Page 1
FULL PAGE
High angle
shot of the interior of the Batcave. Tim Drake, in the Robin outfit,
sits at the Batcomputer inputting data about something or other; a
picture of Anarky looms large on the screen. At his side, draped over
the back of a chair is the Red Robin outfit he recently wore in Robin
#182. Tim’s head still shows signs of burns, and the Batcave still is
not 100% intact since R.I.P. and the Black Glove’s invasion. One thing
that has been repaired, most likely by Alfred, is Jason Todd’s memorial.
Page 2
1 - Close on Tim’s face, bruised and battered, yet content with the work he’s accomplished since Bruce’s death.
TIM
(caption)
The General's down, Anarky's down, still an endless parade of crazy all on my shoulders.
2 - Wider shot. Tim at the computer, his head in his hands, Alfred descending down the stairs from the manor in the BG.
ALFRED
Master
Timothy? Some tea to relax perhaps? Maybe some rest to heal your
wounds? I know how much the Master’s children love their rest
3
- Alfred standing over Tim’s shoulders, a tray of tea and sandwiches in
hand. Tim with a half smile on his face, pained as it may be.
TIM
Sarcasm noted. Thanks for the sandwiches though.
ALFRED
A thank you? Well at least you’re more appreciative than Master Bruce is….
4
- Tim and Alfred stop and stare at one another, a look of shock on
Alfred’s face. Physically they are close to one another, but you can
feel the distance between them.
ALFRED
I…I’m sorry Master Timothy. Sometimes, I just…I forget.
TIM
It’s okay. Honestly, I haven’t even had time to digest it. It’s non-stop, and I feel like…
Page 3
1 - Close on Alfred’s face, tears welled up in his eyes that he is obviously fighting.
ALFRED
…Like you have to do it all on your own. Timothy, you may be more like Bruce than any of his other children.
2 - Tim, computer looming in the background, smiles just slightly. Alfred has set the tray down on the computer.
TIM
Sometimes
it’s weird hearing that. I mean Bruce adopted me and all, but I still
never got used to the idea that I was legally his son.
ALFRED
Legal
or not, Timothy, you are Master Wayne’s progeny inside and out. As
much as you are like Jack Drake, in so many ways you are just like Bruce.
3 - A tear in Tim’s eye, he turns away from Alfred and back to the computer. Alfred walks away up the stairs to the manor.
TIM
Thanks…Alfie. You are…too good to me.
ALFRED
(off panel)
And put some cream on that burn young man!
4 - Tim reaches over to pick up a sandwich and finds a batarang stuck into the wedge.
5 - Tim looks up, his staff already in his left hand as his body tenses for a fight.
TIM
Dick? Is that you?
6
- Another overhead shot of the Batcave, tighter than the first though.
Tim stands in front of the Batcomputer, staff in hand, as something
else is thrown at his feet from the shadows. Not a batarang, rather the
signature Red Hood helmet of Jason Todd.
JASON
(off panel)
Hey, Tim.
Page 4
FULL PAGE
Jason
stands there looking at Tim, the scene is basically identical to Titans
#29, page 4, except this is taking place in the Batcave and not Titans
Tower.
JASON
(smile on his face)
I was here first.
Page 5
1 - Tim kicks the Red Hood helmet back towards Jason.
TIM
Where’s Alfred? How did you get in here?
2
- Jason calmly bends over to pick it up, a slight wince of pain on his
face, obviously between Robin #182 and his encounter/accident last issue he’s not 100% healed. Tim has his staff
in hand, unsure of Jason’s intentions.
JASON
Holding
on to an old rag I see. You take the Robin spot before the body’s even
cold, and now you can’t wait to slide into another of my outfits.
3 - Close on the Red Robin attire draped over the chair. Tim’s free hand is resting on top of it.
TIM
You didn’t answer the questions Jason.
4
- Back to a two shot, the reflection of the Jason Todd memorial can be
seen on the Bat computer’s monitor. Tim is now holding the Red Robin
gear; Jason has the Red Hood helmet in hand.
JASON
You sure you don’t want this too?
5 - Jason tosses the Red Hood helmet at Tim; he bats it away with the staff.
6 - It clinks to rest at the base of the Jason Todd memorial
Page 6
1 - Jason looks like he’s trying to hold in laughter as he walks towards the memorial. Tim is circling him.
