For this script, I have a "Production" and a later, up to "Yellow" revision, so there are a lot of pages to compare! To pop everything into place... use Courier 10 (or 10 characters per inch, not proportional) for all but the title page set top margin at 0.5", bottom margin at 0.5" (or minimums) (I had to tell the program that my primitive printer was using legal-size paper) left margin at 1", right margin at .25 (or minimum) * and (X) used in script probably mean "this line changed from previous version" Notes: Cover: "Bob and Carol and Lois and Clark", Written by Brian Nelson [and] Directed by Oz Scott are all in large bolt print. The remainder of the text is in Courier 10 (10 characters per inch) Side Note: in Production version, Bob was "Deathgrip" but in later versions, he became "Deathstroke". Typos noted: Page 6, both versions, 3rd paragraph, scene 10, "Super-Villian" should be "Super-Villain" Page 9, Pink, mid page, "eclaire" maybe should be "eclair" Page 38A, above mid page, Carol, "I couldnt have" couldn't misspelled Page 41, Blue, bottom of page "Disgruntled Potal Worker" should be "Postal" --page break-- (graphic - insert logo.bmp or logo.jpg) "Bob and Carol and Lois and Clark" EPISODE EIGHT Prod. #465208 Written by Brian Nelson Directed by Oz Scott _Production Draft_ October 1, 1996 Blue Rev. 10/8/96 Pink Rev. 10/11/96 Yellow R. 10/29/96 --page break-- _LOIS & CLARK_ "_Bob and Carol and Lois and Clark_" _CAST_ CLARK KENT/SUPERMAN LOIS LANE JIMMY OLSEN PERRY WHITE ________________________________________________________________ BOB STAFFORD CAROL STAFFORD GRANT GENDELL DR. KLEIN AGENT RAWLINS DENZLER AURORA --page break-- _LOIS & CLARK_ "_Bob and Carol and Lois and Clark_" _Pink Rev. 10/11/96_ _CAST_ CLARK KENT/SUPERMAN LOIS LANE JIMMY OLSEN PERRY WHITE ________________________________________________________________ BOB STAFFORD * CAROL STAFFORD * GRANT GENDELL DR. KLEIN AGENT RAWLINS DENZLER AURORA --page break-- _LOIS & CLARK_ "_Bob and Carol and Lois and Clark_" _LOCATIONS_ _INTERIORS_: _EXTERIORS_: Daily Planet Daily Planet Street Newsroom Metropolis Street Lois & Clark's Townhouse Alley #1 Bob & Carol's Townhouse Living Room Alley #2 Kitchen Restaurant Star Labs Street Patio Grant Gendell's Apartment Basketball Court Limo Gloomy Alley (Gendell's) Agent Rawlins' Car Bob & Carol's Car --page break-- _LOIS & CLARK_ "_Bob and Carol and Lois and Clark_" _Pink Rev. 10/11/96_ _LOCATIONS_ _INTERIORS_: _EXTERIORS_: Daily Planet Daily Planet Street Newsroom Metropolis Street Lois & Clark's Townhouse Alley #1 Bob & Carol's Townhouse Living Room Alley #2 Kitchen Dining Room * Restaurant Star Labs Street Patio Grant Gendell's Apartment Basketball Court Limo Gloomy Alley (Gendell's) Agent Rawlins' Car Bob & Carol's Car --page break-- _LOIS & CLARK_ "_Bob and Carol and Lois and Clark_" _CHRONOLOGY_ SC. 1 - 10 NIGHT #1 SC. 11 - 18 DAY #2 SC. 19 - 24 NIGHT #2 SC. 25 - 45 DAY #3 SC. 46 - 57 NIGHT #3 SC. 58 - 72 DAY #4 SC. 73 DAY #5 --page break-- _LOIS AND CLARK_ _The New Adventures of Superman_ _"Bob and Carol and Lois and Clark"_ _TEASE_ FADE IN: 1 EXT. STREET - NIGHT #1 1 LOIS and CLARK walking. Lois fiddles with her cell phone. LOIS I just don't know why we're bothering. CLARK I met him playin' basketball. He said he had a nice wife. I said, 'I have a nice wife.' LOIS You also have a wife who thinks it's just maybe impossible to find a couple where you like him and I like her and they like us and we like them. (re: cell phone) Is this working? CLARK Yes. LOIS I don't know why we're even bothering, Clark. This kind of thing's been one disaster after another for us, I just know we're gonna hate them and -- CLARK (suddenly beaming) Hiiiii. They are just outside the restaurant and another attractive, early thirties COUPLE is approaching. Meet BOB AND CAROL STAFFORD. Bob wears glasses. CLARK (CONT'D) (shaking hands) Bob. BOB Clark. (CONTINUED) --page break-- _LOIS AND CLARK_ _The New Adventures of Superman_ _"Bob and Carol and Lois and Clark"_ _TEASE_ FADE IN: 1 EXT. STREET - NIGHT #1 1 LOIS and CLARK walking. Lois fiddles with her cell phone. LOIS I just don't know why we're bothering. CLARK I met him playin' basketball. He said he had a nice wife. I said, 'I have a nice wife.' LOIS You also have a wife who thinks it's just maybe impossible to find a couple where you like him and I like her and they like us and we like them. (re: cell phone) Is this working? CLARK Yes. LOIS I don't know why we're even bothering, Clark. This kind of thing's been one disaster after another for us, I just know we're gonna hate them and -- CLARK (suddenly beaming) Hiiiii. They are just outside the restaurant and another attractive, early thirties COUPLE is approaching. Meet BOB AND CAROL STANFORD. Bob wears glasses. (X) CLARK (CONT'D) (shaking hands) Bob. BOB Clark. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 2. 1 CONTINUED: 1 CLARK AND BOB This is my wife Lois/Carol -- They all laugh. 2 EXT. RESTAURANT PATIO - NIGHT 2 Bob and Carol and Lois and Clark having a great time. CLARK I mean, it's the weirdest song. BOB I know, I know.... CAROL I like it. LOIS Oh, we do, too, but I'm sorry -- a fly in your chardonnay is not ironic. CAROL But: making thirty million dollars on a song called 'Ironic' that isn't even about irony -- EVERYONE -- _that's_ ironic. Everyone laughs. Lois checks the cell phone on the table in front of her. Clark smiles. CLARK Lois... LOIS I... don't usually keep one of these in sight at all times... CAROL Expecting an important call? LOIS I'm trying to land an interview with Grant Gendell. I'm waiting to hear. Sorry. CAROL Are you kidding? If the richest man on the Eastern Seaboard were calling me, I'd be checking my phone, too. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 2. 1 CONTINUED: 1 CLARK AND BOB This is my wife Lois/Carol -- They all laugh. 2 EXT. RESTAURANT PATIO - NIGHT 2 Bob and Carol and Lois and Clark having a great time. CLARK I mean, it's the weirdest song. BOB I know, I know... We like it, (X) but... (X) CAROL But, I'm sorry -- a fly in your (X) chardonnay is not ironic. LOIS Making thirty million dollars on a (X) song called 'Ironic' that isn't even about irony -- EVERYONE -- _that's_ ironic. Everyone laughs. Lois checks the cell phone on the table in front of her. Clark smiles. CLARK Lois... LOIS I... don't usually keep one of these in sight at all times... CAROL Expecting an important call? LOIS I'm trying to land an interview with Grant Gendell. I'm waiting to hear. Sorry. CAROL Are you kidding? If the richest man on the Eastern Seaboard were calling me, I'd be checking my phone, too. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 3. 2 CONTINUED: 2 LOIS Well, it's just his lawyer... BOB How'd you ever score an interview with Grant Gendell? No one's even seen the guy in what, twenty -- LOIS -- twenty-three years. But I don't have the interview yet, just a shot at it. CLARK Lois wrote an article defending Gendell when he got hit with his, what was it? His two thousandth lawsuit a couple years ago? CAROL A rich guy like that'd be a target for every wacko with a lawyer. LOIS I think that's what drove him into hiding in the first place. But now he wants to come out. Be reintroduced to the world. Anyway, blah blah blah, let's talk dessert. CAROL Then let's talk chocolate. LOIS My thought exactly. 3 EXT. STREET - NIGHT 3 Lois and Clark stroll home afterward -- CLARK So? How do you think it went? LOIS They seemed nice. CLARK But... LOIS But.... everything in stages. Right now we're in Possible Friendship, Stage One; next comes -- --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 4. 4 EXT. AN ALLEY - NIGHT 4 Bob and Carol step in. CAROL -- Stage Two. In one minute. BOB But you think tonight went all right? CAROL It went fine. Now come on... Bob nods, looking around to make sure they're alone. 5 EXT. STREET - NIGHT 5 Clark stops, listening. LOIS What? CLARK Fire over on East Third. They step into -- 6 EXT. A SECOND ALLEY - NIGHT 6 Clark loosens his tie. Lois reaches up and takes his glasses. LOIS No such thing as a Sunday for you. 7 EXT. FIRST ALLEY - NIGHT 7 Bob is loosening his tie. Carol takes off Bob's glasses. CAROL Amazing. BOB What? CAROL The whole take off your glasses and nobody recognizes you thing... BOB Well, there's the glasses and then there's -- He pulls open his shirt to reveal a skin tight black suit. --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 4. 4 EXT. ANOTHER STREET - NIGHT 4(X) Bob and Carol. (X) CAROL -- Stage Two. In one minute. BOB But you think tonight went all right? CAROL It went fine. BOB As usual, your sources were right on the money. Gendel did pick Lois Lane to spill his guts to. CAROL (smiles) When have I ever let you down? Now let's go... (X) 5 EXT. FIRST STREET - NIGHT 5(X) Clark stops, listening. LOIS What? CLARK Fire over on East Third. They step into -- 6 EXT. A SECOND ALLEY - NIGHT 6 Clark loosens his tie. Lois reaches up and takes his glasses. LOIS No such thing as a Sunday for you. 7 EXT. FIRST ALLEY - NIGHT 7 Bob and Carol enter the alley, he is loosening his tie. (X) Carol takes off Bob's glasses. CAROL Amazing. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Blue R. 10/8/96 4A. 7 CONTINUED: 7 BOB What? CAROL The whole take off your glasses and nobody recognizes you thing... BOB Well, there's the glasses and then there's -- He pulls open his shirt to reveal a shiny, skin tight suit. (X) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 5. 8 EXT. SECOND ALLEY - NIGHT 8 Clark opens his shirt, exposing the S -- LOIS I _love_ watching you do that... CLARK Meet you back home? LOIS Be careful. She kisses him, Clark hurries off. 9 EXT. FIRST ALLEY - NIGHT 9 BOB Meet you back home? CAROL (kisses him) Be careful. BOB You know... It's too bad. CAROL What? BOB That we're eventually going to have to kill Lois. CAROL Well, nobody said being friends with us is easy. And Bob hurries off as we FADE OUT. _END OF TEASE_ --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 5. 8 EXT. SECOND ALLEY - NIGHT 8 Clark opens his shirt, exposing the S -- LOIS I love watching you do that... CLARK Meet you back home? LOIS Be careful. She kisses him, Clark hurries off. 9 EXT. FIRST ALLEY - NIGHT 9 BOB (smiles at Carol) (X) I'm always careful! (X) CAROL (kisses him) Meet you back home. (X) BOB You know... It's too bad. CAROL What? BOB That we're eventually going to have to kill Lois. CAROL Well, nobody said being friends with us is easy. And Bob hurries off as we FADE OUT. _END OF TEASE_ --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 6. _ACT ONE_ FADE IN: 10 EXT. FIRST ALLEY - NIGHT 10 DR. JAY KOBIYASHI comes out the side door of his brownstone. Closes and locks a door, which reads: 'DELIVERIES HERE FOR DR. KOBIYASHI, DDS.' Dr. Kobiyashi hears something, looks up and sees -- Bob, in head to toe black neoprene, no glasses, looking very Super-Villian. Kobiyashi knows this can't be a good thing and bolts back in. Bob -- who we shall here forth know as DEATHGRIP when he's out of glasses and in the tights -- grabs Kobiyashi and pulls him close. Immediately the air around the two men begins to PULSE and SHIMMER. Kobiyashi is in pain. He clutches his heart, tearing at his shirt. Then goes limp. The SHIMMERING dies down. Deathgrip releases the dead Kobiyashi and slumps against a wall. Carol comes out of the shadows. CAROL You all right? DEATHGRIP Yeah. Just takes more out of me as I get older. CAROL Well, not much longer, honey. (down at the dead DDS) Stage Two complete. (whips out medical records from her valise) Onto Stage Three. She fishes the keys out of Kobiyashi's pocket and opens his door. She and Deathgrip slip in. As they do, WE GO TIGHT ON the file in Carol's hand. It says: 'GRANT GENDELL.' 11 INT. DAILY PLANET NEWSROOM - DAY #2 11 PERRY is talking to Clark. PERRY I tell you, I'd forgotten how much fun it is goin' out with another couple till we all hit the town the other night. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 6. _ACT ONE_ FADE IN: 10 EXT. FIRST ALLEY - NIGHT 10 DR. JAY KOBIYASHI comes out the side door of his brownstone. Closes and locks a door, which reads: 'DELIVERIES HERE FOR DR. KOBIYASHI, DDS. Dr. Kobiyashi hears something, looks up and sees -- Bob, in head to toe shiny neoprene, no glasses, looking very Super-Villian. Kobiyashi knows this can't be a good thing and shrinks back. Bob -- who we shall here forth know as DEATHSTROKE when he's out of glasses and in the tights -- (X) holds out his open palms close to Kobiyashi. As if drawn by an incredibly powerful magnetic force, Kobiyashi slides into Deathstroke's hands, which instantly (X) clamp down on his shoulders. Immediately the air around the two men PULSES and SHIMMERS. Kobiyashi is in pain. He clutches his heart, tearing at his, shirt. Then goes limp. The SHIMMERING dies down. All this happens very quickly, without much struggle. Deathstroke releases the dead Kobiyashi and slumps against (X) a wall. Carol comes out of the shadows. CAROL You all right? DEATHSTROKE (X) Yeah. Just takes more out of me as I get older. CAROL Well, not much longer, honey. (down at the dead DDS) Stage Two complete. (whips out medical records from her valise) Onto Stage Three. She fishes the keys out of Kobiyashi's pocket and opens his door. She and Deathstroke slip in. As they do, WE GO (X) TIGHT ON the file in Carol's hand. It says: 'GRANT GENDELL.' 