Épisode Témoin S01E13 - The New Adventures of Superman Saison 1

LOIS & CLARK_

The New Adventures of Superman


"Witness"

Written by: JACOBS
Directed by: MEL DAMSEI


                               _CAST_



CLARK KENT/SUPERMAN

LOIS LANE

PERRY WHITE

JIMMY OLSEN

CAT GRANT

BARBARA TREVINO/CLEANING WOMAN

VINCENT WINNINGER

SEBASTIAN FINN/AIDE

DR. HUBERT

INSPECTOR HENDERSON   *

MR. TRACEWSKI

OLD TIMER

SKATEBOARDER

TEACHER

KID #1

KID #2

GIRL #1


 

                              LOCATIONS

INTERIORS:                                      EXTERIORS:

Daily Planet                                    Daily Planet
  The Pit
  Storage Room                                  Metropolis Skies

Lois' Apartment                                 Driving Range
  Hallway (Outside)
  Kitchen                                       Fleisher St.
  Living Room                                     Lois' Brownstone
  Bathroom
                                                Trade Center
Vincent Winnenger's Apt.                          Courtyard
  Study                                           Roof
  Powder Room

School Room

Trade Center
  Hallway
  Stairwell

Clark's Apartment





                               _TEASER_

       FADE IN:


1      EXT. DRIVING RANGE - DAY - (DAY #1)                                         1

       LOIS and CLARK practice their drives.  Loin only has                         *
       one ball left in her bucket.  She sets the ball down and                     *
       swings.  The ball goes straight, hitting the 150 yard mark.                  *
       mark.                                                                        *

                                      CLARK
                     Nice.                                                          *

                                      LOIS
                     Thank you                                                      *

       Now it's Clark's turn.  He sets a ball down, swings, but                     *
       it slices right.                                                             *

                                      LOIS
                     Not your game, huh.                                            *

       Clark shakes his head.                                                       *

                                      LOIS
                           (continuing)
                     I'm going to get another bucket.                               *
                     Be right back.                                                 *

       As Lois leaves, she passes an OLD in riotously                               *
       colorful attire and a tan cap, who pauses from his                           *
       practice to survey Clark critically.  Clark swings; this                     *
       time, the ball hit& the roof and lands in front of the
       old timer.

                                      OLD TIMER
                     You're bending your elbow.  Don't
                     bend your elbow.

                                      CLARK
                     Thanks.

       Clark tries another shot.

                                      OLD TIMER
                     And watch your temp.  Smooth,
                     smooth.

                                      CLARK
                     I appreciate this.

                                                            (CONTINUED)


                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Pink Rev.     10/28/93                                2.


   1   CONTINUED:                                                                  1

                                      OLD TIMER
                     Sure.  But don't be afraid to hit
                     it hard.  It can't hit back.

       The Old Timer CACKLES at his own joke.

                                      CLARK
                     Got it.

       Clark teas up again, doesn't bend his elbow, watches his
       tempo, hits through the ball.  It rockets off to disappear
       in the  sky. Clark shades his eyes to follow the flight.


   2   EXT. EARTH - SHOT FROM SPACE - SAME TIME                                    2

       The ball flies away.


   3   EXT. DRIVING RANGE - DAY                                                    3

       Clark lowers his hand, turns to the Old Timer.

                                      CLARK
                     How was that?

       The Old Timer closes his mouth, which was open in awe.

                                      OLD TIMER
                           (grudgingly)
                     Better.

       On Clark's smile, we...

                                                            FADE OUT.

                             _END OF TEASER_

   4                                                                               4
THRU   OMITTED                                                                  THRU
  10                                                                              10



                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Pink Rev.     10/28/93                                3.

                               _ACT ONE_

       FADE IN:


11     INT. DAILY PLANET - (DAY #2)                                               11

       Lois Lane and Clark Kent got ready to leave the office.                      *
       Lois wears an open-necked blouse and unusually short skirt
       businesslike but more provocative than her norm.

                                      CLARK
                     How did you get this interview?

                                      LOIS
                     _He_ called _me_.

                                      CLARK
                     What a coup.

       JIMMY OLSEN puts in his two cents...

                                      JIMMY
                     Vincent Winninger.  The mad
                     scientist...

                                      LOIS
                     He's not 'mad.'  He's eccentric.

       CAT GRANT perks up when she HEARS the name.

                                      CAT

                     You're going to interview Vincent
                     Winninger?

                                      LOIS
                     Yes.

                                      CAT
                           (to no one and everyone)
                     That explains the vain attempt to
                     look sexy.

                                      JIMMY
                     Watch out, Lois--Vincent Winninger
                     is a notorious...

                                      CAT
                     Womanizer.  Maybe I should go with
                     you.

                                      LOIS
                     Or maybe you shouldn't.

       As if for the first time, Clark notes her outfit.

                                                            (CONTINUED)


                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Pink Rev.     10/28/93                                4.


11     CONTINUED:                                                                 11

                                      CLARK
                     Wait a minute.  Are you planning to
                     exploit your femininity..

                                      LOIS
                     ... to get the story of one of the
                     strangest and most reclusive
                     scientists of our time?  You bet.



