PART FOUR: THE SUN RETURNS
CAPTION: 10 YEARS AGO
From a distance, Gordon is walking down a residential street towards his house. The sun is going down on a cold winter's day. He is wrapped up in his long trench coat and scarf. He is puffing away on a big cigar.
GORDON (THOUGHT):
About a month after my retirement, I had an unexpected visitor.
Gordon walks closer to his house and we see a figure sitting on his front step.
GORDON (THOUGHT):
It was him.
Gordon stands at the end of his drive, his hands still in his jacket pockets, and the man stands at the door, his arms huddled. It looks like a standoff.
GORDON:
I remember you. You were at my daughter's funeral.
We view from behind Gordon, facing the man directly. Gordon's fists are now out of his pockets and clenched; as though he is expecting trouble.
GORDON:
You've got three seconds to tell me who are you and what you want.
The other man raises his arms to surrender.
MAN:
I don't want any trouble sir. I was a friend of your daughter.
The man drops his hands, he looks sheepishly at Gordon.
MAN:
That's not true, we were more than friends.
Close up of the man's face, he looks Gordon in the eye to state his name proudly.
MAN:
My name is Dick Grayson.
Dick, a muscular man with short black hair, points over his shoulder with his thumb, signaling inside Gordon's house.
DICK:
Do you mind if we come inside? It's freezing out here and we've been waiting for hours.
Close up of Gordon, he scrunches up his brow looking suspicious.
GORDON:
We?
Gordon looks over to the red car parked in the drive beside him. Inside, laying on the back seat asleep, is a young boy – around ten years of age. The boy looks a lot like the man, with short light brown hair.
DICK:
In the car. That's my boy.
Gordon gestures to the car but still doesn't look entirely convinced.
GORDON:
That's all well and good, but you still haven't told me why you're here, or how you know my daughter.
Gordon and Dick have both walked to the side of the car, they are looking in the window at the boy and their reflections are showing from the window.
DICK:
Take a closer look Jim.
Gordon bends down, right next to the window at the boy. His face lights up. Dick puts his hand on Gordon's shoulder.
DICK:
This is your grandson, Richie.
INT. GORDON'S HOUSE, NIGHT – Gordon and DICK GRAYSON are
sitting at his kitchen table. They each have a scotch glass in front of them, half filled. Gordon has been smoking cigars; one of them is still smoking in the ash tray. We can see Dick clearly now. He is a good-looking man, in his late 30s, athletic build. He has thick black hair and a youthful face.
GORDON:
So, let me get this straight, you are… or were… Robin?
Close up of Dick.
DICK:
In a nutshell, yeah. That was a long time ago. They call me Nightwing now.
Gordon acknowledges this, tilting his scotch glass towards Dick.
GORDON:
Yes, I've heard of you.
Zoom out to show Dick and Gordon talking closely.
DICK:
I used to work with Batman, as his original Boy Wonder.
Dick looks down, studying his own scotch glass; he clearly doesn't like talking about this particular subject.
DICK:
That's where I first met Barbara.
BEGIN FLASHBACK
INT. GOTHAM CITY, NIGHT - Batman, Robin and Barbara are all standing side by side. It's one of those classic hero group poses that looks like the cover of a comic; Batman standing tall in the center with Robin and Barbara on either side. This is the view inside Dick's head; he is remembering when they were a team.
DICK (NARRATES):
Barbara and I weren't a couple back then. We were both just kids.
INT. THE BAT CAVE, NIGHT – A younger Barbara is looking at a wall of monitors; she is typing and talking into a headset.
DICK (NARRATES):
Barbara was helping out with research and surveillance.
INT. BARBARA'S BEDROOM, NIGHT – Barbara is sitting at a computer typing. She is wearing a baseball cap and has her glasses on.
DICK (NARRATES):
The way she came to work with Batman… well, I don't have to tell you that she had a way with computers.
We see her computer screen; it is a page of code with a banner that says, "GCPD SECURITY NETWORK".
DICK (NARRATES):
She told me one night she was playing around and picked up on an encrypted portal within the GCPD network.
Another box pops up on the screen, it says "PRIVATE NETWORK: ENCRYPTION REQUIRED".
DICK (NARRATES):
That portal belonged to Batman; he was using it to case his suspects and review police files.
A third box appears on the screen, green in color, which says "ACCESS GRANTED!"
DICK (NARRATES):
Somehow, she managed to crack it.
EXT. WAYNE MANOR, NIGHT – Barbara is scaling the front gate of Wayne Manor; she still has her cap on, along with a backpack and carrying a flashlight.
DICK (NARRATES):
She was able to trace the host file back to Batman's headquarters.
Barbara is standing at the front door of Wayne Manor and an older man, in his 60s and wearing a butler uniform, has opened it. The man is ALFRED PENNYWORTH, Bruce Wayne's butler. He is not surprised to see her standing there, most likely because they have security cameras in place. They allowed her to get this far.
DICK (NARRATES):
She walked right up to his front door.
Barbara is sitting inside Bruce Wayne's lounge, and is talking to Bruce Wayne. Bruce Wayne is in his 30s and looks to be in his prime; he is dressed in casual clothes, all black. Barbara is showing him the screen of her laptop.
DICK (NARRATES):
She explained what she had found and offered to tighten up his security.
Close up of Bruce Wayne, he is scratching his chin, thinking but also clearly impressed with what the young girl is telling him.
DICK (NARRATES):
When Batman realized what she was capable of, he enlisted her help.
Bruce Wayne and Barbara Gordon shake hands, making an agreement.
