notes: To pop everything into place... set top margin at 0.5", bottom margin at 0.5" (or minimums) left margin at 1", right margin at .25 (or minimum) (I had to tell the program my primitive printer using legal paper) On title page, the instructions in [brackets] are for printing purposes only and the lines they refer to should be centered For all other fonts, use Courier 10 (or typewriter-style, nonproportional 10 characters-per-inch font) Typos noted in original: Page 48. "He looks another map on top:" is missing a word --page break-- [large/bold] _LOIS & CLARK_ [large/ital] The New Adventures of Superman [large] "Man of Steel Bars" EPISODE EIGHT Prod. #455308 Written by: PARIS QUALLES Directed by: BOB BUTLER WARNER BROS. TELEVISION _PRODUCTION DRAFT_ 9/21/93 --page break-- _LOIS & CLARK_ "_Man of Steel Bars_" _CAST_ CLARK KENT\SUPERMAN LOIS LANE PERRY WHITE JIMMY OLSEN CAT GRANT LEX LUTHOR JONATHAN KENT MARTHA KENT ________________________________________________________________ JUDGE ANGELA DIGGS DR. EDWARD SAYER MAYOR FRANK BERKOWITZ MIKE MCKEE EDUARDO FRIEZ PRISONER PATRICIA CHENG SGT. STAHL OFFICER GIBSON NIGEL FOREMAN CABBIE BOY --page break-- _LOIS & CLARK_ "_Man of Steel Bars_" _LOCATIONS_ INTERIORS: EXTERIORS: Daily Planet Daily Planet The Pit Perry's Office Metropolis Skies Conference Room Metropolis Courthouse Luthor's Penthouse Indoor Spa Metropolis Street Metropolis Courthouse Train Track Courtroom Hallway Judge's Chambers Metropolis police Department Booking Lock-up Warehouse Store Room City Hall - Conference Room Clark's Apartment Kent Farmhouse LexCorp Nuclear Plant Reactor Core --page break-- _LOIS & CLARK_ "_Man of Steel Bars_" _CHRONOLOGY_ SC. 1 - 7 DAY 1 SC. 8 - 24 DAY 2 SC. 25 - 30 NIGHT 2 SC. 31 - 37 DAY 3 SC. 38 - 43 NIGHT 3 SC. 44 - 52 DAY 4 --page break-- _LOIS & CLARK_ "_Man of Steel Bars_" TEASER FADE IN: 1 DAILY PLANET - (DAY #1) 1 An incredibly hot day in Metropolis. Most everyone dresses in shorts. Traffic is snarled as a car gasps, its hood up, steam billowing from a ruptured radiator. A couple of kids literally try to fry an egg on the sidewalk. A near-naked vendor hawks sno-cones. But something's very wrong with this picture. The sounds of CHRISTMAS MUSIC lead us to a charity Santa Claus, sweltering in his heavy garb, ringing a bell for donations. A sign in the nearby shop reminds: "Only 20 More Shopping Days Until Christmas." PICK UP LOIS and CLARK exiting the swinging doors onto the street. As they hit the outside air, Lois reacts. LOIS A hundred and five degrees in December! CLARK That was yesterday. Today I heard one hundred six. LOIS I can't work like this. I can't _think_ like this. (yells O.S.) Taxi! A CAB DRIVER stands outside his car, smoke billowing from his engine. He's holding up traffic for blocks. She and Clark take off on foot. LOIS (continuing) We're walking, come on. She walks across the street, passing the overheated cab. Clark follows and, as he passes, he surreptitiously blows a puff of _SUPER COLD BREATH_ onto the steaming radiator. Clark taps the frustrated cabbie on the shoulder. CLARK Maybe you should try her again. The cabbie looks under the hood. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 2. 1 CONTINUED: 1 CABBIE Hey, waddya know... Clark jogs to catch up to Lois. LOIS This press conference better be air conditioned. She looks around, realizing she's talking to herself. LOIS (continuing) Clark? He jog up. Lois takes a look at him. His tie is cinched up, his jacket is on, but he looks cool as a cucumber. LOIS (continuing) What planet are you from? You're running and you don't even sweat. CLARK Bio-rhythmic control. LOIS Mind over heat prostration? CLARK Something like that. LOIS Well, let's hope somebody has some answers about this heat wave before your brain boils. Lois notices a collection of obviously overheated kids, sitting on the sidewalk curb. LOIS (continuing) Poor kids. As they pass by a fire hydrant, Clark holds back momentarily, reaches down and _POPS OFF A PLUG_, releasing a small gush of cool water. The kids' faces light up as they rush to play in it. Clark falls back in step with Lois without missing a beat. Lois notices the water and the kids, shakes her head, keeps walking. LOIS (continuing) I've never been a summer person. Especially in the winter. CUT TO: --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 3. 2 INT. CITY - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY 2 A full-house of Media, print and broadcast, sit in folding chairs. Lois looks like she just took a swim with her clothes on while Clark still looks fresh. On a dais in front, backed by a large projection screen, sits Mayor FRANK BERKOWITZ, physicist DR. EDWARD SAYER and LEX LUTHOR. Everyone fans themselves as reporters yell questions at random. REPORTERS When will it cool down? What's causing the heat? What do you know? What aren't you telling us? etc. The mayor begs for order. MAYOR BERKOWITZ Please, ladies and gentlemen, I know we're all a bit uncomfortable but let's try to stay calm. The last thing we need right now is panic. One at a time. Mr. McKee, from Channel Six. MIKE MCKEE, an outrageous tabloid-style journalist who makes Geraldo look tame, rises. MCKEE Is it true that if the temperature reaches 115 and everyone keeps driving their cars that we'll all die a slow, suffocating death from carbon monoxide poisoning? The place goes up for grabs. MAYOR BERKOWITZ Of course not! Don't be ridiculous. The citizens of Metropolis are perfectly safe. It's just hot out. MCKEE And getting hotter by the hour. Follow up? MAYOR BERKOWITZ No! Next! Miss Lane, Daily Planet. Lois stands. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 4. 2 CONTINUED: 2 LOIS Mister Mayor, between the brownouts and the blackouts, there doesn't seem to be enough electricity to power the air conditioners, let alone the traffic lights. What's the city doing about it? MAYOR BERKOWITZ There's absolutely no need to worry about the power supply, it is completely under... Just then the lights go off. More pandemonium as they come back on, but still flicker. Luthor steps up to the podium. LUTHOR Ladies and Gentlemen, if I may... The reporters quiet down. LUTHOR (continuing) The Mayor has asked me here today to assure you all that my LexCorps Power Plant is one hundred percent ready to go on-line. Clark stands now, challenging Luthor. CLARK Isn't that the nuclear facility that's still pending approval from the utility commission? LUTHOR Approval that's being granted as we speak. CLARK Weren't there concerns over the environmental impact statement? LUTHOR That statement has been re-evaluated by a panel of top scientists, Mr. Kent. (magnanimously) Metropolis need power. I have it to give. The plant will be operational as soon as humanly possible. The crowd responds positively as the lights flicker again. Lois rises again, as does McKee. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 5. 2 CONTINUED: 2 2 They both start talking at the game time,, but Lois wins by simply refusing to yield. LOIS Another source of energy is helpful but it's not going to solve the problem. Where's the heat coming from? The mayor turns to Dr. Sayer who continuously wipes his brow with a handkerchief as he speaks. DR. SAYER We've been studying all meteorological phenomena in the area, the jet stream, the ozone layer, even sun spots, but all patterns have been consistently normal over a specific control period. LOIS Are you saying there's no explanation? DR. SAYER There are no firm answers... LOIS (agitated) But why only Metropolis It's twelve degrees in New York, there's eight inches of snow in Chicago and we're having a run on sunblock. DR. SAYER We're trying everything we can. There is a theory but... He trails off. Lois is like a dog with a bone. LOIS But what? DR. SAYER Well, it hasn't exactly been proved. We have a right to know what's causing this extreme condition. DR. SAYER Not what, who. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 6. 2 CONTINUED: 3 2 LOIS You think one person is responsible for this? DR. SAYER Yes, I do. LOIS Dr. Sayer, on behalf of the citizens of Metropolis, I demand to know who's causing the heat. DR. SAYER Superman. The room goes up for grabs. Lois is stunned, but not as much as Clark FADE OUT. _END OF TEASER_ --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 7. _ACT_ _ONE_ FADE IN: 3 INT. DAILY PLANET - THE PIT - DAY 3 Lois fumes as science reporter EDUARDO FRIEZ studies several pairs of satellite thermal maps of Metropolis. Each pair contains one with more reds and oranges than its mate. Clark sits, lost in thought. JIMMY, wearing a tank top, loads a camera. FRIEZ Superman affecting our weather. Huh. It's intriguing, I'll say that. JIMMY Mystery novels are intriguing. This is libel! LOIS (without looking up) Slander. CAT enters, wearing a bikini, leaving little to the imagination. Jimmy looks up. Friez forgets his photos. Every man in the newsroom (except Clark) tracks her intently as she moves to her desk. CAT The gossip business has heat stroke. JIMMY (re: Cat's outfit) You know, the heat wave does have it's upside. LOIS _Chill_, Jimmy. JIMMY Cold shower oughta do it. PERRY approaches, wearing bermuda shorts and a polo shirt. Everyone stares. PERRY What's the matter, you never seen legs before? What've we got? LOIS We got a half-baked theory. PERRY I'm all for poppin' it in the oven. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 8. 3 CONTINUED: 3 FRIEZ (handing Perry photos) These are weather maps of Greater Metropolis taken on successive days. Cool followed by hot. Each of the hot days correlates to some super effort by Superman. LOIS (indignant) Coincidence! FRIEZ Maybe. But most physicists do think Superman's power is solar induced. JIMMY So, lots of things are solar powered. Why blame Superman? Clark answers, almost to himself. CLARK No one knows how strong his powers are or how much energy it takes to re-charge him. Superman could be drawing the sun's rays down to Metropolis like a giant heat funnel and not even know it. PERRY But, Superman's been here for months. I don't see any reason for Metropolis to start cookin' now. JIMMY Yeah, but we had a really hot summer. Now it's winter, and it's still hot. LOIS Whose side are you on? CAT You have to admit, Lois, it could be possible. LOIS You joining the Sister's of Mercy Convent is more likely. PERRY Lois, I understand how you feel. Heck, we all like Superman. (MORE) (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 9. 3 CONTINUED: 2 3 PERRY (CONT'D) But we've got to keep an open mind here. LOIS You can't print something like this. (to Clark) Tell him. All eyes turn to Clark. Finally: CLARK Like you said, the public has a right to know. LOIS Clark! CLARK If it wasn't Superman, we wouldn't even be thinking twice about it. Perry picks up a ringing phone. PERRY White... When..? How many..? (hangs up) Warehouse explosion, Grey Rock and Queens Way. Overheated transformers. Workers trapped. Clark stands, grabs his notepad. CLARK I'll go. Lois stands to go, too. Perry stops her. PERRY Headline: 'Super Feat Equals Super Heat.' Afternoon edition. CUT TO: 4 EXT. METROPOLIS SKIES - DAY 4 Superman _FLIES_ above the burning warehouse district. 5 INT. WAREHOUSE STORE ROOM - DAY 5 A group of loading dock workers huddle on the floor with their mouths covered width shirts, handkerchiefs, etc. Suddenly, a _HOLE IS PUNCHED IN THE CEILING_ by Superman (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 10. 5 CONTINUED: 5 He lands next to the FOREMAN SUPERMAN Are there others besides you? FOREMAN No. But there's a transformer that's about to go down. If it falls on the gas lines, the whole block could go up. Superman nods, _PUNCHES A HOLE, IN THE WALL_. SUPERMAN This way. Superman leads the men through the wall to safety. CUT TO: 6 INT. LUTHOR'S PENTHOUSE - INDOOR SPA - DAY 6 Luthor reclines in a cool bath as he's being fanned by a couple of beautiful young women waving palm fronds and pouring in ice from a gilded bucket. Luthor reads the afternoon edition of the Daily Planet with a headline that reads: "Super Feat, Super Heat?" NIGEL, Luthor's British henchman, enters carrying an official bound document which he holds out to Luthor. NIGEL From the Utilities Commission. LUTHOR Ah, yes... Luthor waves the girls away, dons his robe and steps from the tub. He opens the document, scans it briefly and smiles. LUTHOR (continuing) Amazing. My nuclear plant has been approved for full operation. Politicians can be so reasonable in a crisis. NIGEL Might it be a good time to power it up, sir? (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 11. 6 CONTINUED: 6 LUTHOR Not just yet, Nigel. Any good chef will tell you, all stews need to simmer. Luthor puts a cigar in his mouth, which Nigel moves to light. LUTHOR (continuing) In fact, I'm feeling a bit chilly. Perhaps another degree warmer would be good. NIGEL Warmer, Sir? LUTHOR Of course. Superman has been kind enough to use his _powers_ again today. The newspaper has cooperated by printing the _theory_. Now it's time for us to do our jobs. We must provide... the _proof_. Luthor takes a self-satisfied tug on his cigar, as we: CUT TO: 7 EXT. METROPOLIS COURTHOUSE - DAY 7 City Attorney PATRICIA CHENG stands before a crowd of reporters and concerned citizens on the courthouse steps. Clark and Lois are in the crowd and so is Jimmy, who snaps photos. CHENG As the City Attorney for Metropolis, I will be seeking an injunction tomorrow ordering Superman to immediately cease and desist in the usage of his super powers. The crowd responds with boos and hisses. LOIS Under what authority? (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 12. 7 CONTINUED 7 CHENG I am acting under municipal code, section 12, article 5, the so-called 'Civic Emergency' provision. (holds up document) I have a subpoena for his appearance tomorrow morning to show cause why he should not be so enjoined. I am making this public appeal this afternoon asking him to submit to the laws of this community. The TV reporter, McKee, speaks up. MCKEE But what if he doesn't? And if he's endangering the lives of everyone in Metropolis, shouldn't you be issuing a shoot-to-kill warrant? McKee's done it again. The crowd goes crazy. "Kill Superman? Is he that dangerous? Etc." CHENG I hope we won't be forced to use any extreme measures. The impromptu conference breaks up. LOIS This is _lunacy_. We have to do something. Jimmy, find Friez. We'll start with his maps. JIMMY What are we looking for? LOIS I'm not sure yet. But the only way to prove it isn't Superman is to find out what's really causing this heat. Meanwhile, Clark has just been standing there, taking it all in. LOIS (continuing) Earth to Clark. Hello. CLARK Sorry, I... it just can't be true. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 13. 7 CONTINUED: 2 7 She looks at him closely. LOIS Well, what do you know. It's finally getting to you. CLARK What do you mean? LOIS You're sweating. But it's not the heat, it's his nerves. CUT TO: 8. INT. METROPOLIS COURTHOUSE - COURTROOM - (DAY #2) 8 Perry and Lois sit in a loud gallery packed with lawyers, reporters, and curious citizens. SUPERMAN stands before Judge ANGELA DIGGS, an African-American jurist who's seen it all in her courtroom. Also present city attorney Cheng. JUDGE DIGGS (shouting; gaveling) This court will be in order! The crowd quiets down. JUDGE DIGGS (continuing) This is a courtroom, not a circus tent. And this is a gavel. When I pound it, that's the international symbol for all of you to shut up. You got that? She pounds. They shut up. JUDGE DIGGS (continuing) Good afternoon, Superman. Is that your real name? SUPERMAN That's what people call me. JUDGE DIGGS (to court reporter) Fine. Make it one word. (to Superman) I understand you've refused council. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 14. 8. CONTINUED 8 SUPERMAN No one can speak better for me than I can, your Honor. JUDGE DIGGS Superman, I have to tell you right up front that I'm a big fan. A lot of the dreck you catch ends up here. What you're doing in my courtroom is unfortunate, and between you and me CHENG Objection, Your Honor. JUDGE DIGGS You can't object, Patricia, this isn't a trial. (back to Superman) You understand why the city attorney dragged you in here? SUPERMAN The theory is that my powers may be causing the city's meteorological crisis. JUDGE DIGGS What do you think,? SUPERMAN I don't know. JUDGE DIGGS You sure you don't want to get your own lawyer in here? SUPERMAN The people are worried about me using my super powers and I want to put those fears to rest. JUDGE DIGGS All right. I guess we can make this short and sweet. I'm going to grant this injunction pending further scientific study. Superman, you are hereby ordered to cease and desist all super activity until further notified. Do you wish to contest? SUPERMAN I'm just as anxious as everyone else to discover the source of the heat. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 15. 8 CONTINUED: 2 8 JUDGE DIGGS No super powers of any kind. Flying, that vision thing, _nada_. Comprende? SUPERMAN I'll do my best. JUDGE DIGGS See to it. Nothing the average male human could not do. Agreed? SUPERMAN Agreed. JUDGE DIGGS Okay then, people, we got a deal. Judge Diggs gavels. The court crowd, including Lois and Perry, follow Superman out into the... 9 HALLWAY 9 ... where everybody stares at him, rushes him, trying to get a piece of him. PERRY Must've been like this when Elvis played the Sullivan show. A BAILIFF, leading a shackled PRISONER, turns to catch a glimpse of Superman. In a split second, the prisoner grabs the bailiff's gun and holds him hostage. Somebody SCREAMS and everybody looks. PRISONER Everybody back! The crowd begins to back up. Another bailiff begins to go for his gun. Before he can even upholster it: PRISONER (continuing) Don't even try it. It's a tense stand-off. Superman looks around. He clearly is the last, best hope to avoid a tragedy. He aims his _HEAT VISION_ at the weapon. It becomes so hot that the defendant tosses it to the ground. In an instant, Superman uses _SUPER-SPEED_ to close the gap. He pries the defendant loose, lifts him off the ground and delivers him to the second bailiff. The crowd breaks into spontaneous APPLAUSE. Judge Diggs and cheng approach. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 16. 9 CONTINUED: 9 CHENG Did you see that? He violated the injunction. It didn't even take him a minute. JUDGE DIGGS (sighing) Superman, you're under arrest. Shock sweeps the courtroom. Lois confronts Diggs. LOIS He saved everybody! Are you crazy? JUDGE DIGGS Law's The law. When you break it, you go to jail. The bailiff comes to Superman and takes him by the arm as we: FADE OUT. _END OF ACT ONE_ --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 17. _ACT_ _TWO_ FADE IN: 10 INT. METROPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT - BOOKING - DAY 10 Superman stands before Sergeant STAHL. On either side of him are officers GIBSON and Keaton. Stahl stares a long moment at Superman, then at the officers. SGT. STAHL I gotta ask for your personal belongings. Wallet, that kind of thing. SUPERMAN I don't carry any. SGT. STAHL No ID or anything? SUPERMAN Most people know who I &m. SGT. STAHL Would you mind stepping away for a minute? Superman steps away. Stahl whispers to Gibson and Keaton. SGT. STAHL (continuing) Who's gonna do a strip search here? OFFICER GIBSON Not me, I'm thirty days away from pension. Sgt. Stahl waves Superman back. He takes a deep breath and tentatively starts to pat him down. SUPERMAN Excuse me, I couldn't help but overhear. I've never needed to carry a weapon. SGT. STAHL (relieved) Then, we're gonna skip this little technicality and go straight to the easy stuff. 11 CLOSE - SUPERMAN'S FINGER 11 on a fingerprint inkpad. The thumb is inked, then rolled on the pad, leaving only a solid black oval. --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 18. 12 BACK TO SCENE 12 As officer Gibson adjusts his glasses and peers at the imprint. He takes a file finger print card (of a human-type defendant) and compares the two. Re-inking Superman's fingers, he tries another angle, and another. Gibson shrugs to his fellow caps. 13 INSERT - SUPERMAN PROFILE 13 First, from the left. Mug shot. Complete with booking number dangling from his neck. FLASH!! Now, the right profile. FLASH!! Full face. FLASH!! 14 SERIES OF SHOTS - SUPERMAN AND COPS 14 Sgt. Stahl, Officer Gibson, Officer Keaton. One after another, mugging for the camera, determined to get a little memento from this event. Finally, a group photo: all the cops of the booking area crowded around the Man of Steel Bars. 15 BACK TO SCENE 15 As the group photo breaks up, back into reality. Superman shakes hands with the cops like he's the guest of honor at a fraternity party. He turns to Sgt. Stahl: SUPERMAN May I make a phone call? SGT. STAHL (giving him a quarter) You've got one coming. Stahl points to a pay phone (Lex-Tel) on the wall. Superman nods, goes over and starts to punch out a number. He turns his back to gain privacy. SUPERMAN (as Clark) Chief, this is ... Superman's voice trails off. Sgt. Stahl is listening in. 16 INT. DAILY PLANET - PERRY'S OFFICE - DAY 16 PERRY Kent! That you? --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 19. 17 INTERCUT: BOOKING AREA / PERRY'S OFFICE 17 Superman breathes a sigh of relief. SUPERMAN Yes. Yes, it is. PERRY Where are you? SUPERMAN At the police station. PERRY Good. Stay there. I want a first hand account of Superman's arrest. SUPERMAN That shouldn't be a problem. CUT TO: 18 INT. METROPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT - LOCK-UP - DAY 18 Officers Gibson and Keaton lead Superman down a corridor of facing cells. The occupants stare and SHOUT as he passes. They stop at one cell, open the door and Superman steps in. The door CLANGS shut. Superman sizes up his surroundings as his cellmates size him up. Nearly half a dozen men, large and mean, stripped to the waist because of the heat, including the prisoner Superman disarmed in the courtroom. PRISONER Hey, boys, look what we got. The Man of Steel Bars (to Superman) You gonna break us out of here? SUPERMAN No. PRISONER That's right. You can't use your powers (to others) He's no better'n us now. I'm cryin' buckets (starts slapping Superman) Watch this. I'm slappin' Superman. (steps on Superman's boots) Watch this. I'm steppin' on Superman's toes. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 20. 