SCENE-1
STATIC crackles to life.
FADE IN: EXT. GOTHAM CITY SKYLINE- EVENING
Gotham city is seen below, busy with life.
RADIO (V.O):
-the Royal Flush gang were apprehended by the brave men and women of the GCPD today, after the gang had reportedly clashed with the Batman and his partner Robin.
We here at WGCR, while understanding of their work, do not condone this flagrant display of vigilantism that puts the innocent,
hard working people of this city in danger, and urge any of our dear viewers to evacuate the area if you see the Batman or Robin in your area, for your own safety, of course.
TRANSITION TO: GOTHAM DOCKS- EXT
A sedan car is parked in front of an open warehouse on the abandoned dock as a small cargo ship pulls in.
RADIO (V.O):
In other news, Roman Sionis, steel magnate and CEO of Sionis Enterprises, has announced his announced his bid for mayor,
pledging he will, and I quote,
eradicate the criminal element that plagues this city. I don't know about you ladies and gents, but this is some welcome news following the crime wave we endured this past halloween seas-
The radio is shut off abruptly.
CUT TO: SEDAN INT
Inside the Sedan are 4 well dressed gangster in black suits,
3 of which wear black skull masks. The final member, RICKY,
only stares at his from the back seat.
GANG LIEUTENANT (G.L):
Alright you lazy mooks, it's business time, you two get the guys in the warehouse ready, Ricky,
you're with me.
TWO GANGSTERS:
(Together)
Yes boss.
Ricky takes a deep breath as he hesitates to put his mask on.
RICKY:
(Shaky)
Yes boss.
All four exit the sedan together.
CUT TO: GOTHAM DOCKS EXT
The two gangsters walk towards the warehouse as G.L and Ricky walk towards the ship as it drops gangplanks to the docks.
A figure, hidden by shadow, watches from the deck of the ship, watching the CAPTAIN walk down the gangplank towards the waiting gangsters with a duffel bag in his hand.
CAPTAIN:
(Boisterous)
Well if it isn't my favourite customers! It's been so long since I've dealt with your boss directly,
how is he these days?
G.L:
(Blunt)
Black Mask is a busy man, Captain.
It would be greatly appreciated if we concluded this business promptly.
CAPTAIN:
Yeah, yeah keep your skull on. You have a safe spot to examine our..."luggage?"
G.L:
(Sighing)
We do, Ricky, help the Captain with his "luggage."
G.L turns and starts walking towards the warehouse as Ricky walks forward to take the bag, but the Captain just pushes the duffel bag into Ricky's chest.
The unseen figure drops from the boat to the docks, out of sight from the crew, and rushes towards the shadows near the warehouse.
CUT TO: WAREHOUSE INT.
G.L walks into the warehouse, followed closely by the Captain and Ricky lagging behind with the heavy bag. Inside are the two gangsters from the sedan watching the door, with an additional 4 patrolling the building containing broken hulls of ships, a black van and plastic table.
CAPTAIN:
You boys sure do take this seriously.
G.L:
Of course, Captain, this way please.
CUT TO: WAREHOUSE ROOF. EXT
The hidden figure moves across the roof, searching for something, before stopping in front of an industrial A/C unit. Carved into the side of the unit is an insignia with two blades crossed beneath a lily engulfed in flame. The figure opens the unit revealing a storage compartment filled with blades, smoke bombs, a half-face mask, grapple gun and a leather backpack.
CUT TO: WAREHOUSE INT.
G.L stops in front of the van and table, the Captain joining him as they both watch Ricky struggle to carry the bag and place it on the table.
CAPTAIN:
Now this might be redundant, but you do have the money, right?
G.L steps aside to show the back of the van containing several briefcases and automatic rifles.
G.L:
Everything is counted and each briefcase contains 10K. I assume this is just a sample?
CAPTAIN:
(Nodding)
Of course, go ahead and try some if you'd like.
Up above, one of the patrolling gangsters walks along the catwalks, passing underneath an open skylight. As he passes under, the figure drops down behind him, unseen, and quickly chokes the gangster out before dropping down behind one of the hulls.
G.L opens the duffel bag, removing a brick of cocaine,
opening it up and drawing some lines on the table.
G.L:
(Standing up)
Ricky.
RICKY:
(Nervous, walking over)
Y-yes boss?
G.L:
Test it.
RICKY:
W-what?
G.L:
I said, test it.
RICKY:
Oh, I've never done-
G.L grabs the back of Ricky's neck, knocks his mask off and throws his face into the cocaine.
G.L:
I said test it, so you test it you pathetic fuck.
