The Riddler gruesomely murders the mayor of Gotham and tapes to the victim’s body a greeting card for the Batman and other clues to his motives and to his next victim—to the conspiracy that he has discovered and the perpetrators he’s targeting. In taunting the Batman by dosing him with knowledge, the Riddler is also making him an unwilling but inextricable ally, both forcing him to join in the same fight and informing him of the underlying and overarching truth about Gotham, about the social order that the avenging masked man is dedicated to defending and preserving.
* * *
[Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria” playing]
[heavy breathing]
[can pops open]
[footsteps echoing]
[people on street talking indistinctly]
[siren wailing in distance]
[heavy breathing continues]
[“Ave Maria” continues playing]
[girl squeals and laughs]
[muffled groaning]
[man] Hey!
[newscaster on TV] …a dark and stormy Halloween.
[news jingle plays on TV]
Good evening and welcome to GC-1 News live at 8:00.
Our top story tonight, just-released polls have incumbent Mayor Don Mitchell, Jr. and 28-year-old grassroots challenger Bella Reál in a dead heat.
Things certainly got hot last night in their final debate before next Tuesday’s election.
Now, my young opponent here wants to gut the Gotham Renewal Program, established by the great Thomas Wayne.
Cutting funds from vital projects like our sea wall and the safety net for those who need it.
The Renewal Program is broken. This city’s been renewing for 20 years.
Look where it’s gotten us. Crime has skyrocketed.
Murder and drug use are at historic highs.
Now wait… Now hang on.
We have a masked vigilante running the street.
Under my administration, the Gotham PD has dealt major blows to organized crime and drug trafficking.
The Salvatore Maroni case was the biggest drug bust in city history.
But drops and other drugs are still rampant.
It’s gotten worse.
I’m not saying there isn’t work to do.
But listen…
[phone rings]
I have a beautiful wife and young son, okay?
And I will not rest…
[mutes TV]
[picks up phone]
Hey.
[low eerie music playing]
Yeah, I’m watching it now.
[TV muted]
Why is she still tied?
But I thought we were getting a bump in the new Post poll.
Okay, you know what? I can’t watch this anymore.
Just call me in the morning, okay?
[phone beeps]
[Don on TV] …who still believes in everything this city can do.
[Bella] We need a leader, Mr. Mitchell, not a cheerleader.
And someone who will tell the people the truth.
[applause on TV]
[switches TV off]
[masked man yells]
[panting and grunting]
[panting heavily]
[exhales slowly]
[breathing deeply and heavily]
[Bruce] Thursday, October 31st.
[crackling]
[car horns honking]
The city streets are crowded for the holiday.
Even with the rain.
[chatter and laughter]
Hidden in the chaos is the element, waiting to strike like snakes.
But I’m there too.
Watching.
Two years of nights have turned me into a nocturnal animal.
I must choose my targets carefully.
[suspenseful music playing]
[indistinct TV chatter]
[entry bell chimes]
[gunman] Come on! Give me the money.
[cashier] Okay.
[gunman] Let’s go! Let’s go!
[cashier] All right, all right!
[Bruce] It’s a big city.
I can’t be everywhere.
[rowdy laughter]
[grunts]
[cheers and laughter]
But they don’t know where I am.
[laughter]
Look at this guy, man.
Boom!
[gang] Whoo-hoo-hoo!
[gang member 1] So good, man. That’s what I’m talking about!
[gang member 2] Yo, let’s see your hits.
That’s you.
[tense music playing]
[Bruce] We have a signal now. For when I’m needed.
But when that light hits the sky, it’s not just a call.
It’s a warning.
To them.
[helicopter blades whirring]
Fear…
[uneasy music playing]
is a tool.
[tires screech]
[car horn blares]
[driver] Are you out of your mind? Watch where you’re goin’, drophead!
[Bruce] They think I’m hiding in the shadows.
[heroic music playing]
[sirens wailing]
[thug] Come on!
[Bruce] But I am the shadows.
[brakes screech]
[PA chimes]
[indistinct announcement on PA]
[gang leader] Come on, come on.
[gang member] Whoo!
Hey, go on, man! Go!
Get him!
Come on, man!
What are you doin’?
[man] Help!
[gang laughs]
Somebody help me!
Help, help!
[gang jeering]
[gang laughs]
[gang member 1] Where you goin’, huh?
[gang member laughing derisively]
Come on.
Come on, man. Break it.
You can’t move, huh?
Now knock his ass out.
Showtime. Showtime, man.
Come on, man.
Come on. Do it, man.
[muffled clanging]
[menacing music playing]
[footsteps approaching]
[footsteps coming closer]
[laughing]
You see this guy?
The hell are you supposed to be?
[gang leader grunting]
[water splashes]
I’m vengeance.
Holy shit. It’s him.
[yelps]
[gang grunting]
[chokes]
[grunting]
Hey, man. No, no, no!
[groaning]
[man breathing raggedly]
Please don’t hurt me.
[soft music playing]
[hushed chatter]
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Police action.
He’s with me, Officer.
Are you kidding me, sir?
You’re gonna let him in here?
Martinez, let him through.
[Martinez sighs]
Goddamn freak.
What do we know?
Detective?
Sorry, Lieutenant.
We got blunt force trauma. Lacerations on the head.
He got hit a lot of times. And hard.
All this blood is from his head?
No.
Excuse me.
Most of it’s from his hand.
Thumb was severed.
Killer may have taken it as a trophy.
[Batman] He was alive when it was cut off.
Ecchymosis… around the wound.
[lead detective] Security detail downstairs said the family was out trick-or-treatin’.
The mayor was up here alone.
Killer may have come through the skylight.
[Gordon] You said there was a card.
[lead detective] Yeah.
[Gordon] “From your secret friend. Whoo?
Haven’t a clue?
Let’s play a game, just me and you.
What does a liar do when he’s dead?”
There’s a cipher too.
Any of this mean anything to you?
What’s going on here?
I asked him to come, Pete.
[Pete] This is a crime scene.
It’s Mitchell, for chrissakes!
I got the press downstairs.
You know, I cut you a lot of slack, Jim, ’cause we got history.
But this is way over the line.
Wait.
He’s involved in this?
No, he’s not involved.
How do you know?
He’s a goddamn vigilante! He could be a suspect!
What are you doin’ to me? We used to be partners.
[Gordon] I’m just trying to find the connection, Pete.
He lies still.
Excuse me?
The riddle.
What does a liar do when he’s dead? He lies still.
Oh, Jesus.
This must be your favorite night of the year, huh, pal?
Happy fuckin’ Halloween.
[Martinez] Excuse me, Commissioner.
They’re ready for your statement.
I want him outta here.
Now!
Come on.
[camera shutter clicking]
Yeah.
The kid found him.
[detective] Was there anyone else in the house when you arrived?
[melancholy song playing]
We really gotta go, man.
[Pete] Tonight, a son lost a father.
A wife lost a husband.
And I lost a friend.
Mayor Mitchell was a fighter for the city, and I will not rest until his killer is found.
This was a truly senseless crime, and we are actively pursuing every investigative lead we have in order to identify the perpetrator and hunt him down.
I’ve spoken to the governor…
[Bruce] I wish I could say I’m making a difference, but I don’t know.
[melancholy song continues]
Murder, robberies, assault.
Two years later, they’re all up.
And now this.
The city’s eating itself.
Maybe it’s beyond saving.
But I have to try.
Push myself.
[melancholy song continues]
[engine revving]
[bats chittering]
These nights all roll together in a rush behind the mask.
Sometimes in the morning, I have to force myself to remember everything that happened.
[groaning]
[newscaster on TV] Unbelievable breaking news this hour, everyone.
Again, four-term incumbent Gotham Mayor Don Mitchell, Jr. was found murdered last night inside his home in the exclusive Crest Hill district.
[newscaster 2] Exact details of the crime still have not been released, but a citywide manhunt is already underway as police and FBI search for the brazen killer.
And this certainly is not the first time Gotham has been rocked by the murder of a political figure.
In fact, in an eerie coincidence, it was 20 years ago this week that celebrated billionaire philanthropist
Dr. Thomas Wayne and his wife Martha were slain during Wayne’s own mayoral campaign.
It was a shocking crime that remains unsolved to this day.
Don Mitchell, Jr.’s political career was especially notable for his tough war on drugs when he and city police launched a major sting operation, resulting in the arrest of notorious mafia crime figure Salvatore Maroni with what, to this day, remains the biggest drug bust in GCPD history.
I assume you heard about this.
[newscaster 2 continues indistinctly]
Yeah.
Oh, I see.
[Gordon on video] All this blood is from his head?
Dear God.
[lead detective] There’s a cipher too.
[Gordon] Any of this mean anything to you?
[camera shutter clicking]
The killer left this for the Batman?
[Gordon] I asked him to come, Pete.
Apparently.
You’re becoming quite a celebrity.
Why is he writing to you?
[Pete] It’s Mitchell, for chrissakes!
I don’t know yet.
[Pete] I got the press downstairs.
Have a shower.
Our accounting friends at Wayne Enterprises are coming for breakfast.
Here? Why?
Because I couldn’t get you to go there.
I haven’t got time for this.
It’s getting serious, Bruce.
If this continues, it won’t be long before you’ve nothing left.