11 INT. DAILY PLANET NEWSROOM - DAY #2 11 PERRY is talking to Clark. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Blue R. 10/8/96 6A. 11 CONTINUED: 11 PERRY I tell you, I'd forgotten how much fun it is goin' out with another couple 'til you and Lois hit the (X) town with us the other night. (X) (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 7. 11 CONTINUED: 11 CLARK Yeah, it sure was... something. PERRY I mean, I'm one lucky fella to've found Candy. Most old fools my age fall for some brainless knockout with all the substance of a whipped dairy product. CLARK And Candy's... PERRY ... the exact opposite. CLARK That's... what I was trying to... yeah. PERRY I mean, for a professional bowler who was once Miss Farm Belt USA, this girl's got a lot goin' on. I could see she and Lois clicked like sisters. CLARK You saw that... did you? PERRY Can't wait to do it again with you two. How's your weekend look? CLARK You know what? I've got to check with, uhhh... He gestures to: 12 LOIS 12 She leans against her desk, listening to JIMMY talk about his babe du jour, AURORA, 18, a Gothic poster child for urban angst. JIMMY So then Aurora pulls me into this maintenance duct for the subway, and we walk past all these rats and broken glass, and just when you think you're about to meet the Mole People, there's a Rave. (MORE) (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 8. 12 CONTINUED: 12 JIMMY (CONT'D) A real party going on right there in the subway tunnels! AURORA (throaty whisper) The children of the night, what beautiful music they make, y'know? (then; to Lois) By the way, love your haircut. LOIS Oh? Thanks. After seeing myself all over town on 'Wanted' posters, I figured it was time for a new look. AURORA Makes me wanna get My hair cut. LOIS Like this? AURORA No. Bald. Lois stares then exchanges a "save me" looks with Clark, who comes over, as: JIMMY You guys wanna come with us tonight? We're doin' a sewer. LOIS (diplomatically) Oh. Gee. Sounds great. (PHONE RINGS; too eagerly dives on phone) Whoops -- gotta get that. JIMMY Whaddaya say, C.K.? CLARK Can I get back to you? I've got to check with uhhh.... He gestures toward Lois, on phone, and we PUSH IN on her. LOIS Hello? INTERCUT WITH: --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 9. 13 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S TOWNHOUSE - DAY 13 Carol on the phone with Lois, in a home that we will gradually discover is decorated with features and fixtures remarkably similar to those in Lois and Clark's place -- CAROL Lois? I hope you don't mind my calling you at work -- Lois covers her relief as Jimmy and Aurora linger in the b.g. LOIS Hi, Carol, no, not at all... CAROL I hope this isn't too much of an imposition, but we're going through swatches from that furniture place you recommended and I'm not having much luck narrowing the field... Carol reviews a note pad that lists "Foods Lois Likes". CAROL (CONT'D) ... could I trade you a second opinion for some chocolate-covered bahklava --? LOIS Are you serious? Do you know I _love_ bahklava? CAROL (a cool smile) Well, isn't that amazing. Five okay? LOIS Sure. I think the guys are playing basketball then. CAROL Great. CAROL OUT. Clark joins Lois. CLARK Perry and Candy invited us to a monster truck rally; Jimmy and Aurora want us to go tunnel hopping... (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 9. 13 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S TOWNHOUSE - DAY 13 Carol on the phone with Lois, in a home that we will gradually discover is decorated with features and fixtures remarkably similar to those in Lois and Clark's place -- CAROL Lois? I hope you don't mind my calling you at work -- Lois covers her relief as Jimmy and Aurora linger in the b.g. LOIS Hi, Carol, no, not at all... CAROL I hope this isn't too much of an imposition, but we're going through swatches from that drapery place (X) you recommended and I'm not having much luck narrowing the field... Carol reviews a note pad that lists "Foods Lois Likes". CAROL (CONT'D) ... could I trade you a second opinion for a homemade chocolate (X) eclaire? (X) LOIS Are you serious? Do you know I _love_ eclaires? (X) CAROL (a cool smile) Well, isn't that amazing. Five okay? LOIS Sure. I think the guys are playing basketball then. CAROL Great. CAROL OUT. Clark joins Lois. CLARK Perry and Candy invited us to a monster truck rally; Jimmy and Aurora want us to go tunnel hopping... (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 10. 13 CONTINUED: 13 LOIS (unenthused) Oh. Uh-huh. Well, I don't wanna hurt anyone's feelings.... CLARK Well, me either.... LOIS So say we unfortunately already have plans. With Bob and Carol. CLARK We do? LOIS (grabbing her phone book) Soon as I make 'em. CLARK I thought we were in cautious Stage One... LOIS We are, but if it means a real, adult, normal night out, I say we move into a Stage Two fast. She picks up phone as Perry moves over to them. PERRY Clark, that series of deaths you've been following... the weird patches on the bodies? CLARK Yeah? PERRY Just got a report of another one over on Kelton Drive. Might want to hustle. CLARK Right, Chief. 14 EXT. FIRST ALLEY - DAY 14 The body of Dr. Kobiyashi is sheeted and being wheeled off. There's an O.S. WOOSH, a kick of wind and Clark comes around the corner, straightening his tie and flashing his press credentials. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 11. 14 CONTINUED: 14 CLARK I'd like to see the body, please. TWO COPS stand in his path. A man in a grey suit and rep tie comes between them. This is AGENT RAWLINS. AGENT RAWLINS Let him through, guys. Hey, Kent. CLARK Pete. What's the NIA doing here? AGENT RAWLINS Mysterious deaths -- He pulls the sheet back on Kobiyashi. He tore his shirt open as he died and the exposed chest is blotted with red. AGENT RAWLINS (CONT'D) -- in healthy individuals, leaving these marks around the heart. CLARK Have I uncovered some secret plot? AGENT RAWLINS Maybe. He throws the sheet back over the body and signals for it to be taken off. CLARK I thought it might be some kind of new virus... AGENT RAWLINS What I'm about to tell you is off the record, for now. CLARK Okay. AGENT RAWLINS Normally, we could handle this ourselves but... you see anybody standing next to me? CLARK No. AGENT RAWLINS That's because there isn't anybody. They fired my partner. They fired everybody's partner. (MORE) (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Blue R. 10/8/96 11. 14 CONTINUED: 14 CLARK I'd like to see the body, please. TWO COPS stand in his path. A man in a grey suit and rep tie comes between them. This is AGENT RAWLINS. AGENT RAWLINS Let him through, guys. Hey, Kent. CLARK Pete. What's the NIA doing here? AGENT RAWLINS Mysterious deaths -- He pulls the sheet back on Kobiyashi. He tore his shirt open as he died and the exposed chest is blotted with red. AGENT RAWLINS (CONT'D) -- in healthy individuals, leaving these marks around the heart. CLARK Have I stumbled onto something (X) big, here? (X) AGENT RAWLINS Maybe. He throws the sheet back over the body and signals for it to be taken off. CLARK I thought it might be some kind of new virus... AGENT RAWLINS What I'm about to tell you is off the record, for now. CLARK Okay. AGENT RAWLINS Normally, we could handle this ourselves but... you see anybody standing next to me? CLARK No. AGENT RAWLINS That's because there isn't anybody. They fired my partner. (MORE) (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Blue R. 10/8/96 11A. 14 CONTINUED: 2 14 AGENT RAWLINS (CONT'D) The fired everybody's partner. (MORE) (CONTINUED) "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 12. 14 CONTINUED: 2 14 AGENT RAWLINS (CONT'D) Took away my car with all the cool stuff in it. Had an ejection seat, you know. A real one. CLARK I'm sorry about that, Pete. AGENT RAWLINS Budget cuts. Anyway, we think we know who's been killing these people here in town. An assassin, code named Deathgrip. No one alive's ever seen his face but he always leaves these marks... (the marks on the chest) ... and signs of an apparent heart attack. Everything else we know is second-hand rumor. (as Clark jots) He's most likely a male, known to wear some sort of jumpsuit, known to work with a female accomplice, known to settle down in a big city and make a home before the kill. Word is, his next mission's not for money. It's for revenge. CLARK So if he's known to settle and make a base, you should -- AGENT RAWLINS I already made a list of all new residents -- (bitterly) -- but with no partner, my staff laid off and my cool car -- (stops himself) Anyway, if you dig up anything let me know. I'll do the same and -- CLARK -- I'll tell Superman to keep an eye out. AGENT RAWLINS Thanks, Kent. 15 INT. DAILY PLANET - NEWSROOM - DAY 15 The phone RINGS. Lois picks up. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 12. 14 CONTINUED: 3 14 AGENT RAWLINS (CONT'D) Took away my car with all the cool stuff in it. Had an ejection seat, you know. A real one. CLARK I'm sorry about that, Pete. AGENT RAWLINS Budget cuts. Anyway, there's been a series of deaths in town, all with striking similarities. We think they're the work of an assassin. Code named 'Deathstroke'. He always leaves (X) these marks... (the marks on the chest) ... and signs of an apparent heart attack. (as Clark jots) He's said to be a male, possibly wears some sort of jumpsuit, possibly works with a female accomplice, settles down in a big city and makes a home before the kill. Word is, his next mission's, not for money. It's for revenge. CLARK So if he's known to settle and make a base, you should -- AGENT RAWLINS I already made a list of all new residents -- (bitterly) -- but with no partner, my staff laid off and my cool car -- (stops himself) Anyway, if you dig up anything let me know. I'll do the same and -- CLARK -- I'll tell Superman to keep an eye out. AGENT RAWLINS Thanks, Kent.. 15 INT. DAILY PLANET - NEWSROOM - DAY 15 The phone RINGS. Lois picks up. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 13. 15 CONTINUED: 15 LOIS Lois Lane. VOICE (O.S.) Miss Lane. I'm afraid you won't be hearing from Grant Gendell's lawyer today -- (Lois' face drops) -- because this is Grant Gendell. Lois' eyes widen. LOIS Mr. Gendell. Hello. Thank you for calling. 16 INTERCUT: GENDELL - TIGHT ANGLE 16 GRANT GENDELL. In his 60's, crafty, nervous, but back-lit in a high-back chair so we can't fully see him or his surroundings. GRANT So. What do you think of trying to write something that makes me look halfway human to the world? LOIS I guess that all depends. Are you? GRANT That's what I like about you, Miss Lane. All grit and no bull. People trust you. You write something good about me, people'll buy. LOIS I don't write puff pieces. I'm going to ask a lot of questions you might not like. GRANT It's not the questions I'm afraid of, Ms. Lane. It's whether or not I can trust the person asking them. You'll be checked out thoroughly... and if I smell something I don't like, you'll never see me. Before she can respond, he hangs up. GENDELL OUT. --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 14. 17 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S TOWNHOUSE - DAY 17 Lois sits on the sofa, sipping coffee as she examines fabric swatches attached to cards with paint samples. Carol returns a coffee decanter to a table behind Lois, during: CAROL You actually talked to him? Grant Gendell?! LOIS Yep. During the following, Carol will ease Lois' cell phone out of her purse and replace it with one hidden in a potted plant. CAROL Think he really wears Kleenex boxes for shoes and eats cold soup from a can? Lois opens another swatch book, compares with first one. LOIS I don't know, I've heard all the same stories you have. Something kind of charming about him, though. And I get the sense he wants to come out of hiding for a specific reason. (re: swatch) This is the exact color I almost went with last summer -- (at another swatch) -- and this is what I finally chose. She turns to show it to Carol, who, mission accomplished, spins swiftly away from the purse. CAROL You're kidding. LOIS I don't know what you were so worried about, Carol. This place looks great. CAROL I just think you have to feel at home when you're, well, at home. Especially when you have a husband who's always rushing out to save the world. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 14. 17 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S TOWNHOUSE - DAY 17 Lois sits on the sofa, sipping coffee as she examines fabric swatches attached to cards with paint samples. Carol returns a coffee decanter to a table behind Lois, during: CAROL You actually talked to him? Grant Gendell?! LOIS Yep. During the following, Carol will ease Lois' cell phone out of her purse and replace it with one hidden in a potted plant. CAROL Think he really wears Kleenex boxes for shoes and eats cold soup from a can? Lois looks at two swatches, attached to cards, segregated from the rest. LOIS I don't know, I've heard all the same stories you have. Something kind of charming about him, though. And I get the sense he wants to come out of hiding for a specific reason. (re: swatch) This is the exact color I almost went with -- (X) (at another swatch) -- and this is what I finally chose. She turns to show it to Carol, who, mission accomplished, spins swiftly away from the purse. CAROL You're kidding. LOIS I don't know what you were so worried about, Carol. This place looks great. CAROL I just think you have to feel at home when you're, well, at home. Especially when you have a husband who's always rushing out to save the world. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 15. 17 CONTINUED: 17 LOIS You too? (catching herself) Not that Clark literally saves the world. But -- CAROL (coming over) It's like Bob's medical work. 'You're important, too, honey, but this is an emergency' -- LOIS A job for... CAROL Superdoctor. 18 EXT. BASKETBALL COURT - DAY 18 Clark scores a basket off Bob, trying not to make it look too easy. BOB Where'd you learn those moves? CLARK Trying to keep up with Lois. Bob has the ball, starts to move. BOB Aggressive on the court? CLARK Let's just say ambitious. BOB Carol's the same. CLARK Keeps you on your toes, huh? BOB I wouldn't have it any other way. CLARK Me either. Anyway, that guy I was telling you about..? It's really weird -- no one in the coroner's office can figure out what those marks around his heart are. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Blue R. 10/8/96 15. 17 CONTINUED: 17 LOIS You too? (catching herself) Not that Clark literally saves the world. But -- CAROL (coming over) I mean, I'm a chemist, I have a (X) professional life, too... But (X) Bob's work is so... (X) LOIS All consuming, I know all about it. CAROL He'll give me a hug and say, (X) 'You're important, too, honey, but this is an emergency'-- LOIS A job for... CAROL Superdoctor. 18 EXT. BASKETBALL COURT - DAY 18 Clark scores a basket off Bob, trying not to make it look too easy. BOB Where'd you learn those moves? CLARK Trying to keep up with Lois. Bob has the ball, starts to move. BOB Aggressive on the court? CLARK Let's just say ambitious. BOB Carol's the same. CLARK Keeps you on your toes, huh? BOB I wouldn't have it any other way. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 15A. 18 CONTINUED: 18 CLARK Me either. Listen, you're a (X) doctor. Remember that guy I was (X) telling you about? The one with (X) the weird marks around his heart. (X) No one in the coroner's office (X) knows what those are. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 16. 18 CONTINUED: 18 BOB Huh. CLARK You're a doctor. Any theories? BOB Sounds like some kind of clotting. CLARK But let's say, just theoretically, that this was murder. As Clark tosses him the ball and Bob considers this -- BOB Murder? CLARK The death fits a pattern of a number of other mysterious deaths. BOB You got any idea why somebody'd be killing all these people? CLARK Not a clue. Bob shoots. The ball hits the rim, isn't going to go in. Clark sends a little SUPER-BREATH at it and drops through. BOB I can't believe that went in... CLARK You win, buddy. Good game. 19 INT. LOIS AND CLARK'S PLACE - NIGHT #2 19 Lois pours wine glasses as Clark hangs up fresh capes in his secret compartment. LOIS How was your game with Bob? CLARK Great. You and Carol have a good time? LOIS I have to admit, we could be superspeeding through all the cautious Friendship Stages here. she's really nice... funny, down to Earth... --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 16. 18 CONTINUED: 2 18 BOB Sounds like some kind of clotting. CLARK But what if this were murder? (X) Hypothetically, that is. (X) As Clark tosses him the ball and Bob considers this -- BOB Murder? CLARK The death fits a pattern of a number of other mysterious deaths. BOB You got any idea why somebody'd be killing all these people? CLARK Not a clue. Bob shoots. The ball hits the rim, isn't going to go in. Clark sends a little SUPER-BREATH at it and it drops (X) through. Bob is amazed. (X) CLARK Nice shot. (X) 19 INT. LOIS AND CLARK'S PLACE - NIGHT #2 19 Lois pours wine glasses as Clark hangs up fresh capes in his secret compartment. LOIS How was your game with Bob? CLARK Great. You and Carol have a good time? LOIS I have to admit, we could be superspeeding through all the cautious Friendship Stages here. She's really nice... funny, down to Earth... --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 17. 20 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S TOWNHOUSE - NIGHT 20 Bob inspects his own selection of black supersuits. CAROL She's finally starting to melt. The research on them really paid off. How'd it go with Clark? BOB I kept trying to let him win. He's not much of a ballplayer. Did you slip her the phone with the bug in it? CAROL (nods) I thought it was going to be harder to distract her but when Lois opens up, she's quite a talker. In -- 21 INT. LOIS AND CLARK'S PLACE - NIGHT 21 LOIS -- fact, something Carol said was really interesting... CLARK Yeah? LOIS About how hard it is: everything she and I are trying to do in our careers, the way you and Bob are so driven; feels like it never lets up. So I said, 'How does a desert island and a few million dollars sound?' As Clark closes his secret compartment -- 22 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S TOWNHOUSE - RESUME 22 -- Bob closes his own secret closet. BOB You're kidding. Lois said that? CAROL For a second, I thought, oh, my God, they know... they know our whole plan... (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 17. 20 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S TOWNHOUSE - NIGHT 20 Bob inspects his own selection of supersuits. (X) CAROL She's finally starting to melt. The research on them really paid off. How'd it go with Clark? BOB I haven't made moves like that on (X) a court in... ever. It's like (X) someone was helping me. How 'bout (X) you? Did you slip her the phone (X) with the bug in it? CAROL (nods) I thought it was going to be harder to distract her but when Lois opens up, she's quite a talker. In -- 21 INT. LOIS AND CLARK'S PLACE - NIGHT 21 LOIS -- fact, something Carol said was really interesting... CLARK Yeah? LOIS About how hard it is: everything she and I are trying to do in our careers, the way you and Bob are so driven; feels like it never lets up. So I said, 'How does a desert island and a few million dollars sound?' As Clark closes his secret compartment 22 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S TOWNHOUSE - RESUME 22 -- Bob closes his own secret closet. BOB You're kidding. Lois said that? CAROL For a second, I thought, oh, my God, they know... they know our whole plan... (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 18. 22 CONTINUED: 22 BOB Y'know, Clark kept talking about the murders... CAROL But we knew he was writing about that before we targeted them. No, the panic passed and I realized: this is normal, Lois and I just think -- 23 INT. LOIS AND CLARK'S - NIGHT 23 LOIS -- the same way, like good friends should. CLARK See? I told you this was gonna work out. They kiss. 24 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S - NIGHT 24 They kiss. BOB It's all going to happen, isn't it? We're finally going to stop running, finally going to settle down and have a normal life. And we're finally, _finally_ going to kill Grant Gendell... CAROL ... but more to the point, hon, we're going to get all his money. Revenge is nice. But a desert island is better. FADE OUT: _END OF ACT ONE_ --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 19. _ACT TWO_ FADE IN: 25 INT. DAILY PLANET CITY ROOM - MORNING - DAY #3 25 Jimmy and Clark staring at a list. CLARK A doctor, a contractor, a retired cop who became a bodyguard. Now a dentist. What do they all have in common... why would Deathgrip want them dead? JIMMY Okay. I've seen how you and Lois do this; let's step back and look at the pattern. They're all men. Over thirty-five. Lived in Metropolis... (stares blankly) Aaaand I really suck at this. CLARK We need to deep background these guys, see where their paths cross. Your Dad's still NIA? (he nods; Clark hands over his notes) Get online with him, see what he can tell us about Deathgrip. JIMMY Hunting Deathgrip. Now you're talking. He heads off. Clark gets up. Lois' phone RINGS. She snatches it up. LOIS Lois Lane.... Yes, Mr. Denzler. (to Clark) Gendell's lawyer. (into phone) Yes, I am... Yes, I do... PAN DOWN to Lois' cell phone in her purse: the one Carol switched. LOIS (CONT'D) -- any time you want to -- 26 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S TOWNHOUSE - DAY 26 Bob and Carol listen in on their bugging device. --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Yellow 10/29/96 19. _ACT TWO_ FADE IN: 25 INT. DAILY PLANET CITY ROOM - MORNING - DAY #3 25 Jimmy and Clark staring at a list. CLARK A doctor, a contractor, a retired cop who became a.bodyguard. Now a dentist. What do they all have in common... why would Deathstroke want them dead? JIMMY Okay. I've seen how you and Lois do this; let's step back and look at the pattern. They're all men. Over thirty-five. Lived in Metropolis... (stares blankly) Aaaand I really suck at this. CLARK We need to deep background these guys, see where their paths cross. Your Dad's still NIA? (he nods; Clark hands over his notes) Get online with him, see what'he can tell us about Deathstroke. JIMMY Hunting Deathstroke. Now you're talking. He heads off. Clark gets up. Lois' phone RINGS. She snatches it up. LOIS Lois Lane.... Yes, Mr. Denzler. (to Clark) Gendell's lawyer. 25A INTERCUT LIMO - TIGHT ON DENZLER - ROLLING - DAY 25A(X) He's in the front seat, on car phone. Behind him, the (X) privacy panel is up. (X) DENZLER Well, Ms. Lane, completely against (X) my better judgment, I am on my way (X) to meet with you. Are you ready? (X) (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Yellow 10/29/96 19A. 25A CONTINUED: 25A LOIS (into phone) Yes, I am... (X) DENZLER You understand the ground rules. (X) You will come alone. You will ask (X) no questions. You will not be (X) concerned with where you're (X) going. You will bring no cameras (X) or recording devices. And until (X) Mr. Gendell has agreed to the (X) interview you will print nothing (X) about him or this meeting. Do you (X) agree to all this? (X) LOIS Yes, I do... (X) DENZLER (sighs) I was afraid of that. (X) PAN DOWN to Lois' cell phone in her purse: the one Carol switched. DENZLER (V.O.) How soon can you be downstairs? (X) LOIS -- any time you want to -- DENZLER Now. (X) 26 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S TOWNHOUSE - DAY 26 Bob and Carol listen in on their bugging device. DENZLER (V.O.) The car will pull up. Open the (X) rear door yourself and get inside (X) immediately. (X) 26A DENZLER 26A DENZLER If there's any hint you've been (X) accompanied, the car will leave (X) without you. (X) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 20. 27 BACK TO LOIS 27 as she frowns and looks at her watch. LOIS I'll be there. She hangs up, as Clark looks over to her curiously. LOIS (CONT'D) In a limo, downstairs, now. CLARK Now? LOIS These guys bring new meaning to the word 'paranoid.' Wish me luck. As Clark gives her a kiss, she grabs her bag and whirls off -- 28 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S PLACE - DAY 28 Carol slaps the cell phone shut as they dash for the door. CAROL Hurry! She's meeting the lawyer any second -- 29 EXT. DOWN THE STREET - CONTINUOUS 29 Agent Rawlins watches from an unmarked car, talking on his cell phone. AGENT RAWLINS Yes, Sandy, I'm now onto Couple Number Nine... CAMERA ADJUSTS to see Bob and Carol rushing to their parked car, jumping in. AGENT RAWLINS (CONT'D) They're just leaving now... Bob and Carol pull away, Rawlins sighs and puts his car in gear. 30 EXT. EMBASSY STREET - LIMOUSINE - DAY 30 The limousine pulls to a stop and parks outside the building. --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Yellow 10/29/96 20. 27 BACK TO LOIS 27 as she frowns and looks at her watch. LOIS I'll be there. DENZLER (V.O.) Denzler out. (X) She hangs up, as Clark looks over to her curiously. LOIS In a limo, downstairs, now. CLARK Now? LOIS These guys bring new meaning to the word 'Paranoid.' Wish me luck. As Clark gives her a kiss, she grabs her bag and whirls off. 28 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S PLACE - DAY 28 Carol turns off the bugging device, as they dash for the door. CAROL Hurry! She's meeting the lawyer any second -- 29 EXT. DOWN THE STREET - CONTINUOUS 29 Agent Rawlins watches from an unmarked car, talking on his cell phone. AGENT RAWLINS Yes, Sandy, I'm now onto Couple Number Nine... CAMERA ADJUSTS to see Bob and Carol rushing to their parked car, jumping in. AGENT RAWLINS (CONT'D) They're just leaving now... Bob and Carol pull away, Rawlins sighs and puts his car in gear. 30 EXT. EMBASSY STREET - LIMOUSINE - DAY 30 The limousine pulls to a stop and parks outside the building. --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 21. 