Return of the Knight Part 2

7/31/2019 Return of the Knight Part 2

1/25

EXT: GOTHAM NORROWS-NIGHT

The slummed down streets are littered with trash and walls

painted with graffiti. Gothams homeless scurry the street

sleeping in beds of newspapers and kept warm by dumpster fires.

An unassuming car pulls up to the sidewalk. A scruffy man

wearing a heavy jacket and toboggan socked on his head gets out

of the drivers seat while an attractive brunette in her mid

twenties steps out of the passenger side. She wears a heavy

jacket and carries a briefcase.

They quickly make their way inside a rundown garage.

INT: GARAGE (CONTINUOUS)

Two men greet them at the garages entrance. JEROME is a firmlybuilt black man holding an automatic rifle and ROSS an equally

built white male with two pistols holstered at his side.

Jerome: Arms up.

The attractive girl and her driver hold up their arms as Ross

searches them.

Ross: Theyre clean.

Jerome: Follow me.

The attractive woman and her driver lower their arms and follow

Jerome through the garage passing my two black car tarps. They

enter through a door into an office.

INT: GARAGE OFFICE (CONTINUOUS)

Inside the rundown office a Russian man in his mid forties

SOLOMON sits at a desk covered with neat stacks of 100 dollar

bills.

Jerome: Theyre here.

Solomon: Ah, good bring them in.

The attractive girl and driver enter the office.

Solomon: Nice to see you again. I take it your boss found my

proposal appealing?


2/25


3/25

Barbara: Wheres the payment?

Solomon still studying the cocaine.

Solomon laughs: Impatient darling arent you. I have your

money.

Solomon grabs two stacks of the hundred dollar bills on this

desk and tosses them at her. Barbara examines the stacks and

looks back at Solomon.

Barbara: This is only twenty. I told you fifty.

INT: SURVEILLANCE VAN (CONTINUOUS)

Harper: This could get interesting.

Bullock speaks into a head set.

Bullock: Be on standby Captain.

The Captains voice comes back over the headset.

Captain: Copy that


Solomon: You take twenty and tell Azrael, or whatever your

bosses name is, that he disrespects me with his petty business.

Barbara: We had a deal.

Solomon pulls a gun from his desk drawer pointing it a Barbara.

Solomon: Solomon Torres nor the Penguin will tolerate such

amateur status! If he wants a name tell him to find the Penguin

and ask him himself!

Solomon moves the gun away from Barbara toward her driver and

pulls the trigger BANG! Barbara screams as the scruffy man falls

to the floor dead.

INT: SURVEILLANCE VAN (CONTINUOUS)

Bullock speaks into his headset


4/25

Bullock: Shots fired officer down! Captain you are free to

engage repeat free to engage!


Barbara in tears is knelt down beside her driver.

Solomon tosses all his money into the briefcase with the drugs.

Solomon: Its time to go. The girl comes with us.

Jerome grabs Barbara by the arm jerking her to her feet. She

lands a punch to Jeromes face knocking him back. Before she can

land another Ross knocks her to the ground with a punch and then

jerks her up.

Solomon grabs the woozy Barbara by the neck.

Solomon: If you want to live I suggest you keep your hands to

yourself.

They exit the office into the open garage.

INT: GARAGE (CONTINUOUS)

They walk toward the two black car tarps and pull them back to

reveal two black Audi ABT 8s.

Barbara: Yeah you wont attract any attention

Solomon and Ross get in car 1 while Jerome and Barbara enter car

2. The cars engines roar as they crank up.

The front garage door explodes open sending dust and debris

everywhere. SWAT files in with guns pointed directly at the two

cars.

SWAT member 1: Freeze! Dont move!

SWAT member 2: Turn off the car and step out with your hands

above your head.

INT: CAR 1

Solomon: Please take care of our guest.


5/25

Ross smiles pulling a detonator from his jacket then presses it.

CUT TO:

The garage floor begins to explode segment by segment taking out

most of the SWAT team.

