You do good work, Mr...
- What did you say your name was? - Nitro, Mr. Daggett...
on account of explosives are my business.
I assume Crocker explained the terms of your employment, Mr. Nitro?
Sure. There's an old gas line running under the block.
I make it look like the pipeline ruptured...
so the job can't be traced to you.
It's to be done while I give my speech to the Gotham Better Business Council.
Nine o'clock exactly.
Trust me, when the hands on that watch hit 9...
Boom.
As expected, the city zoning board today rejected a request...
by Daggett Development Corporation to raze a block of brownstones...
along Gotham's Park Row.
Thirty years ago, Park Row was Gotham City's most glamorous address...
but in recent years, the area has suffered a decline.
And today, it is a slum better known as the infamous Crime Alley.
But to its inhabitants, many of whom spoke at the zoning board today...
Crime Alley is the only home they have, and they fear its loss.
Others, like Roland Daggett, director of Daggett Development...
see the situation differently.
It's tragic. Park Row may be an historical landmark...
but it's also a breeding ground for crime.
As much as we disagree with the zoning board's decision...
our hands are tied.
- Roland Daggett's up to something, Alfred. - That almost goes without saying...
doesn't it, sir? - I don't know what it is yet, but I will.
You don't want to be late for your 8:00 appointment, sir.
Have I ever been late?
No, sir. Not once in all these years.
Help! Help!
Help! Somebody help my mommy!
Those... Those men in our apartment. They'll hurt her.
- I climbed out the window. - Where?
Lady, you and your kid were told to clear out.
You didn't listen. Maybe you'd like to be carried out.
No! Please!
Mommy! Mommy!
- Thank you. - What did they mean...
you were warned to clear out? - Couple days ago, these three show up...
say they're working for some corporation. They tell everyone on our block to leave.
But where are we gonna go?
He's never been late before. I'd better look for him.
- Where you off to, Miss Thompkins? - Just looking for a friend, Maggie.
You be careful.
Maggie, I've lived in Park Row for 30 years.
It's my home. I'm not afraid here.
What are you doing here? This building's condemned.
I saw you on the news. You work for Daggett.
Oh, my gracious!
I'm looking for Dr. Thompkins.
She... She said somebody was supposed to meet her. You?
- Where is she? - Leslie went looking for you.
I told her to be careful. Bad things happen to people in Crime Alley.
I know.
Urban redevelopment, lady. That's what this is all about.
Tell me if the rope's too tight.
All set. We just gotta do that old hotel down the street.
- And then when 9:00 rolls around... - Boom! Instant slum clearance.
- Next stop: Mini-mall. - You can't destroy that hotel.
This block may be abandoned, but that building has people in it.
Hey, we told them to leave.
They stand in the way of redevelopment, they get bulldozed.
Nothing personal. Just business.
You're insane. You won't get away with...
- Alfred, did Leslie call? - No, sir.
- Is anything wrong? - We missed each other.
I'm on my way to her apartment.
Something's come up, Alfred. I'll be in touch.
Now, you're gonna listen to me!
I want justice, Gotham City!
- Who's the hostage? - Some clerk from Daggett Development.
Wrong place at the wrong time with an eviction notice.
Ten seconds, we make our move.
If you go, the hostage might be hurt. I'll do it.
You'll do it? Who do you think are...? Oh.
You took my job, Gotham City! You took my home!
Somebody's gotta pay for that! I pick you.
- Put the gun down! - Who said that?
Batman!
So you're working for Daggett too.
I won't ask twice.
Thanks for the help. Good thing you showed up.
Leslie?
Poor Doc Thompkins. She's in trouble.
- What trouble? - Nothing.
I didn't see them grab her. I didn't see nothing.
- What do you mean? Who grabbed her? - I don't know! Let go of me! Let go!
Where did you get this blasting cap?
And where's Dr. Thompkins?
Two guys, they grabbed her. She dropped it.
- I thought I could sell it. Get a few bucks. - Where are they?
Corner of Finger and Broom. That's all I know, honest.
Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce our speaker...
a bold force for progress, a man of vision with the will to execute his dreams...
Roland Daggett.
- He's hurt! - He's passed out!
- Help! - Help!
Perfect. Just perfect.
- Look out! - Runaway trolley!
Get out of the way! A trolley's coming!
Don't leave us!
- My goodness. Thank God. - Thank goodness. I was so afraid.
Let us out of here!
- I've never been so scared in all my life. - Oh, thank gosh.
Hello, Crocker. Long time no see.
Batman? What are you doing here?
Meeting a friend. What are you doing here, Crocker?
No... None of your business.
Somebody's trying to run the people here out of their homes.
Your boss, Daggett, wouldn't know anything about this, would he?
No. No, of course not.
How about you, Nitro?
You told your parole board you gave up the arson-for-hire game.
I did. I'm clean.
Really?
Then what's this?
You crazy? This stuff is dangerous.
Talk to me, Nitro. After Daggett lost his appeal to the zoning board...
Crocker hired you to level this whole neighborhood, didn't he?
That's it. That's right. You got it. Don't tell Daggett I talked.
- Where's Leslie Thompkins? - The old lady? In there.
Listen, we gotta get out of here. It's almost 9:00.
Don't worry about me. They're blowing up the old SRo Hotel.
You've got to get the people out.
Gentlemen, Gotham City is at a crossroads.
As businessmen, the choice we face is clear.
It's time we decide where we stand.
Are we for progress or against it?
For the future or for the past?
For the weak or for the strong?
In short, we cannot allow the underclass to hinder us...
from building a better tomorrow.
Mr. Daggett. Mr. Daggett. Any comments on this tragedy?
Does this affect your plans for redevelopment, Mr. Daggett?
It's a sad fact, but you have to expect violence in Crime Alley.
These people don't value human life like we do.
Nobody values human life like you do, Daggett.
Batman?
I diffused the bomb at the hotel.
All your punks managed to destroy were a few condemned buildings.
Once they confess, you're finished.
I'm shocked.
Shocked to learn that arson was the cause of this tragedy.
Thank heaven the criminals responsible have been caught.
- But, Mr. Daggett, you told us to... - officers, I believe your duty is clear.
Excuse me.
Let it go.
Daggett won't escape the law forever. There's nothing you can do now.
And besides, you have an appointment to keep.
This used to be a beautiful street.
Good people lived here once.
Good people still live in Crime Alley.