In the depression, your father nearly bankrupted Wayne Enterprises...
...combating poverty.
He believed his example could inspire the wealthy of Gotham to save their city.
Did it?
In a way.
Their murder shocked the wealthy and the powerful into action.
People need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy.
I can't do that as Bruce Wayne.
As a man...
...I'm flesh and blood, I can be ignored, destroyed.
But as a symbol...
As a symbol, I can be incorruptible.
- I can be everlasting. - What symbol?
Something elemental...
...something terrifying.
I assume that as you take on the underworld...
...this symbol is a persona to protect those you care about from reprisals?
You're thinking about Rachel?
Actually, sir, I was thinking of myself.
Have you told anyone I'm coming back?
I couldn't figure the legal ramifications of bringing you back from the dead.
- Dead? - You've been gone seven years.
You had me declared dead?
Actually, it was Mr. Earle. He's taking the company public.
He wanted to liquidate your majority shareholding.
Those shares are worth quite a bit of money.
Well, it's a good thing I left everything to you, then.
Quite so, sir.
And you can borrow the Rolls, if you like. Just bring it back with a full tank.
In my opinion, Mr. Zsaz is as much a danger to himself as to others...
...and prison is probably not the best environment for his rehabilitation.
- Dr. Crane. - Miss Dawes.
You think a man who butchers people for the mob doesn't belong in jail?
I would hardly have testified to that otherwise, would I?
This is the third of Falcone's thugs you've had declared insane...
...and moved into your asylum.
Well, the work offered by organized crime must have an attraction to the insane.
Or the corrupt.
Mr. Finch.
You should check with Miss Dawes here...
...just what implications your office has authorized her to make. If any.
- What are you doing? - What are you doing, Carl?
Looking out for you.
Falcone has half the city bought and paid for.
- Drop it. - How can you say that?
Because as much as I care about getting Falcone, I care more about you.
That's sweet.
We've been through all that.
Blessed bat again, sir.
They nest somewhere in the grounds.
No more favors. Someone is sniffing around.
Hey, I scratch your back, you scratch mine, doc.
I'm bringing in the shipments.
We are paying you for that.
Maybe money isn't as interesting to me as favors.
I am more than aware that you are not intimidated by me, Mr. Falcone.
But you know who I'm working for, and when he gets here...
He... He's coming to Gotham?
Yes, he is.
And when he gets here, he's not going to wanna hear...
...that you have endangered our operation just to get your thugs out of a little jail time.
- Who's bothering you? - There's a girl at the DA's office.
- We'll buy her off. - Not this one.
Idealist, huh?
Well, there's an answer to that too.
- I don't want to know. - Yes, you do.
No, we are showing very healthy growth in these sectors.
I don't think Thomas Wayne would have viewed heavy-arms manufacture...
...as a suitable cornerstone for our business.
Well, that's 20 years ago, Fredericks.
I think after 20 years we can allow ourselves...
...to stop thinking about what Thomas Wayne would have done.
Good morning, Mr. Earle's office.
Yes, he's confirmed for the dinner tomorrow evening.
Good morning. I'm here to see Mr. Earle.
Name?
Bruce Wayne.
Thomas would probably not have taken the company public.
But that is what we, as responsible managers, are going to do.
Jessica?
Jessica? Where are you?
- Eye on the ball, and... - Why is no one answering the phone?
It's Wayne Enterprises, Mr. Earle. I'm sure they'll call back.
Bruce? You're supposed to be dead.
I'm sorry to disappoint.
- I need you to take a look at this. - Have you seen him yet?
- Who? - Wayne.
It's been all over the news. He's back.
I'm sure you realize I can't stop the big machine.
Too many wheels turning.
- We're going public. - I understand.
And I'll be handsomely rewarded for my shares.
I'm not looking to interfere.
- I am looking for a job. - Oh?
I just want to get to know the company that my family built.
Any ideas where you would start?
Applied Sciences caught my eye.
Fox's department.
I'll let him know you're coming.
You look like him. Your dad.
You're the only one left of the Wayne family.
This is where you belong. Welcome home.
Environmental procedures, defense projects, consumer products.
All prototypes. None in production.
