The Dark Knight Rises Gotham: a script for batman 3

[aaronil]

#1. Police Brutality

SIRENS. Moving shadows. A dark shape is lit by blue and red lights momentarily – The BAT SYMBOL. Growing. Filling the screen with BLACKNESS. Radio static.

CUT TO:​

EXT. GOTHAM’S EAST END -- NIGHT
Detectives Ramirez and Allen are in a car pursuing a group of gangsters fleeing on foot. Ramirez is driving. Allen has blood on his hands and shirt.

ALLEN


(on radio) Officers in pursuit, armed robbery, four suspects.


Two injured bystanders outside Lucky’s bar on Keaning.


We’re headed East-bound on 9th Ave. Requesting back-up.​

RAMIREZ


They’re heading to Alleytown. We’ll never catch them in there.​

She speeds up as the gangsters run across a plaza with a memorial statue. One of the gangsters trips and falls, and another goes back to help him up. Ramirez jumps the curb as the gangsters jump a short set of stairs and leave the plaza onto another street. Ramirez speeds up again.

ALLEN


Woh, woh, woh! (nervously grabbing the car handle)​

The car dives off the plaza stairs, sparks trailing as Ramirez weaves around the gangsters, hugging a dangerous arc into a circular dead end leading into a number of narrow alleys. She has headed them off.

CUT TO:​

ENTRANCE, ALLEYTOWN
Detective Bullock looks up while shaking down a mob informant at the sound of screeching tires as Ramirez and Allen swing around the corner.

BULLOCK


Aw, ****.​

Bullock pushes the informant out of the way, and dives for cover behind the car. The gangsters scatter in different alleyways, but the fastest of the group kicks Allen’s door shut as he’s about to get out, runs over the roof, and leaps over Bullock and Ramirez’s heads into the alley. Ramirez almost shoots Bullock, who holds up his police badge.

RAMIREZ


What are you doing here?​

BULLOCK


(sarcastic) Watching the daffodils. Who’s the bloody rookie? (motions to Allen)​

ALLEN


Allen. I’m a detective. Who the hell are you?​

BULLOCK


Detective, huh? I’m Bullock. How long till backup comes?​

RAMIREZ


These bastards just mugged two women and left them bleeding on the corner!


I’m going after them.​

Ramirez starts to go, but Bullock catches her.

BULLOCK


We don’t split up. Not in Alleytown. Got it?​

RAMIREZ


(impatient) Are you with me?​

Allen ***** his gun and nods. Reluctantly Bullock pulls his piece out too – a six-shooter.

ALLEN


What are you a cowboy?​

BULLOCK


Just cover my back, rookie.​

The three enter Alleytown cautiously.

 

[aaronil]

(cont.)

CUT TO:​

INSIDE ALLEYTOWN -- NIGHT
Flickering lights cause the clotheslines above to cast piercing shadows on the three cops. They pass two prostitutes and their pimp, and several homeless. The lighting is sporadic.

A trash can bangs down a branching alley. Allen turns, gun at the ready, but it’s only a drunkard whose friend is helping him up.

BULLOCK


This is Mama Fortuna’s turf.​

ALLEN


Sounds like a pizza shop.​

BULLOCK


(looks at Allen annoyed) She runs a gang of thieves, her own pack of wolves –


they know these alleyways better than anyone.​

Ramirez spots one of the gangsters running down a parallel alley, and she rushes ahead. Allen and Bullock follow. Ramirez stops at the edge of a perpendicular alley ahead, Allen next to her crouching low, Bullock against the wall opposite behind a stack of crates. A voice comes from down the alley.

GANGSTER


You’re Maroni’s cops, aren’t you? Ramirez and…the Bulldog?​

Bullock and Ramirez exchange looks. Allen tries to get a better shot, but it’s too dark.

GANGSTER


(taunting) What’s he have you doing now, licking his boots?


Or you’re here to off that new cop? Make it look like an accident?​

Ramirez almost rushes out, but Bullock catcher her eye and shakes his head. Ramirez keeps her cool. Allen looks back at Bullock suspiciously.

