Two-Face trains his gun, COCKS the trigger.
RIDDLER
Has anyone ever told you have a serious
impulse control problem?
(looking around)
You know, I simply love what you've done with
this place. Heavy Metal with just a touch of
House and Garden.
He crosses to Leatherland.
RIDDLER
It's so dark and Gothic and disgustingly
decadent...
He moves to Laceland.
RIDDLER
Yet so bright and chipper and conservative!
(to "bad" side)
It's so you.
("good" side)
And yet so you!
(touching his suit)
Very few people are both a summer and a
winter. But you pull it off nicely.
TWO-FACE
A man with a death wish.
RIDDLER
Harvey. You need me. Since you've gotten out
of Arkham, you've managed, what? To bungle
stealing a safe? Wreck a statue? And, correct
me if I'm wrong here, but weren't you
outsmarted by an acned acrobat at the circus?

TWO-FACE
Let's see if you bleed green.
Two-Face COCKS back the hammer.
RIDDLER
Alright, counselor. Go ahead. Fire away. But
before you do, let me ask you one question.
Is it really me you want to kill?
The Riddler knits his thumbs together, waves his hands over one of
the exposed light bulbs that illuminate the room, making a shadow on
the wall. The shadow of a bat.
RIDDLER
Do you know about hate, my dual visaged
friend? Slow, burning hate that keeps you
sleepless until late in the night, that wakes
you before dawn. Do you know that kind of
hate? I do.
(circling Harvey)
Kill him? Seems like a good enough idea. But
have you thought it through? A few bullets, a
quick spray of blood, a fast, thrilling rush,
and then what? Wet hands and post-coital
depression. Is it really enough?
(up close)
Why not ruin him first? Expose his frailty.
And then, when he is at his weakest, crush
him in your hand.
Riddler gestures to the front of the room, where Leather and Lace,
on their respective sides, are fixed to their TV's via the green
beam of the box.
He tosses a receiver electrode to Two-Face.
RIDDLER
... Take a hit.
Two-Face looks at the electrode curiously.
RIDDLER
(taps his forehead)
Up, up, up.
A beat. Then, gun still trained on the Riddler, Two-Face holds the
receiver to his skull. He's blasted with a dose of Leather and
Lace's neural energy.
TWO-FACE
Holy shit.
RIDDLER
So not everyone can be a poet. Still, I
respect the sentiment.
Riddler waves his hand in front of the girls' eyes. No response.
Definitely zoned.

RIDDLER
(to the girls)
This is your brain on the box.
(off Harvey)
This is your brain on their brain.
He plants an electrode on his own forehead.
RIDDLER
This is my brain on your brain on their
brain. Does anybody else feel like a fried
egg?
The Riddler grabs Two-Face's receiver.
TWO-FACE
No. Wait...
RIDDLER
Addictive isn't it? Just Say No. Until I say
yes. A little fringe benefit of working with
me. Now here's the concept, counselor. Crime.
My I.Q., your AK-47. You help me gather
production capital so I can produce enough of
these...
(pulling a Box from his
vest)
... to create an empire that will eclipse
Bruce Wayne's forever. And, in return I will
help you solve the greatest riddle of all.
Who is Batman?
Two-Face eyes The Riddler, interest dawning in his eyes.
TWO-FACE
You are a very strange person. You speak as
if we are old friends, which we are not. You
barge in here unarmed when it is clearly
suicidal to do so. Still, an intriguing
proposition.
(pulling his coin)
Heads: We take your offer.
He rests the barrel on The Riddler's temple.
TWO-FACE
Tails: We blow your goddamned head off!

FOLLOW THE COIN

As Two-Face FLIPS it high in the air... SPINNING...

INT. JEWELRY EXCHANGE

Thugs grab handfuls of gems as a Guard presses the ALARM
BUTTON. LOONY TOONS and MERRIE MELODIES THEMES play as Riddler's
animated face fills the surveillance screens.

WIDER
The Riddler and Two-Face stand over a palette of black jeweler's
felt. Littered with bright, sparkling diamonds.
The Riddler slips on a monocle, lifts a stone.
Two-Face grabs the entire palette, pours the diamonds into a loot
bag, heads towards another counter.

INT. BATMOBILE MOVING

WINDSCREEN CLOSE
A flashing message: "Crime In Progress"
An ever changing tactical map shows Batman's narrowing proximity to
the crime site.

EXT. STREET
The Batmobile rushes to a halt. Batman leaps out, SMASHES through a
door into...

INT. BEAUTY SALON

... GIRLS LAUGH and flirt. Even behind his mask, Batman fumes.
Obviously misled.

INT. WAYNE MANOR BRUCE'S BEDROOM DAY

Bruce sits watching the news.
ANCHOR
... working with Two-Face, Gotham's new
criminal mastermind is calling himself The
Riddler. Twenty million in diamonds were
stolen yesterday with no sign of Batman.

SCREEN CLOSE
Changes. Edward stands on the Claw Island.
A small abandoned island in Gotham Harbor.
ANCHOR
In other news, entrepreneur Edward Nygma has
signed a lease for Claw Island. Nygma says he
plans to break ground on an electronics
plant...

EXT. ARMORED TRUCK BASE

Armored trucks sit open on the street. Two-toned thugs carry out
bags of loot.
Two-Face and the Riddler stand before four guards, each sentry held
captive by a two-toned crony.
TWO-FACE
Close your fist. Reach back.
Two-Face swings, clocks the guard on the chin. CRACK. Out like a
light.
TWO-FACE
Get it?
Riddler nods tentatively. Manages a weak fist. Throws a feeble
punch. The Guard looks barely startled.
TWO-FACE
Riddler. You punch like a girl. Put some
heart into it.
Two-Face hauls off, hits the third Guard. Out he goes.
RIDDLER
Okay. Okay. I got it.
He leans way back, tries again. Barely a glancing blow.
TWO-FACE
My God.
He walks away, shaking his head, disgusted. The Riddler turns back
to the guard. Ready for another try.

INT. WAYNE MANOR HALLWAY

NEWSPAPER CLOSE
"RIDDLER & TWO-FACE TERRORIZE GOTHAM"

PULL BACK TO REVEAL:

Alfred, newspaper in hand, finds Dick trying to open the door which
leads to the Bat Cave.
ALFRED
May I help you, Master Grayson?
DICK
How come this is the only locked door around
this museum? What's back there?
ALFRED
Master Wayne's dead wives.

Dick grins. Alfred watches him go, a wry smile on his face. The
coast now clear, he disappears into the secret doorway.

WIDER
Dick stands hidden in an alcove, watching.

EXT. CLAW ISLAND DAY

Tremendous construction in progress.

INT. CLAW ISLAND

Silhouettes of robot arms manufacture the Box.
Edward watches on, giving Two-Face a quick hit from a glowing
electrode, then snatches back the receiver.
Harvey eyes the electrode with an addict's hungry eyes.

EXT. GOTHAM LOADING DOCK

Two-Face and Thugs steal priceless paintings while the Guards sit
bound and gagged in their booth.
Riddler stares up at a freshly spray-painted (RIDDLE #4) on the
boat's hull.

INT. WAYNE MANOR LAUNDRY ROOM

Dick stands watching TV while he washes and dries his clothes using
martial arts techniques.
VONDELLE
(on screen)
Has Batman lost his touch? We've become a
city of sissies crying Batman, Batman, Batman
at the first sign of trouble.

INT. GOTHAM OPERA NIGHT

The Barber of Seville is in full swing. As the bejewelled audience
watches, the translation is being spelled out for them on a large
electronic screen over the stage.

BACKSTAGE
Green gloved hands attach a Box to the translator.

AUDIENCE
The familiar green beam of The Box transfixes the audience and the
performers. Two-Face and his Thugs take the balcony in protective
green sunglasses, strip folks of their cash and jewels.
The Riddler stands on stage.
RIDDLER
I just love a captive audience.
He picks up the ARIA A-CAPELLA, races through the stunned orchestra,
collecting valuables.
As he goes, he moves the mouths of his victims, turning the robbery
into an opera of his own.
RIDDLER
(singing)
Oh, but all I want is to take all your jewels
oh oh.
(moving a woman's mouth)
No, oh you villain don't take my jewels, oh
no.
(singing back)
I will.
(a man's mouth)
No you won't.
(singing)
I will.
(another man)
No you won't.
Still SINGING, he leaps back onto the stage where Harvey and his
Thugs arrive, bags full of loot. Riddler plays tiny hidden buttons
in his cane, directing Batman.
TWO-FACE
Where are you sending Batboy this time?
RIDDLER
Here. Get a good seat.

OUT THE WINDOW

The Batmobile makes a quick stop before the opera house.
Riddler, Two-Face and Thugs disappear just as...

BATMAN
... drops to the Stage from the ceiling. He looks around at the
stunned audience.
He spots a small box with a question mark on it sitting center
stage. Lifts the top. Within, a pair of plastic hands applaud him.

THE TRANSLATOR CLOSE

Vaporizes, the beam snapping off.

THE AUDIENCE
Startled by Batman's sudden appearance on stage, starts LAUGHING.
Until someone notices her tiara is missing. A SCREAM. The first of
many.

EXT. GOTHAM TIMES BUILDING NIGHT

Electronic headlines circles "BAT FLOPS AT OPERA. RIDDLER AND TWOFACE STEAL MILLIONS"

EXT. NYGMATECH HEADQUARTERS CLAW ISLAND DAY

Finally complete. In the b.g. a giant corporate sign reading
"NYGMATECH" is raised by cranes.
Edward Nygma, dressed like Bruce Wayne to the smallest detail,
stands on a podium, giving a press conference.
Scores of APPLAUDING Employees and Media watch on. The Gotham
Society Matrons COO.
EDWARD (OVER)
Why sit back when you can be part of the
show?

