EXT. SKIES OVER GOTHAM - NIGHT
Gotham's vigilant protector glides along currents of air high above the city streets as he talks to Robin over the comm channel.
BATMAN
What do you have for me?
INT. BATCAVE
Dressed in his Robin gear, Dick Grayson taps away at the computer and pulls up a list of names with pictures where available.
ROBIN
The computer spit out a list of six locals who might serve as a suitable replacement for Pryce on short notice. One of them died of throat cancer in June. We can probably scratch him off the list. Another is serving time in Blackgate for building his own military spec drone and using it to spy on sorority houses.
BATMAN (V.O.)
Seriously?
ROBIN
Infrared Coeds dot com. Pretty professional website design, but it sounds like NORAD was a little pissed off when their credit card got charged automatically after the trial membership period ended. They blew the thing out of the sky and dragged him out of his mother's basement in handcuffs.
BATMAN (V.O.)
You made that last part up.
ROBIN
I did.
EXT. SKIES OVER GOTHAM - NIGHT
Batman lands atop the nearest roof and takes shelter behind a billboard. He activates a mobile touchscreen display on his gauntlet.
BATMAN
Just stick to the facts and mission specifics, please.
ROBIN (V.O.)
I'm uploading the other four candidates to you now.
Batman reviews the four names and biographical details.
ROBIN (V.O.)
You know...
INT. BATCAVE
Robin stands and heads over to an equipment case. He pulls a grappler, several batarangs, smoke pellets, and assorted other gadgets from the case.
ROBIN
We could track them down faster if we each take two.
BATMAN (V.O.)
I can find them myself.
Robin walks over to a sleek red and black motorcycle. He picks up the helmet and puts it on.
ROBIN
I know you can find them yourself. That's not the issue. Whatever's going down, it's going down soon. The sooner we find this guy, the better our chances are of stopping it. Is it really worth the risk just to punish me? I'm not going to learn anything sitting in a damn chair in the cave.
Short silence.
EXT. SKIES OVER GOTHAM - NIGHT
Batman thinks to himself.
BATMAN
You're already on the bike, aren't you?
INT. BATCAVE
Robin is sitting on the bike, but waits for permission.
ROBIN
No.
EXT. SKIES OVER GOTHAM - NIGHT
Batman adjusts his gauntlet display and pulls up the security feed inside the Batcave. He sees Robin already on the bike.
BATMAN
Yes, you are. I can see you on the bike.
INT. BATCAVE
Robin looks up and sees the video camera pointed right at him.
ROBIN
Dammit, I forgot you had those. Come on, let me help. Don't make the people of Gotham suffer for my mistake.
Robin stares down the camera. It's not unlike having a staredown with Batman himself, actually.
ROBIN
Too far with that "people of Gotham" part?
BATMAN (V.O.)
A little heavy-handed.
ROBIN
So, do I get the green light here, or what?
BATMAN (V.O.)
You take Simpkins and Ferrelly. I'll take deGromm and Martinez. I'll expect updates on your progress every half hour.
Robin's motorcycle roars to life.
ROBIN
And I'll expect them from you. I'm taking Simpkins first. Robin out.
Robin lowers the visor on his motorcycle helmet and guns it out of the cave.
EXT. BUILDING - NIGHT
Robin drives into an alley and pulls his bike up perpendicular to the wall of the building. He presses a button on the front of the bike and two grapplers shoot up from the front of the vehicle and lodge into the side of the building. He then dismounts over the rear of the bike as the grapplers pull it out from under him and up the side of the building, where it will be hidden from pedestrian traffic.
He speaks into gauntlet.
ROBIN
Camouflage mode.
The visible surfaces of the bike change color to blend in with the brick of the building.
Robin runs off.
EXT. ERGO APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
A rope extends from the roof down four stories to where Robin spies inside an unlit apartment through a closed window. He whispers into his gauntlet.
ROBIN
Scan for phone receivers.
The gauntlet display lights up: "0 cell phones found, 1 landline found".
ROBIN
Call landline.
We hear a phone ring inside the apartment. After three rings, an answering machine picks up.
