EXT. GOTHAM CITY. NIGHT.

We open with a shot of a full moon, blazing yellow over the night's dark canopy. We pan down, and see the setting: GOTHAM. The city is dark and gloomy... almost scary. We begin to zoom fast, passing buildings and skyscrapers. Suddenly, we dive, down to street level.

An insane laugh fills the night.

A PURPLE CONVERTIBLE zooms past. Following close behind it, is the BATMOBILE.

ANGLE: PURPLE CAR.

We see the driver, a small-time crook named STEVEN. Beside him, someone fat, with face paint: JIMBO. And standing awkwardly in the back seat, clutching a gun, is the JOKER. Joker- AKA - JACK NAPIER, wears a strange purple suit, and his skin is bleached all-white. On his face is the most hideous grin ever.

Joker holds out the LONG GUN, and fires at the Batmobile, laughing away.

ANGLE: BATMOBILE.

The Batmobile is a huge, sleek, black/blue car, with black metal "wings" sticking off of the back end.

INT. COCKPIT.

BATMAN sits calmly in the driver's seat, watching the madman. Batman's suit is a dark gray, like smoke. His cowl and cape are pitch black. But perhaps the most notable thing on his costume, the huge outstretched silhouette of A BAT.

Batman raises his gloved hand to his mouth. He begins talking into a COMMUNICATOR, hidden in the glove. He speaks, with a gruff and serious tone:

BATMAN
(into communicator)
Robin? You ready?

CUT TO:
EXT. ROOFTOP. CONTINUOUS.

ROBIN is crouching on a stone gargoyle, as his cape flaps in the wind. His costume is a wonderful mix of red and
green. Over his eyes, is a small black mask, with two eye slits, which protect his secret identity as DICK GRAYSON. Robin raises his hand as well.

ROBIN
(into communicator)
Yeah. Tell me when.

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET LEVEL. CONTINUOUS.

As Joker's car zooms by, we angle UP, to see Robin, standing on a rooftop.

ANGLE: BATMAN.

BATMAN
(into communicator)
NOW!

ANGLE: ROBIN.

He soars off the building, with perfect grace, and lands on the hood of Joker's car. Joker turns around, and starts firing. Robin jumps over the windshield, kicking the driver unconscious. The car begins to SWAY back and forth. It swerves, and crashes into a building.

ANGLE: BATMOBILE.

The top slides open, and Batman jumps into action.

ANGLE: JOKER & COMPANY.

Robin is busy punching and kicking Jimbo, as Joker runs, and turns into an alley.

EXT. ALLEY. SAME MOMENT.

Joker stops, seeing the dead-end. He looks around, and spots a ladder, hanging from the roof. He runs for it, and climbs.

ANGLE: PURPLE CAR.


Jimbo is having a tough time with Robin. Robin blocks everything Jimbo throws at him. Robin blocks a punch, then twists Jimbo's arm.

ROBIN
Having fun yet?

Behind Robin, Steven holds a MALLET. Steven sneaks slowly, and swings the mallet. Robin ducks, lets go of Jimbo, and turns to face Steven.

Steven swings the mallet again, and Robin grabs the shaft of it. Robin pulls the mallet away, and drops it to the ground. He kicks Steven, then grabs his collar, and pulls him close.

ROBIN
Do you like pain? 'Cause I really, really like pain.

Robin knees Steven in the gut.

ANGLE: JIMBO.

He crawls towards the mallet, and grabs it.

ANGLE: ROBIN & STEVEN.

Robin throws Steven into the car. Jimbo slowly sneaks up, and smacks Robin in the head with the mallet.

ANGLE: ROOFTOP.

Joker gets to the top of the ladder, and crawls up. He stands, and walks over to the edge. He looks down at the action. His first words are scratchy, and dark:

JOKER
Hmmm... there's a certain Bat missing in action.

Behind him, Batman lands, cape spread.

BATMAN
It's over, Joker.

Joker turns, smiling.

JOKER
If I had a corpse for every time I heard that, this town'd


(CONTINUING) be deserted!

BATMAN
You're done, Joker.

JOKER
(laughs)
Am I?

Joker lunges himself at Batman, tackling him. Joker lands on top of Batman. Joker begins punching Batman, alternating hands with each blow. He laughs.

JOKER
(laughs)
You haven't truly lived until you've punched Batman in the teeth! People don't know what they're missing!

Joker gets up.

JOKER
Come on, Bats. You're usually more of a fighter.

Batman pulls out a BATARANG, and throws it at Joker. It hits him in the face.

JOKER
Oh, come on, Bats. Fight like a man. Every god damn time, you throw those things at me. It actually pisses me off. A LOT.

Joker punches Batman HARD in the mouth. Batman rolls with it. He turns away from Joker. Batman wipes blood from his mouth, then spits.

Batman quickly turns, and kicks Joker. Joker stumbles. Joker grabs Batman by the throat, and throws Batman to the edge of the building. Batman moans.

JOKER
Come now, Batman. You're off your game. My grandmother fights better than you. Or she did...
(quietly)
...until I killed her.

Joker kicks Batman. Once, twice, three times.


JOKER
Now you know what it feels like to be thrown around. You like it? Hmmm?

He kicks Batman once more, and Batman falls over the edge. But he grabs onto the ledge with one hand.

BATMAN
Joker... help me...

JOKER
Oh, isn't this rich! It's like a déja-vu! Remember Bats? I was holding for dear life, and you let me fall into that vat of boiling acid.
(laughs)
It's okay, I'm glad it happened. I really am. Now, let's do some role-playing! We can re-create that night!If memory serves, you were holding me with one hand.
(Joker grabs Batman's hand, and holds it tight.)
Then... oops!

Joker lets go, and Batman falls down into an open dumpster.

ANGLE: JOKER

He is smiling, then he bursts into hysterical laughter.

ANGLE: PURPLE CAR.

Jimbo and Steven are kicking Robin over and over. Joker walks up to them.

JOKER
Oooh... daddy like!

Joker motions for Jimbo and Steven to bring Robin over to the car's trunk. Joker opens it, and the two thugs throw Robin in.

JOKER
Sweet dreams, birdie.

Joker closes the trunk, leaving us in total BLACKOUT.

CUT TO:
INT. BATCAVE. CONTINUOUS.


CAMERA pans across the giant cave. It is dark, and bats fly happily through the cavern. Batman has made this his own "special" place: a giant computer is along a wall, and several vehicles are there as well.

CUT TO:

INT. BATCAVE TRAINING ROOM. CONT.

BARBARA GORDON, daughter of police commissioner
James W. Gordon stands here, kicking a punching bag. Barbara has beautiful, striking red hair, and perhaps the most beautiful eyes, and most perfect body on the planet.

The ENGINE of the Batmobile is heard OFFSCREEN. Barbara looks up, and runs out of the training room.

INT. BATCAVE MAIN CHAMBER.

Barbara runs up to Batman, who is getting out of the Batmobile. He is bleeding.

BARBARA
What happened?

Bruce removes his cowl, to reveal BRUCE WAYNE, handsome billionaire playboy. But he's not so beautiful with blood running into his eyes.

BRUCE
Suit up. Dick's missing.

CUT TO:

EXT. GOTHAM ARENA. NIGHT.

The old arena is barely standing. It is run down, but yet has a huge glass dome on the roof. Batman and Batgirl land on the roof, and peer into the giant window.

INT. GOTHAM ARENA. CONT.

Robin is tied to a post inside an old wrestling ring, right in the center of the building. He is unable to move, as he is secured with chains. Steven and Jimbo approach the ring holding baseball bats.

EXT. ARENA ROOF. CONT

BATMAN
Stay here.

He runs to a stairwell door, opens it, and disappears down the dark stairs.

INT. THE RING. CONT.

