"BATMAN" (1989)

STATS124pages276scenes24,795words21%dialogue68characters

Words

  • dialogue5,14721%
  • action18,54375%
  • other1,1054.5%

Scenes

location
  • INT 92
  • EXT 92
  • UNKNOWN 92
time
  • DAY 19
  • NIGHT 27
  • UNKNOWN 230
1

EXT. CITYSCAPE - NIGHT L

P,urbank,California 91522

Gotham.City. The City of Tomorrow: s.tark angles, creeping shadows, dense, crowded, as if hell had erupted through the sidewalks. A dangling fat moon shines overhead.

2

EXT. GOTHAM SQUARE - NIGH'!'

PUSHERS wave to HOOKERS. STREET HUSTLERS slap high-fives with three-card monte dealers. They all s~em to lill.Qli each other ...with one conspicuous exception:

A TOURIST FAMILY, HOH, DAD, AND LITTLE JIMMY, march warily down the main drag. Just out of a show. But the respectable theatre crowd has thinned out, and now -- playbills in hand~ --they're on Gotham's meanest street.

HOM
For God's sake, Harold, can we please just get a taxi??
DAD
I'm trying to get a --
(shouting)
TAXI!!

Three cabs streak past and disappear. Jimmy reads map. r

JIMMY , We're going the wrong way.

Nearby, STREET TYPES are beginning to snicker.

DAD
Put that AWAY. We'll look like tourists.

TWO COPS lean on their patrol car outside an all-night souvlaki stand, sipping coffee and chatting with a HOOKER.

The HOOKER smiles at Jimmy. Jimmy smiles back. Mom yanks him off down the street and.clowers at Dad.

DAD
We'll never r,cta cab. Le;t'!.cut uver t oSev(:nLh .

iJIMMY Sevi..:nt:hi~;_1lL:l_t.:_way.

D,\D I h.no\~·wl1t:1·1 :we.tre!

r

: i

3

EXT. SIDE STREET - NIGHT (THAT MOMENT)

8

.

Deserted street lined with stripped-down cars. Family marches into thc1darkness. ·

I• 1: , , VOICE

r Hey, mister. !Gimme a dollar?

ti, i

A DERETLICTh_--nin~tccn1ortwenty, acne-scarred -- his ratty :s 1.1.-t--I LYEO GOTHAM CITY" -- family moves on, pretending not to hcar l

j DERELICT Mister. How' about it. One dollar? (stan\i,ingup) Are you deaf? -- Do you speak Englisp?? : I i

TOURISTS cross s~reet. ,DERELICT dqesn't follow.·

The~r pace quickens. ,?,.SHADOWYFIGURE in the·alleyway. A GLOVED HAND slams a GUN across Dad's neck. . •

'I

He crumples. Mom grab$ Jimmy and backs up against a brick wall, too terrified to scream. The DERELICT races across the street to join his confederate, the STREET PUNK, who's already searching for Dad's wallet. I

I

Mom's ready to snap -- ; STREETPUNK trains his gun on I Jimmy. 1 1.

II ' i 1. :STREET PUNK Do the ikida !favor, lady. :Don't scream!. ' I I

TEARS stream down her face. She stifles a scream and

clutches Jimmy. He's ~aralyzed with fear.

I

The two PUNKS CHUCKLE ~nd RACE AWAY .

I

Mom's self-control disinte&rates -- she begins to SCREAM before moving to unconscious Dad. SCREAM ECHOES.

4

EXT. CATHEDRAL - :JNIGHT]

I

A darkly ornate Gothicj anomaly: ord City Cathedral~ once grand, long sincf boar~cd up.

i

STONE GARGOYLES gaze down from th<.!~r ' shadowyrooftops.

,, I I I

•~ · •J",, r:-_,,. r, Mom's SCREAM (un'intcrruptcdfrom the previous scene)

10

I

ECHOES up. And ~nc of itheGARGOYL~S MOVES.

12

EXT. ROOFTOP ,..NIGHT 5

I

Si xstories up.

I

r

I

The PUNKS -- NICK and EDDIE -- hunker down on the tar- and-gravcl roof, sizing up their take.

NICK
All RIGHT. American Express.
(tossing the credit card at Eddie)
Don't leave home without it.

A chill wind BLOWS as NicJ{counts cash . There's a distant, metallic'. CLANGjEDDIE hears it and tenses up.

EDDIE
Let's beat it, man. I don't like it up here.
NICK
What are ya, scared of heights?
EDDIE
I dunno . After what happened to Johnny Gobs
NICK
Look, Johnny Gobs got ripped and walked off a roof, all right? No big loss.
EDDIE
No, man. That ain't what I heard at all.
(beat)
I heard the BAT got him.
NICK
The BAf~! Gi~ne a break, will you, Eddie?
EDDIE
Five stories, straight down. There was no blood in the body.
NICK
No shit. It was all over the p·avemcnt.

ANOTHER SOUND. Now even Nick can't i~norc t~1c..slieht tin~1e ;.ittheb~1:..;eo fhis:;pi n c . . .

NICK
Shut-11p. Li:;tcnt omc .
( coneiu:..;iVl!ly)
Tllt:t·eain'lnu L,1 t .

' I i 5 CONTINUED: ( 2) , II

13

I

At the opposite corner of , the roof,some fifteen yards away.._.at the end of al line, a STRANGE BLACK SILHOUETTE '-is dropping slowly, implacably, INTO FRAME...

,EDDIE You shouldn'ta turnt the gun on

14

THAT KID, MAN ; YOU SHOULDN'TA --

NICK
You want your cut of this money or don't y6u? N6w'shut up! Shut 1!Q-- i iI, I

BOTH PUNKS FREEZE 'atth~ sudden, inexplicab.lesound of BOOTS CRUNCHING ON'GRAVEL. They turn slowly. Their JAWS DROP.

At the edge of the roof~ bathed in moonlight, is a BLACK APPARITION.

'

Eddie freezes, a choked'GURGLE in his throat. The BLACK FIGURE advances a~d spreads its arms, slowly, majes- tically. GREAT SHADOWY WINGS flap in the wind. ,

On its chest is THE EMBLEM OF A BAT, in an oval yellow field, glowing like a target in the darkness.

' i

Nick drops to the[grave+, grabs the GUN, and FIRES TWICE. TWO CLEAN HITS. The strange black figure is knocked :

I

bodily to the roof. i

i NICK -- I'm gettin Joutta here. i

He bends to retrieve hi' loot . Eddie lets out AN 10bD~

I

PRE-VERBAL SQUEAL ...

; ' ', ;

... and Nick sees . THEHUMAN BAT, BACK ON ITS FEET, NIGHT- MARISH, UNDEAD, MOVING SLOWLY AND INEVITABLY CLOSER. :

'. '!

Panic. Stolen mo~ey flutters out of Nick's hands. He l SCUTTLES FRANTICALLY across the roof. The BLACK SPECTRE ' I is blocking his ppth to ! thefirees~ape. Trapped like a rat, Nick FIRES WILDLY. ! .

' i • I

Eddie's face is pale. The DAT tr~ads calmly past. A LEG snakes out. A BLACK DOOT catches Eddie high on the chest - -LlPTS HIM CLEANLY OFF HIS FEET --,AND SENDS HIM FLYING THROUGH THI::AIR. .Eddie !~lam!>intoa bri c kchimneyand slumps uncon~; ciou~.

,,

THE BAT DOE SN'T EVEN lH:.EAKl!lSSTJUDE. Ni ckCHARGES past th~ bla c kwr.1ilh,t.owardtlu~f i 1·ce:; capc:.. .,1

I •

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 :

5 CONTINUED: (3)

i ' ~-

A GLOVED HAND slices through the air, and Nick pitches: forward, his legs ensn~red in a tangle of WIRES~ SCREAM· ING, he drags himself acrose the gravel roof, the BAT.at

his heels ...'til ther~'s no place left to go. Nick cowers on the edge .

• i '

Nick keeps SHOOTING. Eyes closed. Hammer falls on an empty chamber, but Nick still pulls the trigger. He MOANS. I

'

BAT grabs Nick by the ~h±rt, HOISTS HIM into the air.

i

15

NICK

Don't kill me ...don't kill me ..• ; I I

Nick opens his eyes ...the BAT is standing on the ledge·_.· of the roof -- HOLDING HIM OUT, at arm's length, over six stories of nothingness , A .rasping VOICE.

16

.BATMAN

You're :trespassing, Ratbreath.

Nick looks down. ;Far, far below, CARS wink silently past.

i

He looks up. And sees,: in the mirrored lenses where Batman's eyes sho9ld b~, the twin reflections of his .own j stricken face. ,:; ·,,··;'-:.

..t~···~-...~

17

,......_... ...·

NICK Trespassing? , You don'town the

, . night. : I

I i IBATMAN , Tell your friends. Tell all your friends~ 1 AH the night. *

Nick HOWLS. Batman hedves him roughly back onto the tar- and-gravel surface of ~he roof. And then -- casually;·. .·.t without a moment'~ hes~tation -- st~ps off the ledge, .- ~ into midair. 1 ! •·

Trembling, Nick crawls itothe ledge and looks over..•·:~~\ finding ABSOLUTELY NO 'I;'RACEof the Batman. ?

I

Nick is still SCREAMING .aswe PAN Uf TO Gotham s moon.::'· HAIN CREDITS ROLL: ! ·..,...•

BATMAN

CUT TO:
19

INT .GOTHAM CITY 1DEMOCIL.ATS'CLUB- NIGHT .· .,:; ~6.

I '

A VICTORY PO~iTER!f ill!J\011cwall:"CONGRATULATIONS! .·A-··',.

NEW GOTHAM CITY! ' UARV!i:YDENT-DI5 '.1'RICTATTORNEY. ,,•

I (CONTINUED) . I ' f I

...I• , .• I

1'

6

MAYOR BORG, hysterical :and self-certain introduces the new District Attorney, . HARVEYDENT -- a young, detennined lawyer.

r !· . MAYOR BORG

Across this ~ation, the words 'Gotham City( arc synonymous with crime. ! Our streets are overrun, and our polite officials have been helpless. A~ Mayor I promised you that Iwould; root out the source

of corruption at the root! ~ Carl Cr,issom·! Our new District Attorney Harvey Dent will carry· out that pro~ise.I I promise. I

APPLAUSE. DENT stands , to speak. We SEE a SINGLE EMPTY

I

PLACE SETTING at lthe end of the table and an engraved '·-·placecard whichbears the name "BRUCE WAYNE." I

~. i ; I DENT I I'm a man of few words . But those words will cpunt. And so will our I: actions. I pave talked today to ! Police Commi~sioner Gordon.

I ANGLE ON JAMES W. GORDON

Gotham's police commissioner, a distinguished gent in his late fifties. l r I

DENT
He is ;tare,ct\ingbusirtcsscs suspected of fronting for the syndicate in this city. :Within

one wc~k we'jllknock_dowt;1their doors ~nd s~cd the light iofthe law 01'i:·'that!nestof vipers. I I

7

INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT

i

A woman's apartment, ~parsely furnished but tasteless. Modern chairs and coffee table in front of a TV set. High-fashion magazine lpictureblow~ups all modeled by the same &irl on wall~.

I

In the forccrourid: a !MAN'SHAND·.long, elegant: and manicured, mani~ulatei a DECK OF CA~DS, doipg a one- handed shuffle ~ith ~ktraordinary finesse. · :

i• i .

The TV new!.:has ,~1ir,hltchtsofl-lJ\RV.EY:DENT'Svictory .

speech. Ii I /

I (CONTINUED) I I

DENT (V.O.)
(on the TV screen)
Together we can make this city

r safe for decent people --

THE HAND sets the deck on a table, turns up FOUR JACKS off the top. This most unusual deck sports a .22 calibre BULLET HOLE straight through the middle.

J~CK NAPIER Decent people shouldn't live here. They'd be happier someplace else.

JACK NAPIER is right-hand man and chief enforcer to BOSS CARL GRISSOM.

He is tough, vain, takes great pride in his appearance, and is not reconciled to no longer being twenty-one. Velvet Death. ALICIA HUNT -- CARL GRISSOM's woman -- glides over in her negligee. Jack has his feet on the table, resting on a copy of Yogue on the cover of which is a picture of Alicia. She lifts his feet and rescues the magazine. She is young, very beautiful, and as narcissistic as Jack. She's the model pictured on the walls.

ALICIA
Pretty tough talk about Carl.
JACK
Don't worry about it. If lhis clown could touch Grissom ... I'd have killed him by now.

Alicia knots Jack's loose tie playfully about his neck.

ALICIA
If Grissom knew about us ...he might kill you.

Jack's eye darts back and forth between the TV and his own reflection in a nearby vanity. Not interested in her.

JACK
Don't flatter yourself, anccl. He's a tired old man. He can't run this city without me.
(pau:..:c)
And be!;i.dc:;,lieclnc•~n't·lu1uw.

J.i c kl"l'II\Ull':;OFFl!ivTV.

7 CONTINUED: ( 2) 7

ALICIA
You don't worry about anything, do you, Jack?

Jack gives Alicia a disdainful look, consults his watch, reaches for his topcoat, and stands in front of the vanity. Runs~ hand through sculpted hair, checks his fine threads.

A\,ICIA You look fine.

He smiles at himself before turning to the door.

JACK
I didn't ask .
8

EXT. ALLEYWAY -NIGHT 8--

The scene of the earlier mugging is now ABUZZ with police cars, an ambulance, a forensics van.

Eddie goes past on a stretcher, catatonic. Watching him are a POLICE MEDIC and a porcine cop, LT. ECKHARDT, who jots on a notepad.

ECKHARDT
No, let me guess. A gigantic, menacing, supernatural fo~n... in the shape of a bat.
MEDIC
That's it ...What are they SEEING up there?
ECKHARDT
They're all drinkin' Drano.
MEDIC
It's still weird, Lieutenant.
ECKHARDT
(under his breath)
Oh Christ, Knox!

At the mouth of the alley is ALEXANDER KNOX,···30,acrime rcport c rf o 1·t h cGo t h;i111r.1obe.

KNOX
lliya,l ',l·nt::.IhearWt!1:rJt ,ll1ulht•rb;,it:attack.
(MORE)

(CONTINlJED)

r

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 9.

KNOX (CONT'D)
That's eight 'sightings' now in just under a month. I hear the Commissioner's opened a file.
ECKHARDT
Sorry. Knox. These two slipped on a banana peel.

Two uniformed PATROLMEN drag a brain-fried Nick past •

.. NICK A bat, I tell you, a GIANT bat! He wanted me to do him a favor .••!

Knox smirks. Eckhardt and the Medic trade disgusted looks.

ECKHARDT
(irritated)
Don't be writing this crap in the newspaper, Knox, it'll ruin your already useless reputation.
KNOX
Lieutenant. Lotsa punks in town're scared stiff! They say he drinks blood. They say he can't be killed.
ECKHARDT
1 say you're full of shit, Knox . •

Eckhardt turns away in annoyance.

ECKHARDT
And you can quote me on that!

KNOX * Lieutenant. Is there a six-foot * bat in Gotham City? * {shouting) * If so, is he on the police payroll? * If so, what's he pulling down * after taxes? *

9

EXT. STREET - NIGHT (THAT MOMENT)

Eckhardt cmcrecs onto the side street -- an~ spies a STRETCH LIMO IDLING nearby. Leaning on the hood, waving hi, is the dandyish Jack NAPIER. Jack's odd driver BOB lL\\.IKINSpulida.::..:thedoor handle.

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 10.

JACK
I brought you a little snack, Eckhardt.

r Eckhardt looks at the sandwich inside. It's full of 100 DOLLAR BILLS. The cop throws a nervous glance back in KNOX's direction and stuffs it quickly in his coat.

ECKHARDT
Why don't you br~adcast it, Napier?
JACK
Shut up and listen -- Harvey Dent is sniffing around one of our companies.

Eckhardt br·istles.

ECKHARDT
(testy)
That's my territory, Jack. If there's a problem --

Suddenly, Jack grabs Eckhardt by the lapels of his topcoat.

JACK
Eckhardt •••your problems are our problems.

ECKHARDT ,, (knocking his hands away) I answer to Grissom, not to

psychos.

JACK
Why, Eckhardt. You should be thinking about the future.
ECKHARDT
(sneers)
You mean ... when :I.QJ.! run theshow? You got no future, Jack. You're ariA-1 nut boy and Grissom knows it.

Jack claps a hand on Eckhardt' sface and sho~les him full- force into a wall. Stunned, Eckhardt turns bright red and crabs Jack by the coat collar and whips out his gun.

Jack calmly takes hi!.hand from Eckhardt's face as the latter brint:.~•thet•,unup.

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 11.

9 CONTINUED: ( 2) 9

JACK
(relaxed)
Watch the suit.

r Breathing heavily, Eckhardt lets go of Jack's coat and lowers the gun.

JACK
(smiles)
See. You can ma.kea good decision when you try,

Jack LAUGHS insanely in Eckhardt's ashen face, EXITS. When Jack is out of earshot, Eckhardt MUTTERS menacingly:

ECKHARDT
And where you been spending your nights, handsome •.•?
DISSOLVE TO:
10

EXT.,GOTHAM CITY SQUARE - DAY

Hard-hatted Dent and Gordon follow Mayor across the construction-filled square. Preparations are being made for a gigantic public event. Banner goes up saying

200TH ANNIVERSARY OF GOTHAM CITY FESTIVAL."

MAYOR • I don't care how much in debt this festival is. I want a parade, hot dogs, balloons, the whole schmeer. We're gonna celebrate this 200th anniversary proudly. And PUBLICLY.

DENT
We llli\Ybe celebrating it in bankruptcy court. The tax base is crumbling, and if this festival crashes you can kiss our bond rating goodbye. This Festival is $350,000 in the red and we haven't sc~n one balloon.
MAYOR
I'll take care of the festival budget. I've got a party of rich old ladies who'll pay $1000 to sec the inside of Wayne Manor. You fill thi~ !.; (Juarcwith people, kids, do1 : ~,,familie::;,ancthebu ~; inc s :;cs will come bat:klw ·

BATMAN -Rev. 10/10/88 12.

GORDON
I think a lot of people might stay away, Mayor. They're scared.
MAYOR
They won't be scared when you've . got Grissom in that courthouse. I promised that, right?

Gordon nods as Mayor marches across the square •

..

11

INT. GOTHAM GLOBE - CITY ROOM - DAY

Gotham's leading tabloid daily. KNOX RUSHES IN, spots BOB THE CARTOONIST at his drafting table, with several amused REPORTERS looking on.

REPORTER
Well, well. Count Dracula! You seen Bigfoot lately?
ANOTHER REPORTER
They BURIED your story on the Batman.

REPORTER

I

They bury garbage.

KNOX
This is the Pulitzer prize zone, boys! You wait!

• BOB Oh, Knox -- I got something for you.

BOB holds up a drawing of aHUMAN BAT, with an awful, fanged rodent's face.wearing a business suit. The cap- tion reads: "HAVEYOU SEEN THIS MAN?"

The REPORTERS crack up. Knox. who's used to the ribbing, mumbles.

KNOX
Very nice, boys. A little more gore on the fangs.
(under his breath)
What a dick...

He moves on.

27

INT. KNOX'S OFFICE - DAY 12

Knox:approa c he:;liut:;top::.inhi!ltl·ack~. *

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 13.

Propped up on the desk are a PAIR OF EXCEPTIONAL LEGS. Knox stares. He takes her in -- The most beautiful woman he's ever seen is attached to the legs. Leaning back in Knox's swivel chair. reading the Globe. Her face obscured by abig outrageous HAT. He ENTERS.

KNOX
Hel-lo, legs.

The hat tips back. VICKI VALE, her face framed by a shock of bright red hair, £lashes a dazzling smile.

VICKI
I'm reading your stuff.
KNOX
And I'm reading yours.

He looks at the oversized CAMERA BAG with decals all over it. Monogrammed "V.V." She stands and shakes hands.

VICKI
Hi, I'm Vicki Vale.

Her attitude is strong, hip, professional.

KNOX
Vicki Vale ..• Vicki Vale.•• Let's see••• Vogue, Cosmo ... I've seen your stuff. Listen, you didn't

r come here to ask me to pose nude,

because you're going to nee4 a long lens.

VICKI
Actually I've been in Corto Maltese.

She pulls out a sheet of COMBAT PHOTOS -- exploding Jeeps, burning huts, bodies in piles. A bloody revolution.

KNOX
Hey. a girl could get hurt doing this stuff.

Knox is impressed but he's also smitten:

KNOX
(amazed)
What arc you doing hcre7
VICKI
I'm he r eto:.;ccsomeof the wildlife in Gutham City.

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 14. * . .

12 CONTINUED: ( 2 ) 12

KNOX
Wildlife... like what?
VICKI
Like -- bats.

She indicates his desk which is littered with doodles of bats.

KNOX
(disbelieving)
Who sent you?
VICKI
No one. I read your piece. There's something about this that's very interesting to me.
KNOX
What's~ angle?
VICKI
A picture of a guy in a bat suit catching criminals?
(her hand sweeping a headline)
BATMAN SWEEPS CRIME FROM GOTHAM. My pictures. Your words. This is Pulitzer prize material.
KNOX
(exhilarated) • You're a y1s1onary. Problem is, you're the only one who believes me. I need something tangible. Gordon's got a file on this but I can't get him on the phone.

A sly look crosses Vicki's face.

VICKI
He'll be at Bruce Wayne's benefit, won't he?
KNOX
I don't seem to be on the guest list.

Sulking, he doc:;n'tnotice Vicki reach.in~into her camera bac. liedoesn't sec the smnll white INVITATION until she DANGLES IT ri~ht in front of his nose.

Mi:;:;Vulc...Got a date?

r (CONTINUED)

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 15.

12 CONTINUED: ( 3) 12

She flutters her great big eyelashes and shakes her head no.

VICKI

Will you help me?

KNOX
Yes. Will you marry me?
VICKI
Perhaps. Do yoo snore?

She LAUGHS. He offers her his arm.

KNOX
I'll learn.
CUT TO:
13

INT. PENTHOUSE - NIGHT

A HUGE PLATE GLASS WINDOW on the best view in Gotham. CARL GRISSOM, criminal kingpin, is 50, utterly without charm.

His LIEUTENANTS -- bloodless white-collar types as well as a few outright GOONS -- are sprawled nearby in easy chairs. Grissom waves a copy of the Globe -- with HAllVEY DENT staring out from page one.

