BATMAN: A DEATH IN THE FAMILY
BY: AADR
ACT 1
Scene 1
INT. MALL -SUNDOWN-
It is closing time at Gotham's Firegrove Mall. There are still a lot of people inside of the mall, about to leave, until multiple men run in, shooting up the mall, and killing about 4 security guards upon entry. Total, about 20 men run in, and hold everyone hostage. Behind them walks in ARNOLD WESKER, aka THE VENRILOQUIST, holding in one hand a glock, and in the other his dummy, SCARFACE, who is holding a miniature version of the gun ARNOLD is holding.
VENTRILOQUIST
What a nice crowd of people, do you agree SCARFACE?
SCARFACE
Kill them all! Kill them all right now ARNIE!
Action
Everyone cries in fear, and ducks, hoping to avoid gunfire.
VENTRILOQUIST
Now people, calm down. My business partner tends to get a little excited at times. This is a traditional robbery. People, please give up your money, jewelry, cell phones, ext. in the designated bags.
SCARFACE
And stores, open your doors, you're having an everything must go sale as of now!
Action
SCARFACE shoots his gun in the air. Everyone complies with the robbery, while VENTRILOQUIST and SCARFACE watch from an upper balcony.
Scene 2
EXT. GOTHAM SKYLINE -NIGHT-
The bat signal shines in the sky, followed by the batmobile driving to the mall.
ALFRED
Sir, Ms. ST. CLOUD is here, should I ask her to wait.
BATMAN
Cancel our date tonight, ALFRED. Make up an excuse.
ALFRED
Of course sir, I shall tell her you and your hands have an important affair.
Scene 3
INT. THE MALL -NIGHT-
VENTRILOQUIST
Everything is going quite in our favor tonight, correct?
Action
SCARFACE smacks VENTRILOQUIST on the back of the head.
SCARFACE
Don't be a f*cking jinx!
VENTRILOQUIST
Come on, what could go wrong right now?
Action
BATMAN crashes through the doors.
SCARFACE
That could happen, you retard! ATTACK TO KILL! RIGHT NOW! THE HEAD OF THE BATMAN WILL RAISE YOUR CUT!
Action
Four of the men closest to BATMAN run at him. BATMAN then throws a batarang at one, punches another, and throws the third man into the fourth. Then more attack.
SCARFACE
Shoot you idiots! What the f*ck do you think you have your guns for!
ACTION
BATMAN continues to beat each of their asses, and then goes for VENTRILOQUIST and SCARFACE. SCARFACE shoots at BATMAN, but the bullet is deflected by his armor.
BATMAN
You're under arrest.
ACTION
The police run in, and arrest each of the men, and BATMAN disappears. VENTRILOQUIST is arrested, and SCARFACE is taken as evidence.
Scene 4
EXT. OUTSIDE THE MALL -NIGHT-
The BATMAN walks back to the batmobile, to see it is missing a wheel, while a young man is rolling off with another one. The boy is thirteen, has dark blonde hair and is slightly muscular. He is about five foot two inches. He doesn't notice BATMAN.
BATMAN
Excuse me, but I am BATMAN.
ACTION
BATMAN takes out a grappling gun, which resembles a real gun, and points it at the man. He slowly backs off.
BATMAN
And I like my car.
JASON TODD
No, you have the wrong idea; I wasn't stealing anything, just giving you a tune up.
BATMAN
Yeah, right.
Action
The young man slowly backs off, accidently dropping his wallet, and leaving the tires. BATMAN picks up the wallet, and sighs.
Scene 5
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM -NOON -
A gang meeting is happening. They are either henchmen or new selects for the man calling the meeting. One of the new guys, BRYAN EDWARDS approaches WILLIS TODD, JASON'S father.
BRYAN
Hey you, come here.
WILLIS
The name is TODD, WILLIS TODD. What do you want, EDWARDS?
BRYAN
I want to know about this guy, what's his name, Jones?
WILLIS
WAYLON JONES, head of the sewer mob. I'm one of his enforcers.
BRYAN
Is it true what they say about him? About him having a temper from hell?
WILLIS
If you don't mention that, you should be fine.
BRYAN
And what about his..?
ACTION
WAYLON JONES, aka KILLER CROC, walks in. He is a hulking, African-American man. He is in his thirty's and talks with an African accent. His head is bald, and he suffers from a rare condition. Due to this, his skin has the appearance of having scales, and his teeth are razor sharp. He is dressed in a black suit and black shirt, no tie. On his right side is a gun in the holster and on his left is a sheathed machete. He doesn't like to be called CROC.
WAYLON JONES
Ok men, let's do this. Please, have a seat.
Action
Another new guy approaches him.
KEVIN HAYES
Whoa, rough night, gator?
Action
JONES unhesitantly pulls out a machete and stabs him in the chest.
WAYLON
Men, let me get something straight. I am not a reptile. I am a human. So don't call me one, or else you will find out why these pussies are afraid to call me KILLER CROC. Now let's get to business.
Action
WAYLON snaps his fingers, and KEVIN'S body is dragged out. He then sits down.
WAYLON
TODD, any updates on the COMIEDIAN? How was his act?
WILLIS
Same as usual, it sucked. He wasn't paid again.
WAYLON
So, what is this, another week?
WILLIS
Total about a month late on our payment now.
WAYLON
Kill him, no question about it. I want this clown dead, and I want you to do it, WILLIS.
WILLIS
Me?
WAYLON
Yes, you. I trust you can do this job better than anyone else on my payroll.
WILLIS
Um, sir you know I can't kill anybody now.
WAYLON
Then you chose the wrong career choice. It's either the COMIEDIAN dies, or…
Action
WAYLON points to a picture of JASON WILLIS had out.