I don’t care about that.
Any of that.
You don’t care about your family’s legacy?
What I’m doing is my family’s legacy.
If I can’t change things here, if I can’t have an effect, then I don’t care what happens to me.
That’s what I’m afraid of.
Alfred, stop.
You’re not my father.
I’m well aware.
[somber music playing]
[machine whirs]
[Gordon on video] We really gotta go, man.
[soft classical music playing]
Some fresh berries there.
What are you doing?
Just reminiscing about my days in the Circus.
[inhales sharply] This is actually quite elusive.
Where’d you get those O’s?
[Alfred smacks lips]
“He lies still” is only a partial key.
It only gives us H, E, L, I, S, and T.
So, I’m looking for any double symbols to start, trying letters, see where it leads.
That’s interesting.
[woman] Mr. Pennyworth?
Yes, Dory?
The accountants are here.
See them in, please, Dory.
[Bruce] What if it’s not a partial key?
What do you mean?
What if this is the whole key?
Ignore the symbols we don’t have letters for.
Use only the letters from “He lies still” and leave the rest…
Blank. Yeah, I understand.
But that would leave most of the cipher unsolved.
I don’t see how that’s gonna…
[suspenseful music playing]
Oh.
[Gordon] Damn.
Yeah, he’s got a car.
Guess it’s good to be the mayor.
Where to even start?
You sure this isn’t a leap? “Drive” could mean anything.
[Batman] You don’t trust me?
You mean like you trust me?
It’s been two years now, and I don’t even know who you are, man.
[Batman] There.
[suspenseful music continues]
[air hissing]
What are we looking for?
A USB port.
USB?
[whirring]
What?
“Thumb” drive.
Jesus.
It’s encrypted.
Try this.
Oh, this guy’s hilarious.
[key clacks]
[beep]
Oh, well, well, well.
So much for family values.
Who is she?
No idea.
But that’s the Penguin, Carmine Falcone’s right hand.
I know who he is.
[notification whooshing]
What was that?
Shit, shit! The drive.
It sent out the photos from my account.
Gotham Post, Gazette, GC-1, all of them.
Jesus.
I’m gonna catch hell for this. Pete’s gonna bust a gasket.
“He lies still.”
About her?
Maybe.
That’s the Iceberg Lounge.
It’s under the Shoreline Lofts where Falcone was holed up.
Never get in there without a warrant.
Yeah.
[train rumbles past]
[muffled dance music playing]
Know who I am?
Yeah. I got an idea.
I want to see the Penguin.
I don’t know what you’re talking about, pal.
What’s the problem?
Says he wants to see the Penguin.
Penguin? There’s no Penguin here.
That’s what I tried to tell him.
Get out of here, freak. You hear me?
Or that little suit’s gonna get all full of blood.
Mine or yours?
[dance music continues on speakers]
[twin 1] Get him!
[woman] I saw that whole thing.
[twin 1] He’s over there!
[woman] What is your problem?
[dance music continues on speakers]
[grunting]
Hey! Put the bat down, or I’ll blow your head off!
[people screaming]
[grunting]
[grunts]
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
Take it easy, sweetheart.
You looking for me?
I see you met the twins.
Boy, you’re everything they say, ain’t ya?
I guess we both are.
How you doing?
I’m Oz.
[people cheering]
[Batman] Who is she?
[muffled club music playing]
I really don’t know, chief.
I might have been coming out at the same time, but I wasn’t rolling with them.
[footsteps approaching]
It’s okay, baby.
Mr. Vengeance here, he don’t bite. Come on.
Thank you, honey.
[music continues on speakers]
[people cheering]
Here you go, champ.
I wanna know who she is, and what she has to do with this murder.
Whose murder?
The mayor’s.
Is that the mayor?
Oh, shit, it is. Look at that.
Don’t make me hurt you.
You better watch it. You know my reputation?
Yeah, I do. Do you?
Look…
I’m just the proprietor, okay?
I mean, what people do here ain’t got nothing to do with me.
Tell you one thing.
Whoever she is, she’s one hot chick.
Why don’t you ask Mitchell’s wife? Maybe she knows.
What? Too soon?
[soft suspenseful music plays]
You let me know if there’s anything else I can do.
[train wheels squealing]
[sirens wailing nearby]
Taxi!
Taxi!
[suspenseful music playing]
[cell phone ringing]
Hey, it’s me.
[indistinct talking on phone]
Baby, what’s wrong?
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down, slow down. I can’t…
On the news?
Okay. No. No, stay there. Wait for me, okay?
Wait for me, I’m on my way home.
[woman on phone crying]
Listen, baby, we’re gonna get the hell out of here, okay? I promise.
If we have to leave earlier, we’ll leave tonight.
[line disconnects abruptly]
Uh…
God damn it.
[cap pops open]
[muffled TV chatter]
[rain pattering]
[somber music playing]
[muffled, indistinct talking]
[newscaster] …photos of murdered mayor, Don Mitchell, Jr. with a younger mystery woman.
In a shocking development, the police believe the photos themselves…
[woman crying and speaking indistinctly]
[woman continues crying]
[inaudible conversation]
[somber music continues]
Now they urge her to contact the GCPD…
[somber music continues]
[suspenseful music playing]
[engine revs]
[rope creaking softly]
[whirring]
[clicking]
[Batman] You’re pretty good at that.
[grunting]
[dramatic music playing]
[grunting]
[panting heavily]
Hey! Give me that.
[Batman] “Kosolov, Annika.”
[panting]
He hurt her? That’s why you killed him?
What? Oh, please. Just give me the goddamn…
[muffled grunting]
[Batman shushing]
[footsteps approaching]
[soft music playing]
[radio beeps]
[door closes]
[exhales sharply]
Listen, honey, you got the wrong idea, okay?
I didn’t kill anybody. I’m here for my friend.
She’s trying to get the hell out of here, and this son of a bitch stole her passport.
What does she know?
Whatever it is, it’s got her so spooked she won’t even tell me.
She did seem upset.
Back at your place.
Let’s go talk to her.
[engines roaring]
[muffled TV chatter]
Anni!
Baby!
Anni!
Anni!
[weatherwoman] It’s gonna be cool this evening.
It’s gonna be down into the 40s.
[newscaster] More breaking news this hour
as the city is rocked by a second high-profile murder in as many nights.
And this time, the killer has come forward to claim credit online…
Jesus, what are they gonna do to her? She’s just a kid.
[sighs]
Shit, they took my phone.
[newscaster 2] His victim, longtime head of the Gotham City PD,
Commissioner Pete Savage,
was found dead earlier tonight
inside the Police Athletic League facilities in the Tricorner area.
The killer posted the following message on social media,
and we have to warn you, the video is very disturbing.
[deep and heavy breathing on TV]
[distorted male voice] Hello, people of Gotham.
This is the Riddler speaking.
On Halloween night,
I killed your mayor because he was not who he pretended to be.
But I am not done.
[muffled whimpering on TV]
Here is another…
[whimpering]
[rattling]
who will soon be losing face.
[Pete whimpers]
I will kill again, and again, and again,
until our day of judgment
when the truth about our city [raises voice] will finally…
[in normal tone] be unmasked.
Goodbye!
[Pete panting and whimpering]
[newscaster] Commissioner Savage served a distinguished
30-year career on the GCPD…
Holy shit, I seen that guy too.
At the club.
The Iceberg Lounge?
44 Below.
What is that?
The club within the club.
[scoffs] The real club.
It’s a mob hangout.
Is that where you work?
[cat meows]
Selina?
No, I just work the bar upstairs.
But I see ’em come in.
Who?
A lot of guys that shouldn’t be there, I can tell you that.
Your basic upstanding citizen types.
You’re gonna help me on this.
For your friend.
[cat meowing]
You got a lot of cats.
I have a thing about strays.
[gentle music playing]
You’re not safe here.
I can take care of myself.
[newscaster] Two public figures now dead in just the last two nights,
and only days before the election.
Police and city officials are left searching for a killer
and hoping to find him before he kills again.
He waited for him at the gym.
Pete always liked to work out late at night,
when no one else was around.
There’s a needle mark on his neck.
Injected him with arsenic.
Rat poison.
Yeah.
That seems to be his theme here.
Look at this thing.
[eerie music playing]
It’s a maze.
[flashlight clicks]
What kind of demented son of a bitch does this to a person?
[Batman] More symbols.
It’s another cipher.
He blasted these out after his message went viral.
Bastard murders you and your reputation.
That guy pushes drops. On the east end.
I don’t get it.
Why would Pete get involved in something like this?
Looks like he got greedy.
You kidding me?
After everything we did to take down the Maronis?
We busted their entire operation, then he caves to some lowlife dealer?
Maybe he’s not who you thought.
You make it sound like he had it coming.
He was a cop.
Crossed a line.
[flashlight clicks off]
[eerie music continues]
“I’m mad about you.
Want to know my name? Just look inside and see.”
“Follow the maze until you find the rat.
Bring him into the light, and you’ll find where I’m at.”
The hell is that?
“Bring him into the light”? “Find the rat”?
I don’t know.
[Martinez] Lieutenant.
They’re coming back.
[Gordon] We got to get out of here.
[eerie music continues]
Come on.
[Selina] Ow!
I don’t know about these things.
I need to see in there, this hunting ground.
