EXT. SKIES OVER MOUNTAIN RANGE – CONTINUOUS 6
The commuter plane is dwarfed by a massive transport plane looming over it, dangerously close …
INT. MAIN CABIN, COMMUTER PLANE – CONTINUOUS 7
The plane lurches. The noise is building.
SERGEANT
Sir?
CIA MAN
Well, congratulations, you got yourselves caught. What’s the next step of the master plan?
BANE
Crashing this plane …
EXT. MOUNTAINS – CONTINUOUS 8
The ramp of the transport opens … Four men leap out on tethers – dropping towards the commuter plane, two each side …
INT. MAIN CABIN, COMMUTER PLANE – CONTINUOUS 9
The Special Forces soldiers react to the turbulence from the plane above. CIA Man looks at Bane.
BANE
(rising)
With no survivors.
A Special Forces soldier spins around – an Armed Man is outside the window. Bang –
EXT. SKIES OVER MOUNTAIN RANGE – CONTINUOUS 10
Two men shoot through the windows, the other two attach grapples to the fuselage – give the thumbs up – hoists start to pull, and the tail of the commuter plane is lifted, unnaturally.
INT. COCKPIT, COMMUTER PLANE – CONTINUOUS 11
The Pilots battle the controls as the plane tilts forward.
INT. MAIN CABIN, COMMUTER PLANE – CONTINUOUS 12
Like lightning, Bane has the CIA Man in his handcuffed arms, legs wrapped around a seat back, The entire cabin upends. Tumbling chaos – Soldiers falling – Bane cracks CIA Man’s neck and drops him onto the Sergeant – they tumble down the plane, smashing into the cockpit door with a terminal thud.
Dr. Pavel, strapped in, pushes against the seat in front of him – the plane vibrates, trying to tear itself apart.
EXT. ATLAS MOUNTAINS – CONTINUOUS 13
The men climb the tail of the smaller plane as it dangles helplessly above the mountains. Its wings shear off.
INT. MAIN CABIN, COMMUTER PLANE – CONTINUOUS 14
Bane breaks his handcuffs as if they were plastic, then opens his legs and drops down the cabin, somersaulting gracefully and using his arms to stop himself halfway down, by Dr. Pavel.
EXT. SKIES OVER MOUNTAIN RANGE – CONTINUOUS 15
The men attach explosives to the tail, then jump away, swinging out as the tail explodes.
INT. MAIN CABIN, COMMUTER PLANE – CONTINUOUS 16
An explosion takes off the rear door of the cabin – the Armed Men drop through the smoke on cables.
A body bag is lowered into the cabin. Bane lies it on the seat backs next to Dr. Pavel and unzips it to reveal a body the same age and build as Dr. Pavel.
Bane rips Dr. Pavel’s sleeve – pulls out a length of surgical tubing – pushes a needle into Dr. Pavel’s arm – runs the tube to the body’s arm … Dr. Pavel watches, horrified, as Bane starts compressions on the body’s chest, drawing Dr. Pavel’s blood across the tube and into the body …
An Armed Man pulls Hooded Man 1 up through the cabin and out. Bane stops Hooded Man 2.
BANE
Friend. They expect one of us in the wreckage.
The man nods, unhooks himself, takes Bane’s arm.
HOODED MAN 2
Have we started the fire?
BANE
(nods)
The fire rises.
Hooded Man 2 hands Bane his line. Bane clips it around Dr. Pavel, takes out a knife and cuts Dr. Pavel’s seat belt. Dr. Pavel panics, flails. Bane takes his arms. Gentle.
BANE
Calm, Doctor. Now is not the time for fear …
Bane slides Dr. Pavel out of his seat. They hang in the vertical, windblown cabin. Bane takes out a detonator.
BANE
That comes later.