                                                            CUT TO:

12     INT. VINCENT WINNINGER'S STUDY - DAY #2                                    12

       PHOTOGRAPHS, CITATIONS on a wall - the photographs
       impressive but not self-important.  Presidents from Ike to
       Reagan with Winninger.  The original astronauts with
       Winninger.  Marilyn Monroe, Winninger checking out
       Marilyn's cleavage.

                                      VINCENT (O.S.)
                     Scientists, philosophers, histor-
                     ians, hippies.

       He laughs.  PULL BACK to find Lois looking at the photos
       in a room overstuffed with books, papers, monographs.
       VINCENT WINNINGER, is a tall, slim, energetic man, not
       young, once handsome, still long-haired and charming.

                                      VINCENT
                     Elimont Center.  The 'intellectual'
                     commune.  Named after... I don't
                     remember who we named it after, do
                     you?  Whoever he was, you can bet                              *
                     he was obscure.

       Several PHOTOS of the Elimont group at work and play... a
       conference... the dance... some theater productions: "A
       Streetcar Named Desire," "Look Back in Anger,"
       "Marat/Sade," others.

                                      LOIS
                     And these theatrical photos?

                                      VINCENT
                     The commune had a theater group.

       Lois gives the photos a closer look.

                                      LOIS.
                     Isn't that ... ?
                                                                       (CONTINUED)


                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Pink Rev.     10/28/93                                5.


12     CONTINUED:                                                                 12

                                      VINCENT
                     Marlon Brando?  ... Uh, no.  That's
                     Sebastian Finn.  Mr. Make-up, we
                     called his.  He could make himself
                     look like just about anyone.
                           (beat; musing)
                     His Bette Davis was remarkable.

                                      LOIS
                     What happened to him?

                                      VINCENT
                     I don't know, he sort of
                     disappeared.
                           (beat)
                     His make-up was a whole lot better
                     than his acting.

       Lois points to a person in the picture.

                                      LOIS
                     Isn't this ... ?

                                      VINCENT
                     Yes, Barbara Trevino.  She's come a
                     long way.  From radical hippie
                     to...

                                      LOIS
                     To chairperson of the Rain Forest
                     Consortium.

                                      VINCENT
                     Well, not until Tuesday.  But we're
                     going to change all that.

                                      LOIS
                     _We_?

                                      VINCENT
                     Yes, you and me.  That's why you're
                     here, Ms. Lane.
                           (beat, rhetorically)
                     Did you know that I spent several
                     years living with an Amazonian
                     tribe?

       He beckons Lois to sit on the sofa.  There is a box on the
       coffee table.  He takes some bound journals and notebooks
       from the box.

                                      VINCENT
                     The Life and Times of Vincent
                     Winninger.  In this play, Barbara
                     Trevino has a leading role.  Shells
                     the fame fatale.

                                                                       (CONTINUED)



                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Pink Rev.     10/28/93                                6.


12     CONTINUED:  2                                                              12

       Lois slides forward, her skirt rides up slightly.  These
       events are not missed by Winninger.

                                      VINCENT
                     You're a very good looking woman.

                                      LOIS
                     Thank you.

                                      VINCENT
                     How do you feel about increased
                     male potency?

                                      LOIS
                           (flabbergasted)
                     What!!?

       She slides her skirt back down.

                                      LOIS
                           (beat; recovering)
                     Look, Dr. Winninger.  I know your
                     reputation with women is only
                     exceeded by your scientific one,
                     but I think it's best if we keep
                     this meeting professional.

                                      VINCENT
                     Precisely.

                                      LOIS
                           (confused; to herself)
                     What an I missing here?

                                      VINCENT
                     Barbara Trevino is going to sell
                     all of us and the Ozone Layer
                     straight down the river, and
                     destroy our chances for increased
                     male potency.

       A long beat while Lois looks at Winninger.  Finally:

                                      LOIS
                     I guess the sixties were pretty                                *
                     good to you.                                                   *

                                      VINCENT
                     Hear me out.  It will all become
                     clear.

       He gives her one of the notebooks.

                                      VINCENT
                           (continuing)
                     Some iced tea?

                                                                        (CONTINUED




                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Blue Rev.     10/27/93                                7.


12     CONTINUED:  3                                                              12

       He pours her a glass from a pitcher on the table.  In her
       attempt to wave it away, it spills on her blouse.

                                      VINCENT
                     Oh, I'm so sorry

       He picks up a napkin and goes to wipe it away.

                                      LOIS
                           (quickly)
                     That's okay.  I'll got it.

       With notebook in hand, she heads off to the bathroom.
       Halfway there, we hear a KNOCK on the door.  Winninger
       goes to answer it.

                                      VINCENT (O.S.)
                     You're back early.


13     INT. POWDER ROOM - DAY                                                     13

       Lois grabs a hand towel and begins blotting her stained
       blouse.  As she dries it she HEARS...

                                      VINCENT (O.S.)
                     No!

       Lois freezes.  Vincent's second "No!" is cut off by a dry,
       compressed SOUND -- unmistakably the sound of a bullet
       shot through a silencer.  Lois unfreezes, turns around,
       peers through the crack in the open door.


14     LOIS' POV - WINNINGER'S STUDY                                              14

       Nothing visible at first; then ail she sees in Vincent's
       hand slapping against the floor palm down, over his head.
       It comes down HARD -- the way it would if Vincent ware
       thrown to the floor.


