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Thanks, Steelsheen - fascinating stuff.
It’s pretty easy to spot Batman, Joker, Harvey Bullock, and Dent (in some instances). Based on the excerpts, the Nolan’s have done an excellent job of creating a morally murky story. No wonder Dent ends up as Two-Face. Life’s so much simpler if you view actions as only good or only bad.
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EXT. BANK - DAY
MASK-WEARING THUGS prepare to break into a bank
GRUMPY
Four of a kind. Let's do this.
Chuckles checks his automatic weapon.
CHUCKLES
Four guys? That's it?
GRUMPY
There's two on the roof. Every guy is an extra share. Six shares is plenty.
CHUCKLES
Seven shares. Don't forget the guy who planned the job.
GRUMPY
Yeah? he thinks he can sit it out and still take a slice - he's out of his mind.
CHUCKLES
You gonna tell him that?
Grumpy flashes a gun.
GRUMPY
Right after I put two in his heart.
CHUCKLES
If you can find his heart. Some say he ain't even human.
GRUMPY
You mean the chicken shits who believe in ghost. That you?
CHUCKLES
Hey, guys harder than the both of us are afraid of him...
GRUMPY
Look, you wanna hang back and tell scary stories, be my guess. Just means a larger share for me.
CHUCKLES
You know what? You're onto something.
GRUMPY
What?
Chuckles aims his weapon at Grumpy.
CHUCKLES
Less guys. Larger shares.
EXT. VARIOUS LOCATIONS -- CONTINUOUS
A DEALER and a BUYER are in the middle of a transaction.
DEALER
I want eighty for the bag.
BUYER
Eighty? It was sixty last week.
DEALER
Inflation. Ain't it a bitch.
The Buyer digs in his pocket. The Signal appears in the air. The Dealer spots it and steps back.
DEALER (CONT'D)
No, man. I don't like it tonight.
BUYER
What're you, superstitious? You got more chance of winning the powerball than running into him...
INT. BANK - DAY
The MASK-WEARING THUG stuffs cash into his bag as the wounded BANK MANAGER watches him.
BANK MANAGER
You have any idea who you're stealing from? You and your friends are dead.
The thug isn't bothered
BANK MANAGER (CONT'D)
You idiot. What makes you think the guy who hired you isn't going to kill you, too?
The Thug STOPS. Crouches over him. In the distance: SIRENS.
GENTLE VOICE
Call it a hunch.
The man PULLS off his MASK. The Bank Manager GASPS, horrified at the face staring back at him.
GENTLE VOICE (CONT'D)
It's rude to stare.
The bank manager summons his nerve, gritting his teeth.
BANK MANAGER
What are you? You freak. Criminals in this town used to believe in things. Honor. Respect. What do you believe in, huh? What do you bel-
BANG...the THUG puts a bullet into the MANAGER's head.
EXT. VARIOUS LOCATIONS -- NIGHT
The MOBSTER'S BODYGUARD moves to the second SUV, reaches in and drags out a skinny, wild-eyed JUNKIE by his hair.
JUNKIE
(babbling)
No! No get'em off me! Off me!
BODYGUARD
Shut up.
JUNKIE
They're all over me! They're crawling in my mouth.
BODYGUARD
Who sold you the stash?
JUNKIE
They're going to eat my insides! PLEASE!
The Bodyguard whips out a gun.
BODYGUARD
Come closer. I'm gonna unscrew your brain.
DOGS START BARKING. The Bodyguard looks around, scared.
BODYGUARD (CONT'D)
(nervous)
He's here.
INT. BASEMENT -- NIGHT
A blindfolded THUG is handcuffed to a chair in the basement. A COP circles him.
COP
The Mob used to dump bodies here. They wouldn't be found for months. Maybe years. So tell me, where can I find your boss?
The THUG laughs.
COP (CONT'D)
What's so funny?
THUG
It's an inside joke.
COP
Let me in on the laugh.
THUG
There's no need to find him because... he's gonna find you.
The Cop rips off the Thug's blindfold.
COP
You want to play games!
The Cop pulls his gun and fires a shot over the Thug's head. He then shoves a gun up against the Thug's head with real malice.
THUG
(rattled)
You wouldn't...
COP
I have. Starting with the knee caps.
The Cop shoots the Thug in the knee.
THUG
(sobbing)
I don't know anything.
COP
You giggle, you poke fun...
THUG
I'm sorry - I'm sorry...
