PART THREE: A FLASH OF LIGHT
CAPTION: PRESENT DAY
INT. GCPD BRIEFING ROOM, SUNSET: Gordon stands before a room of police officers.
GORDON:
As you all know, I've been assisting the GCPD with a series of investigations linked to Edward Nigma, a.k.a, The Riddler.
Close up of Gordon's face.
GORDON:
Yesterday we were given information that might break the case wide open. Riddler is finally expected to come out of hiding.
Zoom out. We see the image on the projector change to green question marks spray painted on the walls of his various misdemeanors.
GORDON:
He has not been seen in 15 years. There have been no witnesses and not a single trace of his whereabouts.
Close up of Gordon's face.
GORDON:
If he is planning on surfacing tonight, it must be for something big.
Wide shot of Gordon on the podium and the crowd in front of him, one of the uniformed officers in the crowd is raising his hand.
GORDON:
Yes, question.
Close up of the officer, he is a heavy-set man, quite intimidating in stature.
OFFICER:
You said you were given this information from a source. How reliable is it?
Switch back to Gordon.
GORDON:
This same source has helped us foil many of Riddler's other schemes, so I'm confident it's accurate.
Switch back to officer.
OFFICER:
Can you tell us who this source is? Is he one of Riddler's men?
Close up of Gordon's face.
GORDON:
Firstly, I never said it was a 'he'. For their own safety I cannot disclose any information on the informant. All I can say is I am the only person who knows their identity. Moving on.
Zoom out. The slide behind Gordon changes again to show the Wayne Enterprises building.
GORDON:
As for the target. We've been told Riddler is planning to break into Wayne Enterprises.
Close up of Gordon.
GORDON:
Unfortunately, we don't know what he's got planned but thankfully we have someone here who may be able to help.
Gordon extends his arm to the side of stage, gesturing to welcome a guest. LUCIUS FOX walks on stage. Lucius is much older than we've seen him before. Dark skinned and wise-looking, with wiry grey hair. He is wearing an expensive grey suit.
GORDON:
Lucius Fox, former CEO at Wayne Enterprises, has been kind enough to shed some light on Nigma's potential plans.
Lucius and Gordon shake hands. Lucius takes to the podium.
LUCIUS FOX:
Greetings officers and thank you Mr. Gordon. I'm here today to share what I know about the situation.
A photo appears from the projector, it's a much younger Lucius shaking hands with a young scientist – the scientist is wearing Riddler's signature wireframe glasses.
LUCIUS FOX:
I knew Edward Nigma before he became one of Gotham's most wanted criminals. He was an employee of Wayne Enterprises, back when it was called WayneCorp.
The slide changes again, to show various images of a young Nigma working on various projects.
LUCIUS FOX:
He was employed as our Senior Engineer in the Military Intelligence & Weapons Program.
Close up of one of the images, showing Nigma working on a weapon's design.
LUCIUS FOX:
Nigma was a brilliant engineer. He alone conceptualized some of the most of the advanced weaponry we use in the military today.
The slide changes to show blueprints of various surveillance weapons.
LUCIUS FOX:
He revolutionized the way we gather Intel. Nigma specialized in remote surveillance and drone warfare – and this was well before drone warfare was even a thing.
Close up of Lucius' face.
LUCIUS FOX:
He was, without a doubt, the smartest man I have ever met.
Slide changes to show more photos of Nigma, years later, he looks different. He is physically exhausted and emotionally unbalanced.
LUCIUS FOX:
Unfortunately, with a supernormal brain, he became detached from the normal world. His work consumed him.
Slide changes to show Nigma standing in front of a large laser-type machine. It is unclear what it does.
LUCIUS FOX:
He pushed the boundaries of surveillance to breaking point, and many of his ideas became somewhat immoral.
Ultimately it was in the best interest of the company to reject his grant requests.
Slide changes to show Nigma's letter of termination.
LUCIUS FOX:
After multiple warnings, WayneCorp were forced to terminate Nigma's contract and froze all his operations within the Weapons Program.
