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Titre en VO : Smart kids
Diffusion US : 31/10/93
Diffusion FR : 10/05/94
Quatre enfants s’évadent d’une école spécialisée et envahissent la télé de Métropolis.
Grâce à une drogue qu’ils ont absorbée, ils sont devenus très intelligents et découvrent que Clark est Superman. Ce dernier monte toute une mise en scène pour leur prouver le contraire.
Pendant ce temps, la petite sœur d’Amy (une des enfants en fuite) avertit Lois que le docteur de l’école est méchant et que sa sœur sera capturée quand elle reviendra chercher de la drogue. C’est ce qui arrive, mais Lois réussit à avoir Amy sous sa garde.
Amy montre la cachette à Loïs et pour se venger, les surdoués capturent Lex, qu’ils savent être derrière tout ça en le menaçant avec la drogue.
Superman convainc les enfants qu’être différent n’est pas nécessairement amusant et Lex s’en sort indemme.
Note de l'épisode : 8/10
Popularité
Titre VO
Smart kids
Titre VF
La bande des surdoués
Première diffusion
31.10.1993
Première diffusion en France
10.05.1994
LOIS & CLARK
The New Adventures of Superman
"Smart Kids"
Written by: DAN LEVINE
Directed by: ROBERT SINGER
_CAST_
CLARK KENT\SUPERMAN
LOIS LANE
PERRY WHITE
JIMMY OLSEN
LEX LUTHOR
CAT GRANT
DR. ALFRED CARLTON
PHILLIP MANNING
AYMEE VALDES
INEZ VALDES
DUDLEY NICKOLAS
KAREN
MRS. POWELL
CABBIE
_LOCATIONS_
_INTERIORS_: _EXTERIORS_:
Daily Planet Beckworth State School
Conference Room Playground
The Pit Metropolis Street
Luthor's Penthouse Outside Lois' Apt.
Clark's Apartment Outside Bank
Lois' Apartment Outside Police Station
Bathroom Metropolis Harbor
Living Room
Beckworth State School
Hallway
Infirmary
Mrs. Powell's Office
Cab
Warehouse *
Kids' Lair
Spy Center
_TEASER_
FADE IN:
1 EXT. BECKWORTH STATE SCHOOL - (NIGHT #1) 1
A state supported orphanage/school for kids with
behavioral problems. Locked gates and high fences are
designed to either keep the public out or the kids in,
we're not sure which.
2 INT. BECKWORTH SCHOOL - HALLWAY - NIGHT 2
An eleven-year-old, DUDLEY, works on the security panel *
lock outside a doorway marked "Infirmary" with a
hand-built, jerry-rigged electronic decoder. Two other *
kids, PHILLIP, 12, the leader and KAREN, 10, crouch *
beside him in the shadowy hallway. They are joined by *
AYMEE, 11, trailing on a leash a small pot-bellied pig *
named Socrates. *
PHILLIP
(whispering urgently) *
What's Socrates doing here? *
AYMEE
(defensively) *
I'm not leaving him. We're in *
this together.
Socrates looks at Phillip, as if waiting for his
decision, as if he knows exactly what's going on. *
PHILLIP
Okay, but he's _your_ *
responsibility. *
The door CLICKS open. The green light stays on. *
DUDLEY
We're in. *
Aymee pushes through the door first. *
AYMEE
About time.
3 INFIRMARY 3
The kids fan out to perform pre-assigned tasks: they move
with the precision of a military unit.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 2.
3 CONTINUED: 3
They copy files off a computer, locate documents in the *
cabinets and either shred or pack them and load up a *
variety of instruments and medical equipment. Phillip *
watches Dudley work on a wall safe using the same rig *
that cracked the outer door. Aymee joins them. *
PHILLIP
What about the main gate? *
AYMEE
I can't figure out how to zap the
security system.
The safe's door pops open. Inside, in trays stamped
"Mentamide 5" and "Property of Lexlabs", are stoppered
vials of a pink, frothy liquid. The liquid seems to dance
with tiny pinpricks of light, as if a thing alive.
DUDLEY
Bingo.
Dudley turns to Karen. *
DUDLEY
(continuing)
What's four thousand nine hundred
seventy-three times six thousand
three hundred twenty-four?
Karen shakes her head: she can't do it.
PHILLIP
Okay guys: let's get smart.
The kids and Socrates crowd around and spoonfuls of the
liquid are doled out. As they swallow they close their
eyes, in the grip of a profound effect. They open their
eyes, look at each other.
PHILLIP
(continuing, to Aymee)
Main gate?
Aymee thinks, smiles, gestures thumbs down. All look to
Karen.
KAREN
(piping up)
Thirty-one million, four hundred
forty-nine thousand, two hundred
fifty-two.
DUDLEY
Watch out, Metropolis. Here we
come.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 3.
3 CONTINUED: 2 3
Socrates BELCHES. *
CUT TO: *
4 EXT. STREET OUTSIDE LOIS' APARTMENT - NIGHT 4
LOIS struggles to carry an armload of grocery bags up the
steps. A can drops from one of the bags and rolls back to
the sidewalk. Lois grimaces in exasperation. She's too
precariously balanced to set the bags down. She can
either forget the can, or go back for it. She chooses the
latter.
She carefully shuffles back down the steps, bends, bends,
trips, drops everything, finds herself sitting on the
sidewalk amidst her scattered and broken groceries. She
looks up: watching her from the shadows are the newly
escaped kids from the Beckworth School... and Socrates.
It's not your typical street scene, even in Metropolis.
LOIS
Is that a pig?
AYMEE
Of course it's a pig. Haven't you
ever seen a pig before?
Aymee looks at the fallen Lois, the fallen groceries, then
back to her pals.
AYMEE
(continuing)
She's not very smart, is she?
The kids continue past, turn the corner, are gone.
LOIS
(disgusted)
Kids.
FADE OUT.
_END_ _TEASER_
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 4.
_ACT ONE_
FADE IN:
5 INT. DAILY PLANET - CONFERENCE ROOM - (DAY #2) 5
The morning staff meeting. A slow news day has everyone
(Lois, CLARK, PERRY, JIMMY, CAT, etc.) lethargic. There's
a TV In the room, but it's off. Clark bites into an apple
with a satisfying CRUNCH.
LOIS
Could you turn up the volume on
that, Clark? I don't think they
heard you in Borneo.
CLARK
Fascinating place, Borneo.
They've done wonderful work there *
in preserving the natural habitat *
of the native orangutans. *
CAT
(purring)
I love well-traveled men. They
broaden my horizons.
LOIS
(re: Cat's plunging
neckline)
Assuming that's possible. *
JIMMY
Orangutans always look so wise. *
CAT
Orangutans throw mud at people at *
the zoo.
PERRY
(musing) *
'Scatter.'
ALL
(reacting)
What?
PERRY
'Scatter.' Elvis' pet chimpanzee.
Poor little guy. Drank himself to
death.
Perry, oblivious to the stares, shakes himself back to
reality.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 5.
5 CONTINUED: 5
PERRY
(continuing, to Clark)
Anything from the Governor's
office?
CLARK
We can expect a fiscal turnaround *
sometime next year.
PERRY
(sarcastic)
Now _there's_ news.
(to Lois)
What about Washington?
LOIS
President's on vacation... again.
PERRY
Nice work if you can get it.
Please. An idea, any idea.
JIMMY
Those kids are still missing from
the Beckworth School.
PERRY
We've been using that as filler the
past three days. Nothing's
changed. Come on, Jimmy, where's
your nose for news?
CAT
'Man of La Mancha' opens at the
Orpheum Friday with an all female
cast.
CLARK
That's original.
LOIS
(appalled)
That's a travesty. 'Man of La
Mancha' is my all time favorite
musical.
CLARK & CAT
(surprised)
It is?
PERRY
There are twelve million people in
the city of Metropolis. There must
be something significant
happening _somewhere_.
The TV turns on... by itself. All turn to look.
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 6.
6 ON TV 6
Phillip, in jacket and tie, sits behind a parody of a
newscaster's desk.
PHILLIP
We interrupt your regular
programming to bring you this
special report.
(TRUMPET FANFARE)
Smart Kids still at large!
Authorities search for clues to *
kids' whereabouts. Meanwhile, the
kids say: _leave_ _us_ _alone_. *
Don't look for us. Don't try to
get us back... or else.
