Batman: Masked Souls Part 4
From Jalassociatecomics
Revision as of 08:39, 18 September 2007
Welcome to Part 4 of Batman: Masked Souls. If you would like an introduction, to read the preceeding sections or to continue on, please use the links below.
Part 4
EXT. PENA DURO PRISON GARAGE
Bane runs into the garage, stealing one of the police motorcycles and driving off.
INT. SANTA PRISCA SLUMS
Bane’s stolen motorcycle winds through the dilapidated slums of Santa Prisca, as the poverty-ridden citizens warily look on. As the camera follows the motorcycle, Bane slowly arrives in the more opulent half of the island, headed towards the docks.
EXT. SANTA PRISCA DOCKS
Bane sizes up a massive luxury cruise liner, the Madison Julie. He dismounts his motorcycle and climbs up the side of the cruise liner unnoticed.
INT. MADISON JULIE LIFEBOAT DECK
Bane climbs on board the deck, snooping among the lifeboats. He comes across a deck worker.
Deck Worker: Hey! What are you…?
Bane grabs the deck worker, coolly snapping his neck and tossing him overboard. He then hides in one of the lifeboats, hiding under the tarp. Soon, sirens are audible.
EXT. SANTA PRISCA DOCKS
Police coastguard speedboats begin encircling the cruise liner and other craft around the docks, alerted to Bane’s presence.
Coast Guard officer: (over loudspeaker) (In Spanish) All boat-owners, please do not exit the docks. We are searching for a wanted fugitive. Please do not be alarmed.
A coastguard speedboat swerves next to the Madison Julie, right under the lifeboat deck.
INT. POLICE COASTGUARD SPEEDBOAT (OFFICER’S POV)
A lifeboat comes tumbling down, in slow motion, from the deck of the cruise liner, crushing the speedboat and the policemen in it. The other coast guard personnel on the other speedboats go into frenzy, immediately circling the cruise liner, pointing their guns upwards. Bane jumps onto one of the speedboats, crushing a section of the boat and tossing the guards overboard, after punching them each. He then assumes control of the speedboat, speeding off and winding around the other speedboats. The coast guard personnel persist in shooting at him, but because of the speed he is unable to aim straight.
INT. MADISON JULIE COMMAND BRIDGE
Captain: We’ve got to move off, or else we will be behind schedule.
Assistant Captain: But you heard what the coast guard guy said…we can’t move off. In fact, this missing lifeboat may have something to do with it (points to monitor display)
Captain: Missing lifeboat? Never mind, it’s been a while already. Just go ahead.
Assistant Captain: Okay sir…
EXT. MADISON JULIE STERN
The ships large propellers begin to spin. Meanwhile, Bane leads the pursuing personnel towards these large spinning propellers. At the last possible moment, he veers off, misleading the coast guard boats right into the propellers. The anguished faces of the personnel are visible, though they have realised this too late. The boats splinter into wood, metal and glass, consumed by the propellers. The screams of those on board can be heard as well. Bane smiles slightly and jumps back onto the moving cruise liner as the boat he commandeered gets sucked into the propellers as well. He then climbs back onto the lifeboat deck, hiding under the tarp of another lifeboat. The camera follows the cruise liner as it disappears into the mist.
INT. THE BATCAVE
Alfred, Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson are gathered around the Batcomputer.
Bruce Wayne: I’ve given it some thought, and Alfred and I have decided to offer you this opportunity.
Alfred: For lack of a better word, how would you like to be…a sidekick?
Dick Grayson: (eyes light up) A sidekick?
Bruce Wayne: To work alongside me, yes. You have skills that, if honed properly, can be put to great use on the mean streets. Heck, I’ll admit there are some areas in which you best me, especially when it comes to your acrobatic skills.
Alfred: Though I do have to warn you, Master Bruce’s work is no joke, with very little dividends…
Bruce Wayne: Besides bringing criminals to justice, of course.
Dick Grayson: Good enough for me.
Alfred: Then of course, we need a name.
Bruce Wayne: Just as I adopted “Batman”.
Dick Grayson: How about Robin? My parents had that nickname for me.