GRISSOM
Say this son of a bitch m~kes a connection with us and Axis Chemicals. what kind of damage are we looking at?
ACCOUNTANT
If he ties us in with Axis Chemical,

we're dead and buried. (clearing his throat) We should move immediately.

Jack slouches in an easy chair doing his one-handed shuffle.

JACK
Let's just break-in, trash the office, make off with the books .... and call it 'industrial cspionaee.' *
GRISSOM
Smart thinking, Jack.
(HORI::)
GRISSOM (CONT'D)
That's the way to go. In fact I'd like you to handle this operation personally.

JACK

Jack's hand FREEZES over his lucky deck. Nerv~usly, he turns a card off the top., It's not a jack; it's a Joker -- a Joker with a neat, round, .22 calibre HOLE through its face,

At this exact moment, METAL DOORS slide back -- and ALICIA HUNT steps out of Grissom's private elevator with an armful of SHOPPING BAGS.

GRISSOM
Hello, sweetheart. I wonder if you'd mind waiting in the other room.

Alicia's gaze meets Jack's nervously as she vanishes through a side door. The eye contact is not lost on Grissom.

GRISSOM
Thank you, gentlemen. That's all for now.

Grissom's CRONIES FILE OUT. Jack, ~roubled, lingers behind. He looks miserable and obviously doesn't want to go.

JACK
Carl, can't we send somebody else?

The fumes in that place ...

GRISSOM
Jack, it's an important job -- I need someone I can trust. You're my number one guy.
(beat)
Now don't forget your lucky deck.

Jack, resicncd, pockets the deck and leaves.

GRISSOM
(wolfish r,rin)
My friend, your luck i:;ju~t ,tLout Lu d1 ;1nt:,e.

Ali1·1.1:\!'l'Et\l:!;111tlivdo o rway,111n1kli111:,herllC!W jHI1·,•\i.1:;,• ;; .

17. *

13 CONTINUED; ( 2) 13

GRISSOM
(smiling into phone)
Get me Lieutenant Eckhardt.
CUT TO:
14

EXT. WAYNE MANOR - ESTABLISHING - NIGHT

A vast, rambling mansion on sixty wooded acres a half- hour's drive from Gotham.: Out front, a team of red-jacketed VALETS are parking expensive cars.

15

INT. BALLROOM - NIGHT

The ballroom is outfitted with roulette wheels for a CASINO NIGHT. Gotham's POWER ELITE eagerly throw cash into Mayor's festival kitty. Small banner "SAVE THE FESTIVAL!"

ANOTHER ANGLE - HANDSOME YOUNG BRUCE WAYNE

enters from the kitchen. He's a rich, smart guy with a thousand things on his mind. But when you think he's not paying attention -- you're dead wrong. He doesn't miss a thing.

A WAITER hands him something to sign. He signs and the waiter EXITS. Left with the pen, he isn't sure what to do with it. He looks around and finally decides to put it in a flowerpot. Just then ALFRED.THE BUTLER, 60s mannered but with sense of humor, APPEARS and takes it from him. Alfred smiles as Bruce continues through the foyer past --

In his cheap suit, stands Knox -- staring inquisitively up at the ceilin& .

Alfred appears with a tray of champagne glasses. He, too, looks up at the ceiling.

ALFRED
Can I help you, sir?
KNOX
You know if you cut your bath in half, you'd have my whole apa1-t111c nt-
ALFRED
w~ do have a rather laq~c
KNOX
Nu, I 111~'. ,\lltyourbath ...a !.iin Tllll.

BATHAN - Rev. 10/10/88 18. *.

Knox takes a drink and Alfred HOVES ON.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Alfred stoops to pick up some glasses, the other glasses on his tray slide. He's caught a bit. Vicki catches the glasses •.Vicki smiles.

VICKI
You okay? ..
ALFRED
Yes, thank you.

A small bond has been formed. Alfred CONTINUES on his way. As an afterthought Vicki calls after him. Stops. Bruce has been watching. Vicki turns to him.

VICKI
Excuse me .••which one of these guys is Bruce Wayne?
BRUCE
(caught off guard)
I ... I'm not sure.
VICKI
Thanks·.

r BRUCE

Uh.. .yeah. •

Vicki WALKS AWAY. Bruce watches her, very intrigued.

16 ANGLE ON GORDON 16

At craps table, blowing into his fist, he rolls dice. Snake eyes. He passes the dice as Knox and Vicki PUSH UP.

KNOX
Commissioner Gordon, Hrs. Gordon. How nice you look tonight.
(to Gordon)
Have you heard this crazy rumor that you have opened a file on the Batman? That's not true is it?

Knox puts his hands up behind hi$ head and wiggles his finccrs -- like little Lat car~. Gordun GROANS.

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 19.

GORDON
Knox, for the ninth time, there is no bat. If there were, we

r would find him -- we would arrest

him

KNOX
find him, arrest him... that's what I always hear, Commissioner. Be straight wit9 me.

Dent ambles up, claps a hand on Gordon's shoulder.

DENT
How's your luck, Jim?
KNOX
Mr. Dent. Commissioner Gordon and I were just talking about winged vigilantes, what's your stand?
DENT
Mr. Knox, we have enough real problems in this city without worrying about ghosts.

AN OFFICER motions to Gordon, who FOLLOWS HIM into another room. Vicki nods at Knox as they slip away to FOLLOW THEM. r ANGLE ON BRUCE

He watches them. Especially the beauteous Vicki.

17

EXT. ACE CHEMICAL CO. - ESTABLISHING - NIGHT

A NEON SIGN reads: "ACE CHEMICAL. THE FUTURE IS NOW." From the SIGN we PAN TO a METAL SLUICE GATE dumping TONS of CHURNING TOXIC SLUDGE into Gotham's East River.

A PLAIN VAN pulls up. Jack and GOONS get out.

18 ANOTHER ANGLE 18

The SECURITY GUARD in a booth at the entrance to the lot. One of Jack's BOYS creeps up and takes the GUARD out. Jack and Goons sneak in.

19

INT. WAYNE MANOR - ARMORY - NIGHT

Knox and Vicki ENTI::Rlookine forGurdon. No luck. Knox Lncs t:ul',l',lc:-cycdattheannory.

(CONTINUl::D)

BATH.AN - Rev. 10/10/88 20. * . .

KNOX
(ironic)
And here we are in the arsenal.

On the wall hang EXOTIC WEAPONS. Every arcane implement of death the human mind has ever devised. Knox lets out a low whistle.

KNOX
Look at this stuff. Who is this guy? ..

Bruce ENTERS and stands just behind them. Vicki sees him, but having seen him earlier, regards him casually, like another partygoer. Bruce listens with interest.

VICKI
Strange. He gives to humanitarian causes •.•And collects all this •••
KNOX
Probably does it to get chicks. They like him for his big charity balls.
VICKI
(mischievous)
I think it's his enormous .•• bankroll they go for.
KNOX
Hey, the more they've got•,the less they're worth.
VICKI
This guy must be the most worthless man in America.
KNOX
(pointing to a sword)
Where'd this come from?
BRUCE
lt's Japanese.

Knox turns. Bruce is trying to remember, but is really watching Vicki.

KNOX
How do you know?

IH,UCI·: lkcau:;c I t,o ti ti nJaI'.111.

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 21.

19 CONTINUED: ( 2) 19

KNOX
Who are you?
BRUCE
Oh. • •Bruce Wayne.
KNOX
(extending a hand)
Alexander Knox.
BRUCE
(genuine)
I read (present tense) your work. I like it.
KNOX
Great. Give me a grant.

Bruce flips a polite smile at Knox then switches smoothly to VICKI, who is amused at being had by Bruce. She sticks out her hand.

VICKI
Vicki Vale.
BRUCE
Bruce Wayne .
VICKI
(smile and edge)
... You sure? •
BRUCE
(smile)
I've seen your photographs from Corto Maltese -- You've got an extraordinary eye.

Bruce is charming. Knox's territorial instincts arouse.

KNOX
Some people think she has two.
VICKI
This is an amazing house. I'd love to shoot it sometime.

A WINE STEWARD ENTERS. Vicki and Knox exchange glances.

STEWARD
Mr. Wayne, we need to open anot:hc:r five ca:..csofthe champat~nc. Will th,ltbe allrie,ht?

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 22.

19 CONTINUED: ( 3 ) 19

BRUCE
Uh -- yes, sure. Open six.

Steward EXITS. Bruce turns back to catch up with himself.

BRUCE
(to Vicki)
Yes ... Willyou be staying in Gotham for a while?

v:tcKI I'd like to. I'm intrigued by Alex's giant bat story.

A RICH COUPLE waves at Bruce as they EXIT. He politely waves to them. Then he looks after them like he can't remember who they are. Then he does remember. Then back to Vicki.

BRUCE
Isn't that a little light after a war in Corto Maltese?
VICKI
(smiling zap)
Light? What do YOU do for a living?

Alfred appears in the doorway behind them.

ALFRED
• Sir? Commissioner Gordon was compelled to leave.
BRUCE
Thank you, Alfred.

He turns back to Vicki. Alfred persists.

ALFRED
Ahem. Sir -- YJU:Xunexpectedly.
BRUCE
(ectting it)
Oh, thank you, Alfred.
(to Vicki)
I hope you'll excuse me.

Vicki $mile:,;.A connection ha!lbeen mad~. They both know it.

VICKI

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88

19 CONTINUED: ( 4)

Bruce turns to go. Setting his glass too close to the edge of the table. Alfred calls to him.

r ALFRED

Sir, I think perhaps THIS way.

BRUCE
Oh yes ...thanks. Oh, Alfred, they need more wine in the front and someone named Mrs. Daly wanted a copy of the menu. Oh, and, Alfred. Give Mr. Knox a grant.

He winks at Knox .· And goes theOTHER way out of the room. Alfred fluidly sweeps up Bruce's glass and follows him briskly OUT OF THE ROOM. Knox is stung and Vicki transfixed.

KNOX
Nice talkin' to ya, Bruce. Now are the rich odd? Yes they are.
(jealous)
Helllo? Vicki?
VICKI
(waking up)
Sorry. I was -- He's comp-lic-ated.

KNOX

r I said odd.

• VICKI Mm.

KNOX
Ah -- Well you're not the only fan. This guy loves himself. There ' re mirrors in every room.

And indeed, the two of them are standing before an enormous WALL MIRROR 1eight feet wide, running from floor to ceiling.

KNOX
Maybe it should be Bruce VAIN.
CUT TO:

~-17 .-.;... . ....-,

20

REVERSE ANGLE - THROUGH MIRROR ·.·20

LOOK.IN GDOWNON Knox.and Vicki THROUGH one-way glass . .·-·.. lh:hin,lt lwmirro r. . .rc:co rd i n1~cv c rythin~thathappens ·in. the r oom..•i:;a :.;111all 1:.;ilcnt,!>Lttc - of-thc-nrtSURVJ:::IL-.. l ~,\ NCEC,\1'1EllA. ..·· ·

BATM.AN - l-.cv .10/10/88 24.

21

CLOSEUP - VIDEO MONITOR

showing KNOX und VICKI in the library. The screen we're watching is only one in a whole vast l2.Jmk ofvideomon- itors -- a control center showing everything that happens in the house. The background is blurry, indistinct •.•but \ we seem to be in the midst of a vast, dark CAVE. " ·

On another screen, GUESTS move backward with exaggerated speed, as a videotape REWINDS. At the panel, Bruce Wayne hits a button -- and watches COMMISSIONER GORDON talking to a uniformed PATROLMAN.

PATROLMAN (V.O.)
-- anonymous tip. Napier's

cleaning .outAxis Chemicals.

GORDON (V.O.)
Good Lord, if we could put our hands on him we'd have Grissom.

(obviously agitated) Why wasn't I told about this? Who's in charge of the --

PATROLMAN (V.O.)
Eckhardt, sir.

GORDON cv.o.) Oh my God... *

And suddenly Gordon is grabbing for his coat. The monitor GOES BLACK. Bruce is somehow different. More relaxed. * He stands up. He gathers himself. Focuses inwardly in * a way that empowers him. • • *

CUT TO:
22

EXT. AXIS CHEMICAL COMPANY - PARKING LOT - NIGHT

UNMARKED POLICE CARS are pulling into the lot.

Eckhardt circulates among his ARMED SWAT TEAM, handing out Xeroxed copies of a MUG SHEET: Jack NAPIER, front and profile.

ECKHARDT
Shoot to kill.
23

INT. AXIS CHL~MICAL - FILE ROOH - NIGHT

SPARKS FLY. A SAFECRACKER, in weldcr'3 ma9k. trains a blowto1.·chun the office :..:afc.Behindhim, Jack'!!HOODS

37

1RCAT W0D1. UN THE FILIN1~CABI1WT!J. JACK STANDS WATCH-

t11r.•:;<JUlltli11r.thn,u,~htlicfume:;.lieh<Jld:;LL~ilk h.ui.lkl·t· c hil·ttJV l 'L.hi.:;11<J:;ca:.d111..uth.

(C(JNTINUl::D)

The SAFECRACKER kills his blowtorch and opens the metal door of the safe, giving Jack a good look inside:

SAFECRACKER

r

... Empty.

JACK shakes his head: they've been set up. A SIREN blares out'sidc.

JACK
We've been ratte~ out here, boys.
24

INT. AXIS CHEMICAL - THAT MOMENT

Jack and his HOODS duck out of the office, two stories above the refinery floor. onto a network of ladders and CATWALKS.

A COP, stationed behind a bank of machinery. shouts out:

COP
Freeze!

One of the HOODS OPENS FIRE. Half of his colleagues dive back into the office. looking for a rear exit. The others take off across the CATWALKS.

25

INT. FACTORY FLOOR -A MOMENT LATER

cops·SHOOT BACK as the HOODS scatter. The COPS I bullets r puncture ducts and pipes from which gas and unpleasant looking liquid begins to leak. •

All at once, a CORRUGATED STEEL DOOR rises -- and COM- MISSIONER GORDON MARCHES IN with a squadron of UNIFORMED COPS. He grabs a startled Eckhardt by the shoulder:

GORDON
What the fil.llisgoing on here?
ECKHARDT
Christ, what arc you tryine to do -- blow the collar?
GORDON
I''min char~c here. Not Carl G rif:f.1)m. - (:;houtinr,) I WANT HIM TAKEN ALIVE. I REPEAT * - -ANY MAN Wl!OOPl~NS FII·:EONJACK NAl'll~RWI LLANSWERTO t1I!

E d J1.u·,lt.~-.1 . 11•:;:\\·lAYltf r1,__·1:111·:___l'J.,\ t;T.C ,~nl1 , 11reali z e~he 's t',ul lc.111dll)l1, ,\0::;wi 1.Ii1;u11,I1· ,l\ ·II\ .

26 ANGLE ON JACK 26

Down on the floor, racina, THROWING SWITCHES -- anything to create a diversion. GIGANTIC MACHINES ROAR to life. OVERHEAD CHEMICAL TANKS rotate into place above giant basins and spew out their contents.

COPS on Jack's tail. He SHOOTS at them AND RUNS.

27 ANGLE ON CATWALKS 27

HOODS 3 and 4 scuttle acr.oss the elevated walkways, FIRING at the POLICE and PUNCTURING more DUCTS, PIPES, and CONTAINERS, thereby releasing more CHEMICALS. Their HEADS TURN at the sound of a sudden CLANG --

-- as BATMAN drops onto the catwalk from above. For a moment, they sape. Then HOOD 4 takes off running; HOOD 3 turns and LEVELS HIS GUN at Batman --

-- who goes to his belt for a miniature SPEAR GUN and FIRES at HOOD 3 •••planting a BARBED HOOK in the HOOD' S .. JACKET, SPINNING HIM AROUND, HOOD 3 drops his gun, slips, and -- with a terrible shriek - -TOPPLES OVER THE RAILING.

The hook in his jacket jerks him up short ... leaving him to DANGLE thirty feet above the factory floor!

28 ANGLE ON COMMISSIONER GORDON 28

His gaze whips upward from the dangling hood to the figure on the catwalk. As he's just realized ..• there ll a bat. •

GORDON
Oh my God!!
29

INT. CHEMICAL SUPPLY ROOM - THAT MOMENT

Jack looking for an exit. Behind him, a STEEL DOOR begins to rise -- more COPS. He picks up the axe and runs to bottom of iron stairs to huge steel containers with DANGER! HIGHLY TOXIC written on them under SKULL AND CROSSBONES. He swings the axe releasing a river of wild-colored poisons.

30 ANGLE ON COPS 30

At thebottom of the :.:lair!.:,theylU:TREATha5tily,bump- inc into e a chother.a:;POISON~ FLOOD toward '•thc:m.Jack on other :;ideof the chcmic.ilmoat, throw:..away the axe and climb:;the :;lair:; .

3 1 lNT. FACTOl.:.YFLUlrn.-AM011Et~TI.ATE!·: 31

A IDV EKOF Ci!LM1CALSCL•Ul':;t:~uul1 : ,LoLill:mainrcfinc1·y. CUl' SSl.Jl'ANDSLLDEon Lhe wc: t.:.:ul'I.1ct:ufthefactory flour C,\~ l'lN(;unACIDFUM!·: ~; .

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 27.

32 METAL STAIRS LEADING TO CATWALK 32

Jack climbs metal stairs. Above him, vats of CHURNING CHEMICAL SLUDGE -- and SLUICE GATES opening on the East River. It's the waste dump.

r UP ON THE CATWALK, Batman slips into the shadows and watches Jack approach.

Jack reaches the catwalk. Located above the center of it is a glass paneled WINDOW, propped open by a support- ing rod. Beyond this is a forty foot drop to the swirl- ing black currents of the -EastRiver •.. and freedom. To reach the window, Jack wiil be exposed to police bullets. He makes a dash for it, and has begun to climb up to it on the catwalk railings, when BATMAN HURTLES IN and puts him in a wrestling hold. Jack struggles for a moment, then registers what's hit him and freaks out.

JACK
Jesus!

But just then .• .

VOICE HOLD IT!

33 ANGLE ON FACTORY FLOOR - niAT MOMENT 33 I Bob's got a gun pointed AT COMMISSIONER GORDON'S HEAD.

BOB

r Let him· go or I'll do Gordon •

A tense moment passes.

Eckhardt appears on floor. Looks up at Jack.

34

CATWALK -A MOMENT LATER

Batman releases Jack and stands clear. Jack straightens his clothes and fixes his hair.

JACK
(smirking at Batman)
Nice outfit. *
GOON
Jack, let's get out of here.

Jack spies . 38AUTOMATIC abandoned on the catwalk.

35 ANGLE ON FACTORY FLOOR 35

Eckhardt uses this moment to sneak away. A voice breaks the tension:

JACK
Eckhardt!! Think about the future.

ALL EYES TURN to Jack standing poised with the .38 in his fist. He FIRES. Eckhardt FALLS DEAD. Jack turns gun to Gordon.

Batman moves. Jack spins on Batman.

Their eyes meet for a ·second.

TIGHT ON BATMAN

-- a questioning look on his face. A spark.

TIGHT ON JACK

a small smile plays on his lips.

ON TRIGGER

He FIRES POINT BLANK at Batman.

ON BATMAN

-- he swings his heavy cape. The BULLET RICOCHETS DIRECTLY BACK AT JACK.

AN UNGODLY HOWL OF PAIN echoes out from the catwalk above. Jack reels and staggers, CLUTCHING AT HIS CHEEKS. BLOOD GUSHES from between his fingers.

JACK NAPIER HAS n~EN SHOT THROUGH THE FACE.

He stagGcrs into the catwalk railing and topples over, just manacing to grabhold of the lowest rung. Directly beneath him is a catch basin full of BUBBLING TOXIC WASTE.

36 ON CATWALK -THAT MOMENT 36

Batman lcap-sand tries to crab Jack's hand.

Jack drops but cat cheshimself on a pipe. He's slipping.

•·,

Batman reache s ,e,ct:;apoorerip . He stares, perplexed, at the st1·i c kcnexpressionin Jack'sey es.

CUT TO :

r

37

ON CATWALK - SAME MOMENT

Jack is sliding out of Batman's crasp. A long BEAT -- Jack looks up at him in terror and SLIPS AWAY to plunge the TWO STORIES DOWN into the CATCH BASIN of BUBBLING, TOXIC WASTE, SCREAMING ALL THE WAY.

38

ANGLE ON FACTORY FLOOR - MOMENT LATER

CORDON
Goddammit, we had him!

COPS level their guns on Batman. A couple of them appear at either end of the catwalk, effectively blocking his escape. He takes in the situation, HANDS ON HIS BELT.

GORDON
Hold it right there.

Batman raises his hands in a gesture of surrender. As the COPS advance from both ends of the catwalk -- he flicks two tiny capsules at the nearby wall.

A BLINDING FLASH OF LIGHT. Colors burst in a wild pyro- technic display. COPS stumble backwards, momentarily dazzled, as a THICK WALL OF BLACK SMOKE conceals Batman from view.

A tiny grappling hook rockets out of the dense curling cloud and catches on the edge of a window in the roof.

COP
Look! •

The COPS are FIRING WILDLY into the smoke. But the BLACK MAJESTIC FIGURE OF THE Butman whips upward, DISAPPEARING into the shadowy heights, safely out of range.

COP
Who .i..5_ thisguy?
GORDON
(to Cop)
I don't know and until we find out, keep a lid on it.
CUT TO:
39

1::XT .AXISCHEMICAL COMPANY - NIGHT (THAT MOMENT)

A BLACK SHADOW :.;cur r ie:.;acros~the1·oof.Fromthe il- lumin::itcd:;il'nwithit:;n c.: onace,Wl·:l'ANDOWNPAST the c hemica1:.;lui c cTO,1S l::CONDAC!::...ac.irclfrornJack'!. lth: kydl' c k,pi1 : c c 1·dbya1w.1t,roundbull e th o le,boLl>ine ,i nlia.:uily:.ut· l.L, :cufth t.!f u 1il ,pullut e dciv c r.

( CO NTINUED)

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 30.

Gradually, OTHER CARDS from the deck swirl past: a nine. A deuce. A queen. And finally, a Joker -- SHOT CLEANLY THROUGH THE FACE.

A BONE-WHITE HAND BREAKS THE SURFACE as we

SHOCK CUT TO:
40

INT. GOTHAM GLOBE - CITY ROOM - DAY

A BANNER HEADLINE on the l~te edition of the Globe: "BATMAN FOILS ROBBERY. JACK NAPIER DEAD. WHO IS MASKED VIGILANTE?"

