02x09 - A Bitter Pill to Swallow

[bunniefuu]

Previously on Gotham...

Father Creel.

You have the Wayne boy?

Not yet.

There are some practical matters that have to be resolved first.

Whoa!

(gasping)

Mr. Penguin?

Help me.

Theo: This is the name of the man who k*lled your parents.

Sell me your company.

I will give you this as a signing gift.

I've been a very bad girl.

Gordon: You're a good woman. You're just sick.

(gasps)

I knew you still had feelings for me.

I want to show you something.

Gordon: You're under arrest!

May I ask what the charge is?

The kidnapping and t*rture of Aubrey James.

No! Tell me who k*lled them!

Can you believe it still fits?

Don't make me k*ll you.

Do it, Jim. Do me.

k*ll him!

Gordon: It's over.

Not yet.

Hold on. I love you, baby.

No!

(siren wailing in distance)

(thunder rumbling softly)

Man: Here you go!

(talking quietly)

(doorbells jingle)

Morning.

Help you?

I was told to order a Highsmith Royale.

Bit early, don't you think?

I said Highsmith Royale.

No ice.

(lively chatter, music playing)

There you go, man.

(man speaking indistinctly over phone)

How may I help you?

I need somebody k*lled and I heard that you employ the best.

Oh, yes, I know you.

Our illustrious mayor's sister.

Or should I say "ex-mayor"?

Word is, you're quite the deadeye yourself.

Why come to us?

Had an accident. My aim is off.

'Hmm.

Is this business, personal...?

What's it matter to you?

Personal costs extra.

There's always complications.

It's business.

A cop.

Seems personal to me.

Anyhow, cops also cost extra.

Fine. I want it done today.

What kind of guarantee do I get?

I accept the job, the job gets done. Period.

You see, I believe in the beauty of extreme measures.

So who's the lucky fellow?

Doctor: Ms. Kean has yet to regain consciousness.

With this kind of trauma, we have no idea when she might wake up.

If ever.

But the medical wing at Arkham is fully equipped to handle her condition.

Will you be riding over with her?

No.

Hello, sleepyhead.

(panting) Where am I?

Rapid movement and elevated heart rate are counterproductive to the healing process.

No! No! Don't k*ll me!

Apologies in advance.

Rest up, my feathered friend.

We have a big night ahead of us.

Looking for this?

Thank you.

You left before I woke up.

I know. Couldn't sleep.

Was I snoring?

No.

Are you sure?

My big, loud, rumbling, barnyard snore?

I've heard complaints... neighbors, airplanes...

You don't snore.

Look, I'm glad Galavan's been arrested, but he should pay for everything he's done.

I'm on my way to meet Barnes at Galavan's penthouse.

Hopefully, we can find some evidence to corroborate Aubrey James' testimony.

I got a call.

They're transferring Barbara to Arkham.

I know. I stopped by Gotham General.

You went to see her?

She's a witness against Galavan.

I wanted to check on her condition.

Her condition is she's in a coma.

We never talked about what happened with you and Barbara in that interrogation room.

I know. Tonight?

Sure, tonight. Or right now.

Lee, I went over to see her as a part of the case against Galavan, that is it.

This isn't jealousy. That woman is...

How do I put this? She's the devil.

No, she is. She's the devil.

Lee... you think I wanted things to go the way they did?

I had to play her game.

I know.

Uh, forget about Barbara.

Most people fight their dark side.

Lately, you find ways to give in to it.

That's a problem.

For you and for us.

I know.

I hear you.

Can we please just not talk about this right now?

I'm late to meet Barnes.

I'll be fine.

I wasn't sure you'd ever want to see me again.

When you called...

You don't believe what they're saying about my uncle... do you?

No. Of course not.

Silver, I asked you here because I need your help.

Anything.

Before he was arrested, your uncle made me an offer.

I want...

Right, Master Bruce!

On your feet. Bought us a lovely couple of rakes from the ironmonger's.

I suggest we get outside and get...

Hello, Ms. St. Cloud.

Did not expect to see you here.

Hello, Alfred.