QUICK CUTS OF NEWSPAPERS

EDWARD (OVER)
... Nygmatech brings the joy 3-D
entertainment into your own home.

CUTS OF MAGAZINES
All proclaiming Edward as the new King of Electronics in Gotham
City.
EDWARD
Ladies and gentlemen. Let me tell you my
vision for the future. "The Box" in every
home in America. And one day, the world.

EXT. GOTHAM CITY MONTAGE

A tenement, where a poor family scrapes together their savings on a
newspaper ad for "The Box"...
An electronics store, where Alfred, at the head of a long line,
hands over a check to receive "The Box"...

A resplendent household where husband, wife, and kids each watch

individual TV's connected to their own Boxes.

INT. NYGMATECH RIDDLER'S CONTROL ROOM

Riddler sits atop a tremendous electronic throne, facing a wall bank
of TV monitors all running newsreel footage of folks using "The
Box". From overhead, a giant diode delivers massive pulses of
glowing neural energy.

RIDDLER'S HEAD CLOSE

His brain is growing.

EXT. ELECTRONIC STORES

Crowds of people line up. Some stores say "SOLD OUT" others "YES, WE
HAVE 'THE BOX'."

INT. BATCAVE
Bruce stands over the Batcomputer.
BRUCE
Riddler and Two-Face are tweaking the data
before the computer pulls it off the
emergency bands.
Alfred stands in his lab area, trying to disassemble "The Box". He
gets the lid off.

BOX CLOSE
The circuitry inside automatically vaporizes.

INT. NYGMATECH EDWARD'S CONTROL ROOM NIGHT

Leather and Lace sit with the Riddler and Two-Face as the two
villains pass an electrode between them.
TWO-FACE
Sure, E=MC squared. Until you factor in more
than three dimensions. Then... Damn. Hit us
again.
RIDDLER
Haven't you had enough? Don't Think And
Drive.
Harvey waves his revolver in Riddler's face.
RIDDLER
Be my guest.

Two-Face and Leather and Lace take another hit of the glowing neural
energy. Smiles.
TWO-FACE
Our Paleolithic yearnings are best expressed
in a pre-linguistic.
(off the befuddled girls)
Sorry. Just thinking out loud.
Harvey leans back, buzzed, the electrode slipping from his hand.
Leather grabs for it. Not fast enough. Riddler snatches it away.
RIDDLER
(to Leather)
Not until you do that thing I like.
(taking a hit)
On se tue pour des mesnonges. J'ai gache ma
vie...
(off the electrode)
Woah. Harsh toke.
TWO-FACE
Don't bogart that 'trode.
He tosses Harv the electrode over Lace's ill-timed grab. Harvey
takes a hit.
TWO-FACE
(epiphanous)
Oh my God. Jim Morrison was right.
RIDDLER
About what?
TWO-FACE
Everything.
RIDDLER & TWO-FACE
(simultaneous)
... Yeah.

INT. WAYNE MANOR DAY

TV CLOSE
Vondelle stands before the familiar panel of EXPERTS.
AIMS
This Box is nothing more than an electronic
narcotic.
ROYCE
Thousands more Gothamites each day are tuning
out by tuning in to its holographic
fantasies.
AIMS
It's turning citizens into zombies...

VONDELLE
Gripe, gripe, gripe. Isn't this what they
said about TV? I think "The Box" is the
future. What's your opinion? I want to
know...

FAVOR ALFRED
As he shuts off the set, moves into the hallway and the locked door
to the Batcave.
ALFRED
(calling out)
Master Dick?
High above, Dick appears on the third floor landing.
DICK
Up here, Al.
ALFRED
Just checking, young sir.
DICK
(to himself)
Four seconds from...
Below, Alfred opens the door.
DICK
Now!
Alfred disappears inside and the door begins to close.
Dick leaps the bannister, grabs the chandelier, swings to a large
tapestry, slides down and into the passageway as the door SLAMS
shut.

INT. SECRET HALL

Unable to stop, Dick barrels through a dark doorway, tumbles down
the long stairway onto

THE BATCAVE FLOOR

Alfred stands in his lab area. The two stare at each other in utter
disbelief.

INT. CHASE'S APARTMENT NIGHT

Big. Open. A life still in boxes. The door opens, producing Bruce
and Chase.

BRUCE
The style of the letters I'm getting matches
those found at the crime sites. Why would The
Riddler be sending me riddles?
(looking around)
Who's your decorator? U-Haul?
CHASE
Sorry. I haven't even had time to unpack.
Instant coffee okay?
Chase disappears into the kitchen as Bruce takes off his coat. She
reappears with a small box. Hands it to Bruce.
BRUCE
What's this?
Bruce opens the box. Within, a dream doll.
CHASE
Call it clinical intuition. I thought your
dreams might need changing.
Bruce looks at Chase. He stares out the window a beat, deciding. As
he speaks now his words are halting, self disclosure difficult for
him.
BRUCE
My parents were murdered. In front of me. I
was just a kid.
Chase nods. She knows.
BRUCE
A lot of what happened is jagged. Pieces
missing. I can't really remember. I just get
flashes. Usually in my dreams. I'd kind of
gotten used to them. At least accepted
them...
CHASE
And now...
BRUCE
They've changed. The dreams, I mean. There's
a new element I don't understand. A book.
Black. Covered in leather...
The kettle begins to WHISTLE.
CHASE
Damn. I'll be right back.
Bruce is agitated, starts to looking around. At her desk he finds a
virtual shrine to Batman. Pictures. Newsphotos. Articles.
CHASE (OVER)
Find anything interesting?

BRUCE
Why do I feel like the other man, here?
CHASE
Come on, Bruce. This is what I do for a
living.
BRUCE
I'd say this goes a little beyond taking your
work home.
CHASE
What do you want me to say? That I'm not
attracted to him?
She hits a button and on screen newsfootage rolls of Batman fighting
Catwoman.
CHASE
(mesmerized)
Look at the abuse he's taking. He's not just
fighting criminals. He's punishing himself.
Chase hits a button, freezing on Batman's face.
CHASE
It's as if he's paying some great penance.
What crime could he have committed to deserve
a life sentence of such agony?
Bruce hits a key, blanking the screen.
BRUCE
Maybe he just had a lousy childhood, is that
it Doc?
Chase grabs his hand as it comes away from the keyboard.
CHASE
Why do you do that?
BRUCE
What?
CHASE
Throw up that ridiculous superficial mask. If
you're jealous...
BRUCE
I'm not -CHASE
You want me close but you won't let me near.
What's the terrible, dark secret you're
protecting everyone from?
In the mirror they are half in shadow, half in light.

CHASE
In a sense we are all two people. The side we
show in daylight. And that side we keep in
shadow.
BRUCE
Rage. Anger. Passion. Pain.
He pulls her to him. Their faces are close. A breath apart. Suddenly
his watch begins to BEEP.
Bruce turns over his wrist. Depresses a stud on his watch. The face
turns into a screen.
ALFRED
Sorry to bother you, sir. I have some rather
distressing news about Master Dick.
BRUCE
Is he all right?
ALFRED
I'm afraid Master Dick has... gone traveling.
BRUCE
He ran away?
ALFRED
Actually, he took the car.
BRUCE
He boosted the Jag?
(relieved)
Is that all?
ALFRED
Not the Jaguar. The other car.
BRUCE
The Rolls?
ALFRED
No, sir. The other car!
A beat. Then Bruce closes his eyes.

EXT. ARKHAM SQUARE NIGHT

Gotham night life. Neon, traffic, sleaze.
The Batmobile cruises into the center of the strip.
A group of flashy low riders pull in front of the Batmobile. They
hydraulic up and down competitively.
The Batmobile wipers sweep the windshield. The bat-foil opens and
closes. Finally the car hydraulics higher and faster, but a bit
wildly, the driver barely in control.

The low riders, put to shame, PEEL OUT. (OVER) a SCREAM cuts the
night. A GIRL runs for her life, chased by SIX GANG MEMBERS into a
dark alley.
The Batmobile TEARS after her.

EXT. ALLEY NIGHT

The Thugs have the Girl surrounded, push her back and forth between
them like a rag doll.
The Batmobile SCREECHES into the alley. The door slides open. From
the smoking hatchway emerges... Dick.
Needless to say, this get the Thugs' attention. They let go of the
girl.
THUG
Who the hell are you?
DICK
(low, ominous)
I'm Batman.
(looking down)
Damn, did I forget to dress again?
The Thugs close. One rushes Dick while another swings a chain at his
head. Mistake.
DICK
Chains. You don't seem like the type.
Dick's hand shoots out fast, grabbing the chain. He open palms the
Thug in the chin, whips the chain into the gut of the other villain.
DICK
The Caped Crusader strikes again. Sans cape,
of course.
Two more rush him.
DICK
Another victory for the Dark Knight.
Dick goes up with a flying front kick, knocking one down, fells
another on the return with a spinning back fist.
DICK
(off the unconscious
goons)
Dark nighty-night.
Dick stares at the remaining thug. Smiles.
DICK
Is your will up to date?
The last Thug takes a look at Dick, turns and races away.