Behind the newspaper, feet propped up on his desk, is a jubilant Knox. He's on the horn to Gordon.

KNOX
Yes, Commissioner. If there's no Bat, then who dropped this guy Napier into the acid? Wait a minute, I want to get this on tape.

He holds a tape recorder up to phone. Listens. A LOUD CLICK as Gordon hangs up on him.

Vicki BUSTLES IN with sheaf of photographs. Starts to hang them on wall. Making a photomontage of the city. Cartoonist sticks head in door, tapes drawing of Batman with arm on Knox's shoulder. GUY EXITS. Knox hangs up •

• KNOX Vicki Valet (I'm) Nostradamus!

VICKI
Look at this, Allie.

Knox comes around. She points to her montage map.

VICKI
Here's the inner city, and here's Axis Chemicals. Here are the sightings so far.
KNOX
Did you do this? This is creat.
VICKI
Maybe the Batman's got some sort of flight pattern or ~omcthing.
KNOX
Yeah, to11i[:.hlwe•11walkthe t1·ai 1 .

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 31. * .

VICKI
Tomorrow maybe. I've got a date with Bruce Wayne. Sorry.

r

KNOX
(shouting)
Bruce.Wayne? No, A DATE is when two normal people go out to enjoy each other. A date for Bruce WAYNE is when he goes out to a r~staurant with mirrors, by HIMSELF!

She plants a kiss on his forehead.

VICKI
You're awfully sweet to be so concerned but thanks anyway.

Vicki smiles and EXITS. Knox looks pole-axed.

KNOX
(irritated, picking up phone)
Copy, get me the morgue.
(BEAT)

I Morgue .••give me all you got on

Bruce Wayne.

CUT TO:
41

EXT. BRUCE'S ESTATE - RIDING STABL!S - SUNDOWN

Bruce and Vicki GALLOP UP on horseback. They dismount; Bruce grooms his horse. Vicki watches.

VICKI
You're not bad on a horse.
BRUCE
Horses love me. I keep falling OFF. Maybe that's why they love me. You should see me, I'm one big mass of bruises.
VICKI
(laughing)
Maybe we can arranBe a little cx.:imination?

Bruce, without missinc a beat, puts the curry comb up on a rail and turns to her.

BRUCE
Ye ah,how ubout rit'..htnuw?

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 32.

Vicki is caught in her own sexual trap.

VICKI
Just kidding.
BRUCE
You thought you had me, didn't you?

Bruce smiles and walks past her up to the main house. Vicki smiles. ~

42

EXT. WAYNE MANOR - PATIO - SUNDOWN

A broad patio behind the manor, looking out on the es- tate. Bruce and Vicki ARRIVE from the stables. Alfred APPEARS with a bottle of champagne, smiles discreetly at Vicki, then DISAPPEARS. Bruce POPS the cork unhandily.

ALFRED
The historical Society called to remind you of the banquet. Should I say you'll be there?
BRUCE
Yes, absolutely ... I'llbe there.

I Alfred starts to w_alkaway. Bruce thinks.

BRUCE

r

Alfred.•. Which Society? • ALFRED Historical.

BRUCE
Oh, yeah, right. Yes.

Alfred EXITS.

VICKI
That Alfred's great.
BRUCE
I can't find my socks without hi~. Been with the family since I wa!.born.

Pouring, he tries, unsuccessfully to stifle~ yawn.

VICKI
(amused, teasing him)
Am I keeping you up?

BATMAN - Rev. 10/12/88 33.

BRUCE
(slightly embarrassed)
I'm sorry. I've got a lot going

r on at the moment.

VICKI
Like who?
BRUCE
(flustere,,d)
No ... Just business ... I'llbe honest with you. I bore myself silly, tell me about you.
VICKI
I take pictures. And I love doing it. I feel naked without a camera.
BRUCE
(little smile)
Well we better get you one.
(as she smiles)
Go on.
VICKI
I'd been floating around for a while, doing fashion. It was alright.-.• I don't know. Things change.
(searching for an explanation)
• How old are you?
BRUCE
Just turned 35.
VICKI
You've probably had it happen too. You know. . .you wake upone morning and say, hey this is who I am. I see things through cameras. All kinds of things. Not just long legs and great skirts, but ...things... You know?
BRUCE
I'm not sure. *
VICKI
Well... I ju~t picked up ~nd left.

HlWCE \..'hatdidyou:_:c<:?

(CONTINUJ.::D)

r "'

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 34.

42 CONTINUED: ( 2) 42

VICKI
(sigh, BEAT)
A lot'a hotels. A little terror. A little love once in a blue moon.
BRUCE
(pondering it)
A little terror. A little love.
VICKI
(softly)•· It•s out there. I was never in the right place I guess.

Bruce looks around at his opulent estate, falls.SILENT.

VICKI
You're a little elusive, Mr. Wayne. I feel like there's a lot going on in there.
BRUCE
Oh... not really.
VICKI
Come on, say what you're thinking.

I

BRUCE
I was Just thinking how beautiful you looked on that horse ••• and that ••• it's kinda nice to have someone here who notices.things.

She finds herself irrevocably drawn in.

VICKI
(mischievous; offer- ing her hand)
See... I do have an extraordinary eye.
BRUCE
(taking her hand)
Two.
48

INT. WAYNE MANOR - NIGHT 43

A vast, darkened entry hall, framed by long semicircular stairways on either side. Bruce o.ndVicki'~enter; she's giddy.

VICKI
I feel like I'm in.Pari:;in the ' 30s. I:.ithi:;fair ?I 'mha l f d1·unkan<lyou're not even --
(CONTINUED)·· . .

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 35.

BRUCE
Two drinks and I'm flying.

Vicky smiles. They stare into each other's eyes for a moment, on the verge of kissing.

He's struggling ·with something. She touches him.

VICKY
Why are you afr~id of flying?

He steps towards her and they begin a kiss which turns into a passionate embrace. A FLASH OF LIGHTNING trans- ports us to:

44

EXT. OFFICE BUILDING - ESTABLISHING - NIGHT

Broken windows, graffiti on the walls: a waterfront rathole.

..

45

INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE - NIGHT

TIGHT ON a face swathed in bandages. The patient sits erect in a wooden chair, surrounded by the grimy para- phernalia of an unlicensed gangland doctor.

The DOCTOR, a nervous little ferret, steps up with a pair of scissors.·

DOCTOR
Well, let's see how we diQ.

He begins to snip away. As the bandages come off, we get:

46 JACK NAPIER'S POV 46

The last strands of gauze peel back. The DOCTOR stands there, looking at his handiwork. His mouth falls open. His eyes bug out. He GASPS.

JACK (O.S.)
Mirror.

The DOCTOR just stands there staring AT CAMERA·,stock- still, apparently transfixed by the sight of Jack's face.

JACK (O.S.)
Mirror.

ANGLE ON DOCTOR 47

llc clears hi!;throat• rcnc\w:;apprchcn~ivcly for a hand mirror, and pa:.;:..a:!iitOUTOF1-'RAMI::toJack.

BATHAN - Rev. 10/10/UH 36.

We hear a GASP and SOIL Two beats. Then, the sound of GLASS SHATTERING as the mirror drops to the floor. The DOCTOR gulps hard. r

DOCTOR
You understand that the nerves _werecompletely severed -- Mr. Napier --

Jack begins to LAUGH. The DOCTOR turns uneasily away, gestures apologetically &this seedy equipment.

DOCTOR
-- You see what Ihad to work with here

More laughter. The trembling DOCTOR covers his face with one hand, whining now, not daring to look at Jack.

DOCTOR
-- I'm sure that with proper recon -- recon -- reconstructive surg·ery --

A DOOR SLAMS. Jack is gone. The grateful DOCTOR breathes a sigh of relief and steadies himself on an operating ) table as Jack's AWFUL LAUGH ECHOES in the hall outside.

DOCTOR

r (puzzled)

What's so funny? p

48

INT. BRUCE WAYNE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Vicki is asleep. CAMERA PANS TO Bruce lying next to her.

He's silently looking at the cascade of her hair on the

pillow. He watches her face, perplexed. Grandfather

CLOCK CLANGS. He checks his watch, stands up and looks

out window. He's constrained. He stretches impatiently. *

ON CLOCK FACE

TIME HAS PASSED. PAN TO VICKI -- sleeping. A RHYTHMIC

SOUND. She stirs, half-wakes. CAMERA PANS to see Bruce,

upside-doWfl, SLIGHTLY SWAYING in inversion boots •. .

49

INT. GRISSOM'S PENTHOUSE - NIGHT

The private elevator HISSES open. JACK st~ps out, bundled up in a trcnchcoat, muffler, and slouch hat his face concealed from view. He plops in the big plush swivel ch.lirbehind Gris~om'!..dc:.;k,

GRISSOM (O.S.)
That you, sucar bump9?

49 CONTINUI::D: 49

Grissom WADDLES IN fresh out of the shower, a towel wrapped around him. Using a smaller towel to dry his hair, it's a moment before he sees the bundled-up figure at his desk.

GRISSOM
Who the hell are you?
JACK
It's me. "Sugar Bumps." .. GRISSOM Jack? {advancing cautiously) Thank God you're alive. I heard you'd been .•.
JACK
Fried. Is that what you heard?

Jack stands and gestures him over to the empty chair. Grissom moves when he sees the gun pointing at his belly.

JACK
YOU SET ME UP!
(beat)
Over a_girl. You must be insane!

Grissom surreptitiously reaches for a desk drawer.

JACK • Don't bother. *

GRISSOM
Your life won't be worth spit. *
JACK
I been dead once already. It's * very liberating -- You have to think of it as therapy.
GRISSOM
(beginning to panic)
Jack, listen -- we'll cut a de:al-- •
JACK
Jack? Jack'::;dead,my frie:nd . Yuu can call me Joker.

lie flinc.:;awaythe h...1.t:.}UPSTill~MUFFLEH.from hisface. And -- a$ Gris:.;0111e,,:.;p:;in!;hock·-!.;tan<l!.revea.lc:din hi~;f11llho1·1·c1Hlut1!>1:lory.

(CONTINUl::D)

49 CONTINUED: ( 2) 49

His flesh is bleached bone-whit~. His hair is a luminous seaweed-green. And his cheeks are torn and puckered from the bullet wound, TWISTING HIS MOUTH INTO A HIDEOUS, r PERPETUAL HARLEQUIN'S GRIN.

JACK
.And as you can see, I'm much happier.

Jack besins to GIGGLE, building to hysterical LAUGHTER. Grissom makes a lunge tow4rds his desk drawer. Jack FIRES. AND FIRES AGAIN UNTIL THE CLIP IS EMPTY.

50

EXT. GRISSOM S BUILDING - NIGHT

We TILT UP the facade of the skyscraper, arriving finally at the TOP FLOOR: a PLATE GLASS WINDOW spiderwebbed with 1 • cracks where Jack's bullets hit.

51

INT. GRISSOM'S PENTHOUSE - NIGHT (THAT MOMENT)

Darkness. JACK -- or, as we'll know him from this moment

on, The JOKER -- sits in Grissom s swivel chair and surveys the moon-drenched city.

JOKER
(nostalgically)
Gotham.City. It always brings a smile to my face.

r As he swivels in the chair he notices a copy of the Globe (now blood-splattered) lying on Gr~ssom's desk. The head• line catches his eye. WINGED FREAK TERRORIZES GOTHAM'S GANGLAND. He picks up the paper and starts HUMMING.

JOKER
Watch it, Batman. Wait'll they get a load of me.
DISSOLVE . TO:
52

INT. BRUCE WAYNE'S BEDROOM - DAY

Bruce is asleep, his legs over the back of a chaise lounge. Vicki is dressing. Alert. *

VICKI
Bruce. I'm late, but I've a .-, proposition. *

Bruce sit~ up wearily. *

VlCKI l' 11111.ikeu:.;luncht01uu1·r-ow. (r-!ORE)

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 39.

VICKI (CONT'D)
At my apartment. I'll show you some of my photos. Will you come?

He's stretching. A hesitation flashes in his eyes.

BRUCE
Sure. Oh . no...I -- I can't make it.

Vicki stops brushing her·hair. Checks out his vibes .

• VICKI Oh. Is anything wrong?

BRUCE
No -- I -- I've got a real important meeting.
VICKI
Well •.. later in the day?
BRUCE
No ... I •.. I've got to leave town for a few days.

Vicki wonders, but continues.

VICKI
Well •.•when you get back.

Bruce thinks. No answer. Not wan~ing too much vulner- ability herself, she lightens it up.

VICKI
Hey, I've got to get moving. See you.

She pecks him on the cheek and breezes by him.

BRUCE
Yeah. I'll see you.

DOOR SHUTS. Bruce thinks.

53

IN HALLWAY - ON ALFRED

Alfred shows her out the door.

ALFRED
So nice to sec you acain, Hiss Vale.

BATMAN -Rev. 10/10/88 40.

VICKI
Yeah. I guess I'll see you when you guys get back.

"' ' ALFRED

Back, ma'am? We're here for quite a while I believe.

VICKI
Oh... never mind. See you . ..

But she noticed. And it hurt a little. Bruce was lying.

54

INT. ALICIA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Alicia, with an armload of dress bags, ENTERS -- and is startled by a VOICE FROM BEHIND.

JOKER (0.5.)
Honey!

She pivots. Her eyes widen. She SHRIEKS.

Sitting cross-legged in an easy chair is The Joker. He's in a smoking jacket and slippers, reading the paper, a dry martini at his side.

JOKER
You wouldn't believe what happened to me today.

Alicia faints. •

55

INT. PENTHOUSE SUITE -NIGHT

GANGLORDS stare at Joker at the head of the table.

JOKER (O.S.)
So that's how it is, gentlemen. Until Grissom resurfaces .•. I'm the acting President. And I say we start with this Anniversary festival and run this city into the ground.

Joker's dressed in a big slouch hat. His FACE is layered with flesh-toned makeup, and his HAIR's been rinsed black. But he can't conceal his ehoulish SMILE. Vlt{tllERICORSO is the smartest of the bunch. He doesn't believe .Joker for a minute.

RIC0RS0
Why uon't WC hear Lhi~ f1'1Jlll Gri:.:~0111?

(CON'fINUC:D)

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 41.

ROTELLI
How come you're wearing that stupid

smirk?

JOKER
Because life's been good to me.

CARMINE ROTELLI, an exceptionally oily mobster, speaks up:

ROTELLI
What if we say no?
JOKER
Nobody wants a war, Carmine. If we can't do business, we shake hands .•.and that's it.
ROTELLI
Yeah?
JOKER
Yeah.

ROTELLI stands up and extends a hand. Joker shakes. A JOY BUZZER's conceal~d in Joker's palm.

) 40,000 VOLTS course through ROTELLI's body. He drops back into his seat a blackened husk, SMOKE pouring out from his sleeves and shirt collar. ~ A SQUAD OF ARMED THUGS BURSTS INTO THE ROOM. These THUGS have all been specially selected and.distinctively STYLED by the JOKER. (NOTE: these are the first of Joker's creations. We now begin to see Joker restyling every- thing in his world.)

BOB's now Joker's number two man, . staying close to him.

JOKER
Carmine got a little hot under the collar.

The Joker begins to LAUGH at his own joke.

RICORSO
(getting up to leave)
You're insane!
JOKER
(affronted inno c ence)
Haven't you heard of the healine * powt:!roflaue.htcl-?

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 42.

55 CONTINUED: ( 2) 55

He begins to LAUGH again, removes his hat and mops sweat from his brow, exposing a patch of CHALK-WHITE FLESH to the bewilderment of the ONLOOKERS.

JOKER
Now GET OUT OF HERE -- And give it some thought.

Gangsters are ESCORTED OUT by the Joker's thugs. Joker grabs a copy of the Globe .

..

59

JOKER

Bob, I want you to take a camera and follow this reporter Knox. Find out what he knows about Batman. You got to learn to USE people, Bob.

BOB
Yes sir.

BOB EXITS, leaving the JOKER alone with the charred corpse of ROTELLI. The Joker ADDRESSES THE BODY.

JOKER.
Your pals, they're not such bad guys. What d'you say we give 'em a couple of days to come round?
(pause; apparently listening to the corpse)
No? •
(listens again)
Grease 'em now?
(seems shocked)
Okay.
(shakes his head mock sorrowfully)
You're a vicious bastard, Rotelli. I'm glad you're dead.
56

INT. NEWSPAPER MORGUE - DAY

Vicki looks through filing cabinets. She's intense. Over her shoulder a FILE APPEARS with BRUCE WAYNE on it. Knox has it.

VICKI
I'm looking for that.

She crabs it and looks through the very thin file.

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 43.

KNOX
I thought we were a team here. I'm losing confidence in you going out with this weirdo.
VICKI
Speaking strictly professionally right? This wouldn't be personal issue for you would it?
KNOX
I just want you to do your job.
VICKI
I AM doing my Job.
KNOX
Me too. I'm protecting my partner. The guy collects weird weapons in Japan, probably roller skates through the female population like a bulldozer.
VICKI
Where do·e:sit say that, Knox? · There's nothing in this file but social puffery. No photos, no history. Nothing. That's strange. Where's he get his money? What's he do all day? Who is he7

She tosses the file on the floor~ngrily. EXITS.

KNOX
Who cares?
DISSOLVE TO:
57

EXT. WAYNE MANOR - NEXT MORNING

Vicki in car a block from the Manor. She looks through her telephoto lens. After a few BEATS -- Bruce Wayne emerges from the gates, walking. He's dressed incognito. He carries a package.

Vicki FOLLOWS him. .

'. ·, 58

58 CAMERA FOLLOWS ACTION THROUGH: ·:.1.~·.~·

·-'~·r

62

EXT. GOTHAM STREETS - DAY 59

As Bruce walk3 throuBh the city. llcput!. on sunelass_es and seem~ intcrc$tcd in not bcine,!JCC11.

Vicki folloH!>alone, at a distance.

60

EXT. DAD STJU::I::T-DAY

The neighborhood is now oad. Few people arc around. Bruce ENTERS a blind all~y.

Vicki steals up to!corner to sec what he's doing.

61

EXT. DIRTY BLIND ALLEY - .DAY

Bruce looks at the·trash i scatteredalley. He looks up at the sky, then down at1a corner. He kicks away a Coke can, cleans off a spot.

ON VICKI

puzzled she raises her camera.

ON BRUCE

He unwraps the package.

I

Vicki strains to s~e wha~ he's holding.

: ! I : :

Bruce moves a bit and reveals TWO LONG-STEMMED ROSES.

I i i

Vicki raises camera and SOFTLY CLICKS the SHUTTER.

ON BRUCE

65

HE KNEELS AND PLACES TH~ ROSES AS IF AT A SHRINE. HE

holds his hand on his eyes for a BEAT.

Vicki looks and CLICKS a·gain. What is he doing?

ON BRUCE

I,

He st;andsand kicltsthe can back out toward the street. He heads out the alley. Where's Vicki? When he passes by where she was. /She's cone.

62

EXT. ANOTHER STREET - DAY

Bruce walks down ~road Street which leads into the City Square.

CAMERA LINGERS Vicki . followsata distance.

ON BRUCE

i

As he enters the City S~uarc.

A PAINTED STl(l::ETMIMEwalk:;alont_::;idchim,feeling his way a 1one,ani m~::tt.'..inarywa11 .11 ci!;no tve.ryeo od at it , and in spite of l~isheavy makeup you can tell that he's

rather u~ly.

A COMMOTION catche~ Bruce':,;eyL:.He ~tcp!.;backto the ~dr,cof the LJathq1·edcrowd.

63

EXT. CITY HALL - THAT MOMENT

RICORSO -- the CRIMELORD from the boardroom -- emerges flanked by a LAWYtR and a pair of BODYGUARDS. They're met by a eroup of REPORTERS. Including Knox.

ON VICK:L

She peers·around. Looki~g for Bruce. Can't see him.

REPORTER
So what fs this affidavit you've filed? Grissom·g~ you all of

his businesses?

;RICORSO Mr. Grissom asked me, as a personal

favor, to take over the operation of his busine~scs until he returned.

KNOX
Jcczcz, that'~ a pretty big gift. You must have l beenVERY close. Did you ; doa iittle time together as children? :

Ricorso sneers. OTHERS LAUGH. I

j ; KNOX I smell fresh[ink, guys. I'm sure * ; : you can prove! all this? Why am I asking? Of course you can.

64 ANGLE ON VICKI 64

Getting closer.

ANGLE ON BRUCE

I

Something catchc~ his ~ye.

I

HIS POV - A llALF iADOZtNSTREET MIMES

-<'convcre,inr,on the scene. Something' svery wrong. (These arc Joker's men.) I

'

Vicki ARRIV·ES next to Knox.

ANGLE ON non

·~

taking photos of Knox 'andVicki £rum edge of the crowd. j

I

ON LAWYER - TIGllT I

I I LAWYER wil 1~~;~!.;c:s. ; (MORE) ·1

i I I

LAWYER (CONT'D)
Grissom's signature is perfectly legitimate.

VOICE (O.S.) It's legitimate! I saw him. l

was THERE!

Crowd parts as a LARGE MIME steps up to Ricorso. Ricorso * frowns.

..

NEW GUY
I saw it all, he raised his dead hand and signed the paper in his own blood. And he did it with this pen!

Mime pulls out a ridiculously long quill pen. Ricorso gapes in puzzlement at him.

TIGHT ON NEW GUY

Underneath the white skull cap -- it's the Joker.

JOKER
(lifting his wig)
Hello, Vinnie -- it's me, your uncle Bingo, time to pay the check!

Joker HURLS the sharp-tipped pen right into Ricorso's throat. Ricorso falls, clutching h~s throat.

Someone SCREAMS, reporters SCATTER as MIMES FIRE MACHINE GUNS IN THE AIR.

Vicki dives behind a parked car. She looks back to see Bruce, standing frozen, rooted to the ground. He's watching, transfixed.

Mayhem prevails.

ANGLE ON BRUCE

BRUCE is still frozen to the spot and exposed to the "mimes."

A FEW FEET AWAY

Vicki crouch0~;behind the car and bcckuns to him.

v1c•:r Bn1~:l'!CL:LDO\.:N?

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 47.

64 CONTINUED: ( 2) 64

He totally ignores her and BEGINS TO WALK. At first slowly. then faster, right toward the Joker.

