Chapter 2: Bruce Wayne meets Andrea Beaumont
(Meanwhile…)
At first the clouds are such that we might think we're looking at Phantasm's smoky mist. But just when we suspect he might appear, a wide-body plane bursts through.
We follow the plane as it flies over the cityscape.
"I should be landing any minute." The voice of female 1 said.
(On the Plane…)
She sits in her seat talking on the plane's phone. She's a striking, smartly-dressed, brunette-haired woman who wears a locket hanging from a necklace. She gazes out the window as she speaks.
"It will be good to see you again, Arthur." The female 1 said.
(Later at Arthur Reeves's Office…)
He's sitting in his chair in his plush city office, checking himself in a desk mirror.
"You, too. And don't worry about a thing. We'll clear up these old family finances. Don't forget, You've got a big time city councilman on your side." Reeves said.
"I can't believe it's been ten years." The female 1 said.
"Thinking of… looking up some old friends?" Reeves asked, as he was on the phone.
She frowns a bit as she glances at her lap.
There's a copy of fortune with Bruce Wayne's picture on it along the words: profile: BRUCE WAYNE. She touches his picture gently with her finger tips.
She lies when she says…
"Oh, Arthur, don't start that again. He's…ancient history." The female 1 said.
Reeves smiles like a cobra.
"That's encouraging. Then I'll see you soon." Reeves said, with a smile.
(Later at Wayne Manor…)
We hear party ambience as we pan 1 down to the Wayne Manor was rebuilt, where cars are pulling up. All the lights are on. Everyone is indistinct chatter. The woman and man were laughing.
Bruce is throwing one of his usual get togethers. All that's missing is hef. The camera pans over the smartly dressed guests to three lovely beauties hanging onto Bruce.
"Oh, come on, Bruce- all alone in this big mansion- Haven't you ever thought about marriage? Even once?" Beauty 1 asked.
Beauty 2 playfully cups Bruce's ears. Beauty 3 with Bruce and the beauties 1 & 2.
"Never say the "M" word in front of Bruce. It makes him nervous." Beauty 2 said.
"What about the "I" word?" Beauty 3 asked.
Bruce looks at her quizzically.
"The "I" word?" Bruce asked.
As Beauty 3 flashes those long lashes…
"Inagement." Beauty 3 said.
As Bruce is reacting, a fourth beauty, equally attractive but in a severe dark dress, steps forward holding a drink, smiling sardonically.
"I'd watch out for Bruce if I were you, girls." Beauty 4 said.
Beauty 4 stands in front of him and looks him in the eye.
"First he wines and dines you, makes you think you're the only woman he's ever been interested in, and just when you're wondering where to register the china, he forgets your phone number." Beauty 4 said, as she pointed, mean eyes to Bruce.
Beauty 4's smile disappears and she throws the drink in Bruce's face.
Beauty 1-2-3- were gasping.
"That's Bruce Wayne's style." Beauty 4 said, as she turned and walked.
Who wipes his eyes, stone faced.
"Bruce?" Beauty 1 asked.
"Excuse me." Bruce said to the other girls.
Bruce heads away.
"Oh, that's awful." Beauty 2 said.
"Bruce. Bruce." Beauty 1 said.
Bruce is stopped by someone dangling a handkerchief in front of his face.
"A friend in need?" came his voice.
Bruce takes the handkerchief and wipes his face by Arthur.
"Councilman. So how goes the Bat-bashing?" Bruce asked.
"Better than your love life. It's almost as if you pick them because you know there's no chance for a serious relationship." Reeves said.
Picking a drink off of Alfred's tray as the butler passes by Reeves.
"At least since that one girl. What was her name?" Reeves asked.
Who stops wiping and freezes with a sullen look. This is a sensitive area for him to be kidded about.
"Anne? Andi? Andrea? Yes. Andrea Beaumont." Reeves said.
As Reeves cocks a wiseguy eye at Bruce smiled.
"Now, there was a sweet number. How you let her get loose?" Reeves asked.
Bruce looks at him wryly as he folds up the handkerchief. He's not going to get into this with him.
"Thanks for the handkerchief, Arthur. You know where you can stick it." Bruce said.
And Bruce jabs the hankie down Reeves's breast pocket. He walks away. Reeves cracks a grin, happy to get Bruce's goat.
(At the Study…)
Who has stepped in to get away from it all. He shuts the door, muting the party noise. He signs and looks up sullenly.
