“DirtyWater”

FADEIN:

INT-SMALLVILLEHIGHSCHOOL-AFTERNOON

CLARKandCHLOEarewalkingdownthehall.Theyare
surroundedbyotherstudentsheadingtoclass.Theynotice
severalCOUPLESNECKINGhereandthere.

CHLOE
(offcouple)
Yikes!Getaroom!

CLARK
What?Youhaveaproblemwith
publicdisplaysofaffection?

CHLOE
No.Justwithpublicdisplaysof
tongueslockedtogether.Yuck!

CLARK
Ahh.

CHLOE
You’retheonewiththePDA
problem,anyway.

CLARK
Whatdoyoumean?

Foranswer,theputsherarmthroughhisandDRAWSCLOSE.
Clarkpullsaway.

CHLOE
See?

CLARK
Wellthat’sdifferent.We’renota
couple.People’dgetthewrong
idea.

CHLOE
Oh,yeah,right.Can’tletthat
happen.

Shepullsawayandsulksabit.There’sanAWKWARDSILENCE
until...

ANGLEONtwoTEACHERSduckingintoaclassroom.
 2.

CHLOE(CONT’D)
(stagewhisper)
Clark!Look!

CLARK
What?

CHLOE
It’sMrs.ScarolaandMr.Wolke!
Lookatthem,duckingintohis
classroomforalittlehappy
detention!IKNEWit!

CLARK
Happydetention?

CHLOE
Yeah.They’reseeingeachother.
They’redoin’thebusiness,Clark!

CLARK
What?InMr.Wolke’schemistry
room?

CHLOE
“Chemistry”isright.They’regoing
forextrycreditinatestosteron-
estrogenstudy.

CLARK
Ohc’monChloe.They’reprobably
just...helpingeachothergrade
papersorsomething.

CHLOE
Don’tbesonaive,Clark.Man,ifI
couldseethroughwalls,I’dhavea
gossippieceforthepaperworthy
oftheNationalEnquirer!

CLARK
There’ssomethingtoaspireto.

CHLOE
Well,agirl’sgottomakehermark
somehow.

Astheypassbythechemistryroom,Clarkcan’tresistand
quicklyLOOKSTHROUGHthewalltoseethetwoteachersin
whatappearstobeaPASSIONATEEMBRACE.
 3.

HeSMILES,thenturnstoChloewithanODDEXPRESSIONonhis
face.It’sasmile,it’salookofadmirationforher
deductiveskills,it’sacat-ate-the-canarylookwithabit
ofprurienttitillationmixedin.Itcouldbereadasalook
ofinterest.

CHLOE(CONT’D)
(offhislook)
What?

CLARK
Nothing.

CHLOE
What?!Whatisthatlook?

CLARK
Nothing.Ijust,I’vegotsomething
inmyeye...

Asherubshiseye,wegoCLOSEONChloe,wholookslike
she’sbeenstruckintheheartbyCupid’sarrowand

CUTTO:

INT-LUTHORCORPHQMETROPOLIS-DAY

Weareinalargewarehouse-likeroomfilledwithavariety
ofobjects:anoldcar,barbells,shooting-rangetargets,
etc.LIONELiswithHAROLD,whoholdsahigh-tech-looking
remotecontroldevice.

HAROLD
Areyouready,Mr.Luthor?

LIONEL
Iwasreadyhalfanhourago
Harold.Let’sseeyourcreation.

Harolddoessomethingswithhisremoteandadoorwhooshes
open.ABEAUTIFULBUXOMBLONDEwearingTIGHTATHLETIC
CLOTHINGwalksout.Itisquicklyobviousshe’saROBOTof
somesort--esp.inherEYES,whichareagreenmetallic
colorintheiris.Lionelreactstoherappearance.

LIONEL(CONT’D)
Mygod,Harold.That’sabitover-
the-top,don’tyouthink?
 4.

HAROLD
Hey,aguy’sgottohavealittle
fun,doesn’the?Butdon’tletthe
looksdeceiveyou:She’saterror.

LIONEL
Theonlythingshelookslikeshe
couldterrorizeismyNeimanMarcus
account.

HAROLD
Well,holdonMr.Luthor.Watch
this...

HeworkshisremoteandtheROBOTwalksovertothecar.She
pullsoffafender.

LIONEL
Marvelous.Wecangetherajobin
awreckingyard.

HAROLD
Holdon...

HehitsanotherbuttonandtheRobotpicksupthecarand
holdsitaboveherhead.

LIONEL
Nowthatisimpressive,andhereI
am,needinganewmaidupatthe
house.

HAROLD
You’reatoughcrowdMr.Luthor.
Butwatchthis:

HehitsmorebuttonsandtheRobotgoesintohighgear:
throwingthecar100feet,pickingupagunandleveling
severaltargets,twirlingbarbellsaboveherhead,walking
throughaflamethroweremission,etc.

ThedemonstrationconcludeswiththeRobotwalkingbriskly
INTOAWALLandfallingdownmotionless.LionelAPPLAUDS.

LIONEL
ExcellentHarold,trulyexcellent.

HAROLD
Ofcourse,therearestillsome
bugstobeworkedout...
 5.

LIONEL
Ofcourse,ofcourse.Butmygod,
thearmywillgonutsforthese
things!Butthey’vegottohave
voicecontrol,andthey’vegotto
comeinunderamillionorsoa
piece.

HAROLD
Uh,yeah.

LIONEL
Youdon’tseemsosurenow,Harold.
Whatisit?Thepriceorthevoice
control?

HAROLD
Well,voicecontrol,we’reprobably
onlyafewweeksaway,butthe
price...

LIONEL
Howmuch?

HAROLD
Well,asyouknow,Daphneherecost
about$3.5Billiontodevelop.

LIONEL
Ithoughtitwasthree-point-two
Harold?

HAROLD
Well,youknowhowR&Dgoes.

LIONEL
Yes,indeed.Butbottom-lineme
here,Harold.Ihavealunch
engagement.

HAROLD
Eightto10...Apiece.

LIONEL
$10millionforawomanwhodoes
exactlywhatyoutellherandcan
overthrowsmallcountries?Sounds
likeabargaintome.I’msurethe
pricewillcomedownasthe
quantitygoesup.
 6.

HebeginstoLEAVE

LIONEL(CONT’D)
Keepupthegoodwork,Harold.Get
thatvoicecontrolinplaceand
let’sarrangeafieldtest.
Somethingthatwillreally
challengeourbionicbeauty.
(thinksamoment)
Imayactuallyhavejustthething
...

CUTTO:

INT-TALON-AFTERNOON

LANAisbehindthecounterdoingherthingwhenChloeENTERS

LANA
HiChloe!Doublemochalattewith
soy?

CHLOE
Uh,yeah,sure.Soundsgood.

TheytalkasLanapreparesthedrink

LANA
Sohow’sthingsatthepaper?

CHLOE
Good.Reallygood.HeyLana,canI
talktoyouforamoment?

LANA
Sure.What’sup?

CHLOE
Inprivate?

LANA
OK...

CUTTO:

INT-TALONOFFICE-MOMENTSLATER

LanasitsonthecornerofadeskwhileChloepaces
nervously.
 7.

LANA
Wow,Ihadnoideayoufeltthat
wayaboutClark,Chloe.Wow.

CHLOE
Really?Soit’snotthatobvious?

LANA
No,notreally.So,canIask:Have
yousharedthiswithClark?

CHLOE
I’vepracticallyjumpedinhislap
andsmotheredhimwithkisses.He’s
oblivious,he’sjustobsessedwith
...well,but,hegavemethis
reallyfunnylooktoday.

LANA
Afunnylook?

CHLOE
Yeah.Like...Likehe’djustseen
meforthefirsttime.Iknowit’s
silly,itwasprobably...
Somethinginhiseyeorsomething
...

LANA
ItcouldbesomethingChloe,butI
havetotellyou,whenitcomesto
funnylooks,Clark’ssortofthe
king.

