3*21 - Through a Glass, Darkly
_LOIS & CLARK_
The New Adventures of Superman
"Through A Glass, Darkly"
Written by Chris Ruppenthal
Directed by Chris Long
_CAST_
CLARK KENT/SUPERMAN
LOIS LANE
JIMMY OLSEN
PERRY WHITE
MARTHA KENT
JONATHAN KENT
SARAH
CHING
DR. KLEIN
MRS. HOFAKER
LITTLE BOY
LITTLE GIRL
ANNOUNCER
_LOCATIONS_
_INTERIORS_: _EXTERIORS_:
Daily Planet Daily Planet
Newsroom
Conference Room Alley
Lobby
Natural History Museum
Star Labs
Kents' Shed
Suite 106
House on Charlotte Drive
Shadowy Void
Barreto Brownstone
Clark's Patio
Space
TEASER
FADE IN:
1 INT. DAILY PLANET LOBBY - DAY #1 1
LOIS and CLARK head for the cappuccino stand. They're in
mid-conversation. As they arrive at the stand, Clark will
signal for two with his fingers and pay for them.
CLARK
Okay okay okay, barring any further
bouts of amnesia --
LOIS
-- or shrinking --
CLARK
-- or cloning, or Kryptonite, or
time travel, or voodoo, I say I'd
rather get married sooner rather
than later.
(to Cappuccino Guy)
Thanks.
Clark takes his cappuccino and hands Lois hers.
LOIS
Me, too. I just want to give my
Mother long enough to recover from
our last wedding.
CLARK
Lois, I'd like to get married
_this_ century, okay?
Lois laughs and spits out a little cappuccino.
LOIS
Don't do that when I'm drinking!
She gives him a playful swat on the arm and Clark laughs.
They head for the elevators.
CLARK
Come on.
CAMERA PANS with them and comes to REST on CHING, a man in
his early Thirties who has been observing them from across
the lobby.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 2.
1 CONTINUED: 1
He pretends to read a paper and sip a cappuccino. Ching
continues to watch Lois and Clark as they enter the
elevators; they haven't noticed him at all. He wears what
looks like a black, long-sleeved spandex body suit under his
regular shirt and jeans. There is something spooky about
his calmness and focus.
2 INT. DAILY PLANET - NEWSROOM - DAY 2
DING. Lois and Clark exit the elevator. SARAH, about 30,
exits the other elevator, her arms filled with files,
clippings and books. She falls in next to Lois and Clark as
they walk towards their desks. Sarah always wears long
sleeves and skirts over colored tights.
SARAH
Here's that research you wanted on
the subway project.
LOIS
Really? That was fast, I only
asked for it yesterday.
SARAH
I, uh, stayed late.
CLARK
For that you deserve a donut.
Sarah is about to decline, but something about Clark's smile
makes her accept.
SARAH
Well, uh, okay.
Clark grabs a donut from a passing JIMMY. There's only one
left in Jimmy's box now.
JIMMY
Not the banana creme! The Chief'll
kill me.
Jimmy eyes Sarah as Clark puts back the donut; though she
plays down her looks, she's a babe and he's smitten.
JIMMY (CONT'D)
(to Sarah)
Here, take mine.
Clark and Lois share a look and suppress their smiles.
PERRY (O.S.)
Jimmy?!!!
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Pink Rev. 3/11/96 2.
1 CONTINUED: 1
He pretends to read a paper and sip a cappuccino. Ching
continues to watch Lois and Clark as they enter the
elevators; they haven't noticed him at all. He wears a
regular shirt and jeans. There is something spooky about (X)
his calmness and focus.
2 INT. DAILY PLANET - NEWSROOM - DAY 2
DING. Lois and Clark exit the elevator. SARAH, about 30,
exits the other elevator, her arms filled with files,
clippings and books. She falls in next to Lois and Clark as
they walk towards their desks. (X)
SARAH
Here's that research you wanted on
the subway project.
LOIS
Really? That was fast, I only
asked for it yesterday.
SARAH
I, uh, stayed late.
CLARK
For that you deserve a donut.
Sarah is about to decline, but something about Clark's smile
makes her accept.
SARAH
Well, uh, okay.
Clark grabs a donut from a passing JIMMY. There's only one
left in Jimmy's box now.
JIMMY
Not the banana creme! The Chief'll
kill me.
Jimmy eyes Sarah as Clark puts back the donut; though she
plays down her looks, she's a babe and he's smitten.
JIMMY (CONT'D)
(to Sarah)
Here, take mine.
Clark and Lois share a look and suppress their smiles.
PERRY (O.S.)
Jimmy?!!!
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 3.
2 CONTINUED: 2
JIMMY
Gotta fly!
He's gone. Lois and Clark turn back to Sarah, who gives a
sheepish smile, then screws up her courage and speaks to
Clark.
SARAH
Um, I know I'm sorta new here, I
mean, not _that_ new, I have been
here a month, but... do you guys
ever take suggestions for stories
from somebody else?
LOIS
(friendly)
If it's a good idea.
SARAH
Well, I was thinking; there's
always so much bad news, what if
you did a series on people who make
personal sacrifices for the _good_
of society? Like astronauts --
CLARK
-- or medical missionaries --
LOIS
-- or Superman?
SARAH
Exactly! What really drives him...
or people like him?
CLARK
I'd say it was --
PERRY charges out of his office, heading for the TVs.
PERRY
Turn those things up! They're
about to christen the space
station!
Everyone turns to the monitors as Jimmy grabs a remote and
punches up the volume.
3 ON THE MONITORS 3
We see an ANNOUNCER with a shot of a large space station
against a black sky filled with stars next to him.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Gold Rev. 3/18/96 3.
2 CONTINUED: 2
JIMMY
Gotta go!
He's gone. Lois and Clark turn back to Sarah, who gives a
sheepish smile, then screws up her courage and speaks to
Clark.
SARAH
Um, I know I'm sorta new here, I
mean, not _that_ new, I have been
here a month, but... do you guys
ever take suggestions for stories
from somebody else?
LOIS
(friendly)
If it's a good idea.
SARAH
Well, I was thinking; there's
always so much bad news, what if
you did a series on people who make
personal sacrifices for the _good_
of society? Like astronauts --
CLARK
-- or medical missionaries --
LOIS
-- or Superman?
SARAH
Exactly! What really drives him...
or people like him?
CLARK
I'd say it was --
PERRY.charges out of his office, heading for the TVs. He
wears a fly fishing hat studded with lures, plus a fishing (X)
vest over his shirt and tie. He's got a fly rod in two (X)
pieces in his hand. (X)
PERRY
Turn those things up! They're
about to christen the space
station!
Everyone turns to the monitors as Jimmy grabs a remote and
punches up the volume.
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Gold Rev. 3/18/96 3A.
3 ON THE MONITORS 3
We see an ANNOUNCER on the screen. As desired, we will
DISSOLVE or CUT TO Full Frame shots of a large space station
against a black sky filled with stars next to him.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 4.
3 CONTINUED: 3
ANNOUNCER
(on TV)
... and in just five minutes, at
nine o'clock Eastern Standard Time,
we'll take you live to the opening
ceremonies of the United Nations
Space Station. Home to over one
hundred orbiting scientists and
astronauts...
4 ANGLE ON LOIS AND CLARK 4
As they proudly watch with Perry, Jimmy and Sarah.
CUT TO:
5 INT. DAILY PLANET LOBBY - DAY - CONTINUOUS 5
Ching listens to the Announcer's voice coming from a radio
at the cappuccino stand. He raises a small, complex,
sinister looking device in one hand.
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
... lead by Commander Bob Razikis.
Razikis, by the way, is on his
eleventh...
Ching presses a button on the device.
CUT TO:
6 CLOSEUP - TV MONITOR 6
Huge thruster rockets fire on the station, pushing it out of
orbit and down towards Earth. (NOTE: AS DESIRED, WE COULD
CUT BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN FULL FRAME PICTURES OF EITHER THE
ANNOUNCER OR THE SPACE STATION.)
ANNOUNCER
(on TV)
... space -- just a moment...
I'm...
He presses his hidden earphone; what he's just heard he
knows is a huge disaster. He's rocked. He relays the news
as it comes in to him over his earphone.
ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
(on TV)
Apparently, um, there has been some
kind of... technical difficulty.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Pink Rev. 3/11/96 4.
3 CONTINUED: 1 3
ANNOUNCER
(on TV)
... and in just five minutes, at
nine o'clock Eastern Standard Time,
we'll take you live to the opening
ceremonies of the United Nations
Space Station. Home to over one
hundred orbiting scientists and
astronauts...
4 ANGLE ON LOIS AND CLARK 4
As they proudly watch with Perry, Jimmy and Sarah.
CUT TO:
5 INT. DAILY PLANET LOBBY - DAY - CONTINUOUS 5
Ching listens to the Announcer's voice coming from a radio
at the cappuccino stand. He raises a small, complex,
sinister looking device in one hand.
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
... lead by Commander Bob Rozakis.
Rozakis, by the way, is on his (X)
eleventh...
Ching presses a button on the device.
CUT TO:
6 CLOSEUP - TV MONITOR 6
Huge thruster rockets fire on the station, pushing it out of
orbit and down towards Earth. (NOTE: AS DESIRED, WE COULD
CUT BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN FULL FRAME PICTURES OF EITHER THE
ANNOUNCER OR THE SPACE STATION.)
ANNOUNCER
(on TV)
... space -- just a moment...
I'm...
He presses his hidden earphone; what he's just heard he
knows is a huge disaster. He's rocked. He relays the news
as it comes in to him over his earphone.
ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
(on TV)
Apparently, um, there has been some
kind of... technical difficulty.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 5.
6 CONTINUED: 6
ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
The station's thrusters have...
misfired and are driving... the
station towards the Earth's
atmosphere.
(beat)
Where the astronauts will burn
up... if re-entry can't be
prevented.
7 ANGLE ON CLARK, LOIS, PERRY, JIMMY, SARAH 7
They're stunned.
PERRY
Good Lord in Heaven. Jurgens, get
me Binder in Houston! Swan, I want
our stringer at the Cape right now!
Jurgens and Swan run for their desks.
PERRY (CONT'D)
Lois! Clark!
Lois shoots Clark a glance as she moves towards her desk.
LOIS
I'm already writing!
CLARK
And I'll try to... call my friend
at NASA.
He dashes towards the rear hallway. Sarah watches him go.
Perry and Jimmy don't notice he's not headed for his desk.
PERRY
Damn. If only he had Superman's
number.
As they intently watch the TVs, we...
FADE OUT.
_END OF TEASE_
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Blue Blue 3/25/96 5.
6 CONTINUED: 6
ANNOUNCER (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
The station's thrusters have...
misfired and are driving... the
station towards the Earth's
atmosphere.
(beat)
Where the space station will burn
up... if re-entry can't be
prevented. Mission Control... is
in contact with the station... but (X)
so far they are unable to (X)
ascertain the reasons for the (X)
station's thrusters firing. For (X)
those of you just tuning in, the (X)
United Nations' Space Station's (X)
thrusters have inexplicably (X)
ignited and are driving the (X)
station towards the Earth's (X)
atmosphere... (X)
(tense; listens to
earpiece)
So far, the crew has _not_ been (X)
able to shut down the engines. (X)
Mission Control now estimates that (X)
the friction from the Earth's (X)
atmosphere will cause (X)
disintingration of the station to (X)
commence in... (X)
(stops; listens)
Just a minute... we've just (X)
received an unconfirmed report (X)
that Superman has arrived at the (X)
Space Station! We don't know yet (X)
what he will attempt, but... he (X)
appears... to be trying to _stop_ (X)
the station's descent. (X)
7 ANGLE ON CLARK, LOIS, PERRY, JIMMY, SARAH 7
They're stunned.
PERRY
Good Lord in Heaven. Jurgens, get
me Binder in Houston! Swan, I want
our stringer at the Cape right now!
Jurgens and Swan run for their desks.
PERRY (CONT'D)
Lois! Clark!
Lois shoots Clark a glance as she moves towards her desk.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Blue Blue 3/25/96 5A.
7 CONTINUED: 7
LOIS
I'm already writing!
CLARK
And I'll try to... call my friend
at NASA.
He dashes towards the rear hallway. Sarah watches him go.
Perry and Jimmy don't notice he's not headed for his desk.
PERRY
Damn. If only we had Superman's
number.
As they intently watch the TVs, we...
FADE OUT.
_END OF TEASE_
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 6.
_ACT ONE_
FADE IN:
8 EXT. SPACE - ETERNAL DAY 8
The space station rockets towards disaster. SUPERMAN shoots
up and grabs hold right next to the command center window.
Inside, the crew can look out and see him as he struggles to
stop the station and keep it from burning up in the
atmosphere.
9 SUPERMAN 9
strains against the massive and ever increasing weight of
the station, but it shoves him backward like he doesn't
exist. Superheated molecules of the atmosphere streak
around him and the command center, glowing from the
friction. Superman looks over his shoulder, the Earth is
getting closer. The huge thrusters continue to thunder. He
grits his teeth and pushes himself to the limit... and
beyond. A sheet of burning atmosphere almost completely
obscures him. Finally, with the last bit of strength he
has, he shoves and deflects the station. It begins to head
out of the atmosphere and the fiery burning disappears.
Inside the command center, the crew screams in relief. A
second later, the thrusters cut off. Superman gives a final
tweek of correction, then wearily salutes the crew and turns
for Earth.
CUT TO:
10 INT. DAILY PLANET - NEWSROOM - DAY 10
Clark drags himself back into the bullpen, where Lois gets
up as soon as she sees him. They join Jimmy, Perry and
Sarah and the others who're still riveted to the monitors.
CLARK
(exhausted)
Did I miss anything? I heard
cheering.
LOIS
Superman saved the space station.
PERRY
Man, he was like a fly on the
windshield, 'cept this time the fly
stopped the car. Whammo!
