THE BATMAN

by
YKPRODUCTIONS

BLACK SCREEN

The quiet hum of CITY TRAFFIC and DISTANT SIRENS.

Gradually, we make out something unnerving,

HOLD; then SMASH OUT OF THE BLACKNESS TO REVEAL

AN OUT OF FOCUS BINOCULAR POV - DUSK

We FOCUS, SEARCHING THE FACADE OF AN OPULENT TOWNHOUSE ...

The BREATHING SUDDENLY QUIETS as a SHAPE APPEARS IN A
WINDOW -- a we see now the Man is
handsome, distinguished. He stands, sipping scotch,
watching THE NEWS; a CHYRON reads, "GOTHAM MAYORAL RACE":

FEMALE NEWSCASTER (ON TV)

Just-released polls have incumbent mayor, Don Mitchell, Jr. and
twenty-eight year old grassroots challenger, Harvey Dent in a dead
heat. Things certainly got hot last night in their final debate.Take
a look.

As the Man anxiously watches the DEBATE CLIP, we realize:

he is MAYOR MITCHELL; his challenger, HARVEY DENT,
young, intelligent, a force of nature, shares the stage --

MAYOR MITCHELL (ON TV)

Now my young opponent here wants to cut the Wayne Foundation Program
established by the great Thomas Wayne, cutting funds for projects
like our Gotham safety net for those in need--

HARVEY DENT (ON TV)

-- the Wayne Foundation is broken! The city's been "founding" for
Nearly 30 Years, look where it's gotten us! Murder and drug use are
at historic highs! We have reports of a masked vigilante running
the streets, Beating down criminals!

MAYOR MITCHELL (ON TV)

Who probably doesn't even exis—- look, under my administration the
GCPD dealt major blows against organized crime and drug trafficking!
The Falcone case was the biggest drug bust in city history, thanks to
Thomas Wayne—-
 The power cut off, Mitchell turns, startled, as the FOOTSTEPS ARE
HEARD. As he EXITS FRAME to go to answer

MAYOR MITCHELL
Honey?

we STAY on a DARK HALL as he walks down seeing aN ENVELOPE on the

floor, he would squat slowly looking at it

The lights flicker slowly, we SEE for the first time, SOMEONE
IS IN THE HALL. Barely visible, the Shadow would disappear as the
lights flicker —- The phone rings as he looks to his left seeing it,
He walks to answer

MAYOR MITCHELL
Hello?

The phone would have no sound but heavy breathing on the other end of
the line, leaving Mitchell slightly frightened

MAYOR MITCHELL
Hey if this is some prank—-

The tv turns on as Mitchell looks putting down the phone walking into
the living room as suddenly, THE FIGURE LURCHES OUT THE DARK
FRANTICALLY CLUBBING HIM OVER AND OVER -- suddenly, the WEAPON SLIPS
LOOSE -­
it SKITTERS right at us and STOPS. A GLEAMING METAL TOOL. Whatever it
is, it's WET with blood. The Figure turns,
PANTING, rises off the motionless victim, trudges over to us ... A
GLOVED HAND retrieves the strange weapon. The Figure walks back,
regarding the victim for a long,
creepy moment ... then stretches its arms as far as they will go,
LOUDLY UNSPOOLING a LONG PIECE OF ROPE ... And with a LOW RUMBLE OF
THUNDER, we SLAM INTO --BLACKNESS AGAIN ...

We HEAR THUNDER & RAIN as a HYPNOTIC VOICE OVER begins:

The CAMERA Pans towards the city showing different shots as it rains
hard

“ THE BATMAN “

EXT. RAINY GOTHAM SQUARE - HIGH ANGLE - NIGHT

 DET. GORDON (V.O)
Gotham City, Home. ... Even with the high crime rates, People still
risk living in a city where “crime never sleeps”.

MOVING POV - ON THE SIDEWALK

We PUSH INTO the sea of CITIZENS, CLOBBERS, TOURISTS ...

