The Last Laugh
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
THE LAST LAUGH Story by Justin Dombrowski & Chris Rose Screenplay by Justin Dombrowski & Chris Rose EXT. CEMETERY – LATE AFTERNOON Bruce Wayne stands outside of the grave of his parents. In front of him is a large tombstone that reads WAYNE. Bruce lays 2 roses down at the bottom of the tombstone. He looks around as the sun sets through the trees above, the snow beginning to fall. Bruce then turns around, heading down a narrow path covered with branches and trees that head into a dark abyss of forest. EXT. OUTSIDE OF WAYNE MANOR/OVERLOOKING GOTHAM HARBOR Bruce walks out of a clearing on a cliff overlooking Gotham harbor. In the distance, Gotham City is surrounded by a darkened sky, the signs of the hard times apparent. Panning over, Wayne Manor sits on the right side of Bruce, amongst the snow. INT. INSIDE OF WAYNE MANOR Bruce Wayne walks down a hallway of Wayne Manor. ALFRED Will you be needing anything else, sir? BRUCE WAYNE No Alfred. ALFRED Very Well, Master Bruce. Bruce walks over to a grandfather clock and opens the face. He turns both hands to the 12 position and closes the face. The clock chimes and slowly opens. INT. INSIDE OF BAT CAVE Bruce Wayne emerges from a side of the Bat cave. He walks out onto a balcony overlooking a small pool of water in the cave. The water rushes over a large waterfall into obscure darkness. Alfred walks down the stairs. ALFRED Master Bruce? BRUCE WAYNE Yes Alfred? ALFRED Everything alright, sir? Alfred walks down onto the balcony looking over the cave with Bruce. BRUCE WAYNE Just one of those days. ALFRED Understandable, sir. Bruce puts on the Batman cowl. BATMAN The Jokers being transferred to Arkham. ALFRED Strange individual isn’t he? BATMAN He is. ALFRED Oh and Miss Madison called to ask about tonight’s engagement at the Riveria. BATMAN I’ll have to cancel for now. Tell her I’ll call her. ALFRED Yes sir. Batman walks over to the Batmobile. The cockpit opens. INT. INSIDE OF CITY HALL/HOLDING CELL – MOMENTS LATER Gordon stands outside of the Holding cell, looking into it. Bullock walks up to him, holding a cup of coffee. BULLOCK Strange fella isn’t he commish? GORDON He is. The Joker sits in his cell, looking up at the ceiling, mumbling to himself. Bullock walks closer to the cell. Joker looks over at him and smiles. BULLOCK You’ll get what’s comin to you clown. Joker smiles and looks on. Essen walks near Bullock. Captain Collins from the Gotham SWAT walks up to Gordon. COLLINS Everything’s ready for transfer. Gordon hands his cigarette to Bullock. GORDON Alright everyone, let’s get this moving. The cell opens as two police officers, guarded under SWAT officers go in and retrieve Joker. They lead him out of the cell. INT. INSIDE OF CITY HALL/LOBBY – SECONDS LATER Summer Gleason stands near a crowd of reporters. Outside of the City Hall, police officers are having a hard time trying to hold back a large mob. The mob shouts and throws objects. Summer looks at the cameraman. SUMMER How are we looking, Tommy? TOMMY Looking fine Miss Gleason. Summer straightens herself. TOMMY Five, Four, Three, Two- SUMMER Good evening Gotham and welcome to a special report. Gordon walks down the hallway, officers in tow heavily guarding the Joker who slowly shuffles along. SUMMER The infamous criminal known only as The Joker was apprehended last night by The Batman. Any minute we are waiting for a glimpse at the accused criminal as he is transferred temporarily to the Maximum Security wing at Arkham Asylum. INT. INSIDE OF BATMOBILE – SECONDS LATER As Batman drives the Batmobile he looks down at a small screen on his computer. Summer Gleason still talks. SUMMER A cloud of suspicion also still surrounds the vigilante known as The Batman who surfaced 2 months ago. Gotham Police Commissioner, Jim Gordon has faced an onslaught of criticism for not handing the situation of The Batman on the side, often referring it to something that the Department is working on exclusively. INT. INSIDE OF CITY HALL/LOBBY As Gordon comes around the corner with the other officers, surrounding Joker some of the men and women of the press as well as the mom erupt in excitement. The members of the press flash their cameras. SUMMER Here comes the Joker escorted by Commissioner Gordon and his Detectives. The camera pans on The Joker as he shuffles along smirking. SUMMER The Joker is clearly visible as he is being transported by the members of Gotham’s Finest. Policemen stand in front