"THE CARNIVAL OF CHAOS" BATMAN STUNT SHOW Script

Concept art for a 6 FLAGS THEME PARK BATMAN AND ROBIN stunt show by Tom Grindberg and Dick Giordano, 2002

In the course of my 16 years on staff at DC Comics I spent time in several different departments, including Licensing, which oversaw a wide array of products and responsibilities, including most things licensed by outside manufacturers or content creators, which could include anything from t-shirts to live productions like those staged by the Six Flags Amusement Park company. Batman was the hot property at the time and between the 16 parks nationwide, there were a half dozen or more different stunt and water shows being produced. My boss, Martin Pasko, handed me the scripts and asked if I might take a pass at them and try, in his words, "to make them sound less stupid." That was a tall order. The scripts had been written by park employees whose main frame of reference seemed to be Batman '66 and the Joel Schumacher films, and all I could do was change the dialogue; the stunt routines and their running order were set in stone.

BATMAN "THE CARNIVAL OF CHAOS" STUNT SHOW

(Second Revised Draft, 3/21/01)

PRE-SHOW

SCENE - A STREET CORNER IN GOTHAM CITY - DOWN STAGE CENTER

The playing area (1/3 USC), inside the CIRCUS ARENA.  A sign advertises the "GOTHAM CITY CIRCUS, STARRING THE ONE AND ONLY CLOWN PRINCE--MR. CHARLIE CHUCKLES!"  The sign carries a smiling image of CHARLIE CHUCKLES.

Under that first sign is a SECOND SIGN that reads: "ONE NIGHT ONLY!  THE WAYNE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER!"

ON CUE a CLOWN takes to the arena.  The CLOWN comes prancing out, mugging and having fun.  He interacts with the crowd, his antics serving as a warm-up for the show to follow.

CLOWN bounds OFFSTAGE.

OMINOUS BATMAN THEME BEGINS. 

BATMAN and ROBIN ENTER via SLIDE FOR LIFE.  They land CENTER STAGE, posed dramatically, looking carefully around.

ROBIN

Are you sure of this, Batman?

BATMAN

According to my sources, he’ll be here today, Robin.  Up to no good.

ROBIN

As usual.

BATMAN

He’s got to be stopped.

ROBIN

As usual.

BATMAN and ROBIN EXIT, racing across the set and OFF-STAGE as

A LEGATTO MUSICAL THEME SEGUES FROM PRE-SHOW INTO...

SCENE ONE - THE JOKER'S PLOT - SAME STREET CORNER LOCATION

THE JOKER runs in from UPSTAGE CENTER.  TWO HENCHMEN on motorcycles accompany him.  As they enter, the cycles execute a CROSSING PASS in front of JOKER, just missing him.  The cycles then ride to their respective marks on either side of the stage.  JOKER is laughing and whistling, until he sees the sign advertising CHARLIE CHUCKLES.

JOKER pauses.  Looks at the crowd.  Scowls.  Looks back at the CHARLIE CHUCKLES SIGN.  Then looks back at the audience.

JOKER laughs.

JOKER

Well, ain't that a hoot?  The "Clown Prince" my rubber chicken!

(points threateningly at the CHARLIE CHUCKLES SIGN)

My adoring public won't stand for this outrage!

(pulls a long-barreled revolver from inside his jacket)

Neither will I!

MOTORCYCLE CROSS PATTERN 1

Motorcycles cross as JOKER runs, does a FRONT FLIP on to the RINGMASTER STAGE.

JOKER

(laughing maniacally)

I'll show them who's the real clown!

MOTORCYCLE CROSS PATTERN 2

JOKER (cont.)

Not only will I steal every last red cent from the coffers of this two-bit excuse for an entertainment...

JOKER begins to walk in a circle, slowly.  Then faster, pointing the long, long barrel of his gun around at the crowd as he circles the stage.

JOKER (cont.)

...And how very kind of Mr. Wayne to arrange for an few extra million dollars in charitable contributions for the taking...

