The New Batman Adventures: China Doll

CHINA DOLL


01. —INT. STONEGATE PENITENTIARY ((NIGHT))—

((A PRISON GUARD IS PUSHING A CART OF CLEANING SUPPLIES PAST A CELL CORRIDOR. HIDDEN ON THE CART’S BOTTOM SHELF ARE TWO WIND-UP TOY FROGS. WHEN THE CART IS APPROACHING ROLAND DAGGETT’S CELL, 1 FROG HOPS OFF THE CART. WHEN THE CART HAS PASSED DAGGET’S CELL, THE OTHER FROG HOPS OFF THE CART.))

((PRISON GUARD STARTS LOOKING OVER HIS SHOULDER)):

PRISON GUARD:
Huh? What?

((BOTH FROGS OPEN THEIR MOUTHS, & POP THEIR TONGUES OUT. THE TONGUES GET LONGER & LONGER, ERRATICALLY BOUNCING OFF OF THE CLAUSTROPHOBIC PRISON WALLS UNTIL HAVING FORMED UNPATTERNED, CHAOTIC MESH-LIKE BARRIERS. ROLAND DAGGETT IS ON HIS COT, STEWING IN THE DARKNESS OF HIS LAVISH & PRIVILEGED CELL. HE HEARS THE PRISON GUARD TRYING IN VAIN TO PULL THE TONGUE OFF THE WALL. ROLAND DAGGETT STANDS UP TO SEE WHAT THE TROUBLE IS, & IS PERPLEXED AT THE ANSWER. HE IS ALSO IRRITATED.))

DAGGETT:
Hey! HEY! You imbecile! How am I supposed to get meals now!

((HE HEARS A HIGH-PITCHED MECHANICAL WHINING NOISE BEHIND HIM, COMING FROM BEHIND HIS CELL WALL. A HOTSPOT FORMS ON THE CELL, PROMPTING DAGGETT TO TAKE COVER BEHIND HIS COUCH. A HOLE IS BLOWN IN THE CELL WALL, REVEALING A TALL, BULKY FIGURE STANDING AMID THE DUST.))

DAGGETT:
YOU IDIOT! I’M SUPPOSED TO BE A LEGITIMATE BUSINESSMAN! BREAKING OUT ME OUT OF THIS PLASE IS JUST GOING TO MAKE THINGS—

((DAGGETT IS INTERRUPTED BY THE FIGURE STEPPING INTO THE LIGHT. IT IS REVEALED TO BE A LIFE-SIZED WIND-UP KNIGHT TOY WITH A WIND-UP KEY IN ITS BACK. NOT AN INCH OF THE TOY’S “SKIN” IS SHOWING.))

DAGGETT:
What?

((TOYMAN STEPS OUT FROM BEHIND THE KNIGHT))

TOYMAN:
No worries, Mr. Daggett. I promise not to take too much of your time.

DAGGETT:
Hmph. Okay, what do you want? Make this quick. If it’s money you want, you’re a couple years too late, plastic man.

TOYMAN:
I want to play a game. Bruno Manheim...& Matt Hagan. The game is called: “Who’s the one man connecting these two together?”

DAGGETT ((CHUCKLING, FEIGNING IGNORANCE)):
An exposed weapons developer in Metropolis, & a good-as-dead movie star in Gotham? Gee, I don’t know, who WOULD that be?

TOYMAN:
Wrong answer. My turn: Roland Daggett. Well, that wasn’t very fun. I’m not too familiar with Gotham, so let’s try another game: “Where can Toyman find Daggett Industries?”

DAGGETT:
I’ve heard enough. Guards! Get this lunatic out of my cell! Blow that amphibian to bits if you have to!

TOYMAN:
You’re losing again, Mr. Daggett.

DAGGETT:
Get it through your thick, plastic head. I don’t have any idea of what you’re talking about.

((BEAT))

((THE TOY KNIGHT TAKES ONE STEP CLOSER TO DAGGETT. THIS INTIMIDATES DAGGETT INTO BACKING AGAINST THE CELL BARS.))

TOYMAN:
Are you losing on purpose, Mr. Daggett? Very well, then. One last game: “How long must we talk before I lose my temper?”

((THE TOY KNIGHT UNSHEATHES ITS SWORD BY ONE INCH. DAGGETT’S FACE IS REFLECTED IN THE BLADE. THE PRISON GUARD TAKES DAGGETT’S ADVICE & SHOOTS THE TOY FROG UNTIL THERE’S ONLY PIECES LEFT, THEN RUSHES TO DAGGETT’S CELL. TOYMAN & THE KNIGHT HAVE ALREADY LEFT.))

PRISON GUARD:
What’s going on in here?!

((PRISON GUARD LOOKS DOWN AT THE FLOOR, AND IS HORRIFIED AT WHAT HE FINDS.))

PRISON GUARD:
Oh...Lordy...

02. —EXT. DOWNTOWN GOTHAM ((TOMORROW, TWILIGHT))—

((PIGEONS ON A ROOFTOP LOOK UP TO SEE ANNIE CLIMBING UP OVER THE PARAPET.))

ANNIE:
Sorry I’m late.

((ANNIE TAKES OUT A SMALL BAG OF BIRDFEED FROM HER JACKET.))

((DOWN ON THE STREET, TWO THUGS ARE WALKING UP TO A PARKED CAR.))

THUG 1:
Now listen: We don’t go anywhere ‘til she says ‘kay, got it? The moment she says so, we start drivin’ to da Bank.

THUG 2:
Okay, but you BETTER actually have her. If this is just some TV-crazy runt, you’re gonna be looking for a new nose.

((THUG 1 STARTS OPENING THE DRIVER SEAT DOOR & CLIMBING IN))

THUG 1:
Trust me; it’s her alright. Loopy problems & everythin’.

((THUG 2 OPENS THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR & CLIMBS INSIDE. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT IS BABY DOLL. SHE’S BOUND, GAGGED, & STARING KNIVES AT THE TWO THUGS. THEY DIDN’T EVEN BOTHER BUCKLING HER IN, SHE’S ONLY LYING ON HER SIDE. BOTH THUGS CLOSE & LOCK THEIR RESPECTIVE DOORS. THUG 2 UNTIES & UNGAGS BABY.))

THUG 2:
Let’s get 1 thing straight: Just because you’re untied doesn’t mean you get to try funny stuff. Anyway, Baby Doll I presume?

((BABY STANDS UP ON THE SEAT, CROSSING ARMS & POUTING.))