Bane presses the detonator – the cabin drops from around them, revealing the terrifying drop to the peaks below. Dr. Pavel screams as they are hoisted up towards the transport, and we –
Cut to:
EXT. GOTHAM – EVENING 17
Drifting over the vast city …
MAYOR
(voice-over)
Harvey Dent Day may not be our oldest public holiday …
… moving past the enormous Gotham Bridge …
MAYOR
(voice-over)
But we’re here tonight because it’s one of the most important …
… over the Gotham river to the Palisades on the far side …
MAYOR
(voice-over)
Harvey Dent’s uncompromising stand against organized crime and, yes, ultimately, his sacrifice, have made Gotham a safer place than it was at the time of his death, eight years ago …
… finding a party in the grounds of Wayne Manor. The Mayor addresses the wealthy and powerful of Gotham.
MAYOR
This city has seen a historic turnaround. No city is without crime. But this city is without organized crime because the Dent Act gave law enforcement teeth in its fight against the mob. Now people are talking about repealing the Dent Act. And to them I say … not on my watch.
Enthusiastic applause as the Mayor wraps up.
I want to thank the Wayne Foundation for hosting this event. I’m told Mr. Wayne couldn’t be here tonight, but I’m sure he’s with us in spirit …
High above, on a darkened balcony, a lone figure. Watching.
MAYOR
(o.s.)
Now I’m going to give way to an important voice …
Down below, at the bar, Commissioner Gordon examines some sheets of densely written paper. A Congressman muscles in.
CONGRESSMAN
Commissioner.
GORDON
Congressman.
CONGRESSMAN
Ever lay eyes on Wayne at one of these things?
Gordon shakes his head. Gordon’s Deputy Commissioner, Foley, cuts in.
FOLEY
No one has. Not in years.
MAYOR
(o.s.)
He can tell you about the bad old days, when the criminals and corrupt ran this town with such a tight grasp that people put their faith in a murderous thug in a mask and a cape. A thug who showed his true nature when he betrayed the trust of this great man – (Turns to picture of Dent.) And murdered him in cold blood.
The Congressman watches a tray of canapés breeze past, then grabs the ass of the maid carrying them. She freezes.
CONGRESSMAN
Sweetheart, not so fast with the chow.
MAID
(turns, tight smile)
Shrimp balls?
The Congressman grabs two. The Maid moves off. The Congressman glances down at Gordon’s papers.
MAYOR
(o.s.)
Jim Gordon can tell you the truth about Harvey Dent …
CONGRESSMAN
Jesus, Gordon, is that your speech? We’re gonna be here all night.
GORDON
Maybe the truth about Harvey isn’t so simple, Congressman.
MAYOR
(o.s.)
But I’ll let him tell you himself – Commissioner Gordon?
Applause. Gordon approaches the mike. Looks down at his long speech. Thinks.
GORDON
The truth …?
Insert cut: Harvey Dent, face half destroyed, threatens Gordon’s son with a handgun.
Gordon surveys the audience. Deciding.
I have written a speech telling the truth about Harvey Dent …
Gordon folds up his speech.
But maybe the time isn’t right …
Gordon stuffs the papers inside his jacket. The Congressman mutters under his breath.
CONGRESSMAN
Thank Christ for that …
GORDON
Maybe right now all you need to know is that there are a thousand inmates in Blackgate Prison as a direct result of the Dent Act. These are violent criminals, essential cogs in the organized crime machine th
at terrorized Gotham for so long. Maybe, for now, all I should say about Harvey Dent’s death is this … it has not been for nothing.
The figure on the balcony turns back into the mansion. People clap as Gordon leaves the mike. Gordon approaches Foley.
GORDON
The second shift reports in?
FOLEY
On your desk. But you should put in some more time with the Mayor –
GORDON
That’s your department.
Gordon heads for the line of town cars in the gravel drive.
CONGRESSMAN
Anyone shown him the crime stats?
FOLEY
He goes by his gut, and it continues to bother him, whatever the numbers.
CONGRESSMAN
Must be popular with the wife.
FOLEY
Not really. She took the kids and moved to Cleveland.