ANSWERING MACHINE (V.O.)
You have reached Randall Simpkins. I'm currently unavailable to take your call, but if you leave-
Robin hangs up then breaks into the window and climbs inside.
INT. BEDROOM - RANDALL SIMPKINS' APARTMENT - NIGHT
Robin closes the window behind him and takes a look around. Without any lights, it's difficult to see. To compensate, he reaches into his utility belt and removes two lens covers for his mask. They clip into place and serve as miniature night vision goggles that help him to see in the dark. They also glow white on the outside, giving him the appearance of having luminous eyes.
The bedroom is a good size, but looks small due to it being crammed with furniture. There's an unmade king-size bed, an armoire, a dresser, a bookshelf, and two night stands. One of the night stands has a lamp on it. The other has a lamp, two glasses of water, an ash tray, three books, a filthy magazine, an alarm clock, a few pencils...
Robin moves over to the bed. On top of the bed, on the side nearest the clothes closet, are several dress shirts and pieces of old tailored suits. He reads one of the labels.
ROBIN
(impressed)
Left this on the bed, huh, Randall?
INT. LIVING AREA - RANDALL SIMPKINS' APARTMENT - NIGHT
Just like the bedroom, there's way too much furniture; a huge leather sectional, a desk with hutch, two different coffee tables...
ROBIN
Batman, I'm in Randall Simpkins' apartment. It's like Pottery Barn exploded in here.
BATMAN (V.O.)
His bio says he's divorced. It happened right after he was downsized by Bell and Lacy, but when he was there, he was probably making six figures. All that furniture has to go somewhere.
ROBIN
I guess.
BATMAN (V.O.)
He's not there?
ROBIN
No. I think he has a date. There was a pile of really nice suits on the bed, like he was trying a bunch of different ones on. They were older, but I recognized some of the labels from your closet. That's got to make them pretty expensive, right?
BATMAN (V.O.)
Any clue as to where he might have gone? An appointment planner, wall calendar? What about his computer?
Robin walks over to the desk. There's a space in the middle with unplugged wires where a laptop might have been.
ROBIN
Looks like he took it with him.
BATMAN (V.O.)
On a date?
ROBIN
What do you want me to tell you? There's a space for a laptop, but it's not here.
BATMAN (V.O.)
Keep looking for clues. Friday night, dressed to the nines, with his laptop? I want to know where he went.
Robin opens up some of the desk drawers. In one of them, he finds an old cell phone.
ROBIN
I've got an old cell phone.
BATMAN (V.O.)
You know what to do.
ROBIN
I'll keep you posted.
BATMAN (V.O.)
Batman, out.
Robin plugs the old cell phone into his gauntlet and powers it up. He uses it to pull Randall Simpkins' cell phone number.
INT. MEN'S RESTROOM - STELLA MARINA - NIGHT
A flush is heard inside the gorgeous pink marble bathroom of the Stella Marina restaurant. One of the doors of the eight spacious stalls swings open and out steps RANDALL SIMPKINS, who has somehow managed to stuff his inflated gut into a fine suit tailored for a much slimmer man.
He waddles over to one of the sinks and wets his hands so as to return some of his thinning gray hairs to their proper position in his comb over.
A cell phone rings.
Randall reaches into his pocket and pulls out his cell phone.
RANDALL
Hello, this is Randall.
ROBIN (V.O.)
Yes, Randall Simpkins?
RANDALL
Yeah?
INT. LIVING AREA - RANDALL SIMPKINS' APARTMENT - NIGHT
Robin reclines in Randall's desk chair. He even puts his feet up on Randall's desk. He reads the information he needs from Randall's biography on his gauntlet's display screen.
ROBIN
Uh, hi, Mr. Simpkins. My name is Edward Carey and I'm calling from the Dalton Academy. It's about your son, Kyle.
Robin initiates a phone trace.
INT. MEN'S RESTROOM - STELLA MARINA - NIGHT
Randall's heart sinks.
RANDALL
What did he do?
ROBIN (V.O.)
