Next Scene. Luthor Mansion.
Lex is sitting inside his office, simply sipping out of a glass of vodka. He leans back in his chair, resting his head. Suddenly, his office phone rings. He waits for a second or so, then picks it up.
Lex: Hello?
Voice: Mr. Luthor. Ms. Grale is here. Do I send her up?
Lex: (pausing for a second) You know what, why not?
He hangs up then waits patiently. Finally, Grale stomps in to his office.
Grale: (glaring) Luthor, you motherfucker!
Lex: (sarcastically) It's nice to see you too, Allison.
Grale: Don't you play possum with you bastard! You've been dealing with Intergang!
Lex: (innocently) Me, dealing with Intergang? I would never do a thing like that.
Grale: You just watch, Luthor! Your ass is mine!
Lex: Why all these accusations? Seat down. Get comfortable. Have a drink.
Grale: You don't understand what you're doing, do you, you selfish prick? Goddamn you, Luthor. Damn you for what you're doing to the people of this town.
Lex: And….do you have any evidence.
Grale: You know I don't.
Lex: Then why do you think I was even involved.
Grale: I don't think you were involved. I know it. You know it too, so what's the point of this little game.
Lex: What do you want me to do? Admit to doing what I didn't?
She rams a fist down on to his desk.
Grale: You go to hell, you hear me! I thought you'd changed. All that bullshit about not being your father. Well, atleast your father wasn't no hypocrite. What you saw was what you got. But you, you snake. You burn in hell for what you're doing to this city, hear me! Burn in hell!
Lex: (suddenly serious) Goodbye, Ms. Grale.
She glares at him, breathing hard for a minute or so, then stalks out. Lex leans back, looking at a nearby painted portrait of his father. He raises his glass and hurls it at the portrait with an anguished cry. The glass smashes in to the portrait, hits the ground, and shatters. Lex breathes hard.
Next Shot. Kent Farm
Martha is in the kitchen, making dinner. She is humming a tune to herself. A familiar whooshing sound is heard outside the door. A pause, then Clark opens it and steps inside holding the bag that had the food in it.
Clark: Hey, Mom.
Martha: Hey, honey. How was Chloe?
Clark: Fine. She said to thank you for the food.
Martha: Oh, it was not bother. I know how much she likes pasta.
Clark: I got some wine from Metropolis. For you and Dad.
He brings a bottle of wine out of the bag.
Clark: It's French. The kind you and Dad always have at your anniversaries.
Martha smiles.
Martha: Thanks honey. But I hope you didn't spend all your allowance on it.
Clark: I still have some cash left over from my summer job.
Martha: Oh, that's great. I know you have a lot of stuff you want to buy, but don't forget about Lana's birthday.
Clark: (embarrassed) Mom! How'd you know about that?
Martha grins.
Martha: Because you have it marked on your calendar.
Clark: Well, thanks for the remainder, Mom.
Martha: (winking) Always for you, Clark.
Clark: Where's Dad?
Martha: He's at the Sawyer's watching the game. You can run over there if you want.
Clark: (shaking his head) Nah. I think I'll stay at home for now.
Martha: Could you still eat dinner later, honey? Or are you too full?
Clark: I could still eat.
Martha: Good. Help me set the table. Dinner will be ready in an hour or so, o.k.?
Clark: Yes, Mom.
Next Shot.
Chloe enters her apartment. She is exhausted. She looks the door behind her and tosses her stuff on the ground.
Chloe: (sarcastically) Another long day at work. What could be better?
She turns on the light. It is a small, cheap, but comfortable apartment fairly furnished, but untidy. There are empty cartons of Chinese food, and pizza boxes littered on the floor and furniture.
Chloe: Oh, great. I forgot about the lack of cleaning service.
She sighs unhappily and heads for her answering machine. She presses a button.
Answering Machine's voice: You have one message.
There is a beep.
Lois's V.O: Hey, little cuz. I came over briefly. You weren't at home so I decided to leave this message. Are we still on for breakfast tomorrow? Call me back.
Chloe smiles.
Chloe: The highlight of my day.
Next Shot. Outside Apartment Building
The man who was watching Chloe and Clark earlier sits in his car, watching her apartment from downstairs. He chews slowly on a cheeseburger and sips calmly on a Dr. Pepper. He watches her calmly, eyes never wavering.
Next Scene.
Jan is sitting in her apartment. It is furnished nicely. She looks around, anxiously, obviously haven been thinking about what Chloe said. She looks nervous. She swallows and picks up her cell phone, flipping it open and quickly dialing a number. It rings for a few seconds, then finally, a man's voice is heard.
Man V.O.: Hello?
Jan: (smiling) Hey, Dad.
Man: Baby, is that you?
Jan: Yeah, Dad. How's it going over there?
Man: Oh, it's going great! Guess what, your brother just got Co MVP for his Junior High football team.
Jan: Oh, that's great. Matt must be ecstatic. Say congratulations for me.