15     LOIS                                                                       15

       REACTS, clamps her hand to her own mouth, stifling any
       possible outcry.  She looks again...


16     LOIS' POV - WINNINGER'S STUDY                                              16

       Winninger's lifeless hand.  The KILLER kneels, feels
       Winninger's pulse.  Lois gets a good look at his: he's
       small, plain, even pleasant-looking, not young, wearing a
       bow tie.  He stands up...



                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Blue Rev.     10/27/93                                8.


  17   LOIS                                                                       17

       ... realizes that he is coming her way.  She quickly,
       silently, closes the door, hoping the final closure
       doesn't give her away.  She backs against the wall, SEES
       the notebook on the commode lid.


  18   OUTSIDE THE POWDER ROOM DOOR - ON THE DOORKNOB                             18

       A hand reaches for it.


  19   INSIDE THE POWDER ROOM                                                     19

       Lois starts to reach for the notebook, pulls her hand back
       uncertainly.


  20   OUTSIDE THE POWDER ROOM DOOR                                               20

       The hand grabs the knob, turns it...


  21   INSIDE THE POWDER ROOM                                                     21

       The door opens.  The Killer enters, removing his shirt.
       The notebook is gone.  He unwraps a bar of scrub soap,
       tosses the wrapper into the trash can, puts the bar on the
       sink, looks in the mirror.  He does not see Lois.


  22   ANGLE BEHIND THE DOOR - LOIS                                               22

       ... flattened between the wall and door. If the Killer
       closes the door she's done for.  Fortunately he does not
       close the door.  He turns on the tap, washes, scrubs...
       Lois can scarcely breathe.  The washing lasts an eternity.
       Finally the Killer, his eyes closed from all the soap and
       water, reaches blindly for a towel, dangles close to Lois'
       face.  Lois hands him the towel.  He exits the powder                        *
       room, taking the towel with his.  Lois breathes a little
       easier but doesn't dare move.

                                      LOIS
                           (barely a whisper)
                     Oh Superman, where are you when I
                     need you?


  23                                                                              23
THRU   OMITTED                                                                  THRU
  24                                                                              24



                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Blue Rev.     10/27/93                                9.


25     INT. A PLACE - DAY - CLOSE ON SUPERMAN                                     25

       it would be best not to reveal where we are for awhile.
       PULL BACK SLOWLY during the speech.

                                      SUPERMAN
                     I don't know.  It's like I can                                 *
                     sense when someone is in trouble.                              *
                     It goes beyond my super powers,                                *
                     it's almost psychic.  Especially                               *
                     if it's someone I know well or I'm                             *
                     close to.

       Seated next to Superman is a POLICE OFFICER in UNIFORM,
       bored, checking his watch.  By now we realize we are in a
       sixth grade school classroom.

                                      KIDS' VOICES
                     How did you train for your job?
                     What did you major in?  Weren't the
                     teachers afraid of you?  What's
                     your costume made of?  Etc.

                                      TEACHER
                     One at a time, please.

                                      BOY #2
                     Superman, how far can you see                                  *
                     really?

                                      SUPERMAN
                     Pretty far.  I can usually see                                 *
                     trouble coming.                                                *

                                      BOY #1
                     Maybe you could make a deal with
                     nine-one-one.

                                      BOY #2
                     Or you could have a signal in the
                     sky that they shine when you're
                     needed.

                                      BOY #1
                     That's really stupid.

                                      TEACHER
                     Don't any of you have some                                     *
                     questions for our other guests?                                *

       Now we see the whole panel -- a LADY FIREPERSON; a GUY IN
       JEANS, SNEAKERS, AND A BASEBALL CAP (UNDOUBTEDLY A MOVIE
       DIRECTOR); and a COUPLE OF SUITS, male and female -- all
       seated in front of a banner, "CAREER DAY."

                                                                       (CONTINUED)



                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Pink Rev.     10/28/93                               10.


 25    CONTINUED:                                                                 25

                                      GIRL #1
                     Yes.
                           (beat, dreamily)
                     Superman, do you have a girl friend?

       Off Superman's bemused look.


A26    INT. WINNINGER APARTMENT - DAY                                            A26

       Lois' POV into the study.

       GLIMPSES ONLY of the Killer as he slips into a new shirt
       taken from a Sportsac.  He puts his other in the
       Sportsac, puts the diaries in the Sportsac, too.  He
       crosses to the door... opens it, looks back...

       Lois starts to relax -- prematurely, for now she hears the
       killer returning.  She is truly terrified.

       The Killer steps into the powder room, leans over the
       waste basket to retrieve the soap wrapper.  Than he exits.

       When Lois HEARS the door close, she waits a beat, then
       opens the door and steps into the...


B26    INT. WINNINGER'S STUDY - DAY                                              B26

       She looks at Vincent, looks at where the diaries were,
       frowns.  She crosses to the phone, dials.

                                      LOIS
                     This is Lois Lane. I want to
                     report a murder.

                                                            CUT TO:

 26    INT. DAILY PLANET - DAY                                                    26

       Clark, JIMMY and PERRY WHITE stand behind Lois, bent over,
       reading her story on the computer monitor.  Lois also has
       the phone on her shoulder, listening.

