Gordon moves for the door.
INT. OBSERVATION ROOM, MCU – CONTINUOUS 209
Batman jams the chair under the doorknob, picks up the Joker and hurls him into the two-way glass. The glass spiders.
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM, MCU, GOTHAM CENTRAL – NIGHT 210
The Joker, bleeding from nose and mouth, laughs at Batman.
THE JOKER
Look at you go … Does Harvey know about you and his –?
The Joker smashes into the wall – slides to the floor. Batman stands over him, a man possessed.
BATMAN
WHERE ARE THEY?!
He grabs the Joker, holding him close.
THE JOKER
Killing is making a choice …
Batman punches the Joker across the face. Hard.
BATMAN
WHERE ARE THEY?!
The Joker feeds off Batman’s anger. Loving it.
THE JOKER
… You choose one life over the other. Your friend, the District Attorney. Or his blushing bride-to-be.
Batman punches the Joker again. The Joker laughs.
You have nothing. Nothing to threaten me with. Nothing to do with all your strength … (Spits a tooth.) But don’t worry, I’m going to tell you where they are. Both of them, and that’s the point – you’ll have to choose.
The Batman stares at the Joker …
THE JOKER
He’s at 250 52nd Boulevard. And she’s on Avenue X at Cicero.
Batman drops him.
INT. OBSERVATION ROOM, MCU, GOTHAM CENTRAL – NIGHT 211
Batman races past Gordon.
GORDON
Which one are you –
BATMAN
Dent knew the risks.
Gordon looks back. The Joker is bloody, but grinning.
EXT. MCU, GOTHAM CENTRAL – NIGHT 212
Several cops see Batman climb onto the Bat-Pod and tear off.
EXT. STREETS, GOTHAM – NIGHT 213
Batman swerves into oncoming traffic, chaos in his wake.
EXT. GOTHAM CENTRAL – NIGHT 214
Gordon and his men scramble into their cars …
INT. BASEMENT APARTMENT – NIGHT 215
Black.
RACHEL
(o.s.)
Can anyone hear me?
Harvey Dent opens his eyes. He’s bound to a chair in a dingy, unfurnished basement apartment.
DENT
Rachel? Rachel, is that you?
RACHEL
(o.s., sobbing)
Harvey. You’re okay. I thought …
Her voice is coming from a speakerphone on the floor.
DENT
It’s okay, Rachel. Everything’s going to be just fine.
He looks around. Behind him, metal barrels, hooked up to a car battery, with a timer counting down: five minutes.
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM, MCU, GOTHAM CENTRAL – NIGHT 216
The Joker sits, smiling, content. Stephens guards the door.
THE JOKER
I want my phone call.
STEPHENS
That’s nice.
THE JOKER
How many of your friends have I killed?
STEPHENS
I’m a twenty-year man. I can tell the difference between punks who need a little lesson in manners, and the freaks like you who would just enjoy it. (Quiet.) And you killed six of my friends.
INT. HOLDING AREA, MCU, GOTHAM CENTRAL – NIGHT 217
The Fat Thug shuffles to the bars, where a Cop stands guard.
FAT THUG
(agony)
Please. My insides hurt.
COP
Step away from the bars.
FAT THUG
The boss said he would make the voices go away. He said he would go inside and replace them with bright lights. Like Christmas.
COP
That’s great. Please step –
The Fat Thug collapses. The Cop grabs his radio.
INT. WAREHOUSE – NIGHT 218
Rachel is bound to a chair. Behind her are barrels identical to the ones behind Dent.
DENT
(o.s.)
Can you move your chair?
RACHEL
No. Harvey, we don’t have much time-
The timer connected to the bomb reads 2:47 … 2:46 …
INT. BASEMENT APARTMENT – NIGHT 219
Dent drags his chair, inching closer to the barrels.
DENT
Look for something to free yourself.
The chair jams against a ridge in the floor. Dent strains to reach the timer. Inches shy.
RACHEL
(o.s.)
They said only one of us was going to make it. That they’d let our … (pause) our friends choose …
Dent strains … The chair, and Dent, topple over – knocking over a barrel.
RACHEL
(o.s.)
Harvey? What’s happening?
Dent, one side of his face pressed against the bare floor, watches the open barrel spew diesel fuel around him.
DENT
Nothing. I’m trying to …
Dent contorts his head to keep from swallowing any.
EXT. STREETS, GOTHAM – NIGHT 220
The Bat-Pod skids sideways, wheels flipping as the gyro keeps Batman upright on the tumbling bike. It comes to rest, guns lined up with a fire exit – blows the door off its hinges. He jumps off the bike.
EXT. 52ND STREET, GOTHAM – NIGHT 221
Gridlock. Gordon’s car swerves onto the sidewalk. People scatter.
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM, MCU, GOTHAM CENTRAL – NIGHT 222
The Joker sits like a kid kept after class. He smiles.
