ACT ONE
FADE IN:
Scene 3 EXT Establishing shot of the Kent Farm - Day
CUT TO:
Scene 4 INT Kent Kitchen - Day
MARTHA is clearing away breakfast. JONATHAN is at the table, looking over a magazine.
MARTHA
(Calling)
Clark! You're gonna be late for school.
The camera moves to look over JONATHAN's shoulder, showing the magazine.
JONATHAN
(Not looking up from magazine, calling)
If you -
We here the sound of Clark's super speed.
JONATHAN:(continued)
(calling)
Get a detention you
(beat)
Won't
(beat)
Be able.
JOHNATHAN lowers the magazine and reveals CLARK sitting opposite him at the table, eating into a bowl of cereal.
CLARK:
It's okay, I'll make it.
JONATHAN:
You do still want to come with me to the Autoyard don't you son?
CLARK:
You bet dad, can't let you buy another rust-bucket.
MARTHA:
Now Clark
(beat)
It was more of a junk-heap and you know it.
They all laugh.
JONATHAN:
If my loving family is finished with all the kind words of support I'm
gonna go start on the east fence.
(to CLARK)
I'll pick you up from school son.
CLARK:
It's okay dad, I can just zip over to Hank's myself.
JONATHAN:
Well, if. okay.
MARTHA: Clark, go with your dad. There's no point using your powers out in the open
for no good reason.
CLARK:
But mom.
MARTHA gives CLARK an unusual look.
CLARK(Continued)
Okay mom. I'll see you after school dad.
JONATHAN:
Then I'll see you both later.
JONATHAN kisses MARTHA and then leaves.
CLARK:
Mom?
(beat)
What was that about?
MARTHA:
Clark, you probably don't see this but your father misses you.
CLARK:
But mom, I live right here.
MARTHA: Yes Clark, and no. Look your dad has been there for you since the day we picked you up. He's got used to helping you, being there for you. But ever since, the. accident. It's been clear that you don't need him as much any
more.
CLARK:
He still blames me for the accident.
MARTHA:
Clark, no! He never blamed you for what happened with the baby. He was angry with you, he thinks you made the wrong choice, but he never. never
blamed you for the death of your brother.
CLARK:
Then what?
MARTHA: Clark you spend more and more time with Lana now. You confide in Pete more
and more. Now you won't take a ride from your dad. Can't you see he's feeling that he's losing you. Ever since you ran away he's had to face the
idea that you will leave us one day. It hurts him, Clark.
CLARK:
I'm always going to need him. I'm always going to need both of you.
MARTHA:
That's great Clark. But I'm not the one who needs to hear that.
We slowly close in on Clark, who looks concerned as we
CUT TO
Scene 5 INT The Torch Office - Day
At her desk the present-day CHLOE sits working at her keyboard. As the camera pans around we see, in the doorway, the present-day LEX. She notices him with a start.
CHLOE:
Lex. What are you doing here?
LEX: I could ask you the same Chloe. But then you're here every morning before
school, these days, working away.
CHLOE:
The Torch doesn't edit itself.
LEX:
Right. So it's the Torch that's taking up your time. Not say, your new
column for the Planet..
CHLOE looks surprised and opens her mouth to speak.
LEX:(Continued)
Or maybe. the secret research project you're doing for my father.
CHLOE:
What. uh. research?
LEX:
Tip for the future Chloe, when you decide to keep a secret you should practice lying about it. I have my father watched as closely as he watches me. I know that he fixed the job at the Planet for you. Not that you aren't
qualified. More than qualified.
CHLOE looks torn between being pleased with the complement and concerned at the revelation of this secret.
LEX(Continued)
I know that the price was that you put together a profile on Clark.
CHLOE: And you're here to tell me to stop. To see the error of my ways? To come
back from the dark side?
LEX:
We both know it's too late for that. I know that you've re-awoken that
curiosity about the enigma that is Clark Kent. You put those questions aside and now that you think your friendship is over you have nothing to
stop you asking them.
CHLOE:
Lex, I'm busy. Why are you here?
LEX:
To offer information. You are not the only person who ever investigated Clark and his family. I have answers to questions you haven't even thought
to ask yet.