CHLOE
Iknow,Iknow.Anditmaybe
nothing,butIneedtoknowoneway
ortheother.AndIwasjust
wonderingifyoucould,ifyou
could...

LANA
Talktohim?Seehowhereally
feels?Helphimseeyouas
somethingotherthanacrusading
journalistbuddy?

CHLOE
Yeah.Somethinglikethat.But
subtle,ofcourse.
 8.

LANA
Happytodoit,Chloe.Ithink.

CHLOE
Youthink?

LANA
Well,youknowClarkaswellasI
do,andyouknowhowum,how...

CHLOE
Stubborn?Brilliantlyclueless?

LANA
...hecanbe.Right.

CHLOE
Ido.Howcanagirlnotbe
attractedtothat,Lana?He’slike
theperfectguy,yetwiththis
mysterious...somethinginside
him.He’slikeoneofthosecomic
bookheroes--thesupergoodguy
withthetragicflaw,thedark
secret.

LANA
AlthoughIthinkClark’sdark
secretismorealongthelinesof
hetookoneextracookiefromthe
jarwhenhewas10orsomething.

CHLOE
(laughing)
Yeah!Orheaccidentallysteppedon
aspider!

LANA
Andhe’scarriedthatguiltfor
years!

TheyhaveagoodLAUGHaswe

CUTTO:

EXT-KENTFARM-AFTERNOON

JonathanisworkingonaFENCEwhenClarkarriveshomefrom
school.
 9.

JONATHAN
Hison!You’rejustintimetohelp
medigsomepostholes!

CLARK
Suredad.

MATCHCUTTO:

EXT-KENTFARM-LATER

ClarkandJonathanareworkingonthefence.

CLARK
Dad,whatdoyouknowabout
journalisticethics?

JONATHAN
Well,Idon’tknow,son.Isuppose
they’renottoodifferentfrom
everydayethics.Youtakeyour
trainingandexperienceandmoral
guidepostsandholdthemupagainst
situationsastheycomealong.
Then,youtrytomaketheright
decision.

CLARK
Yeah,onlyifyoumakethewrong
decisionyougetsuedforlibel!

JONATHAN
Well,Isuppose.What’sonyour
mind?

CLARK
Icanseethroughwalls.

JONATHAN
Ahhh.Isee.AndIbettheydon’t
coverthatinthesectiononethics
injournalismclass.

CLARK
No,theydon’t.

JONATHAN
Well,letmeaskyouthis:Isit
righttotapsomeone’sphonefora
story?
 10.

CLARK
No,ofcoursenot.

JONATHAN
Howaboutillegallyvideotape
someoneintheirhomeorprivate
office?

CLARK
No.

JONATHAN
Thosedevicesaretoolsusedto
extendtherangeorcapabilitiesof
theaveragehuman.

CLARK
AndI’mnottheaveragehuman.

JONATHAN
No,you’renot,son.Youknowmore
aboutFirstAmendmentrightsthanI
do,butmyunderstandingisthatwe
havearighttoprivacyinmost
cases.Yourgiftsgiveyouanedge
theframersoftheconstitution
neveranticipated.

CLARK
Soundslikeit’suptometopolice
myself.Again.

JONATHAN
Son,youhaveto.

HeputshisARMaroundClark.

JONATHAN(CONT’D)
YourmotherandIhaveworkedhard
toinstillinyouthebestsetof
moralsweknow.Butbecauseofyour
gifts,youhavetotakethoseand
createyourownmoralcode.Idon’t
envyyou,Clark.ButI’malso
certainyou’lldowhat’srightina
givensituation.

CLARK
Thanksdad.I’lldomybest.
 11.

TheyWORKforamoment.

JONATHAN
So...Whatcolorunderwearwasshe
wearing?

CLARK
Dad!

HeWHACKSJonathanwithhisglovesaswe

CUTTO:

INT-LUTHORCORPHQMETROPOLIS-NIGHT

LioneliswithHaroldandKURT.TheRobot,Daphne,isalso
there.She’swearingnext-to-nothing.

LIONEL
So,she’sreadyHarold?

HAROLD
Yes,Mr.Luthor.Askheryourself.

LIONEL
Daphne,areyouready?

DAPHNE
Yes,Mr.Luthor!Youaremylord
andmaster!

LIONEL
Ooh,nicetouch,Harold!I’lltake
two!

HAROLD
Thankyou,Mr.Luthor.

LIONEL
OK.LetDaphneheredoallthe
dirtywork.Idon’twanteitherof
youwithin5milesofherorthe
jobsite,isthatunderstood?

HAROLD
Commandrangeisbetween10and15
miles,soitshouldn’tbea
problem.
 12.

KURT
Sir,Ihavetoaskyouoncemore
...

LIONEL
NoKurt,youcannottakeanyof
yourmen.Thisisafieldtestwith
nobackup.Lexcansmelloneof
yourguysamileawayKurt,but
he’llneverbeabletoconnect
Daphnetome.Atleastnotthat
he’llbeabletoprove.

KURT
YesMr.Luthor.

LIONEL
Andforgod’ssakesHarold,put
someclothesonher!

HAROLD
Yes,Mr.Luthor.

CUTTO:

INT-SMALLVILLEHIGHSCHOOL-AFTERNOON

ChloeandPETEareintheTorchofficelookingataTOPOMAP
whenKentENTERS.

KENT
Higuys.What’sup?

PETE
Bigstory,Clark.

CHLOE
Therearesomefarmersnorthof
Smallvillesayingtheirwater
supply’sbeingpoisoned.

KENT
Really?Where?

ANGLEONMAP

WeseeCHLOE’sFINGERpointing.
 13.

CHLOE
About17milesnorthofSmallville.
TheGreerFarm.

KENT
TheGreers!Iknowthem.Theyraise
sheepprimarily.

PETE
Yeah,well,someoftheirsheep
aren’tfeelingsowell.Infact,
they’redying.

KENT
Sowherecanitbecomingfrom?

CHLOE
Guess.

KENT
TheLuthercorpplantisn’ttheonly
industrialfacilityupstreamof
here,Chloe.

CHLOE
True.Butit’stheonlyonerunby
knownenvironmentalcriminals.
(offKent’slook)
NotLex,Kent.Hisfather.

PETE
YeahKent.RemembertheGermanville
Reservoirincident?Man,allthose
fish!

CLARK
Thatwasneverproventobe
Luthercorp!

CHLOE
Whatever.ButlistenKent,we’ll
stayonthisstory,butIsuggest
yougethomeand...

CLARK
Thefarm!OK,I’llcallyoulater.

HeDASHESoutthedoor.
 14.

CHLOE
(offtheclosingdoor,
sarcastically)
Seeyalater!Gladwehadthistime
together.

CUTTO:

EXT-KENTFARM-AFTERNOON

ClarkapproachesatSUPERSPEEDandcomestoahaltinfront
ofthehouse,whereMARTHAstandsontheporch.

MARTHA
HiClark!What’stherush?

CLARK
Where’sdad?

MARTHA
He’supinthenorthmeadow.He
saidsomethingaboutfrogsandtook
off.Aboutanhourago.

CLARK
Thanksmom!

HerushesoffatSUPERSPEED

ANGLEONMARTHA’SCONFUSEDLOOKASWE

CUTTO:

EXT-KENTFARMMEADOW-MOMENTSLATER

Jonathaniskneelingbesideacreek,examiningsomething,as
ClarkapproachesatSUPERSPEEDandcomestoahaltinfront
ofhim.

CLARK
Dad!

JONATHAN
Oh,hison.

CLARK
Dad,there’saproblemwiththe
water...

JONATHAN
Iknow.Lookatthis.
 15.

CLOSEONJONATHAN’SHAND

InhishandisatinyFROG,whichappearslifeless.

CLARK
Um,OK.Deadfrog.Iwasworried
aboutthecattle.

JONATHAN
Clark,frogsarewhatarecalledan
indicatorspecies.Ifsomething’s
wrongwiththeenvironment,these
littleguysarethefirsttoknow.
Andthefirsttodie.

CLARK
So,itotherwords,it’sjusta
matteroftimebefore...