Hey, why am I starting to feel like a fish on a hook?
I’m just looking for Annika.
Boy, you’re a real sweetheart.
You really don’t care what happens to me in there tonight, do you?
[gentle music playing]
Look at me.
Looks good. Here.
[sighs]
[upbeat club music playing on speakers]
[static buzzing]
[static continues buzzing]
[upbeat club music continues on speakers]
[static continues buzzing]
I got you. Can you hear me?
Yeah.
Hey, where you goin’?
Hospitality.
[Batman] That’s one of the guys I got into it with the other night.
Looks like I broke his nose.
[door slides open]
[computer trilling]
“Kenzie, William.”
He’s an off-duty cop.
Are you sure no one can see these things in my eyes?
Don’t worry. I’m watching you.
[sighs]
[techno music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[computer trilling rhythmically]
Don’t look away. I need time to make IDs.
Great.
These guys have a little problem with eye contact, don’t they?
Feels good, doesn’t it?
[man] Yeah, baby. Feels real good.
[Selina] Jesus, I hate dropheads.
[Batman] Really?
‘Cause when I first saw you,
it looked like you were dealing for Penguin.
You don’t know what you’re talking about. Can we not…
Can we not do this right now?
Wait. Who was that?
Oh, I saw him.
[Batman] Look back.
If I look back, it’s gonna be a whole can of worms.
I need to see his face.
[sighs] Jesus.
That’s the DA.
Gil Colson.
And he’s coming over. You happy?
[Batman] Talk to him.
Hey. How you doing?
Hi.
I’m Gil.
Hey, aren’t you the DA?
Yeah.
Wow. [chuckles] I’ve seen you on TV.
Is that right?
I haven’t seen you around here before.
It’s a hell of a time to be the new girl,
’cause people are all a little on edge.
[Selina] Oh, honey, I live on the edge.
[Gil] Is that right?
[Selina chuckles]
[Gil chuckles] I like that.
Do you want to come over?
Sure.
[Gil] This is Travis.
Hey.
[Gil] You wanna take a seat over there?
Richie, Glen.
[Richie] Hey.
That’s half the DA’s office.
[Gil] You know Carla here, huh?
Hi.
That’s Cheri. Don’t mind her, she’s just taking a break.
Drowning our sorrows.
You want a drop?
[Selina] Uh, no, I’m good. But you enjoy.
[music continues on speakers]
Hope you don’t mind.
I got a lot on my shoulders with that psycho running around.
He’s wasted.
No shit.
[chuckles] I like this girl.
Oh, hey, I like you too!
I mean, this Riddler, he’s going after the most powerful people in the city.
He knows so much.
[Travis] He doesn’t know shit, man.
[Gil] What are you talking about? Yeah, he does! What about that rat…
[Richie] Hey, hey, Gil, come on.
Think maybe you had a little too much.
Hey. The rat.
[Richie] Slow down.
Ask him about the rat.
[Selina] Hey, what’s this about a rat?
[inhales deeply]
I mean…
there was a rat. We had an informant.
We had big-time information on Salvatore Maroni.
That’s how we got him out of the drops business.
He’s talking about the Maroni case.
But if this guy knows, it’s gonna come out.
And when it does, this whole city’s gonna come apart.
Okay, I don’t wanna hear this.
This is the kind of pillow talk that got that Russian girl disappeared.
What do you know about that?
Does anybody want a drink?
[Gil] I want a drink.
Keep him talking.
Wait, where are you going?
She knows Annika.
No, stay on the DA.
I told you I’m looking for my friend.
Where’s Annika?
Out of my face. I don’t know you.
Yeah, but you know her. Who took her?
What have you heard? Is she okay?
Jesus Christ, keep your voice down.
What, you got a death wish?
[man] Hey, what’s the problem, ladies?
[Carla] There’s no problem. It’s just girl talk.
Let’s keep it festive down here, all right?
[Carla] Sure thing, Oz.
Hey.
Hey.
Been a long time since I seen you down here.
How you been?
Yeah, I’ve been okay.
I was just…
I was just headed back upstairs.
Well…
don’t be a stranger.
You know Carmine Falcone.
I told you it’s a mob spot.
You didn’t tell me you had a relationship with him.
I don’t have a relationship with him, okay?
Well, that’s not what it looked like.
Forget it.
Wait, what are you doing?
Listen, I can’t do this anymore.
No! No!
[line breaking up]
[static buzzes, stream stops]
[Selina] Taxi!
[heavy breathing]
[Gil] Hey!
I lost you in there.
Yeah, I gotta go.
Oh, you need a ride?
That’s me right there.
[eerie music playing]
Taxi!
I’m good.
I hope, uh…
I’ll see you around.
[car door closes]
[eerie music continues]
[car alarm chirps]
[glass squeaking]
[eerie music continues]
[breathes deeply]
[Gil grunts]
[train rumbles past]
[car horn blaring continuously]
[car horn stops]
[Gil grunting weakly]
[Gil grunts]
[Riddler shushes]
Just hold still.
[beeping]
[Gil whimpers]
[Riddler breathing heavily and raspily]
[eerie music continues]
[wistful music playing]
[switch clicks]
[Batman] What do you know about
a confidential informant in the Maroni case?
Yeah, sure, there was.
That’s the rat we’re looking for.
Somehow Riddler knows who he is.
If we find the rat, maybe it’ll lead us to him.
Where are you getting this?
I have a source who spoke to the DA tonight.
Gil’s very nervous.
I think the killer’s targeting people close to that case.
I worked that case.
Riddler’s not after you.
How do you know?
You’re not corrupt.
Colson’s dirty?
Maybe I, uh…
I go after him. Lean on him to give up the rat.
It’s too dangerous. They made a secret deal with this guy.
Who knows how many people it touches.
Politicians. Police. The courts.
It could tear the whole city apart.
[Gordon] Jesus, this is a powder keg.
[Batman] And Riddler’s the match.
[Batman on video] You know Carmine Falcone.
[Selina] I told you it’s a mob spot.
[Batman] You didn’t tell me you had a relationship with him.
[Selina] I don’t have a relationship…
[Batman] You didn’t tell me you had a relationship with him.
[Selina] I don’t have a relationship with him. Okay?
[Batman] You know Carmine Falcone.
[Selina] I told you it’s a mob spot.
[Batman] You didn’t tell me you had a relationship with him.
[Selina] I don’t have a relationship with him. Okay?
[Alfred] Pretty.
[tape clicks off]
She a new friend of yours?
I’m not so sure.
Looks like you upset her.
Shall I take this as a good sign?
What?
Your attire.
Is Bruce Wayne making an actual appearance?
There’s a public memorial for Mayor Mitchell.
Serial killers like to follow reactions to their crimes.
Riddler might not be able to resist.
Oh, that reminds me.
I’ve taken the liberty of doing a little work on this latest cipher.
The one from the rat maze.
I’m afraid his Spanish is not perfect,
but I’m fairly certain this translates to,
“You are El Rata Alada.”
[Bruce] Rata Alada?
“Rat with wings”?
It’s slang for “pigeon.” Does that mean anything to you?
Yeah.
A stool pigeon.
Where are your cufflinks?
I couldn’t find them.
Well, you can’t go out like that.
Alfred, I don’t want your cufflinks.
You have to keep up appearances. You’re still a Wayne.
[scoffs]
And what about you? Are you a Wayne?
Your father gave them to me.
[gentle music playing]
[protesters chanting] No more lies! No more lies!
Mr. Wayne. All right. All right, you’re going straight down there.
[melancholy music playing]
[protesters continue chanting]
[reporter] Is that Bruce Wayne?
[reporters] Mr. Wayne! Mr. Wayne! Mr. Wayne!
[reporters clamoring]
[camera shutters clicking]
[man] Hold it.
You good, fellas?
Good.
We’re good, Mr. Falcone.
[melancholy music continues]
Sir?
[reporters continue clamoring]
[bodyguard] Hey!
Give us a wide berth here, would you, slick?
Hey, watch it, fellas.
You got the prince of the city there.
Some event, huh?
Brought out the one guy in the city more reclusive than me.
Thought you’d never leave the Shoreline.
Aren’t you afraid someone’ll take a shot at you?
Why? ‘Cause your father ain’t around?
Oz, you know Bruce Wayne?
Wow. Is that right?
His father saved my life.
I got shot in the chest. Right here.
I couldn’t go to no hospital, so we showed up on his doorstep.
Operated right on the dining room table.
Kid here, he saw the whole thing, up on the stairs looking down.
I remember your face.
You don’t think that meant something, he did that?
It meant he took the Hippocratic oath.
“Hippocratic oath.”
That’s good.
Excuse me.
[laughs]
Yes.
[“Ave Maria” playing]
[indistinct radio chatter]
[heavy breathing]
[man coughing]
[announcer on mic] Ladies and gentlemen,
thank you all for coming to today’s memorial
for our beloved mayor, Don Mitchell, Jr.
Our program will begin shortly.
As a reminder, the family asked that
those wishing to honor the mayor’s memory
consider a donation to
the cause most dear to his heart…
[scuffling]
…the Gotham Renewal Fund,
our city’s safety net.
What good’s a safety net doesn’t catch anybody?
Didn’t help my daughter when she needed it, I can tell you that.
