FADE IN:
INT. THE MAIN LOBBY OF THE WHITE HOUSE – DAY
It is the closing stages of the press conference. LEX is addressing the gathered reporters. LOIS is scribbling notes frantically while CLARK stands looking confused.
LEX
I don't really wish to make any further statement on that issue at this
time. I'm sure you understand.
A dozen hands shoot up and reporters begin calling "Mr President!"
CHLOE steps up to the podium.
CHLOE
I'm afraid that's all the time the President has for you just now
as he is meeting with Cabinet in a matter of minutes. However if you would care
to follow me to the pressroom I'll be providing some extra background
information and answering questions.
The reporters begin to amble off toward the pressroom.
LEX is speaking with some of his staff. He stops when he catches sight of CLARK and comes over, two Secret Service AGENTS hovering nearby.
LEX
Clark! I'm glad you could be here.
CLARK
(Smiles, still looking confused)
Ah, yeah, well, sure Lex…
There is suddenly a level of quiet and it becomes clear that everyone is staring at CLARK including LOIS who looks horrified.
LEX
(In a little fake whisper)
Uh, Clark. It might be best, you know, in public, if you called me "Mister
President"… they're kinda sticklers for that sort of thing
here.
CLARK
I'm sorry Le- Mister President.
LEX
I have to get ready to meet my cabinet; I don't have much time to chat
so perhaps you'll walk with me?
CLARK
Uh, sure – Mister President.
LOIS and CLARK follow LEX and the AGENTS through the main doors as we
CUT TO:
INT. CORRIDOR/BULLPEN/MERCY'S OFFICE/OVAL OFFICE – CONTINUOUS
They continue talking while walking,
LEX
Clark, I hope you're okay with my speech.
CLARK
Well, uh, it sounds like good news Mister President. How'd you manage
to secure peace?
LEX
That's not what I meant Clark and you know it. I know you're close
to Superman and we don't see eye to eye on the subject.
LOIS
That's an understatement. You've been determined to persecute-
LEX
Ms Lane, I cut Clark a lot of slack because he's like a brother to me.
(beat)
That leniency does not extend to his partner. Am I clear?
LOIS
(Subdued)
Yes Mister President.
LEX
Clark, I know you think Superman is strictly on the up and up.
CLARK
Well, I… uh…
LEX
Don't worry about it Clark. I'm not about to make you choose between
your friendship with Superman and your loyalty to me. I've never asked
you to do that.. .not even after… not even…
CLARK
Look, I…
LEX
No, Clark. Let me just say this. You and I have always had a rather flexible
view of the law. I understand that. But when my Metahuman Measures Bill comes
in after the State of the Union… well, even I won't be able to protect
you from the force of the law.
(pause)
I'm sending the Vice President to Pokolistan for the signing of the treaty.
LOIS
The Vice President?? You're not…
LEX
No Ms Lane. I'm sending the Vice President. My approval ratings are astronomical.
I don't need the boost but when my second term runs out in six years I
want there to be a natural choice in the election.
(pause)
As I was saying, I'm sending the Vice President and I want you to go with
him. Get out of Metropolis for a bit, it'd be good for you, both of you.
They walk into the Oval office.
LOIS
(with forced calm)
Look, Mister President.
LEX
I'm sorry I don't have any more time just now.
(calling outside)
Miss Mercy, if you can see Mr Kent and Ms Lane out please.
One of the AGENTS ushers LOIS and CLARK out of the Oval Office and closes the
door behind them.
LEX walks over to his desk and picks up the phone.
LEX
Ms Head?
CUT TO:
INT. CEO'S OFFICE AT LUTHORCORP HEADQUARTERS. –CONTINUOUS
TALIA is on the phone with LEX:
TALIA
Lex. You got my message.
LEX (V.O.)
I did. I'm wondering if you have any more?
TALIA
More?
LEX (V.O.)
You know, more. Like an explanation.
(beat)
Like something that gives me the faintest clue what on Earth you think just
happened!
CUT TO:
INT. THE OVAL OFFICE – CONTINUOUS
TALIA (V.O.)
I don't know Lex. Everything went as planned.
LEX
No Ms Head, everything did not go as planned, because in my plan the Senator
was not scattered over the runway at Dulles Airport.
TALIA (V.O.)
We have no idea how the bomb got on board, neither do the FBI.