Man: Why don't you tell him yourself?
Jan: I don't have much time, Dad. This is just a quick call. Just wanted to check on you and Matt.
Man: (disappointed) Oh, o.k.
Jan: (feeling bad) Awww, Dad, don't feel bad. I think about you everyday, both of you. When I start a good job, I'll take care of you two, don't you worry.
Man: (after a pause) I'm proud of you, baby girl, and I love you with all my heart.
Jan: (forcing yourself not to cry) I love you too, Dad.
Man: We'll be ready for you honey, whenever you're ready to come home.
Jan: Best get ready quick, Daddy, cause I'll be there faster than you can blink. (Pause) Good bye, Daddy.
Man: Bye, sweetheart.
Jan hangs up and begins to weep.
Next Shot.
A man is sitting on a balcony, looking out with binoculars. He watches a car parked nearby. He sees in to it. A young adult male sits in a car, talking passionately to Grale.
Man: (shakes his head) Well, well, well, what have we got here?
Next Shot. KCU
Clark is standing on about the 2nd floor up, in the Library. He is studying, and bored, he looks outside the window. He sees Lana walking across campus. She doesn't see him. He smiles, obviously about to go outside, but suddenly, he sees Jan come up to Lana, talking. Their conversation is inaudible from here. Clark is about to listen in when…….
Voice: Hey, Clark!
Clark, surprised, turns around. It is the same kid that was talking to Grale the previous day.
Clark: (unenthusiastically) Hey, Paul.
Paul: (sarcastically) Atleast try to act like you like me.
Clark: Sorry, it's just me. I have something on my mind lately.
Paul: Hmmm, let me take a wild guess. Lana Lang?
Clark: (slightly annoyed) You know, contrary to popular belief, I don't spend every single waking minute thinking about Lana.
Paul: (with a raised eyebrow) Lana?
Clark: (sighs resoundedly) Yeah.
Paul: So what is it this time? She still in to that Flash Gordon fella who visited from New York?
Clark: No. Not after she find out she was about 3 years older than him. Doesn't hurt that he's probably going pro though.
Paul: So what's going on with Clana nowadays?
Clark: (with raised eyebrow) Clana?
Paul: Yeah, Clana. You are now the official couple of KCU.
Clark: Oh, great.
Paul: Yeah, I hear-
He is interrupted.
Voice: Paul.
Both Clark and Paul turn around. It is a big guy, 6 ft. 5 and 289 pounds, very menacing.
Paul: (a little scared) Oh, ummm, hey, Brian. What's up?
Brian: I need a favor, Paul.
Clark notices that Paul is shaking.
Clark: What's going on here?
Brian: Stay out of this, farm boy.
Paul: Clark, don't worry about it, man. It's all good. I'll catch up with you later.
Brian practically drags Paul away. Clark is suspicious. He bites his lips, considering his options. He squints. Clark's X-Ray vision mode is activated and he sees everything in skeletal mode. He looks past the dozens of skeletons and through walls and follows them with his eyes.
Clark: (to himself) What's going on here?
Clark watches as Brian drags Paul outside the hallway and in to a nearby bathroom. Clark's eyes widen as he sees a pocket knife inside Brian's clothes.
Next Shot. Inside Bathroom
Paul: (nervously) So, ummm, what's up, Brian?
Brian: Don't try to pussy foot me. We know you've been double dealing with the cops.
Paul: (surprised and terrified) What are you talking about?
Brian: I'm sorry, Paul. I liked you.
In one quick motion, he reaches in to his pocket, draws out the long, sleek blade, and launges at Paul. Paul's eyes widen, as he is unable to do anything.
Next Shot. Upstairs.
Clark gets up and looks around him anxiously. He has a grim, determined look on his face. Clark suddenly goes into super speed and runs out of the library. He seems to be moving at normal speed while everyone around him seems to be frozen in time. Clark zips out, leaving behind a trail of ripples in the air. He runs out of the library, past a bunch of frozen people in mid motion. He runs up to the door of the bathroom.
From Inside Bathroom.
Brian is in mid motion, frozen in the air, lunging at Paul with the knife. Paul is also frozen, putting his hands in front of his face. His face is frozen. Brian is right in front of the bathroom door, still frozen in mid motion.
Outside Bathroom.
Clark is running straight towards the door. He stops in front of it, still in super speed mode, and lightly taps his finger against it, then, he zips away. It is an effortless move for him, but it still manages to break the door of it's hinges.
Inside Bathroom.
Slow motion, but now in normal time. The door flies inside as Brian flies towards Paul. In mid-dive, the door collides with Brian, sending him spinning. His big body flies to the side and through a cubicle in to the toilet, head first. He groans, his head bleeding, and falls unconscious. Paul, breathing hard, finally opens his eyes. He is shocked to find Brian has not killed him and sees the destroyed cubicle. He now looks toward the hingeless door.