The guy was just another rich scum-sucker.
He got what he deserved.
Know what I mean?
Hey, don’t I know you?
[woman] Bruce Wayne.
Why haven’t you called me back?
I’m sorry?
I’m Bella Reál. I’m running for mayor.
I wouldn’t be bothering you here,
but your people keep telling me you’re unavailable.
Will you walk with me?
[“Ave Maria” continues playing]
Mr. Wayne.
Mr. Wayne.
You know, you really could be doing more for this city.
Your family has a history of philanthropy,
but as far as I can tell, you’re not doing anything.
If I’m elected, I want to change that.
Thank you.
[Bella] My God.
I’m gonna go pay my respects. Will you wait for me?
I want to continue this.
Excuse me.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Thank you.
[Gordon] Excuse me, chief. Can I talk to you?
Gil Colson is missing.
[Mackenzie] What?
He hasn’t been heard from since last night.
Christ, not again.
Hey. Mr. Wayne.
You got people looking for him, Jim?
[Gordon] Sent a couple guys to his house. Nothing.
[Mackenzie] What’d his wife say?
[Gordon] She hadn’t heard from him.
[people outside screaming]
[indistinct shouting]
[tires squeal]
[loud bang]
[tires screeching]
[engine revving]
[people shrieking]
[suspenseful music builds up]
[tires screeching]
[people clamoring]
[menacing music playing]
[Gordon] Get out of the car!
Get out of the car and show your hands!
Get out!
[man in car grunting]
Get ’em up!
Get out! Show ’em!
[panting]
Christ, it’s Colson.
[officer] There’s a bomb around his neck!
[cell phone ringing]
[people gasp]
[whimpering]
[cell phone continues ringing]
Let’s clear this place out now!
[officer 2] We’ve got to get this place cleared out!
[people clamoring]
[cell phone continues ringing]
[cell phone ringing]
[whirring]
[ringing continues]
[camera shutter clicks]
[man] Hey, guys, guys. Here we go.
[sirens wailing]
[officer] We don’t know if he’s in on it.
What’s he looking at?
[cell phone ringing]
[distant footsteps]
[footsteps coming closer]
[ominous music playing]
Holy shit.
[Mackenzie] Are you kidding me?
What the hell is he doing? Gordon!
Your guy’s gonna get himself killed in there.
[cell phone continues ringing]
Please.
He made me do it. [tearfully] I’m so sorry.
He told me if I didn’t do exactly what he said, he’d kill me.
I’m so sorry.
Looks like a combination lock.
Can’t we just cut it off?
Not if you want to keep your head.
[cell phone continues ringing]
[Riddler breathing heavily]
[Riddler] You came.
Who are you?
Me?
I’m nobody.
I’m just an instrument,
here to unmask the truth about this cesspool we call a city.
“Unmask”?
Yes.
Let’s do it together, okay?
I’ve been trying to reach you.
You’re part of this too.
How am I a part of this?
You’ll see.
[officer] Hey, Chief. You better take a look at this.
[Riddler on stream] Say hello to my followers.
We’re live.
They’re here to watch our little trial.
At the moment,
the man across from you, Mr. Colson,
is dead.
Jesus, can we get somebody out here? This psycho’s gonna kill me!
But wait a minute…
[shouting] Shut up! You deserve to be dead after what you did!
You hear me?
[softly] Okay.
[Riddler groaning comically]
[Riddler laughing]
[Riddler] I’m giving you a chance.
No one ever gave me a chance.
Now,
ever since I was a child,
I’ve always loved little puzzles.
For me, they are a retreat
from the horrors of our world.
Maybe they can bring some comfort to you too, Mr. Colson.
You want me to do puzzles?
[chuckles excitedly]
Three riddles in two minutes.
You give me the answers, and I’ll give you the code for the lock.
Do you understand?
Yeah.
Okay, okay. So I just…
You want me to…
[device beeps]
[whimpers]
Riddle number one…
[timer beeping]
“It can be cruel, poetic, or blind,
but when it’s denied, it’s violence you may find.”
Wait, wait, wait! Can you repeat that?
“Cruel”? “Poetic”?
“Justice.”
Huh?
The answer’s “justice.”
Justice?
Yes!
Oh, God.
Justice!
[dramatically] And you were supposed to be an arm of justice in this city,
along with the late mayor and police commissioner,
were you not, Mr. Colson?
Of course, of course. Of course.
Riddle number two.
“If you are justice, please do not lie.
What is the price for your blind eye?”
“The price”?
[Batman] “Bribes.”
Oh, God. “Bribes”?
He’s asking you how much it cost for you to turn your back.
[hesitating]
[shouting] Fifty-eight seconds!
How much?
Nothing!
[raises voice] How much?
Ten grand. Ten Gs a month.
I get a monthly payment just not to prosecute certain cases.
What cases?
He didn’t ask me that!
Come on! Ten grand.
[Riddler laughing]
That’s my answer. It’s ten grand!
Okay. Okay. Okay.
Don’t lose your head, Mr. Colson.
Just one more to go before your time runs out.
[singsongy] Last riddle.
[dramatically] “Since your justice is so select,
please tell us which vermin you’re paid to protect.”
“Which vermin”?
[Batman] The rat.
The informant you all protect from the Salvatore Maroni case.
How do you know about that?
What’s his name?
Twenty seconds.
No.
He’s gonna kill you.
I’m a dead man either way. You’re talking to a dead man, okay?
If I go out this way, it’s just me.
But if I give over that name, I have family, people I love.
He’ll kill them too.
Who will?
People are watching.
What people?
It’s so much bigger than you could ever imagine.
It’s the whole system!
Five!
Four!
[beeping rapidly]
Oh, God, have mercy on me…
Three!
Goodbye!
[device trills]
[Batman grunts]
[people gasp]
[ears ringing]
[muffled, indistinct shouting]
[ringing intensifies]
[ringing stops]
[Martinez] Who do you think he is under there?
[Gordon] Take it easy.
[Martinez] I want to see.
[medic] What is that thing? Leather?
[medic 2] What’s he got on his eyes?
[Martinez] Who cares? I want to see his face.
What are we doing here? Let’s just take it off…
[Gordon] Hey!
[officers clamoring]
Hey! Hey! Hey!
Relax, God damn it!
You’re protecting this guy, Jim?
He interfered in an active hostage situation.
Colson’s blood is on his hands.
Maybe it’s on yours.
What’d you say?
He would rather die than talk.
What was he afraid of?
You?
[menacing music playing]
You son of a bitch.
You have any idea what kind of trouble you’re in?
You could be an accessory to murder.
[officer] Why are we playing games…
[officers clamoring]
[Officer 2] Get him! Come on!
Back off! Back off!
Great, now I got you on assaulting an officer!
You got me on assaulting three.
Hey!
What’s the matter with you? This isn’t the way to do this!
[breathing heavily]
You too now?
Let me handle this, Chief. Just give me a minute.
You’re gonna put yourself on the line for this scumbag, Jim?
Just give me a minute. I’ll get him to cooperate.
Okay, give him the room.
Two minutes.
You listen to me.
[softly] We gotta get you out of here.
That would put a lot of heat on you.
Well, you punched me in the face.
[Batman scoffs]
Take this key.
Through that door. Hallway to the stairs that go to the roof.
[Kenzie] Hey, what the hell is going on here?
Hey, hey, hey, what’s going on?
[suspenseful music playing]
Who’s the mustache with the broken nose?
That’s Kenzie. Narcotics.
He’s one of the guys I got into it with at the Iceberg Lounge.
What are you saying? Kenzie moonlights for the Penguin?
Or he moonlights as a cop.
[officer] Jesus Christ!
[Kenzie] Go!
[officer 2] Somebody stop him!
[officers clamoring]
[tense music playing]
[gasping]
[grunts]
[officer 1] There he is!
[officer 2] Freeze!
[heroic music playing]
[grunting]
[groaning]
[Gordon] Could have at least pulled that punch, man.
I did.
Bock put out an APB on you. You really think he’s in on this?
I don’t trust any of ’em. Do you?
I only trust you.
What’s a narcotics cop doing with Falcone’s right-hand man?
Colson said, “Cops protect the rat.” Maybe Kenzie’s part of it.
You think Penguin’s the rat?
His club caters to the mob. Maroni practically lived there.
Penguin would have been privy to a lot of dirt.
DA was a regular too.
Maybe Penguin got himself into a jam and working a deal was his only way out.
The Rata Alada.
The what?
Riddler’s latest.
The cipher in the maze.
It means “a rat with wings.” Like a stool pigeon.
A penguin’s got wings too.
Time for me to have another conversation with him.
What about the Riddler? He’s gonna kill again.
It’s all connected. Like it or not, it’s his game now.
You want to find Riddler, we gotta find that rat.
[thunder rumbling]
[Gordon on radio] Kenzie and the twins, coming your way.
[Batman] There’s Penguin.
[Gordon] I wonder what’s in the bags.
You want to move in?
[Batman] Let’s follow.
[suspenseful music playing]
[car horn honking]
They stopped at Waterfront Street. The recycling plant.
[Batman] I’m here.
[Penguin] How you doing?
[man] Yeah, good. How are you?
[Penguin] Good, good. Let’s get in out of this deluge.
