O
EXT. WAYNE MANOR, GARDENS – DAY
Children at play, as an assortment of adults focus their attention on DR THOMAS ELLIOT.
He's at a podium making a speech in a secluded area near the WAYNE FAMILY GRAVES.
ELLIOT
For the past decade, Gotham has
thrived without the presence of
an unnatural hero. We birthed
the chaos of the Batman, as quickly
as we ended it. Now is indeed the
time to closely analyze the psyche
of our citizens, and protect our
children from any such vigilant
symbols in our near future.
GORDON rises from the front row, and joins the doctor on stage. He takes his place at the center.
All media cameras now point in his direction.
GORDON
With the aid of Dr. Thomas Elliot,
my police men, and myself, will be
working around the clock to track
down and investigate the nuisance of
the vigilante group who refer to
themselves as The Knight Wing Society.
Once apprehended, Dr. Elliot will be
working closely with the superb staff
at Arkham Asylum, to evaluate and
define the mobility of what it is that
they plan to do.
(PAUSES)
Gotham has no more room for individual
law making. The Batman remains a part
of our legacy, and a proud legacy he
will remain.
(LOOKS TO ELLIOT)
Elliot is emotionless.
GORDON
(CONT'D)
With that said, we want to thank
you all for coming out on this
righteous day to celebrate the
ten year anniversary of the opening
of the Thomas and Martha Wayne Home
for Children. Bruce, if you're out
there, all we wish is to make you
and your family proud by the history
your name still continues to create
for Gotham City.
(DISMISSIVE)
Thank you.
ELLIOT pats GORDON on the back, as he exits the stage. ELLIOT takes his place at the podium once more.
ELLIOT
Before we dismiss this gathering, I
would like to add to the memory of
the Wayne family. Bruce was like a
brother to me. He fought on my behalf
when the older kids would sneer. They
used to laugh at my Grandmother who was
wasting away with a form of terminal
cancer. It was him and his loving family
that took me in as my parents focused
on a next step.
(PAUSES, BREATHES DEEP)
If I had known the nature of that step
sooner, maybe I could have stood in the
way of their death. All I had to my name
was a long letter, and my Grandmother.
The crowd shudders, most begin to wipe away single tears.
ELLIOT
(CONT'D)
My fate is what aided my Grandmother to
continue to fight. She recovered fully,
and passed last Christmas Eve, seeing an
entirety of nine more years of my life.
She always told me that God wanted her to
make sure I was taken care of, before she
were to pass on. And I believed her. God
didn't stop my parents from committing
suicide, but he saved my Grandmothers
life, and for that, I'm certainly
grateful.
He puts a period on the speech. Everyone claps in the cool summer breeze.
ELLIOT smiles, steps away.
CUT TO:
EXT. WAYNE MANOR, GARDENS – MOMENTS LATER
In the background, the crowd begins to disperse to their vehicles, as GORDON and ELLIOT linger.
ELLIOT
(BOASTFUL)
You always knew how to give a speech. Still
believing in the Batman, eh?
GORDON
I believe in justice.
ELLIOT
Gordon, it's been ten years, let the bat
rest deep in his cave. And since we're on
the subject, any idea who got their hands
on the statue of your hero?
GORDON pivots, moving away. ELLIOT closes behind.
GORDON
That's a police matter. You understand that
of course, don't you?
ELLIOT
Of course! My whole life has been dedicated
to the study of a lunatics psyche. No one
knows your caped crusader as well as I do.
GORDON
Then how about Bruce Wayne? Is he on your
list of imprisonment too?
ELLIOT
(CHUCKLES)
Not for insanity, just ego.
GORDON
And why didn't you attend Wayne's services?
ELLIOT
(HESITATES, PONDERING)
Because he didn't need me to be.
GORDON and ELLIOT make it back to the WAYNE GRAVES. They take in the view of three headstones.
GORDON
This...this is what a man looks like that
doesn't need you? You ought to be ashamed
of yourself Elliot.
GORDON proceeds to leave without ELLIOT.
ELLIOT
(CALLS AFTER HIM)
Let the man rest in peace Gordon. I'll
be in touch.
And GORDON'S gone...