65 ANGLE ON BODYGUARDS 65

ON JOKER

He LAUGHS at the DIN and walks as if immortal through the mayhem. (He never sees Bruce.)

..

66 ON BRUCE 66

He's walking the same way, still at a distance from Joker. But his recognition of him is growing.

67 ON JOKER 67

He reaches his car. DRIVER rushes to get him out of there.

Bruce now gets close enough to see Joker's face through the window. Joker's car SPEEDS AWAY past him.

Other cars containing other mimes SPEED AWAY, too. A SILENCE DESCENDS. Only the SOUNDS OF CRYXNG and ebbing fear. I Bruce stands looking after Joker. .. •

Suddenly Vicki is there.

• VICKI Bruce •.• ?

No answer. He hardly seems to notice she is there.

Bruce turns to her. Sweat pouring down his face. Looks right into her eyes. She looks at him and sees the _signs of deep traumn in his eyes.

BRUCE

I m sorry. Vicki •••

He turns and DISAPPEARS into the crowd.

VICKI
Bruce!
CUT TO:

,.,··68

68

INSERT - TELEVISION SCREEN

A TV C}{EWbt·oad c a!ltinclivefromthe ma53acrc site.

(~ONTI~_ED)·

70 CONTINUED; 70

SCil::NTIST Yes SIR!

JOKER
Ship it all. Untancle the knots, roll the wheels, I've got my blood . up!

The Scientists look at each other and RUSH into action.

Joker BANGS OPEN THE DOOR TO:

71

INT. JOKER'S LAIR - DAY

A dank, windowless room in the bowels of Axis Chemical. * Joker is HUMMING, insanely.

THE CAMERA TRAVELS PAST collages of photographs; each * photograph cut from scenes of war.

The CAMERA CONTINUES DOWN a stack of folders. On one document are the initials C.I.A. On the front of the folder can be read "DDID NERVE GAS -- RESULTS OF PRELIMINARY EXPERIMENTATION" and stamped across it. "DISCONTINUED 1977." Finally, we see the photos of dead soldiers, lips drawn back in chemical-induced grimaces.

JOKER
Losing is a bad habit, Bob. So

much to do and so little time.

BOB STEALS IN and offers some photographs.

BOB
Here's the photos.

Joker looks them over.

TIGHT ON PHOTOS

Joker shuffles throuch. Stops on Knox.

JOKER
Who's this dud?
BOB
That's Knox.
JOKER
UJd t i e .No~Lyle.

ON A rlluTOOF Vlt:KIWITH KNOX

JOr:1-'.!Z ~;l u ptl w111·c:..; :;!!\..'Jiul: ._Il!-11_ ';' (CONTINUJ..:":D)

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 50.

BOB
That's Vicki Vale. she's the photographer working with Knox.

TIGHT ON JOKER

He's licking his .lips. Looking Vicki up and down.

JOKER
THAT WOMAN has styletl Jeezus Marimba! A lov-elybeast like that could get a man up and running.

The JOKER, excitedly HUMMING AWAY begins to cut Vicki's picture out of the others. Leaving a border around her. He then fills in border with crayons.

BOB
She's been dating some guy named Wayne.
JOKER
She's gonna trade up! Damn! It's hard to stay inside the lines!

Joker pastes Vicki's picture onto a board.

JOKER
I'm gonna get me a NEW girl. Bobbie. •

THE CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal that the JOKER is sur- rounded, wall to wall, by a collage of pictures of war and destruction. The huge collage forms a birds-eye- view map of Gotham.

JOKER
I've got a mind to make some mayhem. Phone book!
72

INT. WAYNE MANOR - BRUCE'S STUDY - DAY

Alfred uses a feather duster. BRUCE ENTERS. obviously . distraueh~ and exhausted. Very concerned, Alfred takes his coat and hands Bruce a hot towel. Bruce wipes his. hands.

ALFRED
•·..... Hiss Vale called. She wa~ rather concerned.
(matchmakin~ a bit)
',· I've noticed that there i:Ja certain wci~ht that lift~when· :;he'!.here.

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 51.

BRUCE
Why don't you marry her, Alfred?
ALFRED
That's not exactly what I had in mind, sir.
BRUCE
I can't go on with that, Alfred.
(as Alfred nods)
Napier's alive.•· He's running Grissom's men. I gotta find out

everything the police have on him.

ALFRED
Yes, sir.
BRUCE
She's good isn't she?

Bruce smiles. Alfred smiles sadly, too.

73

INT. VICKI'S APARTMENT - DAY (THAT MOMENT)

Puzzled, Vicki looks through her photos of Bruce and his flowers. .!-.

72

·•...·..: .·,·:_.

ON SEVERAL PHOTOS·

of Bruce along his puzzling route . C•• ·•••

TILT UP: Vicki dials Knox.

VICKI
Allie. I want you to check

something for me. Okay? Find out what's so special about the alley at Pearl and Phillips Streets. 'Bye . *

She hangs up. Looks at photos.

VICKI
What's up with you ,Mr. Wayne?

PHONE RINGS. SHE PICKS IT UP.

TONY (V. O.)
Vicki, this· is Tony. We have a se~sion scheduled and the client INSISTS that you shoot it. .·:~:~--~-.)(1ff'\··~, VICKI . . ..·, ..* Mc ? Tony, I'm kind of \Ju!Jy. ·..'t·~:.";·.•

(CONTINUED):·\,'... .. .. .:··..··~;~~:•:.~-~-..::·.~

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88

•·

TONY (V.O.)
The client says he has information about Batman.

Vicki puzzles. Chews her lip.

VICKI
Batman? When's the session?
TONY (V.O.)
This afternoon'at 3:00 .
73

VICKI

Alright, I'll be there.

She hangs up and thinks.

74

INT. PHOTOGRAPHER'S STUDIO - DAY

ROWS OF MAKEUP in startling profusion: mascara, blushe~,.. eyeliner, lipstick. BEAUTIFUL MODELS giggle into their makeup mirrors as VICKI wanders past.

In a corner of the studio, TONY, a gaunt, tubercular British art director, is dressing a swimsuit layout with two SUPERMODELS. They all AD LIB GREETINGS to VICKI.

TONY -.
•.·. Come on, girls, magic Vicki is . here. Shine it. Think .ofthe ... money. That's it. ·-_,. •

Vicki gets out her camera.

VICKI
Tony. Who's this client that knows about Batman?
TONY
Never met him. All I know is he pays cash.
VICKI
What's his name?
TONY
Mr. Kerr.
VICKI
Mr. Kerr? What's his first name?
TONY
Joseph, Joe Kc1.·r.

·A look of fear come~ over Vicki'~ face.

(CONTINUED). ·~.

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88

As Vicki looks on. the SUPERMODELS freeze in place simultaneously, a strange, STRICKEN LOOK on their faces.

TONY
Jesus! Hurry up! Vicki's expensive. Show her some bones.

Suddenly the girls are LAUGHING -- but the laughter is unnatural, involuntary. Vicki, sensing that something is terribly wrong. lays a hand on Tony's arm,

The MODELS, now wearing HUGE SMILES, go into VIOLENT SPASMS.

TONY
Is this some sort of joke7 -- OH MY GOD!

The SUPERMODELS PITCH TO THE FLOOR, shuddering convul- sively, their LIPS drawn back in FRIGHTFUL, FROZEN, CHEMICAL-WAR.FARE-TYPE GRINS. Vicki GASPS.

CUT TO:
75

INT. TELEVISION STUDIO - EVENING

The .,ACTIONNEWS,. _set 1with anchorsBECKY NAR:ITA and.: PETER McELROY. ·.. ·· .

.. BECKY .· The fashion world was stuq,ned today by the sudden deaths of models Candy Walker and Amanda Keeler. Cause of death has been attributed to a violent allergic reaction, although authorities have not ruled out the possibility of drug use. Peter?

PETER.
••• and plans continue for the city's 200th birthday as Mayor Borg announced the unveiling of a statue of John T. Gotham, Gotham's f6under --

A TECHNICIAN'S HAND passes a·slip of paper INTO

PETER
This just in. Three mysterious deaths at a.beauty parlor in --

Off to the left, DECKY bee.innto LAUGH. Yl::TERFROWNS.

75 CONTINUED : 75

PETER
Becky! This is hardly the
(his eyes widen)
BECKY! !

An O.S. CRASH. PETER jumps out of his seat 1mouth agape in horror.

BECKY HAS GONE INTO CONVULSIONS. CAMERA WHIPS RIGHT AND LEFT as she jerks out of.her seat and TOTTERS UNCONTROL- LABLY across the set, LAUGHING INSANELY.

TECHNICIANS rush the sound stage in a frenzy. BECKY spins like a dervish and LURCHES BACKWARD over the news desk in a death spasm, giving us a quick look at the grisly Joker's grin etched on her now-lifeless face.

PETER
KILL THE CAMERA!! KILL THE --

Suddenly, CRACKLING VIDEO STATIC wipes out the screen. A moment later, we're looking at:

76

SPLITSCREEN CLOSEUP - THE SUPERMODELS

Their gorgeous faces sprout BIG, ANIMATED-CARTOON GRINS as a BOUNCY TUNE -- "Put on a Happy Face" -- comes up underneath.

MODELS
(cartoon voice)
~ that Joker! •
77

INT. SUPERMARKET - DAY

MUSIC CONTINUES as a deranged pitchman -- The Joker pushes his shopping cart down the aisle. He waves merrily in time to the music.

78

INT. STUDIO - VIDEO CONTROL BOOTH - THAT MOMENT

TECHNICIANS swann the booth. The studio feed has been JAMMED. Every monitor shows the Joker•s PROMO.

DIRECTOR
WHERE'S IT COMING FROM??
TECHNICIAN
I DON'T KNOW!
79

CLOSEUP - TIIEJOKER

He Lhn1:.;t:..;ab1:i~htly -col o re:dpa c k.i!~cATtheCAMI::RA.

JOKER
... new improved Joker brand. With my secret sauce ..•SHYLEX!

(a sweep of the hand) Let's go to our blind taste test.

TIGHT ON ANONYMOUS MAN

GAGGED AND BLINDFOLDED, tied to his chair, squirming, struggling. On the table pefore him is a package label- led "BRAND X." A SUPERIMPOSED TITLE reads: "NOT AN ACTOR."

JOKER
Ooh. He's not happy! He's been using Brand X! But with new improved Joker brand...

ANGLE WIDENS to include a BLINDFOLDED CORPSE, limp in his chair, GRINNING HORRIFICALLY.

JOKER
•.. I get a GRIN -- AGAIN AND

AGAIN!!

80

INT. GOTHAM BEDROOM· THAT MOMENT

A YOUNG MAN watching TV as he dresses for a date. He's got an aerosol deodorant poised under one arm. He looks down at the can, suddenly uncertain. Could it be .•. ?

81

INSERT - TV SCREEN - THE JOKER

Lounginc bc~ide a full-sized photo of a Jokerized SWIM· SUIT MODEL -- with GREEN HAIR and CHALK-WHITE FLESH,

JOKER
That luscious tan, those ruby lips -- and hair color so natural, only your undertaker knows for sure!
82

INT. GOTHAM KITCHEN - THAT MOMENT

A FAMILY in their kitchen, eyeing a 12-inch portable as MOM serves 'dinner. They dig in automatically, ·then FREEZE with their forks in midair.

83

EXT. STREET - SERIES OF SHOTS - NIGHT

DELIVERY TRUCKS, bcarine colorful manufacturers' loeos, drive thruue,h the cityl>rin~inr,tainted products to market.

(corrrrr;ui-:n)

84

'•.

83 CONTINUI::D: 83

JOKER (V.O.)
I know what you're saying. Where can I buy these fine new items? -- Well, that's the deal, folks, chances arc . . .you've bought'em already!!!
84

INT. WAYNE MANOR·- STUDY - NIGHT

Bruce tired, is glued to the tube. Onscreen, the Joker * leers gives the camera.•aBIG JUICY WINK.

JOKER (V.O.)
So if you did... remember, put on a happy face!!
MUSIC TAG (V.O.)
(SINGING)
Joker Brand. We're changing the face of -- Gooootham! ·

MUSIC UP. VIDEO SNOW fills the screen as the jammed transmission ends. Alfred ENTERS, adds something to the * folder in front of Bruce. Bruce reads. *

BRUCE
Assault with deadly weapon age 15. Nice guy,

·(continues looking) Psychological testing -- high intelligence, unstable, aptitudes science, chemistry and --.art. Chemistry?

ON BRUCE

He looks at a photo of Napier.

BRUCE
Let's co shopping, Alfred.

85 SERIES OF SHOTS 85

-- The Gotham Globe cartwheeling INTO FRAME:

PANIC GRIPS GOTHAM
Contaminated Products Claim 13 Lives WHO IS THE MYSTERIOUS "JOKER"? ·~

An ANCHORWOMAN on the cvenine ne:ws. Her complexion i:.;curiuu:;ly:;alluw.llLACK~AGS :;howunde:rher eyes.

{CONTINUED)

~

ANCHORWOMAN
six new deaths, with no clues as to the Joker's deadly weapon.

-- An ANCHORMAN with a BIG UGLY ZIT on his nose:

86

ANCHORMAN

and what is the pattern? Foods, alcohol, or beauty and hygiene products. Cologne. mouthwash, undetarm deodorant -- ?

The original ANCHORWOMAN, whose look is now 100 percent natural. Her hair is frizzy. Her eyebrows are miss- ing altogether. Every wrinkle on her face is plainly visible.

ANCHORWOMAN
Or worse yet, there may BE no pattern . The search goes on through Gotham's shopping nightmare.
DISSOLVE TO:
86

INT. DENT'S OFFICE - DAY

The Mayor is distrauBht. Dent is on the phone.

MAYOR
We're having this festival if I have to carry a shotgun and get people there myself. •

Dent hangs up.

MAYOR
Do you hear the words coming out of my mouth, Dent? The festival is ON. You find out what this madman is poisoning us with and fast. DO I make myself CLEAR?

Mayor catches a glimpse of himself in mirror. Checks to see that HIS mouth isn't grimacing.

DENT
We're working on it . ...

86.-\ INT. ARMORY - DAY 86A *

58. *

ALFRED
Oh, sir, did you see the message from Miss Vale. She'll be ten minutes late in meeting you at the museum.

Bruce puzzles.

BRUCE
Am I ...I'm not ~~eting her ... ?
87

INT. ALICIA HUNT'S APARTMENT - THAT MOMENT

A bone white hand pats a white cheek. The Joker's rinsed his hair black and is applying makeup. He's done it before, many times. He's getting ready for a date. A drugged voice intrudes.

ALICIA (O.S.)
Jack? Where are you going?

As he looks up at the mirror, we get a quick glimpse of Alicia, her face is covered by a shiny white porcelain doll's mask.

JOKER
Daddy's going to make some art.
89

INT. FLUEGELHEIM MUSEUM - NIGHT 88

A few PATRONS are viewing paintings in a square, open atrium, enclosed on all four sides bf a BALCONY. One story up, overlooking the atrium, there's a TEA ROOM -- an airy, fern-filled dininc room popular with tourists.

89

INT. FLUEGELHEIM - TEA ROOM - NIGHT

Vicki enters with her camera bag and portfolio -- r·eady for a confrontation with Bruce.

VICKI
I'm Vicki Vale -- I had a message to meet Bruce Wayne here.
MAITRE D'
Yes, he has not arrived. We have a table waiting.
90

INT. TEA ROOM - NIGHT (TWENTY MINUTES LATER)

Vicki sippini.·,onacin and tonic, check!. her watch. A w'AITl::Rb1:ine::IH~ra:;mallparcel,wrapped in brown paper, b.~.1rinea:;i1q•,1ewu1·d:Ul~GENT.

(COHTINUED)

WAITER
Miss Vale, this just arrived for you.

As the WAITER leaves, she tears off the wrapper. Inside is a small white box and a NOTE -- SCRIBBLED IN CRAYON.

DEAR V. VALE.
PUT THIS ON RIGHT NOW.

Vicki opens the box to find a MINIATURE GAS MASK.

A strance HISSING NOISE. A few feet away, PURPLE SMOKE billows from air-conditioning vent.

TRAYS OF FOOD CRASH TO THE FLOOR as WAITERS pass out. ART LOVERS drop forks, go facedown in their pasta salad.

Vicki hurriedly fits the gas mask over her nose and mouth. Within seconds, she's the only one conscious in the room.

91

INT. MUSEUM - ATRIUM - THAT MOMENT

PURPLE SMOKE plumes up as we TILT DOWN toward the floor of the atrium. PATRONS lie sprawled on the floor, twisted at odd angles, out cold.

The doors BURST OPEN and IN WALKS Joker, looking dapper in his street makeup and BIG PURPLE POP ARTIST'S HAT. He is surrounded by his entourage of UGLY GOONS. One is carrying a huce GHETTO BLASTER which is thumping out MUSIC, others arc toting bottles ~f champagne and glasses, and all have cans of aerosol paint sticking out of their pockets. This is a moving nonstop party. The Joker w.1ndc1·spast the artwork cxaminine,it with an apprecia- tive eye.

JOKER
Okay, everybody, let's broaden our minds.

Stepping over collapsed PATRONS, he stops at "BLUE BOY" and holds up a PEARL-HANDLED CANE to get a better perspective. Then he pulls a THIN, SHARP SWORD from the head of the cane and carves a BIG JOKER SMILE in the * canvas.

Manet's barmaid, a Degas ballerina -- all .getthe Zorro treatment. Behind him, hi5 UGLY CRONIES BO to work, spr~yinr,p.:iintonevery canvas ThL! Joker has missed .

llt:!co c k:;an(: yd,ruwatEdvardMu nch's"THESCREAM."

JOn:1~ Lkl11da likl!th i :;01H~.Leaveit.

92

INT. TEA ROOM - NIGHT (MOMENT LATER)

Vicki at her table. still wearing the eas mask, scared as hell. The Joker saunters over and pulls· up a chair. He is flanked by TWO UGLY HENCHMEN, one carrying a pair of CANDLESTICKS, the other, the GHETTO BLASTER.

JOKER
I think it's safe to take that off.

As Vicki, terrified, removes the gas mask, The Joker signals to the two UGLY ~OONS who swiftly place the GHETTO BLASTER and CANDLESTICKS on the table and EXIT.

The Joker reaches for his lighter and switches on the GHETTO BLASTER which produces romantic MUSIC. A LONG JET OF FLAME shoots out of the lighter as he lights the candles.

JOKER
(seductively)
You're beautiful.
VICKI
(nervous)
Thank you.
JOKER
In an old fashioned sort of way. I'm sure we can make you more -- toda~.

The Joker moves his chair a little.closer to Vicki.

JOKER
THIS your portFOLIO! *
VICKI
Y... Yes I'm meeting a friend who I wanted to s eemy work ...

He leafs through. Magazine covers of celebrities, heads of state and exotic vistas.

JOKER
Crap. Crap. Crap. crap, craaap ·. . .Ahhh.Now hC're's cood work.

The COMBAT PHOTOS from CortoMaltese.

JOKER
The ~kull s .The bodic~. You give i t a11 :.;uc hacJ._oJ:l.
( :.;111irkin~)
l durnw if it'~ ,ll"t,b11LIl i kc it.

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 61.

Vicki is squirming, but she doesn't care to argue with him.

JOKER
(with deep sincerity; into Vicki's eyes)
Let me tell you what I've got in mind, Sweetie ~ I was in the bathtub one day, when I realized why I was destined for greatness. You know how concerned most people are about appearances. ~ is pretty, .tJa.t.is not.
(shakes head)
Well, that's all over for me. In crime the passions ripen fully. Now I DO what others only DREAM of. I do art, 'til somebody DIES. See???
(bigger, insane)
I'm the world's first fully functioning homicidal artist!!!
VICKI
What do you want?
JOKER
I want my face on the one-dollar billl
VICKI
(leaning away) • .·. Good goal. I take it you're joking.
JOKER
(suddenly furious, he points to his face) · DO I LOOK LIKE I'M JOKING?

As quickly as he has flared into rage The Joker calms down again.

JOKER
(charming) .-·.. Look, we mustn't mistake ourselves '.,~,:.'. •• ••I' . ........ for recular people. We're ARTISTS; For instance, let me challenge you with a little piece I did. Bob, Alicia. -~.. ..•'.'

He oo:;cstwi~tcd c harm. Ile':Jcornineon to her.·.· ·.:..., .::~·-·

(CONTINUED) ::. ... ....,· .

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 62.

92 CONTINUED: ( 2) 92

JOKER
You'll make a pictorial record of my work. You'll be with me in the

r avant garde.

VOICE (O.S.) J.ack?

ALICIA WANDERS IN. drugged. wraithlike. She's still wear- ing the porcelain DOLL'S ~SK we saw earlier.

ALICIA
You said I could watch you improve the paintings.
JOKER
(rolling his eyes)
Oh I'm in trouble now!

Vicki can't take her eyes off this strange figure.

VICKI
Why is she wearing a mask?
JOKER
Well. she's just a sketch really. Alicia! Come here, have a seat. Show the lady why you wear the mask.

Alicia sits down numbly and begins to undo the mask.

94

.

JOKER You see, Miss Vale, Alicia's been made over in line with my new philosophy. Now, like me, she's a living work of art.

We're looking at Alicia's profile as the mask comes off • . The side that's turned to .Yl!.is indeed beautiful. But the side we ► an't see ...SENDS Vicki RIGHT OVER THE EDGE. Vicki lurches out of her scat, knocking it over, HER FACE· FROZEN IN HORROR.

JOKER
(modestly) ;,. I'm no Picasso. You LIKE IT? ..

Vicki tips a chnir in his path. Horrified, she tries to pL\catc him.

VICKI
I t'!,el'Cllt .BUtWhatCa1ll <lOflJr" yuu·t I . . .

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 63.

92 CONTINUED: ( 3) 92.

JOKER
(miming it out)
A little song ••.a little dance .•. and Batman's head upon a lance. Tell me what you know about ..•

He makes a flapping with his hands indicating Batman.

VICKI
I don't know anything about Batman . .. JOKER
(getting sexy)
Really, well, what do you think about a little 'you and me'?
VICKI
I think you're insane.
JOKER
I am? I thought I was a Pisces!
(brightly)
C'mon, let ' smake up. Herc's a flower.

There's a BRIGHT PURPLE BOUTONNIERE in his lapel. He. holds it up for Vicki's inspection as he moves menacingly. · . closer. ...·

95

- .\;~·:.~~:.