WAYLON
He dies.
Scene 7
EXT. TODD RESIDENCE -MIDDAY-
WILLIS TODD is with his son JASON when they get an unexpected visit from BRUCE WAYNE. The TODD'S live in a bad neighborhood, filled with crime. It was just them two, no mother in the picture as she had died years before.
BRUCE
Excuse me; is this the home of JASON TODD?
WILLIS
Yeah, what are you accusing my son of, MR. WAYNE?
Action
The two men shake hands.
BRUCE
Now what would bring on that impression, mister?
WILLIS
TODD, WILLIS TODD, and men like you tend to accuse my son of a lot of things.
BRUCE
Well, not me. I'm here, because I found that young man's wallet outside of the mall yesterday. I was one of the hostages, and when I was walking out I found it. All of the money is in it.
Action
BRUCE hands the wallet over to WILLIS.
WILLIS
That's generous of you, coming all the way here to return a wallet with…
Action
Counts money in the wallet
WILLIS
…$23 inside of it.
BRUCE
Well I was in the neighborhood.
WILLIS
That's extremely convenient.
BRUCE
Yeah, um, MR. TODD, may I ask you a question?
WILLIS
If you can afford my price.
BRUCE
Is JASON hanging around with the wrong type of people?
WILLIS
And what is that supposed to mean?
BRUCE
Are his friend's good influences.
WILLIS
JASON's friends are my friend's children, MR. WAYNE. And frankly, I don't think you have the right to question my children's influences.
BRUCE
I didn't mean anything by it.
WILLIS
Well then don't say anything at all. Now, get off my damn property.
Action
BRUCE leaves TODD'S lawn, and TODD goes back inside.
Scene 8
INT. BATMOBILE -NIGHT-
BATMAN is following WILLIS TODD, after finding him suspicious.
ALFRED
Sir, MS. ST CLOUD is back again. Is it the usual excuse?
BATMAN
I'm sick tonight ALFRED.
ALFRED
Of course you are sir.
Action
BATMAN stops behind a chemical factory that he just saw WILLIS going into.
Scene 9
INT. AXIS CHEMICALS -NIGHT-
The man known only as THE COMIEDIAN is working his second job at AXIS CHEMICALS. WILLIS TODD and his group approach him.
WILLIS
Hey!
COMIEDIAN
Oh, shit.
Action
THE COMIEDIAN backs away from WILLIS, who is holding a gun.
COMIEDIAN
I'll have your money, soon. I just need more time.
WILLIS
Your time is up. WAYLON JONES wants you dead, tonight.
COMIEDIAN
Listen WILLIS, you just need to give me more time.
WILLIS
You don't get what you want. Now, tell me a damn joke. Come on; achieve one last thing before you die: make someone laugh.
BATMAN
Excuse me, am I interrupting this?
Action
BATMAN pushes COMIEDIAN away, while WILLIS and his gang run away. WILLIS is the only one who escapes, and before he leaves, he takes a shot at COMIEDIAN, who falls over the edge, and is holding onto the gate.
COMIEDIAN
Help!
Action
BATMAN goes to help COMIEDIAN, who is hanging over a tub of chemicals. However, when BATMAN goes to pull him up, THE COMIEDIAN slips, and falls into the chemicals
Scene 10
INT. CROC'S LAIR -NIGHT-
WILLIS goes to tell KILLER CROC that the COMIEDIAN is dead.
KILLER CROC
Is he dead?
WILLIS
Yes sir, he is dead, and his body is dissolving right now.
KILLER CROC
Very good.
Scene 11
INT. AXIS CHEMICALS -NOON-
A hand reaches out of the chemical bath THE COMIEDIAN fell into, and makes a fist.
Scene 12
INT. TODD HOUSE -MIDDAY-
JASON and WILLIS are at the house.
JASON
Hey dad, I'm leaving now.
WILLIS
Ok son.
JASON
Will you be home when I get back?
WILLIS
Probably not, I have to work tonight.
JASON
Oh, okay.
Action
JASON is about to walk out the door, but is stopped by WILLIS.
WILLIS
JASON, you know I love you? Right?
JASON
I love you too, dad.
Action
JASON leaves the house, then a minute later a knock on the door happens.
WILLIS
Be right there.
Action
Willis opens the door, and a man with a white face, green hair, and red grin is there. He is wearing a purple suit, purple trench coat and matching hat, and a green tie.
JOKER
Well don't take too long now honey.
Action
JOKER barges in, pushes WILLIS the side and takes off his hat.
WILLIS
Who the [frick] are you?
JOKER
Don't recognize me? Too bad. I never told you that joke.
Action
WILLIS backs off in shock.
WILLIS
But, you're dead.
JOKER
Are any of us really dead?
Action
JOKER pulls out a gun.
JOKER
Have you heard the one about the blind man and the police officer?
Action
JOKER walks towards the stunned and scared WILLIS, and points the gun to his head, right next to his ear.
JOKER
Well you never will!
Action
JOKER starts laughing at his own joke, and then he shoots WILLIS in the head twice, laughs some more, then leaves.
Scene 13
INT. GOTHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT -MORNING-
JASON TODD is sitting in the lobby after seeing his dad's dead body. BRUCE WAYNE and COMISSIONER GORDON then walk out of the office.
COMMISSIONER GORDON
Are you sure you want to do this BRUCE?
BRUCE
Of course I am, if I can get a kid off the streets, I would feel great.
GORDON
Ok then BRUCE, you can consult the social workers later.
Action
BRUCE and GORDON shake hands. BRUCE then approaches JASON and says to him.
BRUCE
Hello there JASON, I am BRUCE WAYNE, your new guardian.