notes: use Courier 10 (or 10 nonproportional characters per inch) set top margin at 0.5", bottom margin at 0.5" (or minimums) (I had to tell my computer that my primitive printer was using legal-size paper) left margin at 1", right margin at .25 (or minimum) We assume the "*" used means "this changed from previous" "NEVERENDING BATTLE", Written by [and] DAN LEVINE are in a larger, bold font; remainder of script is in Courier 10 font --page break-- BETTY RUBEN TVC ABC _LOIS & CLARK_ The New Adventures of Superman NEVERENDING BATTLE Episode #1 Prod. #455347-001 Written by DAN LEVINE LORIMAR TELEVISION _PRODUCTION DRAFT_ (Blue) July 7, 1993 (Pink) July 13, 1993 (Yellow) July 14, 1993 (Green) July 22, 1993 --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) _LOIS & CLARK_ _"Neverending Battle"_ _CAST_ CLARK KENT/SUPERMAN LOIS PERRY JIMMY CAT GRANT LUTHOR STAN JAPANESE WOMEN FLOYD ALBERT JULES MONIQUE BUSINESSMAN NEGOTIATOR LUCY MR. CLEVELAND ASABI LINDA MONTOYA INSPECTOR HENDERSON JONATHAN MARTHA MAURICE [can't read] GRANDMOTHER --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) _LOIS & CLARK_ _"Neverending Battle"_ _SETS_ INTERIORS: EXTERIORS: DAILY PLANET SKYSCRAPER CORNICE Pit Conference Room LUTHOR'S BALCONY Men's Room Perry's Office LEXOR HOTEL Lunch Room Roof Ledge 344 CLINTON Street Top Floor Apartment SECOND SKYSCRAPER LUTHOR'S PENTHOUSE Street War Room * BOMB SITE CLARK'S LOFT APARTMENT * * ABOVE METROPOLIS KENT FARMHOUSE Kitchen METROPOLIS SIDEWALK Living Room STAIRWELL OUTSIDE CLARK'S APARTMENT --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/14/93 (Yellow) _TEASER_ FADE IN: 1 INT. DAILY PLANET - PIT - NIGHT #1 1 Pandemonium: everyone yelling, rushing, paper-shuffling at once. An electrician balanced on a ladder re-wires a ceiling fixture. LOIS, CLARK, CAT and others gather around a sketch artist's drawing table to one side of the room. In the eye of this hurricane stands PERRY WHITE. JIMMY passes carrying a stack of computer print-outs. PERRY Olsen! Where are your blow-ups of * Superman? JIMMY Lab's backed up. Turnaround might be a couple of hours. PERRY Turnaround! Great shades of Elvis! What are we, Daily Planet newspeople or second stringers for the Weehawken Gazette?! Perry's voice has risen to a thunderous crescendo. The newsroom falls nearly silent. PERRY (CONT'D) Staff meeting. Tomorrow. Six a.m. (glaring at Jimmy) _with_ blow-ups. Perry enters his office, slams the door. --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 2. 2 BY DRAWING TABLE 2 The knot of people surrounding the artist, STAN, an over- weight, over-worked guy in his early fifties, have leaned in for a better view. 3 CLOSEUP - SKETCHPAD 3 A rough drawing of Superman's face. Stan fills in the eye shade. PULL BACK TO: LOIS No! The color's wrong! CAT More almond-shaped. STAN You said 'brown.' LOIS Not brown brown. Not dull, insipid _mud_ brown... (as Clark is leaning next to her) ... like Clark's. No offense, Clark. CLARK Mud? LOIS More vibrant, more radiant. CAT Bedroom eyes. Jimmy has joined them. In the b.g., by the coffee machine, an office worker sets a full pot of coffee on the top warmer and begins to make a second pot. In doing so, she jostles the machine and the pot on top slips to the edge. She looks for a new filter, can't find one, digs in the cabinet below. JIMMY But if he _is_ an alien, maybe he doesn't get the old ... you know, itch. CAT One way to find out. (CONTINUE) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 3. 3 CONTINUED: 3 LOIS A possible visitor from another planet arrives on Earth and all you can think of is hauling him off to your lair and trying him out? CAT Test drive, Lois. A couple hours behind the wheel, I'd know for sure if we're talking import or domestic. Lois rolls her eyes, then notices what Stan is drawing. LOIS No! The features are too coarse. Think noble. Think ... Greek God. STAN (lost) Greek God? LOIS Let's take it a feature at a time. For example, the chin. Square, but not plain. The chin of a man who stands for something. And the nose. Definite, but not overbearing. Stan's more confused than ever. Clark's right next to him. He's watching the pot of hot coffee move nearer and nearer the edge as the office worker still searches for filters. Also, the electrician on the ladder strains to reach some- thing... the ladder wobbles. STAN Like Clark's? LOIS (disgusted) This is _Superman_ we're talking about. Not some Tom, Dick, or ... CLARK (annoyed) You know, he didn't seem that special to me. Except for the flying and the uniform, he could have been any ordinary guy. (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 4. 3 CONTINUED: (2) 3 Lois is fed up. Doesn't anybody see it but her? The pot begins to fall. The ladder begins to topple. Clark takes a step back so he's behind the group. No one's watching him. LOIS Ordinary? Give me a break. At _SUPER SPEED_ Clark moves first to the coffee machine -- catches the pot, settles it back on top -- next to the ladder and steadies it. He then grabs a donut off a tray and returns to his place unnoticed. LOIS (Cont'd) (to Stan) What we've got here is an example of human evolution: 'before and after.' Clark is the 'before.' Superman is the 'after.' She looks again at Clark: donut in his mouth, tie askew, hair tousled, suit wrinkled from his back and forth trip. In the b.g., the office worker has found her filter. LOIS (Cont'.d) Make that: way, _way_ after. FADE OUT. _END OF TEASER_ --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/14/93 (Yellow) 5. _ACT ONE_ FADE IN: 4 EXT. SKYSCRAPER CORNICE - SEEN THRU BINOCULARS - DAY #2 4 Pigeons roosting. We hear soft WARBLING. Binoculars MOVE UPWARD and the IMAGE BLURS, COMES TO REST ON ... 5 A HAWK 5 * soaring on the updrafts above the Metropolis skyline. Suddenly, with a SCREECH, it drops like an arrow. Binoculars MOVE DOWN, IMAGE BLURS TO... 6 SKYSCRAPER CORNICE 6 We're already too late. Pigeon feathers drift on the morning air. 7 EXT. LUTHOR'S BALCONY - DAY 7 LUTHOR lowers the binoculars, smiles, turns to where Asabi stands by the breakfast table: white linen cloth, sterling silver service, O.J. fresh squeezed, coffee fresh brewed. Luthor's smile widens; all's right with his world. He seats himself. Asabi provides a napkin. Two beautiful JAPANESE WOMEN, clad in rec: silk dresses slit up one side, appear and bow. They hold between them a pogo stick. Luthor nods to them, nods to Asabi, who hands them each a perfect white rose. JAPANESE WOMEN (musically, in unison) Domo arigato. LUTHOR Do itashi mashte. They bow again, denart. Asabi pours coffee, uncovers a chafing dish of baked squab, serves, steps back. Luthor rifles through his stack of morning newspapers. A slight frown creases his forehead. LUTHOR (Cont'd) Superman... Superman... Superman... Superman... He drops the papers, looks at Asabi. LUTHOR (Cont'd) Calendar. Asabi hands over an ornate leather appointment book. Every hour of the day is scheduled, except ... (CONTINUED) --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/14/93 (Yellow) 6. * 7 CONTINUED: 7 LUTHOR (Cont'd) Lois Lane cancelled lunch? Luthor looks at Asabi, who nervously looks away. Luthor, frown deepening, punches buttons on his speaker phone. A RING, ANOTHER, then... LOIS (O.S.) (answering machine) Hi. You've reached the desk of Lois Lane. Leave a message at the tone, but don't expect a call back unless it's about Superman. Have a great day. BEEP. Luthor hangs up. The ambiance of the morning is shattered. The hawk glides into the balcony and settles onto its perch behind Luthor's chair. Lex turns a dark look in its direction. CUT TO: 8 INT. DAILY PLANET - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY 8 The room is full of reporters, sitting, standing: a war council. Clark sits next to Lois, Cat is across from them. Perry examines a line of less-than-crystal-clear blow-ups of Superman (tacked to one wall) with a magnifying glass. Jimmy stands next to him. PERRY Jimmy, these are no good! JIMMY They're okay. PERRY 'Okay?!' 