BLIND JUSTICE: pages 51-75
Original screenplay by Terrence J. Brady
WGAe # 127672-00
All characters © Marvel Entertainment Group
INT. MATT'S BROWNSTONE - DAY
Sunlight filters through drawn blinds.
Copy of Daily Bugle. Headline reads:
WILSON FISK presumed dead.
A weary MATT--half dressed as DD--checks his messages.
Exhausted. He flops down on the bed.
ANSWERING MACHINE
B-BEEP. You have three new messages.
B-BEEP...Matt, it's Heather. A little
after midnight. Where are you? CLIK--
Eyes stay shut. Second message.
ANSWERING MACHINE
B-BEEP...Matt--it's almost two. Hello??
Eyes stay shut. Third message.
ANSWERING MACHINE
B-BEEP...Yes, this is a message for
Matthew Murdock. My name is Ben
Urich. I'm a reporter for the Daily....
Eyes sta--open wide.
INT. SUBWAY TUNNEL - LATER
Somewhere below City Hall.
ANSWERING MACHINE (V.O.)
...Bugle. Is it possible we meet?
I believe I may have a link between
your client's disappearance and
the subway homicides.
DD probes the darkness with his ears.
ANSWERING MACHINE (V.O.)
My number is 555-9087. Thank you.
Concentrates. Hears distant train. Blocks it out.
Concentrates. Sewer pipe leak. Blocks it out.
Concentrates. A heartbeat.
Not his.
Two heartbeats. Definitely not his.
Concentrates. Three...then four...then --
He's being surrounded.
VOICE
Sun dweller!
VOICE #2
Invading our domain.
VOICE #3
King will be most angry.
Group of MOLE PEOPLE corner him.
DD
It is your king I seek.
A toothless gleam.
MOLE MAN #1
King-king-king!
Dozen HANDS reach out for DD--doesn't resist.
LOWER LEVELS
Mole people carry DD like a sacrificial lamb.
Enter a large semi-lit chamber.
Diseased VOICE greets them
VOICE
Welcome sun dweller.
They drop DD on the ground; slimy--filthy.
He rises turning to a 400 pound goliath--the KING.
KING
You want to meet king? You meet
king. Good? Okay. Now we eat.
Wrong "king." Turns to go.
DD
You're not the one I seek.
KING
Not so fast devilboy. We no eat yet.
Mole people converge on DD. Easily beats them off.
KING
You good fighter devilboy. Need you
down here with the bottom dwellers.
DD
Think I'll pass.
KING
Think again.
Monstrous figure springs to life.
Clamps DD in a bear hug from behind.
Vice grip hold--DD can't breathe.
Responds with several headbutts. King let's go.
Shakes it off. Grins. Razor sharp teeth.
KING
You gonna pay devilboy.
(to a SHADOW)
Hey! Who you?
Sparks of white hot fire --
automatic gunfire light up the dark chamber.
Aftermath leaves a room full of corpses...and DD.
FISK leans into light, revealing himself.
FISK
The king is dead. Long live the King.
INT. CITY HALL SUBWAY STATION
Unlike the rest of the tunnels.
Elegant in architectural style--
Arches and skylights.
Colored glass tilework.
Brass chandeliers.
FISK (o.s.)
City Hall Station. Closed in 1945
due to modifications in the system.
DD (o.s.)
Declared a National Interior Landmark.
FISK (o.s.)
Correct. Scheduled to be renovated and
reopened to the public--as a museum.
DD eyes up the frame of Fisk, now the KINGPIN.
DD
Recent outbreaks of crimes and disasters
forced the MTA to postpone it's project.
KINGPIN
Hmmm. Enough history. To the present.
Kingpin holds out a blindfold.
DD
What's this for?
KINGPIN
Protection. Yours, as well as, mine.
DD dons the blindfold--a lot Kingpin knows.
EXT. WATERFRONT WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
Sleek FIGURE moves gracefully from roof to roof.
Enters warehouse.
INT. WAREHOUSE
FIGURE moves through the building. Seeking. Probing.
VOICE
Hey sister--You looking for me?