DICK (NARRATES):
It's not like he had a choice anyway, Barbara had already uncovered his secret.
INT. BAT CAVE, NIGHT – A young Dick Grayson is standing in his Robin costume; he is in a fighting stance, mid-combat.
DICK (NARRATES):
I on the other hand, had been adopted for some time already and was in training to become his sidekick.
Zoom out to see Robin is fighting Batman, they are training together inside the Bat Cave.
Robin takes a swing at Batman and misses, and Batman knocks him to the floor with a swift kick. It looks painful.
DICK (NARRATES):
He was much tougher on me.
EXT. GOTHAM CITY BUILDING ROOFTOP, NIGHT – Batman and Robin are fighting a gang of criminals. Robin has his signature staff and Batman is fighting with his fists.
DICK (NARRATES):
He taught me everything he knew, which was both a privilege and a burden.
Robin knocks down one of the criminals.
We see the criminal's face, he is scared. The criminal is skinny and sickly looking.
Robin cocks his staff back and is ready to strike a lethal blow on the criminal laying before him. His expression is aggressive; he looks as though he wants to kill the criminal.
DICK (NARRATES):
As you well know, Batman lived and died by a very strict code.
Batman's hand grabs Robin's staff to stop him.
Robin is taken by surprise; surprised by Batman's grip on the staff but also at his own aggression towards the criminal.
DICK (NARRATES):
I tried so hard to abide by everything he said because I understood what he was trying to achieve.
Robin stares down at the criminal, upset that he let his anger get the best of him but also because he wasn't in control to make his own decisions.
We see the criminal's face again, smirking at Robin because he knows he can't be touched.
CRIMINAL #1:
Maybe next time kid.
INT. BRUCE WAYNE'S HOUSE, READING ROOM, NIGHT – Dick, now out of costume, storms into the room carrying a newspaper. Bruce Wayne is sitting on a sofa, reading a book.
DICK (NARRATES):
But over the years I found myself becoming more frustrated.
Dick slams down a newspaper on Bruce's lap. On the front page it has a picture of the very same criminal Robin wanted to kill that night. The same one Batman stopped him from killing. The headline reads, "INMATE ESCAPES, KILLS 3 PEOPLE".
DICK (NARRATES):
I could see this city falling apart. We needed to take greater measures to stop it.
Dick storms away, obviously upset, while Bruce reads the newspaper behind him.
DICK (NARRATES):
Batman was losing the battle, and he wasn't willing to let me do things my own way.
INT. BAT-CAVE, DAY - Dick and Bruce Wayne are shaking hands; Dick has a large backpack on, packed and ready to leave.
Barbara is standing behind Bruce.
DICK (NARRATES):
Eventually, I decided to leave.
Barbara launches at Dick and hugs him; she is obviously upset that he has decided to go.
DICK (NARRATES):
Batman had Barbara by his side anyway. He didn't need me around.
A close up of Dick's face as Barbara is hugging him, he is clearly sad.
DICK (NARRATES):
Barbara shared his vision. I didn't.
EXT. OUTSIDE WAYNE MANOR, DAY – It is cold and grey outside, Dick rides off on his motorcycle, racing down the drive with the house behind him.
EXT. HIGHWAY, NIGHT – Dick is riding his motorcycle towards a brightly-lit city; a sign on the side of the road says, "WELCOME TO BLÜDHAVEN".
DICK (NARRATES):
I decided to go back to the city where I was born.
EXT. BLÜDHAVEN BUILDING ROOFTOP, NIGHT - We see Dick standing in his full Nightwing costume, black spandex with a blue stripe along the front, standing on the edge of a rooftop, looking out at the city below. He is holding his two signature weapons, the Escrima sticks.
DICK (NARRATES):
That's when I took on the name Nightwing.
EXT. BLÜDHAVEN BUILDING ROOFTOP, NIGHT - Batman and Nightwing are now standing side by side. Their backs are against one another and they are fighting a different gang of criminals.
DICK (NARRATES):
I saw Batman again; he even came to help me out a few times.
After the fight, all the criminals are knocked down, unconscious. Batman is facing forward, and Nightwing is behind him, looking over his shoulder.
Batman shoots his grappling hook towards the sky and flies off, leaving Nightwing standing there watching.
DICK (NARRATES):
But apart from that we never really spoke again.
Close up of Dick, in costume, staring off into the distance, watching Batman fly away. He looks sad that they are no longer friends. It signifies the last time Dick ever sees Batman again.
INT. DICK'S HOME, NIGHT: Dick, looking older but still fit, with some bandages over his shoulder, is sitting on a sofa in his lounge watching the television. There is a knock at the door.
SFX:
KNOCK, KNOCK
DICK (NARRATES):
And then one night, almost a decade after I left Gotham, I had an unexpected visitor.
Dick opens the door and we see Barbara standing alone in the rain outside, she is now in her late teens. It has been a few years since Dick has seen her. She has been crying.
DICK (NARRATES):
It was Barbara.
Dick and Barbara hug. He has clearly missed seeing a familiar face and being so sad, she was in need of a hug.
DICK (NARRATES):
I tried my hardest to stay off the grid, but that didn't stop her from finding me.
Dick and Barbara are sitting in his lounge; she has a yellow blanket wrapped around her, trying to dry herself. They are sitting close together, facing one another.
DICK (NARRATES):
I could see she was distraught. I knew it was bad, so I invited her in.
Close up of Barbara, still wrapped in the blanket and hugging a hot mug. She is talking to Dick.
DICK (NARRATES):
She told me what happened, with Batman, the Joker and with you.