VICKI
NOi •

The JOKER squeezes a concealed BULB. A JET OF CLEAR LIQUID spurts out of the FLOWER, NARROWLY MISSING VICKI.•,·.

She GASPS, BUMPS INTO A TABLE. ACRID BLACK SMOKE rises from the floor where the clear liquid hit. AJag.

Vicki backs into a WAITER'S CART. Her hand closes around· a pitcher. She FLINGS IT at the JOKER'S HEAD -- DOUSING . HIS FACE WITH WATER. ...

96

.

His hands go up and he doubles over, SHRIEKING, MAKEUP ··:··. running through his fingers and onto his suit.

......,."' JOKER (like the Wicked Wi tch of the Wes tdissolving) NO! NOi I'M MELTING! I'M MELTING! OH GOD! I'M MELTING! HELP ME!

92 CONTINUED: ( 4) 92

Vicki is appalled. She moves towards him. Her instinct, in spite of everything, is to help him in his suffering. As she eets close to him and extends a hand, he leaps up abruptly, takinF;his hands from his "melting,. face, ex- posing theHIDEOUS RAVAGED MESS beneath the makeup.

JOKER
(gleefully)
BOO! ..

He advances on Vicki.

And then -- suddenly -- A SKYLIGHT SHATTERS. A CAPED SHADOW drops to the floor of the tea-room. And all at once, The Joker finds himself face to face with Batman!

On BATMAN's wrist is a STEEL GAUNTLET. He aims it at THE JOKER. The Joker stiffens, thinking he's about to be shot. THE BATMAN then fires the gauntlet, the barrel of which splits in two before sending two metal spikes on .. wires in opposite directions, either side of The Joker.

The metal spikes embed themselves in walls on both sides of the atrium, creating an escape wire for THE BATMAN. In the wink of an eye he grabs Vicki and plunges over the balcony, leaving The Joker stunned with amazement.

93

INT. MUSEUM - ATRIUM - THAT MOMENT

The JOKER'S UGLY GOONS can only gape in awe as Batman and Vicki swoop past -- swinging across the floor and STRAIGHT THROUGH AN ARCHED DOORWAY labelled "fXIT."

JOKER
(recovering)
Those toys! Where does he get those wonderful toys?
(to the Goon:::)
Well don't ju5t stand there! GO AND ASK HIM!!!!

THE COONS charge off.

94

EXT. FLUEGELHI::IM- NIGHT (MOMENT LATER)

A SIGNon a black metal stand -- ''CLOSEDFOR THE DAY" -- HUR'l'LE.Sthroughthe ~las5 door:.. I!.atmanandVicki HUSTLE THROUGH; he points h e rtoa !.iidcalley·-.Batman lob::;J.SMOKEPELLET into the doorw~y of the Flucgclhcim.

(co:;TINUED)

CONTINUED: 94

VICKI
WHICH CAR?

Vicki suddenly feels quite stupid. Because -- while r there arc many cars parked alone the side alley -- there is only one BATMOBILE.

VICKI
Oh.

The BATMOBILE is sleek, futucistic, and ...well, inde- scribable. Vicki climbs in and is dazzled by a stunning array of electronic gadgetry.

-As he sprints down the alley, a COMPUTER DISPLAY on the dashboard registers his unique voiceprint. A tinny, synthesized VOICE repeats the command:

COMPUTER (V.O.)
Ignition.

The engines are REVVING UP as BATMAN vaults in.

JOKER'S GOONS stumble hacking, coughing, blinded by smoke. They scatter as the BATMOBILE barrels out of the alley.

r Choking GOONS climb into their van and two cars.

95

EXT. STREET - A MOMENT LATER •

The BATMODILE disappears round a corner in a cloud of dust.

96

EXT. STREETS - A MOMENT LATER

PEDESTRIANS scatter as the Joker's two goon cars swerve hard left and barrel through a crowded intersection.

97

EXT. STREETS - A MOMENT LATER

BATMOBILE approaches intersection at high speed. The rieht-side in4icator bceins to flash. It seems incredible th..1tatthis velocity Batman should think it possible to m;:ikcarir,ht-anelcturn. As the BATl10BILEdraws level with the corner a !;pikewith awire attached to it rock~t!.:outof the :;idcof the vchi c l, :andl:mbctlsit!.e:lf in a wall. Thi senable!. the HATMOB I I.~tot1.1rnthe corner \, i lh1.H1l:; l u winGJ o wuo r:;pin11i.n1:,offa e ro:;:;theinter- ~; ~•..: tion.l1.tvi111·,c rnuplvtcJtheturn,1. !Lcwi r eseparates t!·umth .-carwhich c 11nLj11ue:;wi t hout.! u:; i : ,i~:;pc:e:d.

98

INT. BATMOBILE - TH.ATMOMI::NT

ONLOOKERS eawk as the sleek supercar rips up the pavement.

99

EXT. BLIND ALLEY - NIGHT

Into a blind alley. Batmobile doesn't slow down. Bat- mobile SPINS ON ITS AXIS 180 DEGREES and goes back where it came from. ..

100

EXT. DOWN ANOTHER STREET - NIGHT

Batmobile moving up on an empty block -- a night construc- tion team. A huge piece of heavy machinery backs up slowly and inexorably, blocking the intersection.

Batman GUNS THE ENGINE. Swerves left. Tries to glide past. And hits the brakes -- stopping inches short of a head-on collision with a lamppost!

He jumps out of the car. No chance to get through. ON- LOOKERS and CONSTRUCTION WORKERS cluster around them; the JOKER'S VAN is two blocks back and coming up fast.

VICKI
Can't we

The BATMOBILE'S computerized VOICE replies:

COMPUTER (V.O.)
Shields.

With a series of ' CLANGS,CHROME-STEEL PLATES slide into place -- across the cockpit, over the tires -- leaving the BATMOBILE an inert, impenetrable BLOCK OF BLACK METAL.

Batman and Vicki vault over construction debris.·

101

INT .VAN - MOVING - NIGHT

Three police cars, bubbles blazinG, uvcrtate the Joker's van.and bear down on the abandoned l.l.1tmo'bil e: .The Jvker•~ v~1ndue!.iaU-tun\ and rumblt::.;:..e<l ~1t,:lyoff.

E \ T .SIDESTREET -NTCllT (Tll1'.TMO'.-!U;'r) 102

n .ll:111,ll\,lndVi,·ki.:·.11 •.:•..q·,pa:; t!;l<Jl"L"i1· 1Jtll!;. •••-!c.:..111<lystand!., ,l,1,lf,in1~.1~:t.u11.i: ; licdl'EDl·::;Tl, IAN:..;.

103

INT. CAR - MOVING - TL~T MOMENT

FOUR GOONS with GUNS. They spot Batman and Vicki coming off the side street . The DRIVER shouts into a radio:

\ DRIVER "

We r,ot.'em!

104

EXT. STREET - NIGHT (TH.ATMOMENT)

Batman and Vicki race down the sidewalk. The car is gaining on them. A SUDDEN•.SPRAYOF BULLETS shatters a • storefront.

105 BATMAN'S POV 105

He sees a RAGAMUFFIN LITTLE GIRL playwalking her doll around the corner.

He rushes and slides on the street, pulling the girl out of the way of aHAIL OF BULLETS.

ON LITTLE GIRL

She is wide-eyed. She holds up the dolly for Batman to see.

LITTLE GIRL
ls it Halloween?

Batman smiles and rushes back to pick up Vicki from r behind a parked car. The GOONS DRIVE BY AGAIN. Batman and Vicki RUN into a BLIND ALLEY.

106

INT. ALLEYWAY - NIGHT

They watch the Goons elide past th~ mouth of the alley. Batman looks up five stories, secs a catwalk.

VICKI
A hundred and eight?

He's doine some quick mental calculations when the CAR reappears-~ backinc up -- blockinc their only ·avenue of escape. Galvani~cd, Batman unfu 1·lsarope, H£AVES A BATARANG UPWARD, and r,rabsVicki rout,hlyabout the waist.

T llllt;~~pil1:uut..rth ec.i r.The.:n ;,:· /. 1:At; cc a t: c he::::onthe: ,'. .1t\,.1 11,. ,.u 1d}l.llu1. 1111.1·ii·., -. 1: 1·:;t111::.;- i· i111•,.i<.LionkEE.Lon l\i~;11IiliIyII l .I I.

(co:rnNut::D)

BULLETS =ine past as Batman and Vicki WHIP UPWARD like fish on a line. One story; two stories; and then...

They slow. They STOP. They DANGLE IN MIDAIR as the Joker's GOONS advance . Batman wrigelcs, twists. Vicki SCREAMS. .

Her ~dditional weiRht is too much for the reel mechanism. They're stranded two stories up -- SITTING DUCKS.

He's detached the reel from his own waist and hitched it around Vicki's belt. He LETS GO.

Vicki rockets upward at blinding speed, SHRIEKING all the way. Batman, his cape billowing, PLUMMETS DOWNWARD.

Vicki SLAMS up into the catwalk and bobs on the line as Batman lands with a loud CRASH, overturning a row of garbage cans. The GOONS are on him in a flash. Batman manages to slam two GOONS into a wall, but before he can get to his feet, GOON III slams a lead pipe into the back of his skull.

THUGS circle around him. The LEAD THUG holds his col- leagues back, draws his gun, and fires TWO SHOTS, point- blank, at the yellow-and-black INSIGNIA on Batman's chest. The body jerks; they edge closer -- and stop .

• GOON I No blood.

GOON II
Jesus. Who is it? Check his wallet.
COON III
Wait a minute.

GOON III scrcw5 up his courar.eand crouchc:; beside the body. He examines Till::Batman'sTUNIC.

GOON IV
What i1lthat?
GOON III
Some kind of body armor.
GOON I
ill:':;hu111.\nafterall--T..:,.ct:J... 111,1:;koil:.

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88· 69.

107

EXT. ROOFTOP - ON VICKI

VICKI has pulled herself up onto a roof. Down below, the THUGS are removing Batman's cowl. But at this height and this angle -- she can't see his face. She reaches for her CAMERA BAG.

108 ANGLE ON GOONS 108

Gaping at the shadowed unconscious face of BRUCE WAYNE. (NOTE: WE never see his face, and THEY can't either.)

GOO~'I Get out of the way, I can't see him.

And at that very instant • ..A FLASH GUN EXPLODES OVERHEAD. * Startled, the thugs look up.

GOON III
Goddam, it's the girl! *

109 ON VICKI 109

A chunk of ledge chips off mere inches from her head as the GOONS OPEN FIRE. She ducks back behind the overhang, holds the camera out over the ledge, and KEEPS ON FLASHING using her telephoto lense. ..,.;..

110 ON THE THUGS 110

~ No sight of Vicki. They begin to relax a little •

• ...: GOON II Did you hit her?

GOON I
I think so. Wax him.

They turn their guns on Bruce. Ready to FIRE.

A GLOVED HAND snakes out, GRABS GOON I BY THE COATTAIL-. and yanks him DIRECTLY INTO THE LINE OF FIRE. GOON II has PULLED THE TRIGGER TWICE before he knows what's happened.

In one fluid motion Bruce HEAVES GOON I's lifeless body THROUGH THE AIR, knocking GOON II backward over a garbage can. GOON II falls and CRACKS HIS HI::ADon thenearest wall.

GOON III takes a 1·.ibbitpunch to the throat. On the way ..townhec.itche !;aSTEEL-TOJ::DlWO'finthe gut.

F~Hn·!;t'c n nd:;after,\llthi~Lct,an,lL1t.man.i :1alonein the ,llleyw .1ywithL.;oor,.;lV.

( CON'fl~ED)

GOON IV has his gun out, but he's shaking too much to pull the trie~er. Batman smiles . GOON IV SCREAMS and RUNS FOR HIS LIFE.

Through all this, Vicki's camera has been poised on the ledge, snapping away. Batman looks up.

111

EXT. ROOFTOP - ON VICKI

She peeks down at the alley, Limp goons everywhere. And, in addition, Batman sees her.

ANGLE - ON VICKI

She thinks fast. She may have a clean photo of Batman's face. She removes the roll, drops it down her blouse, and ESCAPES across the roof.

112

EXT. ALLEY - ON BATMAN

Batman sees her disappear. He looks around, spots the BATMOBILE two blocks away. The car is still there, the chrome-steel shields intact. But DOZENS OF COPS and CURIOSITY-SEEKERS are SWARMING ALL OVER the fearsome machine. Batman snorts in frustration.

Just then, A GIANT THREE-TON CATERPILLAR WINCH rumbles up the street toward the Batmobile. He's about to get towed.

r He takes a RADIO TRANSMITTER from his utility belt:

• BATMAN Shields open.

113

EXT. STREET - ON BATMOBILE

TWO COPS arc crawling along the hood of tho car. From within they hear the tinny computerized voice:

COMPUTER (V.O.)
Shields open.

The steel plates begin to retract.

COMl'UTl::K( V.u .) 1r.n.i.t:inn.

COl'

(cor;TINUED)

The stunn~d COPS cazc into the Datmobile's cockpit then TUMBLE OFf THE HOOD as the turbine engines kOAR TO LIFE and THE BATMOBILE BEGINS TO MOVE.

COPS AND ONLOOKERS quickly clear a path. They stand there stunn~d as the futuristic auto PICKS UP SPEED and advances toward the cpd of the block. The LEFT TURN SIGNAL flashes dutifully . And the BATMObILE VANISHES AROUND THE CORNER.

PANDEMONIUM BREAKS LOOSE as the COPS bolt for their cars .

..

CUT TO:

114 VICKI 114

running across rooftops, with much fear. She shimmies down a ladder, only one roof to go to get to the street and freedom. She hears SIRENS.

115

EXT. STREET - NIGHT LL~ .

SIRENS WAIL. PASSERSBY STARE SLACKJAWED at the driverlcss BATHOBILE as it tears down the street, passing, darting, dodging buses and CUTTING OFF TAXIS -- all with a squad of COP CARS in hot pursuit.

116 ON VICKI 116

SHE'S COME TO AN OBSTACLE. It ' safive-foot drop to the street below. Vicki clambers down KERPLUNK and quickens her pace, tossing a nervous glance over her shoulder every couple of steps. •

Then suddenly she walks smack into Batman.

VICKI
(embarrassed)
Well -- I think you might thank l!l£..Youwere as good as dead.

SIRENS APPROACH. Batman takes her ccntly by the shoulders.

VI CK.1
. ..\,'l1t · l0l ',lft:Wt:l'.,Ull11:'.'

,- 1,.I EXT. ALL[YWAY - NIGHT 117

Street level. Batman cmcrecs pulling Vicki.

114

EXT. ALL~YWAY - NIGHT 118

Batman secs the BATMOBILE rounding the corner. With Vicki in front of him, he STEPS DIRECTLY INTO THE PATH OF THE ONRUSHING HEADLIGHTS.

BRAKES SQUEAL. The BATMOBILE stops one yard short of Batman and Vicki. A moment later Batman is AT THE WHEEL.

SIRENS BUILD. LIGHTS FLASH. THE COP CARS are now visible behind them. Batman floors the pedal; the Bat- mobile's powerful AFTERBURNERS kick in; and the hapless cops KILL THEIR SIRENS as BATMAN zooms off into the night at 140 mph.

DISSOLVE TO:
119

INT. BATMOBILE - NIGHT

Batman drives down a deserted stretch of road lined by ancient tall pines. Vicki tries to see out. Batman pushes a button and changes the polarization of the glass. She can't see out. He's stoic.

r VICKI

This is kidnapping. .,

120

INT. BATMOBILE - NIGHT (MOMENT LATER)

Vicki studies Batman's face. He flicks a switch on lights behind his head which dazzle Vicki, making it impossible for her to see him.

Vicki frowns, looks through thewindshield, and SEES much to her horror -- an enormous SHEER CLIFF WALL LOOMING DEAD AHEAD.

Wide-eyed, she looks at Batman. Still smiline, he HITS THE GAS -- SPEEDING UP. She lets out a SCREAM.

l'.?.l :\~.;CLEONCl.IFF\..'ALL 121

~~ud,kn1y tlH·t:l1rrw.LllV/dn:;Ill.::~;Al.": -C.1CI·:TIIU~--rc.:vc:aline., 11\ iI:;l'l.1,·t·Il\11 ·l; ,\l'IN(;MClllTllOF1-.::Ul/1,l·:I:GJ:(JU!-/DCi,'11-:i',U.

\,.11111,,\.11,·_._,111~::;lli1·«>11j: li."lillllll«:1111.,l1·1·,th1:<:I.I.FFi,.;,-.1.1. •."·1i1, ·!,1:;1,,>111111.-.111111·t:tl1.111.11-1u.!: ,1:1· 1:u.J1·:cT1u~l--,IJ.111'.:; l•.1,ki,11,,,•:--1: : t,·11,v,:;l111winr.11<,t1 ·.• , ,.,,Jtl.e<..:avi.:rn.

BAT:1.t\N-Rev .10 / 10/88 73.

122

INT. BATCAVE - NIGHT

Another world -- a vast, dank world of perpetual night, unchanged by the centuries,

~TALACTITES hang from walls . Cramped, craggy passageways spiral off mazc-like 1descending into darkness.

And then -- a~ incongruous sight: vast banks of blinking computers. A fully-equipped machine shop. A state-of- thc-art crime lab. This is THE BATCAVE.

Batman climbs out of the car:· He keeps his distance from Vicki. She steps from the Batmobile a little shaky.

DAPPLED POOLS OF LIGHT create an almost operatic stage for Batman and Vicki to alternately hide and reveal themselves in. Vicki steps carefully into the light. Trying to see Batman better.

Vicki stops just over the edge of a DEEP BLACK PIT. She kicks a pebble over. Long seconds pass; no sound. She looks up. Suspended over the bottomless pit are a pair of gymnast's rings. She backs away.

SUDDENLY Vicki's HEAD jerks up abruptly. In the dim recesses overhead, BATS AR.ESCREAMING. She shivers.

VICKI
Bats . They're -- terrifying .

• BATMAN That's the idea.

Batman pats the cage of a WOUNDED BAT, its wing is splinted.

Vicki steps away, repul s ed.

Batman is rustling papers . She can't see what he's doing. She begins to examine a row of bat-suits hanging nearby.

VICKI
What arc these made out of ?

( CONTINUED)

BATMAN -Rev. 10/10/SU 74.

While he seems pleased at Vicki's fascination with his lair, he nevertheless remains guarded. Vicki moves toward Batman, intent on getting a close look at him.

VICKI
What are you going to do with me7

Batman, realizing what Vicki is trying to do, moves away from her into shadow.

Vicki again begins to approach Batman. Keeping in shadow, he moves behind a lab table. On the table, amid the beakers and test tubes, are dozens of TAINTED PRODUCTS: makeup, deodorant, etc. Nearby, a COMPUTER PRINTER begins to CHATTER; Vicki watches information scrolling across the main monitor.

VICKI
(looking at the tainted products)
What is all this?

Batman turns but keeps his face out of the light.

VICKI
But . ..then whole shipments of every product would be poisoned? We'd all be dead.
VICKI
(imprcs:.cd)
How did y o uf it:,urcthatout.?

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 75.

122 CONTINUED: ( 2) 122

r He hands her a thick envelope. She looks it over cautiously.

VICKI
I may have some trouble with that. A lot of people think you and the Joker work together,.
VICKI
Some people say the same about you.

This is a new idea to Batman. He pauses for a moment.

VICKI
Well. let's face it, you're not exactly normal, are you?

BATMAN

r It's not a normal world.

~

Vicki stares at him. She's suddenly chilled.

VICKI
(peering into the darkness)
Why did you bring ME here?
VICKI
But you could have just sent it.

She looks a1·otmd. Where i:ihe? NO SOUND.

Suddenly he is near. She backs up.

(CONTINUED) ~~· t '-t."'.1•""''·

118

......,::...' .

J'..,r.,,.

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/86 76.

122 CONTINUED: ( 3) 122

She looks down. She has backed up nearly to the gaping hole.

VICKI
Wh-at7

Batman suddenly steps very close to her. She holds her * hand to her breast. •. *

VICKI
What could I have that you want?

Batman SWIRLS his cape up over her.

·. Her eyes widen. She starts to SCREAM.

He embraces her. She stops.

And as she closes her eyes -- he produces an AMPULE of KNOCKOUT GAS which he breaks under her nose. She slumps.

THE ROOM SPINS. SOUND OF BATS WINGS.

DISSOLVE TO:
119

INT. BEDROOM - AFTERNOON 123

Vicki AWAKENS. She feels her face. Was it a dream?

She steps shakily to the mirror. Touches her lips. What happened? Did he -- make love to her? Then she touches her breast. NO FILM.

VICKI
The film! He took the FILM!

PHONE RINGS.

VICKI
Hell-hello?
KNOX
Vicki? Are you all right? You

want me to come over there?

VICKI
(seeing something on her table)
No ...Wait. Allie? *

(CONTINUED).

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 77.

She reaches OUT OF FRAME and brings the envelope Batman gave her up to the phone.

VICKI
Allie, can you still make the evening edition if I bring som~thing to you?
KNOX
Just barely. Is it hot? .. VICKI Yeah it's hot.
KNOX
How hot? *

·She hangs up.

VICKI
Very hot.
124

EXT. NEWSSTAND - DAY

The early edition of the Globe carries the banner headline:

WAR OF THE FREAKS
JOKER AND BATMAN CLASH AT FLUGEUlEIM.

A DELIVERY TRUCK cruises past, dumping a bundle of AFTER- NOON EDITIONS on the sidewalk. "WAR OF TilEFR.EAKS"has been relegated to the lower right-hand corner of the page supplanted by more pressing news.

BATMAN CRACKS JOKER'S POISON CODE

Citizens told to avoid the following products:

125

INT. TELEVISION STUDIO - EVENING

The "ACTION NEWS" set, with anchor PETER McELROY.

PETER
Avoid the following combinations:

· deodorants with baby-powder, hair spray, and Odor-eaters . Safe

products are flying in as Gotham

City goes on a forced fast. And all of Cotham is wondering what to make of Batman. Friend or Foe?

126

INT. AXIS CLLT::HICALS-EVENING

Joker SCREAMS ut the t o pofhi:,lunt:,:; .

r (CONTINUED) \

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 78 .

JOKER
I have given a name to my pain and it is BAT MAN!! 1

Joker BLASTS the TV with a riot GUN! OTHER GOONS stare .