BULLSEYE steps into the light.
Figure reveals itself to be ELEKTRA.
INT. SUBWAY TUNNEL
Waterway of sewage.
KINGPIN and DD traverse river by small boat.
KINGPIN
We are all seekers, Daredevil.
Far too many seek out the past as
a way to the future. Focus on the
present and you will see your future.
Focus on the past, and you will only
see futures that will never be.
DD
I need some answers.
KINGPIN
Answers? Do you even know what the
correct questions are?
DD doesn't like to be chided.
KINGPIN
You are like so many. One whose sight
is defective--only sees at a distance.
You know nothing of the present.
DD
Tell me.
KINGPIN
I've read the articles. Heard the
media. They call you a devil, yes?
DD
I'm not a devil. I only--
KINGPIN
--striving for righteousness? Morality?
Yet walk the fine line between the
condemned and the judge?
Boat lands ashore. Disembark.
DD's hypersenses pick up foul odor. Hard to breathe.
KINGPIN
Ignore the smell. It only grows.
You will grow accustomed to it.
DD removes the blindfold.
DD
Where are you taking me?
KINGPIN
A place that may provide you some sight.
They walk some distance. Like backwards in time.
Further they walk, farther they recede from reality.
An immense cavern---a hundred feet high.
In the midst, lies an object one would not expect --
sailing ship.
Not just any sailing ship--but a 17th century ship.
Crippling tear in its starboard side.
DD runs his fingertips across the faded letters:
THE TYGER.
They move on; a tent city. Hundreds of PEOPLE.
Men-women-children.
They stop their activity--gawk at the strangers.
Scraggly OLD MAN approaches DD.
Point his finger with contempt.
MAN
D-D-Devil!
Kingpin waves him off.
KINGPIN
Begone spirit.
Man runs off.
DD
Why'd you call him that?
KINGPIN
He's but a shade of what once was.
Just like what you are slowly becoming.
DD cannot see the people's faces.
They hide in shadows--afraid, ashamed.
Sewer main leaks down putrid rain water from above.
DD
Who are these people?
KINGPIN
The irresolute--indecisive--
uncommitted. Castaways from society.
DD
Castaways? What is their crime?
KINGPIN
Indifference. Failed to chose a path.
They are not condemned for their
actions--but their inactions.
DD
And who is their judge?
KINGPIN
You. I. Society is their judge.
DD
No. I am no one's judge.
INT. WAREHOUSE
ELEKTRA and BULLSEYE continue game of cat and mouse.
POP-POP! POP--POP--POP!!
Several bricks of firecrackers explode.
KINGPIN (V.O.)
No? Defender of truth? Champion of
the weak? Judge--jury--executioner?
Elektra jumps from her cover. Bullseye tackles her.
She rolls him off with ease.
Grabs a handful of Roman Candles. Lights them.
BULLSEYE
You got me all fired up now toots.
Candles explode in barrage of colored balls of fire.
Red--
Blue--
Green--
Orange--
Elektra unsheathes an iron fan; ornate, deadly.
Bats off the projectiles.
Misguided fireballs land on crates. Sets them ablaze.
Fireworks catch on fire. Multiple explosions.
Elektra scrambles. She jumps through a window.
Bullseye rushes over. Looks down into the East River.
She's gone.
BULLSEYE
Women!
UNDERGROUND
GIRL (maybe six) walks up to DD.
Her eyes, soft. Her smile, melting.
Unlike the rest, she is not afraid.
KINGPIN
You see. A child can see through
your unholy facade. Like yourself,
she still has chance of reaching
salvation.
DD
I've read Alighieri. Let's not
confuse fiction with reality.
KINGPIN
Let us discuss then what is real.
DD
Word on the street is the attempt on
your life will not be the last.
KINGPIN
Is this why you came to the underbelly
of the city seeking me out?
DD
I'm leading to believe those responsible
were also responsible for the death
of Jack Binder. Reports state you
had ties with Mr. Binder.
KINGPIN
I'm leading to believe your reports
reek of speculation.
DD
And the former mayor?
Without missing a beat.