The two cars squeal tires as they speed out of the garage before

being caught in the explosion.

EXT: NARROWS STREET (CONTINUOUS)

Bullock kicks open the vans doors as they watch the cars speed

out of the garage.

Bullock: This just became as hostage situation.

Bullock reaches for his com

Bullock: Solomon has Barbara has a hostage. Two black cars

traveling south on Aiken Street, requesting back up!

Harper notices several SWAT members stirring from the explosion.

Harper: Were gonna need an ambulance too.

Bullock: Call it in. Im going after Barbara.

Harper: Got it

Bullock hops in the van and speeds off.

INT: COMMISSIONER GORDONS OFFICE (CONTINUOUS)

An officer franticly enters.

Officer: Commissioner we have a situation.

Gordon: Can you elaborate?

Officer: Its Barbara she was compromised. Shes now in a

hostage situation.

Gordon face feels with the fear of a father. He gets to his feet

and bolts past the officer into the hall.

INT: HALLWAY (CONTINUOUS)

Gordon: Wheres she at?


6/25

The officer quickly follows behind the nervous father.

Officer: Were currently tracking two black cars headed out of

the city. Road blocks are being set up as we speak.

Gordon: Have my car ready.

Officer: Thats not going to work sir.

Gordon abruptly stops turning to face the officer

Gordon: Say that again.

Officer: The two cars have been clocked in excess of 120 miles

per hour. If youre going to catch it youre gonna need your

other car.

Gordon thinks for a moment

Gordon: Get choppers in the air and patrollers to do the best

they can. Have the tech team get that car ready.

EXT: GOTHAM STREETS (CONTINUOUS)

The two black sports cars speed through traffic weaving in and

out around cars. From behind, led by Bullocks surveillance van,

a plethora red and blue lights chase after.

They approach an intersection with the light being red.

SURVEILLANCE VAN (CONTINUOUS)

Bullock speaks into his radio.

Bullock: This is our chance. The intersection should slow them

down.

INT: CAR 1 (CONTINUOUS)

Solomon: Does the phrase threading the needle mean anything to

you?

Ross smiles and shifts the gear stick and punches the gas.


Barbaras face feels with dread as she realizes they are going

through the intersection.


7/25

Barbara: Youre boss is gonna kill us all.

Jerome gives Barbara a menacing look and then shifts the gear

stick punching the gas

EXT: GOTHAM STREET INTERSECTION (CONTINUOUS)

The two cars approach as a semi-truck is passing through. Car 1

J breaks squealing tires pivoting around the trucks back tires

making it through to the other side. Car 2 J breaks turning to

the side drifting under the trucks trailer.

The wave of police cars attempt to make it through the

intersection but many of the cars are t-boned and wreck.

Bullock stands on the street amongst the massive wrecks.

Bullock speaking into com: Pursuit halted at the intersection

of 5th and Main from multiple motor vehicle accident. Requesting

back up, suspects continuing south toward Gotham Bridge.

EXT: BUILDING ROOF TOP (CONTIUOUS)

The black silhouette of BATMAN is crouched on the roofs edge.

He hears Bullocks transmission through the police scanner built

into his cowl.

Batman stands from his crouched position and soars off the

rooftop.

INT: GCPD GARAGE (CONTINUOUS)

Gordon enters to several mechanics and technicians surrounding a

sleek stealthy looking car. The car resembles the body of Sting

Ray Corvette with black and white colors and GCPD on both doors.

Gordon: Are we ready?

Technician: Yes sir Commissioner.

The technician opens the car door and Gordon gets in.

Technician: Good luck sir.

EXT: GOTHAM STREET (CONTINUOUS)

Gordons stealth police car burns rubber down the street.


8/25

INT: STEALTH CAR (CONTINUOUS)

An internal computer system comes alive displaying a large map

of Gotham.

Gordon: Barbara Gordon

Computer: Locating Barbara Gordon.

Barbaras ID appears on screen as the map zooms into a signal

location.

