BLIND JUSTICE: pages 76-100
Original screenplay by Terrence J. Brady
WGAe # 127672-00
All characters © Marvel Entertainment Group
INSIDE MATT'S -- MOMENTS LATER
MATT carries ELEKTRA in. Lays her on the couch.
Matt can't see it but he feels her suffering.
ELEKTRA
...matt?
MATT
Don't talk. Save your breathe.
ELEKTRA
...matt. I--I--
Does his best to slow bleeding.
MATT
I have to get you to a hospital.
ELEKTRA
...no. No doctors. T-too late for
me, Matthew...so sorry....
MATT
Hang on. Just hang on.
Matt fights his emotions back. She's dying.
ELEKTRA
...strike him where it hurts
most dearest.
She hands him something.
ELEKTRA
...couldn't do it. Couldn't.
MATT
No--no. Hang on Elektra.
ELEKTRA
...sail away...sail away tiger.
Sail a..w..a..y....
Her eyes creep shut. Her body goes limp.
MATT
Elektra? Elektra! ELEKTRA!!
She's gone.
EXT. TIMES SQUARE - NIGHT
Cold and crisp.
Festive lighting displays.
Christmas SHOPPERS, CAROLERS, MERCHANTS, and a --
MAN gone berserk.
BULLSEYE
DEVILS!!!
BULLSEYE POV
Every man, woman, and child appears dressed as DD.
BULLSEYE
Kill you all----
Bullseye throws off his trenchcoat and lashes out.
Tears into a trio of hoodlums standing on a corner.
BULLSEYE
Merryyyyy Chhhhristmassss!
Slices through them--hot knife through butter.
Crowd sees TRIO'S blood--wild panic spreads.
Bullseye just warming up. Seizes an OLD DRUNK.
BULLSEYE
Mr. Gower? Mr. Gower! Don't you
recognize me man?
Drunk already confused with cheap liquor.
Shakes "no" trying to break away from Bullseye.
Jams Elektra's sai deep into his gut.
BULLSEYE
You old fool. You--you ruined me.
Should've let you kill that boy
with the poison.
VOICE
Hey! Hey you!
Bullseye turns. One of New York's finest approaches.
BULLSEYE
Bert? Bert! My mouths a bleedin'--
my mouths a bleedin'!
POLICE OFFICER moves his hand to his holster.
OFFICER
Stand back from that man.
BULLSEYE
Bert--don't you recognize me?
You--you stood right there--singing
to me and Mary when we got married.
Draws his gun.
OFFICER
I said back away.
Pointing to another DRUNK.
BULLSEYE
It's that little fellow. He said
he was angel.
Moving closer.
OFFICER
I said--
No longer deranged--but quite serious.
BULLSEYE
You said too much Bert.
Hurls the drunk's bottle at officer.
BAM -- knocks him out cold.
BULLSEYE
Be happy I like ya Bert. Otherwise,
no Christmas pie for you.
Takes unconscious cop's baton and sidearm.
BULLSEYE
(to second drunk)
Hey little fellow--where you going?
DRUNK #2
What--please mister...I--I....
Shoves officer's pistol into drunk's mouth.
BULLSEYE
Shaddup Clarance. We got to find
Mr. Potter. Pull out his spleen.
INT. WINTERGARDEN THEATER - MINUTES LATER
BULLSEYE kicks in backdoor. DRUNK #2 in his grasp.
They move through the tight corridors of backstage.
STAGE HAND
Hey! Where the hell you'se think ya
going? No public access back her.
Bullseye eyes the burly STAGEHAND.
BULLSEYE
Nick--don't you know me?
STAGE HAND
No dickhead--and my name ain't Nick.
Bullseye glances up above them.
Sacks of sand attached to ropes hang above stagehand.
BULLSEYE
Too bad. I liked Nick. You....
Throws the hostage into the stagehand's arms.
Bullseye grabs one of the ropes and --
wraps it around stagehand's neck.
Pulls it tight.