Bruce Wayne: Batman and Robin…sounds like a bad film. Anyway…
Alfred: (smiles) with the right costume, it just might work.
Bruce Wayne: Right. Let’s get to work then.
A montage of Dick’s training begins. The camera moves around Dick and Bruce in combat, employing various martial arts techniques. An ice pick penetrates a foam wall, as the camera zooms out to reveal Bruce and Dick scaling a simulated wall of ice. Dick somersaults into a pool of water, while Bruce Wayne observes. Bruce throws a batarang at a target, a move which Dick perfectly imitates. Dick examines a simulated crime scene, gathering evidence as he would in an actual scenario. Dick pores over various books covering subjects related to crime-fighting. Dick struggles for a gas mask in a simulated gassing chamber and Bruce stands nearby watching his apprentice. Bruce opens a cupboard of spare parts for his costumes. All three stand over the costume, forging an “R” insignia into the suit and colouring it. The plates are then affixed onto an undershirt measured to fit its wearer. Alfred clasps a gauntlet around Dick’s arm. Dick puts on his costume for the first time. He smiles.
Bruce Wayne: It’s been a while now, and I’m proud to say you’re ready. Not surprisingly, the training was minimal enough, and you’ve made it through. Congratulations, Dick, or should I call you…
Dick Grayson: (smiles)…Robin.
EXT. MADISON JULIE
The cruise liner is well into its journey. Bane is still hiding in one of the lifeboats. As the sip nears the American west coast, Bane lowers the lifeboat into the water. As it touches the water, he stops and thinks. To provide a valid reason for the absence of his lifeboat, he delivers a strong punch to the hull of the ship. He continues this until the hull integrity is dramatically weakened.
INT. MADISON JULIE COMMAND BRIDGE
Assistant Captain: Sir, we’re receiving unknown damage to the hull. It’s becoming increasingly serious.
Captain: Let me have a look at that (peers into computer display). This is strange indeed.
Assistant Captain: Apparently, one lifeboat has already been lowered.
Captain: Wasn’t there a missing lifeboat earlier in the trip?
Assistant Captain: This is a different one, sir. I believe the risk presented is sufficient for us to call an evacuation, and lower all the rest of them.
Captain: Agreed. Sound the alarms and call the passengers to the lifeboat decks immediately.
EXT. MADISON JULIE PORTSIDE
There is a frenzy of activity as the lifeboats are quickly lowered from the sinking ship. Bane is already far enough from the ship, approaching Gotham Docks.
INT. MADISON JULIE COMMAND BRIDGE
Assistant Captain: (wearing life vest and running towards the lifeboat decks) At least we’re pretty nearby land. Gotham docks is a few miles off.
Captain: (doing the same) All the better then. I’m one captain who’s not going down with the ship
Assistant Captain: I’ve never seen anything like this before. What do you suppose caused the damage?
Captain: Let’s talk in the lifeboat, shall we?
EXT. MADISON JULIE
The last of the lifeboats are lowered, as the ship begins to sink dramatically, breaking in half at the point where Bane had shredded its hull.
INT. GORDON’S OFFICE
Commissioner Gordon sits at his office sipping coffee while watching the evening news.
News Reporter: (on television) The luxury cruise liner Madison Julie has mysteriously sunk off the coast of Gotham Docks. At this time, the exact details of the incident are not known, though it is estimated that the majority of the passengers and crew have escaped safely. Apparently, two lifeboats were reported missing before the sinking. Criminal analysts suspect a connection to the recent escape of Bane, a criminal held in the maximum security Pena Duro prison in Santa Prisca, from which the cruise liner originated. Gotham police and coast guard are currently helping to organize the passengers who have survived the sinking.
Gordon turns off the television and dials a number on his phone.
EXT. GOTHAM DOCKS
Detective Renee Montoya picks up her ringing cellular phone.
Renee Montoya: Hello?
Commissioner Gordon: (over the phone) Renee? I was just watching the news. Keep an eye on the survivors, and if this “Bane” character is one of them, don’t let him escape.
