Original subtitles

It's a neglected sense, hearing.

And it shouldn't be.

Because all too often, our first warning of danger is sound.

{933931

Shreeve, what are you trying to...

{933931

Shreeve!

See, Mr. Powers?

Just an illusion.

- I knew that. - Of course.

But after all the research money you've given me,

I thought you deserved a demonstration.

Frankly, I was hoping for more.

More, you say?

Look at this sound suit. I just finished it.

It's got four built-in sound generators...

How's it any better then an old boom box?

Different kind of boom.

Watch.

It generates ultra low-frequency vibrations

which I can aim in any direction.

Imagine the time and effort this suit would save

construction workers, road builders.

- Dynamite's cheaper. - But...

Shreeve, you're just not a practical guy.

All that's ever mattered to you is your research,

which is why I had to bail out your company.

And now it's time for me to see some return

on my investment.

I want you to solve a problem for me.

What?

Not what, who.

This company has always meant a great deal to me.

But now, I'm ashamed of it.

Ashamed of the way it's forgotten its history.

Ashamed of how it's going to rip the heart out of this city.

I'm referring to a plan by the current leadership

of Wayne-Powers to purchase Gotham City's

historical district and then bulldoze it

to make room for another soulless industrial complex.

Is that what we want?

Or do we want a city that remembers its history?

A city where ideals flow from the past,

defining our present and shaping our future.

The old boy's in rare form today.

He's been on me for weeks about this.

But it won't be lasting much longer.

- Why not? - Because...

Mister Chairman, I move we convene

a stockholders' meeting next week

so this matter can be put to a vote.

Second!

- Yes. - Yes.

All right.

I'II notify the stockholders.

Meeting adjourned.

- How'd it go? - The way I wanted.

Must've been pretty important to get you out of that house.

Especially in daylight.

I'll show you.

The City Council's been trying to preserve this area.

But you know what it's like getting extra tax money.

Why spend it on this? I mean, it's old.

- Who cares? - I do.

That theater, it was where my parents and I went the night they were...

I'd think you'd want it to be torn down.

So maybe after all these years, you could finally forget.

Do you want to forget what happened to your father?

Something's bugging the mutt.

Easy, boy. Easy.

What's the matter, boy?

- Earthquake? - Not like any I've ever been in.

Well, whatever it is, I could think of better places

to be right now.

- You know this guy? - Sorry, not one of mine.

Watch out!

So much for memories.

Mr. Wayne!

Now, now, Mr. Wayne, you know you have to take...

I said get out!

You can go in now, if you want to.

Can you believe it?

They wanna keep me in here overnight!

Why don't you relax and make it a little vacation?

And while you're here, I'll figure out who that guy in the suit was.

So, you're a detective now?

Been watching you long enough.

Besides, I got a lead.

How was I supposed to know Batman would be there?

Batman's everywhere these days.

Everywhere.

At least I knocked down one of those buildings for you.

Well, whoopty-doo.

It's the land I want,

and unless I can shut Wayne up,

the stockholders will never authorize the purchase.

Don't worry.

Next time, I'll get him. Guaranteed.

Haven't you been listening? It's over.

Wayne's in the hospital now, with guards.

There's no way you can get to him.

I wouldn't be so sure of that.

Bruce...

Who's there? Where are you?

There 's something you must do.

Okay, we know it's some kinda sound generator.

So, now what?

Computer, analyze the metal this thing's made of.

[Computer? {automated voice] Incorrect command.

Uh, do the thing where you figure out what it's made of.

Request for spectrographic analysis.

Uh, yeah, that's it. What you said.

Analysis proceeding.

"Copper, iron and acoustium"?

Computer, acoustium.

"A new alloy that amplifies sound vibrations."

Makes sense.

"Developed by Shreeve Sound Laboratory, Gotham City."

And the old man thought I couldn't do this stuff on my own.

Go away! I don't wanna hear you!

It's for your own good. Now, get up.

Go to the window.

- What for? - Go!

Open it.

Open it. Open it.

Open it. Open it...

You know What you have to do.

Who are you?

Why are you saying these things to me?

I want to help you. I'm you.

No.

Who else could I be?

- You can't be me! - Do it.

Mr. Wayne! What's wrong?

Voices. Listen.

Voices?

Can't you hear them?

Maybe you should get back to bed.

Orderlies! Orderlies!

Do it.