DICK
I could definitely get behind this super hero
gig.
Dick nods to the awestruck Girl.
DICK
Ma'am.
He starts towards the car.
GIRL
Wait.
She moves close.
GIRL
You forgot the part where you kiss the girl.
DICK
(grinning)
Right.
He leans in, happy to oblige when suddenly...
SCREAMS AND SHOUTS as the Thug who got away comes racing back into
the alley, followed by maybe thirty new gang members, all wielding
bats and chains.
DICK
Uh-oh.
He pulls the girl behind him, readies for war.

A DARK FIGURE
Flies out of the night.
Batman, on a wire, swings into the group, sending them scattering in
all directions. The bad guys race off.

THE BATMOBILE
REVS UP, races to Batman.
Batman lifts Dick by his collar, drops him into the passenger seat.
Hops into the other side.
GIRL
(shouting)
Don't you want my number?
She watches as the Batmobile speeds away into the night.

INT. BATCAVE NIGHT LATER

Bruce and Dick argue.
DICK
I need to be part of this.
BRUCE
Absolutely not.
DICK
Me and my brother Chris were putting money
aside so our folks could retire. Dad's knee
was going. Chris was engaged, you know that?
Two-Face took... everything. Now I can pay
him back.
BRUCE
What I do isn't about revenge.
Dick glances at a framed headline. The Wayne murders.
DICK
Right, slick. Whatever you say.
Bruce grabs him. Hard.
BRUCE
This isn't a game.
Dick pushes him off. Harder.
DICK
Back off, man.
BRUCE
You don't understand. It's an addiction. You
fight night after night, trying to fill the
emptiness. But the pain's back in the
morning. And somewhere along the way it stops
being a choice.
(a beat)
I want better for you.
DICK
Save the sermons about how great you want my
life to be, okay, Bruce? If it weren't for
Batman my parents wouldn't be dead. You don't
get it, do you? This is all your fault.
Dick storms out. Bruce stares after him with tired eyes.

EXT. RITZ GOTHAM HOTEL NIGHT

At the marble entrance, the red carpet is rolled out for a pull-outthe-stops party. Over the door, a banner proclaims "Nygmatech Imagine the Future."

At the curb folks dressed in over-the-top runway fashions, pour from

luxury cars, hand off keys to a battalion of scurrying valets.
Next car up. Bruce Wayne's Rolls, driven by Alfred. A valet helps
Chase out. She looks stunning.
Bruce leans over Alfred before stepping out of the car.
BRUCE
Too much wealth. Too fast. Half of Gotham
zombied-out. A technology that self
destructs. He's protecting more than
industrial secrets, Alfred.
ALFRED
I shall be near at hand. Should you need me.
And sir, I know it's difficult but try and
have a good time.

INT. RITZ GOTHAM ROOF NIGHT

Over the top golden glitz. A kind of Versailles meets punk meets
couture. And in the middle, Edward, dressed as Louis XIV.
The room is packed with people sipping exotic cocktails, munching
hors d'oeuvres. Conversation BUZZ is high.
Into this zoo walk Bruce and Chase.
As brightly-lighted stations throughout the room, showy displays
announce "THE NEW BOX". Pretty, barely-clad showgirls invite
partygoers step into various green columns of light.
Bruce scans the room as he and Chase pause by the first display,
where a Socialite steps into a column of energy.
She GASPS with delight as she finds herself suddenly dazzling in
diamonds from head to toe.
They pass the next column where a CHUBBY PROFESSOR, sword in hand,
fights off a knight on horseback.
They pass the next display where a BALD GUY steps into a beam.
Suddenly, he is in a classic stoner's pad circa 1967. And, best of
all, he has long flowing hair.
Chase looks amused, Bruce suspicious.
CHASE
If I didn't know better, I'd say you were
sulking.
BRUCE
Keep me off the couch, Doc. Your fees are a
little rich for me.
CHASE
Touchy, touchy.

BRUCE
(not biting)
So how goes your 'scholarly' pursuit of
Batman?
CHASE
Oh God, Bruce. You're still jealous.
BRUCE
(flaring)
Spare me the diagnosis, okay? You're being
ridiculous. I can't be jealous of Batman.
(to himself)
Can I?

ACROSS THE ROOM

Edward stands flanked by Gotham's Society Matrons as PRESS,
including Vondelle Millions, SNAP photos and hurl questions.
NEWSCASTER
You're outselling Wayne Enterprises. Any
comments?
EDWARD
Actually, I'm outselling Wayne Tech two to
one...
JOURNALIST
The Times has named you Gotham's bachelor of
the year. What do you have to say about that?
EDWARD
You might want to ask Bruce Wayne.
(calling)
Bruce, old man!
Edward crosses the room to greet Chase and Bruce. All stand now,
surrounded by press and partygoers.
EDWARD
So glad you could come.
BRUCE
What? Oh, Edward. Hi. Congratulations. Great
party.
EDWARD
The press were just wondering what it feels
like to be outsold, outclassed, and generally
outdone in every way...
(noticing Chase)
And what light through yonder window breaks?
'Tis the east. And you are...
CHASE
(charmed)
Chase?

EDWARD
Of course you are. And what a grand pursuit
you must be.
(to Bruce)
What do you think of my new invention?
BRUCE
What? Oh, it's very impressive.
EDWARD
Gracious even in defeat. How vaguely
disappointing. When all this could have been
ours together.
Edward stills a passing waiter and his tray of champagne. Crystal
flutes for all. He toasts Chase.
EDWARD
No grape could be more intoxicating than you,
my dear. But we make due. To your charms.
(clinking hers)
Skol.
BRUCE
(raising his)
Nostrovia.
EDWARD
(pausing)
La'chiem.
BRUCE
(casual)
Slanta.
EDWARD
Rinka.
BRUCE
Banzai.
CHASE
I'm drinking.
And she does.
EDWARD
I notice you've sub-divided your B coupons.
Feeling a little light on principle?
BRUCE
Actually, I like to divest just before a
major re-capitalization.
EDWARD
I wouldn't race to the bank. Old regimes
crumble every day. Life is a cycle. Remember
Yeats; turn, turn the widening gyre. The
Falconer cannot hear the Falcon...

BRUCE
(finishing the poem)
And the beast slouches towards
Bethelem.
CHASE
Excuse me, boys. I'd hate to stop this
testosterone flood on my account.
EDWARD
Quite right. Shall we dance?
And with that, Edward draws Chase onto to dance floor.
As Chase and Edward dance in the b.g. Bruce walks over to one of
the displays. Examines a control station for the green beam. Tries
to pry open a circuit panel.
SHOWGIRL (OVER)
Naughty, naughty.
She slaps his hand playfully. Bruce smiles an apology. Looks around.
No other choice. He steps into a beam.
Edward twirls Chase, watches Bruce enter the beam. He smiles.

BRUCE POV
Colorful planets soar all around him. Suddenly the beam flashes.
There, racing towards him, a giant Bat.

BACK TO SCENE
All beams wink out as GUN FIRE bursts across the room.
Two-Face and his Thugs stand at every entrance.
Bruce backs away, slips towards a service door.
TWO-FACE
Alright, folks, this is an old-fashioned,
low-tech stick-up. We're interested in the
basics: jewelry, cash, watches, high-end
cellular phones. Hand 'em over nice and easy
and no one gets hurt.
Two-Face's Thugs charge the room. The crowd SCREAMS.

EXT. RITZ GOTHAM ALLEY NIGHT

Bruce hand-slides down fire-escapes, hits the alley running.

EXT. ALLEY
Bruce ducks into the Rolls.
BRUCE
Emergency, Alfred.

INT. ROLLS
A secret panel in the back opens. A Batsuit.

INT. PARTY
The Thugs circulate quickly, yanking jewels from ears and necks,
grabbing wallets and purses, filling sacks.
Ed pushes his way against the crowd, through Two-Face's ring of
personal guards and right up to Two-Face's face.
EDWARD
You're ruining my big party. Are you insane?
Actually, considering your dual persona,
let's just forget the question.
TWO-FACE
We're sick of waiting for you to deliver The
Bat, Riddle boy. You promised us Batman.
EDWARD
Patience, oh bifurcated one.
TWO-FACE
Screw patience. We want him dead.
(looking around)
An nothing brings out The Bat like a little
mayhem and murder.
EDWARD
Oh well, in that case. As long as you were
going to rob me, you could have at least let
me in on the caper. We could have organized
this, planned it, pre-sold the movie rights.
The CRASH of breaking glass.

BATMAN
Flies in through a window, kicking a row of Thugs down before he
lets go his rope and lands on the floor.
EDWARD
Harv, babe, I gotta be honest. Your entrance
was good. His was better. What's the
difference? Showmanship.

Two-Face shoves Edward away, looking for a clean shot. He FIRES a

couple of times, but only destroys an ice sculpture and some liquor
bottles. More SCREAMS.
One huge Thug charges Batman. Batman heaves him overhead, throws
him, CRASHING, into a display of stacked Boxes.
VONDELLE (OVER)
Batman, Batman, Batman help!
A Thug has a gun to his throat. Batman kicks the weapon out of his
hand.
VONDELLE
Batman. You're my God!!!
Another Thug has Chase to a wall, hand around her pearls.
BATMAN (OVER)
Excuse me.
He head-butts the Thug. The guy goes down.
Chase leans up and kisses him, hard and hot on the mouth. The
chemistry here is undeniable.
CHASE
Call me.
Batman spins, goes for another group of Thugs.
(OVER) POLICE SIRENS.
TWO-FACE
Okay boys. Phase two.
And with that, he and his Thugs race for the elevator. The doors
close.
(OVER) CHEERS erupt for Batman as he races onto the balcony and
jumps!

