The Batmobile spins around to rejoin the pursuit.
INT. JOKER’S TRUCK – NIGHT 176
The Joker turns to his men to reload his RPG.
THE JOKER
Do me up –
Turns back, levels his RPG out the window. Aims.
INT. BATMOBILE – NIGHT 177
Batman watches as the Joker prepares to fire. Several rows of cars separate them. He toggles the afterburner.
INT. PASSENGER CAR – NIGHT 178
Two small children in the back of the car watch as the Batmobile rockets overhead.
EXT. LOWER LEVEL STREET – NIGHT 179
The Joker steadies the RPG and fires. The Batmobile crashes down into the open space between the two vehicles – taking the hit from the RPG which explodes.
The rear of the Batmobile explodes – spinning the flaming car.
INT. ARMORED CAR – NIGHT 180
SWATs react to the explosion. Dent is calm.
INT. CAB OF JOKER’S TRUCK – CONTINUOUS 180A
The Driver takes a debris hit to the head –
INT. TRUCK – CONTINUOUS 180B
The Joker cackles with delight as he is thrown around the rear of the trailer.
INT. BATMOBILE – CONTINUOUS 181
Batman wrestles the pod controls, spinning on the gyro.
EXT. LOWER LEVEL STREET – CONTINUOUS 182
The Batmobile flips over to come to rest in a smoking heap – the front end intact, rear wheels scattered across the roadway. A small crowd gathers.
SCENE OMITTED 183
EXT. LOWER LEVEL STREET – CONTINUOUS 183A
The Joker jumps down from the truck, still giggling like a kid – looks back at the Batmobile’s destruction.
THE JOKER
Whoever he was … he ain’t now.
The Joker yanks his dead Driver out of the cab, jumps over him to take the wheel and pull back onto the roadway.
EXT. LOWER LEVEL STREET – CONTINUOUS 183B
The armored car pulls ahead, the Joker’s truck in hot pursuit.
INT. ARMORED CAR – CONTINUOUS 183C
Shotgun SWAT glances in the rear-view mirror, slaps the dash.
SHOTGUN SWAT
Let’s get topside – we need that air support!
EXT. LOWER LEVEL STREET – CONTINUOUS 183D
The armored car pulls onto a ramp, heading up. The Joker’s truck follows.
EXT. LOWER LEVEL STREET – CONTINUOUS 184
People stare at the smoking wreck, inching closer …
INT. BATMOBILE – CONTINUOUS 185
Batman adjusts his position. Hits a button.
BATMOBILE VOICE
Damage catastrophic. Initiate eject and self-destruct.
Arm guards grab Batman’s forearms as explosive bolts fire all around the pod …
BATMOBILE VOICE
(o.s.)
Goodbye.
EXT. LOWER LEVEL STREET – CONTINUOUS 186
The crowd jumps – panels of the front of the car blow out.
The crowd stares, open-mouthed, as Batman emerges, hoisted up and out of the flaming car by the front pod. Levering over the front wheel, the pod pushes the other wheel in front to form a type of motorcycle.
The Bat-Pod shoots forward, bursting free as the Batmobile detonates, dying in a massive fireball … Batman’s cape sucks together, forming a tight pack on his shoulders, clear of the churning rear tire of the Bat-Pod …
EXT. PARKSIDE – CONTINUOUS 186A
The armored car races down the street – the chopper dips low.
PILOT
(o.s.)
We’re back on point – and ready to give some of their own medicine –
INT. POLICE CHOPPER – CONTINUOUS 186B
A Cop pulls out an assault rifle. Cocks it –
INT. CAB OF JOKER’S TRUCK – CONTINUOUS 186C
The Joker fights with the truck’s gearbox, turns to his Thug.
THE JOKER
Tee ’em up.
The Thug grabs his radio.
EXT. FIRE ESCAPE – CONTINUOUS 186D
A Joker Thug in clown mask loads up the cable gun seen in the bank heist.
EXT. SECOND FIRE ESCAPE – CONTINUOUS 186E
Another Thug loads his own cable gun …
INT. PASSENGER CAR, LOWER LEVEL STREET – NIGHT 187
A motorist stares through his rear-view mirror, transfixed, as the Bat-Pod tears past. He yelps as the Bat-Pod smashes the wing mirror from his car.
EXT. LOWER LEVEL STREET – NIGHT 188
Batman squeezes his triggers – blasting at parked cars, blowing them out of the way, literally cannoning a path for the Bat-Pod …
SCENE OMITTED 189
EXT. TRAIN STATION – CONTINUOUS 189A
The Bat-Pod cannons through the glass doors and races through the station/mall, Commuters screaming and diving out of the way.
The Bat-Pod races up the stairs and on to the upper street.
EXT. PARKSIDE – CONTINUOUS 189B
The Joker’s Thugs fire the cables across the street at seventh-floor level. They pull taut as the chopper approaches, unawares. The chopper catches on the cables, going down in a fiery ball that barrels along the street towards the armored car …
INT. ARMORED CAR – CONTINUOUS 189C
The Driver steers around the flaming wreckage as the Shotgun SWAT shuts his eyes.