BABY ((SPEAKING IN MARY VOICE)):
No, Katherine Hepburn.

THUG 1 ((TO THUG 2)):
See? It’s her, ‘less ya know some kid with a voice like dat.

THUG 2:
Okay, fine. Just do me a favor & stop rubbing it in. Anyway, Dolly. I bet you’re wondering why we invited you this joyride. Well, there’s something you got that we want.

BABY:
Did you really abduct me just to get my autograph?

THUG 2:
Heh, you might say that. But we’re gonna request it on someplace special.

BABY:
What?? If you’re seriously telling me to write on your—

THUG 2:
Your checkbook would be nice.

BABY:
What?

THUG 2:
VHS sales! The “Where are They Now?” Show! That behind-the-scenes book from a couple years ago! Baby Doll’s gotta be stacked in royalty money, right? So what you’re gonna do is go to the bank, & get us a nice fat pile. In cash! Or else—

((THUG 2 DRAWS A GUN FROM HIS COAT POCKET))

THUG 2:
You’re gonna get a real hot spankin’.

BABY:
Not gonna work.

THUG 2 ((LAUGHING)):
Does Baby want to explain?

BABY:
I don’t cash those checks.

THUG 2:
As if I believe that you don’t do anything with your checks. They don’t just sit there collecting dust.

BABY:
Actually, you’re right.

THUG 2:
Then what do you do with them?

BABY:
I burn them. THEN they collect dust.

((BOTH THUGS ARE THROWN INTO INFURIATED SHOCK, & EXCHANGE GLANCES.))

THUG 2:
D-don’t joke! My friend back here has been trying to get some dough for DAYS, now! If you really DID burn everything, I’m gonna be very...VERY...angry...

((THUG 2 AIMS AT BABY WITH BOTH ARMS.))

THUG 2:
And I got the perfect outlet.

BABY:
But...but...

((BABY TAKES THE BOW OFF HER HAIR & HOLDS IT IN FRONT OF HER CHEST IN A PLEADING GESTURE.))

BABY ((IN BABY VOICE))*:
Please, Mr. Gunman, don’t hurt Baby!

((THUG 2 RAISES THE GUN INTO A 1-HANDED HIGH READY POSITION.))

THUG 2:
Oh, come ON! I’m not falling for that kid act!

((BABY THROWS THE BOW LIKE A BATARANG, DISARMING THUG 2. BABY HURRIEDLY UNLOCKS THE DOOR, SCRAMBLING OUT OF THE CAR & INTO AN ALLEYWAY. BOTH THUGS ARE HURRYING OUT OF THE CAR. UP ON THE ROOFTOP, ONE OF THE PIGEONS HAS PERCHED ON ANNIE’S ARM. ANNIE IS STARTLED BY TWO GUNSHOTS, & LOOKS DOWN TO SEE WHAT THE COMMOTION IS ABOUT.))

[[ANNIE’S POV]]

((THUG 2 RUNS OFF THE STREET, ABOUT TO ENTER THE ALLEY.))

THUG 2:
GET BACK HERE, YOU PIG-TAILED PYGMY!!

((THUG 1 CATCHES UP & PUNCHES THUG 2 BEFORE HE CAN GO ANY FURTHER.))

THUG 1:
Are ya stupid? We need dat kid’s signature ta get da money. YA HEAR ME!?

((WHEN ANNIE BEGINS DESCENDING THE FIRE ESCAPE, BABY IS ALREADY HIDING UNDERNEATH A DUMPSTER AS THE THUGS LOOK FOR HER.))

THUG 2:
Come on out, Ba-by! I didn’t MEAN to shoot at you, hehe.

((BOTH THUGS PASS BY BABY’S HIDING PLACE, & END UP GOING AROUND AN  ALLEY CORNER.))

THUG 1 ((O.S.)):
Hey wait a sec... Go back to dat dumpster; she might be under it.

((BABY REALIZES SHE’S GOING TO BE FOUND. BEHIND HER, ANNIE IS SNEAKING UP BEHIND. SHE’S MADE A ROBIN MASK ON HER FACE FROM HER CLAY POWERS.))

[[DUMPSTER UNDERSIDE POV]]

((THUG 2 LOOKS UNDER THE DUMPSTER TO FIND NOTHING.))

THUG 2:
There’s nothing here!

THUG 1 ((O.S.)):
Keep looking! She’s around here somewhere.

[[CUT TO]]

((ANNIE IS ON THE FIRE ESCAPE. SHE HAS A HAND CLAMPED OVER BABY’S MOUTH. SHE HAD SILENTLY RESCUED HER OFF-SCREEN. BABY IS GIVING MUFFLED SCREAMS, TRYING TO GET OUT OF ANNIE’S GRIP.))

ANNIE ((TRYING TO KEEP VOLUME TO A MINIMUM.)):
Calm down! It’s okay. I’m not gonna hurt you, I promise.

((ANNIE GENTLY RELEASES BABY, WHO IMMEDIATELY RUNS TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FIRE ESCAPE PLATFORM.))

ANNIE:
What did those two want from you?

((BABY STARTS SNIFFLING.))

BABY:
B-Baby doesn’t know!

ANNIE:
Is it about money? I heard something about a signature. Wait, you have a signature? You’re just a little girl.

BABY ((CONFUSED THAT ANNIE APPARENTLY DOESN’T RECOGNIZE HER.)):
You don’t know who Baby is?

ANNIE:
I...I don’t think so?

((ANNIE FEELS THE SIDE OF HER HEAD, TRYING TO RELIEVE A MILD HEADACHE.))

ANNIE:
Sorry. I’m...I’m not the best at remembering things.

((BABY LOOKS AT THE GROUND THROUGH THE SLATS IN THE FIRE ESCAPE.))

BABY:
That’s a long way down. How did you pick Baby up?

ANNIE ((UNCOMFORTABLE)):
I don’t know if I should tell you...

BABY:
Please?

03. —INT. ICE CREAM PARLOR ((TWILIGHT))—

((ON THE FRONT DOOR, THE SIGN READS “CLOSED FOR RENOVATION.” THE LAST EMPLOYEE IN THE SHOP IS COUNTING THE MONEY IN HIS REGISTER DRAWER. A SOUND MAKES HIM LOOK TO THE DARK CORNER. TOY MAN WALKS FORTH WITH HANDS BEHIND HIS BACK.))