                                      PERRY
                           (reading)
                     'Only minutes before his death, Dr
                     Winninger produced diaries which,
                     he claimed, contained evidence that
                     would abort the impending induction
                     of Barbara Trevino into the Rain                               *
                     Forest Consortium.'                                            *

                                                                       (CONTINUED)



                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Blue Rev.     10/27/93                               11.


26     CONTINUED:                                                                 26

                                      LOIS
                           (into phone)
                     I see.  Okay, I'll try to reach her
                     when she arrives.  Where did you
                     say she was staying?  Oh, I thought
                     you did...

                                      PERRY
                           (touching the screen)
                     She doesn't want to write this.

                                      LOIS
                     Well... thank you for your help.

       She hangs up the phone, returns to her keyboard.

                                      LOIS
                     Barbara Trevino is en route to
                     Metropolis now.  Has a meeting at
                     the Trade Center tomorrow.

                                      JIMMY
                     Why doesn't she want to write it,
                     Chief?

                                      PERRY
                     Because I can't print it.

                                      JIMMY
                     You can't?

                                      PERRY
                     No.  She doesn't have the diaries.

                                      LOIS
                     She may not have the diaries but he
                     _told_ her what's in the diaries.
                     And I do have the one notebook...

She pulls it out of her drawer.

                                      LOIS
                     But it looks like Greek to me.

       Perry takes the notebook and looks at it.

                                      PERRY
                     That's because it _is_ Greek.

       He gives it to Jimmy.

                                                                       (CONTINUED)


                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Blue Rev.     10/27/93                               12.


26     CONTINUED:  2                                                              26

                                      PERRY
                     Check it out, son.
                           (beat)
                     Now, look Lois, a verbal statement
                     ain't worth the paper it's printed
                     on.
                           (beat)
                     See what I'm saying?  Without the
                     diaries, you've got nothing to
                     check out.

       Lois frowns, begins deleting some material.

                                      CLARK
                     I hope one of the parts you trim
                     back is this..
                           (touches the screen)
                     ...where it says the killer took
                     the diaries.

                                      LOIS
                     He did take them!

                                      CLARK
                     How would you know that unless you
                     were there?

                                      LOIS
                     I _was_ there.

                                      CLARK
                     The killer doesn't know that --
                     unless you tell him.

                                      LOIS
                     I'm not telling his.  Not                                      *
                     exactly.                                                       *

                                      PERRY
                     And here...
                           (touches the screen)
                     Change 'minutes before his death'
                     to 'earlier that day.' Just to be
                     safe.

       Another deletion, as...

                                      LOIS
                     How about the part that says the
                     man is dead?  Can I leave that?  Is
                     that okay?

       She types a few more line, sends the story to the printer
       with a gesture of completion, and gets up.

                                                                       (CONTINUED)



                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Blue Rev.     10/27/93                               13.


26     CONTINUED:  3                                                              26

                                      PERRY
                     Where are you going?

       She takes a small spritz bottle from her desk drawer,
       spritzes liquid on the screen, and wipes all the
       fingerprints off with a small paper towel.

                                      LOIS
                     Back to Dr Winninger's house.  If I
                     stay here any longer, I'll have no
                     story left.

                                      CLARK
                     I'll go with you.

                                      LOIS
                     This is my story, Clark.                                       *

                                      CLARK
                     Forget the story.  I want to make                              *
                     sure you're going to be all right.                             *

                                      LOIS
                     Clark, I just spent five hours                                 *
                     with the police.  They never                                   *
                     mentioned my needing a bodyguard.                              *
                     And if I did need one, and I mean
                     this in the nicest way, you                                    *
                     wouldn't be my first choice.                                   *

       She turns on her heel and goes.                                              *

                                      CLARK
                           (ironic)
                     Thank you, Lois.  I appreciate                                 *
                     that.                                                          *

                                                            CUT TO:

27     EXT. DAILY PLANET - DAY                                                    27

       Lois exits, walks to the corner.                                             *

                                      LOIS
                           (to herself)
                     He's right about one thing.  Until                             *
                     I get that diary translated, I                                 *
                     don't have a story.                                            *

       She turns around, and bumps into Clark.                                      *

                                      LOIS
                     What are you doing?                                            *

                                                                       (CONTINUED)



                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Blue Rev.     10/27/93                               14.


27     CONTINUED:                                                                 27

                                      CLARK
                           (all innocence)
                     Going with you.                                                *

       Clearly she can't shake him.  She rolls her eyes in                          *
       acceptance.  They wait for the light to change.                              *


28     A TRUCK                                                                    28

       ... comes roaring down the street, speeding up to make the
       green light.


29     LOIS AND CLARK                                                             29

       From behind then comes A SKATEBOARDER, a spacesuit-looking
       soul speeding down the sidewalk.  Suddenly he loses
       control.

       The skateboard flips out from under and flies into the
       small of Lois' back, punching her forward, into the
       street, into the path of the truck.

       Clark REACTS - _GRABS_ Lois by the back of her jacket and
       _SWINGS HER IN A SWEEPING ARC BACK ONTO THE SIDEWALK_. A
       split second later he descends on the fallen Skateboarder,
       _GRABS HIM_ by his shirt, _LIFTS HIM_ up and _PLANTS HIM_
       _ON HIS FEET_, holding him by his lapels.

                                      CLARK
                     All right, who sent you?

                                      SKATEBOARDER
                     Chill, dude.

       Clark tightens his grip, lifts the guy off the ground.