18 CONTINUED: 18 Superman puts up with this, but his fuse is lit. PRISONER (continuing) Watch this! The prisoner hauls off with a major punch aimed at Superman's jaw. At the last possible milli-second, Superman slips the punch. It lands with a crunch in the nose of the biggest, meanest, nastiest guy in the cell. He begins to move on the prisoner who turns to Superman. PRISONER (continuing) You want to help me out here? Superman smiles as the prisoner cowers from his attacker. CUT TO: 19 INT. METROPOLIS COURTHOUSE - COURTROOM - DAY 18 Again, an overflow crowd which includes Lois and Perry. Several box fans are on the job. Judge Diggs has not yet taken the bench. Superman sits alone at a defense table. LOIS Chief, we've got to do something. PERRY Lois, our job here is objectivity. LOIS We could hire him a lawyer. PERRY The man's doing fine on his own. Judge Diggs enters the courtroom. People start to rise, but she gavels as they do. JUDGE DIGGS Sit down, sit down. (reads document) Let's get down to it. The charge is contempt of court. How do you plead. SUPERMAN Court is not something I'm contemptuous of, Your Honor. I've sworn to fight for truth and justice. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 21. 19 CONTINUED: 19 JUDGE DIGGS All I'm looking for is guilty or not guilty. SUPERMAN Not guilty. JUDGE DIGGS So recorded. All right, I'm entertaining bail requests. SUPERMAN I'd like to be released on my own recognizance, your honor. CHENG Objection! Cheng jumps up, inadvertently knocking her coffee cup in Superman's direction. Instinctively he pulls back, like any of us would. Except that when he jumps, he hovers three feet in the air and lands on the railing behind him. City Attorney Cheng looks over at him. CHENG (continuing) He's an obvious _flight risk_! Judge Diggs looks back and forth between the two tables. Superman sheepishly climbs down. Diggs puts her head in her hands. JUDGE DIGGS What on _earth_ am I supposed to do with him? Perry stands up. PERRY Your Honor, Perry White, Editor of the Daily Planet. I just want to say that Superman is a person of absolute integrity, honesty and decency. Lois can only stare, surprised at Perry's outburst. The judge sees a solution JUDGE DIGGS So you're willing to vouch for him, is that it? PERRY Absolutely. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 22. 19 CONTINUED: 2 19 JUDGE DIGGS Sold! She bangs her gavel. PERRY What JUDGE DIGGS He's yours. The Daily Planet is now responsible for the whereabouts of Superman. I mean, what am I going to do? I can't hold him if he doesn't want to be held. You it for awhile. Perry is shocked. Lois is ecstatic. JUDGE DIGGS (continuing; to Superman) No super powers. Period. Is that clear? Superman nods his agreement, then turns to face Lois and Perry. He gives then a reluctant smile. LOIS (gleefully) Way to be objective, Chief. CUT TO: 20 INT. DAILY PLANET - THE PIT - DAY 20 The place is hot. More box fans. Fewer clothes. Frayed tempers. Lethargic reporters. Among them, Lois, who pulls her sweaty clothes away from her body and hammers away on her word processor. Jimmy approaches, throws a stack of maps on her desk. JIMMY Maps. Everything they had at the news conference _you_ now have. LOIS I need more. JIMMY More _maps_? LOIS I want everything. I want LandSat, Geothermal, meteorological. (MORE) (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 23. 20 CONTINUED: 20 LOIS (CONT'D) If it says Metropolis on it, I it. I even want street maps. JIMMY Why? LOIS Because there might be something there. JIMMY (miserable) A.S.A.P. LOIS Good. How's Superman? JIMMY He's, uh, getting the 'Treatment.' Lois looks up toward Perry's office. LOIS Oh, no. CUT TO: 21 INT. DAILY PLANET - PERRY'S OFFICE - DAY 21 Superman sits earnestly on Perry's couch, stifling a yawn. Perry is having a great time. PERRY You see, son, Elvis was a law abiding citizen himself. Sure he had a brush or two on the wrong side in his later years but, on the whole, he had his heart in the right place. Just like you. Thing was he was famous. And famous people are targets in this day and age, I don't need to tell you, do I? SUPERMAN Uh-uh. You don't need to tell me. PERRY And, of course, President Nixon considered making Elvis an honorary FBI agent. A KNOCK at the door. Lois doesn't wait, enters. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 24. 21 CONTINUED: 21 LOIS Chief, I hate to interrupt, but I really need you to take a look at my copy. PERRY I'm kind of in the middle of something here, Lois. LOIS It's important. SUPERMAN Please, Mister White, go ahead. You should act like I'm not even here. PERRY Well, son, you right as well see how we run a world class newspaper. Lois hands it to him and he starts to read. She smiles at Superman. He smiles back. She blushes. PERRY (continuing) What the heck is this? LOIS (back to reality) It's my take. PERRY Here's my take. You're too close to this. LOIS It's the truth. PERRY (to Superman) No offense, but I can't run a puff piece, even about you. Cat passes the open door, sees Superman and stops. CAT Well, hello. Superman turns to Cat as Lois and Perry keep arguing. SUPERMAN (politely) Hello. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 25. 21 CONTINUED: 2 21 LOIS Run it on the Op/Ed page. PERRY I need something for the front page. LOIS Do we have to argue about this in front of Superman? PERRY Uh-uh. You could recognize my experience, wisdom and authority and give in. You think about it while I get Superman squared away. (to Superman) You have a place to stay tonight? LOIS CAT He can stay with He can stay with me. me. Lois sees Cat moving in on Superman and places herself between them. LOIS Don't you think all the mirrors over the bed would keep him awake? CAT Count on it. SUPERMAN Why don't I stay with Clark? I don't think he'd mind. PERRY Perfect. Where is he anyway? LOIS He called in with some of the jail piece. I think he was on his way home. PERRY Okay by your, Superman? SUPERMAN (nods) Clark seems like a nice guy. Sure. CUT TO: --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 26. 22 INT. LUTHOR'S PENTHOUSE - STUDY - NIGHT 22 Doctor Sayer stands in front of Luthor who displays a simmering anger. DR. SAYER I'm letting worried. Polonium readings beneath the city are higher than we planned. LUTHOR I would think the five million dollars I've paid you could buy some peace of mind. Luthor impatiently holds out his hand to Sayer who reluctantly hands over a briefcase. Luthor snaps it open revealing: 23 INSERT - BRIEFCASE CONTENTS 23 Revealing electronics with buttons and a digital temperature display which reads: "108 Degrees F." 24 BACK TO SCENE 24 Luthor leans back in his chair, considering his options. LUTHOR But, in deference to your concerns I think the good citizens of Metropolis deserve a break, especially since our friend in the cape hasn't been in action all day. Luthor begins to re-program the case. The display chances from "108 Degrees" to "88." Luthor changes his mind and makes it "89." DR. SAYER Well, it's about time. You said you'd only make it hot for a few days. It's been weeks. LUTHOR What can I say? When I find something I enjoy, I stick with it. DR. SAYER But it's over now, right? LUTHOR I believe that's up to Superman. Nigel enters. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 27. 24 CONTINUED: 24 NIGEL All is set, Sir. The ten-thirty five is on schedule. LUTHOR Very good, Nigel. Have a very pleasant evening. Nigel nods, disappears. Sayer looks very concerned. DR. SAYER The ten-thirty five? LUTHOR I'm afraid there's going to be another mishap and, if Superman is true to form, the temperature will be going up. (off Saver's reaction) Why so down, doctor? This just further proves your theory. Champagne? Luthor begins to pour from an open bottle, as we: CUT TO: 25 INT. CLARK'S APARTMENT - (NIGHT #2) 25 Clark is on the telephone. CLARK You don't need to come. I can handle this. 26 INT. KENT FARMHOUSE - NIGHT 26 JONATHAN and MARTHA are on the phone. JONATHAN We know you can handle it, Clark We just want to help you. 27 INTERCUT: CLARK'S APARTMENT / KENT FARMHOUSE 27 CLARK Don't come. I appreciate it but don't come. MARTHA We'll stay out of your way. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 28. 