Barbara pulls the Batman cowl from her bag and presents it to Dick.
DICK (NARRATES):
That's why she came to see me. She asked me to return to Gotham to replace him.
Dick holds the cowl and looks down at it, considering his options.
DICK (NARRATES):
Honestly, I was almost tempted, if only to honor him. But in the end, I couldn't just leave what I had started in Blüdhaven.
Barbara extends her hand and rests it on Dick's knee, asking him something very personal.
DICK (NARRATES):
When she realized my mind was made, she asked me for a different favor.
Barbara points down to the Batman cowl.
DICK (NARRATES):
She wanted me to train her, the same way Batman trained me.
Dick is now standing in his lounge room; his hand is rubbing through his hair. He is stressed. They are having an argument of sorts.
DICK (NARRATES):
I was reluctant at first. I didn't want to be responsible for what could happen. I didn't want her life in my hands.
Barbara is holding up the Batman cowl, she is using it to appeal to Dick's sense of right and wrong.
DICK (NARRATES):
But I'm sure I don't need to tell you; Barbara could be very persistent.
Barbara smiles to herself, knowing she got her way.
DICK (NARRATES):
She was going uphold his legacy, with or without my help.
Dick and Barbara shake on it; they've agreed to partner up.
DICK (NARRATES):
So, I felt it was only right I help her prepare as best I could.
INT. DICK'S HOUSE, NIGHT - Barbara has her computers set-up, similarly to how she arranged them in the Bat Cave. She is looking at the various screens, talking into a headset.
DICK (NARRATES):
Over the next few months, she stayed by my side.
EXT. ROOF TOP, NIGHT - Dick, in his Nightwing costume, is standing on a roof. He is holding his hand to an earpiece on the side of his head.
BARBARA (OVER RADIO):
They should be in that van, just below you. I've matched the plates from the police scanner.
Nightwing launches from the rooftop to the street below.
DICK (NARRATES):
In the beginning she helped me as she helped Batman. She became my eyes and ears.
Nightwing swings open the doors of the van on the street.
Inside, we see a gang of four criminals, all sitting down and going through bags of money they just stole from the bank.
They are all surprised to see him and look scared. Nightwing grins to himself, knowing that he's got them.
DICK (NARRATES):
It was nice having someone in my corner for a change.
INT. ABANDONED GYMNASIUM, DAY – Wide shot of Dick, out of costume, and Barbara training in a boxing ring. They are both in athletic gear and look to be sparring.
DICK (NARRATES):
Every other minute I was teaching her what I knew.
Dick swings at Barbara and she ducks.
She counters his punch with a kick, and knocks him to the ground, similar to the same kick Batman gave him when he was Robin.
DICK (NARRATES):
She was an incredibly fast learner.
Dick is lying on his back on the floor, impressed that he was knocked down. Barbara's hand extends down to help him back up.
DICK (NARRATES):
More than that; she was genuine, kind, smart and strong.
Dick gets up and stands close to Barbara; they look at each other affectionately.
The two of them kiss.
DICK (NARRATES):
Over time, we fell in love.
INT. DICK'S HOME, AFTERNOON – Dick walks in his front door with a bag of groceries. He looks like an everyday, normal man.
DICK:
Honey, I'm home!
DICK (NARRATES):
Before we knew, a couple of years quickly flew by.
Dick looks over to see Barbara sitting at the kitchen table, there is a white box on the table, and she looks worried.
DICK:
Babe, is everything OK?
DICK (NARRATES):
And then something happened neither of us expected.
Dick holds up a pregnancy test, it shows a positive result.
DICK (NARRATES):
Barbara was pregnant.
Zoom out, Dick sits down next to Barbara, Dick is still looking at the pregnancy test swab.
DICK (NARRATES):
We'd been so careful. We honestly didn't know what to do.
Zoom in of Dick's hand, still holding the pregnancy test, and Barbara's hand reaches out to rest on his.
DICK (NARRATES):
It's not like we were your typical parent figures. We weren't prepared.
Close up of Dick looking at Barbara, he is not sad at all, but happy.
DICK (NARRATES):
But when it happened, it just felt right.
INT. DICK'S HOUSE, NIGHT – The house is empty, but the main bedroom door is closed. We can hear voices inside the main bedroom.
VOICE (BEHIND THE DOOR):
You're almost there, push.
DICK (NARRATES):
Nine months later, Richie was born.
INT. DICK'S BEDROOM, NIGHT – Barbara is sitting upright in the bed, Dick is sitting beside her, and she is nursing a newborn baby boy. They all look so happy; the perfect family portrait.
DICK (NARRATES):
That was the happiest time of my life.
Close up of Barbara holding the baby, from Dick's perspective, Barbara is looking back smiling at him.
DICK (NARRATES):
But as with most things, it couldn't last forever.
INT. DICK'S LOUNGE, DUSK – Barbara is sitting on a sofa, feeding the baby with a bottle in her lap. Dick is standing behind her and they are both watching the television, they look shocked at what they are seeing.
DICK (NARRATES):
Not long after Richie was born, that's when Gotham started to fall apart again.
Close up of the television screen, a newsreader is sitting at the desk, the panel behind him reads "GOTHAM CRIME AT ALL TIME HIGH". Below the text is a picture of a green question mark spray painted on a brick wall; the signature of The Riddler.
DICK (NARRATES):
Barbara kept her eye on the Gotham news. She knew it was bad.
The panel behind the newsreader changes, showing a mugshot of Penguin with the accompanying text, "PENGUIN STRIKES AGAIN".
