Batman Page #24

VICKI (V.O.)

(filter)

I'm serious, Bruce. We have to --

At this very moment, a DAZED FINANCIER enters from behind.

FINANCIER:

Hi, Bruce.

BRUCE automatically claps a hand over the mouthpiece. His

face goes slack as he hangs up -- with VICKI'S TINNY VOICE

still squeaking on the other end of the line.

CUT TO:

INT. DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE - NIGHT

HARVEY DENT at a big desk, flanked by a number of

POLITICOS.

DENT:

... We deal.

ADVISER:

Harvey, please. I mean --

(shaking his head)

If your first official act as D.A.

is to cut a deal with a

terrorist...

DENT:

Screw that, Ed. We've got a market

panic of national proportions.

-- We've got 786 people dead.

(beat)

I won't sacrifice one more life for

the sake of appearing strong.

POLITICO:

Harvey's right. We've got the 300th

anniversary gala coming up. The

networks won't even send in a crew.

ADVISER:

Harvey, the police are working round

the clock, the feds are coming in.

This thing could break any minute

now.

(turning)

Tell him, Jim.

COMMISSIONER GORDON reaches into his vest pocket for a

cigar. He clips the end off, lights it, takes a long

drag... and STARES GLUMLY at the floor.

GORDON:

Cut the deal.

INT. CITY HALL - NIGHT

The MAYOR sits impatiently at a long table, flanked by JIM

GORDON, HARVEY DENT, and other prominent officials. The

room is packed with REPORTERS and TV NEWS CREWS.

NEWS ANCHOR:

... at City Hall, where the mayor is

waiting to open negotiations with

the clown-faced terrorist known as

the Joker. It is now eight minutes

past the appointed deadline, and

still no word from --

INT. GOTHAM GLOBE - CITY ROOM - THAT MOMENT - NIGHT

REPORTERS cluster around a bank of four TV sets, each tuned

to a different station, all broadcasting from city Hall.

REPORTER I:

Look at 'em sweat. Can't wait for

the next Gallup Poll.

REPORTER II:

Hey Knox, cheer up. It ain't the

Batman but it's pretty choice.

KNOX, who has recently taken up smoking, responds with a

grunt. SUDDEN HUBBUB from the ONLOOKERS as a wave of VIDEO

NOISE wipes half the screen away.

INSERT - TELEVISION SCREEN

Split-screen. On one side is the MAYOR. On the other --

sitting in a director's chair with a big yellow HAPPY-FACE

BACKDROP behind him -- is the JOKER, grinning fiendishly.

JOKER:

Joker here. Can we talk?

The MAYOR fumbles for his prepared statement.

MAYOR:

"While this administration remains

vehemently opposed to terrorism in

any form, we are prepared to

negotiate any reasonable demands

which will guarantee the safety of

the populace."

JOKER:

Huh. Demands. Well, gents, this is

kinda embarrassing, but... I'm having

such a swell time, I just haven't

thought any up.

He shrugs. STARTLED REACTIONS from the city officials.

JOKER (cont.)

But I'm a reasonable fella. If you

want to make me an offer...

Panicked, the MAYOR and co. go into a quick huddle.

MAYOR:

All right, all right. Here's the

deal. Total amnesty... and the sum of

ten million dollars, payable in --

JOKER:

Ten million dollars. Ten million

dollars.

(flying off the handle)

Ten mi-- YOU CHEAPSKATES! I've just

wiped out the stock market. I've

cost you billions!

(petulantly)

I want ten million and one.

MAYOR:

No, wait, please! We'll talk. Just

tell us what you expect.

JOKER:

Goddammit, I expect to be treated

like an ARTIST. GET OFF MY SCREEN!!

MORE VIDEO STATIC sweeps across the screen, pushing the

MAYOR clean out of frame. The JOKER leers at the camera.

JOKER (cont.)

I might just think up some demands.

And I'm gonna talk to all my

friends, and see what they want,

too. And then maybe we'll get

together -- have a little party --

exchange presents.

(waving goodbye)

Happy Birthday, Gotham.

"The Shadow of Your Smile" comes up UNDERNEATH as the

JOKER's transmission ends and the SCREEN GOES BLACK.

INT. GLOBE CITY ROOM - THAT MOMENT - NIGHT

FRANTIC ACTIVITY as REPORTERS rush to their telephones and

typewriters. KNOX strolls slowly back to his desk. He's

sitting on the biggest story of his career... and now, as

he realizes grimly, nobody knows or cares.

CUT TO:

EXT. ANDREWS ISLAND - DAY

A tiny island in Gotham Harbor, homesite of LADY GOTHAM --

the huge, newly restored stone statue that welcomes

incoming ships. Her upper half is draped in a huge TARP

prior to the unveiling ceremony scheduled for this Sunday.

At the base of the statue, WORKMEN are assembling a big

wooden platform, complete with microphones, amplifiers and

spotlights. They raise a gigantic BANNER which reads:

"GOTHAM CITY -- 300TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION."

CUT TO:

EXT. WAYNE MANOR - DAY

A TAXI pulls away from the wrought-iron gate at the

entrance to the estate. KNOX ambles up to a stone pillar,

glances up at a VIDEO CAMERA mounted over the gate, and

hits a BUZZER.

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