BATMAN: IN COLD BLOOD
SCREEN STORY BY:
JEDD JONG YUE with
ALASDAIR CHI
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY BY:
JEDD JONG YUE
STARTED: 15/6/10
COMPLETED: 27/7/10
Contact at: jeddjong@hotmail.com
BATMAN and related characters and elements are the property of DC Comics.
This screenplay in itself is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved. This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the author.
INT. GOTHCORP LABS - NIGHT
Scientist Dr VICTOR FRIES is working alone in his laboratory. A beautiful woman lies on a gurney in a coma, hooked up to a life support system. Dr Fries walks over to the woman, bends down and kisses her lightly on the forehead.
VICTOR FRIES:
Soon, Nora. Soon.
Victor heads over to a computer terminal. On the monitor is a diagram of a diseased red blood cell. It is labelled “Wood-Moldoff Syndrome – affected Red Blood Cell”. Fries presses “play” on a computer simulation. A counter at the bottom of the screen shows the number of days, and in accelerated fashion the red blood cell on the screen begins to disintegrate. Fries stops the simulation before the cell breaks down altogether. He glances over to his wife, then back at the screen. He takes off his spectacles and wipes his brow.
VICTOR FRIES:
If I could retard or at least slow down the
process...
Victor absently picks up a canister on his desk, marked “Creon”.
VICTOR FRIES:
A supercoolant...of course.
Victor types a few figures into a program and comes up with the final sum “$340 564.00”. He sighs again. It is too much money. He crunches the numbers again but achieves the same final amount. Fries sighs. He reaches into his pocket and takes out his wallet. In the wallet is a name card that reads “Oswald Cobblepot”.
VICTOR FRIES:
One way or another, I will see this through
Nora. For you. For us.
EXT. GOTHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT HQ – DAY
Bruce Wayne, in a tan suit, exits his Bentley and proceeds into the police headquarters.
INT. GOTHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT HQ – COMMISSIONER GORDON’S OFFICE - DAY
Bruce Wayne walks into Commissioner Gordon’s office.
BRUCE WAYNE:
Thanks for agreeing to meet me,
Commissioner.
COMMISSIONER GORDON:
Not at all Bruce, you’re a friend,
and it’s my job to help out when I can.
BRUCE WAYNE:
I was there that night, at the circus. I
saw Dick Grayson’s parents die. I know what
it’s like to lose someone before your very
eyes. I’ve been giving it some thought, and
I’d like to take Dick Grayson in. As a ward.
COMMISSIONER GORDON:
So the swinging bachelor wants to become a
Daddy?
BRUCE WAYNE:
He’s a kindred spirit, that’s all.
COMMISSIONER GORDON:
I suppose. It’s been a very busy two
days for the boy. He’s been holding
out at the police dorms.
BRUCE WAYNE:
When can he be taken home?
COMMISSIONER GORDON:
Once all the papers are signed and
the foster parent database is sorted
out, we’re good to go.
BRUCE WAYNE:
That’s great.
COMMISSIONER GORDON:
However, do prepare to deal with a
lot of media attention, 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.
there’ll be lots of nasty rumours flying
around, not to mention the unearthing
of your past.
BRUCE WAYNE:
Don’t worry Commissioner, I’ve handled
worse. Much worse.
COMMISSIONER GORDON:
Oh, there’s also the funeral arrangements.
Nobody is handling that at the moment.
BRUCE WAYNE:
I’ll take care of it.
EXT. WAYNE MANOR GROUNDS – DAY
The funeral of John and Mary is being held. A Catholic priest presides. It is a cloudy day and chairs have been set up on the Wayne Manor lawn. Dressed in a black suit and tie, Bruce Wayne stands at the back, accompanying a solemn Dick Grayson. They stand together, quiet. Suddenly, Dick begins to break down. Bruce gives him a reassuring hug.
DICK GRAYSON:
I miss them so much, Mr Wayne.