31 INSIDE THE LIMO 31 Lois finds herself alone, except for a video screen and the chauffeur. LOIS Why're we stopping? Where's Mr. Denzler? The chauffeur (DENZLER) speaks through a glass panel. DENZLER I'm Denzler, Ms. Lane. LOIS I'd have thought Grant Gendell could hire a driver for you. DENZLER Can't trust drivers. Do you know that they let almost anyone have a driver's license? Without asking anything about their personal relationships? A shadowy silhouette of Grant Gendell appears on the video screen VIA LIVE FEED -- GRANT (on screen) I'm sorry about this, Ms. Lane, but Denzler is paid to be paranoid. It's a trait I admire. LOIS I... understand. DENZLER (testily) I'm one of the few people who have actually met Mr. Gendell, and if it were up to me, it would stay that way. GRANT Forgive me, Ms. Lane, but we have a few routine security questions for you... 32 EXT. STREET - DAY 32 Across the street, Bob and Carol's car pulls to a stop and parks. Behind them, Agent Rawlins rounds the corner, parks some distance back from Bob and Carol. --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Yellow 10/29/96 21. 31 INSIDE THE LIMO 31 Lois finds herself alone, except for a video screen and the chauffeur. LOIS Why're we stopping? Where's Mr. Denzler? The chauffeur (DENZLER) speaks through a glass panel. DENZLER I'm Denzler, Ms. Lane. LOIS I'd have thought Grant Gendell could hire a driver for you. DENZLER Can't trust drivers. Do you know that they let almost anyone have a driver's license? Without asking anything about their personal relationships? A shadowy silhouette of Grant Gendell appears on the video screen VIA LIVE FEED -- During the scene, Grant will relate (X) to Denzler as if sitting next to him. (X) GRANT (on screen) I'm sorry about this, Ms. Lane, but Denzler is paid to be paranoid. It's a trait I admire. LOIS I... understand. DENZLER (testily) I'm one of the few people who have actually met Mr. Gendell, and if it were up to me, it would stay that way. CAMERA MOVES DOWN to reveal the cel phone protruding from Lois' purse. GRANT Forgive me, Ms. Lane, but we have a few routine security questions for you... 32 EXT. STREET - DAY 32 Across the street, Bob and Carol's car pulls to a stop and parks. Behind them, Agent Rawlins rounds the corner, parks some distance back from Bob and Carol. --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 22. 33 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S CAR - DAY 33 Bob's behind the wheel. Carol has a laptop computer; a small speaker with an antenna rests on the dash. GRANT (V.O.) Have you visited a foreign country in the last seven months? LOIS (V.O.) Does New Jersey count? 34 INT. AGENT RAWLINS' CAR - DAY 34 He sits aiming a tiny shotgun microphone with a parabolic dish at Bob and Carol's car. On _his_ speaker box: BOB (V.O.) Is he giggling or is that a death rattle? CAROL (V.O.) The old goat's completely charmed by her. 35 INT. LIMO - DAY 35 DENZLER Is anyone in your life familiar with the use of Plastique, AK-47s, strychnine, or similar explosives, weapons or poisons? LOIS Only my mother. GRANT (on screen) I like this girl... DENZLER Are you now or have you ever been employed by Gendell Technologies or any of its subsidiaries? LOIS No -- GRANT -- or acquainted with any present or former employee? LOIS Not until today. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Yellow 10/29/96 22. 33 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S CAR - DAY 33 Bob's behind the wheel. Carol has a laptop computer; a small speaker with an antenna rests on the dash. GRANT (V.O.) Have you visited a foreign country in the last seven months? LOIS (V.O.) Does New Jersey count? BOB Is he giggling or is that a death (X) rattle? (X) CAROL The old goat's completely charmed (X) by her. (X) 34 INT. AGENT RAWLINS' CAR - DAY 34 He sits watching Bob and Carol's car. (X) 35 INT. LIMO DAY 35 DENZLER Is anyone in your life familiar with the use of Plastique, AK-47s, strychnine, or similar explosives weapons or poisons? LOIS Only my mother. GRANT (on screen) I like this girl ... DENZLER Are you now or have you ever been employed by Gendell Technologies or any of its subsidiaries? LOIS No -- GRANT -- or acquainted with any present or former employee? LOIS Not until today. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 23. 35 CONTINUED: 35 DENZLER Ah-hah. GRANT She means _you_, you idiot. DENZLER Oh. 36 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S CAR 36 Carol is staring at the sideview mirror. CAROL I think we're being followed. BOB NIA again. CAROL We'll see. Carol picks up a small camera, aims through the rear window of her car. Shoots. Then plugs a wire protruding from the camera into her laptop. GRANT (V.O.) I like you, Ms. Lane. LOIS (V.O.) Thanks, I think. 37 INT. DAILY PLANET - NEWSROOM - DAY 37 Clark at his computer as Jimmy walks by. JIMMY Anything? CLARK Waiting on a search. You? JIMMY This Deathgrip's a ghost. Nobody's seen him, talked to him... The list of people they think he killed is pretty amazing. Check it out. Jimmy hands him a list. Clark whistles, impressed. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Yellow 10/29/96 23. 35 CONTINUED: 35 DENZLER Ah-hah. GRANT She means _you_, you idiot. DENZLER Oh. GRANT Your kind words on my behalf (X) didn't go unnoticed, Ms. Lane. (X) You flew into battle even (X) though... 36 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S CAR 36 Carol is staring at the sideview mirror. GRANT (V.O.) ... we'd never met and I'm (X) supposed to be a half-insane (X) potentially dangerous hermit. (X) That took guts, a trait I also (X) admire, so I guess what I'm trying (X) to say is... (X) CAROL (during last of the above:) (X) I think we're being followed. BOB NIA again? CAROL We'll see. Carol picks up a small camera, aims through the rear window of her car. Shoots. Then plugs a wire protruding from the camera into her laptop. GRANT (V.O.) ... I like you, Ms. Lane. (X) LOIS (V.O.) Thanks, I think. 37 INT. DAILY PLANET - NEWSROOM - DAY 37 Clark at his computer as Jimmy walks by. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Yellow 10/29/96 23A. 37 CONTINUED: 37 JIMMY Anything? CLARK Waiting on a search. You? JIMMY This Deathstroke's a ghost. Nobody's seen him, talked to him... The list of people they think he killed is pretty amazing. Check it out. Jimmy hands him a list. Clark whistles, impressed. JIMMY (CONT'D) My Dad says nailing him's been a top priority for the NIA but they can never agree: is he in London, L.A., Hong Kong, here in Metropolis? And with the budget cuts... CLARK I know, I heard. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 24. 37 CONTINUED: 37 JIMMY (CONT'D) My Dad says nailing him's been a top priority for the NIA but they can never agree: is he in London, L.A., Hong Kong, here in Metropolis? And with the budget cuts... CLARK I know, I heard. Clark's computer BEEPS. They lean in. CLARK (CONT'D) Okay, here we go... accessing all data banks, where do these guys cross? JIMMY Three of them have the same hat size. CLARK All four have been paid by a company called Denzler Limited. Denzler, that sounds so -- (stops) Gendell's lawyer. All four of these men worked for Gendell's lawyer. (jumping up) When did Lois say she was coming back? JIMMY She didn't. C.K., where you goin'? But Clark is already dashing off across the bullpen. 38 INT. LIMOUSINE - DAY 38 The video screen now displays static. Denzler shuts it off with a remote control. DENZLER I could have done without the sarcasm of your answers, but it appears that Mr. Gendell trusts you. As much as he trusts anyone. LOIS So I have the interview? (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Yellow 10/29/96 24. 37 CONTINUED: 2 37 Clark's computer BEEPS. They lean in. CLARK (CONT'D) Okay, here we go... accessing all data banks, where do these guys cross? JIMMY Three of them have the same hat size. CLARK All four have been paid by a company called Denzler Limited. Denzler, that sounds so -- (stops) Gendell's lawyer. All four of these men worked for Gendell's lawyer. (jumping up) When did Lois say she was coming back? JIMMY She didn't. C.K., where you goin'? But Clark is already dashing off across the bull pen. 38 INT. LIMOUSINE - DAY 38 Grant wraps up the preliminaries on the video screen: (X) GRANT ... I'm beginning to realize, I (X) suppose, that a man like me (X) belongs to history whether he likes it or not. So I'd just as (X) soon have the history be correct. (X) Good day, Ms. Lane. (X) The video screen now displays static. Denzler shuts it off with a remote control. DENZLER I could have done without the sarcasm of your answers, but it appears that Mr. Gendell trusts you. As much as he trusts anyone. LOIS So I have the interview? (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 25. 38 CONTINUED: 38 DENZLER Meet me again in front of the Planet building, tomorrow, at noon. Lois is thrilled. Denzler puts the car in gear. 39 EXT. SAME STREET - BOB AND CAROL'S CAR - DAY 39 Bob and Carol listen. BOB Tomorrow at noon. We're almost there. CAROL Not quite. Carol points to her computer screen. On one half, the digitized, long lens photo she just took of Agent Rawlins. On the other side of the screen, Rawlins' official NIA photo, name and ID number. CAROL (CONT'D) He's NIA, all right. And he's made us. BOB Just like Berlin. When are these people going to leave us alone? CAROL When we disappear into our new lives. Until then, we've got to take care of him. Pull into that alley up there, he'll follow us. Bob nods, grimly. 40 EXT. DAILY PLANET - DAY 40 The limousine pulls up and Lois hops out. As it pulls away, SUPERMAN lands before her. LOIS Hey. Guess who nabbed the interview of the century? SUPERMAN Are you all right? (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Blue R. 10/8/96 25. 38 CONTINUED: 38 DENZLER Meet me again in front of the Planet building, tomorrow, at noon. Lois is thrilled. Denzler puts the car in gear. 39 EXT. SAME STREET - BOB AND CAROL'S CAR - DAY 39 Bob and Carol listen. BOB Tomorrow at noon. We're almost there. CAROL Not quite. Carol points to her computer screen. On one half, the digitized, long lens photo she just took of Agent Rawlins. On the other side of the screen, Rawlins' official NIA photo, name and ID number. CAROL (CONT'D) He's NIA, all right. And he's made us. BOB (angrily slamming hand (X) on dashboard) (X) Just like Berlin! When are these (X) people going to leave us alone? Abruptly, the metal speaker box scoots across the (X) dashboard, adheres to Bob's exposed hand. Carol glances at (X) it coolly, detaches it. (X) CAROL Careful. When you're emotional, (X) you get a power surge. (X) (then) (X) Bob, soon we'll disappear into (X) whole new lives. Until then, (X) we've got to take care of _him_. (nods toward Rawlins) (X) Pull into that alley up there, he'll follow us. Bob nods, grimly. 40 EXT. DAILY PLANET - DAY 40 The limousine pulls up and Lois hops out. As it pulls away, SUPERMAN lands before her. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Blue R. 10/8/96 25A. 40 CONTINUED: 40 LOIS Hey. Guess who nabbed the interview of the century? SUPERMAN Are you all right? (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 26. 40 CONTINUED: 40 LOIS Well, yeah. (suspicious smile) Were you out looking for me? SUPERMAN (awkwardly) Well... LOIS Superman doesn't lie. SUPERMAN Okay, yes. But just because those deaths I've been looking into... You know, the red marks on the chest...? LOIS (nods) ... the Deathstroke... ? SUPERMAN ... grip, yeah. Well, his four victims all worked for Denzler -- LOIS (taken aback) Denzler, Limited? SUPERMAN Yeah. LOIS It's a shell company. Gendell uses it when he doesn't want records that could indicate anyone ever worked for him directly. He only used it for people he made direct contact with -- bodyguards -- SUPERMAN -- doctors, contractors. And that's exactly who Deathgrip's been killing. LOIS Why? Superman is suddenly distracted by a CRY that only he can hear. A MAN'S CRY of agony. SUPERMAN (CONT'D) Someone's in trouble -- nearby -- He exits frame. --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 26. 40 CONTINUED: 2 40 LOIS Well, yeah. (suspicious smile) Were you out looking for me? SUPERMAN (awkwardly) Well... LOIS Superman doesn't lie. SUPERMAN Okay, yes. But just because those deaths I've been looking into... You know, the red marks on the chest...? LOIS (nods) ... the 'Deathgrip'...? (X) SUPERMAN ... stroke, yeah. Well, his four (X) victims all worked for Denzler -- LOIS (taken aback) Denzler, Limited? SUPERMAN Yeah. LOIS It's a shell company. Gendell uses it when he doesn't want records that could indicate anyone ever worked for him directly. He only used it for people he made direct contact with -- bodyguards -- SUPERMAN -- doctors, contractors. And that's exactly who Deathstroke's (X) been killing. LOIS Why? Superman is suddenly distracted by a CRY that only he can hear. A MAN'S CRY of agony. SUPERMAN (CONT'D) Down the street. Someone's in (X) trouble. (X) He exits frame. --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 27. 41 EXT. ALLEY - DAY 41 Superman BLURS around the corner to find -- Deathgrip framed in the open driver's door to Agent Rawlins' car. As Agent Rawlins himself slumps out the door, dying. SUPERMAN Deathgrip. DEATHGRIP Superman. You know me? SUPERMAN Agent Rawlins is a friend of mine. Held better be alive. Superman moves on Deathgrip, but as he places hands on his foe -- DEATHGRIP Or what? Deathgrip places his own hands on Superman's shoulders. And a SHIMMERING MAGNETIC FIELD envelops them both. Lois comes around the corner, she sees Superman and Deathgrip locked together. She approaches them in concern. Only to be thrown back as she reaches the magnetic field. Superman finds himself breaking a sweat. His vision is blurring. We hear the AMPLIFIED, DISTORTED SOUND OF A SLOWING HEARTBEAT (CONTINUING AND BUILDING THROUGHOUT ALL OF THE FOLLOWING) -- And as Superman hears it too, he realizes that it is -- Deathgrip who isn't doing so well either -- getting dizzy, gasping for air -- both he and Superman are weakening, falling to their knees. Carol is parked at the end of the alley, in a small lot full of other parked cars, so Lois doesn't see her. Looks out from the car -- she cannot reveal herself, but she cannot stand seeing her husband in danger, either. CAROL (whispered) Bob -- Lois circles the men, trying but unable to help, terrified at how Superman is weakening. LOIS (whispered) Clark -- (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 27. 