Officer Wayne, Legacy of Service
Establishing Shot: The sun is rising over Gotham Bay, illuminatng Wayne Manor as it looms on its bluff overlooking the city.
Bruce (offscreen): Yes, Captain Gordon. I understand the seriousness of the situation.
Interior, Wayne Manor, Bruce's bedroom: Bruce is standing up straight, almost at attention, the phone in his hand, barechested, wearing his pajama pants, obviously having just woken up.
Bruce: Captain, my words were taken out of context. I said, “At least no one will try and bribe me.”
Close up, a serving tray in Alfred's hands: On it we can see Bruce's morning coffee and a copy of the Gotham Times, the headline reading “Billionaire Beat Cop Say's 'I'm the only honest cop in the city!'”
Bruce: I was commenting on my own wealth and the habits of the criminal underworld. It was not my intention to disparage my fellow officers. Beat Yes sir, I can see why they'd be upset.
Alfred waits while Bruce finishes his call.
Bruce: Yes sir. I understand. I'll be there. Good bye, sir.
He chucks the phone against the wall
Bruce: DAMNIT!
Alfred (deadpan): Trouble with your employer, Master Bruce?
Bruce sits on the edge of the bed, rubbing his temples.
Bruce: Commissioner Leob is tearing Captain Gordon a new ass. They both want me to appear at a press conference at ten this morning to explain myself.
Alfred: Forgive me, sir, but their reaction is understandable, all things considered.
Bruce: I know, I know. Sighs I should have never have agreed to that interview with Vicky Vale.
Alfred: I'm sure a sufficiently apologetic donation to the Police Benevolence Association will smooth things over, sir.
Bruce (looking irritated): That's what it always comes down to, doesn't it? Money.
He picks up the paper, frowning deeply
Bruce: “Billionaire Beat Cop.” Is this how people see me? Playing dress up, to pretend I'm something I'm not?
Alfred (expression softening): Hardly that, sir. Your arrest record and the commendations you've earned so far should speak for themselves.
Bruce: They don't. They never will.
His expression grows troubled
(cont.): Am I fooling myself, Alfred? I have all this money. Shouldn't I be using it differently, taking a more active role in Wayne Enterprises and the Foundation? Being a cop... I know it's what I want to do, but is it doing the most good for the city?
If my parents could see me, would they just think I'm wasting my time?
Alfred takes a chair opposite Bruce.
Alfred: Master Bruce, I can assure you that would never be the case. Your father, Thomas, had all the money and prestige that you have, but they did not define his passions. At his heart, he saw himself as a healer. The Wayne fortune could and still does help many people, but when your father used the skill and knowledge he had as a surgeon to save an individual's life, that brought him the most satisfaction.
Bruce: One person at a time?
Alfred: One person at a time, sir. Exactly.
He helps Bruce to his feet.
(cont.): Have no shame, Mister Wayne. Your father and mother would be proud of your choice.
Bruce (smiles): Thank you, Alfred.
Bruce (offscreen): Yes, Captain Gordon. I understand the seriousness of the situation.
Interior, Wayne Manor, Bruce's bedroom: Bruce is standing up straight, almost at attention, the phone in his hand, barechested, wearing his pajama pants, obviously having just woken up.
Bruce: Captain, my words were taken out of context. I said, “At least no one will try and bribe me.”
Close up, a serving tray in Alfred's hands: On it we can see Bruce's morning coffee and a copy of the Gotham Times, the headline reading “Billionaire Beat Cop Say's 'I'm the only honest cop in the city!'”
Bruce: I was commenting on my own wealth and the habits of the criminal underworld. It was not my intention to disparage my fellow officers. Beat Yes sir, I can see why they'd be upset.
Alfred waits while Bruce finishes his call.
Bruce: Yes sir. I understand. I'll be there. Good bye, sir.
He chucks the phone against the wall
Bruce: DAMNIT!
Alfred (deadpan): Trouble with your employer, Master Bruce?
Bruce sits on the edge of the bed, rubbing his temples.
Bruce: Commissioner Leob is tearing Captain Gordon a new ass. They both want me to appear at a press conference at ten this morning to explain myself.
Alfred: Forgive me, sir, but their reaction is understandable, all things considered.
Bruce: I know, I know. Sighs I should have never have agreed to that interview with Vicky Vale.
Alfred: I'm sure a sufficiently apologetic donation to the Police Benevolence Association will smooth things over, sir.
Bruce (looking irritated): That's what it always comes down to, doesn't it? Money.
He picks up the paper, frowning deeply
Bruce: “Billionaire Beat Cop.” Is this how people see me? Playing dress up, to pretend I'm something I'm not?
Alfred (expression softening): Hardly that, sir. Your arrest record and the commendations you've earned so far should speak for themselves.
Bruce: They don't. They never will.
His expression grows troubled
(cont.): Am I fooling myself, Alfred? I have all this money. Shouldn't I be using it differently, taking a more active role in Wayne Enterprises and the Foundation? Being a cop... I know it's what I want to do, but is it doing the most good for the city?
If my parents could see me, would they just think I'm wasting my time?
Alfred takes a chair opposite Bruce.
Alfred: Master Bruce, I can assure you that would never be the case. Your father, Thomas, had all the money and prestige that you have, but they did not define his passions. At his heart, he saw himself as a healer. The Wayne fortune could and still does help many people, but when your father used the skill and knowledge he had as a surgeon to save an individual's life, that brought him the most satisfaction.
Bruce: One person at a time?
Alfred: One person at a time, sir. Exactly.
He helps Bruce to his feet.
(cont.): Have no shame, Mister Wayne. Your father and mother would be proud of your choice.
Bruce (smiles): Thank you, Alfred.