of Gleason and the rest of the men and women crowded inside the Lobby. GORDON I hope your happy. The whole city is out against you. Gordon stops as The Joker walks past him. JOKER It’s my pleasure, Commissioner. Joker and the rest of the officers turn into another hallway out of view of the mob. Gordon stands with a police officer and Captain Collins. GORDON Get West 5th cornered off so we can get through alright. I don’t want any mistakes while transporting this whack job. POLICE OFFICER Yes, sir. COLLINS Sir, everything is ready outside the loading doors. GORDON Good. Remember to follow procedure. We don’t need any more trouble than what we have now. I’ll be here in my office if you need anything. COLLINS You got it, Jim. EXT. OUTSIDE OF GOTHAM POLICE STATION – NIGHT Crowds of people cram the parking lot outside of the Gotham Police Station rear. Members of the mob shout as they try to break through the perimeters held by the police officers. Joker is lead through a larger door. Members of Gotham Police surround the small distance from the door to the truck as Joker is lead inside with two swat and a police officer, and Detective Bullock. Collins stands outside the truck. COLLINS If that son of a bitch moves, shoot him. SWAT 1 Yes sir. Collins closes the door and slams his hand on the rear, giving a thumbs up. Other police officers go to their cars as they begin to head out. EXT. ROOFTOP OF BUILDING Batman sits perched on top of the building looking down at what’s happening outside of the Gotham Police Department. He takes out a pair of binoculars and looks through them. BATMAN They’ve got an decoy set up. Going North East on 5th. ALFRED Yes sir. INT. INSIDE OF ARMORED CAR Joker sits bobbing his head back and forth as the two SWAT members look on. Joker twiddles his thumbs as he looks all around. Bullock lights a cigarette. JOKER You know detective, I think there’s something you should know. BULLOCK Pipe down clown. We don’t want to hear anymore crap from you. JOKER Oh, alright. I just thought you would like to know about the missing babies. The men look at the Joker. JOKER If they die, then it’s your loss. Bullock grabs phone. BULLOCK Jim? Something’s up. I’ll put you on speaker. Bullock puts the cell phone on speaker phone. GORDON Go ahead. JOKER Commissioner I know we’ve had a little spat the past few days and you caught me fair and square but I think you should know about the missing children. GORDON What missing children? JOKER The Newbury Orphanage, Lower West side. You’ve probably never heard of it because you probably don’t care. It’s a real shame. EXT. ROOFTOP OF BUILDING Batman listens in onto the conversation, hearing it in his earpiece. JOKER I don’t need to tell you the address because I’m sure you can find it on your own, but you have exactly 2 hours, until midnight. Or the children die. GORDON Where are they Joker. JOKER That’s where the fun begins. you will have to figure that all out by yourself. You and The Batman. Gordon sits by his desk. Stunned. JOKER The game begins now, Commissioner. Joker sits back in the Truck. Bullock drops his cell phone on the floor of the truck. Suddenly the Gotham Police Officer bashes Bullock over the head with his pistol. The police officer quickly turns shooting both of the SWAT officers in the head. Joker sits there silently. POLICE OFFICER I need immediate assistance. Copy. The hatch from the front of the truck opens. DRIVER What the hell happened? POLICE OFFICER The Joker tried to rush us, we need the backed open immediately. The truck comes to a halt. The police officer reaches over, uncuffing Joker. The Officer hands Joker a larger pistol from underneath his shirt. The doors of the truck open. The officer, who is Jokers goon shoots the SWAT officer in the head. EXT. ROOFTOP OF BUILDING Batman rushes back, off into the distance. INT. INSIDE OF GORDONS OFFICE Gordon rushes out of his office EXT. GOTHAM STREET – MOMENTS LATER Police Officers rush into the scene. Gordon pulls up, running towards the armored car with Captain Collins. Bullock is helped up. GORDON What the hell happened? BULLOCK That city cop was in with that freak. Bullock rubs his head in pain. COLLINS I want any officer that is off duty or off patrol here now. I need an immediate sweep of the area. Gordon walks towards the back of the truck, looking inside at the two dead SWAT officers. He turns around to see Batman standing there. Everyone else is silent. BULLOCK What are you doing here? Some one arrest him! GORDON No.