No, sir, nothing's wrong. It's not an emergency. There have just been a few changes made to our insurance policies as they apply to boarding students that we need to go over. Do you have time, now?
RANDALL
My ex-wife has full custody. You should be talking to her about this.
ROBIN (V.O.)
I'm terribly sorry, but you are listed as one of his emergency contacts.
RANDALL
But you just said it's not an emergency...
Randall checks his watch.
RANDALL
Which, honestly, begs the question why you're calling me on a Friday night. I'm out. I don't have time for this.
ROBIN (V.O.)
Yes, sir, my apologies. Would you like us to call your ex-wife, then, perhaps at a time that's more convenient?
RANDALL
No, you can call her, now. Bother her all you want. You want her number?
INT. LIVING AREA - RANDALL SIMPKINS' APARTMENT - NIGHT
The trace completes and pinpoints Randall's location as at the Stella Marina. Robin smiles and bounces up out of the chair.
ROBIN
No, sir. I have everything I need. Thank you.
Robin hangs up, then uses his communicator to contact...
ROBIN
Alfred, I need a tuxedo package delivered to the Stella Marina in ten minutes.
He heads for the bedroom.
INT. MEN'S RESTROOM - STELLA MARINA - NIGHT
Randall shakes his head, annoyed by the interruption, then returns his phone to his pocket. He adjusts his hair some more.
INT. DINING ROOM - STELLA MARINA - NIGHT
Gotham's rich and famous hobnob over filet mignon, caviar, and wine that hasn't seen daylight in at least sixty years. Sitting by herself at one of the tables is the gorgeous femme fatale VERITY. She's a six foot tall hourglass whose hair is redder than her dress, but not as red as her lipstick. Chandelier light reflects off glitter spray about her ample cleavage, the center of attention for more than a few leering patrons... not to mention Randall Simpkins as he sits down across from her.
RANDALL
Sorry for the wait, my dear. Got a call from my son's school.
She speaks with an Eastern European accent.
VERITY
Oh no, is everything all right?
RANDALL
No, it was nothing. He was nominated for some prestigious fellowship in math and science and they wanted to invite me to the awards ceremony, or something.
VERITY
The Davidson Fellowship?
Randall chokes as he takes a sip of wine.
RANDALL
Yeah. Yes. I think that's what they said.
VERITY
Wow. That is a tremendous accomplishment. You must be so very proud of him.
RANDALL
Chip off the old block.
VERITY
Feels a little bit like fate. Such good news for him. Such good news for you.
RANDALL
I haven't accepted the job yet.
VERITY
I haven't offered the job yet.
She leans forward, using her ample assets to entice him further. Underneath the table, she puts her bare foot to use as well.
VERITY
But a man of your talents has much to offer. I have much to offer. I need a man with specific experience. Is that you, Randall? Can you satisfy my expectations?
RANDALL
Boy, I'd like to try.
VERITY
Show me.
Randall reaches down underneath the table and retrieves his laptop.
EXT. PARKING LOT - STELLA MARINA - NIGHT
Alfred pulls into the Stella Marina parking lot in the Rolls Royce and parks as far away from the restaurant as possible. He steps out and opens up the rear passenger door.
Carrying his mask and equipment in his folded up cape, Robin hurries over.
ROBIN
Thanks, Alfred. Ya hungry?
He hands Alfred the cape and gets in to change. Alfred's eyebrow raises.
INT. RECEPTION - STELLA MARINA
Dick Grayson, dressed in the finest tuxedo money can buy, walks in with Alfred just behind him. They are eyed by FRANZ, the maitre d.
FRANZ
May I help you, gentlemen?
GRAYSON
Yes, we'd like a table for two, please.
FRANZ
And under what name is the reservation?
GRAYSON
Wayne. Bruce Wayne.
Franz eyes him.
FRANZ
You are not Bruce Wayne.
GRAYSON
That's right. I'm Dick Grayson and this is Alfred Pennyworth, my date.
Alfred rolls his eyes.
GRAYSON
I believe Mr. Wayne has a table on permanent reserve. We'll take that one.
Franz recognizes Alfred's name and springs into action.