'Okay' doesn't cut it at _this_ newspaper. (beat) Go on, sit down. Jimmy does. Perry sets the glass down, calls the meeting to order by RAPPING on the wood. PERRY (falsely warm:smile) How're y'all doing this morning? Sleep well? (CONTINUED) --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/14/93 (Yellow) 6A. 8 CONTINUED: (Al) 8 CHORUS 1. Yes, Sir. 2. Yep. 3. Sure did. 4. Great. PERRY (smile gone) I didn't. Last night after work our publisher called me into his office and asked me a question. Question was, how come the Daily Planet hasn't nailed down the Superman story after it literally dropped in our laps? (MORE) (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/13/93 (Pink) 7. 8 CONTINUED: 8 PERRY (Cont'd) * (beat) I took this as direct criticism. * I guaranteed him that each and every one of my staff would chip in. Would not rest until Superman was ours. * (beat) Are we clear on this? LOIS (dismayed) No. Perry, you can't be serious. _I_ was the one Superman flew with. _I_ wrote the original piece. _I_ found him! CLARK Actually, _he_ found _you_. LOIS Put a sock in it, Kent. (pleading to Perry) Chief, this isn't fair. I should have the exclusive on the follow- up. Those are the rules. PERRY The rules are off. This is too big. LOIS But he's _mine_, he's ... The lady doth protest too much. Everyone is staring at her. LOIS (Cont'd) (covering) 'Mine' as in 'my story.' A story 'mine.' (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 8. 8 CONTINUED: (2) 8 PERRY Forget it, Lois. Superman's fair game. Every reporter for him or herself. JIMMY (excited) All right! PERRY (smile reborn) Enthusiasm. I love it. JIMMY I'm with you, Chief. Perry leans in, whispering. PERRY We're a team? JIMMY Yes, sir. PERRY Fine, Jimmy. Here's what I need from you. Eagerly Jimmy reaches for his note pad. PERRY (Cont'd) Two, no _three_ donuts. Jelly. Go to Lucille's. Tell her they're for me. Got it? JIMMY (deflated) Got it. Jimmy slinks out. The PHONE BUZZES, Perry picks it up. PERRY White. (beat) No, I _don't_ agree. Perry turns his back on the room to converse. Lois is still seething about the suspension of what she considers fair play. LOIS (grimly) I'll find him (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/13/93 (Pink) 9. 8. CONTINUED: (3) 8 CLARK How? He could be anywhere. Mars, the North Pole ... LOIS _I'll_ find him. CLARK What if he doesn't want to be found? LOIS What are you talking about? Why wouldn't he want to be found? CLARK Maybe all this frenzy isn't what he expected. Maybe he's gun shy. LOIS That's ridiculous. He has no reason to hide. Especially from me. CAT Wait a minute. I get it. You and Superman joined the zero gravity club on the space station, didn't you? LOIS Excuse me? CAT Don't worry. Your secret's safe. No one would believe it anyway. PERRY (off the phone) Okay, settle down. * (taps the blow-up) Think. What could draw him out? Use your instincts. Beat the bushes. Turn the stones. _Get_ _me_ _Superman_ All begin to leave. Clark leans over to Lois. She's still in a foul mood. CLARK (teasing) Where should we start? LOIS (offended) We? There is no 'we.' (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 10. 8. CONTINUED: (4) 8. CLARK (goading her on) How do you know I don't have the inside track on finding Superman? LOIS Sure, Clark. And when you run across Jimmy Hoffa and the Easter Bunny, why don't you reel them in, too? Lois marches from the room. Cat moves to Clark's side; close to his side. CAT 'We' sounds good to me. That's French for 'yes', isn't it? CLARK Not in Smallville. Clark exits. Cat begins to follow, but stops. She turns back to the blow-up. She picks up the magnifier, stares at Superman's face, then moves it slowly up and down his body. Cat makes a sexy FELINE GROWLING SOUND deep in her throat. 9 INT. DAILY PLANET - PIT - LOIS' DESK - DAY 9 LOIS (into phone) I don't _care_ what the radar facility's normally used for. All I'm asking for is a simple... Hello? Hello? Her party has hung up. Lois bangs the phone down, glances at the wall clock: 9:45. She sighs, checks off another name on her call list. She's made at least a hundred. She looks around the newsroom. Clark's PHONE PINGS. She sees him tense, lean into the mouthpiece. CLARK Really? He's there now? Quickly Lois grabs her coffee cup, dumps the remaining brown liquid into her sickly desk plant, strolls past Clark's desk toward the coffee machine. As she passes ... CLARK (Cont'd) (into phone) Tell him I'll be right over. _Don't_ _let_ _him_ _leave_. (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 11. 9 CONTINUED: 9 Lois fiddles at the coffee machine as Clark grabs his jacket and heads toward the elevators. Lois hesitates. But what else has she got? She gets her purse, hurries in pursuit. CUT TO: 10 OMITTED 10 11 INT. 344 CLINTON - TOP FLOOR LOFT APARTMENT - DAY 11 Clark is toured by the landlord, FLOYD. Floyd is fiftyish, paunchy, suspicious by nature. The apartment is a disaster: stained walls, torn carpet, etc. It does have a small balcony suitable for flying exits and entrances. The building's ventilation system, located on the roof above, adds a dull WHUMP, WHUMP, WHU.MP as b.g. noise. FLOYD Quietest building in Metropolis. You married? CLARK No. FLOYD Girlfriend? CLARK No. FLOYD Boyfriend? Clark just looks at him. FLOYD (Cont'd) Me, I mind my own business. Where you from? CLARK Kansas. Clark opens a kitchen cabinet and it breaks off its hinges, falls to the floor. FLOYD (unconcerned) Few screws is all. Clark turns on the kitchen faucet: brownish-orange water. FLOYD (Cont'd) Minerals. Good for the liver. (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 12. 11 CONTINUED: 11 Clark moves to the balcony. Floyd follows. The view is of the brick side (no windows) of the building across the alley. FLOYD (Cont'd) Nice view. You see out, no one sees in. Walk around in the buff. I do. CLARK How much? FLOYD Nine-fifty. CLARK (shocked) Nine hundred and fifty? FLOYD You want cheap? Go back to Iowa. CLARK Kansas. FLOYD This is Metropolis. Nine even. Take it or leave it. Clark peels a patch of plaster off the wall. CLARK Mind if I make a few repairs? FLOYD (reluctantly) I guess not. CLARK (deciding) When can I move in? FLOYD Soon's the check clears. Clark writes it, Floyd slips it in his pocket. FLOYD (Cont'd) I'll have extra keys made. Clark runs his hand along a counter top: dusty. He tries to blow the dust off, but _BLOWS TOO HARD_. The front door, which is partly ajar, bangs closed then flies open again. Lois Lane, who was listening at the keyhole and hanging onto the knob, is propelled into the room. (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/13/93 (Pink) 13. 11 CONTINUED: (2) 11 CLARK Lois? Lois regains her balance, looks around. LOIS Where is he? CLARK AND FLOYD Who? Lois realizes she's blown it. Superman's not here. LOIS Where am I? CLARK My new apartment. Lois looks around, takes a beat to cover her embarrassment. LOIS What a dump. She exits, bangs the door closed. Floyd, suspicions aroused, stares at Clark. FLOYD What line did you say you were in? CLARK Newspaper reporter for The Planet. FLOYD (very suspiciously) I've got my eye on you. CUT TO; 12 INT. LUTHOR'S WAR ROOM - DAY 12 Luthor sits shrouded in darkness on a raised dais. Seated in a semicircle facing him are his co-conspirators: ALBERT JULES, and MONIQUE. Albert is a tall, skinny Englishman with a gold-knobbed cane; Jules is young, black and very hip in sharkskin suit, African pillbox hat, shades; Monique is Sharon Stone, panties optional. Ceiling-mounted spotlights * cast pools of light around the trio. * Luthor types something onto a keyboard and the phrase "Know * Thy Enemy" appears on the screen behind him. (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93. (Blue) 14. 