On the other side of the room, the figure takes out another patrolling gangster, snapping their neck this time, dragging and dropping the body on top of 3 others.
Ricky pulls away from G.L and the table and starts panicking, feeling the effects of the drugs for the first time in his life.
G.L:
(Cold)
Hmm, well he isn't dead, I'll just have to trust it.
CAPTAIN:
(Pulling pistol from his waistband)
Good good, shame I can't trust you,
or at least your men.
G.L:
(Turning back to Captain)
What? You stiffing us-
CAPTAIN:
Oh no no, my friend, it's just...
Have you noticed none of your patrols have come back round from the side of that hull?
G.L looks around before realising the Captain is right. G.L rushes to the back of the van, grabbing two rifles from inside as the Captain aims his gun around the room cautiously.
G.L:
(Turning back around)
Connor! Ramirez! Get over here.
G.L pushes Ricky against the van, holding one of the rifles to his chest.
G.L:
Get a hold of yourself kid,
otherwise I'm gonna make sure you end up in that dock.
Ricky can't focus on what he says, but takes the gun regardless.
CAPTAIN:
(Shouting to the room)
So which of the Gotham city freaks is crashing our party?
The figure grapples up to the hull above the group, stepping into the light, revealing JASON TODD, wearing simple ninja/stealth clothing and the mask from the storage unit on the roof.
JASON:
(Sarcastic)
Sorry, didn't mean to intrude, I'm just looking for some dumb mooks peddling cheap, illegal narcotics.
Know any?
G.L:
(Aiming his rifle at Jason, agitated)
Just stay right there freak, or you're gonna get shredded. Now just go tell your Bat-friend the docks are off limits.
JASON:
Gee, I would, but I'm dead set about getting some-
The remaining two gangsters finally join the group, and immediately open fire on Jason, who backflips from his perch, dodging the fire and throwing a knife into the Captain's leg and a smoke bomb between them all.
G.L:
Don't be stupid, everyone move in and keep your eyes op-
G.L is cut off by Jason, using the smoke to his advantage.
Ricky opens fire on where he was, but misses.
Ricky keeps his guard up and scans through the smoke as he bumps into the Captain trying to get in the van. The Captain puts his finger to his lips towards Ricky. Ricky nods as the sounds of struggle and gunfire breaks through the silence and smoke. Ricky raises his gun to the empty space as the Captain opens the drivers door, before its slammed shut on his hand and he's thrown head first into the wing mirror.
Ricky turns to aim at the noise but is rushed by Jason punching him in the face, knocking him to the ground.
Ricky regains himself on the floor, but is still woozy as the sounds of a beating happen behind him. He tries crawling for his rifle, but as the sounds stop, and Jason walks over to step on it to stop him from grabbing it.
JASON:
Trust me, that isn't a good idea.
RICKY:
(Weakly)
Fuck you, Bat-freak.
Jason pulls Ricky up and holds him above himself by the throat as the smoke starts to dissipate.
JASON:
(Aggressively)
Do I look like a bat to you?
The smoke clears further and Ricky is able to see the body of one of the bodies of the other gangsters.
Jason throws Ricky to the floor, in a pool of blood in front of the body, giving him a better view of the blade sticking out of the neck. Ricky starts to freak out and scream,
before Jason knocks his head into the floor before grabbing his head to face the scene in front of him.
JASON:
(Menacing)
Can a bat do that? In this town?
Ricky just whimpers underneath Jason.
JASON:
(Sighs, lets go of Ricky)
Just stay down kid, tell your boss what happened here. That there's someone coming for his throne.
Ricky whimpers again, in agreement.
Jason stands up from Ricky, looks down on him before walking off to the side.
Ricky stays on the floor, crying, as Jason is heard grappling away and police sirens are heard from outside.
GCPD officers swarm into the warehouse, sweeping all angles before one reaches Ricky and turns him over.
GCPD OFFICER:
(Towards the rest)
Hey, get the EMT's, we got someone here.
CUT TO: DOCKS EXT- ROOFTOP ACROSS FROM WAREHOUSE
Jason stands on the rooftop, looking down on the warehouse as police search inside. He turns, picks up the duffel bag and a briefcase before walking into the city.
CUT TO: TITLECARD:- RED HOOD:FORTUNATE SON (WORKING TITLE)
SCENE-2
CUT TO: PARK ROWE APARTMENT BUILDING EXT- NIGHT
The building is a small tenement block in disarray.
OTIS:
(Voice Over)
Look, I'm telling you Row...