(beat)
We rejoin our show in progress.
A vintage black and white cartoon comes on:. Porky Pig
chases a hooded wraith around the city carrying a bomb
hidden in an alarm clock. Porky doesn't know it's a bomb;
he thinks he's doing a good deed in returning the clock to
it's rightful owner. No matter what the wraith does, he
can't shake the determined Porky. At the end, the wraith
is hauled away in a police van as Porky pushes the clock
through the bars. The cartoon is replaced by...
7 AYMEE AND DUDLEY 7
In director chairs.
AYMEE
What I like best about this film is
the metaphorical content. Porky,
of course, is our 'everyman'
character, and his antagonist is
'death.' Dudley?
DUDLEY
I agree, Aymee. Who amongst us has
not felt the pangs of mortality? *
Yet, we persevere. *
(beat, with a thumbs up)
I give this film my highest
recommendation.
AYMEE
(joining the thumbs up)
I second that. And... that about
wraps it up. Join us next time
when we review that classic of
post-modernist angst, 'Bongo's Bad *
Day.' Ciao.
PHILLIP (O.S.)
This has been a production of...
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 7.
7 CONTINUED: 7
CHORUS (O.S.)
The Smart Kids!
The set turns off... by itself.
8 CONFERENCE ROOM 8
Stunned silence.
LOIS
(awed)
Kids.
9 INT. DAILY PLANET - THE PIT - LATER 9*
The room buzzes with activity, reporters and messengers *
coming and going, faxes and print-outs piling up desks. *
Everyone's there except Jimmy.
CLARK
It's theoretically impossible.
PERRY
Every television set in Metropolis?
CLARK
And every channel.
LOIS
Well, _someone's_ behind it. It
sure wasn't a couple of
grade-schoolers.
CAT
What _is_ post-modernist angst? *
Jimmy, entering, pushes papers aside on the table and lays
out four faxed photos of kids. Phillip's, Aymee's, and
Dudley's are circled in red.
JIMMY
(in turn)
Phillip Manning, Aymee Valdes,
Dudley Nickolas.
(again in turn)
Twelve, eleven, and eleven. *
They're three of the four who
escaped from the Beckworth School
last week.
(smugly)
Someone say something about a nose
for news?
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 8.
9 CONTINUED: 9
PERRY
(ignoring the dig)
What have we got here? A prank? A
scam?
CAT
Kids do the darndest things. *
Lois picks up Aymee's picture and examines it more *
closely.
LOIS
I keep thinking I've seen her
somewhere before.
Perry looks at Clark. Clark nods.
PERRY
Okay, it's your baby. Get me some
answers.
LOIS
(looking up)
Huh?
CUT TO:
10 INT. LUTHOR'S PENTHOUSE - DAY 10
Luthor has originals of the faxed photos of the kids on
his desk. Nearby stands DR. ALFRED CARLTON, sweating,
about forty.
CARLTON
We've got to get them back.
LUTHOR
Why so nervous, Dr. Carlton?
CARLTON
(accusing)
You told me there was no risk of
exposure. I have a reputation in
the scientific community. I can't
afford...
Luthor SLAPS Canton across the cheek. The shocked
Carlton staggers back against the desk. His features
darken with anger, but then he looks at Luthor's calm,
smiling face and swallows. By the time he straightens up,
he's regained his composure.
LUTHOR
Better?
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 9.
10 CONTINUED: 10
Carlton nods. Luthor politely pulls out a chair for him,
motions for him to sit, then himself sits behind the desk.
LUTHOR
(continuing)
This is no time for panic. We'll
have our rug rats back in the lab
soon enough.
CARLTON
But now the police are involved.
LUTHOR
(patiently explaining)
If they find them before we do,
they'll simply return them to the
school.
(beat, in Latin)
Ex hypothesi.
CARLTON
But what if they talk?
LUTHOR
They're too smart for that. If
they do, they've had their last
taste of Mentamide 5. Do _you_
think they'd risk it?
CARLTON
(more confidently)
No. The emotional dependence is
too great.
LUTHOR
Well, then...
Luthor gestures palms up, then leans forward.
LUTHOR
(continuing, more
intensely)
How smart _are_ they?
CARLTON
I expected a ten to twenty percent
rise in I.Q.
(beat)
It seems to be a lot more.
LUTHOR
Marvelous. Don't you think?
(beat)
How long before they reach Stage
Two?
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 10.
10 CONTINUED: 2 10
CARLTON
It depends on the rate of
absorption into their individual
systems.
LUTHOR
We need to pinpoint that data.
CARLTON
(shocked)
But that would require vivisection.
LUTHOR
(placidly)
My dear Dr. Carlton, you can't make
chicken soup without plucking a few
chickens.
CUT TO:
11 INT. CAB - DAY 11
Lois and Clark in back; the CABBIE and Jimmy in front.
They're at a dead stop, stuck in traffic. Lois,
impatient, stares out the window, Clark reads a brochure
for the Beckworth school, Jimmy fiddles with his camera
lenses, the Cabbie HUMS to himself and DRUMS on the
dashboard, the meter CLICKS inexorably.
LOIS
This is a total waste of time.
CABBIE
(stops drumming)
Whatta ya want? I should pick up
the cab and fly like Superman?
LOIS
In your dreams.
The Cabbie shrugs, resumes drumming.
CLARK
(reading aloud)
'The Beckworth State School,
founded in 1953, is dedicated to
fulfilling the educational needs of
orphaned children who require the
individual attention and
specialized instruction available
in a controlled environment.'
LOIS
Translation: brats.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 11.
11 CONTINUED: 11
CLARK
Why brats?
LOIS
Public schools can't handle them,
so they're parked here to keep them
out of trouble.
CLARK
That's sad.
LOIS
They're problem kids, Clark.
CLARK
Problem kids can be solved.
JIMMY
_I_ was a problem kid.
LOIS
You're still a problem kid.
JIMMY
(flattered)
You think so?
LOIS
The point I'm trying to make is...
The cabbie's been interested enough in this byplay to
again stop drumming.
CABBIE
Yeah, what _Is_ the point?
LOIS
(ignoring the cabbie)
This _story_ is a waste of time
because it's entirely predictable.
CLARK
How so?
LOIS
(ticking off on her
fingers)
A: kids escape. B: kids get mixed
up in something that seems at first
unusual, but is, in fact,
uninteresting and dull once the
details are known. C: kids are
found and returned to school. End
of story.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 12.
11 CONTINUED: 2 11
LOIS (CONT'D)
(to Clark)
_This_ you volunteered for.
(to cabbie)
We're walking. How much?
CABBIE
Six-fifty.
LOIS
Naturally.
CUT TO:
12 INT. BECKWORTH SCHOOL - DAY 12
Lois, Clark, and Jimmy are led along a corridor by MRS.
POWELL, in her middle thirties, Director of the Beckworth
School. Occasionally they stop to peer into classrooms.
The school's a bit shabby, but the kids appear healthy and
well-supervised. Jimmy snaps an occasional picture.
MRS. POWELL
Our funding comes from a variety of
sources. Subsidies from the State
Special Education Fund, private
donations... we take whatever we
can get.
CLARK
All your students live here full
time?
MRS. POWELL
That's correct.
JIMMY
Any of 'em ever get adopted?
MRS. POWELL
At their ages, the chances are
poor.
(beat, emotionally) *
This is their home. The escape *
has been very unsettling for all of
us.
LOIS
Have you considered the possibility
they may have been kidnapped or
coerced to leave?
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 13.
12 CONTINUED: 12
MRS. POWELL
We have. The police have, too.
(beat)
It would explain a lot.
As far as Lois is concerned, it explains everything.
Clark, though, isn't quite done.
CLARK
Is there anything else that links
these particular children?. They
seemed... unusual.
MRS. POWELL
(frustrated)
We've been through their files with
a fine tooth comb. Nothing. I
mean, for what it's worth, they're
very bright kids.
LOIS
Could we have access to those
files?
MRS. POWELL
I've put together a package for the
police. Everything that isn't
confidential. You're welcome to a
copy.
(beat)
We just want the children back
safe.
They pass a windowless door with a coded security lock
marked 'Infirmary.' It's the same door from the night of
the escape. Jimmy tries the knob.
MRS. POWELL
(continuing)
We keep the Infirmary locked when
Dr. Carlton isn't here.