GANGSTER


Hey Ramirez, weren’t you the one who got rid of that pretty DA?


I’ll give one thing to Maroni. He’s a good judge of character.​

Ramirez sees the gangster’s shadow and takes two shots but misses. The gangster takes off running, and Ramirez runs down the alley after him. Bullock gets up to go after her.

BULLOCK


Damn it, Ramirez!​

Allen stops him.

ALLEN


When this is over, you’re going to tell me what the hell just happened.​

Bullock brushes by him and the two run after Ramirez.

CUT TO:​

OVERHEAD VIEW, ALLEYTOWN
Gangsters converging to the same point, Ramirez closing in on one, and Allen and Bullock rushing after. Batman’s cape blacks out the scene.

CUT TO:​

INSIDE ALLEYTOWN
Bullock catches a gangster, shooting him in the leg. The gangster goes down. Another gangster doubles back to help, and Bullock gives him an uppercut with the butt end of his pistol. Bullock places his foot on leg of wounded gangster while holding his pistol to the face of the one he punched out.

BULLOCK


(catching his breath) Who are you working for?


How do you know so much about Ramirez?​

Bullock steps harder on the wounded gangster’s leg. The gangster groans.

UNCLE GANGSTER


Mama Fortuna! Mama Fortuna! Don’t hurt my nephew…​

BULLOCK


You’re nephew huh? Well the apple don’t fall far. Here’s how this works.


I’m going to count to three, and if one of you doesn’t tell me what I want to know,


I’m going to shoot both of you. Whoever talks first, I shoot the other one.​

The two gangsters look at each other.

ALLEN


We don’t have time for this. We need to find Ramirez.​

BULLOCK

(growling) Stay out of this, rookie! One-​

Neither of the gangsters is talking. The wounded one groans.

BULLOCK


Two-​

WOUNDED GANGSTER


Don’t say anything, uncle. (groans as Bullock steps on his wounded leg)​

ALLEN


Hey man, you’re bluffing right, you wouldn’t actually-​

BULLOCK


Three.​

Bullock aims at the wounded gangster, the bullet hitting the garbage behind him. Though he isn’t seriously wounded, the gunshot has deafened him and he clutches his bleeding ears. He screams in agony as Bullock steps hard on his leg.

BULLOCK


(looking at Uncle Gangster) Oops, I missed.​

Bullock takes aim at the wounded gangster again.

UNCLE GANGSTER


You said you’d shoot both of us! (crying) Please don’t hurt him anymore!​

BULLOCK


Talk!​

ALLEN


(moves toward Bullock) Bullock, that’s enough!​

UNCLE GANGSTER


Fortuna told us where to be and when. She said there would be a reward if we brought Ramirez to her. We had the patrol car number. The mugging was just a ruse.


One of the other guys got jumpy when the women fought back. It wasn’t supposed to happen this way.​

BULLOCK


What does Fortuna want with Ramirez?​

UNCLE GANGSTER


Fortuna is working for somebody else, someone with connections looking for everybody with ties to Harvey Dent.​

Bullock aims at the wounded gangster again.

BULLOCK


You know who I am?​

UNCLE GANGSTER


(nods)​

BULLOCK


If you want your nephew here to ever walk again, give me a name.​

Allen aims his gun at Bullock.

ALLEN


Bullock, I’m warning you...​

UNCLE GANGSTER


I don’t know! (sobbing) Please…​

 

[aaronil]

(cont.)

Batman drops behind Bullock and disarms him.

BATMAN


Like he said, that’s enough, detective.​

BULLOCK


Funny thing coming from you.​

Bullock grapples Batman. Batman slams him into a wall. Bullock cuffs Batman’s ears with both hands and punches him in the face. Dazed, Batman sweeps Bullock’s legs knocking him to the ground and backs away to regain his senses. The uncle gangster retrieves Bullock’s pistol. Allen aims at Batman.

ALLEN


Freeze!​

Bullock gets up, spitting. He assaults Batman, who parries his punches, blocking Allen’s line of fire to Batman in the process.

