The Dark Knight Page #3

MAYOR (O.S)

Now I'm going to give way to an

important voice...

Down below at the bar, Commissioner Gordon examines some

sheets of densely written paper. A Congressman muscles in.

CONGRESSMAN:

Commissioner.

GORDON:

Congressman.

CONGRESSMAN:

Ever lay eyes on Wayne at one of

these things?

Gordon shakes his head. Gordon's Deputy Commissioner, Foley,

cuts in.

9.

FOLEY:

No one has. Not in years.

MAYOR (O.S)

He can tell you about the bad old

days, when the criminals and

corrupt ran this town with such a

tight grasp that people put their

faith in a murderous thug in a mask

and a cape. A thug who showed his

true nature when he betrayed the

trust of this great man - (Turns to

picture of Dent.) And murdered him

in cold blood.

The Congressman watches a tray of canapés breeze past, then

grabs the ass of the maid carrying them. She freezes.

CONGRESSMAN:

Sweetheart, not so fast with the

chow.

MAID:

(turns, tight smile)

Shrimp balls?

The Congressman grabs two. The Maid moves off. The

Congressman glances down at Gordon's papers.

MAYOR (O.S)

Jim Gordon can tell you the truth

about Harvey Dent...

CONGRESSMAN:

Jesus, Gordon, is that your speech?

We're gonna be here all night.

GORDON:

Maybe the truth about Harvey isn't

so simple, Congressman.

MAYOR (O.S)

But I'll let him tell you himself -

Commissioner Gordon?

Applause. Gordon approaches the mike. Looks down at his long

speech. Thinks.

GORDON:

The truth...?

INSERT CUT:
Harvey Dent, face half destroyed, threatens

Gordon's son with a handgun.

10.

Gordon surveys the audience. Deciding.

I have written a speech telling the

truth about Harvey Dent...

Gordon folds up his speech.

Maybe the time isn't right...

Gordon stuffs the papers inside his jacket. The Congressman

mutters under his breath.

CONGRESSMAN:

Thank Christ for that...

GORDON:

Maybe right now all you need to

know is that there are a thousand

inmates in Blackgate Prison as a

direct result of the Dent Act.

These are violent criminals,

essential cogs in the organized

crime machine that terrorized

Gotham for so long. Maybe, for now,

all I should say about Harvey

Dent's death is this...it has not

been for nothing.

The figure on the balcony turns back into the mansion.

People clap as Gordon leaves the mike. Gordon approaches

Foley.

GORDON:

The second shift reports in?

FOLEY:

On your desk. But you should put in

some more time with the Mayor -

GORDON:

That's your department.

Gordon heads for the line of town cars in the gravel drive.

CONGRESSMAN:

Anyone shown him the crime stats?

FOLEY:

He goes by his gut, and it

continues to bother him, whatever

the numbers.

CONGRESSMAN:

Must be popular with the wife.

11.

FOLEY:

Not really. She took the kids and

moved to Cleveland.

CONGRESSMAN:

He'll have plenty of time for

visits. Mayor's dumping him in the

spring.

FOLEY:

Really? He's a hero.

CONGRESSMAN:

War hero. This is peacetime. Stay

smart, the job's yours.

INT. KITCHENS, WAYNE MANOR - MOMENTS LATER

Our Maid dives into the bustle of Wayne Manor below stairs -

Caterers and Maids, Wait Staff. She overhears another Maid.

MAID 2

They say he never leaves the East

Wing.

MAID 3

I heard he had an accident - that

he's disfigured.

The other Maids signal her to be quiet. All the chatter has

died. Alfred has entered the kitchen.

ALFRED:

Mr. Till, why are your people using

the main stairs?

Alfred places a glass of water on a tray next to a covered

plate. Picks up the tray, looks around the chaotic kitchen.

ALFRED:

Where's Mrs. Bolton?

MAID:

She's up at the bar, sir. Can I

help?

Alfred looks at the Maid. Hands her a key and the tray.

ALFRED:

The East drawing room. Unlock the

door, place the tray on the table,

lock the door again. Nothing more.

12.

The Maid nods. Takes the tray.

INT. HALL, WAYNE MANOR - MOMENTS LATER

Following the Maid through the empty house. She comes to the

large oak door to the East Wing. Unlocks it...

INT. DRAWING ROOM, EAST WING, WAYNE MANOR - CONTINUOUS

The room is dark, quiet. The Maid places the tray on the

table. She looks at the inner door opposite. It is ajar...

INT. HALL, WAYNE MANOR - CONTINUOUS

Alfred talks to an elegant woman, thirties, Miranda Tate.

ALFRED:

I'm sorry, Miss Tate, but I've

tried. He won't see you.

MIRANDA:

It's important, Mr. Pennyworth.

Her accent is European. Hard to place.

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