LOIS
Who's Dr. Carlton?
MRS. POWELL
Alfred Carlton. Staff physician.
Been with us a year. Wonderful
man. He donates his time to the
school free of charge. He also has
a degree in Clinical Psychology.
He's helped enormously with our
testing and counseling programs.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 14.
12 CONTINUED: 2 12
JIMMY
He must be busy now, the kids being
upset about their missing
classmates and all.
MRS. POWELL
As a matter of fact, no. He wanted
things to calm down a bit before he
began therapy. Frankly, waiting
seemed contra-indicated to me,
but... he's the expert.
CLARK
(intrigued)
I see.
He lowers his glasses, _X-RAYS THROUGH THE DOOR_...
13 INFIRMARY 13
Cleaned up now, otherwise as we remember it. A janitor
dumps several trash cans of shredded documents into a *
large trash bag and heads for the door. *
14 BACK TO SCENE 14
Clark raises his glasses as the door opens and the bag is *
deposited in the hallway.
MRS. POWELL
If you'll come to my office, I'll
get you those files.
Lois nods as she and Mrs. Powell turn to leave. Clark, at
_SUPER SPEED_, sifts through the trash and pockets several
handfulls of paper scraps. He then hurries to catch up
with the others.
Lois pauses to look at a school bulletin board. Behind
her, a six-year-old girl, INEZ, steps out of a room and
hits Lois in the rump with a bean-bag. Lois stops. The
others continue on around the corner. Lois turns. Inez
motions for her to approach. Lois retrieves the beanbag
and confronts her attacker.
LOIS
(angrily)
Now you listen to me, young lady...
INEZ
I'm Inez. What's your name?
Inez is very cute and very serious. Lois loses her head
of steam, but tries to continue with the lecture...
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 15.
14 CONTINUED: 14
for Inez' own good. That's what adults are supposed to
do, isn't it?
LOIS
Lois. Lois Lane. Listen
carefully, Inez. I am not a
target. I am an adult. You
can't...
INEZ
Aymee's my big sister. Aymee
Valdes. She escaped.
Inez motions Lois down to her level; Lois kneels.
INEZ
(continuing)
You have to help her.
LOIS
Help her how?
INEZ
She'll come back for me, I know she
will. But then _he'll_ catch her.
LOIS
Who? Who'll catch her?
Inez puts her finger to her lips.
INEZ
Can't say.
Lois straightens up.
LOIS
Look, Inez, the best thing that
could happen to you and your sister
is for her to come back and _be_
caught.
INEZ
(disappointed)
You don't know anything.
Inez runs off before Lois can deny the charge. She stares
after her.
CUT TO:
15 EXT. METROPOLIS HARBOR - DAY - ESTABLISHING 15
A busy seaport. Piers extend into the harbor. In one
apparently abandoned warehouse on one of those piers...
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 16.
16 INT. WAREHOUSE - GROUND LEVEL 16
Dusty, unlit, shrouded hulks of old machine tools spotted
around the floor. Phillip and Dudley walk and talk.
PHILLIP
_How_ much is left on the credit
card?
DUDLEY
A couple of thousand.
PHILLIP
(dismayed)
That's all? I thought he was the
richest man in Metropolis?
DUDLEY
Everything costs money, Phillip.
Supplies, equipment...
PHILLIP
I knew that TV stunt was a mistake.
DUDLEY
(protesting)
It was fun.
They have reached an open freight elevator. They step
onto the platform.
PHILLIP
It was expensive.
DUDLEY
We had to warn 'em to leave us
alone.
PHILLIP
I don't think it worked.
Phillip throws the handle on the elevator. It starts to
descend.
17 INT. WAREHOUSE (KID'S LAIR) - DAY 17*
The large space has been transformed into "Kidland":
colorful painted blotches and drawings on the walls, toys
and electronic paraphernalia everywhere, an odd assortment
of furniture, etc. It's messy, but not disgustingly so.
Karen has set up a banked track around which she races a
remote-controlled car at full speed. A remote-controlled
plane BUZZES the room. Socrates watches TV. Phillip and *
Dudley enter. Aymee joins them. *
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 17.
17 CONTINUED: 17
AYMEE
Surveillance system's up and
running. Anyone tries to get us,
we'll know about it first. We've *
got the town wired. It's like a
giant video game.
DUDLEY
Have you tied in the lasers?
AYMEE
I'm waiting on components.
PHILLIP
(gloomily)
Which we can't afford.
DUDLEY
We'll come up with something. You
worry too much.
PHILLIP
Someone's got to. Look at this
place!
They do, but don't see anything amiss. Karen approaches
Dudley and the two huddle.
PHILLIP
(continuing)
It's a mess.
AYMEE
We're kids.
PHILLIP
Yeah, but we're _smart_ kids. We
don't have to live like this.
AYMEE
What a grouch! Just 'cause you're *
the oldest and you've been on the
smart stuff the longest...
PHILLIP
That's another thing. We're almost
out. You want to go back to being
dumb?
AYMEE
We'll get more. I'll do the job
myself, soon as I rescue Inez.
PHILLIP
No way.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 18.
17 CONTINUED: 2 17
AYMEE
I'm going. You can't stop me.
Phillip sighs. He senses this is an argument he won't
win. Dudley, all smiles now, sends Karen off.
PHILLIP
(to Dudley)
What are you so happy about?
DUDLEY
I think we've got the money thing
licked.
CUT TO:
18 EXT. METROPOLIS STREET - DAY 18
Lois and Clark stand in line for one of the electronic *
tellers at the Bank of Metropolis. Next to them, at the *
curb, a man is fixing a flat tire. His car is jacked up *
and the flat is removed, but he struggles with the spare. *
Clark is busy examining the strips of shredded paper he *
took from the school. *
LOIS
Anything?
CLARK
I can't believe it.
LOIS
What?
CLARK
That 'Man of La Mancha' is your
favorite musical. What about
'Fiddler on the Roof?' What about *
'West Side Story?'
LOIS
I happen to love windmills. Sue
me.
CLARK
(frustrated, re: the
strips)
I don't know what I'm looking for.
Lois takes several from the bunch. Pauses to examine one.
LOIS
What's 'Mentamide 5'?
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 19.
18 CONTINUED: 18
CLARK
Never heard of it. It's mentioned
several times. Maybe some kind of
medication?
The tire changer's repeated attempts to lift the tire *
into place knock the jack off balance. It slips a notch, *
the man's head and shoulders under the wheel well. Clark *
notices, moves closer to the car. *
LOIS
That reminds me, didn't it seem
strange to you that the school
doctor would _delay_ counseling for
the kids left behind? Aren't they
supposed to do that right away?
CLARK
That'd be my guess, but...
(beat)
We should talk to him directly.
LOIS
(agreeing)
As soon as possible.
(beat)
Inez seemed genuinely frightened.
CLARK
Poor little kid.
LOIS
Yeah.
The jack falls, but the car doesn't. *
18A CLOSE ON BUMPER 18A*
Clark holds it up with one cupped hand (behind his back *
so Lois doesn't see). *
18B BACK TO SCENE 18B*
There seems to be some consternation and commotion from
the people who have already reached the tellers. Lois, *
luckily, is temporarily distracted. The man finally *
positions the tire, spins the lug nuts. Then, he looks *
at the fallen jack. Clark quickly unhands the bumper. *
LOIS
(continuing)
Those kids on TV seemed awfully
smart.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 20.
18B CONTINUED: 18B
CLARK
Too smart.
LOIS
You can't be _too_ smart.
CLARK
Yes you can. Intelligence without
maturity and restraint is a
dangerous thing.
LOIS
Borscht. So they're involved in a
few stunts. They're just kids.
They've reached the front of the line. Lois enters her
code and the amount of her withdrawal and receives, after
a moment, her cash. Or is it?
19 CLOSE ON MONEY 19
Instead of the real thing, it's "Metropoly Money",
multicolored bills in different denominations with the
phrase "Smart Bucks" prominent on the face.
20 BACK TO LOIS AND CLARK 20
Lois is speechless with fury.
CLARK
(placidly)
Just kids.
FADE OUT.
_END_ _ACT_ _ONE_
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 21.
_ACT TWO_
FADE IN:
21 EXT. BECKWORTH SCHOOL - (NIGHT #2) 21
Aymee, dressed in black, face camouflaged, has the panel
off on the exterior gate controller. She quickly snips a
few wires, reconnects another. The gate slides open. She
moves toward the door. A man steps from behind a pillar
and grabs her. He wears a police uniform. On her face,
trapped, we...