Computer: Barbara Gordon located traveling south bound Sanders

Avenue. Unregistered Black 2012 Audi AVT 8. One hundred twenty

eight miles per hour. Estimated time of arrival seven minutes.

Plotting course.

The screen flashes a GPS schematic.

EXT: GOTHAM STREET (CONTINUOUS)

Gordons stealth car makes an abrupt turn onto a side street

speeding off.

EXT: GOTHAM FREEWAY ENTRANCE (CONTINUOUS)

A barrier of police cars block the length of the road with

gunman ready.

A cop speaks into his com.

Cop: Roadblock is in position at the freeway entrance. No way

theyre getting through here.


Solomon smiles has he hears the transmission through his com and

then speaks into it.

Solomon: You copy that?

EXT: GOTHAM ROOFTOP (CONTINUOUS)

A henchman on the roof answers back.

Henchman: Loud and clear. Were in position.


9/25

The henchman turns to face several more henchmen who begin

unpacking bazookas.

Henchman: Its show time.

The henchman walks to the roofs edge over looking the

roadblock.

EXT: STREET (CONTINUOUS)

The two sports cars approach the massive roadblock.


Barbara: So whats your plan for this one?

Jerome smiles: Just wait and see.

EXT: STREET (CONTINOUS)

Gordons stealth car finally catches a visual of the two sports

cars.


Gordon: Ive got a visual on the cars is anyone in the area?

Voice from com: SWAT II Unit ETA 2 minutes.

EXT: STREET (CONTINUOUS)

The roadblock police notice the sports cars are not slowing

down.

Cop: Shoot tires only. We dont know which car the hostage is

in.

As he finishes the statement a massive explosion hits the

roadblock followed by another and another.

EXT: ROOFTOP (CONTINUOUS)

The henchmen prepare to reload the bazooka but a sword stabs one

of them through the heart. The other henchmen look up to see

half a dozen League of Shadows members.

Henchman: What the


10/25

He reaches for his gun but the henchmen are no match for the

elite martial art skills of the Shadows. The rooftop is quickly

littered with their dead bodies.

EXT: STREET (CONINUOUS)

The two sports cars speed through the battered roadblock onto

the freeway.


Jerome smiling: Impressed?

Barbara does not respond as she lands a glaring look back.


Gordon speaking into com: Medical team needed at road blocksight. They had the drop and hit us with some kind of long range

missile fire. Im continuing pursuit!


Solomon looks in the rear view mirror.

Solomon: Were home free now!

He then notices Gordons car passes through the fiery debris.

Solomon: Theres always one that just wont quit.

He grabs his com

Solomon: Bridge team weve got one car we cant shake. Light

him up when we come by.

EXT: FREEWAY (CONTINUOUS)

Gordons car closes in on the two sports cars.


Gordon sticks his gun out the window and attempts to aim but is

unable to get a clear shot. Frustrated he reaches for his com.

Gordon: Wheres by backup?!


11/25

Voice from the com: Weve got a chopper team headed for the

bridge.

Gordon: Hurry up because Im not firing at my daughter.

EXT: BRIGE OVERPASS (CONTINUOUS)

A group of henchmen, carrying sniper rifles, position themselves

upon the puzzle of steel and cables.

EXT: FREEWAY (CONTINUOUS)

The two sports cars dip and dodge through traffic with the

bridges overpass in their sites.

EXT: BRIDGE (CONTINUOUS)

From the opposite side of the bridge the TUMBLER speeds head ontowards the sports cars.

INT: TUMBLER (CONTINUOUS)

Batman manipulates a key pad that scans the bridges overpass

revealing outlines of the henchmens bodies.

Batman: Dozen henchmen on the bridge overpass with rifles.

An Arabian voice comes over the com: Moving in now.

EXT: BRIDGE OVERPASS (CONTINOUS)

From behind the henchmen a group of Shadows led by Ras Al Ghul

close in.


Solomon speaking into com: Were at the bridge. Light up that

car.