(chuckles; then)
Lois, Clark, I want everything
we've got on this story pronto.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 7.
10 CONTINUED: 10
PERRY (CONT'D)
I want to know why a sixty-four
billion dollar space station tried
to turn itself into a charcoal
briquette.
Perry suddenly glares at Sarah and Jimmy, who are just
standing there, smiling.
PERRY (CONT'D)
Hey, what is this, a rock garden?!
He claps his hands twice and they scurry off.
JIMMY SARAH
I think I'll go (to Clark)
load some film. See ya.
Perry smiles and winks at Lois and Clark and jauntily heads
back to his office. Clark gratefully slumps on Lois's desk.
LOIS
(sotto)
Are you okay?
Clark rotates a shoulder and stretches his back as he tries
to shake-off some pain.
CLARK
(sotto)
That was the toughest thing I've
ever done. I almost didn't stop
it.
LOIS
But you did, and that's the
important thing. So... Star Labs?
CLARK
Absolutely.
He heaves himself up and they're a bit surprised to come
face to face with Sarah again. She glances at Clark.
SARAH
Hi. I, uh, just wanted to say that
if you need any research for your
story, let me know.
LOIS
(suppresses a smile)
Thanks, Sarah, we will.
She bobs her head and shoves off. Lois looks at Clark as
they walk towards the elevator.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Gold Rev. 3/18/96 7.
10 CONTINUED: 10
PERRY (CONT'D)
I want to know why a sixty-four
billion dollar space station tried
to turn itself into a charcoal
briquette. And I want it by one, (X)
'cause that's when I got a car (X)
taking me and Jimmy to the airport (X)
and _nothing's_ coming between me (X)
and this fishing trip! (X)
Understand?
Perry suddenly glares at Sarah and Jimmy, who are just
standing there, smiling.
PERRY (CONT'D)
Now, what is this, a rock garden?! (X)
He claps his hands twice and they scurry off.
JIMMY SARAH
I think I'll (to Clark)
go... check my See ya.
flannel shirt (X)
supply. (X)
Perry smiles and winks at Lois and Clark and jauntily heads
back to his office. Clark gratefully slumps on Lois's desk.
LOIS
(sotto)
Are you okay?
Clark rotates a shoulder and stretches his back as he tries
to shake off some pain.
CLARK
(sotto)
That was one of the toughest things
I've ever done. I almost didn't
stop it.
LOIS
But you did, and that's the
important thing. So... Star Labs?
CLARK
Absolutely.
He heaves himself up and they're a bit surprised to come
face to face with Sarah again. She glances at Clark.
SARAH
Hi. I, uh, just wanted to say that
if you need any research for your
story, let me know.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 8.
10 CONTINUED: 2 10
LOIS (CONT'D)
I think someone has a bit of a
crush on someone.
CLARK
But I'm an engaged man.
LOIS
All the more tempting.
CLARK
Someone else isn't jealous, are
they?
LOIS
(smiling)
Not in the least.
CLARK
What a pity you lack
self-confidence. We should work on
that.
LOIS
Perhaps I need some private
instruction.
They step into the open elevator.
CLARK
It could be rigorous and intensive.
LOIS
(pushing a button)
No pain, no gain. How 'bout if we
start...
(smiles)
... right now?
And as the doors close, they go into a passionate kiss.
CUT TO:
11 INT. STAR LABS - DAY 11
DR. KLEIN is in the midst of explaining things to Clark and
Lois. During the course of Klein's explanation, Lois
becomes intrigued with an ongoing laser experiment on a
nearby workbench. We see a laser beam split into two
separate beams as part of the setup.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Gold Rev. 3/18/96 8.
10 CONTINUED: 2 10
LOIS
(suppresses a smile)
Thanks, Sarah, we will.
She bobs her head and shoves off. Lois looks at Clark as
they walk towards the elevator.
LOIS (CONT'D)
I think someone has a bit of a
crush on someone.
CLARK
But I'm an engaged man.
LOIS
All the more tempting.
CLARK
Someone else isn't jealous, are
they?
LOIS
(smiling)
Not in the least.
CLARK
What a pity you lack
self-confidence. We should work on
that.
LOIS
Perhaps I need some private
instruction.
They step into the open elevator.
CLARK
It could be rigorous and intensive.
LOIS
(pushing a button)
No pain, no gain. How 'bout if we
start...
(smiles)
... right now?
And as the doors close, they go into a passionate kiss.
10A SARAH 10A
watching.
CUT TO:
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Gold Rev. 3/18/96 8A.
11 INT. STAR LABS - DAY 11
DR. KLEIN is in the Midst of explaining things to Clark and
Lois. During the course of Klein's explanation, Lois
becomes intrigued with an ongoing laser experiment on a
nearby workbench. We see a laser beam split into two
separate beams as part of the setup.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 9.
11 CONTINUED: 11
DR. KLEIN
Seconds before the main thrusters
ignited, the station received a
very brief, tight beam microwave
transmission. It sent in a
computer code that overrode the
automatic controls and fired the
thrusters.
CLARK
Do we know where the transmission
came from?
Klein spots Lois about to touch some irresistible gizmo on
the laser experiment.
DR. KLEIN
Don't touch that!
Lois jerks back.
DR. KLEIN (CONT'D)
I'm measuring the electron flow
along the plasma wake as the laser
passes through two different gases!
LOIS
Sorry.
Klein stares intently at the laser; it's given him an idea.
He snaps his fingers.
DR. KLEIN
Plasma wake. That's it!
He zips over to a computer keyboard and starts typing madly.
LOIS
Dr. Klein?
He's so absorbed he ignores her. Lois looks at Clark.
CLARK
(sotto)
Caution. Mad scientist at work.
DR. KLEIN
(beat; still typing)
No matter how brief it was, the
microwave beam must have left a
trail of agitated molecules along
its path.
LOIS
(re: Klein)
Well, I'd say something was
agitated.
DR. KLEIN
(oblivious)
Agitation means heat. Therefore,
by using the infrared detectors on
some low orbiting satellites, we
should be able to identify and
backtrack down the column of heated
molecules to its source. Ha ha
gotcha!
The computer screen is just columns of streaming numbers.
CLARK
I don't see anything.
DR. KLEIN
I'm switching to an N.I.A. spy
satellite. We'll get real-time
photos now that I have a lock on
the molecules.
LOIS
A spy satellite? You can do that?
DR. KLEIN
(a la James Bond)
The name's Klein. Bernard Klein.
He gives a suave smile. The other lab assistants grin; they
think Klein is cool. Lois and Clark have blank looks on
their face. Klein deflates.
DR. KLEIN (CONT'D)
You know, James Bond?
CLARK
(covering)
Oh! Yeah!
LOIS
We were just teasing. That was
really very good.
Klein happily smiles and returns to work. Lois and Clark
look at each other. Suddenly, a very high altitude shot of
North America fills the computer screen.
DR. KLEIN
Here we go!
The picture starts jumping in closer and closer until we can
see a suburb; then a neighborhood; then a house with a
satellite dish in its backyard. The picture freezes there.
coordinates spring up on the screen, plus an address.
CLARK
(reading)
Thirty-Fifteen Charlotte Drive,
Metropolis.
LOIS
Of course. Where else would it be?
Every villain in the universe seems
to operate out of Metropolis! For
once, I just wish we could have a
villain in Maui. Or Aspen.
(enviously)
Or Monte Carlo.
CLARK
How accurate is this?
DR. KLEIN
Plus or minus six feet.
CLARK
I'd say that's close enough.
Thanks.
They dash out.
CUT TO:
12 CLOSEUP - BRASS DOOR KNOCKER 12
Lois's hand reaches in and raps it a few times.
13 EXT. 3015 CHARLOTTE DRIVE - DAY 13
Lois and Clark stand on the front porch. Lois's Jeep is
parked by the curb. There's a "For Sale" sign in the front
yard from Century 22 Realty. No one answers. Lois knocks
again. Clark takes a moment to study the house.
CLARK
Nice yard.
Lois, focused on the task at hand, gives casually polite
responses.
LOIS
Yeah. It's cute.
CLARK
Nice fence. Good driveway, too.
LOIS
I know. I like the little brick
accents.
Clark is pleased and surprised by Lois's answers. Lois
attempts to look in a window.
CLARK
And I've always liked this style of
house.
LOIS
No, it's pretty great.
CLARK
It's definitely the type of place I
could go for.
LOIS
(distracted)
Me, too.
She steps back from the window and heads off the porch.
LOIS (CONT'D)
Let's try around back.
14 EXT. BACKYARD - DAY 14
They round the corner and approach the TV satellite dish.
Clark inspects it closely.
CLARK
Okay, we know this sent the signal,
but where's the device the signal
came from?
CHING (O.S.)
Can I help you?
Lois and Clark spin around to see Ching exiting the rear of
the house. He's now dressed in dark slacks, shirt, tie, and
a pale blue polyester Century 22 Realty sports coat.
LOIS
Oh, yes, we were just looking at
the house. We saw the sign and
thought we'd stop.
Ching smiles and extends his hand.
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Green Rev. 3/14/96 12.
CLARK
Nice fence. Good driveway, too.
LOIS
I know. I like the lattice work
around the porch. (X)
Clark is pleased and surprised by Lois's answers. Lois
attempts to look in a window.
CLARK
And I've always liked this style of
house.
LOIS
No, it's pretty great.
CLARK
It's definitely the type of place I
could go for.
LOIS
(distracted)
Me, too.
She steps back from the window and heads off the porch.
LOIS (CONT'D)
Let's try around back.
14 EXT. BACKYARD - DAY 14
They round the corner and approach the TV satellite dish.
Clark inspects it closely.
CLARK
Okay, we know this sent the signal,
but where's the device the signal
came from?
CHING (O.S.)
Can I help you?
Lois and Clark spin around to see Ching exiting the rear of
the house. He's now dressed in dark slacks, shirt, tie, and
a pale blue polyester Century 22 Realty sports coat.
LOIS
Oh, yes, we were just looking at
the house. We saw the sign and
thought we'd stop.
Ching smiles and extends his hand.
CHING
Well, you found a good one. Hi,
I'm Dave Miller.
LOIS
Lois Lane. And this is my fiance,
Clark Kent.
CLARK
We knocked, but...
CHING
I know, I heard. I'm afraid I was
in the restroom. Is this something
you'd be interested in?
Lois decides to smooth talk this guy.
LOIS
(very enthusiastic)
Oh, we love it. It's just what
I've always dreamed of!
Clark makes a note of this.
LOIS (CONT'D)
And we love the neighborhood,
but... we drove by here at about
five of nine this morning and
thought we saw some...
She looks at Clark, who catches on.
CLARK
... strange people...
LOIS
... hanging around. You didn't
happen to see them, did you?
CHING
No, I haven't seen anyone all
morning, except my clients; they're
an older couple in their sixties.
(smiles)
This _is_, of course, one of the
safest neighborhoods in Metropolis.
If you like, I'll give you the name
of the listing agent.
CLARK
Oh, don't you handle this house?
CHING
(grins)
No. I represent some buyers.
Janet Gardino is the agent for the
sellers. She had another showing
and I said I'd close up for her.
We're old buds. But I'd be happy
to show you some of my listings, if
you like.
LOIS
Thanks, but, we're really just
starting.
CHING
I understand. Well, don't hesitate
to call. At Century Twenty-Two,
'We bring your future, to you'.
Ching's broad grin is punctuated by the muted screech of
tires from a Star Labs van that pulls to a stop in the
driveway. An INVESTIGATIVE TEAM jumps out as a non-descript
sedan with GOVERNMENT AGENTS also pulls up.
CUT TO:
15 INT. DARK SHADOWY VOID - DAY 15
We can't tell where we are. There are no windows. No
walls. Just blackness. Strange, foreboding music plays
softly in the background. Ching sits on a chair and loosens
his tie and collar; we see a hint of his black spandex body
suit underneath; he is assembling an exotic looking bomb.
Half of it looks like a star, with angular, colored, pieces
of lucite that glow. It's about eight or nine inches
across. We'll call it the Star Bomb. He whistles along to
the disjointed tones of the music that plays softly in the
background. He checks his watch, then stops his work. He
closes his eyes and briefly frowns in concentration.
CHING (V.O.)
(whispery)
Are you alone? Or are you having
another donut?
Ching's lips don't move; he's speaking telepathically.
16 INT. DAILY PLANET - NEWSROOM - DAY 16
Sarah, climbing the stairs to shelves of books by the great
window, pauses for a moment. She looks around and spots
Clark at his desk on the phone; he's slightly hunched over
as if he doesn't want anyone to hear his conversation.
CHING
(grins)
No. I represent some buyers.
Janet Gardino is the agent for the
sellers. She had another showing
and I said I'd close up for her.
We're old buds. But I'd be happy
to show you some of my listings, if
you like.
LOIS
Thanks, but, we're really just
starting.
CHING
I understand. Well, don't hesitate
to call. At Century Twenty-Two,
'We bring your future, to you'.
Ching's broad grin is punctuated by the muted screech of
tires from a Star Labs van that pulls to a stop in the
driveway. An INVESTIGATIVE TEAM jumps out as a non-descript
sedan with GOVERNMENT AGENTS also pulls up.
CUT TO:
14A INT. CLARK'S APARTMENT - DAY 14A
Clark dashes in as Lois just steps inside and waits; she's (X)
finishing a conversation on her cell phone. Throughout the (X)
following, Clark will search the living room/kitchen area (X)
for something, we don't know what. (X)
CLARK
I'll just be a second. (X)
LOIS
(nods; into phone) (X)
Right. Okay. Thanks. (X)
(hangs up; urgent, to (X)
Clark) (X)
The U.N. is in an uproar. They (X)
cancelled their science conference (X)
to deal with the space station. (X)
No terrorist group has claimed (X)
responsibility; the N.I.A. thinks (X)
it's a 'lone gunman.' (X)
CLARK
(stops searching) (X)
Great. Where's he strike next? (X)
The Eiffel Tower? The Parthenon? (X)
(MORE)
CLARK (CONT'D)
(shaking his head)
All it takes is a single lunatic to
bring something crashing down.