BATMAN'S POV AERIAL

Harvey and Thugs disappear past Under Construction signs, down the
stairs of an as yet completed subway station.

EXT. RITZ GOTHAM NIGHT

PARTY GUESTS POV
Gripping the edges of his cape, Batman glides 60 floors down the
skyscraper towards the street.
Batman plummets into the construction sight.

INT. DESERTED SUBWAY STATION NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)

Gothic. Deserted. Under construction. Batman hits the platform.

BATMAN POV
Shadows race down the dark tunnel ahead.
He pursues.

TUNNEL
Harvey and Thugs, racing away.
THUG
Bat's right behind us.
TWO-FACE
Excellent.

INT. ABANDONED STATION VENTILATION SHAFT

A wide spiral staircase of scaffolding hugs the walls of a
tremendous ventilation shaft.
The Thugs race down the steps, knocking out bits of scaffolding as
they go, sending entire chunks of already traversed staircase
plummeting past them.

PAN UP
Batman arrives on a wide platform of scaffolding at the top of the
staircase. His cape whips up around him as if from some low infernal
wind.

BATMAN POV
Down the fragmenting staircase, at the bottom of the shaft, a
tremendous fan spins, chewing chunks of falling scaffolding and
plaster, spitting plumes of dust.

TWO-FACE
Stands at the bottom of the well. He grabs a rack of scaffolding and
wrenches the old aluminum supports away.

THE PLATFORM
Where Batman is standing gives way, planks falling, sending Batman
tumbling towards the deadly blades below.

BATMAN POV
The giant whirling blades, coming up fast.

BATMAN
Falls, stairways and laughing Thugs whipping past.
His hand shoots out and grabs...

A THUG
By the jacket, wrenching the fabric over the goon's head, jerking
him hard into the railing like a human anchor.
Batman climbs the struggling Thug like a ladder, leaps onto the
staircase, CRACKS the Thug's head on the rail, then races down the
stairs.

BOTTOM OF THE SHAFT

The remaining Thugs disappear through a dark doorway. Batman runs
past the BEATING fan blades into...

INT. ABANDONED TUNNEL

Dark. Steep and sloping. The Thugs are running dead ahead. Without
stopping they begin grabbing pieces of debris, flip them under their
feet, begin riding down the descending tunnel like snow-boarders.
Batman races after them.

THE SNOWBOARDERS
Really are good. They ride the rails. The low gas pipes. Even bank
the curving sides of the tunnel.

A THUG CLOSE
Looks back to see Batman closing. Mistake.

WHIP PAN
As he is clotheslined by a low hanging danger sign. He flies off the
snowboard backwards. Out cold.
Batman races past him.
The end of the tunnel slopes so drastically the dark maw at the end
seems more a pit than a door.
The boarders circle and one by one, drop through like bits of filth
down a drain.

Batman drops into the darkness landing on a small ledge.

Beyond a precipitous drop he turns to face...

INT. ABANDONED SUBWAY STATION

Years ago this cavernous space glistened with immense Gothic
statuary, elaborate tile mosaics, tremendous decorative arches and
spectacular cathedral ceilings.
No more.
Now the giant space, from floor to ceiling is a frozen maelstrom of
twisting cast iron trusses, broken steam pipes, fragmented
scaffolding and hanging cables.
Down these man-made slopes and obstacles ride the snowboarding
Thugs. Cruising pipes. Jumping curved faces of statues. Jacking from
scaffold to truss.
Batman whips a pair of nun-chucks from his belt over a hanging metal
rail, using the chain as a pulley, shoots down a curving rail into
the mad dance of twisting steel.

A THUG
FIRES at him from his whizzing board as it careens along an adjacent
piece of scaffolding.

BATMAN
Angles towards him, picking up speed.

THE THUG
Banks off some statuary. Takes a few more SHOTS.

BATMAN
Shoots around the curve, jumps from one rail to the next, catches
the villain in the face with his boot, and sends him flying.

ANOTHER THUG
Shoots past over head.

BATMAN
Flips onto another pipe, is closing fast, chasing the Thug towards a
loop that banks towards the blackness of an abandoned tunnel.
He is closing on the Thug. Closer. Closer.

Suddenly the Thug, hops to a truss, the rail Batman is on whipping

him around a curve that banks into the mouth of the tunnel. (OVER)
GUNSHOTS.

TWO-FACE
Stands in the shadows, FIRING his machine pistol, blowing a hole in
the curving rail directly in front of Batman.
The RAIL breaks.
Batman flies off directly into the dark tunnel.

BATMAN POV
A rushing darkness. He SMASHES into a wall.

INT. MOUTH OF TUNNEL

Two-Face stands staring into the dark with his Thugs. He grabs an
aging valve wheel set into the crumbling wall.
TWO-FACE
Nothing worse than a bad case of gas.
He begins to turn the CREAKING wheel.

INT. INNER TUNNEL

A long forgotten pipe by Batman begins to HISS a thick purple gas.

INT. MOUTH OF TUNNEL

Two-Face swings a grenade launcher before him. Takes a step back.
Aims into the tunnel.
TWO-FACE
Lights. Camera. Action.
As his Thugs scramble for cover, Two-Face FIRES. The grenade flies
into the tunnel, SLAMMING into the gas main. An EXPLOSION.
Suddenly a tremendous secondary EXPLOSION. Debris falls everywhere
as the gas ignites, the mouth of the tunnel suddenly brightening
into a flaming white fireball.

INT. TUNNEL
The huge fireball rushes towards Batman. Batman wraps himself in his
cape.

HAND CLOSE
As he reaches to his utility belt. Presses a stud there.
His cape begins to run and flow like water morphing into a
protective sphere just as...
A tremendous fireball ROARS races down the tunnel engulfing Batman
in a world of flame.

INT. MOUTH OF TUNNEL

Two-Face stands staring into the inferno.
Billowing smoke, residual flame and falling debris everywhere. No
Batman. A moment of dead quiet.
TWO-FACE
Finally.
Then Two-Face's smirk vanishes.
THUG
It can't be.

REVERSE ANGLE
A shape rises, phoenix-like, out of the flames. The figure moves
forward.

BATMAN CLOSE
As his cape parts over his face.

WIDER
He lifts his arms, the cape splitting down the center, reverting to
it's original form, arms going wide to familiar wings.
The Bat heads towards Two-Face and his men.

TWO-FACE CLOSE
Consumed with rage.
He grabs a section of the wall's support scaffolding and begins to
wrench it free with crazed fury.
TWO-FACE
Why won't you just die?!
In a final rage of maniacal fury, Harvey wrenches the scaffolding
free. It's ancient supports gone...

THE CEILING
Begins to crack and fall, debris pouring in at an ever more furious
pace.

BATMAN
... is suddenly doused in a rain of rock and sand.

THE TUNNEL
Between Harvey and Batman is obstructed by tons of falling metal and
plaster and sand. Two-Face stands as the ceiling falls all around
him.

BATMAN
... is driven down by a storm of wreckage.

TWO-FACE
... can barely contain his joy. Plaster and rubble fall ever more
furiously.

BATMAN
... stumbles as the ground beneath him suddenly gives, sucking him
into a quickly filling pit of sand and tile.
He reaches for his utility belt but its too late.
Batman is nearly buried, sand coming up over his mouth, his eyes,
until finally he is gone.

TWO-FACE
... stands watching, eyes full of childish delight.
The floor in front of him begins to give way, running with deep
cracks.
TWO-FACE
Boys, let's go have us a party.
(turning)
Anybody else feel like donuts?
Harvey and his men head away, up out of the tunnels.

THE SAND PIT CLOSE

Still. No motion.

A gloved hand breaks the surface, clutching a Batarang. A weak flip

of the wrist.
The Batarang hist the sand.
The hand goes limp. A beat. Another. Suddenly...

A GREEN GLOVED HAND CLOSE

Grabs Batman's hand.

WIDER
Dick hangs on a wire above Batman in an aerialist's maneuver. He
secures his grip and pulls.

DICK CLOSE
Straining.
Suddenly, Batman's face breaks the sand.
Dick uses the leverage of his body on the rope to pull harder.
Batman begins to rise. Free.
The two face each other. Hands still clasped.

INT. BATCAVE LATER

Bruce sits in his robe being bandaged by Alfred. Dick is pacing.
BRUCE
What the hell did you think you were doing?
DICK
You have a real gratitude problem. You know
that, Bruce? I need a name. Batboy? The Dark
Earl? What's a good side kick name?
BRUCE
How about Richard Grayson, college student?
DICK
... I missed Two-Face by a heartbeat. When we
catch him, you gotta let me kill him!
BRUCE
We don't kill. Killing is what damns you.
It... what am I talking about? This
conversation is over. You're going away to
school.
DICK
I saved your life. You owe me. So either you
let me be your partner or I'm going after
Harvey on my own.