Robin sees the thugs coming towards him. He struggles, but can't free himself.

ANGLE: BATMAN.

He opens the stairwell door silently, and creeps out. He is partly hidden by the shadows. He is on the second level.

ANGLE: JOKER.

Joker steps into the ring, holding a handgun. He opens the barrel- only one bullet inside. He shuts it.

JOKER
(to Robin)
Let's play a little game, shall we? I'll fire one at a time, 'kay? If no bullet splatters your brains out, you get one more chance.

ROBIN
Chance for... what?

JOKER
One more chance to tell me who Batman is.
(laughs)

ANGLE: BATMAN.

Batman makes a scared face.

ANGLE: JOKER & ROBIN.

Joker puts the gun to Robin's head.

JOKER
So tell me, kid... who is BATMAN?

ROBIN
Go to hell...

Joker pulls the trigger. No bullet.

JOKER
Oooh! This is so exciting! It could be anytime now! But seriously kid...
(in raspy voice)
TELL ME.

Robin stays quiet, as Joker pulls the trigger again. A click.

ANGLE: BATMAN.

Batman bends down, and picks up a fallen piece of metal. He throws it down, making a loud noise.

ANGLE: JOKER.

He looks around.

JOKER
We have company.
(to Jimbo and Steven)
Go look around. He's heeere.

The goons go looking.

Joker turns back to Robin.

JOKER
Well, you're pushing your luck. Do I have to go by two? Who is Batman?

ANGLE: STEVEN & JIMBO.

STEVEN
You check the roof, I'll look around here.

Jimbo goes to the stairwell. Batman is no longer there. Jimbo goes up the stairs.

ANGLE: STEVEN.

He holds a gun out in front of him. A hand reaches out of the shadows, and grabs Steven by the neck.

EXT. THE ROOF. CONT.


Jimbo is walking around. Batgirl is hiding behind a chimney.

INT. THE RING. CONT.

Joker pulls the trigger once. A click.

ANGLE: BATMAN & STEVEN.

Batman punches Steven. He falls to the floor.

ANGLE: JOKER & ROBIN.

Joker pulls the trigger again. Click.

JOKER
Four down. The odds are against you, boy.

EXT. THE ROOF. CONT.

ANGLE: BATGIRL.

She jumps Jimbo from behind. Jimbo turns, firing his gun. The bullets miss. Batgirl tries punching Jimbo, but Jimbo catches her arm, and punches her onto the glass dome.

INT. THE RING. CONT.

Joker's finger is tightening on the trigger when the sound of glass shattering fills the building. Joker looks up, to see Batgirl falling. Joker fires, and a bullet flies out! It misses.

Glass hits Joker, as he gets out of the ring.

ROBIN
BATGIRL!

Batgirl lands HARD on her back in the ring.

ANGLE: BATMAN.

He sees this, and jumps over a railing, leaving Steven on the ground. Batman crouches beside Batgirl.

ROBIN
Batman! Get these off of me!


Batman goes to help Robin.

ANGLE: BATGIRL.

Joker pulls her out of the ring, and carries her off.

ANGLE: BATMAN & ROBIN.

Batman has loosened the chains. He runs after Joker, leaving Robin alone.

ANGLE: JOKER.

He sets Batgirl down on a table.

JOKER
Oh, so beautiful.

He removes her utility belt, and feels her body. When he gets to her breasts, he says:

JOKER
Perky, are we?

BATMAN
(offscreen)
Not another move.

JOKER
(turning)
How nice of you to join us.

Batman runs at Joker, punching and kicking.

Robin runs in, and carries Batgirl to safety.

ANGLE: BATMAN.

He punches Joker, then throws him into a wall. Batman handcuffs Joker.

BATMAN
Arkham's calling your name.

ANGLE: THE RING.

Robin puts Batgirl on the floor, and begins CPR.


ROBIN
Come on...

Batgirl moans.

ROBIN
Yes.

Batman walks up to the two.

BATMAN
She okay?

ROBIN
Yeah. No thanks to you.

BATMAN
What's wrong? She's okay, right?

ROBIN
She could have died. She's just in training! What would the Commissioner think if his daughter turned up dead?

BATMAN
What's gotten into you?

DICK
You. You're my problem. It's always about you. She fell three stories, and you didn't even care. It's all "catch the bad guys and go home" to you, Bruce! I can't do this anymore.

BATMAN
What are you talking about?

ROBIN
Maybe I've taken one too many blows to the head, but I'm seeing clearly for the first time in my life. I'm not a kid anymore. I'm not the Boy Wonder. I... I can't be Robin anymore.

He takes off his face mask, and we see Dick is a handsome young man, in his twenties.

ROBIN
At least not here.

He pulls out a grapple, and flies away. Batman just stares in shock.

CUT TO:

INT. WAYNE MANOR, DICK'S ROOM. LATER.

Bruce walks in. The room is bare, save for his bed and dresser. The dresser has been wiped clean. Dick is gone.

CUT TO:

INT. BATCAVE. CONT.

Bruce is there, staring at a MANNEQUIN wearing the Robin costume. Bruce holds the small face mask, and places it on the mannequin. He walks off, but we stay on the mannequin. The lights go out around it.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN.

A caption reads: ONE YEAR LATER.

EXT. GOTHAM CITY. NIGHT.

Batman and Batgirl swing on their cables, and land on a rooftop.

BATMAN
Are you coming with me?

BATGIRL
No, it's not far from the dorms. I'll go myself.

BATMAN
Fine.

And with that, Batgirl leaves. Batman walks to the edge of the building, and peers over.

ANGLE: BATMOBILE.

The Batmobile is parked in the alley. But crouched beside it, is an eleven year old boy, with dark hair, who goes by the name of JASON TODD. He is taking a tire off the Batmobile.

ANGLE: BATMAN.

He watches the boy carefully.

ANGLE: JASON.

He looks around, and rolls the tire down the alley. He goes to a backdoor of a run-down apartment. He pushes it, and it falls off its hinges. He rolls the tire inside.

ANGLE: BATMAN.

Batman jumps down, cape outstretched, into the alley. He lands in a crouching position, and slowly straightens up. He walks to the door.

Up ahead, Jason rounds a corner. Batman does as well. The kid enters a room, and shuts the door. Batman stops in front of it, and kicks it down.

There is Jason, sitting on a stool, inspecting the tire. He jumps up, scared.

BATMAN
What are you doing?

Jason runs at Batman, and punches him a number of times. Jason tries running past Batman, but Batman grabs Jason, and throws him to the floor.

JASON
Hey, man, you breakin' and enterin', and that right there, that was assault.

BATMAN
Name.

JASON
I ain't sayin' nothing to your punk-ass.

BATMAN
(looking at the room)
You've got a lot of stuff here. Now, you wouldn't want this stuff to go downtown. Am I right?

JASON
The name's Jason. Jason Todd.

BATMAN
Well, Mister Todd, what are you doing with my tire?

Jason takes Batman to another room. It is filled with stacks and stacks of tires.

JASON
I was gonna sell it. People pay good money for lousy stuff like this.

BATMAN
And your parents allow you to do this?

JASON
Does it look like I have parents? Hell no.

BATMAN
You live alone?

JASON
No @#%$.

Batman grabs Jason.

BATMAN
I'd watch that mouth of yours.
(pause)
Where are your parents.

JASON
My mom just... she died. My lousy father, man, I could care less where that bum is.

Batman sets him down.

BATMAN
Listen, I won't take you downtown. But you have to give these tires to the police. Promise?

JASON
(pause)
Fine... whatever.

CUT TO:

EXT. POLICE HEADQUARTERS ROOF. NIGHT.

Batman stands in front of a man, late forties/ early fifties, wearing glasses, and smoking a pipe. COMMISSIONER JAMES W. GORDON.