EXT: BRIDGE OVERPASS (CONTINUOUS)

The snipers fire several shots hitting Gordons car blowing out

the windshield causing it to swerve.

From behind Al Ghul rams his sword through the sniper followed

by slicing through another. As before the Shadows make quick

work of the henchmen.


12/25


As Car 1 passes over the bridge one of the henchmen lands on the

cars windshield. Ross tries to maintain control but crashes

into the concrete barrier.


Barbara uses the distraction landing a strong punch to Jeromes

throat disorienting him. He fights back with a punch that she

dodges and slams his head against the stirring wheel causing the

car to crash against the concrete barrier.


Ross and Solomon crawl out of the mangled car. Ross unholsters

his guns searching the area. He turns around to meet Batman faceto face. Batman lands a punch to his gut and then slams him into

the car. Solomon attempts to run but Batman entangles his legs,

with a grapple gun, dropping him to the ground.

CUT TO:

Jerome makes his way out of the car wiping the broken glass from

his cloths. From behind Barbara grabs his arm twisting it behind

him pushing him against the car.

Barbara: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say

Jerome: Youre a cop?

Barbara: Undercover to be exact. Now shut up.

Jerome reverse head butts Barbara busting her nose. He turns to

land a punch. BANG a gun goes off and Jerome reaches for his leg

where he was shot.

Barbara turns to see her terrified father lower his pistol. She

turns back toward Jerome lying on the ground in pain.

Jerome: My leg!

Barbara wipes the blood from her nose and lands a strong kick to

his side.

Barbara: Now its your ribs.


13/25

Gordon runs over to Barbara embracing her with a large hug.

Gordon: Are you ok?

Barbara: Im fine.

CUT TO:

Solomon slowly makes his way back to his feet. Al Ghul walks

over landing a punch to his face knocking him to his knees.

Solomon: Who are you?

Ras: A messenger of justice.

Al Ghul raises his sword and swings it towards Solomons head

but it is blocked by Batmans spike wrist brace.

Batman: He lives. He may have answers.


Several police helicopters shine lights over the wrecked sports

cars as the second unit SWAT team arrives. There is no sign of

Batman or Ras al Ghul.

INT: PRIVATE LOUNGE

Cobblepot sits in a chair stirring a cup of tea.

Cobblepot: Are you sure it was him?

Bane: He had help from Ras al Ghul and the League of Shadows.

They have Solomon in custody.

Cobblepot: Ah quite a homecoming for you with the League

arriving. I see Lazarus Pit was kind to Ras and Bruce Wayne. As

far as Solomon hes nothing more than I little worker ant

waiting to be squashed.

Bane: Shall I kill the Batman?

Cobblepot stands from his seat walking over to refreshment table.

Cobblepot: In time. I still have use for his services. A Bruce

Wayne appearance could be just the attraction for the campaign

party.


14/25

Bane: The police are running slow. We only suffered causalities

from the League.

Cobblepot places a sugar cube in his cup.

Cobblepot: They will break soon. Batman cannot save them now it

would take years to replenish their force especially with the

bomb Grange is about to drop on them.

INT: MAYOR GRANGES OFFICE

Gordon: Youre cutting the budget! Do have any idea how many

men well have to lay off?

Grange: If your men could keep atleast half the cities

buildings upright we wouldnt have this problem not to mention

the amount of cops killed on the job. Personally Im tired ofconsoling widows and cashing in life insurance policies.

Gordon: Gotham wont have anything standing if half the force

is kicked to the streets. How long do you think before they

become desperate, and we start posting their pictures on most

wanted ads?

Grange: Dont give me that Jim. The Batman came back. Just

piggy back off his cape for awhile.

Gordon: Thats what got us into the mess. We stood by and lethim do all the work. Youre taking away any chance we have at

taking this city back.

Grange: I suggest you watch your tone or the title Commissioner

will be replaced with door man. Just be glad Im starting at the

bottom of the food chain and working my way up. No one is

irreplaceable and it would do you some good to remember that.