EMPLOYEE:
Did you seriously just come in through the window? Look pal, we’re closed. I’m not helping ya, got it?

TOYMAN:
Oh, I don’t need you to help me. I want to give you something.

EMPLOYEE:
Give me what?

TOYMAN:
You people are always working so hard. I thought I’d give something in return.

((TOYMAN REVEALS THE TOY ICE CREAM CONE FROM BEHIND HIM, & HANDS IT TO THE EMPLOYEE. THE EMPLOYEE TURNS IT OVER IN HIS HANDS, SEEING THE WIND-UP KEY IN ITS BACK.))

EMPLOYEE:
Mister...it’s a toy...

TOY MAN:
Maybe you should learn to have fun again.

((THE TOY ICE CREAM STARTS PLAYING “POP GOES THE WEASEL” AS THE KEY STARTS UNWINDING. THE INSTANT THE SONG FINISHES, THE CONE EXPLODES CRYOGENICALLY. THE EMPLOYEE IS COMPLETELY ICED OVER.))

TOYMAN:
Oh, but of course, you can do me a favor in return. I’ll be borrowing your ice cream truck. I promise to return it, cross my heart & hope to die.

04. —EXT. DOWNTOWN GOTHAM ((NIGHT))—

((BABY IS SWINGING UNDERNEATH THE FIRE ESCAPE. HANGING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE ESCAPE, FEET BRACED ON THE WALL, ANNIE IS PROVIDING THE “ROPE” THAT BABY IS AMUSING HERSELF WITH. AT FIRST, ANNIE SEEMS APPREHENSIVE ABOUT HUMORING BABY LIKE THIS, BUT AFTER SOME TIME THERE IS A SEMBLANCE OF CONTENTMENT ON HER FACE.))

BABY:
WEEEE! Okay, okay, Baby wants to get down now!

((ANNIE EXTENDS THE ROPE ENOUGH FOR BABY TO HOP DOWN. ANNIE, SUDDENLY LOOKING CONCERNED, LOOKS AT HER FREE HAND GRIPPING THE FIRE ESCAPE. A MOMENTARY LAPSE IN THE CLAY’S INTEGRITY CAUSES THE FIRE ESCAPE SLATS TO SLICE THROUGH HER FINGERS. ANNIE YELPS AS SHE FALLS TO THE CEMENT & LANDS ON HER BACK. HER “ROPE” HAND HAS REFLEXIVELY MORPHED BACK INTO HER NORMAL HAND. SHE GRUNTS AT THE LANDING. THERE IS NO CLAY SPLATTER. ANNIE DOES SEEM TO BE IN PAIN, BUT ONLY AS MUCH AS IF SHE HAD TRIPPED OVER SOMETHING. SHE SITS UP AFTER RECOVERING. BABY STEPS OVER TO HER CAUTIOUSLY.))

BABY:
Uh oh. Is Sister Annie okay?

((ANNIE BEGINS CONCENTRATING ON THE HAND THAT HAD LOST ITS GRIP IN ORDER TO MORPH IT BACK TO NORMAL.))

ANNIE:
I’m alright. This is just something I’m getting used to.

BABY:
Baby knows Sister Annie will get the hang of it. Can she look like different people?**

((ANNIE’S FACE FALLS INTO A DEER-IN-THE-HEADLIGHTS LOOK. SHE IS HOPING IT IS JUST A COINCIDENCE.))

ANNIE:
Um...no...

BABY:
Baby wishes she was more like Sister Annie. She would have so much FUN!

((ANNIE LOOKS LIKE SHE FEELS THE START OF A HEADACHE, AND PUTS HER HAND ON HER TEMPLE.))

BABY:
I could...

((BABY REALIZES THE POSSIBILITIES, AND LOOKS AT HER STUBBY HANDS.))

BABY ((IN MARY VOICE)):
I could move on from this.

((ANNIE’S HEADACHE CREEPS UP IN INTENSITY.))

[[DISSOLVE/CUT TO]]

—INT. MATT HAGAN’S TRAILER ((FLASHBACK))—

TEDDY:
That stuff makes your face like putty, man! It can’t be good for ya.

MATT:
It probably AIN’T good for me. But unless I only wanna do horror pictures, it ain’t bad for me either.

[[END FLASHBACK.]]

((ANNIE HAS HER HAND OVER HER FACE, AND SEEMS CLOSE TO COLLAPSING.))

BABY ((IN BABY VOICE)):
Uh oh. Is sister Annie okay?

((ANNIE RECOVERS, BALANCING HERSELF))

ANNIE:
I’m okay. But Mary, do you really think it’s okay to want it this badly?

BABY:
Oh, sister Annie is SO funny! She’s a really good joker.

((ANNIE KNEELS TO MEET DAHL AT EYE LEVEL))

ANNIE:
But what if you had to do something really bad to get it?

[[CU - BABY]]

((BABY’S FACE SLOWLY FORMS INTO AN UNIMPRESSED CYNICISM; ALSO A JADED SMILE.))

ANNIE ((O.S.)):
Or worse, you try so hard that something else happens to you? I used to know someone who was taking so many risks to get what HE wanted, and eventually those risks caught up to him.

BABY ((IN MARY VOICE)):
Do you know how old I am, young lady?

((ANNIE IS SHOCKED BY HER VOICE CHANGE, SHE STANDS UP AS A RESULT))

BABY:
32 years, I think.

((DAHL STARTS STOMPING UP TO ANNIE, WHO STARTS BACKING UP.))

BABY:
So I should tell you something; I’m old enough to know what I want & don’t want, and I’m not gonna be told what that should be by some little girl nobody that’s NOT EVEN HALF MY AGE!!

((DAHL TRIES KICKING ANNIE IN THE SHIN, BUT HER FOOT SINKS INTO ANNIE’S LEG. DAHL YANKS HER FOOT OUT. THERE IS CLAY MATTER ON HER SHOE. SHE SNARLS AT ANNIE BEFORE RUNNING AWAY. AFTER PROCESSING BABY’S TANTRUM, ANNIE GIVES CHASE ALTHOUGH SHE HAS ALREADY LOST SIGHT OF HER.))

ANNIE:
Mary, wait!

05. —INT./EXT. ICE CREAM PARLOR ((NIGHT))—

((BABY CLIMBS UP ANOTHER DUMPSTER & THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW. SHE ENDS UP IN SOME TYPE OF STORAGE ROOM.))

