Gothamite (Gotham Eternal)

Episode 2 of the first season of Gotham Eternal. Following the attack on District Attorney Harvey Dent and Robin's decision to leave Gotham, Batman and Batgirl must deal with a Gang War between the Falcone and Maroni family, while Joker and the Black Mask control the strings of the Gotham mayoral office.

Cast

 * Robert Pattinson as Batman/Bruce Wayne
 * Sophia Turner as Batgirl/Barbara Gordon
 * JK Simmons as Commissioner Jim Gordon
 * Charles Dance as Alfred Pennyworth
 * Floriana Lima as Det. Renee Montoya
 * Matt Berry as Det. Harvey Bullock
 * Brian White as Det. Crispus Allen
 * Titus Welliver as Sal Maroni
 * Dylan Minette as Jason Todd
 * Lakeith Stanfield as Harvey Dent

Story
Bruce Wayne walks through a hospital hallway, focused and worried for his friends well-being. He passes some nurses who stare, and enters a hospital room. Harvey Dent lays on the bed, bandaged and asleep. A nurse stands besides him, checking his vitals.

Bruce

How is he?

Nurse

He’s holding up alright. We’ve got him on morphine to ease the pain.

Bruce

How’s he gonna heal up?

Nurse

Time will tell, Mr. Wayne. But it’s not looking good.

Dent begins to wake up

Dent

Ughh. Bruce?

Bruce

Hey there Harv. How do you feel?

Dent

Peachy. What- where am I?

Bruce

You don’t remember?

Nurse

Mr. Dent, you were.. Injured in an attempt for what the police believe was your life.

Dent

My..? Oh God, oh God the rally! Did they all-

Bruce

Sadly there was one casualty, but nobody else was hurt. Well um, except for you.

Dent

Well, thank God for small miracles I guess. It’s all such a blur..the last thing I remember is a… searing pain. Oh God.. they sprayed acid on my face. They sprayed acid on my face!

Harvey Dent begins to get up off of his bed

Nurse

Mr. Dent!

Bruce

Harvey, take it easy!

Dent

I need a mirror, somebody get me a mirror!

Dent rips the IV line out of his body and rushes to the bathroom, stumbling and nearly falling on his way. He looks in the mirror to see half his face bandaged.

Dent

What did they do to me..

The nurse and Bruce hold Dent upright

Bruce

Harvey, let’s lay back down yeah?

Nurse

I have to agree Mr. Dent this isn’t safe-

Harvey rips the bandage off of his face, and looks at the burnt and bleeding half of his face. Bruce and the nurse stand in shock.

Dent

G.. God.

Bruce

Harvey, God I’m so-

Dent

Get out.

Bruce

Harv-

Dent

GET OUT! GET OUT!

The nurse runs to get help, but Bruce looks at his friend saddened. He turns around and walks out of the room.

TITLE CARD

In the Batcave, Barbara watches a live tracker move. Batman appears behind her.

Batman

Getting some surveillance in?

Batgirl

JESUS christ. Do you just practice snooping in your free time?

Batman

Blockbuster?

Batgirl

Yeah, he’s been stopped at a bridge by Finger & Broome for over an hour. Probably where he’s holing up for the night.

Batman

Then let’s see what he’s up to.

Batgirl

Way ahead of you.

The two get in the Batmobile and drive towards their destination.

Blockbuster is outside moving crates of contraband into a van. Weapons, drugs, etc. A goon is moving one crate when Batgirl drops down on him. Batman arrives right behind her.

Blockbuster

The Batfreaks.

Batgirl

Uh, ironic?

Blockbuster pulls out twin automatic pistols and fires on the duo, they duck and hide behind cover. Batman angles his batarang to make Blockbuster drop the guns, they then systematically take out the goons until Blockbuster is left.

Blockbuster

I’m not afraid of you!