[conversation continues indistinctly]
[suspenseful music continues]
It’s a drug lab. Drops.
This is a buy.
Looks like they got Maroni’s operation up and running again.
Or they never shut it down at all.
[Gordon] What are you saying?
The biggest drug bust in GCPD history was a fraud?
[motorcycle approaching]
[suspenseful music continues]
This just got complicated.
What do you mean?
[twin 1 grunts]
Hey! What happened?
You all right?
[grunts]
Dangerous crowd you’re stealing from.
[sighs] Jesus.
Is this how you get your kicks, hon?
Sneaking up on girls in the dark?
Is that why you work in the club?
It was all just a score?
I would love to sit and go over every gory detail with you, bat boy…
but, uh, those assholes are coming back.
[gunfire]
[gasps]
Jesus!
[engine revs]
[engine revving]
[tires screeching]
[panting]
[dramatic music playing]
Hey, Vengeance!
You think you can come after my money, huh?
[engine powering up]
[thruster fires]
[engine revving]
[engine continues revving]
[tires screech]
Kenzie! Get the money!
[tense music playing]
Hey! What the…
[thruster fires]
[engine roaring]
[Kenzie grunting]
[heroic music playing]
[tires screeching]
[grunting]
[engine revving]
[tires skidding]
[accelerating]
Whoa!
Come on! Come on!
[crash]
This guy’s crazy! [laughs]
Come on! Hey!
[tires screeching]
[engines roaring]
[bullets ricocheting]
[truck horn blaring]
[gasps]
[truck horn continues blaring]
[tires squeal]
[engine revs]
[tires screeching]
[car horns honking]
[Penguin] Move!
[truck horn blares]
[tires screeching]
[car horns blaring]
[crashing]
[grunts]
[engine revving]
[tires screeching]
[truck horn blaring]
[truck horn blares]
[engine revving]
[tires skid]
[car horn beeping]
[engine revving]
Get out of the way!
[tires screeching]
[car honking]
Come on!
[tires skidding]
[truck horn blaring]
[car horn blaring]
Get out of the way!
[horns beeping]
[yells]
[tires squeal]
[thud]
[tires skidding]
[grunts]
[tires skid]
[grunts]
[growls]
[laughing] I got you!
I got you!
Take that, you friggin’ psycho!
I got you!
[engine roars]
[engine revving]
[Penguin whimpering]
[crashing]
[metal creaking]
[thud]
[glass shatters]
[dramatic menacing music playing]
[grunts]
[panting]
What the hell is this? Good cop, batshit cop?
Who’s the Riddler?
Riddler? How should I know?
[Gordon] Let’s make it easy for you, Oz.
Cops caught you doing something.
They were gonna shut you down, put you away.
So you gave up a bigger fish to save your ass.
You ratted out Salvatore Maroni.
His drops operation.
But the cops, the city officials, the mayor, the DA,
they got greedy, right? Wasn’t enough, a big career-making bust.
They wanted to take over the drops business too,
but they needed a minor league mope like you to run it.
You don’t just work for Carmine Falcone. You work for them too.
What are you, crazy?
[Gordon] That why you killed the girl?
I didn’t kill no girl!
We know she worked for you at the 44 Below.
But she got too close, right?
Found out from Mitchell that you were the rat, so you killed her.
But somehow Riddler found out too.
He knows so much about you.
You must know about him.
Who is he?
Boy, you guys are a hell of a duet here.
Why don’t you start harmonizing?
There’s only one problem with your little scenario, okay?
I ain’t no rat!
You got any idea what Carmine Falcone would do to me
if he heard this kind of talk?
Oh, you don’t wanna talk about rats, huh?
Maybe we can talk about what they did to my partner’s face.
Holy God, what are you showing me here?
This was around his head!
Come on!
[yells] Open your eyes!
Are you El Rata Alada?
El Rata Alada?
Yeah, a “rat with wings.” A stool pigeon.
That’s not you? The symbols in the maze, right here.
It says you are El Rata Alada.
“You are El Rata”? It says that?
Why, you got something to tell us?
Yeah!
It’s, like, the worst Spanish I ever heard.
What?
It’s “La.”
“La” rata.
What, is this Riddler stupid or something?
Jesus! Look at you two.
World’s greatest detectives!
Am I the only here knows the difference between “el” and “la”?
Jesus!
No habla español, fellas?
Do me a favor, shithead, shut up!
You think he made a mistake?
He doesn’t make mistakes.
A rat with wings?
You know what that sounds like to me?
A friggin’ bat! Huh? You ever think of that?
“You are El Rata.”
“You are el.”
Maybe it was a mistake.
Maybe he isn’t as smart as…
[computer beeps]
Wait.
Is that him?
[beeps]
Holy shit.
[typing]
What the hell does that mean? Is he or isn’t he?
“I grew up from a seed, tough as a weed.
But in a mansion, in a slum,
I’ll never know where I come from.
Do you know what I am?”
Any idea?
Yeah.
It’s an orphan.
A mansion in a slum.
He’s talking about the old orphanage.
The one that burned down?
It was part of the Wayne estate.
They donated it after they built the tower.
Let’s go.
You guys realize I’m still here, right?
You gonna untie me?
How the hell am I supposed to get out of here?
[engine revs]
Hey!
[shouts] You goddamn sons of bitches!
[eerie music playing]
[bang]
[gun cocks]
[Batman] No guns.
[Gordon] Yeah, man. That’s your thing.
[water trickling]
What’s that?
[sinister music plays]
Hey! Hey!
Dropheads.
[choir singing “Ave Maria” on speakers]
What the hell is that?
[song ends]
[applause]
[man on recording] Thank you. Thank you so much.
Wasn’t that beautiful?
Thank you all. Thank you, uh…
Thank you for coming today.
I believe in Gotham.
I believe in its promise.
But too many have been left behind for too long,
and that’s why I’m here today.
To announce, not only my candidacy for mayor,
but also the creation of the Gotham Renewal Fund.
Win or lose,
the Wayne Foundation pledges a $1 billion donation
to start a charitable endowment for public works.
I want to bypass political gridlock, and get money to people and projects
who need it now,
like these children behind me.
“Sins of the father.”
Renewal is about growth. It is about planting seeds…
…and renewing Gotham’s promise.
[applause]
Shall be visited upon the son.
Jesus. His next victim is Bruce Wayne.
Hey!
[phone ringing]
[engine roaring]
[phone continues ringing]
[Gabriel Faure’s “Requiem: In Paradisum” playing]
[phone continues ringing]
[accelerating]
[phone continues ringing]
[continues ringing]
Hello?
Dory! I need to speak to Alfred!
Oh, Mr. Wayne…
Listen to me!
Something terrible is gonna happen!
I’m afraid it already has, sir.
[“Requiem: In Paradisum” continues playing]
[voice quivering] About an hour ago.
I’m so sorry.
I’ve been trying to reach you.
[detective] The package was intended for you.
It was a C-4 explosive sent in a mailer. We found this too.
[EKG machine beeping]
We’ve sedated him.
We just have to hope he stabilizes.
You should go home, Mr. Wayne. Get some sleep.
Is there anyone else to notify?
Next of kin?
No.
It’s just me.
[grunting]
[panting]
[rousing music playing]
[spraying]
[spray can rattles]
[rousing music intensifies]
[cat meowing on speakers]
[static crackling]
Selina?
Can you see me?
Yeah, I can see you.
I need to talk to you.
Where can we go?
[suspenseful music playing]
[elevator whirring, thuds]
[elevator door opens]
Cat burglar pulling another score?
What?
Wasn’t sure I’d see you again.
Yeah, well, things were getting a little hot for me, so…
How could they do that to her?
That piece of shit cop, Kenzie.
Her body was in his car.
I’m gonna find him and I’m gonna make him pay. You gonna help me?
Help you?
Yeah. I thought you were “Vengeance.”
Your friend got involved with the wrong people.
She didn’t know any better.
Maybe you should have explained it to her.
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
It means your choices have consequences.
Jesus Christ. “Choices”?
You know, whoever the hell you are, you obviously grew up rich.
Was it worth it?
What?
Compromising yourself for money?
What did you have to do to set up that score?
How close did you have to get to Penguin? To Falcone?
You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.
Falcone owes me that money.
He owes you?
Yeah, and a lot more.
Oh, really? Why’s that?
You know what? I can’t even talk to you.
No! I want to know why a guy like Falcone
would owe you anything.
[shouts] Because he’s my father!
My mother worked at the 44 Below.
Just like Anni.
She used to take me there when I was a little girl.
To the club?
Yeah.
I hid out in the dressing room while she worked.
Used to see him there.
He scared the shit out of me.
And I could never understand why he looked at me the way he did.
Then one night, my mother told me who he was.
When I was seven, my mother was murdered.
Strangled.
Never found out who. Probably some creep from the club.
Anyway, social services came to take me away,
and he didn’t say a thing.
Couldn’t even look at me.
He owes me that money.
I’m sorry.
For what I said.
Oh, it’s all right.
[chuckles dryly]
You assume the worst in people.
Which, well…
maybe we’re not so different after all.
Who are you under there?
What are you hiding?
Are you just…
hideously scarred?
Yeah.
[chuckles lightly]
Listen to me.
If we don’t stand up for Annika, no one will.
All anyone cares about in this place are these white, privileged assholes.
