Chapter 6 - Its Never Too Late

The mob war in Gotham continues tonight. Rival crime families, led by Rupert Thorne and Arnold Stromwell continue to battle for control of the city's underworld. - Hey, that's a nice picture of you, boss. - Pipe down. According to Police Commissioner Gordon, mob violence is intensifying. What we have here is a battle between an older crime boss and his younger rival for control of the rackets in Gotham. And in this case, it looks like youth has the edge. I'd say Stromwell is about to be retired. We'll see about that. But the struggle may be taking a tragic twist with the reported disappearance of Arnold Stromwell's only son, Joseph. Calm down, boss. Remember your blood pressure. I want my son back. I know, Arnie. I know. This war has to stop. I want a meeting with Thorne, and I want it tonight. I'll set it up, Mr. Stromwell. It's Thorne. He's got my son. I know it. I know it! Come on, buddy, you're out of here. Let's go. Stromwell wants the meeting tonight. We'll put up a sign that says, "private party. " Yeah, a going-away party. Now, when Arnie gets here, we're all gonna act nice-nice make him feel we want a truce. All everybody has to do is follow my instructions and you get the first cue, Pete. It's got to go like clockwork. After Pete leaves, the lights go out. We have to the count of five to get clear. And it'll be all over for Arnold Stromwell. I'll teach Thorne to muscle in on me. This is my town. I made it what it is. You gotta swear you won't squeal on me, Mike. Gee, Arnie, you keep stealing junk, you're gonna get caught. Someday, I'm gonna own this town. Arnie! What are you doing? Get off the tracks! Excuse me, Father. What can I help you with? - You! - It's coming down tonight, Father. He's going to need you. Arnold? That's one soul I wish I could give up on. I don't believe you'd give up on anyone, Father. Please be there. Hi, Arnie. I'm glad we could get together. We'll see, Thorne. It's time to talk. I think we should talk alone, man-to-man. Let the boys get some air. We made the news today. I saw. It's making things difficult. You're making things difficult. Come on, Arnie. This town's big enough for the two of us. - Where's my son? - What? My son. Where is he? What have you done to him? I don't know anything about it. You lowlife. You'd do anything to take over my city. I didn't touch your kid. I swear it, Arnie. You know I don't mess with family. Hey, come on. We're getting off on the wrong foot here. It's a shame about your kid. Maybe I can help. - How? - Why, I got connections you don't. Good. Now, we can't talk on an empty stomach. Pete, I want to see an antipasto out here that'll knock our socks off. No! The boss! - You can't go in there. - It was a setup! We can't do nothing now. We gotta regroup. Come on, before the cops get here. Consider yourself replaced, Arnie. It's party time! What? No! Wha? Where am I? I'm alive. - You, what are you doing? - Saving your hide. Whoa, heavy barbecue action, man. Wow! He's really out there. Let me go, you caped freak! The media's going to nail us on this one. What are you looking at? Your hair. It looked better on Tv. Definitely arson, Commissioner Gordon. A bomb. Darn shame. They made the best cannolis. - Anybody in there? - There's no evidence anyone was inside. There was somebody in there. Batman saved his butt. I seen him, man. He was just leaping on the rooftops carrying somebody on his shoulders. I seen it. Like a dark angel snatching the guy from the fires of Hades, man. Your news puts a crimp in our celebration, Simon. Sorry, Mr. Thorne. But why would Batman want to save a guy like Stromwell? To get him to spill his guts about the organization. Get everyone on the street! Check the train yards. Find Stromwell and the Batman and get rid of them. All right, why the heroics? You've got something I want. Oh, yeah? What's that? Information about the gangs. Well, I appreciate your saving my life and all but you're gonna have to come up with a better reason for me to turn stoolie. I'll try and deliver. You're going to pay for this. Hey, I know this place. I started out here. Selling drugs. - Prove it. - And now you manufacture them. Prove that too. Nobody twists anybody's arm to take them, you know. And for the record, I make candy. Hey, hey, what are you doing? "Sunrise Foundation"? Means nothing to me. What is this place? A drug rehab center. No! I ain't going in. Your 10-cent tour of the city's over. So, what can it hurt? One little look, right? Joey! Yes, and he's lucky. He'll pull through. Connie, why didn't you call me? I didn't know until today. I'd never have known, if it weren't for Batman. Don't get any closer. - The nurse said not to disturb him. - I'll find the guy who got him hooked. Just look in the mirror. It was your drugs and your people who sell them. I left you to get away from what you're doing. Our son wasn't so lucky. Help stop it, Stromwell. All your power and money has bought you is an empire of misery. - What do you want me to do? - Close down the organization. Talk to the D. A. , turn in all the records. It has to stop, Stromwell. It has to stop now. Here are the records. Look them over. These are dummy books. Yeah, and you're the dummy. They're both up there, all right. Let's smoke them out. You think I'd go down that easy? I got scores to settle. I'm big bad news. Always have been, always will be. What about Joey? I'm getting him out of that freak ward, so I know he'll get better. - You're fooling yourself again, Stromwell. - You're the fool, Batman. Now, if you just stay nice and quiet Tear gas! - Hey! - Look out! Stash, Freddy, get up there. Stay here. Don't move. Stash, is that you? Where's Batman? You blew it, you jerks! Over there! It's Stromwell! He ain't here. He's gotta be here somewhere. Arnie, it's time to come home. - No. Get away from me. - You can't run anymore, Arnie. - Go ahead, take some. - No! You stole that candy, Arnie. - I don't want it. - Oh, what a mama's boy. No, not again. Someday, I'm going to own this town. Get off! - Get off! - Arnie, what are you doing? Get off the tracks! Arnie! Arnie! Jump, Arnie! Jump! Michael? Michael! Michael. Michael! - I'm here, Arnie. - What are you doing here, Michael? - I came to help you, Arnie. - I don't need your help. Is that a fact? An empire crumbling, a marriage shattered, a son lost? Sure, you're doing fine. Stay away, Michael. Last time you helped me, it cost you your leg. Oh, I get by. Knock on wood. You knew I was no-good, Mike. Why did you save me? Arnie, what else could I do? But now you've got a chance to save yourself. Come on, Arnie. Do the right thing for yourself, for your son for me, your little brother. Michael. Your family reunion touches me, Stromwell. Now say goodbye. Commissioner Gordon, I have a statement to give you.