"Andrea." Bruce thought to himself.
On portrait of his parents: Thomas and Martha Wayne.
Bruce steps in and places an outstretched arm on the mantle as he looks up at his parents. Then he looks toward the fire. The flickering light plays against him as he thinks back and we…
(Flashback to Ten years ago…)
At Wayne's tombstones for graves, it's autumn. Young Bruce is posed the same way, one arm leaning against the marble monument of his parents. He looks a little disheveled with his collar askew. Bruce looking down at the headstone with two names on it…
THOMAS WAYNE
1942-1981
MARTHA WAYNE
1946-1981
Bruce places two flowers in a vase attached to the monument. A solemn moment. Suddenly he hears a voice.
"Ha ha! That's right. And if Daddy gets any more protective, he's going to build a moat around my bedroom." Andrea O.S. said.
Andrea standing among the headstones on the other side of the Wayne monument. She appears to be talking to thin air. Her hair is long, flowing.
"Oh, it's times like this I wish you were around to-" Andrea said.
Suddenly she senses his presence and turns to see him.
"Yes?" Andrea asked.
"Excuse me. I thought you were saying something- Well, to me, I mean." Bruce said.
"No." Andrea said.
Bruce looks around curiously, then steps back.
"Okay." Bruce said.
No sooner does he turn away than Andrea turns around excitedly, again talking to the air.
"Know who that was? Bruce Wayne. You know, Wayne Enterprises." Andrea said.
Bruce paused and turned to her.
"I've seen him on campus. Very moody. Cute, though." Andrea said.
Just then Bruce steps back in, looking at her strangely again.
"Yes?" Andrea asked, as she turned to Bruce.
"I heard my name. I thought- Who are you talking to?" Bruce asked Andrea.
Andrea gestures toward the grave in front of her.
"My mother." Andrea said.
Bruce looking down at the headstone with name on it read…
IN LOVING MEMORY
VICTORIA BEAUMONT
Flowers cover the years.
Bruce looked at the grave and then up at Andrea. He seems a little befuddled.
"Oh. Well, I didn't mean to-" Bruce said, as he turned his head to Andrea.
"That's okay. We're done." Andrea said, as she picked up her bag. "Mom doesn't have much to say today."
Bruce is still looking puzzled. As she passes by him she pauses to tell him.
"Hey, I'm not the only one who talks to their loved ones." Andrea said.
And she continues on. Bruce calls after as he follows.
"I didn't say anything." Bruce said.
Bruce and Andrea walking.
"It's just that when I talk to her out loud, I can imagine how she'd reply. I can hear her, like she's right there." Andrea said.
Bruce trying to keep up. He nods, thoughtfully: He sort of understands what she's saying.
"I talk to my parents." Bruce said.
"What did you say?" Andrea asked.
Bruce opens a gate that leads them out of the cemetery.
"I made a vow." Bruce said.
"What vow?" Andrea asked.
"A secret one." Bruce said.
Andrea feigns great interest.
"Ooh. A man of mystery. Have you kept your vow?" Andrea asked.
"So far." Bruce said.
On the street, Now they've come upon a car parked at the curb. She stops and regards him with renewed interest. She extends her hand.
"Andrea Beaumont." Andrea said.
Bruce shakes her hand.
"Bruce Wayne." Bruce said.
Andrea smiles at him wryly.
"I know. The boy billionaire." Andrea said.
Bruce's shoulder by Andrea straightens his disheveled collar.
"So tell me, with all that money power, how come you always look like you want to jump off a cliff?" Andrea asked.
Who smiles in spite of himself.
"Why should you care?" Bruce asked.
"I don't." Andrea said.
As Andrea gets in her car.
"Mother was asking." Andrea said.
Andrea starts the car, the engine revving.
As Andrea takes off, Bruce watches her. As Bruce smiled, thunder rumbling, he's intrigued. Just then a howling autumn breeze blows, rustling leaves. A shadow falls over Bruce as if the clouds were covering the sun.
To Be Continued…
Connor McGranahan Message: Hi Viewers, Connor Here, Batman TV series, Movies, and Video Games. Let me know what you all think. review and comment. Thank you. And R.I.P. Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne/Batman/Batman Beyond. Remember, I am Batman! Kevin's family and friends. I miss you, Batman. Connor out.
I am vengeance! I am the night! I am Batman!
Kevin Conroy
(1955-2022)
Thank you Kevin.