BULLOCK


You killed Wuertz, you son of a-​

Batman notices the uncle gangster aiming at Bullock. Batman gives Bullock a knee to the gut, knocking him out of the way as the gangster fires at Bullock. The bullet misses, clipping Allen’s arm instead. Allen’s gun fires narrowly missing Batman. Allen drops to the ground momentarily.

In the distance Ramirez is heard yelling, and shots are fired.

Batman hip throws Bullock to the ground, winding him, then uses grapple to disarm the uncle gangster, sending Bullock’s pistol over to him. Batman fires grapple again and flies to the rooftops.

Allen and Bullock hear Ramirez yelling. They look at each other, and Allen shakes off his wound, running towards Ramirez’ voice. Bullock retrieves his pistol following after.

CUT TO:​

SHOWDOWN ALLEY, ALLEYTOWN
It’s a dimly lit alley with fire escapes on either side, a network of wires hanging above, and many hiding places. Ramirez has been taken hostage by one of the gangsters. Allen and Bullock close in guns at the ready. Bullock scans the rooftops for signs of Batman.

GANGSTER


That’s close enough, detectives. You can walk away now, and I won’t tell anybody.​

ALLEN


(advancing) Let her go.​

RAMIREZ


(sobbing) Just do what he says.​

ALLEN


You’re my partner, there’s no way-​

RAMIREZ


Damn it, Allen! Get out of here!​

Bullock scans the fire escapes, spotting several gangsters waiting above.

BULLOCK


Come on, rookie. She’s right.​

ALLEN


(advancing) I’m not leaving her.​

BULLOCK


We can’t win this. You have to know when to walk away.​

ALLEN


Shut up, Bullock!​

From the fire escapes, the hiding gangsters appear, eight of them with pistols. Each tosses a silver coin onto Allen and Bullock, then open fire. Allen and Bullock dive for cover.

Batman falls in between the fire escapes, catching the wires with his grapple. As the wires break, the lights go out and the gangsters above shield themselves from the sparks. Batman swings on to one fire escape and takes out four of the gangsters quickly. He is like a wraith moving in the darkness, and successfully draws fire away from the cops.

Ramirez turns the tables on her distracted captor, knocking him out and retrieves her gun.

A moment of silence as the four gangsters look around and the cops huddle for cover. There is no sign of Batman. Suddenly Batman is among them, quickly dispatching three of them before the fourth tackles him and they both fall to the ground. The gangster is unconscious and Batman rises. More gangsters are heard approaching.

Ramirez points her gun at Batman.

RAMIREZ


Is it true you killed those officers?​

BATMAN


If you’re a good cop, what are you worried about?​

Ramirez lowers her gun.

BATMAN


Arrest the ones you’ve got and get out of here. I’ll draw them off.​

Batman runs toward the voices, disappearing into the alleys as Allen and Bullock run up.

ALLEN


Ramirez! Are you OK?​

RAMIREZ


(catching her breath, looks at his arm) Better than you. ​

BULLOCK


Come on, let’s go.​

CUT TO:​

O’HARA’S OFFICE, M.C.U., GOTHAM CENTRAL – NIGHT
ZOOMING IN ON CHIEF CLANCY O’HARA’S OFFICE DOOR

Chief of police O’Hara is yelling at Ramirez.

O’HARA


What possessed you to go into Alleytown, detective?​

RAMIREZ


It was happening too fast, chief. Backup wouldn’t be there in time.​

O’HARA


That’s because most cops know better than to chase criminals on foot through the East End at night. You put your and Allen’s life at risk going in alone!​

RAMIREZ


We weren’t alone.​

CUT TO:​

INT. M.C.U., GOTHAM CENTRAL
O’Hara slams open his office door and sees Bullock joking with some other cops over coffee and donuts. Allen is in the background approaching with a bandaged arm.

O’HARA


(standing in front of Bullock) What the hell is he doing here?​

BULLOCK


What’s eating you, chief? (bites crème donut)​

O’HARA


You’re supposed to be on probation. Under whose authority-​

Commissioner Gordon approaches from behind O’Hara.