JOKER stops, raising the gun, pointing it at the audience.  Menacing.

JOKER (cont.)

...But I'll make certain everyone knows there is only one Clown Prince of fair Gotham City!  The Clown Prince of Crime!  Mr. Charlie has chuckled his last...and the laughs--

JOKER FIRES THREE RAPID SHOTS, one in front of him.  TURNS, FIRES AGAIN OVER HIS SHOULDER.  A THIRD TIME AS HE WHIRLS TO FACE THE CHARLIE CHUCKLES SIGN.  ALL THREE SHOTS VISIBLY AND AUDIBLY RICOCHET UNTIL THE CHARLIE CHUCKLES SIGN is hit, putting three holes through the image of CHARLIE'S FACE.

RIDERS EXECUTE MOTORCYCLE CROSS PATTERN 3

JOKER (cont.)

(hysterical laughter)

--Are on me!  Let's go, kiddies...the circus is in town!

A GRANDIOSSO BRASS OVERTURE PLAYS US INTO...

SCENE 2 - THE CIRCUS - MAIN STAGE

ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

Ladies and Gentlemen!  Boys and girls!  Welcome to the fabulous Gotham City Circus...and our very special performance benefiting the Wayne Foundation Scholarship Fund!  And here to get the ball rolling is Gotham City's own Bruce Wayne!

BRUCE WAYNE enters from CITY HALL, crossing to CENTER STAGE to address the audience.

BRUCE

(live mic)

Thank you all for being here.  Your generous contributions to the Scholarship Fund will allow Gotham's children to get the education they might not otherwise be able to afford.  But enough about that!  You're all here to see the most spectacular show on Earth...so without any further adieu, let me introduce our ringmaster...Mr. Dirk Mulroni!

RINGMASTER enters from CITY HALL.  Crosses to CENTER STAGE and shakes hands with BRUCE.

BRUCE EXITS to applause (goes to change to HENCHMAN #1) as RINGMASTER jogs to RINGMASTER STAGE, DOWN STAGE CENTER.

RINGMASTER

Thank you, Mr. Wayne!  Welcome all to the Gotham City Circus.  Please direct your attention to the cable above--one, thin strand, suspended between two points!  Who among us would dare try spanning the distance between those points upon this narrow cable?  Who...

TWO STAGEHANDS run on stage from STAGE LEFT and STAGE RIGHT, dressed in colorful CLOWN GARB and carrying stacks--THREE EACH--of CLOWN-COLORED BOXES (BOMBS).  They are JOKER--in a mask--and HENCHMAN #1, in disguise. 

JOKER and HENCHMAN #1 skip around the stage, singing and laughing, placing the first TWO BOMBS at different spots around the stage, as if this were part of the act.

JOKER & HENCHMAN #1

(singing/laughing)

Junior Birdmen, up in the air,

Junior Birdmen, they know no fear

RINGMASTER

(confused)

Er...what are you fellows doing...?

JOKER

(to RINGMASTER)

Shhh!  It's a surprise!

Skipping and laughing, JOKER and HENCHMAN #1 move back to CITY HALL and lean casually against a wall as if to watch the act.

The ROAR OF A MOTORCYCLE ENGINE, a PERCUSSIVE MUSICAL THEME.  The MOTORCYCLE CABLE ACT SET-UP.

RINGMASTER

Yes...well--put your hands together for...the Nerveless Knocks!

MOTORCYCLE-CABLE ACT.

DURING A LULL in the performance, JOKER steps forward from his spot beside CITY HALL and speaks--in an exaggerated conspiratorial pose--to the audience.

JOKER

(giggling)

If you think this is dangerous, wait'll you see what I've got in store!

6 Flags stunt performers.

RINGMASTER steps to the RINGMASTER STAGE.

RINGMASTER

Once again, ladies and gentlemen, the Nerveless Knocks in a feat of magnificence featuring ___________ and _____________!

THE NERVELESS KNOCKS PERFORM.