Joker charges for the factory.

JOKER
Bob, you got to possess strength to inflict greater'pain! We got a Bat to kill. And I want to clean my claws!!
127

INT. BATCAVE -NIGHT

Bruce looks at assortment of maps. He looks tired. 'Alfred brings in some coffee.

ALFRED
(starting to EXIT)
Sir, Miss Vale called again. I don't know what you intend to do about her. But I think your present course of action may just strengthen her resolve. She's quite tenacious. ...... BRUCE . .. .4•
(thinking)
I know, Alfred. •

Alfred heads for the door. He stops and pulls himself · · tall.

128

INT. VICKI'S APARTMENT - AFTERNOON

A KNOCK at the door -- Vicki opens it and Bruce is standing there smiling, a flower in his hand, a shoulder bag on his shoulder, Vicki is very surprised. She r recovers. Still cool . : ,•

VICKI
Well, if it isn't the invisible man~

BRUCE ... ..,,' You saw through me. ..

H.indsher th e flower. She looks at it warmly.

VI CKI
Come in . - -.·•..:.

(CON'fINUEDf:·~:~.:.·•:•·~• · ., , . .~~:,.~..~\-:·•

BATMAN - Rev. i0/10/88 79.

12.8 CONTINUED: 128

Bruce ENTERS. She looks at flower like it could squirt something on her. Bruce smiles. A BEAT 'of nervous silence. r

BRUCE
So •••
VICKI
(hesitates, then)
Listen, I know that we're supposed to ease into this ·sort of thing, but I'm really perplexed about you.
BRUCE
Yeah, I know, that's why I came. I...
VICKI
You lied to me about leaving town. You won't return my phone calls. Then I saw you march through bullets like you were trying to commit suicide.
BRUCE
Look, I ...I did kind of lose it for a while. But some things just affect me.
VICKI
Affect you? You were a tot~lly ...,,....... different person.
BRUCE
You have to understand •.•crime. I ...love this city.
VICKI
See, now he's back •••the sweet, . . . caring guy ..• but you seem to be at lcost two people. What's going .. . ...._..,.. on?

Bruce stands nnd looks out the window. Torn.

BRUCE
Look, Vicki. There's something you should know•.. ·

A KNOCK AT THE DOOR interrupts him. Vicki lingers and·

·- ' ~·

then goes to the door.

125

....

DELIVERY BOY:.·-: ·. .·.

recrine thruur,hthe peephole,

126

.•.'••';4,:..~~: .:•:~, R ·~ ~--

{CQNTINUED)•- .~~-.c_.-. ..~"'·-· - •~'·./~..-...'.·

128 CONTINUI::D:(2) 128

VICKI
Who's there?
DELIVERY BOY
Package for Miss Vale.

DELIVERY BOY·hands package in, she signs and shuts door. Vicki examines the mysterious package. It's another brown-paper parcel ...ADDRESSED IN CRAYON.

VICKI
Bruce, I'm frightened.

Bruce looks at the parcel. Grabbing his shoulder bag, he takes package to the kitchen.

BRUCE
Shut the door. Just in case.
VICKI
Be careful. Don't set it off.

She shuts the door. Leaving Bruce alone in kitchen.

129

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Bruce opens his bag and lifts out a false bottom to reveal his UTILITY BELT. He removes a tiny ULTRASOUND SCANNER from the UTILITY BELT -- rather like a stetho- scope, with a sonar display where the earpieces should be -- and runs it over the package.

• VICKI (O.S.) What do you think?

BRUCE
Nothing ticking.
130

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

Vicki moves next to the door and listens.

131

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Bruce takes a·small gas mask from his belt, puts it on, then SLITS THE Wl~PPING with a steak knife. Nothing h.1ppcns.

VICKI ( 0 . S . )
What's happenin~? Arc you ukay?

Shl'.1'.NOCKS.lieJUMl'S.lie'stc..:nse.l~rucecar«;!fully * pulls b;1c:kthe1L.1p!;,SUDDENLY the tup ul the package lJL'.lZ~TSUi'l·:N.

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 81.

132

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

Vickt JUMPS at the NOISE.

VICKI
Bruce, are you all right?

No answer.

VICKI
Bruce, I'm comirg in.

She grabs for.the door and ~USHES THROUGH.

1.33 INT. KITCHEN -DAY 133

Bruce stares at the package. No utility belt in sight.

BRUCE
Very poetic.

9N BOX

-- A GLOVED HAND on a SPRING, holding a BUNCH OF DEAD FLOWERS, has erupted through the top of the package and wobbles about. There is a large EMBOSSED CARD in the flowers. Bruce lifts out the card and she reads it.

VICKI
'Roses are red, violets arc blue, these flowers are dead, you could be I too. '
(suddenly very frightened)
He sent something just before he arrived the last time.

Bruce nods her out of there. Vicki heads for the living * room, but before she can'get through the kitchen door, the Joker, BOB and ONE OTHER GOON BURST THROUGH TIIE DOOR. *

JOKER
Miss me7

The Joker secs Bruce and :stops inhi~ tracks.

JOKER
Well, Ms. Vale, another rooster * in the hcnhousc?

The Joker pulls n gun and moves toward Bruce. He traces the outline of Bruce's cheek with the eun.

(CONTINUED).

..·,.•. •

DATXAN - Rev. 10/10/UU B2.

JOKER

Tell me something, my friend, you ever danced with the devil by the pale moonlight?

Bruce is alanncd. A memory fragment clicks.

BRUCE

What?

JOKER•

I ask that question of all my prey before I send a draft through their domes. I just like the sound of it.

BOB CHUCKLES. Bruce is torn, should he fight? Should he ·reveal his identity? Suddenly he realizes ... his utility belt is sitting in plain yiew on the kitchen countet!!l The Joker has yet to notice. Bruce backs slowly against the counter, shielding the belt from view.

JOKER

Vicki, don't let my happy-go-lucky appearance fool you. I'm really very upset. ·

(getting angrier)

You were dining with~! Talking art, I was a man who was getting

..· ··.··.

somewhere with a beautiful woman. And then ALL OF A SUDDEN, without

a word of apology, you take off

with that SIDESHOW PHONY.

He moves closer to her.

JOKER
(bizarrely sincere bad poetry)
I'm only laughing on the outside, my smile is skin deep, if you could see inside I'm really crying you might join me for a weep.

He cups his hand under Vicki's chin. Bruce CHARGES at · him.

A BACKHAND from n GOON knocks Bruce off his feet.. As he reels backwurd, he contrives to knock the UTILITY BELT off the counter, by !.;WccpinehisAkM acr<.1~3it.

Bn1..::t•spr.lWl9innhenpin the corner.

' l;l)NTHiUED). •.

BATMA..~-Rev. 10/10/88 83.

133 CONTINUED: ( 2) 133

IN A FLASH -- Joker points his gun at Bruce and pulls the

trigger. A tiny flag -- "BANGl -- pops out of the muzzle, prompting GREAT HILARITY all around. Joker HOWLS! Bruce sweats.

JOKER

Come· onI want you to shoot some.

snaps. Make me immortal. It'll

be good for you.

BOB hands Vicki her camera and bag and jacket.

A SCREAM FROM OUT IN THE STREET BELOW calls her to the window.

134

EXT. STREET BELOW - HER POV - DAY

A police car has run up on the sidewalk. TWO POLICEMEN are staggering in the street, grabbing their throats. A WOMAN runs horrified from the scene.

135

INT. VICKI'S APARTMENT - DAY

She turns back to the Joker.

VICKI
What's wrong with those policemen?

JOKER

r Looks like they' re rethinking ·

their spot in the social orde;. .' ··.

BOB pulls Vicki OUT THE DOOR, Joker FOLLOWS, pulls the door to.

ON BRUCE

He leaps up and stuffs the utility belt into ohoulder bag. ..

SUDDENLY THE JOKER IS THERE .

JOKER
Listen, Bruce, NEVER rub another • man's'rhubarbl Get me?

The Joker levels the GUN at Bruce again and FIRES. Th.is·. time a real bullet. Bruce is thrown back against the·• ~-. , wall ns the bulle t hit~ h i m.

Joker EXITS.

136

EXT. GOTHAM SNU.::I::T-DAY

Goons force Vicki into a van. Joker heads for it, too.

JOKER
Gotham Square, lickety split.
137

INT. VICKI'S APARTMENT - KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER

Bruce is coming around. He checks his side, no blood. He then looks at his shoulder bag, it has a hole in it. He takes out the utility bel~: It has a bullet embedded in it.

Bruce struggles up, straps on the UTILITY BELT, dials a number on its digital pad. Red lights scan and then beep. Bruce RUNS INTO THE BEDROOM.

138

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

He rummages around for something in her closet. Finds a black something and EXITS.

139

EXT. APARTMENT - HALLWAY - MOMENT LATER

Bruce sprints across the hallway and up a stairway.

140

EXT. ROOFTOP - DAY (MOMENT LATER)

Bruce bursts onto the roof just in time to see VAN pull out into the traffic.

He pulls the black nylon ski cap over his head -- and BOUNDS OFF across the rooftops. •

141

EXT. CROSS STREET - DAY (MOMENT LATER)

The VAN passes by. PEDESTRIANS starine goggle-eyed at the rooftops.

Far above them, a MAN --oddly garbed in a suit, a tie, a yellow belt and a BLACK SKIMASK -- is gliding across the intersection on a ROPE.

141A

INT. VAN - THAT MOMENT

The Joker is l>cinc thrown around a bit by th<.;!;pcedine, swcrving van. Suu<lcnlyhe reache.:!.fon,ardande,rabsBOB.

JOKER
(violently)
Slow du\-Jn,youmaniac!

'i.'hl.·J,,ki:·1·tuni:;tu\'1lki,pulli111~Iii:;hand11t1h<!rkn<;e;. :;!~.,tt·il•:;tu111uVt·.H-J,l'ffL·umhim.

(CUNTINUl::D)

JOKER
(sadly, trying to gain her sympathy)

I'm a little high-strung. Y'know, I've recently had tragedy in my life. Day before yesterday, Alicia hurled herself out of the window. Couldn't adjust to my new aesthetic.

..

He hands her a porcelain mask. It has a crack in it.

JOKER

But you can't make an omelette

without breakin' some eggs!

142 fXT. INTERSECTION -DAY (THAT MOMENT) 142

The Joker's VAN GUNS through a red light, just missing a MOUNTED POLICEMAN standing by his horse. His horse shies, rears back, turns in a circle. THE POLICEMAN, already in bad shape, struggles with his throat, moving .. slow as molasses. His face contorts into a smile and he shakes his head slowly.

Bruce lands on horse's back. COP turns slowly around. sees Bruce. Bruce looks with alarm at the policeman.

r HIS POV -ANOTHER POLICEMAN

staggers down the street, his hands gra1ping his throat. Joker has done his evil work.

143

EXT. SIDE STREET - MOMENTS LATER

Bruce on horseback, charging past elegant brownstones, drawing stares from PASSERSBY. On his belt is a FLASHING RED SIGNAL LIGHT.

144

EXT. RIVERVIEW DRIVE - THAT MOMENT

A YELLOW VW BUG rips up the street at 70 mph.

145

INT. VOLKSWAGEN BUG - THAT MOMENT

We can't see the driver. But we do sec, on the seat beside him, a VIDEO DISPLAY with a shifting grid map of the city -- and on it, a FLASHING SIGNAL blinking in p~rfect sync with the one on Bruce's belt.

146

EXT. SIDE STREET -THAT MOMENT

Bnt C l!!;e, : :;tlwVWlH11~r0u1Hlinl'.,thecornerun<lstreaking luW,t1·,lslil111.llvi-ci11 : ;intheliur::e~1t:rc,1c;backonits hind l,•t:,:;;th ellllCpull:;up.

(CONTINUl::D)

-- and Alfred hands Bruce a bundle of Batclothes.

BRUCE

r Alfred, find the records on my

family. I want to check something.

ALFRED
Yes, sir. Be careful.

Bruce, now nearly fully dre~sed as Batman, gets back on the horse and RIDES OFF. Alfred looks pained.

147

EXT. CENTRAL SQUARE (GOTHAM CITY) - DAY

The square where the unveiling is taking place. has been closed to traffic. There are barricades at the entrance streets. \.

A temporary stage has been erected around a shrouded statue on one side of the square. A SMALL CROWD is gathered.

OFF TO ONE SIDE - POLICEMAN

crouches in the grass. TWO PEOPLE try to help him.

CLOSER ON POLICEMAN

He struggles to move his head to look up. WE SEE: his face is contorting into a smile.

148 BACK AT STAGE • 148

A Junior high school BAND is playing the "Happy Birthday" theme.

MAYOR
(gushing)
Happy birthday, Gotham City! You know every city has a father and no one could have been a better father than John T. Gotham.

The van ENTERS the square and stops. Joker, flanked by anucd COONS, get~ out, Vicki is pulled along with him.

Joker pushes through the crowd at the bottom of the steps leading up to the staee. ~

MAYOR
I dedicate the statue of a man * whu c111bodi1.:!;thepast,prc:.:ent, and fuLur·cof our 1.:,rcatcity.

r

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 87.

Mayor pulls a cord and drops the shroud around the statue revealing: Not John T. Gotham. But:

A GARISH, POLYCHROME STATUE OF THE JOKER wielding two Uzi machine guns like they were six-shooters. Expressionism on acid.

JOKER
(excited)
Start shootin', my.sweet. I'm ·* makin' history.

Joker clambers onto the stage.

JOKER
(apologetically)
No autographs.

He seizes the mike from terrified Mayor. The Joker holds a small machine gun on him. Under the grin, he's grinning.

MAYOR
Call the police!
JOKER
What police?

r ANGLE ON SEVERAL POLICEMEN

lying on grass.

• JOKER (supremely confident) Hi there, fellow Gothamites! As * the NEXT founding father of this fair city, I declare these celebrations well and truly open.

He FIRES A BURST into the air, knocking down one corner of the ANNIVERSARY BANNER. Joker LAUGHS MANIACALLY.

Suddenly, from nowhere, a BAT BOLO ZINGS through the air. • Its heavy ends wrap symmetrically around the head•of t~e • statue. A HISSING RISES from the bomb-like bolo ends. ••

Vicki looks up as PEOPLE RUSH away from the st~ie. PEOPLE * are SCREAMING. *

BATMAN - ON TOP BUILDING

FIRING the BOLOS from a crossbow sort of weapon. *

148

.

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 88.

148 CONTINUED: ( 2) 148

Suddenly a BLAST as both ends of the bolo EXPLODE and knock the head of the statue off. Joker is stunned.

JOKER
My very face destroyed!

TWO GOONS ~IRE AT BATMAN.

ON BATMAN

..

He FIRES two lines into the ground and SWINGS down be- tween them to the stage. BULLETS FLY AROUND HIM. TWO GOONS attack him and he kicks them both down and beads for Joker.

Joker grabs the Mayor around the neck. Covers him with gun.

JOKER
DAMN! I got a good one for you, Batman. What's red and bloody and has no brains?

Batman circles Joker.

JOKER
I didn't know Bats came out in the daytime.
JOKER
Aw, can't I keep him? I'll feed him.
BATMAN ...
What do you want from this city?
JOKER
(thinking aloud)
1 want a new bicycle, I want to ...... visit Florida, I want ...

ON VICKI

holding up her camera.

VICKI ..... Let me ect this, Joker.

He turns to her and poses. She FLASHES .

BATMAN -Rev. 10/10/88 89.

Batman takes this occasion to SNAP his finger.

Joker looks at him. Batman materializes a Joker card. Joker looks at it and Batman sucker PUNCHES him in the face as the Mayor rolls away.

Joker rolls backward and ztps to his feet. He looks around as GOONS FLEE.

JOKER
The odds are even. So I'm a leavin'. You got your toys -- 1 got mine.

Joker steps back onto the statue platform and AMIDST COLORED SMOKE AND FIREWORKS he DISAPPEARS DOWN into the sewer system.

Batman spins around. The goons SPEEDAWAY in the van. Vicki readies her camera to snap Batman.

VICKI
So we're even. I don't owe you .:•, .. anything. .' '.:.·,..•,. • •: .J-:-1~-. ,,.:.• ..·•. :-:.;... • BATMAN . . . . Whatever you say.

Vicki snaps a photo. Batman looks at her for a beat, a hint of disappointment. POLICE SIRENS. Batman FIRES a line up to the building and ZOOMS UP the line to the top. He disappears as Vicki shoots pix. -· ·-··'':.:-~·

149

INT. GOTHAM GLOBE -MORGUE ROOM - DAY : .. .·..149·

·'

Knox is beside himself. Vicki is thoughtful. .·'!'···-..

..··~.:~·.......·-·... .. .... . .. ..:!'"'• • KNOX

150

•.AND YOU DIDN'T HAVE FILM IN

your camera?

VICKI
This goon handcd •itto me. I didn't check. Oh, Allie, I'm really losing it.
KNOX
I found out about your strange !>trcctcorner.

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 90.

She looks up at him.

KNOX
Your friend Bruce is pretty screwed up, Vicki.
VICKI
More good news?

He motions her to amicrofi~m reader. Knox begins cranking through back-issue newspapers.

KNOX
Okay, here we go. Check it out.

Vicki stares at the screen. A BANNER HEADLINE reads:

THOMAS WAYNE MURDERED
Prominent Doctor, Wife Slain in Robbery Unidentified Gunman Leaves Child Unharmed

Beneath it~ a PHOTO: Cops kneeling over corpses. Medics with stretchers. And off to one side, a YOUNG BOY -- BRUCE WAYNE -- his arms wrapped around the waist of a BEAT COP.

BOY stares at the camera -- a mask of

KNOX
Some snap, huh? . . VICKI
(true horror)
Oh my God .•• his parents were murdered in that alley. Ihat's why he went there. It was the anniversary of their death.

TIGHT ON YOUNG BRUCE'S FACE

His features recognizable across all the years -- ..•. pex:manently,indelibly traumatized.

BACK TO SCENE ..,

KNOX
Yep. Poor kid watched the whole thing happen. -' VICKI
(deep empathy) , Allie, the look on his face ..; . it's hist like th::ttday withthe ..... ..!Qkcrin front of City lfall. - ,.... ..• .•

'(cONTINUE~)•.·,.<.·_ •..'!(1.".t

149 CONTINUED: ( 2) 149

KNOX
Can you imagine what this could do to a guy, Vicki?

TIGHT ON VICKI

She thinks.about that.

BACK TO SCENE

VICKI
(after a BEAT)
Allie, does it say •..how old his father was -- when he was killed?
KNOX
Yeah, I noticed that, young guy, too •.. just turned35 years old.

TIGHT ON VICKI

She makes a connection.

VICKI
(knows now but hides it)
I've got to go.

BACK TO SCENE

Vicki EXITS slowly.

• KNOX Don't let your personal feelings interfere with your job.

150

INT. BATCAVE - NIGHT

BRUCE'S BANK OF MONITORS, deep in the Batcave. Thirty screens show Wayne Manor's empty rooms.

Bruce is slumped at a table, he's sleeping, head resting on A MAP OF GOTHAM. Alfred TIPTOES IN and folds batcape. * Bruce wakes. *

BRUCE
The file on my parents?

Alfred nods toward it. He's crave.

BRUCE
What'!>on your mind, Alfred?

(CONTINUI::D)

92. *

ALFRED
I'm getting old, Sir. And I don't want to fill my days grieving for old friends. Or their sons.
151

EXT. CITY HALL - DAY

The steps are packed with TV NEWS CREWS. The MAYOR, flanked by JIM GORDON and HARVEY DENT, steps gloomily to a podium.

153

MAYOR The 200th Anniversary Birthday Gala has been indefinitely po·stponed.

152

EXT. CITY HALL - THAT MOMENT -DAY 1.52.

TECHNICIANS in VIDEO TRUCKS, watching on remote monitors.

DENT (V.O)
We're vehemently opposed to terrorism in any form. But a toxin has been found in the coffee at the police station. With two- thirds of our police force disabled we simply can't guarantee public safety --

INSERT - TELEVISION MONITOR - THAT MOMENT 153

VIDEO NOISE wipes half the image away, leaving a SPLIT SCREEN. On one side is the MAYOR. ~n the other sitting in a director's chair with a big yellow HAPPY FACE behind him -- is THE JOKER. But a very DIFFERENT Joker indeed. Relaxed and very lucid. With his flesh- colored makeup on he manaBes to make his grin almost friendly.

JOKER
Joker here.
(standing up)
Now you guys have said some pretty mean things. Some of which I admit were true under that fiend Boss Gri~som. He was a terrorist and a thief. But on the other hand he was ercat at Bridec. Anyway he's dead and he left me in~ charuc. Now I CAN be theatrical, maybe even a bit rour,h -- but there's one thine I'm not. I'm NOT a killer. I'm an artist.
(MORE)

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 93.

JOKER (CONT'D)
(big grin)
And I looove a party. So truce. COMMENCE AU FESTIVAL!

He spreads his arms to a torrent of CANNED APPLAUSE.

JOKER.
I even got a little present for Gotham City. At midnight I drop 20 million dollar~ cash on the crowd. I've got plenty so don't worry about me.
MAYOR.
We are not prepared to discuss any deals .•.
JOKER.
(interrupting)
You heard me, folks $20 million!

SERIES OF IMAGES OF CITIZENS

Ears prick up. They are very interested.

JOKER. ..•. And there will be entertainment. The BIG FIGHTl Me in one corner, and in the other, the man who has brought the real terror to this city. BATMAN. •

ON MAYOR AND DENT

They look at each other in surprise.

JOKER
(leaning in to CAMERA; to Batman)
Can you hear mel Just you and me. Mano A Mano. I've taken off my makeup, let's see if you can take off yours.
154

INT. WAYNE STUDY - EVENING

......-.

Bruce stares at TV. Shuts it OFF. He takes deep regular breaths.

CLOSER ANGLE

He pull~ out a police file.

(CONTINUED • ~,..·.-,;,.-!"' ~:~;~::.~T,-,: :-:"..~:· .

154 CONTINUl::D: 154

ON SOUND TRACK

-- A MEMORY SOUNDS FROM THE PAST float by -- A SNATCH OF MUSIC. A WOMAN'S LAUGHTER.

ON FILE

Bruce opcn.sa file "POLICE REPORT. UNSOLVED" is written across the cover.

He turns the page and the POLICE PHOTOS FALL OUT. He picks one up.

