The Guard
05-13-2002, 10:32 PM
FADE IN
THE GOTHAM CENTRAL LIBRARY
SFX: Gunshots.
SFX: Muffled screams.
BEAT
BEAT
BEAT
A man in a leather jacket bursts from the doors and races across the street, gun in hand.
SFX: Cars honking.
CUT TO:
AN ALLEY
The man enters and slows down. He looks around.
ANGLE ON:
Behind him.
No one.
ANGLE ON:
The gun in his hand.
He looks at the gun, wipes it on his shirt, and looks around.
ANGLE ON:
A trash can.
ANGLE ON:
The gunman.
He walks toward it.
He drops the gun inside.
CLOSE ON:
His face.
He's sweating.
He looks around, then heads deeper into the alley.
CUT TO:
He rounds a corner, and stops, frozen.
PAN AROUND:
A black horned shadow is perched on a fence ahead of him, a jagged black cape hanging down.
ANGLE ON:
The gunman's face.
Fear.
GUNMAN
Oh jeez...
ANGLE ON:
Batman.
He drops to the ground, almost floating, his cape spread, then snapping down.
ANGLE ON:
The gunman.
GUNMAN
Get back!
ANGLE ON:
Batman.
He stands there.
ANGLE ON:
The gunman.
He raises his weapon.
ANGLE ON:
Batman.
He starts to walk toward the gunman. Slow. Determined.
ANGLE ON:
The gunman.
He's frozen.
ANGLE ON:
Behind Batman.
He spreads his cape until it covers the screen.
SFX: The gunman screams.
CUE THEME
From the dark...a cold voice, like crushed glass.
"I made a promise to my parents...that I would rid Gotham of the evil that took their lives."
Something is winging toward us through the darkness. Leather wings against the darkness.
SUPER TITLE:
B A T M A N
SUPER EPISODE TITLE:
"The Master of Fear"
FADE IN
THE CAVE
WIDE SHOT
Alfred is dusting the computer. He looks up as:
SFX: The roar of a car engine.
PAN OVER
ANGLE ON:
The access tunnel.
The Batmobile pulls into the cave and screeches to a stop.
The cockpit slides open and Batman vaults out, strides toward his costume vault.
PAN OVER
Alfred steps back as Batman strides past.
ALFRED
Honestly, Master Bruce. The costume is quite terrifying.
BATMAN
It's my best weapon against them.
ALFRED
I would have thought that the..."batarangs" would-
Batman turns toward him.
BATMAN
Fear, Alfred.
He whirls and heads into the costume vault.
ANGLE ON:
Alfred.
He stares.
FADE TO:
ANGLE ON:
THE DOOR OF A CLASSROOM
EXCURSIONS IN PSYCHOLOGY
PROF. JONATHAN CRANE
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON:
A man's face. Thin and gaunt with wire-rimmed glasses, a long nose, and sunken eyes.
JONATHAN CRANE
Fear.
PULL BACK
A tall, thin, awkwardly dressed professor stands in front of a class of about 30 students.
CRANE
Fear is a great motivator. A great emotion.
He walks down an aisle.
CRANE
We fear the unknown.
He walks back up the aisle.
CRANE
We fear danger...and death.
He stops, and turns.
ANGLE ON:
Two students are making eyes at each other.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
He smiles.
CRANE
We're afraid of being alone.
He walks down another aisle, toward his desk.
CRANE
Fear is the greatest motivator. The greatest emotion.
CRANE
It can spur us to action...
CRANE
Or it can make us into sniveling little blobs.
He smiles at the class.
ANGLE ON:
A group of students.
The students snicker at him.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
He scowls. He drums his long fingers on his desk.
CRANE
Something humorous?
The students shake their heads.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
He turns, slides open his top desk drawer, and reaches inside.
He whirls, and he's holding a gun.
He fires between two talking students.
ANGLE ON:
Three girls.
Two of them scream. One faints.
CLOSE ON:
Jonathan Crane.
Insane joy sparkles in his eyes.
He points the gun around the class.
CRANE
You fear me!
He aims the gun at a sobbing girl
CRANE
You fear the gun!
Crane aims the gun at another girl.
CRANE
You fear death!
He points the gun at a jock in the first row.
ANGLE ON:
His hand.
He pushes the hammer up.
ANGLE ON:
Jonathan Crane.
He's sweating. Trembling.
He starts to calm down. He smiles, and adjusts his glasses with one hand.
ANGLE ON:
His face.
CRANE (Calm, collected)
For tomorrow, read Chapter 5 and write a one-page response paper on reactions to fear.
BEAT
Crane scratches his head with the gun.
ANGLE ON:
The students.
Terrified. Frozen in their chairs.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
Crane looks at them.
SFX: A click.
CLOSE ON:
The gun.
Crane fires into the wall.
CRANE
Class dismissed!
ANGLE ON:
The students.
They just sit there. Petrified.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
His lips curl in a sneer, revealing pointed, yellow teeth.
He fires again. And again. Until the hammer falls on an empty chamber.
CRANE
Class...dismissed.
The students get up and rush out of the classroom, shooting worried glances at one another, and at Crane.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
He smiles, looks at the gun and tucks it back into the drawer.
FADE TO:
A MEETING ROOM
WIDE SHOT
Several college personalities sit at a long table. The Dean, the Assistant Dean, etc.
PAN OVER
Jonathan Crane sits before them, wearing a suit.
CLOSE ON:
The Dean.
DEAN
Professor Crane...
He shakes his head and removes his glasses, rubbing his eyes.
DEAN
We…have no choice but to suspend you from teaching.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
Incredulous.
CRANE
W-What?
He stands, knocking over his chair.
CRANE
Why? What right do you have to-
ANGLE ON:
The Dean.
DEAN (Exploding)
You discharged a concealed weapon in class!
CRANE
But-
DEAN
You destroyed school property!
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
He falls silent.
DEAN
Shall I continue, sir?
Crane shakes his head, holding back.
ANGLE ON:
The Dean.
DEAN
We have no choice, but to suspend you from teaching until we complete an investigation. You are to vacate the premises immediately. Your classes are cancelled until further notice.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
Shocked, angry.
He turns, picks up the chair, and heads out of the room, shoulders sagging.
FADE TO:
INT. APARTMENT
The apartment is dark.
ANGLE ON:
The door.
It creaks open, and Jonathan Crane enters. He moves to his desk and drops his satchel there. He sighs and plops into an armchair.
Crane looks at his apartment.
PAN OVER
We see his apartment. Small and cramped, but neat and clean. Except for one thing:
There are books stacked all over. In the corners. On tables.
CLOSE ON:
Crane's face.
A tear rolls down his cheek, and he lets it fall.
Then he stands, and looks at his bookshelf.
BEAT
BEAT
BEAT
He snaps, and pulls a handful of books off the shelf. He looks at them, shaking.
He hurls them behind him.
SFX: Books hitting the wall.
CRANE
Teased!
FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
A teenager walks down a hall, as other students laugh. A jock sticks his foot out.
CRANE
Called a bookworm!
FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
A pair of jocks are playing "keep-away" with a teenager's book.
CRANE
A scarecrow!
FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
A tall teenager is pinned against a locker. A jock sneers at him.
JOCK
What's wrong, Crane? Scared?
Back to the present.
CLOSE ON:
Crane's face. Red. Enraged. Veins bursting from his forehead.
CRANE
No. Never again. Now...
He smiles.
CRANE
You can fear me!
He hurls a book into the overhead light.
SFX: Glass shattering.
In the darkness we hear:
SFX: Insane laughter.
FADE TO:
THE DEAN'S OFFICE
The Dean sits at his desk, working on something.
CLOSE ON:
His face.
He looks up, and peers around the dark office. Nothing.
He lowers his head to his papers again.