As the performance ends, JOKER and HENCHMAN #1 assist the performers at the end of the act.

THE NERVELESS KNOCKS EXIT.

WHILE PREVIOUS ACT is leaving the stage, BATMAN and ROBIN make an appearance, off to one side (STAGING TO BE DETERMINED).  Preferable if they can SWING IN to land at some high-spot of the set, away from the main action below.

BATMAN

Anything yet?

ROBIN

Nothing!  I think the Joker’s laying low!

BATMAN

Not his style.  Come on, let’s make one more search of the rest of the circus grounds...!

BATMAN and ROBIN EXIT, just as

JOKER and HENCHMAN #1 ENTER, skip around the stage, setting more of the BOMBS in various spots, RINGMASTER TAKES THE RINGMASTER STAGE AGAIN to announce the next act.

RINGMASTER

Next...an astonishing feat of daring as our performers prepare to soar to deadly heights unimaginable to most!  They will race time...defy gravity...fight exhaustion as they attempt to stay perched atop...the incredible Space Wheel!

JOKER and HENCHMAN #1 assist the PERFORMERS mounting the SPACE WHEEL. 

Then JOKER and HENCHMAN #1 skip around, placing BOMBS #3 and #4 as the SPACE WHEEL ROUTINE BEGINS.  JOKER and HENCHMAN #1 take up positions to one side.

SPACE WHEEL ROUTINE ENDS.

JOKER and HENCHMAN #1 help PERFORMERS off the WHEEL.  PERFORMERS EXIT OFF STAGE.

RINGMASTER mounts the RINGMASTER STAGE.

RINGMASTER

Thank you!  One more time, ______!  For decades, performers have sought to thrill and astound by riding their motorcycles through fire...over cars...on tightropes!  But today, ladies and gentlemen, our amazing riders will fight their own fears, defy gravity...and risk the closeness of another rider!  Allow me to present...the Globe of Death--performed by the Nerveless Knocks, featuring __________ and ________!

While he speaks, JOKER and HENCHMAN #1 start skipping around the stage, clowning around.

RINGMASTER is distracted by the antics of JOKER and HENCHMAN #1.

RINGMASTER

(annoyed)

Hey, this isn't part of the act!

JOKER

(feigning shock)

Don't tell me you didn't get the revised script?

RINGMASTER

(confused)

Revised script...?

ON THAT CUE, JOKER LEAPS UP ONTO THE RINGMASTER STAGE.  During the previous exchange, HENCHMAN #1 had circled around behind the RINGMASTER STAGE.  Now he's there to catch the startled RINGMASTER as JOKER shoves the RINGMASTER roughly off the stage.

HENCHMAN #1 tries to clamps a hand over the struggling RINGMASTER'S mouth but RINGMASTER resists.  Annoyed, JOKER PULLS a DART-GUN OUT FROM HIS COSTUME.

JOKER

(annoyed)

If you want a job DONE...

(shoots the dart-gun at RINGMASTER)

...Do it yourself!

THE RINGMASTER IS HIT and staggers back...then collapses to his knees, starting to giggle.  The giggles turn to a hesitant laugh.  The hesitant laugh to a full-blown belly laugh.  Then, collapsing to the ground, RINGMASTER goes hysterical laughing, out of control, his face twisted into a LEERING JOKER'S GRIN.  HENCHMAN #1 grabs the hysterically laughing RINGMASTER AND DRAGS HIM QUICKLY OFF-STAGE.

Then the MOTORCYCLE RIDERS for the GLOBE OF DEATH ACT zoom out onto stage.

JOKER

(to audience)

Gentlemen and children!  Ladies and chickens!  Let's bring out our next act...and if their act don't kill you, rest assured...

JOKER STARTS LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY as he whips his GIANT, LONG-BARRELLED REVOLVER OUT FROM UNDER HIS COSTUME.

JOKER (cont.)

...I will!

THE GLOBE OF DEATH ACT IS PERFORMED, accompanied by a DRIVING MUSICAL THEME.