The Cop shoots the other knee cap. The Thug SCREAMS.
EXT. ROOFTOP, PARKING GARAGE - MOMENTS LATER
THE AVENGER grabs the VIGILANTE and RIPS his mask off.
VIGILANTE
We're trying to help you!
AVENGER
I don't need help.
VIGILANTE
Then stay out of my way!
The AVENGER gets right up to the vigilante's face AVENGER - Don't let me find you out here again.
The AVENGER walks to the edge of the building.
VIGILANTE (CONT'D)
You need us! There's only one of you - It's a war out there!
The AVENGER ignores the VIGILANTE, infuriating him.
VIGILANTE (CONT'D)
What gives you the right?! What's the difference between you and me?!
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM
Lau sits next to his sleazy lawyer, EVANS. The Prosecutor walks in.
PROSECUTOR
Give us the money and we'll deal.
EVANS
Deal first. Then maybe we'll talk about the money.
Prosecutor leans forward, speaking softly, Clearly.
PROSECUTOR
As soon as they hear you got pinched, they're going to kill you.
EVANS
Are you threatening my client?
PROSECUTOR
No, I'm just assuming your client's cooperation with this investigation. As will everyone. So let's cut to the chase.
Lau whispers into Evans' ear. Evans nods.
EVANS
He won't give you the money. But he'll give you his clients. All of them.
PROSECUTOR
That's pretty brave. I'm surprised.
EVANS
As you said, let's cut to chase. But only if he gets to keep the money and is granted immunity. Deal?
INT. NIGHTCLUB -- NIGHT
Strobe lights. Pounding music. Maroni is in a booth at the side with hs MISTRESS. His bodyguards are around the table.
MISTRESS
(shouting over music)
Can't we go someplace quieter! We can't hear each other talk!
MARONI
I don't wanna hear you talk.
MISTRESS
(can't hear)
What?!
MARONI
You know, you are as stupid as you look.
The Mistress smiles.
MISTRESS
Stupid enough to get you to buy me whatever I want.
EXT. ROOFTOP -- NIGHT
The FIGURE LEAPS INTO THE NIGHT -
JAMES
Why's he running, Dad?
The Chief stares.
THE CHIEF
Because we have to chase him...
James look from the window to his father, confused.
JAMES
He didn't do anything wrong!
THE CHIEF
It doesn't matter, son.
JAMES
Why, dad? Why?
INT. ?
THE PRISONER sits, smiling, content. Stephens guards the door.
THE PRISONER
I want my phone call.
STEPHENS
That's nice.
The Prisoner looks at his hands, which have been cuffed again.
THE PRISONER
How many of your friends have I killed?
STEPHENS
I'm a twenty year man. I can tell the difference between punks who need a little lesson in manners...
(crack his knuckles)
And the freaks like you who would jut enjoy it.
Stephens folds his arms. Turns away.
STEPHENS (CONT'D)
(quiet)
And you killed six of my friends.
INT. PASSENGER LOUNGE, PRISONER FERRY -- NIGHT
A HUGE TATTOOED PRISONER pushes his way to the front. he walks towards the Warden, who is sweating, looking at the trigger.
WARDEN
Stand down.
TATTOOED PRISONER
Do you wanna die!
WARDEN
I...
TATTOOED PRISONER
You don't wanna die. But you don't know how to take a life. Give it to me.
The Warden looks at the trigger. At the clock.
TATTOOED PRISONER (CONT'D)
These men will kill you and take it, anyway. Give it to me, you can tell people I took it by force... give it to me and I'll do what you should have done ten minutes ago.
INT. VACANT ROOM
Randolph enters: COPS IN UNDERSHIRTS, bound, gagged, blindfolded. Randolph moves to the first man, RIPS the tape from his mouth.
RANDOLPH
What happened?
TERRORIZED COP
(breathing hard)
Took...they took our guns, our uniforms...
RANDOLPH
Who?
TERRORIZED COP
I don't know. I just remember his...
RANDOLPH
His what?
TERRORIZED COP
His smile
INT. HOLDING, MCU
A bunch of thugs are herded into a jail cell.
DETECTIVE
Look at these ugly bastards.
One of the men, walks over, clutching at his belly.
FAT THUGH
I don't feel good.
DETECTIVE
You're a cop killer. You're lucky to be feeling anything below the neck.
FAT THUGH
(agony)
Please. My insides hurt.