CUT TO: APARTMENT LOBBY
Sitting behind the counter is OTIS FLANNEGAN, a heavy set man trying to read his book, and standing opposite the counter from him is HARPER ROW, a young woman with an alternative style. The lobby around them is in a state of disrepair, which missing tiles in the floor, the fan missing one of it's blades etc.
OTIS:
(Cont.)
...the rules are clear. No pets in the building, I don't care how many times your brother nags you.
HARPER:
(Snarky)
And what about those rats of yours you keep out the back? They're not pets?
OTIS:
(Frustrated, putting down his book)
They're not in the building now,
are they? Look my answer is no,
it's always been no and always will be-
The front door swings open, cutting Otis off, revealing Jason standing there, now dressed in civilian clothes. Jason walks up to the counter in silence, placing the duffel bag and briefcase on the floor. Harper just moves to the side and watches him.
OTIS:
(Standing up)
I'm sorry sir but we don't accept tenants at this time of night.
JASON:
(Lifting the briefcase onto the counter)
I was told by some mutual friends that you did.
Otis narrows his eyes at Jason as he opens the briefcase and removes a wad of cash, setting in front of Otis.
Otis takes the wad and flicks through it, counting the bills.
OTIS:
(Surprised)
Well, our friends have good taste.
Otis looks over the counter at the duffel bag on the floor.
OTIS:
(Cont, suspicious)
What's uhh, what's in the bag? This is a reputable establishment so I don't want you bringing any shady shit in here.
HARPER:
(Butting in)
Or pets, unless they're vermin.
OTIS:
Oi!
JASON:
Relax, it's just my clothes.
Jason bends down and opens the bag, revealing a pile of clothes inside. Otis nods in approval as Jason closes I back up and stands back up.
OTIS:
(Relaxing)
Okay, well I'll just go grab a key for you then sir, along with a list of rules and safety procedures. If you'd just sign the register.
Otis walks into a side room, pocketing the stack of bills as he does.
Jason looks down at the register, picks up the heavily used pen and starts to write his name, but pauses after only writing "J".
Harper notices and leans over to see what he's writing.
HARPER:
(Teasing)
What's the matter..."J"? Forgot your name, or is that all?
JASON:
(Snapping out of it)
Sorry, I just zone out sometimes.
Jason takes a moment and continues writing "JAY MALONE" in the register.
HARPER:
That's more like it "Jay." Huh, you wouldn't be related to Matches-
Otis comes barrelling back through to the lobby, key and envelope in hand, cutting Harper off.
OTIS:
(Handing over the items and checking the register)
Here you go Mr... Malone.
Hmmph, only one Malone I know round round here and he's a piece of work I tell you. Always chewing on that stupid match of his.
JASON:
Well if I see anyone chewing a match I'll steer clear of them.
OTIS:
Yeah you do that. Hey Rowe, I gave him the empty lot on your floor,
show him the way will ya?
HARPER:
(Rolling her eyes)
Yeah sure, though if you ask me to do any more favours for you I expect to get paid.
Otis just shakes his head as Harper grabs the duffel bag for Jason as he retrieves his briefcase again.
Jason walks towards the elevator to the side of the room.
HARPER:
Yeah don't expect that to work,
barely anything works around here.
C'mon, it's only a couple of flights up.
Jason chuckles before following Harper up the stairs towards his apartment.
HARPER:
(Looking back)
So, what's brought you to Gotham?
JASON:
(Chuckling)
Back to Gotham, actually. I spent some time away after... After I got injured in service.
HARPER:
Oh, an army guy is it?
JASON:
Something like that.
HARPER:
Well why not stay with your family?
JASON:
It's uhh, it's complicated.
HARPER:
Yeah, I guess it must be hard being the son of Matches Malone.
JASON:
I'm no-... Yeah, yeah just a little. How'd you know anyway?
HARPER:
Aside from the fact you look alike and share the last name? Eh, I just guessed.
JASON:
(Chuckling)
Well I guess the secret's out then.
Just keep it on the down low, yeah?
HARPER:
Sure.
Harper stops in front of the door to Jason's apartment,
turning to face him.
HARPER:
Well, here you are "Li'l Matches."
JASON:
(Shooting her an amused look)
Thanks...?
HARPER:
The name's Harper, my place is just over there if you need anything.
Jason opens the door and starts to take the bag back from Harper.
JASON:
Thanks, Harper. I should be fine though. I prefer my own company.
HARPER:
(Smirking)
Wow, how edgy of you.
Jason starts to walk into his room as Harper walks past him,
but she stops him from closing the door behind him.