- On any level whatsoever. - None?
What did they tell you this place was?
They didn't tell me anything.
Earle told me exactly what it was when he sent me down here.
Dead end.
Place to keep me from causing the board any more trouble.
Come on.
- You were on the board? - When your father ran things.
- You knew my father? - Oh, yeah.
Helped him build his train.
Here we are.
Kevlar utility harness.
Gas-powered, magnetic grapple gun.
The 350-pound test monofilament.
Wonderful project, your dad's train.
Routed it right into Wayne Tower, along with the water and power utilities.
Kind of made Wayne Tower the unofficial center of Gotham City.
Of course, Earle let it go to rot. Here we are.
Nomex survival suit for advanced infantry.
Kevlar biweave, reinforced joints.
- Tear-resistant? - This sucker will stop a knife.
- Bulletproof? - Anything but a straight shot.
- Why didn't they put it into production? - Bean counters didn't think a soldier's life...
...was worth 300 grand.
So, what's your interest in it, Mr. Wayne?
I want to borrow it.
For spelunking.
Spelunking?
Yeah, you know, cave diving?
You expecting to run into much gunfire in these caves?
Look, I'd rather Mr. Earle didn't know about me borrowing...
Mr. Wayne...
...the way I see it...
...all this stuff is yours anyway.
Okay. Give it a try.
Charming.
At least you'll have company.
This must be the lowest foundation of the southeast wing.
In the Civil War, your great-great-grandfather was involved in the Underground Railroad...
...secretly transporting freed slaves to the North...
...and I suspect these caverns came in handy.
Alfred! Come up here!
I can see everything all right from down here, sir, thank you.
We order the main part of this cowl from Singapore.
Via a dummy corporation.
Indeed. And then, quite separately...
...we place an order to a Chinese company for these.
- Put it together ourselves. - Precisely.
They'll have to be large orders, to avoid suspicion.
- How large? - Say 10,000.
- Well, at least we'll have spares. - Yes.
Don't suppose you want a taste.
I just keep offering, thinking maybe someday you'll get wise.
There's nothing wise in what you do, Flass.
Well, Jimbo, you don't take the taste, makes us guys nervous.
I'm no rat.
In a town this bent, who's there to rat to anyway?
Don't turn around.
You're a good cop. One of the few.
What do you want?
Carmine Falcone brings in shipments of drugs every week.
Nobody takes him down. Why?
He's paid up with the right people.
What will it take to bring him down?
Leverage on Judge Faden...
...and a DA brave enough to prosecute.
Rachel Dawes.
Who are you?
Watch for my sign.
You're just one man?
Now we're two.
We?
Freeze!
What the hell was that?
Just some nut.
Well, what is it today? More spelunking?
No. Today it's BASE-jumping.
BASE-jumping.
- That like parachuting? - Kind of.
Do you have any lightweight fabrics?
You know, I think I have just the thing.
It's called memory cloth. Notice anything?
Regularly flexible...
...but put a current through it...
...molecules realign, it becomes rigid. - What kind of shapes can you make?
Can be tailored to fit any structure based on a rigid skeleton.
Too expensive for the Army?
I don't think they tried to market it to the billionaire, spelunking, BASE-jumping crowd.
- Look, Mr. Fox. - Yes, sir?
If you're uncomfortable...
Mr. Wayne, if you don't want to tell me exactly what you're doing...
...when I'm asked, I don't have to lie.
But don't think of me as an idiot.
Fair enough.
What's that?
The Tumbler?
Oh, you wouldn't be interested in that.
She was built as a bridging vehicle.
During combat, two of these would jump over a river, towing cables.
Over here on the throttle, flip that open and throttle up.
This will boost you into a rampless jump... Not now!
Not... Not now, sir.
Afterburner disengaged.
We never could get the damn bridge to work...
...but this baby works just fine.
So, what do you think?
Does it come in black?
I need you at the docks Thursday.
- Problems? - I don't want any trouble...
...with the last shipment. - Sure.
Word on the street is you got a beef with somebody in the DA's office.
- Is that right? - And that there's a fat prize...
...waiting for anybody willing to do anything about it.
So, what's your point, Mr. Flass?