FRANZ
Of course. Mr. Pennyworth, we've heard a great deal about you. Such a pleasure it is to finally meet you. Theodore!
A waiter, THEODORE, races over.
FRANZ
Mr. Wayne's table and a bottle of Dom Perignon White. Now, go.
Theodore skitters away as Franz grabs two menus.
FRANZ
Right this way, gentlemen.
Franz leads them into...
INT. DINING ROOM - STELLA MARINA
Franz leads Grayson and Alfred passed Verity and Randall's table, where Randall is showing Verity something on his laptop. Grayson spies the screen, and the lady, with great interest.
Theodore rushes over with a bottle of Dom Perignon just as Grayson and Alfred sit down at their table.
THEODORE
Shall we begin with the caviar?
Alfred scans the menu.
ALFRED
Actually, I'll start with the sunchoke veloute, and the lobster salad for the young man.
FRANZ
Very good, sir. Right away.
GRAYSON
Can I get a diet coke?
Franz and Theodore simultaneously recoil, as if he's just insulted them. It might have something to do with the six hundred dollar bottle of wine Theodore brought to the table.
Dick realizes he's made a mistake. He just doesn't know what it was.
GRAYSON
Pepsi?
ALFRED
He'll take a Dolce Vita and I'll have a dry Rittenhouse with carrot juice.
THEODORE
And one diet coke?
Grayson smiles.
FRANZ
Enjoy your evening, Mr. Pennyworth. Sir.
Franz and Theodore leave.
GRAYSON
Did I say something wrong?
ALFRED
Of course not, Master Dick. Though, you may wish to brace yourself. I don't believe you'll find strawberry Pop Tarts with rainbow sprinkles on the dessert menu.
GRAYSON
That's Randall Simpkins over there, sitting with the redhead.
ALFRED
Not exactly a matched set.
GRAYSON
I don't think it's a date.
ALFRED
(reading menu)
I was talking about his jacket and pants. Are they even the same color?
Grayson removes a cell phone from his pocket and uses it to take a picture of Verity. He uploads the picture to...
INT. BATCAVE
The picture of Verity downloads into a facial recognition program. The computer searches for a match.
INT. DINING ROOM - STELLA MARINA
Later...
Alfred is well into his meal, but Dick's steak has a single bite out of it. He's too preoccupied with spying on Randall, who continues to try and impress Verity with whatever is on his laptop.
ALFRED
That was when I realized he'd made a canon out of the bloody thing. Blew a hole through a Chrysler. It then ricocheted through the garage ceiling, where it nearly struck me while I was sewing up the drapes in the study. I've dodged my fair share of canon fire, but never in my own home. That's when I knew I had to teach him up before he got out of control.
GRAYSON
(distracted)
Mmhm.
Alfred stops what he's doing, wipes his mouth with the napkin across his lap.
ALFRED
But I do not wish to bore you, sir.
GRAYSON
I'm listening.
ALFRED
As my head currently resides woefully afar of the ruby lady's ample bosom, you'll forgive my skepticism.
GRAYSON
It is... ample.
Dick reads from her bio currently displayed on his cell phone.
GRAYSON
So is her wrap sheet. She goes by Verity Lusset.
ALFRED
(corrects his pronunciation)
Lusset.
GRAYSON
You know her?
ALFRED
I know French.
GRAYSON
To be fair, she isn't French. Her real name is Anya Pavelski. When she was eleven, she was purchased as a Russian mail order bride and brought to the United States. That's not too messed up. Her "husband" was arrested, but rather than deport her, they threw her into the system. She got popped for drugs a few years later, spent time in Morrisville, where it's believed she went under the tutelage of Mother Gwendolyn; the infamous "Gangster Grandma". Since then, she's acted as a sort of criminal headhunter; a closer with connections to every crime family and organization in the city, and up and down the East coast.
ALFRED
Fascinating dinner conversation.
GRAYSON
She's big. Simpkins has got to be our guy.
BATMAN (V.O.)
Don't jump to conclusions. We don't know enough about either one of them yet.
GRAYSON
You think it's coincidence that Simpkins is meeting with a career criminal one night after another criminal with similar qualifications and mission in hand takes a header off of a bridge?