DICK (NARRATES):
She knew all about the rise of Penguin and The Riddler, both trying to gain control of the city after Joker's death.
Barbara looks up from her seat at Dick, her lips are pressed and her eyes glassy. She looks like someone about to ask something the other person is not going to like.
DICK (NARRATES):
She told me what she was planning. She wanted to go back to help you stop them.
INT. DICK'S HOUSE ENTRANCE, DAY – Barbara is standing in the kitchen; she has her bags packed beside her. Dick is standing in front of her; he has a hand on her shoulder, trying to reason with her.
DICK (NARRATES):
I begged and pleaded with her to stay. I offered to go with her and even to go in her place.
We see Dick from Barbara's perspective, she has her hand out pointing to the bedroom, and we can see a baby's cot. Dick looks upset.
DICK (NARRATES):
But she said it was something she had to do herself. She wanted me to stay with Richie. She wanted me to keep him safe.
Barbara kisses Dick. Dick has accepted she is not changing her mind.
Barbara has left the house and Dick is facing the front door with his hands against it. He is sad that she has left.
DICK (NARRATES):
And that's the last time we saw her.
END FLASHBACK
INT. GORDON'S KITCHEN, NIGHT - Close up of Dick's fist hitting the table.
SFX:
BANG
Close up of Dick, finishing his story, he is mad thinking about it.
DICK:
Damn it! I should have tried harder to stop her from leaving.
Zoom out; Gordon puts a hand on Dick's shoulder to comfort him.
GORDON:
It's not your fault Dick. As you said, Barbara was very stubborn. Once she set out to do something it was incredibly hard to stop her.
Dick brushes his hand through his thick black hair, looking down at the table in though.
DICK:
She told me she would only go for a short time; a year at most.
A tear streams down his face.
DICK:
A few months later, I was at home with Richie when I saw the news. The worst possible way to hear about the person you love most.
Dick stands up, his fists are clenched. He looks like he wants to hurt someone.
DICK:
Those monsters!
Gordon stands and puts an arm on Dick's shoulder, again trying to calm him, but also making sure he doesn't raise his voice again.
GORDON:
Dick, lower your voice, you'll wake Richie.
Dick's walks away from Gordon, facing the wall and lowering his head; embarrassed.
DICK:
Sorry. It still makes me so mad.
Dick looks over to the bedroom, where we can just see Richie fast asleep.
DICK:
The only reason I've been able to hold it together is because of him.
Dick turns back to the wall; he puts his hands against a cabinet and clenches the top of it.
DICK:
Believe me, I wanted to come back to Gotham and make those animals pay.
Close up of Dick's face, he is looking at something.
DICK:
But deep down, I knew it's not what Barbara would have wanted.
We see a photo on the cabinet, it is Barbara when she was a teenager receiving some kind of science award.
DICK:
She would have wanted me to keep Richie safe at all costs.
Dick turns back to Gordon, who is still standing and watching Dick; concerned.
DICK:
And so that's what I did.
BEGIN FLASHBACK
INT. DICK'S HOME, DAY – Dick is laying his Nightwing costume in a suitcase.
DICK (NARRATES):
After the funereal, I hung up my costume to focus on Richie.
EXT. THE PARK, DAY – Dick is teaching Richie, now about 4 years old, how to ride a bike.
DICK (NARRATES):
For the last eight years I've been raising him myself. As best I could.
INT. DICK'S HOUSE, SUNSET – Richie, now 8 years old, is standing next to a door trying to pick the lock. Dick is standing behind him trying to teach him how to do it.
DICK (NARRATES):
Sure, I taught him a few things…
EXT. THE PARK, DAY – Dick and Richie are climbing a large tree, Richie is up much higher than his dad.
RICHIE:
Hurry up dad!
DICK (NARRATES):
I tried to give him the most normal childhood possible.
END FLASHBACK
INT. GORDON'S HOUSE, NIGHT – Dick looks back at Gordon with a smile. He is reaching into his back pocket.
DICK:
He's such a good kid.
Dick passes Gordon a photo.
DICK:
Check this out.
Close up of the picture. It is Richie only a short time ago, dressed in a full karate uniform and holding a trophy. Dick is standing next to him; a proud dad.
DICK (VOICE):
This is from the championships last summer. He won his age group title and three levels above.
Gordon is looking down at the photo and smiles.
GORDON:
How old is he now?
DICK (VOICE):
He's eleven this year.
Dick's whole attitude changes when he starts talking to Gordon about Richie, his arms start telling the story.
DICK:
Gordon, you should see what he can already do. He picked up Barbara's smarts, but he's also got the Grayson balance.
Dick uses his hands to illustrate tall buildings.
DICK:
He's a natural acrobat. I've seen him scale a three-story building.
Dick pulls out a lock picking tool from his pocket and shows it to Gordon. He is clearly excited about the extra skills he's been teaching his son.
DICK:
And there's not a safe or lock he can't crack.
Close up of Dick's face, he is looking down at the lock picker in his hand. The enthusiasm leaves Dick's face and it's replaced by immense doubt.
DICK:
But I guess that's why I'm here. I don't think I'm being fair on the kid.
Dick sits back down next to Gordon and looks him in the face.
DICK:
Jim, I want Richie to come and live with you.
He looks back at Dick in complete shock.
GORDON:
What?! Why?
Dick pours Gordon some more whisky from the bottle.
DICK:
Because he deserves a better life than the one I'm capable of giving.
Dick pushes the glass over to Gordon.
DICK:
He needs a better role model. He needs stability in his life.
Gordon takes a drink.