41 EXT. ALLEY - DAY 41 Superman LANDS around the corner to find -- Deathstroke (X) framed in the open driver's door to Agent Rawlins' car. As Agent Rawlins himself slumps out the door, dying. SUPERMAN Deathstroke. (X) DEATHSTROKE (X) Superman. You know me? SUPERMAN Agent Rawlins is a friend of mine. He'd better be alive. Superman moves on Deathstroke, but as he places hands on (X) his foe -- DEATHSTROKE (X) Or what? Deathstroke opens his palms, holds the back of his hands (X) toward Superman, who's surprised to find himself scooting backwards as if repelled by a magnetic field. Just as quickly, Deathstroke flips his hands so palms are toward (X) Superman, and Superman slides forward. SUPERMAN That's enough. And Superman clamps his hands down on Deathstroke's (X) shoulders. Without flinching, Deathstroke does likewise to (X) Superman. Deathstroke grits his teeth, sending a surge of (X) SHIMMERING MAGNETIC FIELD from his hands, arcing down Superman's body. Lois comes around the corner, she sees Superman and Deathstroke locked together. (X) She approaches them in concern. Only to be thrown back as she reaches the magnetic field. Superman finds himself breaking a sweat. His vision is blurring. We hear the AMPLIFIED, DISTORTED SOUND OF A SLOWING HEARTBEAT (CONTINUING AND BUILDING THROUGHOUT ALL OF THE FOLLOWING) -- Deathstroke bears down, and a second (X) surge bursts from his hands, moves down Superman's body. Deathstroke isn't doing so well either -- getting dizzy, (X) gasping for air -- both he and Superman are weakening. Carol is parked at the end of the alley, unnoticed among several parked cars, and Lois doesn't see her. Carol looks out from the car -- she cannot reveal herself, but she cannot stand seeing her husband in danger, either. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 28. 41 CONTINUED: 41 Superman and Deathgrip drop to their knees, neither of them willing to give way, each of them unsure of how long they may last -- SUPERMAN (slowly, painfully) -- I'm not -- letting go -- DEATHGRIP (in like fashion) -- Neither am I. And as their eyes steel with determination -- FADE OUT. _END OF ACT TWO_ --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 28. 41 CONTINUED: 41 CAROL (whispered) Bob -- Lois presses back against the wall, unable to help, terrified at how Superman is weakening. LOIS (whispered) Clark -- Superman and Deathstroke are shaking, their footing (X) starting to slip, neither of them willing to give way, each of them unsure of how long they may last -- SUPERMAN (slowly, painfully) -- I'm not -- letting go -- DEATHSTROKE (X) (in like fashion) -- Neither am I. And as their eyes Steel with determination, and the HEARTBEAT-SOUND seems to echo through the alley, we... FADE OUT. _END OF ACT TWO_ --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 29. _ACT THREE_ FADE IN: 42 EXT. ALLEY - DAY - CONTINUOUS 42 Superman and Deathgrip remain locked in -- well, a deathgrip. Each man's strength is ebbing; they struggle to regain their footing, but neither will let go of the other -- THE DISTORTED, SLOWED HEARTBEAT EFFECT CONTINUES throughout -- Until at least, Deathgrip breaks his hold -- He drops to his knees -- but Superman is in no shape to chase him, collapsing to the pavement Deathgrip gets up. So does Superman. Deathgrip grabs a wall for balance. So does Superman. But Superman stops. We hear his HEARTBEAT speed up again, gradually and the DISTORTION lifts. He lifts hand to head, dizzy, and collapses. Carol puts her car in reverse and pulls out of sight. Deathgrip staggers to the end of the alley and rounds a corner -- Lois races in and puts her arms around Superman. LOIS Oh my God.... 43 EXT. AROUND ALLEY CORNER - DAY - CONTINUOUS 43 Carol opens the back door to the car and helps the breathless Deathgrip collapse inside -- DEATHGRIP God, he's strong -- couldn't hold on -- CAROL It's all right, honey, I'll get you out of here... DEATHGRIP Lois... back there... CAROL I know. She hits the gas. The car SQUEALS off. --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 29. _ACT THREE_ FADE IN: 42 EXT. ALLEY - DAY - CONTINUOUS 42 Superman and Deathstroke remain locked in -- well, a (X) deathgrip. Each man's strength is ebbing; they struggle to regain their footing, but neither will let go of the other -- Deathstroke seems to be weakening, so in a last (X) desperate move he delivers a final surge of magnetic power. (X) THE DISTORTED, SLOWED HEARTBEAT EFFECT CONTINUES throughout -- Struggling to figure out this new adversary, (X) Superman is somewhat disoriented. This allows Deathstroke (X) to break his hold. Then he drops to his knees, grabs a wall for balance. We (X) hear Superman's HEARTBEAT speed up again, gradually and the (X) DISTORTION lifts. Superman lifts hand to head, dizzy, and (X) confused. (X) Carol puts her car in reverse and pulls out of sight. Deathstroke staggers to his feet and crawls to the end of (X) the alley and rounds a corner -- Lois races in and puts her arms around Superman. LOIS Oh my God.... 43 EXT. AROUND ALLEY CORNER - DAY - CONTINUOUS 43 Carol opens the back door to the car and helps the breathless Deathstroke collapse inside -- (X) DEATHSTROKE (X) God, he's strong -- couldn't hold on -- CAROL It's all right, honey, I'll get you out of here... DEATHSTROKE (X) Lois... back there... CAROL I know. She hits the gas. The car SQUEALS off. --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 30. 44 EXT. ALLEY - DAY 44 Lois and Superman; we hear the car SCREECHING off O.S. LOIS What'd he do to you? Are you all right? SUPERMAN I.... will be. (looks up) Agent Rawlins....? CAMERA ADJUSTS to include Rawlins, lying dead nearby. Superman staggers over to him, feels for a pulse. SUPERMAN (CONT'D) He's dead. (as Lois joins him) Lois, I never felt anything like it -- my chest tightened up -- my head was spinning -- must be what a heart attack feels like -- LOIS We need to see Dr. Klein. 45 INT. STAR LABS - AFTERNOON 45 DR. KLEIN analyzes a tissue sample under a microscope, as Lois and Superman watch. LOIS When I tried to get close it was like when you try and press two magnets together and they repel...? DR. KLEIN Magnetism.... Considering the idea, Dr. Klein takes the slide of Rawlins' tissue sample, and leads Lois and Superman to a scanning electron microscope. DR. KLEIN (CONT'D) Superman, can I get a tissue sample? SUPERMAN Sure. Taking a slide and tweezers from the lab shelf, Superman aims his HEAT VISION at the back of his own hand and carefully moves an invisible amount of skin from his wrist to the slide. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Blue R. 10/8/96 30. 44 EXT. ALLEY - DAY 44 Lois and Superman; we hear the car SCREECHING off O.S. LOIS What'd he do to you? Are you all right? SUPERMAN I.... will be. (looks up) Agent Rawlins .... ? CAMERA ADJUSTS to include Rawlins, lying dead nearby. Superman staggers over to him, feels for a pulse. SUPERMAN (CONT'D) Aw man. He was a good guy. (X) (as Lois joins him) Lois, I never felt anything like it -- my chest tightened up -- my head was spinning -- must be what a heart attack feels like -- LOIS We need to see Dr. Klein. 45 INT. STAR LABS - AFTERNOON 45 DR. KLEIN analyzes a tissue sample under a microscope, as Lois and Superman watch. LOIS When I tried to get close it was like when you try and press two magnets together and they repel...? DR. KLEIN Magnetism... Considering the idea, Dr. Klein takes the slide of Rawlins' tissue sample, and leads Lois and Superman to a scanning electron microscope. DR. KLEIN (CONT'D) Superman, can I get a tissue sample? SUPERMAN Sure. Taking a slide and tweezers from the lab shelf, Superman aims his HEAT VISION at the back of his own hand and carefully moves an invisible amount of skin from his wrist to the slide. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 31. 45 CONTINUED: 45 Impressed, Dr. Klein takes the slide of Superman's skin cells and places it under one lens -- and the slide from Agent Rawlins under another lens. As he compares -- DR. KLEIN The composition of Superman's blood is obviously different from that of Agent Rawlins -- but in both samples, the erythrocytes are either clinging together, or repelling each other -- LOIS As if the bloodstream itself was magnetized -- DR. KLEIN Exactly. LOIS He's affecting the iron in your bloodstream, cutting off the flow of blood to your heart. DR. KLEIN And since there's a different amount of iron in your bloodstream, he couldn't kill you like the others. Superman takes Lois across the room, speaks in a low voice. Klein goes back to his microscope. SUPERMAN I want you to rethink this interview. LOIS Look, I know you're going to say something very sensible and very -- SUPERMAN -- true, which is this: The minute you see Gendell in person, you're a target... and I may not be able to stop him. LOIS This is the interview of a lifetime. SUPERMAN I appreciate that -- (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 31. 45 CONTINUED: 45 Impressed, Dr. Klein takes the slide of Superman's skin cells and places it under one lens -- and the slide from Agent Rawlins under another lens. As he compares -- LOIS (to Superman) (X) How do you feel? (X) SUPERMAN I feel okay. Good. Pumped. Next (X) time I'll take him. (X) DR. KLEIN Maybe not. (X) (off them). (X) The composition of Superman's blood is obviously different from that of Agent Rawlins -- but in both samples, the erythrocytes are either clinging together, or repelling each other -- LOIS As if the bloodstream itself was magnetized -- DR. KLEIN Exactly. LOIS He's affecting the iron in your bloodstream, cutting off the flow of blood to your heart. DR. KLEIN Since there's less iron in your bloodstream, he couldn't kill you as easily as the others. Although (X) he's dangerously altered your blood chemistry. SUPERMAN Meaning? DR. KLEIN Meaning, until your blood's had a chance to repair itself, I can't promise that another bout with Deathstroke wouldn't kill you. (X) (glancing at Lois) Certainly, anyone _without_ super powers doesn't stand a chance. Superman takes Lois across the room, speaks in a low voice. Klein goes back to his microscope. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 31A. 45 CONTINUED: 2 45 SUPERMAN I want you to rethink this interview. LOIS Look, I know you're going to say something very sensible and very -- SUPERMAN -- true, which is this: The minute you see Gendell in person, you're a target... and I may not be able to stop him. LOIS This is the interview of a lifetime. SUPERMAN I appreciate that -- (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 32. 45 CONTINUED: 2 45 LOIS -- which is why I know you'll understand when I say I have to do it. SUPERMAN Then I guess we've got to find a way to stop Deathgrip by noon tomorrow. Dr. Klein, are there scientific records available on magnetics research? DR. KLEIN Star Labs maintains a fairly complete archive. SUPERMAN Can you run a trace for anyone who did that kind of research for Gendell Technologies? Agent Rawlins said there might be some revenge motive involved; maybe it's some kind of grudge against Gendell. 46 EXT. BOB AND CAROL'S STREET - WITH LOIS AND CLARK - NIGHT #3 46 Lois and Clark head up to Bob and Carol's townhouse. Clark has a bottle of wine. CLARK Maybe we shoulda canceled tonight, Lois... Maybe I should be flying around, looking for Deathgrip... Maybe you should be seeing what Dr. Klein's found out... LOIS Clark, this is how we got so isolated in the first place -- letting our work run our lives. We just have to accept the fact we're both in high risk professions and are the targets of an evil plot... let's have dinner with our new friends. CLARK Yeah, you're right. They go up the steps to the front door. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Yellow 10/29/96 32. 45 CONTINUED: 3 45 LOIS -- which is why I know you'll understand when I say I have to do it. SUPERMAN Then I guess we've got to find a way to stop Deathstroke by noon tomorrow. Dr. Klein, are there scientific records available on magnetics research? DR. KLEIN Star Labs maintains a fairly complete archive. SUPERMAN Can you run a trace for anyone who did that kind of research for Gendell Technologies? Agent Rawlins said there might be some revenge motive involved; maybe it's some kind of grudge against Gendell. 