27 CONTINUED: 27 CLARK It's more than I can handle. MARTHA But you need us JONATHAN (firmly; to Martha) He doesn't want us to come, Martha. MARTHA Clark, we love you and we're thinking about you every minute. CLARK I know you are. I'm thinking about you, too. Goodnight. MARTHA JONATHAN Goodnight. See you, son. Everyone hangs up. Stay with the Kents. Martha turns to Jonathan and says in a voice that brooks no dissent: MARTHA Start packing. CUT TO: 28 INT. CLARK'S APARTMENT - NIGHT 28 Clark hangs up the phone. Moves to the kitchen area, takes out a tea bag, pours a cup of water. He starts to lower his glasses to use his heat vision, obviously thinks better of it, pushes then back up. He rumbles around in a cluttered shelf, produces a teapot. He fills it with water, puts it on the stove. There's a KNOCK at the door. LOIS (O.S.) Clark! Open up. It's me. Clark looks around quickly. Has no choice but to open the door. He stands, however, blocking her entrance. CLARK Hey, Lois. What's up? LOIS I came to fix you a decent meal. CLARK We're not hungry. Lois pushes her way in, leaving the door open. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 29. 28 CONTINUED: 28 LOIS I'm trying to do something nice here, Clark. Where's Superman? Is he all right? CLARK He's fine. LOIS (looking around) Clark, the man needs company. He needs to know that somebody cares. CLARK I think he just wants to be alone. LOIS He said that? CLARK Yes. LOIS That's _so_ like him. He's obviously reaching out for help in his time of need. Good thing I came. Lois tracks straight into the kitchen area, puts the bags on the table. LOIS (continuing) So, where is he? CLARK He's, uh... in the shower. LOIS Superman's in the... shower? Did you actually see him... I mean... the outfit actually comes off...? CLARK I didn't look. LOIS No, of course not. I wouldn't either. (beat) I don't hear any water. CLARK He probably just got out. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 30. 28 CONTINUED: 2 28 LOIS I wonder if he likes pasta salad? Lois starts off toward the bathroom. Clark panics, grabs Lois. CLARK Wait! LOIS What? I'm just going to ask him... CLARK (vamping) Look, Lois, the man just got out of the shower. Give him some privacy. (taking off) I'll ask him. Lois sighs in frustration, turns back to the grocery baas, begins unloading. Clark disappears discretely into the bathroom. _A SECOND AFTER THE DOOR CLOSES, IT OPENS_ _AGAIN_. Now he's dressed as Superman, and carries a towel. He moves to the kitchen area. Lois' back is turned. He goes to the stove, picks up the boiling tea kettle, uses his _SUPER-BREATH_ to cool it off. Then dumps the water over his head. He starts toweling off his hair as she turns around. SUPERMAN You don't need to make dinner. Lois jumps. It was so sudden. LOIS It's you! (composing herself) It's okay. I want to. You do... eat... don't you? SUPERMAN I don't have to. But I like to. LOIS Then you'll love this. I know how to make four things. This is the only one without chocolate. SUPERMAN I'm sure it's delicious Lois smiles, so enamored of him that she begins to put the groceries back _into_ the bag. He stops her. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 31. 28 CONTINUED: 3 28 SUPERMAN (continuing) We'll never eat that way. The BACKGROUND MUSIC gives way to a NEWS BULLETIN. Lois moves to Clark's stereo and turns up the volume. RADIO VOICE --high speed Metro train has lost its brakes. Passengers in the main terminal are being evacuated, but there are over three-hundred people at risk on the train. LOIS I'm sorry, Superman, but dinner's going to have to wait. I gotta go. SUPERMAN That's all right. I do, too. Superman steps to the window and throws it open. LOIS Wait! What are you doing? SUPERMAN I'm going to stop the train. LOIS You can't. SUPERMAN I have to, Lois. You know it, too. Lois takes a beat, realizing the complication. Suddenly she snaps out of it. LOIS Clark and I will meet you there. (turning) Clark!? As she turns, he blows a short puff of air over shoulder, causing the door to slam shut. SUPERMAN Looks like he's already on his way. Superman _FLIES_ out the window, as Lois charges out the front door, yelling ahead of her as she goes. LOIS Great! What kind of partner are you, Clark? You call this loyalty? (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 32. 29 EXT. TRAIN TRACK - NIGHT 29 Superman stands on the track, his back arched against the forward momentum of a speeding train. Smoke rises from the tracks. The IMAGE of a thermometer with the mercury rising CROSS DISSOLVES over this. CUT TO: 30 INT. LUTHOR'S PENTHOUSE - NIGHT 30 Luthor stands on over an elaborate set of toy trains, working the controls. A train speeds along the track. LUTHOR Superman to the rescue! He pushes a button and the train stops millimeters away from a plastic Superman figure in the middle of the tracks. LUTHOR (continuing) It'll be a hot time in the old town tonight. FADE OUT. _END OF ACT TWO_ --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 33. _ACT_ _THREE_ FADE IN: 31 EXT. FREEWAYS - (DAY #3) - (STOCK) 31 To suggest the summer-type gridlock associated with millions of Metropolitans fleeing the city. Heat waves, exhaust, honking horns, moving inch-by-inch. RADIO VOICE Lex-Con weather and traffic: it's a hundred and twenty degrees and the freeways are choked as thousands flee metropolis for cooler weather. In the news, Superman has again violated the injunction against the use of his super-powers by saving three hundred and twenty-five commuters on a runaway train... CUT TO: 32 INT. CLARK'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - DAY 32 Where Clark lays on his bed listening to this, obviously in turmoil. He throws his legs over the bed, sits up. The closet door is half open. Hanging there is the Superman uniform. It's grown to mean a lot to him. To everyone. RADIO VOICE Authorities have given Superman until noon today to surrender. Clark switches off the radio. He's heard enough. He walks over to the costume, holds the upper body shirt, stares at the "S" as if trying to memorize it. CUT TO: 33 INT. DAILY PLANET - THE PIT - DAY 33 A extra-extra large circulating fan is being set up by a couple of workers. Staffers either fan themselves at their desk or drag themselves to their work stations. Jimmy passes by, burdened by a stack of maps, photos and papers that goes all the way from the bottom of his arms to his chin. He dumps them on Lois's desk. JIMMY This is everything. I was up all night. Alphabetized, collated, you name it, I did it. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 34. 33 CONTINUED: 33 LOIS Thanks, Jimmy. I know it looks kind of desperate but... it's kind of desperate. JIMMY Hey, anything to help Superman. The worker fires up the huge fan. It sends a mega-blast of air directly at Lois and Jimmy, and sends Jimmy's delivery flying wildly all around the newsroom. Lois and Jimmy start scurrying after the maps. LOIS Turn that thing off! Lois and Jimmy are on their hands and knees on the floor. JIMMY (disheartened) Any chance they, landed in order? Lois drops the papers she's collected and just stares at the mess. LOIS Oh, what's the use. We're just grasping at straws. The most brilliant scientists in the world can't find a reason for the heat, what makes us think we can? JIMMY You're right. This stuff has probably been panned and scanned and crossed and re-crossed a million times. They gather the maps with a lot less enthusiasm. Lois looks closely at one as she picks it up. LOIS Hey, Jimmy, what's this one? Jimmy takes it from her and unpeels two transparencies That were stuck to each other. JIMMY Uh, sorry. Plum sauce. I got hungry at three in the morning. LOIS No, wait. You see how it shows a completely different pattern when you put the two together? (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 35. 