[[CUT TO]]

((ANNIE COMES UP TO THE PARLOR’S FRONT DOOR, SEES THE SIGN, AND CONTINUES ON. SHE’S CONCLUDED THAT MARY WOULDN’T HAVE ANY WAY IN THERE.))

[[BACK TO]]

((BABY RUNS UP TO THE DOOR THAT WOULD GET HER OUT OF THE STORAGE ROOM. SHE PULLS AT THE KNOB WITH ALL HER DIMINUTIVE EFFORT, BUT JUST ENDS UP LOSING HER GRIP & BALANCE, AND FALLS ON HER REAR. A STEPPING SOUND COMES FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR. BABY IS BLINDED BY THE LIGHT WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED. TOYMAN, SILHOUETTED BY THE LIGHT, IS NOW WEARING THE EMPLOYEE’S UNIFORMED. BABY IS OF COURSE LOOKING TERRIFIED.))

TOYMAN:
The parlor is closed, dearie.

06. —INT. WAYNE MANOR LIVING ROOM ((TOMORROW, AFTERNOON))—

((A CLIP OF “LOVE THAT BABY!” IS PLAYING. IN IT, DADDY OPENS AN OVEN, & A CROWD OF MONKEYS COME OUT & PRANCE OUT OF FRAME. BABY WALKS IN FRAME))

DADDY:
Baby! That is NOT what I meant when I said no monkeying around with the oven!

BABY:
I didn’t MEAN tooo!

((CUE LAUGH TRACK. THE CLIP TURNS TO STATIC. ALFRED PRESSES A BUTTON ON THE VCR, & THE VHS EJECTS.))

ALFRED:
And that, miss Annie, was “Love That Baby!”

((ANNIE STANDS TO PICK UP & LOOK AT THE VHS))

ANNIE:
How long did it run?

ALFRED:
Oh, not long. 16 years, but not long at all. As for explaining your encounter, its cancellation left quite the bitter taste in the mouth of its main star.

ANNIE:
What happened to her?

ALFRED:
Birth, for one thing.

[[CU - PERPLEXED ANNIE.]]

ALFRED:
Systemic Hypoplasia; it keeps her from getting any taller.

((TURNS HIS BACK TO BEGIN  REPLACING SOME BOOKS ON A NEARBY BOOKSHELF))

ALFRED:
I nearly forgot we had those tapes. Leftovers from the first time Master Bruce had looked into her past. Then the second time he encountered her, he kept the news stories about her heists for good measure. They’re somewhere in the secret library, I believe. Not like I can find the bloody things any more.

((BOOKS REPLACED, ALFRED TURNS BACK TO WHERE ANNIE STOOD.))

ALFRED:
But, Miss Annie, may I ask why—

((ALFRED NOTICES THAT ANNIE IS SUDDENLY MISSING FROM THE LIVING ROOM))

ALFRED:
Oh... They’ve rubbed off on you, I see.

07. —INT. ICE CREAM PARLOR GARAGE—

((BABY IS SURROUNDED BY 7 TOY FROGS WHO HAVE THEIR TONGUES STUCK TO THE CEILING. IT IS AN IMPROVISED JAIL CELL. BABY IS TAPPING HER FOOT PETULANTLY. SHE IS, AT LEAST FOR NOW, NOT IMPRESSED BY TOYMAN.))

BABY:
Nice toys, bobblehead.

TOYMAN ((MISSING THE SARCASM)):
Why thank you. But I’m afraid my toy box is quite lacking, suddenly. Some big bullies broke most of them a couple days ago. So I’ve come here. Because I remember one very bad man who was friends with one of those bullies.

((TOYMAN PRODUCES AN EMPTY RENUYU JAR. BABY REALIZES THERE’S A WAY TO BENEFIT OFF THIS PSYCHOPATH.))

TOYMAN:
I decided, what better toys to refill my box with than one of those dreadful things he wasted his imagination on? I could make it the joyful plaything it was destined to be.

BABY ((IN BABY VOICE)):
Baby knows that name. It belonged to a factory. Baby used to play there all the time!

TOYMAN:
You would’ve only been a baby. It isn’t nice to lie, deary.

BABY: But Baby knows where it is!

((BABY TAKES OFF THE SHOE THAT SHE KICKED ANNIE WITH & THROWS IT AT TOYMAN. IT LANDS AT HIS FEET, SO HE PICKS IT UP. HE CAN SEE THE CLAY MATTER INSIDE.))

BABY:
Baby will help you get there. But on one condition...

((TOYMAN TILTS HIS HEAD OMINOUSLY, CURIOUS ABOUT WHAT BABY’S CONDITION COULD BE.))

08. —INT. WAYNE MANOR LIBRARY—

((ANNIE IS ON A COUCH, LEANING AGAINST THE RIGHT ARM, WITH HER LOWER LEGS TUCKED UNDER HER KNEES. SHE IS STARING AT THE CLIPPED-OUT ARTICLES OF THE COLLABORATIVE HEISTS BY BABY & KILLER CROC. A SOFT CREAKING SOUND MAKES HER LOOK UP. TIM IS NOW SEATED ON TOP OF THE COUCH’S BACKREST.))

ANNIE:
Is...something the matter?

TIM:
Well...we can start with how you’ve been staring at those articles for a straight hour. I mean, you’re not even reading them.

ANNIE:
Um... Sorry. I just can’t get her out of my head.

((ANNIE CONTEMPLATES HER HAND. WHILE SPEAKING, ANNIE MORPHS THE SAME HAND INTO A BOW, & THEN A BABY RATTLE IN THAT ORDER.))

ANNIE:
I think she hates me. Because of what I can do, and what she can’t have. Sound familiar?

((TIM SHRUGS))

TIM:
Look, I don’t wanna sound mad, but this isn’t the first time we’ve had this conversation. Also, for the record, Matt Hagan was way before my time.

ANNIE:
I don’t know where Clayface ends & I begin. But if I can keep anyone away from obsession, that’s what I want to do.

((AN OLD-TIMEY RADIO POSITIONED NEAR TIM, ON A BOOKSHELF, STARTS A BLINKING LIGHT. TIM PRESSES A HIDDEN BUTTON. IT IS A DISGUISED TWO-WAY RADIO MEANT FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE LIBRARY & THE BAT CAVE. BATMAN IS CURRENTLY AT THE COMPUTER.))

TIM:
Yeah?

BATMAN:
Runaway Ice Cream truck.

TIM ((SICK OF JOKER’S SHIT)):
A certain psychotic clown?