LOIS
(looks off)
Yeah. Not unlike our wedding.
CLARK
No kidding.
LOIS
You know, for our next wedding,
maybe we should try something
different. I was thinking... we
could just elope.
CLARK
Elope?!
LOIS
(rambling)
It could be fun! And spontaneous!
Intimate, less complicated... Spur
of the moment, romantic. Just us,
a few friends, our parents. An
amiable passerby.
She catches Clark staring lovingly at her.
LOIS (CONT'D)
What? What're you looking at?
CLARK
You. I was just thinking how
different my life would've been if
we'd never met. (X)
LOIS
(musing) (X)
What if you'd never left
Smallville? (X)
CLARK
Smallville? What if I'd never (X)
left Krypton? (X)
LOIS
(hugs him)
Yeah. Your family there might
have had their hearts set on a
daughter-in-law from Jupiter?
CLARK
(joking)
How'd you know about her?
(beat) (X)
You know, I bet they would've (X)
really liked you. (X)
(off her) (X)
Jor-El and Lara. (X)
LOIS
(gently) (X)
You think about them much?
CLARK
Sometimes. But that's behind me
now. What's in front of me is US. (X)
They, kiss, then Lois pulls back smiling.
LOIS
Okay, then let's find this fake (X)
bug on a hook and go. (X)
Clark smiles and resumes searching.
CLARK
(laughing) (X)
Fake bug on a hook? That's my (X)
lucky fly. I told Jimmy since he,
was going on this fishing trip, I'd
I'd lend it to him... but I couldn't (X)
find it this morning and now... oh, (X)
here it is!
He finds a tiny, old, crumpled up envelope folded in thirds.
CLARK (CONT'D)
My dad gave this to me when I was (X)
seven. It never misses. (X)
He opens the envelope and pulls out a tiny hook, with one (X)
or two moth eaten threads still wrapped around the shank. (X)
It's pathetic. (X)
LOIS
Looks like the moths don't miss. (X)
either. (X)
CLARK
Man, I loved this fly. (X)
Lois starts tugging him towards the door. (X)
LOIS
Come on, I'll buy you a new one on (X)
our honeymoon. (X)
And with that, Clark puts down the fly and they leave. (X)
CUT TO:
15 INT. DARK SHADOWY VOID - DAY 15
We can't tell where we are. There are no windows. No
walls. Just blackness. Strange, foreboding music plays
softly in the background. Ching sits on a chair and loosens
his tie and collar; he is assembling an exotic looking bomb.
Half of it looks like a star, with angular, colored, pieces
of lucite that glow. It's about eight or nine inches
across. We'll call it the Star Bomb. He whistles along to
the disjointed tones of the music that plays softly in the
background. He checks his watch, then stops his work. He
closes his eyes and briefly frowns in concentration.
CHING (V.O.)
(whispery)
Are you alone? Or are you having
another donut?
Ching's lips don't move; he's speaking telepathically.
16 INT. DAILY PLANET - NEWSROOM - DAY 16
Sarah, climbing the stairs to shelves of books by the great
window, pauses for a moment. She looks around and spots
Clark at his desk on the phone; he's slightly hunched over
as if he doesn't want anyone to hear his conversation.
She continues on her way to the shelves.
Throughout the conversation she'll glance at Clark.
SARAH (V.O.)
(annoyed;
telepathically)
I'm alone. Did they find it?
(NOTE: INTERCUT WITH CHING AS NECESSARY. THE ENTIRE
CONVERSATION IS TELEPATHIC; THE ACTORS NEVER ACTUALLY
'SPEAK'.)
CHING
(opening his eyes now)
No. And it was 'super' obvious. A
child of two could've discovered
it. Perhaps we should've laid down
breadcrumbs, or a neon sign, or a
large --
SARAH
Ching! Don't start.
Sarah glances down.
17 SARAH'S POV - CLARK 17
Clark smiles, nods and hangs up the phone. Lois appears out
of the back hallway, returning from the restroom. Clark
slides a legal pad held been making notes on under some
other papers on his desk and rises up to meet her. Jimmy
comes by with a new box of donuts. Clark says something
that makes everyone laugh.
18 SARAH 18
smiles.
CHING
Why are you so protective? Do I
detect... fondness?
SARAH
Not at all!
In spite of herself, she glances at Clark's butt.
She continues on her way to the shelves.
Throughout the conversation she'll glance at Clark.
SARAH (V.O.)
(annoyed; telepathically)
I'm alone. Did they find it?
(NOTE: INTERCUT WITH CHING AS NECESSARY. THE ENTIRE
CONVERSATION IS TELEPATHIC; THE ACTORS NEVER ACTUALLY
'SPEAK'.)
CHING
(opening his eyes now)
No. And it was 'super' obvious. A
child of two could've discovered
it. Perhaps we should've laid down
breadcrumbs, or a neon sign, or a
large --
SARAH
Ching! Don't start.
Sarah glances down.
17 SARAH'S POV - CLARK 17
Clark smiles, nods and hangs up the phone. Lois appears out
of the back hallway, returning from the restroom. Clark
slides a legal pad held been making notes on under some
other papers on his desk and rises up to meet her. Jimmy
comes by with a pair of fishing waders, suntan lotion and a (X)
creel. Clark says something that makes everyone laugh. (X)
18 SARAH 18
smiles.
CHING
Why are you so protective? Do I
detect... admiration?
SARAH
Not at all!
In spite of herself, she glances at Clark's butt.
CHING
Wait. I sense...
(amazed)
You're attracted to how tight his
clothing is across the muscles in
his posterior?
SARAH
No, I'm not! I was thinking
about... Phase Two.
CHING
Ah, is that what they call it here?
Good. Then we'll continue as
planned. It should be interesting
to see if he can survive that.
Ching blinks as if breaking the connection. He returns to
working on the bomb.
19 INT. DAILY PLANET - DAY 19
Sarah's face hardens at this. She looks back to Clark, who
is heading into the conference room behind Lois.
FADE OUT.
_END OF ACT ONE_
CHING
Wait. I sense...
(amazed)
You're attracted to how tight his
clothing is across the muscles in
his posterior?
SARAH
No, I'm not! I was thinking
about... Phase Two.
CHING
Ah, is that what they call it here?
Good. Then we'll continue as
planned. It should be interesting
to see Superman try to survive
that.
Ching blinks as if breaking the connection. He returns to
working on the bomb.
19 INT. DAILY PLANET - DAY 19
Sarah's face hardens at this. She looks back to Clark, who
is heading into the conference room behind Lois.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
20 INT. DAILY PLANET - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY 20
Lois paces as Clark sits at the desk, shooting rubberbands
at a paper cup across the room. He _never_ misses, a point
that will get on Lois's nerves fairly soon. He's also
secretly excited about something, but we don't know what.
LOIS
So we've got the satellite dish,
but no transmitter...
CLARK
... and no suspects. Off the lamp.
Ba-ding. The rubberband ricochets off a lamp into the cup.
LOIS
Can't be Lame Brain, or the
Prankster, or Tempus...
CLARK
... because they're all in jail.
Off the door with a backflip.
Zip-ding. The rubberband hits the door and bounces
backwards into the cup.
LOIS
And Lex and Bad Brain are dead.
CLARK
Also correct. Combo; soda can to
coat rack to cup.
Zing. He fires and Lois snatches it out of the air in
annoyance.
LOIS
At least you could miss every once
in awhile!
Jimmy pokes his head into the room.
JIMMY
Guys, it's Dr. Klein on three.
Sarah appears next to him, arms filled with folders.
SARAH
Here's all I've been able to find
on companies involved in microwave
technology.
LOIS
That was quick.
SARAH
I, uh, knew it was important, so I
kinda jumped you to the head of the
list.
CLARK
Thanks.
JIMMY
(re: phone)
Guys...?
Sarah leaves and Lois reaches for the phone. Jimmy looks at
the departing Sarah.
JIMMY (CONT'D)
She seeing anybody?
CLARK
We'd be the last to know.
JIMMY
And you call yourselves reporters?
He turns and drifts after her. Lois punches the blinking
light on the phone, plus the speaker phone button.
(INTERCUT FOLLOWING WITH KLEIN IN HIS LAB AS NEEDED)
21 INT. STAR LABS - DAY 21
LOIS
Sorry to keep you waiting, Dr.
Klein.
DR. KLEIN
I just finished deciphering the
last of the computer code that was
sent to the space station. It was
very interesting, actually, it's
encryption was based on multiples
of the wavelength of --
CLARK
Dr. Klein?
LOIS
That was quick.
SARAH
I, uh, knew it was important, so I
kinda jumped you to the head of the
list.
CLARK
Thanks.
JIMMY
(re: phone)
Guys...?
Sarah leaves and Lois reaches for the phone. Jimmy looks at
the departing Sarah.
JIMMY (CONT'D)
She seeing anybody?
CLARK
We'd be the last to know.
JIMMY
And you call yourselves reporters?
LOIS
(good naturedly) (X)
Don't you have a limo to catch?
JIMMY
Hey, some things are more (X)
important than trout. (X)
Jimmy grins and drifts after Sarah. Lois punches the (X)
blinking light on the phone, plus the speaker phone button.
(INTERCUT FOLLOWING WITH KLEIN IN HIS LAB AS NEEDED)
21 INT. STAR LABS - DAY 21
LOIS
Sorry to keep you waiting, Dr.
Klein.
DR. KLEIN
I just finished deciphering the
last of the computer code that was
sent to the space station. It was
very interesting, actually, it's
encryption was based on multiples
of the wavelength of --
CLARK
Dr. Klein?
DR. KLEIN
Right. Okay. To the point. If
Superman hadn't been able to save
the space station, the main
thrusters were programmed to stop
and the altitude thrusters would've
fired anyway and the station
would've saved itself.
LOIS
You mean, it was never in danger?
DR. KLEIN
Exactly.
CLARK
But why program it to put itself in
jeopardy and then rescue itself?
DR. KLEIN
That's the sixty-four billion
dollar question.
LOIS
Thanks, Dr. Klein.
22 BACK TO SCENE 22
She hangs up. Lois and Clark look at each other.
LOIS
I think we better call that real
estate guy.
(trying to remember)
What's his name?
CLARK
Dave Miller.
Clark takes the phone from her and dials.
CLARK (CONT'D)
Never let it be said that I don't
pull my weight in this marriage.
(into phone)
Yes. I'd like to speak to Dave
Miller.
(beat)
Yes, he's one of your brokers. I
saw him at a house today.
(beat)
Okay, thanks.
He looks at Lois.
DR. KLEIN
Right. Okay. To the point. If
Superman hadn't been able to save
the space station, the main
thrusters were programmed to stop
and the altitude thrusters would've
fired anyway and the station
would've saved itself.
LOIS
You mean, it was never in danger?
DR. KLEIN
Exactly.
CLARK
But why program it to put itself in
jeopardy and then rescue itself?
DR. KLEIN
That's the sixty-four billion
dollar question.
LOIS
Thanks, Dr. Klein.
22 BACK TO SCENE 22
She hangs up. Lois and Clark look at each other.
LOIS
Maybe that real estate guy wasn't (X)
telling us everything. (X)
(trying to remember)
What's his name?
CLARK
Dave Miller.
She starts to dial. Clark takes the phone and dials. (X)
CLARK (CONT'D)
Never let it be said that I don't
pull my weight in this marriage.
(into phone)
Yes. I'd like to speak to Dave
Miller.
(beat)
Yes, he's one of your brokers. I
saw him at a house today.
(beat)
Okay, thanks.
He looks at Lois.
LOIS
They don't have a broker named
'Dave Miller'?
CLARK
Bingo.
LOIS & CLARK
Jimmy!
Jimmy materializes in the doorway.
JIMMY
Good news. She's single.
CLARK
Great. Call Det. Kuryama and see
if we can get some mug shots on
guys who might do real estate scams
and/or be an expert in microwave
technology.
JIMMY
(sarcastic)
Oh, they're related.
LOIS
(smiling)
Less sarcasm, more abject
servitude.
Jimmy backs out bowing and scraping.
JIMMY
We are not worthy. We are not --
Jimmy suddenly backs into Perry, who rushes in.
PERRY
Clark! Lois! I just got an
anonymous call that there's a bomb
scheduled to go off across town in
front of the Metropolis Natural
History Museum in one minute. It's
in a backpack by the lion.
LOIS
(to Clark)
Clark, you get the Jeep!
Clark bolts out of the room to change into Superman. Lois
gathers up her notepad and Clark's as she prepares to run
out. OFFSCREEN we HEAR the familiar WHOOSH of Superman.
LOIS
They don't have a broker named
'Dave Miller"?
CLARK
Bingo.
LOIS & CLARK
Jimmy!
Jimmy materializes in the doorway. How he's wearing a (X)
goofy fly fishing hat peppered with lures. (X)
JIMMY
Good news. She's single.
CLARK
Great. Call Det. Kuramoto, and see
if we can Vet some mug shots on
guys who might do real estate scams
and/or be an expert in microwave
technology.
JIMMY
(sarcastic)
Oh, they're related.
LOIS
(smiling)
Less sarcasm, more abject
servitude.
Jimmy backs out bowing and scraping.
JIMMY
I'm not worthy. I'm not --
Jimmy suddenly backs into Perry, who rushes in. Perry (X)
absent-mindedly carries a fly fishing reel with about (X)
twenty feet of line in loops hanging from his hand. (X)
PERRY
Clark! Lois! I just got an
anonymous call that there's a bomb
scheduled to go off across town in
front of the Metropolis Natural
History Museum in one minute. It's
in a backpack by the lion.