Renee Montoya: Sir? I don’t quite follow.
Commissioner Gordon: He’s an escapee from Pena Duro Prison and is believed to have caused the sinking of the ship.
Renee Montoya: Why would he do that? And how?
Commissioner Gordon: My guess is to distract us from what he’s really about to do, whatever that is. Also, he seems to have super-human powers according to prison personnel. He apparently received genetic enhancements that were supposed to kill him.
Renee Montoya: If that’s the case Sir, we have a lot more on our hands.
Commissioner Gordon: All I know is we don’t want him running around Gotham.
Renee Montoya: Will do sir.
Renee puts down her phone and walks towards a police temporary shelter with the news.
EXT. GOTHAM ALLEYWAY
The camera follows Bane, on a stolen motorcycle, winding his way through the quiet streets. He turns into a narrow alleyway, dismounts the bike and enters a dilapidated apartment building.
Walking up the stairs, he comes to a door and rings the doorbell.
INT. APARTMENT UNIT BEDROOM
A young, Hispanic woman wakes up, glances at the clock and then dresses in a bathrobe, proceeding to check who is outside the door.
EXT. OUTSIDE APARTMENT UNIT
The door opens. The woman rubs her eyes, and then stands in shock.
Maria: Antonio?
Bane: Nobody’s called me that for so long.
The couple passionately embraces.
Maria: I saw it on the news…
Bane: The cruise liner?
Maria:…but I never expected you to turn up at my doorstep. How’d you find me?
The pair enters the apartment unit.
Bane: Old-fashioned research.
Maria: I missed you…I thought I was never going to see you again.
Bane: I thought the same too…I was just happy back then that they released you.
Maria: It still hasn’t been easy…a prisoner living in a free world.
Bane: Anything is easy compared to Pena Duro, Maria. You’ve managed well…and you still look as beautiful as I remember.
Maria: Don’t be silly Antonio…
Bane: Anyway, I needed someplace where I can be safe, and someone who can help me. Where the police won’t come looking for me. That’s why I came here.
Maria: Why did you come to Gotham anyway? I’m sure it wasn’t only because of me.
Bane: Don’t flatter yourself Maria.
Maria: (shrugs) I try not to.
Bane: I’ve been meaning to come here for a while…this Batman…I believe he is the Demon Bat who haunts my dreams.
Maria: The nightmares you’ve been having since you were young…
Bane: Yes. Also, I have to avenge something terrible Batman has done.
Maria: Are you talking about Dr Woodrue? He was never kind to you in the first place.
Bane: When he worked at Pena Duro…he was the one who made me what I am. I’ve become so much. I think I owe him something.
Maria: You became a monster…now he’s become one too. I think you shouldn’t waste your time.
Bane: Look. I need you to help me here. I will deduce the identity of whoever this Batman is, but I need your help.
Maria: (sighs) I suppose… (smiles) anyway, I’ve never had company in a while…I wouldn’t mind you sleeping in.
The couple embraces and kisses again
Bane: You have an extra bed?
Maria: Not that I’d want you sleeping in one. I’m sure you can squeeze into mine.
Bane: (smiles) I’d love to.
The bedroom door closes.
INT. BATCAVE
Bruce, Dick and Alfred all watch the news being replayed on the giant Batcomputer screen. Bruce then sits down and interfaces with the Batcomputer, researching something. A blinking Bat-Signal in the corner of the Batcomputer monitor indicates that Batman is wanted.
Alfred: A meeting with the Commissioner, Master Bruce?
Bruce Wayne: Something to do with this recent incident, no doubt.
Dick: Can I come along? I’ve already been training for three days.
Bruce Wayne: I’d rather you take a break. It’s been a long night for you.
Bruce walks over to the costume section and suits up.
Dick: Come back soon.
Alfred: Don’t worry about Master Bruce. As for you, it’s time for bed.
Batman gets into the Batmobile and zooms out through the waterfall and into the night.
EXT. GCPD HEADQUARTERS ROOF
The Bat-signal has been activated and Commissioner Gordon stands next to it, scanning the skies for any sign of Batman. Batman appears right behind him.