((BATMAN ZOOMS IN ON SECURITY FOOTAGE OF TOY MAN & BABY DOLL.))

BATMAN:
No. It’s someone new in Gotham, & a familiar face. I’d like backup for this one, just in case.

TIM:
On my way.

((TIM JUMPS OFF THE COUCH, LANDING WITH HIS BACK TO ANNIE, & HEADED FOR THE DOOR. ANNIE STANDS UP FROM THE COUCH.))

ANNIE:
Wait. He said “familiar face.” What does that mean?

((TIM TURNS TO ADDRESS ANNIE, ALREADY DONNING HIS ROBIN MASK))

TIM:
That’s Bruce for you. If he doesn’t say, it isn’t worth knowing.

((TIM LEAVES FOR THE BAT CAVE, TURNING A CORNER. ANNIE KEEPS HER EYES TRAINED ON WHERE SHE LOST SIGHT OF HIM))

09. —EXT. GOTHAM STREETS ((TWILIGHT))—

((A YOUTH, MAYBE 10 YEARS OLD, IS PLAYING WITH A REMOTE TOY HELICOPTER. FROM OFF-SCREEN, A GIANT CONE ON TOP OF AN ICE CREAM TRUCK SPEEDS BY, DESTROYING THE HELICOPTER INTO OBLIVION.))

((BEHIND THE WHEELS OF THE ICE CREAM TRUCK ARE BABY & TOYMAN, BUT MOSTLY BABY. SHE IS USING PEDAL ADAPTERS MADE BY TOYMAN THAT ALLOW HER TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT NEEDING TO REACH THE ACTUAL PEDALS. ON THEIR TAIL ARE 2 POLICE CARS. TOY MAN PRESSES A BUTTON ON A REMOTE. LITTLE ROCKETS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE GIANT CONE ACTIVATE, MAKING IT BREAK FROM THE TRUCK & LIFTING OFF. THE CONE ROCKET MAKES A U-TURN, NOW AIMED AT THE POLICE CARS. TRYING TO AVOID THE ROCKET, 1 POLICE CAR CRASHES INTO A BUS STOP, THE OTHER SWERVES & CAPSIZES. THE CONE ROCKET TURNS UP INTO THE AIR, WHERE THE PROPULSION SYSTEM FIZZLES OUT & GRAVITY TAKES OVER.))

((BEAT))

((THE BATMOBILE SCREAMS BY THE INCAPACITATED POLICE CARS.))

((THE CONE ROCKET LANDS WITH A SMASH, RIGHT WHERE THE BATMOBILE HAD BEEN AN INSTANT EARLIER.))

TOYMAN:
Hopefully they remember to share... Hmm?

((TOYMAN SPOTS THE BATMOBILE IN THE SIDE MIRROR))

TOYMAN:
...I want it.

BABY ((IN MARY VOICE)):
ROOF! NOW!

((TOYMAN CLIMBS THE LADDER BEHIND HIM, OPENING A HATCH ON THE ROOF OF THE TRUCK. HE PUTS ON BOOTS KITTED OUT WITH CARTOON MAGNETS. HE PULLS OUT A DARCI-THEMED PEZ DISPENSER & BEGINS PULLING THE HEAD BACK REPEATEDLY. WITH EACH PULL, A PEZ BOMB IS LAUNCHED, EXPLODING ON IMPACT WHERE IT LANDS. THE BATMOBILE STRUGGLES TO EVADE THE BLASTS. ONE OF THE EXPLOSIONS CAUSES THE BATMOBILE WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER ON BATMAN’S SIDE. HE PUTS AN ARM IN FRONT OF HIS FACE TO PROTECT HIMSELF.))

((WHEN BABY SEES A GIRL, NO OLDER THAN 5, CHASE A BALL INTO THE STREET, SHE FLOORS THE BRAKES & SWERVES INTO A STOP, NEARLY CAPSIZING THE TRUCK & THROWING TOYMAN OFF THE ROOF. SINCE THE TRUCK HAS SWERVED SIDEWAYS, THE DRIVER SIDE IS NOW FACING THE DIRECTION THAT THE BATMOBILE IS COMING FROM. THE BATMOBILE BRAKES TO A STOP ROUGHLY 30 FEET FROM THE TRUCK. THE HATCH OPENS THEN BATMAN & ROBIN STAND UP.))

BATMAN:
Out for a joyride, Dahl?

BABY:
More like chasing my dream.

((BATMAN STEPS OUT OF THE BATMOBILE.))

BATMAN:
If you want my opinion, it’ll be safer to chase rehabilitation. I made the offer before, and it still stands.

((ANNIE CRAWLS OUT FROM UNDER THE REAR OF THE BATMOBILE. THERE IS A MANHOLE RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER. SHE LIFTS IT UP & CLIMBS DOWN, PUTTING THE MANHOLE BACK IN PLACE. PAST THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ICE CREAM TRUCK IS ANOTHER MANHOLE.))

BABY ((O.S.)):
Toyman promised me something better. Maybe you should listen for once. Just look at him, It’s obvious what we have in common.

BATMAN ((O.S.)):
The last time you used that excuse, it didn’t end well for you.

BATMAN:
How do you know you can trust this one?

TOYMAN:
And you, mister, presume to know who I am?

BATMAN:
Winslow Schott Jr. Less than 48 hours ago, you made an attempt on the life of Bruno Manheim, but Superman stopped you. Now tell me what brings you to Gotham.

TOYMAN:
Well, well. It sounds an awful lot like you would SIDE with Manheim. Unless you want to join him, you’ll be keeping your distance.

((BATMAN STARTS WALKING FORWARD, FORCING TOYMAN’S HAND. TOYMAN OPENS A SNAKE-IN-A-CAN PRANK. THE SNAKE FLIES OUT & CONNECTS WITH BATMAN, THE ELECTRIC SHOCKING STOPPING HIM IN HIS TRACKS. ROBIN SEES THIS, AND STARTS RUNNING TO HELP HIM.))

BABY ((IN BABY VOICE)):
Whoever Manheinie is, he probably deserved it. And next time, you’re treating me like an adult. This is your last chance!

((ROBIN TRIES TO TAKE THE ELECTRIC SNAKE OFF BY HAND, BUT IS SHOCKED HIMSELF, THEN UNFOLDS A BATARANG & THROWS IT TO GET IT OFF BATMAN’S CHEST. TOYMAN LOOKS BACK IN BABY’S GENERAL DIRECTION.))