GORDON


Mine.​

BULLOCK


Hey Jimbo! Nice tie.​

CUT TO:​

O’HARA’S OFFICE, M.C.U., GOTHAM CENTRAL
O’Hara and Gordon are having a heated debate.

O’HARA


With all due respect commissioner, the last thing M.C.U. needs is a rogue cop like Bullock during an Internal Affairs investigation.​

GORDON


I brought him in to help on the Holiday killings. He’s an honest cop and a damn good detective. He has a purple heart, O’Hara. I trust the man with my life.​

O’HARA


The last time Bullock was on the force he brought down a burning rain of journalists after he punched out an assistant D.A. He’s been under investigation for harassment and excessive use of force a dozen times. For God’s sake, on the streets they even call him “The Bulldog.”​

GORDON


Well maybe you’ll be a good influence on him? Look, Johnny Viti was killed after threatening to testify against Carmine Falcone. That’s Halloween. The Irish was killed on Thanksgiving. Milos Grappa, Falcone’s own bodyguard, on Christmas. Still we’ve got no real suspects. We need someone who has contacts with the mob, someone they respect, and someone we can trust.​

O’HARA


That’s the thing, I don’t trust him, especially not when the Internal Affairs investigation is being sabotaged by someone at Gotham Central. (pauses) Are you sure Flass is clean?​

GORDON


Flass is dirty, but he’s not smart like this. What if this is a conspiracy of bad cops?​

O’HARA


A conspiracy?​

GORDON


Out for revenge…on Batman?​

O’HARA


The way I see it they’d be doing us a favor. How can you be sure Batman isn’t the Holiday killer? I mean there are no witnesses, it’s theatric, and he’s rattling the mob. What if he’s trying to bait the mob into a war? Have them shoot each other off?​

GORDON


Batman already has us after him. I don’t think he wants a battle on two fronts.​

O’HARA


Let’s hope the new DA feels the same way..​

 

[aaronil]

(cont.)

CUT TO:​

INT. M.C.U., GOTHAM CENTRAL

STEPHENS


O’Hara sees more of Gordon than his wife does.​

BULLOCK


What’s us his ass anyhow?​

STEPHENS


The God damn Batman. I heard you ran into him out there.​

RAMIREZ


He was helping us out.​

BULLOCK


By interfering in a police investigation?


For all we know he was working with Fortuna’s thugs.​

RAMIREZ


He saved my life today!​

BULLOCK


Yeah, and tomorrow maybe he’ll put you in a body bag.​

ALLEN


Hey! Those women who got shot? They’re going to be OK, by the way.​

A moment of silence.

STEPHENS


Sounds like you came under some pretty heavy heat?​

BULLOCK


Yeah, well somebody (looks at Allen) had to play hero.​

ALLEN


And someone had to play coward.​

Bullock walks over to Allen, intimidating.

ALLEN


Yeah, you heard me. You wanted to leave my partner back there!​

BULLOCK


The next time I tell you to back down from a fight, you do it.


You might not like me, but you are going to respect me.​

ALLEN


What are you going to do shoot me in the leg and threaten my family in front of me?


(disgusted) It’s cops like you that give the rest of us a bad name!​

BULLOCK


You didn’t grow up here. You don’t know this city.


So don’t come in here with your idealism.


When you’ve been on the beat as long as I have you’d see things different.​

ALLEN


Back in that alley, what did that man mean about you and Ramirez?​

BULLOCK


(growling) Forget about it, rookie.





ALLEN


About you being Maroni’s cops?​

There’s silence throughout the room. Bullock draws close to Allen.

BULLOCK


Funny how you showed up right when the Internal Affairs investigation started.​

ALLEN


What are you saying?​

BULLOCK


I know a rat when I see one.​

Gordon and O’Hara step out of the office

O’HARA


What the hell is going on?​

ALLEN


(to Bullock) Don’t come near me or my partner!​

Allen storms off, pursued by Ramirez.

O’HARA


(exasperated) Put your dog on a leash, Commissioner.​

O’Hara goes back into his office, closing the door.