45A INT. CAROL'S BASEMENT LAB - TIGHT ON BOB - NIGHT 45A(X) BOB I _hate_ Gendell. (X) 45B WIDER 45B(X) Bob, without glasses and wearing only a towel around his (X) waist, stands between two high tech electronic poles, about (X) as tall as he is. He grips metal handles mounted on each (X) pole. He stands in the center of a three foot circle (X) indicated on the floor, and a hot white light pours down on (X) him from directly overhead. Around him is an array of (X) chemistry and electronic equipment. Carol points a (X) hand-held device at him, watching read-outs on its tiny (X) screen. (read-outs we will not see) The poles HUM with a (X) pulsing sound. (X) CAROL (sympathetic) (X) I know you do, sweetheart. Hold (X) still. (adjusting dials) (X) I think it's the hatred that's (X) gotten you through the years. (X) Through the pain. The (X) rehabilitation.... (X) (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Yellow 10/29/96 32A. 45B CONTINUED: 45B BOB (a dark smile) (X) Hate makes my career possible. (X) CAROL Of course it is. You're not a (X) killer by nature. (X) BOB Well, but I do take pride in my work. I may not like retirement. (X) (X) CAROL (supportive) (X) Oh honey, you can still take a (X) little job now and then. It's (X) running all over the world that (X) drives _me_ crazy. (X) She snaps off the device. The white light fades, the poles (X) stop HUMMING. Bob lets go of the pole handles, but remains (X) in the circle. (X) CAROL (CONT'D) Okay, I'm finished. But stay in (X) the Polarity Circle 'til we can (X) get you in a suit. (X) BOB How am I? (X) She goes to the workbench, tosses down the device, makes (X) notations on a clipboard. (X) CAROL The fight with Superman definitely (X) drained you. But I think a lot of (X) that's because you'd just (X) completed a kill. I've realigned (X) your parallel and antiparallel (X) currents, so you should be fine. (X) BOB And if I go up against Superman (X) again? Assuming I'm fully (X) charged? (X) CAROL (smiles darkly) (X) I don't think there'll be a (X) problem. (X) (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Yellow 10/29/96 32B. 45B CONTINUED: 2 45B BOB Ever think about that guy? He's a (X) lot like me. Always on a (X) mission... Wears a special suit... (X) CAROL But yours is much nicer, Bobby... (X) BOB And like me, he's... Different (X) from everyone else... (X) CAROL Except he's isolated. And we have (X) each other. So we're lucky. (X) BOB (playfully) (X) Step over here. (X) CAROL (coy) (X) Why? (X) BOB Well... I can't come over there... (X) if I step outta this stupid circle (X) without the suit... My magnetism (X) will go nuts and everything in the (X) place'll stick to me. (X) She steps over to him, puts her arms around his waist. (X) CAROL It's not magnetism that makes _me_ (X) stick to you. (X) BOB (a quick kiss) (X) Just once I'd like to get this (X) close to you without a Polarity (X) Circle. (X) CAROL Aw, honey, c'mon. I like to think (X) of the Polarity Circle as 'our' (X) place. (X) He suddenly reels a little, as if winded. (X) CAROL (CONT'D) (concerned) (X) Are you okay? (X) BOB Just a little winded. Maybe we (X) shoulda canceled tonight... (X) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Yellow 10/29/96 32C. 46 EXT. BOB AND CAROL'S STREET - WITH LOIS AND CLARK - NIGHT #3 46 Lois and Clark head up to Bob and Carol's townhouse. Clark has a bottle of wine. CLARK Maybe we shoulda canceled tonight, Lois... Maybe I should be flying around, looking for Deathstroke... Maybe you should be seeing what Dr. Klein's found out... LOIS Clark, this is how we got so isolated in the first place -- letting our work run our lives. We just have to accept the fact we're both in high risk professions and are the targets of an evil plot... let's have dinner with our new friends. CLARK Yeah, you're right. They go up the steps to the front door. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 33. 46 CONTINUED: 46 LOIS We're not going to let this make us crazy. She glances through the window and --- 47 LOIS' POV 47 Carol rushing to tidy things up -- and Bob closing the door on what looks like a secret compartment located behind a handsome cherry wood bookcase. Clark KNOCKS. 48 BACK TO LOIS 48 reacting silently for a beat. LOIS Clark, I think I just saw something very... Bob and Carol opens the door. LOIS (CONT'D) (too quickly) Hiiiiiii. Greetings, kisses, handshakes. 49 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S - NIGHT 49 Bob and Carol set out cheese and crackers at the coffee table, while Clark pours the wine -- And Lois examines books and knickknacks on the wall -- furtively searching for the opening to the secret closet. CAROL Sounds like you two had a rotten day... BOB I hear you. Man died on me this morning and there was nothing I could do to save him. CLARK Yeah, when you can't help someone -- (catching himself) Must be terrible. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Blue R. 10/8/96 33. 46 CONTINUED: 46 LOIS We're not going to let this make us crazy. She glances through the window and --- 47 LOIS' POV 47 Carol rushing to tidy things up -- and Bob closing the door on what looks like a secret compartment located behind a handsome cherry wood bookcase. Clark KNOCKS. 48 BACK TO LOIS 48 reacting silently for a beat. LOIS Clark, I think I just saw something very... Bob and Carol opens the door. LOIS (CONT'D) (too quickly) Hiiiiiii. Greetings, kisses, handshakes. 49 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S - NIGHT 49 Bob and Carol set out cheese and crackers at the coffee table, while Clark pours the wine. Both Bob and Clark are (X) a bit luckluster from their encounter earlier. (X) And Lois examines books and knickknacks on the wall -- furtively searching for the opening to the secret closet. CAROL You look a little tired, Clark... (X) CLARK I'm okay. A little low in energy. (X) CAROL Bob, too. (X) BOB Man died on me this morning and (X) there was nothing I could do to save him. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Blue R. 10/8/96 33A. 49 CONTINUED: 49 CLARK Yeah, when you can't help someone -- (catching himself) Must be terrible. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 34. 49 CONTINUED: 49 LOIS (deliberately offhand) I love the wood you used for these bookshelves. What is this, cherry? Carol shadows Lois, concerned, as Lois starts pulling and replacing books, looking to see if one of them is a secret lever. Carol slides between Lois and the books, handing Lois a glass of wine. CAROL It came with the house. LOIS You've got quite a library here. Clark, you remember that column I wrote last year about my favorite books? They're all here! Talk about a coincidence! CAROL (still watching Lois) Bob, do you smell that? BOB What? CAROL (re: kitchen) That. BOB Oh, that. Yeah. (to Lois and Clark) Hope it's not the cacciatore. As they dash off to the kitchen: CAROL Be right back. Lois smiles pleasantly, then drops it the moment they're out of sight and presses her ear to the wall, tapping, as Clark stares in amazement. LOIS (frantic whisper) Clark, there's a secret compartment behind this -- X-ray it and see what's inside! CLARK _What_? --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 35. 50 INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT 50 Bob and Carol enter. BOB _What_? Carol yanks a butcher knife from a knife holder. CAROL We may have to kill them both. Tonight. 51 INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 51 LOIS I saw through the front window -- Bob was putting something away in here! Check it out, quick, before they come back! CLARK Why?! LOIS Because it's a secret compartment! CLARK I don't x-ray everyone's secret compartments! LOIS How many people do we know who _have_ secret compartments?! _Good_ people, I mean! CLARK We don't _know_ that many people, Lois, and we _won't_ if we go around x-raying everyone! 52 INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT 52 Carol's frantically sharpening the knife on a sharpener. BOB Carol! CAROL I'm telling you, _they_ _know_! I saw the look in her eyes when she was staring at those books! (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 35. 50 INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT 50 Bob and Carol enter. BOB _What_? Carol yanks a butcher knife from a knife holder. CAROL We may have to kill them both. Tonight. 51 INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 51 LOIS I saw through the front window -- Bob was putting something away in here! Check it out, quick, before they come back! CLARK Why?! LOIS Because it's a secret compartment! CLARK I don't x-ray everyone's secret compartments! LOIS How many people do we know who _have_ secret compartments?! _Good_ people, I mean! CLARK We don't _know_ that many people, Lois, and we _won't_ if we go around x-raying everyone! I can't (X) violate people's privacy like (X) that. (X) 52 INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT 52 Carol's frantically sharpening the knife on a sharpener. BOB Carol! CAROL I'm telling you, _they_ _know_! I saw the look in her eyes when she was staring at those books! (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 36. 52 CONTINUED: 52 BOB Maybe she doesn't like your taste in books! CAROL They're her books, too! 53 INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 53 LOIS They're my books, too! That's when it hit me! She likes the same books as me, the same foods as me, and why're they always so eager to see us again? Nobody's that eager to see us again. CLARK _That's_ why you're suspicious? 'Cause someone _likes_ us?! LOIS And _when_ did they start liking us?! When I started talking to Grant Gendell! And what do all the murder victims have in common? A link to Grant Gendell! Carol suddenly appears with a tray. CAROL Hors d' oeuvres?! Lois and Clark spin around like school kids caught cheating. LOIS AND CLARK Carol! All three stare at each other for a pregnant moment, then Carol dashes off. CLARK (weakly) Thank you. 54 INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT 54 Carol leans wretchedly against a counter CAROL You should've seen how they looked at me just now! I'm telling you, they know! (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 37. 54 CONTINUED: 54 BOB Okay, we're going to calm down because we've both had a bad day, let's just -- 55 INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 55 CLARK -- relax, all right? LOIS But there's something in the wall. I saw it. CLARK Okay. They have a secret. We have a secret, too. LOIS Clark, they fit the profile. Everything you told me about Deathgrip. CLARK Think about it, Lois, so do we. So do lots of people. If Bob and Carol are going to be the kind of friends we want, we have to honor that friendship. You said it yourself. We can't let our jobs run our lives. LOIS (relenting) Okay... I guess I have to know when to shut off my motor. Maybe it's been so long since we've had real friends we've -- _I've_ -- forgotten how. You're right. They kiss. 56 INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT 56 CAROL You're right. I have to stop being so suspicious of everyone. BOB There you go. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 37. 54 CONTINUED: 54 BOB Okay, we're going to calm down. It's no time to get emotional. He lays a hand on the counter. A metal flour canister suddenly slides toward him. Carol calms, pulls the canister off his hand. CAROL Look who's not getting emotional. BOB We're going to take a deep breath and just... 55 INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT 55(X) CLARK -- relax, all right? LOIS But there's something in the wall. I saw it. CLARK Okay. They have a secret. We have a secret, too. LOIS Clark, they fit the profile. Everything you told me about Deathstroke. (X) CLARK Think about it, Lois, so do we. (X) If Bob and Carol are going to be the kind of friends we want, we have to honor that friendship. You don't really want me to do it, do (X) you? (X) LOIS (relenting) Well, no... I guess I have to know (X) when to shut off my motor. Maybe it's been so long since we've had real friends we've -- _I've_ -- forgotten how. You're right. They kiss. --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 38. 56 CONTINUED: 56 CAROL I think... I think this is about something else. BOB What? CAROL I like them, Bob. I really do. And we've been running and hiding so long, it feels good to... get to know somebody. BOB I know. And sooner or later we have to murder them. But right now, let's enjoy the evening. 57 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S LIVING/DINING AREA - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS 57 Carol and Bob emerge with food. CAROL Dinner is served! Lois and Clark beam. LOIS It looks great. Bob raises a glass -- BOB To good friends. Clark, Lois and Carol all raise a glass CLARK To good friends. Off the CLINKS of the glasses -- 58 INT. DAILY PLANET NEWSROOM - DAY #4 58 Lois and Clark walks toward their desks; Lois looks at her watch. LOIS Any minute. He's calling any minute. CAMERA HOLDS on Jimmy, who's on the phone. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 38. 56 INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT 56 CAROL You're right. I have to stop being so suspicious of everyone. BOB There you go. CAROL Because there's no need to be. No one can stop us. BOB Rage and hatred like ours is unstoppable. CAROL Too bad about the Kents, though, I rather like them. Well, I've gotten _used_ to them. BOB And sooner than later we'll murder them. But right now, let's enjoy the evening. 