EXT. NARROW ALLEY – CONTINUOUS 189D
The Bat-Pod tears down a narrow alley blocked with dumpsters, cannons the dumpsters to make a path –
SCENE OMITTED 190
INT. CAB OF JOKER’S TRUCK – NIGHT 191
The Joker hands the wheel to his man – takes a submachine gun.
JOKER’S THUG
Boss?
The Joker looks ahead to see the Bat-Pod emerge from the alley in a cloud of fire. Skidding sideways impossibly, it races towards them.
THE JOKER
Guess it was him.
EXT. PARKSIDE – NIGHT 192
The Bat-Pod races straight at the Joker’s truck, fires a harpoon at the Joker’s truck. It impacts low, below the bumper.
INT. TRUCK – CONTINUOUS 193
The Joker’s Thug ducks, then comes back up, beaming.
JOKER’S THUG
He missed!
EXT. PARKSIDE – CONTINUOUS 194
Batman swerves past the Joker’s truck, slaloms, wrapping the cables around a lamp post, spinning to a halt to watch …
EXT. PARKSIDE – CONTINUOUS 195
The cable goes taut, ripping one post from its foundation. The truck’s front wheels catch, flipping it end over end …
The Joker crawls from the wreckage. He jumps over the median and starts waving his pistol at oncoming traffic. Batman guns the Bat-Pod and rides it up and over the median.
INT. ARMORED CAR – NIGHT 196
The Driver slows the car, pulls to the side.
SHOTGUN SWAT
What the hell are you doing?
EXT. PARKSIDE – NIGHT 197
The Joker walks towards the Bat-Pod, which speeds towards him. He is firing his gun randomly at the oncoming traffic.
THE JOKER
Hit me. Come on. Hit me.
Batman watches as the Joker holds out his arms. Waiting for impact. There is no room to go around him.
Batman locks up the brakes.
The Joker watches as Batman dumps the bike rather than smashing into him. Batman slams into the wall.
The Joker’s Thugs reach Batman first. He is unconscious. The first Thug pulls at the mask. An electric shock from the Batsuit throws him back. The Joker laughs. Flicks his switchblade. Crouches.
VOICE
(o.s.)
Drop it.
THE JOKER
Just give me a se
cond.
The gun is cocked. The Joker drops the knife. Sits. Looks back. Behind them is the armored car. The man standing over him is the Driver. He pulls off his helmet.
It’s Jim Gordon. Back from the dead.
GORDON
We got you, you son-of-a-bitch.
INT. ARMORED CAR – MOMENTS LATER 198
Dent looks up as the door swings open to reveal Gordon. Dent grins.
DENT
Lieutenant, you do like to play it pretty close to the chest …
GORDON
We got him, Harvey.
Dent nods. Respect in his eyes. They shake hands.
EXT. PARKSIDE – NIGHT 199
A small army of cops have sealed off the roadway. Gordon pulls away in the squad car containing the Joker.
Reporters clamor for an interview with Dent, who is being helped out of the van by the SWATs. Ramirez pushes through the pack, shoving reporters aside.
RAMIREZ
Let him be! He’s been through enough –
Dent follows Ramirez to a squad car. Wuertz is in the driver’s seat. Dent smiles at Ramirez as she opens the rear door.
DENT
Thanks, Detective – I’ve got a date with a pretty upset fiancée.
RAMIREZ
I figured, Counselor.
Ramirez shuts the door on Dent. Signals Wuertz to pull out.
INT. HOLDING, MCU, GOTHAM CENTRAL – NIGHT 200
The Joker sits in a holding cage. His make-up has run, his clothes a mess – but his calm lends him an odd dignity. Cops smash their nightsticks against the bars near the Joker’s head. The Joker does not flinch.
GORDON
Stand away! All of you. I don’t want anything for his mob lawyer to use, understand? Handle this guy like he’s made of glass.
The Mayor walks in. Shakes Gordon’s hand.
MAYOR
Back from the dead.
GORDON
I couldn’t chance my family’s safety.
The Mayor looks over at the Joker in his cage.
MAYOR
What do we got?
GORDON
Nothing. No matches on prints, DNA, dental. Clothing is custom, no labels. Nothing in his pockets but knives and lint. No name, no other alias … nothing.
MAYOR
Go home, Gordon. The clown’ll keep till morning. Get some rest – you’re going to need it. Tomorrow, you take the big job. (Off look.) You don’t have any say in the matter. (Louder, for all.) Commissioner Gordon.
The Cops in MCU start cheering.
EXT. GORDON HOME – NIGHT 201
Gordon rings the bell. Barbara answers it, dressed in black.
GORDON
I couldn’t tell you. I couldn’t risk –
She slaps Gordon. He grabs her, holds her tight as she sobs.
INT. HOLDING, MCU, GOTHAM CENTRAL – NIGHT 202
The Joker’s Men are processed. In the harsh light, the Men look a little ridiculous in their clown make-up. Detective Murphy turns to Stephens.
