… 849 counts racketeering, 246 counts fraud, 87 counts conspiracy murder …
Judge Surrillo turns the page. A playing card sits there. A Joker. He glances at it, curious, puts it to one side.
… how do the defendants plead?
An army of defense lawyers jostle, yelling all at once. The stenographer looks up, helpless.
INT. MAYOR’S OFFICE – DAY 92
The Mayor, Commissioner Loeb and Gordon look up as Dent enters.
MAYOR
Dent! What was that circus?!
DENT
I asked Gordon to make some arrests.
LOEB
(looks at report)
Five hundred and –
GORDON
Forty-nine, sir.
Gordon nods at Dent, approving. Dent grins back.
MAYOR
549 criminals at once?! How did you convince Surrillo to hear this farce?
DENT
She shares my enthusiasm for justice. After all, she is a judge.
MAYOR
Even if you blow enough smoke to get convictions out of Surrillo, you’ll set a new record at appeals for quickest kick in the ass.
DENT
It won’t matter. The head guys make bail, sure … but the mid-level guys, they can’t, and they can’t afford to be off the streets long enough for trial and appeal. They’ll cut deals that include some jail time. Think of all you could do with eighteen months of clean streets.
The Mayor waves Gordon and Loeb out.
MAYOR
The public likes you, Dent. That’s the only reason this might fly. But that means it’s on you. They’re all coming after you now. Not just the mob … politicians, journalists, cops – anyone whose wallet’s about to get lighter. Are you up to it?
Dent smiles.
MAYOR
You better be. They get anything on you … those criminals will be back on the streets …
The Mayor turns to look out of the window. Quiet.
Followed swiftly by you and me –
Bang! A dark shape cracks the glass in front of the Mayor’s nose. Dent rushes to the window, looks out …
EXT. CITY HALL – CONTINUOUS 93
Pedestrians look up, someone screams, someone points – five storeys up … swinging from a flagpole …
Batman. hanging by his neck. Dead. His mouth roughly painted in a demonic clown smile.
EXT. CITY HALL – MOMENTS LATER 94
‘Batman’ is lowered from the flagpole. The same fake Batman we saw earlier. Pinned to his chest by a knife, a playing card. A Joker. Gordon moves closer to the body. The card has writing on it: WILL THE REAL BATMAN PLEASE STAND UP?
INT. WAYNE PENTHOUSE – DAY 95
Wayne comes into the living room, excited. Alfred is supervising party arrangements.
WAYNE
How’s it going?
alfred
I think your fundraiser will be a great success, sir.
WAYNE
And why do you think I wanted to hold a party for Harvey Dent?
ALFRED
I assumed it was your usual reason for socializing beyond myself and the scum of Gotham’s underbelly: to try and impress Miss Dawes.
WAYNE
Very droll. But very wrong. Actually it’s Dent. You see –
Wayne trails off as he spots something on the television: the Batman hanging as from a news camera, framed by a graphic that reads BATMAN DEAD? Image cuts to Engel in the studio.
ENGEL
(voice-over)
… Police released video footage found concealed on the body. Sensitive viewers be aware: it is disturbing.
The image cuts to a blindfolded man, wearing a makeshift Batman costume – face bruised and bloody. In some kind of bright, fluorescent-lit room.
VOICE
(o.s.)
Tell them your name.
MAN
(weak)
Brian Douglas.
VOICE
(o.s.)
Are you the real Batman?
MAN
No.
VOICE
(o.s.)
Why do you dress up like him?
MAN
He’s a symbol … that we don’t have to be afraid of scum like you …
VOICE
(o.s.)
But you do, Brian. You really do. You think the Batman’s helped Gotham?
Brian nods uncertainly …
Look at me.
Brian looks down.
Brian looks up – the camera swings into the face of the Joker, in chalk-white make-up, red smear of lipstick on his scars.
THE JOKER
This is how crazy Batman’s made Gotham. You want order in Gotham? Batman has to go. So … (Leans in.) Batman must take off his mask, and turn himself in. Every day he doesn’t … people will die. Starting tonight. I’m a man of my word.
The tape cuts to static.
Wayne turns to Alfred. Silent.
INT. WAYNE PENTHOUSE – EVENING 95A
Dent and Rachel get off the lift. Dent stands in awe of the penthouse and its guests.
RACHEL
Now I’ve seen it all: Harvey Dent, scourge of the underworld, scared stiff by the trust fund brigade.
Rachel spots someone and darts off.
DENT
Rachel –
ALFRED
(o.s.)
A little liquid courage, Mr. Dent?
Dent turns to see Alfred with drinks on a silver tray.
DENT
Thanks. Alfred, right?
ALFRED
Yes, sir.
DENT
Rachel talks about you all the time. You’ve known her her whole life?
ALFRED
Not yet, sir.
DENT
(smiles, surveys crowd)
Any psychotic ex-boyfriends I should be aware of?
ALFRED
Oh, you have no idea.
Alfred leaves Dent standing there, puzzled. The crowd reacts as a loud roar drowns conversation … Dent looks out.