EXT. BODEGA - MOVING POV TOWARD THE WINDOW FROM A METRO STATION -
NIGHT

PEER IN at the few COSTUMED SHOPPERS inside; a GUY in a HOODIE and

YELLOW HAPPY EMOJI MASK steps to the counter NERVOUSLY PULLING A GUN
on the CASHIER!

EXT. COLOSSAL GOTHAM BANK - MOVING POV - NIGHT

We SPY THREE VANDALS, SPRAY PAINTING the huge pillars

THE VANDALS wear GUY FAWKES MASKS -- one LIGHTS A MOLOTOV

COCKTAIL -- HURLS IT, SHATTERING THE GLASS FRONT DOOR --

EXT. ROOFTOP - ON THE RUSTED SEARCHLIGHT - NIGHT

A crude but ICONIC BAT SYMBOL BLAZES at its center

REVEAL A SILHOUETTED MAN beside the light, waiting

He's perched on top an ABANDONED, HALF-BUILT SKYSCRAPER -­

THE BRIGHT BEAM REACHES UPWARDS, sparkling in the rain --

DET. GORDON (VOICE OVER)

Gotham is relying on one man now.

OUTSIDE THE BODEGA

Sad Emoji BOLTS OUT toward a DARK ALLEY -- when he spots
TWO PEDESTRIANS GAPING UP AT THE SKY IN ALARM -- he
slows, peering up to SEE -- THE BAT SIGNAL LOOMING!

Sad Emoji stops, panic dawning as he turns to the DARK

ALLEY -- he backs away, into the street -- a CAR SKIDS,
HITTING HIM! He DROPS -- but fear lifts him, and he just
keeps running -- the sounds of a HELICOPTER grow

EXT. COLOSSAL GOTHAM BANK - NIGHT

ON A VANDAL --
 hearing the helicopter, he peers up at --
POLICE CHOPPER SOARING PAST THE BAT SIGNAL IN THE CLOUDS!

He drops his spray can, startled as it CLATTERS! It rolls

ominously under a DARK ARCHWAY -- he stares, chilled --

We cut to a Metro train station as A man walks out fast with a

suitcase as 9 Thugs in skull mask run him down as the Leader looks at
him

EXT. METRO TRAIN - NIGHT

THE LEADER
Get him!

The GANG PLOWS FORWARD KNOCKING the Business Man down

We see 2 of the “East Side Gotham Skulls” Hold the man up as The
Leader punches his gut.

THE LEADER
What did I tell you if you didn’t have my money by tonight Antonio?

ANTONIO (Scared & Hurt)

The Gotham Bank was closed, you know we’re in a deposit quarantine.

THE LEADER
Funny thing about that is… I remember telling you I need my money
since, when? Last week!?

The Leader punches his gut again

A teenager in the crew about 15-16 would look nervous as he looks at

the leader WHEN HE SPOTS THE BAT SIGNAL IN THE SKY!
His EYES DART around -- AS SCREAMS APPROACH; he turns --
The LEADER YANKS ANTONIO to his feet -- while
the GROUP holds the Man on his knees -- a DREADFUL SILENCE
settling over the station as the train roar recedes ...

THE LEADER
Now knock his ass out ...

The Young Member stares, nervously, WHEN -­LIGHTNING STRIKES as a

silhouette of Batman strikes on top a nearby roof-­
 JASON TODD (Nervous)
Yo, Trip, We gotta leave

THE LEADER turns to Jason

THE LEADER
Why? We’re not going anywhere until he gives up the money.

Jason looks back up at the roof

THE LEADER
Matter of fact, Since it’s your first day out in the field, why don’t
you do it?

The Leader hands him a knife

THE LEADER
Mark a Big “O” on his cheek, let them know your name, Right Outlaw?