CUT TO:
22 INT. LOIS' APARTMENT - BATHROOM - NIGHT 22
Lois, towel-clad, turns on the tap in the tub.
23 CLOSE ON TUB 23
"Water" emerges from the tap as a blue gel.
24 LOIS 24
takes some of the goo on her finger, sniffs it, flicks it
off in disgust, turns the tap off. The PHONE RINGS, Lois
answers.
LOIS
Yes?
INEZ (0.S.)
It's me Inez.
LOIS
Inez?
25 INTERCUT BECKWORTH SCHOOL 25
INEZ
From the school. Is it past your
bedtime?
LOIS
Inez, how did you get this number?
INEZ
(lying blithely)
Information.
LOIS
I'm not listed.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 22.
25 CONTINUED: 25
INEZ
(the truth)
I copied it off Mrs. Powell's desk.
LOIS
Isn't it past _your_ bedtime?
INEZ
I don't have a bedtime.
LOIS
All little girls have bedtimes.
INEZ
Not me.
LOIS
(tiredly)
Inez, why are you calling?
INEZ
Aymee's in trouble. They caught
her. She came back for me. I
_told_ you.
LOIS
(suddenly awake)
Who caught her?
INEZ
Policemen.
LOIS
Inez, Aymee's much better off being
caught.
INEZ
(desperately)
No! _He'll_ get her.
LOIS
Who?
INEZ
Can't say.
LOIS
One of the kids?
INEZ
No.
LOIS
One of the teachers?
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 23.
25 CONTINUED: 2 25
INEZ
Not exactly.
LOIS
(taking a leap)
Dr. Carlton?
INEZ
(after a significant
pause)
Can't say.
Lois thinks a moment, decides.
LOIS
I'll take care of it.
CUT TO:
26 INT. BECKWORTH SCHOOL - MRS. POWELL'S OFFICE - (DAY #3) 26
Lois, Clark, Mrs. Powell, and Dr. Carlton are present.
Carlton is clearly upset.
CARLTON
As Aymee's physician, I strongly
disapprove of this arrangement.
LOIS
Why?
CARLTON
It's not in the child's best
interests. Besides, legally...
CLARK
(producing it)
Legally, we have here a faxed copy
of authorization from Mrs. Valdes,
Aymee's mother.
CARLTON
Mrs. Valdes? She gave the child up
for adoption. She has no rights.
LOIS
Just because she doesn't currently
have custody doesn't mean she has
no rights. *
Mrs. Powell studies the document, passes it to Carlton.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 24.
26 CONTINUED: 26
LOIS
(continuing)
Aymee's already escaped from this *
school once. Then she broke back *
in to get her little sister out.
Obviously this isn't a place she
wants to be.
CARLTON
(frustrated, spitefully)
Children don't know what they want.
_Or_what's right for them.
LOIS
(coldly)
Is that a professional opinion?
Carlton realizes he's stepped over the line.
CARLTON
I'm only concerned for the child's
welfare.
MRS. POWELL
We all are.
(beat)
I see no reason why Aymee can't
stay with Miss Lane on a temporary
basis. She'll still attend
classes?
Lois nods.
MRS. POWELL
(continuing)
Aymee is waiting at the police *
station to be picked up. I'll
leave word she's to be released
into your custody.
CARLTON
(nervously)
Has she, uh, said anything about
how or why... this happened?
MRS. POWELL
(shaking her head)
Not yet.
LOIS
That's part of what I hope to find
out.
CUT TO:
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 25.
27 EXT. METROPOLIS STREET - DAY 27
Lois and Clark walk and talk, briskly.
CLARK,
(amazed)
How you managed to pull this off...
LOIS
Once I found Mrs. Valdes, the rest
was easy. Her husband left when
Aymee was four and Inez just a
baby. No money, no job, no family
to help out. She felt like she had
no choice but to give up her kids.
CLARK
Pretty tough on everyone.
LOIS
(nodding)
Anyway, I guess I convinced her
Aymee needed someone...
CLARK
To pump her for information?
LOIS
No. To protect her.
(beat, off Clark's
skeptical look)
And to try and find out about the
other missing kids.
CLARK
Lois, children don't automatically
open up. You have to earn their
trust.
LOIS
The day I can't outsmart an
eleven-year-old, is the day I hang
up my press pass.
CLARK
Maybe, but consider what these kids
have accomplished already.
(ticking them off)
Escape, television transmissions,
automatic tellers, gelatinous
water, everyone in Metropolis
looking for them, but not a clue to
their whereabouts.
(beat)
No one even knows how they're doing
this stuff.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 26.
27 CONTINUED: 27
LOIS
They're not. They're a front.
It's the only explanation. You saw
their files. They're bright, but
not _that_ bright. Look, I was a
smart kid, too. That doesn't mean
I could outwit an entire city and
hold my own around competent
adults. Well, some I could. Most,
actually. Even so...
CLARK
Have you ever actually taken care
of a child?
LOIS
(defensively)
My sister Lucy.
CLARK
Uh-huh.
LOIS
Clark, if you're implying I'm
incapable of handling this
juvenile, you're in for a big
surprise. Just arrange for us to
have that private interview with
Dr. Carlton.
They've arrived in front of a building: 81st Precinct,
Metropolis P.D.
LOIS
(continuing)
Stop worrying. She'll be putty in
my hands.
CUT TO:
28 INT. LOIS' APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY 28
Lois sits upright in a chair facing the television set...
she has no choice. From neck to feet she's covered in a *
neon green plastic-like goo. Nearby lies a crude, *
hand-made "supersoaker" constructed from a flexible shower
nozzle and hose connected to a hot water bottle. Aymee is
just finishing putting Lois' TV set back together.
AYMEE
See, you'll get all the channels
now, and you won't even have to
pay for them.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 27.
28 CONTINUED: 28
LOIS
(voice strained)
That's terrific, Aymee. I'm so
pleased.
(beat)
Could we talk in a calm, rational
manner?
AYMEE
Sure. Because before you were
yelling.
LOIS
(erupting)
I was not...
(deep breath)
I may have raised my voice.
(beat, hopefully)
Does this stuff come off?
AYMEE
Maybe.
LOIS
Could you please...
AYMEE
You just want me to tell you where
the other kids are because you're a
reporter and you think we'd make a
good story, and that's why you took
me, right?
LOIS
Of course not.
AYMEE
Errrrp! Wrong answer. *
LOIS
They'll find the other kids sooner
or later.
AYMEE
That's what you think. Pretty soon
we'll have everything we need, and
then we'll go away forever.
LOIS
(concerned, a little
frightened)
Aymee, if you and your friends are
in some kind of trouble, I can
help. Who did this to you?
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 28.
28 CONTINUED: 2 28
AYMEE
(warily)
Did what?
LOIS
Took you out of the school.
AYMEE
No one. We're on our own, okay?
And we don't need you or any other
stupid old adults butting in. *
*
LOIS
Really. Then why don't you leave
and go back to them? I'm not
exactly in a position to stop you.
Aymee hesitates, looks around.
AYMEE
This is a nice place. I like it
here.
LOIS
Errrp! Wrong answer.
AYMEE
Okay.
(a beat)
I can't risk being followed back.
Besides, my sister Inez likes *
you. She's a good judge of
character.
LOIS
(attempting to play on
Aymee's emotions)
You know, we have a lot in common.
My parents are divorced and I have
a little sister, too.
AYMEE
(blowing)
You don't know anything about me or
my family.
LOIS
That's not true. I spoke to your
mother. She was very concerned.
AYMEE
My mother doesn't care anything
about me.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 29.
28 CONTINUED: 3 28
LOIS
Aymee, sometimes it's helpful to
speak to an impartial,
understanding adult.
AYMEE
(convulsed with mirth)
You?
LOIS
(ignoring the put-down)
I hope we get to be friends.
That's all.
Aymee stops laughing, produces a vial of reddish liquid.
LOIS
(continuing,
apprehensively)
What's that?
Aymee approaches.
LOIS
(continuing, more
apprehensively)
Aymee, what are you going to do?
Aymee pours the liquid onto the "plaster." It dissolves
immediately to sticky liquid goop. Awkwardly, Lois gets
to her feet.