INT: BATCAVE

Bruce sits at the large computer console. Solomons police fileis on screen. Alfred walks up carrying a tray of food with an

envelope. Alfred sets down the tray and takes a look at the

computer.

Alfred: I presume this is Gothams newest monster of evil?


15/25

Wayne: Hes nobody. Just some of drug runner. Probably working

with Cobblepot.

Bruce turns toward the tray taking a sip of orange juice.

Alfred picks up the envelope

Alfred: While were on the subject of Mr. Cobblepot it appears

he is requesting your presence.

Bruce opens the envelope scanning the card inside.

Wayne: Its an invitation to his campaign party.

Alfred: He wants to mend old fences?

Wayne smiles: I dont think so but there is a plus one.

Alfred: If youre asking Master Wayne I will need to check my

schedule first.

INT: GCPD CAFETERIA

Gordon stands amongst nearly 100 of Gothams finest. Guilt and

sadness pour from his face.

Gordon: Its been an honor serving with all of you but Gothams

hard times show no predigest. It is to my deepest regret that

you have all been let go. Mayor Grange is making budget cuts andunfortunately you are those cuts.

Hate, anger, and shock feel the crowd of faces staring at Gordon.

Gordon: Turn in your badges and firearms. You have to the end

of the day to clean out your lockers.

The sound of chairs scooting feels the room as the stunned men

and women stand and begin turning in their gear on a table.

One by one Gordon looks each man in the eye with remorse.

Bullock tosses his gun on the table and pulls his badge from his

coat.

Bullock: Fifteen years Jim and Im a budget cut, a formality.

Gordon: Its nothing personal Harvey and you know that.


16/25

Bullock: Maybe you know but I dont know what I believe

anymore.

Bullock tosses his badge amongst the pile.

EXT: STREET-NIGHT

Amongst the traffic a GCPD car drives down the street.

INT: GCPD CAR (CONTINUOUS)

Barbara, from the passenger seat, has a shocked expression on

her face.

Barbara: Half the force?

Gordon in the drivers seat still has a guilty remorseful face.

Gordon: one hundred and seven

Barbara: Can he really do that?

Gordon: Hes the mayor; he can do anything he wants.

Barbara: How about we hand him a gun and see how long he lasts

in a shootout.

Gordon: Id like to see him in a shootout but leave out the

gun.

Barbara: Ive gotta get back on the job.

Gordon quickly counters: Youre not getting back on anything

right now.

Barbara snaps back: Im fine. Im not dead and I was never in

danger of dying. If half the force just got the ax I cant sit

around to wait on a white coat, thats never fired a gun, to

clear me.

Gordon: You were in a hostage situation and very much in danger

of dying. Protocol is one month off duty. Im not talking to you

as your father but as the police commissioner and I say no duty

or Ill have you turn in that badge with the rest.

Barbara stares at her father for a moment: Their right.

Gordon: Whos right?


17/25

Barbara: Everyone--people have been talking for weeks how

youve changed. That Grange is turning you into his pawn. The

Commissioner Gordon I know, my father, would never put his men

out on the street.

Gordon: Its complicated.

Barbara: Grange is paving the way for Oswald Cobblepots

Gotham. Hes ridding the city of anyone who has a voice that can

be heard.

Barbara looks out the car window at the beautiful skyline.

Barbara: We always said this was Gothams dark times, but

pretty soon well call it the good ole days.

EXT: GCPD ROOFTOP-NIGHT

Barbara waits beside a lit up bat signal painting the sky. After

a moment she becomes impatient cutting off the light.

Barbara: Well do it the hard way.

EXT: ROOFTOP-NIGHT

Batman kneels on the edge overlooking Gothams street.

Barbara: I guess youre not answering to lights in the sky

anymore.

Batman turns to see Barbara behind him on the rooftop.

Batman: How did you find me?

Barbara holds up emissions meter.