Have you seen the girl?
It's a cute little assistant DA.
Don't you think that's a little bit too much heat to bring down, maybe?
- Even for this town. - Never underestimate Gotham City.
People get mugged coming home from work every day of the week.
Sometimes... Sometimes things just go bad.
It's a problem with the graphite, sir.
The next 10,000 will be up to specifications.
- At least they gave us a discount. - Quite.
In the meantime, sir, may I suggest you try to avoid landing on your head?
Why bats, Master Wayne?
Bats frighten me.
It's time my enemies shared my dread.
What is this?
Continue.
Looks fine out there.
The bears go straight to the dealers.
Yeah, and the rabbits go to the man in the Narrows.
- What's the difference? - Ignorance is bliss, my friend.
Don't burden yourself with the secrets of scary people.
Hey. Steiss.
Steiss?
What?
What the?
I better check it.
There's a problem out here. You better bail.
Where are you?!
Here.
Get going. Oh, shit.
What the hell are you?
I'm Batman.
Nice coat.
Thanks.
Hold it.
That's right, you better run.
Falcone sent them to kill you.
- Why? - You rattled his cage.
- What's this? - Leverage.
- For what? - To get things moving.
Who are you?
Someone like you.
Someone who'll rattle the cages.
Ma'am? Everything okay?
- Falcone's men? - Does it matter?
We'll never tie him to it anyway.
I wouldn't be too sure of that.
What the hell is that?
Cut him down.
Unacceptable.
Now, I don't care if it's rival gangs, Guardian Angels...
...or the goddamn Salvation Army...
...get them off the street and off the front page.
They say it was just one guy. Or a creature.
It was some asshole in a costume.
- Yeah? - This guy did deliver us...
...one of the city's biggest crime lords.
No one takes the law into their own hands in my city.
Understand?
- No way to bury it now. - There's still Judge Faden.
- I've got Faden covered. - What about this bat they're babbling about?
Even if these guys will swear to being thrashed by a giant bat...
...we've got Falcone at the scene.
Drugs, prints, cargo manifests. This bat character gave us everything.
Okay. Let's do it.
- Bats are nocturnal. - Bats may be.
But even for billionaire playboys, 3:00 is pushing it.
The price for leading a double life, I fear.
Your theatrics made an impression.
Theatricality and deception...
...are powerful weapons, Alfred. This is a good start.
If those are to be the first of many injuries to come...
...it would be wise to find a suitable excuse.
Polo, for instance.
I'm not learning polo, Alfred.
Strange injuries, a nonexistent social life.
These things beg the question...
...as to what exactly does Bruce Wayne do with his time and his money.
What does someone like me do?
Drive sports cars, date movie stars.
Buy things that are not for sale.
Who knows, Master Wayne, you start pretending to have fun...
...you might even have a little by accident.
Sir.
- We have a situation. - All right.
The Coast Guard picked up one of our cargo ships last night...
...heavily damaged, all crew missing, probably dead.
The ship was carrying a prototype weapon. It's a microwave emitter.
It's designed for desert warfare, but it...
It looks like somebody...
...turned it on.
It uses focused microwaves to vaporize the enemy's water supply.
The damage to the ship was catastrophic.
The weapon itself is...
Missing?
Yeah.
Mr. Wayne.
Nice car.
You should see my other one.
He's done something the police never have.
You can't take the law into your own hands.
Well, at least he's getting something done.
Bruce, help me out here.
Well, a guy who dresses up like a bat clearly has issues.
But he's put Falcone behind bars.
Now the cops want to bring him in. What does that tell you?
They're jealous.
Sir, the pool is for decoration...
...and your friends do not have swimwear.
Well, they're European.
I'm going to have to ask you to leave.
- It is not a question of money. - Well, you see...
...I'm buying this hotel...
...and setting some new rules about the pool area.
I think the Batman deserves a medal.
And a straitjacket to pin it on.
Thank you.
Bruce?
Rachel?
I'd heard you were back.
What are you doing?
Just swimming here. Wow, it is good to see you.
You were gone a long time.
- I know. How are things? - The same.
Job's getting worse.
Can't change the world on your own.
What choice do I have...