HARPER:
(Serious)
Oh, and if I see any of that coke in your bag there any where near this building? I'll rip your dick off. I don't need my brother being around that shit.
Jason looks at her confused and opens his mouth to protest.
HARPER:
You may be the son of one of the most feared men in Gotham, but everyone who's been on the streets knows how to hide drugs and when someone's hiding them. You ain't slick.
They just lock eyes for a tense moment before Harper lets go of the door.
HARPER:
(Smiling)
But other than that, welcome to Park Row Heights, the best place to stay in the worst part of the worst city in America.
With that, Harper turns around and heads for her own apartment with Jason watching as she does.
Jason closes the door, turning to face his new, un-maintained apartment. He walks forward, dropping all of his bags and the briefcase onto the small kitchen table,
which breaks under the weight. Jason sighs and sits down on the sofa, falling asleep where he sits.
SCENE-3
CUT TO: BRUCE WAYNE'S LIMOUSINE- INT, DAY
BRUCE WAYNE sits in the back seat of his personal limousine,
deep in the morning paper, as ALFRED sits in the front driving.
RADIO:
GCPD officers were called to the scene of an apparent drug deal gone wrong last night, as members of the Black Mask gang were left dead alongside the apparent captain of a cargo ship that docked nearby last night. A spokesperson for the GCPD has confirmed there was a survivor of the incident, though as of this moment have not revealed the suspect's identity nor their part in the incident. More on this story as it develops. In other news, President Luthor has opened-
ALFRED:
(Drowning out the radio)
I'm surprised you haven't started investigating this incident yet sir. Drugs can be nasty business.
Bruce takes a sip from a to go coffee cup before looking over the top of his paper.
BRUCE:
I know Alfred, Tim already said he was heading down to see what he can dig up, or if the police missed anything.
ALFRED:
You work that boy too hard, Master Bruce. He wanted to work with you,
not under you.
BRUCE:
(Chuckling)
I didn't ask him to Al, he wanted to cover this on his own. It seems simple enough for him, and he's progressing well with his training so I felt he was ready for his own case.
ALFRED:
Be that as it may, sir, I would hate to see any harm come to the lad.
BRUCE:
You worry too much Al, I have every faith in him.
Alfred looks back at Bruce through the rear view mirror.
ALFRED:
(Dour)
Do you know what day it is next Wednesday, Master Bruce?
Bruce drops the paper to his lap to properly look at Alfred.
BRUCE:
(Serious)
I know what day it is.
ALFRED:
Five years to the day that Master Todd passed. Five years since that maniac-
BRUCE:
I said I know what day it is.
The two pause as the car rolls to a stop in front of WayneTech.
BRUCE:
(Cont, sighing)
I've carried his memory with me every day since then. I know what you think of the work Batman and Robin does, how dangerous it is,
but someone has to. Jason was my mistake, not a day goes by where I think about how I could have saved him, about how he may have been better off if I never adopted him.
ALFRED:
Well, as long as we're of the same mind then.
Bruce looks out the window before opening the door to get out.
ALFRED:
(Cont)
Would you like me to pick up a bouquet for Master Todd's remembrance then for you, Master Bruce?
BRUCE:
(Kind)
No thanks, Al, I'll stop by a florist or something on my lunch break.
ALFRED:
Well try not to buy the whole bloody shop this time.
Bruce chuckles and smiles at Alfred as he exits the car and walks into WayneTech as the car pulls away again.
CUT TO: DOCKS EXT- ROOFTOP ACROSS FROM WAREHOUSE- DAY
TIM DRAKE, dressed in his ROBIN outfit, examines the warehouse from across the way with binoculars, watching the GCPD officers posted outside discuss something before they leave the area.
TIM:
(To himself)
And these little piggies all went for coffee and donuts, leaving an active crime scene completely unguarded.
Tim puts away the binoculars and pulls out a grapple gun from his belt.
TIM:
Okay Drake, this is your time to shine.
Tim grapples over to the warehouse and drops in front of the door. He takes a moment to look around before moving inside,
ducking underneath the police tape blocking the door.
CUT TO: WAREHOUSE INT.
Tim steps inside before activating a forensics scanner mode in his goggles, connecting to the GCPD database and showing him information collected by the GCPD forensic team.
Tim takes his time walking to and through the scene in front of the still there van and table.
TIM:
Yup, standard looking drug deal set up.
Tim examines various elements of the scene, including the van's licence details, the gunpowder residue of the rifles and the confirmation of the presence of cocaine.
TIM:
Traces of cocaine left on the table and floor. Must have been a sample from the ship, but where did it go?
