Batman Page #20

GOON IV:

Good idea. Let's check his wallet.

GOON I:

We'll worry about it later. Plug

him.

(beat)

In the head.

GOON II draws his automatic. And at that very instant... A

FLASH GUN EXPLODES OVERHEAD.

Startled, the THUGS look up. ANOTHER CAMERA FLASH.

GOON III:

Goddam, it's the redhead!

ON VICKI:

A chunk of ledge chips off mere inches from her head as the

GOONS OPEN FIRE. She ducks back behind the overhang, holds

the camera out over the ledge, and KEEPS ON FLASHING.

ON BRUCE:

HIS EYES WINK OPEN.

ON VICKI:

momentarily idle. She's used up her roll. The GOONS KEEP

SHOOTING as she reaches in her bag for new film. She finds

it, loads the camera with astonishing dexterity -- and

then, on instinct, reaches back inside the bag for a

TELEPHOTO LENS. All the better to see you with, Batman...

ON THE THUGS:

No response from VICKI. They begin to relax a little.

GOON II:

Did you hit her?

GOON I:

Who cares? Wax that freak.

They turn their attention to BRUCE. A GLOVED HAND snakes

out with lightning speed -- GRABBING GOON I BY THE COATTAIL

and pulling him DIRECTLY INTO THE LINE OF FIRE. GOON II bas

pulled the trigger twice before he knows what's happened.

In one fluid motion BRUCE HEAVES GOON I's lifeless body

THROUGH THE AIR, knocking GOON II backward over a garbage

can. GOON II falls and CRACKS HIS HEAD on the nearest wall.

GOON III takes a rabbit punch to the throat. He's on the

way down when he catches a STEEL-TOED BOOT in the gut.

Four seconds after all this began, BRUCE is alone in the

alleyway with GOON IV. GOON IV has his gun pointed right at

BRUCE, but he's shaking too much to pull the trigger.

BRUCE smiles. GOON IV SCREAMS and RUNS FOR HIS LIFE.

Through all this, VICKI's telephoto camera has been poised

on the ledge, snapping away. BRUCE looks up at the FLASH

GUN and shakes his head. He bends to retrieve his cowl.

ON VICKI:

She finally dares to peek down at the alley. Limp goons

everywhere. And, in addition, THE BATMAN -- leaping up,

grabbing the edge of a fire escape, climbing up to meet

her.

VICKI thinks fast. She may have a clean shot of BATMAN'S

FACE. She advances the film in the camera and removes the

roll, then drops it down her blouse.

But BATMAN is likely to want that roll. So she straightens

her skirt and scurries across the roof, away from the

alley. She should have a minute or so before be gets there.

It's a three-foot drop to the next roof over. VICKI

clambers down and quickens her pace, tossing a nervous

glance over her shoulder every couple of steps.

Then, somehow -- and she'll be damned if she can figure out

how -- she walks smack into THE BATMAN. And GASPS.

BATMAN:

... Not even a 'thank you'?

VICKI:

Well -- I think you might consider

thanking me. You were good as

dead.

BATMAN:

That's because you lied about your

weight.

(a long pause)

Thank you.

VICKI NODS and tries to walk past him. He grabs her arm.

BATMAN (cont.)

I'll have to ask you for that film.

VICKI:

I just wanted to distract them. I

wasn't trying to get a picture of

you.

BATMAN looks down at the camera hanging from her neck. The

telephoto lens must jut out six inches. VICKI gulps.

BATMAN:

Please.

VICKI:

I won't let you have it.

THE BATMAN is amused. He smiles menacingly.

VICKI (cont.)

I know you can break my neck and

take it. But the Joker's on that

same roll. I --

BATMAN:

The Joker is a murderer. And you

were as good as dead. So --

VICKI:

Look, I appreciate what you did for

me. But this is my job. And I'm

keeping those pictures.

BATMAN:

All right, here's a compromise. I'll

develop the photos. You keep the

Jokers and I'll keep the rest.

VICKI:

How do I know you won't keep them

all?

BATMAN:

Because I'll take you with me.

He reaches out, holds her gently by the shoulders. His

voice is deep and soothing. True, VICKI is a little dizzy

from all that's happened, but she's undeniably drawn to

him.

Still cautious, though. She reaches into her bag and hands

over a roll of film. The original roll -- not the telephoto

shots, which are still stashed in her blouse.

BATMAN (cont.)

Thank you, Vicki.

VICKI:

... Where are you going to take me?

No reply. She looks up into his mirrored eyes. He pulls her

closer to him. Brushes back her hair, runs one hand

delicately along the line of her cheek...

... AND BREAKS A TINY CAPSULE under her nose. VICKI SLUMPS

into BATMAN's arms.

CUT TO:

EXT. ALLEYWAY - NIGHT

Street level. BATMAN emerges carrying VICKI's inert form in

his arms. He pauses and peers around the edge of a wall at

the BATMOBILE two blocks down.

The car is still there, the chrome-steel shields intact.

But DOZENS OF COPS and CURIOSITY-SEEKERS are SWARMING ALL

OVER the fearsome machine.

BATMAN snorts in frustration. AN ENORMOUS THREE-TON

CATERPILLAR WINCH rumbles up the street toward the

Batmobile.

He's about to get towed. BATMAN takes a RADIO TRANSMITTER

from his utility belt and SPEAKS INTO IT.

BATMAN:

Shields open.

EXT. STREET - ON BATMOBILE

TWO COPS are crawling along the hood of the car. From

within they hear the tinny computerized voice:

COMPUTER:

Shields open.

The steel plates begin to retract.

BATMAN (V.O.)

(over radio)

Ignition.

Rate this script:3.5 / 6 votes