LOIS
(to Clark)
Clark, you get the car!
LOIS (CONT'D)
Has anybody called the --
PERRY
Cops have already been notified.
From inside the conference room we watch as Perry shoots
after Lois out into the bullpen.
PERRY (CONT'D)
Jimmy, pull me what we got on the
museum!
Jimmy dashes off.
PERRY (CONT'D)
(shouting furiously)
Jane, yank Plastino off whatever
he's doing and get him up here!
Ricky, you and Dwyer head over to
the police station. Come on,
people, move Move MOVE! It's
called 'news' because we get it
before anybody else!
CUT TO:
23 EXTREME CLOSEUP - THE STAR BOMB 23
The Star Bomb silently counts down. It's in a dark space.
CUT TO:
24 EXT. METROPOLIS NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM - AFTERNOON 24
MRS. HOFAKER, a teacher in her 40's, sits on the steps on
the museum with twenty kids from her 2nd Grade Class, having
lunch. They sit under one of the two statues positioned on
the steps. Every single kid seems to wear a backpack or
have one near him.
There's a WHOOSH and a swirling of lunch bags and napkins
and Superman JUMPS IN to a landing. The kids all oooh and
ahhh excitedly.
MRS. HOFAKER
Superman!
SUPERMAN
You've got to leave immediately.
There may be a bomb.
Clark bolts out of the room to change into Superman. Lois
gathers up her notepad and Clark's as she prepares to run
out. OFFSCREEN we HEAR the familiar WHOOSH of Superman.
PERRY
Jenkins, call the police!
From inside the conference room we watch as Perry shoots
after Lois out into the bullpen.
PERRY (CONT'D)
Jimmy, pull me what we got on the
museum!
Jimmy dashes off.
PERRY (CONT'D)
(shouting furiously)
Dwyer, yank Plastino off whatever (X)
he's doing and get him up here!
Come on, people, move Move MOVE! (X)
It's called 'news' because we get
it before anybody else!
CUT TO:
23 EXTREME CLOSEUP - THE STAR BOMB 23
The Star Bomb silently counts down. It's in a dark space.
CUT TO:
24 EXT. METROPOLIS NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM - AFTERNOON 24
MRS. HOFAKER, a teacher in her 40's, sits on the steps on
the museum with twenty kids from her 2nd Grade Class, having
lunch. They sit under one of the two statues positioned on
the steps. Every single kid seems to wear a backpack or
have one near him.
There's a WHOOSH and a swirling of lunch bags and napkins
and Superman JUMPS IN to a landing. The kids all oooh and
ahhh excitedly.
MRS. HOFAKER
Superman!
SUPERMAN
You've got to leave immediately.
There may be a bomb.
LITTLE GIRL
Cool!
LITTLE BOY
I want to stay!
Superman quickly X-RAYS the area and finds the backpack with
something suspicious in it. He wades through the kids and
rips it open.
MRS. HOFAKER
Is that the bomb?!
There's a jumble of electronic parts and another note.
SUPERMAN
It's not here.
Mrs. Hofaker sags in relief. Superman reads the note.
SUPERMAN (CONT'D)
(reading aloud)
'Superman, if you're reading this,
I assume you got my message.
Here's the location of the real
bomb. It's on this micro-CD.
Unfortunately, you have to assemble
the player in time to play it. One
more minute. Good luck.'
Sarah, who's exited the museum while Superman was reading
the note, hurries up to him.
SARAH
Superman, what's going on?
SUPERMAN
A very dangerous riddle. Now if
you'll excuse me, I've got to
concentrate.
Sarah picks up the note that Superman drops as he kneels
down on the steps and immediately tries to piece the parts
together at SUPERSPEED.
LITTLE BOY
Can we help?
LITTLE GIRL
I can do my Four Times Table; wanna
hear? Four times one is four.
Four times two is eight. Four
times three is fourteen.
LITTLE BOY
Twelve.
LITTLE GIRL
No, it's not!
SUPERMAN
Kids!
They stop and look at Superman, who glances back at what
he's just built. It looks like a jumbled Walkman.
LITTLE BOY
(re: the device)
That's stupid.
MRS. HOFAKER
Shhh. Stupid's not a nice word.
Superman's hands BLUR again, rebuilding the device.
CUT TO
25 SOMEWHERE DARK 25
The Star-Bomb continues counting down. It seems stuck to
the ceiling of someplace.
CUT TO:
26 EXT. METROPOLIS MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY - DAY 26
This time it looks like a smashed mass of electronic
spaghetti. The micro-CD won't fit anywhere.
SARAH
Oh, dear.
She looks like she's about to say more, but then restrains
herself. Anxious, Superman takes a deep breath and starts
again. His hands BLUR and this time he produces something
plausible. He slips the micro-CD in and pushes a button.
A VOICE
'Congratulations. Hope it's not
too late. Here's another puzzle:
Twice the square root of Holst is
where you start. Cary Grant knew
the direction. Patrick Henry.'
MRS. HOFAKER
That's it?
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Yellow Rev. 3/14/96 23.
24 CONTINUED: 2 24
LITTLE BOY
Twelve.
LITTLE GIRL
No, it's not!
SUPERMAN
Kids!
They stop and look at Superman, who glances back at what
he's just built. It looks like a jumbled Walkman.
LITTLE BOY
(re: the device)
That's stupid.
MRS. HOFAKER
Shhh. Stupid's not a nice word.
Superman's hands BLUR again, rebuilding the device.
CUT TO
25 SOMEWHERE DARK 25
The Star Bomb continues counting down. It seems stuck to
the ceiling of someplace.
CUT TO:
26 EXT. METROPOLIS MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY - DAY 26
This time it looks like a smashed mass of electronic
spaghetti. The micro-CD won't fit anywhere.
SARAH
Oh, dear.
She looks like she's about to say more, but then restrains
herself. Anxious, Superman takes a deep breath and starts
again. His hands BLUR and this time he produces something
plausible. He slips the micro-CD in and pushes a button.
CHING (V.O.)
(slightly disguised)
'Congratulations. But the bomb's (X)
still ticking. Here's another (X)
puzzle: Twice the square root of
Holst is where you start. Cary
Grant knew the direction. Patrick
Henry.'
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Yellow Rev. 3/14/96 23A.
26 CONTINUED: 26
MRS. HOFAKER
That's it?
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 24.
26 CONTINUED: 26
Superman glances at Sarah.
SARAH
Don't look at me, I can't even do
crosswords.
SUPERMAN
(thinking aloud)
Okay. The only Holst I know of is
Gustav Holst, the composer. He
wrote a symphony called 'The
Planets'. There are nine planets,
so the square root of nine is
three.
LITTLE BOY
I can do my Three Tables! Three
times one is three! Three times
two is -- !
MRS. HOFAKER
Not now, Sammy.
SUPERMAN
Twice three is six.
LITTLE BOY
I knew that!
SUPERMAN
But the sixth what? Or six of
what?
SARAH
It could be anything.
SUPERMAN
But if it's based on the symphony
'The Planets', the sixth planet is
Saturn.
LITTLE GIRL
Is that like the Moon?
SUPERMAN
No, Saturn has rings around it.
Superman suddenly notices the logo for the Daily Planet on a
newspaper inside a newspaper vending machine on the
sidewalk. (Or, the Planet logo on the side of the vending
machine).
SUPERMAN (CONT'D)
Just like The Daily Planet logo!
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 25.
26 CONTINUED: 2 26
WHOOSH! He jumps up out of frame. The kids all ooh and
ahhh again.
CUT TO:
27 THE STAR BOMB 27
It starts to pulse, as if agitated... or getting ready to
explode.
CUT TO:
28 EXT. DAILY PLANET - AFTERNOON 28
Jimmy runs out of the Planet with Lois's cel phone as Lois
zips around the corner in her Jeep.
JIMMY
Lois, you forgot your...!
Superman JUMPS into frame next to him.
JIMMY (CONT'D)
Superman, there's a bomb at the
Natural History Museum!
SUPERMAN
No, it's not, it's somewhere around
here.
JIMMY
What?! But Lois just --
SUPERMAN
I'll explain later.
(shifting gears)
Cary Grant was in 'North by
Northwest', right?
JIMMY
Yeah.
SUPERMAN
Was he in any other movie with
compass headings in the title? Or
was there a memorable scene where
he talked about some direction?
JIMMY
Gee, I'm not a big Cary Grant fan.
I'm more of a _Jim_ Carrey kind
of...
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Gold Rev. 3/18/96 25.
26 CONTINUED: 3 26
WHOOSH! He BLURS up out of frame. The kids all ooh and
ahhh again.
CUT TO:
27 THE STAR BOMB 27
It starts to pulse, as if agitated... or getting ready to
explode.
CUT TO:
28 EXT. DAILY PLANET - AFTERNOON 28
Jimmy, still wearing his hat, runs out of the Planet with (X)
Lois's cel phone as Lois zips around the corner in her Jeep.
JIMMY
Lois, you forgot your...!
Superman JUMPS into frame next to him.
JIMMY (CONT'D)
Superman, there's a bomb at the
Natural History Museum!
SUPERMAN
No, it's not, it's somewhere around
here.
JIMMY
What?! But Lois just --
SUPERMAN
I'll explain later.
(shifting gears)
Cary Grant was in 'North by
Northwest', right?
JIMMY
Yeah.
SUPERMAN
Was he in any other movie with
compass headings in the title? Or
was there a memorable scene where
he talked about some direction?
JIMMY
Gee, I'm not a big Cary Grant fan.
I'm more of a _Jim_ Carrey kind
of...
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 26.
28 CONTINUED: 28
SUPERMAN
Jimmy!
JIMMY
Not that I know of!
Superman positions himself under the Daily Planet sculpture
and starts walking North.
SUPERMAN
All right, north is this way.
Jimmy trails along.
SUPERMAN (CONT'D)
And Patrick Henry? What? A
patriot, the Revolutionary war...
JIMMY
'Give me liberty or give me death.'
SUPERMAN
And death is what'll happen if we
don't find that bomb. So, what's
'liberty?'
JIMMY
Freedom? Escape? Get Out of Jail
Free Card?
Superman shoots him a quick glare. He looks around,
thinking aloud.
SUPERMAN
Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.
Suddenly, his eyesight zeroes in on something. SUPERCLOSEUP
a round, decorative concrete planter on the sidewalk. (The
type that's three feet across, small plants in the top,
looks like it would weigh 500 hundred pounds). Stamped near
the base it reads "LIBERTY MFG." Superman dashes over,
lifts and turns over the planter as easily as if it were
made of styrofoam... revealing the bomb attached inside its
hollowed out center. The timer is down to 2 seconds. He
flicks the planter straight up and it disappears in a BLUR.
A second later, from high high up we hear a BOOM! and the
echoes of the blast like distant thunder.
JIMMY
Oh! I just remembered! Cary Grant
was also in 'Destination Tokyo'.
SUPERMAN
(smiling)
Thanks, Jimmy.
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Gold Rev. 3/18/96 26.
28 CONTINUED: 28
SUPERMAN
Jimmy!
JIMMY
Not that I know of!
Superman positions himself under the Daily Planet sculpture
and starts walking North.
SUPERMAN
All right, north is this way.
Jimmy trails along.
SUPERMAN (CONT'D)
And Patrick Henry? What? A
patriot, the Revolutionary war...
JIMMY
'Give me liberty or give me death.'
SUPERMAN
And death is what'll happen if we
don't find that bomb. So, what's
liberty'?
JIMMY
Freedom? Escape? Get Out of Jail
Free Card?
Superman shoots him a quick glare. He looks around,
thinking aloud.
SUPERMAN
Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.
Suddenly, his eyesight zeroes in on something. SUPERCLOSEUP
a round sewer cover. Stamped on it are the words "LIBERTY
MFG." Superman dashes over, lifts up the cover as easily as
if it were made of styrofoam... revealing the bomb attached
underneath. The timer is down to 2 seconds. He plucks off
the bomb and throws it straight up and it disappears in a
BLUR. A second later, from high high up we hear a BOOM! and
the echoes of the blast like distant thunder.
JIMMY
Oh! I just remembered! Cary Grant
was also in 'Destination Tokyo'.
SUPERMAN
(smiling)
Thanks, Jimmy. By the way, nice
hat. (X)
Jimmy rolls his eyes upwards and for the first time (X)
realizes he's still wearing his flyfishing hat. He feels (X)
like a dope.
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 27.
29 CHING'S POV - SUPERMAN AND JIMMY 29
Talking on the street.
30 EXT. ALLEY - AFTERNOON 30
Unseen by Superman, Ching watches from the mouth of the
alley. As he continues to watch, Sarah walks up behind him
from inside the alley.
CHING
(clinical)
He found it just in time.
SARAH
We need to talk.
Ching turns to look at her.
31 EXT. DAILY PLANET - AFTERNOON 31
Jimmy looks at Superman.
JIMMY
Man, what kind of sick person does
something like that?
SUPERMAN
I don't --
Superman suddenly stops in mid-sentence.
32 SUPERMAN'S POV - CHING 32
Just barely sticking out past the mouth of the alley.
_Sarah cannot be seen_. Ching realizes that he's been
spotted and quickly ducks back.
33 BACK TO SUPERMAN 33
Who BLURS out of frame.
34 EXT. ALLEY - AFTERNOON 34
He BLURS to a stop at the mouth of the alley, but when he
gets there, Ching and Sarah are gone. Jimmy sprints up as
Superman looks around the alley in surprise... where could
Ching have gone.
JIMMY
Superman, what'd you see?
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 28.
34 CONTINUED: 34
SUPERMAN
Dave Miller.
JIMMY
The real estate guy? Where'd he
go?
SUPERMAN
(beat)
I don't know.
FADE OUT.
_END OF ACT TWO_
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Pink Rev. 3/11/96 28.