Blockbuster swings at the duo, they avoid it. Batgirl wraps herself around his neck as Batman throws bits of explosive gel at his knees. He is taken down and ready for interrogation.

Blockbuster

AGGH!! WHAT ARE YOU NUTS?

Batman

Where did the stache move to?

Blockbuster

I ain’t snitching batfreak!

Batman

You’re going to talk to me, or I will spray that gel over your mouth and see to it you never talk again.

Batgirl

I’ve seen him do it. Nasty stuff.

Blockbuster

You won’t. We all know the Batman doesn’t kill, he don’t got the guts. The intimidation don’t much work when I know my life is guaranteed.

Batman grunts and gets out the explosive gel, spraying it across his forehead. He holds the detonator in his hand.

Batman

I’ve sprayed the exact amount needed to not do my partner and I any harm from where we’re standing. For you, it will almost instantly put you in a vegatative state for at least the next 4 years. The rest of that life? Spent in a concrete and iron jail thousands of feet below surface. Tell me where the stache is, and tell me what’s in it.

Blockbuster stays silent for a few seconds, but finally breaks

Blockbuster

Alright! Alright, fine! We’ve moved it out to the docks. Sold it over to the Maronis. Crazy new designer drug called Smylethesia.

Blockbuster tosses Batman an empty bottle with the label on it, next to a smiley face

Batgirl

They’re looking to sell it?

Blockbuster

Sell it, use it, who gives a shit? I’m not a Maroni.

Batman

What does the drug do?

Blockbuster

I don’t know anything else. Honest. I was given the stuff to move, nothing else.

Batman

Hmph. Batgirl, step to the side.

Barbara steps to the side as Batman detonates the gel on his head.

Batgirl

Holy- but what you said about-

Batman

I lied. He’ll just be knocked out for a few hours, more than enough time for the GCPD to come detain him.

Batman clicks on a headpiece.

Gordon

Up and at em, huh?

Batman

You’re gonna need special forces for this one. Blockbuster and about 4 of his men are moving contraband, the bridge under Finger and Broome. Sending you a geotag now.

Gordon

You always know how to make a guy’s day eventful.

Batman

All part of the job. You’ll need some men over at the docks. Very dangerous drugs are being moved through that location.

Gordon

Just how dangerous?

Batman

I intend to find out.

Batman turns off his comms, and the duo get back in the Batmobile.

Batgirl

What’s the next move?

Batman

We’re going to pay a visit to Sal Maroni.

Batgirl

What about the docks?

Batman

We need to cut off the snake at the head. Let the GCPD handle it.

Batgirl

Moving that kind of contraband? It’s gonna get violent over at the docks Batman. The GCPD shouldn’t go it alone.

Batman

And if your father recognizes you?

Batgirl

Who says he’s even going to be there? Besides, I’ve got this anonymity thing on lock.

Batman

Hm. Fine, you’ll be heading to the docks. Report back on what you see, and only intervene if you need to.

Barbara hops out of the Batmobile

Batgirl

You got it, boss.

She grapples away, leaping on rooftops. Batman calls Alfred.

Alfred

Master Bruce, is everything alright?

Batman

Alfred, I need you to cross reference every search database for a designer drug called “Smylethesia.” S. M. Y. L. E. thesia.

Alfred

Very well, sir. I’ll have that for you momentarily. What will you be doing in the meantime, sir?

Batman

Headed over to Sal Maroni’s penthouse. He’s going to tell me everything he knows.

Meanwhile at the GCPD, Commissioner Gordon deploys troops to deal with Blockbuster’s arrest and another crime spree. He walks out into the main lobby of the police department, and makes his announcement.

Gordon

Listen up! I needed Special Forces under the bridge by Finger and Broome 10 minutes ago, our blockbuster problem has been taken care of, we just need to clean it up. Detectives Bullock, Montoya, and Allen, take a squad and head over to the Narrows.

Bullock

The docks? The hell are we doing over at the docks?

Montoya

Routine drug bust?