BATMAN
I need you to give this kid a good home.

Batman hands Gordon a picture of Jason.

BATMAN
His name's Jason Todd.

GORDON
I'll have to check, but I can only think of one man that would take this kid in, no questions asked.

BATMAN
Who?

GORDON
Bruce Wayne.

Batman turns, and smiles.

CUT TO:

EXT. WAYNE MANOR. DAY.

The structure is beautiful, like a castle. Is is a tan color, close to brown. There are close to thirty windows on each floor facing the front.

Gordon is standing with Bruce, while Jason sits in the car.

GORDON
I want you to take good care of Jason, Bruce.

BRUCE
Don't worry. He's in good hands.

Gordon opens the car door, and Jason gets out.

GORDON
Jason, this is Bruce Wayne.

BRUCE
(extending hand)
Pleased to meet you.

But Jason doesn't shake Bruce's hand.


CUT TO:

EXT. WAYNE MANOR. DAY.

We see summer turn to fall, and fall turn to winter.

CUT TO:

INT. WAYNE MANOR. CONT.

Jason is in his room, writing on a piece of paper. He goes out the window, and we focus on the paper. It reads:

Bruce is never around.
He never pays attention
to me. I'm leaving.
Jason.

CUT TO:

EXT. LOWER EAST SIDE. NIGHT.

Jason is walking down the street, He turns down an alley, and sees a woman being mugged.

JASON
HEY! GET AWAY FROM HER!

Jason runs to the two thugs. He punches one, then the other. He stands in front of the woman, protecting her.

THUG 1
Is this your kid?
(to Jason)
Get outta here, kid. The big boys need to play.

BATMAN
(off-screen)
I agree.

Batman jumps down, off a building, and kicks Thug 1 into a wall. Jason goes to work on Thug 2. Thug 2 falls, and hits his head on the pavement.

Batman raises his hand, and talks into his communicator

BATMAN
Car.

And the Batmobile drives up, and stops at the entrance of the alley.

BATMAN
(to Jason)
Get in.

The top opens up, Batman hops in, and Jason does the same.

INT. BATMOBILE. CONT.

It is driving down a deserted road.

JASON
Where are taking me? Kidnapping is crime, you know.

Batman doesn't move.

BATMAN POINT OF VIEW.

The Batmobile is about to hit a stone wall.

END P.O.V.

BATMAN
Wall open.

The wall slides open, and the Batmobile enters:

INT. BATCAVE. CONT.

The Batmobile stops. The roof opens. The two get out. Jason looks around.

JASON
What is this place? Where are we?

Batman looks at Jason.

BATMAN
Listen, I'm sorry I haven't been there for you.

JASON
What?

BATMAN
I don't spend time with you, and I'm sorry.

JASON
Dude, you freaking me out.

Batman takes off his mask.

BATMAN
It's me.

ANGLE: JASON.

His eyes are wide with shock.

CUT TO:

INT. BATCAVE TRAINING ROOM. LATER.

Bruce and Jason are in white gym clothes. Jason charges at Bruce. Jason kicks Bruce, then spins, and punches Bruce. Jason kicks high, but Bruce squats down, and trips Jason. Bruce stands, and looks down at Jason.

TRAINING ROOM. LATER.

Jason is kicking and punching a punching bag. Bruce walks into the doorway. He smiles.

TRAINING ROOM. LATER

Jason punches Bruce, then kicks him. Bruce dodges a punch, then is kicked in the gut. Jason trips Bruce to the floor. Jason stares down at Bruce. Bruce smiles, then Jason does.

BATCAVE MAIN CHAMBER. LATER.

Batman and Batgirl stand about ten yards from a door. The door slides open, and Jason walks out. Only now, he is dressed in a RED and BLACK ROBIN SUIT. The suit is a full-body one, and a small black mask covers his eyes.

Robin walks up to the three. His cape swipes us to:

EXT. GOTHAM CITY. NIGHT.

The BATSIGNAL is shining high in the sky.

Batman lands on the police station roof. Behind him, Batgirl and Robin land.

Gordon walks up to the trio.

GORDON
We've got a problem.

ROBIN
Night after night, it's the same. Will it ever change.

Gordon gives Robin a look.

GORDON
It will never change. This is Gotham City, kid. ENJOY.

The logo pops onto the screen.

* * *

FADE IN.

CAPTION READS: FIVE YEARS LATER.

EXT. ARKHAM ASYLUM. NIGHT.

The structure is immense- thirty stories of solid stone, covered in moss. It seems to haunt the night, as if some neglected soul, left to rot.

It is raining, and bolts of RED LIGHTNING flash every few seconds. We hold on the magnificent structure when-- a giant EXPLOSION makes a hole in a side wall.

We pan up, to the rainy sky, and hear a familiar laugh roar into the night.

CUT TO:

INT. GOTHAM COURT HOUSE. DAY.

The Gotham Court House is a huge building, with signs everywhere boasting "Justice done Right".

We are staring at a reporter, holding a microphone, standing in front of two closed doors. The woman, SUMMER GLEESON, has orange hair, and green eyes. She wears a hideous green suit, and is looking at her camera-man.

She begins talking.


SUMMER
(into camera)
Today, Judge Steven Raid will announce the verdict. Will Rupert Thorne go to jail for a minimum seventy years, or be found innocent of all charges?

We push past Summer, who continues talking, to the two wooden doors. We go through the doors, and enter:

INT. COURTROOM. CONT.

JUDGE STEVEN RAID walks up to his seat.

The camera pans across the room, and many people are there. In the defendant seat, is a fatter man, mid-forties, sitting. He, of course, is RUPERT THORNE.

ANGLE: JUDGE RAID.

JUDGE RAID
After 36 hours of deliberation, has the jury reached a verdict?

A jury member stands up.

JURY MEMBER
The jury could not reach a unanimous decision, your honor.

Judge Raid sighs.

JUDGE RAID
Then I have no choice but to let Mr. Thorne go, free of all charges. Case dismissed.

He pounds his gavel.

ANGLE: RUPERT THORNE.

He stands, and shakes his lawyer's hand.

CUT TO:

COURTHOUSE LOBBY. CONT.

Summer Gleeson, having just heard the news, speaks to the camera.



SUMMER
You just heard it, Rupert Thorne released due to a hanging jury and judge. And you saw it here, only on Gotham News 6.

CUT TO:

INT. TV STATION. CONT.

We see a man, ARNOLD WESKER, watching the news report on a screen. Arnold is short, with small glasses, and is balding. He is maybe 40. His voice is very soft when he speaks:

ARNOLD
Oh, dear.

PATRICIA
(O.S)
Arnold! Come on! We're on in ten seconds!

Arnold scurries across the room, onto a playful set, from a kid's tv show. We see that Arnold has the puppet of a frog on his hand. He ducks behind a prop, holding the frog in the air. His co-star, Patricia, or Princess Christina on the show, starts acting to the camera, and she's not talented at all.

PRINCESS
Froggy, I have a problem.

FROGGY
(Arnold's voice)
Tell me all about it, Princess...

CUT TO:

INT. WAYNE MANOR. CONT.

Jason Todd is watching tv. He has the remote control in hand, and is flipping through the channels.

JASON
Nothing's ever on at four.

He flips to a channel, and stops.




ANNOUNCER
(Voice-over)
We now return to Magic Princess...

The same colorful, but obviously phony set fills the screen.

PRINCESS
Froggy, I have a problem.

FROGGY
Tell me all about it, Princess.

Jason makes a disgusted face, seeing how cheesy the whole thing is.

The picture changes...

ANNOUNCER
Here is an urgent message from Gotham News 6...

Summer's face fills the screen.

JASON
Not about Thorne again...

SUMMER
Gotham Police have informed us that the Joker broke out of prison last night.