12 CONTINUED 12 LUTHOR What do we know about Superman? The trio exchange a glance. No one wants to jump in first. Finally, Jules takes a stab. JULES Man, he can really jump ... for a white guy. LUTHOR Yes, but how far? How high? Is he, for example, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound? Jules shrugs. ALBERT He's immensely powerful. LUTHOR How powerful? More powerful than an avalanche? More powerful than a... locomotive? Albert shrugs. MONIQUE He's still a man. All men are weak. She crosses her long, elegant legs, seems bored. LUTHOR Obviously, we know very little. (beat, returning to business) I have designed a series of tests for Superman. I'll need your help. Monique shakes her head, annoyed. LUTHOR (Cont'd) Yes, Monique? MONIQUE Let me hire a couple of shooters, and I'll turn Superman into a large wet spot. Tests won't be necessary. LUTHOR (deadly soft) Have you ever read Sun Tzu's 'The Art Of War'? (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 15. 12 CONTINUED: (2) 12 MONIQUE (coolly) I'm waiting for the Reader's Digest version. LUTHOR Sun Tzu was a general of ancient, Imperial China. He teaches us, I'm paraphrasing of course, that 'knowledge precedes victory; confusion precedes defeat.' MONIQUE Really? Well, an Uzi precedes a bloody mess. Even in China. LUTHOR (to Monique) Let's do it my way. In fact, I've a very special role planned for you during the testing. JULES When do we start? LUTHOR Now. CUT TO: 13 INT. DAILY PLANET - PIT - DAY 13 Lois is typing on her word processor, listens to the police band on her RADIO. A BURST OF STATIC, then ... POLICE DISPATCHER (V.0.) Attention all units. Code four. Possible jumper, Lexor Hotel. Crowd control and negotiation teams to the Emergency response requested. Lois stops typing. LOIS (softly, to herself) What could draw Superman out? Perry bursts from his office. PERRY Lois! (CONTINUED) --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/14/93 (Yellow) 16. 13 CONTINUED: 13 She's already up and headed for the elevator. LOIS On it! Clark grabs his gym bag, heads for the stairs. 14 INT. DAILY PLANET - MEN'S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER 14 A middle-aged BUSINESSMAN enters, but of the two stalls, one is occupied, one is out of service. Impatiently, he sets down his briefcase. BUSINESSMAN Will you be long? CLARK (O.S.) Not long. There are THRASHING sounds from inside the stall. Curious, the Businessman bends to look beneath the door: feet slip into a pair of unusual-looking red boots. The Businessman unbends. Just then, a blue-clothed elbow _BURSTS THROUGH METAL DOOR_. As he flees the room... BUSINESSMAN Take your time! CUT TO: 15 EXT. LEXOR HOTEL - DAY 15 Lois' cab pulls up. Lois hops out. The cab waits, idling, as Lois sprints to where a crowd has collected. They look up the side of the towering edifice. 16 EXT. LEXOR HOTEL ROOP - DAY 16 The police NEGOTIATOR stands near the raised ledge that borders the roof. Other police have established a command * post nearby. NEGOTIATOR It's always darkest before the dawn, son. 17 ON LEDGE 17 The "jumper" is Jules. He balances on the narrow parapet, holding onto and drumming idly on the brick chimney that rises beside him. He's totally at ease. (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 17. 17 CONTINUED: 17 JULES Is that so? NEGOTIATOR Come down. We'll talk it through. JULES Kind of like it up here. Fresh air. Great view. NEGOTIATOR Well, can I get you somethin'? JULES (considering) Cappuccino? NEGOTIATOR (encouraged) Whatever you want. JULES Make it decaf. Caffeine makes me jumpy. NEGOTIATOR (repeating) Whatever you want. He turns toward the command post, about to call for the drink, then stops, thinks. NEGOTIATOR (Cont'd) Jumpy? Jules takes a step away from the chimney, pretends to lose his balance, teeters on the edge. The Negotiator grabs for him, misses. 13 EXT. STREET LEVEL - DAY 18 As JuLes dramatically waves his arms the crowd gasps. Then _A RED AND BLUE STREAK FLASHES ACROSS THE SKY_ toward the ledge. Everyone points, exclaims. 19 EXT. LEDGE - DAY 19 SUPERMAN _LANDS_ beside Jules, catches him before he falls. JULES (pleased) The S-Man. (CONTINUED) --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/14/93 (Yellow) 18. 19 CONTINUED: 19 Superman helps him off the ledge. SUPERMAN You don't really want to do this. JULES You're right. I've seen the error of my ways. 20 INT. LUTHOR'S WAR ROOM - DAY Luthor watches the rescue on video monitor #1. Monitor #2 depicts the Metropolis skyline, including the Lexor Hotel. Monitor #3 depicts a second tall building across the city from the first. Asabi, nearby, has a sophisticated electronic time clock ready to roll. LUTHOR (into cellular phone) Ready. 21 EXT. ROOF OF SECOND SKYSCRAPER - DAY 21 Monique, looking terrified, stands on the rooftop ledge. Albert holds her by the ankle from below. With the other hand Albert holds a cellular phone. ALBERT (into phone) Confirm. MONIQUE Albert, please be careful. ALBERT Don't worry. I've got you. LUTHOR (O.S.) (from phone) Execute. ALBERT * Roger that. * To her shock and surprise, Albert lets go of Monique's ankle and uses his walking stick to push her off the ledge. She drops with a scream. 22 EXT. LEXOR HOTEL LEDGE - DAY 22 Jules is helped inside. Then, with _SUPER HEARING_, Superman hears the scream. He whirls, _TAKES OFF_. --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/14/93 (Yellow) 19. 23 INT. LUTHOR'S WAR ROOM - DAY 23 On monitor #1, Superman _TAKES OFF_. Luthor motions to Asabi. He starts the timer. 24 EXT. LEXOR HOTEL - STREET LEVEL - DAY 24 The crowd reacts as a RED AND BLUE BLUR explodes away from the ledge. 25 LOIS 25 jumps back in her cab. LOIS Go! The Cabbie goes. 26 INT. LUTHOR'S WAR ROOM - DAY 26 Monitor #2: the _"BLUR" ARCHES ACROSS THE SKY, DIVES FOR THE FALLING DOT_. 27 EXT. SECOND SKYSCRAPER - DAY 27 Monique falls, still screaming... Superman _CATCHES HER_. 28 INT. LUTHOR'S WAR ROOM - DAY 28 Luthor watches monitor #3. LUTHOR Mark. Asabi stops the timer. The digital indicator blinks: 2.1191416 seconds. LUTHOR (Cont'd) (impressed) Faster than a speeding bullet. 29 EXT. SECOND SKYSCRAPER - STREET LEVEL - DAY 29 An ambulance, SIREN on, pulls away just as Lois' cab careens to the curb. Lois hops out. Again the cab waits, idling. Clusters of People are still gathered on the side- walk; occasionally someone points up. Lois runs toward one such cluster. (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 20. 29 CONTINUED: 29 LOIS (breathlessly) What happened? Clark answers from behind her. CLARK (feigning excitement, rubbing it in) Lois, it was incredible. Superman caught that woman in midair. She's okay. She left in an ambulance a minute ago. (beat) You should have been here. Lois grimaces, shuts her eyes, takes a deep breath. When she turns to face Clark she's all smiles. LOIS Clark, that's great! Really great. CLARK I better phone it in. Lois shakes her head vigorously. LOIS Don't. They'll just rewrite you. My advice is: get back to the office and start typing. Look, take my cab. (points toward the cab) Go on. CLARK Lois, I appreciate this. I owe you one. Lois smiles. Clark runs to the cab, gets in, leaves. LOIS (to herself) No, I owe _you_ one. She spots a nearby phone stand, heads toward it. A man gets there first, lifts the receiver, deposits a coin. Lois, smile gone, grabs the receiver from his hand and punches a number. He starts to protest; Lois motions him silence. (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/13/93 (Pink) 21. 