Gordon

Word is they’ll be moving some dangerous stuff out of there.

Allen

And what is your word, exactly?

Gordon

You don’t have to know it. You just have to trust it, detective. Now get a move on.

The police officers drive over to the scene of the crime, conversating about their orders in the car. Montoya drives while Allen sits in the front seat, Bullock in the back.

Allen

Don’t get me wrong, Commissioner Gordon is the best of the best in the force. Absolute legend. But I can’t help but feel that he’s hiding something

Montoya

That’s not our job, we weren’t hired to investigate the commissioner. Besides, every single tip he’s gotten has been good. No goose chases.

Allen

And that’s what’s so suspicious. Not one bad tip from Gordon since I’ve been transferred here. How does he know?

Bullock

I dunno, that sounds pretty good to me. Straight to the point, just how I like it.

Allen

The faster it gets your ass to the closest donut joint the happier you get, your opinion is invalid Bullock.

Bullock

Hardy-har, smartass. Blame a guy for trying to do his job. You know it’s not too much leg room back here?

Montoya

I’ve gotta agree with Harvey. Faster we put these lunatics under the cell, the better.

Allen

Yeah, well I’d just feel safer if I knew where our info was coming from. And let’s face it, we do know where it’s coming from.

Montoya

What are you implying?

Allen

Oh, come on Montoya! We’re all detectives here, frankly I’d be disappointed if you didn’t know.

Montoya and Bullock are silent.

Bullock

Alright I’ll say it. So what if the Batman is helping us out? Making our jobs a helluva lot easier.

Allen

Since when do we allow vigilantes to roam free?

Montoya

He’s on the Justice League, the nationally recognized one. Hardly count that a vigilante in my book.

Allen

So what does that make him a hero? If the entire GCPD is bending to the knee for one man, what happens when he decides on another way to do things? A brutal way to do things? Listen, I’m sure the guy has good intentions. But.. well the road to hell is paved with those.

Bullock

We’re already in Hell, Allen. He’s just helping to clean it up.

Allen

Really? So you-

Gunshots are fired off in the background at a rapid pace, like multiple assault weapons. The cops all get their guns out, Montoya pulls the car over by the gunfire in order to create cover. Two mobs are having a war on the streets, about 6-7 members on each side.

Montoya

GCPD! HANDS UP!

Montoya fires into the chaos, the war now extends to the GCPD. The cops get behind the car for cover.

Allen

Still nice and easy for ya, Bullock?

Allen clicks on his radio.

Allen

We need backup, I repeat, we need backup.

Suddenly, the gunshots begin to quiet out. One by one, the gunmen are being knocked out by a mysterious force. Blunt head trauma, electric traps, batarangs. Batgirl is able to clean the scene quickly with ease. She lands by the police officers.

Batgirl

Are you guys okay?

They all stare at her in shock.

Allen

Yeah, cancel that backup.

Meanwhile, Don Maroni sits in his penthouse bedroom, radioing his goons.

Goon

They got in! They’re breaking through the front door right now!

Maroni

Well then KILL THEM

Goon

We’re trying, but we’re getting overrun! There’s too ma-

Maroni

David? David? Hello? SOMEBODY!

Batman

Sal Maroni.

Maroni gets spooked and falls of his bed

Maroni

How many law abiding citizens do you terrorize by breaking into their homes?

Batman

You and I both know you’re no law abiding citizen.

Maroni

In the eyes of the law I am. Now tell me what you want before I call-

Batman grabs Maroni by the neck, holding him over his bed.

Batman

When I release you, I want you to quit the wisecracking and to begin telling me everything you know about Smylethesia, or I will get very mad. I’m barely distressed right now.

Batman throws Maroni back onto his bed.

Maroni

You FREAK! I SHOULD SUE YOUR ASS TO HELL!

Batman brings out sharp batarangs, ready to throw

Batman

START TALKING!