DICK (VOICE):
I know you're a good man, Jim. You were a good father to Barbara. You can protect Richie and raise him right.
Gordon stands up and goes to leave.
GORDON:
I'm sorry Dick. I just can't do that.
Gordon walks out the room and Dick sits for a moment looking at his glass.
INT. GORDON'S BEDROOM, NIGHT – The room is dark, and we see little Richie fast asleep in Gordon's bed. We can see Gordon's shadow standing at the door watching over him.
Dick comes and stands behind Gordon, also looking into the room.
DICK *whispers*:
Jim, can we please talk about this some more? Gordon turns back to Dick; he is still a bit flustered.
GORDON:
Dick, this is completely mad. I can't raise a child I've only just met.
Dick puts his hand on Gordon's shoulder, trying to get him back into the kitchen so they can keep talking.
DICK:
Look, I've thought about this a lot and I think it would be good for you too Jim.
In the hallway Dick stops and points to a photo hanging on the wall, it is Gordon's retirement day – there is a big banner saying, "Thanks for your service!"
DICK:
I saw that you retired last month, that's why I decided to reach out.
Gordon stands in the middle of the hallway and confronts Dick.
GORDON:
Yes, but that's not the point. How can you just give up on him?
Dick turns towards Gordon, it's clear the two are about to start arguing.
DICK:
I'm not giving up on him. Don't you see this breaks my heart. I just want to do right by him.
Dick points towards the door where Richie is sleeping.
DICK:
If I keep raising him this way, he's going to turn out just like me.
Dick walks off, back into the lounge.
Dick is sitting on the couch in front of the television. Gordon walks in and stands behind the couch.
GORDON:
Dick, all I mean is that taking after you might not be a bad thing.
Switch to behind the two men; we see the news on screen with a story about a bank robbery.
DICK:
I don't want him involved in this kind of lifestyle.
Dick looks down at his hands, his fists are clenched.
DICK:
I can feel myself getting frustrated again. I need to get out there.
Dick turns back to Gordon.
DICK:
Blüdhaven needs Nightwing again, now more than ever.
Dick stands and faces Gordon again, trying one last time to convince him.
DICK:
I hated it at the time, but I understand why Barbara had come back all those years ago.
Dick points back to the news story.
DICK:
She couldn't turn her back on the city she loves. And I can't either.
Close up of Dick, he is really trying to make his case.
DICK:
Please Jim. I have a duty, even if it means risking my life. But I can't do it with Richie around.
Close up of Gordon, he is so close to saying yes.
DICK:
I can only do it if I know he's safe with you.
Gordon's head drops in surrender.
GORDON:
OK, well let's just say I was considering this, how would it possibly work?
INT: GORDON'S HOME, KITCHEN, NIGHT – Gordon and Dick are back at the kitchen table, they have fresh glasses of whisky.
Gordon has a cigar smoking in the ash tray in front of him.
GORDON:
How am I supposed to explain how I've come into custody of a child?
Close up of Dick, trying to explain the situation a bit more.
DICK:
Well, this is where it gets a little tricky. Because of our line of work, Barbara and I decided to keep Richie "off the grid".
BEGIN FLASHBACK INSERT PANEL
Dick and Barbara are speaking with a doctor. Dick shakes his hand.
DICK (NARRATES):
We only used doctors we could trust, and he was never registered at birth. As far as the world knows, little Richie doesn't even exist.
Barbara is standing at the front of a classroom and a very young Richie is sitting at a desk. On the board behind them is a world map.
DICK:
We even home schooled him to keep him out of the system.
INT: GORDON'S HOUSE, KITCHEN, NIGHT – Dick looks back at Gordon.
DICK:
It was for his safety. We just knew that if our enemies found out, he would be at risk.
Dick raises his glass towards Gordon.
DICK:
So, I guess if you were considering this, you would need to keep him a secret too.
I assume you still have your fair share of enemies in this city too, so it's probably best.
Gordon takes a drink.
GORDON:
I guess you're right.
Gordon closes his eyes for a moment and takes a breath, accepting what needs to be done.
GORDON:
OK Dick, I'll do this for you.
Dick stands up with his arms out wide. He is blown away.
DICK:
You will?!
Gordon stands up too.
GORDON:
On one condition Dick; that you promise to return. It's not fair on Richie otherwise.
Dick refrains his excitement to address Gordon's request.
DICK:
Of course. Of course, I'll be back for him – he's all I've got.
Dick and Gordon hug.
DICK:
Thank you, Jim, this means a lot.
After hugging, Jim keeps a hand on Dick's shoulder.
GORDON:
Shall we go and wake him so you can say goodbye?
Dick drops his head again.
DICK:
No, I'd better go. I don't want to wake him.
Gordon throws his arms up, trying to convince him otherwise.
GORDON:
You can't just leave.
Dick puts his arm on Gordon's shoulder, trying to settle him.
DICK:
It's fine Jim. Richie knows why we came here. We've already said our goodbyes.
EXT. OUTSIDE GORDON'S HOUSE, NIGHT – Dick is standing beside his car, about to get in and leave.
DICK:
Before I leave, there's one last thing.
Gordon is standing on the other side of the car.
GORDON:
What?
Close up of Dick's face.
DICK:
The night Barbara arrived at my door, she told me about the argument you had. She wanted you to know that she always felt bad about it.
Gordon takes another puff on his cigar, now almost finished.
GORDON:
That was 20 years ago now; I've never held it against her.
Zoom out of the two of them standing either side of the vehicle.
DICK:
I know, but she knew she was only taking out her anger on you. She just didn't want Batman to simply be forgotten like that.