JASON
Bruce isn't gonna like this.

CUT TO:

EXT. ESTABLISH/ GOTHAM BANK. CONT.

INT. GOTHAM BANK. CONT.

Arnold is in line. He looks down at his watch: 4:01. Arnold is second from the teller.

The woman in front of him, leaves, with a giant GRIN on her face.

ARNOLD
At least someone's having a good day.


JOKER
(O.S)
Next, please.

Arnold walks up to the window, and hands the teller a his pay-cheque.

ANGLE: TELLER.

The teller takes it, and looks at Arnold. We see the white face, and the huge smile of the Joker. He is wearing his purple suit.

JOKER
Well...
(reads paper)
...Arnold Wesker, it's your lucky day!
(laughs)

Arnold realizes who he's talking to, and turns, running towards the door, past the oblivious crowd.

Joker picks up a microphone.

JOKER
How's everyone doing today? Not so good, huh? Well, I've got something that's sure to make you smile.
(Laughs)

The crowd looks at each other in confusion, not knowing the coming danger.

ANGLE: AIR VENTS.

Joker's GREEN GAS flows out of the vents.

ANGLE: ARNOLD.

He gets to the door, but finds two thugs in gas-masks. He tries to push by them, but gets pushed to the floor.

ANGLE: CROWD.

The green mist reaches them, and people begin laughing uncontrollably. Some even fall to the ground.

ANGLE: JOKER.


Joker walks into a back room, hitting laughing security guards as he passes. Joker stops in front of the safe.

JOKER
Hmmm... locked. Not surprising, though.

Joker grabs the fake pink flower on his suit.

JOKER
No matter.

He squeezes the flower, and acid shoots onto the safe. The acid hits the safe's lock. The lock starts sizzling, then falls off.

JOKER
Oooh! Goody!
(laughs)

He pulls open the safe. Inside is stacks upon stacks of money.

JOKER
(to his man)
Jack-o, the bag.

A thug named JACK-O hands Joker a big bag.

ANGLE: ARNOLD.

Arnold has crawled into a corner, covering his mouth. He is staring at all the people falling to the floor. He realizes he's the only one still alive.

Arnold turns, to see Joker, Jimbo and Jack-o coming towards him, holding bags of money.

Joker sees him.

JOKER
Uh-oh, someone doesn't get the JOKE.

Joker stops in front of Arnold.

JOKER
Hey, it's Arnold!
(to Jimbo)
Yeah, me and Arnold go way back.

Joker tosses Arnold's pay-cheque at him.

JOKER
(raspy voice)
You're ruining the party.

Joker snaps his fingers, and Jack-o comes over to Arnold. He picks Arnold off the ground, and knees him in the gut. Arnold falls to the ground, laughing.

CUT TO:

EXT. ALLEY. NIGHT.

A group of 3 thugs are standing over a young woman. THUG 1 takes her purse, and the group turns, to run.

They get to the entrance of the alley, when a GLOVED, BLACK FIST sticks out. THUG 2's face runs right into it. He falls. The other thugs back into the alley.

Batman steps into view. Thug 1 runs at Batman, holding a knife. Batman grabs the thug's arm, and twists it. The thug goes limp, and Batman kicks him into a brick wall.

THUG 3 pulls out a gun. Behind him, another dark figure lands on the ground. Thug 3 fires at Batman, but the other figure, Robin, takes the gun out of the thug's hand.

Thug 3 turns around, to find a fist coming at his face. Thug 3 falls to the ground.

BATGIRL
(O.S)
Impressive.

Batman and Robin look up. They grapple to the rooftop. Batgirl is there.

BATGIRL
It seems there's been some sort of disturbance at the Gotham Bank. Picked it up on the police scanners. Thought you might like to check it out.

BATMAN
Sure. Will you be joining us?



BATGIRL
I've got a major test tomorrow. Dad wouldn't be too pleased if I fail college. So no, I won't be...

She turns, realizing Batman's already gone.

CUT TO:

EXT. GOTHAM BANK. CONT.

Police cars and ambulances are crowded around the bank. About fifty people are standing behind barricades, as bodies are wheeled out on stretchers.

Among the police officers, Commissioner Gordon is standing, smoking his pipe.

He looks up to see Batman and Robin coming towards him. They land.

BATMAN
What do we have?

GORDON
A robbery, obviously. Looks like the work of the Joker. My men are working on the cameras now.

BATMAN
How much was taken?

GORDON
Uh, around four million in cash.

BATMAN
I meant lives.

GORDON
Oh.

ROBIN
(interrupting)
What does Joker need money for?

GORDON
Not sure.
(to Batman)
To answer your question, Batman- all but one.


BATMAN
One survivor?

GORDON
Come in. But I warn you, it's not pretty.

The trio enter, stepping over the smiling corpses.

BATMAN
My God.
(pause)
Where's the survivor?

GORDON
Over here.

They walk over to Arnold, sitting beside an officer, who is trying to keep him calm.

OFFICER
Now, Mr. Wesker, stop shaking.

ARNOLD
Heh, heh.. I'm normal... normal. Let me go... heh, heh... home.

GORDON
We'd like to speak with Arnold alone for a minute, please.

The officer nods, and walks away.

GORDON
Mr. Wesker. I.. well, we'd like to ask you a few questions.

ARNOLD
I'm normal.

GORDON
Of course, you are. Could you describe for us what happened?

ARNOLD
Well, I was being normal, as always. I came home with my report card. My dad didn't like it, and.. heh, heh... those fists... so hard... but I'm normal again.

Gordon looks at Batman.


ROBIN
Somehow I don't think he'll be much help.

Gordon calls over another officer.

GORDON
Where will he be staying?

OFFICER 2
Hope Hospital, sir.

BULLOCK
(O.S)
Commish! We got the tape!

Gordon, Batman and Robin walk over to a fat man, eating a pastry: HARVEY BULLOCK. Harvey is standingover a small tv screen.

BULLOCK
Hey, freak. Watch.

He presses play.

The screen shows the robbery. The time on the tape reads: 4:01. The video shows Joker was already there. Arnold walks up to Joker.

ROBIN
There's our survivor. But why was Joker the already? Why didn't he just make his move?

GORDON
He was waiting for someone. Or something.

BULLOCK
Four o'clock?

BATMAN
Four o'clock is the time the Gotham Banks put money in the safe. It's the only time all day.

ROBIN
Which brings us back to my question: Why does Joker need money?

ANGLE: SCREEN.

The gas is filling the room, and the picture goes gray.


CUT TO:

INT. JASON'S OLD APARTMENT.

The once run down room, is now... nice. Jason is sitting, watching a big-screen tv. The door opens, and Jason's MOTHER comes in.

JASON'S MOM
Jason, honey, let's go.

JASON
(smiling)
Oh, mom, I thought you were dead.

MOM
Now where did you get an idea like that, silly?

JASON
Is dad dead at least?

MOM
Of course that deadbeat's dead. Let's go.

Jason grabs his coat, and they go out the door.

BLACKOUT.

FADE IN.

INT. JASON'S ROOM. MORNING.

Jason's laying in bed. He opens his eyes.

JASON
Mom, are you there?

He sits up, realizing it was just a dream. He gets out of bed, and exits his room, and goes down to a gigantic dining room. He sits at the table.

Enter ALFRED PENNYWORTH, a gentle looking man in his late fifties/ early sixties. He is wearing a black suit, and has black hair, flecked with gray. He carries a tray, holding a glass of orange juice, and a bowl of steaming oatmeal.

ALFRED
Good morning, master Jason.

JASON
Morning, Alfred.

Alfred sets the tray down, and Jason starts eating.

ALFRED
Something bothering you, sir?

JASON
Actually... yeah. I had another dream. It's so weird. They seem so real...