34 CONTINUED: 34
SUPERMAN
Dave Miller. A guy Clark told me
about. (X)
JIMMY
The real estate guy? Where'd he
go?
SUPERMAN
(beat)
I don't know.
FADE OUT.
_END OF ACT TWO_
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 29.
_ACT THREE_
FADE IN:
35 EXT. ALLEY - DAY 35
Superman and Jimmy stand in the mouth of the alley.
JIMMY
Are you sure you saw him?
SUPERMAN
I saw Dave Miller. Look, beep
Lois and Clark and tell them to
meet me at the house they went to
this morning. I want to see if
there're any clues they might've
overlooked.
JIMMY
You got it.
He starts to back away and there's an OFF SCREEN Whoosh and
Jimmy enviously shakes his head as he watches Superman go.
JIMMY (CONT'D)
Up, up and awayyyy.
He turns and jogs towards the Planet.
CUT TO:
36 INT. DARK, SPOOKY VOID - AFTERNOON (AS IF WE COULD TELL) 36
Sarah paces as Ching sits at the same table we saw when he
was building the bomb. The strange MUSIC plays in the
background. A small plate is before Ching, the remnants of
a meager, ascetic meal on it. A short, tubular glass of
water is next to the plate. Sarah's food and glass are
untouched.
SARAH
The bomb almost exploded.
CHING
Correction. It did explode, but
your able-bodied friend managed to
toss it into the ionosphere in
another modest display of strength.
SARAH
He's not my 'friend'.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Gold Rev. 3/18/96 29.
_ACT THREE_
FADE IN:
35 EXT. ALLEY - DAY 35
Superman and Jimmy stand in the mouth of the alley.
JIMMY
Are you sure you saw him?
SUPERMAN
Absolutely. Look, beep Lois and
Clark and tell them to meet me at
the house they went to this
morning. I want to see if there're
any clues they or the guys from (X)
Star Labs might've overlooked. (X)
JIMMY
You got it.
He starts to back away and there's an OFF SCREEN Whoosh and
Jimmy checks his watch. He shakes his head and whistles. (X)
JIMMY (CONT'D)
(to himself) (X)
Time to rock. (X)
He turns and jogs towards the Planet.
CUT TO:
36 INT. DARK, SPOOKY VOID - AFTERNOON (AS IF WE COULD TELL) 36
Sarah paces as Ching sits at the same table we saw when he
was building the bomb. The strange MUSIC plays in the
background. A small plate is before Ching, the remnants of
a meager, ascetic meal on it. A short, tubular glass of
water is next to the plate. Sarah's food and glass are
untouched.
SARAH
The bomb almost exploded.
CHING
Correction. It did explode, but
your able-bodied friend managed to
toss it into the ionosphere in
another modest display of strength.
SARAH
He's not my 'friend'.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 30.
36 CONTINUED: 36
CHING
No, no, you're right. Perhaps
friend is too mild a word. Perhaps
your feelings are stronger. How
else could you explain that when he
tempts you with a donut you
succumb?
SARAH
Who had a cappuccino?
CHING
(stiffly)
I didn't enjoy that.
SARAH
Ching, you're being ridiculous.
You know where my feelings lie.
Ching points at her earrings.
CHING
Really? What about these... these
ear adornments!? And these
clothes? And...
(he sniffs, then
wrinkles his nose)
... you're wearing chemical
compounds!
SARAH
Everyone does. It's harmless. It
means nothing.
CHING
What's next, liposuction? It must
mean something otherwise _you_
wouldn't take the time to seek it
out and apply it. I suppose _he_
likes it.
Ching touches Sarah on the forearm as she was about to turn
away. She jerks it away.
SARAH
You forget yourself.
CHING
(pissed)
On the contrary, _you_ have
forgotten who _you_ are. And why
we are here. What about all those
who depend on us?
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Blue Blue 3/25/96 30.
36 CONTINUED: 36
CHING
No, no, you're right. Maybe (X)
friend is too mild a word. Maybe (X)
your feelings are stronger. How
else could you explain that when he
tempts you with a donut you give (X)
in?
SARAH
Who had a cappuccino?
CHING
(stiffly)
I didn't enjoy that.
SARAH
Ching, you're being ridiculous.
You know where my feelings lie.
Ching points at her earrings.
CHING
Really? What about these... these
ear adornments!? And these
clothes? And...
(he sniffs, then
wrinkles his nose)
... you're wearing chemical
compounds!
SARAH
Everyone does. It's harmless. It
means nothing.
CHING
What's next, liposuction? It must
mean something otherwise _you_
wouldn't take the time to 'go (X)
shopping' and use it. I suppose (X)
he likes it.
Ching touches Sarah on the forearm as she was about to turn
away. She jerks it away.
SARAH
You forget yourself.
CHING
(pissed)
On the contrary, _you've_ (X)
forgotten who _you_ are. And why
we're here. (X)
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 31.
36 CONTINUED: 2 36
CHING (CONT'D)
While you've been indulging
yourself, I have been pushing ahead
to complete our plan.
SARAH
(flaring)
And you're pushing too hard.
CHING
_Life_ is _hard_. _Our life is_
_hard_. People may die, but
remember our goal.
He stares at Sarah. She meets his eyes.
SARAH
(beat; a shade of
sadness)
I remember.
There is a further beat of awkwardness between them, then
Sarah slowly swims out of it. She seems to steel herself
for a hard task she must face.
CHING
Good, then I suggest we should
proceed.
Sarah nods slightly in agreement.
CHING (CONT'D)
We know his strength and
intelligence, now we shall plumb
the depths of his soul.
He picks up a small, thin glass and toasts.
CHING (CONT'D)
(in a foreign language)
L'ete ve'me com emmeg. Ozemo ta'me
com, l'ete. Leo ze'me com ozemo.
SUBTITLED ON SCREEN: "The Code before nation. Nation before
family. Family before self."
Sarah raises her glass.
SARAH
(same foreign language)
Leo ze'me com ozemo.
SUBTITLED ON SCREEN: "Family before self."
They both drink.
CUT TO:
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Blue Rev. 3/8/96 31.
36 CONTINUED: 2 36
CHING (CONT'D)
While you've been indulging
yourself, I have been pushing ahead
to complete our plan.
SARAH
(flaring)
And you're pushing too hard.
CHING
_Life_ is _hard_. _Our life is_
_hard_. People may die, but
remember our goal.
He stares at Sarah. She meets his eyes.
SARAH
(beat; a shade of
sadness)
I remember.
There is a further beat of awkwardness between them, then
Sarah slowly swims out of it. She seems to steel herself
for a hard task she must face.
CHING
Good, then I suggest we should
proceed.
Sarah nods slightly in agreement.
CHING (CONT'D)
We know his strength and
intelligence, now we'll see where (X)
his heart really lies.
He picks up a small, thin glass and toasts.
CHING (CONT'D)
(in a foreign language)
L'ete ve'me com emmeg. Ozemo ta'me
com l'ete. Leo ze'me com ozemo.
SUBTITLED ON SCREEN: "The Code before nation. Nation before
family. Family before self."
Sarah raises her glass.
SARAH
(same foreign language)
Leo ze'me com ozemo.
SUBTITLED ON SCREEN: "Family before self."
They both drink.
CUT TO:
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 32.
37 EXT. BACKYARD - 3015 CHARLOTTE DRIVE - AFTERNOON 37
Clark stands near the satellite dish as we hear a car door
SLAM and Lois appears, striding around the corner.
LOIS
So you think you saw Dave Miller in
the alley?
CLARK
Yes, but when I got there, he was
gone.
(holds up a hand)
Don't ask me, he just was.
LOIS
So what are we looking for?
CLARK
Anything unusual, no matter how
unimportant it seems.
LOIS
Roger...
She starts hunting around the yard as Clark slowly
approaches the satellite dish. He quickly checks to make
sure no neighbors are looking, then he X-RAYS the whole
thing. They talk throughout.
LOIS (CONT'D)
... but one thing's been bugging
me. What's in it for Dave Miller?
Why would he do all this? The
space station was a self-correcting
disaster.
CLARK
But the bomb in the planter wasn't.
Lois just shrugs; she doesn't have an answer for that.
Clark finishes x-raying and shakes his head.
CLARK (CONT'D)
El zippo.
(looks at Lois)
It's definitely strange. For a
moment I thought they might've been
attempts to get me out of the way
so some other crimes could be
committed, but nothing's happened.
LOIS
Or been reported.
(Clark nods)
It's almost like you're being
tested.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Pink Rev. 3/11/96 32.
37 EXT. BACKYARD - 3015 CHARLOTTE DRIVE - AFTERNOON 37
Clark stands near the satellite dish as we hear a car door
SLAM and Lois appears, striding around the corner.
LOIS
Okay, I'll bite, why would Dave
Miller have been lurking in the
alley?
CLARK
You've got me; but if he _is_
connected to the space station and
the bombing, he's either crazy, or
really smart.
LOIS.
Or worse... a really smart madman.
(looks around)
So what are we looking for?
CLARK
Anything unusual, no matter how
unimportant it seems.
She starts hunting around the yard as Clark slowly
approaches the satellite dish.
LOIS
(thinking aloud)
All right, let's assume the worst
case scenario: he's a really smart
madman. This has got to be
something big. Here's a guy who
can out-think the space program...
CLARK
... and is willing to risk hundreds
of lives.
LOIS
But why would he do all this? The
space station was a bluff...
CLARK
The bomb under that manhole cover (X)
wasn't a bluff.
Lois just shrugs; she doesn't have an answer for that.
Clark X-RAYS the satellite dish, then shakes his head.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 33.
37 CONTINUED: 37
CLARK
Or set up for something bigger.
LOIS
(pointing)
Here's a dime. We can use it
towards a downpayment.
Clark decides this is the opportunity he's been waiting for
to blurt out his happy secret.
CLARK
Speaking of money, I made a deposit
on this house today.
LOIS
(smiling)
Very funny.
CLARK
No, I'm serious.
LOIS
Clark, are you out of your mind?!
CLARK
(defensive)
Wait a minute! You're the one
who's always telling me to be
spontaneous! You know, 'take a
chance!' Carpe diem! Seize the
day!
LOIS
(backpedaling)
Sure, but that's about little
things, like brown shoes with a
grey suit! Or coleslaw on a
pastrami sandwich. But not this!
This is huge! This is colossal!
This is a life altering decision
that could have repercussions for
decades!
CLARK
Are we talking about more than
buying a house here?
LOIS
Yes! You made a downpayment on the
assumption that --
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Pink Rev. 3/11/96 33.
37 CONTINUED: 37
CLARK
El zippo.
(looks at Lois)
It's definitely strange. For a
moment I thought they might've been
attempts to get me out of the way
so some other crimes could be
committed, but nothing's happened.
LOIS
It's... almost like you're being...
tested.
CLARK
Or set up for something bigger.
(beat; mulls)
Yeah. Definitely. Something
bigger.
LOIS
(pointing)
Here's a dime. We can use it
towards a down payment.
Clark decides this is the opportunity he's been waiting for
to blurt out his happy secret.
CLARK
Speaking of money, I was thinking (X)
of making an offer on this house (X)
today.
LOIS
(smiling)
Very funny.
CLARK
No, I'm serious.
LOIS
What?
CLARK
You're happy, right? That's your
happy look, right? _Surprised_,
but happy...
LOIS
Clark, are you out of your mind?!
(X)
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 34.
37 CONTINUED: 2 37
CLARK
Whoa whoa whoa, Lois. It's just a
deposit, a couple thousand bucks to
hold the house for two weeks so we
can have some time to talk about
it. We can always back out.
LOIS
Great! Fine! But how do you know
I even want a house now?
CLARK
Because when we came here this
morning you said you could
definitely go for a place like
this!
LOIS
Hey, I like the Grand Canyon, but I
don't want to buy it!
(calming a bit)
Oh, Clark...
(gestures at backyard)
... look at this. It's like every
backyard I grew up in; I'm having
hot flashes just thinking about it.
The barbecue's over there, the
swing set's over here. Mom's in
the lounge chair getting drunk,
Daddy's burning steaks trying to
explain why he was kissing Mrs.
Bellcanto in the kitchen and I'm in
_hell_.
Clark comes over to comfort Lois.
CLARK
Lois, we're talking about us.
LOIS
(twisting away)
It's not just that.
CLARK
What? Are you afraid of... putting
down roots?
LOIS
(beat)
What if I am? It's just that, your
memories of growing up are so
different from mine. Your family
life was so _good_ and _nice_. I
don't know if I can give you what
you want.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Pink Rev. 3/11/96 34.
37 CONTINUED: 2 37
CLARK
(defensive)
You're the one who's always (X)
telling me to be spontaneous! You
know, 'take a chance!' Carpe diem!
Seize the day!
LOIS
(backpedaling)
Sure, but that's about little
things, like brown shoes with a
grey suit! Or coleslaw on a
pastrami sandwich. But not this!
This is huge! This is colossal!
This is a life altering decision
that could have repercussions for
decades!
CLARK
Whoa whoa whoa, Lois. I haven't
done anything yet. (X)
LOIS
How do you know I even want a (X)
house?
CLARK
This morning you said you really
liked this place.
LOIS
I really like the Grand Canyon, but
I don't want to buy it!
(calming a bit)
Oh, Clark...
(beat)
It's just such a big step. You
know?
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 35.
37 CONTINUED: 3 37
Clark pulls Lois close and this time she doesn't pull away.
CLARK
Lois, you've already given me what
I want. You. I don't care if we
live in a yurt, as long as we're
together.
Lois wraps her arms around Clark's neck and they kiss. She
suddenly pulls back, her mind still partially spinning over
the whole idea of buying this house.
LOIS
And besides, do you really want to
buy this house? A place from
where some bad guy nearly crashed
the space station? What's next, we
find out it's built over an Indian
graveyard?!
Clark smiles and holds up his hands in mock surrender.
