Dent looks at Gordon. Considering how to proceed.
DENT
You want me to back warrants for search and seizure on five banks without telling me who we’re after?
GORDON
I can give you the names of the banks.
DENT
Well, that’s a start. I’ll get you your warrants. But I want your trust.
GORDON
(rises)
You don’t have to sell me, Dent. We all know you’re Gotham’s white knight.
DENT
(grins)
I hear they’ve got a different nickname for me down at MCU.
Gordon smiles.
INT. BOARDROOM, WAYNE ENTERPRISES – DAY 40
Lucius Fox, CEO of Wayne Enterprises, and the board are listening to Lau, forties, CEO of LSI Holdings.
LAU
In China, LSI Holdings stands for dynamic new growth. A joint Chinese venture with Wayne Enterprises will be a powerhouse.
FOX
Well, Mr. Lau, I speak for the rest of the board, and Mr. Wayne, in expressing our own excitement …
The Chinese look to the head of the table: Wayne, asleep.
INT. HALLWAY, WAYNE ENTERPRISES – DAY 41
Fox shows Lau to the elevator. He’s joined by, Reese, thirties, an ambitious M and A consultant lawyer.
LAU
It’s okay, Mr. Fox. Everyone knows who really runs Wayne Enterprises.
FOX
We’ll be in touch as soon as our people have wrapped up the diligence.
The elevator doors close. Reese frowns.
REESE
Sir, I know Mr. Wayne’s curious how his trust fund gets replenished but frankly … it’s embarrassing.
Fox heads for his office, Reese in tow.
FOX
You worry about the diligence, Mr. Reese. I’ll worry about Bruce Wayne.
REESE
It’s done – the numbers are solid.
FOX
(smiles)
Do it again. Wouldn’t want the trust fund to run out, would we?
INT. BOARDROOM, WAYNE ENTERPRISES – CONTINUOUS 42
Wayne is standing by the window.
FOX
(o.s.)
Another long night?
Wayne smiles.
FOX
This joint venture was your idea, and the consultants love it, but I’m not convinced. LSI’s grown 8 percent annually, like clockwork. They must have a revenue stream that’s off the books. Maybe even illegal.
WAYNE
Okay. Cancel the deal.
FOX
(looks at Wayne)
You already knew.
WAYNE
I needed a closer look at their books.
Fox looks at Wayne. Wry.
FOX
Anything else you can trouble me for?
WAYNE
I need a new suit.
FOX
(looks him over)
Three buttons is a little nineties.
WAYNE
I’m not talking about fashion, Mr. Fox, so much as function.
Wayne pulls out some diagrams. Fox looks them over.
FOX
You want to be able to turn your head?
WAYNE
Sure make backing out of the driveway easier.
FOX
I’ll see what I can do.
INT. RESTAURANT – NIGHT 43
Rachel and Dent at a table. Dent looks a little intimidated by the surroundings.
DENT
It took three weeks to get a reservation and I had to tell them I worked for the government.
RACHEL
Really?
DENT
This city health inspector’s not afraid to pull strings.
Rachel smiles. Then, over Dent’s shoulder, she sees Wayne enter, accompanied by a beautiful woman.
DENT
What?
WAYNE
Rachel! Fancy that.
RACHEL
Yes, Bruce. Fancy that.
WAYNE
Rachel, Natascha. Natascha, Rachel.
NATASCHA
Hello.
DENT
The famous Bruce Wayne. Rachel’s told me everything about you.
WAYNE
I certainly hope not.
RACHEL
Bruce, this is Harvey Dent.
WAYNE
Let’s put a couple tables together.
DENT
I don’t know if they’ll let us –
WAYNE
They should! I own the place.
RACHEL
For how long? About three weeks?
WAYNE
How’d you know?
RACHEL
Natascha, aren’t you …?
WAYNE
Prima ballerina for the Moscow Ballet.
RACHEL
Harvey’s taking me next week.
WAYNE
You’re into ballet, Harvey?
RACHEL
No. He knows I am.
An extra table arrives.
INT. SAME – LATER 44
They finish up dinner.
NATASCHA
No, come on – how could you want to raise children in a city like this?
WAYNE
I was raised here. I turned out okay.
DENT
Is Wayne Manor in the city limits?
Rachel gives Dent a withering look.
WAYNE
The Palisades? Sure. You know, as our new DA you might want to figure out where your jurisdiction ends.
NATASCHA
I’m talking about the kind of city that idolizes a masked vigilante …
DENT
Gotham’s proud of an ordinary man standing up for what’s right.
NATASCHA
Gotham needs heroes like you – elected officials, not a man who thinks he’s above the law.
WAYNE
Exactly. Who appointed the Batman?
DENT
We did. All of us who stood by and let scum take control of our city.
Wayne watches Dent. Sees his passion.
NATASCHA
But this is a democracy, Harvey.
DENT
When their enemies were at the gate, the Romans would suspend democracy and appoint one man to protect the city. It wasn’t considered an honor. It was considered public service.