Maroni

Wait! What’s the insurance I make it outta here alive, huh?

Batman

My word.

Maroni

Well then make good on it! About 6 armed men downstairs gunning through my men, all of them looking for me. How does the expression go? Scratch my back, I scratch yours.

Batman

Hm.

Batman throws a trap around Maroni, it wraps him in rope and suspends him from the ceiling.

Maroni

What the- LET ME DOWN!

Batman

Don’t go anywhere.

Batman opens the door, and finds the armed assailants downstairs. He throws a smoke grenade and jumps down on them, disarming two, throwing those guns at two of the other men, and using the same trap to hang the last two by the leg to the ceiling. Batman grapples back up to the 2nd floor, entering Maroni’s door.

Batman

Done.

Maroni

Great! Now let me down!

Batman

Smylethesia. What does it do?

Maroni

I said get me down!

Batman

Fine.

Batman throws a batarang to cut the line from the ceiling, and grabs Maroni. He throws him off the balcony and holds him by the rope.

Maroni

AHHH! YOU CRAZY SUNUVABITCH!

Batman

WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

Maroni

FINE! Smylethesia gives people a sense of euphoria! We upsell it at a crazy cost, but it has nasty side effects we’d never use it ourselves.

Batman

So instead you peddle your poison to the people of Gotham?

Maroni

It’s a tasking business.

Batman

So that’s what they’re here for?

Maroni

Those are Falcone’s men! I have no idea why they’re here! Trust!

Batman

DONT LIE TO ME!

Batman drops him down further.

Maroni

Fine! We were meant to sell some over to Falcone’s men, but instead of drugs inside the crate there were- well, playing cards.

Batman

Playing cards?

The screen cuts to the GCPD and Barbara opening the crate of drugs

Maroni

Yeah, playing cards.

Zoom in on the shocked faces of the GCPD and Barbara.

Batman

What kinds of playing cards.

Maroni

According to my men-

The scene cuts to the cards in the crate

Maroni

Jokers.

Batman’s face is shocked, then it switches to a face of angry determination.

Alfred is in the batcave dusting, the cave is quiet and empty. Suddenly, the Batmobile zooms into its landing spot and parks. Batman and Batgirl jump from out the car.

Batman

Tell me you’ve got some good news Alfred.

Alfred

I’ve used every available database sir, no record of a drug named Smylethesia.

Batman

It’s fine. I figured out that it’s a hallucinogen, makes people see their wildest dreams.

Alfred

Not unlike the nightmare gas that Hugo Strange sprayed on you not so long ago.. You dont think-

Batman

I do. I’m heading to Blackgate and finding out what he knows. I do know that the Joker was behind this

Batgirl

Is there a connection between what happened last night and the drug?

Batman

I can’t confirm that.

Batgirl

And the Joker cards at the docks-

Alfred

Pardon me?

Batgirl

Inside a crate of supposed drugs, there were bundles of Joker playing cards. Filled to the brim.

Batman

He’s trying to instigate a gang war. But why?

Batgirl

Well, the evidence you found in Falcone’s home was enough to put him away for a while. Maybe things will die down.

Batman

I doubt it Barbara. I think things are just starting.

Jason

Well, maybe I can help.

The camera pans on to Jason in an all black Robin costume, the R is silver and metallic.

Jason

What do you thi-

Batman

Take it off.

Jason

What? But I’ve been training my ass off! I’m totally rea-

Batman

Take. It. Off.

Batman and Jason have an intense stare off, until Jason finally caves in and storms away. He turns around to give one final retort.

Jason

One of these days, you’re gonna get overwhelmed Bruce. Maybe then you’ll get your head out of your ass.

He takes the elevator upstairs.

Alfred

Master Bruce, if I may-

Batman

I don’t wanna hear it right now. I’m headed to Hugo Strange, and then I’m going to find Joker and put an end to this.

Batman hops in the Batmobile, and it drives out of the cave.

Episode End