29 CONTINUED: (2) 29 LOIS (to man) This is an emergency. * (into phone) City desk? Lois Lane. Get me Doris in Copy. Doris? Lois. Take this down. FADE OUT. _END OF ACT ONE_ --page break-- Rev. 7/13/93 (Pink) 22. _ACT TWO_ FADE IN: 30 OMITTED 30 30A INT. DAILY PLANET - PIT - DAY #3 30A * Lois is pouring herself coffee. She seems tired, a bit introspective. To her surprise, Lucy, nicely dressed in a grey business suit, appears at her side. She's smiling brightly, carrying a paper bag. LOIS Luce? What are you doing here? Lois fingers the material of Lucy's suit. LOIS Isn't that my ... Lucy holds up the bag. LUCY I made your lunch. Chicken salad. * LOIS Didn't you have a job interview this morning? LUCY Actually, I'm running a little late. That reminds me ... could I borrow your grey suit? LOIS Lucy, you're already wearing my grey suit. LUCY Thanks. Lo. I'll take good care. LOIS (exasperated) You stay out half the night, totally irresponsible... LUCY So, I'm grounded? LOIS Lucy, I'm not trying to big sister here. (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 23. 30A CONTINUED: 30A LUCY Yes, you are. And every time you do, it's always the same thing. LOIS What? LUCY You're unhappy with yourself so you focus on me. LOIS You are so wrong. LUCY Really? Who was it who called me last night, practically in tears, because she had stolen a story from Clark Kent? LOIS I didn't steal Kent's story. LUCY You stole it. LOIS I _competed_ for it and won. LUCY You stole it. Lois stops for a moment, tears form in her eves. LOIS I stole it. (beat) I've never stolen a story in my life. How could I do that? (beat) It's him, it's Superman. Ever since he held me in his arms... There's something between us, Lucy, I _know_ it. A connection a... LUCY So _that_ makes what you did okay? LOIS (last ditch defense) Perry said the rules were off. (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/13/93 (Pink) 24. 30A CONTINUED: (2) 30A LUCY You should be ashamed of yourself. LOIS I am. I'm ashamed of myself. LUCY And you'll never do it again. LOIS I won't. Never again. LUCY And you'll apologize to Clark Kent. LOIS Not in this millennium. LUCY 'Bye. Lucy hands her the lunch bag, starts to leave. She's * limping. * LOIS * Lucy, you're limping. * LUCY * Your shoes are too tight. * CUT TO: 31 INT. DAILY PLANET - PIT - LATER 31 Clark has just entered, stares at the headline of the morning edition he carries, then heads straight for Lois's desk. She sees him coming, marshals her defenses. He arrives; he's angry. CLARK (reading the paper) 'Superman Averts Double Suicide.' By 'Lois Lane.' He drops the paper on her desk. CLARK First of all ... (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/13/93 (Pink) 24A. 31 CONTINUED: (A1) 31 LOIS (interrupting) Clark, don't even start. You got what you deserved. (CONTINUED) --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/14/93 (Yellow) 25. 31 CONTINUED: 31 He's stunned. He expected excuses, evasions, not a frontal attack. CLARK What? LOIS I know it's tough, but someday you'll thank me. CLARK Thank you? LOIS (without missing a beat) You're welcome. Never, _never_ let go of a story. Trust no one. Period. CLARK (grimly) I see. LOIS Consider this a life lesson. No charge. Clark returns to his desk, shaking his head in disbelief. Lois watches him go, sighs with relief: That wasn't _too_ bad. A man, MR. CLEVELAND, fifties, conservatively dressed, walks by her desk, stops. CLEVELAND Excuse me, my name is Cleveland. I'm looking for Eduardo Friez. LOIS He went to lunch. Lois wants to get back to work, but Cleveland isn't leaving. CLEVELAND (offended) We had an appointment. LOIS (impatient) I'll tell him you came by. (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/13/93 (Pink) 26. 31 CONTINUED: (2) 31 CLEVELAND Don't bother. I'll take my story elsewhere. Perhaps the _Metropolis Star_ will be interested in information concerning Superman. He starts to leave. LOIS Superman? Lois looks to Friez's empty desk. LOIS (Cont'd) (decision time) I... Decision made. She jumps up, takes Cleveland's arm. LOIS (Cont'd) Cleveland! I've been expecting you. I'm so sorry. I'm Lois Lane. Eduardo told me you'd stop by. Please forgive me. (pointing) Let's talk in the conference room, shall we? She tries to lead him toward the conference room, but he shakes his arm free. CLEVELAND I'm suddenly rather hungry. Perhaps after lunch. Lois grabs a brown bag off her desk. LOIS Take mine. Chicken salad. CLEVELAND Home-made? Lois yanks him toward the room, pushes him inside, closes the door. 32 CLARK 32 dumbfounded, turns to stare at the conference room: Lois did it again! Jimmy passes carrying a Mr. Foot machine. (CONTINUED) --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/14/93 (Yellow) 27. 32 CONTINUED: 32 CLARK Jimmy? JIMMY Yo, C.K. CLARK Tell me something ... Is Lois always so aggressive going after stories? JIMMY Does the phrase 'Mad Dog Lane' sound about right? CLARK _Seriously_. JIMMY Seriously? Yeah. But I've never seen her _this_ worked up. This Superman guy has really pushed her buttons. (beat) I heard she aced you out of your * story yesterday. Tough break. CLARK Someone ought to teach her a lesson. JIMMY Sure, but who? Godzilla? Clark smiles, notices the foot massager. CLARK What is that? JIMMY Big assignment from the chief. Vibrating water massage. Stress * relief. Needs it back by five. CLARK (sympathetically) Talk to him. Tell him how you feel. (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 28. 32 CONTINUED: (2) 32 JIMMY Perry White doesn't care how I feel. To him I'm Mr. Fixit and Mr. Gogetit. (beat) I'm a journalist. CLARK Then stand up to him. Make him see. JIMMY (sadly) I've tried. Sort of. (beat; crestfallen.) Catch you later. Jimmy continues to his desk, sets Mr. Foot down. CUT TO-- 33 INT. LUTHOR'S WAR ROOM - DAY 33 On the monitors: views of the exterior of the building which houses the Metropolis Post Office. Also, a large TV screen, as yet unactivated. Luthor scans the display, nods in satisfaction. Asabi stands by. LUTHOR Make the call. Use one of the scrambled lines. CUT TO: 34 INT. DAILY PLANET - PIT - DAY 34 The sounds of SIRENS from the street below. Everyone looks up: something big going on. 35 OMITTED 35 36 PERRY bursts from his office. PERRY Where's Lois? Everyone looks: no Lois. After another glance toward the conference room.... (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/13/93 (Pink) 29. 36 CONTINUED: 36 CLARK She must have stepped out, Chief. PERRY Okay. Kent, Paulsen, Schwartz: we've got a bomb in the lobby of * the Carlin Building at Third and Ordway. And get a photographer down there. JIMMY (enthusiastic) I'll go. PERRY Have you fixed the thermostat on Mr. Foot yet? JIMMY (hopefully) It can wait. PERRY (roaring) The hell it can! Clark, Jimmy and the other reporters head off on their re- spective errands. Those remaining look at Perry. PERRY (Cont'd) What are you gawking at? They scatter. PERRY (Cont'd) (pleased) I love the smell of fear in a newsroom. 37 INT. DAILY PLANET - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY 37 Mr. Cleveland contentedly chews on Lois' sandwich. Lois, exasperated, waits for him to swallow. He does. CLEVELAND Is that regular mayonnaise, or reduced calorie? LOIS Regular. Could we... CLEVELAND And just a touch of dill. Right? (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 30. 