The Dark Knight Rises Page #36

EXT. OUTFLOW PIPE, ACKERMAN PARK - CONTINUOUS

Mercenaries guarding the entrance see the sign. One of them

moves out to get a better look. WHAM! He is taken out by a

dark figure. The figure steps into the light - it is

Blake...

EXT. GOTHAM RIVER - CONTINUOUS

Batman hands Gordon a metal box.

140.

BATMAN:

This blocks the remote detonator

signal to the bomb. Get it onto the

truck by sunrise. They might hit

the button when it starts.

GORDON:

When what starts?

BATMAN:

War.

EXT. OUTFLOW PIPE, ACKERMAN PARK - CONTINUOUS

Blake takes out a second Mercenary - moves over to the open

manhole. Ross emerges - nots at Blake, who helps him climb

out. BANG - Ross goes down as Blake dives for cover. Blake

is grabbed by Mercenaries. They detonate the manhole,

sealing it, prepare to execute Blake. A dark shape drops

onto the Mercenaries... Blake watches, in awe, as Batman

takes them out in a fury of punches and kicks - then it is

finished. Quiet. One of the Mercenaries moves slightly.

BLAKE:

You missed a spot.

Batman boots him in the head as he moves towards Blake.

BATMAN:

If you're working alone, wear a

mask.

BLAKE:

No one cares who I am.

BATMAN:

The mask is not for you. It's to

protect the people you care about.

BLAKE:

Huh. And you always seem to know

where those people are. How is

that?

BATMAN:

I lost someone once. Since then I

break into their homes when they're

sleeping and implant a tracking

device on the back of their neck.

Blake laughs. Then feels the back of his neck. Batman tosses

Blake a mini-mine.

141.

BATMAN:

On three - one, two, three -

They throw the mini-mines at the rubble of the entrance -

the blasts barely move any rubble.

BLAKE:

No offense, but you got anything

bigger in that belt?

BATMAN:

That's to warn the men on the other

side.

Batman disappears into the shadows.

BLAKE:

But how do we -?

KAABOOOM! The Bat's cannons light up the night.

BLAKE:

Okay.

Cops climb out into the cold night - skinny, ragged, but

glad to be alive and carrying guns...

BLAKE:

What now?

BATMAN:

All-out assault on Bane...but you

need to get the people you care

about across the bridge.

BLAKE:

Why?

BATMAN:

In case we fail. Lead an exodus

across the bridge. Save as many

lives as you can.

BLAKE:

Don't you need me here?

BATMAN:

You've given me an army. Now go.

Blake nods. Turns to leave. Stops.

142.

BLAKE:

Thank you.

BATMAN:

Don't thank me yet.

BLAKE:

I might not get a chance later.

Batman nods. Blake disappears into the night.

EXT. GOTHAM STREET - CONTINUOUS

Gordon checks the metal box. Puts it under his coat. Nods at

his men, hiding in the doorways. Checks his GPS...

EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT

Batman leads Catwoman to a rusty old container. He opens it,

revealing the Bat-Pod. Catwoman's eyes light up.

CATWOMAN:

Oh, you shouldn't have...

She hops on, feeling the controls.

BATMAN:

The mid-town tunnel's blocked by

debris, but the cannons give you

enough firepower to make a path for

people.

Catwoman marvels at the controls...

BATMAN:

To start it, you -

VARROOOM!

CATWOMAN:

I got it.

BATMAN:

We've got forty-five minutes to

save this city -

CATWOMAN:

No, I've got forty-five minutes to

get clear of the blast radius,

because you don't stand a chance

against these guys.

143.

BATMAN:

With your help I might.

She shakes her head.

CATWOMAN:

I'll open that tunnel, then I'm

gone.

He looks at her.

BATMAN:

There's more to you than that.

She stares back at him. Facade slipping a touch.

CATWOMAN:

Sorry to keep letting you down.

He says nothing. She looks at him, imploring.

Come with me. Save yourself. You

don't owe these people anymore -

you've given them everything...

BATMAN:

Not everything. Not yet.

Batman turns. Catwoman watches him go. Then fires up the

bike and takes off.

EXT. STREETS LEADING TO SOUTH TUNNEL - NIGHT

Catwoman tears along on the Bat-Pod. She pulls up at the

tunnel entrance blocked by stacked vehicles.

EXT. DOWNTOWN STREETS - DAWN

The army of Cops stands at the low end of the street. At the

op is Bane's stronghold - City Hall. Men pour out of the

building, forming up into an opposing line.

A Cop wearing full dress blues steps forward. It is Foley.

The silence is eerie... The numbers look evenly matched -

until two Tumblers arrive.

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