HestopsshortwhenhenoticesJonathanlookintentlyinthe
distance,thenJOGtothetopofarise.ClarkFOLLOWS.SFX:
COWLOWING

WeseefromClarkandJonathan’sPOVacowgiveaplaintive
wail,thentoppleover.Thetwoexchangeworriedlooks.We
pullbacktoaWIDERANGLEtoseemorecowsdropping.

CLARK(CONT’D)
Smallville,wehaveaproblem.

FADETO:

ENDOFACTONE
 16.

ACTTWO


EXT-KENTFARM-LATER

It’sabusyscene,withPOLICE,EPAINVESTIGATORSetal
standingabout,inspectingthecows,etc.ChloeandPeteare
there,too.TheyandClarkarelisteningtoanEPAguytalk
toJonathan.

EPAINVESTIGATOR
WellMr.Kent,we’llknowmorewhen
wegetthesewatersamplestoour
mainlabinWashington,butour
fieldtestsareinconclusive.

JONATHAN
Whatdoesthatmean?Youguysdon’t
knowwhat’skillingmylivestock?

EPAINVESTIGATOR
No,wedon’t.Thischemicalthat’s
turningupasthetoxininboththe
cowsandthewateris,well,it’s
notsomethingwe’veseenbefore.

JONATHAN
Well,leaveittoLuthercorpto
comeupwithapollutantthatno
oneknowsabout.

CLARK
Dad,wedon’tknowthat’swhere
it’scomingfrom.

JONATHAN
Don’twe?

ChloepullsClarkaside.

CHLOE
Clark,forgetaboutthese
governmentguys.Let’stakeitto
MadScientist.

ClarknodsanOK.
 17.

JONATHAN
Listen,Iappreciatethefactthat
you’reupagainstsomethingyou
haven’tseenbefore,butcan’tyou
getasearchwarranttolookupat
theLuthercorpplant?

EPAINVESTIGATOR
Wecould,ifwethinkit’s
justified.Butitcouldtakeafew
days,andLuthorcorplawyerscould
slowitevenmore.

JONATHAN
Inafewdays,allmycattlewill
bedead.

PETE
YoushouldchecktheSmallcorp
plantaswell.They’vebeenknown
tokillafishortwointheirday.

JONATHAN
ThanksPete.ButIthinkweknow
wherethisiscomingfrom.

CUTTO:

INT-MADSCIENTIST’SLAIR-NIGHT

MADispeeringintoamicroscopewhenClark,ChloeandPete
enter.

MAD
Well,ifitisn’tthedynamictrio,
outtospreadtruthandjustice
throughoutSmallville.

CHLOE
Gladtoseeyouhaven’tlostyour
senseoflight-heartedcheer,Mad.

MAD
It’shardtobecheerfulwhena
powerfulandunknownPOPis
threateningourwatersupply.

PETE
Man,how’dyouknowaboutthat
already?
 18.

MAD
It’smyjobtoknowaboutthat,
youngman.AndhereyouthoughtI
wasjustanutbagwrappedupinmy
ownesotericresearch.

CLARK
ListenMad,wedon’thavealotof
time.What’saPOP?

MAD
Apersistentorganicpollutant.
It’swhatwecallatoxinthatjust
doesn’tgoaway.Ananimalcan’t
exreteit,anditgetsstoredin
thefat.Italsospreadsvery
easilyanddoesn’tbreakdown.

CHLOE
Soundslikeyouknowalotabout
thisstuffalready,Mad.Whatis
it?

MAD
Idon’tknowyet.Itsharesmany
characteristicsofsomeknownPOPs,
likechlordane,DDTor
hexachlorobenzene,but...

CHLOE
Butwhat?

MAD
It’sdifferent.It’sgota
differentstructurethatIjust
haven’teverseenbefore.

PETE
Letmeguess:greenrockstructure?

MAD
No,it’snotthat.I’mstumped.

CLARK
Istheresomewaywecanhelp?

MAD
Yes.BreakintotheLuthorcorpand
Smallcorpplants,stealalltheir
filesandbringthembackhere.
(MORE)
 19.

MAD (CONT'D)
Thenwe’llmatchthechemical
structureofwhatevernastystuff
theyhaveuptherewiththissample
here.

CHLOE
IthinkClarkwasthinkingmore
alongthelinesof“canwebring
yousomecoffeeandsandwiches”or
something.

TheexchangeLOOKSaswe

CUTTO:

INT-SMALLVILLEHIGHSCHOOL-NIGHT

Clark,ChloeandPeteareinthenewspaperoffice.Chloeis
atthecomputer.

CHLOE
Well,I’vecross-checkedthislist
ofcompoundsMadgaveuswiththe
entiredatabaseofstuffthesetwo
companieshavereportedtheyuseto
theEPA.

PETE
And...

CHLOE
Nothing.ButIthinkthere’sone
moresearchIcantry...

PETE
I’msorryguys,butI’mbeat.Do
youthinkyoucouldcarryon
withoutme?

CLARK
Sure,goaheadPete.

PeteLEAVES.

CLARK(CONT’D)
ListenChloe,IthinkI’mgoingto
takeofftoo.Idon’tthinkI’m
muchusetoyoulookingoveryour
shoulder.
 20.

CHLOE
You’dbesurprised.
(offhisblanklook)
Clark,haveyouever...

CLARK
Everwhat?

CHLOE
Haveyoueverwonderedwhatyour
lifewouldbelikeifyou,ifyou
gotoverLana?

CLARK
Whatdoyoumean?I’moverher.
We’refriends.Imean,she’swith
Whitney.

CHLOE
Yes,Clark.She’swithWhitney.She
willalwaysbewithWhitney.

CLARK
I’mnotsurewhatyou’regetting
at.

CHLOE
LookClark,you’resmart,you’re
cute,you’redecentandhonestand
coolandwonderfuland
(she’sblushing
magnificently)
Justaboutanythinganynormalgirl
wouldwantinaboyfriend.Andyou
spendallyourtimemooningover
theonegirlyoucan’thave.

CLARK
Idon’tmoon,Chloe.Ihavetogo.
Thanksforyourhelpwithallthis.

ClarkLEAVES.Chloetalkstoherselfwhilepeeringintothe
computerandtyping.

CHLOE
Fine.Youdon’tmoon.Oh,no,not
ClarkKent.Hewouldnevermoon
overLanaLang.Whywouldhedo
thatwhenhehasthelovelyChloe
hecouldbedating?
(MORE)
 21.

CHLOE (CONT'D)
(shestartstocry)
Juststupid,dumbChloe,waiting
aroundmakingstupiddoeeyesat
you,hopingsomeday,someway,
somehowyoumightnoticethatI
sortofmaybekindofexist.Waita
second...What’sthis?!

CUTTO:

INT-LUTHORMANSION-NIGHT

LEXhasjustfinishedhisWORKOUT.Insweatsandwithatowel
aroundhisneck,hegreetsaLuthorcorpunderling.

LEX
Ah,Daniel.Thanksforcomingout
solate.

DANIEL
NoproblemMr.Luthor.WhatcanI
doforyou?

LEX
Nodoubtyouknowaboutthe
contaminatedwaterthat’sshownup
onseveralSmallvillefarms.

DANIEL
Yep.Sawitonthenews.

LEX
Thenyouprobablyalsoknowthat
theLuthorcorpSmallvilleplantis
suspectedasthesource.

DANIEL
Yep.They’llneverproveitMr.
Luthor.

LEX
(annoyed)
No,Daniel,theywon’tbecause
there’snothingTOprove.Those
toxinsaren’tcomingfromour
plant.

DANIEL
Sure,Mr.Luthor.
 22.

LEX
AndI’dlikeyoutotakesomemen
andtrytofindoutwherethis
stuffiscomingfrom.Ifit’snot
fromourplant,thenfromwhere?

DANIEL
Sure,Mr.Luthor.I’llgetrighton
it.Anythingelse?

Daniel’sattitudeissocavalierthatLexismoreannoyed.