ALFRED
Was this one about your mother?

JASON
Yeah... I just wish they were real...

ALFRED
I've always believed dreams were a sign of things to come. Perhaps you'll meet your mother soon.

JASON
It's too bad that's impossible. Come on, Alfred... this is serious.

ALFRED
Yes, I'm quite aware of that. Perhaps you should tell master Bruce.

JASON
No... no. I don't want to go see Dr. Thompkins again.

ALFRED
I thought you enjoyed you visits with her.

JASON
Well, she's nice and all, but it's kind of hard to tell a stranger your feelings.

CUT TO:

EXT. GOTHAM CITY. CONT.

We fly through the city, until we stop in front of WAYNE ENTERPRISES.

INT. WAYNE ENTERPRISES. BRUCE'S OFFICE. CONT.

Bruce sits in a comfortable looking chair, signing papers. The door opens, and LUCIUS FOX walks in.

LUCIUS
You've got a call on line 2.

Lucius exits, and Bruce picks up his phone, and presses the "Line 2" button.

BRUCE
(into receiver)
Hello?

DR. THOMPKINS
(opposite end)
Hello, Bruce? It's Leslie. I was looking through my calendar, and it seems Jason is about due for another visit. How's tonight?

BRUCE
Whoa! Slow down. Jason's fine. He's had no more problems.

LESLIE
You can't possibly know everything that goes on in his life, can you?

BRUCE
Tonight's not good for me, anyway.

LESLIE
I think I should see him, just to see if everything's past.

BRUCE
(hesitates)
Fine. Fine, you got me. Eight o'clock.

LESLIE
See you then.

CUT TO:

INT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE. NIGHT.

We pan across the large building, seeing many shelves, which are all empty. It is dusty, and quite rundown. We pan the other way, and see an automatic door. Pretty strange for an "Abandoned Warehouse".


A small yellow light turns on, and the automatic door starts rising. There is a van that drives in. The door closes behind them.

Joker, Jack-o, Jimbo, and other henchmen get out of the van. (The other henchmen: Ray-Ray, and G-Pups.

JACK-O
Boss, you can't blame me for our other hideouts being surrounded by cops!

JOKER
Oh really? I beg to differ. Was it not you who said...
(imitating Jack-o)
"Hey boss, let's go to the candy factory hideout"?
(back to normal)
And was it not you who said...
(imitating Jack-o)
"Well, that place wasn't good, let's go to the industrial place"?
(back to normal)
And was it not me who said "Let's go see if our drugs are still at the warehouse"?

Jack-o looks terrified.

JOKER
(dark, grim voice)
You're one of them, aren't you? Hmmm? The cops, you're working for them?

JACK-O
No, boss! It was a simple mistake! I swear!

JOKER
Didn't mommy tell you not to swear?

Joker pulls out a gun, and shoots Jack-o dead. Blood rolls onto the floor.

JOKER
Now that all the... unpleasantness is over, I can say hello to my humble...

He turns, and sees the bare shelves.

JOKER
...abode?

His smile turns to a frown.

JOKER
(yelling)
JIMBO!

Jimbo cautiously walks up to Joker.

JIMBO
(shaky voice)
Yeah, boss?

JOKER
Please, please... pretty please tell me we're in the wrong warehouse.

JIMBO
Well...

JOKER
(interrupting)
Because if we were in the right warehouse, there would be millions of dollars in drugs on these shelves.

JIMBO
I don't... know what to say...

JOKER
SAY that I'm dreaming!

JIMBO
You were in Arkham a long time...

JOKER
And you're point would be what, exactly?

JIMBO
(long pause)
Well... we got some cash... we could... you know... buy more...

JOKER
That cash was a welcome back present from me to me! It's not for using!

JIMBO
No offense, boss, but what exactly are you going to do with it then?

JOKER
I'm going to... we were... SHUT UP! You want to end up like the traitor over there? I'm the only drug lord in this town.

G-PUPS
Uh... boss, you just bought these drugs, and let them sit. You've never tried to sell them, so you're not technically a drug lord...

Without looking, Joker fires at G-Pups. The bullet hits his arm.

G-PUPS
CHRIST ALMIGHTY!

He grabs his arm, as blood comes out.

JOKER
You'll be fine, you filthy sack of trash. I only spared you because I need you later...

JIMBO
(interrupting)
Well, you know Rupert Thorne is the big drug man here...

JOKER
Did you just interrupt me?

JIMBO
Uh...

RAY-RAY
(O.S)
Speak of the devil.

JOKER
Moi?

Joker and Jimbo turn, to see Ray-Rat, holding a note. Joker walks over to him.

RAY-RAY
Not exactly.

We hold on the note long enough to read it:

Hope you didn't mind, i borrowed some things.
-Rupert Thorne.

Joker looks up in disgust.

JOKER
Thorne's gonna pay. Let's get this bastard.
(laughs)

CUT TO:

INT. LESLIE THOMPKINS' OFFICE. CONT.

LESLIE is a kind looking woman, in her fifties. Her hair is gray, but still somehow seems to have color in it. You can tell she used to be a good looking woman back in the day. She sits across the room from Jason.

LESLIE
Jason, you have to talk to me. I can't help you if you just sit there.

JASON
Look, no offense, but I don't need your help. I'm fine.

LESLIE
Have you have anymore dreams?

JASON
(long pause)
Yes.

LESLIE
Tell me about them.

JASON
Well... I had a new one last night.

LESLIE
Go on.

JASON
Well, it's at my old house. Only it's nice. Big-screen tv, and the whole bit. Then my mom comes home from work, and she's... alive, obviously. We talk, and then we leave. That's when I woke up.

LESLIE
Your father. Was he there?


JASON
No, it's weird... my mother and I, we laugh about the fact that he's dead. What does it all mean?

LESLIE
My guess is it's all the trauma, and memories you've had as a child, are pushing through. But, I wouldn't pay much attention to it at all.

CUT TO:

INT. GOTHAM UNIVERSITY. BARBARA'S ROOM. CONT.

Barbara comes out of her bathroom, wearing only a towel. She walks over to her bed, and pulling out a locked case. She unlocks it, and inside is a spare Batgirl costume. She lets the towel drop, offscreen.

There is a knock at the door, and Barbara quickly shuts the case, and shoves it under the bed.

BARBARA
Coming!

She grabs a bathrobe, and puts it on loosely. She opens the door. Gordon is there.

GORDON
Hi, honey.

BARBARA
Hi, daddy.

GORDON
(seeing bathrobe)
Am I... interrupting something?

BARBARA
No, I was just gonna change. I'm going out soon. What brings you out here?

GORDON
Just checking up on you. How'd your test go today?

BARBARA
Great. Probably a ninety-eight.

Gordon comes over to her, and grabs her shoulders.

GORDON
You're beautiful.

He takes off his coat, and places it on a chair.

GORDON
So, where are you going tonight?

BARBARA
I haven't really decided, yet. Just around, I guess. I've got another test tomorrow, so I won't be out too late.

GORDON
Then I won't keep you. Call me tomorrow.

He walks to the door.

BARBARA
Sure, dad.

Gordon leaves. Barbara takes out the case, and puts it on her bed. She lets the robe fall. The door opens.

GORDON
Forgot my...
(sees Barbara)
...coat.

He grabs his coat.

GORDON
I'll just... go now.

BARBARA
Yeah.

He leaves.

CUT TO:

INT. LESLIE THOMKINS' WAITING ROOM. CONT.

Leslie and Jason come out of the office, and walk over to Bruce.

BRUCE
How'd it go?

LESLIE
Oh, Jason's fine. I won't need to see him anymore. That is, unless you think it completely necessary.

Jason and Bruce walk away, into an elevator. They start going down.