DETECTIVE
Step away from the bars.
FAT THUGH
The boss said he would make the voices go away. he said he would go inside and replace them with bright lights. Like Christmas.
DETECTIVE
That's great. Please step-
The Fat Thug COLLAPSES. The Detective grabs his radio.
DETECTIVE (CONT'D)
I need a medic in holding.
INT. POLICE VAN -- CONTINUOUS
The Chief looks up sharply. Considers the uniformed cop nervously fingering his shotgun.
THE CHIEF
Berg, isn't it?
The young cop, BERG, looks up. Sweating.
BERG
Chief?
THE CHIEF
You okay, son?
BERG
I'm good, sir.
The Chief notices Berg eying the Prisoner and gripping hi shotgun. The Chief starts to subtly unholster his own weapon.
THE CHIEF
I'm gonna need your weapon, son.
Berg looks at the Chief, trembling, the barrel of his gun inching upwards.
BERG
What?
THE CHIEF
The gun.
BERG
Why? Because my wife's in hospital?
THE CHIEF
Yeah. That would be why.
Berg takes aim at the Prisoner. Trying to get the nerve.
BERG
I have to...
THE CHIEF
Officer, drop your weapon on the ground. NOW!
BERG
I can't. You know I can't...
THE CHIEF
Do it for your wife, son!
BERG
This is for my wife. I'm sorry, sir.
INT. BAR, GOTHAM HEIGHTS -- DAY
An empty neighborhood dive, the local DRUNK passed out at the bar, BARTENDER watching BREAKING NEWS on the TV.
BARTENDER
Sweet Jesus. D'you see this, Mike? They blew up a mall...
Detective Wuerts, at a booth looks up at the TV, bored.
BARTENDER (CONT'D)
Shouldn't you be out there, you know, doing something?
WUERTZ
It's my day off.
BARTENDER
You're a piece of work, you know that.
WUERTZ
I mind my own. You should do the same.
The Bartender shut the register.
BARTENDER
I gotta take a leak, keep an eye on things, will ya?
INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
BRIAN, wearing a makeshift AVENGER costume - face bruised and bloody - is tied to a chair. In some kind of bright, fluorescent lit room.
VOICE (O.S.)
Tell them your name.
BRIAN
(weak)
Brian Douglas.
VOICE (O.S.)
Are you the real Avenger?
BRIAN
No
VOICE (O.S.)
Why do you want to be like him?
BRIAN
He's a symbol...that we don't have to be afraid of scum like you...
VOICE (O.S.)
But you do, Brian. You really do. You think he's helped this city?
BRIAN nods uncertainly...
VOICE (CONT'D)
Look at me.
(Brian looks down)
LOOK AT ME!
Brian looks up horrified
EXT. PENINSULA HOTEL, CHINA - DAY
A HELICOPTER touches down on one of the hotel's twin helipads. A L.F.I. Vice President approaches, head ducked. Faulkner (Wayne?) gets out - they shake hands, shouting over the engine-
LFI VP
Welcome to Hong Kong Mr Faulkner, how was the trip?
FAULKNER
Thank you, fine.
LFI VP
Mr. Lau regrets he is unable to meet you in person. But with his current legal difficulties...!
FAULKNER
I understand!
The LFI VP ushers Faulkner towards security
LFI VP
I'm afraid for security reasons I have to ask for your mobile phone.
Faulkner hands his phone to a security guard, who puts the phone in a box underneath his station
LFI VP (CONT'D)
Follow me please.
INT. COURTROOM, SUPERIOR COURT -- DAY
Rossi takes a SIP of water. The PROSECUTOR approaches.
PROSECUTOR
With Carmine Falcone in Arkham, someone must've stepped up to run the so-called family
(Rossi nods)
Is this man in the courtroom today?
(Rossi nods again)
Could you identify him for us, please?
The Prosecutor turns to the defendant, smiles.
ROSSI
You win counselor. It was me.
The Prosecutor's smile disappears. He turns back to Rossi.
PROSECUTOR
Say again.
ROSSI
I'll say it how many times you want. I'm the guy.
PROSECUTOR
Mr. Rossi, I'm confused...
ROSSI
Must be dumb then, huh?
PROSECUTOR
Need the court remind you that you are under oath?
ROSSI
Nope. I'm good.
PROSECUTOR
I've got a sworn statement from you that this man, Salvatore Maroni, is the new head of the Falcone crime family.