Gordon looks up to the sky.
GORDON:
I know, and neither did I. He was a hero.
Dick opens the door to his car.
DICK:
Well, if it makes any difference, I think you made the right choice.
Gordon smiles back at Dick.
GORDON:
Thank you, Dick.
Dick goes to get in his car.
DICK:
No, thank you. Tell Richie I'll be thinking of him.
The car's engine starts, the passenger side window is down.
GORDON:
I'll take good care of him, don't worry.
Dick's car off; Gordon watches as the car drives into the distance.
GORDON (NARRATES):
That night, I promised Dick I would look after the boy.
Close up of Gordon watching the car.
GORDON (NARRATES):
It was only meant to be for a few years… but things change.
CAPTION: PRESENT DAY
EXT. NYPD ROOFTOP, SUNSET – Gordon is still standing in his trench coat, reminiscing. The sun has almost disappeared completely into the horizon.
GORDON (NARRATES):
Dick had good intentions but a life of crime-fighting quickly sucked him back in.
BEGIN FLASHBACK
EXT. GORDON'S HOUSE, DAY – Gordon is standing at his front door, watching as Dick kneels to hug Richie. Dick is visiting and Richie is happy to see him.
GORDON (NARRATES):
He visited as often as he could, but there was always something that made it too dangerous take Richie back.
EXT. BASEBALL FIELD, DAY – Richie is a teenager, about 13 years old; he is in baseball uniform and swings at the ball, hitting it hard.
GORDON (NARRATES):
I didn't mind. I liked having the kid around.
Gordon is in the crowd, he stands to cheer Richie as he runs, and excitedly spills his popcorn everywhere.
GORDON (NARRATES):
It was the closest thing to filling the hole that Barbara left in my life.
EXT. PUBLIC PARK, DAY – Gordon and Richie are sitting on a park bench, Gordon is holding a book and lecturing Richie.
GORDON (NARRATES):
I wasn't working, so every day I helped him study.
INT. GORDON'S GARAGE, DAY – Gordon is leaning again the wall watching Richie, now 15, writing on the chalk board. He is solving a math problem, and Gordon looks impressed.
GORDON (NARRATES):
Richie is incredibly smart for his age.
INT. GORDON'S KITCHEN, DAY – Richie, still at 15, has opened an envelope and is holding a certificate. He is waving it with pure joy to show Gordon, who is also excited.
GORDON (NARRATES):
He completed his high school diploma by 15.
INT. GORDON'S GARAGE, NIGHT – Richie is working on a robotic arm, which is hovering over a chess board and picking up pieces.
GORDON (NARRATES):
Shortly after that he got his graduate diploma in robotics.
INT. GORDON'S LOUNGE, DAY – Gordon is sitting on his sofa looking at a chess board, on the other side is the robotic arm that Richie built.
ROBOTIC ARM:
Check mate… Again.
GORDON (NARRATES):
If anything, he was too smart for his own good.
INT. RICHIE'S BEDROOM, NIGHT – Gordon is standing at Richie's bedroom door looking in. The room is empty, and the window is open, blowing the curtains. He does not look impressed.
GORDON (NARRATES):
At 16 I discovered he'd been breaking out at night.
EXT. GOTHAM CITY, NIGHT – Richie is dressed in cat burglar getup. He is perched atop of a two-story building, watching the city beneath him.
GORDON (NARRATES):
He told me he would just climb buildings and watch the world from above.
INT. RICHIE'S BEDROOM, NIGHT – Richie is sitting on his bed in those same clothes. He is hunched over looking at the ground. Gordon is standing over him yelling.
GORDON (NARRATES):
Initially I tried to punish him, but it never worked.
Close up of Richie's window, there have been five or six locks attached to the window frame and all of them are busted.
GORDON (NARRATES):
As his father explained, there wasn't a lock or safe he couldn't crack. It's not like I could lock him inside.
INT. GORDON'S KITCHEN, DAY – Gordon and Richie standing in the kitchen facing one another; Richie is looking down as though he is about to get in trouble.
GORDON (NARRATES):
So, in the end I decided to embrace his curiosity.
Richie hugs Gordon, taking him by surprise.
GORDON (NARRATES):
I decided it would be better to accept it and support him rather than trying to hold him back and risk him resenting me.
GORDON:
Just please be careful.
RICHIE:
I will grandpa.
INT. GORDON'S GARAGE, NIGHT – Gordon is sitting at a desk in his garage with equipment in front of him. He is speaking into a hand-held radio.
GORDON (NARRATES):
If he was going to be out there on the streets, he may as well do some good.
GORDON:
What do you see?
EXT. GOTHAM CITY, NIGHT – Richie is sitting atop the same building as before, this time he has binoculars hanging around his neck and a headset on, which he is speaking into.
GORDON (NARRATES):
I decided to create a code for us both to live by; to keep him safe.
RICHIE:
They are approaching the car; it looks like one of them is carrying a crowbar.
INT. GORDON'S GARAGE, NIGHT – Gordon is now holding a telephone receiver.
GORDON (NARRATES):
I was still consulting at the GCPD, so I decided to put his skills to good use.
GORDON:
Hey Cornwell, it's Gordon. I've got something for you.
EXT. GOTHAM CITY, NIGHT – Richie is looking into the binoculars; he has a big smile on his face.
GORDON (NARRATES):
Richie would be my eyes and ears on the ground.
RICHIE:
The cops have arrived; it looks like they're being arrested. We did it!
EXT. ALLEY WAY, NIGHT – Richie is walking down a dark alley; a gang of three tough-looking youths are walking behind him. It looks like they are going to attack him.