He looks up again, looks around. Still nothing.
He looks down.
SFX: A soft clink.
(Hissing Whisper)
Hahhhhhhhhhh...
The Dean looks up, frightened.
DEAN
What the? Who's there?
SFX: A louder hissing
PAN OVER
ANGLE ON:
The air vent:
A strange green mist wafts from it.
SFX: Chilling laughter fills the hall outside.
CLOSE ON:
The Dean.
He looks around, terrified. He starts to breathe fast.
DEAN
Who is it? What do you want?
Silence.
The Dean starts to shake, and he breaks into a cold sweat
ANGLE ON:
The door.
A shadow falls across it, and stands in the door. Something tall, thin, and ragged.
A figure walks into the office.
(Rasping voice)
Who? The Scarecrow.
The figure steps into the light.
ANGLE ON:
The Scarecrow.
Tall. Thin. Dressed in tattered rags. A sackcloth is pulled over his head, the eyeholes hidden in shadow.
THE SCARECROW
The Master of Fear.
ANGLE ON:
The Dean.
DEAN
C-Crane...Crane used to...
The Scarecrow steps toward the desk.
THE SCARECROW
Jonathan Crane is dead.
DEAN (Delirious.)
Y-You killed him?
The Scarecrow chuckles.
THE SCARECROW
Don't talk. Let the fear gas work.
DEAN
Crane...you're...Crane...
The Scarecrow approaches his desk.
THE SCARECROW
You feel it, don't you? The cold, chilling fear.
The Dean is shaking as The Scarecrow approaches.
DEAN
P-Please! Get back!
The Scarecrow spreads his arms wide, menacing, and approaches.
DEAN
Yahhh!
The Scarecrow chuckles. Then he extends his arms like his namesake.
THE SCARECROW
Boo!
ANGLE ON:
The Dean.
The "Boo" did it. The Dean slips off the chair, and lands on the floor.
DEAN
Akkk!
He screams and clutches his chest, his eyes wide.
ANGLE ON:
The Scarecrow.
He leans over the desk and looks down.
CLOSE ON:
The Scarecrow's mask.
His eyes glitter under the sackcloth.
SFX: The Dean screams again.
He's having a heart attack.
ANGLE ON:
The Dean.
Reaching up, his fingers curled in pain. Tears stream down his face.
DEAN
Help...me.
The Scarecrow is silent.
The Dean reaches for the desk. His hand falls short and he screams, collapsing on the floor, dead.
ANGLE ON:
The Scarecrow.
He claps his hands together. And starts to laugh.
SFX: The insane laughter fills the room as...
FADE TO:
THE DEAN'S OFFICE-DAY
As usual, a bizarre murder has become a crime scene.
Sarah Essen enters and looks around.
ANGLE ON:
The scene.
Several CSU cops are standing there. Harvey Bullock is with them, looking down.
Sarah crosses the room and glances at the body.
SARAH
Seems tame.
ANGLE ON:
Bullock.
He nods.
BULLOCK
No hideous grins. I can deal with it.
CSU OFFICER
This man died of a heart attack. Oh, and there's this.
He hands Sarah a note.
ANGLE ON:
The note.
You Will Learn To Fear…The Sinister Scarecrow.
SARAH
Cute. Do they all have to leave a calling card?
She turns to an overweight, nervous man.
SARAH
Who would have a reason to do this?
ASSISTANT DEAN
Me, I suppose.
He catches himself.
ASSISTANT
And...one other person.
Sarah is pulling out a notebook.
SARAH
Explain.
ASSISTANT DEAN
We just fired a professor of psychology. Jonathan Crane.
BULLOCK
Fired for...
ASSISTANT DEAN
Discharging a weapon. In class.
Sarah looks at Bullock.
SARAH
It's him. Has to be.
ASSISTANT DEAN
Crane has his problems, but-murder?
SARAH
It's him.
BULLOCK
Just like Jack Napier was The Joker?
SARAH
I never said-
She shoots Bullock a look. Then she turns back to the Assistant Dean
SARAH
We'll keep CSU here for fingerprints and such. Meanwhile, we should get you some protection.
ASSISTANT DEAN
Protection?
BULLOCK
Safehouse.
ASSISTANT DEAN
Oh.
CUT TO:
THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE
James Gordon, Sarah, and Bullock are sitting around the office.
GORDON
Have you and Bullock followed up on the Crane thing?
SARAH
We checked his apartment. Nothing but books. Man has a thing for fear but...we didn't find anything sinister. There was no paper that matched the note. Looks like he only uses quill pens…and the ink match is a zero. Checked a few of the notebooks on his shelves. Man's writing style isn't even close to that note...
BULLOCK
So this "Scarecrow" has got a problem with the college administration.
SARAH
The Dean, at least.
BULLOCK
So he'll go after the others. We should work that angle.
BATMAN
No.
Bullock, Sarah, and Gordon turn.
Batman is crouched in the window. A line hangs down behind him.
BATMAN
It's too obvious. Unless he wants to get caught.
SARAH
What? Of course it's obvious! He wants revenge!
BATMAN
Revenge. But not against Gotham State. If he wanted that, all of the college board would be dead. A man like Crane doesn't just snap.
GORDON
You mean-
BATMAN
It's something that's been buried inside him. For years.
BULLOCK
Like the need to wear black spandex?
Batman ignores him.
GORDON
So we should...
BATMAN
Sometimes the past holds answers to the present.
BULLOCK
Forget this. I'm gonna call the safehouse.
ANGLE ON:
Batman holds Gordon's gaze, then drops into the night.
ANGLE ON:
Bullock.
He heads for the door.
BULLOCK
Coming, Sarah?
ANGLE ON:
Gordon.
GORDON
He's right.
SARAH
Batman?
GORDON
It is too obvious.
SARAH
You trust him, Jim?
GORDON
Jim?
SARAH
Commissioner.
Gordon smiles.
GORDON
No, I don't. But...it's not important.
SARAH
Commissioner. The man dresses up as a bat.
Gordon smiles.
GORDON
And he saves lives, Essen.
ANGLE ON:
Sarah.
She shakes her head.
GORDON
You're not going with Bullock?
SARAH
He can handle it.
FADE TO:
POLICE PROTECTION DWELLING
WIDE SHOT
In a corner, several cops are talking to the Assistant Dean. Bullock stands near the door.
Bullock looks at a cop.
BULLOCK
Glad to have something to do?
The cop nods.
COP
Of course. How are things in Major Crimes?
Bullock looks at him.
BULLOCK
Weird. Things are…weird.
The cop smiles.
COP
It's Gotham, Bullock.
BULLOCK
Yeah. I guess. But I miss Homicide.
SFX: Hissing.
The cops look up as green mist wafts from the vent.
COP 2
What the hell is that?
COP 3
Don't breathe it in!
COP 4
Close the vent!
ANGLE ON:
Bullock. He covers his mouth with a handkerchief and moves toward the vent. There, he slams the vent switch down.
SFX: Clang.
The vents slam shut.
ANGLE ON:
The rest of the cops. Some of them breathe in.
Bullock looks up.
BULLOCK
What is this stuff?
The cop he was talking to earlier looks at him, sweat running down his face.
COP
Get back!
BULLOCK
Huh?
The cop raises his gun.
BULLOCK
Whoa!
Bullock jerks to his left as the cop fires. The bullet slams into the wall behind him.
BULLOCK
Lawton! What the hell?
The cop fires again. Bullock dives under a chair.
SFX: Gunshots.
ASSISTANT DEAN
Stop! St-AGHHH!
Bullock looks up from his place under a table.
The Assistant Dean falls backward, slumps against the wall, two neat holes in his chest.
BULLOCK
No!
ANGLE ON:
His POV
The cop unloads into the Assistant Dean.
ANGLE ON:
The Assistant Dean.
