90 Minutes After Now
Gilda screamed. It was high-pitched, blood-curdling, it almost didnt sound human. She screamed under her throat was raw and course, an agonising outpouring of grief and horror. The doctor and some nurses tried to restrain her, tried to explain they would do everything they could for her husband, but it was to little effect. She thrashed and squirmed, trying to get away. Then she screamed some more. After all she had been through, after what shed come back from, this latest nightmare threatened to finally break her cruelly tested sanity.
Why had she gone in? Why did she have to go in? Jim Gordon had contacted her about what had happened in the courtroom, but had been quick to tell her not to come to the hospital. Stay at home, stay away. You dont want to be here, hed said, you dont want to see him. But how could she not be there with the love of her life? After all the time he had spent by her side when she was in her coma, how could she abandon Harvey in his time of need? So, going against Jims advice, shed come here to the hospital. Then ignoring the pleas of the doctor, she had demanded to see her husband. When that didnt work, she forced her way in. Then
then she saw.
Thats when the screaming began
Now
Today is the most important day of my life.
Everything Ive fought for. Everything Ive struggled for. I feel like its all been leading up to this moment. Because today, at long last, it all pays off. Today I restore Gothams faith in justice, today I finally deliver on all my promises, both to the people of Gotham and to myself. The promise I made to break the Dent curse, the curse of my father. He always said that no matter how hard we strived, the fates were against us, and so we were always doomed to failure. Even above all the beatings and the neglect, the cruellest thing my father ever did was tell me I would never amount to anything, that any good I ever hoped to achieve would blow up in my face. When thats (often literally) beaten into you over and over as a child, you cant help but start believing it. No more. It is on this defining moment that I finally cast off those demons into the darkness once and for all.
I splash the water over my face, letting the liquid run along the contours of my skin as I close my eyes and take deep breaths. Im hunched over a sink in the bathroom, going over my opening statement in my head, the key points I need to get across. Oh, and trying not to throw up, lets not forget that. Nerves are understandable in a situation like this. So much depends on everything going without a hitch today. It marks the beginning of the final phase before Falcone and Maroni are both forced to face the consequences of their crimes, the right way. Batman did his part. Gordon did his. Now its all up to me to bring this mission home. To usher in the start of a new day for Gotham.
So yeah, nerves are understandable.
But theres something more than that working on my mind. A bad feeling I have in my gut. Its what Gilda said, pleading for me not to come to court today. She had no rational grounds for begging me to stay with her shes in a fragile emotional state right now. But all the same, it shook me up more than it should. Its silly, I know. Like I said to her, ultimately
its just another day in court. Nothing to be afraid of. Nothing to dread. So why do I feel dread?
No matter. Nows not the time to let stupid doubts clog up my thoughts. I need to clear all these flimsy feelings from my mind, and focus on the cold, hard facts of the case. I open my eyes, and look at myself in the mirror. If theres any uncertainty within, my face isnt showing it. I pull out a paper towel from the dispenser, use it to dry my face, then exit the bathroom. Its time now.
I walk up to the doors of the courtroom, and press my hands against them. The jurys already in there. Maronis counsel too, perhaps. Last chance to back off. Delay the hearing, wait until our case is stronger. But why would I want to do that? Besides, no matter how much security we put on Maroni, is life is no doubt in danger. The sooner he gets his testimony against Falcone officially recorded, the better. So, no delays. This happens today. Now.
I utter a quick, silent prayer, asking for strength in this crucial hour. Then with a deep breath, I push the doors open and stride into the courtroom, ready to face what awaits me there. My future. My destiny
7 Hours Before Now
If there is one thing that it is beneficial to know about Salvatore Maroni, it is that he never forgets. And he never forgives.
Harvey Dent thought that Maroni was a beaten man. That was fine. Maroni was content to let him think that. So when Dent sauntered into the interview room with that smug, condescending pretty-boy look on his face, and gave him his instructions, and assured him he was doing the right thing, Maroni just smiled and nodded. Dent encouraged him by saying that his cooperation would get him a reduced sentence only about 10-15 years and then he could be reunited with his family in witness protection. Maroni just smiled and nodded.