33 CONTINUED: 2 33 JIMMY Yeah, so? LOIS So what if you were wrong? What if nobody's bothered to cross reference all these maps? Look at all the different agencies and departments you got these from. What if we're the first ones to gather them all together at the same time? JIMMY You mean maybe we could discover a pattern no one else has thought of? LOIS It's worth a try. Get these down to the computer room and start scanning. PERRY (O.S.) Lois! She looks up to find Perry heading toward her. PERRY Lois, get off your knees and get to the courthouse. LOIS (scrambling up) What's going on? PERRY Superman's ready to turn himself in. LOIS I thought I wasn't objective enough to cover this story. PERRY I'm running a newsroom with everybody missing in action. Either they're sick or they got a sick aunt in Nova Scotia. Even Kent's got heat stroke so it's you or no one. LOIS I'm on it. She grabs a pad and heads out. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 36. 33 CONTINUED: 3 33 PERRY Lois! She turns back. He takes a beat. LOIS How what? PERRY You tell Superman I'm pullin' for him. Lois shares Perry's emotions LOIS I will, Chief, I will. CUT TO: 34 INT. METROPOLIS COURTHOUSE - JUDGE'S CHAMBERS - DAY 34 Judge Diggs sits behind her desk in a pair of running shorts and a tee-shirt, fanning herself with a paper fan. Her black robe hangs behind her in front of a library of law books. Also present, city attorney Cheng and Superman. A Christmas tree in the corner has lost all its needles and decorations hang pathetically on its bare branches. JUDGE DIGGS Last night you stopped a train. This morning it's like a blast furnace out there. SUPERMAN I did what I had to do. There were three hundred lives at stake. CHENG There are millions more out there in the city. JUDGE DIGGS Now I know that's circumstantial but to tell 1 you the truth, I don't think we have time for a trail. I think we have time for a plea bargain. And we're not leaving this room until we have a deal. (to Cheng) Take your best shot. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 37. 34 CONTINUED: 34 CHENG Superman agrees to leave Metropolis for the rest of his natural born life -- JUDGE DIGGS -- whatever that is -- CHENG -- and not to return. If you agree, we let him walk -- or fly, as long as it's out of here. JUDGE DIGGS The decision's yours, Superman. Leave Metropolis and keep your freedom or stay here in the lock-up. And this time I'll call in the Marines to keep you there if I have to. Diggs and Cheng look at Superman. Outside, protestors are heard chanting: "Superman Must Go." Off Superman, who faces the hardest decision of his life. CUT TO: 35 EXT. METROPOLIS COURTHOUSE - DAY 35 A full crowd of protestors continue the chant, "Superman Must Go." Lois exits a cab and pushes her way through them, moving up the stairs. Suddenly, the crowd breaks out into boos. It's Superman exiting the front doors. He makes a statement. SUPERMAN When I first came to Metropolis I said I came 'to help.' That's still how I feel. But I'm going to have to find another place and another way. I have agreed to voluntarily leave Metropolis within twenty-four hours. I believe it's the best way to put all your fears to rest. I will miss everyone. Thank you. Superman begins to move down the steps. Lois stops Superman. LOIS You can't leave. SUPERMAN I don't have a choice. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 38. 35 CONTINUED: 35 LOIS They _can't_ be right. The look between then says it all. There are no more words. Superman pushes on through the crowd. Lois watches a moment, fighting back the lump in her throat. Superman moves through the crowd. Some of its anger has been dissipated by the announcement. Some scattered "goodbyes" along with a few still angry "good riddances." A hard object suddenly hits him in the chest and falls to the ground. He bends down and slowly picks it up. With the object in his hand, he scans the jeering crowd. 36 SUPERMAN's POV - CROWD 36 His scan stops at a young BOY who looks away and runs off. OFF the expression on Superman's face. CUT TO: 37 INT. LUTHOR'S PENTHOUSE - DAY 37 Luthor stands with his back to us, looking out over the Metropolis skyline. LUTHOR Knock, knock. Nigel is standing at attention across the room. NIGEL Who's there, sir? LUTHOR Superman. NIGEL Superman who? Luthor turns to face us. The smile that spreads across his face is complete. LUTHOR Exactly. He laughs triumphantly. LUTHOR (continuing) I've won. I've beaten him. This is a joyous day, Nigel. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 39. 37 CONTINUED: 37 NIGEL Yes, sir. Lex slaps on the back. LUTHOR I can always count on you for a dose of mirth, but now it's back to business. Luthor picks up the phone, touches a speed dial button. LUTHOR (continuing) Mayor Berkowitz, Lex Luthor. We can have the plant on line tomorrow. I should like very much to have you by my side to throw the switch that will power it up. You deserve some credit here, Frank. You've done a fine job. CUT TO: 38 INT. DAILY PLANET - THE PIT - (NIGHT #3) 38 A skeleton crew on the job. Lois sits alone at her desk, staring at her computer screen. Lois turns away, struggling with the enormity of it all. A moment plays. Then: JIMMY Uh, Lois... Lois looks up. Her eves are moist, it's hard for her to talk and Jimmy knows it. JIMMY (continuing) I, uh, hey, never mind. Not important. LOIS No. Go ahead, Jimmy. What is it? JIMMY I don't know. I was just wondering if you still need that stuff on the computer? LOIS Do you think we should give up? JIMMY No way. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 40. 38 CONTINUED: 38 LOIS Me, neither. He hands her a copy of the Planet folded over to a specific article. JIMMY Did you see this? I guess C.K. made it to the courthouse today after all. She starts to read. LOIS "The crowd reacted with surprise and relief. It was all over. Superman knew it. He felt an object strike him in the chest. Something hard, small, thrown with a force much less than that of an adult. Searching the mob as he knelt to retrieve it, Superman's eyes fell on the face of a young boy. The boy appeared to force back tears as Superman identified the object -- a plastic, Superman action figure. (beat) Superman slowly rose with the toy -- a ninety-nine cent lump of molded plastic that was once priceless to its young owner. Superman wanted to return it but in a second the boy was gone. And so was his hero. Lois has teared up. Jimmy looks like he might be ready to cry, too. He just keeps it in and says: JIMMY I'll have all this stuff ready for you in the morning. First thing. CUT TO: 39 INT. CLARK'S APARTMENT - NIGHT 39 The sound of a KEY in a lock and the door swings open. Clark enters the dimly lit living room and freezes. 40 CLARK'S POV - JONATHAN AND MARTHA KENT 40 waiting for him on the sofa. MARTHA Are you mad? --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 41. 41 BACK TO CLARK 41 ... The only smile he can muster. CLARK I've never been so glad to see you guys in my Martha comes over and hugs him. He hugs back. Jonathan comes over, too, and puts his hands on his son's shoulder. DISSOLVE TO: 42 LIVING ROOM 42 Clark sits on a chair as Martha enters with cups of coffee. She hands one to Jonathan. JONATHAN (to Clark) You don't have to do this. CLARK What choice do I have? MARTHA But do you believe it? Do you honestly think you're causing this heat wave? CLARK I don't k,now, Mom. But everyone else thinks I am. JONATHAN Who cares what everyone else thinks?! They all share Jonathan's frustration. He regains his composure. JONATHAN (continuing) This was your dream, Clark. A good job, a real life for yourself here in Metropolis. Why do you have to lose that? It's only Superman who has to leave. CLARK I can't just turn it off, Dad. I can't look past people who are hurting, people in trouble, knowing I could help them but having to stop myself. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 42. 42 CONTINUED: 42 MARTHA You're such a special person, Clark. It's not fair that you're being punished for it. CLARK Mom, please. I've made up my mind. Jonathan puts his arm around Martha JONATHAN All right, then, we'll take you home, son. CLARK No. I can't go back to Smallville. MARTHA I know it's not the big city but -- CLARK It's not that. What if I am a solar conductor? I could never take the chance of hurting you and Dad. JONATHAN Then where are you going to go? CLARK I don't know yet. Just away from the people I love the most. The Kent's look at their son. Their hearts are breaking. CUT TO: 43 DAILY PLANET - CONFERENCE ROOM - NIGHT 43 Lois sits in the empty newsroom, surrounded by physics textbooks, her head down on the table from exhaustion. She hears drawers opening and closing and things being tossed around. She looks up to find Clark cleaning out his desk. LOIS Where've you been? Clark turns around, not expecting to see her. CLARK Lois... (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 43. 43 CONTINUED: 43 LOIS I've been trying to find something, _Anything_ to help Superman. CLARK It's late, Lois. Why don't you go home now. LOIS Because there's no _time_. Here, you take these... (hands him some books) ...Jimmy should be almost through scanning those maps into the computer and then we can CLARK I'm leaving, Lois. LOIS You just got here! He puts the books down and continues putting his things into a cardboard box. CLARK I'm leaving Metropolis. LOIS I know it's hot but now is not the time to take a vacation. CLARK For good. Lois realizes what he's saying. LOIS You're quitting. The words make him bristle. CLARK I have to. LOIS Don't be ridiculous, we've got work to do or else Superman will -- CLARK Don't you get it, Lois? It's over. Superman's gone and there's nothing we can do about it. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 44. 43 CONTINUED: 2 43 LOIS I'll never stop trying because I know Superman would never stop trying CLARK Maybe you don't know him as well as you think. LOIS But I know you. You're not a quitter CLARK I guess I can't live in a place that would do something like this to someone who was only trying to do the right thing. LOIS Clark, the Daily Planet needs you. (beat) I need you. CLARK Trust me. It'll be better for you this way. You don't need a partner, Lois. You never did. LOIS I know. But now I want one. (realizing) You were doing to leave without even saying goodbye. Clark takes a sealed envelope out of his pocket. It says "Lois" on it. CLARK This will explain everything. She takes it from him. LOIS I'm not going to read it. I know you'll be back. He looks at her, studies her, so he won't forget her. Then he kisses her. They look at each other for a beat. CLARK Goodbye, Lois. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 45. 43 CONTINUED: 3 43 He takes his box and leaves her standing by the empty desk. She watches him cross the newsroom and walk out of her life. FADE OUT. _END_ _OF_ _ACT_ _THREE_ --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 46. _ACT_ _FOUR_ FADE IN: 44 INT. DAILY PLANET - (DAY #4) 44 Perry ushers Lois out of his office. PERRY Will you be okay? LOIS Fine, Chief. But her spirit is down. PERRY Kent's a helluva reporter. But so are you. If anyone can find a way to save Superman, you can. LOIS Yes, Sir. She walks across the newsroom, meets up with Jimmy not his usual self either. JIMMY Lois, you all right? LOIS I'm _fine_, Jimmy. JIMMY Maps are in the computer. I can start checking... LOIS Good. JIMMY Look... LOIS Just call me if you find something. Thanks. JIMMY Sure She sits down at her desk. Clark's unread note staring her in the face. She picks it up, almost opens it. Cat walks by. CAT Hi, Lois. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 47. 44 CONTINUED: 44 LOIS (exploding) Okay, just stop it. CAT Stop what? LOIS Stop trying to be nice. CAT All I said was hello. LOIS Exactly. No little dig, no rude remark. It's not normal. I mean, everyone's acting like I lost my best friend or something. Cat gives her a beat to realize what she's just said. CAT You and I should talk. LOIS Now why would I want to do that? CAT Because I know more about losing men than you might think. Lois finally lets her feelings out. LOIS First Superman, now Clark. I don't know who I'll miss more. Cat understands. Off Lois' long face. CUT TO: 45 ENT. METROPOLIS STREETS - DAY 45 Clark walks the streets of the city he loves, taking one last look. He passes a news stand, spots a copy of the Daily Planet. He picks it up. The headline reads "FAREWELL SUPERMAN." He puts it back. He hers some YELLING across the street. Two MEN are having a heated altercation over a fender bender. They come to blows. Clark's first instinct is to race across the street and break them up. But he stops himself. They throw some punches at each other but then a Beat Cop rushes over and pulls them apart. All Clark can do is walk away. He finds himself in front of the Daily Planet building. He looks up at the globe and everything it represents to him. He stars at it for a moment, nods his head goodbye, then walks away, never looking back. --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 48. 46 INT. DAILY PLANET - COMPUTER ROOM - DAY 46 An excited Jimmy leads Lois into the room. LOIS Air conditioning! No wonder you spent the night here. JIMMY Well, it paid off. I think I found something. Actually, the computer found something. I confirmed it with our distinguished science editor. Jimmy sits at one of the consoles. LOIS (impatiently) What? JIMMY (proudly) Polonium. LOIS What? JIMMY Pol... here. Jimmy loads on the screen a spider-webby geothermal map. JIMMY (continuing) Remember this? LOIS Yes. Heat distribution around Metropolis. JIMMY Right. Now... He looks another map on top: an exact match. Lois leans in closer, reads aloud. LOIS 'Metropolis Geological Survey... subterranean... bismuth.' She looks the question at Jimmy. JIMMY The naturally occurring element bismuth is distributed beneath Metropolis in the exact same pattern as the heat, concentration. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 49. 46 CONTINUED: 46 LOIS Bismuth is causing the heat? JIMMY No, polonium. Bismuth is relatively inert. It wouldn't cause heat. _Unless_ it was exposed to radiation. Then it could change to the radioactive element polonium. _That_ would cause heat. LOIS So you're saying radiation is turning this bismuth into polonium and _that's_ what's heating us up? JIMMY That's the theory. LOIS Is the radiation coring from Superman? JIMMY Not likely. He hasn't tested radioactive in the past. LOIS Are we all in danger of radiation poisoning? JIMMY Not necessarily. You could get a lot of heat out of polonium before you'd get to threatening levels. LOIS That red spot, is that where it's the hottest? JIMMY Yeah. LOIS What's above it? Jimmy enlarges the red spot, then presses another button. The street map of Metropolis flashes on. There it is, in bold letters: LEXCORPS NUCLEAR PLANT. LOIS (continuing) But that plant isn't operational yet. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 50. 