He jerks as the bullets slam into him.
Bullock leaps to his feet and tackles the cop.
SFX: Cops screaming. Pandemonium.
ANGLE ON:
Bullock. He wrestles with the cop.
BULLOCK
Call an ambulance! Call an ambulance!
FADE TO:
INT. CRANE'S APARTMENT
ANGLE ON:
The window.
SFX: A click.
The window swings open. Framed in it is a dark shadow.
Batman drops to the floor, and looks around. He rises, cautious.
Batman pulls a small flashlight from his belt and turns it on. He sweeps the powerful beam across the hardwood floor.
ANGLE ON:
The floor.
Covered with dust. Footprints.
ANGLE ON:
Batman.
He scowls.
Batman sweeps the light to the left, and sees:
ANGLE ON:
A bookshelf. Filled with leather-bound books.
He moves toward the shelf, and looks at some of the titles.
The Power of Fear
The Dread Emotion
Needful Things
ANGLE ON:
A small dust covered journal.
Batman looks at the shelf, then pulls the journal out.
ANGLE ON:
The journal.
CRANE VOICEOVER
As a boy, I would frighten the birds in front of my house. The incredible thrill of their terror, and the fact that I was causing it...
ANGLE ON:
Batman.
He scowls, and closes the journal, setting it on Crane's desk.
Then he moves toward Crane's desk, and opens it.
ANGLE ON:
The inside of the desk.
There's nothing in it.
BATMAN
Damn.
Batman turns and looks at the room. Thinking.
Then he turns back to the bookshelf, and looks at the books.
PAN OVER
There are tons of books. Batman kneels. There are some personal ones on the bottom shelf.
Albums.
Yearbooks.
EAST GOTHAM HIGH-2003
EAST GOTHAM HIGH-2004
EAST GOTHAM HIGH-2005
Batman pulls a leather-bound yearbook off the shelf
CLOSE ON:
The cover.
EAST GOTHAM 2005
The First Step
He opens the book, and scans it. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Then he starts to flip through it.
He stops when he gets near the back.
ANGLE ON:
The pages.
A football teamshot.
There are small creases and tears. The paper is worn.
Batman turns the page.
A baseball teamshot
There are small creases and tears. The paper is worn.
ANGLE ON:
Batman's face. He scowls.
ANGLE ON:
The page. There are small stains that could have been made with...tears.
Batman closes the book.
CUT TO:
THE PROTECTION DWELLING
Bullock watches as acop is led out of the room in handcuffs.
PAN OVER
The Assistant Dean is dead, covered with a sheet.
ANGLE ON:
Bullock.
BULLOCK
Jesus.
Bullock reaches into his coat and pulls out a cell phone. He pulls the antennae out with his teeth and dials a number.
BULLOCK
Commish? Bullock. We have...a situation.
FADE TO:
A BEDROOM
A middle-aged man is asleep.
SFX: A click.
ANGLE ON:
The man.
He stirs.
A shadow falls over his bed.
He stires.
BATMAN
Wake up.
The man sits bolt upright and looks:
Right into Batman's face.
Batman scowls.
BATMAN
You coached football at Gotham East High in 2005.
The man nods, half asleep.
MAN
Who...the hell?
Batman leans close.
BATMAN
Who was the team captain?
The man stares at him, blinking.
MAN
Who-
Batman reaches down and hauls the big man from his bed. His eyes narrow. He grits his teeth.
BATMAN
I won't ask again.
The man sputters.
MAN
Griggs! Robert Griggs!
Batman drops him to his bed and turns, heads for the window. He leaps out.
ANGLE ON:
The man.
He stares.
SFX: A car engine roars below, and tires squeal.
CUT TO:
ANOTHER APARTMENT
A big, bald man is asleep in bed.
BEAT
A shadow hovers over him.
THE SCARECROW (Hissing Whisper)
Griiiggs...
The man starts, and wakes up.
GRIGGS
Huh?
ANGLE ON:
The Scarecrow. At the foot of his bed.
THE SCARECROW
Bo Griggs...
The man stares at the strange figure above him.
GRIGGS
What the hell is this?
The Scarecrow thrusts a small skull bulb in his face, and squeezes.
THE SCARECROW
Fear.
A strange mist comes from the bulb, and Griggs sucks in his breath on instinct.
The Scarecrow backs up, and shoves the bulb beneath his tatters.
THE SCARECROW
You teased me, Bo. Frightened me. Called me a loser. A bookworm. A scarecrow.
Griggs starts to sweat as the fear gas takes effect.
GRIGGS
J-Jon? Jon Crane?
The Scarecrow leans forward.
THE SCARECROW
Jonathan Crane is dead, Bo. I'm your worst nightmare.
Griggs screams as the fear gas takes full effect.
CUT TO:
EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING
The scream echoes.
CUT TO:
The roof of Griggs' apartment.
A shadow lands on the roof from a higher one.
Batman snaps his cape down and looks down over the edge of the building.
ZOOM DOWN
A pickup truck sits on the ground.
ANGLE ON:
Batman's face. He scowls.
Then he reaches behind himself, and brings out a length of line and a reel of sorts. He secures the line and clips the reel to his belt. Then he leaps off the roof, dropping like a stone.
ANGLE ON:
Batman, from below.
He whips toward the ground, then slows.
PAN UP
He has stopped his descent in front of a window. He braces himself on the brick with his legs, and pushes out. Then he swings back toward the window, cape fluttering in the wind.
CUT TO:
INT. APARTMENT
The window shatters, and Batman lands amidst a shower of glass and frame.
ANGLE ON:
Batman.
He draws himself up to his full height and looks up.
ANGLE ON:
The bed.
Bo Griggs is on the bed, eyes wide with fear.
Batman hurries to the bed, and puts a gloved hand to the man's throat.
ANGLE ON:
Grigg's face. White. Covered with sweat.
He's dead.
Batman turns. The door of Grigg's apartment is open.
He races out into the hall, and looks down a stairwell. Several floors below, we can hear footsteps.
ANGLE ON:
Batman grabs the line, clips it to a girder and clips the other end to his belt.
He plummets down through the space between floors, cape spread, like some dark angel.
He slows his descent.
He lands on a landing.
SFX: Footsteps. Running.
The Scarecrow comes down the stairs. Batman steps out, and raises his cape like wings. The Scarecrow stops and stares.
ANGLE ON:
The Scarecrow's hand.
He brings the fear-gas bulb up and sprays it in Batman's face.
Batman backs up...
BEAT
Batman watches, in horror...
PAN AROUND
His parents stand before him. From nowhere, a shadowman comes, and blows them away. Again and again.
Batman falls to his knees.
BATMAN
No! No!
His hands go to his head.
BATMAN
No!!!
The Scarecrow steps back, and tucks the fear-bulb into a pocket.
CRANE
I leave you now, Batman. To die of fear.
He steps over Batman and disappears from the frame.
SFX: Footsteps running, growing fainter.
Batman is still curled up on the ground.
BATMAN
Oh God...not again...can't stop it!
Batman writhes, his cape coming up to cover him like a blanket.
BATMAN
Mother! Father!
CLOSE ON:
His face.
Tears come from the cowl.
Then his lips curl back, and we can see his teeth.
BATMAN
No. Not real...can't be real...parents dead. Not...real...
Batman reaches into a belt pouch and pulls a small commlink. He thumbs it on.
ALFRED (Over the commlink)
Yes, sir?
BATMAN
Alfred...
His finger slips off the commlink and he curls into a fetal position.
BATMAN
Have to fight, Bruce. Fight it...
FADE TO BLACK
In the darkness, we hear voice.
ALFRED
Master Bruce?
BEAT
ALFRED
Master Bruce?
FADE IN
THE CAVE
Bruce is sprawled on a cot somewhere in the cave. Alfred is holding a damp rag.