CHLOE:
And you'll just give me the information.
LEX: Of course not. But if you show me yours I'll show you mine. If you promise to come to me first with anything you find out about Clark, I will in turn
feed you more information.
CHLOE: I don't think so Lex. But thanks for the offer. But why do I need the son's
help when I have the father's?
LEX: Oh, my father's influence is about to be massively curtailed Chloe. Picking
sides might not be the wisest move.
(He places a small envelope on the desk by her keyboard)
But as a token of my sincerity I'm giving you this. Free of charge, no strings. Just one of the many little facts I have that may interest you.
(LEX turns and walks slowly to the door)
And if you want any more you know what you have to do.
CUT TO:
Scene 6 EXT. Smallvilel High - Day
CLARK and PETE are coming out of school, surrounded by a throng of students.
PETE:
So what're you doing tonight? As if I need to ask!
CLARK:
What? What do you mean?
PETE: Oh come on Clark. You've been hiding out at the farm every night for weeks
now.
CLARK: Look it's just... It's just that... well.... well anyway I'm not going to
the farm. My dad's picking me up.
PETE:
Oh. Yeah?
CLARK: We're going over to Hank's Autoyard. We need to get a new truck... well to
be honest we've needed one for quite a while now.
PETE: Yeah well with them blowing up and you throwing people onto them I'm not
surprised.
(lowering his voice) Plus, y'know, hauling spaceships probably wasn't what they were designed
for.
CLARK:
(smiles)
So you wanna come? I'm sure it'll be okay.
PETE:
I wish. I've got dragged into helping with another fundraiser for the
governor.
CLARK: I told you that you shouldn't dabble in politics. One internship and now
you're trapped for life.
PETE:
Tell me about it.
We see JONATHAN's truck pull up, somewhat noisely, outside the school.
CLARK:
There's my dad. I guess I'll see you tomorrow.
PETE:
Sure thing Clark.
CLARK starts to run towards the waiting truck.
PETE(Continued)
(Shouting after him)
Remember. You after models with FOUR wheels.
CLARK turns and waves a dismissive hand at his friend. But he's still smiling. He opens the door and climbs in.
CUT TO:
SCENE 7 INT. Jonathan's truck -Day
JONATHAN:
Well Clark are you ready?
CLARK:
(looking back out at PETE and waving)
Sure dad.
JONATHAN starts the engine and we see the car drive away.
JONATHAN:
So Clark, any thoughts on what our next truck should be?
CLARK:
You mean besides flame-proof, earthquake-proof and meteor-proof?
JONATHAN:
(smiles)
Yeah, besides the obvious.
CLARK:
Pete says that it should have four wheels.
JONATHAN:
I'd go for six myself.
CLARK:
Monster truck?
JONATHAN:
Steering wheel and a spare, Clark.
Steering wheel and a spare.
CLARK shakes his head smiling. At this point we show the flaming trail of a comet overhead.
CLARK:
Dad is that?
JONATHAN:
It's gonna hit over there by the plant.
CLARK:
Stop the truck -
CLARK is cut off by the sound of the impact as the meteor crashes down into some storage buildings. A large plume of smoke roars upwards and a blast
wave radiates outward pulling dust and debris along with it. CLARK and JONATHAN look from the dust cloud rushing towards them, then back
at each other.
CLARK:
Dad!
JONATHAN:
CLARK!
Time slows as we see CLARK react with superspeed. He jumps out of the truck and races in slow motion around the truck. In the background we see the cloud edging closer and closer. CLARK opens the driver door and pulls out his father who at this super speed seems frozen. CLARK puts him over his shoulder and turns to sprint away from the cloud. We see this dramatic slow motion race unfold as CLARK attempts to outrun the blast.
The wave hits the truck, slowly flipping it.
CLARK is slowing down, showing signs of exertion. We see why: the cloud of dust and gas is crackling with green energy from a Kryptonite source.
CLARK slows and stops. Setting his father down he shields JONATHAN with his body as the dust cloud hits.
We return to normal speed to see CLARK and JONATHAN convulsing as energy crackles across their bodies as the wind sweeps past them.
Then they both collapse to the road and lie still.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE.
