Batman: Masked Souls Part 2

From Jalassociatecomics

Welcome to part 2 of the screenplay. If you haven't read the preceeding sections, would like an introduction or would like to move on, please use the links below.

Part 2

EXT. BATCAVE

The Batwing docks and the docking platform lowers into view. The cockpit hisses open once more, and Batman steps out of the craft. Alfred greets him with a tray of warm soup. Batman pulls of his mask, and sits down at the Batcomputer, sipping the soup.

Alfred: In a sense, I suppose. You’ve always had this non-human sheen, whenever you put on that suit. Everyone wears a mask, Master Bruce. Sometimes I think you take the concept a little far.

Batman: It’s what makes this persona frightening, Alfred. It helps me do my job.

Alfred: Yes, sir. Do pardon me.

Batman: It’s okay…but…a human side…

Alfred: (pauses)…Perhaps you have regained some of that tonight sir?

Batman: I don't know Alfred.

Batman gets up from the Batcomputer and goes to the changing area.

EXT. GOTHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT-THE NEXT DAY

Bruce Wayne lays a portfolio on the table.

Commissioner Gordon: Thank you so much Mr Wayne...it's very kind of you to take Dick Grayson in.

Bruce Wayne: (genuinely) I guess you could say he’s a kindred spirit.

Commissioner Gordon: Yes…I remember the night your parents passed away…and the look in your eyes. Exactly how Grayson looked.

Bruce Wayne: What happened with him, what exactly?

Commissioner Gordon: We’re looking into it at the moment. It’s been a very busy 16 hours for the boy. Frankly, I’ve been busy too. There was a large-scale operation late last night…Anyway, his parents were apparently murdered in the middle of a circus performance.

Bruce Wayne: …and he saw everything?

Commissioner Gordon: I’m afraid so. He was performing with them. Circus aerialists. He’s a gifted performer too; it’s definitely in his blood. Anyway, the murder seems to be the work of mob boss Tony Zucco. Hired a sniper when the circus manager couldn’t pay up.

Bruce Wayne: Protection money?

Commissioner Gordon: (nods) You know how it is with these types. He messed up their prized act just to show his muscle. It’s just an educated guess at this stage, though, so we can’t be too sure.

Bruce Wayne: When can he be taken home?

Commissioner Gordon: The system’s always been fairly inefficient, but we’re making an exception for his case. Once all the papers are signed and the database is sorted out, we’re done. However, do expect to deal with a lot of media pressure, especially since you’re that high up the social ladder. They’ll want to get the scoop on why you’ve adopted an orphaned aerialist, and there’re sure to be lots of nasty rumours flying around. Not to mention the unearthing of your past.

Bruce Wayne: (smiles) I’ve handled worse. Anyway, would he mind if I met him?

Commissioner Gordon: He’s a bit shaken up, just like you were back then. But he should be okay soon enough.

INT. HALLWAY IN POLICE DEPARTMENT

The camera follows Gordon and Wayne as they make their way to the room where Grayson is waiting. A female officer is sitting with him.

Renee Montoya: Hello sir. I was just telling him about Wayne.

Commissioner Gordon: Well, here he is. (motioning towards the door) Thanks, Renee.

Female officer: Okay, commissioner.

The female officer leaves the room.

Commissioner Gordon: Dick, this is Mr Bruce Wayne, your foster father. He’s kindly offered to take you in.

Bruce Wayne: (warmly) Hey (extends hand)

Dick Grayson: (uncertain) Hello, Mr Wayne (shakes Bruce’s hand)

Bruce Wayne: You can call me Bruce if you like. No need to be formal. Don’t worry, I’ve been through it all.

Dick Grayson: (suddenly teary) I miss Mom and Dad… (voice trailing off)

Bruce Wayne: (hugs Dick Grayson) It’s okay… It’s alright…

Commissioner Gordon: Let’s go get your papers.

Dick Grayson: (wipes away tears) Okay…

The three leave the room

EXT. WAYNE MANOR DRIVEWAY The stately manor comes into view, the audience have just enough time to take it in before the camera cuts to-

INT. WAYNE’S LIMOUSINE

Bruce Wayne: This is your new home…Wayne Manor

Dick Grayson: (smiles uneasily) …It has a name?