And with that Dick turns and storms out of the Batcave.
BRUCE
It's starting all over again, Alfred. Another
boy lost to rage. And it's my fault. If
Harvey hadn't come gunning for me at the
circus... His family...
Bruce glances at Gotham Times, of Headline "Bat More Harm Than
Good?"
BRUCE
Maybe they're right.
ALFRED
Which 'they' might that be, sir?
BRUCE
Jack Napier's dead. My parents are avenged.
The Wayne Foundation contributes a small
fortune to police and crime prevention
programs.
Bruce touches a cowl resting on the control panel.
BRUCE
Why do I keep doing this?
ALFRED
Why, indeed?
BRUCE
Could I let Batman go? For Dick. For me.
Could I leave the shadows? Have a life.
Friends. Family...
ALFRED
Dr. Meridian...
Bruce touches his lips, the spot Chase kissed Batman.
BRUCE
(pained)
She's the first woman in a long time
that's... No. She's the first woman ever. And
she loves Batman. Not Bruce Wayne. If I let
go of Batman I'll lose her.
ALFRED
Perhaps. Perhaps not. Why not ask the lady?
BRUCE
How? As Batman, knowing she wants me? Or as
Bruce Wayne and hope...?
Bruce reaches to the phone. Hits an autodial key. (OVER) TONES as
the phone begins to dial.
PHONE (CHASE)
Hello?... Hello?... Who is this?

He disconnects the phone.

BRUCE
Who am I Alfred? I don't think I know
anymore.

INT. CHASE'S BEDROOM NIGHT

Dark. Moonlight through curtains. Night SOUNDS.
Chase lays asleep in bed. A shadow crosses her face. She stirs.

REVERSE ANGLE
At the french doors to her bedroom stands a familiar silhouette.
Batman.
Chase rises, moves across the room, the pale light catching her
white nightgown. She pulls the doors wide.
Chase faces him, bodies close. She reaches up, touches his mask.
Kisses him. His cape WHIPS around her.

THE KISS CLOSE

Passionate. Sustained. Chase pulls away.
CHASE
I'm sorry.
(sorry)
I can't believe it. I've imagined this moment
since I first saw you.
(touching his glove)
Your hands.
(touching his mask)
Your face.
(touching his chest)
Your body.
She turns, walks across the room.
CHASE
And now I have you and...
(shaking her head)
Guess a girl has to grow up sometime.
She comes back to him, touches his cheek.
CHASE
I've met someone. He's not... you. But... I
hope you can understand.
He sees now that over her desk, her Batman's memorabilia has been
replaced by photos and files on Bruce Wayne.

BATMAN CLOSE
Smiles.
Then he's over the balcony and gone, a shadow on the wing in the
dead of night.

INT. CLAW ISLAND CONTROL CENTER DAY

On his throne, in his sphere, electronically getting more brilliant
every second, Edward fills all his screens with Chase's image from
the party.

HIS BRAIN CLOSE

Rivulets of neural energy ripple and dance as his brain grows under
his magenta hair.
Suddenly Two-Face gets him by the throat.
TWO-FACE
You know, Ed, we woke up this morning, we
just knew we were gonna kill something. The
Bat got away. Looks like it's gonna be you.
Two-Face draws his gun with his free hand. Trains it on Riddler's
head. By the look in his eyes, he's serious.
TWO-FACE
Why do we need you? You only come between us.
We can be the smartest person in Gotham City.
We want the empire for ourselves. Time's up,
laughing boy.
RIDDLER
Kill me? Well, alright. Go ahead. Take the
empire. All yours.
(grabbing his own head)
Hell, Harv, old pals. I'll kill me for you.
Riddler grabs his hair, starts SLAMMING his own head into the desktop.
RIDDLER
Too... bad... about... Batman.
Harvey grabs his head. Stops him.
TWO-FACE
What about Batman?
Riddler smooths his hair.
RIDDLER
What if you could know a man's mind? Would
you not then own that man?

Riddler hits a switch. Suddenly his screens fill with the image of
Bruce stepping into the simulation at the party.
RIDDLER
A few dozen extra IQ points and my little
invention learned a new trick. It does more
than drain your brain. It makes a map of your
mind.
The screens change, now showing a turning schematic of a brain,
alive with neural lightning.
RIDDLER
Would you like to see what my old friend
Bruce has in his head.
Riddler hits a switch. Another image pulls free from the schematic
brain. A trapped bat. Fierce. Monstrous. The very picture of
imagined evil, made live. Bruce's nightmare.
RIDDLER
Riddle me this, what kind of man has bats on
the brain?
Two-Face stares at him.
RIDDLER
Go ahead. You can say it.
TWO-FACE
You're a genius.
The tow begin to LAUGH.

CLOSE ON BAT
It's a fake one on top of a pole.

CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL

Group of YOUNG KIDS in Halloween costumes running through GOTHAM
CEMETERY DUSK
Two gravestones alone on a hill under a tree.
The kids pass Bruce who is visiting his family's graves.
KIDS
Happy Halloween.
BRUCE
Happy Halloween.
Bruce lays two roses on Thomas and Martha Wayne's graves.
BATMAN
... Tonight it ends.

DICK (OVER)
What the hell do you mean, it ends?

WIDER
INT. BATCAVE
Bruce and Dick are in mid-conversation.
BRUCE
From this day on, Batman is no more.
Bruce hits a switch. The machines in the cave go dark.
DICK
You can't.
BRUCE
Dick, let go. Revenge will eat you alive.
Trust me. I know.
DICK
But what about all the good we can do? There
are monsters out there. Gotham needs us.
BRUCE
And when you finally get Two-Face?
Dick looks away.
BRUCE
Exactly. And once you'd killed him you'd be
lost. Like me.
(off the cave)
All this has to be a choice. Otherwise...
it's a curse.
DICK
Bruce, you can't.
BRUCE
Chase is coming for dinner. Why don't you
join us.
And with that, Bruce turns, heads up into the house. Dick stands all
alone in the still, dark cave.
(OVER) A doorbell RINGS.

EXT. WAYNE MANOR

Alfred opens the doors to the Trick or Treaters we saw earlier.
Hands out bags of candy.

EXT. WAYNE MANOR ACCESS ROAD

A mysterious van sits parked on the gravel byway.

INT. VAN
Two-Face, Riddler, and men sit watching the manor.

RIDDLER POV
A taxi pulls up. Chase emerges as the Trick or Treaters leave.
RIDDLER
And today's not even my birthday.
Two-Face couldn't care less about Chase. He tosses his coin.
HOLD ON the spinning faces as (OVER) we hear...
TWO-FACE
Bruce, Batman. Bruce, Batman.

INT. COSTUME VAULT, BATCAVE NIGHT

Opens with a HISS. Dick passes the Batman costumes until he comes to
a standing figure different from the rest.
His Robin costume. He packs to leave forever.

EXT. WAYNE ESTATE

Dick rides his motorcycle through the protective hologram of the
trees, heading away into the dark night.

INT. WAYNE MANOR DINING ALCOVE NIGHT

Intensely romantic. Filled with live roses, Alfred leaves having
served an intimate candlelight dinner to Bruce and Chase.
BRUCE
There's something I want to talk with you
about. It's... Well, we... I...
CHASE
Okay, tiger, take it slow. You going to give
me your pin or something?
Bruce LAUGHS. He's obviously having trouble.

CHASE
Let me go first, okay? I think I've found
something. About your dreams. I pulled the
files on your parents' murders. There was a
missing diary, Bruce. Alfred told the police
your father always kept it on his desk. But
the day after the murders, it was gone. Maybe
that's the book you're.
But Bruce isn't listening. He's pressing his eyes. Hard.

BRUCE POV
A series of images. The coffins. The book. The run through the
stormy night. The fall. The bat.
CHASE
What is it? What's wrong?
BRUCE
Flashes. Images. Of that night.
CHASE
Your memories are repressed. They're trying
to break through. Relax. Try to remember.
BRUCE
I don't want to remember!
CHASE
Stop fighting.
A long beat. Then Bruce Wayne surrenders, leans back. Closes his
eyes. Remembers.
BRUCE
My parents are laid out in the library. Their
skin smells like talcum powder. I'm so small.
My father's diary is on his desk like always.
I'm opening the book. Reading. I'm running
out into the storm. The book is in my hands.
I can't hear my screams over the rain. I'm
falling...
CHASE
What does it say? What hurts so much, Bruce?
What does the book say?
BRUCE
I don't.
CHASE
You do know. Try.
Bruce opens his eyes. Clear. He remembers.

BRUCE
The last entry read, Bruce insists on seeing
a movie tonight.
(a beat)
Bruce insists. I made them go out. I made
them take me to the movie. To that theater...
(finally)
It was my fault. I killed them.
CHASE
Oh God, Bruce, you were a child. You weren't
responsible.
BRUCE
(to himself)
... Not the bat?
CHASE
What?
BRUCE
I always thought it was the bat that scared
me that night that changed my life. But it
wasn't. The real fear was hiding underneath:
What I read in the journal, that my parents'
deaths were my fault. That's what I couldn't
remember. That's the crime I've been paying
for all these years.
CHASE
What are you talking about?
BRUCE
Chase. There's something I need to tell you.
(OVER) The doorbell RINGS.

FRONT DOOR
Alfred peers out to a sea of Halloween Masks.
LITTLE VOICE
Trick or Treat?
Alfred grabs his candy bags as he opens the door to...
The Riddler, Two-Face and the Thugs.
RIDDLER
Trick.
He CRACKS Alfred on the head with his cane. Down he goes.
TWO-FACE
(to his thugs)
Get the girl.

INT. DINING ALCOVE

(OVER) a COMMOTION.
BRUCE
What the hell?
Thugs appear at both doorways.
Bruce moves fast as he grabs a silver serving tray, flips it into
one of the screaming Thugs' faces, swings the platter into the
other's head. Two down.
Bruce grabs Chase's hand and they're out the door, racing fast,
several more henchmen in close pursuit.

