Young Bruce stuffs another fist full of extra buttery movie theater popcorn into his little mouth. He crunches away and stares up completely captivated with the silver screen portrayal of one of his father's heroes. His parents have brought him to watch the evenings replaying of "The Mark of Zorro" starring Douglas Fairbanks, his father was a huge fan (so much so that he had had a custom fitted Zorro suit and mask made just last Halloween for a costume party) and wanted his son to see the film before it moved on from the big screen for good.
Outside of the Monarch after the show Bruce asks if they could walk home instead of making the drive in the car as usual. His parents gladly agree, wanting to oblige their son who was usually not normally so inclined to wanting to walk in the dark (or to have anything to do with the dark for that matter), and sent the driver ahead of them to the manor. Bruce was feeling inspired by the film and thought perhaps tonight he would face his fear of the dark.
Recently Bruce had been off playing by himself on the back property of their massive estate and had plunged through a crack in the earth, depositing himself into a large bat filled cave below. He had been stuck there for hours while waiting for someone to find him. Eventually his father's grounds keeper had discovered him and enlarged the hole for Thomas to climb down and rescue his trembling son.
As they passed the nearest darkened alley way to the Monarch, he urged his parents to take it as a short cut to the next street over. Typically both of the Waynes would not have thought twice about taking such a route home so late in the evening, but wanting to encourage to boys obvious attempt to face his fears, they obliged their son's wish.
However, once they had traveled a mere thirty to forty feet down the non-lit corridor a man's voice calls out from just a few steps behind them. Thomas is the first to turn and instantly notices the glint of metal low down by the mans side. The man appears to be wearing a movie theater ushers suit. He must have followed them after they left the Monarch.
"This here is a stick up, see?" He says in a cold and flat tone "hand over the valuables and nobody gets hurt!"
Thomas hands over his wallet and the petty cash from his pockets as well as his watch, which had been a gift from his father. Martha is in shock and doesn't seem able to move.
"I said hand over the goods Missy," The Robber barks. "I wont warn you again!"
"You better do as the man says dear.." Thomas encourages his wife.
"I..." Martha is still not quite snapping out of her shocked state.
-Crack!- Too late. A bullet catches her in the chest.
"Nooooo!" Thomas lunges for the Robber but the man springs back, ready for the attack, and pistol whips the advancing Mr. Wayne in the temple knocking him unconscious.
"Shoulda just handed over the goods." His voice void of emotion as he reaches down and rips the pearls from the dying woman's neck.
-Crack!crack!crack!- He unloads into the couple before retreating into the night.
Bruce falls to his knees and the clouds part, moon shining down, revealing his mothers white dress quickly turning a dark crimson. He presses his little hands to her chest hoping with everything inside that she's still breathing. But all hope is lost, and in that moment, his own heart becomes as cold and dead inside as his parents hearts have forever lost all their own warmth. Bruce's legs will not lift him and carry him to the street to flag down help, all he can do is stare silently at the blood on his hands.