Looks him dead in the eye.
BULLSEYE
...you, I don't like.
Lets the rope go. Sack of sand hurls earthbound --
stagehand's body shoots skyward.
SNAP! Limpless body hangs from the rafters.
BULLSEYE
Nick--you're moving up in the world.
Drunk #2 uses distraction as an escape.
Bullseye smirks--then fires off cop's baton.
Baton trips drunk, falls through curtain, landing --
ON STAGE
Presentation of CATS is in full swing.
BULLSEYE's POV
The "Cats" performers are all dressed as DD.
BULLSEYE
Criminy! Devils with nine lives.
Two SECURITY GUARDS rush Bullseye from both sides.
Bullseye uses their momentum against them --
knocks them both out cold.
BULLSEYE
I'll kill that Potter for turning
my town upside down.
Shoots wildly into the crowd.
AUDIENCE and STAGE PERSONNEL scramble for cover.
Amidst the chaos, a lovely young FEMALE PERFORMER --
dressed in a CATS outfit.
BULLSEYE
Mary? MARY! Don't you recognize me?
Seizes her -- she tries to break free.
PERFORMER
No--no. God. Please, no...
Struggling to control her.
BULLSEYE
Don't do this to me Mary. Where's
our kids? Mary help me.
PERFORMER
No-no-nooo....
He slobbers wet kisses over her.
BULLSEYE
Mary--you got to remember. You must!
Amidst screaming confusing of the wildly exiting --
a VOICE over the PA system.
VOICE
Bullseye!
Spotlight turns on Bullseye and the woman.
VOICE
Release the woman.
Blinded. Stares into the spotlight.
BULLSEYE
Eh? That you Uncle Billy?
VOICE
Time to put you back in your cage.
DD steps into the light's path.
BULLSEYE
The d-devil? But...but you're not
in this movie. Can't--can't you
get anything right?
DD bounds onto the stage.
Bullseye gives struggling woman one last lick.
She squirms.
BULLSEYE
Wait for me Mary.
Lets her go. Doesn't give DD chance to act.
Bullseye dives and rolls. Flips out set of shuriken.
Sends them off at DD.
DD angles himself. Star catches him in the throat --
He falls. Lands off stage.
BULLSEYE
Bullseye! I got you devil.
Got you good.
Saunters over to inspect his kill but --
DD is gone.
BULLSEYE
Tricked me?! Must have nine lives
like these damn cats.
Looking around.
BULLSEYE
Mary? Where are yo--OOOOFFFF!
DD comes out of nowhere--knocks Bullseye into seats.
DD's neck is bleeding from wound.
BULLSEYE
Not bad--not bad at all.
Springs to his feet. Tackles DD.
Jams his fingers into the open wound.
Blood rushes out. DD lets out wild cry of pain.
Hand to hand. Bullseye manages a few direct hits.
Grappling holds shift back and forth.
Each seeks domination until finally --
Bullseye tosses DD over his back.
DD lands on his feet.
BULLSEYE
You'd made a great cat, red.
DD
You're sick Bullseye. You need help.
BULLSEYE
You think? You're just dying to play
doctor, ain't ya? Well, I'm a big
movie fan. I know the games. Shall I
start or should we just free associate?
DD doesn't what to make of Bullseye's game.
Bullseye continues with his role play.
BULLSEYE
You'd rather free associate, wouldn't
you? OK--Give me a word and I'll
give you an association. You know.
Fire. Then I'll go....Hot. Hell. Devil.
Scum of the earth.
Bullseye lets out a small laugh.
BULLSEYE
C'mon dammit! Thought you wanted to
play?
Long beat.
DD
Murder.
BULLSEYE
Murder? Good--let's see. Murder.
Dial M for. Hitchcock. Psycho.
Eek-eek-eek. C'mon; what else ya got?
DD
Prison.
BULLSEYE
Prison? Jail. Alcatraz. Dirty
Harry. Make my day! Heh-heh-heh.
DD
Rot in hell.