Barbara: Using this

Barbara begins walking closer.

Barbara (Continued): After you made your tumbler tech available

to my father I realized they share the same exhaust pattern.

Since theyre the only two in Gotham I set this emissions meter

to track it brining me straight to you. Dont worry I havent

passed it around the lunch table yet.


18/25

Batman holds out his hand. Barbara places the device in his

hand. He takes a closer look.

Batman: Pretty high tech for a street cop--

Barbara: I resent that.

Batman snaps the device in half and hands back to Barbara.

Batman: but I like my privacy.

Barbara: Or competition.

Batman: Why did you come here?

Barbara: Its my father.

Batman: Commissioner Gordon has always asked for what he

needed.

Barbara: This is different. Grange is forcing him to destroy

everything he worked so hard to build. My father has been

nothing but a saint to Gotham but hes being made the enemy.

Batman: It comes with the territory. Enduring as the outcast

living to fight another day can be a hard lesson to learn.

Barbara: Maybe so but thats not a lesson he should have to

learn.

Batman: What are you really here for Barbara?

Barbara: Let me fight with you.

Batman: You holding a badge shows you already do.

Barbara: The force no longer respects my father. Grange forced

him to lay off half the cops in Gotham. Hes alone.

Batman: Then stand with him. My path will gain you nothing.

Barbara: How can you say that? After everything youve been

through with my father and this city. Gothams hope is branded

in you. It runs through your veins.

Batman: Gothams hope rest with people like your father. Poison

is all that runs through my veins.


19/25

EXT: ST.FRANCIS HOTEL

Outside Gothams finest hotel a valet parking service greet men

dressed in tuxes and women in beautiful night dresses as they

exit their cars.

A sleek black Lamborghini Murcielago drives up. Bruce Wayne

sporting a tailor made tuxedo steps out. Emerging from the

passenger door is a gorgeous woman PAMELA ISLEY with dark red

hair wearing a fitted green tinted dress.

Pamela wraps her arm around Bruces to be ushered in. Bruce

hands the valet driver his keys. In turn the driver hands Bruce

a ticket.

Valet driver: Your ticket.

Wayne: Thank you

Flash bulbs pepper Bruce and Pamela as they pass by a media

crowd surrounding the entrance.

Reporters quickly ambush Bruce with questions. Whats your

opinion of Oswald Cobblepot? Do you feel betrayed? Did you agree

to the name change? What are you plans?

Bruce and Pamela reach the buildings entrance. Bruce turns

toward the crowd.

Wayne: Im simply here as a tax paying citizen interested

seeing what kind of party Gothams money can buy. Thank you for

your interest. Enjoy your evening.

The two turn and enter the lobby.

INT: ST.FRANCIS LOBBY (CONTINUOUS)

Wayne: Sorry about that.

Isely smiles: A lot of work just to get a picture with me.

Bruce smiles and continues escorting Pamela.

INT: ST. FRANCIS PENTHOUSE (CONTINUOUS)

The million dollar penthouse lives up to its reputation. The

room is made up of Gothams finest citizens in tuxes and dinner


20/25

gowns sharing Hors doeuvres. A large window allows a breath

taking view of Gothams skyline. At the rooms front, red carpet

steps on each side lead up to a stone platform looking out

amongst the crowd.

Amongst the crowd a stunning VIKKI VALE wearing a beautifulblack night gown has Cobblepot attention.

Vale: Last month Gothams unemployment rate was the highest its

been in nearly three decades. How can you create more jobs and

opportunities for the people?

Cobblepot: First I think you should review the number

representing the amount of employees quitting and leaving

Gotham. Oswald Enterprise and myself can rebuild Gotham

providing more industry, allowing our resources to be home grown

versus imported.

Vale: If elected Mayor can Oswald Enterprise sustain increased

expansion and revenue with your attention having to be divided?

Cobblepot: Of course, it would be a mere balancing act. I have

surrounded myself with an experienced trustworthy board. My

first priority will be this cities health and bringing it back

to promise.