LEX
I know what the FBI know, I had the Director in my office not three hours ago.
TALIA (V.O.)
I'm sorry Mister Luthor.
LEX
(sighs)
It's okay. I take it that no one saw you with your friend before the incident
so there should be no problem. It's not an ideal solution by any means,
but it's a solution of sorts.
(beat)
I've got a cabinet meeting. We'll talk later.
Without waiting LEX puts down the phone and turns to leave through the side door into the CHIEF OF STAFF'S Office.
CUT TO:
INT- MERCY'S OFFICE – DAY
CLARK and LOIS are making their way back toward the bullpen when MERCY, the President's secretary catches them.
MERCY
Mister Kent?
CLARK doesn't turn around.
MERCY (CONT'D)
Mister Kent!
CLARK
(turning)
What, me?
LOIS
There another Mister Kent here, genius?
CLARK
No, uh, just can't get used to people calling me "Mister Kent".
(to MERCY)
I'm sorry, what is it?
MERCY
The Vice President would like to meet with you.
CLARK
The Vice President?
MERCY
Yes sir.
CLARK
Oh. Well. Sure.
LOIS
Where do we go?
MERCY
(Looking awkward)
Well, I'm sorry but it's just Mister Kent he wants to see.
LOIS looks put out.
MERCY (CONT'D)
Miss Hope will show you to the Roosevelt Room, Mister Kent. Ms Lane, perhaps
you'd care for a cup of coffee?
LOIS looks very put out as we
CUT TO:
INT. The Roosevelt Room – DAY
CLARK is standing in the middle of the room looking up at the picture of Teddy
Roosevelt.
An older version of PETE comes in.
PETE
Clark!
CLARK
Peter? Pete? What are you doing here?
PETE
I work here Clark…
CLARK
Oh, well, sure I know that… I just meant… here now.
PETE
Didn't you get my message?
PETE walks back to the door and calls to a Secret Service Agent, TIM, who is standing outside.
PETE (CONT'D)
(To TIM)
Tim?
CLARK
No, I didn't get any message. I just got told that I was supposed to see
the Vice President…
TIM comes over to PETE.
TIM
Yes sir?
PETE
No one is to disturb us. Make sure you knock before coming in.
TIM
Yes Mister Vice President.
CLARK
(Stunned)
…Which would be you!
PETE closes the door.
PETE
We can talk here. My office is no good, but this room is fine. But take a look
for bugs if you want to be sure.
CLARK
Oh, right, sure.
CLARK begins to spin around slowly, turning 360 degrees. We see through his x-ray vision the structure of the room.
CLARK (Cont'd)
Nothing here.
PETE
Okay. I'm glad you're here Clark.
CLARK
I'm glad to see you too Pete. But… wow… Vice President?
PETE
(Confused)
Clark??
CLARK
Uh… I guess I'm going to have to come clean. Pete you remember back
in Smallville when the meteor hit the LutherCorp plant…?
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. THE ROOSEVELT ROOM – DAY
PETE and CLARK are sitting in opposite chairs. PETE is nodding slowly.
PETE
Well, it's not the first time we've had to deal with time travel.
CLARK
It is for me.
PETE
Oh. Yeah. Well. Look there's not much I can do just now. I guess Lex told
you that I'm being shipped off to Pokolistan sometime in the next thirty
six hours?
CLARK nods.
PETE (Cont'd)
Look, I'm going to give you a number.
(He takes out his mobile telephone)
Clark?
CLARK
What?
PETE
Your phone Clark?
CLARK takes out his mobile phone and tries to hand it to PETE.
PETE (Cont'd)
(Sighs)
No just hold it there.
(Presses a button and CLARK's phone beeps)
CLARK
I guess I'm not caught up on this technology.
PETE
This number is of Doctor Weismann over at Swan Labs. If anyone can help with
this time travel he can.
CLARK
He knows?
PETE
Uh, yes Clark. He's got your ship…
CLARK
He's got my ship??
PETE
This will take too long to explain. Look the reason I had to see you is to warn
you about Lex. He's going to get this anti-metahuman legislation passed.
He's got the State of the Union next week and he'll give Congress
a plan to form a new Metahuman Control Agency… the MCA is going to have
power to detain metahumans or their friends if they consider them a threat to
national security.