A WASH OF MEMORY SOUND floods the screen. STREET NOISES. A LITTLE BOY'S VOICE.

ON PHOTO

the shocked-sad face of the little boy that terrible night.

MEMORY SOUND WASHES LOUDER. QUICKER FOOTSTEPS. A VOICE.

BRUCE'S MOTHER (V.O.)
Tom, there's someone following us!
CUT TO:
155

BRUCE'S MEMORY - EXT. GOTHAM STREET - NIGHT (1963)

r' THOMAS, MARTHA and the young BRUCE WAYNE are running TOWARDS us. Something stops them.

CUT TO:

BRUCE'S POV

We sec TWO YOUNG HOODLUMS pointing a gun AT us. The * HOODLUM with the gun grabs the string of pearls on Martha's neck. Thomas tries to grab the young HOOD's arm. We hear the SOUND OF A SHOT. Thomas falls. Martha SCREAMS. The HOOD FIRES -- Martha falls. The second HOODLUM runs away.

The HOODLUM points the gun AT the CAMERA. The HOODLUM'S FACE IS IN TH~ DARK.

CUT TO:

YOUNG BRUCE

starinr,b;ick.

JACK (V . 0.)
(di:;Lortcdby Li111~)
Tell me, Kid...

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 95.

The Hood steps into the moonlight. It is clearly a young Jack Napier.

YOUNG JACK NAPIER
You ever danced with the devil by the pale moonlight? .

ON TRIGGER FINGER

-~ It squeezes. Suddenly~ VOICE calls out.

OTI-IERHOOD (V.O.)
C'mon • • .let's go.
CUT BACK TO:

YOUNG BRUCE'S POV

where we see Jack begin to move slowly away. He LAUGHS asHE LEAVES.

156

INT. STUDY - EVENING

CLOSE ON Bruce's tortured face -- his eyes snap open. He is breathing heavily and pouring with sweat.

BRUCE
It was him.
VICKI (O.S.)
Are you alright? •

Bruce starts. He turns to see Vicki standing there. Alfred is near the door, having let her in.

BRUCE
Wh ...how did you get in here?

Alfred EXITS. Vicki pour~ herself a drink. She's a little nervous.

VICKI
Alfred. Am I crazy? That wasn't just another 'night' for either of us. Was it? We got to each other. Didn't we?

Bruce gathers himself and shuts the police f~l~ers.

VICKI
You were coing to tell me sorncthincat my apartment . . .when the Joker came? What wa3 it?
158

(CONTINUED)

.........~..

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 96.

Bruce looks away.

VICKI
Why won't you let me in7

He looks straight into her heart.

BRUCE
You got in.

Vicki looks startled. My Ot>d••• he loves her. The dilemma fills in the space between them.

VICKI
I don't know how to think about all this.
BRUCE
You said you got to a place where you just had to live with the way you were. Well that's this place.
VICKI
I loved you every night since I met you. But I don't know if I can love you dead.
BRUCE
I can't help you out with that. I've been trying to avoid this. But that's the way it is. I wear a cape. You take pictures. It's not a perfect world.
VICKI
It doesn't have to be a perfect world. I've just got to know if we're gonna try to love each other.

Bruce stops and looks at her. Vicki at him. He can't commit.

BRUCE
He's out there tonight, and now I gotta go to work.

Bruce DISAPPEARS into the dark.

157 SERIES OF SHOTS 157

THEME MUSIC UP.

Bruce prepare:.;for a final confrontation with the Joker.

(CONTINUED}

The gloves. The boots. The cape. And finally, the. black bat-emblem, framed in yellow, FILLING the SCREEN. *

DISSOLVE TO:
158

EXT. AXIS CHEMICAL - NIGHT

A big yellow moon. The wheels of a truck.

TILT UP TO -- sign AXIS CHEMICAL WORKS. Huge steel gates CLOSE.

Opposite the gate, the headlights of the BATMOBILE come on. Its ENGINES ROAR, shooting clouds from multiple exhausts. Front fender extends as vehicle ROARS down the street.

GOON GUARD jumps for his life as the·BATMOBILE, head- lights blazing, SMASHES through gates, coming to rest in front of the steel doors of main building.

GATE GUARD

It s Batman!

Flaps on the wings of the BATMOBILE open as the GATE GUARD FIRES his pistol at the car.

Rocket launchers emerge through the open flaps. Guard's bullets BOUNCE off BATMOBILE's bodywork.

The ROCKETS IGNITE AND BLAST OFF to demolish the shuttered steel doors. Gate guard RUNS OFF. " ' The rocket launchers retract. BATMOtILE moves through hole in doors.

159

INT. AXIS CHEMICAL - THAT MOMENT

Goons inside take cove~ as BATMOBILE cruises through the shattered doors and stops. They OPEN FIRE with MACHINE GUNS. One or two of the bullets CRASH through the WINDSHIELD.

160

EXT. BATMOBILE - THAT MOMENT

Batmobile slowly shields itself. Hunkering down like an iron butterfly.

161 ON GOONS 161

they p~cr at it. YIRE WILDLY to no effect.

162 ON BATMOlHLI::Wlll~ELS 162

from t·hchubcap~ come: .1rm:; .Eachh<,ldinl'.,awicked lookin~ c.tchc.:ufpLt!;tict~xplu::ivL::..:.COONSdon'tSEJ.::IT.

r

DATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 98.

163

INT. BATMOBILE - THAT MOMENT

From within the cockpit we see: under the facia, a monitor, flashing a countdown. 12.11.10. We ZOOM INTO * the monitor as the numbers flick from 10 to 9.

CUT TO:
164

INT. BATMOBILE - THAT MOMENT

the MONITOR beneath the facia of the BATMOBILE as it reads DETONATE.

..

CUT TO:
165

EXT. AXIS CHEMICAL - THAT MOMENT

The Axis Chemical PLANT EXPLODES like a ball of fire.

165A ,EXT. AXIS CHEMICAL - ANOTHER ANGLE l6SA

Debris and dust fall to earth. The building is devas- tated. Flattened. Nothing could have lived through the blast. A BEAT. SILENCE. Suddenly from within the burned rubble -- A RUMBLE.

166

CLOSER - ON DEBRIS

Something stirs, lifts, moves up and then out, slowly,

the Batmobile pulls itself out of the debris.

r. 67 EXT. AXIS CHEMICAL -NIGHT 167

BATMOBILE drives up to the gate. From out of the dark-

ness Batman steps and pats it on the t'ender. It CHUGS.

168 SOUND OF CHOPPER -- bright search lights flash on Batman.168 BULLETS FLY all around him. He jumps behind steel gate .

169

EXT. AXIS CHEMICAL - WIDER .169

A CHOPPER ROARS up from behind a building. LOUDSPEAKER.

BLASTS.

JOKER (V.O.)
Not even close! NO CIGAR, fooll *

ANOTHER ANGLE.- CLOSE ON JOKER

from the open side door of a chopper. He's delighted • ..

·~ {CONTINUED)

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 99.

JOKER
I'm going to the festival. You

really ought to show up. I'm gonna kill a thousand people an hour until you do.

LAUGHTER as the chopper banks sharply and FLIES OFF over the river toward the searchlights of the festival.

CUT TO:
170

INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT (THAT MOMENT)

A lone WATCHMAN reads in a chair. The LIGHTS WINK OUT.

-- and a THUG clubs him from behind. A SMALL ARMY OF· CRIMINAL SHOCK TROOPS ENTERS. Lights relight.

SEARCHLIGHTS, mounted on trucks with portable generators. Behind the trucks: gaudy PARADE FLOATS -- and enormous deflated BALLOONS, hanging limply from rafters.

Joker's men inflate BALLOONS. STEEL DOORS rise; the BEACON TRUCKS RUMBLE out onto the street. Joker STEPS

INTO the warehouse.

JOKER.
I'm prepared to rule the world!!
168

EXT. DOWNTOWN GOTHAM (BROAD AVENUE) -THAT MOMENT 171

The main street, Broad Avenue, leadin& into the central square. Groups of CAUTIOUS PEDESTRIANS. AMPLIFIED ROCK MUSIC as a truck with searchlights rounds a corner onto Broad Avenue.

Searchlights play up the street and onto the buildings. A beam illuminates A GIGANTIC BALLOON WITH A HUGE CAR.TOONFACE looking round the corner before entering the Avenue.

This balloon is moored to a parade float. More trucks with searchlights, floats and giant balloons FOLLOW. Cartoon characters and historical figures. Banners proclaim; HAPPY BIRTHDAY GOTii.AMCITY. • '

BYSTANDERS arc amazed.

Suddenly THE AIR IS FILLED with thousands of dcillar bills.

From the face of the leading balloon (a huge, grotesque, ~lown s111ilin~ghoulishlyand dre:;scdin white Pierrot frills) we TILT DOWN Tlll{OUGHtheswirline dollars. ' · *

• (CONTINUED) .· •\.•

~

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 100.

Here, on a float, surrounded by armed GOONS, sitting on a giant throne, is the Joker.

Bob hands the Joker bundles of dollar bills. Joker pitches the bills, with a grand gesture, up into the wind from a giant fan. People grab for the greenbacks as they fi~l the air.

172 TIGHT ON BILL 172

a REAL one-dollar bill. • ·

WIDER

Like a demonic D.J. the Joker is LIP-SYNCHING TO WHAT- EVER SONG is BLARING OUT over the SPEAKERS.

PEOPLE flock in from the side streets. Soon the whole area is packed with CITIZENS scrambling for dollar bills.

173

EXT. SIDE STREET - THAT MOMENT

Vicki's taking photographs of the hysterical CITIZENS.

JOKER (V .0.)
(amplified)
Welcome, everyone. Enjoy yourselves. Open those hungry wallets!

He LAUGHS.

A HORN BLARES. Vicki glances nervowsly around and is relieved to see Knox lean out of his car. * ·

KNOX
Vicki!

VICKI scrambles into the car.

174

INT. KNOX'S CAR - SIDE STREET - MOMENT LATER

KNOX
You think Batman will show for this?
VICKI
He'll be here. *
171

EXT. SIDE STREET - THAT MOMENT 175

Knox DRIVES OFF to join the parade. *

CUT TO:
176

EXT. GOTHAM CLTY - AE.RIAL SHOT -NIGHT

The city on its island, DARK except for the search-lights * lining Broad Avenue.

All at once, a STREAKING BL.ACK SHADOW ENTERS FRAME... THE BATWING! A phenomenal ULTRALIGHT AIRCRAFT, swift and sleek, it slices through the night, carrying its pilot on a final mission of mercy -- and vengeance.

177 ANGLE ON BATMAN 177

In the cockpit,-Batman, his jaw set, shifts the joystick and banks the BATWING.

178

EXT. AERIAL SHOT -BATWING OVER GOTHAM CITY - NIGHT

The BATWING banks away FROM the CAMERA and dives towards * the blacked-out city.

CUT TO:
179

EXT. BROAD AVENUE - THAT MOMENT ..

MAYHEM continues with dollar bills still flying about and crowds of PEOPLE still chasing them, fighting and looting.

We see Knox's car join the back of the parade.

180

INT. KNOX'S CAR - THAT MOMENT

Vicki is taking pictures of everything in sight. But she's clearly looking for Batman. •

KNOX
(looking up ahead)
Look at that!
VICKI
(snapping away)
Pull over.
181

EXT. BROAD AVENUE - KNOX AND VICKI'S POV - THAT MOMENT

Where we see that one of the floats has mounted the side- walk, crashed into a lamp standard and come to· a halt. The Goons on board are fiehting off the crowds of people who arc chasin~ the dollar bills which have lodced on the float.

CUT TO:
182

INT. K~OX'S CAR - TL~T MOM~~T

Knox pull:; uvl:1·tuthe ::idc:oftl1l:Avl:m1cwhile Vicki Cl11"ll:i11ul::;t.iki.11cpicl:un•:..;.

KNOX
Man, this is sick!

r Vicki opens the car door and begins to climb out to get better shots.

KNOX
A girl could get hurt in a place

like this.

183

EXT. BROAD AVENUE -THAT MOMENT

Vicki leans asainst Knox's car and looks up to see a giant balloon of a grotesque UNDERDOG bouncing against the side of a building. (This is the balloon which is attached to the crashed float.)

Vicki whips out her telephoto lens, and is adjusting the zoom when she does a double take, looks through the lens again -- and sees.

CUT TO:
184

VICKI'S POV OF UNDERDOG THROUGH LONG LENS - THAT

MOMENT

WE SEE, fixed to the underside of the balloon, a number of metal cylinders. One of them, damaged by hitting the side of the building, is beginning TO LEAK A VILE-LOOKING GREEN GAS. The heavy gas drops groundward.

• CUT TO:

185

EXT. BROAD AVENUE - CRASHED FLOAT - THAT MOMENT

COONS also spot leak and don gas masks. The green gas arrives at street level.

Two unfortunate CITIZENS bcein to choke, their faces paralyzed into rictus grins. One of them appears to drop dead.

Forty yards away, Vicki panics.

VICKI
Those balloons are full of Smylex * eas! He's going to kill everybody? *

Knox tries to dra!,'..Vickibackinto the car.··

KNOX
Gl'.t:in! Clo:..;cthe:door.

(COtrflNUED)

At that moment we hear, through the parade music, th~ SOUND OF THE BATWING overhead. Vicki looks up.

CUT TO:

r

186

VICKI'S POV OF BATWING - THAT MOMENT

The BATWING·, lower than before, swoops between the skyscrapers.

187

CLOSE SHOT OF BATWING COCK~IT - THAT MOMENT

Batman, at the controls, looks at Broad Avenue below.

188

EXT. BROAD AVENUE - THAT MOMENT

VICKI
We've got to cut those balloons loose. I think I saw Batman. We've got to warn him.

Knox drags Vicki into car and SLAMS the door.

189

INT. KNOX'S CAR (BROAD AVENUE) -THAT MOMENT

Knox thinks for a moment before coming to a decision.

KNOX
Don't move.

He JUMPS OUT.

II'
VICKI
(trying to stop him)
Allie ...

He runs round to the trunk, opens it and returns with a tool box. He takes out a pair of metal cutters and a cheap anti-dust mask.

VICKI
What are you doing?
KNOX
Stay here! Let me do this one thine.
VICKI
Allie, please... be careful.

Knox puts on the mask. With the metal cutters in his h.1nd,he ra c e:;tuwarJ'..;thecra~hcdfloat.

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 104.

190

EXT. CRASHED FLOAT (BROADAVENUE) -MOMENTS LATER

Nobody is paying attention to the few·people affected by the gas. Knox LEAPS ONTO the crashed float. Before the Goons have even noticed that he's there, he's cut through one of UNDERDOG's moorings.

ANGLE ON UNDERDOG

as one, now free, corner of the balloon floats up between buildings.

A Goon FIRES at Knox. Knox ducks, but then is hit.

Knox's CAR.SCREECHES UP. Vicki flings open the door, * grabs Knox by the collar, and DRIVES AWAY, dragging Knox with her.

The Goons SHOOT after them. Holes appear in Knox's car ' and most of the WINDOWS are SHOT OUT, but the car makes * it round a corner and off Broad Avenue before the ENGINE CUTS OUT.

Vicki drags Knox into a SHELTERED DOORWAY next to Gotham Cathedral.

Blood flows down Knox's face from a minor head wound. He * looks at her. *

VICKI
You were great, Allie. Don't try

any more heroics tonight.

Knox goes unconscious. •

191

EXT.AERIAL SHOT - BATWING HIGH OVER CITY

The Batwing approaches over tops of the skyscrapers.

192

ANGLE ON BATMAN - THAT MOMENT

Batman looks up ahead tqwards avenue. *

& .&

195 BATMAN'S POV OF BROAD AVENUE -THAT MOMENT 19)

-. .

The light from the constantly shifting search~ighta··..-.,· beams up from deep canyon of high buildings. . · . ·.·.

We sec Joker's giant balloon procession bobbing eerily._

...'

The Batwing slips .past the Cathedral tower and begin~.its-. descent down Broad Avenue.

,·..

196

EXT. AERIAL SHOT -ANGLE ON BATWING - TIIATMOMENT °196

From behind the Cathedral, the Batwing levels out for ita first pass over the parade.

r-.97 BATMAN'S POV OF PASS OVER BALLOONS - MOMENTS LATER 197

Batwing ZOOMS low above the tops of the balloons.

Searchlights flash into the cockpit. The buildings of Broad Avenue RACE PAST as the BATMAN sees the LUMINOUS

GREEN GAS leaking from one of the tanks.

198

EXT .JOKER ON HIS THRONE _..THATMOMENT

The Joker still graciously dispensing dollar bills •

191

JOKER

That's right, folks. Who can you trust? Me, I'm here handing out real money. And where is Batman? He's at home washing his tights! *

LAUGHING. Suddenly he hears the BATWING, looks up. ·He * waves and leaps up and down with excitement .

192

JOKER

(screaming into the microphone) Ah wing-ed battle flies through the

night and finds me READYl

The Joker LAUGHS CRAZILY.

199

ANGLE ON BATMAN - THAT MOMENT

Batman puts the BATWING onto its side, looks down on Joker.

200

ANGLE ON JOKER - MOMENTS LATER

The Joker throws the last handful of dollar bills into ; the fan , ~

JOKER
(to Bob) ..•'.... ...·.- Bob, mask!

201 ANGLE ON MAN IN CROWD

195

J'

MAN What is this stuff?

TIGHT ON MONEY

'' '

BATMAN - Rev .10/10/88 106.;'· -.

196

',.~.

201 CONTINUED:

·..·:

BACK TO SCENE '.'

CROWD
(CHORUSOF ANGER)
This stuff is fake!

The Joker LAUGHS HYSTERICALLY.

JOKER
(through microphone)
Now comes part where I relieve you, the little people, of the burden of your failed and useless lives. But as my plastic surgeon always · said, when you got to go, go with a SMILE!

Joker takes a remote control device from under his throne, points it up at the balloons and presses a· trigger.

202

ANGLE ON GIANT BALLOON - THAT MOMENT

The hanging tanks begin to release gas into the balloons in response to the Joker's switch. The balloon swells:· ~.-..

198

,..·:·I.: :....

203 ANGLE ON JOKER - MOMENT LATER •-~>-,~io3·:-:..

199

·::;::.:"/:·{~~•-~;.:

Bob gives a gas mask to Joker and puts one on himself. ·(·:•:··..·

.. .

The Joker SCREAMS WITH LAUGHTER and puts his gas.mask:-on.-·. The CROWD PANICS AND TRIES DESPERATELY TO ESCAPE; ....... ..... .

204

ANGLE ON BALLOON - THAT MOMENT · ·

The BALLOON SKIN stretches and CREAKS. A bulge develops::•_·,:_

along one of the seams.

205

ANGLE ON CROWDS IN BROAD AVENUE - THAT MOMENT

206

ANGLE ON JOKER - THAT MOMENT

Joker LAUGHS behind his gas mask~

207

EXT. BATWING - THAT MOMENT

209 ANGLE ON FRONT OF MOVING BAT',,JING-THATMOMENT 209

From under the front of cockpit a cable catcher/cutter slides out to protrude in front of the Batwing.

THE CAMERA TILTS DOWN to show the underside of the Batwing. We now see the cable catcher/cutter open like scissors and lock into facing slots on either side of the catamaran ..typefuselage.

210

AERIAL SHOT - BATMAN'S FORWARD POV

AS HE SWOOPS UNDER BALLO~S. The Batwing ZOOMS beneath balloons. The ropes securing the balloons to the floats are coming AT us fast. *

211

ANGLE ON CABLE CATCHER/CUTTER - MOMENTS LATER

The cable catcher/cutter is picking up, cutting and hold- ing balloon ropes at a fast rate.

212

ANGLE ON BATMAN - THAT MOMENT 2.12

Batman struggles with the joystick to control the now less stable Batwing. He looks down and smiles.

213

ANGLE ON JOKER - THAT MOMENT

The Joker whips off gas mask and looks up in dismay.

JOKER
My balloons! Those are mx balloons! •
214

ANGLE ON BATMAN - MOMENT LATER

Batman reacts to somethins directly ahead of him.

215

AERIAL SHOT -BATMAN'S POV - THAT MOMENT

He's heading straight for the Cathedral tower. He lifts the nose of the Batwing, ENGINE SCREAMING in protest. * Batman banks the aircraft to the right and misses the Cathedral, by inches.

216

ANGLE ON DATMAN - THAT MOMENT

Forced aeainst the side of the cockpit by the "G" forces. His face is distorted.

•·.

AERIAL SHOT - GOTll.AHCITYSKYLINE -MOMl::NTSLATER 217

The Datwin& climb~, pulline ciant balloons in its wake.

ANGLE ON CABLE CATCHER/CUTTEH. -TIIAT MOMENT 218

219

AERIAL SHOT - GOTHAM CITY SKYLINE - MOMENTS LATER

Balloons float free into the sky as the Batwing turns and dives back towards the city.

212

EXT. ANGLE ON JOKER IN BROAD AVENUE - THAT MOMENT 220

Joker climbs down to now-deserted Broad Avenue. Goons are still hovering around. The Joker looks up.

JOKER
(apoplectic)
HE STOLE HY BALLOONS!

22.l ANGLE ON BATMAN - THAT MOMENT 221

Batman, grim-faced, looks down from the cockpit.

222

EXT. ANGLE ON JOKER IN BROAD AVENUE - MOMENT LATER

222 *

He waves his fists and SCREAMS.

JOKER
WHY DIDN'T SOMEBODY TELL ME HE HAD ONE OF THOSE THINGS?!

JOKER SHOOTS BOB. Other Goons look fearful, fall silent.

JOKER
Wage war you BAS~ARDS!

The Goons quake. Joker hears WHINE of the BATWING.

223

AERIAL SHOT - BATWING - THAT MOMENT~

CHANGES DIRECTION. The Batwing flies past, loops, and returns in the direction from which it came.

224. ANGLE ON WING OF BATWING - MOMENT LATER 224

Flaps open on the fuselage and wing of the Batwing. A laser gun, gatling, missiles and spotlight emerge.

225

INT. BATWING COCKPIT -THAT MOMENT

Batman clears trigger safety mechanisms and presses switches to ann the rockets and laser. He sets the missile sights.

226

AERIAL SHOT OF BATWINC - THAT MOMENT

The Batwin~, with all its weapons primed, descends.

227

EXT. UROAD AVENUE - T•~T MOMENT

GoDn:; 1·,l.111ceatcachotherand bt.:~intorun away.