LOIS
(continuing)
How does this stuff...
AYMEE
(turning back to TV)
Can't say.
(beat)
You should clean up. You're a big
mess.
Lois closes her eyes, starts to count silently to ten.
CUT TO:
29 EXT. BECKWORTH SCHOOL - DAY - ESTABLISHING 29
30 INT. BECKWORTH SCHOOL - INFIRMARY 30
Dr. Carlton fields questions from Lois and Clark. He
tries to remain calm, but the cracks show.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 30.
30 CONTINUED: 30
CARLTON
Of course I'm concerned. The *
streets of Metropolis are no place *
for unsupervised delinquent *
children.
LOIS
(jumping on that)
Unsupervised? So you don't believe
someone else, an adult, a group of
adults, is behind their escape?
CARLTON
I didn't say that. We simply don't
have the facts.
(beat)
I'm a scientist. I abhor rampant,
unsubstantiated speculation.
CLARK
In fact, you're a _distinguished_
scientist. Your work in
experimental neuro-psychology is
world renowned.
CARLTON
(surprised, but not
unflattered)
You've done your homework, Mr.
Kent.
CLARK
That still doesn't explain why a
researchist of your credentials *
would be working as school doctor
in a place like this.
CARLTON
I think of it as 'grounding.' *
After all, the doctor/patient
relationship is the framework for
all medical science.
Carlton glances nervously around the room. Clark picks up
on it and begins to scan with _TELESCOPIC VISION_. *
LOIS
Then why, after the breakout, *
wouldn't you think it necessary *
to begin counseling the rest of the
students immediately, to help them
cope with any anxiety?
Clark spots one slide among others on a wall display. *
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 31.
31 CLOSE ON SLIDE 31
It's coated with a dried, pinkish smear. The slide is
labeled "Mentamide 5." *
32 RETURN TO SCENE 32
CARLTON
(stiffly)
I made an evaluation based on
criteria a lay person such as
yourself couldn't possibly.
understand.
LOIS
That's convenient.
Carlton is offended. Lois doesn't care. Clark moves at
_SUPER SPEED_, pockets the slide, replaces it with a clean
one, returns to his place without being noticed.
CUT TO:
33 INT. BECKWORTH SCHOOL - CORRIDOR OUTSIDE INFIRMARY 33
LOIS
'Delinquent children' my... What *
a jackass. *
CLARK
We have to find those kids; the *
sooner the better. *
Clark produces the slide.
CLARK
(continuing) *
Look what I found.
LOIS
(reading)
'Mentamide 5.' Found? You mean *
stole, don't you?
Sheepishly Clark nods.
CLARK
Well...
LOIS
You took advantage of a privileged
interview situation to grab
potentially incriminating evidence
from an unsuspecting subject.
(beat)
I love it.
CUT TO:
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 32.
34 INT. LUTHOR'S PENTHOUSE - (NIGHT #3) 34
Luthor lies on his stomach on a therapy table and MOANS
under the ministrations of HELGA, his valkyrie-like
masseuse. The PHONE BUZZES. Helga finishes her routine
with an loud SLAP to Luthor's backside, wipes her hands on
his towel, hands him the instrument. He sits up, gives
her a credit card. *
LUTHOR
Add a nice tip for yourself. *
Helga nods, leaves. *
LUTHOR
(continuing, into *
phone)
Hello. Yes, doctor. Is that so?
No, I see your point. Perhaps
you _should_ leave for awhile. Of
course I'm not angry. You've done
splendid work.
(waving toward the
papers in his desk)
The papers are filled with accounts
of their exploits. I feel like a
proud father.
(beat)
Come by now, if you like. I'll *
have your final payment waiting.
Luthor hangs up. Helga returns, her heretofore impassive
face a storm cloud. She tears the credit card in two.
HELGA
Refused. Over the credit limit. *
LUTHOR
(confused)
That's impossible. I have a line *
of over five million dollars on
that account.
Helga folds her massive arms over her chest, unimpressed.
HELGA
Sure you do. *
LUTHOR
(meekly) *
Would you take a check?
CUT TO:
35 EXT. NIGHT SKY ABOVE METROPOLIS 35
Superman cruises, searching everywhere. Below...
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 33.
35 CONTINUED: 35
CROWDED STREETS AND TRAFFIC (STOCK)
A BASEBALL GAME UNDER THE LIGHTS (STOCK)
AN ARREST WITH SIRENS (STOCK)
A QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD (STOCK)
A SHIP HEADED OUT TO SEA (STOCK)
36 EXT. ALLEY BY DAILY PLANET - NIGHT 36
Superman lands, disappears into the gloom, re-emerges as
Clark Kent.
PHILLIP (O.S.)
Freeze.
The image FREEZES.
PHILLIP (0.S.)
(continuing)
Run it back.
The image REVERSES to Superman's landing, then FAST
FORWARDS to Clark's re-emergence and FREEZES again. PULL
BACK TO:
37 INT. KIDS' LAIR - NIGHT 37
Phillip and Dudley have the scene on a monitor. They
exchange a glance.
CUT TO:
38 INT. DAILY PLANET - THE PIT - NIGHT 38
Clark is alone at his desk in the semi-dark room.
Messenger #1 drops a letter off. Clark, surprised, tears
it open, unfolds a note.
39 CLOSE ON NOTE 39
In crude block letters it reads: Dear Clark Kent, we know
you're Superman. You're working for us now. Ha ha.
The Smart Kids.
FADE OUT.
_END_ _ACT_ _TWO_
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 34.
_ACT_ _THREE_
FADE IN:
40 INT. DAILY PLANET - PIT - (DAY #4) 40
Lois, Clark and jimmy watch the Smart Kid News on a
monitor, Phillip announcing. Clark seems especially
riveted... with good reason.
PHILLIP
This just in: water supply returns *
to normal! No ill effects from the
Smart Kids' mysterious gelatin
stunt. How did they do it?
You'll never know. Meanwhile, the *
kids say again, 'Leave us alone.
It's a big city. Lots more things
could go wrong with it.'
(beat)
The Reign of the Smart Kids
continues.
The TV shuts off.
LOIS
Wonderful.
(to Jimmy)
Okay, what have you got on
Mentamide 5? *
Jimmy flips open his pad, refers to notes.
JIMMY
It's an organic stew: amino acids,
herbs, neurotransmitters, you name
it. It's so complex even Star
Labs' computers couldn't analyze it
completely. They _were_ able to
produce a synthetic facsimile.
Jimmy hands Lois a detailed molecular diagram. She turns
it sideways, upside down, right side up again: it's beyond
her. Clark studies the diagram with interest, even, to
Lois' disgust, traces some of the chemical linkages with
his finger. She turns back to Jimmy.
LOIS
So...
JIMMY
They're testing the synthetic.
Nothing conclusive yet, but it
_seems_ to stimulate cerebral
hyper-activity in lab rats.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 35.
40 CONTINUED: 40
LOIS
Translation please?
CLARK
They got smarter.
JIMMY
A lot smarter.
All three share a glance.
LOIS
(awed)
Those kids _are_ on their own.
CLARK
(grimly)
And someone was using them as *
guinea pigs.
LOIS
I have a pretty good suspicion who.
(beat, derisively)
Mr. 'Experimental
Neuro-Psychology.'
Lois picks up the phone, quickly dials.
LOIS
(continuing, into phone)
Dr. Carlton, please. Lois Lane
calling. When? Thank you.
(hangs up)
Took a leave of absence. No
forwarding address.
Again, they stare at each other.
JIMMY
I'm going back to the lab, keep
tabs on the testing. I'll let you
know.
He exits.
CLARK
How's Aymee doing?
LOIS
(sadly)
I now get all the channels on my
cable and I don't even have to pay
for them.
CLARK
I guess that means no progress.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 36.
40 CONTINUED: 2 40
LOIS
She won't talk to me. I'm a
grown-up. That makes me the enemy.
CLARK
Think about what she's been
through: orphaned, force-fed *
drugs. Do you blame her?
LOIS
No.
(beat)
Even under normal circumstances,
it's not easy being a kid.
Everybody tells you what to do all
day long.
CLARK
(smiling)
Even if you're smart enough to have
a better idea. Does this bring
back memories?
Lois smiles, too, gets up.
LOIS
I guess I'll go give it another
try.