RACHEL
And the last man they asked to protect the republic was named Caesar. He never gave up that power.
DENT
Well, I guess you either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain. Look, whoever the Batman is, he doesn’t want to spend the rest of his life doing this. How could he? Batman’s looking for someone to take up his mantle.
NATASCHA
Someone like you, Mr. Dent?
DENT
Maybe. If I’m up to it.
Natascha reaches up and covers the top half of Dent’s face.
NATASCHA
But what if Harvey Dent is the caped crusader?
DENT
If I were sneaking out every night someone would’ve noticed by now.
Dent takes Rachel’s hand. Rachel glances at Wayne. Awkward.
WAYNE
Well, you’ve sold me, Dent. I’m gonna throw you a fundraiser.
DENT
That’s nice of you, Bruce, but I’m not up for reelection for three years. That stuff won’t start for –
WAYNE
I don’t think you understand. One fundraiser with my pals, you’ll never need another cent.
EXT. BACK ALLEY, HOTEL, DOWNTOWN – DAY 45
A line of high-end autos dispenses well-dressed gangsters.
INT. KITCHEN, HOTEL – DAY 46
The Chechen walks through a metal detector manned by two Chinese. A lean, African-American man, fifties, is being wanded. This is Gambol. He nods at the Chechen, wary.
INT. C
ONFERENCE ROOM, HOTEL – CONTINUOUS 47
Gotham’s most notorious gangsters. A door opens, and two burly Chinese enter, carrying a TV. They set it down on the end of the table.
CRIME BOSS
The hell is this …?
The screen flickers to life: Lau. The room erupts.
LAU
(on TV)
Gentlemen, please. As you’re all aware, one of our deposits was stolen. A relatively small amount: 68 million.
CHECHEN
Who’s stupid enough steal from us?
LAU
I’m told the man who arranged the heist calls himself Joker.
CHECHEN
Who the hell is that?
MARONI
Two-bit whack-job, wears a cheap purple suit and make-up. He’s not the problem – he’s a nobody. (Looks at Lau.) The problem is our money being tracked by the cops.
Murmurs of surprise.
LAU
Thanks to Mr. Maroni’s well-placed sources we know that police have indeed identified our banks using marked bills and are planning to seize your funds today –
Everyone starts shouting at once.
EXT. VARIOUS DOWNTOWN BANKS – CONTINUOUS 48
Gordon sits in a SWAT van outside a bank. Stephens is outside another. Ramirez a third …
SWAT teams check weapons and prepare to move …
INT. SOCIAL CLUB, DOWNTOWN – CONTINUOUS 49
Lau waits for the noise to subside.
CHECHEN
You promised safe, clean money launder—
LAU
With the investigation ongoing, none of you can risk hanging on to your own proceeds. And since the enthusiastic new DA has put all my competitors out of business, I’m your only option.
MARONI
So what are you proposing?
LAU
Moving all deposits to one secure location. Not a bank.
GAMBOL
Where, then?
LAU
Obviously, no one can know but me. If the police were to gain leverage over one of you, everyone’s money would be at stake.
CHECHEN
What stops them getting to you?
LAU
As the money is moved I go to Hong Kong. Far from Dent’s jurisdiction. And the Chinese will not extradite one of their own.
From the back of the room comes laughter. It grows and grows, until it fills the room. All eyes turn:
The Joker. Sweaty clown make-up obscuring the awful scars which widen his mouth into a permanent, ghoulish smile.
THE JOKER
I thought I told bad jokes.
GAMBOL
Give me one reason I shouldn’t have my boy here pull your head off.
The Joker pulls out a freshly sharpened pencil.
THE JOKER
How about a magic trick?
The Joker slams the pencil into the table, leaving it upright.
I’ll make this pencil disappear.
Gambol nods. His Bodyguard moves at the Joker – who sidesteps – grips his head – slams it, face down, onto the table …
The Bodyguard goes limp and slides off of the table. The pencil is gone. Magic. The Joker bows. Grins at Gambol.
THE JOKER
And by the way, the suit wasn’t cheap. You should know. You bought it.
Gambol stands, furious. The Chechen stops him.
CHECHEN
Sit. I wanna hear proposition.
The Joker nods his thanks.
THE JOKER
A year ago these cops and lawyers wouldn’t dare cross any of you. What happened? Did your balls drop off? See, a guy like me –
GAMBOL
A freak.
Laughs. Which the Joker tries to ignore.
THE JOKER
A guy like me … I know why you’re holding your little group therapy session in broad daylight. I know why you’re afraid to go out at night. Batman. He’s shown Gotham your true colors. And Dent’s just the beginning. (Indicates Lau.) And as for his so-called plan – Batman has no jurisdiction. He’ll find him and make him squeal. (Smiles at Lau.) I can tell the squealers every time.
CHECHEN
What you propose?
THE JOKER
It’s simple. Kill the Batman.
Jeers. Laughter.