CONGRESSMAN
He’ll have plenty of time for visits. Mayor’s dumping him in the spring.
FOLEY
Really? He’s a hero.
CONGRESSMAN
War hero. This is peacetime. Stay smart, the job’s yours.
INT. KITCHENS, WAYNE MANOR – MOMENTS LATER 18
Our Maid dives into the bustle of Wayne Manor below stairs – Caterers and Maids, Wait Staff. She overhears another Maid.
MAID 2
They say he never leaves the East Wing.
MAID 3
I heard he had an accident – that he’s disfigured.
The other Maids signal her to be quiet. All the chatter has died. Alfred has entered the kitchen.
ALFRED
Mr. Till, why are your people using the main stairs?
Alfred places a glass of water on a tray next to a covered plate. Picks up the tray, looks around the chaotic kitchen.
ALFRED
Where’s Mrs. Bolton?
MAID
She’s up at bar, sir. Can I help?
Alfred looks at the maid. Hands her a key and the tray.
ALFRED
The East drawing room. Unlock the door, place the tray on the table, lock the door again. Nothing more.
The Maid nods. Takes the tray.
INT. HALL, WAYNE MANOR – MOMENTS LATER 19
Following the Maid through the empty house. She comes to the large oak door to the East Wing. Unlocks it …
INT. DRAWING ROOM, EAST WING, WAYNE MANOR – CONTINUOUS 20
The room is dark, quiet. The Maid places the tray on the table. She looks at the inner door opposite. It is ajar …
INT. HALL, WAYNE MANOR – CONTINUOUS 21
Alfred talks to an elegant woman, thirties. Miranda Tate.
ALFRED
I’m sorry, Miss Tate, but I’ve tried. He won’t see you.
MIRANDA
It’s important, Mr. Pennyworth.
Her accent is European. Hard to place.
ALFRED
Mr. Wayne is as determined to ignore important things as trivial ones.
MALE VOICE
(o.s.)
Don’t take it personally, Miranda.
They turn to see a man in his fifites. Daggett.
DAGGETT
Everyone knows Wayne’s holed up in there with eight-inch nails, peeing into Mason jars. (To Alfred.) Good of you to let me on the grounds.
ALFRED
The Dent Act is about all Gotham. Even you, Mr. Daggett. Miss Tate, always a pleasure.
Alfred turns and walks off. Daggett smiles, glib.
DAGGETT
Why waste your time trying to talk to the man who threw away your investment on some save-the-world vanity project? He can’t help you get your money back. But I can.
MIRANDA
I could try explaining that a save-the-world project, vain or not, is worth investing in, whatever the return. I could try, Mr. Daggett, but you understand only money and the power you think it buys, so why waste my time, indeed?
She walks away. Daggett watches her go.
INT. DRAWING ROOM, EAST WING, WAYNE MANOR – CONTINUOUS 22
Close on the dinner tray. We hear a labored step approach. Bruce Wayne appears, leaning on a cane. Gaunt. Grey temples. He lifts the lid of his dinner, then freezes, hearing something. He slowly limps into the next room …
INT. SITTING ROOM, EAST WING, WAYNE MANOR – CONTINUOUS 23
The Maid looks at framed photographs of Rachel, Thomas and Martha Wayne. Some are half-burned. She notices an archery target, arrows stuck in it. She reaches out. WHAM! An arrow sticks into the target – the Maid spins around, flustered. Wayne, at the other end of the long room, lowers a composite bow. Picks up his cane.
MAID
I’m, I’m terribly sorry, Mr. Wayne. It is Mr. Wayne, isn’t it?
Wayne nods, gently. Limps towards her.
MAID
Although you don’t have the long nails … (Nervous laugh.) Or facial scars …
She trails off, embarrassed. Coy. She seems very young.
WAYNE
Is that what they say about me?
MAID
It’s just that … nobody sees you …
Wayne approaches, slowly. He nods at her pearl necklace.