Bruce Wayne: (chuckles) It’s been around for a long time, I didn’t name it.

EXT. WAYNE MANOR ENTRANCE

Alfred is standing at the ready outside Wayne Manor. He opens the car door for Dick and Bruce.

Bruce Wayne: (to Dick Grayson) This is Alfred. He’s the butler…and a good friend.

Alfred: (in a friendly manner) Hello there, chap.

Dick Grayson: Hey, Mr. Alfred.

Alfred: Come in, I’ll show you to your room.

The chauffer removes Grayson’s luggage from the back of the limousine.

Bruce Wayne: (to chauffer) Thanks.

The chauffer nods, and Bruce carries the bags into the house. The chauffer then gets back in, and then drives away to park the car.

INT. WAYNE MANOR

The camera sweeps across the hall, then follows the trio up the grand staircase.

Bruce Wayne: (going up stairs with Dick and Alfred) I know you’ve been through a lot, so just take it easy. This will be a big change from your life at the circus.

Dick Grayson: (nodding uneasily) I can already tell!

Bruce Wayne: (chuckles) You’ll get used to it.

Alfred: Master Bruce is a busy man, his work demands alot from him - but he's definitely not busy enough not to care for you.

Dick Grayson: (to Alfred) How long have you been working here?

Alfred: I see it more of living than working, chap, and ever since Master Bruce was in diapers.

Bruce Wayne: Very funny Alfred. Anyway, Alfred helped me back after my parents died. Wouldn’t have been who I am today without him.

INT. DICK’S NEW ROOM

The camera reveals a spacious but cosy private area, fashioned in much the same way as most of the stately Manor. The room is clean, but not spartan. The door opens, and Dick steps in.

Dick Grayson: (in slight awe) Wow!

Bruce Wayne: (chuckles) It’s good that you like it so much. Alfred, why don’t you show him around the garage? You said you like motorcycles earlier…

EXT. GARAGE

The camera zooms out slowly to reveal a large, subterranean garage and workshop.

Dick Grayson: (in slight awe) How many are there?

Alfred: 72, when I last checked.

Bruce Wayne: (chuckles) Cars are one of my…hobbies. I get to drive around prototypes nobody will ever get to buy in the market.

Dick Grayson: That’s a fun job…but it can’t be better than at the circus… (voice trailing off in slight sadness).

Alfred: (notices his sentimentality) Well, it isn’t Master Bruce’s job really. Anyway, you’ve had a busy day. Why don’t you get some rest?

Bruce Wayne: (agrees) Yeah…we’ll continue the tour another day, Dick.

INT. HALLWAY IN WAYNE MANOR

Dick is now alone in his room, leaving Bruce and Alfred to talk privately as they proceed elsewhere in the Manor.

Alfred: He’s a very nice chap, Master Bruce. Reminds me a lot of you back then, just a bit more wide-eyed.

Bruce Wayne: (agrees) He’s taking it all very well. I would say he’s reasonably mature for his age.

Alfred: Pardon me, Master Bruce, but you've always said that your truest persona was the Batman.

Bruce Wayne: (smiles slightly) Well Alfred, for the time being, Wayne Industries just won’t let me escape the late night board meetings.

INT. BATCAVE-THAT EVENING

Alfred enters the Batcave via an elevator. Bruce Wayne is seated at the Batcomputer, already in costume, except for his mask.

Alfred: Pardon me sir, but I believe this new addition to the family does take priority over your late night board meetings.

Bruce Wayne: Something’s fishy with all this Tony Zucco business.

Alfred: Come again, sir?

Bruce Wayne: Tony Zucco, the presumed mastermind of the murder of Dick’s parents. Commissioner Gordon told me about it, that the circus manager refused to pay so-called "protection money"

Alfred: Oh my…

Bruce Wayne: I think it’s only best if I visit the crime scene myself. Who knows, maybe Zucco will actually show his face.

Alfred: Come back quickly, sir…Master Dick is probably smarter than we all think…

Bruce Wayne: …Not if you help me keep my secret.

Bruce Wayne pulls the cowl over his head…his transformation into Batman complete for that evening. He walks towards the waiting Batmobile, and gets in. The Batmobile zooms off into the night. Alfred sighs, and proceeds back into the elevator, returning to Wayne Manor.