EXT. HELIPAD, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – CONTINUOUS 95B
Wayne’s chopper touches down. He spills out with a clutch of supermodels …
INT. WAYNE PENTHOUSE – CONTINUOUS 95C
Wayne and the supermodels come out of the helipad elevator.
WAYNE
Sorry, I’m late – glad you started without me! Where’s Rachel?!
Rachel cringes slightly. Wayne spots her.
Rachel Dawes – my oldest friend. When she told me she was dating Harvey Dent, I had one thing to say … the guy from those god-awful campaign commercials?
Laughter. Dent shifts, embarrassed.
‘I Believe in Harvey Dent.’ Nice slogan, Harvey. Certainly caught Rachel’s attention. But then I started paying attention to Harvey, and all he’s been doing as our new DA, and you know what? I believe in Harvey Dent. On his watch, Gotham can feel a little safer. A little more optimistic. So get out your checkbooks and let’s make sure that he stays right where all of Gotham wants him … (Raises his glass.) All except Gotham’s criminals, of course. To the face of Gotham’s bright future – Harvey Dent.
Dent smiles accepting the toast.
INT. CORRIDOR, MCU – EVENING 96
Ramirez catches up to Gordon, holding paperwork.
RAMIREZ
That Joker card pinned to the body? Forensics found three sets of DNA.
GORDON
Any matches?
RAMIREZ
All three.
Gordon stops. Turns to face her.
RAMIREZ
The DNA belongs to Judge Surrillo. Harvey Dent and Commissioner Loeb.
GORDON
The Joker’s telling us who he’s targeting – get a unit to Surrillo’s house, tell Wuertz to find Dent – get them both into protective custody. Where’s the Commissioner?
RAMIREZ
City Hall.
GORDON
Seal the buildi
ng. No one in or out till I get there.
EXT. DECK, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – EVENING 96A
Wayne walks out to the edge of the balcony and looks over Gotham. Hears someone behind him – Rachel.
RACHEL
Harvey may not know you well enough to understand when you’re making fun of him. But I do.
WAYNE
(shakes his head)
I meant every word.
Wayne moves closer to Rachel. Takes her arm.
WAYNE
The day you once told me about, the day when Gotham no longer needs Batman. It’s coming.
Rachel looks at Wayne. Conflicted. He moves closer.
RACHEL
You can’t ask me to wait for that.
Wayne takes Rachel’s arms, looking at her, excited.
WAYNE
It’s happening now – Harvey is that hero. He locked up half the city’s criminals, and he did it without wearing a mask. Gotham needs a hero with a face.
DENT
You can throw a party, Wayne, I’ll give you that. Thanks again. Mind if I borrow Rachel?
Rachel glances back at Wayne as she moves to Dent. Wayne watches them head inside.
EXT. STREET, GOTHAM HEIGHTS – EVENING 97
Two Men in suits knock at a brownstone. The door is opened by Judge Surrillo. The two Men hold up badges.
EXT. CITY HALL – EVENING 98
Gordon enters through a tight police presence at the doors.
INT. POLICE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE – EVENING 99
Gordon enters to find Loeb, flanked by armed cops.
LOEB
Gordon, what are you playing at?
Gordon checks the window. Turns to his men.
GORDON
We’re secure. I want a floor-by-floor search of the entire building. (Turns to Loeb.) I’m sorry, sir. We believe the Joker has made a threat against your life.
LOEB
Gordon, you’re unlikely to discover this for yourself, so take my word – the Police Commissioner earns a lot of threats …
Loeb pulls a bottle of whiskey and a tumbler from a drawer.
I found the appropriate response to these situations a long time ago …
EXT. STREET, GOTHAM HEIGHTS – EVENING 100
The second Man is waiting by the Judge’s car.
SURRILLO
Gordon wants me to go right now?
MAN 1
These are dangerous people, Judge. Even we don’t know where you’re going.
He hands Surrillo a sealed envelope. Opens the car door.
MAN 2
Get in, then open the envelope. It’ll tell you where you’re headed.
Surrillo climbs in. They drive away. She opens the envelope – pulls out a sheet of paper. One word on it: ‘Up’.
Surrillo’s car explodes, heaving the car upwards on a fireball.
A Passerby is thrown to the ground. After a moment, burning debris flutters down on him. Playing cards. Jokers.
INT. POLICE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE – CONTINUOUS 101
Loeb pours himself a glass of whiskey.
LOEB
You get to explain to my wife why I’m late for dinner, Lieutenant.
GORDON
Sir, the Joker card had a trace of your DNA on it –
A bang at the door. Gordon pulls his weapon, then opens it.
STEPHENS
Just the normal number of bad guys in the building – and they’re all city employees. Here’s a list.
LOEB
How’d they get my DNA?
Gordon looks at Stephens’s list.
GORDON
Somebody with access to your house or office must’ve lifted a tissue or a glass …
Gordon, realizing, spins around –
Wait –
But Loeb is already choking – he drops his tumbler onto the desk – the spilled whiskey is smoking, eating into the wood.
Get a medic!
Loeb collapses.