                                      CLARK
                     _Who sent you_?

                                      SKATEBOARDER
                     Sent me to do what?

                                      LOIS
                     Clark!  Let him go!  How could
                     anybody have sent him?  My story's
                     not even out yet!

       Good point -- though Clark still holds on, maybe because
       the guy has one of those insufferable Beavis & Butthead
       laughs; for that alone he's indictable.

                                                                       (CONTINUED)



                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Yellow Rev.     10/29/93                             15.


29     CONTINUED:                                                                 29

                                      SKATEBOARDER
                     Right, her story's not even out
                     yet.
                           (beat; confused)
                     Like, what story?


       He laughs, exits.  Lois looks at Clark, smiles.

                                      LOIS
                     I'm impressed, 'dude.'

       As they start across the street...

                                                            CUT TO:

30     INT. WINNINGER'S STUDY - DAY                                               30

       POLICE FORENSIC PEOPLE finishing up.  INSPECTOR HENDERSON                    *
       is there with another detective or two.  Lois shows Clark
       the photos on the wall.

                                      HENDERSON
                     Did I mention don't touch                                      *
                     anything, Lois?

                                      LOIS
                           (sweetly, innocently)
                     Moi?

       A police officer whispers to Henderson, who gets up to                       *
       talk to A MAN at the door.  Lois and Clark turn away from
       the photos.  Lois SEES the man at the door and REACTS.

                                      LOIS
                           (continuing)
                     That's him!

                                      CLARK
                     Who?  What?

       Lois strides to the door, excited, agitated.  HUBERT, the
       man standing inside the door, is the murderer.

                                      LOIS
                     This is the killer, Inspector!                                 *
                     Don't let him go!

                                      HUBERT
                     What?

                                      LOIS
                     The man who killed Dr Winninger!  I
                     saw you!  I was in the powder room.

                                                                       (CONTINUED)



                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Yellow Rev.     10/29/93                             16.


30     CONTINUED:                                                                 30

                                      HENDERSON
                     This is Dr Hubert, Dr Winninger's,                             *
                     associate.

                                      LOIS
                     I don't care who he is.  I saw him
                     kill Dr Winninger this morning.

                                      HUBERT
                     I was in Washington, D.C. this
                     morning.

                                      HENDERSON
                     Anybody see you there?                                         *

                                      HUBERT
                     The thirty or forty men and women
                     who attended the National Science
                     Council meeting... and heard my
                     presentation.  Including the Vice
                     President of the United States.

                                      HENDERSON
                     I'd call that an alibi, wouldn't                               *
                     you, Lois?

       HOLD on Lois.

                                                            FADE OUT.

                          _END OF ACT ONE_


                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Blue Rev.     10/27/93                               17.

                              _ACT TWO_

       FADE IN:


31     EXT. FLEISCHER STREET - (NIGHT #2)                                         31

       Evening.  Lois and Clark walking to Lois' house.

                                      CLARK
                     So, you made a mistake.  It                                    *
                     happens.                                                       *

                                      LOIS
                     I didn't make a mistake.  He                                   *
                     looked just like him.                                          *
                           (beat)
                     I asked Jimmy to track Dr. Hubert                              *
                     down, but he's disappeared without                             *
                     a trace.                                                       *

                                      CLARK
                     Let's start over.  Why would                                   *
                     someone kill Winninger, then go                                *
                     into the bathroom and clean up?                                *

                                      LOIS
                     Who knows?  Maybe he wanted to                                 *
                     wash the blood off, or maybe he                                *
                     was just compulsive about germs,                               *
                     like Howard Hughes.

       Just before they reach the front of her house, A MAN IN A
       MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIR approaches, and Lois and Clark step
       aside to let him pass.

                                      LOIS
                           (continuing)
                     Well, here we are.  Thanks, Clark.

                                      CLARK
                     We're not there yet. When I take
                     somebody home, she gets door-to-
                     door service.

                                      LOIS
                     Unnecessary.  Like I told you...                               *

       Before she can finish, Clark notes a movement out of the                     *
       corner of his eye, REACTS to it, looks...


32     CLARK'S POV                                                              32

       A BLUR as the wheelchair spins around to face then...

                                      CLARK
                     Lois!



                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Blue Rev.     10/27/93                               18.


33     SCENE                                                                      33

       At that moment a motorcycle BACKFIRES down the street.


34     BACK TO CLARK'S POV                                                        34

       Two FLASHES from the wheelchair as its occupant fires a
       pair of GUNSHOTS at Lois.


35     SCENE                                                                      35

       Almost simultaneously:

       Clark PUSHES Lois (she virtually _flies_ back and lands on
       the stoop on her tush).

       Clark STEPS into the line of fire... GRABS the bullets as
       they strike his chest.  He BLOWS HARD...

       Under the force of Clark's breath the wheelchair SPINS.

                                      LOIS
                     Clark?

       Clark is eager to get the gunman.

                                      CLARK
                     Stay back!

       He leaves her at the foot of her stoop and hurries to the
       wheelchair.  He can't go too fast because Lois is watch-
       ing.  As the wheelchair slows down and stops it is appar-
       ent that it is unoccupied.  Clark looks around.

       He SEES: Pedestrians coming home from work carrying brief
       cases and grocery sacks; a car pulling away, driven by a
       white-haired woman; a delivery man hopping back into his
       double-parked van.  The shooter could have been anyone.