ROSSI
Maroni? He's a fall guy. I'm the brains of the organization.
LAUGHS from the gallery. The PROSECUTOR turns to the JUDGE.
PROSECUTOR
Permission to treat the witness as hostile?
ROSSI
Hostile? I'll show you hostile
INT. GARAGE -- CONTINUOUS
A SWAT stands beside the empty school bus.
SWAT LEADER
We've found our missing bus. It's a hostage situation, sir.
The Chief looks at the building where the hostages are being held.
THE CHIEF
No, it's a shooting gallery. Why'd he choose a spot with such big windows?
SWAT LEADER
We have clear shots on five subjects. Snipers take them out, smash the windows - a team rappels in, a team moves in by the stairwells. 2 or 3 casualties, max.
THE CHIEF
I think you're underestimating the situation, Sergeant.
SWAT LEADER
Maybe. But we either take'em now, or they dig in and things get complicated.
THE CHIEF
Complicated?
SWAT LEADER
Deadly, sir. Very.
The Chief nods.
THE CHIEF
Tell your men good luck.
SWAT LEADER
Red team, you're up. We're going in is sixty seconds.
INT. RADIO STATION
The Mayor has a pained smile. MIKE ENGEL is taking calls.
CALLER (O.S.)
... hell, you got half the army on the streets - I wanna know when you're gonna catch the sonofa-
ENGEL
Okay. The guy's got a point - what can you say to people about their safety when this maniac's running around free?
MAYOR
The national Guard is here to reassure everyone that law and order is not under threat in this city. the Chief has assured me that -
ENGEL
And how's Randolph doing? We're hearing a lot of different stuff-
MAYOR
Mike, please, don't fuel people's paranoia. Randolph's alive, and looking forward to getting back to the job.
ENGEL
Wish him a speedy recovery. Go knows we need him. Let's take another call - you're on the air.
INT. DINING ROOM, DENT HOUSE -- EVENING
KENNEDY, accompanied by a beautiful woman holding a bottle of champagne, joins GANNON and CONNIE for dinner.
NATASCHA
You have a lovely home.
GANNON
Thank you. Not much of a place to raise kids, though.
NATASCHA
Well, how could you want to raise children in a city like this.
GANNON
It'll get better. Soon.
NATASCHA
I meant, the kind of city that idolizes a masked vigilante...
GANNON
Shouldn't we be proud of an ordinary citizen standing up for what's right?
NATASCHA
Yes, but the society needs people like you, elected officials, not a man who thinks he is above the law.
GANNON
When people just stand by and watch the scum take over - the law is already a secondary consideration.
NATASCHA
But this is democracy, is it not? You cannot be advocating a secret police? In America?
GANNON
A Kingdom under siege always selects one man to protect his people. It his duty. His honor. And when he's victorious, power is passed onto a successor who will take up his mantle.
NATASCHA
Someone like you? Or... could it be that you are this secret, honorable knight who is desperate to save his land and lay down his arms?
INT. PASSENGER LOUNGE, COMMUTER FERRY -- NIGHT
The National Guard Commander is holding the remote. Several passengers take a step towards him. He PULLS his weapon.
NATIONAL GUARD COMMANDER
Sty back.
A BUSINESSMAN clutching his briefcase speaks up.
BUSINESSMAN
Who are you to decide? We ought to talk it over, at least.
Other passengers agree. A MOTHER with two KIDS speaks up.
MOTHER
We don't have all to die. Why should my babies die? Those men had their chance!
NATIONAL GUARD COMMANDER
We're not talking about this...
MOTHER
They're talking over the same exact thing on the other boat.
BUSINESSMAN
If they're even bothering to talk. Let's put it to a vote.
NATIONAL GUARD COMMANDER
I'd vote for it. Same as most of you. Doesn't seem right that we should all die...
MOTHER
So do it!
NATIONAL GUARD COMMANDER
I didn't say I'd do it. Don't forget. We're still here. Which means they haven't done us in, yet, either.
Everyone stares at the trigger. The Businessman stands. Walks over. Thumbs it.
BUSINESSMAN
No one wants to get their hands dirty. Fine. I'll do it. Those men on the boat made their choices. They chose to murder and steal. it makes no sense for us to die, too.
He looks at the other passengers. No one makes eye contact.
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a CONTACT of yours huh?? get that shit outta here nub. we're only fooled by PROFESSIONAL photohsop fakes around here