DETECTIVE MURPHY
Look at these ugly bastards.
One of the Men walks over, clutching at his belly.
FAT THUG
I don’t feel good.
DETECTIVE MURPHY
You’re a cop killer. You’re lucky to be feeling anything below the neck.
Alone in his cage, the Joker smiles at this.
INT. KIDS’ BEDROOM, GORDON HOME – NIGHT 203
Gordon crouches by his son’s bedside. He reaches out to touch James Jr.’s cheek. James’s eyes open. Staring at his dad as if still dreaming.
JAMES
(whispers)
Did Batman save you, Dad?
Gordon looks at his son. A little pride seeps in.
GORDON
Actually, this time I saved him.
Gordon’s phone rings.
INT. MAJOR CRIMES UNIT, GOTHAM CENTRAL – NIGHT 204
Gordon pushes through the swarm of Detectives crowded into the observation room. The Joker can be seen through the glass, as well as on a large monitor. Sitting there. Calm.
GORDON
Has he said anything, yet?
Ramirez shakes her head. Gordon pushes through a door …
INT. INTERROGATION, MCU, GOTHAM CENTRAL – NIGHT 205
The Joker, in near darkness. Gordon walks in. Sits.
THE JOKER
Evening, Commissioner.
GORDON
Harvey Dent never made it home.
THE JOKER
Of course not.
GORDON
What have you done with him?
THE JOKER
(laughs)
Me? I was right here. Who did you leave him with? Your people? Assuming, of course, that they are your people not Maroni’s … (Off look.) Does it depress you, Lieutenant, to know how alone you are?
Gordon can’t help glancing at the mounted camera.
Does it make you feel responsible for Harvey Dent’s current predicament?
GORDON
Where is he?
THE JOKER
What time is it?
GORDON
What difference does that make?
THE JOKER
Depending on the time, he might be in one spot. (Smiles.) Or several.
Gordon stands. Moves to the Joker. Undoes his handcuffs.
GORDON
If we’re going to play games, I’m going to need a cup of coffee.
THE JOKER
The good-cop, bad-cop routine?
Gordon pauses, hand on the doorknob.
GORDON
Not exactly.
Gordon steps out. The overhead lights come on. Batman is behind him. The Joker blinks in the harsh white light.
Wham! The Joker’s face hits the table – comes up for air. Crack! Crack! to the head. Batman is in front of him. The Joker stares, fascinated. Bleeding.
THE JOKER
Never start with the head … victim gets fuzzy. Can’t feel the next –
Crack! Batman’s fist smacks down on the Joker’s fingers.
THE JOKER
(calm)
See?
BATMAN
You wanted me. Here I am.
THE JOKER
I wanted to see what you’d do. And you didn’t disappoint … (Laughs.) You let five people die. Then you let Dent take your place. Even to a guy like me … that’s cold –
BATMAN
Where’s Dent?
THE JOKER
Those mob fools want you gone so they can get back to the way things were. But I know the truth – there’s no going back. You’ve changed things. Forever.
BATMAN
Then why do you want to kill me?
The Joker starts laughing. After a moment he’s laughing so hard it sounds like sobbing.
THE JOKER
Kill you? I don’t want to kill you. What would I do without you? Go back to ripping off mob dealers? No, you … (Points.) You. Complete. Me.
BATMAN
You’re garbage who kills for money.
THE JOKER
Don’t talk like one of them – you’re not, even if you’d like to be. To them you’re a freak like me … they just need you right now.
He regards Batman with something approaching pity.
But as soon as they don’t, they’ll cast you out like a leper.
The Joker looks into Batman’s eyes. Searching.
Their morals, their code … it’s a bad joke. Dropped at the first sign of trouble. They’re only as good as the world allows them to be. You’ll see – I’ll show you … when the chips are down, these civilized people … they’ll eat each other. (Grins.) See, I’m not a monster … I’m just ahead of the curve.
Batman grabs the Joker and pulls him upright.
INT. OBSERVATION ROOM, MCU, GOTHAM CENTRAL – NIGHT 206
One of the Detectives moves for the door. Gordon stops him.
GORDON
He’s in control.
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM, MCU, GOTHAM CENTRAL – NIGHT 207
Batman hoists the Joker up by the neck.
BATMAN
Where’s Dent?
THE JOKER
You have these rules. And you think they’ll save you.
BATMAN
I have one rule.
THE JOKER
Then that’s the one you’ll have to break. To know the truth.
BATMAN
Which is?
THE JOKER
(smiles)
The only sensible way to live in this world is without rules. Tonight you’re going to break your one rule …
Batman leans in to the Joker.
BATMAN
I’m considering it.
THE JOKER
There are just minutes left – so, you’ll have to play my little game if you want to save … (with relish) one of them.
BATMAN
Them?
THE JOKER
For a while I thought you really were Dent, the way you threw yourself after her –
Batman drops the Joker – rips up a bolted-down chair.
INT. OBSERVATION ROOM, MCU, GOTHAM CENTRAL – NIGHT 208