That must have been your car I saw, idling on the main road.

Now, in light of recent events, I suggest you get in it and you leave.

Immediately.

I invited her, and I want her to stay.

And I'm ordering her to leave.

And it's my house, and I give the orders.

Oh, is that so?

It's okay.

I don't want to cause any trouble.

Smart girl. Off you pop.

(whispers): I'm at the Kane Hotel.

You had no right to do that.

I had every right.

What were you thinking, asking her up here?

(door closes in distance)

Oh, wait, you... think she was gonna tell you something.

If Galavan really has the name of my parents' k*ller in that envelope, it's worth a sh*t.

Well, my guess is there was absolutely nothing in that envelope.

It was just a ruse to get you to sign away the company.

Galavan is smart.

He wouldn't enter a multibillion-dollar offer without his end of the bargain.

He has the name.

And you think that little minx is gonna tell you something, do you?

We're friends.

No, you're not.

Getting information out of a girl like that requires a level of deception that you do not yet possess, Master Bruce.

It is too dangerous.

It's worth the risk.

No.

You will not see Ms. St. Cloud again or pursue Galavan's wild claims.

You have no right to make that decision for me.

Well, someone has to.

If you force me to be your jailer... then that is who I will be.

(elevator bell dings)

(sighs)

Excuse me. Thank you.

(elevator bell dings)

Press 56, please?

(muzak playing)

You live here?

No.

Me neither.

Lady's baby grand is flat, so...

I don't mind making house calls.

I like my work.

You like your work?

Yeah. I do.

I guess we're lucky.

Caramel?

No, I'm good.

You're missing out; they're good.

(grunting)

Where the hell is Gordon?

(grunting)

(elevator bell dings, grunting continues)

(elevator bell dings)

(panting)

(grunting)

Who is that?

No idea.

But he just tried to k*ll me.

He tell you why?

Wasn't random.

Piano wire. Guy's a pro.

(phone ringing)

(ringing continues)

No, wait, wait.

(phone beeps)

(Gordon breathing)

You feeling lucky, Ned?

(blows)

Man: You got this!

(crowd gasps)

The lady: Listen up.

Who wants a sh*t at eighty-sixing one of Gotham's finest?

I'm waiving any collateral fines.

Just do what you have to do, but Jim Gordon doesn't see the sun... rise.

(gasping softly)

You drugged me.

That was for your own benefit, Mr. Penguin.

You have extensive injuries.

I know you.

Ed.

Nygma.

We met once before, at the GCPD.

You're not a cop.

Oh, no, no, no.

(laughs)

No, I'm in forensics.

Do you believe in fate?

Where are my clothes?

Oh, I threw them away. They smelled.

Oh, no. Oh, my.

Uh, I'm afraid, sir, that you can't leave.

You sedate me again, and I swear, I will...

Sir!

You are a wanted man.

You can try and run, but with your condition, you'll get about three blocks.

I'm afraid that you're stuck here until you recover.

(pants softly)

Now, drink up.

It's just water.

Dehydration is common after prolonged outdoor exposure.

What do you want from me?

Remember I had mentioned fate? (chuckles)

Recently, I've been going through a sort of change.

"What kind of change?" you ask.

I didn't.

I've started murdering people.

(laughs)

Wow!

That is thrilling to say out loud.

(laughs)

How many people?

Three in total. (scoffs, chuckles)

Two of them I didn't really care for.

But one was my girlfriend, Ms. Kringle.

She was the love of my life.

If you're planning on k*lling me, could you get on with it?

At this point, it would come as a welcome relief.

Oh, heavens. No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

I have no ill intentions toward you.

Then what are your intentions?

I need advice, Mr. Penguin.

These murders... changed me.

And like the butterfly, I've come to realize that I cannot be a caterpillar once again.

And you're one of the city's most notorious K*llers.

I brought you here, in part, because I was hoping you could guide me on this new path.

(laughs)

Listen, friend...

Ed.

Whatever.

(helicopter passing in distance)

My empire is in ruins.

I'm a wanted man with no friends.

And my mother... the one person I swore to protect is dead because of my weakness.