CLARK
All right. I apologize. Maybe I
was a little hasty. So let's drop
it for now and get back to work.
LOIS
And that money's definitely
refundable?
CLARK
Lois...
LOIS
Just checking.
Her mind still on money, she stoops to pick up the dime she
saw earlier, but when she does, she frowns in surprise.
LOIS (CONT'D)
Clark, look. It's not a dime at
all.
CLARK
It's a micro-transmitter.
LOIS
Then this is what Dr. Klein homed
in on. The satellite dish was a
decoy.
CLARK
He did say plus or minus six feet.
Let me see.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Blue Rev. 3/8/96 35.
37 CONTINUED: 4 37
CLARK
I just... thought, after we got (X)
married, we'd wanna put down (X)
roots. (X)
(off her nervous look) (X)
Lois...?
LOIS
I just don't know... if I'm gonna
be very good at that. (X)
He watches her, puzzled by her reaction. She recovers,
leans down to pick up the "dime."
LOIS (CONT'D)
We'd better get back to work. So
far my search has turned up one... (X)
(stares at it) (X)
Clark, look. It's not a dime at
all.
CLARK
It's a micro-transmitter.
LOIS
Then this is what Dr. Klein homed
in on. The satellite dish was a
decoy.
CLARK
He did say plus or minus six feet.
Let me see.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 36.
37 CONTINUED: 4 37
Lois drops the micro-transmitter into Clark's hand. As soon
as it touches him, a hologram of the black body-suited
Ching springs up. Both Clark and Lois jump back in
surprise.
CHING HOLOGRAM
Finally, it's about time you found
this, Superman. Or should I say
Super-slow-man? Wait, don't
answer. I just wanted to say
'Hello' and tell you that you'll be
seeing a lot more of me soon. The
best... and worst... are yet to
come. Farewell.
The hologram snaps out of existence. Lois and Clark look at
each other.
CUT TO:
38 EXT. KENTS' UTILITY SHED - SMALLVILLE - AFTERNOON 38
JONATHAN and MARTHA emerge from the shed, carrying old,
empty milking cans, two long fluorescent tubes, and some
electrical wire. They both turn back as Jonathan locks the
door.
MARTHA
These'll be perfect for my modern
sculpture class.
JONATHAN
But how're you going to light up
both of them?
MARTHA
(smiling)
I haven't figured that part out
yet.
They turn around and suddenly there is a person standing
there who hadn't been there a moment before: it's Ching. He
wears jeans and a flannel shirt over his black body suit.
CHING
(smiling)
Mr. and Mrs. Kent?
JONATHAN
Yes?
Ching holds out his hand.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Gold Rev. 3/18/96 36.
37 CONTINUED: 4 37
Lois drops the micro-transmitter into Clark's hand. As soon
as it touches him, a _hologram_ of Ching's face and head
springs up. Both Clark and Lois jump back in surprise.
CHING HOLOGRAM
Finally, it's about time you found
this, Superman. Or should I say
Super-slow-man? Wait, don't
answer. I just wanted to say
'Hello' and tell you that you'll be
seeing a lot more of me soon. The
best... and worst... are yet to
come. Farewell.
The hologram snaps out of existence. Lois and Clark look at
each other.
CUT TO:
38 OMITTED 38
38A EXT. SMALL FISHING CABIN - AFTERNOON 38A
Perry and Jimmy, in full flyfishing gear, emerge from the (X)
cabin with their rods and creels. Perry shows Jimmy a fly. (X)
PERRY
Now this here is a wooly coachman, (X)
also known as a goopie worm. (X)
JIMMY
And fish actually eat these? (X)
Perry turns to lock the door. Jimmy turns with him. (X)
PERRY
Faster than you can say 'trout (X)
almondine'.
They turn back around and suddenly there is a person (X)
standing there who hadn't been there a moment before: it's
Ching. He wears jeans and a flannel shirt.
CHING
(smiling)
Mr. White? Mr. Olsen? (X)
PERRY
Yes? (X)
Ching holds out his hand.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 37.
38 CONTINUED: 38
CHING
I'm Dave Miller.
As they all shake, Ching's eyes go hard.
CUT TO:
39 INT. STAR LABS - DAY 39
Dr. Klein stands in front of a computer keyboard and monitor
hooked up to a sophisticated microscope. Lois and Clark
watch from behind him.
DR. KLEIN
I've gotta tell you it's like
nothing I've ever seen.
We see the interior of the micro-transmitter on the computer
monitor. The magnification of the circuitry is so great
we're almost down to the atomic level, and yet still we see
wiring.
DR. KLEIN (CONT'D)
Whoever built this is a genius.
I'm down to almost the atomic-level
and there's still circuitry. Oh...
hold on... there seems to be some
lettering here...
On the monitor screen, as Klein works the mouse and the
picture seems to pan across the circuitry, we slowly reveal
the words "CHING CO."
CLARK
(reading)
'Ching Co.'
Lois quickly dials a phone.
LOIS
(into phone)
Jimmy! We need the address of a
company called 'Ching Co.', two
words, last's an abbreviation.
40 INT. DAILY PLANET - AFTERNOON 40
Jimmy's on the phone at his desk, his hands already flying
over the keyboard of his computer.
JIMMY
If you hold a sec, I'll try to find
it now.
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Gold Rev. 3/18/96 37.
38A CONTINUED: 38A
CHING
I'm Dave Miller.
As they all shake, Ching's eyes go hard.
CUT TO:
39 INT. STAR LABS - DAY 39
Dr. Klein stands in front of a computer keyboard and monitor
hooked up to a sophisticated microscope. Lois and Clark
watch from behind him.
DR. KLEIN
I've gotta tell you it's like
nothing I've ever seen.
We see the interior of the micro-transmitter on the computer
monitor. The magnification of the circuitry is so great
we're almost down to the atomic level, and yet still we see
wiring.
DR. KLEIN (CONT'D)
Whoever built this is a genius.
I'm down to almost the atomic level
and there's still circuitry. Oh...
hold on... there seems to be some
lettering here...
On the monitor screen, as Klein works the mouse and the
picture seems to pan across the circuitry, we slowly reveal
the words "CHING LTD."
CLARK
(reading)
'Ching Limited.'
Lois quickly dials a phone.
LOIS
(into phone)
Hello, Roberta? We need the (X)
address of a company called 'Ching
Limited', two words, last's an
abbreviation.
(beat)
Sure, I'll hold. (X)
CLARK
Dr. Klein, is there anything else?
DR. KLEIN
No, but if I find more, I'll call.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 38.
41 BACK TO LOIS 41
LOIS
Go for it.
CLARK
Dr. Klein, is there anything else?
DR. KLEIN
No, but if I find more, I'll call.
CLARK
Thanks.
JIMMY
Ask and ye shall receive! Ching
Co. is at Four-seventy-three
Barreto. Suite One-Oh-Six.
LOIS
Got it!
(to Clark)
Let's go pay'em a visit.
They dash out.
CUT TO:
42 EXT. 473 BARRETO - A BROWNSTONE - DAY 42
Lois and Clark pull up in Lois's Jeep and jump out. They
take the steps two at a time.
43 INT. SUITE 106 - DAY 43
Ching, in his black body suit, sits alone on a metal folding
chair in the middle of an empty apartment. He watches two
television sets; their sound is turned off. We CAN'T see
what's on them. The doorbell rings.
CHING
(without looking)
It's open.
Lois and Clark cautiously enter.
CHING (CONT'D)
Good. You're here. Now the real
fun begins.
LOIS
Listen, Miller, or whoever you are,
if we don't get some answers,
Superman's going to come through
that door in about two seconds.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Gold Rev. 3/18/96 38.
39 CONTINUED: 39
CLARK
Thanks.
LOIS
(listens to phone) (X)
Yes!
(grabs pen, writes) (X)
Four-seventy-three Barreto. Suite
One-Oh-Six. Got it! Thanks! (X)
(to Clark)
Let's go pay'em a visit.
They dash out.
CUT TO:
40 40
THRU OMITTED THRU
41 41
42 EXT. 473 BARRETO - A BROWNSTONE - DAY 42
Lois and Clark pull up in Lois's Jeep and jump out. They
take the steps two at a time.
43 INT. SUITE 106 - DAY 43
Ching, in a black commando-type outfit, sits alone on a
metal folding chair in the middle of an empty apartment. He
watches two television sets; their sound is turned off. We
CAN'T see what's on them. The doorbell rings.
CHING
(without looking)
It's open.
Lois and Clark cautiously enter.
CHING (CONT'D)
Good. You're here. Now the real
fun begins.
LOIS
Listen, Miller, or whoever you are,
if we don't get some answers,
Superman's going to come through
that door in about two seconds.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 39.
43 CONTINUED: 43
CHING
Oh, really? One. Two.
Nothing happens.
CHING (CONT'D)
Oops, did I miss him? Or perhaps
you were exaggerating a bit? I
guess we'll have to go on without
him then.
He gestures at the TVs. For the first time, Lois and Clark
notice what's on the screens.
44 CLARK'S POV - THE TWO TV SCREENS 44
on one we see Jonathan and Martha tied up outside their
utility shed, a larger, more sophisticated Star Bomb next to
them than the one we saw Superman dispose of earlier. On
the second screen, another Star Bomb that is the twin to the
one next to the Kents. This one on the patio outside
Clark's apartment.
45 BACK TO SCENE 45
CLARK
No!
CHING
Now here's the interesting dilemma:
the two bombs are electronically
linked. Stop one, the other one
goes off. Separate them, say by
throwing one into space, the other
one goes off. So... do you save
Metropolis, or your parents? What
do you say, Clark... or should I
say, Superman?
Clark grabs Ching by the neck, but Ching remains completely
relaxed.
CLARK
Why are you doing this?!
SARAH (O.S.)
Because we need to know.
Lois and Clark turn to see Sarah in a black body suit
identical to Ching's; she's been hiding it under her regular
clothes all along.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Gold Rev. 3/18/96 39.
43 CONTINUED: 43
CHING
Oh, really? One. Two.
Nothing happens.
CHING (CONT'D)
Oops, did I miss him? Or perhaps
you were exaggerating a bit? I
guess we'll have to go on without
him then.
He gestures at the TVs. For the first time, Lois and Clark
notice what's on the screens.
44 CLARK'S POV - THE TWO TV SCREENS 44
On one we see Perry and Jimmy tied up outside their cabin, (X)
a larger, more sophisticated Star Bomb next to them than the
one we saw Superman dispose of earlier. On the second
screen, another Star Bomb that is the twin to the one at the
cabin. This one on the patio outside Clark's apartment. (X)
45 BACK TO SCENE 45
CLARK
No!
CHING
Now here's an interesting problem:
the two bombs are electronically
linked. Stop one, the other one
goes off. Separate them, say by
throwing the one at your apartment
into space, the other one goes off.
So... do you save Metropolis, or
White and Olsen? What do you say, (X)
Clark... or should I say, Superman?
Lois reacts and looks at Clark, but Clark's surprise is
quickly overshadowed by his anger. Clark grabs Ching by the
neck, but Ching remains completely relaxed.
CLARK
Why are you doing this?!
SARAH (O.S.)
Because we need to know.
Lois and Clark turn to see Sarah.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 40.
45 CONTINUED: 45
LOIS
Sarah! What're you doing here?
What do you need to know?
CHING
(to Clark)
Thirty seconds. Now is not the
time to really dawdle. Do you save
two people you love dearly, or a
million strangers?
LOIS
It's not fair! You can't make him
choose!
Ching glances at Sarah and then turns his gaze back to
Clark.
CHING
People have to make choices all the
time. Low-fat or regular? Calvin
Klein or Versace?
(to Clark)
Life, or death? What'll it be?
CLARK
Stop the bombs!
CHING
Did you just think of that? That's
good, but, I can't.
LOIS
Nobody can be in two places at
once, held have to split himself in
two!
Clark suddenly looks at Lois, she's given him an idea.
WHOOSH! He blurs out of the apartment.
46 EXT. CLARK'S PATIO - DAY 46
Superman leaps in and inspects the Star Bomb. It's exactly
as Ching said.
47 TV MONITOR - IN SUITE 106 47
We see Superman leap out.
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Gold Rev. 3/18/96 40.
45 CONTINUED: 45
LOIS
Sarah! What're you doing here?
What do you need to know?
CHING
(to Clark)
Thirty seconds. Now is not the
time to really dawdle. Do you save
two people you care about a great
deal, or a million strangers? (X)
LOIS
It's not fair! You can't make him
choose!
Ching glances at Sarah and then turns his gaze back to
Clark.
CHING
People have to make choices all the
time. Low-fat or regular? Calvin
Klein or Versace?
(to Clark)
Life, or death? What'll it be?
CLARK
Stop the bombs!
CHING
Did you just think of that? That's
good, but, I can't.
LOIS
Nobody can be in two places at
once, he'd have to split himself in
two!
Clark suddenly looks at Lois, she's given him an idea.
WHOOSH! He blurs out of the apartment.
46 EXT. CLARK'S PATIO - DAY 46
Superman leaps in and inspects the Star Bomb. It's exactly
as Ching said.
47 TV MONITOR - IN SUITE 106 47
We see Superman leap out.
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 41.
48 INT. STAR LABS - DAY 48
Dr. Klein putters on the laser beam splitting experiment.
WHOOSH! there's a blue and red BLUR and suddenly the beam
splitter is gone and Dr. Klein is staring at a note suddenly
taped before him.
DR. KLEIN
(startled, reads note)
'Sorry, I need to borrow this.
Superman.'
(beat)
'P.S. Thank you.'
49 INT. SUITE 106 - DAY 49
Lois is frantic.
LOIS
Why are you doing this?! It's
insane!
CHING
No, it's a test. And one I'm
deadly serious about.
SARAH
And now we know the answer! He's
trying to save Metropolis. We can
stop.
