Alfred Pennyworth [to Bruce]
Remember when you left Gotham? Before all this, before Batman? You were gone seven years. Seven years I waited, hoping that you wouldn't come back. Every year, I took a holiday. I went to Florence. There's this cafe, on the banks of the Arno. Every fine evening, I'd sit there and order a Fernet Branca. I had this fantasy that I would look across the tables and I'd see you there, with a wife and maybe a couple of kids. You wouldn't say anything to me, nor me to you. But we'd both know that you'd made it, that you were happy. I never wanted you to come back to Gotham. I always knew there was nothing here for you, except pain and tragedy. And I wanted something more for you than that. I still do.
Alfred [In the cave, Alfred looks as Bruce Wayne prepares to go out as Batman once again after an eight-year absence]
If you're seriously considering going back out there, you should hear the rumors surrounding Bane.
Alfred There is a prison in a more ancient part of the world. A pit where men are thrown to suffer and die. But sometimes a man rises from the darkness. Sometimes the pit sends something back.
Alfred Bane. Born and raised in hell on earth.
Alfred No one knows why, or how he escaped. But they do know that once he did, he was trained by Ra's Al Ghul, your mentor.
Bane was a member of the League of Shadows?
Alfred And then he was excommunicated. And any man who is too extreme for Ra's Al Ghul is not to be trifled with.
I didn't realize I was known for trifling with criminals.
Alfred That was then. And you can strap up your leg and put your mask back on. But that doesn't make who you were.
If this man is everything that you say he is, then the city needs me.
Alfred The city needs Bruce Wayne. Your resources, your knowledge. It doesn't need your body, or your life. That time has passed.
You're afraid that if I go back out there, I'll fail.
Alfred No. I'm afraid that you want to.
[Bruce Wayne leaves a party and the valet seeks his ticket]
Must've lost my ticket.
VA Valet Attendant
Your wife said you were taking a cab home.
Alfred [Cuts to Selina Kyle driving away in Bruce's car; Alfred fetches him]
Just you, sir? [Bruce remains quiet] Don't worry, Master Wayne. Takes a little time to get back in a swing of things.
Alfred I'll get this to Mr. Fox, but no more. I've sewn you up, I've set your bones, but I won't bury you. I've buried enough members of the Wayne family.
Alfred You see only one end to your journey. Leaving is all I have to make you understand. You're not Batman anymore. You have to find another way. You used to talk about finishing, about a life beyond that awful cave.
Alfred, Rachel died knowing that we had decided to be together; that was my life beyond the cave. I can't just move on. She didn't, she couldn't.
Alfred What if she had?
She didn't, I can't change that.
Alfred What if, before she died, she wrote a letter saying she chose Harvey Dent over you? And what if, to spare you pain, I burnt that letter?
How dare you use Rachel to try to stop me?
Alfred I am using the truth, Master Wayne. Maybe it's time we all stop trying to outsmart the truth and let it have its day! I'm sorry.
You're sorry? You expect to destroy my world, and then think we're going to shake hands?
Alfred No... no, I know what this means.
Alfred [voice breaking]
It means your hatred... and it also means losing someone that I have cared for since I first heard his cries echo through this house. But it might also mean saving your life. And that is more important.