The mayor, the commissioner, the DA.
Now Thomas and Bruce Wayne.
I mean, as far as I’m concerned,
that psycho’s right to go after these creeps.
I think you’d be on his side.
What do you mean, “Thomas and Bruce Wayne”?
What, do you live in a cave?
The Riddler’s latest. It’s all about the Waynes.
Listen, if I can find that dickbag Kenzie,
will you help me?
Please.
Come on, Vengeance.
Just don’t make any moves without me, understand?
It’s a little more dangerous than you know…
[romantic music playing]
I told you, baby.
I can take care of myself.
[Thomas] I’m Thomas Wayne, and I approve this message.
[triumphant music playing]
From a very young age, my family, Martha’s family, the Arkhams…
…instilled in both of us
that giving back is not just an obligation,
it’s a passion.
That is our family’s legacy.
[Riddler on TV] The Waynes and the Arkhams.
Gotham’s founding families.
But what is their real legacy?
Twenty years ago, one reporter set out to uncover the dark truth.
He found shocking family secrets.
How, when Martha was just a child,
her mother brutally murdered her father,
then committed suicide…
[gunshot]
…and how the Arkhams used their power and money to cover it up.
How Martha herself was in and out of institutions for years
and they didn’t want anyone to know.
Thomas Wayne tried to force this crusading reporter
into a hush-money agreement to save his mayoral campaign.
[raises voice] But when the reporter refused…
…Wayne turned to longtime secret associate Carmine Falcone
[laughs hysterically] and had him murdered!
[gunshot]
The Waynes and the Arkhams,
Gotham’s legacy of lies and murder.
I hope you’re listening, Bruce Wayne.
This is your legacy too.
And Gotham needs you to answer
[whispering] for the sins of your father.
Goodbye.
[club music playing on speakers]
Do you know who I am?
You’re Bruce Wayne.
I wanna see Carmine Falcone.
See?
[scoffs]
[elevator bell dings]
[romantic old song playing on speakers]
[billiard balls clatter]
[Falcone] Who is this guy who invented the ball, right?
Must have made a fortune.
If you think about it, the concept of it, right?
Briscoe, do you know how much this sweater cost?
[Briscoe] No, boss.
[Falcone] $1,183.
You know why communism failed, right?
[Briscoe] No, boss.
[Falcone] Austerity.
[men laugh]
[Penguin] All right. All right.
[Falcone chuckles] Look at that. Perfect.
[Penguin] It’s never gonna be that good again.
Hey, Johnny Slick.
What are you doing here?
Give us a moment here, fellas.
[Penguin] Come on.
See ya, champ.
Come on, sweetheart.
Have a seat.
I thought I might hear from you.
This, uh, Riddler son of a bitch is really…
stirring things up, huh?
Is it true?
What?
That reporter business?
What do you want to know here, kid?
Did you kill him? For my father?
Look, your father was in trouble.
This reporter had some dirt.
Some very…
personal stuff about your mother, her family history.
Everybody’s got their dirty laundry, that’s just how it is.
But he didn’t want none of it coming out,
not right before the election.
And your father tried to pay the guy off,
but he wasn’t going for it.
So, he came to me.
Well, I never seen him like that.
He said, “Carmine,
I want you to put the fear of God in this guy.”
And when fear isn’t enough…
Oof. Hmm.
Your father wanted me to handle it, so I did.
I handled it.
I know.
You thought your father was a Boy Scout.
But you’d be surprised
what even a good man like him
is capable of in the right situation.
Do me a favor.
Don’t lose any sleep over it.
This reporter
was a lowlife.
He was on Maroni’s payroll.
Maroni?
Oh, yeah.
He could never stand your father and I had history.
And after what happened with that reporter, Maroni was worried
that your father would be in my pocket,
forever.
He would have done anything
to keep him from becoming mayor.
You understand?
Are you saying Salvatore Maroni got my father killed?
Do I know it for a fact?
I’m just saying, it sure looked that way to me.
This is what you wanted, huh?
This little conversation here?
[exhales ruefully]
It’s been a long time coming, huh?
I mean, you ain’t a kid no more.
[melancholy music playing]
[EKG machine beeping]
[inhales sharply]
[rain pattering]
[sighs]
You lied to me…
my whole life.
I spoke to Carmine Falcone.
He told me what he did for my father.
About Salvatore Maroni.
He told you Salvatore Maroni…
Had my father killed.
Why didn’t you tell me all this?
All these years I’ve spent fighting for him,
believing that he was a good man.
He was a good man.
You listen to me.
Your father was a good man.
He made a mistake.
A “mistake.”
He had a man killed.
Why?
[sighing] To protect his family image?
His political aspirations?
It wasn’t to protect the family image, and he didn’t have anyone killed.
He was protecting your mother.
He didn’t care about his image or the campaign, any of that.
He cared about her,
and you,
and in a moment of weakness, he turned to Falcone.
But he never thought Falcone would kill that man.
Your father should have known that Falcone would do anything
to finally have something on him that he could use.
That’s who Falcone is.
And that was your father’s mistake.
But when Falcone told him what he’d done,
your father was distraught.
He told Falcone he was going to the police,
that he would confess everything.
And that night,
your father and your mother were killed.
[soft music playing]
It was Falcone?
[smacks lips]
Oh, I wish I knew for sure.
Or maybe it was some random thug on the street
who needed money, got scared, and pulled the trigger too fast.
If you don’t think I’ve spent every day searching for that answer…
It was my job to protect them. Do you understand?
I know you always blamed yourself.
You were only a boy, Bruce.
I could see the fear in your eyes,
but I didn’t know how to help.
I could teach you how to fight, [sighs]
but I wasn’t equipped to take care of you.
You needed a father.
And all you had was me.
I’m sorry.
Don’t be sorry, Alfred.
God.
I never thought I’d feel fear like that again.
I thought I’d mastered all that.
I mean,
I’m not afraid to die.
I realize now there’s something
I haven’t got past.
This fear…
of ever going through any of that again.
Of losing somebody I care about.
[soft music continues]
[soft dramatic music playing]
[engine revving]
Hey.
I saw the signal. That’s not you?
I thought it was you.
[both grunting]
I found him!
I see that.
He had my shit and my phone.
She left a message the night they took her.
She called me…
Gordon! Help me out, man!
She got my gun!
[grunts]
Shut up!
Put the gun down.
I’m telling you, God damn it! She called me!
[cell phone beeps]
Here. Listen.
[Kenzie on recording] Hey! Get back here!
[Annika whimpering]
Where you going? Come back here!
[Falcone] Hey, hey, what are you doing, Kenzie?
You’re scaring her.
[Kenzie] I’m sorry, Mr. Falcone.
[Annika, tearfully] Please, please, please.
Please, don’t hurt me, please.
[Falcone] Hey, don’t be scared. Come here.
Now let me ask you again.
What did Mitchell tell you?
[Annika] No, nothing. He…
[Falcone] Don liked to talk. I know that.
Especially to pretty girls like you.
That’s why I made him take your passport…
until we could have this little conversation.
[Annika] All I want to do is get out of here, okay?
You’ll never hear from me again, nobody will. Please, please…
[Falcone] We’re gonna get you out of here, I promise.
But first, I gotta know…
What did he tell you?
[Annika] He just said they all made a deal with you.
[Falcone] Oh. Hmm.
He told you about that, huh?
The deal.
[Annika] He said you gave some information on some drops thing
and that’s how he became mayor.
He said you were a very important man.
[Falcone] Right.
Mm-hmm.
Hmm. Okay.
[tussling on recording]
[Annika screams]
[Annika cries]
[tussling continues]
[Falcone] Just take it easy.
[Annika choking]
Jesus, he’s strangling her.
[Falcone] Take it easy.
[recording stops]
Rata Alada.
A falcon has wings too.
Falcone is the rat?
Falcone works for you guys?
The mayor? The DA?
No.
[breathing shakily]
We work for him.
Everybody does.
How?
Through Renewal.
Renewal is everything.
The Renewal Fund?
[Kenzie] Yeah.
After Thomas Wayne died, they all went after it like vultures.
The mayor, Falcone, Maroni. Everyone got in on it.
It was perfect for making bribes, laundering money.
A huge charitable fund with no oversight.
Everybody got a piece.
But Falcone wanted more.
So he orchestrated a play to take Maroni down big.
He’d rat out his drops operation,
make the careers of everybody that went after him,
then install them all as his puppets.
You think this goddamn election matters?
Falcone’s the mayor.
He’s been the mayor for the last 20 years.
Come on, Vengeance.
Let’s go kill that son of a bitch.
This creep too. Let’s finish this.
Oh, God!
No!
[gun clatters]
We’ll get him.
But not that way.
There is no other way!
He owns the city!
Cross that line…
you’ll become just like him.
Listen to me.
Don’t throw your life away.
Don’t worry, honey.
I got nine of ’em.
[screams]
[Gordon] No, don’t! Hey, hey!
[Kenzie] Oh, God! [whimpering]
[Gordon] She won’t get out of there alive.
And if she kills Falcone, we may never find the Riddler.
I have to stop her.
Don’t you mean “we”?
I gotta do this my way.
And then what?
We do what Riddler said.
Bring the rat into the light.
[dramatic music playing]
[engine roaring]
Can you tell Mr. Falcone I’d like to come up?