CLARK
I'll bet you were a cute kid.
LOIS
I'm still a cute kid.
Lois leaves. Messenger #2 delivers a brightly wrapped
box. With some trepidation, Clark opens it up. Inside is
a silvery helium balloon with a card tied to the tail.
41 CLOSE ON CARD 41
It reads... Time: 2 P.M. Place: 344 Clinton. Attire:
Superman costume. It's signed, "Smart Kids."
CUT TO:
42 INT. CLARK'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY 42
The room is unusually messy: dirty dishes, clothes on the
floor, etc. Sitting on top of his TV is a video camera
hung with a note that reads "Do Not Touch." Clark looks
to his wall clock: one minute to two.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 37.
42 CONTINUED: 42
He puts on a bathrobe, then carefully positions a drinking
glass and an empty bottle of "Old Metropolis" beer on an
end table by an easy chair facing the TV. He next fills
the bottle with apple juice. Then he pulls a slice of
pizza out of a box and puts that on the table. Finally,
he places an open container of catsup between the chair *
cushion and the chair frame where it's hidden from view.
The clock TICKS to the hour. The TV and video camera turn
on. Clark sits in the chair, picks up the pizza slice.
On the screen: Phillip and Dudley.
43 INT. KIDS' LAIR - SAME TIME 43
Phillip and Dudley watch Clark on their monitor.
44 CLARK'S APARTMENT/KID'S LAIR - INTERCUT 44
PHILLIP
You're not wearing your suit,
Superman.
CLARK
(after a messy bite of
pizza)
I don't have a suit. I'm not
Superman.
The apartment's messiness and the pizza sauce smeared on
Clark's chin are a bit startling, but Phillip forges
ahead.
PHILLIP
Here's what we want
(producing a list)
An F-18 Hornet fighter jet... *
(Dudley whispers to him)
painted red and yellow. Four *
mountain bikes. An emerald, ten *
carats at least. Three aqualungs.
One hundred pounds of gooey bears.
And an island. A nice one.
(puts down the list)
That's all we could think of for
now, Superman.
CLARK
I'm not him. I wish I was.
(beat)
What makes you think I'm Superman?
DUDLEY
We saw you land.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 38.
44 CONTINUED: 44
CLARK
Land?
DUDLEY
Last night. In the alley behind
the Daily planet.
CLARK
(laughingly remembers)
Oh... I didn't land there.
Superman did. I was just waiting
for him.
(beat)
As a matter of fact, he'd been out
looking for _you_. He told me he
hadn't found anything, so I left
and went back up to my office.
PHILLIP
Why would Superman be looking for
us?
CLARK
He's worried about you. So am I.
Are you all okay?
PHILLIP
(ignoring the question)
Where did Superman go after you
left?
CLARK
Down a manhole, to check the sewers
to see if you were somewhere down
there.
Clark pours himself a glass of "beer," drains the glass.
Phillip and Dudley seem more and more uncertain.
DUDLEY
(whispering to Phillip)
That could be true. We don't have
underground surveillance.
Clark drops the glass. It shatters on the floor. He *
bends to pick up a large shard and sets it back on the
table. He reacts as if cut, then, at _SUPER_ _SPEED_, he *
reaches between the cushion and the frame, dips his finger
in the catsup, pulls it out.
PHILLIP
We'll think about this and call you
back tomorrow.
Clark's TV shuts off. He looks at his finger tip:
covered with blood/catsup.
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 39.
45 PHILLIP AND DUDLEY 45
watch Clark "bleed."
DUDLEY
(hesitantly)
Superman doesn't bleed, does he?
46 CLARK 46
The camera shuts off.
CLARK
(with a sigh)
I hope that worked.
He licks the catsup off his finger.
CUT TO:
47 INT. LOIS' APARTMENT - (NIGHT #4) 47*
Lois enters into a darkened living room and snaps on the
light. Aymee sits on the floor, the parts of a
disassembled stereo scattered around her. Her cheeks are
streaked with tears. Lois immediately rushes to her side.
LOIS
Aymee, what's wrong?
AYMEE
(sobbing)
I'm not so smart any more. I took
it apart to make it work better,
but then I couldn't put it back
together.
Lois cradles her.
LOIS
It's all right. It's all right.
Lois wipes her tears away.
AYMEE
I think I broke it.
LOIS
That old thing? It doesn't matter.
(beat)
I know about Metamide 5 and what
Dr. Carlton was doing to you and
the other kids. It's awful.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 40.
47 CONTINUED: 47
AYMEE
(arguing weakly)
It made us smarter.
LOIS
It made you something you're not
ready to be. We start out as kids
so we can _learn_ to be adults.
(beat)
When I was a kid I thought all
adults were incredibly stupid. I *
figured it had something to do with
your body getting bigger, but your
brain staying the same size. Like
dinosaurs.
(beat)
It's not that simple.
AYMEE
(hesitantly)
Do you want to know how the smart
stuff works?
LOIS
(relieved, a
breakthrough)
Only if you're ready to tell me.
AYMEE
At first you don't notice. Then,
things get easier. You understand
everything, and you remember
everything. But, if you stop
taking it, you get dumb again...
like me now.
(beat)
It's hard going back and forth from
smart to dumb. That's why we
escaped. And also to stop him from
doing any more experiments.
LOIS
Why didn't you tell someone what
was going on?
AYMEE
Would _you_ have believed a bunch
of 'problem' kids?
LOIS
(conceding the point)
Do the other kids have enough...
smart stuff to last them.
AYMEE
They're probably running out.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 41.
47 CONTINUED: 2 47
LOIS
What will they do?
AYMEE
(conflicted)
I can't say.
LOIS
Can you at least tell me where they
are?
AYMEE
(shaking her head)
If they get caught, no more smart
kids.
LOIS
Would that be so bad?
AYMEE
That's up to them.
LOIS
(gently)
Is it so bad for you?
Aymee nestles deeper into Lois' arms.
AYMEE
(admitting)
Not so bad.
CUT TO:
48 INT. LUTHOR'S PENTHOUSE - NIGHT 48
Luthor, animated and clearly pleased with himself, paces
as he talks to the silent figure of Dr. Carlton, seated in
a chair facing the blazing fire, back to the room.
LUTHOR
We knew precisely how many had
escaped and precisely how much
Mentamide 5 they had between them.
We could therefore predict, with
reasonable accuracy, how long
before they had to come looking for
a refill.
A SOUND from Carlton, we're not sure what.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 42.
48 CONTINUED: 48
LUTHOR
(continuing)
Granted, it would have been easier
if we'd caught them sooner, but
then I'd have missed the pleasure
of watching them perform. You
know, Doctor, you really outdid
yourself. I'm sure with enough
time and testing we can overcome
the Stage Two problem. Then, well,
the sky's the limit.
Another SOUND, a raspy indrawn breath?
LUTHOR
(continuing)
Exactly. Either tonight, or
tomorrow at the latest, our young
Einsteins will mount their assault
on Lexlabs. They will find *
Mentamide 5 and, unable to restrain
themselves, they will drink. *
Another sound from the chair, a SLAPPING noise, palm
striking knee. The noise continues; Luthor speaks above
it.
LUTHOR
(continuing)
Of course, it won't be Mentamide 5,
but Mentamide 6, the new
concentrated version. They'll be
transported directly to Stage Two,
don't pass Go, don't collect two
hundred dollars.
(he chuckles)
A real knee-slapper.
Luthor moves around to face Dr. Carlton.
49 ANGLE TO INCLUDE BOTH 49
Luthor grabs Carlton's hand in mid-air, gently lowers it
to the Doctor's lap, where it rests next to a beaker that
contains a residue of pink, frothy liquid. Next to that
is a funnel. The Doctor's arms and legs are tied to the *
chair; his expression a mixture of surprise and vacancy.
Luthor checks his eyelids, pats him on the cheek. A KNOCK
at the door.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 43.
49 CONTINUED: 49
LUTHOR
Come in, Asabi.
(to Carlton)
I've arranged an entertainment for
tonight, nothing fancy, perhaps
you'd care to join me. Wine,
beautiful women, strip charades,
the usual.
With another CHUCKLE Luthor moves toward the door. It
swings open to admit a tall, cloaked figure.
LUTHOR
(continuing)
Asabi?