She reaches behind one of the TV's and pulls out a small
transmitter. Ching suddenly grabs it from her and crushes
it, he throws the pieces to the floor.
CHING
No! We need to see it through! We
have to know, _absolutely_.
50 EXT. SKY - DAY 50
Superman streaks upwards, carrying the laser beam splitter.
He suddenly stops, looks down to his left and right, and
then positions the beam splitter in front of and slightly
below his face. With all his strength he beams his HEAT
VISION into it. It emerges from the other end split in two,
angling off to the left and right, lancing towards the
ground.
51 EXT. CLARK'S PATIO - DAY 51
One beam of Superman's HEAT VISION hits the timer just as
it's about to hit 0:00 on the Star Bomb, shorting it out and
stopping it. While at the same time...
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Yellow Rev. 3/14/96 41.
48 INT. STAR LABS - DAY 48
Dr. Klein putters on the laser beam splitting experiment.
WHOOSH! there's a blue and red BLUR and suddenly the beam
splitter is gone and Dr. Klein is staring at a note suddenly
taped before him.
DR. KLEIN
(startled, reads note)
'Sorry, I need to borrow this.
Superman.'
(beat)
'P.S. Thank you.'
49 INT. SUITE 106 - DAY 49
Lois is frantic.
LOIS
Why are you doing this?! It's
insane!
CHING
No, it's a test. And one I'm
deadly serious about.
SARAH
And now we know the answer! He's
trying to save Metropolis. We can
stop.
She reaches into a drawer and pulls out a small (X)
transmitter. Ching suddenly grabs it from her and crushes
it, he throws the pieces to the floor.
CHING
No! We need to see it through! We
have to know, _absolutely_.
50 EXT. SKY - DAY 50
Superman streaks upwards, carrying the laser beam splitter.
He suddenly stops, looks down to his left and right, and
then positions the beam splitter in front of and slightly
below his face. With all his strength he beams his HEAT
VISION into it. It emerges from the other end split in two,
angling off to the left and right, lancing towards the
ground.
51 EXT. CLARK'S PATIO - DAY 51
One beam of Superman's HEAT VISION hits the timer just as
it's about to hit 0:00 on the Star Bomb, shorting it out and
stopping it. While at the same time...
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 42.
52 EXT. KENTS' UTILITY SHED - DAY 52
The other beam of Superman's HEAT VISION has done the same
exact thing to the timer on the Star Bomb next to the Kents.
When they hear the fizz of the timer shorting, they
flinch... and then relax.
53 INT. SUITE 106 - DAY 53
Lois sees both bombs defuse.
LOIS
Yes!
Sarah beams in spite of herself.
SARAH
He did it!
Ching glares at her.
54 EXT. KENTS' UTILITY SHED - DAY 54
Superman JUMPS into the frame, still carrying the beam
splitter. He quickly unties, his parents.
SUPERMAN
Mom, Dad, are you guys okay?
JONATHAN
Now we are. But that was a little
more excitement than I think we'd
normally care for.
SUPERMAN
Don't worry, you're not the only
ones in for some excitement. Mom,
can you hold this for a second?
He jumps out of frame. Martha studies the beam splitter.
MARTHA
Hmmph, I think I can use this in my
class.
55 INT. SUITE 106 - DAY 55
Lois looks at Sarah.
LOIS
Sarah, I don't understand. Why'd
you do this? What's going on?
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Gold Rev. 3/18/96 42.
52 EXT. SMALL FISHING CABIN - DAY 52(X)
The other beam of Superman's HEAT VISION has done the same
exact thing to the timer on the Star Bomb next to Perry and
Jimmy. When they hear the fizz of the timer shorting, they (X)
flinch... and then relax.
53 INT. SUITE 106 - DAY 53
Lois sees both bombs defuse.
LOIS
Yes!
Sarah beams in spite of herself.
SARAH
He did it!
Ching glares at her.
54 EXT. SMALL FISHING CABIN - DAY 54(X)
Superman JUMPS into the frame, still carrying the beam
splitter. He quickly unties Perry and Jimmy. (X)
SUPERMAN
Jimmy, Perry are you guys okay? (X)
PERRY
We are now. But that was a little (X)
more excitement than I normally (X)
have on a fishing trip. (X)
SUPERMAN
Don't worry, you're not the only
ones in for some excitement.
Jimmy, can you hold this for a (X)
second? Gotta fly! (X)
He jumps out of frame. Jimmy studies the beam splitter. (X)
JIMMY
(hopeful) (X)
Maybe we better cancel, huh? (X)
PERRY
Nonsense! There's a steelhead out (X)
there with your name on it! Come (X)
on!
As they head off, we...
CUT TO:
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 43.
55 CONTINUED: 55
SARAH
I... I can't explain now.
Ching suddenly wheels on Lois.
CHING
You! You gave him the idea! He
would've failed if you hadn't been
here!
(to Sarah)
Come on. We've got to leave. Now!
Lois grabs him by the arm.
LOIS
Wait a minute!
Ching casually flicks his arm out like he was shaking off
raindrops. Lois flies back and slams against the wall,
hard. She slumps over onto the floor, dazed.
CHING
As another block of muscle once
said, 'Hasta la vista, baby.'
Ching chuckles and he and Sarah dash out of frame.
FADE OUT.
_END OF ACT THREE_
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Pink Rev. 3/11/96 43.
55 INT. SUITE 106 - DAY 55
Ching suddenly wheels on Lois.
CHING
You! You gave him the idea! He
would've failed if you hadn't been
here!
(to Sarah)
Come on. We've got to leave. Now!
Lois grabs him by the arm.
LOIS
Wait a minute!
Ching casually flicks his arm out like he was shaking off
raindrops. Lois flies back and slams against the wall,
hard. She slumps over onto the floor, dazed.
CHING
As another block of muscle once
said, 'Hasta la vista, baby.'
Then he and Sarah dash out of frame. (X)
FADE OUT.
_END OF ACT THREE_
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 44.
_ACT FOUR_
FADE IN:
56 INT. SUITE 106 - CLOSEUP - LOIS - AFTERNOON 56
Lois lies limp on the floor, her face pressing into the
carpet. There's a WHOOSH offscreen and Superman bends down
next to her.
SUPERMAN
(alarmed)
Lois?
(beat)
Lois, can you hear me?
Lois murmurs and rolls over. Superman helps her sit up.
SUPERMAN (CONT'D)
Lois, are you okay? What happened?
Lois rubs her head.
LOIS
He threw me away. Like he was
flinging spaghetti against the wall
to see if it would stick.
(beat)
It was weird.
SUPERMAN
If he's that strong, he's even more
dangerous than we thought.
LOIS
No, it's not that. When I was
lying here, I had this... dream. I
was standing in the backyard of a
house, wearing an apron and a
chef's hat, barbecuing hamburgers,
my legs growing into the ground,
and all I kept saying was 'I am not
an oak; I am a free man!'
Superman looks at her a beat.
SUPERMAN
Maybe you better lie back down.
CUT TO:
57 INT. DARK, SPOOKY VOID - AFTERNOON 57
Ching and Sarah are arguing.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Yellow Rev. 3/14/96 44.
_ACT FOUR_
FADE IN:
56 INT. SUITE 106 - CLOSEUP - LOIS - AFTERNOON 56
Lois lies limp on the floor, her face pressing into the
carpet. There's a WHOOSH offscreen and Superman bends down
next to her.
SUPERMAN
(alarmed)
Lois?
(beat)
Lois, can you hear me?
Lois murmurs and rolls over. Superman helps her sit up.
SUPERMAN (CONT'D)
Lois, are you okay?
Lois rubs her head.
LOIS
He knew you were Superman.
SUPERMAN
I know, but don't ask me how. And
what's _Sarah_ have to do with
this? (X)
(concerned)
What happened after I left?
LOIS
He threw me away. Like he was
flinging spaghetti against the wall
to see if it would stick.
(beat)
It was weird.
SUPERMAN
If he's that strong, he's even more
dangerous than we thought.
LOIS
(still fuzzy) (X)
No, it's not that. When I was
lying here, I had this... dream. I
was standing in the backyard of a
house, wearing a chef's hat,
barbecuing burgers, my legs turning
into roots and growing into the
ground... And I kept yelling 'I am
not an oak; I am free!'
Superman looks at her a beat.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Blue Rev. 3/8/96 44A.
56 CONTINUED: 56
SUPERMAN
Maybe you better lie back down.
CUT TO:
57 INT. DARK, SPOOKY VOID - AFTERNOON 57
Ching and Sarah are arguing.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 45.
57 CONTINUED: 57
SARAH
_Now_ are you satisfied?!
CHING
He would've failed without Lane's
help! No doubt he would put that
ridiculous suit of his on backwards
if she wasn't around!
SARAH
Why do you keep denying what we've
both seen?!
CHING
And what was that?! Someone who
dashes about like a...
(searches for the word)
... hummingbird? Who goes from
disaster to disaster with no
principle other than to be of help?
What kind of code is that? A worm
eats dirt because that's all it
knows how to do. Yes, I admit he
has ability, but look at him!
Skulking around, wearing glasses,
when I know for a fact they are
completely unnecessary! And his
modest style of living and dress!
For whom is he pretending? Why
pretend at all?! He could rule
this world if he wanted to, and
enforce what he knew to be a better
way, and yet he refuses to.
SARAH
Perhaps there is a higher lesson
there.
Ching whirls on her, bitter. He hears the death of his
dreams in her tone of voice.
CHING
I know one lesson that I have
learned from this.
SARAH
(conciliatory)
Ching...
She reaches out to touch him.
CHING
No!
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Yellow Rev. 3/14/96 45.
57 CONTINUED: 57
SARAH
_Now_ are you satisfied?!
CHING
He would've failed without Lane's
help! No doubt he would put that
ridiculous suit of his on backwards
if she wasn't around!
SARAH
Why do you keep denying what we've
both seen?!
CHING
Because you find him worthy and I (X)
find him wanting! (X)
(searches for the word)
Yes, I admit he has ability, but (X)
look at him! Skulking around,
wearing glasses, when I know for a
fact they're completely
unnecessary! And why pretend at (X)
all?! He could rule this world if
he wanted to, and enforce what he
knew to be a better way, and yet he
refuses to.
SARAH
Perhaps there is a higher lesson
there.
Ching whirls on her, bitter. He hears the death of his
dreams in her tone of voice.
CHING
I know one lesson I've learned from
this.
SARAH
(conciliatory)
Ching...
She reaches out to touch him.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 46.
57 CONTINUED: 2 57
SARAH
Now what?
CHING
You know _exactly_ what. Or do you
need Lois Lane to come here and
help you figure it out?
(contemptuous)
This kaleidoscope of virtues, this
hyperpituitary 'Boy Scout', this
'superman', doesn't deserve what's
been handed to him! One more test,
and I'll prove it, and then you'll
see.
He looks her square in the eyes.
CHING (CONT'D)
And then you'll see.
CUT TO:
58 INT. SUITE 106 - AFTERNOON 58
The light outside is fading as dusk approaches. Lois sits
in the chair Ching once used, recovering. Superman has
spread out on top of one of the TVs the crushed pieces of
the transmitter that Ching and Sarah left behind. He
studies them intently.
LOIS
Obviously I have ambivalent
feelings about owning a house and
all that that means.
SUPERMAN
(more to himself than
Lois)
Maybe if I can reassemble this,
we'll have a way to locate Sarah
and Ching.
LOIS
I mean, you don't have to be Carl
Jung to see that in my dream.
SUPERMAN
(still working on the
gizmo)
There, that piece fits.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Yellow Rev. 3/14/96 46.
57 CONTINUED: 2 57
CHING
No! (X)
(contemptuous)
This kaleidoscope of virtues, this (X)
'superman', doesn't deserve what's
been handed to him!
(beat) (X)
And I'll prove it. (X)
Ching looks her square in the eyes. (X)
CUT TO:
58 INT. SUITE 106 - AFTERNOON 58
The light outside is fading as dusk approaches. Lois sits
in the chair Ching once used, recovering. Superman has
spread out on top of one of the TVs the crushed pieces of
the transmitter that Ching and Sarah left behind. He
studies them intently.
LOIS
Obviously I have ambivalent
feelings about owning a house and
all that that means.
SUPERMAN
Obviously.
(staring at pieces)
Maybe if I can reassemble this,
we'll have a way to locate Sarah
and Ching.
LOIS
(pacing)
... I mean I move from place to
place, take assignments all over
the world... It's like I
deliberately _run_ from putting
down roots... Like that was a _bad_
thing...
SUPERMAN
There... That piece fits...
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 47.
58 CONTINUED: 58
LOIS
But it doesn't mean I love you any
less, just because I don't want a
house.
(beat)
Does it?
SUPERMAN
(about gizmo)
No...
LOIS
(misunderstanding)
Good.
SUPERMAN
... that's not right.
LOIS
Clark, I'm talking about something
important here.
SUPERMAN
(looking up)
What? Oh. Honey, I was...
He gestures lamely towards the broken pieces.
LOIS
But doesn't buying a house scare
you?
Torn, Superman decides he had better handle this crisis
first.
SUPERMAN
Lois, maybe this house is not the
right house, but, no, I'm not
afraid.
LOIS
Sure, you say that, but how can you
know? Right now we only see each
other when we want to, but what
about when we don't? Are we each
going to have our own space? What
if you're in a bad mood, assuming
that's possible, should I go stay
in Missouri for awhile?
SUPERMAN
Lois, it's like marriage, I'm sure
there'll be hard times, but we'll
work it out.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Blue Rev. 3/8/96 47.
58 CONTINUED: 58
LOIS
Clark, I'm talking about something
important here.