                                      LOIS
                     That _hurt_!

       Clark REACTS, startled: Lois has come up behind him.

                                      CLARK
                     Lois! You don't sneak up on
                     somebody at a time like this.

       He closes his hand, concealing the bullets.

                                      LOIS
                     A time like what?

                                      CLARK
                     Somebody tried to kill you!

                                                                       (CONTINUED)


                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Blue Rev.     10/27/93                               19.


35     CONTINUED:                                                                 35

                                      LOIS
                     Yes, _you_ .
                           (noticing)
                     What's in your hand?

                                      CLARK
                     What?

                                      LOIS
                     What are you hiding?

       Clearly she means the left hand; he shows her the right.

                                      CLARK
                     Nothing.

       He clenches his right fist, crushing the bullets.

                                      LOIS
                     Let me see the other hand.

       Clark lets the pulverized lead slip from his hand before
       he shows her.

                                      CLARK
                     See, nothing.

       Lois looks confused.  They walk to the foot of Lois'                         *
       stoop.                                                                       *

                                      CLARK
                           (continuing)
                     Maybe I'd better stay with you
                     tonight.

                                      LOIS
                     Nice try, Kent.

                                      CLARK
                     Somebody took a shot at you!

       They return to, enter her building.


       OMITTED (36-37)


38     INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE LOIS' APARTMENT                                       38

       Lois and Clark at Lois' door.  Lois unlocks the first of
       her three locks.

                                      LOIS
                     Clark, first of all, what you                                  *
                     heard was a motorcycle backfiring.
                                      (MORE)

                                                                       (CONTINUED)



                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Pink Rev.     10/28/93                               20.


38     CONTINUED:                                                                 38

                                      LOIS (CONT'D)
                           (second lock)
                     Second, why would anyone want to
                     kill ne?

                                      CLARK
                     Obviously the killer thinks you can
                     identify him.

                                      LOIS
                     But, I barely got a glimpse of him.
                     And the man I did _thought_ did it,
                     didn't.

                                      CLARK
                     The killer doesn't know that.

       She shrugs that off and unlocks the third lock.

                                      LOIS
                     And third, the only danger to me
                     out there was caused by guess who?

                                      CLARK
                     Someone who saved your life today.

                                      LOIS
                     That was earlier.

       She opens the door, turns around in the doorway, keeping
       Clark out.

                                      CLARK
                     But I did save it.  You admit that.

                                      LOIS
                     Yes, but you were _wrong_ about
                     somebody trying to kill me.  _You_
                     admit _that_.

                                      CLARK
                     Yes, but this time somebody _was_
                     trying to kill you.

                                      LOIS
                     If you were wrong this afternoon,
                     why should I believe that you're
                     right now?

                                      CLARK
                     Because I am!

                                      LOIS
                     So what you're saying is that you
                     saved my life twice today.

                                                            (CONTINUED)


                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Blue Rev.     10/27/93                               21.


38     CONTINUED:  2                                                              38

                                      CLARK
                     Yes.

                                      LOIS
                     Do you know the odds against that?

                                      CLARK
                     Who cares about the odds.                                      *

                                      LOIS
                     Clark?

                                      CLARK
                     What?

                                      LOIS
                     Good-bye.

       She closes the door, closing Clark out.  If she won't let
       him in, protecting her must be a job for somebody else.

                                                            CUT TO:

39     CLOSE ON A HUGE, MENACING KNIFE BLADE.                                     39

       ... thrust downward with terrific force. When it strikes,
       PULL BACK FAST...  We are in...


40     INT. LOIS LANE'S APARTMENT - KITCHEN -  NIGHT                              40

       The knife is hitting the cutting board, chopping the
       living daylights out of three kinds of lettuce, tomato,
       cucumber, chick peas, and a few other ingredients.  The
       chef is Lois, in jeans and sweatshirt, making a chopped
       salad for her dinner.  As she scoops the ingredients into
       a wooden salad bowl, she stops; did she HEAR something?
       It's quiet now, so she resumes work.  Then she stops
       again.  What was that?  A voice?

       She looks down the length of her apartment.


41     LOIS' POV                                                                  41

       Through the living room to the window onto the street.
       The shears are drawn, but billow a little: the window is
       open.  Other than that, nothing - wait: did something
       move?  Yes, someone is definitely out there.


42     LOIS                                                                       42

       She moves stealthily to the phone, dials...

                                                                       (CONTINUED)



                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Blue Rev.     10/27/93                               22.


  42   CONTINUED:                                                                 42

                                      LOIS
                           (into phone)
                     Come on, Clark.  Answer!

       But Clark doesn't answer.                                                    *

                                      LOIS
                           (continuing)
                     Now he's got mm paranoid.


  43   LIVING ROOM                                                                43

       Lois moves toward the window, SEES movement again on the
       other side.  She pulls the in aside a little, SEES                           *
       Superman's legs and feet suspended in air.

                                      LOIS
                     Would you like to cone in?                                     *

       She holds the curtain aside for him.                                         *


  44                                                                              44
THRU   OMITTED                                                                  THRU
  45                                                                              45


46     INT. LOIS' APARTMENT - NIGHT                                               46

       Superman climbs in through the window.