Commissioner Gordon: Another busy night.
Batman: And another madman.
Commissioner Gordon: This whole thing is making my head spin. If some criminal wants to escape, why choose Gotham? And why take a cruise liner down with him? The fact that he’s supposedly got superpowers of some kind makes it all the more bizarre.
Batman: Exactly what I was thinking. I’ve been doing some research and everything sort of adds up. No real name is stated. This Bane character was put in Pena Duro to serve his father’s sentence after he died.
Commissioner Gordon: People do those things?
Batman: Unfortunately yes. The database says he became too powerful and too intelligent, ruling as a “king” of the prison.
Commissioner Gordon: Where do the superpowers come in?
Batman: I’m not all that sure. What I do know is that he received genetic enhancements of some kind which had killed all previous test subjects, but made him stronger.
Commissioner Gordon: So what ties him to Gotham?
Batman: I haven’t been able to find out yet. I’m guessing that he has some contacts here, maybe personnel who were ex-convicts at Pena Duro. His psychological profile states that he’s been having nightmares of a “demon bat” ever since he was a boy. (pauses to think) That’s exactly what Dr Woodrue called me that night.
Commissioner Gordon: You mean that Floronic Man? What could he have to do with Bane?
Batman: Maybe that’s something for you to look into.
Batman reaches into his utility belt and produces a thumb drive.
Batman: I’ve compiled everything else into this. Have a look at it sometime, run some names through your database.
Commissioner Gordon retrieves the device and turns it around in his hands. Commissioner Gordon: Right. I’ll tell you when…
Gordon turns around to find Batman has disappeared.
Commissioner Gordon: (sighs) I do hate it when he does that.
INT. BATCAVE
The Batmobile returns back into the cave. Batman steps out and removes his cowl.
Alfred: So how did the meeting with Gordon go, Sir?
Bruce Wayne: I’m going to be spending the rest of tonight doing some research.
Alfred: (sighs) Very well then Sir.
Bruce Wayne: I’m going to see how good this piece of work is at throwing up helpful coincidences.
Bruce Wayne gets to work on the Batcomputer.
INT. MARIA’S APARTMENT – THE NEXT DAY
Maria begins to awake, sitting up in her bed and drawing the sheets close to her. Bane is already up and getting dressed.
Bane: Thanks for letting me stay the night.
Maria: As long as you want to, Antonio
She pulls him near and they kiss passionately.
Maria: So, what’s on the agenda today, my lovely fugitive?
Bane: Tonight…I bait the Bat.
Maria: Do I come along?
Bane: No. It might be too dangerous. You can, however help me with some reading up.
Maria: That happens to be my specialty.
Maria slips out of bed and gets dressed. Bane admires her form, while we see her from behind.
Maria: (smiles) but first, breakfast. And do stop ogling. Bane: (smiles) Can’t help it.
INT. GORDON’S OFFICE
Commissioner Gordon taps away at the keyboard while looking through the files passed to him by Batman the night before.
Renee Montoya: What’s this, Commissioner?
Commissioner Gordon: Some information that’s been compiled for me by a…reliable source.
Renee Montoya: The Batman, sir?
Commissioner Gordon: If they’re steroid-pumped supervillains running through Gotham, you can rest assured Batman will be pulled into the mix. He’s been helpful thus far…
Renee Montoya: This sounds like something big.
Commissioner Gordon: Something even the Batman can’t handle on his own… I hope he’s got a sidekick somewhere in the wings of that cave.
INT. WAYNE MANOR DINING HALL
Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson are sitting down to breakfast.
Alfred: Good morning sirs. How did the research go last evening, Master Bruce?
Bruce Wayne: A few unsettling facts have been unearthed. (Turns to Dick Grayson) Soon, you’ll be out there working alongside me.
Dick Grayson: Yes!
Bruce Wayne and Alfred glare at the young charge.
Dick Grayson: I know…it’s serious work…could get myself into serious danger…facing criminally insane madmen.
Bruce Wayne: I’m glad you’re aware. But I didn’t train you for no reason, and you’re ready. I’d like you to come along as soon as the alarm is raised.
Dick Grayson: Are we going to confront this Bane guy?
Bruce Wayne: I’d want to hope not, but that’s likely enough. You’ll have a look at the info later today.
Dick Grayson: A muscle-bound freakshow…doesn’t sound too bad to me.
Bruce Wayne: He’s both immensely strong and very intelligent. You’ll – we’ll – need to be very careful.
INT. BATCAVE – THAT NIGHT
An alarm indicating that Batman is needed sounds.
Batman: Just as I thought. Robin! Suit up!
Robin: (pulling on his mask) I’m on it!
Both jump into the Batmobile as it speeds off into the night.
INT. BATMOBILE
Batman: What is it Commissioner?
Commissioner Gordon: (over Batmobile monitor) It appears that there’s been a break-in at Wayne Industries R&D.
Batman: Of all places.
Commissioner Gordon: I see you’ve brought along the sidekick.
Batman: Commissioner, meet Robin.
Robin: Good evening, Sir.
Commissioner Gordon: (chuckles) Nice chap. I have a daughter around his age.
Batman: Matchmaking already?
Commissioner Gordon: Anyway, you’d better hurry. I believe the perp is Bane.
Batman: Just as I suspected.
Commissioner Gordon: Apparently he’s already taken out most of the Wayne Enterprises security in that area. I’ve sent some of my men there.
Batman: Good.
EXT. WE HEADQUARTERS
Police vans and SWAT units surround the building, while two police helicopters hover around it cautiously. A police helicopter comes close to the side of the building, shining its blinding searchlight into the vicinity.
INT. WE HEADQUARTERS
Bane brings his arm up to shield himself from the light. Once he realises that a police helicopter is out the window, he punches through the glass. The helicopter tries to back away, but the windscreen is shattered. Bane then forcefully pulls the pilot out of the helicopter. The chopper inadvertently rams into the side of the building and explodes.
INT. BATMOBILE
Batman: We have a lot on our hands this evening.
Robin: Then let’s get going.
The canopy of the Batmobile slides forward and the duo are propelled into the air by jetpacks built into the seats. The police personnel look up, pointing and shouting.
INT. WE HEADQUARTERS
Batman and Robin remove their jetpack apparatus. Batman puts a finger to his lips, and produces a gadget, scanning the area in front of them. He points forward and activates his night-vision goggles. Robin nods and does the same.
INT. LABORATORY
(Batman’s POV) we see a biochemist’s laboratory in harsh night-vision. Robin scans the area and alerts Batman to a particular spot. A safe marked “plant-metahuman DNA sample” has been destroyed, and the contents emptied out.
Batman: (realizing) The serum Dr Woodrue invented…
Robin: You mean Bane has this stuff now?
Batman: I’m afraid so…but we can still make it.
The pair bolt out of the lab door and into another laboratory, the one Lucius Fox brought them to see a few days ago. The lights suddenly come on. (Batman’s POV) Batman is momentarily blinded and struggles to deactivate his night-vision goggles.
Robin: Batman! Look out!
Bane rushes in, seemingly out of nowhere, grabbing hold of Batman and smashing him into the laboratory walls.
Bane: Demon Bat! It’s an honour to finally meet you.
Batman: What do you want with me?
Bane: What I want… (Holds up the vial of serum) …I already have. But what you did to Dr Woodrue I cannot accept.
Batman: What has that got to do with you anyway?
Bane: Dr Woodrue turned me into what I am today…you left him deformed and unrecognizable.
Batman: He didn’t care for you at all.
Bane: That much I agree with you. But how can I hate a man who has given me such powers? That is why I’ve decided to help him. You got him into this mess. So with the life of this…boy here you will pay.
Bane grabs hold of Robin, screaming. He opens the lid of the pressure simulator and throws him in. Robin hits the water, struggling to get out.
Batman: Robin…
Bane toggles the instruments by the pressure simulator, adjusting the pressure. Robin’s face shows his agony as his lungs begin to be crushed by the pressure. Bane smiles.