Smiled and nodded, but in his head all he could think about was jumping across the table and strangling the life out of the bastard. Dent had the gall to talk about his family? After he had used them as leverage to make him flip, threatened to turn them over to Falcones people? But Maroni didnt do a thing. Smiled and nodded, smiled and nodded. Like a good little boy. But hed get his revenge. As much as he was letting Dent think it, Sal Maroni was not beaten. Nobody could break his will. And when the time was right, when it was Dent and Maroni face to face with an audience watching
then he would strike. Then Maroni would humble Dent. Silence him, wipe that smug smile off his face. At last, Sal Maroni would finish Harvey Dent.
At that moment, the door of Maronis holding cell slowly swung open, and a nervous-looking policeman stepped inside.
Detective Wuertz, Maroni said coldly.
He didnt bother to stand. He simply lay back on his bed, hands behind his head, glancing at the detective with an expression of casual content.
You bring what I asked for?
Yeah, muttered Wuertz, hesitantly, But
you sure you wanna do this?
Yes.
Wuertz shifted uncomfortably on the spot. The very thought of what Maroni had planned made him feel nauseous.
But
once you do this
aint no going back. You done some evil things in the past, but this? This is a whole new level of sick. And I
I dont want to be a part of it.
Maroni simply smiled.
Then why are you here? Why did you bring it to me?
Wuertz didnt reply.
Ill tell you why. You have a problem, Wuertz. A gambling problem. It dug you into a hole so deep, that there werent nobody who could pull you out. Except me. Now you owe me. What I gave you
I can still take away. So I know youre going to reach into that pocket and give me what I asked for. But I understand this is hard for you. I understand you wantin to put on a show of not approvin. Well, you have. A good performance. Now give me the bottle.
Letting out a sigh of despair, Wuertz reached into his pocket, and took out a small bottle. The label on the outside said it was cough medicine. But on the inside
God forgive me.
Wuertz handed the bottle over to Maroni.
You can leave now, Maroni sneered.
Wuertz made it as far as the door. But then he stopped, and turned to face Maroni.
Why? Why do this? You got
the best deal anybody in your position could ever hope to get. 10 years? Thats nothing! And in the process you bring down Falcone, and when your gift of a sentence is up, you get an all-expenses paid ticket to a whole new life with your family. You get all this on a plate, and you throw it all away
over what? Hate?
Suddenly, Maroni pushed himself up off the bed, and lunged across the room, bringing himself face to face with Wuertz.
Yes, hate! he snarled, I dont give a crap about a short sentence, or immunity, or Falcone, or
or my family, or a whole new life! None of that is worth a damn if Harvey Dent thinks hes beat me. Im Boss Maroni! I DONT LOSE! Not to him! So I dont care if I lose it all. Because the last words Harvey Dent will ever hear in his stinkin life are
I won.
With that said, Maroni paced across his cell and stood facing the wall until Wuertz had left. It was only a matter of hours now, hours, before he claimed his final victory. He looked down at the little bottle in his hands. The instrument of Dents destruction. It was so close now, the moment he had played like a film reel in his mind over and over, ever since Harvey Dent had supposedly broken him in that interview room.
The damage to his reputation, the war with Falcone, and now his imprisonment, everything, it could all be traced back to his obsession with destroying Harvey Dent. Dent had ruined him. And now he was going to return the favour. He cast his mind back to the words hed spoken to Dent at the hospital a few weeks back:
"The two of us... we got a connection now. Our fates seem like they're ah... intertwined, that's the word, right? We're on the same train, and the final destination ain't gonna be pretty.
How right he was. How tragically, devastatingly right he was
Now
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you have all been chosen to become part of something very special. An important day in Gothams history. Perhaps, indeed, a day that will be remembered for years to come.
I pace back and forth along the courtroom floor, my eyes on the jury. Almost at the end of my opening statement now, and already Im pretty confident most of them are firmly on my side.
I understand this is an unusual procedure. But, I assure you, a necessary one. You will hear this testimony, and then court will be adjourned for several weeks, perhaps even months, until the time comes for the trial of Carmine Falcone to begin in earnest. In that time, I promise you your identities will be protected. You aside, only trusted court officials and police officers are present here today. It is a lot to ask, I understand that. But know that this is the first step in a landmark case, and that each of you could play a crucial role in making Gotham City a better, safer place.
I turn to the judge, and give him a nod. Then I walk over to the man sitting at the table parallel to mine. Everything that has gone before has been building up to this meeting, this final confrontation. Here we go
Your honor, I call Salvatore Maroni to the stand.