BULLSEYE
More than one word. Hell. Judge.
Jury. Legal system. Attorney....
A big demented grin
BULLSEYE
...Daredevil.
Pulls out a blasthorn. Fires it off.
BLAST deafens DD--falls to his knees.
BULLSEYE
Didn't mama ever tell you not to
play in radioactive garbage?
Secret identity is out. DD scrambles to feet.
Bullseye fires off horn again--
again--
again--
Bullseye makes his escape as DD reels in anguish.
EXT. WINTERGARDEN
PEOPLE exit screaming -- scatter from theater.
POLICE pull up as BULLSEYE exits.
He's consumed with rage.
Pretty bad shape -- bleeding, pulse racing.
BULLSEYE
M-Mary? Mary?
He scans the crowd.
Color red is everywhere. It's overwhelming.
Red street.
Red snow.
Red sky.
He sees it on his hands.
BULLSEYE
Oh God--NO! Mama? I got to help
my mama. Hit 'em with a stick.
WHAMMM!
Hurls himself into a trio of cops.
Pounds on them using their tonfas.
Breaks lose. Runs off into the busy street.
EXT. SEVENTH AVENUE
Throngs of PEOPLE witness BULLSEYE's mad trek.
He runs down the avenue yelling at the buildings.
BULLSEYE
Hello Emporium!
Hello Movie House!
Hello you ol'...you ol'....
Stops. Drops to his knees; confused.
Hot breathe comes in contact with cold wind.
Bullseye's world becomes a blur of images.
Bump-bump.
His heartbeat rings in his ears.
Bump-bump.
His eyes race.
Bump-bump.
Fingers twitch.
Bump-bump.
He's trapped inside the heart of a tornado --
spinning--
rotating--
violent.
Flashbacks move across his sight quick and slow:
--prison hospital tortures
--assassinations.
--cinema stills.
--murder.
--chaos.
BULLSEYE
GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!
As fast it began--it ends.
TRAFFIC is at a standstill. CROWD stands in shock.
Bullseye, on the ground, lifts his head.
Flakes of snow coat his face. He smiles.
BULLSEYE
It's over--it's over.
Looks to the left; crowd stares.
Looks to the right; they stare.
Bullseye is confused. Yells at them.
BULLSEYE
Why--what are you staring at? It
was just in my head. This never
happened. It never happened.
"Silent Night" echoes from a store nearby.
Bullseye hears it; laughs spreading his arms.
BULLSEYE
You see? God-bless-us--everyone!
VOICE
Not everyone.
Bullseye turns. His face meets DD's billy club.
DD leaps off roof of stalled bus into street.
Lands on top of Bullseye.
They break. Bullseye brandishes tonfa. DD; baton.
They clash. Two warriors in a sea of spectators.
Finally--
Bullseye breaks off attack; hurls over cab.
DD pursues.
Bullseye rips off wreath attached to cab's hood.
Slams it down over DD--pinning his arms to his side.
BULLSEYE
And for my next trick.
Roundhouse kick sends DD crashing into store window.
Glass and window decorations fly.
Fake Santa lands on DD; pinning him.
BULLSEYE
Santa said you were a naughty boy.
His hands reach in to seize unconscious hero --
thinking victory is his.
DD is faking -- grabs the surprised Bullseye.
BULLSEYE
No--NO! It won't end this way
Devil. You can't hide. You can't
hide. I see you. See you all!
Bullseye rips off DD's mask.
BULLSEYE
Exposed you. I've exposed the devil!
DD (now Matt) now has him in a choke hold.
Bullseye struggles but to no avail.
The tide turns in Matt's favor; gets on top of him.
Slams in his fists into Bullseye.
Skin breaks.
Bones crack.
Blood flows.
Matt's fury is unchecked, unrelenting, unfeeling.
He hears the voices of the crowd: "killer," "devil."
Bullseye struggles through the blows to speak.