THE JOKER
You know why I use a knife, Detective? Guns are too quick. You don’t get to savor all the little emotions. See, in their last moments, people show you who they really are …
Stephens tries hard to ignore him. It isn’t working.
So, in a way, I knew your friends better than you ever did. (Smiles.) Would you like to know which of them were really cowards?
STEPHENS
(rolls up sleeves)
I know you’re going to enjoy this. But I’m going to enjoy it more.
Stephens punches the Joker in the gut.
INT. BASEMENT APARTMENT – NIGHT 223
Dent is half submerged in diesel fuel.
RACHEL
Harvey, in case … I want you to know something …
Dent chokes, his emotions overwhelming him.
DENT
Don’t think like that, Rachel. They’re coming for you.
RACHEL
I know, but I don’t want them to …
INT. WAREHOUSE – NIGHT 224
Rachel looks at the timer. Ten seconds left.
RACHEL
I don’t want to live without you. Because I do have an answer, and my answer is yes …
INT. HOLDING AREA, MCU, GOTHAM CENTRAL – NIGHT 225
A Medic cuts away the Fat Thug’s shirt. His belly has a large incision, which has been closed with crude-looking stitches.
MEDIC
He’s got some kind of … contusion …
A rectangular shape is visible under the skin above his navel.
INT. DETECTIVE’S ROOM, MCU, GOTHAM CENTRAL – NIGHT 226
Stephens shuffles out into the room, a piece of broken glass held to his throat by the Joker. Cops draw their weapons.
STEPHENS
This is my own damn fault. Just shoot him.
DETECTIVE MURPHY
What do you want?
THE JOKER
I want my phone call.
The Detectives look at each other. One of them pulls out his cell phone. Tosses it to the Joker, who begins to dial.
INT. HOLDING AREA, MCU, GOTHAM CENTRAL – NIGHT 227
The Medic gingerly presses the rectangle. It illuminates, a soft blue light visible through the skin.
COP
Is that a … phone?
INT. DETECTIVE’S ROOM, MCU, GOTHAM CENTRAL – NIGHT 228
The Joker presses send. At the end of the room, the door to the holding area explodes.
INT. HALLWAY, TENEMENT – NIGHT 229
Batman sprints down the hall, stops at a door, kicks it.
EXT. 52ND STREET, GOTHAM – NIGHT 230
Cars pull up. Gordon gets out, carrying a fire ax.
INT. HALLWAY, TENEMENT – NIGHT 231
Batman kicks. The door gives – Batman smashes it open.
INT. BASEMENT APARTMENT – NIGHT 232
Batman bursts through the door. Dent looks up in horror.
DENT
NO! Not me … Why did you come for me?!
Batman stares at Dent. The Joker lied. The counter hits five seconds. Batman drags Dent out. Dent fights to stay.
DENT
RACHEL!
RACHEL
(o.s.)
Harvey? Harvey, it’s okay …
DENT
RACHEL!!
EXT. 52ND STREET, GOTHAM – NIGHT 233
Gordon, ax in hand, runs towards the entrance –
INT. WAREHOUSE – NIGHT 234
Rachel can hear Dent. The counter runs out.
RACHEL
(calm)
Somewhere –
An explosion. All-consuming.
EXT. 52ND STREET, GOTHAM – NIGHT 235
The blast hurls Gordon backward onto the hood of his car. The entire warehouse is an enormous explosion.
INT. BASEMENT APARTMENT – NIGHT 236
Batman wraps his cape around Dent and hurls them both through the door. Dent is screaming.
EXT. 52ND STREET, GOTHAM – NIGHT 237
Gordon picks himself up. The warehouse is an inferno. He heads for it anyway. Five of his men have to restrain him.
EXT. ALLEYWAY, GOTHAM – NIGHT 238
A second explosion, Batman covers Dent as the fireball hits them – igniting the diesel soaking Dent’s left side. He starts burning. And stops screaming. Batman rolls Dent on the wet pavement … Dent sizzles. Silent.
INT. SPECIAL HOLDING AREA, MCU, GOTHAM CENTRAL – NIGHT 239
The Joker walks to the bars of another cell. Grins.
THE JOKER
Hello there.
In his cell. Terrified. Lau.
EXT. AMBULANCE – CONTINUOUS 240
Dent is wheeled into an ambulance, bandages held to his face.
His one visible eye stares blankly, oblivious to the panic.
EXT. 52ND STREET – CONTINUOUS 241
Gordon watches the fire. Debris blows across the asphalt.
Gordon picks up two pieces: singed Joker cards. In place of the Joker’s face is a photo of Lau. A Police Sergeant approaches.
SERGEANT
Dent’s alive, Jim. Just. But back at MCU … the Joker’s gone …
GORDON
With Lau?
The Cop nods.
GORDON
The Joker planned to be caught. He wanted me to lock him up in MCU.