                                      SUPERMAN
                     If I were you I'd want to know what
                     I was doing outside the window.

                                      LOIS
                     Just 'hanging' around?
                           (beat)
                     You ran into Clark.  He told you I
                     was in danger and wouldn't let him
                     bodyguard me.  Am I right?

                                      SUPERMAN
                     Yes.

       They move back to the kitchen, and she resumes her dinner
       preparations.

                                      LOIS
                     So Clark asked _you_ to be my                                  *
                     bodyguard.  Why not just knock on                              *
                     the door?                                                      *

                                                                       (CONTINUED)



                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Blue Rev.     10/27/93                               23.


46     CONTINUED:                                                                 46

                                      SUPERMAN
                     I thought it might be better if I
                     stayed inconspicuous.

       She looks at his Superman suit up and down.

                                      LOIS
                     I'd change tailors, if you're going
                     to go for the undercover look.

                                      SUPERMAN
                     That's why you should let Clark
                     keep you company.

       She shrugs.  She wants _Superman_ to keep her company, not
       Clark.  But she's not about to say that.

                                      LOIS
                     Are you staying for dinner?

                                      SUPERMAN
                     No, thank you.  I have a few
                     errands.  But I'll come back.

                                      LOIS
                     Errands.  It's funny.  I never
                     think of Superman having to run
                     errands.

                                      SUPERMAN
                     I do have a life, you know.

                                      LOIS
                     Really?  What kind of life?                                    *

                                      SUPERMAN
                     Tonight, a Neighborhood Watch
                     meeting, and tomorrow a prison...                              *

                                      LOIS
                     That's cute, I guess.                                          *

                                      SUPERMAN
                     Well, I have to be on my way.  You                             *
                     going to be okay?                                              *

                                      LOIS
                     Sure, I'll be fine.                                            *

       Superman picks up the evening edition of the Daily                           *
       Planet...
                                                                       (CONTINUED)



                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Pink Rev.     10/28/93                               24.


  46   CONTINUED:  2                                                              46

                                      SUPERMAN
                           (continuing)
                     Be careful.  If the killer reads
                     between the lines of your story and
                     realizes you were there...

                                      LOIS
                     You... read my work?

                                      SUPERMAN
                     Always.

       He drops the paper, starts to exit.  Lois goes with him --
       at first heading for the window, almost surprised when he
       chooses the door.

                                      SUPERMAN
                           (continuing)
                     Lock your doors and windows.

                                      LOIS
                     I promise.

       He exits. She locks the door behind his, crosses to the
       window, watches him fly away.

                                      LOIS
                           (continuing)
                     He reads my work.

       She closes the window and locks it.


AA47   EXT. STREET IN FRONT OF LOIS' BROWNSTONE                               AA47  *

       Clark Kent turns a corner, finds a seat on Lois' stoop and
       keeps a steady vigil on Lois' apartment.


 A47   INT. DAILY PLANET - EARLY MORNING (DAY #3)                              A47  *

       The day's full hustle-bustle hasn't started yet.  Perry
       crosses toward his office, spots Jimmy and approaches him.

                                      PERRY
                           (to Jimmy)
                     Well, you're here awfully early.

                                      JIMMY
                     Twenty-four hours, 'round the
                     clock, at your service, chief.

                                      PERRY
                     Jimmy?

                                                                       (CONTINUED)



                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Pink Rev.     10/28/93                               25.


A47    CONTINUED:                                                                A47

                                      JIMMY
                     What, chief?

                                      PERRY
                     Don't suck up, son.  I don't like
                     it.
                           (beat)
                     Now, why _are_ you here?

       Jimmy pulls out the notebook Lois took from Winninger's.

                                      JIMMY
                     Winninger's notebook.  It contains
                     some kind of scientific formula.
                     Star labs has broken it down, but
                     they don't know yet what its
                     purpose is.

                                      PERRY
                     Anything else?

                                      JIMMY
                     A map, which appears to be a large
                     section of the Brazilian rain
                     forest.

                                      PERRY
                           (puzzled)
                     Well, what in the Sam Hill does                                *
                     some formula have to do with
                     Barbara Trevino?

                                      JIMMY
                     I don't know.

                                      PERRY
                     Well, pass the info on to Lois and
                     tell her I said to get right an it.

                                      JIMMY
                     Right.

       Perry walks away a few steps, then turns back to Jimmy.

                                      PERRY
                     There's nothing wrong with a
                     _little_sucking up, son.

                                      JIMMY
                     Right, _chief_.

                                      PERRY
                     Better.

       He heads toward his office.

                                                            CUT TO:


                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Pink Rev.     10/28/93                               26.


47     EXT. LOIS'S BROWNSTONE - DAY                                               47

       Early morning.  Clark Kent, reading the morning paper,
       sits on the stoop.


48     INT. LOIS LANE'S APARTMENT - BATHROOM  - DAY                               48

       Lois squeezes a glob of tooth paste on her toothbrush,
       starts brushing.  When she finishes, she turns on the tap
       water in the sink.  Nothing.

                                      LOIS
                     Oh, no...

       With a mouthful of toothpaste, she exits.

                                                            CUT TO:


49     EXT. LOIS' BROWNSTONE - DAY (SIMULTANEOUS)                               49

       The front door opens and the building superintend, MR.
       TRACEWSKI, a pleasant-looking man in jeans and workshirt,
       hurries out, muttering in an East European accent.