BRUCE
Alfred...
ALFRED
Yes, sir. We're in the cave.
BATMAN
Good...was so afraid. Terrified. So scared that-
Bruce looks at Alfred.
BRUCE
What happened Alfred? Was I hallucinating?
Alfred shakes his head.
ALFRED
I don't know, sir. Hold still.
He puts the damp cloth on Bruce's head.
ALFRED
Now rest, sir. The world can make do without Batman for a night.
SFX: Alfred's footsteps. Retreating into the darkness.
PAN OVER
Bats wing through the darkness, or hang, inert.
ANGLE ON:
Alfred. He's coming back with a fresh damp towel and a thermometer.
ANGLE ON:
The cot.
Bruce is gone.
ALFRED
Oh, bloody hell.
CUT TO:
THE CRIME LAB
Bruce leans over a table, adjusting something.
Alfred enters.
ALFRED
Master Bruce?
BRUCE
The gas he sprayed me with. It's a fear-gas.
ALFRED
All the more reason to-
BATMAN
Nose filters.
Bruce looks up from what he's working on.
He looks down.
ANGLE ON:
A Batman cowl and cape.
BRUCE
This ends tonight.
He reaches for the cowl.
ALFRED
Sir, I must insist that-
BATMAN
If I rest, people die.
He leaves the crime lab. Alfred looks at the damp towel.
CUT TO:
THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE
ANGLE ON:
The window.
Batman swings in and drops to the floor, letting go of his cable.
GORDON
You're losing your touch.
BATMAN
I'm going after Crane.
GORDON
We've got men posted at each possible target now. He'd have to be-
BATMAN
He is.
Batman turns and heads for the window.
BATMAN
Keep the GCPD out of my way.
GORDON
Why? Has this gotten personal?
Batman turns. He glares at Gordon.
BATMAN
Yes.
He leaps out the window.
ANGLE ON:
Gordon.
FADE TO:
THE SUBURBS
ANGLE ON:
A house.
Police cars are parked in the drive. Through the window we can see cops. At least ten.
PAN OVER
Down the street, a beat-up red pickup truck is approaching.
CUT TO:
INT. PICKUP
Jonathan Crane is at the wheel. He passes a large hedge and sees the police cars.
CUT TO:
EXT. PICKUP.
The truck slows, and does a U-turn.
PAN UP
On a roof above, Batman is crouched.
CLOSE ON:
His face.
He smiles.
CUT TO:
THE ROAD
The red pickup heads back down the street.
SFX: A roar.
A shape bursts from the house where Batman was. A motorcycle.
ANGLE ON:
Batman.
Wearing a helmet.
ANGLE ON:
The control panel.
Batman presses a button.
ANGLE ON:
A small screen:
SILENT RUNNING ENABLED
Batman follows Crane down the street, and disappears into the darkness.
FADE TO:
THE COUNTRYSIDE
The red pickup slows, and turns off the main road. It rolls through a small corn field till it reaches an area behind it. A small wooden shack can be seen in the distance.
The driver-side door opens and Jonathan Crane climbs out, dressed in his Scarecrow costume, sans mask.
He starts walking toward the shack.
BATMAN
Crane!
Crane whirls.
Batman stands in the field behind him.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
He stares.
CRANE
No! This isn't right! Your heart should have burst!
Batman starts to move across the field.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
He reaches up and pulls his sackcloth over his head.
SCARECROW
No matter. The Scarecrow will finish the job.
He watches as Batman walks toward him.
CLOSE ON:
The Scarecrow's face.
He smiles.
BEAT
The Scarecrow turns and flees.
ANGLE ON:
Batman.
He races forward, after The Scarecrow, who is disappearing into the darkness.
He reaches beneath his cape.
ANGLE ON:
The Scarecrow.
THE SCARECROW
I won't go to prison, Batman! Not now! Not ever!
ANGLE ON:
Batman.
Racing after Crane.
He whips his arm from beneath his cape, a bola in it. He starts to spin it.
ANGLE ON:
The Scarecrow.
He starts to laugh as he runs.
CLOSE ON:
His legs.
Black wires whip around his ankles, and he goes down, landing in a heap.
THE SCARECROW
No!
He stuggles, then reaches into his garish outfit and whips a knife free. He slices through the Bat-bola and looks up.
ANGLE ON:
Batman is approaching.
The Scarecrow slices upward. Batman steps back, grabs The Scarecrow's wrist, twists, and rips the knife from his grasp.
Batman folds the knife and flings it into the darkness.
ANGLE ON:
The Scarecrow.
He leaps to his feet, and sends his good arm in Batman's direction.
Batman sidesteps, grabs his arm at the elbow, and twists.
SFX: CRAKKK
THE SCARECROW
GAHHH!
The Scarecrow lashes out with a leg. Batman parries the blow, deflects the leg, and spins into his own kick, catching The Scarecrow in the midsection.
The Scarecrow flies backward, and lands hard. He groans.
Batman moves toward him.
The Scarecrow looks up at Batman.
THE SCARECROW
You're just like them. Another jock.
Batman glares at him.
He reaches down, grabs The Scarecrow with one hand and pulls him to his feet.
The Scarecrow wriggles.
Batman grabs him with his other hand and pulls him close.
BATMAN
It's over.
The Scarecrow's sackcloth wrinkles as he smiles beneath his sackcloth.
CRANE
I...think...not.
One of his arms snakes out.
He squirts gas right into the side of Batman's face. Batman scowls.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
Perplexed.
CRANE
No! You should be terrified! You should-
BATMAN
I am fear.
The Scarecrow lashes at him with a hand. Batman drops him and backhands him.
The Scarecrow goes limp. Batman drops him on the ground.
ANGLE ON:
Batman.
Trembling with rage. He kneels and snaps a pair of bat-cuffs on Crane.
PAN UP
He stands and looks around. In the distance, there is a barn. Dark, foreboding.
CLOSE ON:
Batman's face. He smiles.
FADE TO:
THE FARM
Police cars and a newscrew have lit up the night.
PAN OVER
James Gordon watches as several doctors load Jonathan Crane into a padded van.
GORDON
You found him in the barn?
PAN OVER
Bullock nods.
BULLOCK
Screaming about having bats all over him.
Gordon smiles.
GORDON
Let me guess. Anonymous caller.
BULLOCK
He's growing on me.
Bullock shudders, looking at the van.
BULLOCK
I'm just glad I don't work at Arhkam.
Gordon nods.
ANGLE ON:
The van.
It rumbles to life and drives off.
ANGLE ON:
Gordon.
He looks around, expecting to see someone.
GORDON
All right. Wrap things up. I've gotta talk with Dent before the night is out.
Bullock nods.
Gordon heads toward his car.
FADE TO:
A CELL IN ARHKAM
Jonathan Crane is curled up on his bed, muttering.
ANGLE ON:
Crane's face.
CRANE
This isn't right. I'm not scared. I'm the Master of Fear! The Scarecrow!
SFX: The sound of a lock opening. A buzz.
ANGLE ON:
The cell door.
It slides open, and a guard stands there.
GUARD
Present from Dr. Strange, Crane.
He reaches up and hangs something on the top of Crane's cell.
ZOOM IN
It's a rubber Halloween bat.
ANGLE ON:
Crane's face.
Terrified.
CRANE
No...
He stares at the rubber bat.
CRANE
No! No! No!
CUT TO:
HALL
ANGLE ON:
The guard.
He smiles.
SFX: Crane's screams get louder, and higher in pitch. The guard walks down the hall.
CLOSE ON:
The bat. Hanging from a string.
SFX: Crane screams. Again and again. And again.
FADE TO BLACK
WRITTEN BY
Dave
BASED ON CHARACTERS APPEARING IN DC COMICS
BATMAN CREATED BY BOB KANE
THE GOTHAM CENTRAL LIBRARY
SFX: Gunshots.