MEANWHILE
The Riddler uses the scanner in the head of his cane to locate and
open the secret door to the Batcave.

INT. HALLWAY
Bruce and Chase race towards the stairway. Bruce pulls standing
display suits of armor to the floor as he goes, blocking the Thugs'
way.

INT. BAT CAVE

Riddler has found heaven. From his pouch he produces tiny green
bombs shaped like bats. He winds one up, its head SCREECHING with
each twist of the neck, lets it fly.
RIDDLER
What's that I hear?
Like a tiny bat, the first bomb flies into the video wall. A
tremendous EXPLOSION.
RIDDLER
Why it must be the fat lady getting ready to
sing.
The next bat-bomb flaps into the costume vault. BLOWS it completely.
The crime lab EXPLODES next.
The Riddler winds a bunch of bat-bombs now, lets them fly. The tiny
green bats sail high forming a giant question mark in mid-air before
plummeting suddenly in formation down into the cockpit of the
Batmobile.

RIDDLER
(Jack's favorite line)
Gonna have a hot time in the old town
tonight.
(a beat)
Who used to say that? Somebody always used to
say that.
The car EXPLODES.

INT. WAYNE MANOR GRAND STAIRCASE

Bruce and Chase flee up the giant staircase, the Thugs a step
behind. One two-toned bad-guy leaps forward, gets a fistful of
Chase's dress. She goes down. Looks like she's done for. At the last
moment, Chase gives a mighty kick and the Thug topples backwards,
down the stairs.
Bruce is holding off a couple more, closing near the top step. He
spins, a powerful roundhouse clocking one in the head, sending him
backwards down the stairs.
BRUCE
Go!
Chase moves behind him, up to the landing, turns to see Bruce fell
another with a spinning back kick, a third with a flying back-fist.
Bruce and Chase race to the top of the stairs.

TWO-FACE
Stands on the floor below. Just the moment he's been waiting for.
TWO-FACE
See ya.
He SHOOTS. The bullet grazes Bruce's head. He falls down the grand
staircase.
CHASE SCREAMS as Thugs grab her.

BRUCE
Hits the floor. Hard. No movement. None at all.
TWO-FACE
Bruce, you sure know how to throw a party.
Two-Face stands over the prostrate form. Draws his gun. SLAMS in a
new clip of ammo.
RIDDLER (OVER)
Sheath your weapon my impetuous cohort.
Riddler has appeared from the Batcave.

TWO-FACE
We want to dust him. We truly want to dust
him bad.
RIDDLER
Oh yes, and certainly WE will!
Riddler walks over to the unconscious Wayne. Kneels. Looks at him,
tender, like a lover. Caresses his face.
RIDDLER
My poor sweet hero.
He stands, kicks him hard in the rib cage. Bones CRACK.
RIDDLER
We'll kill him alright. But first...
(calling)
Boys.
With that, the Thugs drag out a freshly bound Chase.
CHASE
Bruce!
Riddler drops an envelope (RIDDLE #4) on Bruce.
RIDDLER
... We're going to make him suffer.

INT. BATCAVE
Sputtering. Burning.

THE COSTUME VAULT

BATSUIT CLOSE
Surrounded by licking flames, the Bat emblem begins to melt.
DISSOLVE TO:

BRUCE'S EYE CLOSE

ZOOM IN as we fall again into a dark hole, the Monarch Bat flying
straight at the CAMERA, his red eye filling the SCREEN.
DISSOLVE TO:

BRUCE'S EYE CLOSE

WIDER

INT. BRUCE'S BEDROOM MORNING

Bruce is in bed, head bandaged. Alfred is walking a doctor to the
door.
DOCTOR
The injuries are relatively minor. The shot
did cause a concussion. Watch for headaches.
Memory lapses. Odd behavior. I'll check back
in a few days.
Alfred ushers him out, returns to Bruce's bedside.
ALFRED
How are you feeling, young man?
BRUCE
Not that young. It's been a long time since
you've called me that.
ALFRED
Old habits die hard. Are you alright?
BRUCE
As well as can be expected, I guess. Give me
the bad news.
ALFRED
Dick has run away. They have taken Dr.
Meridian. And I'm afraid they found the cave,
sir. It's been destroyed.
Bruce looks up at Alfred, eyes narrow, puzzled.
BRUCE
The case? What cave?

EXT. POLICE HEADQUARTERS ROOFTOP

The Batsignal lights the sky. Gordon paces.
GORDON
Where is he?
A concerned DEPUTY emerges onto the roof.
DEPUTY
The Mayor's called again.
(off the signal)
He's not going to show. Maybe he's hurt sir.
Maybe he's -GORDON
No!
(not so sure)
... No.

INT. BATCAVE
Or what's left of it. Melted ruin and rubble. Bruce stands with a
worried Alfred, surveying the landscape.
BRUCE
(disbelieving)
I'm Batman? I remember my life as Bruce
Wayne.
(looking around)
But all this. It's like the life of a
stranger.
ALFRED
Perhaps the fall...
BRUCE
There's one other thing. I feel..
ALFRED
What?
BRUCE
... Afraid.
ALFRED
Bruce. Son. Listen to me. You are a kind man.
A strong man. But in truth you are not the
most sane man.
BRUCE
... A bat.
ALFRED
What?
BRUCE
I remember a bat. A monster. A demon. Chasing
me.
(child's terror)
Oh my God, Alfred.
ALFRED
No demons, son.
(touching his head)
Your monsters are here. Until you fact that,
I fear you will spend your life fleeing them.

INT. RIDDLER'S CONTROL ROOM

Riddler sits on his throne, absorbing pulses of neural energy, his
head growing.
RIDDLER
It's happy time Gotham. Have you hugged your
little boxes today?
(singing)
I'm in heaven. I'm in heaven with a girl like
you.

WIDER
Chase has been chained to the floor of his throne.
CHASE
Batman will come for me.
RIDDLER
(singing)
Someday my bat will come. Some day my bat
will come.
(suddenly lethal)
I'm counting on it.
He puts his face close to Chase's.
CHASE
You're frying your brain.
RIDDLER
Nap time gorgeous.
The Riddler draws a hypo filled with green liquid. He plunges it
into her neck as she passes out.

INT. BATCAVE
Bruce stands before a dark, rocky mouth. Through this passage, the
cave as it once was, sweating granite, a shifting world of shadow.
Bruce steps inside.

INT. INNER BATCAVE

FAVOR BRUCE as he walks deeper into the darkness. The walls around
him undulate, as if covered in water.

WALLS CLOSER
The movement isn't water at all. It's the restless shrugging of
bats. Thousands of bats.
Bruce presses on. Sweat beads on his face.
Ahead, a diffusion of moonlight illuminates a curving rock chamber,
bats here too bringing the walls to life.
Bruce moves into the moonlight. Looks up.

BRUCE POV
A narrow chute. The fall he took as a child.
He kneels, there on the floor, worn by years of weather, a single
book. A diary.

Bruce kneels, touches the leather cover, fingers lingering for a

moment on his father's embossment, before he turns yellowed pages to
the last entry. Painfully, by moonlight, he reads.
BRUCE (OVER)
(dreaded confirmation)
Bruce insists on seeing a movie tonight...
He pauses, gathers himself. He continues.
BRUCE (OVER)
But Martha and I have our hearts set on
Zorro, so Bruce's cartoon will have to wait
until next week.
Bruce stares at the book in disbelief. Then he looks up at the
moonlight, tears streaming down his face.
BRUCE
... Not my fault. It wasn't my fault.
Suddenly, in the darkness ahead, a dark shape moves, head rising,
slits opening to reveal two blood red eyes.
The giant monarch bat spreads its wings, huge, as it rises, suddenly
airborne, rushing toward him.

BRUCE CLOSE
And terrified. He turns to run. The bat's flapping wings BEAT like
drums, closing fast.
Bruce holds his ground. Resolved. He turns and faces the monster,
SCREECHING towards him, glistening fangs barely inches from his
face.
Something remarkable happens. The bat holds its position, stares
into Bruce's eyes, wings spreading wide.
A beat. Then Bruce raises his arms, a living mirror. The two stand
facing each other, man and bat. In the moonlight on the wall, their
shadows begin to blend, to merge, becoming one SHIMMERING WHITE
LIGHT!

INT. BATCAVE
The mouth of the inner cave. A sudden SCREAMING DIN as a storm of
bats explode into the cave, a shooting column of life and there,
from within, steps a man.

REVERSE ANGLE
Alfred stands at the entrance.
ALFRED
Master, Bruce?

BRUCE
... Batman, Alfred. I'm Batman.

EXT. NIGHT SKY

The Batsignal shines. Suddenly the air above the familiar circle
begins to shimmer and glow, becoming...
A giant green question mark. The Batsignal itself is now just the
small period at the symbol's bottom.

INT. BATCAVE NIGHT

Bruce stands at the ruined control platform. Riddles are spread
before him. Including the most recent.
BRUCE
All the answers are numbers.
ALFRED
But 1, 3, 1, 8, & 5. What do they mean?
BRUCE
What do maniacs always want?
ALFRED
Recognition, of course.
BRUCE
Precisely. So this number is probably some
kind of calling card.
Bruce stares at the numbers. Adds them: 18. Squares them: 1916. No
luck. Starts again, separating them: 13/18/5.
BRUCE
Letters in the alphabet.
ALFRED
Of course. 13 is M... MRE.
BRUCE
How about, MR. E.
ALFRED
Mystery.
BRUCE
And another name for Mystery?
ALFRED
Enigma.
BRUCE
Exactly. Mr. E. Mister Edward Nygma.