30 Minutes After Now
Dr. Sale had over 30 years of medical experience, had travelled all over the world, and had seen just about every horrific thing you could imagine on the operating table.
At least, he thought he had.
He strode through the corridors of the ER with purpose, being briefed by medical staff as he made his way to his newest patient.
Whats his condition? he asked.
Critical, the younger doctor replied, rushing to keep up with Sale, Ambulance just wheeled him in. Had to cover him up, to
well, you know, theres kids there out front. Dont really know if we can do anything for him
Thats for me to decide, snapped Dr. Sale, with more than a hint of arrogance, Is he conscious?
Not really, the young doctor replied, Ambulance crew say hes drifted in and out a few times. Ranting, delirious. But now theyve pumped him up so full of tranqs he wouldnt know or care if they were sawing him in half. And its probably for the best he stays that way.
Sale took the notes away from the young doctor, then waved him away like an annoying fly. He had reached his destination. Behind this curtain lay Harvey Dent. He pulled open the curtains, and immediately regretted doing so.
Good Lord
The surgeon staggered back down the ward, away from the bed. He made it over to one of the wash-hand basins, which he proceeded to vomit into. A couple of nurses rushed over to him, to see if he was okay.
H-h-his face! Dr. Sale sobbed, Look at
at his face!
Now
While on the stand, Boss Maroni had just pleaded guilty, without hesitation, to a laundry list of increasingly heinous crimes. Maroni sat there unphased, maybe even a little proud of his accomplishments, while some of the jury gasp in horror.
Well, wait until they see whats coming next.
Mr. Maroni, I say,
Could you tell the court about your dealings with Carmine Falcone?
Maroni says nothing.
Mr. Maroni?
Still nothing. I go over to my desk and grab a handful of notes.
May I remind you that I have here sworn testimony from you, Mr. Maroni? And that your failure to testify to these words here in court will make your deal with the district attorneys office null and void?
But still, Maroni makes no reply. He simply stares at me, pure hatred burning in his eyes. Slamming the notes down on the desk, I walk right up to him.
Have you got nothing to say?
Then he finally breaks his silence.
Okay, pretty boy, Ill fix you.
I notice, too late to make any reaction to it, Maroni removing a bottle of cough medicine from his inside jacket pocket.
HERE!
3 Hours Before Now
"It's just another day in court, my love, that's all it is. After all we've been through, I have to see this to the end. Then we're free. Then we're free."
1 Day Before Now
"It's not been easy. There's been setbacks, and I know we have a good way to go yet. But at last, there's an end in sight. After all the violence and corruption and despair, Gotham City might at last be about to turn the corner. The Falcone and Maroni crime families have choked the life out of this city for generations, and now they're both about to come crashing down. It's a new day for Gotham."
1 Month Before Now
"He came to see me, you know. My father. Gave me a gift, too. His coin, his lucky coin. I'm holding it right now. I look at it, and I see... it's a trick coin, Matty. Both sides are heads. All that time, he was cheating me. That was... unfair of him. Fate is about balance, and he was tipping the scales in his favor. But it doesn't matter, that it was all a con. The damage has been done. I can't get those thoughts out, that all the... pain I've caused, all the screw-ups I've made while just trying to do the right thing...it's fate putting me back in my place. Fate wants me to be just like him, and the harder I try to be different, the more like him I become. Because he... he broke me..."
I feel a tear starting to run from my eye. I quickly palm it away, then I point into the side of my head.
"In here. I'm broken, and I can't fix it. It doesn't matter what I do, how hard I try... I'll always be damaged goods."
25 Years Before Now
"You know what they call people who do that? You know what you are?"
Christopher Dent dragged Harvey out of the living room, swinging open the basement door.
"N-NO!!"
"You're a...a goddamn TWO-FACE!"
1 Month Before Now
"Good intentions! A car-wreck of good intentions!
6 Weeks Before Now
"You're like me. I can tell, Mr. Dent. I saw it in The Joker's eyes. And I saw it in your eyes, that night when you had the gun pointed at me. You say you haven't killed anyone, but I looked in your eyes, and I knew...you had it in you. And I can still see it in your eyes. I can see it all over, how you walk, how you talk. You've got a hatred in you, Mr. Dent..."
25 Years Before Now
Good boys don't do bad things!
Bad boys don't do good things!
Now
Nothing will ever be the same again.