Vale: Has it occurred to you that taking a step back and

placing a company of this magnitude in the hands of a board is

ultimately what caused the demise of Wayne Enterprise?

Cobblepot clenches his jaw at the boldness of the question.

Cobblepot: My dear make no mistake Bruce Wayne and I come from

a much different pedigree. The company Mr. Wayne and Lucius Fox

ran is a mere shadow to what Oswald Enterprise is and will

become.

Vale: Strong words Mr. Cobblepot. For one I hope that is the

case. Gotham is in dire need of--

CUT TO:

Elevator door opens Wayne and Isely step off.

Vales eye goes right to Wayne.


21/25

Vale: --Bruce Wayne

Cobblepot, annoyed, turns to see a crowd beginning to form

around Wayne and his guest. When he turns back toward Vale she

has already made a dash toward the crowd. Cobblepot exhales a

frustrated sigh.

Vale walks up to the crowd of people greeting Wayne.

Vale: Well Well back from the dead I see.

Wayne smiles: Something like that.

Vale: Time for a few questions? Like where have you been the

past month?

Wayne: Not now Ms. Vale possibly another time.

Cobblepot walks up playing a fake smile, sticks out his hand.

Cobblepot: Bruce Wayne, extremely happy you could make it.

Bruce shakes his hand. Cobblepot takes his place beside Bruce

posing with a handshake as several cameras go off.

After several moments the ushers escort the photographers away.

The two men relax the pose.

Wayne: Ive been doing some reading. I see the company has beenexpanding.

Cobblepot: Amazing what happens when you put a little water on

a dead plant. Ms. Isely of all people should know that.

Isely smiles: You could say that.

Bruce has a puzzled look.

Cobblepot: Ms. Isely was recently named project leader for a

little project in Costa Rica Oswald Enterprise is funding. Their

rainforest have several native plants with rare mutations that

have the ability to produce stem cell like tendencies.

Isely: Were hoping to bring Dr. Albert Michaels from S.T.A.R.

labs on board. He has several contacts with the FDA that could

speed up our research.


22/25

Wayne: (sarcastically) Harvesting stem cells from trees instead

of embryos, I guess your company really can solve all the

worlds problems. Hope you solve Gothams just as easy.

Cobblepot jaws tighten at Bruces cheap shot.

Cobblepot: Please enjoy your evening Bruce, Mrs. Isely.

Cobblepot walks away.

Isely: Only Bruce Wayne would insult one of the worlds most

powerful men at his own party.

Wayne: You left out the part about being Oswalds senior plant

lover.

Isely: I prefer to keep my personal and professional lives in

separate conversations.

Wayne: What would you like to drink?

Isely smiles: Surprise me.

As Bruce works his way through the crowd, from behind, a voice

calls out his name. He turns to see the Sue Wade.

Wayne: Excuse me.

Wade: It is a pleasure to finally meet you Mr. Wayne.

Bruce gently shakes Wades hand.

Wayne: I dont believe Ive had the pleasure Ms.

Wade: Wade, Sue Wade, Mr. Cobblepots personal assistant.

Wayne: As his assistant Im sure you wont take credit for

organizing this event so Ill be the first to say job well done.

Wade expresses a confident smile: Thank you Mr. Wayne I would

like to say it is an honor meeting someone with your stature. I

hope there are no hard feelings with the company transition.

Wayne: I wouldnt be here if there were.

Wade: Your reputation precedes you Mr. Wayne. I hope that one

day we can consider ourselves partners in the business world.

Enjoy your evening.


23/25

Wade slowly turns walking away holding Bruces gaze an extra

moment. Temporarily Bruce is mesmerized by her beauty until a

loud voice comes over the speakers.

CUT TO:

Mayor Grange stands at the podium atop the stone platform.