(inhales sharply)

Believe me when I tell you that this path you're on leads to nothing but destruction and pain.

So... wanted or not...

I'm leaving.

(gasps)

Oh, my.

Rise and shine.

Hell with this. (grunts)

Who sent you? Huh?

Who sent you?!

Your mother.

(laughs)

That's what I was hoping you would say.

No! Don't!

(screaming) Talk!

Detective Gordon, stand down!

(screaming)

Stand down right now!

Parks, watch the perp.

Cortez, you shut the window.

Come over here!

You know damn well I don't tolerate that type of behavior, and yet you pull that crap right in front of me?

Gordon: I'm sorry, sir.

Barnes: Are you losing it, Gordon?

Has that church incident messed with your mind?

No, sir.

Barnes: 'Cause if I remember correctly, you disobeying my orders is what landed you there in the first place.

I ordered you to turn that car around, and you ignored me and drove straight into an ambush.

And ended the day putting Galavan behind bars.

We need to push the boundaries.

Parks: Captain!

(laughing)

My employer has a strict protocol.

(laughs)

If the first guy doesn't succeed, keep sending men till the job is done.

None of you is making it out of here alive.

(laughing)

Arnes: When you get here, move carefully.

We don't know how many active skells we're dealing with.

All right.

Two units on the way here.

We just have to hold out till they get here.

Hey, Cortez, k*ll the lights.

Sir, I'm forensics. I don't have a g*n.

Grab something you can use as a w*apon, and stay behind us as best you can, all right?

Parks, take cover behind the desk.

Hey. Remember your training.

Aim for center mass. Right. Center mass.

And don't stop f*ring until you're sure.

And, Parks...

Yes, sir?

Breathe.

(exhales)

(knocking)

(door handle rattling)

(quiet creak)

(grunts)

Cortez: Help me!

Drop the Kn*fe!

(grunting)

(g*nf*re)

(grunting)

I'm leaving.

Not gonna happen.

Try to stop me.

I'll lop off her pretty little head.

You know what I like about those glasses?

(shell casing clatters on floor)

They look like bull's-eyes.

Are you okay?

I am.

Okay!

We're not gonna hang around for round two.

Everybody load up, and let's get the hell out of here.

I'm not leaving.

That wasn't a request.

This place is still our best bet for evidence against Galavan.

We leave, they'll destroy it.

Now you're just looking for a fight.

Parks, make sure the staircase is clear.

I've got a civilian who's dead and a rookie who's scared half out of her mind.

You think we're gonna survive the next att*ck with just a few handguns?

We have to get out of here.

(quiet clatter)

Wait.

A monk's cassock?

What the hell is this about?

Barnes: I don't know, but we have to get out of here.

Let's go!

Captain...

Captain!

This could be exactly what we're looking for.

Kn*fe!

(grunts)

(screams) Captain! Captain! You okay?

It's just a scratch.

Let's get out of here.

No, no.

(groans)

The Kn*fe punctured an artery.

You move, it could tear.

What are you, a doctor now? I can move.

(groans) You stand up, you'll bleed out in a matter of minutes.

(muffled grunting)

(muffled whimpering)

Ta-da!

(laughs)

Who is that?

This is Mr. Leonard.

You were talking in your sleep last night about Galavan k*lling your mother.

I was?

Yes.

Mr. Leonard... (Leonard whimpers) works for Galavan.

Well, before he was arrested, of course.

Arrested?

Detective Gordon arrested Galavan for kidnapping Mayor James.

He's in Blackgate!

(laughing)

Huh.

(chuckles)

Oh, I thought you'd be pleased.

It doesn't matter anymore.

Why is he here?

He was a gift for you.

And what exactly am I supposed to do with a Leonard?

k*ll him.

(muffled grunting)

I thought it might be nice to get some retribution for your mother's death.

That it might cheer you up a little.

No?

(muffled whimpering)

I'm done.

I need some rest.

And then I'm leaving Gotham forever.

I really thought he would like you.

(muffled grunt)

What to do now?

(muffled whimpering)

(Oswald humming a tune)

(muffled screaming)

Man: Please! Please!