GORDON


Bullock, try to behave.​

BULLOCK


You got it, Commissioner. (joking)​

GORDON


(quietly) Whatever you report to O’Hara, keep me informed.​

BULLOCK


(nods)​

Gordon walks out. Stephens walks over to Bullock, looking at bruises on his hands.

STEPHENS


You look like you got a few good shots in.​

BULLOCK


(grunts)​

Stephens slides Bullock a pair of brass knuckles.

STEPHENS


A lot of us knew Wuertz. Say hello to Batman for us the next time you run into him.​

Bullock picks up the brass knuckles.

BULLOCK


(nods)​

CUT TO:​

EXT. M.C.U., GOTHAM CENTRAL --NIGHT
Allen is just going out the doors when Ramirez catches him.

RAMIREZ


Allen! Hey Allen!​

ALLEN


What?​

RAMIREZ


Thanks for not leaving me back there.​

ALLEN


Uh...yeah, of course. Hey I’m calling it a night.​

RAMIREZ


All right. (she looks troubled) I’ll catch you later.​

ALLEN


Are you OK? After everything that happened tonight?​

RAMIREZ


(she lies) Yeah, I’m fine.​

Allen turns to leave, taking a step, then turns back around.

ALLEN


Why’d you let him go?​

Ramirez turns around, speechless.

ALLEN


You really believe he’s a hero?​

RAMIREZ


(guilty) I don’t know what he is, but I know Gotham needs him​

 

[aaronil]

#2. Rebuilding

CUT TO:​

EXT. WAYNE MANOR --MORNING
BIRD’S EYE PERSPECTIVE AT SUNRISE
The manor is heavily under construction, maybe a quarter finished.

CUT TO:​

INT. MASTER BEDROOM, WAYNE MANOR --MORNING

ALFRED
Good morning, Master Wayne-​

He carries a breakfast tray. No one is in bed, and Alfred sees the patio window open. Going to the patio, the sound of construction is below.

CUT TO:​

EXT. MASTER BEDROOM PATIO

Wayne, with a black eye, watches the construction with a set of building documents before him. Alfred hands him a glass of carrot juice, which Wayne eyes suspiciously.

ALFRED
There you are, sir. Fresh carrot juice. Good for the eyes.

WAYNE
Bats rely on sonar. I thought I smelled coffee brewing.​

Wayne looks at a cup of coffee on the tray. Alfred turns to keep the tray out of reach.

ALFRED
That’s for me, thank you very much. So, will I have the pleasure of watching you blow things up on the ten o’clock news again, Master Wayne?​

WAYNE
No, Alfred, today I’m laying bricks.

ALFRED
It’s good to see you putting yourself into your family home, just like your father did.
It would make him very proud.

WAYNE
Do you think I’m doing the right thing, Alfred? Is Batman what my father would want?

ALFRED
I can’t speak for him, but protecting those who can’t protect themselves was what your father fought so hard for. If you don’t mind my saying so, sir, you’ve been haunting yourself with your father’s ghost. Sometimes, Master Wayne, you’ve got to empty your cup before it can be filled back up.
​

Wayne deftly pours out the carrot juice over the balcony, pretending he drank it, and sets the glass back on the tray.

WAYNE
How does my eye look?

ALFRED
Nothing that the press hasn’t written about before. Is it rugby this time?

WAYNE
More like hide and seek. Well, I’d better get started.
​

Wayne walks back into his room. Looking at the tray, Alfred realizes coffee is missing.

ALFRED
Bloody…! Isn’t it a bit early for ninjitsu, Master Wayne?

WAYNE
(calling back) Batman doesn’t sleep.
​

His back turned as he walks into his room, Wayne takes a sip and raises the coffee mug.

ALFRED
(calling after him) He won’t mind if I take the master bedroom then?​

CUT TO:​

EXT. WAYNE MANOR – MIDDAY
Wayne, dressed in speckled white work clothes, is building up a brick and mortar wall around a reinforced steel frame. Next to him one wall of the garage is left open, and Alfred is watching soccer in a recliner. He gets upset when the shooter makes a mistake.