BATMAN (V.O.)
I don't believe in coincidences, but I do believe in having all of the information, first. I've ruled out Martinez, on my end. I'm almost to deGromm. I'll also take Ferrelly. You keep on those two.
GRAYSON
Right.
Theodore, their waiter, arrives at the table with another bottle of wine.
THEODORE
Can I open up another bottle of wine for you, Mr. Pennyworth?
ALFRED
No, thank you, young man. But I think I'd like to try some of the tiramisu. And a spot of earl grey would be lovely, if it isn't too much trouble.
THEODORE
The tiramisu may take up to forty-five minutes to prepare.
ALFRED
Something tells me we have some time.
Theodore nods, removes some dirty plates from the table, and walks away to fetch Alfred's tea.
ALFRED
I'd have asked if you wanted a treat for dessert, but as you've barely touched your plate, I couldn't see breaking the pastry chef's heart.
GRAYSON
Can't indulge in the middle of a mission. I guess I could doggy bag something and have you take it home for me.
ALFRED
No, you absolutely may not "doggy bag" something.
GRAYSON
You know, here I thought I was the one on the case, but you've been on mine the entire night. Is this because he let me out of the cave without a thorough enough spanking?
ALFRED
How Master Bruce chooses to address your insubordination is his business, and I make it a point never to interfere in his business.
GRAYSON
But you're not above commenting on it.
ALFRED
Call it the perquisite of the elderly.
GRAYSON
Then, what is your problem? I thought you'd welcome the chance to get out of the mansion for once; eat food someone else cooked, let someone else clean the dishes.
ALFRED
I enjoy cooking and doing the dishes.
GRAYSON
No one enjoys washing dishes.
ALFRED
That's because most people look at it as if it is a tedious chore. I do it in service of two great men I've known since they were boys, and I do it because I love them. When you asked me to dinner, I knew you were on a mission, and I didn't look at it as an evening release from my laborious duties. I saw it as an opportunity to spend time with you, but all you've done is stare at that buxom dame all the evening, pondering the many ways you undoubtedly plan to pummel the poor Mr. Simpkins and whichever nefarious ne'er-do-well's opened his pockets in the pursuit of unleashing some as yet undetermined calamity on Gotham.
GRAYSON
Oh.
Dick looks down, embarrassed to have disappointed Alfred.
GRAYSON
But, I mean, I have to stay focused. This is a mission, Alfred.
ALFRED
And how has it served you to remove humanity from your mission in recent days? It would not have compromised you to talk to me.
Grayson is about to say something when he notices out of the corner of his eye that Verity and Simpkins have left their table and are headed for the exit. He turns back to Alfred.
Alfred pulls the car keys from his jacket pocket and hands them to Dick.
ALFRED
I'll take a cab... after the tiramisu.
Dick stands up and discreetly pursues.
EXT. PARKING LOT - STELLA MARINA - NIGHT
Verity walks Simpkins to his car; an older model Lexus. In the background, we see Dick Grayson exit the restaurant and walk towards the Rolls Royce.
VERITY
Of course, Mr. Simpkins, I should not need to impress upon you the importance of keeping these negotiations a secret. You'll be hearing from my employer in short order. Stay by your phone.
SIMPKINS
I hope to hear from you again, soon, also, hopefully.
Verity smiles and touches his face.
VERITY
Play your cards right.
She winks, then heads off in the direction of a red sports car parked across the lot.
INT. ROLLS ROYCE - STELLA MARINA PARKING LOT - NIGHT
Dick eyes both Simpkins and Verity in the rear view mirror.
GRAYSON
They're splitting up. I can only follow one of them.
BATMAN (V.O.)
Stick to Simpkins. He's the one they need to complete the job. He's the one we need to stop.
GRAYSON
But Verity could lead us to whoever's in charge.
BATMAN (V.O.)
You don't know that. She's a middleman. It's just as likely her role in this is over.
In the rear view mirror, we see Verity's car start to pull out its parking spot.