GORDON (NARRATES):
He also tried befriending troubled youths, to report back to me.
We see Richie from the front; he knows they are behind him. One of the youths yells out.
GORDON (NARRATES):
Initially I worried about his safety.
YOUNG THUG #1:
Hey you!
Richie turns and the young thugs greet him with high fives. Richie smiles at them.
GORDON (NARRATES):
But Richie was tough, not to mention likable.
YOUNG THUG #1:
Finch, how you been man?
INT. OLD MECHANIC'S GARAGE, NIGHT – Richie, now 18, is walking around an old garage; there are stripped-down cars and motorcycles all around him.
GORDON (NARRATES):
It took some convincing to give up on my dream of restoring that Lincoln Futura…
Gordon is carrying motor parts on a trolley while Richie is behind him, fixing some gym equipment to the wall.
GORDON (NARRATES):
But for his 18th birthday we turned my garage into his personal training space.
Richie is performing feats of strength on the gym equipment.
GORDON (NARRATES):
The kid was a natural acrobat.
Richie is crouched down next to a modern safe, the door cracks open and Richie looks up at Gordon with a smile.
GORDON (NARRATES):
He could get into any room or safe without leaving a trace.
Gordon is also dressed in gym gear now and he and Richie are about to spare against one another.
GORDON (NARRATES):
I also taught him how to defend himself.
Richie flips Gordon over onto his back, knocking the wind out of him.
GORDON (NARRATES):
He was a quick learner.
Gordon is standing against a door with his arms crossed; he is looking over at Richie in concern.
GORDON (NARRATES):
Before long, Richie had become exactly what his father feared.
We see the back of Gordon standing in the door, looking over at Richie in front of a locker. With his back to us we see him tying a bandanna around his head – just as Nightwing would have put on his mask.
GORDON (NARRATES):
He was a crime fighter, just like his parents.
Full view of Richie now turned towards Gordon, 20 years old; he is dressed in a sleek, all-black costume with a bandanna covering his forehead and holding his hair back. He has a look of excitement on his face.
RICHIE:
So, how do I look?
EXT. GOTHAM STREETS, NIGHT – Richie is perched atop a building, this time in his full costume. He is looking down at the streets.
Richie holds his finger up to his ear to speak into a radio device.
GORDON (NARRATES):
The difference was that he wasn't out there alone. I was with him every step of the way.
RICHIE:
Oracle, can you hear me?
CAPTION: PRESENT DAY
INT. GORDON'S GARAGE – We are back to where we started, after Gordon walked in on Richie punching the bag – having just found out Riddler has made a deal to get out of jail. Gordon is sitting on a chair and Richie is standing up in front of him, pulling off the boxing tape from around his fists.
RICHIE:
What, so they're just gonna let Riddler go? Gordon leans back in his chair, looking up at Richie.
GORDON:
I know you're upset Richie. So am I.
Richie throws his arms out to the sides, he is furious.
RICHIE:
But he's the reason she's dead!
Gordon stands up and puts a hand on Richie's shoulder, trying to calm him down.
GORDON:
I know, and that's why we need to act fast.
Close up of Gordon, trying to explain his thinking.
GORDON:
If he gets out of prison, there's a good chance we'll never see him again.
Richie is calmer now.
RICHIE:
So, what's the plan?
Gordon puts a hand on both of Richie's shoulders; trying to ensure he understands exactly what is about to be asked of him.
GORDON:
You're going to have to go further than ever before.
Richie looks a little confused.
RICHIE:
So, what, you want me workin' the streets again? Find out what I can?
Close up of Gordon, looking more serious than ever.
GORDON:
No son, we need to go after Riddler himself.
INT. GORDON'S GARAGE – Gordon and Richie are now both sitting around a table.
GORDON:
If we want him, we're going to have to put you in with him.
Mid-shot of Gordon, he puts a hand over on Richie's shoulder.
GORDON:
Now listen, if you're not ready for this then just let me know.
Close up of Gordon's face. This is his last chance to ensure Richie is comfortable with the plan.
GORDON:
I don't want you doing anything you're not comfortable doing.
Bird's eye view of Gordon and Richie sitting around the table.
GORDON:
When we started this thing, I was skeptical but then I saw you handle yourself on the streets. But this is something else entirely.
Close up of Gordon again.
GORDON:
So, Richie, I just want to make sure, are you sure you want to do this? Because once we get started there's no turning back.
Richie looks up at Gordon with a dead-pan look. He clearly understands the risks and what is at stake.
RICHIE:
I'm ready Pop. Whatever it takes to bring down those responsible.
INT. GORDON'S GARAGE – Gordon is flicking through a drawer of files.
GORDON:
Fortunately, thanks to a few other minor crimes you're already on the GCPD's radar.
Gordon pulls out one particular file, which has the name "RICHARD FINCHER" printed on it.
GORDON:
You never told me, why did you choose the name Fincher?
RICHIE:
I liked the nickname that came with it.
Gordon smirks to himself.
GORDON:
What is it with you Graysons and small birds?
Richie smirks as well. Feeling proud of himself for being clever.
We see the file of Richie's police report. It has his mugshot and a list of petty crimes, including breaking and entering and theft.
GORDON:
So, Finch, based on your current record, you're going to have to do something significant to land yourself in Gotham Penitentiary.
Zoom out to show Gordon and Richie discussing options.
RICHIE:
What have you got in mind?
GORDON:
Well based on your skills, I'd suggest breaking and entering.
Close up of Gordon thinking to himself.