ALFRED
No, no, don’t let them box you in. No, you idiot! Pass! Pass! Ohhh!

WAYNE
I never realized you were such a fan.

ALFRED
(with a tinge of bitter sarcasm) If there’s one rule of soccer, sir, it’s to be a team player.
If you try to score alone, you end up cut off from your team, and that’s the end of you.

WAYNE
(stops working) Alfred, it wasn’t my decision to let Fox go.
I don’t feel any better about him leaving my father’s company than you do.

ALFRED
Nothing like hard labor to provide a man with solace.

WAYNE
You’re welcome to lend a hand.

ALFRED
My conscience is very clear, Master Wayne, right here with my scotch and football.​

A black car pulls up and a Wayne Enterprises lawyer steps out, approaching Wayne who wipes off his hands and walks down to meet him. They shake hands.

LAWYER
Mr. Wayne, we’ve just been contacted by the board of Janus Cosmetics.
They’re offering to sell a majority share to you before the IPO.
They wanted to contact you first because your parents were friends of XXX Sionis.​

WAYNE
(stunned) What about the current president, Roman?

LAWYER
He is under investigation for putting an untested makeup to market.

WAYNE
Set up a meeting as soon as possible, and I want Roman to be there.

LAWYER
I’ll see what I can do, Mr. Wayne.​

The Lawyer departs. Walking back to Alfred, Wayne looks troubled.

WAYNE
It’s Roman…he’s in trouble.

ALFRED
You mean the Freemason’s son whose smoke bombs I was always cleaning out of your mother’s oven and conveniently mistook me for a raccoon with his slingshot?

WAYNE
(chuckles) Well, you do creep about the kitchen at night.

ALFRED
(smugly) At the rate you’re going you might consider asking him if he’d like to be Batman’s replacement.

WAYNE
I’ve got to get dressed for a meeting.

ALFRED
(smile) I couldn’t agree more, sir.​

 

[aaronil]

(cont.)

CUT TO:​

EXT. PANNING ACROSS GOTHAM –AFTERNOON
ZOOM IN ON ENTRANCE, JANUS COSMETICS
As Wayne approaches the glass entrance, he notices protestors bearing signs “Close Janus Down”, “Janus Execs. Are Two-Faced Liars”, and “Justice for Janus’ Guinea Pigs”. Among the protestors, Wayne notices a couple women with disfigured faces. A news crew has just arrived and is setting up.

PROTESTORS
(chanting) We’re not buying what they’re selling!
Janus doesn’t want us telling!​

CUT TO:​

INT. LOBBY, JANUS COSMETICS –AFTERNOON
Wayne passes protestors and goes through security to enter the lobby. The Janus symbol is carved into the balcony above, a large tree fills the center of the well lit lobby, and posters of Janus’ ad campaigns over the years line the walls. Wayne stops to look at a family photo of the Sionis family next to a memorial plaque for XXX Sionis, R.I.P.

A slickly dressed man in a dark grey suit (40’s) approaches Wayne. This is Mitch Brasten, VP of Janus. They shake hands.

BRASTEN
Mr. Wayne, good to meet you. Mitch Brasten, vice president. Sorry about the media circus; it’s been like this for days.

WAYNE
Thanks for meeting on such short notice. How is Roman?​

BRASTEN
(pauses) I don’t think he is competent to make business decisions right now. He has taken all of this quite hard. Please right this way.​

Brasten leads him toward the elevators, and they enter alone. Doors close.

CUT TO:​

INT. ELEVATOR, JANUS COSMETICS

BRASTEN
After his parents’ died in that fire, Roman mismanaged the company in every way. Desperate not to lose control, he threw the rest of his cash at R&D to come up with a way out of debt. What they came up with was a disaster that Roman rushed to market – over 300 women were disfigured. Their combined lawsuit would bankrupt Roman personally, not just Janus.

WAYNE
Wasn’t the product tested?

BRASTEN
Yes, but only in 3-week studies. Repeat use over months causes chemical scarring. It’s a tragedy. God knows I care about Roman, but he’s been digging his own grave for years. I just hope the rest of the company’s employees don’t fall with him.