KINGPIN
Don't reports state he-is-dead?
Just like that chap...Bullseye.
DD
Bullseye?
KINGPIN
Reports state...but then everyone
believes I am as well.
Pointing to an old bridge.
KINGPIN
Someone once said to me: "Don't trust
everything you see in the media."
(beat)
Your link to the other world lies
there.
DD turns to the rusting catwalk above.
DD
You still haven't....
Turning back to the Kingpin; gone.
Disappeared into the crowd of vagrants who --
now show their faces--full of scorn, discontent.
DD gets the message.
Climbs the rung of stairs leaving the city behind.
EXT. CITY STREET -- LATER
Sewer manhole opens. DD emerges.
Takes deep breath of fresh air. Looks up to the sky.
Million stars dot the sky. Too bad he can't see 'em.
INT. DAILY BUGLE - DAY
Arguing VOICES filter out into the main press area.
WORKERS stare at BEN'S office door until--
J. JONAH JAMESONSON, fuming, exits hard.
JONAH
I don't care about your cockamamie
hunches, Urich.
(to workers)
Are we striking?
Everyone quickly finds something to do.
BEN exits office.
BEN
This is big Jonah. Bigger than anyone
suspects.
JONAH
Are you cra--Wilson Fisk--crimelord
of New York? Slaughter of the homeless?
We're not in the tabloid business.
Points to video monitor.
JONAH
Another glory hunter--world's full
of 'em.
(to Ben)
You better get me a real story.
Something in this business called
a deadline--remember?
Chomps down on his unlit cigar.
Shoves some files into Ben's hands. Storms off.
Ben turns to television set; news report.
ON SCREEN: Artist's rendition of Daredevil.
SOMEWHERE BELOW CITY HALL - SAME MOMENT
Immense bomb shelter from the fifties.
Reconverted into a modern office.
SHADOW lights up a cigar. Watches same news report.
VOICE
This Daredevil--quite the uncommon
adversary. Hope he proves capable
of the task before him.
(beat)
Contact Bullseye would you? Time
to deal the next round.
INT. MATT'S BROWNSTONE - DAY
Place is a wreck. Hasn't cleaned in days.
Dishes--Laundry--Garbage.
HEATHER enters. All dolled up.
Scans over the apartment. Sighs.
HEATHER
Nice--very nice.
(beat)
Matt!
MATT (o.s.)
Up here.
Climbs spiral staircase to the loft.
UPSTAIRS
A private gym that would make Shannon Tweed envious.
MATT works out on uneven bars; skill unparalleled.
HEATHER
Foggy says you haven't called him
in three days. Has some urgent
business regarding the MTA case
that needs -- you're not listening
to me, Matthew.
Performs a three point twist landing on the "horse."
MATT
No, Heather. I hear all too well.
HEATHER
It's that woman again isn't it?
--isn't it?
Continuing his workout.
MATT
You've been drinking again.
HEATHER
We all have our vices. I drink to
avoid reality. Better than putting
on tights and leaping from windows.
MATT
I just want to be left alone.
HEATHER
Please, Matt...talk to me.
Catapults onto the "rings." No reply.
HEATHER
Fine...that's the way you want it.
Wipes a tear--persona changes.
HEATHER
You want to be left alone? Do you?
Well fine with me. Never say that
Heather Glenn doesn't give her man
what he wants.
Grabs her jacket.
Listens to her footsteps--door opening--slams shut.
EXT. CENTRAL PARK - DAY.
Heavy snowfall coats the green jungle.
Mountains of steel and concrete encircle the park.
LIMO sits parked. Motor running.
INSIDE LIMO
BULLSEYE waits in back--impatient but hardly nervous.
BULLSEYE
All right bub--times a wasting.
Who we waiting for?
DRIVER (o.s.)
He's already here.
Small TV monitor clicks on.
Bullseye looks surprised, but not fooled.
VOICE
Hello Bullseye.
BULLSEYE
Back from the dead I see.
ON SCREEN:
KINGPIN
No. Just reborn. I have an offer
for you. Interested?
BULLSEYE (o.s.)