BEFORE THE GLOBE OF DEATH ACT is completed, HENCHMAN #1 RETURNS TO THE STAGE.

JOKER TAKES CENTER STAGE and FIRES HIS GUN UP IN THE AIR, causing the GLOBE OF DEATH PERFORMERS to suddenly stop.

JOKER

Ahh, to heck with this!

JOKER AND HENCHMAN #1 HELP THE PERFORMERS OUT OF THE GLOBE.  PERFORMERS EXIT (to change to HENCHMAN #2 and HENCHMAN #3).

HENCHMAN #1 EXITS (to change to BATMAN).

JOKER

(to audience)

You know what I really want to see, folks?

(prompts audience to respond)

A clown.  But not just any clown! I want to see a clown prince...

CUE FOR CALLIOPHE CLOWN-TYPE MUSIC.

JOKER WAVES HIS ARMS WILDLY, stopping the music.

JOKER (cont.)

No, no, no!  Not the clown prince of comedy...him I've got tied up in his dressing room.  Silly little clown prince wannabe!

JOKER REMOVES HIS MASK and STRIPS AWAY HIS VELCRO-OVERDRESS CLOWN COSTUME to reveal his true identity.

JOKER

I mean the real clown prince...of crime!

(maniacal laughter as he poses dramatically)

The Joker!

HENCHMAN #2 and HENCHMAN #3 ENTER, carrying guns that they sweep back and forth over the audience.  Each HENCHMAN CARRIES a LARGE SACK OF MONEY.

JOKER

That would be me!

HENCHMAN #2 and HENCHMAN #3 tear down the banner that reads "GOTHAM CITY CIRCUS, STARRING THE ONE AND ONLY CLOWN PRINCE--MR. CHARLIE CHUCKLES!".  Underneath it is a new banner that reads "THE JOKER'S CARNIVAL OF CHAOS, STARRING THE ONE AND ONLY CLOWN PRINCE OF CRIME!"

A LARGE DIGITAL CLOCK IS UNDER THE NEW BANNER.

JOKER

In case anyone's missed the point, this is my circus now...especially the box office receipts and your kind contributions to the scholarship fund!

HENCHMAN #4, CARRYING A STAFF, ENTERS FROM UPSTAGE CENTER and stands beside JOKER. 

HENCHMAN #2 and HENCHMAN #3 DISPLAY TO THE AUDIENCE THE LAST TWO BOMBS, which they promptly strap to each corner of the stage, one on each performance apparatus. 

JOKER

And least anyone think of trying to stop me, I've locked all the gates and planted bombs in the arena set to detonate if anyone but me tries to enter or leave!

(makes an exaggerated bow to audience)

So, with that, ladies and germs, I bid you a...

A LOUD BEEP from the CLOCK UNDER THE BANNER.

NUMBERS LIGHT UP ON THE FACE OF THE CLOCK.  5 MINUTES...and immediately starts counting down the time!

TIMER (V.O.)

Security breach!  Unauthorized personnel entering the arena!  Beginning countdown!  Five minutes to detonation!

JOKER

(surprised)

WHAT?!  Who would dare...?

ACCOMPANIED BY A MUSICAL THEME, the BATMOBILE ENTERS STAGE RIGHT (GARAGE DOOR) and heads straight DOWN STAGE TOWARDS JOKER.

TWO MOUNTED HENCHMEN RIDE SWIFTLY TOWARDS ONCOMING BATMOBILE, SERVING OUT OF ITS WAY, ONE ON EITHER SIDE, AT THE LAST INSTANT.

BOTH CYCLES STOP STAGE RIGHT.

JOKER

(in resignation)

I should have guessed!

BATMOBILE STOPS in front of JOKER.  Cockpit slides open and BATMAN and jumps out to STAND ON THE HOOD OF THE BATMOBILE.

JOKER (cont.)

(screams)

BATMAN!  But how...?

BATMAN

Where else would I find a clown but at the circus, Joker?