                                      TRACEWSKI
                     I tell then, Hey, go for it, they
                     don't listen, they buy cheap.  And
                     what?  Here it is.  Costs two times
                     as much more.

       He scoots down the stairs and up the street.

                                                            CUT TO:


50     INT. LOIS' KITCHEN - DAY (SIMULTANEOUS)                                    50

       Lois tries the kitchen sink, _no water_.  She crosses to
       the fridge, takes some sparking water, rinses, than spits
       into the sink.  Than, she crosses to the phone, dials.

                                      LOIS
                     Mrs. Tracewski?--This is Lois Lane.
                     Oh, you know.  Any idea when that
                     might be?  Oh, that long...

       A KNOCK on the DOOR.

                                      LOIS
                           (continuing)
                     As soon as possible, Mrs.
                     Tracewski, thank you.

       She hangs up, crosses, looks through the peephole, opens                     *
       the door, pleasantly surprised.

                                                            (CONTINUED)

                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Pink Rev.     10/28/93                               27.


50     CONTINUED:                                                                 50

                                      LOIS
                           (continuing)
                     Mr. Tracewski!  Your wife said it
                     would be a couple of hours!

       Tracewski enters, wearing a jumpsuit, carrying a toolbox.

                                      LOIS
                           (continuing)
                     Not that I'm complaining.  As you
                     can see...

       As soon an the door closes... Tracewski comes toward her,
       menacing, tosses the toolbox aside.  It lands with a                         *
       CLATTER.  Lois backtracks.

                                      LOIS
                           (continuing)
                     Mr. Tracewski, are you all right?

       Tracewski closes in an Lois, grabs her by the neck.                          *
       Lois' struggle surprises Tracewski; she's strong enough to
       prevent him from tightening, but not strong enough to get
       away.  At this moment she CRIES OUT...

                                      LOIS
                           (continuing)
                     _NO_!

       But in an instant Tracewski gets a now grip, tightening                      *
       enough to prevent her making another SOUND, and now enough
       to choke the air from her.

       Lois struggles but can't pry his fingers loose.  Just an                     *
       she goes limp...


51     ANOTHER ANGLE - THE DOOR                                                   51

       The front door blasts open and Clark rushes in.  Though
       momentarily shocked at who is doing the choking, he is
       more concerned with Lois.

                                      CLARK
                     Let go!

       Tracewski backs away, dragging Lois with his, unconscious.

                                      CLARK
                           (continuing)
                     Let her go now!

       Abruptly Tracewski pushes Lois at Clark and flees.  Lois
       falls into Clark's arms, limp as a ragdoll.

                                                            (CONTINUED)



                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Blue Rev.     10/27/93                               28.


51     CONTINUED:                                                                 51

       He lowers her to the floor.

                                      CLARK
                           (continuing)
                     Lois!

       _VERY FAST_ he holds her nose, _BREATHES INTO HER MOUTH_.
       He does it in one take.  Lois coughs, sputters, breathes.

                                      LOIS
                     Oh, Clark... Clark...

                                      CLARK
                     It's all right, you're okay...

                                      LOIS
                     I couldn't breathe.  It was...                                 *
                     that nice Mr. Tracewski.                                       *

                                      CLARK
                     No, it wasn't, Lois.  It must have                             *
                     been someone else.  I saw the                                  *
                     real Mr. Tracewski leave.                                      *

                                      LOIS
                     He tried to kill me...

                                      CLARK
                     I'll find him...                                               *

       But as he gets up to go she clings to his.

                                      LOIS
                     No!                                                            *

       She holds on to him tighter.

                                      LOIS
                           (continuing)                                             *
                     Please.  Don't leave me.                                       *

                                      CLARK
                     I won't.  I'm here.  I'm right                                 *
                     here.                                                          *

       As Clark holds a trembling Lois, we...                                       *

                                                            FADE OUT.

                            _END ACT TWO_


                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Pink Rev.     10/28/93                               29.

                              _ACT THREE_

       FADE IN:

52     INT. DAILY PLANET -  DAY                                                   52

       Clark enters with Lois.  Perry spots then and comes over.
       His concern is apparent.

                                      PERRY
                     Lois, are you all right?

                                      LOIS
                     I'm fine.

                                      PERRY
                     What are you doing here?

                                      LOIS
                     This in where I work.  I have a job
                     to do.

                                      PERRY
                     Your job isn't going to be worth
                     the sweat off an Elvis imitator if
                     you're dead.  Kent, can't you talk
                     any sense into her?

                                      CLARK
                     I'm hoarse from trying.

                                      LOIS
                     Look, this killer can apparently
                     find me anywhere, and can look like
                     anyone.  Ifs probably safer around
                     a lot of people I know.                                        *

                                      CLARK
                     I don't think you're going to be
                     safe until we find Mr. Can Make                                *
                     Himself Up To Look Like Anyone                                 *
                     Else.

       The light bulb in Lois' head goes on.

                                      LOIS
                     Mr. Make-up.  Jimmy!

       Jimmy comes rushing over.

                                      LOIS
                           (to Jimmy)
                     Try to find everything you can,
                     especially the whereabouts of an...
                     uh...

                                                            (CONTINUED)



                            --page break--
       WITNESS   (#10)     Pink Rev.%2