TOYMAN:
Let’s return to the party, shall we dearest?

((TOYMAN CLIMBS DOWN INTO THE TRUCK, CLOSING THE HATCH. THE ICE CREAM TRUCK STARTS OFF AGAIN. DESPITE HIGH SPEEDS, ANNIE CRAWLS OUT FROM UNDER THE TRUCK TO LOOK INTO BABY’S SIDE WINDOW.))

BABY:
You again?

((BABY PRESSES THE WINDOW-DOWN BUTTON JUST ENOUGH TO SAY SOMETHING TO HER CLEARLY.))

BABY:
I don’t NEED you, young lady. Not anymore!

((BABY STEERS THE TRUCK IN A WAY THAT PUTS ANNIE ON A TRAJECTORY TO SLAM HEAD FIRST INTO A PROTRUDING WALL. THE PLAN WORKS; ANNIE LOSES GRIP & LANDS ON THE SIDEWALK. BABY LEANS OUT THE WINDOW, THROWING A CRYO-CONE IN ANNIE’S GENERAL DIRECTION. IT LANDS AT ANNIE’S FEET JUST AS THE DISORIENTATION LEAVES HER, THEN GETTING CONFUSED AT THE PLAYING OF “POP GOES THE WEASEL.” WHEN SHE FINALLY REALIZES IT CAN’T BE ANY GOOD, SHE TRIES RUNNING AWAY. IT’S TOO LATE; SHE’S CAUGHT IN THE BLAST.))***

((THE BATMOBILE CONTINUES PURSUIT. ROBIN SEES SOMETHING.))

ROBIN:
Wait, stop!

((THE BATMOBILE STOPS & THE HATCH OPENS. ROBIN RUNS TO ANNIE, WHO HAS BEEN ICED OVER FROM THE WAIST DOWN.))

10. —INT. BATCAVE—

((ANNIE IS SITTING ON A CHAIR, BLOWING INTO HER CUPPED HANDS & RUBBING HER HANDS ON HER ARMS, TRYING TO GET WARM. SURROUNDING HER ARE ACTIVE HEAT COILS THAT APPARENTLY HAVE MECHANICALLY EMERGED FROM THE FLOOR. BATMAN IS AT THE COMPUTER.))***

((BATMAN DOES NOT TURN FROM THE COMPUTER.))

BATMAN:
You’re aware you don’t have much body heat for that to be useful. That’s what the coils are for.

ANNIE:
Force of habit, I guess...

((ALFRED COMES IN WITH A PLATE OF SUSTENANCE FOR BRUCE.))

ALFRED:
As I recall, Miss Annie had once clarified she wasn’t fond of physical confrontation.

ANNIE:
It was my fault, I was hanging underneath when Bruce left. I was looking for Mary.

ALFRED ((TRYING TO CHEER HER UP)):
And you found her. Score one for women’s intuition.

BATMAN:
Alfred, the microphone was fixed, wasn’t it?

ALFRED:
At the price of a windshield, yes sir.

BATMAN:
Then you heard what Dahl said. Chasing her dream. It doesn’t make sense.

((ANNIE’S INTEREST IS PIQUED. SHE’S STARTED TO PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER.))

ALFRED:
Sir?

BATMAN:
It’s been years since Dahl tried getting her show “revived”, & has since come to despise it.

ALFRED:
So you can’t guess what else it would be...

BATMAN:
She said I’d treat her like an adult. But that can’t—

ANNIE:
Wait...

((BATMAN & ALFRED LOOK AT ANNIE. SHE STANDS UP. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME, HOWEVER TIMIDLY, THAT SHE‘S ABLE TO ASSERT HERSELF))

ANNIE:
I know where Mary is.

BATMAN:
...Daggett Industries...

[[SMASH CUT TO]]

((THE BATMOBILE’S DEPARTS FROM THE BATCAVE))

11. —INT. BATMOBILE EN ROUTE TO DAGGETT INDUSTRIES ((NIGHT))—

ROBIN:
Been dealing with a lot of “before my time” stuff, lately.

[[CUT TO]]

—INT. ???—

((IN A POORLY LIT ROOM, A BOX OF OLD & DUSTY RENUYU JARS IS OPENED & PROMPTLY DUSTED OFF.))

ANNIE ((V.O.)):
One time Hagan got turned around in the building & overheard employees talking about a hidden storeroom of certain products.

[[BACK TO]]

ANNIE:
But...Mary knew about this?

((A STRAY NEWSPAPER FLIES THROUGH THE BROKEN WINDSHIELD & SLAPS ON BATMAN’S FACE. BATMAN GRABS IT & THROWS IT OUT THE WINDOW IN ALL SERIOUSNESS.))

BATMAN:
No doubt Schott eavesdropped on a liaison between Dagget & Manheim, then told Dahl about it.

12. —INT./EXT. ABANDONED REMAINS OF DAGGETT INDUSTRIES ((NIGHT))—

((THE BATMOBILE HAS ALREADY BEEN LEFT BEHIND AT THE ENTRANCE. BATMAN, ROBIN & ANNIE ARE ALREADY INSIDE. BATMAN TURNS ON A FLASHLIGHT & BEGINS LOOKING AT THE DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS OF THE HALLWAYS. HE ISN’T SURE WHERE TO START LOOKING.))

ROBIN ((TO ANNIE)):
So...uh...YOU don’t remember where this storeroom was, do you?

((ANNIE RUNS OFF DEEPER INTO THE RUINS.))

ROBIN:
Wha—Annie, wait! This building isn’t very—

((ROBIN IS CUT OFF BY AN ARROW SLAMMING INTO A WOODEN SUPPORT BEAM NEXT TO HIM. HE LOOKS TO SEE THE TOY KNIGHT WHIRL ITS METAL BOW LIKE A BOOMERANG. ROBIN BACKFLIPS OUT OF THE WAY, LEAVING THE BOW TO BEND FROM THE IMPACT WITH THE SUPPORT BEAM. THERE IS NOW A NOTICEABLE GASH IN THE SUPPORT BEAM. WHERE ROBIN LANDS, THERE IS A TOY FROG BEHIND HIM. IT LAUNCHES ITS TONGUE OUT, BINDING HIS ARMS TO HIS TORSO. THE KNIGHT APPROACHES, READYING ITS SWORD TO EXECUTE ROBIN. A BATCLAW LATCHES ONTO THE KNIGHT’S ARM, & IS HAULED OVER TO BATMAN. THE KNIGHT SWITCHES ITS ATTENTION TO BATMAN.))