The figure steps into the firelight: it's Dudley riding
on Phillip's shoulders. He wears a rig with a shoulder
harness that holds a storage tank on his back. Attached
to the tank is a flexible hose leading to a long nozzle.
It resembles a super supersoaker. He presses the trigger
and a stream of liquid, fast-hardening goo envelopes *
Luthor. He falls with a thud. Dudley stops. Silence
from the fallen Luthor. Karen enters.
PHILLIP
Get the cart. And get...
(pointing)
... the Smart Stuff. *
50 ON THE DESK 50
Two racks of test tubes. Mentamide 5 and, in contrast, *
Mentamide 6, a deep angry red. *
FADE OUT.
_END_ _ACT_ _THREE_
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 44.
_ACT_ _FOUR_
FADE IN:
51 INT. DAILY PLANET - (DAY #5) 51
52 CLOSE ON NEWSPAPER HEADLINES 52
It reads: "Smart Kids Nab Luthor." Beneath that, "Daring
Penthouse Raid" and "Ransom Demands To Be Announced."
53 PULL BACK 53
To Lois, Clark, Perry, Cat. Everyone's in a state of
semi-shock.
LOIS
Why Lex Luthor?
PERRY
If they wanted someone prominent,
who better?
(beat)
What do you think they'll ask for?
CLARK
(speaking from
experience)
Could be anything.
The nearby monitor turns on... by itself. On the screen:
at the newscaster desk. *
PHILLIP
If Metropolis wants Lex Luthor
back in one piece, listen *
carefully. First, we want Aymee
Valdes and her sister Inez released
from custody. Second, we want
promises _in writing_ there will be
no more attempts to find or capture
us. Third, we want our own island.
A nice one. With palm trees.
Fourth, one hun... one _thousand_
pounds of gooey bears. You have
twenty-four hours to comply with
these demands.
The TV goes off.
PERRY
(shaking his head)
What, no military jet?
Perry leaves; Clark stares after him.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 45.
53 CONTINUED: 53
CAT
That's a lot of gooey bears. *
She leaves. Jimmy, wearing the same clothes as the *
previous day and looking like he hasn't slept a wink -
which he hasn't - hurries in.
JIMMY
Guys, you're not going to believe
this...
LOIS
We heard.
JIMMY
You did?
LOIS
It was on TV.
JIMMY
(mystified)
But I only just now got the test
results.
CLARK
You mean from Star Labs.
JIMMY
Of course, what are you...
CLARK
Never mind. Just tell us.
JIMMY
Again, this is from the synthetic
they made, but... the stuff does
boost intelligence... for a while.
(beat)
Once enough residue has built up in
your system, though, there's a kind
of an overload.
Ominously, Jimmy hesitates. Lois isn't sure she wants to
hear this, but she steels herself and urges him to
continue.
LOIS
Say it.
JIMMY
Conscious cerebral activity drops
to almost nothing.
(beat)
It burns out your brain.
CUT TO:
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 46.
54 INT. LOIS' APARTMENT - DAY 54
Lois and Clark face Aymee. Aymee's conflicted, a little
scared.
LOIS
It isn't a game anymore, honey.
It's life or death.
AYMEE
How do I know you're telling the
truth?
LOIS
We have the lab report.
AYMEE
That could be forged.
LOIS
You _don't_ know we're telling the *
truth. Not for sure. You have to
trust us.
AYMEE
I don't have to trust anyone.
Adults lie all the time. Sometimes
they think it's for your own good,
but it's still a lie.
CLARK
Do you think we're lying now?
Aymee looks at them. She doesn't think they're lying, but
she also doesn't trust her instincts. Lois kneels, takes
Aymee in her arms.
LOIS
You've got to believe us. Your
friends are in danger. You can
save them.
(beat)
Do what you think is right. That's
all any of us can do, no matter how
old or young or smart we are. *
Aymee studies both their faces, decides.
AYMEE
Just you two?
They nod.
AYMEE
(continuing)
Metropolis Harbor.
CUT TO:
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 47.
55 INT. KIDS' LAIR - DAY 55
Dudley and Karen have set up an ambush by the entrance.
They wear the super-supersoaker rigs.
KAREN
(from hiding)
Incoming!
Lois, Clark, and Aymee enter, halt when they see the
reception committee.
DUDLEY
Hold it right there.
Aymee fearlessly marches up to Dudley and pushes the
nozzle aside.
AYMEE
Dudley, cut it out. They're with
me, okay?
DUDLEY
(aiming again)
I have my orders.
Amy pulls the plug on his tanks and a goo-colored liquid *
begins to drain out.
DUDLEY
Hey!
AYMEE
(motioning to Lois and
Clark)
C'mon.
Lois and Clark enter the room, look around in wonder.
Everyone's present but Phillip. *
LOIS
Where's Lex Luthor?
DUDLEY
Not so fast, lady.
AYMEE
Guys, they're here to help us.
(beat)
They found out the smart stuff
turns to poison if you keep using
it. Really, it's the truth.
Uncertainly, Dudley and Karen exchange a glance.
DUDLEY
Prove it.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 48.
55 CONTINUED: 55
CLARK
We have proof, but not here.
DUDLEY
It's a trick.
CLARK
It's not a trick. You've got to
stop taking Mentamide 5 right now.
KAREN
(plaintive)
Then we won't be smart anymore.
LOIS
You _will_ be smart. You were
always smart. You'll just be
normal. We know about Dr. Carlton *
and what he did. He's through. *
Another shared glance from the kids. They're on the
fence.
AYMEE
Listen up. You know me. I
wouldn't steer you wrong.
(re: Lois and Clark)
These are friends of mine. I think
we should believe them.
Slowly Dudley unhooks his harness; Karen follows suit.
CLARK
Where's Lex Luthor?
DUDLEY
Phillip's got him. In the spy
center. Down the hallway.
Clark looks at Lois.
LOIS
Okay, go. But be careful. I'll *
keep an eye on these three. *
Clark hurries from the room. *
CUT TO:
56 INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE KIDS' LAIR 56
Clark has already taken several steps along the corridor.
He looks both ways, then quickly removes his coat and tie
and unbuttons his shirt. Beneath, the "S."
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 49.
57 INT. SPY CENTER 57
Lex Luthor sits in a chair ringed by mechanical arms
holding hypodermic needles filled with a red, frothy *
liquid. He has some freedom of movement, but not enough
to escape the trap.
Nearby, studying the array of monitors being fed
information from all over the city, stands Phillip. *
Phillip turns as a _RED AND BLUE BLUR_ approaches and
stops several paces away. Phillip's eyes seem swollen *
and unnaturally bright. Luthor, very alert but aware of
his peril, remains silent.
PHILLIP
Hi, Superman. Guess you won game
number one.
SUPERMAN
What game, Phillip?
PHILLIP
Hide and seek.
Superman takes a step closer.
PHILLIP
(continuing)
Careful. There's always game
number two.
SUPERMAN
What's that?
Phillip opens a clenched fist to reveal a small, wireless
transmitter.
PHILLIP
(continuing, nodding
toward Luthor)
Pin the tail on the donkey.
(beat)
Even you're not fast enough to stop
me from using this. Mr. Luthor
here could end up with the I.Q. of
a radish.
SUPERMAN
Phillip, are you all right? Did
you take more smart stuff?
PHILLIP
Yeah. The new improved version. *
My mind is so big...
At this, Luthor can no longer restrain himself.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 50.
57 CONTINUED: 57
LUTHOR
You took Mentamide 6?
Phillip nods.
LUTHOR
(continuing, awed)
But you're still...
PHILLIP
Smart? Oh, yes. There was a flaw
in the formula, but I fixed it.
Luthor licks his lips, his eyes lit with greed.
SUPERMAN
The other kids want to go back to
the way things were. How about
you?
PHILLIP
I can't go back.
SUPERMAN
You can. It'll wear off. If you
don't take any more, you'll be
normal again.
PHILLIP
Normal is boring.
SUPERMAN
Different is worse. _I_ know.
Different is never quite fitting
in, never quite blending in.
Different is wishing you weren't.
Now, for the first time, Phillip seems to focus on
Superman, as if his words have had some effect.
LUTHOR
_Special_, not different.
SUPERMAN
Be quiet, Luthor.
PHILLIP
He can talk. For now.
LUTHOR
Thank you. You've become a very
special person, Phillip. Unique.
You deserve special treatment. I
can arrange that, son. Anything
you want.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 51.