Close up of Lucius.
LUCIUS FOX:
We expected Nigma to take the news poorly, but we had no idea we were creating a monster.
Slide changes behind Lucius to show the first newspaper headlines relating to the evolution of Riddler. One newspaper reads, "Puzzle pieces left at crime scene" and another showing a scrap of paper being taken as evidence, which reads, "Can you solve the riddle?"
LUCIUS FOX:
Over the next few years, more and more sightings of The Riddler's trademark started to appear.
Slide changes to a different newspaper headline, which reads, "Police Baffled by Bank Heist"
LUCIUS FOX:
Not too long ago, I noticed some similarities between the tech used in Riddler's heists and that of Nigma's research. That's when I approached Commissioner Gordon.
Slide changes to show Edward Nigma's current police file. Under the "Known Felonies" field it is completely blank.
LUCIUS FOX:
The only problem was that Nigma was ten steps ahead and somehow hacked the police system to remove all instance of his whereabouts.
Slide changes back to a newspaper front page, which has a photo of a large question mark spray painted on a bank wall, which says "RIDDLE ME THIS"
LUCIUS FOX:
As far as historical records go, Edward Nigma no longer exists. Ironically, he really is an enigma.
Slide changes to show the current Wayne Enterprises building.
LUCIUS FOX:
If your tip-off is accurate, this may be the first and only time he'll come out of hiding. If we lose him, I have no doubt that we'll never see him again.
Slide changes to a blueprint of Wayne Enterprises.
LUCIUS FOX:
When Nigma was fired from WayneCorp, all his unfinished projects and research were seized.
Close up of Lucius' face.
LUCIUS FOX:
We couldn't destroy his work because it was years ahead of anything we had previously developed, but we couldn't let that kind of power fall into the wrong hands.
Zoom out to show the blueprint again, this time with one room highlighted, in the basement area. Lucius points to a specific room at the base of the building.
LUCIUS FOX:
Everything we took, we boxed and stored in a maximum-security vault, located here.
Close up of Lucius' face.
LUCIUS FOX:
I would put all my money on this as his target. He is after something inside this room, and it must be important.
Gordon walks to the podium and shakes Lucius' hand.
GORDON:
Thank you for taking the time to speak with us.
LUCIUS FOX:
Anything I can do to help. Let's just hope you catch him.
Gordon steps behind the podium again.
GORDON:
OK men let's go through the plan one more time.
Zoom out to show Gordon standing in front of the projected blueprint of Wayne Enterprises again. The blueprints show the three underground levels of the building, with one room highlighted.
GORDON:
As Mr. Fox mentioned, whatever Riddler is chasing is believed to be in this vault. So we simply wait and watch.
Close up of Gordon's face.
GORDON:
The important thing is to let Riddler obtain the item he wants before we move in. We need to know what he's after so we can determine what his plans are, there may be something bigger at play.
Zoom in on Gordon's face, he is emotionally pleading to his men. It clearly means a lot.
GORDON:
Unfortunately, as a consultant, I can't be with you when you take this son of a bitch down. So please, please do this one for me.
Zoom out to show Gordon presenting to the team.
GORDON:
As always, I will be stationed here with the surveillance team, so I need you relaying every sight and sound. Good luck.
CAPTION: LATER THAT NIGHT.
EXT. WAYNE ENTERPRISES BUILDING, NIGHT – The high-rise building looks completely empty.
EXT. ADJACENT TO WAYNE ENTERPRISES BUILDING, NIGHT – Three SWAT men are huddled behind a rooftop ledge; one of them is peeking over with binoculars, looking at the Wayne Enterprises building across the street. The other two are sitting with their backs against the ledge wall, fiddling with radio equipment and computers.
SWAT GUY #1:
Any sign of target?
SWAT GUY #2:
Nothing yet.
Close up of one of the SWAT guys huddled down. He speaks quietly into a radio headset.
SWAT GUY #1:
Gordon, it's been almost eight hours. How long should we wait?