- Can I help you? - Yeah.

- Here's your pizza, chief. - I didn't order anything.

Huh? Well, this is the address I wrote down.

There must be some kinda mistake.

Yeah. Mine. And now I gotta pay for it.

Extra-large.

Too big for one person.

Sound engineer, huh? That must be the coolest job in the world.

There are good days and bad days.

What's this?

Put it to your ear.

Hey, music.

A microfilm and transmitter receiver.

- Picks up radio signals. - Cool.

- What's this do? - Don't touch that!

- What was that? - Sound masking.

See, sound moves in waves.

The masker instantly plays back whatever sound it picks up.

Slightly out of phase.

So the waves cancel each other out.

No waves, no sound.

- Schway. - Yeah.

Now, it's getting late and I still have things to do, so...

Wait, what about those, you know,

sound vibrations?

- Sound vibrations? - Yeah. Heard about 'em the other day.

Some of 'em can knock over a tree?

So they say.

So, uh, you know anything about 'em?

Who are you? What do you really want?

Hey, man, I didn't mean nothin'.

You wanna know about sound vibrations?

Would you like to see how they can split your skull?

There's no way out!

Hold it right there!

What happened? Is he all right?

He is in the psych ward.

- He started hearing voices. - Voices?

Age can do tragic things to a person.

But I wouldn't worry about it.

He is going to be in the best of hands.

Mine.

Who else can take care of his affairs?

He has no wife, no children.

Me. I could do it.

- Awfully young, aren't you? - Awfully slimy, aren't you?

Careful.

The courts are very strict about slander.

Yeah? Then let's see how they handle assault.

You should know something about the psych ward here.

There's always room for one more.

The police know about me.

I'm a wanted man.

I can never go back to my lab again.

And it's all your fault.

That's not going to help.

No, but it'll make me feel better.

You should be feeling fine, anyway.

And why is that?

Because your costume gives you power.

Real power. Ever had that before?

No. Not really.

It's no small thing. Trust me.

But I can't show my face anymore. Or use my name.

The face is no loss, and if you miss your name,

I'll give you another one.

One that fits your new persona.

- Shriek. - Shriek?

Not a friendly name, I grant you, but take it from me.

It's better to be feared than loved.

Shriek.

Now go forth and do damage.

But don't forget, you still owe me Bruce Wayne.

What if Batman gets into it again?

Kill him.

The food, it's poisoned.

- They'ra trying to kill you. - Shut up!

Don 't eat.

Quiet!

Quiet.

I've been hearing these voices.

I know.

They think I'm crazy.

We'll talk about it back home.

We're not going anywhere until I figure out

where the voices are coming from.

But the orderlies could come in at any second.

Check the light fixture.

There might be a speaker hidden in it.

- You can't be serious. - Check it!

See. Nothing.

Then the sound's got to be coming from the walls.

- Strip 'em. - I can't strip the...

Wait a minute.

What are you doing?

OW!

Big bandage for such a small wound.

It's a two-way radio. Guy named Shreeve makes 'em.

He's the one who knocked down the police station.

He probably bribed a nurse to put that thing in the bandage.

- Still think I'm crazy? - It never occurred to me.

- Miss me, boy? - He wasn't the only one.

Looks like the radio signal's coming from that factory by the hospital.

And from there, I've got a feeling

it's gonna lead to Powers.

Doesn't take a detective to figure that one out.

Yeah, the source is definitely in here somewhere.

Not somewhere. Right behind you.

- You don't have to do this, Shreeve. - But I do.

And the name's Shriek now.

I'II show you why.

This isn't going to help you.

Kinda quiet out there, huh, boy?

But you hear something, don't you?

Get up.

No.

No!

It has been moved and seconded

that Wayne-Powers tender an offer to the city

in order to expand into the historical district.

All in favor.

Aye!

Opposed.

Nay!

The motion is defeated.

Meeting adjourned!

Too bad Shreeve's too freaked out to testify against that weasel.

Maybe when his hearing comes back.

- If it ever does. - Tell me something.

Why were you so sure those voices weren't coming from you?

Well, first, I know I'm not psychotic.

I hope your other reason's more convincing.

And second, the voice kept calling me Bruce.

In my mind, that's not what I call myself.

What do you call yourself?

Oh, yeah. I suppose you would.

- But that's my name now. - Hmm.

Tell that to my subconscious.