Bane: There is no way you can save him now, but I’ll leave you to try. Until then…
Bane punches a hole in the wall and leaps out of the building, crushing a few cars under him. He then jumps onto a modified motorcycle and prepares to take of.
Lucius Fox (in flashback): An intense pulsar wave…
Batman, remembering Fox’s words, pulls out a gadget from his utility belt and throws it at the strengthened glass. The device attaches itself to the simulation chamber. A pulsar wave is emitted and the glass warps slightly, before shattering and releasing torrents of water. Robin slides out, coughing. Batman feels his pulse, and then performs CPR on a barely conscious Robin. He then attaches a mask to Robin’s face.
Batman: This will regulate the pressure. Just relax.
Batman, carrying Robin in his arms, then jumps out of the window and onto the waiting Batmobile, elevated via hydraulics. He seats Robin by his side, and returns the vehicle to regular height. Batman begins pursuing Bane.
EXT. GOTHAM STREET
The Batmobile whizzes around a corner, as stunned onlookers point at the vehicle. Turning on to the freeway, Batman spots Bane’s motorcycle just ahead. A police helicopter joins the Batmobile at the scene, keeping its searchlights trained on Bane.
INT. BATMOBILE
Batman: Why must there always be a chase? This isn’t some cut-rate action flick, Alfred
Alfred: (over cowl radio) It almost turned into action-horror as far as I’m concerned, Master Bruce.
Batman: Quite right.
Robin begins to awake.
Robin: Where…am I?
Batman: In the Batmobile. Bane almost drowned you and crushed your lungs.
Robin: Where is he now?
Batman: Right in front of us.
EXT. GOTHAM FREEWAY
The Batmobile winds around a few vehicles, pulling up behind Bane’s motorcycle. Bane suddenly swings the motorcycle beside the Batmobile. INT. BATMOBILE:
Bane, now just outside the Batmobile, raises a hand in greeting.
Batman: What the…
EXT. BATMOBILE
Bane delivers a strong punch through the glass of the Batmobile’s side window.
INT. BATMOBILE
Batman gasps as Bane’s hand tightens around his throat. Batman immediately adjusts the throttle so the Batmobile is at the same speed as Bane’s motorcycle. He then struggles, attempting to loosen his assailant’s grip.
Robin: Batman!
Bane begins to pull Batman out of the vehicle through the side window. Batman grunts in pain, the breath nearly knocked out of him completely. Robin reaches into his own utility belt and produces a birdarang. He plunges the sharp weapon into Bane’s arm. Bane grunts and lets go of Batman’s throat slightly. Robin shoves Bane’s hand out of the vehicle window. Robin then adjusts the throttle so the Batmobile speeds past Bane, and then activates the autopilot as Batman sits unconscious.
Robin: We all take turns to get knocked out, huh?
Robin searches the dashboard for a button. He then presses it, and a medical harness drops down from the ceiling. He attaches it to Batman and it delivers 100% Oxygen, whilst pumping on Batman’s chest. Having attended to Batman, Robin then keys “Batcave” into the destination computer. The Batmobile reacts, and steers itself back.
Robin: I suppose that’s enough for now.
INT. BATCAVE
The Batmobile arrives in the cave. Batman and Robin emerge from the vehicle, dazed.
Alfred: I suppose you had a rough night, sirs?
Robin: Beginner’s luck…
Batman: Or lack thereof. At least now we know full well what we’re up against.
Alfred: Indeed. I suggest that the two of you get some rest before you go up against this Bane again.
INT. MARIA’S APARTMENT
Bane enters through the door. Maria, in a bathrobe, greets him.
Maria: Antonio! How did it go?
Bane: Well enough.
Maria: You’ll be pleased to know that while you were out, I’ve gathered some very interesting results…on the possible identity of the Batman.
Bane: This might help you: he was with…an apprentice of sorts. I nearly killed him, but he is rather skilled. I’d guess 12 or 13 years of age.
Maria: (smiles) Interesting. Come over here…
The pair goes into her study where she has been doing the research.
Maria: Using information available to anybody, I was able to shortlist the candidates down to one name.