Not my...!

(blade slices, man screaming)

Eduardo: Why just smell the fear on your victim when you can taste it, right?

(phone ringing, man continues screaming)

(panting)

Help me!

Help! Help!

(screaming)

Hola. Hola, Eduardo.

Long time.

Yes.

(screaming)

Just a moment, please.

Help! Help!

(chuckles) Are you on a job?

It's not a job if you love what you do.

Oh, fair enough.

Listen, um, I'm in a bit of a pinch over here.

I thought my membership was revoked.

Bygones, darling.

Live and let live. So you eat people.

Who am I to judge?

The target is a Detective Gordon.

I'll make it worth your while.

Send me the address.

(phone beeps)

Death squads have softer touches than you.

(grunting)

At least Galavan goes top shelf.

The EMTs should be on their way.

Yeah, sure.

They'll be here about the same time as our backup.

So you want to tell me what the hell's going on with you?

In the church that day, Barbara accused me of having a monster inside me.

And?

Lee seems to agree.

She thinks I'm ready and willing to give in to it.

What do you think?

There was a moment.

When I had the shotgun on Barbara.

She was taunting me to pull the trigger.

If Galavan's people hadn't busted in...

I don't know.

But they did bust in.

I nearly crossed the line.

"The line."

Let me tell you something about the line.

My third tour, we were stationed in the desert.

We captured three insurgents, when this sandstorm kicks up.

Zero visibility.

Then we start taking fire.

We're getting lit up.

Suddenly, I'm alone.

I come across one of our prisoners.

He's a kid.

His hands are zip-tied.

But he figures, what the hell, he's gonna use the sandstorm to try to escape. So I jump him.

And I take my g*n and I jam it in his mouth.

I figured it was just a thr*at.

Show him who's boss, you know?

Next thing I know...

I just pulled the trigger.

Blew his head off.

(panting)

That kid woke me up every night for years.

Until I made my peace with him.

See, I come to find out I'm just a man.

And at the right moment, a man might do anything.

Any man.

There is no line.

There's just the law.

That's what separates us from the animals.

There is no line.

Alfred?

I thought about what you said.

And you're right.

Pursuing Galavan on my own is too risky.

Well, you don't say.

Best course of action is call Detective Gordon in the morning.

Enlist his help.

At last, some sense.

You're thinking of retiring, are you, sir?

Yeah, yeah. Very tired.

Right, can I get you anything to eat before you go to bed?

No. No, thank you, Alfred.

Right, well, sleep well.

Oh, and, uh, Master Bruce?

I sent that car off that's parked at the end of the lane.

You know, the taxi.

Don't worry, I gave him a right good tip.

I mean, after all, he did drive all the way up here, didn't he?

I didn't call a taxi.

You really are the most... terrible liar, aren't you, Master Bruce?

I will not stop pursuing this, Alfred.

I'm never going to give up.

And nor will I.

Good night, sir.

(groans)

Woman (over recording):
♪ The fire has gone out ♪
♪ Wet from snow above ♪

Nygma (singing along):
♪ But nothing will warm me more ♪
♪ Than my, my mother's love ♪
♪ I light another candle ♪
♪ To dry the tears from my face... ♪

Why are you playing this song?

(woman continues singing over recording)

I can bring tears to your eyes and resurrect the dead.

I form in an instant and last a lifetime.

What am I?

A memory.

So what?

You were humming this under your covers.

I figure it has meaning for you.

(chuckles softly)

(sniffles)

Every night when I was young, my mother would sing that song to me when I was going to bed.

And every time, she would tell me...

(music fades, helicopter passing in distance)

"Oswald...

"don't listen to the other children.

"You're handsome and clever.

And some day, you will be a great man."

(both chuckle softly)

She said that every time.

(sniffles)

That's all I have left now.

Memories.

And they're like daggers in my heart.

Not forever.

These were Ms. Kringle's.

It's all I have left to remember her by.

But when I look at these, I don't feel sadness anymore.

I feel gratitude. And do you know why?

No. And I don't care.

This little visit is over.

