Batman: The Killing Joke Page #2

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- Cute.

- It's not cute. It's a trick.

I know, but it is a little flattering.

No, he doesn't know you.

He's objectified you.

When a criminal gets personal like that,

it's bad news.

You're off this one.

- What?

- I don't want you on this case.

At all? So he likes me, we can use that.

He's not afraid of you.

I want him nervous.

The place you met was

at that warehouse, right?

Yeah. Where are you going?

Your father and his men

are already canvassing the place.

I'll let you know what we find.

Hold on, we're not done.

- No, wait. Wait!

- (ENGINE REVVING)

(TIRES SCREECHING)

(TIRES SCREECHING)

(ENGINE REVVING)

Hey!

Is this the gift?

'Cause I thought I was

a little more special.

You are, baby.

But the real gift's somewhere else.

Girls like scavenger hunts, don't they?

Is this going to take long?

PARIS:
Careful getting in.

I don't own this place yet.

You're getting hot, hotter.

Whoa, you might have to call

the fire department.

- Where's the gift?

- Come on, look around.

You're the girl detective.

(BATGIRL GRUNTS)

For you, my love.

Do you realize what you've done?

He was the biggest boss in Gotham.

He was an artifact.

He went out with phone booths

and the porkpie hat.

I'm the next evolution, baby.

Today, it's all about brains

and nerve and tech.

That's how I got his money

and that's how I'm going to get you.

- MAN:
Boss, you okay in there?

- (DOORKNOB RATTLING)

- You might have to get in line.

- MAN:
Break it down.

(GROANS)

(GROANS)

(GRUNTING)

(GROANS)

(PANTING)

(GRUNTS)

(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)

(MEN GROANING)

BATMAN:
You let him play you.

He thinks he knows you, like there's

some kind of relationship going.

He led you like a lap dog.

Bull, I knew what I was doing.

I was on the hunt, same as you.

No, you were trying to prove something.

You let your ego cloud your judgment.

You should've listened to me.

- I thought we were partners.

- We are.

But we're not equals, not even close.

You sanctimonious, self-righteous...

You're not in it like I am, Barbara.

It's still a game for you,

it's still a thrill.

You haven't been taken to the edge yet.

The edge of what?

The abyss,

the place where you don't care anymore.

Where all hope dies.

We're done here. You're off the case.

No! This isn't over.

You can't dismiss me

with some metaphysical BS.

Why are you doing this?

- I told you.

- Uh-uh.

We've been up against worse threats

than Paris Franz.

This isn't about me, it's about us.

It's about you getting protective

and sitting in judgment.

I won't have it!

Then get out.

How dare you!

I'm in this because of you!

I did what you wanted.

I made it work!

(GRUNTING)

(BATMAN GROANS)

(BOTH GRUNTING)

(PANTING)

(BATGIRL MOANS)

Barbara Kathleen Gordon,

what the hell have you done?

So, you and yoga guy?

Yeah, a few nights ago.

Girl, you've been holding out. How was it?

- Not so good?

- No, it was fantastic...

Like fireworks.

Yeah?

Except he's been avoiding me.

At least, I think he is.

We haven't talked.

I've been to that dance.

Maybe it was too soon,

even after all this time.

Talk to him, Babs.

Some guys need a period of adjustment.

They get nervous about commitment.

He's only human, right?

(REPORTER SPEAKING

INDISTINCTLY ON TV)

REPORTER:
In local news,

the city is bracing for gang wars

following the murder of crime boss,

Carlos Francesco, Saturday.

At the same time, the manhunt

goes on for Parry Francesco,

aka Paris Franz, the murder suspect.

Said Detective Harvey Bullock,

"It's like he's fallen off

the face of the Earth... "

From your lips, Harvey.

(REPORTER CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY)

But I tried to be what you want.

You're not listening to me, Debbie.

So damn clingy.

I feel trapped, like I can't move.

I need space.

Hey, hey, hey!

(MAN GROANS)

There... Space.

(BIRDS COOING)

So, what do you think?

Is it worth a shot?

I'm doing it, anyway.

(RADIO BUZZING)

Hey.

Hi, nothing on cable tonight, so I thought

I'd get out and get some exercise.

Tell me, how's Paris these days?

He's on the move.

We got a tip

he might be hiding out at the docks.

That's where I am right now.

That wouldn't be an invitation, would it?

No.

I was just kidding,

but I'm not that far away.

No.

But what about after you get him?

What then?

Are we back in business?

Oh, come on!

We'll talk later.

It was just sex for God's sake.

It doesn't have to mean anything.

It's not like we have to care,

I don't care.

You don't care.

We just go back like it was. That's all.

Please.

Later.

(GROANS)

Bang on, mate!

(BEEPING)

(GROANING)

(GRUNTING)

(WHISTLES)

(GROANING IN PAIN)

(GROANING)

Take the other side.

(GROANS)

(TIRES SCREECH)

(GROANS)

(SCREAMING)

(GROANING)

Alone at last.

(BOTH GRUNTING)

Selfish, foul, piece of garbage!

You ruined everything!

Must be that time of the month.

(GROANING)

(BATGIRL GRUNTING)

- (GRUNTING)

- (GROANING)

(PANTING)

(GASPS)

(PARIS WHEEZING)

(SIRENS APPROACHING)

Thanks to Batman,

Franz was taken into police custody,

ending an intensive city-wide search.

This was the scene earlier today

as he was taken into arraignment.

Love you, Batgirl. Love you.

Batgirl.

Close.

I thought I'd save you

the trouble of ending this.

There's some stuff you might want back.

Can't have smoke bombs

exploding in the apartment.

I'm sorry, it's just that...

I get it. It's one thing

to protect the city,

another when it

narrows down to one person.

Someone you really care about.

I'll find some way to fill my time.

It's just as well, you know.

I saw that abyss you spoke about,

very scary, but so tempting.

I don't know how you resist it.

I don't think it's humanly possible

after a while.

Be careful.

BARBARA:
And that was that.

Oh, I'd see him again,

but never as Batgirl.

I really was done

with that part of my life.

A week later, it wouldn't matter anyway.

A terrible storm was moving in

and we'd all be in for it by then.

(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)

Hell of a night, huh?

What makes it different

from any other night in Gotham?

Nothing, nothing at all, I suppose.

Commissioner Gordon, uh,

he thought you might like to see this.

- That's an interesting choice of words.

- Come again?

Why would I "like" to see this?

Huh.

Well, I guess "need"

would have been better for you, right?

Coroner came and gave things the eyeball.

Says these poor saps died

probably three years ago.

Died?

Well, we won't know for sure if they was

murdered till after the autopsies.

They were murdered.

What do you make of this?

What do I make? (SIGHS)

Well, three years ago

was that dentists' convention.

The one where a handful of conventioneers

never returned home,

just went missing.

Emptied out their bank accounts

and disappeared.

I think we're standing

in the mouth of that.

(CHUCKLES) It's an interesting

choice of words, huh?

BATMAN:
Tell Gordon

I'd like to talk to him.

Well, I would,

but tonight's his father-daughter night

and you know he doesn't...

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