Jason looks at the guy hesitating

THE LEADER
Come on, do it.

a BATARANG hits a smoke pole— The camera has a shot of the members
looking at the Batarang as Smoke fills the air hearing thugs cough

ONE OF THE GANG MEMBERS

Holy shit -- it's him -- !!!

BATMAN drops down drop kicking one thug into a wall

THE LEADER
WATCH YOUR BACKS?

ALL you see is Batmans white eyes as he Takes down Thug by Thug as
the smoke clears up — when a TRIO OF GANG MEMBERS RUSH HIM -- CHAOS
-- as
BATMAN DISPENSES WITH THEM ALL AT ONCE in a FLUID, BUT
TOTALLY STREET-FIGHT REALISTIC ATTACK of KICKS and HARD
FIST BLOWS -- BATMAN TAKES HITS TOO -- but his TERRIFYING
SKILL keeps impact from landing -- HE'S LIKE A MACHINE
Panic rips through the gang -- Jason’s eyes
widen as he SEES -- SOMEONE PULLING OUT A .38 SPECIAL --
 JASON TODD
HEY MAN -- NO -- NO -- !

BATMAN TURNS -- SEEING THE GUN -- STARTS RIGHT FOR IT -­

THE GANG MEMBER OPENS FIRE! BATMAN PROTRACTS HIS SPIKES as the
BULLETS DISAPPEAR into his suit's SPIKES -- HE
ADVANCES GRABBING THE MEMBER'S STILL-FIRING GUN ARM IN
ONE HAND -- AND HIS THROAT IN THE OTHER – A BRIGHT BLUE
TASER CURRENT ZAPS FROM BATMAN'S GLOVED FINGERS INTO THE
GANG MEMBERS NECK! The Gang Member DROPS, CONVULSING!
Batman slowly lifts his head, looking for more comers ...
The few remaining on their feet gape -- frozen -- Batman
watches -- as they BREAK INTO A RUN -- all -- EXCEPT -­
the Youngest Gang Member “Jason Todd” -- who hesitates briefly under
Batman's stone-faced gaze on the ground

Batman looks down to discover Antonio, knocked to

the ground in the chaos; then gazing at the kid

JASON TODD
Don't hurt me ...

Batman just gazes strangely, cocking his head, As Batman would get an
incoming call via COMMS—

BATMAN GAZES AT ANTONIO

ALFRED
Master Bruce, I'm afraid to inform you but, Detective Gordon would
like to see you

Batman LOOKS UP seeing the signal -- wondering how long it's been
there --

INT. MAYOR'S TOWNHOUSE - MOVING DOWN THE HALL - NIGHT

FILLED WITH HUSHED COPS now; some turn as they NOTICE BATMAN,
STARING WITH HARSH EDGE -- like what is he doing here?!
REVEAL BATMAN, striding, unfazed, led by DETECTIVE JAMES
GORDON, mid-40s –

AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE STUDY

 A UNIFORMED OFFICER steps into Batman's path -- ALARMED -­

MARTINEZ
Whoa-whoa-whoa --

Batman glares down at the Officer's hand on his chest -­

DET. GORDON
He's with me, Martinez

MARTINEZ
You serious? You gonna let him in here ... ?

GORDON (To Batman)

Come on.

The Officer turns in disbelief; steps aside -­

Batman would dog the Officer as he then looks at the Scene of the
crime

MITCHELL lies dead, HEAD MUMMIFIED IN BANDAGES --.

INVESTIGATORS
TURN IN UTTER SHOCK at BATMAN APPROACHING WITH GORDON --

GORDON
What do we know?

CSI CORRIGAN
Uhh we got–

The CSI is rattled as Batman stares at the body -­

DET. GORDON
Corrigan --

CSI CORRIGAN
Sorry, Detective ... OK, yeah, we
got ... blunt-force trauma,
on the head. He got
hit alotta times, and hard.

DET. GORDON
 Well, Let’s let him work.

CSI nods and walks off with Gordon

Batman looks at the dead body and notices the mouth

BATMAN
The Tongue was severed.