INT. STONE STAIRCASE

Bruce leads Alfred through a secret stairway.
BRUCE
Good thing Mr. E. didn't know about the cave
under the cave.

INT. SUBTERRANEAN CAVE

Dark, jagged, surrounded by water. Here, the Batwing and Batboat are
stored.
ALFRED
What now sir?
BRUCE
Claw Island. Nygma's headquarters. I'm sure
that's where they're keeping Chase.
(realizing)
Are all the Batsuits destroyed?
ALFRED
All except the prototype with the sonar
modifications you so disapprove of. But it
hasn't yet been tested.
BRUCE
Tonight's a good night.
CLOSE ON Batman's fist being shoved into a new gauntlet.
CLOSE ON Batman's new boot snapping shut.
CLOSE ON The improved Utility Belt buckling on firmly.
CLOSE ON The new cowl sliding down over Batman's head.

PULL BACK TO REVEAL

The Batman a darker enemy to fear.
BATMAN
What do you suggest, Alfred. By see or by
air?
DICK (OVER)
Why not both?
A figure steps out of the shadows. Dick.
The cape is now black, yellow on the inside only. A red armored
vest compliments green tights with knee armor, a utility belt and
flexible black boots.
BATMAN
Dick... Where did you get that suit?

ALFRED
I... um... took the liberty, sir.
DICK
I thought you could use a friend.
Bruce stares at him a beat.
BATMAN
Not a friend.
He extends his hand.
BATMAN
A partner.
The Dynamic Duo clasp hands.

EXT. WAYNE MANOR TENNIS COURT NIGHT

Fast clouds. Bowing trees.
Suddenly, the entire tennis court slides away.
The Batwing rises into the night sky.

EXT. STORM DRAIN

The Batboat hits the water.

EXT. ROOFTOP OF POLICE HEADQUARTERS NIGHT

Commissioner Gordon and his deputy, standing vigil under the false
moon of the Batsignal.
GORDON
(finally)
He's not coming. Shut it down.
The Deputy reaches for the power switch. Suddenly, a ROAR cuts the
night.

ANGLE UP TO:
The Batsignal. The ROAR grows louder. Light and shadow dance, for a
second it seems the Batsignal itself is flying toward us. Suddenly
The Batwing bursts through the signal.
The dark plane BUZZES Police Headquarters, dipping a wing to Gordon.
A triumphant Gordon waves Batman onward.

INT. COCKPIT
Working the controls, Batman is back.

EXT. GOTHAM HARBOR NIGHT

Still, night waters.
Suddenly, the Batboat, running silent and dark, cuts across the
harbor.
Dick is at the helm, wearing night-vision goggles.

DICK'S POV INFRA-RED

Claw Island looms ahead.

SEARCHLIGHTS
Atop the island headquarters pop on, one by one, flooding the water
with light.

INT. RIDDLER'S CONTROL CENTER NIGHT

The Riddler and Two-Face stand clutching controls on opposite sides
of a holographically generated game of Battleship.
Each is firing tiny blips at the small dot crossing the floating
screen.
RIDDLER
A-14.
TWO-FACE
Miss.

EXT. GOTHAM HARBOR NIGHT

A mortar EXPLODES aft of the Batboat, shooting a WATER SPOUT high in
the sky.

INT. RIDDLER'S CONTROL CENTER NIGHT

TWO-FACE
B-12.
RIDDLER
A miss. And my favorite vitamin, I might add.

EXT. GOTHAM HARBOR

Another EXPLOSION to stern.
Dick is thrown as a third shell hits the Batboat. The craft
EXPLODES.

INT. NYGMATECH RECREATION ROOM

TWO-FACE
A hit.
RIDDLER
You sunk my battleship.

EXT. GOTHAM HARBOR NIGHT

Dick slips a re-breather into his mouth. Dives underwater, starts to
swim towards Claw Island.

UNDERWATER
A SPEAR shoots past leaving a trail of bubbles. Another.

A HIDDEN BUNKER
Issues a stream of armed frogmen.

EXT. GOTHAM HARBOR NIGHT

The BATWING soars over the water.

INT. BATWING COCKPIT

INFRA-RED SCREEN CLOSE
A Dick blip, besieged underwater by frogmen blips.

EXT. CLAW ISLAND NIGHT

A laser shoots from the top of the stronghold, neatly severing one
of the Batwing's wings.

EXT. BATWING GOTHAM HARBOR NIGHT

The Batwing dives straight into the river.

INT. COCKPIT
BATMAN POV THROUGH THE WINDSCREEN
The water comes up fast, a rushing EXPLOSION.

EXT. GOTHAM HARBOR UNDERWATER

Dark panels shift, sealing wheel hubs, growing sleek fins as the
Batwing morphs now into the Batsub.

UNDERWATER
Two frogmen hold Dick by arms and legs as several more swim towards
him with exposed knives.

THE BATSUB
BLASTS over an underwater reef.

A TORPEDO TUBE CLOSE

FIRES a dark rocket towards the frogmen at blinding speed.

A FROGMAN CLOSE
Spins.

FROGMAN'S POV THROUGH MASK

The torpedo racing towards him unfurls to reveal... Batman.

BATMAN'S FIST
Smashes the glass of the Frogman's mask.

THE THUG
Rises in a mass of bubbles.

DICK
Uses the distraction and kicks free. Batman and Dick take on the
frogmen, hand to hand.

EXT. CLAW ISLAND SHORE NIGHT

Batman and Dick break the surface. Dick discards his re-breather.
Climbs onto the shore.

DICK
Holy rusted metal, Batman.
BATMAN
What?
Dick takes a few steps forward, kneels.
DICK
(off the rusted floor)
The ground. It's metal and its full of holes.
You know. Holey.
BATMAN
This place was a refueling station for subs
during the war...
Just as Batman starts to climb out of the water (OVER) a horrendous
CRUNCHING as Dick begins to rise.

WIDER
The island surface is actually the top of a tremendous metal sphere
balanced atop an enormous cylindrical oil tank, rising, now, fast
out of the water.
BATMAN
Dick.
Batman throws a Batarang but it glances off the side of the sphere.

WIDER
Batman stands staring up at Dick, who stands alone atop the metal
sphere now near five stories high.
No way up. Batman spots a rusting access panel in the giant support
cylinder. He RIPS it off and climbs inside.

EXT. DOME
Dick stands looking down at the ocean.
TWO-FACE (OVER)
The Bat or the Bird. We couldn't decide who
got to kill who.
(a beat)
Or is it whom?
Dick spins. Two-Face has emerged from a hatch atop the dome. He
stands smiling at Dick, a knife in his hands.
TWO-FACE
We flipped for it. We got you.
Two-Face's leap is savage, catching Dick by the throat.

WIDER
The two slide down the sloping edge of the dome, their descent
stopped by a narrow, rusting metal lip.
Two-Face SMASHES Dick's head into the side of the dome. Once. Twice.
Three times.
TWO-FACE
What's wrong, circus-boy? No mommy and daddy
to save you?
Two-Face raises his blade over the dazed Dick. Brings it down fast.
Dick rolls clear, the blade wedging into the rusted metal surface.
All the time Dick needs. He back-flips erect, kicks Two-Face hard in
the head.
DICK
For my mother.
A flying front kick to the chin.
DICK
For my father.
A spinning back kick knocking him to his knees.
DICK
For Chris.
Dick hauls off and smashes him in the face.
DICK
For me.
The punch sends Two-Face rolling down the side of the dome, fingers
raking sloping steel, finding no purchase.
At the last second, Two-Face grabs a small metal dimple on the belly
of the dome's curve, hanging on for dear life, feet kicking wildly
over the abyss.
TWO-FACE
The scales are tipped. The blindfold torn
from the lady's eyes. Justice will be served.
The rusting metal bulge starts to tear and break.
TWO-FACE
You're a man after my own heart, son.
The metal breaks free.
TWO-FACE
(grinning)
See you in hell.
Two-Face's hands tear through the rust. He falls.

DICK'S HAND grabs him.

WIDER
Dick hoists him to safety.
DICK
No. I'd rather see you in jail.
TWO-FACE
The Bat's taught you well. Noble.
Two-Face spins, a gun suddenly in his hand, pressing now into the
flesh between Dick's eyes.
TWO-FACE
A mistake. But definitely noble.
Two-Face COCKS the trigger.

INT. CYLINDER
Immense. Empty. Just the CRASHING surf and rocks below. Batman looks
up. The ceiling is...
A GIANT STEEL GRATE flush with the sides of the cylinder.
Batman loads a Batarang into his launcher. FIRES.

THE BATARANG
... flies high, secures purchase on the grate.

BATMAN
... attaches the cable to the winch on his belt.
Begins rising fast.

THE GRATE BOLTS

EXPLODE, causing the giant grate to fall towards Batman.

BATMAN
... twirls on the rope so he is rising upside down, his feet racing
towards the plummeting grate. He hits a switch on his utility belt.

THRUSTERS
On his new Batsuit ROCKET him feet first towards the descending
grate.

IMPACT! The grate flips like a pie pan. Batman lets go of the wire,
cutting his thrusters and tumbling in mid-air so his hands now
extend before him. He grabs one of the steel girders in the darkness
overhead.
Batman hangs, watching the now dislodged grate fall to the watery
depth below. A beat. He hoists himself onto a steel platform to
face...