GORDON:
It needs to be something that will impress Nigma.
Richie sits up in excitement.
RICHIE:
Didn't he used to work at Wayne Enterprises?
Gordon isn't sold on that, he keeps thinking.
GORDON:
That would certainly get his attention, but what would you steal? The thing he wanted isn't there anymore…
Now Gordon sits up in excitement.
GORDON:
The GCPD evidence room! Could you do it?
Richie sits back, looking quite smug.
RICHIE:
Anything can be done. Plus, I've got an inside man. Close up of Gordon, contemplating the work they've got ahead.
GORDON:
Looks like we've got some recon to do.
EXT. GCPD BUILDING, NIGHT – Richie is dressed in a full black costume; he looks like a ninja. He has a black bandana with eyeholes covering his face. He is on top of a building looking over at the GCPD building across the road.
GORDON (NARRATES):
We need to do this while I am in the building.
A grappling hook shoots out across the street.
GORDON (NARRATES):
Me being there when you're caught might be the only thing preventing them from shooting you on-sight.
Richie crawls out along the wire.
GORDON (NARRATES):
The evidence room is in the basement area, so you'll need to gain access to the ventilation system.
Richie is on the roof of the GCPD; taking the metal covering off the top of a ventilation system.
GORDON (NARRATES):
Access is on the roof.
INT. GCPD BUILDING VENTILATION SYSTEM, NIGHT – Richie is scaling down the ventilation duct, sliding down using his hands and without safety buckles. It is dark inside and he can barely fit.
GORDON (NARRATES):
Once you're inside we won't be able to contact one another.
We get a shot of Richie lying in a duct, looking at his watch above a ventilation grate, which looks down into a darkened room.
GORDON (NARRATES):
I can get hold of blueprints, so we will need to plan this out to the very second.
INT. GCPD MAIN EVIDENCE ROOM, NIGHT – Gordon is standing at the evidence room desk, talking to the woman in charge.
GORDON (NARRATES):
When you're close, I'll make an excuse to go down there for something.
GORDON:
Hi Renee, just need to review those old Nigma files again. I'll have DeCarlo escorting me.
RENEE:
Hi Jim. Just need to sign the book for me.
An officer opens the evidence room door and Gordon steps inside.
GORDON (NARRATES):
Even as a consultant they won't let me in unsupervised, so I'll have an officer with me.
INT. GCPD VENTILATION DUCT, NIGHT – We see Richie in the vent, looking down into the room; we can see Gordon pointing up to a cardboard box at the top of the shelving.
GORDON:
DeCarlo, can you help me with this box? It should be in this one here.
GORDON (NARRATES):
It's important that you wait to see me before you jump in, because if they get to you first, I can't guarantee how they'll respond.
INT. GCPD EVIDENCE ROOM, NIGHT – Richie busts down from the roof through the grate. The officer with Gordon is taken by
surprise and ducks for cover. Gordon looks up, knowing what's coming.
DECARLO:
What the hell?
GORDON:
Someone's breaking in! Stop right there!
Gordon jumps on top of Richie and pins him down; he screams out to the other officer.
GORDON (NARRATES):
We'll need to make that part look convincing.
RICHIE:
Arrgh! Get off me!
GORDON:
I've got him pinned! Get some help!
Moments later, a group of officers are now in the room. Richie is in handcuffs and is being escorted out. The new police commissioner, MICHAEL AKINS, is thanking Gordon. Akins is a slim-built African American man, in his mid-forties. He has short black hair and a thin moustache. He is dressed in a grey three-piece suit and red tie.
AKINS:
Gordon, we honestly can't thank you enough. If you hadn't been down here who knows what this creep could've got his hands on?
GORDON:
Thanks Akins. Just a bit of dumb luck.
INT. GCPD HOLDING CELLS, NIGHT – Richie sits on a bench and the cell door slams shut in front of him.
GORDON (NARRATES):
If all goes to plan, you'll be sent to jail with the option of bail.
RICHIE (NARRATES):
Haha. I've got no one around to bail me out anyway.
EXT. GOTHAM CITY, DAY – A police car is driving along the road towards Blackgate Penitentiary; a giant building in the middle of nowhere. The walls are tall and faded grey, with barbed wire and guarded towers as far as we can see.
GORDON (NARRATES):
You'll no doubt be shipped off to Blackgate.
INT. BLACKGATE PENITENTIARY, DAY – Richie is being led by a guard along the prison halls. Richie is wearing an orange jumpsuit over a white shirt, and holding white, folded towels.
GORDON (NARRATES):
Hopefully I can pull some strings, so I should be able to get you allocated to Cell Block C, same as Riddler.
Another guard is standing in front of an open cell, pointing inside. The guard is bald, big and tall, with a mean look about him.
GUARD:
This is your stop inmate. Welcome to your new home.
We see Richie standing at the door, looking in at his cell. For the first time, he looks unsettled and nervous. He is scared. The guard is standing by his side.
GORDON (NARRATES):
Who knows, I might even get you in a cell with him.
GUARD #1:
Richard Fincher meet your new cellmate: Edward Nigma.
We get a full view of Nigma's cell. Nigma is sitting at a desk with his back to us; he appears to be writing. He is wearing the same orange jumpsuit as Richie, and on the back, we read "PRISONER 434348 E, NIGMA". On the wall behind him there are literally hundreds of cut-out newspaper articles; featuring crime-related headlines. Some of them are joined with red string and thumbtacks. It looks like the work of a crazy person, but also the work of an artist.
GORDON (NARRATES):
From then, you're on your own.