37 CONTINUED: 37 LOIS _Mr._ Cleveland, You claim you have information about Superman. Let's hear it. Cleveland puts the sandwich down, wipes his lips, sips from a juice box, sets it down. Now he's ready. CLEVELAND Superman is definitely an alien entity. Lois flips open her notebook, starts writing. CLEVELAND (Cont'd) He comes from the planet Trofax. And ... he's not alone. (conspiratorial whisper) I've been on the ship. There are thousands like him, freeze-dried, awaiting the call to arms. LOIS (puzzled) Freeze-dried? CLEVELAND My involvement won't be publicized, will it? You see, I'm planning another run for the Presidency. Lois sets down her pen. LOIS The Presidency. CLEVELAND To follow up on my previous two terms in '84 and '92. LOIS (totally confused) Mr. Cleveland... CLEVELAND Call me 'Grover.' Lois stands, closes her notebook, grabs the sandwich literally out of his mouth, exits with a slam. --page break-- Rev. 7/13/93 (Pink) 31. 38 OMITTED 38 * 39 INT. LUTHOR'S WAR ROOM - DAY 39 Luthor watches the TV screen. LINDA MONTOYA, newscaster for a local TV station, stands by a "Do Not Cross" police line. Emergency vehicles, flashing lights, noise surround her. In the background is the Carlin Building. LINDA MONTOYA (V.0.) If you've just joined us, the original report of a bomb planted in the lobby of the Carlin Building has now been confirmed. Currently, the Bomb Squad is awaiting the arrival of what they term a 'containment blister' as well as a team of deactivation specialists. Once the blister is in place, they'll attempt to neutralize the threat. Meanwhile, the building has been evacuated and we're being told to move back. So, for now, this is Linda Montoya... She pauses as a growing uproar occurs from the crowd. She cups her hand over her ear, then, excitedly ... LINDA MONTOYA (V.0.) (Cont'd) He's here! Superman is here and may be about to enter the building. (to her crew) Can we get a shot of that? The camera pans, zooms. Superman _LANDS_, climbs the steps to the building, disappears within. 40 OMITTED 40 * 41 LUTHOR 41 nods to Asabi. Asabi picks up a radio-controlled detonator and pushes the button. CUT TO: 42 EXT. BOMB SITE - DAY 42 Lois hops out of a cab and sprints toward the police line. Then, the _BUILDING EXPLODES_. She ducks, a bit of flying debris strikes her forehead, she cries out, falls. CUT TO: --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/14/93 (Yellow) 32. 43 INT. LUTHOR'S WAR ROOM - DAY 43 On the TV monitor, the destroyed Carlin Building. Luthor and Asabi wait as the dust settles. Then, Superman emerges. Except for a tattered cape, he's obviously fine. ASABI (awed) Invulnerable. LUTHOR (reflective) A Man of Steel. CUT TO: 44 EXT. BOMB SITE - DAY 44 Investigators comb the rubble. There's still lots of dust and smoke in the air. Ambulance teams tend to the wounded onlookers, but none of the injuries seem serious. Lois Lane, a blood-stained bandage covering the small cut at her hairline, bends to pick up something from beneath a * fallen brick: a shred of red cloth. Can it be? She examines the material, then carefully wraps it in a tissue and pockets it. As she straightens, she spots Clark Kent listening intently to INSPECTOR HENDERSON near the bomb squad van. She hurries to join them. Henderson has bomb components spread out on a folding table. HENDERSON ... somewhere within a two-mile radius, but that's all we ... Lois steps between them. LOIS What've you got so far? (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 33. 44 CONTINUED: 44 CLARK (concerned) Lois, you're hurt. LOIS It's nothing. CLARK Let me see. He reaches for the bandage, she twists away. LOIS It's nothing. HENDERSON You guys want to hear this, or not? LOIS Yes. HENDERSON The explosion was radio- controlled, activated from an unknown point of origin within a two-mile radius of this site. Also, there were video cameras installed in the lobby that were _not_ park of the building's security system, or any other system that the management company knew about. We think the two are connected. LOIS (instantly putting it together) You're saying someone waited for Superman to appear, watched him enter the building, and _then_ detonated the explosives? HENDERSON That's our theory An ambulance pulls away, SIREN WAILING. Clark, stricken, watches it go. Henderson is hailed by another cop, leaves. LOIS I can't believe it. A bomb. it's horrible (Continued) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 34. 44 CONTINUED: (2) 44 LOIS That poor man. CLARK (looking around) What man? LOIS Superman. He comes here to help us... Can you imagine how he feels? CLARK I think so. LOIS It doesn't make sense. (beat) Who'd want to kill Superman? ON Clark, wondering the same thing, we... FADE OUT. _END OF ACT TWO_ --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/14/93 (Yellow) 35. _ACT THREE_ FADE IN: 45 INT. CLARK'S APARTMENT - DAY #4 45 Clark stands at the kitchen sink, casually dressed, phone cradled against his ear, scrubbing at a stubborn stain on his Superman suit while he talks to Smallville. He seems depressed, subdued. CLARK It's not coming out. 46 INT. KENT FARMHOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY 46 JONATHAN stands at MARTHA's elbow, leans into the receiver when necessary. MARTHA Clark, is it a dirt stain, or an oil-based stain? INTERCUT: Clark's apartment/Kent kitchen. CLARK I don't know, Mom. It's a _bomb_ stain. JONATHAN You're sure you're all right? We saw the explosion on television. That wasn't any nickel popper. CLARK I'm fine. (rubbing harder) Now if I can only get ... MARTHA The important thing is: blot, don't rub. Clark stops rubbing, looks closer at the stain. It's spread. With a sigh he sets the cloth aside. JONATHAN Will you two forget about the laundry for a minute!? We've got a serious problem here. MARTHA (to Jonathan) Jonathan, it isn't certain the explosion was aimed at him. (CONTINUED) --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/14/93 (Yellow) 36. 46 CONTINUED: 46 JONATHAN Bull. Someone's gunning for our boy. MARTHA Our boy can take care of himself. CLARK It's not me I'm worried about, Mom. It's everyone else in Metropolis. JONATHAN Who do you think it is, son? CLARK I don't know. I've got a couple of leads. There was something about those suicide attempts. Two people jumping from buildings on a direct line of sight across the city at _exactly_ the same time? Jonathan looks at Martha, concerned. JONATHAN Call us. CLARK I will, I promise. 47 INT. CLARK'S APARTMENT - DAY 47 He hangs up, looks around at his apartment. It's an unin- spiring sight. No furniture, still dirty and decrepit. In a corner, on the floor, are his blanket and pillow where he spent his first night. He turns to where several large boxes of cleaning, painting, refinishing supplies are stacked in a corner of the living room. Just then, a KNOCK on the door. Clark opens it to admit Floyd, who peers inside suspiciously. FLOYD Extra keys, Kent. I'll just... He fits them one at a time in the lock: neither works. He stares at the marking on the keys. FLOYD (Cont'd) Wrong apartment. Floyd turns and leaves before Clark can say a word. Clark closes the door, scans the room again, turns ON a portable RADIO. --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/22/93 (Green) 37. 