Bane: For sure?
Maria: Have a look for yourself. First, I had a look at Gotham’s mainframe and whittled it down to the male population. From there, I got the 68% who fitted the Batman’s possible age of 18-35.
Bane: Good. Go on.
Maria: Then, only Gotham’s economical elite would be able to acquire the advanced gadgetry that Batman employs.
Bane: And of course, every vigilante of his sort must have a valid origin.
Maria: Precisely. I then checked the records for a personal tragedy in the lives of any one of the candidates. It turns out (pulls out a newspaper clipping) that only a certain Bruce Wayne had an experience of this sort.
Bane: (reading off the print) “Thomas and Martha Wayne murdered…”
Maria: And what you just mentioned about a young apprentice bodes well with this more recent snippet.
Bane reads off the computer, showing the Gotham Globe’s archive.
Bane: “Gotham’s ‘Most Eligible’ Adopts”…
Maria: So?
Bane: (smiles) I think we have our man.
Maria: Aren’t you going to thank me?
Bane: I suppose I’ll shower first.
Maria: (smiles) Right. I’ll be waiting.
INT. BATCAVE
Batman: You’ve done a good job tonight, Dick.
Dick Grayson: I did nearly get killed.
Batman: (smiles) Another thing I’m sure you’ll get used to.
Dick Grayson: (sarcastically) Yippee.
Batman removes his cowl and sits down at the Batcomputer.
Bruce Wayne: You go catch some sleep. I’ll be up soon.
Dick Grayson: Thanks. See you in the morning Alfred.
Alfred: Goodnight, Master Dick.
Suddenly a wave flashes across the Batcomputer screen.
Bruce Wayne: It’s the Commissioner.
He hurries to put on his cowl.
Commissioner Gordon: (over Batcomputer screen) You did well tonight. Don’t worry about him escaping.
Batman: The last thing on everyone’s mind, I’m sure.
Commissioner Gordon: (chuckles) Anyway, I’ve got interesting news to report.
Batman: About his ties to Dr Woodrue? I already know: he stole the DNA sample from his weapon to reverse-engineer a cure.
Commissioner Gordon: Well, we guessed the same. The real news is this: it seems as if Bane may be taking shelter with an ex-convict from Pena Duro, released two years ago.
Batman: Name?
Commissioner Gordon: We only have a first name: Maria.
Batman: A woman?
Commissioner Gordon: We suppose they are romantically connected.
Batman: She’d have to be pretty warped to fall for him.
Commissioner Gordon: You know what regular prison does to people, what more Pena Duro.
Batman: Indeed. Is she the only possible associate he has?
Commissioner Gordon: The most likely. He spent his whole life in the prison, and she’s the only ex-convict living here in Gotham.
Batman: Why was she put in?
Commissioner Gordon: The file says she’s an explosives and firearms expert, and has a genius-level IQ. The Santa Prisca police employed her to do administration for their bomb squad when she was just 16, fresh out of school. The next year she blew the headquarters up, for no apparent reason.
Batman: Where in Gotham is she staying?
Commissioner Gordon: We’ve got the place on surveillance and I’m planning to send two SWAT teams in tomorrow night. Everyone’s tied up with the incident at Wayne Enterprises.
Batman: (nods) That sounds good.
Commissioner Gordon: Don’t mind me, but I’d rather you not turn up. It could complicate matters.
Batman: I understand. Just be careful, I’m very sure they were expecting this sooner or later.
Commissioner Gordon: Of course. You take care. Batman: Goodnight, Commissioner.
The image of the Commissioner dissolves.
Alfred: Do you think they can root him out, Sir?
Batman: I hope so, but doubt it. He was careful not to tell me where the house is.
Alfred: Pardon me Sir, but as it says in the Good Book: “Unless the Lord guards the house, the watchman stays awake in vain”.
Batman: Isn’t that the same passage which says “For the Lord gives his beloved sleep?”
Alfred: You know what I mean sir.
Batman: (sighs) you’re right.
Batman proceeds into the changing area to remove his Batsuit, and Alfred proceeds up into Wayne Manor proper.