JOKER WHISTLES and HENCHMAN #4 STEPS IN BETWEEN BATMAN and JOKER, twirling his staff.

BATMAN

Still can't fight for yourself, I see!

JOKER

What?  And ruin my manicure!

(to HENCHMAN #4)

Sic 'em, laddie boy!

HENCHMAN #4 lunges at BATMAN with his twirling staff.  BATMAN LEAPS DOWN FROM THE HOOD OF THE BATMOBILE, ducking and dodging as HENCHMAN #4, making martial-arts-type whoops and yells, thrusts at him repeatedly.

BATMAN EFFORTLESSLY AVOIDS EVERY THRUST AND LUNGE.

HENCHMAN #2 and HENCHMAN #3--seated on their motorcycles--watch from the sidelines, shouting encouragement to HENCHMAN #4.

HENCHMAN #2 & HENCHMAN #3

(various)

Get 'em!  Good shot!  Take him down, man!  Batter the bat!

ROBIN ENTERS, BEHIND the yelling HENCHMAN #2 and #3.  They keep cheering on their buddy, until ROBIN taps one of them on the shoulder.

ROBIN

Hey, what’s going on?

HENCHMAN #2

(not looking at ROBIN)

Ha!  Charlie’s about to bash the Bat!

HENCHMAN #3

(starts to turn to look at ROBIN as he speaks)

Yeah, this oughta be...

HENCHMAN #3 realizes it’s ROBIN he’s talking to.  Taps HENCHMAN #2, who turns to see ROBIN.  BOTH HENCHMEN start to rise, but ROBIN simultaneously punches both across the face.  The fight is on!

MEANWHILE, BATMAN STOPS DEAD IN HIS TRACKS.  HENCHMAN #4 does some fancy twists and twirls of the staff as he moves in on BATMAN.

HENCHMAN #4 DELIVERS A RIGHT HAYMAKER WITH THE STAFF.  BATMAN BLOCKS WITH HIS FOREARM.

HENCHMAN #4 DELIVERS A LEFT HAYMAKER WITH THE STAFF.  BATMAN BLOCKS WITH HIS FOREARM.

HENCHMAN #4 SWINGS AT BATMAN'S HEAD.  BATMAN CATCHES THE END OF THE STAFF and FLIPS HENCHMAN #4 TO THE GROUND.  BATMAN RETAINS HIS HOLD ON THE STAFF.  HENCHMAN #4 is UNCONSCIOUS for the duration.

TIMER (V.O.)

Four minutes to detonation.

JOKER TURNS TO RUN.  BATMAN CATCHES JOKER with the end of the staff and flips him off of the RINGMASTER STAGE.

ROBIN BREAKS OFF FROM HIS FIGHT TO JOIN BATMAN.  The HENCHMEN quickly get back on their motorcycles.

JOKER

And Robin too!  How delightful--I get to snuff both of you with one, big bang!

BATMAN

Not so fast, Joker.  Those bombs...

JOKER

(giggling)

...Are set to explode in...

TIMER (V.O.)

Three minutes and fifty seconds.

JOKER (cont.)

(politely, to CLOCK)

Thank you.

(nasty, to BATMAN)

...and they can't be deactivated!  Once they're set, they must make the big boom-boom!

JOKER GETS TO HIS FEET as BATMAN starts towards him.

JOKER

(to audience, pointing at BATMAN)

Everybody wants to get into the act!

(stepping back)

Now, ladies and grumps, a new segment of our program.  One I like to call...fight or flight!  Take it, boys!

THE JOKER BLOWS A WHISTLE.  HENCHMAN #2 and HENCHMAN #3 on MOTORCYCLES rev their engines and RIDE AT BATMAN.  THEY CROSS, BARELY MISSING HIM ON EITHER SIDE.

ROBIN STARTS TO RACE TO BATMAN’S SIDE, but HENCHMAN #4 is back up and leaps at ROBIN.  He takes ROBIN down and the two struggle as

JOKER RETREATS TO CITY HALL and stands at the base of the building.