BATMAN
That took longer than I'd hoped. I told Barbara to meet us for patrolling.

Jason doesn't respond.

BRUCE
What's wrong?

JASON
Why did I have to come here?

BRUCE
Because you have... issues.

JASON
You have issues. Why don't you come here?

BRUCE
I used to.

JASON
You still have bigger problems than I do.

BRUCE
But you're dreams...

JASON
(yelling)
You have dreams too, Bruce. You don't think I hear you at night when you say in your sleep "I killed them"? I do.

BRUCE
(pause)
Where is this coming from?

The elevator stops.

JASON
Let's go meet Barbara.

CUT TO:

INT. RUPERT THORNE'S MANSION. LATER.

Rupert Thorne sits on a luxurious chair, in front of a fireplace. The lights go out.

RUPERT
What the hell?

The only light is the moonlight.

JOKER
(O.S)
Rupert, Rupert, Rupert.

RUPERT
Scotty? Is that you?

JOKER
(O.S)
Stealing's not nice, you know? Trying to take my city away from me?

RUPERT
What are you talking about?
(stands)
Who are you?

A dark figure moves behind Rupert.

JOKER
(O.S)
I'm talking about my merchandise that you stole from me with your greasy little sausage hands.

RUPERT
Joker? Come on... I thought you were in jail for good... I just... helped myself.

JOKER
(O.S)
I kind of figured that out. Rupert, old boy.

RUPERT
Please...

JOKER
(O.S)
I want it back. NOW.

The lights come back on, and the Joker is standing behind Rupert. Joker grabs Rupert's head with both hands.

JOKER
Where is it?

RUPERT
(sobbing)
Please... don't kill me...

JOKER
Where?

RUPERT
My safehouse. By the river. It's all there. Someone... a while back... we had a buyer... he might contact me... he could kill me...

JOKER
I'm sorry to hear that.

He lets go of Rupert.

RUPERT
I'm... I'm alive...

JOKER
Yeah... thank me later.

Joker takes out a knife, and shoves it into Rupert's neck.

* * *

EXT. GOTHAM SKY. LATER.

The Batsignal lights up the sky.

CUT TO:

EXT. POLICE HQ ROOF. CONT.

Gordon stands watch beside the light.

BATMAN
(O.S)
Commissioner?

Gordon is startled, but not surprised. He turns around, to face Batman and Robin.

GORDON
Batman. I have some... news. You might enjoy it, you might not.

BATMAN
What is it?

GORDON
Rupert Thorne's been stabbed. In the neck. Bullock was checking to see if he was staying clean... and he found him.

ROBIN
Is he dead?

GORDON
No... the doctors aren't sure what'll happen. It's too soon.

BATMAN
I guess we'd better have a talk with Thorne before something happens.

CUT TO:

EXT. ESTABLISH/ HOPE HOSPITAL. LATER.

INT. HOPE HOSPITAL. THORNE'S ROOM. CONT.

Rupert lays in a bed, sleeping, or unconscious.

Batman's shadow is cast over him. Batman approaches the bed. Batman shakes the body.

BATMAN
Wake up, Thorne.

Thorne moves a little, but doesn't get up.

BATMAN
Thorne.

Batman smacks him. Thorne's eyes open slightly.

RUPERT
Who's... there...

BATMAN
Who did this to you?

RUPERT
Who...

Batman pulls out a NEEDLE, with a CLEAR LIQUID in it.

RUPERT
He... he wanted my drugs... that laugh...

Batman understands. Rupert falls unconscious.

Batman checks for a pulse.

BATMAN
Alive. Good.

Batman goes to the window, and grapples up to the roof.

EXT. HOPE HOSPITAL ROOF. CONT.

Batman lands, and walks over to Robin.

ROBIN
Get anything?

BATMAN
Yeah. Before he passed out, he told me.

ROBIN
Who stabbed him?

BATMAN
Our old pal Joker.

ROBIN
The Joker? Why?

BATMAN
I don't know. Contact Batgirl, explain the situation. Patrol the city. I've got another stop to make.

ROBIN
Right.

He pulls out a grapple, and shoots away, leaving Batman alone on the roof. Batman walks over to the other side of the roof, and falls onto a ledge. He walks along the ledge, peering in the windows. He stops, finding the right one. He opens it, and goes in. He walks over to the bed.
BATMAN
Hello, Mr. Wesker.

CUT TO:

EXT. RUPERT THORNE'S SAFEHOUSE. CONT.

The Joker's van comes up to a gate., and drives right through it. The drive-way goes up to a huge house. The van stops. Ray-Ray and Jimbo get out.

JIMBO
This is the place.

RAY-RAY
If I was Thorne, where would I put five million in drugs?

JIMBO
Not in the house.

They look around, and spot a small boathouse.

RAY-RAY
I think we have a winner.

They walk over to the boathouse. The door is pad-locked. Jimbo takes out his crowbar, and smashes the lock off. The door slowly swings open.

INT. BOATHOUSE. CONT.

There are shelves and shelves stacked with cocaine and other "goodies".

RAY-RAY
Bring the van around.

CUT TO:

INT. HOPE HOSPITAL. ARNOLD'S ROOM. CONT.

Batman stands over Arnold's bed.

ARNOLD
What do you want?

BATMAN
I want to know why you aren't dead.

ARNOLD
You want me dead?

BATMAN
No.
(pause)
Not one person in the world lived after inhaling Joker's gas. I want to know why you're the lucky one. Why you're different.

ARNOLD
Because I'm normal.

BATMAN
You've made that quite clear, Mister Wesker. But have you noticed any... unusual side effects?

ARNOLD
No... I'm normal. I'm so normal, they're letting me out tomorrow.

BATMAN
You're sure nothing's different?

ARNOLD
Yes. Positive.

BATMAN
(walking to window)
The gas seems to have worn off now... so... you look good Mr. Wesker. I'm glad you're okay.

Batman jumps out the window.

ANGLE: ARNOLD.

Although his mouth doesn't move, a scratchy voice begins talking.

VOICE
That's right, Gatman. You don't know how good I feel.

CUT TO:

EXT. ROOFTOP. CONT.

Batgirl and Robin stand atop a building.


BATGIRL
Seems pretty quiet, I think I picked up all the criminals before you got here. I'm turning in.

ROBIN
Same here. See you... next time, I guess.

Robin grapples off into the sky, and Batgirl jumps off.

We follow Robin, as he flies towards the direction of the river. He looks down.

ROBIN P.O.V.

He sees Ray-Ray and Jimbo loading their van.

END P.O.V.

ROBIN
What do we have here?

Robin lets the cable go, and he drops to the roof of the boathouse.

RAY-RAY
What was that?

JIMBO
Who cares? Let's finish up. Mister J's gonna be pissed if we don't hurry.

ROBIN
(O.S)
Let him be pissed. There'll be some slight changes in plans.

Ray-Ray and Jimbo both look up, and see Robin jumping at them. Robin lands, and punches Ray-Ray. Robin kicks Jimbo.

Ray-Ray grabs a package of COCAINE, and swings it at Robin. Robin ducks, and trips Ray-Ray. The package flies into the air.

Jimbo takes out a gun, and fires. The bullet hits the package, and it erupts into a cloud of WHITE DUST.

It is hard to see anyone.

ANGLE: SKY.

Batgirl swings in.

BATGIRL
(to Robin)
Need a little help?

She punches Jimbo in the teeth, sending the gun off into the grass. She knees him, then knocks heads with him. Jimbo falls to the ground.

ANGLE: RAY-RAY.

Ray-Ray picks up the crowbar, and swings it at Robin. The crowbar connects. Batgirl grabs Ray-Ray from behind. Robin kicks Ray-Ray in the gut. Batgirl turns, and launches the crook into the boathouse.