Brian: What the hell?
Next Shot. Bathroom, Hours later.
There are cops all over the place. The stalls are a mess. Brian has a blanket around his shoulders and is obviously shaken. A cop is holding a notebook and questioning him. A couple of ambulance workers lift Brian on to a gurney. His head is bleeding and badly cut and he is unconscious. A nearby cop asks.
Cop: Is he going to make it?
Ambulance worker: Yeah, but he's not going to regain consciousness for atleast 24 hours. He's lost quite a lot of blood, but nothing fatal or permanent. He might have amnesia for a few hours after he regains consciousness. From what we can see, he has 3 broken ribs, a broken arm, and a twisted ankle. His shoulder is also dislocated.
Cop: (grimacing) Ouch. Keep him under close guard. Because when he wakes up, we're going to question him for attempted murder.
Another cop walks up.
Cop #2: Now how in the hell does a door just fly open and smack in to a guy like that?
Cop #3: A sign from up there if I ever saw one. The reporters are going to be all over this.
Cop #4: How do we know the kid wasn't just faking this. How do we know this guy really tried to stab him?
Paul walks up, holding out an Metropolis Police Department Badge.
Paul: Because I'm MPD. Paul Shoreman. I've been in deep cover for the past year and a half. Trying to expose Intergang. I'd just gotten to the roots. Somehow that big bastard found out about me.
Cop #5: And you're telling us you didn't see anything? The goddamn door just flies open, saving your life?
Paul: (angrily) Would you like a statement?
A man, obviously high in the ranks, walks up to them.
Man: Hey, guys, cool down. Tempers are rising here.
Paul: Jesus, chief, my cover's been blown. I have to leave, immediately.
Man: I'll order a chopper from Metropolis. It should be here in about 4 hours. Go back to the hotel room, I'll make sure you're heavily guarded. Pack up, and get the hell out of here.
Paul: Yes, sir.
Paul heads out. A group of reporters are arriving.
Chief: (sighs) Shit.
Next Shot.
Chloe's apartment. The man with that was watching her from outside before comes outside the door. He looks around, nervous. He then takes a pistol out of his coat pocket. He slips a silencer out of his pants pocket and screws it on to his gun. He now slips his credit card out of another pocket and slips it through the end of the door, carefully jimmying the lock. It takes about 14 seconds, then the door opens soundlessly. The man slips inside. He hears the Television going. He walks inside, looking around. He hears nothing.
Man: What the hell?
Lois Lane V.O.: (From behind) Just what I was about to say.
Man turns quickly around to see Lois. Lois smiles and swings at him with a clenched fist. She smashes him in the mouth and he stumbles back, spitting blood. He trips over something and flips backwards, landing on his chest. The man groans.
Lois: Who the hell are you?
The man wheezes and wipes blood and spit off his mouth and chin. He then raises his gun.
Man: You'll never know, bitch.
He fires at her and she runs in to the kitchen, evading the shots by sprinting. She runs and somersaults over the kitchen counter, just as a hail of bullets hits where she had just been. She lands on her back with a groan. The man stands up, cupping his lip as blood runs down his fingers. He spits out blood one more time.
Man: You sure can hit hard for a chick.
He heads towards her. She is lying behind the counter, looking around for a weapon and terrified. She sees a nearby pan.
Lois: Please, please, work out.
She grabs it and quickly gets to her feet, heading towards the man. The man raises his gun, surprised, and Lois holds the pan in front of her. The man fires and Lois swings. Slow motion as the bullet heads towards Lois, but she swings the pan, smacking the bullet away. The bullet richochettes and goes in to the wall. Lois is still running with the momentum and she knocks the gun out of The man's hands. It flies through the window and shatters the glass. Lois tries to stop, but the man grabs her, furious, and hurls her in to the wall. Lois's head slams in to the wall and her body bounces backwards, her forehead bleeding. The man storms up to her and picks her up by the hair. She groans in pain. He smashes her in the gut and she bends over, wheezing. He knees her in the face, and she stumbles back. She cries out and wipes some blood off her top lip. Lois's eyes turn dark.
Lois: Oh, hell no.
The man storms at her again. He swings, but she ducks and smashes him in the face, sending him backwards. He bounces off the wall and stumbles towards her. She kicks him in the face, and spins around for a roundhouse kick to the nose. He screams, blood now running down his nostrils. She head butts him in the face and knees him in the crotch. She then elbows him in the gut, and kicks him in the knee. There is a sickening crunch and he falls back, tears running out of his eyes.
Man: (whimpering) Oh, god, oh, god.
He grabs his knee. Lois goes up to a small closet. She opens it and brings out a baseball bat.
Man: You broke my goddamned knee! You're not Chloe Sullivan. Who the hell are you!
Lois: (smiling evilly) You'll never know, bitch.
She swings the bat and smashes it in to his head. He falls unconscious, blood streaming down the side of his head. Lois swallows, shaken.