CLARK
But Lex hasn't found out about me?
PETE
No Clark. But he's going after Superman.
CLARK
Seems to me Superman can take care of himself.
PETE
But that's what he wants. If he can before Congress and show how Superman
is not just outside of official law enforcement but resisting them then he'll
be able to seize control of the country… maybe even Martial Law.
CLARK
But what can I do?
PETE
Take it easy. Don't give him a target.
CLARK
But how will that help Superman?
PETE
Because you…
(pause)
Oh Clark.
(beat)
You don't know? Nobody's told you?
CLARK
Told me what, Pete?
PETE looks at his friend for a few moments. Uncertainty in his eyes.
PETE
Clark. YOU are Superman.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. THE KENT KITCHEN – DAY
CLARK and JONATHAN are both sitting looking at the kitchen table. Silently.
CLARK
I can't believe I'm a Super Hero.
JONATHAN
I can't believe Lex Luthor is president.
CLARK
I can't believe, I write for the Daily Planet.
JONATHAN
I can't believe my son wears tights in public.
CLARK looks up in surprise. They look at each other for a moment. Then both start laughing.
JONATHAN (Cont'd)
We'll get through this son. I know it must be hard and confusing but we'll
get through this.
CLARK
I know Dad. It's just so much to take in…
JONATHAN
And you're going to see this Doctor Weismann in Metropolis, tonight?
CLARK
Yeah. Pete set it up.
JONATHAN
And we can trust this man?
CLARK
Pete does and apparently we have before.
JONATHAN
Well, if Pete trusts him then I trust him.
MARTHA comes running into the kitchen.
MARTHA
(out of breath)
Clark, you'd better see this.
MARTHA moves to a bench in the kitchen where there's a small TV which
she switches on. It's tuned to some daytime soap but she switches it quickly
to a News channel.
We see an image of billowing black smoke pouring out of a building then the
screen cuts to show a reporter, REPORTER #2, standing amid smoke.
CUT TO:
EXT. METROPOLIS STREET (ON CAMERA) -DAY
REPORTER #2
The attack started just moments ago when three men in small personal-flyers
appeared in Metropolis. They broadcast a statement saying, quote "the
American government must pay for its support of the tyrannical Pokolistan regime
and the suppression of the Pokolistani people.
A loud explosion interrupts the reporter who ducks slightly as a few small
pieces of debris fall around her and a fresh cloud of dark smoke falls across
the screen.
After a moment it clears.
REPORTER #2
They fired a missile into the Metropolis LutherCorp building, which is still
burning. This second shot has destroyed half of the town hall.
The screen shows two burning buildings, then zooms in on one of the Flyers,
small one-person craft in which the pilot lies on their stomach steering with
controls in the nose of the plane.
We pull back to show MARTHA standing by the screen looking worried as we see shots of people running in the street and then a School Bus full of scared children.
MARTHA
Clark!
CLARK
I've got to do something.
MARTHA
You mean Superman, Clark.
CLARK
Uh… I don't have one of those outfits on…
MARTHA
Clark look upstairs, in my closet there's one of your outfits I was mending.
CLARK looks in surprise at his mother, then his father. Then with super speed
disappears upstairs.
There's a beat and he re-appears in the kitchen.
This is the first time we've seen CLARK dressed as Superman. We hear the familiar opening notes of the Superman theme.
MARTHA (CONT'D)
Can you fly?
CLARK
I don't know how, mom.
JONATHAN
Then you'll just have to be as quick as you can.
CLARK turns to go.
JONATHAN (CONT'D)
Be careful son.
CLARK nods at his father and with super speed is gone.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. CROSSROADS OUTSIDE SMALLVILLE - DAY
CLARK, dressed as Superman is running towards us with super speed. He slows to normal speed then stops. He looks around and then continues speeding on his way.
A road sign points two back to SMALLVILLE and forward to METROPOLIS.
CUT TO:
EXT. METROPOLIS STREET – DAY
People are running around, there is screaming. Smoke billows from the nearby LutherCorp building.
CUT TO:
EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF METROPOLIS –DAY
CLARK runs through the streets at super speed. We see time slowing down as the people around are moving in slow-motion; CLARK is running between them, cape flapping behind him as he sprints down the street.