INT. GCPD BUILDING CONTROL ROOM, NIGHT – Gordon is sitting at a control desk, Lucius Fox is perched behind him, looking tired, and there are monitors and computer panels flashing around them.
GORDON:
Be patient. He'll be there.
EXT. BUILDING ADJACENT TO WAYNE ENTERPRISES, NIGHT – The three SWAT men on the building start to shake, the Earth is physically trembling.
SWAT GUY #2:
Do you feel that?
SWAT GUY #3:
What is it... an earthquake?
The SWAT guy talks into his radio again, he looks a little worried.
SWAT GUY #1:
Gordon, we've got some movement here.
INT. GCPD BUILDING CONTROL ROOM, NIGHT – Gordon is checking the computer monitors, trying to see what they are seeing.
GORDON:
I don't see anything here. What do you mean?
EXT. BUILDING ADJACENT TO WAYNE ENTERPRISES, NIGHT – The earth is shaking even more, the three SWAT men are starting to panic.
SWAT GUY #1:
The ground is literally moving. It's an earthquake. A big one!
INT. GCPD BUILDING CONTROL ROOM, NIGHT – Gordon checks his radars.
GORDON:
Hold tight, it could be Riddler. I'm checking the skies and underground, he could come from anywhere.
EXT. BUILDING ADJACENT TO WAYNE ENTERPRISES, NIGHT – The shaking stops and the three SWAT guys look at one another, confused.
SWAT GUY #3:
Huh? It just stopped.
INT. GCPD BUILDING CONTROL ROOM, NIGHT – Gordon is still looking over the monitors.
SWAT GUY #1 (OVER RADIO):
Sir, the shaking has stopped. Still no sign of anyone or anything in the area.
Gordon looks back at Lucius, confused.
LUCIUS:
Maybe it really was an earthquake?
They look at the Wayne Enterprise basement on their monitor, there is still nothing there.
GORDON:
I guess. There's still nothing happening inside the room.
Gordon rubs his chin. He is skeptical.
GORDON:
It can't just be a coincidence. I'm going to check the thermal radar.
He points to the same screen of inside the Wayne Enterprises' basement, now in thermal view, which is grey in color – except for a large red circle outline in the middle of the room.
LUCIUS:
What the hell is that? It must be something hot… like a laser.
GORDON:
He's coming in through the floor!
Gordon grabs his radio frantically.
GORDON:
Move in! Head towards the basement door and wait for my signal.
EXT. ADJACENT TO WAYNE ENTERPRISES BUILDING, NIGHT – Another SWAT unit moves in through the front door of the Wayne Enterprises building.
GORDON (OVER THE RADIO):
He is coming in through the floor of the basement! I repeat, he is entering from underneath the building!
INT. INSIDE THE WAYNE ENTERPRISE'S BASEMENT VAULT – The circle in the middle of the floor is now cut.
The floor in the center of the room drops down, causing cement dust to shoot upward.
The Riddler and four of his men rise through the hole on a hovering platform. Riddler is dressed in a green jumpsuit, like the kind prison inmates wear, along with his iconic green bowler hat and green gloves. His henchmen are dressed in the same sort of jumpsuit in a different shade of green, but instead of a bowler hat they each have short, bright green Mohawks. Riddler has a cane with him and his men are holding crowbars. Riddler spreads his arms as though he is unveiling the room to his men.
INT. WAYNE ENTERPRISES BASEMENT STAIRWELL, NIGHT – Outside the vault room, the full SWAT team are huddled behind the door, waiting for Gordon's signal.
SWAT GUY #4 *WHISPERS*:
Gordon, we're in place outside the vault. We can hear movement inside. Should we move in?
INT. GCPD BUILDING CONTROL ROOM, NIGHT – Gordon speaks quietly into his radio.
GORDON:
Wait until I give you the word, we need to know exactly what he's after.
INT. INSIDE THE WAYNE ENTERPRISE'S BASEMENT VAULT – Inside the room, Riddler is pointing with his cane to various crates around them.