Grange: Good evening, I would first like to thank Mr. Cobblepot

for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful night. I would

like to take this moment to reflect back on the many changes

that have occurred during my four years as Gothams mayor. I

have amended twelve policies allowing for better roads, cleaner

air, and industrial expansion. Gothams economic growth

continued to steadily incline two percent annually. Over six

thousand jobs were created after introducing industries such as

Wingate Energies, Ace Chemicals, and S.T.A.R. Labs. Over the

past months it has become evident that Gotham has fallen on

difficult times. As this unexpected fall began the pressure of

re-election began to mount. Will the people give me the

opportunity to save their city? Do I even want to serve a second

term? So many questions without answers. However a day came when

I realized those questions had an answer. The answer was Oswald

Cobblepot. As a politician defeat is never an option, but

moments do arise when we have to look at the man in the mirror

and realize change is needed. Speaking from a man that has

looked in that mirror I am officially removing my name for the

candidacy of mayor. Though my name is off the ballot my passion

and love for this city is eternal. And with that eternal passion

I am putting my full support into, Gothams new hero, Oswald

Cobblepot!

The room erupts in ovation as Cobblepot steps to the podium.

Cobblepot: Tonight I stand before not as someone in a political

campaign but as a citizen of our beautiful city. Its undeniable

Gotham is in need of a resurrection. Partly I place that on us.We placed our cities security in the hands of a masked

vigilante. At the time turning to him was our greatest asset. It

brought comfort and peace to our streets, but now we are

searching. Searching for someone to turn to. Im asking this

city to turn to me. I will make a convenient to restore Gotham


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to what it was always destined to be. The greatest city on

Earth!

Once again the room erupts in ovation.

CUT TO:

Bruce, stone faced, takes a sip from his glass. He spots Jim

Gordon on the outside balcony. Bruce leans into Pamela.

Wayne: Ill be right back.

Bruce makes his way through the applauding crowd toward the

balcony.

EXT: BALCONY (CONINTUOUS)

Gordon stands against the rail gazing upon the skyline. Bruce

steps up to the rail several feet away from Gordon.

Wayne: Quite a speech.

Gordon: Seems to have everyones attention.

Wayne: Couldnt keep Barbara out of your footsteps?

Gordon: She got into Harvard and Yale but traded a career with

numbers and fortune for gun powder and Kevlarbut I guess you

can relate.

Wayne: Not everyone is meant for the simple life.

Gordon: Nine years, nine years of sleepless nights and

considering every possibility under the sun. In those years I

never once considered the billionaire superpower of Bruce Wayne

as the masked guardian risking his life every night for a city

breeding the corrupt.

Wayne: It needed to be done. There is still good in Gotham.

There is still a chance to save this city.

Gordon: I once believed that too but Grange is riding my can

destroying the police force hanging the blame on me. This

Cobblepot guy already has too much power with no one to


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regulate. Once he becomes Mayor there will be nothing stopping

him from cleaning out Gotham.

Wayne: Thats why were still here. Cobblepot controls all of

Gothams crime. Hes uses Oswald Enterprise as his cover for all

their moves.

Gordon: He must be the Penguin.

Wayne: The Penguin?

Gordon: Weve gotten lucky on a few phone taps and someone

called the Penguin has been mentioned several times. No ID right

now but it would be the perfect cover for Cobblepot.

Wayne: Ill look into it. Anyone else?

Gordon: Someone called Bane. Basically a killing machine thats

tearing through our SWAT teams, and before you ask we havent

been able to ID him either.

Gordon hands Bruce an electronic tablet displaying Banes

picture.

Wayne: Could be Cobblepots man for the underground. Put a face

with crime and it keeps Oswald off the suspect list.

Gordon: Whats your plan?

Wayne: We wait. He likes spectacle and an audience. Hell get

careless and we take him down.

Gordon: He better get careless fast or itll only be me and you

left.

Bruces pocket vibrates. He pulls out the phone Ras gave him

with message across the screen. Swisher Tunnel

Gordon turns to look at Bruce but no one is standing there.

Gordon: Some things never change.

Documents

Return of the Knight Part 2