WAYNE
This lawsuit…How much are we talking?

BRASTEN
$100 million.​

The elevator opens to the board room.

CUT TO:​

INT. BOARD ROOM, JANUS COSMETICS –AFTERNOON
The board is in chaos, with grumbling and yelling, and everyone looks exhausted. Roman paces back and forth, nervously watching their stock drop on a live feed and the media begin interviewing the protestors on a TV.

BOARD MEMBER
(angry) Is this what you had in mind when you said you’d take your father’s company in a bold new direction?

ROMAN
(venomously) This is my company, not my father’s. He’s dead. I’m not.

BOARD MEMBER #2
Not yet. This is your Frankenstein, Roman. When they come after you, none of us is going to stop them. This is all on you!

ROMAN
Look, I can fix this. Mitch! Mitch, tell them I can fix this.

BRASTEN
I’m sorry Roman...

ROMAN
Bruce? What are you doing here?

WAYNE
(to Brasten) You didn’t ask him about this beforehand?

BRASTEN
I- We invited Bruce to come to talk about our options.

ROMAN
Options? You want me to sell my father’s company to him? Are you insane?

BRASTEN
Excuse me Mr. Wayne, can I ask you to give us a moment?

WAYNE
Of course. (concerned look at Roman)​

Wayne steps into the secretary’s waiting room.

CUT TO:​

SECRETARY’S ROOM, JANUS COSMETICS
The buxom secretary – Roman’s ex-girlfriend Circe – gives him a flirty smile and Wayne gives a modest smile. He sits down, watching the argument in the board room through the smoky glass. Awkward moment of silence.

CIRCE
You look like the type of man who has had a facial.

WAYNE
Do I?

CIRCE
Uh-huh. With skin like that, babe? I used to be a spa technician, trust me.

WAYNE
No, I can’t say I ever have.

CIRCE
Really? I’d have one every day if I could. So…how’d you hurt your eye?

WAYNE
Playing with the neighborhood boys. (pause)
I was showing them some jiujitsu moves.

CIRCE
(giggles) Looks like they got the upper hand.
​

There is a brief moment of loud yelling in the board room, with Roman pointing towards Wayne in the secretary’s room.

WAYNE
(leaning forward) You know Roman pretty well?

CIRCE
(leaning forward) We’ve got history. But I’m highly single. (winks)

WAYNE
(smiles) You wouldn’t mind if I take a look in his office?
Since I am buying the company?
​

Circe rises, eyes on Wayne, then walks seductively to Roman’s office door, opening for Wayne who walks through as Circe watches him.

 

[aaronil]

(cont.)

CUT TO:​

INT. ROMAN’S OFFICE, JANUS COSMETICS
Office looks like someone dropped a bomb in it, with a pile of shredded documents in one corner, a rumpled change of clothes draped over a chair, empty whiskey bottles on the shelves, a scattered newspaper with “The Fall of Janus Cosmetics?” headline visible, and a fist size hole in the wall. Wayne walks over to the table and notices a pair of tickets to Rio de Janeiro underneath a briefcase. Opening the desk drawer he finds a pistol, a roll of 100’s, and anxiety medication; he closes the drawer. On the wall hangs a picture of Roman winning a boxing tournament and a pair of battered boxing gloves. Something cracks under his foot. Wayne leans down and picks up a shattered picture of Roman’s parents on the floor. Nearby he finds some drops of dried blood in the carpet.

WAYNE​

(looks up to Circe) Has Roman had any visitors lately?​

​

CIRCE​

(hesitant)​

​

WAYNE​

(approaches her) I knew Roman when we were boys. If he’s in trouble maybe I can help?​

​

CIRCE​

He’d kill me if I told you this, but Roman is in debt to the mob. He borrowed money from Maroni to keep himself afloat; it all went into that horrible new makeup. ​

I’m- I’m worried.​

WAYNE​

I’ll look out for Roman, you have my word.​

​

CIRCE​

It’s not Roman I’m worried about.​

Somebody followed me home last night, the same man who has been watching Roman. ​

I tried to go to the police, but Roman wouldn’t let me.​

Wayne walks over to the window and peeks through the blinds, spotting a suspicious looking car parked across the street and a man looking out the window with binoculars. The man is looking right at Bruce in the window. Bruce ducks away.