...when you're too busy swimming?
Rachel, all of...
All this...
It's... It's not me. It's...
Inside, I am...
I am more.
Come on, Bruce. Come on.
Bruce, we have some more hotels for you to buy.
Bruce...
...deep down you may still be that same great kid you used to be.
But it's not who you are underneath...
...it's what you do that defines you.
Dr. Crane, thanks for coming.
Not at all. He cut his wrists?
Probably looking for the insanity plea. But if anything should happen...
Of course, better safe than sorry.
Yeah, Dr. Crane, I can't take it anymore. It's all too much.
The walls are closing in. Blah, blah, blah.
A couple of days of this food, it'll be true.
- What do you want? - I wanna know...
...how you're gonna convince me to keep my mouth shut.
About what? You don't know anything.
I know you don't want the cops to take a closer look at the drugs they seized.
And I know about your experiments with the inmates of your nut house.
See, I don't go into business with a guy without finding out his dirty secrets.
And those goons you used.
I own the muscle in this town.
Now, I've been bringing your stuff in for months...
...so whatever he's planning, it's big, and I want in.
Well, I already know what he'll say.
That we should kill you.
Even he can't get me in here. Not in my town.
Would you like to see my mask?
I use it in my experiments.
Now, I'm probably not very frightening to a guy like you.
But these crazies, they can't stand it.
So when did the nut take over the nut house?
They scream and they cry...
...much as you're doing now.
Well, he's not faking. Not that one.
I'll talk to the judge and see if I can get him moved...
...to the secure wing at Arkham. I can't treat him here.
Storm's coming.
The scum is getting jumpy because you stood up to Falcone.
It's a start. Your partner was at the docks with Falcone.
Well, he moonlights as a low-level enforcer.
They were splitting the shipment in two. Only half went to the dealers.
Why? What about the other half?
- Flass knows. - He won't talk.
He'll talk to me.
Commissioner Loeb set up a massive task force to catch you.
- He thinks you're dangerous. - What do you think?
I think you're trying to help.
But I've been wrong before.
Come on, I ain't got all night.
Flass, I have kids to feed.
What, they don't like falafel?
Where were the other drugs going?
I never knew. I don't know.
- I swear to God. - Swear to me!
I don't... I don't know. I never knew. Never.
They went to some guy for a couple days before they went to the dealers.
Why?
There was something... Something else in the drugs...
...something hidden. - What?
I never went to the drop-off point. It was in the Narrows.
- Cops only go there when they're in force. - Do I look like a cop?
No...
This is the one I'm talking about.
- What's your problem with it? - It shouldn't exist.
This ship left Singapore with 246 containers, but arrived with 247.
I'm guessing there's something I'm not supposed to find in there.
Listen, counselor, we don't wanna know what's in Mr. Falcone's crate.
Things are working a little differently now. Open it up.
What the hell is this?
It's you, isn't it? Everybody's been talking about you.
Get in here!
The other kids won't believe me.
Get rid of all traces.
- Better torch the whole place. - All right.
Having trouble?
Take a seat. Have a drink.
You look like a man who takes himself too seriously.
Do you want my opinion? You need to lighten up.
Alfred, help me.
Blood. Take. Take poison. Blood poison.
Poisonous. Poisonous.
Bruce...
... why do we fall?
- How long was I out? - Two days.
It's your birthday.
Many happy returns.
I've felt these effects before, but this was so much more potent.
It was some kind of hallucinogen, weaponized, in aerosol form.
You have been hanging out in the wrong clubs, Mr. Wayne.
I called Mr. Fox when your condition worsened after the first day.
I analyzed your blood, isolating the receptor compounds and the protein-based catalyst.
Am I meant to understand any of that?
Not at all. I just wanted you to know how hard it was.
- Bottom line, I synthesized an antidote. - Could you make more?
You planning on gassing yourself again, Mr. Wayne?
Well, you know how it is. You're out at night, looking for kicks...
...someone's passing around the weaponized hallucinogens...
I'll bring what I have. The antidote should inoculate you for now.
Alfred, always a pleasure.
Lucius.
- You sure you don't want to come in? - I have to get back.
- I wanted to leave this. - Thank you.