48 INT. STAIRWELL OUTSIDE CLARK'S APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER 48 The SAME SONG is still PLAYING on the RADIO as Clark, now dressed for work, exits his door and heads down the stairs... nearly bowling over Floyd on his way up again. FLOYD (calling after him) Kent! I found it. Clark's already gone. Floyd shakes his head, continues on to the door and tries the first key. It works. His jaw drops as he stares in. 49 FLOYD'S POV - APARTMENT 49 is now spotless, newly-painted, cabinets stripped and re- finished, floor cleaned. 50 FLOYD 50 staggers back into the hallway in shock. He looks down the stairs where Clark disappeared, back toward the open door, crosses himself. CUT TO: 51 INT. DAILY PLANET - PIT - DAY 51 Clark's at his desk. He picks up the phone, dials an extension. CLARK Jennifer, Clark from the newsroom again. Any progress on the background stuff on Monique Kahn and Jules Johnson? (beat) How about employment records? (another beat) Okay, send them up as soon as you do. Great. Thanks. He hangs up. Jimmy calls over from nearby. JIMMY C.K.! Metropolis Hospital on three. Clark hurriedly picks up. (CONTINUED) --page break-- L &. C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/22/93 (Green) 38. 51 CONTINUED: 51 CLARK Dr. Newman? Thanks for returning my call. Lois, curiosity piqued again, dumps her half cup of coffee in the dead plant on her desk and wanders past Clark's desk, slowing to eavesdrop. Clark's writing on a pad. CLARK (Cont'd) Yes ... uh huh... really? That's unusual isn't it? I see. Okay. Thanks very much. No, that won't be necessary. Clark, hangs up. LOIS (accusingly) Is that the same Dr. Newman who did the psychiatric evaluations on the attempted suicides? CLARK Yep. * LOIS (sweetly) So, what have we got? CLARK We? There is no 'we.' I'm quoting directly here. (beat, letting her * off the hook) * They've both been released, Jules Johnson immediately. They don't think he ever meant to jump. Monique Kahn, on the other hand, was hysterical. Turns out she's afraid of heights. LOIS (intrigued) She's afraid of heights and she jumps off a thirty-story building? CLARK Doesn't sound right, does it? LOIS What else? CLARK That's all. (CONTINUED) --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/22/93 (Green) 39. 51 CONTINUED: (2) 51 LOIS It's not much. She returns to her desk. Jimmy, who's overheard some of the proceedings, approaches her. JIMMY I had an idea for a way to track down Superman. LOIS Great. Let's hear it. But from across the room... PERRY Olsen! When I say 'soda' I mean _real_ soda, not that lily-livered diet stuff! If you're gonna do a job, do it right. Now get! JIMMY (enthusiasm gone, to Lois) Gotta go. Jimmy starts to head for the exit, but stops and looks at Clark, who's looking at him. Jimmy turns and looks at the closed door to Perry's office, thinking. 52 OMITTED 52 * 53 INT. DAILY PLANET - PERRY'S OFFICE - SAME TIME 53 Perry has the blinds drawn, bare feet immersed in his Mr. Foot, an ELVIS SONG PLAYS ON his STEREO. He studies a large, framed photo of Elvis. His door bangs open. It's Jimmy. Startled, Perry sits up, turns DOWN the MUSIC, turns of the foot machine. PERRY Olsen? JIMMY Chief, I have something to say. PERRY So, say it. JIMMY Okay, I... (CONTINUED) --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/22/93 (Green) 40. 53 CONTINUED: (A1) 53 Perry's staring at him. Jimmy's resolve crumbles. Desper- ately he searches for an out, notices the photo in Perry's hands. JIMMY (Cont'd) I ... I'm a huge Elvis fan. --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/14/93 (Yellow) 41. 53 CONTINUED: This is news to Perry, but welcome. He holds the photo of Elvis out so Jimmy can see it. PERRY This is the way I like to remember the 'King.' Not like the last time I saw him in Vegas, December of '76 I think it was. * (puts the picture down) Jimbo, the man was thirty pounds overweight, decked out like a cross between an ice cream salesman and a neon sign. He did fifteen shows in eleven days, I'll never know how. His eyes were bloodshot, his hands trembled, and there was a kind of crack in his voice I'd never heard before. I sat next to the stage. Less than a year later, Elvis was dead. JIMMY (moved) It must have been awful for you. PERRY Awful? It was the greatest experience of my life! (beat) Was that all you wanted to say to me? JIMMY Uh... I'll get you that soda now. He flees. Perry shrugs, turns UP the MUSIC again. 54 INT. DAILY PLANET - PIT - CONTINUOUS ACTION 54 Lois spots Jimmy, much subdued, exit Perry's office. She waves him over. LOIS What was that angle you had on Superman? JIMMY (muted) It's probably no good. He walks past her, stops at Clark's desk. (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/13/93 (Pink) 41A. 54 CONTINUED: (A1) 54 JIMMY (Cont'd) I'm a terminal wimp. (CONTINUED) --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/22/93 (Green) 42. 54 CONTINUED: 54 Clark slaps him on the back, trying to encourage. Jimmy sadly heads for the vending machine. A messenger appears at Clark's side, dumps a handful of printouts on his desk, leaves. LOIS From Millie? CLARK (nodding) Employment records of the jumpers. Clark looks at the print-out, tenses. CLARK (Cont'd) Both worked for LexCorp. LOIS (unimpressed) Them and about a million other people in Metropolis. What's the connection? On Clark's expression we ... CUT TO: 55 OMITTED 55 & & 56 56 57 INT. LUTHOR'S PENTHOUSE - DAY (LATER) 57 MAURICE, the most exclusive tailor in Metropolis, displays bolts of cloth to Luthor. Luthor fingers each briefly, drops the rejects to the floor. Finally, he settles on one. MAURICE (phony French accent) Excellent choice, Mr. Luthor. LUTHOR I'll take a dozen in each of the styles we discusses. MAURICE (eyes sparkle, in French) Certainement. (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 43. 57 CONTINUED: 57 A CHIME sounds. Asabi pokes his head in the room. Luthor nods to him. LUTHOR Shall we say ... two days delivery? MAURICE (panicked, accent forgotten) Two days! Luthor is already pushing Maurice toward the door. Asabi enters to lead him out. Maurice scrambles to gather his wares, exits. Luthor now turns toward the door that leads out to his balcony, waits. A shadow falls into the room. LUTHOR Come in, Superman. Superman steps into the light, strides without hesitation to Luthor's desk. He has a look of fierce determination in his eyes we've never seen before. SUPERMAN You want to know how strong I am, Luthor? Superman picks up a magnificent, pear-shaped diamond from Luthor's desk. He holds it between his hands and _CRUSHES IT_ _TO DUST_ SUPERMAN (Cont'd) You want to know how fast I am? In the blink of an eye, _SUPERMAN IS ACROSS THE ROOM_ in Luthor's face. SUPERMAN (Cont'd) You want to know how vulnerable I am.? Superman pulls a Damascan steel sword from its wall mounting and plunges it into his own chest. The _METAL CRUMBLES_ Luthor stands his ground. LUTHOR Does that conclude your demonstration? SUPERMAN _The_ _tests_ _stop_ _now_. Superman turns to go. (CONTINUED) --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/14/93 (Yellow) 44. 57 CONTINUED: (2) 57 LUTHOR That would be nice. But what if they don't? SUPERMAN (a threat) Make it happen. LUTHOR Me? I admit nothing. However, let's assume that these tests continue. You can't be every place at once, Superman. As long as you stay in Metropolis, innocent people will die. Are you willing to accept that responsibility? If I were you, I'd think about it. Luthor walks from the study. Superman stares after him in horror. CUT TO: 58 INT. KENT FARMHOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT #4 58 Clark, in the suit, sits on a chair facing his parents on the sofa. He's a man in torment. CLARK I don't know what to do. Martha and Jonathan ache with their son's pain, but haven't a clue how to alleviate it. JONATHAN Clark, you haven't done anything wrong. LOIS Dad, Lois came within _inches_ of * possibly losing an eye, others are * hurt... because of _me_. Because I created Superman. MARTHA What happened to those people wasn't Superman's fault. It was Lex Luthor's. CLARK But, I have no proof. I can't just throw _him_ off a building. (MORE) (CONTINUED) --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/14/93 (Yellow) 45. 