FADE IN:
Scene 3 EXT Establishing shot of the Kent Farm - Day
CUT TO:
Scene 4 INT Kent Kitchen - Day
MARTHA is clearing away breakfast. JONATHAN is at the table, looking over a magazine.
MARTHA
(Calling)
Clark! You're gonna be late for school.
The camera moves to look over JONATHAN's shoulder, showing the magazine.
JONATHAN
(Not looking up from magazine, calling)
If you -
We here the sound of Clark's super speed.
JONATHAN:(continued)
(calling)
Get a detention you
(beat)
Won't
(beat)
Be able.
JOHNATHAN lowers the magazine and reveals CLARK sitting opposite him at the table, eating into a bowl of cereal.
CLARK:
It's okay, I'll make it.
JONATHAN:
You do still want to come with me to the Autoyard don't you son?
CLARK:
You bet dad, can't let you buy another rust-bucket.
MARTHA:
Now Clark
(beat)
It was more of a junk-heap and you know it.
They all laugh.
JONATHAN:
If my loving family is finished with all the kind words of support I'm
gonna go start on the east fence.
(to CLARK)
I'll pick you up from school son.
CLARK:
It's okay dad, I can just zip over to Hank's myself.
JONATHAN:
Well, if. okay.
MARTHA: Clark, go with your dad. There's no point using your powers out in the open
for no good reason.
CLARK:
But mom.
MARTHA gives CLARK an unusual look.
CLARK(Continued)
Okay mom. I'll see you after school dad.
JONATHAN:
Then I'll see you both later.
JONATHAN kisses MARTHA and then leaves.
CLARK:
Mom?
(beat)
What was that about?
MARTHA:
Clark, you probably don't see this but your father misses you.
CLARK:
But mom, I live right here.
MARTHA: Yes Clark, and no. Look your dad has been there for you since the day we picked you up. He's got used to helping you, being there for you. But ever since, the. accident. It's been clear that you don't need him as much any
more.
CLARK:
He still blames me for the accident.
MARTHA:
Clark, no! He never blamed you for what happened with the baby. He was angry with you, he thinks you made the wrong choice, but he never. never
blamed you for the death of your brother.
CLARK:
Then what?
MARTHA: Clark you spend more and more time with Lana now. You confide in Pete more
and more. Now you won't take a ride from your dad. Can't you see he's feeling that he's losing you. Ever since you ran away he's had to face the
idea that you will leave us one day. It hurts him, Clark.
CLARK:
I'm always going to need him. I'm always going to need both of you.
MARTHA:
That's great Clark. But I'm not the one who needs to hear that.
We slowly close in on Clark, who looks concerned as we
CUT TO
Scene 5 INT The Torch Office - Day
At her desk the present-day CHLOE sits working at her keyboard. As the camera pans around we see, in the doorway, the present-day LEX. She notices him with a start.
CHLOE:
Lex. What are you doing here?
LEX: I could ask you the same Chloe. But then you're here every morning before
school, these days, working away.
CHLOE:
The Torch doesn't edit itself.
LEX:
Right. So it's the Torch that's taking up your time. Not say, your new
column for the Planet..
CHLOE looks surprised and opens her mouth to speak.
LEX:(Continued)
Or maybe. the secret research project you're doing for my father.
CHLOE:
What. uh. research?
LEX:
Tip for the future Chloe, when you decide to keep a secret you should practice lying about it. I have my father watched as closely as he watches me. I know that he fixed the job at the Planet for you. Not that you aren't
qualified. More than qualified.
CHLOE looks torn between being pleased with the complement and concerned at the revelation of this secret.
LEX(Continued)
I know that the price was that you put together a profile on Clark.
CHLOE: And you're here to tell me to stop. To see the error of my ways? To come
back from the dark side?
LEX:
We both know it's too late for that. I know that you've re-awoken that
curiosity about the enigma that is Clark Kent. You put those questions aside and now that you think your friendship is over you have nothing to
stop you asking them.
CHLOE:
Lex, I'm busy. Why are you here?
LEX:
To offer information. You are not the only person who ever investigated Clark and his family. I have answers to questions you haven't even thought
to ask yet.