SUPERMAN
(looking up)
What? Oh. Honey, I was
LOIS
When I saw that house today, it (X)
was suddenly really clear to me (X)
what you want. And I don't know (X)
if I can give you that. (X)
He puts his arms around her. (X)
SUPERMAN
Lois, you've already given me what (X)
I want. You. I don't care if we (X)
live in a house, a boxcar or a (X)
yurt, as long as we're together. (X)
LOIS
But a house is important to
you... (X)
SUPERMAN
When I was a kid, my home meant (X)
permanence... a place to be
safe. My life's so chaotic... (X)
Going from one disaster to the (X)
next.. I've always dreamed of a (X)
real... Home. (X)
She's touched; presses a hand to his cheek.
LOIS
And see, when _I_ was a kid, home
was where Mother sat in the lounge
chair, getting drunk, while Daddy (X)
burned steaks at the barbecue (X)
trying to explain why he was (X)
kissing Mrs. Bellcanto in the (X)
church parking lot... (X)
(beat)
Permanence... wasn't so permanent (X)
at my house. (X)
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 48.
58 CONTINUED: 2 58
LOIS
A house is just such a giant step;
it brings up all sorts of issues.
SUPERMAN
Lois, I'm sorry your childhood
wasn't all you wanted it to be, but
committing to buying a house
doesn't commit you to that kind of
life.
LOIS
But I'm afraid that's exactly
what'll happen.
(remembering her
childhood)
We'll always plan vacations, but
then cancel them at the last minute
because of some emergency... or
I'll get bitter because if we buy a
house now, we'll never live
overseas and work in the Paris
Bureau, or interview rebels in the
mountains of --
SUPERMAN
Lois. No one knows the future...
Then he remembers their experiences with Tempus.
SUPERMAN (CONT'D)
... at least, we don't know our
near future, but I do know I love
you. And you love me. And if
we're ever going to have a home,
and build a life there, that's the
best, and strongest, foundation we
can have.
He looks into her eyes.
SUPERMAN (CONT'D)
And I don't care if that house is
in Paris, or Sydney, or Kowloon,
but I would like to have a house
with you.
LOIS
(beat)
And I'd like to have one with you.
They kiss again.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Blue Rev. 3/8/96 48.
58 CONTINUED: 2 58
SUPERMAN
Lois. You and I are gonna be as (X)
permanent as it gets. (X)
LOIS
So I guess I might as well stop (X)
running. (X)
SUPERMAN
I won't burn the steaks, I swear. (X)
LOIS
Forget the steaks, just don't be
kissing Mrs. Bellcanto. (X)
Another kiss.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 49.
58 CONTINUED: 3 58
LOIS (CONT'D)
But let's look around a little
more, okay?
He smiles back.
SUPERMAN
Okay.
Suddenly, we hear Ching's WHISPERY voice again... he's
speaking telepathically.
CHING (V.O.)
Superman...
Superman cocks his head, surprised.
LOIS
What?
Superman gestures for quiet.
CHING (V.O.)
Yes, it's me... I'm here... at your
apartment. Don't keep me waiting.
Then his presence is gone.
LOIS
What'd you hear?
SUPERMAN
(disturbed)
A voice... in my head. He's at my
apartment.
LOIS
(beat)
Then we have to go.
Superman looks at Lois for a moment.
CUT TO:
59 EXT. CLARK'S PATIO - NIGHT #1 59
Ching and Sarah wait at the end near the door. We hear a
WHOOSH offscreen and Superman and Lois walk float down onto
the other end.
SUPERMAN
I'm going to put you away for the
rest of your life.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Pink Rev. 3/11/96 49.
58 CONTINUED: 3 58
LOIS (CONT'D)
But we can look around a little
more, first... right?
He smiles back.
SUPERMAN
Sure.
Suddenly, we hear Ching's WHISPERY voice again... he's
speaking telepathically.
CHING (V.O.)
Superman...
Superman cocks his head, surprised.
LOIS
What?
Superman gestures for quiet.
CHING (V.O.)
Yes, it's me... I'm here... at your
apartment. Don't keep me waiting.
Then his presence is gone.
LOIS
What'd you hear?
SUPERMAN
(disturbed)
A voice... in my head. He's at my
apartment.
LOIS.
(beat)
Then we have to go.
Superman looks at Lois for a moment.
CUT TO:
59 EXT. CLARK'S PATIO - NIGHT #1 59
Ching and Sarah wait at the end near the door. They both
wear sleek black outfits. We hear a WHOOSH offscreen and (X)
Superman and Lois float down onto the other end. (X)
SUPERMAN
I'm going to put you away for the
rest of your life.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 50.
59 CONTINUED: 59
CHING
That would be an extremely long
time. But before you can attempt
that, you'll have to pass one last
test. How much are you willing to
sacrifice to personally 'put me
away.'?
SUPERMAN
(hard)
Plenty.
Sarah approaches Superman and Lois, but Ching hangs back.
CHING
Bravo! That's the attitude. Then
by all means, come and get me.
Superman starts forward and BZZZZZ! A force field of
Kryptonite light springs up between Ching and Superman. A
glowing green line along the bricks and cement delineates
the large cube-shape of the forcefield around Ching. (Some
of the lines extend out of frame suggesting the huge size of
the cube). Superman recoils in pain.
CHING
Two guesses as to what this is; it
rhymes with 'Kryptonite.' Lois, no
helping.
LOIS
Turn it off!
CHING
(to Superman)
Okay, it's Kryptonite. Actually, a
Kryptonite force field. What's the
matter, Superman? Don't you still
want me?
LOIS
I'll take a piece of you.
She starts forward but Sarah restrains her.
LOIS (CONT'D)
Let go.
But she can't pull her arm free.
SARAH
He must do this alone.
Superman backs up to reduce his pain. He and Ching are
about the same distance from the force field.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Blue Rev. 3/8/96 50.
59 CONTINUED: 59
CHING
Really? How much are you willing (X)
to sacrifice to personally 'put me
away'?
SUPERMAN
(hard)
Plenty.
Sarah approaches Superman and Lois, but Ching hangs back.
CHING
Bravo! That's the attitude. Then
by all means, come and get me.
Superman starts forward and BZZZZZ! A force field of
Kryptonite light springs up between Ching and Superman. A
glowing green line along the bricks and cement delineates
the large cube-shape of the forcefield around Ching. (Some
of the lines extend out of frame suggesting the huge size of
the cube). Superman recoils in pain.
CHING
Two guesses as to what this is; it
rhymes with 'Kryptonite.' Lois, no
helping.
LOIS
Turn it off!
CHING
(to Superman)
Okay, it's Kryptonite. Actually, a
Kryptonite force field. What's the
matter, Superman? Don't you still
want me?
LOIS
I'll take a piece of you.
She starts forward but Sarah restrains her.
LOIS (CONT'D)
Let go.
But she can't pull her arm free.
SARAH
He must do this alone.
Superman backs up to reduce his pain. He and Ching are
about the same distance from the force field.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 51.
59 CONTINUED: 2 59
CHING
Good idea. Better yet, why don't
you just run away.
(to Sarah)
See? I told you.
SUPERMAN
(backing away further)
You can't hide in there forever.
CHING
I don't intend to.
He takes a step forward and seems to pinch an invisible
something from the thin silver metal cuff on the left sleeve
of his bodysuit. He rolls his hand over, palm up.
CHING (CONT'D)
Expand.
FFFFFT! Faster than the eye can see, a sleek, futuristic
handgun seemingly pops into existence in his hand.
SARAH
(alarmed)
Ching! What're you doing?!
Ching begins to sweat. Is it nerves? Or is he trying to
hide some pain? Or both?
CHING
Simple. Testing the Man of Steel.
I intend to shoot myself. Now of
course, you can try to stop me, but
to do that you'll have to pass
through the force field, which, as
you can tell, is lethal.
SARAH
Ching! I order you to stop this
now!
CHING
But I'm beyond orders.
(to Superman)
So, you can either let me die, the
man who tried to kill your parents,
plus a million or so other people,
or you can kill yourself trying to
save me. It's quite, how do you
say? ...the Gordian Knot.
LOIS
You're bluffing!
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Gold Rev. 3/18/96 51.
59 CONTINUED: 2 59
CHING
Good idea. Better yet, why don't
you just run away.
(to Sarah)
See? I told you.
SUPERMAN
(backing away further)
You can't hide in there forever.
CHING
I don't intend to.
He takes a step forward and seems to pinch an invisible
something from the thin blue-metal cuff on the left sleeve
of his bodysuit. He rolls his hand over, palm up.
CHING (CONT'D)
Expand.
FFFFFT! Faster than the eye can see, a sleek, futuristic
handgun seemingly pops into existence in his hand.
SARAH
(alarmed)
Ching! What're you doing?!
Ching begins to sweat. Is it nerves? Or is he trying to
hide some pain? Or both?
CHING
Simple. Testing the Man of Steel.
I intend to shoot myself. Now of
course, you can try to stop me, but
to do that you'll have to pass
through the force field, which, as
you can tell, is lethal.
SARAH
Ching! I order you to stop this
now!
CHING
But I'm beyond orders.
(to Superman)
So, you can either let me die, the
man who tried to kill Olsen and (X)
White, plus a million or so other (X)
people, or you can kill yourself
trying to save me. It's quite, how
do you say? ...the Gordian Knot.
LOIS
You're bluffing!
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 52.
59 CONTINUED: 3 59
CHING
I wasn't bluffing with those bombs,
was I?
He cocks the gun. Superman takes a few steps forward, but
he grunts in pain and stumbles back.
CHING (CONT'D)
Five...
SARAH
(almost crying)
Ching, don't do it!
CHING
It's the only way I can prove it,
don't you see?! Four.
He starts to raise the gun.
SARAH
I believe you!
CHING
(steeling himself)
No, you don't! Three.
The gun goes higher.
LOIS
What's killing yourself going to
prove?
CHING
That I'm right, and he's not!
(beat)
Two.
SUPERMAN
Ching, whatever it is, it can't be
worth dying for.
CHING
Oh, yes it is.
As Ching starts to pronounce the word "One", a look of
resolve and determination crosses Superman's face.
CHING SARAH
One. Nooooooo!
Superman dashes forward in SUPERSPEED as Ching pulls the
trigger. The barrier FLASHES bright green as Superman
crosses through it and we hear his scream of pain.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) Yellow Rev. 3/14/96 52.
59 CONTINUED: 3 59
CHING
I wasn't bluffing with those bombs,
was I?
He cocks the gun. Superman takes a few steps forward, but
he grunts it pain and stumbles back.
CHING (CONT'D)
Five...
SARAH
(almost crying)
Ching, don't do it!
CHING
it's the only way I can prove to
you I'm right about him!! Four. (X)
He starts to raise the gun.
SARAH
I believe you!
CHING
(steeling himself)
No, you don't! Three.
The gun goes higher.
LOIS
What's killing yourself going to
prove?
CHING
That I'm right, and he's not!
(beat)
Two.
SUPERMAN
Ching, whatever it is, it can't be
worth dying for.
CHING
Oh, yes it is.
As Ching starts to pronounce the word "One", a look of
resolve and determination crosses Superman's face.
CHING SARAH
One. Nooooooo!
EVERYTHING GOES TO SLOW MOTION: Superman dashes forward as
Ching pulls the trigger. The barrier FLASHES bright green
as Superman crosses through it and we hear his scream of
pain.
(CONTINUED)
--page break--
"THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY" (#21) C. Ruppenthal 3/5/96 53.
59 CONTINUED: 4 59
Superman deflects the gun as it fires an invisible charge
that blows a chunk of brick off the wall. He knocks Ching
aside as he crashes to the ground, grievously injured.
LOIS
Superman!
Sarah lets go as Lois rushes forward. Ching rolls to a
sitting position, surprised to be alive. He touches the
silver band on his wrist and the Kryptonite barrier
disappears. Superman is in terrible pain.
LOIS (CONT'D)
(to Ching)
Why did you do this?
Surprisingly, Ching appears equally anguished at Superman's
fate.
CHING
(faltering)
I... I...
(to Sarah)
What have I done? He _is_ the one.
Sarah leans down and places her hand on the "S" on
Superman's chest. She remains that way for a beat, then
straightens.
SARAH
He's going to make it. Come, we
must tell the others.
Ching stands and then together, they both float up and BLUR
UP and into the sky. Lois's mouth falls open. A beat
later, the pain subsides enough for Superman to open his
eyes.
SUPERMAN
Did I save him? Lois? Where'd
they go?
But Lois can only turn with widened eyes towards Superman,
FADE OUT.
Superman deflects the gun as it fires an invisible charge
that shatters a potted plant. He knocks Ching aside as he (X)
crashes to the ground, grievously injured. THE SLOW MOTION
ENDS HERE.
LOIS
Superman!
Sarah lets go as Lois rushes forward. Ching rolls to a
sitting position, surprised to be alive. He touches the
silver band on his wrist and the Kryptonite barrier
disappears. Superman is in terrible pain.
LOIS (CONT'D)
(to Ching)
Why did you do this?
Surprisingly, Ching appears equally anguished at Superman's
fate.
CHING
(faltering)
I... I...
(to Sarah)
What have I done? He _is_ the one.
Sarah leans down and places her hand on the "S" on
Superman's chest. She remains that way for a beat, then
straightens.
SARAH
He's going to make it. Come, we
must tell the others.
Ching stands and then together, they both float up and BLUR
UP and into the sky. Lois's mouth falls open. A beat
later, the pain subsides enough for Superman to open his
eyes.
SUPERMAN
Did I save him? Lois? Where'd
they go?
But Lois can only turn with widened eyes towards Superman.
FADE OUT.
TO BE CONTINUED...
![[HypnoCup] Élimination de Clark](/graph/news_icon/news_icon-93ab562db0f0329ef1031b8cf78f253e.jpg?v1){kind=icon}
![[HypnoCup] Clark en compétition dans le 3ème tour !](/graph/news_icon/news_icon-cfb55615fcdcd4242c27c8fcd3b7f915.jpg?v1){kind=icon}