INT. WAYNE MANOR HALLWAY

Alfred walks along the hallway towards Dick Grayson’s room.

Alfred: Master Dick? Master Dick?

There is no reply. Alfred opens the door to his room and proceeds. It is empty.

Alfred: Master Dick?

EXT. GARAGE

Dick Grayson: (to himself) 72 cars… I need a bike, I only know how to drive a bike…

Dick Grayson runs over to the section of the garage where Bruce’s motorcycles are stored. He hesitates.

Dick Grayson: It’s stealing…but I have to find out what happened to Mum and Dad… (voice trailing off)

Dick finds a motorcycle that is small enough for his frame. He grabs one of many helmets and a jacket from the nearby maintenance rack, concealing his identity. Dick starts the bike, and then speeds off out of the garage. The garage door opens automatically.

INT. BATCAVE

Alfred attempts to use the Manor’s closed-circuit camera system to track down Dick Grayson. Suddenly, the image of Grayson leaving the Wayne Manor garage flashes across the screen.

Alfred: (to Batman, over cowl radio) Master Bruce, I take back what I said about him being a “nice chap”.

Batman: (over cowl radio) I was expecting this…sort of. Never mind, I’ll take care of it.

Alfred: I remember you having tracking devices built into all of the bikes and cars in case someone got their hands on them…

Batman: (over cowl radio) Activate it. The transmission will be fed into the Batmobile too.

Alfred: (reaching over to activate tracking device) …Never thought your possessiveness would come in handy…

INT. BATMOBILE

Batman: …Never thought so either.

Batman interfaces with the GPS tracking system, and Dick Grayson on his bike shows up following the same path Batman is…towards the abandoned Haley’s Circus grounds.

Batman: …He’s still a good kid…

Alfred: (over cowl radio) (sighs) Somewhat, Master Bruce…

EXT. ENTRANCE OF HALEY’S CIRCUS GROUNDS

The now-derelict area has been partially scavenged by squatters, even though it has only been two days. The tent, however, is more or less standing. The area has been taped off by police, but even they seem to have neglected the grounds. The Batmobile drives through the gates.
The Batmobile stops and Batman emerges. Producing a gadget, he performs a heat scan of the area. A faint signature shows up on the screen of the device. Instead of starting after the figure, Batman slips into the shadows.
Some time later, Dick Grayson’s motorcycle appears. He seems to notice that someone had beaten him to the grounds, but does not spot the Batmobile or its owner. He has some difficulty dismounting the bike, but removes his helmet and runs into the tent once he’s off.
When Dick Grayson is cleared from view, Batman proceeds stealthily into the abandoned big-top after him.

INT. ABANDONED BIG-TOP

The camera follows Dick Grayson as runs into the abandoned tent. Out of the corner of his eye, he spots a moving figure. Squinting, he seems to recognize the face. A flash and then-

INT. ROOM IN GOTHAM POLICE HEADQUARTERS-FLASHBACK

Commissioner Gordon: (to Dick Grayson) We believe this is the man who ordered the killing of your parents…

The commissioner pulls out a photograph of Tony Zucco. Dick Grayson stares, wide-eyed...

INT. ABANDONED BIG-TOP

We are brought back to Grayson’s reality. He recognizes Zucco from the photograph and is filled with rage. He activates the trapeze using a switch and jumps on. The trapeze creaks to life, and Dick is soon brought up to height. Leaping, he catches hold of the other end of the trapeze, closer to where Zucco is standing. Zucco begins to run, but Dick grabs hold of him. It is revealed that Grayson is surprisingly strong for someone of his age.

Tony Zucco: (afraid) Hang on! I mean, let me go!

Dick Grayson: Maybe when we’re higher up.

He leaps once more. Zucco’s coat drops, and falls slowly to the floor of the tent. In the meantime, Batman is watching.

Alfred: (over cowl radio) Don’t you think you should do something, Sir?

Batman: The boy’s skills are impressive. I believe he can handle this.

Tony Zucco: Why are you doing this?

Dick Grayson: Why did you kill my parents!? (punches Zucco)

Tony Zucco: Look kid…(pulls out a gun) Might as well give it a rest, eh?

The trapeze continues to travel upwards to the rafters of the tent.