LEX
Daniel,thisisimportant.Doyou
understandthatourplantcouldbe
closeddownifit’sfoundtobe
pollutingthelocalwatersupply?

DANIEL
Yes,Mr.Luthor.We’llgettothe
bottomofit.

LEX
Seethatyoudo,andquickly.
Goodnight,Daniel.

AsDanielleaveshepassesClarkonthewayin.

LEX(CONT’D)
(checkinghiswatch)
Clark!Wow,it’swaypastyour
bedtime,isn’tit?

CLARK
Ithinkyouknowwhat’skeepingme
up,Lex.

LEX
Ido.Thatmanyoujustpassedis
oneofourtopinvestigators.He’s
lookingintoit.

CLARK
(flatly)
Great.

LEX
It’snotus,Clark.
 23.

CLARK
Trytellingmydadthat.

LEX
Clark,yourdadthinksLuthorcorp
isresponsibleforeverything,from
poorcropyieldstothesituation
intheMiddleEast.

CLARK
Iknow.Butthis,thisdoesn’tlook
good,Lex.Areyousureit’snot
theLuthorcorpplant?

LEX
Iam,Clark.I’vealreadyhad
samplesofthecontaminatedwater
analyzedbyourguysattheplant.
Theydon’tevenknowwhatitis,
Clark,andit’scertainlynot
anythingweuseupthere.

CLARK
Nobodyseemstoknowwhatitis.

ABUTLERenters.

BUTLER
Mr.Luthor?Excuseme,butyour
fatherwishestoconversewithyou
inthevideoconferenceroom.

LEX
Excusemeamoment,Clark.

HeEXITS.Clarkisleftaloneintheoffice.Hesitsand
LOOKSAROUNDaswe

CUTTO:

INT-VIDEOCONFERENCEROOM-MOMENTSLATER

LexentersandseesLioneluponthescreen.It’saveryhigh-
techset-up,anditalmostlooksasifLionelisthere.

LEX
Hellofather.Atouchofinsomnia
tonight?
 24.

LIONEL
HelloLex.No,asyou’llnodoubt
discoversomeday,whenyou’re
reallyrunningtheshow,sleepisa
luxuryyoucanaffordlittleof.

LEX
WhatcanIdoforyoudad?

LIONEL
Iunderstandyou’rehavingalittle
bitoftroubleuptherein
Smallville.Toxicwater,deadcows.
Couldbearealpublicrelations
nightmareforyou.Forus.

LEX
Don’tworrydad.A,it’snotusand
B,I’vegotDanielonit.

LIONEL
Ah,Daniel.Verygood.I’msure
he’llgettothebottomofit.But
Lex...

LEX
What,dad?

LIONEL
Ihopeyourealizeitmatters
littlethatit’snotcomingfrom
theSmallvilleplant.We’llbe
blamedforitregardless,evenif
andwhenyou’veclearedourgood
name.

LEX
Problemis,dad,ournameisn’t
thatgood,thankstosome
questionablepracticesputinplace
bythepaterfamilia.

LIONEL
AndIsupposeyou’lldoitallthat
muchkinderandgentler,eh,Lex?

LEX
Let’sjustsaymymanagementstyle
isalittledifferentfromyours.
(MORE)
 25.

LEX (CONT'D)
Someday,Ihopethename
Luthorcorpissynonymousnotwith
corporatetreachery,butwithgood
corporatecitizenship.

LIONEL
I’mtouched,Lex.Oh,IthinkI
mightweep...

HemockinglyDAUBSathisEYE.

LEX
Goodnightdad.

HehitsaBUTTONthatcausesLioneltoDISAPPEAR.Hetakesa
momenttogazethoughtfullyattheblankscreenaswe

CUTTO:

INT-LUTHORMANSIONOFFICE-SIMULTANEOUS

Clarkisstillsittingimpatientlyandlookingaround.Not
seeingmuch,hefinallysettlesonLex’sLAPTOP,whichis
openonthedesk.Aftersomeagonizingandguiltylooks,
Clarklevelshisgazeonthecomputer.

CLOSEONCOMPUTER

WeseeClark’sXRAYVISIONenteringthecomputer.Circuit
boards,wires,capacitors,etc.gobyuntilhisgazelights
ontheHARDDRIVE.HeisSCANNINGtheentiredriveand
committingittoMEMORY.HestopswhenLexreturns.Lexcan’t
helpbutnoticetheguiltylookonClark’sface.

LEX
Clark,what’sthematter?Youlook
likethecatthatatethecanary.

CLARK
What?No,Ijust,I’vegot
somethinginmyeyeorsomething.

HemakesabigshowofrubbinghiseyesasLexlookson
wonderingly.

CLARK(CONT’D)
So,how’sdearol’dad?
 26.

LEX
Oh,youknowClark.Dadsdon’t
changemuch.Heisconcernedabout
thesituationhereinSmallville,
althoughperhapsnotforthesame
reasonsIam.

CLARK
Well,um,Ibettergo.

LEX
Youjustgothere.

CLARK
Well,it’slate.Mydaddoesn’t
changemuch,either,andhegets
weirdifI’muptoolateona
schoolnight.

LEX
OKClark.I’llletyouknowwhenI
findoutwhat’sgoingon.

CLARK
ThanksLex.Goodnight.

ClarkEXITS,leavingLexaloneinhisoffice.Hethinksfora
moment,thengoestoaroomcontainingthevideosurveillance
equipmentforthemansion.HecallsuphisofficewhileClark
waswaitingforhimandfastforwardsthroughthetape.He
seesthatClarkdoesnotdoanysnooping,butdoesnoticethe
intensityheappearstobelookingatthelaptop.Hegivesa
puzzledlookaswe

CUTTO:

EXT-KENTFARM-LATERTHATNIGHT

Clarkiswalkingthroughthefields,aroundthedeadcows.
It’sclearhedoesn’tknowwhathe’slookingfor.Hestands
tallandscansthesurroundingareauntilheseessomething
withhisXRAYVISION.Itisaperson,butonewithavery
unusualskeletalstructure.Itappearstobebendingdown,
puttingsomethinginthecreek.

HemovestointerceptatSUPERSPEED.Daphneispouring
somethingfromavialintothewater.Shestraightensupwhen
Clarkapproaches.
 27.

CLARK
Hi.

DAPHNE
Hi.

CLARK
Doingalittlelate-night
experimentation?

DAPHNE
Hi.

ShethenIGNOREShim,bendingovertoputmorestuffinthe
water.ClarkGRABSherARM.

CLARK
Holdonthere.Whatdoyouthink
you’redoing?

Forresponse,DaphnegrabsClarkandFLINGShimafewdozen
feetintoaLARGETREE.Shethenpourstheremainingstuff
intothewaterandtakesoffatSUPERSPEED.Clarkshakesoff
hisbrushwiththetreeandTAKESOFFafterher.It’saSUPER
SPEEDRACEbetweenthetwoofthem,anditrangesformany
miles,overhillanddale,throughthedesertedtown,etc.
Finally,DaphnestopsandconfrontsClark.

DAPHNE
Youcannotkeepupwithme.Itis
impossible.

CLARK
Whatdidyouputinthewater!?

SheZOOMSUPtohimandthrowsaPUNCH,whichClarkBLOCKS.
HegivesheramightySTIFF-ARMtothemidriff,sendingher
flyingintoaCAR,whichCRUMPLES.Unharmed,shegetsback
up.

DAPHNE
Impossible.YoucannotharmDaphne.

CLARK
Daphne?That’syourname?Whatare
you?

ShepicksupaBOULDERandHURLSitatClark.Hecatchesit,
butthemomentumdriveshimbackwardsandoveracliff.
 28.

Bythetimehegetsbackup,DaphneisGONE.Hegivesan
INCREDULOUSLOOKaswe

CUTTO:

INT-SMALLVILLETORCHOFFICE-LATER

Clarkenterstheofficeandsitsdowninfrontofacomputer.
WeseehimexitouttoablankDOSscreen,closehiseyesand
starttypingatlightningspeed,asiffrommemory.

Whatweseearethelongchainsofcomputercodehe’staken
fromLex’sharddrive.Afterafewmomentsofthis,heis
abletostarttheprogramthatbringsupthe“LuthorcorpMain
Frame”pageandsearchengine.Hetypes“WATERPOLLUTANTS,
SMALLVILLE”intotheboxandhoversthecursorovertheGO
button.Wefocusonhisagonizedlook--shouldheor
shouldn’the?--andthen

FADETO:

ENDOFACTTWO
 29.

ACTTHREE

INT-KENTRANCHHOUSE-MORNING

JonathanandMarthaareatthebreakfasttablewhenClark
ENTERS.TheparentsexchangeMEANINGFULLOOKS.

CLARK
Morning.

JONATHAN
Morningson.

MARTHA
Mindtellinguswhereyouwere
untilalmostmidnightlastnight?

JONATHAN
Onaschoolnight?

CLARK
Ifoundoutwho’spoisoningthe
water.Kindof,anyway.

JONATHAN
Whatdoyoumean,kindof?

CLARK
I’veneverseenanythinglikeit.
Itwasa,arobot,anandroidof
somekind.Withsuperspeed,super
strength.Shekickedmybutt.

MARTHA
She?

CLARK
Yeah,mom.Thisandroidwasagirl,
awoman.Anattractivewoman.

JONATHAN
Attractivebutdeadly.

CLARK
Very.

MARTHA
Butwho?Why?
 30.

JONATHAN
Andwhywouldyouneedsomekindof
superrobottopoisonsomewater
anyway?

CLARK
Noneofitmakesanysense.

JONATHAN
Welllisten,youfoughtwiththis
robotwoman?

CLARK
Yeah.She’stough.

JONATHAN
Thenlet’snotsayanythingabout
youmeetingher.Ifandwhenthe
timecomesforyoutoputherout
ofcommission,Idon’twant
anythingpointingbacktoyou.
Besides,tellthepoliceortheEPA
theculprit’sasexysuperrobot
andthey’llputusinarubber
room.

MARTHA
Clark,didyouaskLexdirectly
aboutthepoisoning?

CLARK
Yeah.Lastnight.He’sgotsomeof
hisownguyslookingintoit.

JONATHAN
I’llbethedoes.

CLARK
Look,dad,IknowLuthorcorphas
hadacrummytrackrecordinthe
past,butLexistryingtochange
that.Andheswearsthisstuff
isn’tcomingfromtheirplant.I
believehimand
(guiltylook)
I’vegotgoodreasontothinkit’s
comingfromsomewhereelse.

JONATHAN
Really?
 31.

CLARK
Really.

JONATHAN
(suspicious)
Clark...?

CLARK
Ah!Thebus!Gottarun!

Clarkdashesoutthedoor,leavingJonathanandMarthato
wonder.

MARTHA
Whatwasallthatabout?

JONATHAN
Oh,let’sjustsayoursonis
gettingacrashcourseinsuper-
heroethics.Withnotextbookto
helphim.

MarthagivesJonathanaquizzicalLOOKaswe

CUTTO:

INT-SMALLVILLEHIGHSCHOOL-AFTERNOON

LanaisatherlockerwhenChloeapproaches.

LANA
HeyChloe!

CHLOE
HiLana.How’sitgoing?

LANA
Good.Anyluckwithtryingto
decipheryourlittleriddle?

CHLOE
Youmeanmyquestionmarkwrapped
inanenigmatwistedupina
conundrum?

LANA
(laughing)
Yeah,youknow,Clark.
 32.

CHLOE
Actually,Iwashopingyoumight
havesomeinformationforme.

LANA
Ahhh.I’msorryChloe.Idon’t.

CHLOE
Oh,OK.Isthatasinyoudidn’t
haveachancetotalktothe
enigma,ortheenigmawasso
enigmaticthatitwasthesame
thingasnottalkingtohim?

LANA
Uh,yeah.Hey,I’vegottorun.
CatchmelaterattheTalon,OK?

CHLOE
Uh,sureLana.
(toherself)
Whydoesthephrase“two-sidedlove
triangle”cometomind?Butwho’s
makingupwhichsides?

ClarkhascomeupBEHINDHER.

CLARK
Chloe!

CHLOE
Hey,triangleman.What’sup?

CLARK
Triangleman?

CHLOE
Sure,youknowthatsongbyThey
MightBeGiants?

CLARK
Um,oh,yeah.Anyway,I’vegotsome
informationonthepoisonings.I
heardfrom,uh,onthestreetthat
there’ssomekindofrobot
involved.

Slammingherlockershut,Chloetakesoffdownthehallwith
Clarkintow.
 33.

CHLOE
Walkwithme,Clark.I’mabusy
woman.Tellmeaboutyourrobot.

CLARK
(strugglingtokeepup)
Slowdown,Chloe!

Theycontinuebustlingdownthehallaswe

CUTTO:

INT-LUTHORCORPHQMETROPOLIS-DAY

HaroldisworkingonDaphne,whoislyingfaceuponatable.
Sheis“turnedoff,”andhe’sworkingonherinjuriesfrom
herencounterwithClark.Thethinneststripsofmaterial
coverherbreastsandgroin.Shelooksabitbeatup,andwe
canseedamagetohertorsowhereClarkshovedherinthe
midriff.

HAROLD
Idon’tunderstandwhathappenedto
yououtthere,Daphne.Nothing
shortofaShermantankcould’ve
putthesekindofmarksonyour
polymerskin.Andlook,oneofyour
kneeservo
motorsiscompletelytwisted.

Hecastsalasciviouslookoverher.

HAROLD(CONT’D)
Everythingelselooksbeautiful,
though,myprecious.Let’sjust
takealookandmakesurethere’s
nothingelseweneedtotouchup
...

Hebeginstoliftuptheclothcoveringherbreastswhenwe
hearthevoiceofLionel.

LIONEL
Robo-philia,Harold?Whatwould
yourwifesay?

Haroldspinsaroundwithaguiltylook,holdingthestripof
material.
 34.

HAROLD
Just,justcheckingheroverMr.
Luthor.Somethingknockedher
aroundouttherelastnight.

LIONEL
Ohreally?Ithoughtshewasun-
knock-aroundable,Harold.Notmuch
goodtousifsomefarmerwitha
pitchforkcanslowherdown.

HAROLD
Itwasn’tafarmerwitha
pitchfork.Shesays...

Herealizeshe’sholdingthematerialandthatDaphneishalf
nakedbehindhim.Hequicklyturnsandcoversherup.

LIONEL
Shesayswhat,Harold?

HAROLD
Thatitwasanotherlikeher.

LIONEL
Andisthereanotherlikeher?

HAROLD
Oh,noMr.Luthor.Daphne’sone-of-
akindrightnow.

LIONEL
Andthat’sallshecantellyou?

HAROLD
She,she’snotfullysensoredMr.
Luthor.Andshehasnodatabaseyet
forreference.Shewillsoon,of
course,but,rightnow...

LIONEL
Rightnowshe’sanidiot,eh
Harold?Allbrawnandnobrain?
Verywell.Canyoufixherboo-boos
bythisevening?

HAROLD
YesMr.Luthor.
 35.

LIONEL
Good.Let’ssendheroutandseeif
sherunsintothisnemesisofhers
again.Foryoursake,Ihopeit
wasn’tthebusinessendofa
garbagetruck.

HAROLD
YesMr.Luthor.

Lionelspinsonhisheeltoleaveandturnsatthedoor.

LIONEL
AndHarold,forthehundredthtime,
putsomeclothesonher.You’re
scaringme.

HeleavesachastenedHaroldstaringafterhimasthedoor
slamsshutandwe

CUTTO:

INT-KENFARMHOUSEKITCHEN-NIGHT

ThethreeKentsarehavingDINNER.

JONATHAN
Well,welostthreemorehead
today,butitlooksliketherest
oftheherd’llbeOK,solongaswe
keepthemonbottledwater.

CLARK
DotheymakeabovineEvian?

JONATHAN
Veryfunny.It’snotEvian,but
it’sstillnotcheaphavinga
tankerhereeveryday.Wecan’t
takeanotherdoseofthattoxin,
butthesheriffsayshecanonly
sparetwomentowatchthecreek.

CLARK
Twomen?!Bighelp.

JONATHAN
Yeah,butthreeisalittlebetter.
Nosleepformetonight.
 36.

MARTHA
Makethatfour.

JONATHAN
NowMartha...

CLARK
I’llgooutwithyoutoo,dad.If
thatrobotthingshowsupagain,
you’regoingtoneedme.

JonathanRISESandpicksupaSHOTGUN.

JONATHAN
Well,I’vegotthis,butIcould
useyoureyes,Clark.Martha,you
wouldbeabighelpwiththese
night-visionbinocularsandthis
walkie-talkie.Youseeanything
otherthanusandthosetwo
deputies,giveayell.

MARTHA
OK.I’llgetupontheroofandbe
thelookout.Becareful.Please,be
careful.

CLARK
Youknowme,mom,Mr.Careful.

ShegiveshimaWRYGRINaswe

CUTTO:

INT-LUTHORCORPHQMETROPOLIS-NIGHT

HaroldisdoingsomefinishingtouchesonDaphne,whoisnow
dressedinamoremilitaristic-lookingoutfit.Sheregards
Haroldcoldlyashefussesabouther,fixingherhair,
applyingsomerougeetc.

HAROLD
NowDaphne,Mr.Luthorwantsyouto
findtheotherlikeyouanddefeat
it.Bringitbackhere,OK?DoNOT
kill.

DAPHNE
Whatareyoudoing?
 37.

HAROLD
Justputtingsomecolorinyour
cheeks,Daphne.Makesyoulooka
bitmorehuman.

DAPHNE
WhydoesDaphneneedtolookhuman?

HAROLD
BecauseDaphnedoesn’twantto
scarethecrapoutofpeopleand
havethemcallingthepolice.

DAPHNE
Daphnecanhandleanypolice.

HAROLD
Iknowthat,Daphne,butthat’snot
thepoint.Yourmissionisoneof
stealthtonight.Noonemustsee
you.

DAPHNE
Ifnoonemustseeme,thennoone
will.Cheekcolorisunecessary.

HAROLD
Humorme,OK?It’sjustincase.
Plus,UncleHaroldgetsathrill
puttingitonyou.OK,you’re
ready,let’sgo.Remember,nokill,
OK?

DAPHNE
TheotherwillnotharmDaphnethis
time.

HAROLD
Notifyoulethim.Ijustneedto
hearyousaythis,Daphne:Iwill
notkilltheother.OK?

DAPHNE
Haroldisweak.Daphnemustgo.

ShetakesoffatSUPERSPEED.Haroldrunsandjumpsintoa
truckandscreechesoutoftheparkinglotafterheraswe

CUTTO:
 38.

EXT-KENTFARM-NIGHT

JonathanandClarkarepatrollingalongthecreek.Jonathan
stumbles.

JONATHAN
Aaaghh!

CLARK
YouOKdad?

JONATHAN
Yeah.Justbarkedmyshin.Whatit
mustbeliketoneverknowthat
feeling.

CLARK
ThetimeIlostmypowers...I
dunno,Ithinkpaincanbeagood
thing.

JONATHAN
Well,itkeepsushumbleifnothing
else.Lookatthosefoolsheriff’s
deputiesupthere,shiningtheir
flashlightsallaround.

CLARK
It’sjustaswellifitkeepsher
awayfromthere.They’renomatch
forher.

JONATHAN
Areyou,son?

CLARK
Yeah,nowthatIknowwhatI’mup
against.Thefirsttimeshejust
surprisedme.

JONATHAN
Clark,doyouevergetafraid?
Worriedthatyoucan’tdefeatan
enemy?

CLARK
Well,sure.Imean,notasmuchas
IusedtobecauseIknowmypowers
morenow.ButIalsoknowIhavemy
limitationsandweaknesses.
 39.

JONATHAN
Themeteoriterocks?

CLARK
Yeah.Those.

JONATHAN
Ithinkthosewillplagueyouyour
wholelife,Clark.Someday,when
theworldknowsaboutyou,your
enemieswilllookforthat
weakness.

CLARK
I’vethoughtaboutthat.There’s
justtoomuchofitaroundhereto
getridofitall.

JONATHAN
Iknow.
(afterabeat)
Well,itseemsprettyquietsofar.
Maybeyourfembottookthenight
off.

CLARK
Yeah,maybe.

TheylookupthehillattheBOBBINGLIGHTSaswe

CUTTO:

EXT-KENTFARMHOUSEROOF-MOMENTSLATER

Marthaontheroofispeeringthroughthenight-vision
binoculars.WeseeherPOVthroughthemasshescansthe
deputiesandthenClarkandJonathan.

MARTHA
(toherself)
Well,Idon’tseeanythingup
there.

POVOFDAPHNE

AssherunsatSUPERSPEEDtowardKentFarm,weseehouses,
treesandotherlandmarksgopastinaBLURuntiltheKent
Farmhousecomesintoview.
 40.

ONMARTHA

MARTHA(CONT’D)
(intowalkietalkie)
Guys,Idon’tseeany...

Beforethewordleavesherlips,Daphnecomesstreakinginto
view.SheCHARGESintothehouse,butnotthroughthedoor.
Shecrashesthroughonewallandcomesflyingouttheother
side,comingtoahaltinacloudofdustandflyingdebris.
ShelooksupatMarthawithaCOLDSTARE.

MARTHA(CONT’D)
Ohmygod!She’shere!

DaphnefollowsMartha’sgazeupthehillandstreaksoffin
thatdirection.

ONCLARK

ClarktakesoffatSUPERSPEEDasJonathanhurriesafterhim
withtheshotgun.OurcamerashotsalternatefromthePOVof
ClarktothatofDaphneandbackagain.Theyareheading
towardacollisionwitheachother.

Astheycometogether,wemovetoSLO-MO,withallour
surroundingsblurredtoshowthegreatspeedtheyare
travelingat.Daphneraisesbothfistsinfrontofherlikea
batteringram.Justbeforecontact,Clarkbendsdownand
shoveshisarmsupandintoDaphne’smidriff.Wecomeoutof
SLO-MOand,fromaWIDERANGLE,seeClarklaunchingDaphne
hundredsoffeetintotheair.

ONJONATHAN

JonathanseesDaphneflyingoutofcontrolstraightathim
andducksassheCRASHESintoaTREE.Assheliesthere
momentarilystunned,Jonathanhustlesoverandgivesherboth
barrelsoftheshotguninthechest.ClarkRUSHESUP.

JONATHAN
(panting)
Clark,that’snolady!Notthekind
ofgirlmomandIwouldliketosee
youbringhome.
 41.

CLARK
Don’tworryaboutitdad.Isshe
...Isshefinished?

JONATHAN
I’dsayso.Let’sgetherdownto
thebarnandseeifwecanfinda,
aserialnumberonheror
something.

DAPHNE

Welingeroverherinanimatefaceandbatteredbodyaswe

CUTTO:

INT-KENTBARN-MOMENTSLATER

Daphneisonaworkbench.Clark,JonathanandMarthaare
inspectingherassheliesfacedown.

JONATHAN
Well,Idon’tseeanythingonthis
side.Let’sflipherover.

Hetriestoturnher.

JONATHAN(CONT’D)
Man,she’saheavyone!

MARTHA
Ihopeshedidn’thearyousay
that!

CLARK
(atherhead)
Idon’tseeanythinguphere.

JONATHAN
Meneither.Iguesswe’dbetter
...Martha,wouldyoudothehonors
forusmodestguys?

MARTHA
Sure.

ThetwomenturntheirbacksasMarthapeersunderDaphne’s
clothing.
 42.

MARTHA(CONT’D)
Well,sheappearstobe
anatomicallycorrect.

JONATHAN
Wonderful.

MARTHA
Butnothingdownbelow.Let’stake
alookuphere.

AsMarthareachestowardDaphne’sTOP,DaphenesEYESopen
wide.ShestrikesMarthainthechest,knockingher
backwards,andjumpstoherfeet.

ClarkandJonathanspintoconfronther.SherunsatSUPER
SPEEDabout10feet,thenstopsandFALLSOVER.Thetwomen
exchangeCURIOUSLOOKS.Daphnethenspringstoherfeetagain
andblowsthroughthesideofthebarnandintothenight.

MARTHA(CONT’D)
(groggilygettingup)
Doesn’tthatgirlknowhowtousea
door?

ClarkandJonathanrushtoherside.

CLARK
Mom!AreyouOK?

MARTHA
Ithinkso.
(feelingherribs)
IthinkI’llhavesomesoreribs
forafewweeksthough.Guessshe’s
amodestrobot!

JONATHAN
Clark,I’lllookafteryourmother.
You’dbetterseeifyoucancatch
upwiththatthingwhileit’sstill
weak.There’snotellingwhoit’ll
hurtnext.Ifitdoesn’tshort-
circuitfirst.

CLARK
Right,dad.I’llbeback.

ClarkrunsatSUPERSPEEDthroughtheholeinthebarnDaphne
justmade.
 43.

JONATHANANDMARTHA

JonathanattemptstohelpMarthaup.Shewincesinpain,
obviouslymorehurtthanshethought.

JONATHAN
We’dbettergetyoutothe
hospital.

Martha’sabouttoprotest,thenwincesagainandnodsher
assent.

WIDEANGLEONCLARK

Asheemergesfrombarn,lookingaround.

CLARK’SX-RAYPOV

HescanstheareaandseesDaphnerunning,falling,stumbling
inthedistance.HetakesoffafterheratSUPERSPEED.

EXT-HIGHWAYNEARKENTFARM-SIMULTANEOUS

HaroldisdrivingwhilemonitoringaTRACKINGDEVICEonthe
dashboardandfiddlingwithanotherdevice.

HAROLD
Comeon,Daphne.Cometopoppa.
Followthebeacongirl...

HAROLD’SPOV

Daphnecomesstumblingoutofthebrushandintothepathof
thetruck.Haroldstopsquicklybutstillknocksherover.

HAROLD(CONT’D)
Thereyouare,younaughtygirl!

HeleapsfromthetruckandrushestoDaphne’sside.She’s
OUTCOLD.Hedragsheraroundtothebackofthepickupand
lowersatailgatelift.Heshovesherontoit,getsherinto
thebedofthepickupandtakesoffdowntheroad.

WIDERANGLEONCLARK

Emergingfromthebushesandlookingaroundasthepickup’s
light’sdisappearinthedistance.Offhisfrustratedlook:

FADETO:

ENDOFACTTHREE
 44.

ACTFOUR

INT-SMALLVILLEMEDICALCENTER-MORNING

MarthaliesinahospitalbedwithJonathanandClarkather
side.Chloeenters.

CHLOE
Clark,Mr.Kent.Mrs.Kent,howare
youfeeling?

MARTHA
Thankyouforcoming,Chloe.I’m
goingtobefine.Justafew
crackedribs.

CHLOE
OK,nomakingherlaugh,guys.
(offtheirserious
expressions)
Guessthatwon’tbeaproblem.

CLARK
Chloe,canIspeakwithyououtside
amoment?

CHLOE
SureClark.

INTHEHALLWAY

CLARK
ListenChloe,wedon’tknowwhat
we’redealingwithhere,andmy
dad,we’dliketoavoidabig
story.

CHLOE
No“Sexyrobotterrorizes
Smallville”story?Areyoukidding
me?

CLARK
Wedon’twantpeopletopanic.

CHLOE
Sokeeptheminthedark?Don’t
tellthemthere’sadanger?
 45.

CLARK
Ididn’tthinkyou’dunderstand.

CHLOE
NoClark,IdounderstandandI’m
verysorryyourmothergotinthe
wayofthatthing.Butthere’s
somethingabouttheneedsofthe
manyoutweighingtheneedsofa
few,nottomentionthepublic’s
righttoknow.

CLARK
Iguessyou’reright.

CHLOE
So,Iassumeyou’regoingafter
thisthing?

CLARK
No,me?Whyme?

CHLOE
Don’tplayMr.Naivewithme,
Clark.You’relike“herodude,”
alwaysshowingupandsavingthe
day.IfIcouldkeepupwithyou,
I’d’vehadabout10greatstories
bynow.

CLARK
Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalking
aboutChloe.I’vegottago.

CHLOE
Tovanquishtherobot?

CLARK
Seeya,Chloe.

CHLOE
YeahClark,seeya.

INT-LUTHORMANSION-LATER

ClarkandLexareinthemiddleofaheatedexchange.Both
arefurious,althoughnotnecessarilywitheachother.
 46.

CLARK
WellallIknowismymom’slying
inthehospital,Lex,andsomehigh-
techrobotisontheloose.

LEX
Soofcourseyouassumeit’soneof
ours.

CLARK
YesIdo!It’salwaysLuthorcorp,
isn’tit?!

LEX
Ah,yes.Weshouldjustchangethe
nameto“ScapegoatCorp.”
Anything’swronginSmallville,it
mustbeourfault.

CLARK
I’msorryLex.Youdidn’tdeserve
that.

LEX
Don’tI?Myname’sLuthor,andI
canreeloffalistofadozen
unsavorythingsthiscompanyhas
doneinthepastdecade.

CLARK
Noneofthemonyourwatch.

LEX
Well,no.ButIhavetoexpectto
betarredwiththesamebrush.

CLARK
Didyourguysfindanything?

LEX
No.Butthatmaynotmeanmuch.

CLARK
Whatdoyoumean?

LEX
Let’sjustsaythat,evenifmy
fatherorhisgoonsaren’tbehind
this,chancesaretheyknowwhois.
(MORE)
 47.

LEX (CONT'D)
Metropolisisnicethistimeof
year.

CLARK
(smiling)
Let’sgo!

CUTTO:

INT-LUTHORCORPHQMETROPOLIS-DAY

ClarkandLexareseatedinLionel’soffice.Lionelenters.

LIONEL
Well,towhatdoIowethishonor?
Theprodigalsonandhisminion,
cometopaytheevilpaternal
overlordavisit.

LEX
ThisisClarkKent,dad.Clark,
LionelLuthor.

TheSHAKE.

LIONEL
Apleasure,apleasure.

LEX
Whatdoyouknowaboutahigh-tech
robotpoisoningwatersuppliesin
Smallville?

LIONEL
CanIinterestyouboysinadrink?
Water?Coffee?
(eyeingClark)
Youdon’tlookmuchofascotch
drinker.

LEX
Answerthequestiondad.

LIONEL
Ahigh-techrobot?It’snotours.
Themilitarypulledthefinancing
onourprogram18monthsago.Try
MultiDynamix.
(MORE)
 48.

LIONEL (CONT'D)
They’vegotsomekindofthree-
wheeledgizmothey’retryingto
sellthearmy.GoodluckisallI
can...

CLARK
(interrupting)
TherobotIsawwasanandroid.
Fullyfunctional.

LIONEL
Really?Intriguing.

LEX
Yes,itis.Thisintriguingyoung
womanputClark’smotherinthe
hospital.What’sHarolduptothese
days?

AshadowofsomethingcrossesLionel’satthementionofthe
hurtMarthaandHarold.Herecoversquickly.

LIONEL
Harold?Oh,somethingtodowith
aircraftguidancesystems.

LEX
CanIspeaktohim?

LIONEL
I’msorrytohearaboutyour
mother,Clark.WillshebeOK?

CLARK
Ithinkso.

LEX
AndHarold?

LIONEL
What’sthat?Oh,Harold,right.
He’sinHelsinki,Ithink.

LEX
Helsinki?

LIONEL
Helsinki.
 49.

LexandClarkexchangeaLOOKaswe

CUTTO:

HAROLDANDDAPHNE

HaroldisfinishinguprepairsonDaphne.Sheisinertona
table,wearingplainwhitebraandpanties.

HAROLD
Well,thatoughttodoitoldgirl.
Let’sseeifdaddyfixedthe
toasterOK...

He“switches”heronsomehow.Sheopenshereyes.

DAPHNE
Harold.Mylove.

HAROLD
NowDaphne,whatdidItellyou
aboutthat?

DAPHNE
Daphnesleptagain.
(”thinks”amoment)
17.4Hours.Why?

HAROLD
Yougotthecrapkickedoutofyou
Daphne.Youcan’tbelettingpeople
hityouwithshotguns.Although
thatshouldn’thaveslowedyou
down.

DAPHNE
Nottheweapon.Thestrongman.

HAROLD
Ah,himagain.

DAPHNE
Mustkillhim.

HAROLD
Induetime,mydear,induetime.
ButfirstIneedtorunsome
diagnostics...
 50.

DAPHNE
(interrupting)
I’llbeback!

ShejumpsupandrunsatSUPERSPEEDthroughthewallofthe
lab.

ONHAROLD

HAROLD
Ohsh...

CUTTO:

EXT-KENTFARM-LATER

DaphnearrivesatSUPERSPEEDtofindthefarmdeserted.She
boltsintothewoodsandtakesupapositionoverlookingthe
farmhouse.Shethenswitchesintosomekindof“sleep”mode
aswe

CUTTO:

INT-MADSCIENTIST’SLAIR-AFTERNOON

ChloeandPeteenter.Madisathismicroscope.

CHLOE
Yourang?

MAD
Yes,Idid.Ifoundyourtoxin,but
it’snogreatsecret.

PETE
Really?

MAD
No,it’sjustaformofchloro-
fluoroethylenewithanextra
hydrogenatom.Simplebutingenious
--andratherlethaltocows.

CHLOE
So,itlookslikeitwas
deliberate?
 51.

MAD
Absolutely.Ican’tthinkofany
practicalapplicationfora
compoundlikethisotherthanto
causemassivekidneyfailure.

PETE
Soifitwasn’tanaccidentand
it’snotanormallyoccuring
substance,it’ssabotage.Butwhy?
Allit’sdonesofarishurrieda
fewcowstothehamburgerstand.

CHLOE
There’soneotherthing.

PETE
What?

CHLOE
It’smadeLuthorcorplookbad.Who
wouldwanttodothat?

PETE
Smallcorp?

CHLOE
Nottheirstyle.ButIthinkIhave
anidea.

CUTTO:

LEXANDCLARK

InLex’scarenteringSmallville.

CLARK
Dropmebytheschool.Iwantto
seehowChloe’sdoing.AndseeifI
cangetoutofdetentionfor
ditchingtoday.

LEX
Suchanaughtyboy!AsforChloe,
I’msureshe’sstillpiningaway
afteryou,Clark.Whenareyou
goingtogivethepoorgirla
break?
 52.

CLARK
Iwastalkingaboutthecase.

LEX
OK,EncyclopediaBrown.Haveit
yourway.Letmeknowifyoufind
outanything.

CLARK
SureLex.AndLex,forwhatit’s
worth,aboutyourdad,thanksfor
trying.

LEX
Sure,Clark.Butaleopardcan’t
changehisspots.

HeDRIVESOFFasClarklooksoffafterhim,thenturnsto
enterthebuildingandwe

CUTTO:

INT-SMALLVILLETORCHOFFICE-MOMENTSLATER

ClarkenterstheofficetofindDaphne,stillinher
underwear,holdingPeteandChloehostage.She’sholdingthem
bytheirthroatsagainstthewall,anditlookslikeshe’s
beeninthatpositionforsometime.

CHLOE
HiClark!Yourgirlfriendstopped
bytosayhello.

PETE
Yeah,onlyIthinkyou’reinthe
doghouseorsomething.

DaphnedropsthemandturnstoClark.Heducksoutthedoor;
shegoesrightthroughit.It’safterschoolandthehallways
areempty.DaphneapproachesClarkandhethrowsherintoa
wall,breakingitandmakingamess.Herealizeshecan’t
fightherhereandrunsatSUPERSPEEDoutsideandoverthe
hillsasshepursueshim.TheydisappearasPeteandChloe
comerushingoutside.

PETE(CONT’D)
Where’dshego?

CHLOE
Where’dClarkgo?
 53.

PETE
Idon’tknow.Ijusthopehe
doesn’ttrytofighther.She’ll
kickhisbutt.

CHLOE
Willshe?

OffPete’scuriouslookwe

CUTTO:

EXT-WOODSOUTSIDESMALLVILLE-MOMENTSLATER

Clarkcomestoahaltnexttoalargetree.Hebreaksalarge
branchoffofitandwaitsforDaphnetoapproach.Whenshe
does,hegivesheranenormousWHACKwiththelimb,knocking
heracrosstheclearing.ShePOPSbackupandgrabsherown
largetreelimb.

ClarkandDaphneapproacheachotherslowlyintheclearing,
eachbrandishingtheirlargebranch.Theycircleeachother
warily,lookingforanopening.TheybothSTRIKEina
tremendousclashofwoodandbarkandfallingleaves.Like
somekindofinsanefencingmatch,theycontinue,withnoone
gettingtheupperhanduntilSFX:TRAINWHISTLE.Clarkhears
thewhistleandweseeanideaforminhismind.

ClarkdropshisbranchandliftsupaBOULDER,whichhehurls
atDaphne.Shestepsuptotheplateandwhacksitbackto
Clarkwithherbranch.ClarkgrabsanotherBOULDERandhurls
itather.Thistime,sheswingandmisses,andtheboulder
hitsherinthemidriff,drivingherbackwardsandknocking
herout.

WIDERANGLE

Clarkisdraggingdaphnebythelegacrossafieldandtoward
thetraintracks.Weseethetrainapproaching.

ONDAPHNE

Sheispartiallyawake.Clarkstopsand,withamighty
wrench,yanksoneofherarmsoff.

DAPHNE
Strongman!Whomadeyou?
 54.

CLARK
Thebetterquestioniswhomade
you!WasitLuthorcorp?

Heyanksofftheotherarm.

DAPHNE
Letmego.

CLARK
Forgetaboutit.Howabout
Smallcorp?MultiDynamix?

Hepullsoffaleg.

DAPHNE
Letmego.

Hepullsofftheotherleg.

CLARK
Justtellmewhobuiltyouand
maybeIwon’tthrowyouinfrontof
thetrain.

Clarkspiesacarcomingupfast.WithhisSUPERVISIONwe
seeitisChloeandPete.Herealizeshehastoworkquickly.

CLARK(CONT’D)
LastchanceDaphne.Whomadeyou?
DoyouknowLionelLuthor?

ChloeandPetearedrawingcloser,asisthetrain.Clark
mustact.

CLARK(CONT’D)
OKDaphne.Saygoodnight!I’llsend
yourregardstoLionel.

Hepullsoffherhead.Hegathersupherpartsand,witha
mightyheave,heflingsherintothepathoftheoncoming
train.Justbeforeimpact,shecriesout:

DAPHNE
Mylordandmaster!

AndPOW!Thetrainhitsherandshe’sblowntopieces.Pete
andChloepullupandgetoutofthecar.Theylookatthe
remainsofDaphneasthetrainhurriesby.
 55.

PETE
Wow!How’dyougethertorunin
frontofthetrain,Clark?

CHLOE
WhatIwanttoknowishowyou
woundup7milesfromtheschoolin
amatterofminutes.

CLARK
Um...

Ashestrugglesforananswer,heseeshisfather’spickup
crestingthehill.

CLARK(CONT’D)
Mydad.Hesawheraftermeand
pickedmeup.Thenhewentoneway
andIrantheotherandwelured
herintothetrain’spath.

PETE
Awesome!

CHLOE
Baloney!

CLARK
OKChloe.Iranhere,how’sthat?

Jonathanpullsupandassessesthesituation.

JONATHAN
Higuys.What’sup?