BULLSEYE
It's over...your hiding place isn't
watertight. Life trickles in from
the outside. True--false--genuine
or just a sham. Go on with this part
until it is played out. Until it loses
interest for you. Then you can leave
it. Just as you've left your other
parts one...by...one...by....
Matt stops. Takes Elektra's sai from him.
Raises it; both hands. A moment of decision.
SLAMS it down. Only the crowd sees where.
INT. BROWNSTONE - LATER
MATT swings door wide. Bleeding profusely.
Staggers in.
MATT
Elektra?
(beat)
No!
She's gone. No trace of her, her blood, nothing.
MATT
ELEKTRA!!
Falls to his knees.
Cries are drowned out by SOUND of approaching sirens.
He blacks out....
EXT. COLLEGE CAMPUS (DREAM) - DAY
Younger MATT and ELEKTRA lie on the campus lawn.
It's a wonderful spring day. Flashbulb snaps.
There's no words between these two people in love.
A soft kiss. Elektra then produces a ring.
Matt looks at it. Yes, he can see. The ring reads:
"To my beloved Vanessa. Love Wilson."
Dream ends.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
Few days have passed.
FOGGY and HEATHER watch over the recuperating MATT.
Room overflows with flowers from well-wishers.
Matt stirs.
MATT
...elek?
HEATHER
Matt? Matthew?
MATT
Wher--where am I?
FOGGY
University Hospital, buddy. You
gave us a real scare there.
MATT
Hospit--Elektra? Where is she?
HEATHER
(whispers to Foggy)
God. He's still hallucinating.
FOGGY
Doc said it would take a while.
You go. I'll stay awhile longer.
Heather gives Matt a peck on the head. Exits.
Foggy sits by Matt's bedside.
FOGGY
Listen--just rest for now. When
you're up to it you can explain.
Don't worry about the police.
Foggy here taking care of everything.
Grabs Foggy's arm; vice grip.
MATT
I'm not hallucinating. Elektra. She
was alive. The brownstone. I saw her
die. He killed her Foggy.
FOGGY
OK--owww. Quite the kung fu grip buddy.
Reaches for the phone.
FOGGY
Let's just get the ol' doc down...
hey, what's this?
Inspects something on the table near phone.
MATT
What is it?
Hands it over to Matt. First time Matt smiles.
MATT
(to himself)
Sail away tiger...sail--away.
INT. WALDORF ASTORIA BANQUET ROOM - NIGHT
Packed house of GUESTS and PRESS.
On stage: WILSON FISK.
Huge banner welcomes him back.
FISK
Fellow associates. Dear friends.
Members of the press. I thank you
for your warm reception. I am now
certain while in the clutches of the
criminal Bullseye, my prayers were
heard -- bringing about my quick
release. I have you all to tha...
VOICE over loudspeaker interrupts.
VOICE
--continuing the charade I see.
Crowd turns to MATT; bandaged. Hobbles with a cane.
He speaks into a portable mic. Ascends the stage.
Fisk is quick to respond.
FISK
Ladies and gentlemen. Allow me to
introduce to you the man who rid
our streets of my captor. A man
who's abilities far outreach his
disabilities.
Crowd stands in applause.
Matt isn't fooled by Fisk. Moves in closer.
MATT
If I weren't blind, I'd swear you
were preparing to present your
Academy Awards speech.
FISK
Mr. Murdock -- you must still
be suffering from trauma. You...
MATT
--No. I see crystal clear.
(closer)
You appeared to me as a voice in
the darkness; voice of wisdom--a
guide. Just like Virgil appeared
to Dante--but you sir, are neither poet
nor guardian. Nor empire builder.
Turning to the crowd. A lawyer facing the jury.
MATT
Tell us in your own words, Mr. Fisk,
how you shielded your affiliations
with the syndicate. How you manipulated
the press, the MTA, the politicians.
Tell us--in your words--how you
fabricated your own disappearance...
FISK
--Mr. Murdock. You are out of order.
MATT
(continuing)
...How you went underground--not as
a prisoner--but as a slaughter of
men. How you butchered hundreds of
city workers....