Is your driver still breathing?
KINGPIN
Point taken. I need a file to
be deleted.
BULLSEYE (o.s.)
Cleaning is my specialty. Spot me
a target.
Photo raises to the screen which only Bullseye sees.
BULLSEYE
Yeah. I know of him.
KINGPIN (o.s.)
No publicity Bullseye.
BULLSEYE
Discretion is my middle name.
And once this is complete.
KINGPIN (o.s.)
Consider yourself employed.
EXT. SOHO SIDEWALK - DAY
Blustery late afternoon. Snow comes down hard.
MAN with groceries climbs exterior steps to apt.
Enters.
Street desolate. Wind blows and dies.
Street desolate. Wind blows and dies.
Street desolate. Wind blows and --
KA-BOOOMM!!
Third story window implodes from within.
Glass -- Fire -- and a --
BODY eject from within. Crashes onto the sidewalk.
BULLSEYE watches his handiwork from across street.
VOICE
You were told to be discreet.
Spins around--shocked someone got the jump on him.
BULLSEYE
Who's that?
SHADOW lurks on a fire escape above.
VOICE
The Kingpin wishes to see you.
Bullseye wipes driving snow from his eyes.
Gets them clear but it's too late --
Shadow is gone.
INT. SUBWAY TUNNEL
FIGURE navigates through the winding maze of --
abandoned tracks, rusting pipes, rats.
Two MEN armed with automatic weapons appear --
block figure's path.
Figure (BULLSEYE) isn't impressed. Holds up a smoke.
BULLSEYE
Got a light boys?
INT. CITY HALL STATION/OFFICE
Television screen shows a news report.
ON SCREEN:
Reporter live from SoHo apartment explosion.
REPORTER
...authorities have no comment at
this time if the explosion killing
four, including activist Rainbow
Dawn, had any connections with the
mysterious disappearance of Wilson
Fisk earlier this we...CLICK!
SCREEN goes black.
VOICE (o.s.)
Hiya king. Nice location. Bet the
rent is dirt cheap.
Two MEN escort BULLSEYE into the office.
KINGPIN sits at his desk.
Hands folded -- not too happy.
KINGPIN
Congratulations Bullseye. Your
efforts have started a full scale
police investigation.
BULLSEYE
You wanted him dead. He's dead.
Pressing a button on his desk.
KINGPIN
Bishop, please advise our contact
in City Hall. Have this afternoon's
blast appear as a gas main break.
Pops himself into a chair; props legs up on the desk.
BULLSEYE
Good to see you back in form, King.
That legit stuff is for the birds.
KINGPIN
I need you Bullseye. A very special
assignment. Are you interested?
BULLSEYE
Spot me a target.
KINGPIN
No target. My wife, Vanessa. I
fear for her. I need the very best
to protect her.
BULLSEYE
Body guard? Not exactly what I had....
Kingpin snaps a finger. Seated AIDE rises.
Lays briefcase on table and opens to reveal--
Twenty bundles. Fifty crisp $1000 notes per bundle.
KINGPIN
One million dollars--cash.
Flips through a wad of $1000 bills.
BULLSEYE
Of course, I could always find time
to squeeze the ol' girl in.
KINGPIN
Good. Then it is done. But remember.
Guard her with your life. Vanessa
does not even suffer a broken nail.
Otherwise, consider a new contract
signed. The one for your head.
Bullseye snatches up the case. Aide shows him out.
SHADOW
Are you so positive Rainbow Dawn was
responsible for your recent attack?
Not looking at the shadowed voice behind him.
KINGPIN
Who else? Bullseye never misses.
SHADOW
Unless...he wants to.
INT. SUPERIOR COURT - EARLY EVENING
FOGGY on phone.
FOGGY
Come on buddy--pick up--pick up.
Hangs up. Notices BEN waiting to speak with him.
BEN
Mr. Nelson?
FOGGY
Can I help you?
BEN
I'm looking for Matt Murdock.
FOGGY
Get in a line. Supposed to be in
court at nine this morning.
BEN
That's not good.
FOGGY
I'll say. He's never missed a...