BRUCE WAYNE:
It’s okay Dick, I know how you feel.
DICK GRAYSON:
Can we go inside? Please?
BRUCE WAYNE:
Sure, let’s go.
INT. WAYNE MANOR MAIN HALL – DAY
BRUCE WAYNE:
Alfred has put your things in your room.
Wanna check it out?
DICK GRAYSON:
Er...yeah, this is a lot to take in.
Bruce and Dick ascend the grand staircase. Alfred is at the top of the stairs, ready to greet them.
ALFRED:
Ready to see your room, Master Richard?
Master Bruce has taken great pride
In preparing it.
DICK GRAYSON:
Sure Mr Alfred.
ALFRED:
Oh, just “Alfred” will do, Master Richard.
DICK GRAYSON:
How about “Uncle Alfred”?
ALFRED:
It’s a new one, but it does have a ring
to it.
BRUCE WAYNE:
“Uncle Alfred” it is, then.
INT. DICK GRAYSON’S ROOM – DAY
Dick Grayson’s room is a cosy but spacious private area, fashioned in much the same way as most of the stately manor. The main differences are several posters of pop bands and recent movies, as well as colourful bed sheets.
DICK GRAYSON:
Wow, this is really cool! I never really
Got my own room, travelling with the circus-
Not that I minded anyway.
BRUCE WAYNE:
I’m glad you like it Dick. Alfred, we
Could show him around the garage later.
I heard you like motorcycles.
DICK GRAYSON:
That’d be great, but I need to take a
short break.
ALFRED:
Later, then.
INT. WAYNE MANOR GARAGE – DAY
The subterranean garage and workshop is cavernous and impressive, housing a large number of automobiles.
BRUCE WAYNE:
How do you like it?
DICK GRAYSON:
Wow...how many are there?
ALFRED:
42, when I last checked.
BRUCE WAYNE:
Cars are one of my...hobbies. I get
To drive around prototypes nobody
will get to buy in the market.
INT. WAYNE MANOR HALLWAY – DAY
Dick Grayson is back in his room. Alfred and Bruce are walking.
ALFRED:
Pardon me sir, but have you
Considered the...unique consequences
of adopting a child that would affect
someone such as yourself?
BRUCE WAYNE:
He will have to know sooner or later.
ALFRED:
But is that up to you to decide?
BRUCE WAYNE:
Until then, I will need your assistance
and discretion more than ever.
ALFRED:
Very well, Master Bruce.
EXT. GOTHAM HARBOUR - NIGHT
Victor Fries walks up to a luxury yacht berthed at Gotham Harbour. The Yacht is named “Yellowtail”. He proceeds into the yacht as two guards look on.
INT. YELLOWTAIL – NIGHT
Victor Fries looks uneasy surrounded by the plush furnishings of the luxury yacht. A guard guides him into the Penguin’s stateroom.
INT. YELLOWTAIL – PENGUIN’S STATEROOM – NIGHT
The Penguin’s stateroom looks somewhat like his office at the Iceberg Lounge, except smaller and with a bed to one side. The Penguin is again seated at an oak desk. He is smoking a cigarillo in a long cigarette holder. He takes a long drag.
PENGUIN:
Ah, the eminent scientist Dr Victor Fries.
How nice of you to visit. Please, take a seat!
Victor Fries nods and sits down.
VICTOR FRIES:
Thanks for agreeing to meet me, Mr Cobblepot.
PENGUIN:
As a matter of fact, I feel indebted to
you, Victor.
VICTOR FRIES:
How so?
PENGUIN:
Well, I love my sushi and sashimi.
VICTOR FRIES:
Uh-huh...
PENGUIN:
Ever since those Japanese fishermen
Have started using Creon as a supercoolant,
Their fish has been as fresh as ever.
VICTOR FRIES:
I’m...glad you can tell the difference.
PENGUIN:
As such, I’d be happy to oblige any favour
you will ask of me. I am after all, a
legitimate businessman.