MARONI
If it’s so easy why haven’t you done it already?
THE JOKER
Like my mother used to tell me – if you’re good at something, never do it for free.
CHECHEN
How much you want?
THE JOKER
Half.
Laughter. The Joker shrugs. Rises.
You don’t deal with this now, soon Gambol won’t even be able to get a nickel for his grandma.
GAMBOL
Enough from the clown.
Gambol gets up, moving at the Joker, who casually opens his coat, revealing explosives wired to his chest. Gambol stops.
THE JOKER
Let’s not blow this out of all proportion.
Gambol stares at the Joker. Hard.
GAMBOL
You think you can steal from us and just walk away? I’m putting the word out – five hundred grand for this clown dead. A million alive, so I get to teach him some manners first.
The Joker shrugs. Turns to the assembled.
THE JOKER
Let me know when you change your minds.
The Joker strolls out. Maroni turns to Lau.
MARONI
How soon can you move the money?
EXT. VARIOUS BANKS DOWNTOWN – CONTINUOUS 50
Gordon hurries up the steps to a bank. SWAT teams rush the various banks.
LAU
(o.s.)
I already have …
EXT. UNDERPASS, GOTHAM – CONTINUOUS 51
A Chinese man finishes loading a tractor trailer with cash boxes. The truck pulls out into a convoy.
INT. BANK VAULT – CONTINUOUS 52
Gordon stands in an almost empty bank vault. Furious.
LAU
(o.s.)
For obvious reasons I couldn’t wait for your permission …
INT. SOCIAL CLUB, DOWNTOWN – CONTINUOUS 53
The shot of Lau on the TV widens …
LAU
Rest assured, your money is safe.
He is already on his private jet. In the sky: the Bat-Signal.
EXT. ROOF, POLICE STATION – NIGHT 54
Batman emerges from the shadows. The man next to the glowing spotlight turns: Dent.
DENT
You’re a hard man to reach.
Gordon bursts onto the rooftop, weapon drawn. Sees Dent.
DENT
Lau’s halfway to Hong Kong – if you’d asked, I could have taken his passport – I told you to keep me in the loop.
GORDON
Yeah? All that was left in the vaults were the marked bills – they knew we were coming! As soon as your office got involved, there’s a leak –
DENT
My office?! You’re sitting down here with scum like Wuertz and Ramirez … (Off look.) Oh, yeah, Gordon – I almost had your rookie cold on a racketeering beef.
GORDON
Don’t try to cloud the fact that clearly Maroni’s got people in your office, Dent.
Dent turns to Batman.
DENT
We need Lau back, but the Chinese won’t extradite a national under any circumstances.
BATMAN
If I get him to you, can you get him to talk?
DENT
I’ll get him to sing.
GORDON
We’re going after the mob’s life savings. Things will get ugly.
DENT
I knew the risks when I took this job, Lieutenant. Same as you. (Turns to Batman.) How will you get him back, anyway?
Batman is gone. Dent looks around, startled. Gordon smirks.
GORDON
He does that.
INT. FOX’S OFFICE, WAYNE ENTERPRISES –
DAY 55
Fox gets up from behind his desk.
FOX
Our Chinese friend left town before I could tell him the deal is off.
WAYNE
I’m sure you’ve always wanted to go to Hong Kong.
Fox opens the door to a private elevator.
INT. PRIVATE ELEVATOR – CONTINUOUS 56
Fox turns a key.
FOX
What’s wrong with a phone call?
WAYNE
I think Mr. Lau deserves a more personal touch.
INT. APPLIED SCIENCES DIVISION – CONTINUOUS 57
Fox leads Wayne off the elevator and into the vast space.
FOX
For high-altitude jumps, you need oxygen and stabilizers. I must say – compared to your usual requests, jumping out of an airplane is pretty straightforward.
Fox stops at a cabinet, pulls open a drawer and hauls out an oxygen tank and ribbed rubber hosing.
WAYNE
How about getting back into the plane?
FOX
I can recommend a good travel agent.
WAYNE
Without it landing.
FOX
That’s more like it, Mr. Wayne.
He shuts the drawer. Moves off, thinking.
FOX
I don’t think I have anything here. The CIA had a program in the sixties for getting their people out of hot spots. Called Sky Hook. Now –
Fox opens a cabinet to reveal components of a new Batsuit. Armored plating secured to mesh. Wayne lifts an arm.
FOX
Hardened Kevlar plates on a titanium-dipped fiber tri-weave for flexibility …
Wayne examines double-blade scallops on the gauntlet …
FOX
You’ll be lighter, faster, more agile …
Wayne flinches as the blades fire, spinning like throwing stars, narrowly missing his ear, embedding themselves in a filing cabinet. Fox looks at him.
Perhaps you should read the instructions first.
WAYNE
Sorry.
Fox picks up the chest, demonstrating its flexibility.
FOX
Now, there’s a trade-off … the spread of the plates gives you weak spots. You’ll be more vulnerable to gunfire and knives.