ALFRED (COMMS)
It appears this killer wanted a trophy.

BATMAN
He cut his tongue while he was still alive, The bruising around the
mouth shows he still had blood flowing through his veins.

Batman looks at his cheek

BATMAN
It looks like he was hit from the left side multiple times, bruising
on the cheek shows that.

ALFRED (COMMS)
Maybe if you find the murder weapon you could figure out how this all
happened sir?

BATMAN looks at the Wrench

BATMAN
A wrench, it’s drenched with blood, Whoever the killer is, he hit the
mayor with full force.

ALFRED (COMMS)
Does he have some sort of vendetta on him?

Batman gets up looking at the broken glass cup

BATMAN
Looks like he was enjoying a drink before he was murdered.

ALFRED (COMMS)
Poor guy

BATMAN walks around

 BATMAN
This wasn’t just some psycho going on a spree. This was planned.

ALFRED (COMMS)
Well a guy like the mayor, you ought to have a target on your back.

Batman looks at the kid in the room taking a brief moment to mourn
for him as — Gordon walks in

DET. GORDON
He’s the one who called.

Batman gazes at the child

BATMAN
What’s that?

DET. GORDON
One of the officers found this on the floor.

DET. GORDON opens it

DET. GORDON
“Rat with wings”. Does that mean anything to you?

Batman stares, struck -- but before he can speak --

COMMISSIONER PETE (O.S.)

What's goin' on here?

Everyone turns to see COMMISSIONER PETE SAVAGE, mid-50s -­

appalled at the sight of Batman

DET. GORDON
I asked him to come, Pete --

COMMISSIONER PETE
This is a crime scene, Jim. What the hell are you thinking? Does he
have a badge?? This is way over the line ... !

Batman looks at Pete

COMMISSIONER SAVAGE
He's a damn vigilante -­he could be a suspect!
 Batman looks at Jim as he looks back

COMMISSIONER PETE
I want him outta here. Now!

Gordon looks at Batman

DET. GORDON (Frustrated)

Let’s go.

Gordon leads him out as Batman looks back for a moment and then walks
out — In the window they would be watched by The Suspect.

EXT. OUTSIDE THE BATCAVE — NIGHT

The Batmobile drives as there’s an opening , Batman enters and parks.

He gets out as he takes off his mask putting it on the desk turning
on his monitors.

We see Bruce Wayne - 35 - Handsome but Alone.

He turns on the news in the back as he reviews his detective tapes —

Getting out a journal taking notes

COMMISSIONER PETE (NEWS)

Tonight, a son lost a father ...
... a wife lost a husband. And I
I lost a friend. Mayor Mitchell was
a fighter for our city and I won't
rest until this killer is found ...

BRUCE WAYNE turns it down as Alfred walks down with dinner in a plate

ALFRED
Don’t blame yourself, there’s no way you could’ve saved him.

BRUCE
I know I just, I wish I could say I'm making a difference ... but I
don't know ... The city.. Maybe it's beyond saving.

ALFRED
Nothing is beyond you Bruce, You’ve shown me that, You’ll always get
through it.
 They focus on the radio as they listen

GCl NEWSCASTER (RADIO)

... this certainly isn't the first
time Gotham has been rocked by the
murder of a political figure. In
fact, in an eerie coincidence it
was twenty years ago this month
that celebrated billionaire
philanthropist, Dr. Thomas Wayne,
and his wife Martha were slain
during Wayne's own mayoral
campaign in a shocking crime that
remains unsolved to this day --

ALFRED
Why are you listening to that?

BRUCE
Motivation.

ALFRED
Hm, So. The killer left this for you?

Alfred points to the Envelope

BRUCE
For Batman, Yeah.

ALFRED
Hm, anyways, have a shower. You got a phone call from I believe your
childhood friend, Tommy Elliot? He said to meet him at Elliot Park AT
10.

BRUCE
Tommy, why?