WAYNE
That’s a beautiful necklace. Reminds me of one that belonged to my mother. It can’t be the same one – her pearls are in this safe –
He reaches out with his cane to press open a panel on the bureau, revealing a safe door …
– which the manufacturer clearly explained is uncrackable.
… which swings open with an awkward creak.
MAID
Oops. No one told me it was uncrackable.
The Maid suddenly seems more confident. Older.
WAYNE
I’m afraid I can’t let you take those.
She smiles at him. Moves towards him.
MAID
Look, you wouldn’t hit a woman any more than I would beat up a cripple.
She kicks his cane from under him, smashes him down.
Of course, sometimes exceptions have to be made.
The Maid vaults onto the bureau and up to a high window.
Goodnight, Mr. Wayne.
She flips backwards through the window. Wayne smiles, then rocks forward on his good leg and rises with athletic grace. He looks at the safe, notices something. Powder …
EXT. DRIVE, WAYNE MANOR – CONTINUOUS 24
Moving toward the line of town cars, the Maid pulls off her white apron, cuffs and collar, leaving a black dress and pearls. A Valet hurries to open a car door for her – she slips into a town car … beside the Congressman.
MAID
Can I have a ride?
The Congressman, a little tipsy, looks at her hungrily.
CONGRESSMAN
You read my mind.
INT. EAST WING, WAYNE MANOR – LATER 25
Alfred enters, to find Wayne kneeling at the safe.
ALFRED
Miss Tate was asking to see you again.
WAYNE
She’s very persistent.
ALFRED
And quite lovely, in case you were wondering.
WAYNE
I wasn’t.
ALFRED
What are you doing?
WAYNE
Examining print dust. We’ve been robbed.
ALFRED
And this is your idea of raising the alarm?
WAYNE
(shrugs)
She took the pearls. Tracking device and all.
ALFRED
She?
WAYNE
One of the maids. Perhaps you should stop letting them in this side of the house.
ALFRED
Perhaps you should learn to make your own bed, then. Why are you dusting for prints?
WAYNE
I’m not. She was.
EXT. ROOFTOP, MAJOR CRIMES UNIT – CONTINUOUS 26
Gordon bangs a stack of files against the air duct, settles to read. Next to him is a rusty, broken searchlig
ht.
YOUNG VOICE
(o.s.)
Sir?
A young Cop is standing there. This is Blake.
BLAKE
I didn’t want to bother you up here, but they’re looking for you.
GORDON
What’s the problem, son?
BLAKE
Congressman Gilly’s wife’s been calling. He hasn’t made it home from the Wayne Foundation event.
GORDON
That’s a job for the police?
BLAKE
Sir, I’ve a been a cop for a year and I’ve only logged half a dozen arrests. When you and Dent cleaned the streets you cleaned ’em good. Pretty soon we’ll be chasing overdue library books.
Gordon smiles at this. Blake looks at his stack of files.
BLAKE
But here you are. Like we’re still at war …
GORDON
Old habits.
BLAKE
Or instinct.
GORDON
What’s your name, son?
BLAKE
Blake, sir.
GORDON
You have something you want to ask me, Officer Blake?
BLAKE
It’s that night. This night, eight years ago. The night Dent died.
GORDON
What about it?
BLAKE
The last confirmed sighting of the Batman. He murders those people, takes out two SWAT teams, breaks Dent’s neck … then just vanishes?
GORDON
I’m not hearing a question, son.
Blake shifts uneasily. Then looks at Gordon.
BLAKE
Don’t you want to know who he was?
Gordon turns to look at the broken searchlight. He brushes his fingers across its rusted shell.
GORDON
I know exactly who he was. (Turns to Blake.) He was Batman.
Gordon walks past Blake, heading for the stairs.
GORDON
(o.s.)
Let’s go see about the Congressman’s wife …
INT. EAST WING, WAYNE MANOR – MORNING 27
THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY: The Complete Screenplays with Storyboards Page 27