EXT. STREET, DOWNTOWN GOTHAM – DAWN 242
A squad car blazes down the street. The Joker sticks his head out the window like a dog, feeling the wind …
INT. KITCHEN, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – DAWN 243
Alfred sits at a table reading the letter from Rachel.
RACHEL
(voice-over)
Dear Bruce, I need to explain …
EXT. 52ND STREET – DAWN 244
Water. Smoldering blackness. The fire crews extinguish the last flames of the devastated building. A Fireman nudges his Colleague, pointing out something in the devastation …
RACHEL
(voice-over)
… I need to be honest and clear. I’m going to marry Harvey Dent …
INT. INTENSIVE CARE UNIT – DAWN 245
Glimpses of Dent’s damaged face as Surgeons surround him.
RACHEL
(voice-over)
I love him, I want to spend the rest of my life with him …
EXT. 52ND STREET – DAWN 246
The Firemen watch a statue-like figure amidst the charred ruins. The Batman.
RACHEL
(voice-over)
When I told you that if Gotham no longer needed Batman we could be together, I meant it …
INT. MCU, GOTHAM CENTRAL – DAY 247
Gordon surveys the wreckage of MCU. The bodies.
RACHEL
(voice-over)
But I’m not sure the day will come …
EXT. 52ND STREET – DAWN 248
Batman bends to the ground on one knee, his black glove spread against the smoldering debris.
RACHEL
(voice-over)
… when you no longer need Batman. I hope it does, and if it does I will be there …
He spots something. Dent’s two-headed coin. Blackened, scarred. Batman turns it over. The other side is pristine.
INT. KITCHEN, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – DAWN 249
Alfred reads.
RACHEL
(voice-over)
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – DAWN 250
Dent, heavily bandaged, hooked up to various machines.
Batman stands at the foot of his bed. Watching.
RACHEL
(voice-over)
If you lose your faith in me, please keep your faith in people …
BATMAN
I’m sorry, Harvey.
Batman puts Dent’s damaged coin on the bedside table.
INT. KITCHEN, WAYNE PENTHOUSE – CONTINUOUS 251
RACHEL
(voice-over)
Love, now and always, Rachel.
Alfred finishes the letter. Tears in his eyes, he folds it back into its envelope. Places it on the breakfast tray.
INT. WAYNE PENTHOUSE – DAWN 252
Alfred moves through the silent space, stepping past the cowl and gauntlets lying on the cold marble. He approaches Wayne, half-undressed, slumped in a chair, watching Gotham.
ALFRED
I prepared a little breakfast.
Nothing. Alfred sets down the tray. The envelope is propped against the silver teapot.
ALFRED
Very well.
WAYNE
Alfred?
ALFRED
Yes, Master Wayne?
Wayne turns, a desperate look in his eye.
WAYNE
Did I bring this on us? On her? I thought I would inspire good, not madness –
ALFRED
You have inspired good. But you spat in the face of Gotham’s criminals – didn’t you think there might be casualties? Things were always going to have to get worse before they got better.
WAYNE
But Rachel, Alfred …
ALFRED
Rachel believed in what you stood for. What we stand for.
Wayne looks up at Alfred. Alfred picks up the cowl.
Gotham needs you.
WAYNE
Gotham needs its hero. And I let the Joker blow him half to hell –
ALFRED
Which is why, for now, they’ll have to make do with you.
Alfred hands him the cowl. Wayne looks at him.
WAYNE
She was going to wait for me. Dent doesn’t know. He can never know …
Alfred glances at the envelope. Takes it off the tray.
WAYNE
What’s that?
ALFRED
It can wait.
Alfred puts the envelope in his pocket.
WAYNE
That bandit, in the forest in Burma … Did you catch him?
Alfred nods.
How?
ALFRED
(uneasy)
We burned the forest down.
EXT. DOWNTOWN GOTHAM – DAY 253
A National Guard helicopter roars over Gotham General.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – DAY 254
Dent. Bandaged. Sedated. Coming up for air, sees somet
hing on the table: his coin. He fumbles for it, marveling at its shiny face. Remembering.
Insert cut: Rachel catches the coin.
Dent turns the coin over. The other side is devastated. He stares at the scarred face. Starts ripping his bandages.
INT. WAYNE PENTHOUSE – DAY 255
Alfred comes up to Wayne. Points him to the TV.
ALFRED
You need to see this.
On screen: Engel, in his studio, addresses the camera.
ENGEL
… he’s a credible source – an M&A lawyer for a prestigious consultancy. He says he’s waited as long as he can for the Batman to do the right thing …
The shot cuts to Reese, nodding.
ENGEL
Now he’s taking matters into his own hands. We’ll be live at five with the true identity of the Batman, stay with us …
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – CONTINUOUS 256
Gordon enters. Dent stares to one side. He looks normal.
GORDON
I’m sorry about Rachel. (Nothing.) The doctor says you’re in agonizing pain but you won’t accept medication. That you’re refusing skin grafts –