He ain’t seein’ nobody tonight.
Tell him it’s about Annika.
Hey!
Look who it is, huh?
Sorry to bother you.
Nah. It’s fine, beautiful.
I was just hoping I could talk to you for a minute?
Absolutely.
Alone?
[banging on door]
[muffled club music playing]
Hey!
[club music playing on speakers]
[tearfully] I’m just so worried.
I don’t know where she is.
And I know that you’re a very important man.
I was hoping that maybe you could help me find her…
because she’s been gone so long, I’m beginning to…
[inhales shakily]
I’m sorry. [sniffling]
It’s okay.
I’m so sorry.
I understand. Here.
No, that’s okay, I have a tissue.
Mr. Falcone?
Vinnie! Didn’t I tell you?
I’m sorry, Mr. Falcone. I really think you’re gonna want to see this.
[Falcone] I’m sorry, beautiful.
I’ll be right back.
[dramatic music playing]
[indistinct TV chatter]
Holy shit.
[newscaster] That recording, provided to GC-1 by Lieutenant James Gordon of the Gotham PD.
And we should warn you, the contents are extremely graphic and some of you may find it disturbing.
[Annika, tearfully] He just said they all made a deal with you.
[Falcone] Oh. Hmm.
He told you about that, huh?
The deal.
[Annika] He said you gave some information on some drops thing
and that’s how he became mayor.
He said you were a very important man.
[Falcone] Right.
Hmm.
Okay.
[tussling on recording]
[Annika screams]
[newscaster] Revelations of Mr. Falcone’s secret role
as a mafia informant…
Hey, Dad.
What?
I’m Maria Kyle’s kid.
You remember her?
Yeah.
Just put down the gun, honey.
This is for my mother.
[power shuts down]
[people exclaim]
[suspenseful music playing]
[hook clinks]
[both grunting]
[Falcone screams]
[men clamoring]
[elevator bell dings]
[suspenseful music continues]
[man screams]
[gunshots]
[men clamoring]
[man] I see him!
[blows landing]
[men grunting]
[tense music playing]
[both grunting]
[panting]
[Selina groans]
You don’t think this hurts me?
[Selina choking]
My own flesh and blood, huh?
[grunting]
[screaming]
[screams]
[Selina choking]
[grunting]
You made me do this.
Just like your mother.
[Falcone grunts]
He has to pay!
You don’t have to pay with him.
[Selina gasping]
You paid enough.
[soft music playing]
[Selina gasps]
[soft music continues]
[laughs]
Jesus.
Look at you, man. What do you think this is?
You think you’re gonna scare me with that mask and that cape?
I’m gonna start crying,
and all of a sudden, some big secret’s comin’ out?
Let me tell you something.
Whatever I know,
whatever I’ve done,
it’s all going with me to my grave.
What, are you with Zorro over here?
Don’t you know you boys in blue work for me?
[Gordon] I guess we don’t all work for you.
[indistinct radio chatter]
You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
You have the right to an attorney.
If you cannot afford one,
the City of Gotham will provide one to you.
Do you understand these rights?
Do you understand?
[Falcone] Yeah.
I’ll see you when I walk out.
[Gordon] With these rights in mind,
is there anything else you wish to tell…
Goddamn rat.
What’d you say?
Enjoy your night at Blackgate, Carmine.
Probably be your last.
Oh-ho. So you’re a big man now, Oz?
Maybe I am.
Really, Oz?
Because to me, you were always just a gimp in an empty suit.
I’ll spray paint your ass!
[gunshot]
[people clamoring]
What are you doing? It wasn’t me!
I didn’t shoot! I didn’t shoot!
Get your hands off of me!
[sad music playing]
[breathes laboriously]
[exhales, stops breathing]
[lights crackling]
“Bring him into the light.
And you’ll find where I’m at.”
[Martinez] There!
The shots came from up there!
[officers clamoring]
It’s Riddler.
[helicopter blades whirring]
[Gordon] Gage, on me.
Martinez, around back. Nobody gets in there, nobody gets out!
[panting]
[eerie music playing]
[dog barking]
[officers clamoring]
He’s gone.
He’s been here this whole time.
Lieutenant. Martinez.
Yeah?
[Martinez] Lieutenant, we got a witness here,
says she saw someone coming down the fire escape right after the shot.
She said he went into the corner diner.
The guy’s sitting by himself at the counter, right now.
[tense music playing]
[indistinct TV chatter]
[door opens]
[officer] Police! Hands up!
[Gordon] He said put your goddamn hands up, you son of a bitch.
[tense music continues]
[stool creaking]
I just ordered a slice of pumpkin pie.
[Martinez] Stay still!
Now!
[handcuffs clicking]
[tense music continues]
[Martinez] Which one is you?
[laughs gleefully] You tell me.
Let’s go, pencil-neck.
Get that son of a bitch out of here!
[eerie music playing]
[siren wailing in distance]
[newscaster] …where even murdered mayor Don Mitchell, Jr.’s wife and son
have gathered in an emotional show of city unity.
Our Dan O’Neil is live inside Reál’s headquarters right now…
Hey.
[suspenseful music playing]
What are all these diaries?
They’re ledgers. He’s got thousands.
He scrawled all over ’em. Rambling, ciphers, codes.
Got something back on one of the IDs.
Edward Nashton. Works at KTMJ.
He’s a forensic accountant.
Accountant?
Hey, Lieutenant! You really okay with this?
What about chain of evidence?
You should see this.
He’s wearing gloves.
“Friday, July 16th.
My life has been a cruel riddle I could not solve,
suffocating my mind, no escape.
But then, today, I saw it.
A single word on this ledger, sitting on the desk beside me.
‘Renewal.’
The empty promise they sold to me as a child in that orphanage.
One look inside, and finally I understood.
My whole life has been preparing me for this.
The moment when I would learn the truth.
When I could finally strike back and expose their lies.”
[rats squeaking]
“If you want people to understand,
really understand,
you can’t just give them the answers.
You have to confront them,
torture them with the horrifying questions,
just like they tortured me.
I know now what I must become.”
Jesus.
[bat screeching]
I don’t think that rat likes you, man.
This one’s not a rat.
[rat continues squeaking]
[cages rattling]
[screeching violently]
[Gordon] What is that?
[bat screeching frantically]
[officer] Some kind of pry tool?
Is it a chisel?
[Batman] It’s a murder weapon.
He killed Mitchell with it.
The edge will match the floorboard impression in the mayor’s study.
“My confession”?
What’s he confessing to? He already told us he killed Mitchell.
This isn’t over.
[officer 2] Oh, man. He’s been posting all kinds of shit online.
He’s got, like, 500 followers. Real fringe types.
[typing]
His final post was last night.
Some video. Got a lot of views, but it’s password-protected.
[Gordon] Can you get in?
[officer 2] Copying his drive now.
Take some time, but we’ll get in.
[ominous music playing]
[Gordon] Show me the post.
[officer 2] It’s right here.
[Gordon] “The Truth Unmasked.”
I think I’m his last target.
You?
Maybe this is all coming to an end.
What is?
The Batman.
[cell phone ringing]
Yeah?
Right.
Riddler’s asking for you. At Arkham.
You’re a good cop.
[over speaker] I told you I’d see you in hell.
[Batman] What do you want from me?
[Riddler] “Want”?
If only you knew how long I’ve been waiting for this day.
For this moment.
I’ve been invisible my whole life.
I guess I won’t be anymore, will I?
They’ll remember me now.
They’ll remember both of us.
Bruce…
Wayne.
[slowly] Bruce…
Wayne.
[exhales deeply]
You know, I was there that day.
The day the great Thomas Wayne announced he was running for mayor,
made all those promises.
Well, a week later he was dead, and everybody just forgot about us.
All they could talk about was poor Bruce Wayne.
Bruce Wayne, the orphan.
Orphan.
Living in some tower over the park isn’t being an orphan.
Looking down on everyone, with all that money.
Don’t you tell me.
Do you know what being an orphan is?
It’s 30 kids to a room.
Twelve years old and already a drophead, numbing the pain.
You wake up screaming with rats chewing your fingers.
And every winter one of the babies die
because it’s so cold.
But, oh, no.
[smacks lips]
Let’s talk about the billionaire with the lying, dead daddy
because at least the money makes it go down easy.
Doesn’t it?
Bruce…
Wayne.
He’s the only one we didn’t get.
But we got the rest of ’em, didn’t we?
All those slick, sleazy, phony pricks.
God.
Look at you.
Your mask is amazing.
I wish you could’ve seen me in mine.
Ain’t it funny?
All everyone wants to do is unmask you, but they’re missing the point.
You and I both know
I’m looking at the real you right now.
My mask allowed me to be myself completely.
No shame,
no limits.
Why did you write me?
What do you mean?
All those cards.
I told you,
we’ve been doing this together. You’re a part of this.
We didn’t do anything together.
We did.
What did we just do?
I asked you to bring him into the light, and you did.
We’re such a good team.
We’re not a team.
I never could have gotten him out of there.
I’m not physical. My strength is up here.
I mean, I had all the pieces, I had the answers.
But I didn’t know how to make them listen.
You gave me that.
I gave you nothing.
You showed me what was possible.
You showed me all it takes is fear and a little focused violence.