VICTOR FRIES:
I will need to borrow $340 000.
PENGUIN:
Now, what would a scientist want with
that much moolah?
The Penguin takes another long drag.
VICTOR FRIES:
It’s research money.
PENGUIN:
And Gothcorp doesn’t fund your research?
VICTOR FRIES:
You see, my wife is dying.
PENGUIN:
Now this is getting interesting.
VICTOR FRIES:
It’s not interesting, Cobblepot. It’s
tragic. It’s a very rare blood disease and
I need time and money to engineer a cure.
PENGUIN:
Time, I cannot give you. But money, I have
In excess and will willingly supply.
VICTOR FRIES:
Just like that? No strings attached?
PENGUIN:
No strings attached.
The Penguin takes out a cheque from his chequebook and signs it, making it out to “Dr Victor Fries”. He politely hands the cheque over to Victor.
VICTOR FRIES:
Thank you Mr Cobblepot. How can I
repay you?
PENGUIN:
I trust you’ll come up with the money
sooner or later. If not, I’m sure we’ll
think of...something.
INT. BATCAVE – NIGHT
The Batcave is a natural cave under Wayne Manor which has been modified and outfitted as a base of operations for Batman. Bruce Wayne, in full Batman attire except for the cowl, is seated in front of a large bank of computers, known collectively as the “Batcomputer”. On the main monitor of the Batcomputer is a slowly-rotating 3D diagram of the explosive device. Alfred comes walking in carrying a tray of soup.
ALFRED:
Minestrone, sir?
BRUCE WAYNE:
Perhaps later, Alfred.
Alfred looks closely at the image on the screen.
ALFRED:
The device that killed young Master
Richard’s parents?
BRUCE WAYNE:
Yes. It’s a small remotely-triggered explosive
device.
Bruce brings up a video player and begins playing a video simulation. The explosive device detonates, and causes the high-tensile wire to unravel and snap.
ALFRED:
Oh my.
BRUCE WAYNE:
These are manufactured via a shell
company, it is almost impossible
BRUCE WAYNE (CONT.):
...to track the actual source.
ALFRED:
Almost.
BRUCE WAYNE:
Yes. I’ve traced it back to this
character.
A newspaper photograph of Oswald Cobblepot at the opening of the Iceberg Lounge appears on the monitor.
ALFRED:
“Character” is exactly the word
I’d use.
BRUCE WAYNE:
Oswald Cobblepot.
Owner of the Iceberg Lounge and responsible
for some very shady business dealings.
once you owe him money, you can never escape.
ALFRED:
No strings attached.
BRUCE WAYNE:
That’s what they always say. The problem is,
Oswald is incredibly good at covering his
tracks, and his influence stretches beyond
the law.
ALFRED:
With an appearance like that, he must
Have some kind of nickname.
BRUCE WAYNE:
He does. “The Penguin”.
ALFRED:
How...appropriate.
INT. DICK GRAYSON’S ROOM – NIGHT
Dick Grayson is poring over newspaper articles. We get a glimpse of the headlines: “TRAGEDY AT HALEY’S CIRCUS”, “AERIALISTS KILLED”, “ACCIDENT?” and so on. He stops at an old photograph of the Flying Graysons together: John and Mary beaming proudly with Dick in the centre, also smiling. Dick sighs.
DICK GRAYSON:
I have to go back there.
Dick takes a jacket from his closet, puts it on and leaves his room.
INT. WAYNE MANOR GARAGE – NIGHT
DICK GRAYSON:
42 cars...I need a bike...
Dick runs over to the section of the sprawling garage where Bruce’s motorcycles are stored. He hesitates.
DICK GRAYSON:
I need to know.
Dick finds a motorcycle that suits his fancy. He grabs a helmet from a nearby maintenance rack, concealing his identity. He revs the bike and drives out. The garage door opens automatically.
part 2 coming soon!