Rachel?
Looks like someone's been burning the candle at both ends.
- Must've been quite an occasion. - It is my birthday.
I know. I'm sorry I can't come tonight. I was just dropping off your present.
- You've got better plans? - My boss has been missing for two days...
...which means I should probably start by looking at the bottom of the river.
- Rachel. - Excuse me.
Rachel Dawes.
Who authorized that? Get Crane down there now. Don't take no for an answer.
Call Dr. Lehmann, tell him we need our own assessment on the judge's desk by morning.
- What's wrong? - It's Falcone.
Dr. Crane moved him to Arkham Asylum on suicide watch.
You're going to Arkham now? It's in the Narrows, Rachel.
You enjoy your party, Bruce.
- Some of us have work to do. - You be careful.
Happy birthday.
But, Master Wayne, the guests will be arriving.
Keep them happy until I arrive.
Tell them that joke you know.
Having fun?
Bill? Now, what's a big shot like you doing in a place like this?
I need some information.
The Wayne Enterprise 47-B, 1-ME.
1-ME.
It's a microwave emitter. It was designed to vaporize an enemy's water supply.
Rumor was they tested dispersing water-based chemical agents into the air...
...but isn't that illegal?
I want all the information on the development of this project...
...all data, files, backup disks, on my desk right away.
Did you lose one?
I'm merging your department with Archives.
And I am firing you.
Didn't you get the memo?
Scarecrow.
Miss Dawes, this is most irregular.
I have nothing to add to the report I filed with the judge.
- I have questions about your report. - Such as?
Isn't it convenient for a 52-year-old man who has no history of mental illness...
...to suddenly have a psychotic breakdown just when he's about to be indicted?
Well, as you can see for yourself, there is nothing convenient about his symptoms.
- Scarecrow. - What's "scarecrow"?
Patients suffering delusional episodes often focus their paranoia...
...on an external tormentor...
...usually one conforming to Jungian archetypes.
In this case, a scarecrow.
- He's drugged? - Psychopharmacology is my primary field.
I'm a strong advocate.
Outside, he was a giant.
In here, only the mind can grant you power.
You enjoy the reversal.
I respect the mind's power over the body.
It's why I do what I do.
I do what I do to keep thugs like Falcone behind bars, not in therapy.
I want my own psychiatric consultant to have full access to Falcone...
...including blood work. Find out what exactly you put him on.
- First thing tomorrow, then. - Tonight.
I've already paged Dr. Lehmann at County General.
As you wish.
This way, please.
There's something I think you should see.
This is where we make the medicine.
Perhaps you should have some, clear your head.
Who knows you're here?
Who knows?
He's here.
Who?
The Batman.
- What do we do? - What anyone does...
...when a prowler comes around.
- Call the police. - You want the cops here?
At this point, they can't stop us.
But the Batman has a talent for disruption.
Force him outside, the police will take him down. Go.
- What about her? - She hasn't got long.
I gave her a concentrated dose. The mind can only take so much. Now go.
The things they say about him.
Can he really fly?
I heard he can disappear.
Well, we'll find out.
Won't we?
Taste of your own medicine, doctor?
What have you been doing here?
Who are you working for?
Ra's... Ra's al Ghul.
Ra's al Ghul is dead. Who are you working for?
Crane.
Dr. Crane isn't here right now.
But if you'd like to make an appointment...
Batman, put down your weapons and surrender.
You're surrounded.
- What are you waiting for? - Backup.
- Backup? - The Batman's in there.
SWAT's on the way. But if you wanna go in now...
...I�ll be right behind you, sir.
SWAT's on the way.
- Hey. - Hey.
What's happened to her?
Crane poisoned her with a psychotropic hallucinogen, a panic-inducing toxin.
- Let me get her down to the medics. - They can't help her, but I can.
Get her downstairs. Meet me in the alley.
Crane's been smuggling his toxin hidden in Falcone's drugs...
...and they're dumping it into the water supply.
- What was he planning? - I don't know.
Was he working for Falcone?
He mentioned someone else, someone worse.
She needs the antidote before the damage is permanent.
- How long does she have? - Not long.
What is that?
- Backup. - What the..?