ANGLE: JIMBO.

Jimbo gets in the truck, and speeds away.

ROBIN
He's getting away!

BATGIRL
Let him. At least we got this one.

They both look down at the unconscious body of Ray-Ray.

CUT TO:

EXT. GOTHAM CITY-AFTERNOON.

We pan across a beautiful, blue sky.

CUT TO:

INT. TELEVISION STUDIO-CONT.

Arnold is walking with another co-worker. Arnold is blind-folded. The co-worker opens a door, and the whole cast and crew of his show are there.

EVERYONE
(in unison)
SURPRISE!

The blind-fold is taken off, and Arnold smiles.

ARNOLD
Aw, shucks, guys, thank-you. But I was only gone for a few days.

PATRICIA
Yeah, but we couldn't do the show without you.

CO-WORKER #1
We got you a cake, and lots of presents.

CO-WORKER #2
So, Arnold, what exactly happened? The newspapers were all a little sketchy on the details. All it said was that you survived the Joker's gas.

Arnold's face turns from happy, to the same, dark look from the hospital. His eye twitches.

CO-WORKER #1
How'd you manage that, buddy?

Arnold's voice changes to the scratchy, rusty voice from earlier. Again, Arnold's lips stay sealed.

VOICE
I'm not your GUDDY.

CUT TO:

INT. JOKER'S LAIR-CONT.

Joker is sitting in a pink chair, watching TV.

JOKER
(while switching channels)
No... nope... hell no... ahhh!

We see he has found a horror movie. Someone in the movie is getting killed.

JIMBO
(scared voice)
Uh... boss?

Joker turns around.

JOKER
Jimbo! Where have you been? Did you get my goodies?

JIMBO
Um... yeah, bad news about that...

JOKER
Hmmm... usually I like bad news, but only if it's a police officer telling someone that I've killed their child...
(pause)
... but there's something in your voice I don't like.

JIMBO
Well... it's just that me and Ray-Ray didn't get all the stuff.

JOKER
(laughs)
Oh, that's good! That's a good one, Jimbo!
(grim voice)
I thought I heard you say that you didn't get all my stuff.

JIMBO
That's... correct, sir... Batgirl and Robin showed up, and we had to ditch... we got almost all of it.

JOKER
And where's what's-his-name?

JIMBO
I left Ray-Ray.

Joker smiles, and him and Jimbo walk to their van, which is parked in another room. Jimbo opens the doors on the back, and they look inside.

JOKER
What the hell happened? There's maybe three million worth in there. Don't tell me a little kid handed your ass to you?
(slaps Jimbo)
Listen up. When your uncle Joker decided to get into the drug "industry", I expected to make money.
(points at the drugs in the van)
DOES THAT LOOK LIKE MONEY TO YOU?

JIMBO
We could always use the bank money...
(sees Joker's angry face)
... or whatever...


JOKER
I told you that that bank money was just for giggles. I'm saving it. For something worth doing. I'm not wasting it on your mistake. Leave it in the van. We have a shipment tonight.

CUT TO:

INT. TV STUDIO-NIGHT.

Police are everywhere. Paramedics are literally shoveling dead bodies aside. It is Arnold's "Surprise" room.

ANGLE: GORDON.

He has a pipe in his mouth, looking at the horror in front of him.

BATMAN
(O.S)
What happened here?

Batman comes out of the shadows, and walks to Gordon.

ANGLE: BATMAN'S FEET.

His black rubber boots walk across blood. LOTS OF IT. He steps over a hand, laying limp. Pan up, to see Batman's almost scared face.

GORDON
Remember Arnold Wesker? He did this. The Joker's gas had an effect on him. Arnold's over there...
(points to Arnold and a cop)
... I'm hearing Arnold suffered a complete mental breakdown.

BATMAN
He did all this... by himself?

GORDON
Yeah. Killed most of them with the knife they were using to cut the cake. Hell, he even suffocated someone in the cake.

ANGLE: CAKE.

A man's body is face first in the cake. Vomit and blood are dried to the sides of the cake. An officer pulls the man out of the cake.

ANGLE: MAN.

It's Co-Worker #1.

ANGLE: BATMAN & GORDON.

BATMAN
Is he being transferred to Arkham?

GORDON
He's too unstable. He'll be taken to a psychiatrist. Doctor Leslie Thompkins. Oh, by the way, thank the kids for the thug last night.

Gordon turns around, and Batman has disappeared.

CUT TO:

INT. BATCAVE- CONT.

Barbara and Jason are n the training room. Barbara throws a punch at Jason.

JASON
Well, Joker's always been a murderer. But when he...
(blocks kick)
...crowned himself Gotham's drug lord, everything...
(punches Barbara)
...changed.

BARBARA
Not really.
(punches Jason)
He's still crazy, and still kills.
(ducks spin-kick, then throws Jason to the ground)
We he decided to become a drug lord, everyone was surprised. But he never explained why.

She helps Jason up.

JASON
I don't need t know that stuff. We need to find out what Joker's planning.

BARBARA
Well, I guess it's a good idea that we put a tracer on our
(CON'D) guy Ray-Ray. You know, just in case.

CUT TO:

INT. POLICE HQ- CONT.

Harvey Bullock is sitting in an interrogation room with Ray-Ray.

BULLOCK
Okay, punk. You've been in here all day, and you ain't talkin'. What's it gonna take?

RAY-RAY
I have nothing to say to you. Besides, you've got nothing on me. You can't hold me here.

BULLOCK
Is that right? You were seen on camera robbing a bank with the Joker, you were caught stealing cocaine and marijuana. That's not enough? I've got officers pulling up your priors right now. You're goin' to jail for a long time, buddy.

Ray-Ray looks down, and sighs.

RAY-RAY
What do you want?

BULLOCK
I want to know where the Joker is.

RAY-RAY
I don't know where he is.

Bullock grabs Ray-Ray by the collar, and pulls him out of his chair. Bullock throws him into the observation window.

It smashes.

Inside the other room, is RENEE MONTOYA. She looks shocked, as she wipes glass off of herself. Ray-Ray slowly sits up.

Renee comes into the interrogation room.

RENEE
Harvey.

She motions for him to come out of the room.

BULLOCK
(pointing back at Ray-Ray)
You damn well better open your trap when I get back, pal, or I'll pull your teeth out with a pliers. One by one. I'll be back.

Harvey walks out of the room.

INT. POLICE HQ HALLWAY.

Renee is waiting for Bullock. He closes the door.

RENEE
The Commissioner called. We can't hold him any longer. We have to let him go.

CUT TO:

EXT. POLICE HQ- MINUTES LATER.

Ray-Ray opens the front door of the station, and walks out. He lights a cigarette, and walks down the steps.

EXT. ROOFTOP, ACROSS THE STREET- SAME TIME.

Batgirl and Robin are watching him. Ray-Ray waves down a taxi, and gets in.

ROBIN
I'll go on foot. You take the bike.

Robin grapples away, leaving just a puff of smoke. Batgirl jumps off the building, and hops onto a really nice motorbike. She starts it, and drives off.

INT. CAB- CONT.

RAY-RAY
Global Avenue.

DRIVER
You sure, biddy? That's not the best neighborhood.

RAY-RAY
When did they start hiring drivers who gave a rat's ass?


DRIVER
Fine. Global it is.

RAY-RAY
Just drive.

EXT. GLOBAL AVENUE- MINUTES LATER.

The cab stops, and Ray-Ray gets out.

DRIVER
Hey! Where's my money?

Ray-Ray points a gun at the driver. The cab zooms away.

ANGLE: ROBIN.

He lets his cable go, and lands on a building.

He watches Ray-Ray go into an old warehouse.

INT. WAREHOUSE- CONT.

This is Joker's lair. Ray-Ray looks around. The place is empty.