SFX: Muffled screams.
BEAT
BEAT
BEAT
A man in a leather jacket bursts from the doors and races across the street, gun in hand.
SFX: Cars honking.
CUT TO:
AN ALLEY
The man enters and slows down. He looks around.
ANGLE ON:
Behind him.
No one.
ANGLE ON:
The gun in his hand.
He looks at the gun, wipes it on his shirt, and looks around.
ANGLE ON:
A trash can.
ANGLE ON:
The gunman.
He walks toward it.
He drops the gun inside.
CLOSE ON:
His face.
He's sweating.
He looks around, then heads deeper into the alley.
CUT TO:
He rounds a corner, and stops, frozen.
PAN AROUND:
A black horned shadow is perched on a fence ahead of him, a jagged black cape hanging down.
ANGLE ON:
The gunman's face.
Fear.
GUNMAN
Oh jeez...
ANGLE ON:
Batman.
He drops to the ground, almost floating, his cape spread, then snapping down.
ANGLE ON:
The gunman.
GUNMAN
Get back!
ANGLE ON:
Batman.
He stands there.
ANGLE ON:
The gunman.
He raises his weapon.
ANGLE ON:
Batman.
He starts to walk toward the gunman. Slow. Determined.
ANGLE ON:
The gunman.
He's frozen.
ANGLE ON:
Behind Batman.
He spreads his cape until it covers the screen.
SFX: The gunman screams.
CUE THEME
From the dark...a cold voice, like crushed glass.
"I made a promise to my parents...that I would rid Gotham of the evil that took their lives."
Something is winging toward us through the darkness. Leather wings against the darkness.
SUPER TITLE:
B A T M A N
SUPER EPISODE TITLE:
"The Master of Fear"
FADE IN
THE CAVE
WIDE SHOT
Alfred is dusting the computer. He looks up as:
SFX: The roar of a car engine.
PAN OVER
ANGLE ON:
The access tunnel.
The Batmobile pulls into the cave and screeches to a stop.
The cockpit slides open and Batman vaults out, strides toward his costume vault.
PAN OVER
Alfred steps back as Batman strides past.
ALFRED
Honestly, Master Bruce. The costume is quite terrifying.
BATMAN
It's my best weapon against them.
ALFRED
I would have thought that the..."batarangs" would-
Batman turns toward him.
BATMAN
Fear, Alfred.
He whirls and heads into the costume vault.
ANGLE ON:
Alfred.
He stares.
FADE TO:
ANGLE ON:
THE DOOR OF A CLASSROOM
EXCURSIONS IN PSYCHOLOGY
PROF. JONATHAN CRANE
CUT TO:
ANGLE ON:
A man's face. Thin and gaunt with wire-rimmed glasses, a long nose, and sunken eyes.
JONATHAN CRANE
Fear.
PULL BACK
A tall, thin, awkwardly dressed professor stands in front of a class of about 30 students.
CRANE
Fear is a great motivator. A great emotion.
He walks down an aisle.
CRANE
We fear the unknown.
He walks back up the aisle.
CRANE
We fear danger...and death.
He stops, and turns.
ANGLE ON:
Two students are making eyes at each other.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
He smiles.
CRANE
We're afraid of being alone.
He walks down another aisle, toward his desk.
CRANE
Fear is the greatest motivator. The greatest emotion.
CRANE
It can spur us to action...
CRANE
Or it can make us into sniveling little blobs.
He smiles at the class.
ANGLE ON:
A group of students.
The students snicker at him.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
He scowls. He drums his long fingers on his desk.
CRANE
Something humorous?
The students shake their heads.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
He turns, slides open his top desk drawer, and reaches inside.
He whirls, and he's holding a gun.
He fires between two talking students.
ANGLE ON:
Three girls.
Two of them scream. One faints.
CLOSE ON:
Jonathan Crane.
Insane joy sparkles in his eyes.
He points the gun around the class.
CRANE
You fear me!
He aims the gun at a sobbing girl
CRANE
You fear the gun!
Crane aims the gun at another girl.
CRANE
You fear death!
He points the gun at a jock in the first row.
ANGLE ON:
His hand.
He pushes the hammer up.
ANGLE ON:
Jonathan Crane.
He's sweating. Trembling.
He starts to calm down. He smiles, and adjusts his glasses with one hand.
ANGLE ON:
His face.
CRANE (Calm, collected)
For tomorrow, read Chapter 5 and write a one-page response paper on reactions to fear.
BEAT
Crane scratches his head with the gun.
ANGLE ON:
The students.
Terrified. Frozen in their chairs.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
Crane looks at them.
SFX: A click.
CLOSE ON:
The gun.
Crane fires into the wall.
CRANE
Class dismissed!
ANGLE ON:
The students.
They just sit there. Petrified.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
His lips curl in a sneer, revealing pointed, yellow teeth.
He fires again. And again. Until the hammer falls on an empty chamber.
CRANE
Class...dismissed.
The students get up and rush out of the classroom, shooting worried glances at one another, and at Crane.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
He smiles, looks at the gun and tucks it back into the drawer.
FADE TO:
A MEETING ROOM
WIDE SHOT
Several college personalities sit at a long table. The Dean, the Assistant Dean, etc.
PAN OVER
Jonathan Crane sits before them, wearing a suit.
CLOSE ON:
The Dean.
DEAN
Professor Crane...
He shakes his head and removes his glasses, rubbing his eyes.
DEAN
We…have no choice but to suspend you from teaching.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
Incredulous.
CRANE
W-What?
He stands, knocking over his chair.
CRANE
Why? What right do you have to-
ANGLE ON:
The Dean.
DEAN (Exploding)
You discharged a concealed weapon in class!
CRANE
But-
DEAN
You destroyed school property!
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
He falls silent.
DEAN
Shall I continue, sir?
Crane shakes his head, holding back.
ANGLE ON:
The Dean.
DEAN
We have no choice, but to suspend you from teaching until we complete an investigation. You are to vacate the premises immediately. Your classes are cancelled until further notice.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
Shocked, angry.
He turns, picks up the chair, and heads out of the room, shoulders sagging.
FADE TO:
INT. APARTMENT
The apartment is dark.
ANGLE ON:
The door.
It creaks open, and Jonathan Crane enters. He moves to his desk and drops his satchel there. He sighs and plops into an armchair.
Crane looks at his apartment.
PAN OVER
We see his apartment. Small and cramped, but neat and clean. Except for one thing:
There are books stacked all over. In the corners. On tables.
CLOSE ON:
Crane's face.
A tear rolls down his cheek, and he lets it fall.
Then he stands, and looks at his bookshelf.
BEAT
BEAT
BEAT
He snaps, and pulls a handful of books off the shelf. He looks at them, shaking.
He hurls them behind him.
SFX: Books hitting the wall.
CRANE
Teased!
FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
A teenager walks down a hall, as other students laugh. A jock sticks his foot out.
CRANE
Called a bookworm!
FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
A pair of jocks are playing "keep-away" with a teenager's book.
CRANE
A scarecrow!
FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
A tall teenager is pinned against a locker. A jock sneers at him.
JOCK
What's wrong, Crane? Scared?
Back to the present.
CLOSE ON:
Crane's face. Red. Enraged. Veins bursting from his forehead.
CRANE
No. Never again. Now...
He smiles.
CRANE
You can fear me!
He hurls a book into the overhead light.
SFX: Glass shattering.
In the darkness we hear:
SFX: Insane laughter.
FADE TO:
THE DEAN'S OFFICE
The Dean sits at his desk, working on something.
CLOSE ON:
His face.
He looks up, and peers around the dark office. Nothing.
He lowers his head to his papers again.
He looks up again, looks around. Still nothing.
He looks down.