You inspired me.
You’re out of your goddamn mind.
What?
This is all in your head. You’re sick, twisted.
How can you say that?
You think you’ll be remembered?
You’re a pathetic psychopath,
begging for attention.
No.
You’re gonna die alone in Arkham.
No.
No, no!
A nobody!
No!
Ahhh!
This is not how this was supposed to go!
Ahhh!
I had it all planned out!
We were gonna be safe here.
We could watch the whole thing together.
Watch what?
Everything!
[tense music playing]
It was all there.
You mean, you didn’t figure it out?
[Riddler gasps slowly]
Oh, you’re really not as smart as I thought you were.
I guess I gave you too much credit.
What have you done?
What’s black and blue and dead all over?
You.
If you think you can stop what’s coming…
What have you done?
[sings in falsetto] Ave Maria
[shouting] What have you done?
Gratia plena
What have you done?
[growls]
Maria
Gratia plena
[suspenseful music playing]
[Martinez] Hey!
What are you doing in here?
Hey, man, I don’t think that you should be touching that.
[bottles clink]
Boy, this guy’s a real nutjob, huh?
Killing Mitchell with a friggin’ carpet tool.
My uncle’s a… He’s an installer.
You know, it’s a… Oh, you know.
It’s a tucker.
[suspenseful music continues]
Huh.
Hey! Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! What are you doing?
What are you doing?
[suspenseful music builds up]
[dramatic music playing]
[Riddler] Hey, guys.
Uh, thanks for all the comments
and a special thanks to everyone for the tips on detonators.
Detonators?
I just want to say this will be my last post for a little while, and, uh…
what this community has meant to me
these weeks, these months,
let’s just say none of us…
is alone anymore. Okay?
Jesus.
[Riddler huffing]
[inhales deeply]
Tomorrow’s Election Day.
[laughing]
And Bella Reál will win.
She promised real change.
But we know the truth, don’t we?
You’ve seen Gotham’s true face now.
Together, we’ve unmasked it.
Its corruption, its perversion
masquerading under the guise of renewal.
But unmasking is not enough.
The day of judgment is finally upon us.
[in playful tone] And now it is time
for retribution.
I’ve parked seven vans
all along the city seawall.
And on the big night,
[whispers] they will go boom.
[dramatic music playing]
[explosion]
[explosion]
[inaudible] Boom!
[explosion]
[inaudible] Boom!
When the vans blow,
the flooding will happen so fast, evacuation will not be an option.
Those who are not washed away
will race through the streets in terror.
[panicked screams]
Call Gordon.
Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Yeah.
[crowd cheering]
[Riddler] As breaking news
hits higher ground in Gotham Square Garden…
…celebrations will turn to panic,
as the venue becomes the city’s shelter of last resort.
[sirens wailing]
And that’s where all of you come in.
Now, when the time arrives, I will already be unmasked.
The pigs will have me in their custody,
but that’s okay.
Because then it will be your turn.
You’ll be there, waiting.
[dramatic music playing]
It’s time for the lies to finally end.
[dramatically] False promises of renewal?
Change?
We’ll give them real, real change now.
We’ve spent our lives in this wretched place, [shouts] suffering!
Wondering, “Why us?”
Now they will spend their last moments wondering,
[screams] why them?
I can’t get through! The lines are down.
[sirens wailing]
Hey, hey, hey! Road’s closed!
I’m just trying to get out of town, man!
Lady, we got bombs going off. The whole city’s flooding.
You’re gonna have to go inside the Garden with everyone else.
[distant explosion]
[people screaming]
[crowd clamoring]
[sirens wailing]
Lieutenant, who’s in charge?
I really don’t know.
We’re just trying to get a handle here, sir.
Right. Hey, listen! Quiet!
We got an active situation.
We need to sweep the building for explosives
and get the mayor-elect out of here, now.
Where is she?
I can take you there.
Come!
[crowd chattering]
[tense music playing]
[man] If we don’t close the doors…
MCU.
…we’re gonna have huge problems.
The water’s already started to breach.
I thought this was a shelter of last resort.
[man] Yeah, for a hurricane, but not if the whole seawall comes down.
[Bella] I am not gonna let those people die out there.
All right. I’ll go calm down the crowd so we can get everyone in.
It’s not safe for you here. We need to get you out, Ms. Reál.
I’m not going anywhere.
We’re under attack, ma’am.
Exactly! That’s the problem with this city.
Everyone’s afraid to stand up and do the right thing, but I’m not.
Excuse me.
Ma’am…
Everyone, everyone, if I could just get your attention.
Please! I just need your attention!
[gasps]
[gunshot]
[crowd exclaiming]
[Bella groaning]
[gunshots]
[crowd screaming]
[gunshots]
You’re okay!
[gunshots continue]
[both grunting]
[screaming]
[yelling]
[grunts]
[grunting and yelping]
[both grunting]
[gun clicking]
[growls]
[man yelps]
[man screaming]
[all grunting]
[metal groans]
[crowd screaming]
[Batman grunts]
[electricity crackling]
Hey! Hey! How do I get up there?
[fireman] Follow me, sir.
[panicked screaming and clamoring]
[panting]
[gunfire]
[heroic music playing]
[gunshots]
[grunting]
[yelps and gasps]
[beeping]
[strains]
[Batman growls]
[all grunting]
[grunting]
[Batman groaning]
[panting]
[groans loudly]
[tense music playing]
[both grunting]
[straining]
[Batman groaning]
[both grunting]
[both panting]
[breathing laboriously]
[Selina gasps]
[groaning]
No, no. It’s okay.
It’s okay.
[breathing laboriously]
It’s okay.
It’s done now. It’s done.
It’s over.
[breathing steadily]
[soft music playing]
[breathes shakily]
[man yells]
[Selina grunts]
[Selina grunting]
[both grunting]
[groans]
[gasping]
[yells]
[high-pitched ringing]
[muffled thud]
Hey! Hey, man, take it easy!
[growls, gasping]
Take it easy. Easy.
[panting]
Jesus.
[panting]
Who the hell are you?
Me?
I’m Vengeance.
[low, menacing music playing]
[continues panting]
[suspenseful music builds up]
[woman screaming]
[crowd screams in panic]
[electricity buzzing]
[people screaming and groaning]
[screaming continues]
[slow dramatic music playing]
[music fades off]
[melancholy music fades in]
[gasping]
[car creaking]
[people whimpering]
[melancholy music playing]
[melancholy music continues]
[melancholy music continues]
[Bruce] Wednesday, November 6th.
[siren wailing in distance]
The city is underwater.
The National Guard is coming.
Martial law is in effect…
but the criminal element never sleeps.
Looting and lawlessness will be rampant
in the parts of the city no one can get to.
I can already see things will get worse before they get better.
And some will seize the chance to grab everything they can.
[Bella] We will rebuild.
But not just our city.
We must rebuild people’s faith in our institutions,
in our elected officials,
in each other.
Together, we will learn to believe in Gotham again.
[woman speaks indistinctly]
[helicopter blades whirring]
[Bruce] I’m starting to see now.
I have had an effect here…
but not the one I intended.
Vengeance won’t change the past,
mine or anyone else’s.
I have to become more.
People need hope.
To know someone’s out there for them.
The city’s angry,
scarred,
like me.
Our scars can destroy us.
Even after the physical wounds have healed.
But if we survive them,
they can transform us.
They can give us the power
to endure…
and the strength to fight.
[reporter] We are live. As you can see,
the masked vigilante atop Gotham Square Garden
helping to save the lives
of hundreds of victims.
[Riddler moaning]
And now as first responders desperately scramble to help the injured,
a mysterious masked man emerges,
heroically pulling the victims right through that skylight…
[man] Isn’t that just terrible?
Him…
raining on your parade like that?
[tutting]
What is it they say?
“One day you’re on top,
the next…
you’re a clown.”
[exhales ruefully]
Well,
let me tell you, there are worse things to be.
[Riddler weeping]
Hey, hey, hey. Don’t be sad.
You did so well.
And you know,
Gotham loves a comeback story.
[Riddler] Who are you?
[man] Well, that’s the question,
isn’t it?
Riddle me this…
“The less of them you have,
the more one is worth.”
A friend.
[laughing maniacally]
[both laughing maniacally]
[Batman] You’re leaving.
[gasps]
[Selina] Jesus.
Don’t you ever just say hello?
[cat meows]
Where will you go?
I don’t know. Upstate.
Bludhaven, maybe.
Why?
You asking me to stay?
You know this place is never gonna change.
With Carmine gone, it’s only gonna get worse for you.
There’s gonna be a power grab.
It’ll be bloody.
I know.
But the city can change.
It won’t.
I have to try.
It’s gonna kill you eventually. You know that.
Listen.
Why don’t you come with me?
Get into some trouble.
Knock off some CEO hedge fund types. It’ll be fun.
The bat and the cat.
It’s got a nice ring.
[scoffs]
Who am I kidding?
You’re already spoken for.
[soft music playing]
You should go.
Selina…
Take care of yourself.
[engine starts]
[soft music continues]
[engine revs]
[soft music playing]
[music building up]
[music ends in flourish]
[dramatic music playing]
[soft music playing]
[classical piano music playing]
[melancholy orchestral music playing]
[beep]
[static crackles]