RIDDLER:
Let's try that one, that one over there, and this one here.
His men pry open the wooden crates with their crowbars, revealing all kinds of crazy-looking contraptions inside.
Riddler is looking at the contents of one of the boxes.
RIDDLER:
That's not it.
He looks at another.
RIDDLER:
Hmm, that's not it either.
Switch to a close up of another of Riddler's men, he has just ripped open the top of the crate and is looking at what's inside.
RIDDLER'S HENCHMAN #1:
Boss, what about this one?
From inside the crate looking up, we see Riddler bend over to look inside. His face lights up with excitement. His henchman is also looking into the crate but looking rather confused.
RIDDLER:
That's the one!
RIDDLER'S HENCHMAN #1:
What the hell is it?
RIDDLER:
If you had one of your own, you'd want to share it, but when you share it, you'll no longer have it.
INT. GCPD BUILDING CONTROL ROOM, NIGHT – Gordon leans forward and yells into his radio.
GORDON:
We've got it! Move in! Move in!
INT. INSIDE THE WAYNE ENTERPRISE'S BASEMENT VAULT – The SWAT team bust through the vault door.
SWAT #4:
Freeze! Riddler, don't you move.
Riddler's men are surprised but Riddler has a smirk on his face, as though he'd been expecting them. Riddler raises his hands.
RIDDLER:
OK, you got us. Men drop your crowbars.
The SWAT men spread out to detain all Riddler's men. The main SWAT guy moves towards Riddler and talks into his radio.
SWAT GUY #4:
Gordon, you wouldn't believe it, but they're surrendering.
INT. GCPD BUILDING CONTROL ROOM, NIGHT – Gordon is listening closely to his radio. He looks confused. Lucius is behind him listening intently as well. Gordon speaks into the radio.
GORDON:
Just be careful, it might be a trap.
INT. INSIDE THE WAYNE ENTERPRISE'S BASEMENT VAULT – Riddler's henchman, who discovered the crate, is laying down with one of his arms being held back by a SWAT officer. He looks over at Riddler, unsure why they have given in so easily.
RIDDLER'S HENCHMAN #1:
Boss, what's the plan? We can take 'em!
The SWAT guy puts handcuffs on Riddler's wrists. Riddler is grinning like he has something else planned.
RIDDLER:
Do nothing. Surrender. We're done here.
SWAT GUY #1:
Looks like we got 'em. Good job men.
INT. GCPD BUILDING CONTROL ROOM, NIGHT – We see the computer monitor that Gordon and Lucius are staring at; Riddler seems to be looking straight back at them.
LUCIUS:
Is he looking at us?
GORDON:
How does he even know the camera is there?
Gordon talks into his radio.
GORDON:
Great work men. Get back safe.
Gordon puts down his radio and looks back to Lucius, a little unsure of the situation.
GORDON:
Something doesn't feel right about this Mr. Fox. That was too easy.
Gordon looks back to the monitor, watching the SWAT team accompany Riddler and his men away in handcuffs.
LUCIUS:
Maybe, just like the rest of us, Edward Nigma is slipping in his old age.
CAPTION: LATER THAT NIGHT
INT. GORDON'S HOUSE, NIGHT – Wide view of the entire lounge room. Gordon is sitting slouched in an armchair; he is holding a glass of scotch in one hand and a lit cigar in the other. He looks tired, slumped down and deep in thought.
GORDON (THOUGHT):
It just doesn't sit well with me.
Gordon takes a sip of the scotch.
GORDON (THOUGHT):
That was too easy.
Gordon gets a fright, hearing a loud banging sound through his house walls.
SFX:
BANG, BANG, BANG
Gordon tries to relax again; his jaw is slightly clenched.
GORDON (THOUGHT):
Sounds like he's hitting that old bag again.
Gordon takes another drink.
GORDON (THOUGHT):
Fifteen years I've been chasing him. Nigma's too smart to lay down like that.
Zoom out to see Gordon deep in thought, he looks out the corner of his eye towards the sound but is less startled by it.