CHLOE:
And you'll just give me the information.
LEX: Of course not. But if you show me yours I'll show you mine. If you promise to come to me first with anything you find out about Clark, I will in turn
feed you more information.
CHLOE: I don't think so Lex. But thanks for the offer. But why do I need the son's
help when I have the father's?
LEX: Oh, my father's influence is about to be massively curtailed Chloe. Picking
sides might not be the wisest move.
(He places a small envelope on the desk by her keyboard)
But as a token of my sincerity I'm giving you this. Free of charge, no strings. Just one of the many little facts I have that may interest you.
(LEX turns and walks slowly to the door)
And if you want any more you know what you have to do.
CUT TO:
Scene 6 EXT. Smallvilel High - Day
CLARK and PETE are coming out of school, surrounded by a throng of students.
PETE:
So what're you doing tonight? As if I need to ask!
CLARK:
What? What do you mean?
PETE: Oh come on Clark. You've been hiding out at the farm every night for weeks
now.
CLARK: Look it's just... It's just that... well.... well anyway I'm not going to
the farm. My dad's picking me up.
PETE:
Oh. Yeah?
CLARK: We're going over to Hank's Autoyard. We need to get a new truck... well to
be honest we've needed one for quite a while now.
PETE: Yeah well with them blowing up and you throwing people onto them I'm not
surprised.
(lowering his voice) Plus, y'know, hauling spaceships probably wasn't what they were designed
for.
CLARK:
(smiles)
So you wanna come? I'm sure it'll be okay.
PETE:
I wish. I've got dragged into helping with another fundraiser for the
governor.
CLARK: I told you that you shouldn't dabble in politics. One internship and now
you're trapped for life.
PETE:
Tell me about it.
We see JONATHAN's truck pull up, somewhat noisely, outside the school.
CLARK:
There's my dad. I guess I'll see you tomorrow.
PETE:
Sure thing Clark.
CLARK starts to run towards the waiting truck.
PETE(Continued)
(Shouting after him)
Remember. You after models with FOUR wheels.
CLARK turns and waves a dismissive hand at his friend. But he's still smiling. He opens the door and climbs in.
CUT TO:
SCENE 7 INT. Jonathan's truck -Day
JONATHAN:
Well Clark are you ready?
CLARK:
(looking back out at PETE and waving)
Sure dad.
JONATHAN starts the engine and we see the car drive away.
JONATHAN:
So Clark, any thoughts on what our next truck should be?
CLARK:
You mean besides flame-proof, earthquake-proof and meteor-proof?
JONATHAN:
(smiles)
Yeah, besides the obvious.
CLARK:
Pete says that it should have four wheels.
JONATHAN:
I'd go for six myself.
CLARK:
Monster truck?
JONATHAN:
Steering wheel and a spare, Clark.
Steering wheel and a spare.
CLARK shakes his head smiling. At this point we show the flaming trail of a comet overhead.
CLARK:
Dad is that?
JONATHAN:
It's gonna hit over there by the plant.
CLARK:
Stop the truck -
CLARK is cut off by the sound of the impact as the meteor crashes down into some storage buildings. A large plume of smoke roars upwards and a blast
wave radiates outward pulling dust and debris along with it. CLARK and JONATHAN look from the dust cloud rushing towards them, then back
at each other.
CLARK:
Dad!
JONATHAN:
CLARK!
Time slows as we see CLARK react with superspeed. He jumps out of the truck and races in slow motion around the truck. In the background we see the cloud edging closer and closer. CLARK opens the driver door and pulls out his father who at this super speed seems frozen. CLARK puts him over his shoulder and turns to sprint away from the cloud. We see this dramatic slow motion race unfold as CLARK attempts to outrun the blast.
The wave hits the truck, slowly flipping it.
CLARK is slowing down, showing signs of exertion. We see why: the cloud of dust and gas is crackling with green energy from a Kryptonite source.
CLARK slows and stops. Setting his father down he shields JONATHAN with his body as the dust cloud hits.
We return to normal speed to see CLARK and JONATHAN convulsing as energy crackles across their bodies as the wind sweeps past them.
Then they both collapse to the road and lie still.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE.