oldmankent
06-05-2006, 03:17 PM
Episode 5: “Satanic”
“Previously on Smallville”
Fast edit through several scenes from the Season 6 Episode 4 (“Seduction”).
**********
Kane: “Perhaps they are just waiting for the right moment. A moment that will prompt them to make themselves known to us. We’ll be waiting. We’ll be waiting for you to step forward. To step forward and take your rightful place.”
**********
Chloe: “What did he do to change their minds?”
Clark: “There’s a bigger question to answer.”
Everyone gives their full attention to Clark
Clark: “What is Lex’s real plan?”
**********
Lana: “Clark, I have to do this. I’m the only one who can.”
Clark: “Lana, you won’t be safe.”
Lana looks Clark in the eyes.
Lana: “Clark, since Zod came to earth none of us are safe.”
**********
Lex: “Money is not a concern. I’d like to know about the movements of these two people.”
**********
Lionel: “If you are going to play by Lex’s rules you will lose. Period. Maybe you’ll lose your life. Certainly your soul.”
**********
Jimmy: “Anyway, if I had a choice of going on an expensive dinner date with Lex Luthor or doing the laundry. I’d definitely do the laundry.”
Chloe laughs at his remark.
Jimmy: “Especially, if I was doing it with you.”
**********
Lex: “’What is it, Lana? What is it that you fear?”
**********
Rodriquez: “Let me put it this way. If I were Luthor and that was my girlfriend I’d have a serious self esteem problem. I’ve been in this business for 20 years and I’ve never heard a woman sound like that before.”
**********
Lex: “Do this one thing and you will never be alone again.”
**********
OPENING
The scene takes place in the office of the Governor of Kansas. Lex Luthor and the Governor are sitting on two chairs across from one another.
Governor: “Mr. Luthor, let me be honest. You don’t have a plan for safeguarding us. At least not a plan that I can see. Quite frankly, I’m not only surprised that the committee approved your proposal, I surprised it was approved by such an overwhelming majority. You may get the full senate to approve it. But I will not sign it. And that’s final.
Lex in a very controlled tone responds.
Lex: “I understand.”
Both men stand and shake hands. Lex will not let go of the governor’s hand. He is staring intently in his eyes. At first the governor is agitated. Then fear begins to cover his face.
Governor: “No. Please. Not my family. I can’t lose my family.”
Lex is now in control. He puts his arm around the governor’s shoulders.
Lex: “Everything’s going to be alright. Your family will be fine. Just leave it to me.”
The governor is relieved but still sobbing.
Governor: “Mr. Luthor, I don’t know how to thank you. What can I do for you in return?”
Lex is now showing his satisfied smile.
Lex: “About my proposal.
**********
OPENING CREDITS
**********
Act 1: Scene 1
The scene takes place in the office of one of the editors of the Daily Planet. Chloe and Jimmy are sitting in two chairs across the desk of the editor. The editor is seated. He is reading something. Jimmy and Chloe are waiting quietly for the editor to finish.
Editor: “This is very well written. It’s organized. It moves at a quick pace and it reaches a very exciting conclusion.”
Both Jimmy and Chloe smile at each other after hearing the editor’s words.
Editor: “There’s only one thing wrong.”
He now has the couple’s attention.
Editor: “The Daily Planet in not in the business of printing fiction.”
Jimmy: “Wait a minute. These are the conclusions we’ve come to in watching the hearings. We’ve seen how Luthor…”
Editor: “Have you been in the private meetings between Luthor and the senators?”
Chloe and Jimmy: “No.”
Editor: “Have you any evidence showing Luthor has anything other than what he’s presented to the committee?”
Chloe and Jimmy: “No.”
Editor: “Do you have any sources other than your own imaginations to support anything that you’ve said here?”
Both Chloe and Jimmy now respond dejectedly.
Chloe and Jimmy: “No.”
Editor: “That means all you have here is speculation, conjecture and innuendo. The Daily Planet does not print speculation, conjecture and innuendo. You don’t have a story. Worse than that you are doing the one thing we don’t here at the Planet.”
Chloe and Jimmy: “What’s that?”
Editor: “You’re wasting time! All you’ve proven is that Lex Luthor is a good salesman. I’m not going to print this piece of tripe about a man who is scheduled to meet the President of the United States the day after tomorrow. Now get out of my office!”
**********
Act 1: Scene 2
The scene takes place at the dorm room. Chloe and Jimmy enter Chloe’s and Lana’s room. Inside is Clark.
Chloe: “Clark, what are you doing here?”
Clark: “Chloe, Lana may be in trouble. Have you seen her?”
Chloe: “No. Not since last night when she went out with Lex.”
Clark: “I know about that.”
Chloe: “You know she went out with Lex? Clark, have you been stalking her again?”
Clark realizes what he has said.
Clark: “No Chloe. It’s not that. It’s complicated.”
Jimmy murmurs underneath his breath.
Jimmy: “There it is. If I hear that word again I’m going to scream.”
Chloe hears Jimmy say something. She’s not sure what it is.
Chloe: “What?”
Jimmy: “Nothing. I’m just talking to myself.”
Chloe: ‘Clark, she’s not here. I don’t know where she is.”
Jimmy is standing idly by and looking at Lana’s desk. Her computer is on and he is looking at her screen.
Jimmy: “That’s weird.”
Chloe: “What’s weird?”
Jimmy: “Lana’s entire hard drive has been reformatted. All her data has been wiped clean. Why would she do that?”
Clark thinks for a moment and then he turns to Chloe.
Clark: “Chloe, can you access my own personal email messages from your computer?”
Chloe: “Sure. All I need is the name of your network provider, your screen name and your password. But why do you want to do that?”
Clark: “Just a hunch.”
Chloe starts punching keys in her own computer.
Chloe: “What’s your screen name?”
Clark: “Clark Kent.”
Chloe: “What’s your password?”
Clark looks embarrassed by what he is about to say. He mumbles underneath his breath.
Clark “L***.”
Chloe: “I didn’t get that. What’s your password?”
He says it just slightly louder.
Chloe: “Come on, Clark. What’s your password?”
Clark: “LANA. L-A-N-A. LANA!”
Jimmy looks at Clark in a sad sort of way.
Jimmy: “Boy, you’ve got it bad. Don’t you?”
Chloe punches in the screen name and the password. Clark’s email is displayed. She sees that Lana’s has sent Clark a message.
Chloe: “Lana sent you a message just a couple of hours ago. Why would she do that?”
Clark looks at her helplessly without an answer. Chloe decides not to pursue the answer.
She opens up the message but there is nothing written in the body of the message.
Chloe: “She didn’t write anything. But there’s an attachment.”
Jimmy: “She must have been in one hell of a hurry.”
Chloe tries to open the attachment. But the password prompt comes up.
Chloe: “It’s password protected.”
Clark: “Does the file have a name?”
Chloe: “Yeah, it’s called ‘Phantom’ Does that mean anything to you?”
Clark. “No. But I think I know someone who can help me. Try to break the password. Think of things that have to do with Lex.”
End of Act 1
**********
Act 2: Scene 1
The scene takes place in the Fortress of Solitude. Clark is walking towards the control center of the Fortress.
Clark: “Father! I need your help.”
The voice of Jor-El emanates from every direction of the Fortress.
Jor-El: “Speak, my son.”
Clark: “I need to know about Zod.”
There is silence.
Clark: “Please Jor-El, Zod may still be with us.”
Jor-El: “Zod is not with you. But one of the humans has learned enough from Zod to become dangerous like him.”
Clark: “How could this happen?”
Jor-El: “When Zod’s spirit was transferred into the human vessel, Lex Luthor, Zod learned everything there is to know about the human. When I used Lionel Luthor as a vessel I learned everything about him. But he retains no memory of what I know. Only a human who has a mind that is sophisticated and disciplined, and most importantly, a nature that is similar to Zod’s would be able to retain something of Zod’s memory.
Clark: “In other words, Lex shared similar traits with Zod before he was used as a vessel.”
Jor-El: “Zod never does anything without a reason. He chose a vessel best suited for his purpose. Choosing a vessel with a similar temperament lessens the chance of conflict.”
Clark: “Please, father. I need to know more.”
A crystal comes out from the control center and floats in front of Clark.
Jor-El: “Take hold of the crystal, my son.”
Clark takes the crystal and images of Krypton begin to swirl around him. These images display everything that Jor-El is nothing saying.
Jor-El: “Zod was my best friend. We grew up together. We were like brothers. We were inseparable. After we completed our education, I devoted my life to science. Zod devoted his life to the defense of Krypton. Together, we served our people, each in his own way. Zod defended us from enemies who threatened our way of life. I tried to improve our way of life by making us stronger from within.”
The images show Jor-El and Zod from childhood to young manhood.
Clark: “What happened that caused you to break from Zod?”
Jor-El: “We fell in love with the same woman, your mother, Lara.”
The image of a beautiful young woman is displayed before Clark.
Jor-El: “She could have had any man. Your mother cared for Zod but she loved me. Why did she love me and not him? No intelligence has ever been able to decipher the intricacies of love. Out of all of the possible combinations, why do two particular beings choose to be with one another? No one has ever been able to find the answer to that question.”
Clark then sees his mother holding a baby.
Jor-El: “Zod viewed her choice as a defeat. You have to understand, he had never been defeated in anything. Not in school, not at play, not in battle. He began to view your mother and me with hate and loathing. He began to pursue more personal goals than the good of Krypton. He became impatient with the decision making of our planetary council. He believed that the future of Krypton was tied to the future of one man. And that man was himself.”
We now see images of Kryptonians inciting acts of violence.
“Jor-El: “In his journeys throughout our galaxy, Zod learned many things. He learned how to read and manipulate the minds of others. Every being has a deep fear that remains hidden. Zod became able to make any being reveal their most personal fear. The fear would then become acute – an all encompassing obsession. At the same time he was able to form an emotional connection that made the being believe that only Zod could alleviate that fear. This connection became like a narcotic. Individuals would do anything for Zod to make their fear disappear. Zod was responsible for the murder of millions of Kryptonians. But he committed none of those murders personally. Others did his bidding.”
Clark: “How can I fight something like that?”
Jor-El: “You can’t.”
Clark is speechless with despair.
**********
Act 2: Scene 2
The scene takes place in Lana’s Jeep. She is driving from Metropolis to Smallville. Her face is a mixture of anguish and confusion. She pulls the vehicle over to the side of the road and stops. She is breathing heavily and she swallows hard. She looks over to the passenger seat. There, on the seat is the lead container. She looks at it trying to decide what to do.
The view is now of the rear of the vehicle. We see the Jeep pull back on to the highway and continue to its destination.
**********
Act 2: Scene 3
The scene is back to the Fortress of Solitude.
Jor-El: “The only remedy comes from within. The universe is a fearful and uncertain place for all of its inhabitants. Each of us has demons to be faced. Every individual takes part in the same battle. Those individuals who lead a purposeless life, who believe in nothing and who are aimless will soon succumb to the power of Zod and those like him. Those individuals who are guided by a higher belief, who see themselves as more than just a collection of molecules – those individuals have always been able to resist Zod and those who do his bidding. The only defense against this kind of attack is within your own heart.”
The images now change to that of the infant Kal-El being sent to Earth.
Jor-El: “It is not an accident that you were sent to this planet, Kal-El. The humans have always had a great capacity for good. But they have always struggled to find direction. In many ways, they are what Krypton was several thousand years ago. But as advanced as Krypton was – technologically and morally, Zod was still able to cast his shadow on our people and bring about the destruction of our race. Think of how much worse his powers would be on this primitive planet.
**********
End of Act 2
Act 3: Scene 1
The scene is in Chloe’s/Lana’s dorm room. Lois has now joined Jimmy and Chloe. Clark walks through the door.
Lois: “Where the hell have you been, Smallville? We could use your help here.”
Clark ignores Lois and addresses Chloe.
Clark: “Have you come up with anything?”
Chloe: “Nothing. We’ve tried just about every combination of passwords relating to Lex that we could think of and nothing works.”
She whispers to Clark.
Chloe: “We even tried L-A-N-A and that didn’t work either.”
Lois interrupts them.
Lois: “How do we know that this file means anything? It’s called ‘Phantom’. For all we know it could be a comic from the 1930s.”
Clark is beginning to lose his temper.
Clark: “I know that this file is the key!”
Lois gets angry right back at him.
Lois: “Well that doesn’t do us any good if you don’t know how to open it!”
Clark calms down and addresses Chloe who is sitting at the keyboard.
Clark: “I want you to try another name. Try Lara.”
Everyone gives Clark a strange look. Chloe types in the name. The view is now of the computer screen.
“l-a-r-a”
The message returns.
“INCORRECT PASSWORD”
Lois: “Nice try, Smallville.”
Clark: “Wait! Try it with capital letters.”
The view is now of the computer screen.
“L-A-R-A”
The computer pauses for two seconds and then the file opens up.
Chloe: “Whoa! This is an official LuthorCorp document.”
Chloe stands up and Jimmy takes her seat. He starts to peruse through the document.
Chloe stands in front of Clark.
Chloe: “How did you come up with ‘Lara’?”
Clark: “Let’s just say that Zod had it bad.”
Lois overhears them.
Lois: “Zod? What the hell is a Zod?”
No one answers her. She looks at Jimmy.
Jimmy: “Don’t even bother to ask. You’ll only get the standard Smallvillian answer.
**********
Act 3: Scene 2
The scene is now in the Kent barn. Lana has entered. She leans against a post and puts the lead container on a bale of hay. She is trembling and uncertain. She opens up the container and takes the kryptonite bar in her hand. She stands there looking at it. She puts the kryptonite back into its container and she the takes her cell phone out of her coat pocket and begins to dial.
**********
Act 3: Scene 3
The scene is in Chloe’s/Lana’s dorm room.
Jimmy: “This is way beyond anything I’ve ever seen.”
Clark: “Jimmy, aren’t there some technical experts here at the university that you can run this by?”
Jimmy: “You’re right. Let me print this out.”
Chloe: “Lois, what about the general. Do you think he may have some people who could look at this?”
Lois: “I’ll get on it.”
As Lois finishes answering, Clark’s cell phone rings. He sees Lana’s number with Caller ID. He leaves the group and answers his phone.
Clark: “Are you okay? Where are you?”
He ends the call.
Clark: “I’ve got to go.”
End of Act 3
Act 4: Scene 1
The scene is in Chloe’s/Lana’s dorm room. Jimmy is entering the room.
Chloe: “Hey. What did you find out?”
Jimmy: “No one has ever seen anything like this before. But they understand enough to figure that this design has nothing to do with security. It’s like a giant system for hacking. Except you’re not hacking to disrupt. You’re hacking to control. What did Lois find out?”
Chloe: “The general put her in touch with some people at the Pentagon. They said the same thing as you but they’ve taken it a step further. They say that with a design like this you can control such systems as air traffic control, national defense and the Federal Reserve banking system.”
Chloe and Jimmy stop and look at each other for a moment.
Chloe: “Are you ready to do some writing?”
Jimmy: “I’ll go make the coffee.”
Act 4: Scene 2
The scene is now in the Kent barn. Clark is entering.
Clark: “Lana!”
Lana: “Clark I’m over here.”
Clark sees her at the back of the barn and starts walking towards her.
Clark: “Lana, are you al…”
Before he can finish his question Lana has pulled out the kryptonite bar and she is on Clark. The crystal is glowing with a bright green color and Clark falls to the ground in agony. Clark is on his back. Lana kneels along side of him and places the crystal on his chest. When she does this the pain becomes even more acute and Clark lets out a startling scream.
Lana: ‘Forgive me, Clark. I just can’t be alone anymore.”
With her last word she pushes as hard as she could the bar into Clark’s chest. His face scrunches up in pain and he is fading quickly. There are close-ups of Clark’s eyes and then Lana’s eyes. With every ounce of strength that he has left Clark grabs Lana by the shoulders and begins to pull her down towards himself. Their faces are only inches apart. With his last fragment of strength he places his lips on hers. The focus is now on Lana’s eyes as his kiss begins to bring about a response. He lets out a last breath and all strength leaves him.
All around Lana, lights and images are swirling in the same manner as images swirl around Clark in the Fortress of Solitude. She begins to hear voices.
“Maybe it’s me who should start believing in you.”
“You need to know that I will never forget you. I love you.”
“You’re the only one I’ve ever really loved. It’s only been you, Lana.”
“I love you. And I love you with all of my heart.”
“I’ve always loved you. And I always will. No matter what happens”
“What’s that Mrs. Lang? Yeah. I’ll tell her. Your mom wants you to know that you’re never alone. She’s always looking over you.”
Lana pulls herself away and the lights, images and voices stop. She has regained her senses. She sees the bar of kryptonite on Clark’s chest. It is no longer glowing.
Lana: “My God! What have I done?”
Lana throws the bar across the barn. Clark is not breathing. She places her ear on his chest to listen for a heartbeat. There is none.
Lana: “No! Clark!”
Lana then tries to resuscitate him. She starts pushing on his chest and blowing air into his lungs. There is no reaction. She is becoming more frantic by the second. She balls her hand up into a fist and brings it crashing down onto his chest.
Lana: “No! Clark! Please!”
She keeps hammering down onto his chest without effect. She raises her fist one last time and begins to swing it downward. Clark’s eyes open and he catches her fist in his hand.
Lana: “Clark!”
Clark is beginning to breath. He is unable to speak. Lana is cradling his head in her arms. He is finally able to speak and he looks up at her.
Clark: “I saw them. I saw all of them.”
Lana does not understand what he is saying. She looks him with a quizzical expression.
Lana: “Who?”
Clark: “I saw my mother and father. I do have his eyes. I saw my dad with Matt Kane.”
Lana isn’t sure she believes what she’s hearing. Their eyes are focused on each other.
Clark: “Lana?”
Lana looks at him waiting for him to finish.
Clark: “Your mom and dad love you very much.”
When she hears this she can no longer hold back the tears. The scene ends with the two of them on the ground in the barn holding one another.
Act 4: Scene 3
It is late at night at the Daily Planet. Chloe and Jimmy are in a conference room with four senior editors: two men and two women. They are waiting for the editor in chief to come to the meeting. The four editors are not happy having to stay late at night. Chloe and Jimmy are aware of this and just remain silent. Finally, the editor in chief enters the room. He is an older man around retirement age. His face shows the experience of seeing just about all there is to see in the world. His shoulders sag from decades of hard work and late nights. He sits downs at the table holding the written version of Chloe’s and Jimmy’s story.
Editor in Chief: “Well, I’d like to know what everyone thinks. Marie?”
Marie: “I think they’ve down a first rate job. They tell a compelling story and they have the facts to back it up. I say we run with it.”
The Editor in Chief nods his head in understanding.
Editor in Chief: “Mike?”
Mike: “It’s a compelling story but the fact remains that these are two junior reporters. I say we hold off until we can get some more experienced people on this. With all due respect to Chloe and Jimmy, this story is too big for them.”
The Editor in Chief again nods his head in understanding. The other two senior editors say the same thing. Two are for the story. Two are against. The Editor in Chief sighs in resignation.
Editor in Chief: “Well I guess it’s up to me.”
He looks at Chloe and Jimmy.
Editor: “Actually, it’s up to you.”
Chloe and Jimmy do not understand what the editor is saying.
Editor in Chief: “I want everyone to understand what we’re saying here if we print this. We’re saying that one of the richest men in the world, one of the leading businessmen in the country, one of the most philanthropic people in Metropolis is, in fact, a monster. And that just about every elected official in Kansas, with the exception of Martha Kent and the late Matt Kane, are fools. Now, I’m fine if we’re going to say that but I want everyone to know what we’re getting ourselves into. And I especially want you two to know.”
He is now totally focused on Chloe and Jimmy.
Editor in Chief: “If we print this he’s going to come after you two. And he will come after you with everything in his arsenal. Are you ready for that?”
Chloe and Jimmy are hesitant to answer. Then they look at each other. They look back at the Editor in Chief and nod their heads indicating that the answer is ‘yes’.”
Editor in Chief: “Alright everyone. Go home and get some sleep. I have to make a call to our Chief Executive Officer to let him know that the Daily Planet is about to make a very big enemy.”
Act 4: Scene 4
The scene takes place at the Luthor mansion. Lex is working at his desk preparing some last minute items for his business trip. He looks up as he sees Lana enter the doorway. He smiles and gets up to greet her.
Lex: “Lana, I’m just about to get on my jet to Washington DC. Would you like to make the trip with me?”
Just as he say’s ‘me’, Clark enters the room and stands beside Lana. Together, they walk towards Lex. Lex is startled at the site of Clark. Clark stands face to face with Lex.
Clark: “I know what you want, Lex. It’s not going to happen. Not on my watch.”
Clark then looks at Lana and takes her by the hand.
Clark: “Not on OUR watch.”
Lana then takes a folded newspaper that she is carrying and tosses it to Lex.
Lana: “Here’s a little light reading for you. By the way, you might want to check on your meeting with the President. I have a funny feeling it’s been cancelled.”
Lex unfolds the newspaper and reads the headline
BIG BROTHER LUTHOR
Act 4: Scene 5
The scene takes place in Chloe’s/Lana’s dorm room. The door opens and Jimmy and Chloe walk in. In front of them is Clark sitting on a chair with Lana sitting on his lap. They are kissing and not coming up for air. They are totally oblivious to everyone and everything around them.
Chloe tries to attract their attention by clearing her throat. It has no effect. She tries once again with the same results. She and Jimmy just look at one another at a loss as what to do.
Jimmy: “So would you like to help me with my laundry?”
Chloe smiles at Jimmy. She puts her arm through his and they leave. The door is left open.
Finally, for a moment Clark and Lana let go of one another.
Lana: “What was that?”
Clark: “What was what?”
Lana: “I thought I heard something. Hey. The door’s open.”
Clark gently lifts her off of him, gets up and walks towards the door to close it. As he gets to the door, he hears Lana.
Lana: “Clark?”
He turns around and sees her sitting on her bed with a ‘come over here’ look on her face.
Lana: “Lock the door.”
Clark smiles, turns around and closes the door.
In the final shot, we see the door close. We hear the lock click.
Fade to black.
**********
“Previously on Smallville”
Fast edit through several scenes from the Season 6 Episode 4 (“Seduction”).
**********
Kane: “Perhaps they are just waiting for the right moment. A moment that will prompt them to make themselves known to us. We’ll be waiting. We’ll be waiting for you to step forward. To step forward and take your rightful place.”
**********
Chloe: “What did he do to change their minds?”
Clark: “There’s a bigger question to answer.”
Everyone gives their full attention to Clark
Clark: “What is Lex’s real plan?”
**********
Lana: “Clark, I have to do this. I’m the only one who can.”
Clark: “Lana, you won’t be safe.”
Lana looks Clark in the eyes.
Lana: “Clark, since Zod came to earth none of us are safe.”
**********
Lex: “Money is not a concern. I’d like to know about the movements of these two people.”
**********
Lionel: “If you are going to play by Lex’s rules you will lose. Period. Maybe you’ll lose your life. Certainly your soul.”
**********
Jimmy: “Anyway, if I had a choice of going on an expensive dinner date with Lex Luthor or doing the laundry. I’d definitely do the laundry.”
Chloe laughs at his remark.
Jimmy: “Especially, if I was doing it with you.”
**********
Lex: “’What is it, Lana? What is it that you fear?”
**********
Rodriquez: “Let me put it this way. If I were Luthor and that was my girlfriend I’d have a serious self esteem problem. I’ve been in this business for 20 years and I’ve never heard a woman sound like that before.”
**********
Lex: “Do this one thing and you will never be alone again.”
**********
OPENING
The scene takes place in the office of the Governor of Kansas. Lex Luthor and the Governor are sitting on two chairs across from one another.
Governor: “Mr. Luthor, let me be honest. You don’t have a plan for safeguarding us. At least not a plan that I can see. Quite frankly, I’m not only surprised that the committee approved your proposal, I surprised it was approved by such an overwhelming majority. You may get the full senate to approve it. But I will not sign it. And that’s final.
Lex in a very controlled tone responds.
Lex: “I understand.”
Both men stand and shake hands. Lex will not let go of the governor’s hand. He is staring intently in his eyes. At first the governor is agitated. Then fear begins to cover his face.
Governor: “No. Please. Not my family. I can’t lose my family.”
Lex is now in control. He puts his arm around the governor’s shoulders.
Lex: “Everything’s going to be alright. Your family will be fine. Just leave it to me.”
The governor is relieved but still sobbing.
Governor: “Mr. Luthor, I don’t know how to thank you. What can I do for you in return?”
Lex is now showing his satisfied smile.
Lex: “About my proposal.
**********
OPENING CREDITS
**********
Act 1: Scene 1
The scene takes place in the office of one of the editors of the Daily Planet. Chloe and Jimmy are sitting in two chairs across the desk of the editor. The editor is seated. He is reading something. Jimmy and Chloe are waiting quietly for the editor to finish.
Editor: “This is very well written. It’s organized. It moves at a quick pace and it reaches a very exciting conclusion.”
Both Jimmy and Chloe smile at each other after hearing the editor’s words.
Editor: “There’s only one thing wrong.”
He now has the couple’s attention.
Editor: “The Daily Planet in not in the business of printing fiction.”
Jimmy: “Wait a minute. These are the conclusions we’ve come to in watching the hearings. We’ve seen how Luthor…”
Editor: “Have you been in the private meetings between Luthor and the senators?”
Chloe and Jimmy: “No.”
Editor: “Have you any evidence showing Luthor has anything other than what he’s presented to the committee?”
Chloe and Jimmy: “No.”
Editor: “Do you have any sources other than your own imaginations to support anything that you’ve said here?”
Both Chloe and Jimmy now respond dejectedly.
Chloe and Jimmy: “No.”
Editor: “That means all you have here is speculation, conjecture and innuendo. The Daily Planet does not print speculation, conjecture and innuendo. You don’t have a story. Worse than that you are doing the one thing we don’t here at the Planet.”
Chloe and Jimmy: “What’s that?”
Editor: “You’re wasting time! All you’ve proven is that Lex Luthor is a good salesman. I’m not going to print this piece of tripe about a man who is scheduled to meet the President of the United States the day after tomorrow. Now get out of my office!”
**********
Act 1: Scene 2
The scene takes place at the dorm room. Chloe and Jimmy enter Chloe’s and Lana’s room. Inside is Clark.
Chloe: “Clark, what are you doing here?”
Clark: “Chloe, Lana may be in trouble. Have you seen her?”
Chloe: “No. Not since last night when she went out with Lex.”
Clark: “I know about that.”
Chloe: “You know she went out with Lex? Clark, have you been stalking her again?”
Clark realizes what he has said.
Clark: “No Chloe. It’s not that. It’s complicated.”
Jimmy murmurs underneath his breath.
Jimmy: “There it is. If I hear that word again I’m going to scream.”
Chloe hears Jimmy say something. She’s not sure what it is.
Chloe: “What?”
Jimmy: “Nothing. I’m just talking to myself.”
Chloe: ‘Clark, she’s not here. I don’t know where she is.”
Jimmy is standing idly by and looking at Lana’s desk. Her computer is on and he is looking at her screen.
Jimmy: “That’s weird.”
Chloe: “What’s weird?”
Jimmy: “Lana’s entire hard drive has been reformatted. All her data has been wiped clean. Why would she do that?”
Clark thinks for a moment and then he turns to Chloe.
Clark: “Chloe, can you access my own personal email messages from your computer?”
Chloe: “Sure. All I need is the name of your network provider, your screen name and your password. But why do you want to do that?”
Clark: “Just a hunch.”
Chloe starts punching keys in her own computer.
Chloe: “What’s your screen name?”
Clark: “Clark Kent.”
Chloe: “What’s your password?”
Clark looks embarrassed by what he is about to say. He mumbles underneath his breath.
Clark “L***.”
Chloe: “I didn’t get that. What’s your password?”
He says it just slightly louder.
Chloe: “Come on, Clark. What’s your password?”
Clark: “LANA. L-A-N-A. LANA!”
Jimmy looks at Clark in a sad sort of way.
Jimmy: “Boy, you’ve got it bad. Don’t you?”
Chloe punches in the screen name and the password. Clark’s email is displayed. She sees that Lana’s has sent Clark a message.
Chloe: “Lana sent you a message just a couple of hours ago. Why would she do that?”
Clark looks at her helplessly without an answer. Chloe decides not to pursue the answer.
She opens up the message but there is nothing written in the body of the message.
Chloe: “She didn’t write anything. But there’s an attachment.”
Jimmy: “She must have been in one hell of a hurry.”
Chloe tries to open the attachment. But the password prompt comes up.
Chloe: “It’s password protected.”
Clark: “Does the file have a name?”
Chloe: “Yeah, it’s called ‘Phantom’ Does that mean anything to you?”
Clark. “No. But I think I know someone who can help me. Try to break the password. Think of things that have to do with Lex.”
End of Act 1
**********
Act 2: Scene 1
The scene takes place in the Fortress of Solitude. Clark is walking towards the control center of the Fortress.
Clark: “Father! I need your help.”
The voice of Jor-El emanates from every direction of the Fortress.
Jor-El: “Speak, my son.”
Clark: “I need to know about Zod.”
There is silence.
Clark: “Please Jor-El, Zod may still be with us.”
Jor-El: “Zod is not with you. But one of the humans has learned enough from Zod to become dangerous like him.”
Clark: “How could this happen?”
Jor-El: “When Zod’s spirit was transferred into the human vessel, Lex Luthor, Zod learned everything there is to know about the human. When I used Lionel Luthor as a vessel I learned everything about him. But he retains no memory of what I know. Only a human who has a mind that is sophisticated and disciplined, and most importantly, a nature that is similar to Zod’s would be able to retain something of Zod’s memory.
Clark: “In other words, Lex shared similar traits with Zod before he was used as a vessel.”
Jor-El: “Zod never does anything without a reason. He chose a vessel best suited for his purpose. Choosing a vessel with a similar temperament lessens the chance of conflict.”
Clark: “Please, father. I need to know more.”
A crystal comes out from the control center and floats in front of Clark.
Jor-El: “Take hold of the crystal, my son.”
Clark takes the crystal and images of Krypton begin to swirl around him. These images display everything that Jor-El is nothing saying.
Jor-El: “Zod was my best friend. We grew up together. We were like brothers. We were inseparable. After we completed our education, I devoted my life to science. Zod devoted his life to the defense of Krypton. Together, we served our people, each in his own way. Zod defended us from enemies who threatened our way of life. I tried to improve our way of life by making us stronger from within.”
The images show Jor-El and Zod from childhood to young manhood.
Clark: “What happened that caused you to break from Zod?”
Jor-El: “We fell in love with the same woman, your mother, Lara.”
The image of a beautiful young woman is displayed before Clark.
Jor-El: “She could have had any man. Your mother cared for Zod but she loved me. Why did she love me and not him? No intelligence has ever been able to decipher the intricacies of love. Out of all of the possible combinations, why do two particular beings choose to be with one another? No one has ever been able to find the answer to that question.”
Clark then sees his mother holding a baby.
Jor-El: “Zod viewed her choice as a defeat. You have to understand, he had never been defeated in anything. Not in school, not at play, not in battle. He began to view your mother and me with hate and loathing. He began to pursue more personal goals than the good of Krypton. He became impatient with the decision making of our planetary council. He believed that the future of Krypton was tied to the future of one man. And that man was himself.”
We now see images of Kryptonians inciting acts of violence.
“Jor-El: “In his journeys throughout our galaxy, Zod learned many things. He learned how to read and manipulate the minds of others. Every being has a deep fear that remains hidden. Zod became able to make any being reveal their most personal fear. The fear would then become acute – an all encompassing obsession. At the same time he was able to form an emotional connection that made the being believe that only Zod could alleviate that fear. This connection became like a narcotic. Individuals would do anything for Zod to make their fear disappear. Zod was responsible for the murder of millions of Kryptonians. But he committed none of those murders personally. Others did his bidding.”
Clark: “How can I fight something like that?”
Jor-El: “You can’t.”
Clark is speechless with despair.
**********
Act 2: Scene 2
The scene takes place in Lana’s Jeep. She is driving from Metropolis to Smallville. Her face is a mixture of anguish and confusion. She pulls the vehicle over to the side of the road and stops. She is breathing heavily and she swallows hard. She looks over to the passenger seat. There, on the seat is the lead container. She looks at it trying to decide what to do.
The view is now of the rear of the vehicle. We see the Jeep pull back on to the highway and continue to its destination.
**********
Act 2: Scene 3
The scene is back to the Fortress of Solitude.
Jor-El: “The only remedy comes from within. The universe is a fearful and uncertain place for all of its inhabitants. Each of us has demons to be faced. Every individual takes part in the same battle. Those individuals who lead a purposeless life, who believe in nothing and who are aimless will soon succumb to the power of Zod and those like him. Those individuals who are guided by a higher belief, who see themselves as more than just a collection of molecules – those individuals have always been able to resist Zod and those who do his bidding. The only defense against this kind of attack is within your own heart.”
The images now change to that of the infant Kal-El being sent to Earth.
Jor-El: “It is not an accident that you were sent to this planet, Kal-El. The humans have always had a great capacity for good. But they have always struggled to find direction. In many ways, they are what Krypton was several thousand years ago. But as advanced as Krypton was – technologically and morally, Zod was still able to cast his shadow on our people and bring about the destruction of our race. Think of how much worse his powers would be on this primitive planet.
**********
End of Act 2
Act 3: Scene 1
The scene is in Chloe’s/Lana’s dorm room. Lois has now joined Jimmy and Chloe. Clark walks through the door.
Lois: “Where the hell have you been, Smallville? We could use your help here.”
Clark ignores Lois and addresses Chloe.
Clark: “Have you come up with anything?”
Chloe: “Nothing. We’ve tried just about every combination of passwords relating to Lex that we could think of and nothing works.”
She whispers to Clark.
Chloe: “We even tried L-A-N-A and that didn’t work either.”
Lois interrupts them.
Lois: “How do we know that this file means anything? It’s called ‘Phantom’. For all we know it could be a comic from the 1930s.”
Clark is beginning to lose his temper.
Clark: “I know that this file is the key!”
Lois gets angry right back at him.
Lois: “Well that doesn’t do us any good if you don’t know how to open it!”
Clark calms down and addresses Chloe who is sitting at the keyboard.
Clark: “I want you to try another name. Try Lara.”
Everyone gives Clark a strange look. Chloe types in the name. The view is now of the computer screen.
“l-a-r-a”
The message returns.
“INCORRECT PASSWORD”
Lois: “Nice try, Smallville.”
Clark: “Wait! Try it with capital letters.”
The view is now of the computer screen.
“L-A-R-A”
The computer pauses for two seconds and then the file opens up.
Chloe: “Whoa! This is an official LuthorCorp document.”
Chloe stands up and Jimmy takes her seat. He starts to peruse through the document.
Chloe stands in front of Clark.
Chloe: “How did you come up with ‘Lara’?”
Clark: “Let’s just say that Zod had it bad.”
Lois overhears them.
Lois: “Zod? What the hell is a Zod?”
No one answers her. She looks at Jimmy.
Jimmy: “Don’t even bother to ask. You’ll only get the standard Smallvillian answer.
**********
Act 3: Scene 2
The scene is now in the Kent barn. Lana has entered. She leans against a post and puts the lead container on a bale of hay. She is trembling and uncertain. She opens up the container and takes the kryptonite bar in her hand. She stands there looking at it. She puts the kryptonite back into its container and she the takes her cell phone out of her coat pocket and begins to dial.
**********
Act 3: Scene 3
The scene is in Chloe’s/Lana’s dorm room.
Jimmy: “This is way beyond anything I’ve ever seen.”
Clark: “Jimmy, aren’t there some technical experts here at the university that you can run this by?”
Jimmy: “You’re right. Let me print this out.”
Chloe: “Lois, what about the general. Do you think he may have some people who could look at this?”
Lois: “I’ll get on it.”
As Lois finishes answering, Clark’s cell phone rings. He sees Lana’s number with Caller ID. He leaves the group and answers his phone.
Clark: “Are you okay? Where are you?”
He ends the call.
Clark: “I’ve got to go.”
End of Act 3
Act 4: Scene 1
The scene is in Chloe’s/Lana’s dorm room. Jimmy is entering the room.
Chloe: “Hey. What did you find out?”
Jimmy: “No one has ever seen anything like this before. But they understand enough to figure that this design has nothing to do with security. It’s like a giant system for hacking. Except you’re not hacking to disrupt. You’re hacking to control. What did Lois find out?”
Chloe: “The general put her in touch with some people at the Pentagon. They said the same thing as you but they’ve taken it a step further. They say that with a design like this you can control such systems as air traffic control, national defense and the Federal Reserve banking system.”
Chloe and Jimmy stop and look at each other for a moment.
Chloe: “Are you ready to do some writing?”
Jimmy: “I’ll go make the coffee.”
Act 4: Scene 2
The scene is now in the Kent barn. Clark is entering.
Clark: “Lana!”
Lana: “Clark I’m over here.”
Clark sees her at the back of the barn and starts walking towards her.
Clark: “Lana, are you al…”
Before he can finish his question Lana has pulled out the kryptonite bar and she is on Clark. The crystal is glowing with a bright green color and Clark falls to the ground in agony. Clark is on his back. Lana kneels along side of him and places the crystal on his chest. When she does this the pain becomes even more acute and Clark lets out a startling scream.
Lana: ‘Forgive me, Clark. I just can’t be alone anymore.”
With her last word she pushes as hard as she could the bar into Clark’s chest. His face scrunches up in pain and he is fading quickly. There are close-ups of Clark’s eyes and then Lana’s eyes. With every ounce of strength that he has left Clark grabs Lana by the shoulders and begins to pull her down towards himself. Their faces are only inches apart. With his last fragment of strength he places his lips on hers. The focus is now on Lana’s eyes as his kiss begins to bring about a response. He lets out a last breath and all strength leaves him.
All around Lana, lights and images are swirling in the same manner as images swirl around Clark in the Fortress of Solitude. She begins to hear voices.
“Maybe it’s me who should start believing in you.”
“You need to know that I will never forget you. I love you.”
“You’re the only one I’ve ever really loved. It’s only been you, Lana.”
“I love you. And I love you with all of my heart.”
“I’ve always loved you. And I always will. No matter what happens”
“What’s that Mrs. Lang? Yeah. I’ll tell her. Your mom wants you to know that you’re never alone. She’s always looking over you.”
Lana pulls herself away and the lights, images and voices stop. She has regained her senses. She sees the bar of kryptonite on Clark’s chest. It is no longer glowing.
Lana: “My God! What have I done?”
Lana throws the bar across the barn. Clark is not breathing. She places her ear on his chest to listen for a heartbeat. There is none.
Lana: “No! Clark!”
Lana then tries to resuscitate him. She starts pushing on his chest and blowing air into his lungs. There is no reaction. She is becoming more frantic by the second. She balls her hand up into a fist and brings it crashing down onto his chest.
Lana: “No! Clark! Please!”
She keeps hammering down onto his chest without effect. She raises her fist one last time and begins to swing it downward. Clark’s eyes open and he catches her fist in his hand.
Lana: “Clark!”
Clark is beginning to breath. He is unable to speak. Lana is cradling his head in her arms. He is finally able to speak and he looks up at her.
Clark: “I saw them. I saw all of them.”
Lana does not understand what he is saying. She looks him with a quizzical expression.
Lana: “Who?”
Clark: “I saw my mother and father. I do have his eyes. I saw my dad with Matt Kane.”
Lana isn’t sure she believes what she’s hearing. Their eyes are focused on each other.
Clark: “Lana?”
Lana looks at him waiting for him to finish.
Clark: “Your mom and dad love you very much.”
When she hears this she can no longer hold back the tears. The scene ends with the two of them on the ground in the barn holding one another.
Act 4: Scene 3
It is late at night at the Daily Planet. Chloe and Jimmy are in a conference room with four senior editors: two men and two women. They are waiting for the editor in chief to come to the meeting. The four editors are not happy having to stay late at night. Chloe and Jimmy are aware of this and just remain silent. Finally, the editor in chief enters the room. He is an older man around retirement age. His face shows the experience of seeing just about all there is to see in the world. His shoulders sag from decades of hard work and late nights. He sits downs at the table holding the written version of Chloe’s and Jimmy’s story.
Editor in Chief: “Well, I’d like to know what everyone thinks. Marie?”
Marie: “I think they’ve down a first rate job. They tell a compelling story and they have the facts to back it up. I say we run with it.”
The Editor in Chief nods his head in understanding.
Editor in Chief: “Mike?”
Mike: “It’s a compelling story but the fact remains that these are two junior reporters. I say we hold off until we can get some more experienced people on this. With all due respect to Chloe and Jimmy, this story is too big for them.”
The Editor in Chief again nods his head in understanding. The other two senior editors say the same thing. Two are for the story. Two are against. The Editor in Chief sighs in resignation.
Editor in Chief: “Well I guess it’s up to me.”
He looks at Chloe and Jimmy.
Editor: “Actually, it’s up to you.”
Chloe and Jimmy do not understand what the editor is saying.
Editor in Chief: “I want everyone to understand what we’re saying here if we print this. We’re saying that one of the richest men in the world, one of the leading businessmen in the country, one of the most philanthropic people in Metropolis is, in fact, a monster. And that just about every elected official in Kansas, with the exception of Martha Kent and the late Matt Kane, are fools. Now, I’m fine if we’re going to say that but I want everyone to know what we’re getting ourselves into. And I especially want you two to know.”
He is now totally focused on Chloe and Jimmy.
Editor in Chief: “If we print this he’s going to come after you two. And he will come after you with everything in his arsenal. Are you ready for that?”
Chloe and Jimmy are hesitant to answer. Then they look at each other. They look back at the Editor in Chief and nod their heads indicating that the answer is ‘yes’.”
Editor in Chief: “Alright everyone. Go home and get some sleep. I have to make a call to our Chief Executive Officer to let him know that the Daily Planet is about to make a very big enemy.”
Act 4: Scene 4
The scene takes place at the Luthor mansion. Lex is working at his desk preparing some last minute items for his business trip. He looks up as he sees Lana enter the doorway. He smiles and gets up to greet her.
Lex: “Lana, I’m just about to get on my jet to Washington DC. Would you like to make the trip with me?”
Just as he say’s ‘me’, Clark enters the room and stands beside Lana. Together, they walk towards Lex. Lex is startled at the site of Clark. Clark stands face to face with Lex.
Clark: “I know what you want, Lex. It’s not going to happen. Not on my watch.”
Clark then looks at Lana and takes her by the hand.
Clark: “Not on OUR watch.”
Lana then takes a folded newspaper that she is carrying and tosses it to Lex.
Lana: “Here’s a little light reading for you. By the way, you might want to check on your meeting with the President. I have a funny feeling it’s been cancelled.”
Lex unfolds the newspaper and reads the headline
BIG BROTHER LUTHOR
Act 4: Scene 5
The scene takes place in Chloe’s/Lana’s dorm room. The door opens and Jimmy and Chloe walk in. In front of them is Clark sitting on a chair with Lana sitting on his lap. They are kissing and not coming up for air. They are totally oblivious to everyone and everything around them.
Chloe tries to attract their attention by clearing her throat. It has no effect. She tries once again with the same results. She and Jimmy just look at one another at a loss as what to do.
Jimmy: “So would you like to help me with my laundry?”
Chloe smiles at Jimmy. She puts her arm through his and they leave. The door is left open.
Finally, for a moment Clark and Lana let go of one another.
Lana: “What was that?”
Clark: “What was what?”
Lana: “I thought I heard something. Hey. The door’s open.”
Clark gently lifts her off of him, gets up and walks towards the door to close it. As he gets to the door, he hears Lana.
Lana: “Clark?”
He turns around and sees her sitting on her bed with a ‘come over here’ look on her face.
Lana: “Lock the door.”
Clark smiles, turns around and closes the door.
In the final shot, we see the door close. We hear the lock click.
Fade to black.
**********