Dick Grayson: If you shoot me, not only will you have one more Grayson’s blood on your hands, I’ll let go, and you’ll fall.

Tony Zucco: (glances down) alright kid…hold it steady…

Dick Grayson: YOU hold it steady! (knocks gun out of Zucco’s hand)

The camera follows the gun down, till it hits the circus floor. A metallic clattering rings out through the empty tent.

Dick Grayson: I can let go now…but even then your death can’t change anything…

Tony Zucco looks up in anguish. Dick Grayson stares back at him with scorn.
Flipping a switch on the trapeze platform, Dick slowly lowers the platform down to the floor.
Tony Zucco, startled, gets up, then runs off into the night.
Dick Grayson kneels helplessly on the floor.
Batman appears out of the shadows.

Batman: That was a very noble thing you did.

Dick Grayson: (realizing) (frustrated and angry) You were there…all the time! Why didn’t you do anything? Why didn’t you catch him?

Batman: Tell me now: why did you let him go?

Dick Grayson: Because…because…nothing can change it that my parents are now dead.

Batman: Coming to realise that is half the battle won.

Sirens can be heard in the background

Dick Grayson: You…called them?

Batman: (nods) let’s get you home.

Batman brings Grayson over to the Batmobile.

EXT. ENTRANCE OF HALEY’S CIRCUS

Dick Grayson: I took a bike…

Batman points a remote control at the motorcycle, and it automatically drives itself back to Wayne Manor.

Dick Grayson: (getting into the Batmobile) who are you, anyway?

Batman: (Getting into the car as well) I’ll explain on the way.

INT. BATMOBILE-DRIVING BACK TO WAYNE MANOR

Dick Grayson: Am I in any kind of trouble?

Batman: No. You would had you killed him.

Dick Grayson: Anyway, I stay at Wayne Manor now.

Batman: (nods) I know where that is.

Dick Grayson: You said you’d tell me who you are.

Batman: Question is: can I trust you?

Dick Grayson stares at Batman uncertainly.

Batman: (voice trailing off) You’re my son…I guess I can…

Batman slowly removes his cowl, revealing his identity to the passenger.

Dick Grayson: (Gasps) Why didn’t you tell me earlier?!

Batman: I didn’t know whether or not to. I guess now, you’re ready to know.

Dick Grayson: Then why did you take me in? Why did you adopt me if you thought it would disrupt your work?

Batman: One reason why I adopted you was because…we’re so alike. However, without proper guidance, I wandered…the death of my parent’s had driven me to near insanity. Alfred helped to ease me along. I thought that maybe I could give you the guidance I lacked, and prevent revenge from twisting you into a monster.

Dick Grayson: But you’re not a monster…not that much at least…

Batman: What can I say, Dick? Gotham’s overrun with monsters, they just need another one to balance it all.

The Batmobile veers off to a concealed route, driving through the forest surrounding Gotham’s outskirts, then through a secluded waterfall and into the Batcave.

INT. BATCAVE

Dick Grayson: Whoa!

The car comes to a stop, and the doors automatically open.

Batman: We call this place the Batcave. It’s where Alfred hangs out when he’s not dusting the statues.

Alfred: I heard that, Master Bruce.

Dick Grayson emerges from the vehicle, and gives Bruce Wayne an unexpected hug.

Dick Grayson: Thanks for everything, Mr Wayne.

Bruce Wayne: It's okay. go get some rest.

Dick Grayson proceeds up to Wayne Manor proper.

Alfred: So, no more late-night board meetings?

Bruce Wayne: In theory, yes.

Alfred: So what made you tell him?

Bruce Wayne: He showed signs that he was ready. He didn’t kill Zucco when he had the chance. He’s ready.

Alfred: To be a… (looking for the right words) sidekick sir?

Bruce Wayne: (chuckles) That’s still a bit of a comic book idea, don’t you think?

Alfred: Just a thought, sir…

Bruce Wayne: Then again…his skills are extraordinary, and he’s quite a sensible fellow…maybe one day.

Alfred: Quite right, sir.

Batman: Masked Souls
Batman: Masked Souls Part 3
Batman: Masked Souls Part 4
Batman: Masked Souls Part 5
Batman: Masked Souls Part 6
Batman: Masked Souls Part 7