RAY-RAY
Boss? Jimbo? Anybody here?

ROBIN
(O.S)
Yeah.

Ray-Ray turns around, to see Robin fall from the rafters.

Ray-Ray pulls out his gun.

Batgirl's hand comes out of a shadow, and pulls away the gun.

RAY-RAY
What do you want?

ROBIN
To find Joker. Where is he?

RAY-RAY
Have you looked up your ass?
BATGIRL
(showing herself)
Have you looked up yours? Oh, that's right... your boyfriend does that for you.

Ray-Ray tries to come at her, but she kicks him back to Robin. Robin grabs his arms tight.

ROBIN
You're not going anywhere, you filthy piece of trash.

RAY-RAY
Look, I don't know where he went.

BATGIRL
Where?

RAY-RAY
He should be here.

BATGIRL
I'll check the other rooms.

Robin watches her leave. As soon as she's out of sight, he knees Ray-Ray in the gut, and punches him.

ROBIN
Remember yet?

RAY-RAY
I'm telling you. I don't know.

Robin kicks Ray-Ray, then grabs his head, and shoves it into a pole. Ray-Ray falls to the ground, bleeding.

ANGLE: BATGIRL.

Batgirl is in another room. She looks around, then flicks a switch, lighting up the room. She walks over to a desk, and sees a piece of paper.

It reads:

Doctor Sven Tucksten.

She picks it up.

BATGIRL
Robin! I think I found something!

Robin comes in.

ROBIN
What?

BATGIRL
A paper.

ROBIN
(reading)
"Doctor Sven Tucksten". Sounds foreign.

BATGIRL
Yeah, I know him. Know of him, actually. He's a mob boss in Sweden. I did a report on the European mafia.

ROBIN
(sarcastically)
That's nice.
(normal)
Then why "doctor"?

BATGIRL
Well, not only is he a mob boss, he performs underground surgeries. Dark stuff. I mean, he'll do anything is the price is right.

ROBIN
What does the Joker want with him?

BATGIRL
Maybe the good doctor ran out of supplies, heard Joker could hook him up, made a few calls.

ROBIN
But then Tucksten's here, right?

BATGIRL
I guess.

ROBIN
He wouldn't come here on a commercial plane. He's probably smarter then to take even a private plane. So what does that leave us with? A boat? The docks?

BATGIRL
The old dockyards.

ROBIN
It's worth a look.

* * *

EXT. GOTHAM CITY- NIGHT.

We zoom through the city, and lightning strikes. Rain begins to fall.

CUT TO:

INT. LESLIE THOMPKINS' OFFICE. CONT.

Leslie sits in a chair, opposite Arnold Wesker. Two police officers stand by the door. Arnold is wearing a restraining device, but his arms are still free.

Leslie presses record on her tape recorder.

LESLIE
Mr. Wesker? Arnold?

Arnold is looking around. He seems afraid of something.

LESLIE
Arnold?

ARNOLD
Yes?

LESLIE
I'm sorry you needed to see me so fast. I'm just going to ask you a few questions. Is that okay?

ARNOLD
Uh... yeah... I guess...

LESLIE
Okay. First question: What were you... what was going through your mind when you killed your co-workers?

Arnold jumps up. Arnold's mouth doesn't move, but again, the voice comes:

ARNOLD
(in rough voice)
I was thinking agout how I was going to greak your neck and throw you out the window.

The cops come, and grab Arnold's arms. They push him back in the seat. One officer handcuffs Arnold to the chair.

LESLIE
(to officers)
I'm going to put him in a hypnotic state. Is that okay?

OFFICER 1
Sure.

Leslie takes out a pocket watch, and dangles the chain on her finger. The watch sways back and forth in front of Arnold's eyes. His eyes move with the watch.

LESLIE
Now, Arnold, are you ready to talk with me?

ARNOLD
(in a very small, childish voice)
Uh... maybe. My mommy always tells me: "Arnie, don't talk to strangers. They might be trouble".

LESLIE
Okay... Arnie, how old are you?

ARNIE
Why, I'm seven, ma'am.

LESLIE
Wow, so big. Arnie, have your parents ever... hurt you... in any way?

Arnold looks down.

ARNIE
My daddy... sometimes...

LESLIE
What does your daddy do to you?

ARNIE
Hits me. All the time.

LESLIE
Has he done anything else?

ARNIE
Yes.
LESLIE
What?

ARNIE
One time, I was home with daddy. Mommy was working late. I wanted some cookies, so I went to daddy's room to ask for some. There... there was another lady there, and she was bare naked. Daddy was moving back and forth... I think he was hurting her... she kept screaming. Daddy saw me, and he came after me. He grabbed me, and threw me on the bed. He rubbed my face in the lady's boobies, and told me not to tell mommy. Then he pulled down my pajama pants, and...

LESLIE
Okay, that's enough about that story. Did you tell your mommy?

ARNIE
No, Daddy said not to. But I told Scarface.

LESLIE
Scarface?

ARNIE
Yeah, he's my friend. But get this...
(leans close to Leslie, and whispers)
...only I can see him.

LESLIE
Oh. I see. Tell me about him.

ARNIE
Oh, Scarface is great. I tell him everything. Or I told him everything.

LESLIE
Why do you say "told"?

ARNIE
Mommy and Daddy got worries, and took me to a doctor. Doctor made Scarface leave.

LESLIE
Okay. Why do you call him Scarface?

ARNIE
Scarface has a big scar under his eye.


LESLIE
Did Scarface ever tell you to do bad things?

ARNIE
Yeah. He told me to hurt our puppy-dog. I didn't do it though.

LESLIE
Can I... talk to Scarface.

ARNIE
I told you. He's not here. He left.

LESLIE
Can I at least try to talk to him?

ARNIE
You can try, but it won't work.

Leslie takes out the pocket watch, and dangles it in front of Arnold's eyes.

LESLIE
Listen Mr. Wesker, I'd like to speak with Scarface.

Arnold's lips don't move, but:

ARNOLD
(in rough voice)
This is Scarface.

LESLIE
So, Scarface, was it you who threatened me before?

SCARFACE
Mayge.

LESLIE
You can't pronouce "B"s, can you, Scarface?

SCARFACE
I'm done talkin' you gitch!

Arnold jumps at Leslie. Although his hands are handcuffed to the chair, he swings the chair at Leslie. The chair hits her, and she falls.

The cops come, and tackle Arnold. Leslie rubs her eyes.

LESLIE
That's all I can do. Get him out of here.

ANGLE: LESLIE.

She sits down in her desk. The door closes off-screen.

BATMAN
(O.S)
What did you get out of him?

Leslie jumps, and turns around.

LESLIE
Bruce, it's only you.

BATMAN
What did he say?

Batman comes into the office through the window. He's all wet.

LESLIE
Well, when Arnold was sprayed with the gas, repressed memories must have come out. Instead of turning him into a smiling deadman, the gas brought out things from his past.

BATMAN
Such as?

LESLIE
I put Arnold into a hypnotic state. Before I said anything, his mind changes back to that of a seven year old. His father beat him, even sexually molested him. Arnold. Or should I say "Arnie's" only true friend was and imaginary person named Scarface. Listen.

Leslie presses rewind on the tape recorder, and presses play. We hear:

SCARFACE
(through recorder)
I'm done talkin', you gitch!

BATMAN
"Gitch"?

LESLIE
He can't pronounce the letter "B".
BATMAN
Why?

LESLIE
Most split personality patients have speech impediments for at least one of their personalities. And another thing, when I talked to Scarface, Arnold's lips didn't move.
(pause)
Arnold's being held in Arkham's "Mentally Unstable" wing.

BATMAN
They should all be there.

Leslie smiles.

BATMAN
Thank-you, Leslie.