SFX: A soft clink.
(Hissing Whisper)
Hahhhhhhhhhh...
The Dean looks up, frightened.
DEAN
What the? Who's there?
SFX: A louder hissing
PAN OVER
ANGLE ON:
The air vent:
A strange green mist wafts from it.
SFX: Chilling laughter fills the hall outside.
CLOSE ON:
The Dean.
He looks around, terrified. He starts to breathe fast.
DEAN
Who is it? What do you want?
Silence.
The Dean starts to shake, and he breaks into a cold sweat
ANGLE ON:
The door.
A shadow falls across it, and stands in the door. Something tall, thin, and ragged.
A figure walks into the office.
(Rasping voice)
Who? The Scarecrow.
The figure steps into the light.
ANGLE ON:
The Scarecrow.
Tall. Thin. Dressed in tattered rags. A sackcloth is pulled over his head, the eyeholes hidden in shadow.
THE SCARECROW
The Master of Fear.
ANGLE ON:
The Dean.
DEAN
C-Crane...Crane used to...
The Scarecrow steps toward the desk.
THE SCARECROW
Jonathan Crane is dead.
DEAN (Delirious.)
Y-You killed him?
The Scarecrow chuckles.
THE SCARECROW
Don't talk. Let the fear gas work.
DEAN
Crane...you're...Crane...
The Scarecrow approaches his desk.
THE SCARECROW
You feel it, don't you? The cold, chilling fear.
The Dean is shaking as The Scarecrow approaches.
DEAN
P-Please! Get back!
The Scarecrow spreads his arms wide, menacing, and approaches.
DEAN
Yahhh!
The Scarecrow chuckles. Then he extends his arms like his namesake.
THE SCARECROW
Boo!
ANGLE ON:
The Dean.
The "Boo" did it. The Dean slips off the chair, and lands on the floor.
DEAN
Akkk!
He screams and clutches his chest, his eyes wide.
ANGLE ON:
The Scarecrow.
He leans over the desk and looks down.
CLOSE ON:
The Scarecrow's mask.
His eyes glitter under the sackcloth.
SFX: The Dean screams again.
He's having a heart attack.
ANGLE ON:
The Dean.
Reaching up, his fingers curled in pain. Tears stream down his face.
DEAN
Help...me.
The Scarecrow is silent.
The Dean reaches for the desk. His hand falls short and he screams, collapsing on the floor, dead.
ANGLE ON:
The Scarecrow.
He claps his hands together. And starts to laugh.
SFX: The insane laughter fills the room as...
FADE TO:
THE DEAN'S OFFICE-DAY
As usual, a bizarre murder has become a crime scene.
Sarah Essen enters and looks around.
ANGLE ON:
The scene.
Several CSU cops are standing there. Harvey Bullock is with them, looking down.
Sarah crosses the room and glances at the body.
SARAH
Seems tame.
ANGLE ON:
Bullock.
He nods.
BULLOCK
No hideous grins. I can deal with it.
CSU OFFICER
This man died of a heart attack. Oh, and there's this.
He hands Sarah a note.
ANGLE ON:
The note.
You Will Learn To Fear…The Sinister Scarecrow.
SARAH
Cute. Do they all have to leave a calling card?
She turns to an overweight, nervous man.
SARAH
Who would have a reason to do this?
ASSISTANT DEAN
Me, I suppose.
He catches himself.
ASSISTANT
And...one other person.
Sarah is pulling out a notebook.
SARAH
Explain.
ASSISTANT DEAN
We just fired a professor of psychology. Jonathan Crane.
BULLOCK
Fired for...
ASSISTANT DEAN
Discharging a weapon. In class.
Sarah looks at Bullock.
SARAH
It's him. Has to be.
ASSISTANT DEAN
Crane has his problems, but-murder?
SARAH
It's him.
BULLOCK
Just like Jack Napier was The Joker?
SARAH
I never said-
She shoots Bullock a look. Then she turns back to the Assistant Dean
SARAH
We'll keep CSU here for fingerprints and such. Meanwhile, we should get you some protection.
ASSISTANT DEAN
Protection?
BULLOCK
Safehouse.
ASSISTANT DEAN
Oh.
CUT TO:
THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE
James Gordon, Sarah, and Bullock are sitting around the office.
GORDON
Have you and Bullock followed up on the Crane thing?
SARAH
We checked his apartment. Nothing but books. Man has a thing for fear but...we didn't find anything sinister. There was no paper that matched the note. Looks like he only uses quill pens…and the ink match is a zero. Checked a few of the notebooks on his shelves. Man's writing style isn't even close to that note...
BULLOCK
So this "Scarecrow" has got a problem with the college administration.
SARAH
The Dean, at least.
BULLOCK
So he'll go after the others. We should work that angle.
BATMAN
No.
Bullock, Sarah, and Gordon turn.
Batman is crouched in the window. A line hangs down behind him.
BATMAN
It's too obvious. Unless he wants to get caught.
SARAH
What? Of course it's obvious! He wants revenge!
BATMAN
Revenge. But not against Gotham State. If he wanted that, all of the college board would be dead. A man like Crane doesn't just snap.
GORDON
You mean-
BATMAN
It's something that's been buried inside him. For years.
BULLOCK
Like the need to wear black spandex?
Batman ignores him.
GORDON
So we should...
BATMAN
Sometimes the past holds answers to the present.
BULLOCK
Forget this. I'm gonna call the safehouse.
ANGLE ON:
Batman holds Gordon's gaze, then drops into the night.
ANGLE ON:
Bullock.
He heads for the door.
BULLOCK
Coming, Sarah?
ANGLE ON:
Gordon.
GORDON
He's right.
SARAH
Batman?
GORDON
It is too obvious.
SARAH
You trust him, Jim?
GORDON
Jim?
SARAH
Commissioner.
Gordon smiles.
GORDON
No, I don't. But...it's not important.
SARAH
Commissioner. The man dresses up as a bat.
Gordon smiles.
GORDON
And he saves lives, Essen.
ANGLE ON:
Sarah.
She shakes her head.
GORDON
You're not going with Bullock?
SARAH
He can handle it.
FADE TO:
POLICE PROTECTION DWELLING
WIDE SHOT
In a corner, several cops are talking to the Assistant Dean. Bullock stands near the door.
Bullock looks at a cop.
BULLOCK
Glad to have something to do?
The cop nods.
COP
Of course. How are things in Major Crimes?
Bullock looks at him.
BULLOCK
Weird. Things are…weird.
The cop smiles.
COP
It's Gotham, Bullock.
BULLOCK
Yeah. I guess. But I miss Homicide.
SFX: Hissing.
The cops look up as green mist wafts from the vent.
COP 2
What the hell is that?
COP 3
Don't breathe it in!
COP 4
Close the vent!
ANGLE ON:
Bullock. He covers his mouth with a handkerchief and moves toward the vent. There, he slams the vent switch down.
SFX: Clang.
The vents slam shut.
ANGLE ON:
The rest of the cops. Some of them breathe in.
Bullock looks up.
BULLOCK
What is this stuff?
The cop he was talking to earlier looks at him, sweat running down his face.
COP
Get back!
BULLOCK
Huh?
The cop raises his gun.
BULLOCK
Whoa!
Bullock jerks to his left as the cop fires. The bullet slams into the wall behind him.
BULLOCK
Lawton! What the hell?
The cop fires again. Bullock dives under a chair.
SFX: Gunshots.
ASSISTANT DEAN
Stop! St-AGHHH!
Bullock looks up from his place under a table.
The Assistant Dean falls backward, slumps against the wall, two neat holes in his chest.
BULLOCK
No!
ANGLE ON:
His POV
The cop unloads into the Assistant Dean.
ANGLE ON:
The Assistant Dean.
He jerks as the bullets slam into him.