CIRCE​

So, what are you really here for?​

​

Looking at the shredded documents, Wayne realizes the shredder is jammed and opens it up to find a partially shredded memo which he examines and tucks into his pocket.

WAYNE​

It would be better that you didn’t tell Roman I was in here. ​

Wouldn’t want to upset him anymore.​

​

Just then the door locks and he looks up to see Circe giving him a wicked look.

CIRCE​

Now there’s something you can do for me, Mr. Wayne. ​

And I’m not opening this door until you say ‘yes.’​

​

CUT TO:​

INT. SECRETARY’S ROOM, JANUS COSMETICS
Roman adjusts his tie, fixes his hair, and opens up the door from the board room just in time to catch Circe hip throw Wayne to the floor.

ROMAN​

(alarmed) What the hell, Circe?​

​

CIRCE​

Oh, Mr. Wayne was just teaching me some... ​

​

WAYNE​

(getting up) Jiujitsu.​

​

CIRCE​

That’s how he got his (points to her eye then winks at Bruce).​

​

ROMAN​

You’re always full of surprises, Bruce.​

Sorry for all the yelling. It’s been a stressful last couple nights.​

​

WAYNE​

I understand. Good to see you again, Roman. I hear you’re quite the boxer?​

​

Roman and Wayne shake hands. Wayne notices bits of plaster on Roman’s knuckles.

​

ROMAN​

(smiling) Part of my anger management.​

​

WAYNE​

Well, glad to see that’s working for you. ​

It’s been a long time…high school…you went to Yale…​

​

ROMAN​

…and you went to Princeton. You look so different…​

​

WAYNE​

…and you haven’t changed one bit. Shall we?​

​

ROMAN ​

Of course.​

​

Roman casts a dark look at Circe before opening the door and entering the boardroom.

WAYNE​

Excuse me, uh…​

​

CIRCE​

Circe.​

She slips her card into Wayne’s back pocket and makes the ‘call me’ sign with her hand.

 

[MadVillainy]

The beginning with the cops Ramirez, Bullock and Allen is weak. The dailouge is weak and too much cursing in my opinion probaly because I see all batman movies as PG13. It was very boring

But parts #2 and #3 were great. I love how you are using my #1 choice for a villain (Black Mask) and that you are keeping faithful to his story. I also like how you set up how Wayne and Sionis know each other, without using some long flashback

 

[aaronil]

Thanks for reading, Blackman!

The beginning with the cops Ramirez, Bullock and Allen is weak. The dailouge is weak and too much cursing in my opinion probaly because I see all batman movies as PG13. It was very boring

I'm with you about the weak dialogue, and after re-reading you're right about the cursing. I'm still learning how to write dialogue for action scenes. I think the setup is good (conspiracy to get cops exposed by police brutality, Batman intervenes in beating/torture/intimidation, then frees a hostage cop), just the dialogue is weak. Do you agree?

I'll rework it over the weekend.

But parts #2 and #3 were great. I love how you are using my #1 choice for a villain (Black Mask) and that you are keeping faithful to his story. I also like how you set up how Wayne and Sionis know each other, without using some long flashback

Glad you liked that part! I had fun writing the Alfred and Wayne dialogue. I know Nolan's strength is in flashbacks and Memento-style fragmented scenes, but that seems to have taken a backseat in the later part of BB and all of TDK, so I'm trying to keep those for special moments.

 

[thedrizzle59]

I'm always happy to see fellow screen writers out there, a tip though... try using final draft. You can get the demo at the website. works wonders! im working on my idea for the third movie, ill post it here if its cool.

 

[aaronil]

I'm always happy to see fellow screen writers out there, a tip though... try using final draft. You can get the demo at the website. works wonders! im working on my idea for the third movie, ill post it here if its cool.

thanks I'll check it out! definitely post your idea!