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 109 •

218

-··-:__227

227 CONTINUED:

The Joker stares at the retreating Goons in disbelief.~

JOKER.
It's just cookin' good, you SCHMOES! What's going ON?

Deserted by.Goons, he looks up at Batwing. Batwing's spotlights come on as it speeds towards him. Joker LAUGHS, steps into the middle of the Avenue, and opens his arms.

.. JOKER Come to me you gruesome son of a

bitch!!!

228

EXT. BROAD AVENUE - THAT MOMENT

Vicki arrives just in time to see the action.

229

INT. BATWING - THAT MOMENT

Batman, cool and collected, looks down ahead of him.

230

AERIAL SHOT - BATMAN'S POV - THAT MOMENT

222

Abandoned floats and trucks litter the road and side- . -.

:.-.:,

walks. The searchlight~ blaze but no longer move •.-....-_··..··

..

231

INT. BATWING - THAT MOMENT

Batman pulls the mobile missile sights to his eyes.·

232

BATMAN'S POV THROUGH MISSILE SIGHT - THAT MOMENT .

After a couple of "telescopic" enlargements, Batman zeros the sights on the Joker, who is standing, arms ...... outstretched, in the middle of the Avenue.

233

EXT. ANGLE ON BATWING WEAPONS -MOMENT LATER ·

""':-; ► ":

227

;~ ~.:

Batman OPENS UP with everything, and we see the GATLXNG, ..:. * MISSILES and LASER EXPLODE INTO ACTION. ····.:..:·:'.,}~t_'i:":·_-}-.·*

:.·!·•:+.·t.:~•,._. .234..*

EX~._-~G~E _oN~O~ER_.~-~OM~~T LATER __. .' ..:.:-'~._;7..,/::.:;.f~t,>·.,·:·:.-· A rocket, ·bullets/·and the laser beam SMASH.into tne·:-:.:j~-.:--~:-~··-:..•._ street, all around the Joker. He leaps, LAU~HIN(?;··.:into..-._·t _.,•.. the air nnd, miraculously, avoids being hit.·.-..,•.'··::.,·.:(•::.~:.;, ;-;,;;;>-·~- -

228

. ..-. .·• :--·--~··..··./::--;F{}~~~~~-.~--~...·

235 ANGLE ON BATWING - MOMENT LATER _~-.-.:~\-:--:i.'·~.:)/~:'.}j.~;?3~.·..

The Ba twing lcvc1s in for the ki 11 1GUNS MISSILES;,-..,:.~ "\;:;.:..::_. ·'it LASER, all bLA5'fINGaway• ·• • .. :t>/{~~}/:• ..,

...; ,... ;·· ..,._

229

•1·•A•. '

236 ANGLE ON JOK~K - Tl~T MOM~NT 236

The Joker sneers and starts to draw a gun from his belt. But he goes on drawing it. On and on. Finally, he bran- dishes the entire weapon. It's a very long barrel.

The Joker takes aim. The GUN GOES OFF WITH A GREAT * EXPLOSION and a tongue of flame. The recoil throws the Joker backwards.

237

INT. BATWING COCKPIT - MOMENT LATER

The cockpit begins to filY with smoke, blinding Batman. The ENGINES COUGH AND CUT OUT. *

238

EXT. BROAD AVENUE - THAT MOMENT

Vicki sees ihc Batwing's in trouble. She runs after it.

239' INT. BATWING COCKPIT - THAT MOMENT 239

Everything is vibrating, the joystick comes loose in Batman's hands. Smoke fills the cockpit.

240

EXT. BROAD AVENUE - THAT MOMENT

The Joker, clutching his smoking pistol, ducks down as the stricken Batwing careens over his head. He dances a victory jig.

ANGLE ON BATWING -THAT MOMENT 241 r 241

The Batwing belly-flops onto the street and bounces, spewing black smoke and debris. •

It bounces aGain and begins to cartwheel.

242

INT. BATWING COCKPIT - THAT MOMENT

Batman blows the perspex canopy off the cockpit, releas- ing some of the smoke. Flames shoot from the control panel .

The Batwing rolls over, throwing Batman around.

243

BATMAN'S POV - THAT MOMENT

The Cathedral spin~ as the Batwinc hurtles towards it.

235

EXT .CA'FHT::DR.ALSTI::PS-MOMI::N'FLATL::R 244

BATWING SMASHES into Cathedral steps and stops. COMPLETE SILENCE. Thc11Joker':;LJ,.UGHECHOES down Broad Avenue.

245 ANGLE ON JOKER - T~LJ\TMOMtNT 245

Joker's doubled up with laughter. Tears down his cheeks.

But forming around him is AN ANGRY CROWD. He looks up at it and LAUGHS even harder.

246

ANGLE ON BATMAN - THAT MOMENT

Batmant dazed and hurt, is tryingt with difficulty, to free himself from the smoulderingt twisted wreckage of the cockpit.

,

247

ANGLE ON JOKER AND CROWD - THAT MOMENT

The crowd is pressing in on Joker. Gordon ARRIVES with SMALL POLICE FORCE. Joker pulls out another GUN and FIRES in the air. He backs off quickly down the street.

248

' EXT. CATHEDRAL STEPS -MOMENT LATER

Joker ARRIVES to see wreckage. No movement inside. Suddenly the BATWING EXPLODES. Knocking Joker head over heels.

Joker stands upt looking at burning wreckage and sees distant crowd coming toward him.

249

EXT. CATHEDRAL STEPS - MOMENT LATER

r The Joker scurries up to the top of the steps.

250

EXT. TOP OF CATHEDRAL STEPS - MOMENTS LATER

The Joker takes a walkie-talkie from his pocket.

JOKER
Gotham Cathedral tower. It's getting crowded down here. Come and get me in five minutes.

VOICE (V .0.) (over radio) Roger, boss.

He looks up towards the absurdly hi~h tower.

JOKER
Better make it ten .

The Joker I::NTJ::RStheCathcural.

241

EXT. BATWING WRI::CK.AGE-MOMENTS LATER 251

Vi cki come :.;up o nwn:ckat:c.Sud<lcnlyBatmanliftsup from * the :.;mo kin~me tal.lie'~:.;hJ.lu :na llJhi !ic apeis tornand* c..,uc.ht.

112. *

251 CONTINUI::D: 251

VICKI
Are you all right7

r Batman gathers himself like thunder. Total galvanized focus on the cathedral and Joker inside.

VICKI
I'll get you out of here.

POLICE CARS approaching, SIRENS BLARING.

Vicki kicks it. The cape is free. Batman walks by her like a knight from hell.

252

INT. CATHEDRAL - MOMENTS LATER 2S2

Suddenly -- framed in the arched doorway -- A RAGGED BLACK GHOST.

Batman closes the Cathedral door. He pulls a heavy bar over the door. He stops and listens. He shuffles for- ward, falls down a step, and crashes against the rear pew, knocking it over. The pew falls and all the pews go down like dominoes, making a LOT OF NOISE.

Before the front pew has fallen, the~Joker darts out from behind it and runs, LAUGHING, into the belltower.

JOKER (O.S.)
Missed me. Hee hce.

Batman sets off in painful pursuit.

253

INT. BOTTOM OF BELLTOWER STAIRS - MOMENTS LATER

Batman reaches the bottom of the stairs leading up the belltower and collapses against the bannisters. Above him he can hear the Joker's RECEDING FOOTSTEPS on the CREAKING, rotting STAIRS.

Batman sets his jaw, takes a couple of deep, painful breaths, and hauls himself up the wooden stairs.

254

EXT. CATHEDRAL STEPS - THAT MOMENT

COM.~ISSIONERGORDON with a few POLICEMEN rush to C.\tht..:dL·aldour.

r

255

INT . BI::LLTOWI::RSTAIRCASE-ANGLI::ONJOKER- THAT MOMENT

We see the JOKER's feet climbing the stairs, faster and faster, as he races up the spiral staircase.

INT, BELLTOWER STAIRCASE - ANGLE ON BATMAN - THAT MOMENT 256

Lower down the stairs we see Batman climbing, slower and slower -- somehow he keeps going.

257

INT. BELLTOWER STAIRCASE - ANGLE ON JOKER - MOMENTS

LATER

..

The Joker, slightly out of breath, comes bounding up toward the CAMERA, grinning and chuckling, heading for the belltower itself, where the bells are housed.

258

INT. BELLTOWER STAIRCASE - ANGLE ON BATMAN -THAT MOMENT

Batman, too, moves up toward the CAMERA, but very slowly. He looks dreadful. He turns a corner and looks up.

259

INT. BELLTOWER STAIRCASE - ANGLE ON JOKER - MOMENT LATER

The Joker reaches the top of the stairs and a wooden ceiling. There is a trapdoor set in the ceiling directly above the stairs.

The Joker, hearing something from below, leans over the handrail, looks down the stairwell and listens.

~ 260 INT. BELLTOWER STAIRWELL - JOKER'S POV - THAT MOMENT 260

We see the staircase spiralling down•into the gloom and hear the sound of COMMISSIONER GORDON and his POLICE SQUAD as they ENTER the belltower and begin to climb the stairs.

261

INT. BELLTOWER STAIRWELL - ANGLE ON JOKER - MOMENT LATER

The Joker opens the trapdoor and climbs into the moonlit belfry.

262

INT. BELFRY -MOMENTS LATER

Joker EMERGES through the trapdoor into the belfry. Tall louvred "windows" on each side designed to protect the bells but let out sound . Openings in each wall lead out onto a parapet which runs all the way round the tower.

In the middle of the belfry a eiant bell sit; rusting on its rocker-beds. Two other, 5mallcr, rocker-beds are empty . The b e ll ~f r omthesearcsittineon the floor b c~: idct·hcLrapduo1·.

2.62 CONTINUED: 262

The Joker casually squirts one of the holding pins on the bell with his acid flower, it begins to burn as he walks forward and looks at his watch nonchalantly. The BELL behind him BREAKS, SMASHING down from the tower.

263

INT. BELLTOWER STAIRCASE - ANGLE ON BATMAN - MOMENTS

LATER

Batman flattens himself against the wall as the bell plummets past bringing pieces of staircase with it. Batman nearly falls with rilebell.

264

INT. BELLTOWER STAIRCASE - ANGLE ON GORDON AND POLICE

As the SOUND OF BREAKING STAIRCASE gets CLOSER GORDON and the POLICE run down the stairs. They are quickly fol- lowed by the bell and a mass of broken, rotten, dusty timber.

265

INT. BELLTOWER STAIRCASE - ANGLE ON BATMAN - MOMENTS

LATER

Batman claws up stairs and collapses just under the closed trapdoor of the belfry. He tries to open the trapdoor but doesn't have the strength.

266

INT. BELFRY - THAT MOMENT

Joker paces, impatiently waiting for his rescue heli- copter. Glances at his watch.

267

INT. BELLTOWER STAIRCASE -ANGLE ON•BATMAN - THAT MOMENT

Batman, beneath the trapdoor, can hear the Joker pacing.

268

INT. BELFRY -THAT MOMENT

The Joker, hcarinc something beneath the trapdoor, begins to move the second bell over it. However, his curiosity gets the better of him and he lifts the trap a fraction of an inch. He opens the trap fully, no Batman. *

JOKER
I must have belled the bat!

Joker LAUGHS then stop!iand looks around slowly.

JOKER
There ain't any more of you up here, arc there? -- Daddy or Monuna bat?

The .J~•kcrLAlJl.;11:;,CR.AZlLY.

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 ....,_..,.

Joker turns quickly to see Batman standing with cape un- furled. A rappeling line hangs from his belt and out onto the parapet. A small pulley on the belt. The Joker CACKL~S.

JOKER
You climbed up the outside with a rope! :
(LAUGHTER)
You little monkey! God, look at you. You're a mess.
(laughs)
They're gonna be real mad .at the costume shop when they ~ee what you did to their suit.

Batman steps toward him. Joker steps back into the half-dark.

JOKER
You maniac, it was you who dropped me in the tanks. You made.me.
JOKER
What is this? I say you made me ,i. and you have to say I made you? How childish can you get? You're insane.
JOKER (O.S.)
(slightly nervous)
Jack7 Jack's out. I'm runninB his body while he's gone.

(CONTINUED) :-· ·-

258

.

·,..

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 J.J.O•

Batman steps in Joker's direction. From out of the dark- ness Joker swings a huge BELL which SMASHES INTO BATMAN. He is knocked over backwards out onto the parapet, he nearly fal~s over the edge.

268A

BATMAN'S POV OF GROUND ZERO - NIGHT

A frightening view thirty.stories down toward death.

268B

EXT. CATHEDRAL - NIGHT

Batman catches himself just before he topples over.

268C

INT. BELFRY -NIGHT

Joker creeps around alone. Not sure if Batman fell. He hides, flattened up against an archway inside the belfry.

SOUND OF CHOPPER in distance. Joker hears it.

JOKER
(into his radio)
Step on it. I'll be on the roof. ..

) SUDDENLY• Batman appears behind Joker's shoulder. He'~. jerks an arm around Joker's neck, pinning him against. archway.

BATMAN • Have you danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?

Joker jumps off the ground. He tries to get away. Batman wraps his other arm around and, "click," hand• cuffs himself to the Joker.

BATMAN .,... Well, now's your big chance.

Joker struggles. He twists and turns the handcuffs:~,':1.~.:·.· can't shift them. He can hardly move. •

'.':. JOKER (pulling a Joker ::--~··:•rf~/~·i··,··..!...

262

~.......

flower from his coat) That was dumb. Now I'm going to ·· have to operate.

Joker SQUIRTS acid on the handcuffs. .·.,··~·....

(CONT~_mi·;~'i./;i?_~--.:··

264

r

BATMAN -Rev. 10/10/88 117.

268C CONTINUED: · 268C

Batman slips his arms back around Joker, pulling him into the open. They stand tethered face-to-face. Joker hits Batman hard, Batman returns the blow, Joker hits again, and Batman returns.

The Joker gives a tremendous tug and the SIZZLING HAND- CUFFS BREAK. He runs to the wooden louvers.

Joker breaks a 2 by 4 from the wooden framework of belfry and SMASHES Batman with it.

Batman goes down. Joker ~its him again. HELICOPTER AP- PROACHES and dangles ladder over parapet. Joker STEPS OUT onto parapet. He grabs for the dangling ladder.

Batman looks up from where he has fallen.

HIS POV

UP INTO belfry where there are thousands of Bats stirring.

ON BATMAN

He activates a sonar device on his belt. A SHRILL WHINE lifts into the air.

CUT TO:
269

EXT. BELLTOWER PARAPET - THAT MOMENT.

Helicopter HOVERS at the side of the belltower. Joker~: steps up onto the wall between two GARGOYLES and puts * his foot onto one of the rungs of t~e ladder. He looks up as he hears UNEARTHLY SCREAMING FROM BELFRY. -

270

EXT. BT:LLTOWERPARAPET -THAT MOMENT 2.70

Suddenly the AIR IS FULL OF BATS, diving and flapping * all over the place. The NOISE from Batman's belt CLIMBS . IN PITCH. As it does so the bats fly faster. They swarm above J'oker in an ever thickening black cloud. .~.:.·

..

2.71 EXT. BELLTOWER PARAPET. - MOMENTS LATER ·· _:..~.2.71

The swarm of bats sweeps out and engulfs him. He SCREAMS_• tries to beat them off.

ON BATS

Suddenly Batman steps through the cloud.

He grabs Joker. Pulling him off the ladder. Batman * lifts him bodily up off the ground by front of his co~t: * lk pushes him back u~uinut a Gar~oyle. ... *

..,-~

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 lll:L

Joker struggles and the Gargoyle crumbles and Joker.

slips backward. Joker knows he's a dead man, and he

smiles. He grabs for Batman's cowl and grips it as he

falls.

JOKER
I saved the last dance for you.

Both of them tumble down into the endless darkness.

272

EXT. CATHEDRAL TOWER - NIGHT

..

Two bodies fall in pas de deux. Joker SCREAMS. SOUND OF WIND RUSHING BY.

273

EXT. FALLING POV - NIGHT

CAMERA FALLS DOWNWARD. Lights float lazily up AT us from the onrushing street below.

274

EXT. FALLING - NIGHT - TIGHT

BATMAN FIRES a hook and a line back up at the roof.

ON HOOK

It lands on roof and skitters along looking for a crevice to hook on.

ON JOKER

He stares back at Batman as he drifts away. JOKER'S

LAUGHING ALL ntE WAY DOWN. •

ON HOOK

SKITTERING.

ON BATMAN

He spreads his cape, slowing down a bit.

ON GARGOYLE

Hook skitters to it and seizes on its grimacing ~aws. *

275 ON JOKER (SLOW MOTION) 275

He pluUW\etsto earth CRASHING ON CATHEDRAL ~TEPS. LAUGHTER STOPS! *

276 ON BATMAN (SLOW MOTION) 276

HE FALLS• TURNS UPSIDE-DOWN AND S'fO.PSinmid-air.

,...

Coming to the end of a long tether from the top of the tower. He bounces a bit and hangs upside-down. Like a bat. A SCREAM fills the air.

277

EXT. CHURCH STEPS - OVERHEAD ANGLE

We're looki~gDOWN.AT the Joker, whose body lies splayed and broken on the steps. We DRIFT DOWNWARD, CLOSER, until his FACE FILLS THE SCREEN, his chilling grin still intact. •·

The Joker's expression is almost childlike, as he stares aimlessly at the stars.

A FLASHBULB POPS

278' REVERSE ANGLE 278

to see Vicki Vale, taking the photo of the year. She looks down at him and shakes her head. A SHOUT FROM ELSEWHERE wakes her up.

VOICE Batman's fallen to the ground. Over there.

Vicki spins around. Looks in that direction and follows the voice.

279

EXT. CATHEDRAL GROUNDS - NIGHT

People run toward the place where Batman has fallen.

CLOSER

We see the figure of Batman completely covered with his cape, face-down in th~ courtyard. A CIRCLE OF PEOPLE, press, and police surround him. Commissioner Gordon· steps into the circle.

VOICE Turn him over, now we'll see who this guy is.

Gordon approaches the body.

Vicki RUSHES UP. Looks down at the cape-covered body. Lookinc at her camera, conflicted, she raisci it to take her pri::cphoto.

ON CAPE

a!>Gunlun pull!;b.1ckcap<:and tun,s over the body.

BATHAN - Rev. 10/10/88 120.

TIGHT ON FACE

- - it's not BruceWay1.e,it•s a groggy Alexander Knox (in his own clothes).

ON VICKI

-- she flashes a picture and brings down her camera. A smile plays across her face.

..

ON KNOX

-- he blinks his eyes at the light.

KNOX
Can I still make the late edition?
280

, EXT.ELSEWHERE IN THE SQUARE - NIGHT

Through a crowd, A MAN walks into a side street. He turns around. It's Bruce Wayne. He's got his utility belt over his shoulder. He DISAPPEARS into the darkness.

DISSOLVE TO:
281

UT. WAYNE MANOR - EVENING

It's majestic. WIND RUSTLES through the treea.

DENT (V.O.)
All right members of the press, Commissioner Gordon and I ha~e a few announcements to make.
CUT TO:
282

EXT. PRESS CONFERENCE - NEXT EVENING

A large group of press gathers outside the courthouse to hear Dent, Mayor and Gordon sum up the events.

DENT
First of all -- to clear up a little misunderstanding. Gotham Globe reporter Alexander Knox

is NOT Batman.

ALL HEADS turn to see blushing Knox. He grins ~nd touches the bandage on his head.

KNOX
On the other hand, he's not AlcxJ.ndcrKnox. *

(C~NTINUED)

BATMAN - Rev. 10/l0/8e 121.

GORDON
Our police officers have recovered and although some of them have sworn off coffe~, they're all back on duty.

More LAUGHTER -- Vicki steps up next to Allie.

KNOX
Aren't you covering this press conference Vicki? ·
VICKI
No, I'm gonna disappear a while.

Unexpectedly Vicki kisses Allie on the lips, long and , sweet. He is stunned.

VICKI
1t was a ride, wasn't it Allie? See you around.
KNOX
Wait a minute. What about us?

Vicki is already down the street.

KNOX
What about the Pulitzer prize?
VICKI
You get mine for me Allie.

She WALKS AWAY. Allie steps out into the street. SHOUTS.

KNOX
Well what about your picture of Batman?
VICKI
(over her shoulder, with irony)
If he wants his picture taken, he knows where to find me.

ON DENT

-- he now has the stage.

DENT
We received nletter fromBatman this mon'ling.
(MORE)

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 122 .

282 CONTINUED: ( 2) 282

DENT {CONT'D) (reading) Gotham City's earned a rest from

crime •••But if the forces of evil

should rise again, to cast a

shadow on the heart of the city.

Call me.

ON PRESS

they are quiet.

KNOX
Question. How do we call him?
GORDON
He gave us a signal.

ON GORDON

-- he steps to a searchlight and flips it on.

283

EXT. GOTHAM CITY WIDE - NIGHT

On the side of the old cathedral, the BATSIGNAL - the yellow moon, a black-caped man, the melancholy icon calling for help in the dark night of Gotham City.

276

EXT. DARK STREET - NIGHT 284

FOOTSTEPS down the street. As they get closer WE SEE it's Vicki. She passes by an old buil,ding. SOMETHING RUNS INTO her. She looks down to see TWO LITTLE BOYS dressed in homemade Batman costumes.

LITTLE BOY
Sorry lady, we was playin' Batman.

They TAKE OFF past her. She looks after them smiling.

A SOUND somewhere in the darkness above. She turns to look. *

284A

EXT. TOP OF BUILDING - NIGHT

BACKLIT, Batman, silently looking down at her. *

285

EXT. STREET -NIGHT

-~

She gazes up at him. A limousine is suddenly next to

her. She looks in. It's Alfred.

ALFRED
I thoueht champagne mieht be in order, Ma'am.

BATMAN - Rev. 10/10/88 123.

Vicki smiles, GETS IN BACK. •

r 286 INT. CAR - NIGHT 286

Vicki settles in. Champagne and crystal set in back-

seat. Alfred DRIVES OFF.

ALFRED
Mr. Wayne said to tell you he'd be a bit late. .. VICKI I'm not surprised Alfred. I'm not surprised.
287

EXT. ABOVE THE STREET - NIGHT

Batman watches, dances across a rooftop. BATSIGNAL IN BACKGROUND.

FADE OUT.
THE END

..

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280

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