Bullock leaps to his feet and tackles the cop.
SFX: Cops screaming. Pandemonium.
ANGLE ON:
Bullock. He wrestles with the cop.
BULLOCK
Call an ambulance! Call an ambulance!
FADE TO:
INT. CRANE'S APARTMENT
ANGLE ON:
The window.
SFX: A click.
The window swings open. Framed in it is a dark shadow.
Batman drops to the floor, and looks around. He rises, cautious.
Batman pulls a small flashlight from his belt and turns it on. He sweeps the powerful beam across the hardwood floor.
ANGLE ON:
The floor.
Covered with dust. Footprints.
ANGLE ON:
Batman.
He scowls.
Batman sweeps the light to the left, and sees:
ANGLE ON:
A bookshelf. Filled with leather-bound books.
He moves toward the shelf, and looks at some of the titles.
The Power of Fear
The Dread Emotion
Needful Things
ANGLE ON:
A small dust covered journal.
Batman looks at the shelf, then pulls the journal out.
ANGLE ON:
The journal.
CRANE VOICEOVER
As a boy, I would frighten the birds in front of my house. The incredible thrill of their terror, and the fact that I was causing it...
ANGLE ON:
Batman.
He scowls, and closes the journal, setting it on Crane's desk.
Then he moves toward Crane's desk, and opens it.
ANGLE ON:
The inside of the desk.
There's nothing in it.
BATMAN
Damn.
Batman turns and looks at the room. Thinking.
Then he turns back to the bookshelf, and looks at the books.
PAN OVER
There are tons of books. Batman kneels. There are some personal ones on the bottom shelf.
Albums.
Yearbooks.
EAST GOTHAM HIGH-2003
EAST GOTHAM HIGH-2004
EAST GOTHAM HIGH-2005
Batman pulls a leather-bound yearbook off the shelf
CLOSE ON:
The cover.
EAST GOTHAM 2005
The First Step
He opens the book, and scans it. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Then he starts to flip through it.
He stops when he gets near the back.
ANGLE ON:
The pages.
A football teamshot.
There are small creases and tears. The paper is worn.
Batman turns the page.
A baseball teamshot
There are small creases and tears. The paper is worn.
ANGLE ON:
Batman's face. He scowls.
ANGLE ON:
The page. There are small stains that could have been made with...tears.
Batman closes the book.
CUT TO:
THE PROTECTION DWELLING
Bullock watches as acop is led out of the room in handcuffs.
PAN OVER
The Assistant Dean is dead, covered with a sheet.
ANGLE ON:
Bullock.
BULLOCK
Jesus.
Bullock reaches into his coat and pulls out a cell phone. He pulls the antennae out with his teeth and dials a number.
BULLOCK
Commish? Bullock. We have...a situation.
FADE TO:
A BEDROOM
A middle-aged man is asleep.
SFX: A click.
ANGLE ON:
The man.
He stirs.
A shadow falls over his bed.
He stires.
BATMAN
Wake up.
The man sits bolt upright and looks:
Right into Batman's face.
Batman scowls.
BATMAN
You coached football at Gotham East High in 2005.
The man nods, half asleep.
MAN
Who...the hell?
Batman leans close.
BATMAN
Who was the team captain?
The man stares at him, blinking.
MAN
Who-
Batman reaches down and hauls the big man from his bed. His eyes narrow. He grits his teeth.
BATMAN
I won't ask again.
The man sputters.
MAN
Griggs! Robert Griggs!
Batman drops him to his bed and turns, heads for the window. He leaps out.
ANGLE ON:
The man.
He stares.
SFX: A car engine roars below, and tires squeal.
CUT TO:
ANOTHER APARTMENT
A big, bald man is asleep in bed.
BEAT
A shadow hovers over him.
THE SCARECROW (Hissing Whisper)
Griiiggs...
The man starts, and wakes up.
GRIGGS
Huh?
ANGLE ON:
The Scarecrow. At the foot of his bed.
THE SCARECROW
Bo Griggs...
The man stares at the strange figure above him.
GRIGGS
What the hell is this?
The Scarecrow thrusts a small skull bulb in his face, and squeezes.
THE SCARECROW
Fear.
A strange mist comes from the bulb, and Griggs sucks in his breath on instinct.
The Scarecrow backs up, and shoves the bulb beneath his tatters.
THE SCARECROW
You teased me, Bo. Frightened me. Called me a loser. A bookworm. A scarecrow.
Griggs starts to sweat as the fear gas takes effect.
GRIGGS
J-Jon? Jon Crane?
The Scarecrow leans forward.
THE SCARECROW
Jonathan Crane is dead, Bo. I'm your worst nightmare.
Griggs screams as the fear gas takes full effect.
CUT TO:
EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING
The scream echoes.
CUT TO:
The roof of Griggs' apartment.
A shadow lands on the roof from a higher one.
Batman snaps his cape down and looks down over the edge of the building.
ZOOM DOWN
A pickup truck sits on the ground.
ANGLE ON:
Batman's face. He scowls.
Then he reaches behind himself, and brings out a length of line and a reel of sorts. He secures the line and clips the reel to his belt. Then he leaps off the roof, dropping like a stone.
ANGLE ON:
Batman, from below.
He whips toward the ground, then slows.
PAN UP
He has stopped his descent in front of a window. He braces himself on the brick with his legs, and pushes out. Then he swings back toward the window, cape fluttering in the wind.
CUT TO:
INT. APARTMENT
The window shatters, and Batman lands amidst a shower of glass and frame.
ANGLE ON:
Batman.
He draws himself up to his full height and looks up.
ANGLE ON:
The bed.
Bo Griggs is on the bed, eyes wide with fear.
Batman hurries to the bed, and puts a gloved hand to the man's throat.
ANGLE ON:
Grigg's face. White. Covered with sweat.
He's dead.
Batman turns. The door of Grigg's apartment is open.
He races out into the hall, and looks down a stairwell. Several floors below, we can hear footsteps.
ANGLE ON:
Batman grabs the line, clips it to a girder and clips the other end to his belt.
He plummets down through the space between floors, cape spread, like some dark angel.
He slows his descent.
He lands on a landing.
SFX: Footsteps. Running.
The Scarecrow comes down the stairs. Batman steps out, and raises his cape like wings. The Scarecrow stops and stares.
ANGLE ON:
The Scarecrow's hand.
He brings the fear-gas bulb up and sprays it in Batman's face.
Batman backs up...
BEAT
Batman watches, in horror...
PAN AROUND
His parents stand before him. From nowhere, a shadowman comes, and blows them away. Again and again.
Batman falls to his knees.
BATMAN
No! No!
His hands go to his head.
BATMAN
No!!!
The Scarecrow steps back, and tucks the fear-bulb into a pocket.
CRANE
I leave you now, Batman. To die of fear.
He steps over Batman and disappears from the frame.
SFX: Footsteps running, growing fainter.
Batman is still curled up on the ground.
BATMAN
Oh God...not again...can't stop it!
Batman writhes, his cape coming up to cover him like a blanket.
BATMAN
Mother! Father!
CLOSE ON:
His face.
Tears come from the cowl.
Then his lips curl back, and we can see his teeth.
BATMAN
No. Not real...can't be real...parents dead. Not...real...
Batman reaches into a belt pouch and pulls a small commlink. He thumbs it on.
ALFRED (Over the commlink)
Yes, sir?
BATMAN
Alfred...
His finger slips off the commlink and he curls into a fetal position.
BATMAN
Have to fight, Bruce. Fight it...
FADE TO BLACK
In the darkness, we hear voice.
ALFRED
Master Bruce?
BEAT
ALFRED
Master Bruce?
FADE IN
THE CAVE
Bruce is sprawled on a cot somewhere in the cave. Alfred is holding a damp rag.
BRUCE
Alfred...