SFX:
BANG, BANG
The phone rings at the side of the room. Gordon stares at it.
SFX:
RING, RING
Now standing by the phone with the receiver near his face and the glass of whisky in the other. His cigar is still burning in an ash tray on the coffee table next to the phone.
GORDON:
Gordon here.
Gordon's face scrunches up. He is immediately furious.
GORDON:
What do you mean he struck a deal? Do they know who he is and what he's capable of? He's clearly planning something!
Gordon is pointing at the phone as he yells, as though they can see him.
GORDON:
I don't give a crap if he's giving up all his men; they're not worth the bargain. It's Nigma I want behind bars!
Zoom out to see Gordon speaking a little more calmly into the phone, outside the banging sounds are still coming from outside the window.
SFX:
BANG, BANG, BANG
GORDON:
You tell the D.A. to hold off on signing anything, I'm coming down.
Gordon stops and listens to the response. He rubs his eyebrows with his fingers, baffled at what he is hearing.
GORDON:
What do you mean it's too late? When did this happen?
He has stopped yelling and is now just trying to reason with whoever is on the phone.
GORDON:
He'll be back on the streets in a matter of months, what happens then? We lose him!
His shoulders drop again. He knows he was wrong for yelling and calms himself.
GORDON:
Dora, calm down. I'm sorry for yelling, I know it's not your fault.
Close up of Gordon's face. He is no longer angry, just sad.
GORDON:
He needs to pay for what he did.
Zoom out to see Gordon listening to the response. His shoulders are slumped.
GORDON:
OK, let me know if anything changes.
Gordon hangs up the phone and stands with his head down. He is upset at the news. He looks like he could break down and cry. Outside, the banging is still coming through.
SFX:
BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG
Suddenly his mood shifts to anger again. He is furious.
GORDON:
Damn it!
He throws his scotch glass against the wall, smashing it to pieces.
Gordon is startled again by the loud banging sounds. He grinds his teeth and scowls, like he is ready to start a fight.
SFX:
BANG, BANG
GORDON:
Right, that's it.
EXT. GORDON'S HOUSE, NIGHT - He walks out the back door of his house in a huff, it is raining outside but he doesn't break stride.
SFX:
BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG
Gordon walks towards the garage outside at the back of his drive, there is a light on inside of the garage, which is shining through the crack of the door.
Gordon walks up to the door at the side of the garage, about to open it. The noises are louder, coming from inside.
SFX:
BANG, BANG
INT. GORDON'S GARAGE, NIGHT – Gordon opens the door and looks inside, he is soaking wet from the rain. He talks to someone who is inside the garage.
GORDON:
Are you ready to get to work again?
The view switches to show who Gordon is speaking to. We see a young man, almost 20, who has been working at a punching bag. He is wearing black athletic gear; singlet, shorts and boxing shoes. He has light brown hair cut short and is incredibly lean and muscular. He has his hands strapped for boxing. He looks as though he has been working hard but is excited to see Gordon.
YOUNG MAN:
Did you get him? Was my Intel correct?
Gordon walks into the garage to get closer to the man, he is tense but trying to explain the situation.
GORDON:
We got Riddler but he made a deal with the DA. It sounds like he's going to walk.
The young man punches the boxing bag with force, he is clearly very strong.
YOUNG MAN:
What?! How? HE'S A GOD DAMN MURDERER!
Gordon puts his hand on the young man's shoulder, trying to console him.
GORDON:
Richie, I know you're upset. So am I.
We get a close up of Gordon's face, he has a plan.
GORDON:
I promise, it's not over yet. I've got an idea.
The young man drops his head, incredibly shaken by the news.
RICHIE:
It's impossible. If he's made a deal, there's nothing else we can do.
Gordon looks unsettled. It's obvious the plan will be dangerous.
GORDON:
There's another way, but we're going to have to do this ourselves.
Richie looks up, keeping his emotions together and ready to commit before even hearing the plan.
RICHIE:
I'll do whatever it takes to avenge mom.