There's no log of a brick or bag being picked up from here.
Tim adjusts his visor to bring up the profiles of the gangsters and Captain. Tim swipes through each of them before settling on Ricky's profile and starts examining it.
TIM:
Hmm, this must be the suspect they picked up, Richard Morton. Lucky guy, who ever did this seems too professional to leave a witness, at least without a reason.
Tim scans the environment and notices some unaccounted bullet holes in the roof and the hull of the ship overlooking the deal.
Tim grapples up to the perch where the bullet holes surround to examine the area.
TIM:
I don't think whoever was up here values stealth that much, or just likes to make an entrance.
Tim follows his visor to where the bodies of the three other bodies were dropped to continue his investigation. Tim accesses the files again to corroborate the findings of the forensic team.
TIM:
So they just like grand entrances then, each of these guys must have been taken out before revealing themselves.
Two snapped necks and one with a sliced throat. Grizzly,
but this seems too light for Black Mask's crew.
Tim looks back over the warehouse behind him for anything he may have missed. He takes a moment but notices that all but one of the skylights are shut.
Tim grapples up to the catwalk above and moves along it to the open skylight, revealing the final body.
TIM:
And sniper makes eight.
Tim adjusts his visor to a new mode to examine the body.
TIM:
So how did you... Strangulation, from behind. Whoever did this must have significant strength
to hold him for long enough to neutralise him without alerting the others below, but be skilled enough to drop from here without being heard.
I better let Gordon know his men missed one.
Tim pulls out a communicator and types away his message before grappling through the skylight up to the roof.
CUT TO: WAREHOUSE ROOF. EXT-DAY
Tim lands on the roof and adjusts his visor once more,
scanning for footprints in front of him.
TIM:
So we're dealing with a ghost then.
No, there's something I'm missing.
Tim looks around the roof for anything out of place, before noticing one of the A/C units has a loose panel. He moves over and examines the unit, pulling the loose panel off completely, revealing the storage unit inside.
TIM:
Bingo. Whoever this was packed well, only enough room for a few items.
Must have contained the smoke bomb and knives that were already catalogued. They must have kept some though, there's more spaces than what was recovered.
Tim stands up and away from the unit, noticing the insignia on the side of the frame.
TIM:
Hello, so who do you belong too.
Hmm.
Tim looks at the insignia with concern, before standing up and calling Bruce through his communicator.
CUT TO: WAYNETECH, BRUCE'S OFFICE- DAY
Bruce sits at his desk, on the phone and overlooking the city below his window.
BRUCE:
(On the phone)
Yep...mhmm, no I understand your concern Ted, but WayneTech is a reputable company,
you have my word that no Kord Industry designs were used without your say so.
A display in front of Bruce starts flashing.
BRUCE:
Yeah Ted, I've got a call coming in on line two, I'll get back to you about this... Look this is important, I'll get back to you.
Bruce hangs up the phone and shift his direction to his desk. He presses a hidden button and brings up a holographic display in front of him, showing Tim's profile picture to one side.
BRUCE:
Tim, how's the investigation going?
TIM:
(Over call)
It's going good Bruce, I'm just uploading what I've collated to the Batcomputer now.
Multiple files appear on the holographic screen in front of Bruce, including the discovery of the new body.
BRUCE:
Good work, you managed to find an unaccounted for body. Jim's men are getting sloppy
TIM:
(Over call)
Eh, Bullock was probably leading the team. That's not what I was calling about though, gimme a sec.
The screen lights up with a live stream of Tim's perspective through his visor. Tim gets a closer look at the insignia for Bruce to see.
TIM:
(Over call)
I found this on an storage unit dressed up as an A/C unit. I recognise the blades from the League, but... This flower in the flame is new to me.
BRUCE:
(Shocked)
Talia...
TIM:
What was that?
BRUCE:
(Stern)
It... It's from the League of Assassins alright, but it's from Talia Al Ghul's private guard. What are they doing here?
TIM:
(Over call)
And what are they doing interested in the Gotham drug trade?
BRUCE:
Trust me it's not passed them. Just be careful there.
TIM:
(Over call)
Yeah I think I'm done here anyway,
I'm gonna head back to the cave before I get a sword in my back..
And to study this all some more, of course. See you back there later.
Tim cuts the call, cutting the feed on the display.
Bruce sits back in his chair, staring at the screen in front of him in silence, analysing the insignia.
Bruce lurches forward and picks the phone up again, punching in a number and waits for the other end to pick up.
BRUCE:
Alfred, I need you to look into something for me...