GRAYSON
Or she might be headed to her boss right now to report back on her meeting with Simpkins. Trust me, you didn't see this woman. If she were in my employ, I'd want to be around her as often as possible. I can tag Simpkins' car and follow the girl.
Dick starts the engine.
EXT. PARKING LOT - STELLA MARINA - NIGHT
With his window open, Grayson drives the Rolls Royce behind Simpkins' car and shoots a magnetic tracer onto its rear bumper. He then follows the red sports car out of the parking lot.
INT. TRAILER PARK - NIGHT
In the shadows behind a trailer park, Batman stands outside the parked Batmobile, hand to his ear.
BATMAN
Fine, but stay objective. I'll take Simpkins when I'm done here.
GRAYSON (V.O.)
Why are you even still bothering with deGromm?
BATMAN
For one, I'm already here. Two, just because we suspect Simpkins is Pryce's replacement, doesn't mean the others are dead ends. I expect an update on your progress in half an hour. Batman out.
Batman stalks one of the trailers. He slinks by a sleeping rottweiler chained to a post, then climbs up onto the trailer's roof.
INT. DEGROMM'S TRAILER - NIGHT
Inside the rundown trailer, it's remarkably clean, and even more remarkably pink. The walls are pink. The stove and microwave are pink. The carpet is pink. The television is pink. There's a pink fuzzy couch, on which sits a pink poodle next to its owner; PEARL, a young twenty-something with a Barbie doll body and hockey player face.
A knock at the door. The poodle looks up.
PEARL
Huuh, who could that be, Cicero? A gentleman caller, perhaps?
Pearl pops up, walks over, and opens the door.
EXT. TRAILER PARK - NIGHT
Pearl opens the door.
PEARL
Kenny?
She sees something in the grass about ten feet away. It glistens in the moonlight.
PEARL
Oo, shiny!
She hops down and walks over. She picks up out of the grass a small silver star with a bat-symbol in the center.
We hear a bark behind her.
PEARL
Weird shiny.
She bites the star. Is it white gold, silver, platinum?
INT. DEGROMM'S TRAILER - NIGHT
Pearl looks around to make sure no one's looking as she pockets the batarang, then turns and runs back inside the trailer. She closes the door, then turns around to see her beloved Cicero poodle with his mouth clamped shut by the Batman.
Pearl gasps and turns back toward the door. A second batarang flies over her shoulder and lodges in the door frame by the side of her head.
PEARL
Oo, another shiny.
She pries the star from the door frame and pockets it.
PEARL
I didn't steal this stuff. It's all mine, bought and paid for.
BATMAN
Where's Kenneth deGromm?
PEARL
He ain't here.
Batman's hand moves. The dog whimpers.
PEARL
Don't! Hurt. My dog. I don't know where he is. Honest. Couple guys came looking for him 'round morning. Kenny tells me to take Cicero for a walk. When I came home, there's a note says he went for a boat ride. It don't make any sense, neither. Kenny hates the water ever since he was in the Navy on account of the accident.
BATMAN
Describe the men.
PEARL
I don't know. There were four of them, all ugly, except for one of 'em. He called me 'princess'. Except I think he might've been a fag. He smelled all perfumey.
BATMAN
What else? Did they give you their names or say where they were taking Kenneth?
PEARL
I don't know. Um, they were all white. I mean, no spics or ni-
BATMAN
What kind of car did they drive?
PEARL
A black one?
Batman puts the dog down then moves for the door, but Pearl leans back against it to block his way out.
PEARL
Oh, um, I think maybe I might remember more stuff, but I'm not so sure. Sometimes I remember things better... in the morning... ya know? When I've had a good night sleep.
She touches his chest.
PEARL
I won't scream or anything. Unless you like that.
He raises his hand to her face and sprays her with a fine mist. The lights in her eyes go out and she faints into his arms.
Batman carries Pearl over to the couch, lays her down, and places a pink blanket over her. He turns the volume off on the television and grabs a dog treat from an open box on a nearby shelf. He tosses it to Cicero, who catches it.
BATMAN
(to Cicero)
Be good.
Cicero barks. Batman leaves.
- To be Continued... -