13. —INT. HIDDEN STOREROOM—

((BABY IS STANDING ON A GIANT, PLATFORMED SLINKY WHILE HOLDING A BOARD WITH A NAIL IN IT. TOYMAN OPERATES ON THE REMOTE. THE SLINKY STRETCHES UNTIL SHE CAN REACH A TIN PIÑATA WITH THE BOARD.))

TOYMAN:
A new chapter in life deserves a celebration. After that, we’ll have so much fun together.

BABY ((IN MARY VOICE)):
If you grow up, maybe.

((TOYMAN LOOKS UP IN SURPRISE AT THE COMMENT. BABY BEGINS HITTING THE PIÑATA. AFTER 4 HITS, IT STARTS LEAKING A REDDISH-BROWN LIQUID. TOYMAN SKIPS AWAY FROM THE FLOW. THE SLINKY PLATFORM RETRACTS TO PLACE BABY BACK IN THE PATH OF THE RENUYU STREAMS. ANNIE IS WATCHING THE OCCURRENCE, HIDING BEHIND A DOOR FRAME.))

BABY ((SINGSONG)):
Rain, rain! Oh, please stay! Play with me every day!

THE LIQUID RENUYU BEGINS ACCUMULATING. SHE IS UP TO HER KNEES. BEHIND ANNIE, TOYMAN HAS SET UP A TRAP WITH THE PEZ DISPENSER. A TAUT STRING PULLS BACK THE HEAD, THE PEZ BOMB HITTING HER IN THE BACK. SHE IS THROWN INTO THE ROOM FROM THE BLAST.))

TOYMAN:
Should we make an exception for uninvited guests?

((AT THIS POINT, THE RENUYU HAS ACCUMULATED CONSIDERABLY. BABY IS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN. AN ADULT-SIZED, FEMININE LOOKING FIGURE EMERGES FROM THE MUD-LIKE PILE. THE GRIME IS NIPPED, TUCKED, & RECOLORED BY ITSELF UNTIL STANDING IN ITS PLACE IS A WOMAN, SEEMINGLY IN HER MID-20’S, WITH LONG BLONDE HAIR & WEARING A PURPLE DRESS. ANNIE LOOKS UP AT THE TRANSMORPHED DAHL.))

ANNIE:
You...didn’t have to...

((BABY SMILES SPITEFULLY.))

BABY:
My, you see a lot from this height, don’t you?

((BABY PLACES A HAND ON ANNIE’S SHOULDER, MAKING HER FLINCH.))

BABY:
Now...I believe you said something about risks catching up to me?

((DAHL IMMEDIATELY USES HER NEW CLAY POWERS TO THROW ANNIE AT ONE OF THE WOODEN SUPPORT BEAMS, WHICH IS NOW BENT FROM THE IMPACT. BEFORE SHE CAN RECOVER, THE FLOOR GIVES OUT UNDERNEATH HER. DAHL LOOKS INTO A MIRROR SET UP BY TOYMAN. SHE BEGINS POOFING HER HAIR WITH HER HANDS. SHE MAKES A HALF-LAUGH THROUGH HER LIPS.))

DAHL:
Why, hel-LO, gorgeous? You got a name?

[[CU - TOYMAN]]

((SOMETHING’S GONE WRONG; CRACKING & SOLIDIFYING SOUNDS CAN BE HEARD FROM HER NEW BODY, AND HER CAPABILITY OF SPEECH BECOMES SLOWED & STUTTERY. TOYMAN DOESN’T REACT URGENTLY TO DAHL’S CRISIS. HE ONLY PUTS A HAND TO HIS CHIN IN PASSIVE FASCINATION.))

DAHL ((O.S.)):
Wh...y, Mary Da...hl o...f cou...r...s...e...

14. —INT./EXT. DAGGETT INDUSTRIES—

((BATMAN IS DODGING THE KNIGHT’S SWORD SLASHES. BATMAN MOVES BACKWARDS WITH EVERY DODGE UNTIL HE & THE KNIGHT ARE OUTSIDE THE FACILITY. BATMAN IMMEDIATELY OPENS THE BATMOBILE REMOTE ON HIS BELT & STARTS OPERATING IT. LEAPING UP IN THE AIR TO AVOID ANOTHER SLASH, BATMAN REVEALS THE HURTLING BATMOBILE, BLINDING THE KNIGHT WITH ITS HEADLIGHTS AS IT CRASHES INTO IT & PINS IT ON A TRAFFIC LIGHT. BATMAN THEN LANDS ON THE BATMOBILE SO HE CAN WRING THE KNIGHT’S NECK BEFORE RIPPING OUT THE WIND-UP KEY.))

((ROBIN HOOKS THE FROG TONGUE WITH HIS LEG & USES THIS TO YANK THE FROG OFF THE GROUND. ROBIN IMMEDIATELY REPOSITIONS HIS FOOT SO THE FROG SMASHES TO BITS ON HIS HEEL. HE PICKS UP ONE OF THE PIECES AS BATMAN REJOINS HIM.))

ROBIN:
Man. Least it wasn’t wet.

((BOTH START HEARING THE SOUNDS OF FLOOR AFTER FLOOR COLLAPSING. BATMAN REALIZES THEY’RE DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE, & THROWS HIMSELF & ROBIN OUT OF THE WAY. ANNIE CRASHES THROUGH THE CEILING, LANDING ON A PILE OF WHAT USED TO BE FLOORBOARDS. ROBIN GETS CLOSE ENOUGH TO CHECK ON HER. SHE’S STILL “BREATHING” BUT STILL OUT OF IT. ROBIN WORDLESSLY FIRES HIS BATCLAW AT WHERE ANNIE HAD FALLEN FROM. BATMAN FOLLOWS.))

15. —INT. HIDDEN STOREROOM—

((TOYMAN IS POLISHING DAHL’S ARMS.))

TOYMAN:
Why thank you, deary. I’ve always wanted a china doll. I know you didn’t mean what you said.

((TOYMAN TURNS AROUND, HEARING THE WINCH SOUNDS OF BATCLAWS. BY THE TIME BATMAN & ROBIN ARRIVE, TOYMAN HAS SNUCK BACK INTO THE DARKNESS. ROBIN IS THE FIRST TO SEE MARY DAHL, FROZEN LIKE PORCELAIN IN HER BEAUTIFIED FORM, STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF PLAYING WITH HER HAIR. HER BODY, CLOTHING AND EVERYTHING, HAS TAKEN ON A REDDISH-BROWN TINT AS WELL AS A STARK GLOSSINESS.))