ALFRED
Yes, sir. We're in the cave.
BATMAN
Good...was so afraid. Terrified. So scared that-
Bruce looks at Alfred.
BRUCE
What happened Alfred? Was I hallucinating?
Alfred shakes his head.
ALFRED
I don't know, sir. Hold still.
He puts the damp cloth on Bruce's head.
ALFRED
Now rest, sir. The world can make do without Batman for a night.
SFX: Alfred's footsteps. Retreating into the darkness.
PAN OVER
Bats wing through the darkness, or hang, inert.
ANGLE ON:
Alfred. He's coming back with a fresh damp towel and a thermometer.
ANGLE ON:
The cot.
Bruce is gone.
ALFRED
Oh, bloody hell.
CUT TO:
THE CRIME LAB
Bruce leans over a table, adjusting something.
Alfred enters.
ALFRED
Master Bruce?
BRUCE
The gas he sprayed me with. It's a fear-gas.
ALFRED
All the more reason to-
BATMAN
Nose filters.
Bruce looks up from what he's working on.
He looks down.
ANGLE ON:
A Batman cowl and cape.
BRUCE
This ends tonight.
He reaches for the cowl.
ALFRED
Sir, I must insist that-
BATMAN
If I rest, people die.
He leaves the crime lab. Alfred looks at the damp towel.
CUT TO:
THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE
ANGLE ON:
The window.
Batman swings in and drops to the floor, letting go of his cable.
GORDON
You're losing your touch.
BATMAN
I'm going after Crane.
GORDON
We've got men posted at each possible target now. He'd have to be-
BATMAN
He is.
Batman turns and heads for the window.
BATMAN
Keep the GCPD out of my way.
GORDON
Why? Has this gotten personal?
Batman turns. He glares at Gordon.
BATMAN
Yes.
He leaps out the window.
ANGLE ON:
Gordon.
FADE TO:
THE SUBURBS
ANGLE ON:
A house.
Police cars are parked in the drive. Through the window we can see cops. At least ten.
PAN OVER
Down the street, a beat-up red pickup truck is approaching.
CUT TO:
INT. PICKUP
Jonathan Crane is at the wheel. He passes a large hedge and sees the police cars.
CUT TO:
EXT. PICKUP.
The truck slows, and does a U-turn.
PAN UP
On a roof above, Batman is crouched.
CLOSE ON:
His face.
He smiles.
CUT TO:
THE ROAD
The red pickup heads back down the street.
SFX: A roar.
A shape bursts from the house where Batman was. A motorcycle.
ANGLE ON:
Batman.
Wearing a helmet.
ANGLE ON:
The control panel.
Batman presses a button.
ANGLE ON:
A small screen:
SILENT RUNNING ENABLED
Batman follows Crane down the street, and disappears into the darkness.
FADE TO:
THE COUNTRYSIDE
The red pickup slows, and turns off the main road. It rolls through a small corn field till it reaches an area behind it. A small wooden shack can be seen in the distance.
The driver-side door opens and Jonathan Crane climbs out, dressed in his Scarecrow costume, sans mask.
He starts walking toward the shack.
BATMAN
Crane!
Crane whirls.
Batman stands in the field behind him.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
He stares.
CRANE
No! This isn't right! Your heart should have burst!
Batman starts to move across the field.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
He reaches up and pulls his sackcloth over his head.
SCARECROW
No matter. The Scarecrow will finish the job.
He watches as Batman walks toward him.
CLOSE ON:
The Scarecrow's face.
He smiles.
BEAT
The Scarecrow turns and flees.
ANGLE ON:
Batman.
He races forward, after The Scarecrow, who is disappearing into the darkness.
He reaches beneath his cape.
ANGLE ON:
The Scarecrow.
THE SCARECROW
I won't go to prison, Batman! Not now! Not ever!
ANGLE ON:
Batman.
Racing after Crane.
He whips his arm from beneath his cape, a bola in it. He starts to spin it.
ANGLE ON:
The Scarecrow.
He starts to laugh as he runs.
CLOSE ON:
His legs.
Black wires whip around his ankles, and he goes down, landing in a heap.
THE SCARECROW
No!
He stuggles, then reaches into his garish outfit and whips a knife free. He slices through the Bat-bola and looks up.
ANGLE ON:
Batman is approaching.
The Scarecrow slices upward. Batman steps back, grabs The Scarecrow's wrist, twists, and rips the knife from his grasp.
Batman folds the knife and flings it into the darkness.
ANGLE ON:
The Scarecrow.
He leaps to his feet, and sends his good arm in Batman's direction.
Batman sidesteps, grabs his arm at the elbow, and twists.
SFX: CRAKKK
THE SCARECROW
GAHHH!
The Scarecrow lashes out with a leg. Batman parries the blow, deflects the leg, and spins into his own kick, catching The Scarecrow in the midsection.
The Scarecrow flies backward, and lands hard. He groans.
Batman moves toward him.
The Scarecrow looks up at Batman.
THE SCARECROW
You're just like them. Another jock.
Batman glares at him.
He reaches down, grabs The Scarecrow with one hand and pulls him to his feet.
The Scarecrow wriggles.
Batman grabs him with his other hand and pulls him close.
BATMAN
It's over.
The Scarecrow's sackcloth wrinkles as he smiles beneath his sackcloth.
CRANE
I...think...not.
One of his arms snakes out.
He squirts gas right into the side of Batman's face. Batman scowls.
ANGLE ON:
Crane.
Perplexed.
CRANE
No! You should be terrified! You should-
BATMAN
I am fear.
The Scarecrow lashes at him with a hand. Batman drops him and backhands him.
The Scarecrow goes limp. Batman drops him on the ground.
ANGLE ON:
Batman.
Trembling with rage. He kneels and snaps a pair of bat-cuffs on Crane.
PAN UP
He stands and looks around. In the distance, there is a barn. Dark, foreboding.
CLOSE ON:
Batman's face. He smiles.
FADE TO:
THE FARM
Police cars and a newscrew have lit up the night.
PAN OVER
James Gordon watches as several doctors load Jonathan Crane into a padded van.
GORDON
You found him in the barn?
PAN OVER
Bullock nods.
BULLOCK
Screaming about having bats all over him.
Gordon smiles.
GORDON
Let me guess. Anonymous caller.
BULLOCK
He's growing on me.
Bullock shudders, looking at the van.
BULLOCK
I'm just glad I don't work at Arhkam.
Gordon nods.
ANGLE ON:
The van.
It rumbles to life and drives off.
ANGLE ON:
Gordon.
He looks around, expecting to see someone.
GORDON
All right. Wrap things up. I've gotta talk with Dent before the night is out.
Bullock nods.
Gordon heads toward his car.
FADE TO:
A CELL IN ARHKAM
Jonathan Crane is curled up on his bed, muttering.
ANGLE ON:
Crane's face.
CRANE
This isn't right. I'm not scared. I'm the Master of Fear! The Scarecrow!
SFX: The sound of a lock opening. A buzz.
ANGLE ON:
The cell door.
It slides open, and a guard stands there.
GUARD
Present from Dr. Strange, Crane.
He reaches up and hangs something on the top of Crane's cell.
ZOOM IN
It's a rubber Halloween bat.
ANGLE ON:
Crane's face.
Terrified.
CRANE
No...
He stares at the rubber bat.
CRANE
No! No! No!
CUT TO:
HALL
ANGLE ON:
The guard.
He smiles.
SFX: Crane's screams get louder, and higher in pitch. The guard walks down the hall.
CLOSE ON:
The bat. Hanging from a string.
SFX: Crane screams. Again and again. And again.
FADE TO BLACK
WRITTEN BY
Dave
BASED ON CHARACTERS APPEARING IN DC COMICS
BATMAN CREATED BY BOB KANE