ALFRED
He wasn’t specific—-

BRUCE
Tell him I have work to do.

ALFRED (Irritated)
This is getting serious, Bruce. If
 this continues, it won't be long
before you've got nothing left --

BRUCE
I don't care —

ALFRED
That's what I'm afraid of --

BRUCE
You're not my father, Alfred. My father is dead.

ALFRED (A bit hurt)

Very well, Sir.. Just don’t let tombstones be your family legacy.

Alfred leaves the food on the desk then, walks up the stairs

Bruce Wayne would look at the picture of him as his mom and dad as
the camera cuts to

INT. BATCAVE - MORNING

Camera Pans outside the Wayne Manor then cutting to the Cave where we
see Bruce Wayne working on his tires

Alfred walks down stairs with breakfast

ALFRED
I thought I’d find you here.

Alfred sets the tray on the table

ALFRED
Corporate called, they’re asking what you’re going to do with The
Wayne Tower.

BRUCE
Nothing.

ALFRED
So just tear it down?

BRUCE
I don’t know.
 ALFRED
Bruce-

BRUCE
I don’t know, Alfred!

ALFRED stops talking

BRUCE
I’m sorry I just, I have a lot on my plate right now.

ALFRED
Listen, Being Batman is just as important as being a Bruce Wayne

BRUCE
Batman is who I am, Bruce Wayne no longer.

ALFRED
It’s only a matter of time before this consumes you.

BRUCE
Yeah, you’ve told me.

ALFRED
I’m serious.

BRUCE
So what did you tell them?

ALFRED
They’ll be here at 9?

BRUCE
What? Why?

ALFRED
I couldn’t get you to go there!

BRUCE silences

BRUCE
I’ll be up there at 8:30.

ALFRED
Thank You.
 Alfred walks upstairs.

INT. WAYNE MANOR — OFFICE — MORNING

Bruce Wayne would walk down the hall in a suit, he would have fixed
his hair and have stubble off

Alfred would be standing by the door as Two Corporate members sit on

the chair turning to him, Bruce would be blinded by the sun light

Bruce Wayne would sit down in his chair

CORPORATE OFFICER #1
Morning, Mr Wayne.

BRUCE nods

CORPORATE OFFICER #2
So this meeting is in regards to The Wayne Tower, Wayne Enterprises
itself.

CORPORATE OFFICER #1
The building is in real low maintenance, it’s very old, no
construction has been done to it in the past 20 years. I get your
parents have been deceased but, They left all inheritance to you.

CORPORATE OFFICER #2
We just want to know if you want to pursue their legacy, if not sign
here. We can work on getting it taken down and get that off your
hands. But remember Mr Wayne. That goes for This Manor too. It’s
built on Wayne Estate and will need to be taken as well.

BRUCE looks at Alfred

BRUCE sighs

BRUCE
I need time.

CORPORATE OFFICER #1
Okay Mr Wayne, but you do know you need to let us know before
November 4th right?

BRUCE
 Yes.

CORPORATE OFFICER #2
Alright, Thank you for your time Mr Wayne.

BRUCE NODS

Alfred Nods as they walk out

BRUCE
I’ll be at the cave. Gonna try finding out some clues for this case.

ALFRED
About that. I ran a cipher diagram against the words and there were
hidden words. In morse code. The word was “Lower”

BRUCE
Lower?

ALFRED
Yes.

BRUCE
Maybe Lower East End?

ALFRED
Could be.

BRUCE
I’ll let Gordon know.

ALFRED
In the meantime?

BRUCE
Going to train.

Alfred nods

Bruce pats Alfred’s back and walks off

Alfred shakes his head in disappointment

EXT. GCPD ROOFTOP - SUNSET

 Gordon walks up as he sees Batman staring at the city

DET. GORDON
Why’d you call?

BATMAN
I have one clue.

DET. GORDON
Which is?

BATMAN
I scanned the card with a cipher diagram scanner, in morse code under
the words “rat with wings”