BEN
--You miss my point. I believe he
might be in danger; serious danger.
EXT. ROOFTOP - NIGHT
Black. No light.
A VOICE -- like in a dream.
VOICE
Going to sleep all night?
Second voice -- confused
ANOTHER VOICE
...wha? What's going on? Hey!
Can't see. Geezzz--I'm blind!!
VOICE #1
I need your help.
VOICE #2
Can't see! SHIT! Help me man, help....
VOICE #1
You wish to see the light?
VOICE #2
Who--who are you? Wh-where are you?
Blackness parts. Five fingers pull away to reveal --
TURK's (Voice #2) POV
City street is twenty stories below.
The sky is where the city is and vice-versa.
TURK
SSHIITTTT!!
WIDEN
DD holds TURK, dressed in his pajamas, upside down.
Turk dangles over the roof's edge.
DD lets him go. Turk screams toward Mother Earth.
DD waits a moment, then dives off.
Cable ejects from baton. Catches fast a flag pole.
Swoops down, catches Turk, bringing him full circle -
BACK TO ROOF
DD
I could do this all night--you?
Clutching his chest. Breathing erratic.
TURK
Name it man--name it. Anything.
DD
Where is Elektra?
TURK
E-Elek...nah man. That was a line.
Swear it. Dawn. Fisk's limo. I know
who did it -- know his next target.
Swear it man. He did 'em all.
DD
...I'm waiting.
Turk swallows hard. Looks down -- back to DD.
INT. MOTEL
BULLSEYE surfs a website; features old movies.
TURK (V.O.)
...B-Bullseye, man, Bullseye.
Starts a new search.
BULLSEYE
Hmm...Matthew Murdock.
ON MONITOR:
Various articles on Matt and his prestigious career.
One article describes his background.
BULLSEYE (o.s.)
(reading)
...an unprecedented record of victories
in the courtroom, Murdock has proven
himself to be a success story of his
own...blah-blah, as a child spent
almost two years under medical care
when a freak auto accident...blah-blah,
truck carrying low radiation isotopes
inevitably caused him to lose his sight.
Bullseye ponders over the article. Jerks the mouse.
BULLSEYE
Tsk-tsk. Tragic Mattie-boy. Tragic.
ON SCREEN:
Web search leads to Daily Bugle. Clicks on links to
recent photographs. Finds link for MTA case.
Scans thumbnails of jpeg images. Zooms in on one.
IMAGE of MATT and FOGGY speaking with DEPUTY MAYOR.
Zooms in tighter. A WOMAN lurks in the shadows.
BULLSEYE (o.s.)
Blimey! That screwy broad with the
sais. What the hell is she doing
tailing Murdock?
Clicks on copyright notice.
The following appears:
Photos by Ben Urich. All rights reserved.
INT. UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE - NEXT DAY
Two well conditioned men in suits exit elevator.
Scan parking lot. Motion someone to follow.
DEPUTY MAYOR--nervous--exits quickly.
A whisk in the air. Two tiny THUDS.
Both bodyguards drop.
Poisonous darts stuck in the back on their necks.
DEPUTY MAYOR
What the--?
Spins around. Doesn't know what to expect.
ELEKTRA emerges from the shadows.
ELEKTRA
Be silent. Be calm. You will feel
no pain.
Elektra unsheathes her sai.
D.M. falls to his knees, sniveling.
DEPUTY MAYOR
Oh...please, no, no...this can't be--
Elektra's shadow converges over him--she stops.
Turns.
ELEKTRA
You? Stay back. Does not concern you.
VOICE
Murder of innocents concerns me.
Pair of RED EYES come forward from the shadows.
Then--the rest of DAREDEVIL.
DD
...and society calls me the devil.
Elektra fires off one of her sais.
DD jumps from harms way.
Grabs the D.M. -- her sai pricks at his throat.
ELEKTRA
Any closer and he's a dead man.
DD
Empty threat, Elektra. Wasn't it
your intention to assassinate him?
Eyes lock in silent battle.
She looks at hostage -- DD -- hostage -- DD.