58 CONTINUED: 58 CLARK (CONT'D) (beat) I'm trapped. As long as I keep Superman alive, Luthor can make good on his threat. JONATHAN Son, how can we help? CLARK (realizing) You can't. Tears roll down Martha's cheeks. Clark rises, moves to her, kisses her cheek, walks from the house, the screen door banging behind him. Martha moves to the window. A _WHOOSH_, a streak of red and blue against the night, and her son is gone. Behind her she hears a CRASH. She turns. 59 JONATHAN 59 has kicked in the TV set. 60 CLOSE ON TV 60 The brand is/was: Lex TransTeleCom. * CUT TO: 60A JONATHAN AND MARTHA 60A JONATHAN I only wish it was Lex Luthor's face. * MARTHA Jonathan Kent! 61 EXT. ABOVE METROPOLIS - NIGHT 61 Superman flies above the lights, weaving through the towers, fixing the moment in memory. CUT TO: 62 INT. CLARK's APARTMENT - NIGHT Clark, dressed as Clark, holds the Superman suit on a hanger and stares at it. From outside, the sound of an APPROACHING SIREN. He looks toward the sound, hesitates, then takes the suit off the hanger, folds it up, tucks it away in his old suitcase, stows that in the corner of the closet, shuts the closet door. The SIREN FADES in the distance. FADE OUT. _END OF ACT THREE_ --page break-- Rev. 7/13/93 (Pink) 46. _ACT FOUR_ FADE IN: 63 INT. DAILY PLANET - LUNCH ROOM - DAY #5 63 * CLOSE ON a large doodled "S." PULL BACK TO Lois, staring at her drawing. Nearby are Clark, Jimmy, Cat, others. The general mood is somber. Clark, especially, seems preoccupied, muted. CAT (satiric, re: Lois' drawing) Penny for your thoughts. LOIS (almost angrily) Where is he?! It's been three days. JIMMY Maybe whoever was after him scared him off. LOIS I refuse to believe that. Superman is no coward. He wouldn't turn tail at the first sign of trouble. * * Cat sits down next to Clark. * CAT What's with you, Clark? You look like you lost your best friend. This is very close to home. CLARK I... Cat takes his arm, leans in close. CAT What you need is a pick-me-up Clark disentangles himself. The look on his face tells her otherwise. CAT (Cont'd) Or not. (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/13/93 (Pink) 47. 63 CONTINUED: 63 LOIS (to Jimmy) Didn't you have some idea for * finding Superman? JIMMY Forget it. It's a zero. Like my life. LOIS Tell me anyway. JIMMY (reluctantly) I just thought: if Superman is an alien, and came here from another planet, he'd have some kind of space ship. Track the ship somehow, find Superman. LOIS (considering) Huh. JIMMY A zero. I told you. PERRY (O.S.) Olsen! 64 ACROSS PIT 64 Perry holds up a large, large-mouthed bass, impressively mounted on a wooden shield. Except, the front bracket has come loose: the fish dangles pathetically by its tail. 65 BACK TO 65 JIMMY (resigned) Duty calls. He trashes his lunch scraps, heads for Perry's office. Lois returns to her desk, thinking... thinking... decides: she quickly punches numbers on her phone. As he passes, Clark _OVERHEARS_... LOIS Operator, get me the EPRAD satellite tracking station in Fairbanks, Alaska Clark stops, angry. (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/13/93 (Pink) 48. 65 CONTINUED: 65 CLARK (to himself) Now Jimmy? That's it. That's the last straw. He turns to face off against Lois, but Perry appears, claps him on the shoulder and hands him a slip of paper. PERRY Third and Walnut. Drive-by shooting. Get down there now. Clark looks again at Lois, hunched over and speaking into her phone. No one's looking at him. At _SUPER SPEED_ he draws something on a large sheet of paper. Back to _NORMAL_ * _SPEED_, he examines his handiwork. * 65A CLOSEUP - CLARK'S DRAWING 65A * It's a map with streets, arrows, etc. In the center, "X" * marks the spot of "Superman's Spaceship."* * 65B BACK TO SCENE 65B * Returning to _SUPER SPEED_, Clark folds, envelopes, and ad- * dresses it, drops it in his out basket, picks up his phone, * dials. Back to _NORMAL SPEED_. * CLARK Hi. This is Clark Kent in the newsroom. Could I get a messenger up here? Right. On my desk. Tonight. To Lois Lane's apartment. He hangs up, gathers his things, heads to the exit. CUT TO: 66 INT. DAILY PLANET - PIT - DAY 66 Clark returns, mentally and emotionally. The newsroom is nearly deserters. Lois sits at her desk, watching the news on TV with the sound off. The news consists of one disaster after another. She looks at Clark, correctly guesses his mood. LOIS Bad? (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 49. 66 CONTINUED: 66 CLARK A fifteen-year-old boy is in critical condition, his mother is in shock, and his little sister can't stop crying. There were witnesses, but they're not talking. The officer I talked to says they've had half a dozen like this in the last week alone. LOIS (sadly) Sounds like a job for Superman. CLARK (bitterly) Yeah. That would have made it a truly great story, wouldn't it? LOIS Forget the story, Clark. Metropolis _needs_ Superman. CLARK You think he would have been able to stop this? Clark slaps his notebook. On the TV: Footage of the after- math of a car crash. Clark points to it. CLARK (Cont'd) Or that? LOIS No. Even Superman can't be everywhere at once. Her words are eerie echoes of Luthor's, and Clark reacts to them. CLARK Then what good is he? LOIS What he can't do... it doesn't matter. It's the _idea_ of Superman. Someone to believe in. Someone to build a few hopes around. Whatever he _can_ do: it's enough. (beat) If I could only tell him that. (beat) I hope it's not too late. (CONTINUES) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 50. 66 CONTINUED: (2) 66 Lois gets up to leave. Clark, who's been deeply touched by her words, calls after her. CLARK Lois! LOIS (waving him off) Not now, Clark. She steps into the elevator. CLARK If you get a package ... She's gone. Clark stares after her, then at his notes, then back at the elevator. CUT TO: 67 OMITTED 67 68 EXT. LUTHOR'S BALCONY - DAY 68 Asabi pours Luthor a snifter full of brandy. Luthor breathes in the bouquet, looks out at Metropolis below. LUTHOR A magnificent day. No Superman in sight. He laughs, downs the amber liquid. ASABI Shall I tell your guest you'll join her soon? Both look to where a set of pom-poms and a white sweater with a large red "M" embroidered on the front lie on the tile floor. LUTHOR Do that. It should be memorable. I'm feeling exceptionally _cheer_ful. CUT TO: 69 69 thru OMITTED thru 79 79 --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 51. 79A EXT. METROPOLIS SIDEWALK - DAY 79A Lots of foot traffic. One area is roped off so a giant crane can hoist a billboard atop a roof. A crowd has gathered to watch. The billboard lifts and is slowly swung toward the building. Then, trouble. The crane's MOTOR STALLS AND RE-STARTS with a jerk. The sudden motion causes one of the two steel cables supporting the billboard to snap. The operator SHUTS the MOTOR down. 79B CLOSEUP - BILLBOARD 79E It depicts a family at the breakfast table; mom and dad read the paper. Text: Wake Up To The Daily Planet. Below that, the famous logo. It dangles by a single cable. 