57 CONTINUED: 2 57
LUTHOR (CONT'D)
(beat)
I had no idea Dr. Carlton was using
his research grant at LexLabs to
experiment on you kids. I'm
shocked, of course, but I take full
responsibility. Let me make it up
to you and the others.
SUPERMAN
He's lying. As long as you stay
the way you are, men like Lex
Luthor will find ways to use you
for their own selfish ends.
LUTHOR
He wants to take it away from you.
I want to give.
SUPERMAN
It's the other way around.
(beat)
Come with me, I can show you. *
PHILLIP
(nods at the monitors)
We can see everything from here.
Superman looks at the monitors, takes a deep breath,
accepts the challenge.
SUPERMAN
Okay.
(beat)
Metropolis Park?
Phillip punches numbers on a key board.
58 MAIN MONITOR 58
A sunny, busy day in the park: kids, adults, dogs,
vendors, etc. The hidden camera PANS until...
SUPERMAN (O.S.)
There.
A game of tag. Nearby, several adults dressed for work
eat hasty brown bag lunches. The image FREEZES.
59 BACK TO SCENE 59
SUPERMAN
What do you see?
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 52.
59 CONTINUED: 59
PHILLIP
Kids playing, adults watching.
SUPERMAN
Why do they watch, do you think?
PHILLIP
I don't know.
SUPERMAN
They watch because they remember
what it was like to be kids
themselves. To have that much fun,
and yet so few worries and
responsibilities.
PHILLIP
I'm still a kid.
SUPERMAN
Are you? Do you feel like a kid?
Like you used to? Is anything as
good as it was?
Phillip looks at Superman.
LUTHOR
Can I jump in?
SUPERMAN PHILLIP
No. No.
SUPERMAN
Go on.
60 MAIN MONITOR 60
Image UNFREEZES. Camera continues to PAN.
SUPERMAN (0.S.)
There. Don't stop it.
Two frustrated kids struggle to get a kite aloft, with no
success.
61 PULL BACK TO INCLUDE ALL 61
PHILLIP
The angle's wrong. They should run
_into_ the wind to get their lift.
Basic physics.
SUPERMAN
You'd get it right the first time.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 53.
61 CONTINUED: 61
PERRY
Every time.
SUPERMAN
So, why bother to try?
PHILLIP
I probably wouldn't.
The kids, yelling with excitement, get the kite up. It
soars.
SUPERMAN
Then you'd miss something.
Learning as you mature, is an *
exciting and rewarding process. *
Why deny yourself?
LUTHOR
Because Phillip doesn't need to get
stupid again just to work his way
back to intelligence. Whatever he
wants is in his grasp now: power,
privilege, wealth.
SUPERMAN
But would he enjoy them?
LUTHOR
Who wouldn't?
SUPERMAN
Someone who had gone beyond
humanity into becoming... something
else.
LUTHOR
Something more.
SUPERMAN
Something we were never meant to
be.
LUTHOR
Nonsense.
SUPERMAN
(to Phillip)
What do you feel, Phillip? How
wonderful or terrible is it really?
You're the only one who knows.
You're the only one who can decide.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 54.
61 CONTINUED: 2 61
LUTHOR
_That_ I agree with. Come on,
Phillip. Choose. Back to
kiddihood, or onward to greatness.
SUPERMAN
(to Phillip)
Are you smart enough to know a lie
when you hear one?
PHILLIP
(to Superman)
Would you go back to being a kid...
if you could?
SUPERMAN
No. I've already been one. I've
moved on. Someday you will, too.
But not now. When it's time.
PHILLIP
It's not easy being a kid.
SUPERMAN
No one said it was.
Phillip moves to Luthor's side, stares at the needles
inches from Luthor's skin. For the first time, Luthor
begins to sweat.
LUTHOR
Don't do anything you'll regret,
Phillip.
SUPERMAN
(concerned)
Phillip...
Phillip hits the switch on the transmitter. Luthor
tenses. Superman surges forward... The liquid sprays
harmlessly over Luthor's body, drips down his chest, a *
gummy mess. Superman sighs with relief. Phillip takes a *
drop of the stuff on his finger, licks. *
PHILLIP
(smiling) *
Cherry.
On Luthor's expression, scammed by a kid, we... *
CUT TO:
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/7/93 55.
62 EXT. BECKWORTH SCHOOL PLAYGROUND - (DAY #6) 62*
Lois, Clark, and Jimmy watch with amusement as kids race
past them: noisy, happy, energetic, definitely normal.
JIMMY
Some story.
LOIS
Thank god Lex wasn't hurt. He made
sure all Carlton's notes, samples,
everything were destroyed. A
lesser man would have tried to take
advantage. He even agreed to pay
off the charges the kids put on his
credit card.
CLARK
(sardonically)
Luthor deserves a lot of credit.
JIMMY
I guess with the kids de-Einsteined
and Carlton turning himself into a
vegetable...
CLARK
(again sardonic)
I think the phrase Luthor used was
'overcome with remorse.'
JIMMY
Yeah. Anyway, no more smart stuff.
Too bad. I coulda used an
occasional dose.
LOIS
What for?
JIMMY
Are you kidding? Women love brainy
guys.
Lois shakes her head. Jimmy moves off to join a
basketball game in progress. Clark nods toward Aymee and
Inez, jumping rope nearby. They pause: Aymee waves, Inez
blows her a kiss.
CLARK
Sorry to give up foster parenthood?
LOIS
Sort of, but she was a handful.
(beat)
She told me she and Inez had a long
talk with their mother. They're
thinking about arranging a visit.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
SMART KIDS (#6) Pink Rev. 9/793 56.
62 CONTINUED: 62
They begin to walk, passing a group of kids that includes
Phillip and Dudley. The kids are writing something on the
pavement with chalk. Lois doesn't notice, but as Clark
passes he looks down at their handiwork.
63 CLOSE ON PAVEMENT CLARK'S POV 63
It reads: We still think you're Superman.
64 PHILLIP 64
catches Clark's eye, winks, scribbles over the writing.
65 LOIS AND CLARK 65
CLARK
I don't know, Lois. I have a funny
feeling we haven't seen the last of
the smart kids.
LOIS
That's a silly thing to say. Which
reminds me, what's wrong with 'Man
of La Mancha'? I suppose _your_
favorite musical is 'State Fair' *
or something equally...
Lois stops and stares at something over by the fence.
LOIS
Hey!
66 LOIS' POV 66
Socrates, asleep on his side and SNORING, no longer a *
"smart" pig. *
67 LOIS 67
LOIS
I've seen that pig somewhere
before.
FADE OUT.
_THE_ _END_
Au total, 34 membres ont visionné cet épisode ! Ci-dessous les derniers à l'avoir vu...
carine79
31.08.2021 vers 09h
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30.06.2020 vers 10h
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12.02.2020 vers 21h
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22.07.2019 vers 10h
Aloha81
29.07.2018 vers 16h
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03.07.2018 vers 14h
Avant de poster un commentaire, clique ici pour t'identifier.
Très drôle cet épisode. C'est marrant de voir Loïs se faire mener à la baguette par des enfants mais finalement réussir à les apprivoiser! Et quelle horreur ce Lex: vouloir disséquer des cerveaux d'enfants! il a l'air si gentil comme ça (physiquement) mais c'est un monstre!
Merci aux 2 rédacteurs qui ont contribué à la rédaction de cette fiche épisode
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Les nouveautés des séries et de notre site une fois par mois dans ta boîte mail ?
chrismaz66, 15.04.2024 à 11:46
Oui cliquez;-) et venez jouer à l'animation Kaamelott qui démarre là maintenant et ce jusqu'à la fin du mois ! Bonne chance à tous ^^
Supersympa, 16.04.2024 à 14:31
Bonjour à tous ! Nouveau survivor sur le quartier Person of Interest ayant pour thème l'équipe de Washington (saison 5) de la Machine. 
choup37, Avant-hier à 08:49
5 participants prennent part actuellement à la chasse aux gobelins sur doctor who, y aura-t-il un sixième? 
chrismaz66, Avant-hier à 11:04
Choup tu as 3 joueurs de plus que moi!! Kaamelott est en animation, 3 jeux, venez tenter le coup, c'est gratis! Bonne journée ^^
choup37, Hier à 19:45
Maintenant j'en ai plus que deux, je joue aussi sur kaa 