57 INT. BOB AND CAROL'S DINING ROOM NIGHT - CONTINUOUS 57(X) Carol and Bob emerge with food. CAROL Dinner is served! Lois and Clark beam as it's set on the table. LOIS It looks great. CAROL Well, Bob's the cook. I'm practically useless in the kitchen. LOIS Seriously? Me, too. She glances at Clark who gives her a "cool it" glance. Bob raises a glass -- BOB To good friends. Clark, Lois and Carol all raise a glass -- (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 38A. 57 CONTINUED: 57 CLARK To good friends. Clark, Lois and Carol all raise a glass -- 57A BOB AND CAROL 57A(X) They stand near a buffet table on which dessert has been (X) set up. Bob rests a hand. Carol has joined him there. (X) CLARK ... Who'll maybe stay friends the rest of our lives. A couple of dessert forks start scooting toward Bob's hand. (X) Carol surreptitiously puts a hand on them, slides them (X) behind her. CAROL I couldnt have put it better myself. As they all drink, models of good cheer... 58 INT. DAILY PLANET NEWSROOM - DAY #4 58 Lois and Clark walks toward their desks; Lois looks at her watch. LOIS Any minute. He's calling any minute. CAMERA HOLDS on Jimmy, who's on the phone. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 39. 58 CONTINUED: 58 JIMMY (into phone) I don't know, honey, tunnels and sewers are cool, but I'm not too crazy about railroad tracks. Well, there's the _trains_ for one thing... Hold on. (puts her on hold, punches another button) ... City room... (calls out to:) Lois! Dr. Klein on line three. 59 LOIS AND CLARK 59 LOIS Now? CLARK I'll take it -- (picking up) Dr. Klein, this is Clark. 60 INTERCUT: STAR LABS - DAY 60 Dr. Klein on the phone, amid a plethora of research. DR. KLEIN I may have turned up something. (more) About six years ago, a man named Earl Gregg was performing experiments in magnetics for one of Grant Gendell's companies. The experiment went awry, and Gregg's body was flooded with microscopic magnetized particles... I'm faxing you the background... 61 INT. DAILY PLANET NEWSROOM - DAY 61 Lois' cell phone rings. She flips it open. LOIS Yes? DENZLER (V.O.) Miss Lane. I'm waiting. --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Yellow 10/29/96 39. 58 CONTINUED: 58 JIMMY (into phone) I don't know, honey, tunnels and sewers are cool, but I'm not too crazy about railroad tracks. Well, there's the _trains_ for one thing... Hold on. (puts her on hold, punches another button) ... City room... (calls out to:) Lois! Dr. Klein on line three. 59 LOIS AND CLARK 59 LOIS Now? CLARK I'll take it -- (picking up) Dr. Klein, this is Clark. 60 INTERCUT: STAR LABS - DAY 60 Dr. Klein on the phone, amid a plethora of research. DR. KLEIN I may have turned up something. (more) About six years ago, a man named Earl Gregg was performing experiments in magnetics for one of Grant Gendell's companies. The experiment went awry, and Gregg's body was flooded with microscopic magnetized particles... I'm faxing you the background... 61 INT. DAILY PLANET NEWSROOM - DAY 61 Lois' cell phone rings. She flips it open. LOIS Yes? 61A INTERCUT LIMOUSINE - CLOSE ON DENZLER - DAY 61A(X) The limousine is pulling to the curb; privacy panel up. (X) Denzler's on the car phone. (X) DENZLER Miss Lane. I'm waiting. (X) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 40. 62 EXT. METROPOLIS STREET - BOB AND CAROL'S CAR - DAY 62 They sit some distance down the street, listening to the speaker box. DENZLER (V.O.) I'm arriving at the Daily Planet now... And CAMERA ADJUSTS to see the limousine pulling up to the Planet. BOB This is it. CAROL The start of-our new lives. BOB You're sure you're okay? CAROL I am if you are. They kiss. 63 INT. DAILY PLANET - NEWSROOM - DAY 63 Lois to Clark, she covers mouthpiece. LOIS They're here. CLARK Gimme a sec. Superman's tagging along, too. Lois starts to speak into phone, but: DENZLER (V.O.) You have one minute to reach the car. LOIS (jumping up) I've got to go -- CLARK Lois, hang on.... There's a fax coming in that... DENZLER (V.O.) ... fifty seconds.... Lois hurriedly slams down the phone, kisses Clark, dashes toward elevators. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Yellow 10/29/96 40. 62 EXT. METROPOLIS STREET - BOB AND CAROL'S CAR - DAY 62 They sit some distance down the street, listening to the speaker box. DENZLER (V.O.) I'm arriving at the Daily Planet now... And CAMERA ADJUSTS to see the limousine pulling up to the Planet. During Bob and Carol's dialogue we hear: (X) DENZLER (V.O.) All the terms of our agreement our (X) in effect. Should I sense any (X) change of heart on your part, the (X) interview will be terminated immediately. Mr. Gendell supports (X) me entirely in this. (X) BOB This is it. CAROL The start of our new lives. BOB You're sure you're okay? CAROL I am if you are. They kiss. 62A INT. LIMOUSINE - DENZLER 62A(X) DENZLER (into phone) (X) Assuming all this is agreeable, (X) grab your notepad... Once again, (X) recording devices are (X) unacceptable... (X) 63 INT. DAILY PLANET - NEWSROOM - DAY 63 Lois to Clark, she covers mouthpiece. LOIS They're here. CLARK Gimme a sec. Superman's tagging along, too. Lois starts to speak into phone, but: --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Yellow 10/29/96 40A. 63A INTERCUT INT. LIMOUSINE DENZLER 63A(X) DENZLER And remember... No one is to be (X) tagging along. This will also be (X) grounds for terminating the (X) interview. You have forty seconds (X) to reach the car. (X) LOIS (jumping up) I've got to go -- CLARK Lois, hang on.... There's a fax coming in that... DENZLER Thirty-five seconds, Ms. Lane. (X) Believe me, if you can't make it, (X) I'll be more than happy to explain (X) to Mr. Gendell that... (X) Lois hurriedly slams down the phone, kisses Clark, dashes toward elevators. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 41. 63 CONTINUED: 63 LOIS Gotta go! CLARK I'm right behind you! This fax could tell us who we're dealing with. Lois rushes into the elevators. CLARK (CONT'D) How did this Mr. Gregg survive? DR. KLEIN He very nearly didn't. His powers caused him tremendous pain, until a fellow researcher created a suit that brought his condition under control. He married the woman who created it, but when they filed for worker's compensation, Gendell Technologies utilized a loophole and cut them off without a dime. 64 EXT. DAILY PLANET - DAY 64 The limousine pulls away from the Planet. It passes Bob and Carol's car, and they pull into traffic, following. 65 INT. BULLPEN - THE FAX MACHINE 65 with agonizing slowness, a fax emerges from Star Labs. First a cover page for Lois and Clark -- then the text of a newspaper article. Clark paces, waiting for more -- at last another page, with a photo accompanying the article. A photo that is six years old -- CLARK Oh, no. -- but that is clearly -- CLARK (CONT'D) Bob and Carol. As Clark seizes the page, FADE OUT. _END OF ACT THREE_ --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Blue R. 10/8/96 41. 63 CONTINUED: 63 LOIS Gotta go! CLARK I'm right behind you! This fax could tell us who we're dealing with. Lois rushes into the elevators. CLARK (CONT'D) How did this Mr. Gregg survive? DR. KLEIN He very nearly didn't. The accident unleashed tremendous (X) forces in his body, causing him (X) great pain. A fellow researcher (X) created a suit that brought his condition under control, so long (X) as the suit remains intact. (X) Anyway, he sought damages from (X) Gendell Technologies, but the company fought it and cut him off (X) without a cent. (X) 64 EXT. DAILY PLANET - DAY 64 The limousine pulls away from the Planet. It passes Bob and Carol's car, and they pull into traffic, following. 65 INT. DAILY PLANET CLARK 65 He's moved to the fax machine, urging it to hurry with (X) agitated hand gestures, while still talking into the phone. (X) With agonizing slowness, a fax emerges from Star Labs. 65A INTERCUT FAX MACHINE 65A First a cover page for Lois and Clark -- then the text of a newspaper-article. Clark paces, waiting for more. (X) CLARK So, what'd the guy do? (X) DR. KLEIN Well, he married the woman who (X) made the suit, for one thing. And (X) the two of them exhibited classic (X) signs of Disgruntled Potal Worker (X) Syndrome. (X) (MORE) (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Blue R. 10/8/96 41A. 65A CONTINUED: 65A DR. KLEIN (CONT'D) In short, they flipped out, and (X) declared undying revenge against (X) Grant Gendell. At last another page, with a photo accompanying the (X) article. A photo that is six years old -- CLARK Oh, no. -- but that is clearly -- CLARK (CONT'D) Bob and Carol. As Clark seizes the page, FADE OUT. _END OF ACT THREE_ --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 42. _ACT FOUR_ FADE IN: 66 EXT. GLOOMY ALLEY - DAY 66 Denzler's limousine into a frightening alleyway strewn with litter and human debris. It pulls to a stop. 67 INT. LIMOUSINE - LOIS 67 She stares out the window, then taps on the glass window, which lowers. Denzler watches her impassively. LOIS Excuse me, where are we? DENZLER Precisely where we should be. 68 MOUTH OF ALLEY 68 Bob and Carol's car pulls up to the entry of the alley and stops. Beyond them sits the limousine. 69 EXT. METROPOLIS SKIES - DAY 69 Superman scans the streets below, searching. 70 EXT. GLOOMY ALLEY - DAY 70 Denzler gets out and lets an incredulous Lois out. LOIS Grant Gendell lives here? She looks around, and catches sight of a couple of street people lingering nearby. LOIS (CONT'D) Oh, I get it. Those street people aren't really street people. They're probably ex-Navy SEALS working as undercover bodyguards. DENZLER No, they're street people. LOIS So where is your security? (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 43. 70 CONTINUED: 70 DENZLER Our security is in only hiring people we can trust. LOIS But you don't trust anybody. DENZLER Exactly. 71 INT. GRANT GENDELL APARTMENT - DAY 71 GRANT GENDELL himself -- a harmless looking, elderly man stands before Lois in this glisteningly bright, super-sterile, windowless room. He grins. GRANT Where's the last place you'd look for the richest man in Metropolis? LOIS The worst street in town. GRANT The only thing the army ever taught me that was worth a damn, Ms. Lane. The best camouflage is plain sight. LOIS Mr. Gendell -- GRANT 'Course now things are different. I'm a different man, Ms. Lane, I want the world to know -- LOIS That's fine and we'll get to that but -- GRANT No, I'm gonna say my piece. I want to live out there again. I want to make up for all the bad things I've done. I'm donating my entire fortune to charity. LOIS That's very -- (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 44. 71 CONTINUED: 71 GRANT My money's made me a prisoner. I'm locked in here twenty four hours a day, paranoid, afraid, Denzier driving me nuts. And then, while I was watching 'Ice Station Zebra' again, I realized -- what have I got to be afraid of? LOIS Well, a lot -- GRANT Exactly. Nothing. So -- LOIS (forcefully) Mr. Gendell, I don't want to alarm you but do you have any bodyguards -- ? GRANT Had a platoon of 'em once. Worthless every one. Fired the last one two years ago. My security, Ms. Lane, is all up here. (head tap) LOIS Yes, well, reassuring as that is, there's an assassin named Deathgrip. He's been killing anyone who knows you by sight. And we think he's after -- An O.S. WHOOSH and a KNOCK. Lois is mightily relieved. GRANT Who is that? Lois opens the door. LOIS Superman. SUPERMAN I know who Deathgrip is, Lois. GRANT Superman -- ? (to Lois) What's going on here? Superman pulls the fax sheet from his cape and shows Lois the photo of Bob and Carol, with accompanying article. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 44. 71 CONTINUED: 71 GRANT My money's made me a prisoner. I'm locked in here twenty four hours a day, paranoid, afraid, Denzler driving me nuts. And then, while I was watching 'Ice Station Zebra' again, I realized -- what have I got to be afraid of? LOIS Well, a lot -- GRANT Exactly. Nothing. So -- LOIS (forcefully) Mr. Gendell, I don't want to alarm you but do you have any bodyguards -- ? GRANT Had a platoon of 'em once. Worthless every one. Fired the last one two years ago. My security, Ms. Lane, is all up here. (head tap) LOIS Yes, well, reassuring as that is, there's an assassin named Deathstroke. He's been killing (X) anyone who knows you by sight. And we think he's after -- An O.S. WHOOSH and a KNOCK. Lois is mightily relieved. GRANT Who is that? Lois opens the door. LOIS Superman. SUPERMAN I know who Deathstroke is, Lois. (X) GRANT Superman -- ? (to Lois) What's going on here? Superman pulls the fax sheet from his cape and shows Lois the photo of Bob and Carol, with accompanying article. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 45. 71 CONTINUED: 2 71 LOIS Bob? (crestfallen) Bob and Carol? SUPERMAN I know, I know... Superman shows the photos to Grant while Lois scans the text. SUPERMAN (CONT'D) Do you recognize these people, sir? GRANT I'm afraid not... SUPERMAN Earl Gregg and his wife were employed by your firm six years ago. He suffered a terrible accident and got no compensation from -- DEATHGRIP (O.S.) -- the mighty and powerful Gendell Industries. Superman, Lois and Grant turn to see -- Deathgrip and Carol framed in the doorway. Deathgrip is holding a cowering Denzler by the neck. SUPERMAN Deathgrip. LOIS Carol. CAROL (not exactly relishing this) Lois. LOIS Bob. DEATHGRIP (to Carol) She recognizes me? CAROL I always said the glasses weren't enough of a disguise... (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 45. 