BATMAN RACES STAGE RIGHT.

HENCHMAN #2 and HENCHMAN #3 turn on their bikes to face BATMAN, then charge him again, again narrowly missing him.  JOKER MOTIONS TO HENCHMEN TO CONTINUE MOVING IN ON BATMAN.

THEY CHARGE BATMAN ON THEIR BIKES, swerving and trying to hit BATMAN.  ONE RIDER SIDESWIPES BATMAN, KNOCKING HIM DOWN. 

BATMAN JUMPS RIGHT BACK UP, ROLLS STAGE LET and GESTURES AT THE RIDER, DARING HIM TO CHARGE HIM AGAIN.

JOKER

Oh!  He's chosen to fight, folks!  Let's hear it for the Bat!

TIMER (V.O.)

Three minutes to detonation.

JOKER RETREATS TO THE BALCONY as...

HENCHMAN #2 and HENCHMAN #3 continue to chase after BATMAN.  BATMAN, however, is actually leading them on, baiting them to follow him towards the POOL.

THEY DO and BATMAN stands by the edge of the POOL as they both bear down on him.  At the last instant, BATMAN jumps out of the way.  The HENCHMEN can’t stop in time and fly into the POOL.

SCREECH AND SPLASH SFX.

JOKER APPEARS ON THE SECOND LEVEL OF CITY HALL as...

ROBIN and HENCHMAN #4’s fight has taken them to the BATMOBILE.  HENCHMAN #4 kicks ROBIN away from him, scrambles to his feet and climbs into the BATMOBILE.

BATMAN

Are these the best you can do, Joker?

JOKER

This is show biz, Bat-brain.  You've got to start slow and build to a climax!

(indicates HENCHMAN #4 in BATMOBILE)

Why, this looks like it's got climax written all over it!

HENCHMAN #4 revs BATMOBILE ENGINE and LAUGHS.

JOKER (cont.)

And Bat-yuk splattered all over the fender!

TIMER (V.O.)

Two minutes to detonation.

HENCHMAN #4 BACKS UP THE BATMOBILE STAGE RIGHT, PREPARING TO CHARGE BATMAN.  The engine revs.

HENCHMAN #4

Say the word, boss!

JOKER

(hysterical laughter)

The word!

THE ENGINE REVS.  BATMOBILE SPEEDS AT BATMAN, who leaps out of its path, like a bullfighter against a charging bull.

BATMAN PULLS A REMOTE CONTROL OUT OF HIS BELT AS BATMOBILE COMES AROUND TO MAKE ANOTHER PASS AT HIM.

BATMOBILE CHARGES AGAIN.

BATMAN

Batmobile--stop!

BATMOBILE SCREECHES TO A HALT INCHES IN FRONT OF BATMAN.

BATMAN

Batmobile--open!

THE CANOPY SLIDES OPEN.

TIMER (V.O.)

One minute to detonation.

ROBIN RACES INTO THE SCENE, PAST BATMAN and LEAPS ONTO THE BATMOBILE AS IT STARTS MOVING AGAIN.  WHILE BATMOBILE CIRCLES STAGE, ROBIN and HENCHMAN #4 FIGHT.

ROBIN

I think we’ve got some unfinished business, pal!

JOKER

Stop dancing all ready!  Squash the Bat and his little bird-boy!

BATMOBILE COMES UPSTAGE OF RINGMASTER STAGE.  HENCHMAN #4 lands a lucky punch that knocks ROBIN off the circling BATMOBILE.  ROBIN hits the ground, the BATMOBILE barely missing BATMAN as it circles.  BATMAN has to dive out of its path, dropping his REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE as he lands.

HENCHMAN #4 HOPS OUT OF BATMOBILE AND PICKS UP THE REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE, HOLDING IT UP FOR JOKER TO SEE.

HENCHMAN #4

Got it, Joker!

JOKER

Big whoop!