SCENES OMITTED 102–105
INT. KITCHEN, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – EVENING 105A
Dent pulls Rachel into the kitchen, away from the crowd.
DENT
You cannot leave me on my own with these people.
RACHEL
The whole mob’s after you and you’re worried about these guys?
DENT
Compared to this, the mob doesn’t scare me. Although, I will say: them gunning for you makes you see things clearly.
RACHEL
Oh, yeah?
DENT
Yeah. It makes you think about what you couldn’t stand losing. And who you want to spend the rest of your life with …
Rachel looks at Dent. Smiles.
RACHEL
The rest of your life, huh? That’s a pretty big commitment.
DENT
Not if the mob has their way.
RACHEL
Don’t.
DENT
Okay. Let’s be serious. What’s your answer?
Rachel looks at him.
RACHEL
I don’t have an answer.
INT. LIVING ROOM, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – NIGHT 106
Half the guests are on their cell phones. An Assistant DA turns to his colleague.
ASSISTANT DA
Surrillo and Loeb?
There is a knock at the front door. Alfred opens it to find Detective Wuertz, who holds up his badge. Alfred beckons him in – there is a shotgun at the back of his head held by –
The Joker – purple suit, make-up. With friends. The Joker smashes Wuertz over the head – steps over him, racking the shotgun.
THE JOKER
Good evening. We’re the entertainment.
INT. KITCHEN, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – NIGHT 107
Rachel is looking at Dent. Torn.
DENT
I guess no answer isn’t ‘no’.
RACHEL
I’m sorry, Harvey. I just …
DENT
It’s someone else, isn’t it?
Wayne is moving up behind him. Fast –
Just tell me it’s not Wayne. The guy’s a complete –
Rachel’s eyes go wide as Wayne puts Dent in a sleeper hold.
RACHEL
What are you doing?!
Dent slumps, unconscious, in Wayne’s arms.
WAYNE
They’ve come for him.
From the main room – a shotgun blast followed by screams.
Wayne stuffs Dent in a closet, puts a mop through the handles. Rushes past Rachel.
WAYNE
Stay hidden.
INT. LIVING ROOM, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – NIGHT 108
The Joker and his Thugs pour into the room, weapons raised.
INT. HALLWAY, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – NIGHT 109
A Thug appears in front of Wayne, toting a shotgun.
THUG
Hands up, pretty boy.
Wayne flips the shotgun around in the man’s hands, uses it as a fulcrum to snap his forearm, smashes him in the jaw with the stock without breaking step, field-stripping the shotgun and tossing the pieces in different directions.
INT. LIVING ROOM, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – NIGHT 110
The Joker moves through the terrified guests. Smiling.
THE JOKER
I only have one question: where is Harvey Dent? (Silence.) I’ll settle for his loved ones …
A distinguished Gentleman steps into the Joker’s path.
GENTLEMAN
We’re not intimidated by thugs.
The Joker stops. Stares at the man. Smiles affectionately.
THE JOKER
You know, you remind me of my father.
Grabs him.
I hated my father.
The Joker has his blade in the Gentleman’s mouth.
RACHEL
(o.s.)
Stop!
The Joker drops the Gentleman. Turns to Rachel.
THE JOKER
Hello, beautiful. You must be Harve
y’s squeeze. (Runs his knife across her cheek.) And you are beautiful. You look nervous – it’s the scars, isn’t it? Wanna know how I got them? I had a wife, beautiful like you. Who tells me I worry too much. Who says I need to smile more. Who gambles. And gets in deep with the sharks. One day they carve her face, and we’ve got no money for surgeries. She can’t take it. (Presses knife into her cheek.) I just want to see her smile again. I just want her to know I don’t care about the scars. So I put a razor in my mouth and do this to myself … And you know what? (Starts laughing.) She can’t stand the sight of me … (Or crying.) She leaves! See, now I see the funny side. Now I’m always smiling.
INT. MASTER BEDROOM, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – NIGHT 111
Wayne walks in. A couple are hastily putting themselves back together, alerted by the noise.
MALE GUEST
What’s going on out there, Wayne?
Wayne doesn’t answer. He walks into a closet and pulls at a false wall. Wayne steps into the safe room.
FEMALE GUEST
Thank God – you’ve got a panic room.
The door slams shut and seals with a hiss.
MALE GUEST
Wait! You can’t –
FEMALE GUEST
You’ve got to be kidding me.
INT. LIVING ROOM, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – NIGHT 112
The Joker raises his knife from Rachel’s cheek. She slugs him. He smiles.
THE JOKER
A little fight in you. I like that.
BATMAN
(o.s.)
Then you’re going to love me.
The Joker turns. Batman catches him with a blow, spins him down and disarms him. The Joker’s men jump him. Batman takes them out two at a time – disarming thugs, breaking forearms. The Joker clicks a blade from the toe of his shoe and kicks – jabbing between the plates of armor covering Batman’s ribcage.
Batman hurls the Joker across the room. One of the Joker’s men lunges – Batman lays him out cold.
The Joker has another knife pressed to Rachel’s neck.
BATMAN