46 CONTINUED: 2 46 JIMMY Could be a slow leak out of the reactor core. LOIS They're due to go on-line this afternoon. What happens when they throw the switch? JIMMY It could send a surge of neutrons straight into the ground and then it won't matter how hot it is anymore. LOIS We've got to find Superman. CUT TO: 47 EXT. DAILY PLANET - DAY 47 Lois bursts forth from the building onto the street. She's lost, looking around, trying to make something happen. She sees McKee, the TV reporter, doing a stand-up in front of his camera crew. MCKEE Superman is taking a super hike and not soon enough as far as this reporter's concerned. Not only is he responsible for baking Metropolis, but rumor has it that his force field is the real reason the Metropolitans lost the pennant this year. The gears are turning in Lois's mind. A plan is hatching. She moves in front of the camera. MCKEE (continuing) Hey, we're 'live' here. LOIS (to cameraman) Keep rolling! (grabbing microphone) Superman, if you can hear this, come back! Or if any of you out there know where Superman is, get him this message. We've figured this out. It's not you. You're not the problem and you never were. (MORE) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 51. 47 CONTINUED: 47 LOIS (CONT'D) But it's an emergency and we need you now! Meet me at the LexCorp Nuclear Plant and I'll explain everything. And Superman, hurry. McKee grabs the microphone back and immediately addresses the camera. MCKEE You heard it here first. There's an emergency at Lex Corp's Nuclear Plant, maybe even a melt down... CUT TO: 48 EXT. CLARK'S APARTMENT - DAY 48 Clark and Jonathan finish jamming the last box into the four-wheeler. Jonathan slams the back door shut. Clark takes a deep breath, soaking in the moment, the feelings, the memories. Suddenly, Martha comes bounding down the stairs: MARTHA Clark! Clark! CUT TO: 49 INT. LEXCORP NUCLEAR PLANT - DAY 49 Luthor, Mayor Berkowitz, Sayer, dignitaries and members of the Media are gathered in front of a glass panel that separates them from the workings of the Command and Control Center. MAYOR BERKOWITZ As your mayor, I know how difficult these past days have been. It gives me great pleasure to tell you that within minutes air conditioners will be humming all over the great city of ours. Mister Luthor? Lex steps before a huge ceremonial looking switch. LUTHOR This switch is connected to the LexCorp Command and Control Center you see behind me. By activating it, we put LexCorp Nuclear on-line. Let's wait no longer... (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 52. 49 CONTINUED: 49 Lex throws the switch. There is applause from the audience. Superman and Lois burst onto the scene. SUPERMAN Stop! LUTHOR I'm afraid stopping is not one of the options, Superman. LOIS We think there's a leak in the reactor core. That's what's been causing the heat, not Superman. LUTHOR Dr. Sayer has given me his assurance there is no leak. LOIS There has to be. The only other possibility is that somebody was causing a chemical reaction to heat Metropolis up on purpose. SUPERMAN You know anything about that, Luthor? LUTHOR It's unthinkable. Therefore, we must stop this leak you're talking about. A technician approaches Luthor, whispers in his ear. LUTHOR (continuing) We're on-line. The fuel rods are hot. SUPERMAN Can your men shut it door? LUTHOR No. Once the sequence is initiated, it's physically impossible. It's a safety feature. Superman moves toward the entrance to the containment chamber. Heavily signed to prevent unauthorized entrance. MAYOR BERKOWITZ You can't go in there! The radiation... (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 53. 49 CONTINUED: 2 49 Superman does in anyway. The mayor turns to the technician. The technician shrugs. With this guy, who knows? CUT TO: 50 INT. REACTOR CORE - DAY 50 Superman enters this No-Man's Land of nuclear chain reaction. KLAXONS sounds at the trespass. We hear a computer voice: COMPUTER VOICE Warning. The reactor core has been breached. All personnel must wear appropriate protective gear. Warning. The reactor core has been breached... The fuel rods are immersed in a bubbling stew of radioactivity. Superman _JUMPS IN_ to the containment core. As he holds his breath, WE SEE him physically _MUSCLE THE VARIOUS RODS FREE_ from their berths and _THROW THEM OUT_ of the fuel area. CUT TO: 51 INT. LUTHOR'S PENTHOUSE - DAY 51 Luthor stews as he checks one flow sheet after another. Nigel enters, stands before him. LUTHOR The plant's a total loss, Nigel. And the insurance underwriters won't cover it either. Environmental clause. NIGEL Terribly sorry, sir. LUTHOR Oh, but there's more. The city expects me to pay all the clean-up expenses. Plus the 'bonus' I had to pay Dr. Sayer to assure his 'cooperation' in the investigation. NIGEL And Superman.... (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 54. 51 CONTINUED: 53. LUTHOR Superman not only had the pleasure of dismantling my plant and throwing hundreds of millions of dollars into space, but the radioactivity didn't even affect him. (beat) Yes, Nigel. What more gloom do you wish to bring to my attention? NIGEL Well, sir, I thought you should be pleased to hear that the LexCorp Water and Air Conditioning divisions did make a two-thousand percent profit over the last three weeks. A long beat. Luthor breaks into a smile, and then he breaks into song. "LOOK FOR THE SILVER LIKING." In the process, Nigel joins him in harmony. CUT TO: 52 INT. DAILY PLANET - PERRY'S OFFICE - DAY 52 Falling snow is visible through the window. Perry approaches Lois who sits glumly at her desk. Jimmy is nearby. PERRY Snow on the ground. Superman in the sky. Everything's right with the world. Lois stares at Clark's empty desk. PERRY (continuing) Almost everything. Jimmy's face brightens. JIMMY Hey, C.K.! Clark heads towards his desk carrying his box. PERRY (satisfied) Everything. So, Kent, I heard you were doing some early Spring cleaning last night. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 55. 52 CONTINUED: 52 CLARK Chief, I -- PERRY Well, in case you hadn't noticed, it's _winter_ out there. Now put these things back on your desk and get to work. Lois needs help on the Nuclear Plant follow-up. CLARK Yes, Sir. Clark looks at Lois who has busied herself at her desk. PERRY (privately) Don't worry, son, that heat made us all more 'n a little crazy. Perry goes back to his office and Jimmy comes up, grabbing his box. JIMMY I'll take this before you change your mind. Jimmy starts unpacking Clark's stuff as he goes over to Lois. LOIS I told you you'd be back. CLARK I'm glad you were right. (beat) You really did it. You saved Superman. LOIS And he saved Metropolis. Even after the way he was treated. CLARK I guess he couldn't give up after all. The boy who through the Superman doll enters the newsroom. Someone points him in Clark's direction. BOY You Clark Kent? Clark recognizes him. (CONTINUED) --page break-- MAN OF STEEL BARS (#8) 9/21/93 56. 52 CONTINUED: 2 52 CLARK Yes, I am. BOY You wrote that article about me and Superman? CLARK Yup. BOY You have to write another one. It's really important. You gotta tell him that I'm sorry, that I take it back. We all do. CLARK I think he already knows. BOY And tell him, if he still has it, I want my Superman back. Clark walks over to his desk. He reaches into the box and pulls out the Superman doll. CLARK I picked it up on the courthouse steps. I was hoping you'd still want it back. BOY Thanks. Don't forget the article! The boy breaks into a smile. Clark smiles and walks back to Lois. He spots something on her desk. CLARK You won't be needing this anymore. He picks up the unread note and puts it back in his pocket. LOIS Hey, wait a minute! I didn't even get a chance to read it. What did it say? CLARK I guess you'll never know. Lois ponders the missed opportunity as we... FADE OUT. _THE END_