79C CROWD 79C Gasps and moves back. Workmen appear from behind and out of the cab of the crane and confer, pointing and gesturing at the problem. The situation is serious, but not yet dangerous. Then, with a TWANG of METAL FIBERS FRAYING, the remaining cable begins to unravel. The workmen scatter. 79D BILLBOARD 79D It casts a shadow on the empty sidewalk below. It _will_ fall, the only question is how soon. 79E CROWD 79E waits breathlessly for the anticipated crash. But now, with no warning, a GRANDMOTHER holding her two granddaughters, one by each hand, emerges from a storefront inside the roped off area and proceeds onto the sidewalk, into the shadow. The crowd reacts. VARIOUS PEOPLE IN THE CROWD 1. Look out! 2. Above you! 3. Get out of there! 4. Hurry! The Grandmother looks up, sees the menace, tugs at the kids, one of whom drops a stuffed animal. The kid wants to go back for it, but Gramma won't let her. The KID begins to CRY. The threesome reach the border and safety, but the kid breaks free and runs back to her toy. The Grandmother starts back after her. Another METALLIC TWANG: the cable now consists of a single strand. (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 52. 79E CONTINUED: 79E GRANDMOTHER Susie! People in the crowd hold the Grandmother back, but take up the cry. VARIOUS PEOPLE IN CROWD 1. Susie! 2. Oh my God! 3. Little girl! 4. Hurry! Susie recovers her stuffed animal, pauses to smooth its fur, but why is everyone yelling at her? She looks up, her eyes grow wide. 79F BILLBOARD 79F The cable breaks, it starts to fall. 79G UP IN SKY 79G Superman _CRUISES_ over the city. He slows to a _HOVER_ as he spots the trouble below, then _ROCKETS_ for the ground. 79H CROWD 79H Averts their eyes. The Grandmother screams. 79I SUSIE 79I Continues to stare upward as the shadow spreads and rushes toward her. 79J SUPERMAN A _RED AND BLUE STREAK_ lands beside Susie. He lifts up his arms and catches the billboard safely above her. Per the logo, it's an Atlas-like pose. CROWD Superman! Susie smiles shyly and holds out her toy to Superman. He smiles back. Someone snaps the picture. --page break-- Rev. 7/13/93 (Pink) 53. 80 INT. DAILY PLANET - PIT - DAY #5 80 At Clark's desk, Perry, Jimmy, Cat, others are gathered to congratulate Clark. PERRY Good work, Kent. CLARK Thank you, sir. 81 CLOSEUP - FRONT PACE - THAT MORNING'S EDITION 81 Photo: as described. Headline reads: "Superman's Back." Beneath that: "Disaster Averted." The by-line: "Clark Kent." 82 BACK TO SCENE 82 CLARK I was just in the right place at the right time. PERRY That's what being a good reporter's all about. Keep it up. (beat; to Jimmy) What's taking my fish so long? JIMMY * (uncomfortable) * Uh, on it, Chief. * Perry leaves. Jimmy reads from Clark's article. * JIMMY (Cont'd) 'Let there be no mistake. Metropolis is my home now. I'm here to stay.' (looking up) That should make life interesting. CAT Yeah, but where's the story behind the story? Where's the juicy stuff? Where's the dirt? CLARK (looking straight ahead, hiding a smile) I think that's coming in right now. (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/13/93 (Pink) 54. 82 CONTINUED: 82 They all turn to look. Lois Lane has entered the newsroom. She's filthy, mud-splattered, exhausted. She carries a large, mud-streaked trashbag which she drops on her desk. Everyone stares at her. JIMMY Lois, what happened? LOIS (edge of hysteria) Nothing. Nothing at all. Oh, you're referring to my... appearance? Well, after hours of tramping through mud, and filth, and frogs, and _things_, I have a perfect right to be a bit... disheveled. (building) By the way, did you know it's possible to get completely lost at the Metropolis Sewage Reclamation Facility? (losing it) And did you know that there are _billions_ of mosquitos there? _I_ do. I met them! She rips open her blouse to reveal an impressive collection of red bites. LOIS (Cont'd) Of course, my little trip to hell wasn't a total failure. I did find this. She unwraps the trashbag: a large, plastic Godzilla with a yellow "S" painted on its chest. Jimmy breaks into a huge grin, looks at Clark, who manages to keep a straight face. Suspicious, furious, Lois approaches Clark's desk and produces, now folded and stained, the map. LOIS (Cont'd) You wouldn't happen to know who sent me this, would you? Then, see spots the Morning Edition. She slowly lifts it, scans, puts it down. Her fury has drained away, replaced by a vast empty feeling. LOIS (Cont'd) You got the story? _You_? (CONTINUED) --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/14/93 (Yellow) 55. 82 CONTINUED: (2) 82 CLARK Yep. (beat) Consider this a life lesson, Lois. No charge. LOIS (beginning a slow burn) Uh-huh. In the b.g., Jimmy picks up the Godzilla. CUT TO: 83 INT. PERRY'S OFFICE - DAY 83 Perry's working at his desk. The door bursts open to admit ... Jimmy Olsen. He holds the large-mouthed bass, sans mount. PERRY Olsen! This fish hasn't been redone. Jimmy drops the bass in the trash can. JIMMY No, Chief. But _I_ have. Jimmy slams the door on his way out. Perry stares after him, then smiles. PERRY Good for you, kid. CUT TO: 84 EXT. LUTHOR'S BALCONY - DAY 84 Another breakfast, Asabi serving. The Morning Edition has already been read. The hawk perches nearby. Luthor muses * over his coffee. LUTHOR I think we'll suspend testing for the time being, Asabi. The results are substantially complete. (beat; smiling) I'm very pleased. * (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/13/93 (Pink) 55A. 84 CONTINUED: (A1) 84 ASABI (puzzled) Mr. Luthor, I don't understand. Superman has proved himself unbeatable. And you failed to frighten him off. Luthor stands. (CONTINUED) --page break-- L & C - "Neverending Battle" - Rev. 7/14/93 (Yellow) 56. 84 CONTINUED: 84 LUTHOR Yes, he's tough. In fact, he's the opponent I've been waiting for. But, unbeatable? No. Superman has a defect, a chink in his armor. ASABI What? LUTHOR Superman has morals. He has ethics. He is unrelentingly... good. (beat) Because of that, I will win. * Asabi bows. Luthor turns to his hawk, takes it on his * wrist, walks to the edge of the balcony. LUTHOR (Cont'd) Another beginning to another fine day in Metropolis. (to the bird) Let's kill some pigeons. He releases the hawk. We FOLLOW... up ... up ... a dot in * the sky ... CUT TO: 85 INT. DAILY PLANET - PIT - DAY 85 Clark is working at his computer. Lois still hasn't changed or cleaned up, sits at her desk staring into space. She looks over at Clark, gets up, heads towards him, stops at his desk. He glances up, slowly stands up. The newsroom holds its collective breath. LOIS You set me up. CLARK Yes I did. Will she explode? Crumble? What? To Clark's, and everyone else's surprise, she holds out her hand. LOIS (with utter sincerity) You won. (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 57. 85 CONTINUED: 85 CLARK (embarrassed now) I didn't 'win.' Nevertheless, he shakes her hand. LOIS Yes you did. You got the story, _and_ you took me down a peg in the process. I guess I deserved that. (beat) You worked hard, you've earned your success. CLARK Thanks, Lois. That means a lot to me. LOIS I hope so. Cherish this moment. Because, Clark? You'll never experience it again. She turns on her heel, heads for the showers. CLARK (calling after her) Hey, Lois! What have _we_ got on for tomorrow? She stops, turns back, LOIS You're using that word again, Clark. There is 'you', there is 'I', _there_ _is_ _no_ _'we'_. CLARK Not yet. LOIS Not ever. CLARK We'll see. LOIS How long can you hold your breath? She leaves. Clark smiles after her. (CONTINUED) --page break-- Rev. 7/7/93 (Blue) 58. 85 CONTINUED: (2) 85 CLARK (to himself) A very long time. FADE OUT. _THE END_