FISK
--I warn you Mr. Murdock.
MATT
(continuing)
...ordered the assassinations of
this city's ex-mayor and the activist
Rainbow Dawn.
FISK
--Mr. Murdock!
MATT
(continuing)
...how you endangered the lives of
every man, woman, and child who used
the mass transit system for a quest.
Turning back to Fisk.
MATT
Isn't what this is all about? You
imperil the city's transportation
system and then acts as its savior?
But that's not your real agenda. You
didn't wish anyone to know. Interfere
with your quest. Your Holy Grail quest.
Fisk senses the crowds anxiety.
MATT
The great actor. You appear as one
thing while you hide your true self.
FISK
You are one to talk...Daredevil.
MATT
Suspicious of all around. Suspicion
is the companion of mean souls and
the bane of all good society. Tell
them--tell them how you even had your
own beloved kidnapped. And for what?
(beat)
I offer you a trade. The Lenape
Papers for...
FISK
--You have nothing Murdock. No one
will believe the ramblings of a
madman who dresses in tights lurking
in the shadows. Be careful or you
might share the same rubber room
as our common associate now does.
Tosses VANESSA's wedding ring to Fisk.
MATT
But I do...have something.
Fisk catches it -- total disbelief.
FISK
V-Vanessa?
Fisk enraged -- holds back -- softens to tears.
FISK
You sir...shall burn in hell.
MATT
That madman you refer to? Here's
a quote I'm sure he'd like: "The
only thing that burns in hell is the
part of you that won't let go of your
life; memories, attachments. They're
not punishing you--they're freeing
your soul. If you're frightened of
dying and you're holding on--you'll see
devils tearing your life away but--
Beat. Turns to the crowd.
MATT
...if you made your peace, then the
devils are angels. Freeing you from
this earth."
Turns back to Fisk.
MATT
We know who your angel is.
Fisk head goes limp -- he knows what he must do.
INT. RIKER'S PRISON HOSPITAL - DAY
Would appear like a regular hospital room --
EXCEPT for the GUARDS and laser-wire fence that
separates them and the PATIENT in bed.
TV monitor tells the sordid tale.
ON SCREEN:
NEWSCASTER
In a surprising turnaround, millionaire
Wilson Fisk has donated the necessary
funds to rebuild the MTA system
though refuses any participation.
FOGGY fends off questions from REPORTERS.
FOGGY
...Fisk has decided it would be
in the city's best interest if the
MTA remained governed by its present
board and not by one individual.
(beat)
Now, if he could only do something
to quicken up that rush hour commute.
Reporters laugh.
NEWSCASTER (V.O.)
In other news...
In background Foggy shakes hands with MATT.
BACK IN PRISON CELL
BULLSEYE lies in bed -- restrained and bandaged.
Feverish delirium.
TV changes channels. Presentation of "Ben Hur."
Bullseye eyes wander onto the screen.
ACTOR
...oh, you can break a man's skull.
You can arrest him. You can throw him
into a dungeon. But how do you control
what's up here? How do you fight an idea?
CLOSE on Bullseye. Smirk under the bandages.
BULLSEYE (V.O.)
Devil--devil--devil....
EXT. ST. JOHNS CEMETERY, QUEENS - DAY
The grassy hills are covered in white.
A heavenly setting for those in eternal sleep.
MATT stands over a gray tombstone.
He is not sad though.
He is at peace with himself.
He places a flower and picture at the grave.
Departs.
As he walks off, a SHADOW appears.
Moves to the grave. Inscription reads:
Elektra Natchios. 1973-1993.
"From delusion lead me to truth.
From darkness lead me to light.
From death lead me to immortality."
HAND picks up the pic. It's the college photo of
Matt and Elektra taken some years back.
A TEAR stains the image.
WIDEN
Shadow looks back to Matt; fading in the distance.
Wind whips snow--long black hair--across her face.
BULLSEYE (V.O.)
DEVIL!!
FADE OUT
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