JASON
That’s just too cute.
TIM
Alfred?
JASON
He doesn’t even know I’m here Tim. Did you seriously think you and Dick were the only ones who had secret ways in and out of this place?
2 - Tim holds his staff up to the neck of Jason. Despite giving Jason his freedom, Tim still doesn’t trust him at all.
JASON
I come to say thanks for getting me out of jail and this is the welcome I get? No wonder no one visits.
TIM
That was a favor to Bruce. Giving you another second chance was what he would’ve wanted.
JASON
Speaking of Bruce. What’s the story with “Dad” anyway? The details not the cliff notes...
TIM
You don’t deserve to know, “brother”.
3 - Jason deftly takes the staff from Tim and reverses their position.
4 - Now it’s Tim pinned against the wall, Jason choking him just a little.
JASON
Don’t be such a smart-ass, kid. Remember what happened last time we did this dance.
TIM
Different…time. Different…me.
5 - Tim with a knee to Jason’s liver as he simultaneously head butts him.
6 - Tim rubbing his forehead as Jason picks himself up off the ground
TIM
Should’ve left your helmet on. Remember what I told you that night Jason?
Page 7
1 - Tim picks another staff up from a weapon cache near him,
TIM
I am that good.
2 - Tim pushes a button and the staff extends to full length.
TIM
Better than you ever were…
3 - Tim tosses it to Jason who just smiles.
TIM
…maybe than you’ll ever be…
4 - They stand far apart. Each man waiting for the other to make the first move.
TIM
…but this is your chance to prove me wrong.
JASON
You don’t wanna do this again.
TIM
You think? I think that maybe this is part of the reason I got you out of jail. So we could do this one more time.
JASON
Then
getting me out was the stupidest thing you’ve ever done Tim. Dumber
than becoming Robin, dumber than thinking you can be Bruce, dumber than
getting your Dad killed…
5 - Same as 4 except for one lone bat flying between the two of them.
Page 8
1 - Tim’s face, seemingly unaffected by Jason’s comment.
2 - Jason’s face, a sly grin, thinking he just shook Tim off his game
3 - Tim again, resolute in his stance.
TIM
Not going to work.
4 - Jason again, shrugging his shoulders.
JASON
Can’t blame a guy for trying.
Page 9
1 - Jason jumps and flips directly behind Tim.
JASON
So you going to tell me?
2 - Tim ducks a swing of the staff, sweeps Jason’s leg out from under him
TIM
You going to tell me what you’ve done since I got you out? It’s been a week, and Amygdala’s turned up dead.
3 - Jason kicks Tim off of him as Tim tries to take mount position.
JASON
Guess we’re at in impasse Timmy. Cause what I’ve done is none of your damn business.
4 - Tim rebounds off a wall, catches Jason with a right cross that busts his nose open.
TIM
Yes it is!
5 - Tim fires off a knee to the sternum.
TIM
As long as you stay in Gotham, it IS my business!
6 - An elbow to the back of the head sends Jason down to the cave floor. Blood from Jason’s mouth splatters on the ground.
JASON
You’re not him. Never…will....be
Page 10
1 - Jason trip Tim up with his staff
2 - Jason get to his feet and smacks Tim across the face with the staff
JASON
Gonna tell me yet Tim?
3 - Close on Tim as he spits blood.
TIM
Earn it.
4 - Jason swings at Tim; Tim sidesteps and punches Jason in the gut.
TIM
I don’t want to be Bruce, but sometimes…
5 - Tim picks up his staff, uppercuts Jason with it.
TIM
…sometimes it seems unavoidable.
Page 11
1 - Jason jumps at Tim
JASON
This place should be mine!
2 - Tim rolls thru, kicking Jason off but…
TIM
He wanted me to take his place when the time came but…
3 - .Jason lands on his feet, and reaches for his gun.
TIM
..that time shouldn’t be now!
4 - Tim throws a batarang into the hand of Jason, knocking the gun away.
TIM
No guns! Haven’t you learned anything?
5 - Tim leaps at Jason; Jason catches him with a left hook across the jaw using the butt of his other gun.
JASON
Bad habits are hard to break I guess.
TIM
Did you come back just so you could be a disappointment?
Page 12
1 - Jason looks shocked at this statement, and hesitates. Tim uses the pause to scramble to his feet.
TIM
Because
that’s what you’ve been, Jason. To Bruce, Alfred, the whole damn world. You
were given another chance at life and you’ve thrown it away! For what?
To piss off Bruce?
JASON
You don’t know…
2 - Jason snaps out of his shock, and delivers an uppercut to Tim that knocks him off his feet and into the Bat Computer.
JASON
…ANYTHING!!!
3 - Jason throws a batarang of his own that knocks Tim’s staff off the edge of the cliff and down to a lower level of the cave.
JASON
Don’t you listen??!?! Like I said before, you had it all you idiot. Friends, family, a house, a love. I had nothing! NOTHING!
4 - Jason’s charge at Tim is met with a lifting knee to the jaw, blood pops out of Jason’s mouth.
TIM
You had Bruce! You had Alfred! You had the Titans! What the hell else did you want?
5 - Jason knocks Tim back with a shoulder tackle.
JASON
Respect.
I never had their respect, not like Dick, not like you. Everyone saw
me as the second Robin, the replacement, the stand in. I wasn’t as good
as Dick, I couldn’t hope to be like Bruce.
TIM
What a walking stereotype you are Jason.
Page 13
1 - Jason and Tim tumble over a ledge down to that lower level of the cave.
2 - Tim grabs his staff as Jason rolls off into the shadows.
TIM
You’re
the worst middle child in history JT. Selfish, self-centered, and
never realizing how great you had it. You weren’t respected? You
weren’t missed?
3 - A batarang comes flying out of the shadows, Tim deflects it with ease.
TIM
Bruce
fell apart after you died! Ask Dick! Ask Alfred! Reckless, his self
regard thrown out the window, he didn’t care if he lived or died!
BECAUSE OF YOU!
JASON
(from the shadows)
Then he should have killed him Tim. Joker should be dead!
4 - Tim throws a batarang of his own in the direction of the voice, it just hits rock.
TIM
If you truly think that then you NEVER should have been a Robin. Then you NEVER got it, never understood what Dick and I did.
JASON
(from shadows still)
What’s that Tim? How to be weak? How to just…let them all get away with it? You know Arkham, Blackgate, both just revolving doors!
Page 14
1 - Tim paces around the room, looking for some sign of where Jason will be coming from
TIM
If you believe that, if you really in your heart think that’s true Jason, then why haven’t YOU killed the Joker yet?
2 - Jason steps out of the shadows directly behind Tim, his signature knife held to Tim’s throat
JASON
Because Bruce was always there to stop me, or to save him. TO SAVE HIM!
Page 15
1 - Tim pushes off the ground, slamming Jason into the wall, causing him to drop the knife.
TIM
He’s
not saving him Jason! He was saving you from yourself! All Bruce
wanted was for you to come home, for you to come back here!
2 - Jason ankle picks Tim, pulling him down to the ground.
JASON
He never offered! Never opened his arms! Hell, he never cared at all!
TIM
You’re a fool.
3 - Jason nails Tim square in the jaw with a left, dazing him.
JASON
A
fool? A FOOL? A fool is someone who sits in this cave plotting little
War Games, trying to save this city. It doesn’t want to be saved!
Gotham loves its sin! Bruce never understood that, not sure if Dick did
either. But you, you should.
4 - Jason stands up; Tim is still out of it on the ground.
JASON
This
city, this war, it took both of your parents. You thought it took
Stephanie, and I’m sure it’s cost you other girls. You got the plague
because of this world, and you call me the fool?
TIM
Ye…ye…yes!
Page 16
1 - Jason lifts Tim up by his collar, holding him against one of the many Batmobiles in residence.
JASON
How? How the hell can you call me the fool Timmy?
TIM
Be…because…you gave me time…
2 - Tim head butts Jason again, breaking his nose for certain.
TIM
Told you, you should’ve worn the helmet.
3 - Jason lashes out with a kick; Tim leaps over it, and nails Jason with a kick of his own
TIM
Too slow.
4 - Jason throws a punch, Tim blocks it, and counterpunches
TIM
Predictable.
5 - Jason charges at Tim but he hops over
TIM
Did you actually train with Bruce?
Page 17
1 - Jason, obviously enraged, pulls a knife out of his boot and throws it at Tim
JASON
GO TO HELL!
2 - The knife grazes Tim’s shoulder, drawing blood, but he barely notices
TIM
Try harder. Do it better.
3 - Jason has a flashback to his training in the cave; in this instance it’s Bruce watching him run an obstacle course.
BRUCE
Try harder. Do it better.
4 - Jason wipes the blood from his face as he stands up, staring Tim down.
JASON
Shut up! You don’t have the right to say those words…
TIM
I don’t? I’m the one wearing the union suit Jay, you’re just a bad imitation...of the Joker's gimmick no less.
JASON
Shut up.
TIM
Make me.
Page 18
1 - Jason charges once more at Tim, he sidesteps, letting Jason crash headfirst into the mirror of the Batmobile.
TIM
Try harder. Do it better.
JASON
NO!
2 - Jason throws his last remaining knife at Tim. Tim simply catches it.
TIM
Try harder. Do it better!
3 - Jason pounces at Tim once more, his discipline is obviously out the window. Tim lets Jason take him down.
JASON
Did you hear that too? Did he make you feel worthless too?
TIM
It wasn’t about that Jay. It was always to make you better, always to make you sure you didn’t get yourself killed.
JASON
It
was his way to let me know he was better than me, and that I could
never be as good as him. His sick need to show his superiority.
4 - Tim eats a head butt from Jason this time, breaking his nose.
JASON
How’d you like it Timmy?
Page 19
1 - Tim rolls Jason onto his back where Tim presses his forearm against Jason’s throat.
TIM
I’ve had worse from Spoiler.
JASON
Heh, you…got replaced…by a girl.
2 - Jason gets out from under Tim, kicks Tim in the back of the head.
JASON
At least I got a memorial when I was dead. Your girlfriend didn’t get a damn thing. Guess she wasn’t up to par either.
3 - Tim rolls with the impact, up to his feet, and wipes away some blood of his own.
TIM
She
wasn’t, not then. I knew it before Bruce did, so don’t think you can get at
me that way either JT. Until I knew she wasn’t dead, I was angry about
the memorial. Until I realized that Bruce couldn’t handle having that
failure in his face right next to yours.
JASON.
And what about his failure Timmy? What about his failure in Gotham? His failure as Bruce Wayne? His failure as a father?!?
4
- Tim’s body relaxes, he finally realizes this is a fight he cannot
win, not really. Jason, on the other hand, tenses up to continue the
confrontation.
TIM
He didn’t fail Jason. He did
everything he could to protect this city. And he made us ready to carry
on without him. Me, Dick, Barbara, Cassie, even you if you could just
get over yourself.
JASON
Over myself? How can I get over myself if I can’t even deal with the man who did this to me?
Page 20
1-
Jason attacks one more time, but this time Tim responds with his brain
instead of brawn and throws Tangleweb capsules at Jason.
TIM
The Joker? You’ve done that remember? Bombs, bridge, explosions, ring a bell?
2 - Jason is wrapped in the Tangleweb at the feet of Tim who stands over his fallen brother with the staff in hand.
JASON
Not that grinning idiot, you moron. Bruce! I wanted Bruce!
3 - Tim leans down over Jason, blood dripping from his nose as it also drips from Jason’s
TIM
You don’t get that Jay, not anymore and you’ll never get to know what really happened. You’re not his problem anymore, you’re mine.
JASON
He's not dead. I don't believe that for a second. WHERE DID HE GO?
TIM
Helping
you out of jail, biggest mistake I’ve made in awhile. I should’ve left
you to rot there; at least I wouldn’t have to worry then.
4 - Tim stands up; Jason is fighting against his restraints to no avail
JASON
JUST TELL ME DAMN IT! TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED TO BRUCE!
TIM
No.
5
- Jason’s body relaxes as he starts to lose consciousness, the
Tangleweb gives just a bit. He’s given up. Tim stands a distance away
from the former Robin, a tear in his eye.
JASON
Please? Please Tim. Tell me what happened to him. Tell me what happened to my…dad.
6 - Close on Tim’s face as he wipes a tear away. From the darkness behind him a dart flies out into Tim’s shoulder.
TIM
He…..
Page 21
1
- Tim collapses to the cave floor. A figure stands in the shadows over
his body with a dart gun noticeable in his right hand.
2 - Close on Jason’s face as he fades into unconsciousness
JASON
Bruce?
3 - Black
TO BE CONTINUED….
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