INT. RIDDLER'S CONTROL ROOM

The Riddler sits across the room in his throne, a huge antenna
shooting up into the night sky behind him through a round hole in
the dome. A large ring of Green Neon encircles him, feeding him more
and more brain power.
RIDDLER
Welcome to my parlor said the Riddler to the
Bat. How's tricks?
BATMAN
No more tricks, Edward. Release Chase and
Dick. This is between you and me.
Two-Face steps from behind The Riddler.
TWO-FACE
And me and me.
BATMAN
(off the antenna)
... Of course. The Box does more than enhance
neural energy. You've been sucking Gotham's
brainwaves.
RIDDLER
And now it's new. Improved. Better than ever.

SCREENS CLOSE
Endless schematics of flickering brains.
BATMAN
... The jolt I felt in the beam at your
party.
(getting it)
You've devised a way to map the human brain.
To read men's minds.

RIDDLER
Oh, Bruce, you are clever. How fitting that
numbers lead you to me. For numbers will
crown me king. My Box will sit on countless
TV's around the globe, mapping brains, giving
me credit card numbers. Bank codes. Safe
combinations. Numbers of infidelities. Of
crimes. Of lies told. No secret is safe from
my watchful electronic eye. I will rule the
planet. For if knowledge is power then
tremble world, Edward Nygma has become a God.
(to Harvey)
Was that over the top? I can never tell...
(to Batman)
By the way, B-man, I got your number.

SCREENS CLOSE
Form a towering picture of Batman.

OTHER SCREENS CLOSE

Form a towering picture of Bruce.
The images collide, forming a half Bruce, half Batman.
RIDDLER
I've seen your mind. Yours is the greatest
Riddle of all. Can Bruce Wayne and Batman
ever truly coexist? Stop me if I'm wrong
here.
Batman remains stoic, but The Riddler is right on.
RIDDLER
So let's help you decide, once and for all,
who you really are. Behind Curtain #1...
A curtain rises: Chase in a cylinder, bound unconscious.
RIDDLER
The captivating Dr. Chase Meridian. Love of
Bruce Wayne's life. Behind curtain #2...
Another curtain reveals: Dick in similar peril.
RIDDLER
Batman's one and only partner.
(a beat)
Below, my personal favorite...

TRAP DOORS
Beneath Chase and Dick open wide.
ANGLE DOWN to the jagged rocks and crashing surf below.

RIDDLER
A watery grave!

A BUTTON CLOSE
Shaped like a glowing green skull.
RIDDLER
A simple touch and five seconds later these
two day players are so much gull feed on the
rocks below. Not enough time to save them
both. So who will it be? Bruce's love?
Batman's partner? You decide. Is this fun or
what?
BATMAN
Edward, you've become a monster.
RIDDLER
You flatter me. No monster. Just The Riddler,
and here's yours. What is without taste or
sound, all around, but can't be found? On
your mark, get set...
The Riddler reaches for the button. Batman steps forward.

ANGLE
From the water below.
The floor between where Batman stands and the Riddler's throne
platform is translucent. A hologram masking a tremendous gap. Batman
is about to step into an abyss.
Batman stops short. Looks up at Riddler.
BATMAN
Death.
(louder)
Death. Without taste, sound and all around
us.
(getting it)
Because there is no way for me to save them
or myself. This is one giant death trap.
RIDDLER
Excellent. See. Who says a guy in a rubber
suit can't be smart? Well, it's been grand.
Sorry you all have to die now.
Riddler touches the skull button. (OVER) A SCREECH.
Batman looks up.

HIGH ABOVE
The Riddler's antenna a giant monarch bat glides across the night.

THE BAT CLOSE

BATMAN CLOSE
No fear. A moment of communion.
BATMAN
Wait. I have a riddle for you.
RIDDLER
For me? Really? Tell me.
BATMAN
I see without seeing. To me, darkness is as
clear as daylight. What am I?
RIDDLER
Oh please. You're blind as a bat.
BATMAN
Exactly!
Batman SLAMS his Utility Belt, releasing a high energy Batarang
which he hurls at the Riddler's huge antenna.

THE BATARANG
SMASHES into the Riddler's antenna. A tremendous EXPLOSION of sparks
as the transceiver short circuits.
RIDDLER
No!
The room goes pitch black.

RIDDLER'S FINGER CLOSE

Hits the skull button.

DICK AND CHASE

Drop, plummet through space.

BATMAN CLOSE
Two metal lids SHUT over Batman's eyes.

BATMAN'S POV INSIDE THE MASK

Small sonar screens on the back of Batman's eyepieces reveal the
phantom floor and the wild criss-cross of interconnected steel beams
and the crashing ocean below.

BATMAN
Throws another Batarang, which lassos a beam overhead, swings
forward, grabbing a falling Chase as he passes, depositing her on a
steel platform.

BATMAN POV (SONAR SCREENS)

Dick drops to certain death.

BATMAN
... dives towards the sea below as he whips another Batarang around
a passing girder. He catches Dick just above the rocks precisely as
the Batrope pulls taught, using the bat-winch to shoot them back up
to the platform.

BATMAN POV (SONAR SCREENS)

As he rests Dick on the platform beside Chase. Suddenly his world
flares a blinding white.

TWO-FACE
Stands on the platform before him, a halogen light strapped around
his head, blinding Batman's sensors.
Two-Face brandishes his gun.
TWO-FACE
All those heroics for nothing. No more
riddles, no more curtains one and two. Just
plain old curtains.
He COCKS the trigger.
BATMAN
Haven't you forgotten something, Harvey?
You're always of two minds about
everything...
The handsome side of Harvey's face turns toward them.
TWO-FACE
Oh. Emotion is so often the enemy of justice.
Thank you, Bruce.
He takes out his famous coin and flips it. Batman starts to reach
for his Utility Belt, to out-smart Two-Face. But as the coin flies
high up in the air, it comes down just a hair too far away.
TWO-FACE
No!
As Two-Face reaches out to catch it, he loses his balance and falls
to the rocks and angry sea below.

BATMAN
Help Chase. I'll be back.
CHASE
(groggy)
Did Two-Face call him Bruce?
DICK
Of course not.
Batman starts scaling girders, pulls himself back into...

INT. RIDDLER'S CONTROL ROOM

The lights are still down but the antenna's functioning again, the
Riddler in his throne, absorbing pulses of neural energy. Too much.
his entire head seems to distort, fluctuating in size and wavering.
RIDDLER
Why can't I kill you? Now there's a riddle?
(more juice)
Not smart enough. Find a way.
(more juice)
Too many questions.
(more juice)
Why you and not me?
(more juice)
Why me?
(more juice)
Why??!!
Batman SLAMS the power switch, the throne going dark.

EDWARD CLOSE
Knees drawn to his chest. Pathetic.
WHIMPERING. Mad.
Batman looks down, his eyes sad, compassionate.
BATMAN
Poor, Edward. I had to save them both. You
see, I am Bruce Wayne and Batman. Not because
I have to be. Now because I choose to be.
Batman reaches out to Edward. Ed jerks in fear, looks up.

EDWARD'S POV
Coming towards him, not Batman, but a hideous demonic giant bat.

EDWARD CLOSE
SCREAMS.

EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM NIGHT

Another stormy night.

INT. MAXIMUM SECURITY WING

Dr. Burton walks the corridor with Chase.
DR. BURTON
Edward Nygma has been screaming for hours
that he knows the true identity of Batman.
They reach Edward's cell.

THEIR POV INT. PADDED CELL

Lit only by the moon. Chase speaks through the small barred set into
the heavy door.
CHASE
Edward...
EDWARD
Who is it?
CHASE
It's Dr. Meridian. Chase. Do you remember me?
EDWARD (O.S.)
How could I forget?
CHASE
Dr. Burton tells me you know who Batman is.
EDWARD (O.S.)
(giggle, giggle)
Yesssssss. I know!
Chase and Burton look at each other, on edge.
CHASE
Who is The Batman, Edward?
EDWARD (O.S.)
Can't tell if you don't say please.
CHASE
You're right, Edward. I didn't mean to be
impolite. Please.
No response. Just GIGGLES.
CHASE
Edward, please. Who is Batman?
A beat. Suddenly a huge silhouette of a bat appears on the padded
wall. Into it leaps Edward, the sleeves of his straightjacket madly
flapping like the wings of a bat.

EDWARD
I AM BATMAAAAAAANN!!!

EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM NIGHT

Chase comes down the front steps to find Alfred waiting with the
Rolls, holding the rear door open.
CHASE
Alfred?
ALFRED
Mr. Wayne sent me to pick you up.

INT. ROLLS MOVING

Alfred drives out the front gates of Arkham Asylum.
CHASE
Where's Bruce?
ALFRED
He asked me to convey his deepest apologies,
Dr. Meridian. But he wanted me to give you
this.
Alfred hands her a small wicker figure. The dream doll.
ALFRED
He said to thank you. And to tell you he no
longer needs it.
She notices the Batsignal in the night sky.
CHASE
Does it ever end Alfred?
ALFRED
No, Miss. Not in this lifetime.
Chase looks out the car window. In the distance, the shape of the
bat shimmers against the clouds.

ZOOM INTO:
The Batsignal, filling the screen.
PAN DOWN

EXT. TOP OF SKYSCRAPER NIGHT

Batman stands on the edge of the gargoyled building, a lone
silhouette keeping vigil over the city.

Then another figure steps up into frame, taking his place behind
Batman. Their capes billow in the city wind.
Now there are two guardians of the night: Batman and Robin. Beware!
FINAL FADE TO
BLACK

THE END