JOKER PULLS A SIMILAR REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE OUT FROM HIS COAT, HOLDING IT UP FOR ALL TO SEE.

JOKER (cont.)

I've got one just like it...only mine controls the bombs!

TIME (V.O.)

Thirty seconds to detonation!

BATMAN IS SUDDENLY UP ON HIS FEET.  ROBIN joins him.

BATMAN

Just as I thought, Joker!

BATMAN REVEALS A SECOND REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE IN HIS HAND.

BATMAN

(to remote)

Batmobile--ram City Hall!

THE BATMOBILE races at the CITY HALL SET, RAMMING THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING UNDER WHERE JOKER IS STANDING, CAUSING HIM TO DROP THE REMOTE CONTROL DVICE.

JOKER

Hey!

ROBIN

You wouldn't have stuck around so close to detonation if you didn't have a way to deactivate those bombs!

HENCHMAN #4, PULLING OUT NUN CHUKKAS, RACES AT BATMAN, howling like a maddened ninja, whirling the weapon. 

ROBIN steps back, leaving this one entirely to BATMAN.  BATMAN STANDS HIS GROUND.  CLOTHESLINES HENCHMAN #4, who DROPS THE REMOTE CONTROL, which lands near the JOKER'S FALLEN REMOTE.

JOKER COMES BURSTING OUT OF CITY HALL, DIVING FOR THE REMOTE CONROL DEVICES, GRABBING ONE.

BATMAN SIMULTANEOUSLY DIVES FOR THE REMOTES, GRABBING THE OTHER ONE.

JOKER

(laughing hysterically, waving the REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE)

You think I wouldn't blow myself up to get you, Bats?  You're forgetting one thing...I'm looney.  Whacky!  CRAZY!!!

(does a wild, shuffling dance step)

You still wanna dance with the Clown Prince of Crime, Bats?  Come on, spandex boy...what do you say?

BATMAN

I'd say you've got the wrong remote control!

JOKER

Right!  Like I'd fall for that old trick!

JOKER RAISES THE REMORE CONTROL DEVICE AND CLICKS THE BUTTON.

TIMER (V.O.)

Ten seconds to detonation.

JOKER

Uh-oh!

BATMOBILE LURCHES FORWARD, STRAIGHT AT JOKER AND SIDESWIPES HIM, SENDING HIM SPINNING ACROSS THE STAGE AND INTO BATMAN and ROBIN.  BATMAN DELIVERS A HAYMAKER THAT SENDS JOKER STAGGERING, RIGHT TOWARDS ROBIN, who delivers a HAYMAKER of his own, sending JOKER stumbling back the way he came, until he collapses between them.

BATMAN HOLDS UP THE REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE IN HIS HAND AND CLICKS THE BUTTON.

TIMER (V.O.)

Five seconds to detonation.

BATMAN LOOKS AT THE REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE IN HIS HAND IN DISGUST, THEN TOSSES IT ASIDE.

HE AND ROBIN GRAB JOKER AND DRAG HIM TO THE BATMOBILE, THROWING HIM INSIDE THE BATMOBILE, THEN LEAPING INSIDE THEMSELVES.  BATMOBILE STARTS MOVING AS THE CANOPY SLIDES CLOSED.

BATMOBILE ZOOMS ACROSS THE STAGE as...

TIMER (V.O.)

...three seconds...two seconds...one second...

BATMOBILE DRIVES OFF STAGE JUST AS THE BOMBS SET AROUND THE STAGE EXPLODE IN SPECTACULAR PYRO DISPLAY!

WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS, the CAST ENTERS ON STAGE for bows.

ANNOUNCER (V.O.)

Ladies and gentlemen, the cast of Batman, Carnival of Chaos!

the end

To get a feel for the live stunt shows, I paid a visit to Six Flags New England to watch the one staged there and talk to the director. The park had a DC themed area that included the Superman rollercoaster--which I did NOT ride--and a gate with the biggest DC Bullet I ever saw on it! That's my son Max and I propping up DC, as usual.