ROBIN:
What happened?

BATMAN:
It’s her condition. The Renuyu formula must’ve had a reaction to the gene. This is the result.

((TOYMAN STEPS OUT OF THE SHADOWS, & TRIES LAUNCHING ANOTHER SNAKE-CAN, BUT THE ELECTRICITY HAS SEEMINGLY NO EFFECT ON BATMAN AS IT LANDS SQUARE ON HIS CHEST.))

TOYMAN:
I HATE rubber bats!

BATMAN:
Fool me once, Schott.

((BATMAN GRABS THE ELECTRIC SNAKE & THROWS IT ASIDE BEFORE FIRING HIS BATCLAW TO WRAP AROUND TOYMAN & HAUL HIM TO HIS FEET. BATMAN LIFTS TOYMAN OFF THE GROUND BY HIS COLLAR.))

BATMAN:
Now maybe you’re in a position to answer me. Why Gotham?

TOYMAN:
Uh oh. I’m sorry, Batman, but I have bad news. This toy is almost out of battery. Or rather, time in general.

((TOY MAN’S NECK PROTRUDES BY AN INCH, REVEALING A METALLIC BAND AT THE BASE WITH A DISPLAY READING “00:10”. IT’S A BOMB. BATMAN IS NOT ACTUALLY HOLDING THE REAL TOYMAN, BUT A ROBOTIC DOUBLE. THE TIMER BEGINS COUNTING DOWN. ROBIN BEELINES TO THE AIR VENT, AND TRIES IN VAIN TO FORCE IT OFF.))

ROBIN:
Can’t zipline this one! And there’s no windows to toss it out of! That manchild’s thought of everything!

BATMAN:
It still can’t detonate here. The building will just cave in.

((BATMAN LOOKS BACK AT THE TOYMAN BOMB. “POP GOES THE WEASEL” STARTS PLAYING FROM SOMEWHERE. WHEN THE SONG IS NEARLY FINISHED, SOMETHING SMALL BOUNCES OFF THE DUMMY’S HEAD & EXPLODES, FREEZING THE BOMB. BATMAN & ROBIN LOOK OVER & SEE ANNIE, HAVING CLIMBED BACK UP FROM HER FALL. BATMAN SEES THE SPARE CRYO-CONE IN HER HAND BEFORE LOOKING BACK AT THE BOMB. THE TIMER STOPS AT “00:01”.))

BATMAN:
Quick thinking.

ROBIN ((SURPRISED AT BATMAN COMPLIMENTING HER)):
Wait, did you say something?

ANNIE:
No. It wasn’t.

((ANNIE LOOKS AT THE SPARE CRYO-CREAM IN HER HAND.))

ANNIE:
I should’ve been looking for this from the start.

((BATMAN WORDLESSLY LOOKS AT DAHL’S FROZEN FORM. HE UNDERSTANDS WHAT ANNIE IS TRYING TO SAY. HE RETURNS HIS ATTENTION TO THE FROZEN BOMB.))

BATMAN:
This isn’t going to last long. I need to get this somewhere safe before the ice melts. You two go home.

ANNIE:
But what about—

BATMAN:
I’ll take a look at Dahl after dealing with this. I said go.

((ROBIN PUTS A HAND ON ANNIE’S SHOULDER))

ROBIN:
Come on.

16. —INT. ARKHAM ASYLUM—

((DAHL HAS BEEN PUT INTO A SPECIAL CELL, DESIGNED TO MONITOR FOR CHANGES. TWO ORDERLIES ARE SPENDING THEIR BREAK DOODLING ON THE STATUE WITH MARKERS. DAHL HAS ALREADY BEEN DEFACED WITH PHALLIC IMAGERY, DISINGENUOUS REQUESTS FOR AUTOGRAPH, TIC-TAC-TOE GAMES, “KILROY WAS HERE” MEMES, THE STÜSSY S, & OTHER THINGS. ORDERLY TRIES MAKING DRAWING AN EXAGGERATED SMILE ON HER MOUTH. THE INK RUNS DRY & HE BEGINS SHAKING THE MARKER. ORDERLY 2 IS EATING HIS LUNCH.))

ORDERLY 1:
Hey, moron! You used up all the ink in this thing!

ORDERLY 2 ((MOCKING)):
I didn’t MEAN to!

((BOTH ORDERLIES DISSOLVE INTO CACKLING. AFTER ENJOYING THEIR JOKE, AN ASYLUM GUARD ENTERS THE CELL. HE’S HOLDING SOMETHING SMALL.))

ORDERLY 1: Uh, what’s this?

ASYLUM GUARD:
Package for Ms. Dahl.

ORDERLY 1:
Package? Y-You’re kidding, right?

((PSYCHIATRIST NUDGES ORDERLY 1 IN THE STOMACH WITH THE PACKAGE. ORDERLY 1 TAKES THE PACKAGE, UNWRAPS IT IN FRONT OF THE PSYCHIATRIST, & TOSSES IT OVER HIS SHOULDER BEFORE LEAVING. ORDERLY 1, 2, & THE PSYCHIATRIST LEAVE THE ROOM.))

[[PAN - DAHL’S FACE TO PACKAGE]]

((THE PACKAGE RESTS ON DAHL’S STATUE BASE. IT’S THE TAPE ANNIE HAD WATCHED. THERE’S A NOTE ATTACHED, WRITTEN IN CURSIVE.))

“ I’m sorry I couldn’t help.

~ Sister Annie “

~ THE END ~

——
FOOTNOTES

*
When the character cap defines which voice Baby is using, she is assumed to be speaking in that voice from then on, until the character cap defines her speaking in her other voice. The cycle repeats from there.

**
Mary knows who Clayface is. Baby DOESN’T know who Clayface is, but her curiosity is being influenced by Mary’s knowledge of Gotham’s underworld. Mary is unaware of this.

***
”Cryo-cone” is shorthand for the cryogenic ice cream bomb used in the other scene.

****
Bruce made this addition soon after Annie joined the family. In Cold Comfort, Alfred suffered a hit from a cold gun, but recovered with the use of a hot tub. For obvious reasons, the same solution would not work for Annie. Both the chair & coils are programmed & designed to slot into the floor before it has a chance to actually start baking clay.