ELEKTRA
You will be the payment then.
Releases D.M. He runs for cover.
Elektra unfurls the deadly "Gorn Bin."
Chain whip with protruding eight inch blade.
She cracks the whip. DD somersaults from its reach.
Several near misses.
Finally -- catches it with his billy club.
She releases and dives over car before DD counters.
Car alarm goes off; deafening to DD's hypersenses.
Elektra takes advantage of his temporary delay.
Dives into him. They get entangled.
Grasps her long hair. Slams his knee into her chin.
ELEKTRA
I've beaten you once before.
She wraps her headband around his neck--choking him.
ELEKTRA
And I'll beat you again.
Choking. Slams his head back--dazing her.
He bends down
--reaching between his legs
--grabs her ankles.
Pulls her off her feet. Her reaction comes equally
quick--a heel strike to his testicles.
OUCH! DD takes the pain gracefully.
Slams baton between her eyes; blood gushes forth.
DD
Elek--? God, forgive me.
He kneels over her.
DD
I'm sorry. So sorry.
ELEKTRA
Yes--you are.
She was faking. Knocks him backwards.
Barrage of strikes pulverize him--stops fighting her.
ELEKTRA
Fight--damn you! FIGHT or DIE!
Grabs one of her sais from the ground.
She moves in with a desperate lunge. DD's too quick.
He sidesteps her. Lands on her tush.
She's not hurt but her pride is taking a beating.
ELEKTRA
Kill YOU--I'LL KILL Y--
DD
--then kill me already.
Unmasking. MATT's cold, dead eyes stare through her.
Raises his arms in surrender.
Leans back on hood of parked Cadillac.
No hesitation. She hurls the sai at her target.
ELEKTRA
Nnnooooooo!!
Loud THUD--as the sai hits unseen.
She falls to her knees.
Hands in her face.
Soft sobs.
Moment of silence then--
A HAND touches her shoulder. She looks up.
Tears have ruined her mascara.
ELEKTRA
...help me.
MATT kneels down. They hold each other on the ground.
SEVERAL YARDS AWAY
Caddy's alarm--high pitch squeal goes unchecked.
It's antifreeze--spews forth coating the concrete.
It's grill--compromised by Elektra's SAI.
INT. MATT'S BROWNSTONE - NIGHT
Dark.
MOANS from inside bedroom. Sounds of a struggle.
Muffled VOICES. Boards creaking.
Objects being knocked over--shattering.
A WOMAN's voice--shrills of pain, no...pleasure.
INT. BEDROOM
Dark.
ELEKTRA and MATT locked in sexual embrace.
Bedsheets flair. Pillows fly.
They're having a good time.
LATER
Looks like a tornado blew through.
ELEKTRA stands by an open window.
Stark naked silhouette highlighted by the moon.
ELEKTRA
What is it like?
MATT in bed--exhausted but happy.
Happiest he's been in a long time.
MATT
Like?
Holds up Matt's walking cane.
ELEKTRA
Unable to see the world--life.
MATT
But I do--see. Not in the way you
might. Better.
Joins her at the window.
City never sleeps. Teems with activity, far and near.
MATT
The isotopes that took my sight only
heightened my other senses. Far
beyond any comprehension. I see the
world more clearly than most.
Touches her bare shoulder--she shudders slightly.
MATT
I think that's why I do what I do.
ELEKTRA
Lurking in the shadows?
MATT
There's just so much one can do
through the court system.
ELEKTRA
But you swore an oath. To defend...
MATT
--Don't...don't lecture me about the
law with such finality. You of all
people should talk. What has brought
you here. Brought you back from...
ELEKTRA
--the dead?
(beat)
You truly are blind.
Elektra moves away from him--sits on edge of the bed.
A long beat.
ELEKTRA
...April 30th, 1993.
INT. HIGH-RISE PENTHOUSE - FLASHBACK
INTRUDER bursts through door.
Takes out GUARD; swift, ruthless.
MATT (V.O.)
Day your father died?
Finds MAN (Elektra's father) in den.
He tries to run -- shouting for someone.
CONTINUE
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