Batman: Year One Page #4

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LITTLE AL puts a hand on BRUCE's shoulder.

LITTLE AL (CONT'D)

When BIG AL was up in that

hospital, he asked me watch over

you, made me promise, and I have.

You're like my boy, Bruce.

LITTLE AL gives BRUCE's shoulder a squeeze.

LITTLE AL (CONT'D)

But now you're scaring me. There's

something going on in your head,

and while I can't say I know

exactly what it is, I can tell you

this:
A man has got to know who he

is before he can confront his

demons.

LITTLE AL open the shoe box and removes a smaller WOODEN BOX

with a heavy brass latch

LITTLE AL (CONT'D)

Maybe your INHERITANCE can help you

figure it out.

LITTLE AL places the WOODEN BOX on BRUCE'S knee.

BRUCE just stares at it.

LITTLE AL (CONT'D)

Not ready yet, huh' I understand

LITTLE AL stands up and waits. After a moment BRUCE stands up

and they both walk back into—

INT. LITTLE AL'S GARAGE - MOMENTS LATER

LITTLE AL locks the door behind them.

LITTLE AL:

You take all the time you want.

It's late. I'm going home. I hope

you can find some comfort in this,

Bruce. Sleep well.

LITTLE AL leaves BRUCE staring at the WOODEN BOX.

INT. BRUCE WAYNE'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

BRUCE writes another letter.

BRUCE (V.O.)

September 22. Dear Father, I almost

slipped today. God help me if I

lose control. Little Al gave me

back my inheritance. What should I

do with it? Please tell me. I

don't know how much longer I can go

without your help. Please send

instructions. Your loving son,

Bruce.

BRUCE signs the letter and puts it in an ENVELOPE. Puts a

stamp on the envelope.

BRUCE gets ready for bed and turns in. He doesn't sleep, just

stares at the WOODEN BOX from his bed.

INT. SELINA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

SELINA's apartment is painted to look like a dungeon. The

tools of her trade line the walls— WHIPS, CUFFS, A CRICKET

BAT FOR SPANKING. CATS lounge all over the place.

HOLLY sits cross-legged in an electric chair. She paints her

toe nails and watches SELINA pace the cramped room.

SELINA:

There has to be more to it than

this.

HOLLY:

This what?

SELINA:

LIFE! Jesus, there has GOT to be

more out there than just PIMPS and

JOHNS. We spend our lives on our

backs shuttling money from one to

the other, FOR WHAT?

HOLLY:

I don't know, what?

SELINA:

Nothing! Don't you see, we're being

used. We're stuck here and for all

our work, we have nothing. While

they're getting rich. I'm sick of

it, I'm not going to take it

anymore.

HOLLY:

What are you going to do? Run off?

Marry a John?

SELINA:

HA! Have you seen the guys who come

here for my services? Sh*t. What

I'd give to meet a real man.

HOLLY:

(rising)

Got to go. My 10:30 should be here.

(at the door)

You know, maybe there are no real

men. Maybe the whole world IS just

PIMPS and JOHNS. Ever think of

that?

HOLLY leaves.

SELINA:

(to self)

Then I'll have to find my own way

out.

She closes her door. And we—

CUT TO:

EXT. A MAGNIFICENT THEATER - NIGHT

We're on the steps of a magical old-world movie palace. It's

bright, clean, hyper-real— a dream.

A BOY, about 8, leaves a showing of Zorro with his MOTHER and

FATHER. He goofs around with an imaginary sword.

BOY:

En guard! En guard!

MOTHER:

(Her best Fay Rae

imitation.)

Oh Brave Zorro, Save us!

FATHER:

Yes, but can Zorro fly?

FATHER grabs his BOY and throws him in the air. The BOY

freaks out with laughter.

The BOY is caught under his arms and again tossed upwards,

and into a —

NIGHTMARE:

The sky darkens. The boy registers FEAR and falls—

- falls -

- falls -

- and SLAMS HARD onto a grimy sidewalk puddled with BLOOD.

His parents STRUGGLE with a MUGGER in the alley.

FATHER (CONT'D)

Get away from her you monster

The MUGGER shoves FATHER back.

MOTHER:

(slaps at MUGGER)

No! Get off me. You can't

have it.

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