I will just simply bid you adieu.

Mr. Penguin.

For some men, love is a source of strength.

But for you and I, it will always be our most crippling weakness.

Move aside, Ed!

We are better off unencumbered.

What did you say?

You said it yourself.

Your mother is dead because of your weakness.

But what you need to realize is that your weakness was her.

(grunts)

My mother was a saint!

The only person who truly cared about me, and now she's gone!

And I have nothing left!

A man with nothing that he loves... is a man who cannot be bargained.

A man that cannot be betrayed.

A man who answers to no one... but himself.

And that is the man that I see before me.

A free man.

Gordon (over radio): Are the EMTs with you?

Captain Barnes needs immediate attention.

Ambulance is still inbound.

We'll secure the perimeter...

Wait, wait, hold on!

Officer 2: Behind you!

(g*nf*re over phone)

Officer?

(shouting)

Officer?!

(g*nf*re, screaming)

Eduardo: Hola.

Detective Gordon, I presume?

Who is this?

This is Eduardo Flamingo.

Is that name supposed to mean something to me?

Not yet. But it will.

I'll be upstairs in a few minutes.

I'm going to feast on your friends first.

Save you for dessert.

You try to run, I will find you.

I won't.

In fact, I'm coming down.

What the hell is going on down there?

We've got another hit man.

He's just taken out all of our backup.

I'm going down to end this.

You... He just k*lled four cops!

You're not going anywhere on your own.

He's right. I'm coming with you.

No, you're staying here.

You need to make sure he doesn't bleed out.

I just said you're not going down there solo.

We'll make them come to us.

We stay here, we're sitting ducks.

He's after me, boss.

Go.

(elevator bell dings)

(elevator whirring)

(phone ringing)

(indistinct police radio chatter)

(grunts)

(both grunting)

(laughing)

(laughing)

(laughing)

(panting)

(Gordon yells)

Oh, baby.

You disappoint me.

You have the right to remain silent.

I suggest you use it.

(sirens approaching)

I'll make sure he gets processed and put in lockup.

Thanks.

And, Parks... you did good today.

♪ For my mother looks over me. ♪

And again!

♪ The fire has gone out ♪
♪ Wet snow from above ♪
♪ But nothing will warm me more ♪
♪ Than my, my mother's love. ♪

What happened to that gentleman you had tied up earlier?

Galavan's lackey?

Why do you ask?

(muffled whimpering)

My mother always said a party is not a party without entertainment.

(Leonard grunts)

(muffled screaming)

Sneaking out to see your girlfriend, huh?

Selina, what are you doing here?

Saving your ass from making a big mistake.

Silver is bad news, Bruce.

You've said that before.

This time, I have proof.

You interested?

You're going away for a long time, Mr. Flamingo.

(groaning)

Get up!

I said get up!

(screaming)

(officers shouting)

(screaming continues)

Lee...

Hold still.

Thank you.

I almost crossed the line tonight.

No kidding.

How out of character.

Scared me a little.

Welcome to my world.

Why the hell are you with me?

Beats me.

Just tell me the truth.

Always.

I promise.

(phone ringing)

Uh-uh.

Detective James Gordon's phone.

This is Lee Thompkins speaking.

Hi, Alvarez.

I'll tell him.

Eduardo Flamingo k*lled Officer Parks before they could get him into lockup.

Hit men?

You sent hit men after Jim Gordon, after I expressly told you to do nothing until I gave you orders?

Nothing.

Tell me this isn't about Barbara.

He hurt her.

I'm disappointed that you let a woman like that get in your head.

If you're feeling upset, find yourself a nice librarian to t*rture.

That always cheers you up.

Everything is ready.

The brothers' arrival is imminent.

Bruce Wayne will die, and his company and this city will be mine.

Ours.

Everything that we have worked for for so long will be ours.

Endanger that prize again, and though it breaks my heart, I will cut your throat.

Welcome, brothers.

Welcome.

Hey!

(indistinct police radio chatter)

Docks are closed.

I need to see some I.D.

Wait...

No! (grunting)

(blades stabbing)

(officer gasping)