71 CONTINUED: 2 71 LOIS Bob? (crestfallen) Bob and Carol? SUPERMAN That's right. (X) Superman shows the photos to Grant while Lois scans the text. SUPERMAN (CONT'D) Do you recognize these people, sir? GRANT I'm afraid not... SUPERMAN Earl Gregg and his wife were employed by your firm six years ago. He suffered a terrible accident and got no compensation from -- DEATHSTROKE (O.S.) (X) -- the mighty and powerful Gendell Technologies. Superman, Lois and Grant turn to see -- Deathstroke and Carol framed in the doorway. Deathstroke (X) is holding a cowering Denzler by the neck. SUPERMAN Deathstroke. (X) DEATHSTROKE (X) Superman. (X) LOIS Carol. CAROL (not exactly relishing this) Lois. LOIS Bob. DEATHSTROKE (X) (to Carol) She recognizes me? (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 45A. 71 CONTINUED: 3 71 CAROL I always said the glasses weren't enough of a disguise (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 46. 71 CONTINUED: 3 71 SUPERMAN Your plan's blown, Bob, Carol; it's over. CAROL You have no idea what the plan is. LOIS Everyone who recognizes Grant Gendell is dead, and you what? Replaced his medical records with yours -- ? SUPERMAN -- then you take over his life. Who'd know? Siphon off his fortune, and disappear in style. Something like that? DEATHGRIP (to Carol) They do know what the plan is. GRANT That's, it? You want to be _me_? What are you, brain dead? Look around, kids, I live in a cube. DENZLER Mr. Gendell, I don't think this is the time -- CAROL Believe me, Mr. Gendell, how you've lived and how we'll live are two very different things. The hand Deathgrip has on Denzler begins to PULSE. Denzler starts to convulse. SUPERMAN Don't do this. DEATHGRIP Take another step and he dies. LOIS It doesn't have to end like this. CAROL You have no idea what he did to us, Lois. He took everything we had, made us criminals -- (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 46. 71 CONTINUED: 4 71 SUPERMAN Your plan's blown, Bob, Carol; it's over. CAROL You have no idea what the plan is. LOIS Everyone who recognizes Grant Gendell is dead, and you what? Replaced his medical records with yours -- ? SUPERMAN -- then you take over his life. Who'd know? Siphon off his fortune, and disappear in style. Something like that? DEATHSTROKE (X) (to Carol) They do know what the plan is. GRANT That's it? You want to be _me_? What are you, brain dead? Look around, kids, I live in a cube. DENZLER Mr. Gendell, I don't think this is the time -- CAROL Believe me, Mr. Gendell, how you've lived and how we'll live are two very different things. Deathstroke suddenly aims a hand at Gendell, who slides (X) unwillingly toward him. Before he reaches Deathstroke's (X) hands, Superman BLOWS SUPER-BREATH, knocking Gendell out of the magnetic field and into a wall. Deathstroke spins (X) furiously on Superman. DEATHSTROKE (X) (poisonous) Looking for a re-match, Superman? Trust me, you can't handle it. He and Superman advance on each other. Deathstroke thrusts (X) out his open palms and Superman, fighting it mightily, slides into the grip. Before Superman can wrench away, Deathstroke bears down and gives an enormous SURGE of (X) POWER, bigger than we've previously seen. Superman recoils in pain, then drops to one knee. Again, the slow DISTORTED HEARTBEAT sound. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 47. 71 CONTINUED: 4 71 DEATHGRIP We'd been bugging his computers, looking for a way in -- CAROL (sadly) -- and you were it. Deathgrip keeps his one hand on Denzler and lunges for the old man. Superman backs up and BLOWS SUPER-BREATH, knocking Deathgrip and Denzler back -- but Deathgrip manages to get hold of Gendell -- Superman dives in, coming between Grant and Deathgrip -- Long enough for Deathgrip to grab him. Superman CRIES OUT, as the SHIMMERING MAGNETIC FIELD BUILDS again around them -- and the DISTORTED, SLOWED HEARTBEAT EFFECT. SUPERMAN And I've -- been reading up -- I know about your suit. DEATHGRIP What? Superman focuses his HEAT VISION on Deathgrip's suit -- burning it away inch by inch. DEATHGRIP (CONT'D) You're weak -- you won't be able to destroy my suit before -- Superman intensifies his efforts, beads of sweat breaking out across his face, his breath coming harder. Lois tries to approach, but the magnetic field BOUNCES her away; she turns to Carol -- LOIS Stop them, Carol -- they'll kill each other! Superman and Deathgrip find themselves collapsing to their knees again. DEATHGRIP Give up. But Superman's HEAT VISION persists -- Deathgrip's suit has been burned half away. SUPERMAN I don't... think so... Bob. The magnetic field is losing its strength -- the heartbeat effect is receding. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 47. 71 CONTINUED: 5 71 (X) LOIS Stop them, Carol -- they'll kill each other! Deathstroke smiles nastily and bears down for a second (X) SURGE. Just as the power ARCS through Superman's body, Superman looks up at Deathstroke looming over him, and with (X) all the will he can muster, fires a beam of HEAT VISION on Deathstroke's chest. (X) The beginnings of a tear appear in the chest of Deathstroke's suit, which smokes where the heat vision hit. (X) Deathstroke arches back as if his own powers were doubling (X) back on him, and flies backwards, away from Superman. The HEARTBEAT effect recedes. 71A DEATHSTROKE 71A(X) He is turned away from CAMERA, and now, as he wrenches back around, we see quite a bit of the suit is burned away, revealing his naked chest, which has all sorts of energy arcing across it. CAROL No! The suit is all that contains his power! Deathstroke lurches horribly around as the riot of energy. (X) plays across him. He CRIES OUT as he is suddenly ripped out of FRAME by an unseen force. They all turn and stare as: 71B THE METAL STAIRCASE 71B Deathstroke flies back, and is magnetically attached to the (X) spiral staircase. He hangs there, rigid. CAROL Bob!! --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 48. 71 CONTINUED: 5 71 SUPERMAN (CONT'D) It's over. Metal components of Grant Gendell's electronics array fly through the air and adhere to Deathgrip. DEATHGRIP No -- CAROL (panicking) Bob! DEATHGRIP -- can't -- keep hold -- And as he lets go of Superman -- A girder pulls out of the wall -- And Deathgrip flies toward it like a refrigerator magnet tossed at a giant Frigidaire. Superman collapses, as Lois runs to him. 72 INT. GRANT GENDELL APARTMENT - LATER 72 POLICE take notes from Denzler and Gendell, as Dr. Klein and TWO STAR LABS TECHNICIANS use large counter-magnets to pull Deathgrip off the girder and hold him in place. While Carol is cuffed by METROPOLIS POLICE Clark arrives, somewhat the worse for wear Lois walks to him in concern. LOIS How are you? CLARK Let's just say I've had better days. CAROL Haven't we all. Lois and Clark look at her. CAROL (CONT'D) I just want to say I wish... well, I wish a lot of things but... (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 48. 71C VARIOUS ANGLES 71C Metal objects from all over fly from their resting places, and: 71D DEATHSTROKE 71D(X) The metal objects attach to Deathstroke, who's attached to (X) the staircase. 71E EXT. GLOOMY ALLEY - LATER 71E POLICE take notes from Denzler, as TWO STAR LABS (X) TECHNICIANS wheel out Deathstroke, still rigidly attached (X) to a sawed-away section of staircase. They take CAMERA to Lois and Carol, who's being cuffed by the METROPOLIS POLICE. CAROL (staring) Do you know what it's like, seeing your husband go through a thing like that? Lois is straining to look all around for Clark. LOIS Yes. I have a pretty good idea. Clark arrives, somewhat the worse for wear. CLARK Hi. The... police said I'd find you here. Lois hurries up to him in concern. LOIS How are you? CLARK Let's just say I've had better days. CAROL Haven't we all. Lois and Clark look at her. CAROL (CONT'D) I just want to say I wish ... well, I wish a lot of things but ... --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 49. 72 CONTINUED: 72 DEATHGRIP I think what Carol's trying to say is, we're sorry about the way it turned out. LOIS You mean, sorry you got caught? CAROL No. DEATHGRIP Well, yes. CAROL Okay, yes -- And for a second the two couples share a smile. It fades. Beat. CAROL (CONT'D) -- but also sorry we couldn't be friends. It's been a long time since we met anyone we... really... She stops, letting it trail. BOB Anyway. A beat. Then Clark holds out his hand to Deathgrip. Deathgrip hesitates then takes it. Lois holds out her hand to Carol. Same thing. The two couples awkwardly mutter good-byes. Deathgrip and Carol are led off. 73 INT. DAILY PLANET - NEWSROOM - DAY #5 73 Lois and Clark study their paired headlines on page one: "RECLUSE GENDELL TARGETED BY ASSASSIN -- Exclusive Interview With Billionaire" by Lois Lane. "ASSASSIN APPREHENDED -- Superman On Scene" by Clark Kent. Clark looks at the photo of Bob and Carol. CLARK Well. You were right about Bob and Carol. LOIS Yep. But so were you. You're a good man, Clark. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 49. 71F INCLUDE DEATHSTROKE 71F(X) (X) DEATHSTROKE (X) I think what Carol's trying to say is, we're sorry about the way it turned out. LOIS You mean, sorry you got caught? CAROL No. DEATHSTROKE (X) Well, yes. (X) CAROL Okay, yes -- And for a second the two couples share a smile. It fades. Beat. CAROL (CONT'D) But sorry about the circumstances, too. If Bob hadn't been in an industrial accident, if his body weren't a ball of horrific power, if we weren't scientists-turned- paupers-turned-international assassins, if we weren't consumed by bitterness and rage... We might've been friends. LOIS That's a lot of 'ifs'. CAROL Yes. (starts away, then) And I didn't really like your taste in books that much, either. As they go off. (X) CLARK 'Bye, Carol. (X) LOIS Bob. DEATHSTROKE (X) Lois. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 49A. 71F CONTINUED: 71F CAROL Clark. The gurney is loaded into the ambulance, Carol is loaded into the cop car. 71G LOIS AND CLARK 71G They watch, wistfully. CLARK And I just bought four great seats for the Metropolis versus Buffalo (X) football game. (X) 72 OMITTED 72 73 INT. DAILY PLANET - NEWSROOM - DAY #5 73 Lois and Clark study their paired headlines on page one: "RECLUSE GENDELL TARGETED BY ASSASSIN -- Exclusive Interview With Billionaire" by Lois Lane. "ASSASSIN APPREHENDED -- Superman On Scene" by Clark Kent. Clark looks at the photo of Bob and Carol. CLARK Well. You were right about Bob and Carol. LOIS Yep. But you busted 'em. So (X) we're even. (X) (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 50. 73 CONTINUED: 73 CLARK Well, I'm lucky to have a smart woman. They kiss. Perry and Jimmy walk by. Fairly disgusted. PERRY Love. JIMMY What a waste. PERRY Tell me about it. CLARK You guys okay? PERRY Candy dumped me like yesterday's rice. JIMMY Aurora's moving to Beirut. PERRY I guess we won't be double datin' anytime soon. CLARK Well, I think maybe our double dating days are -- GRANT (O.S.) Miss Lane! Everyone turns to see Grant Gendell in a sleek suit and splashy tie, with an attractive SOCIALITE on his arm. LOIS Mr. Gendell. GRANT I just came by to say thank you for re-introducing me to the world. Wondered if maybe you'd like to join my new friend Connie and me for dinner? CLARK No, I don't, uhhh... LOIS We'd love to. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Pink R. 10/11/96 50. 73 CONTINUED: 73 A quick kiss. Perry and Jimmy walk by. Fairly disgusted. (X) PERRY Love. JIMMY What a waste. PERRY Tell me about it. CLARK You guys okay? PERRY Candy dumped me like yesterday's rice. JIMMY Aurora's moving to Beirut. PERRY I guess we won't be double datin' anytime soon. CLARK Well, I think maybe our double dating days are -- GRANT (O.S.) Miss Lane! Everyone turns to see Grant Gendell in a sleek suit and splashy tie, with an attractive SOCIALITE on his arm. LOIS Mr. Gendell. GRANT I just came by to say thank you for re-introducing me to the world. Wondered if maybe you and your (X) husband would like to join my new (X) friend Connie and me for dinner? CLARK No, I don't, uhhh... LOIS We'd love to. (CONTINUED) --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) B. Nelson 10/1/96 51. 73 CONTINUED: 2 73 CLARK We would? GRANT 'Course you would. Take it from me: get out, take a few risks, live! LOIS Exactly. CLARK All right, then. As the four head off -- GRANT Hey, have you heard this song about a fly in some girl's chardonnay? Unless they rewrote the dictionary, there is _nothing_ ironic about that... Now, a recluse who finally decides to stop hidin' on the day he's almost killed ...? LOIS AND CLARK _That's_ ironic. FADE OUT: _END OF ACT FOUR_ --page break-- "BOB AND CAROL AND LOIS AND CLARK" (#8) Blue R. 10/8/96 51. 73 CONTINUED: 2 73 CLARK We would? GRANT 'Course you would. Take it from me: get out, take a few risks, live! LOIS (a smile at Clark) (X) Exactly. CLARK All right, then. As the four head off GRANT Hey, have you heard this song about a fly in some girl's chardonnay? Unless they rewrote the dictionary, there is _nothing_ ironic about that... Now, a recluse who finally decides to stop hidin' on the day he's almost killed ...? LOIS _That's_ ironic. (X) CLARK You like the Bills, Mr. Gendell? (X) FADE OUT: _END OF ACT FOUR_