CUT TO:
EXT. METROPOLIS STREET – CONTINUOUS
CLARK runs into the street and comes to a stop. Things are still moving in slow motion as he takes in the scene. Then things come back to full speed and we get the full sound of the street.
CUT TO:
INT. A FLYER COCKPIT – CONTINUOUS
TERRORIST #1 is piloting the flyer as it banks and turns amid the tall city buildings. He squeezes a trigger and a hail of bullets tears into the streets.
CUT TO:
EXT. METROPOLIS STREET – CONTINUOUS
We see bullets impacting on the road surface just yards away from the school bus. We see the panicked faces of the kids and the driver through the windows.
Suddenly the bus begins to rise into the air. Underneath is CLARK. We see that there are overturned and burning cars all around him, they were blocking the bus's escape.
CLARK carries the bus a few yards over the wreckage and then sets it down in the open.
CLARK
Go! Go!
CUT TO:
INT. BUS – CONTINUOUS
The bus driver puts the bus in gear and accelerates away.
CUT TO:
EXT. METROPOLIS STREET – CONTINUOUS
CLARK turns to regard the flyers as the dance over the city buildings.
CLARK looks at the burning LutherCorp building and disappears inside.
INT. LUTHERCORP BUILDING – CONTINUOUS
CLARK is speeding up the stairs and sprints down the corridor. The layout is familiar, the same places we saw when MARTHA had been held hostage here. Only now debris and smoke give everything an otherworldly feel. The sound of the attack outside is muffled and distant.
RESEARCHER (O.S.)
Help! Please someone…
(Starts coughing)
Can anyone hear me?
CLARK looks around for the source of the cry. We see through his X-ray vision.
There is someone lying trapped under a fallen ceiling support.
CLARK moves around to see the RESEARCHER pinned, bruised and bleeding superficially.
CLARK
It's okay; I'll get you out.
RESEARCHER
Oh thank God… Superman!
CLARK stops a second. Then smiles and lifts the support clear and helps the man up.
CLARK
You're okay; nothing is broken. Do you think you can walk? Can you make
it out on your own?
RESEARCHER
You bet Superman, you just get the men that did this.
CLARK
I'll do my best.
CLARK turns and continues on his way at super speed as the RESEARCHED gives him an awed look.
CUT TO:
EXT ROOF OF THE LUTHORCORP BUILDING – DAY
CLARK bursts onto the roof. Looking around he rushes to the edge of the roof and looks down. The three flyers are banking, dipping and swooping in the air below.
CLARK takes a few steps back, a deep breath and then rushed and leaps off the building.
INT. A FLYER COCKPIT – CONTINUOUS
TERRORIST #1 looks up in surprise as he hears something land on top of the
flyer.
CLARK slides into view of the cockpit and raises a fist.
CLARK punches through the side of the flyer like it's paper. He begins
to try to wrestle for control of the Flyer.
We focus on Clark who is looking a little disoriented. We take a shot of the view down which is a little blurry and the flyer rolls we get a dizzying spinning view of the street below.
CLARK loses his grip and falls off the flyer, only holding on by the handhold he made by punching through the flyer's side.
CLARK looks confused. He stares at the bulk of the flyer.
We see with his X-Ray vision, we see the pilot's body taking up most of the flyer and by his feet the core of the engine.
And in the centre of the engine we see three wired-up blocks of green kryptonite.
CLARK's fingers slip off the flyer and he falls.
EXT. METROPOLIS STREET – CONTINUOUS
CLARK smashes into the concrete. He's lying in a small dent in the road.
For a moment he does not stir and then he sits up. Looking unsettled he stares
up at the flyers as they swoop around the LutherCorp building.
CLARK's gaze follows them and sees the Daily Planet building opposite. There's a person standing in one of the windows, looking scared and concerned. It's an older version of LANA LANG.
CLARK
(Shouting)
Lana??
LANA (Through the Window)
Superman!
We focus on first CLARK, then LANA and then at a speeding flyer. We see a missile
loosed from the flyer.
We see through CLARK'S vision as everything happens in slow motion. The
missile glows red and begins to power through the air, which ripples in its
wake.
The missile is clearly heading for the Daily Planet building.
CLARK stares helplessly as the missile makes its way slowly but steadily towards the building.
CLARK
(Shouting)
LANA!!!
FADE TO TITLE:
TO BE CONTINUED….
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF SHOW