Superman: The Man Of Steel Part 22

This isn't your city, Luthor.

LUTHOR.

What?! I am worth one hundred and sixteen billion dollars! I buy and sell people and their ideals the way most people order lunch! Governors, attorneys, police and MAYORs! Everyone in this city works for me directly or indirectly whether they know it or not! This city is Metropolis because I made it Metropolis. Without me it's nothing! Just another decaying urban wasteland and you know it! You even think about crossing me I'll have my lawyers wrap you in red tape from here to Kingdom Come!

(Calmer) You remember this: You aren't the first MAYOR this city has ever had and G.o.d knows you aren't the first idealist. There will be another election in November and you might be sitting in your quaint little office in City Hall and you might not be. I, however, know exactly where I'll be sitting.

LUTHOR goes behind his desk and comfortably eases into his chair.

LUTHOR.

Now gentlemen, if you'll excuse me, I have an empire to run.

There is a very long silence.

BERKOWITZ.

Superman...

SUPERMAN.

Yes, your honor.

BERKOWITZ.

Under the power granted to me by the city of Metropolis I am deputizing you.

(Beat) Arrest this man.

LUTHOR has an expression few people see.

Shock.

CUT TO BLACK:.

BLACK SCREEN VOICE.

Look up.

FADE IN.

IMAGE OF LUTHOR STANDING AGAINST A WALL.

LUTHOR looks up. LUTHOR's tie is undone and he's fuming with anger. In front of him is a plate with: "LUTHOR, ALEXANDER L 1591418017."

A CAMERA FLASHES. VOICE.

Turn to the left.

LUTHOR turns and the CAMERA FLASHES again.

INT. POLICE STATION.

LUTHOR is getting fingerprinted. COP (Trying not to laugh) Name?

COPS in the background start snickering.

INT. HOLDING CELL.

LUTHOR is placed into the holding tank with the other riff raff.

CUT TO:.

EXT. POLICE STATION - EVENING.

LUTHOR is met by MERCY. They exit the station swarmed by reporters. LOIS LANE is among them.

CUT TO:.

INT. LEXCORP - LUTHOR'S OFFICE.

LUTHOR enters and gets himself a drink. As he walks past the window, SUPERMAN is floating outside waiting for him with his arms folded.

LUTHOR takes a remote control from the desk and opens the window. LUTHOR I'd invite you in for a drink but you don't seem like the drinking type... even though a stiff drink would probably do you some good.

SUPERMAN says nothing.

LUTHOR.

You're a pretty smart fellow so you probably know your recent failings were no fault of your own. It's really simple: For enough money you can get anyone to sabotage a monorail or school bus and push it on some train tracks.

Then you plant your man in a the site of the predetermined disaster he averts.

He smiles for the cameras and looks fantastic. On the other hand, it doesn't exactly make you look like the spit and polish hero everybody loves so much.

The whole reason I created Metallo was to falter the public's faith in its power source. Make them feel unsafe and then I would come along and sell them something safer. Something more advanced. Something more, how should I say, expensive and I make a few billion dollars in the process and replace you with my own "Man Of Steel." One that I hold the strings to and take you out of my misery at the same time.

Absolutely brilliant.

I don't know who you are or where you come from or why you're here but what I do know is I don't like to be shown up my city. Don't think you can come in here with your fancy pants, good looks and that truth, justice, blah blah blah and that from me. I can live with the heroics and I can even live knowing there may be one person in Metropolis I can't influence but you embarra.s.sed me in front of my town and that will not be forgotten.

When your number is up, I'll be the one holding the ticket. That I promise you.

(Beat) Now, you tell me... am I telling the truth?

Arms folded, SUPERMAN's expression is stern blankness.

SUPERMAN.

I'm watching you, Luthor.

SUPERMAN flies straight up. LUTHOR looks out the window and he's gone.

When he's gone, LUTHOR reaches inside his jacket and beneath his shirt and retrieves a small pager size box. On the front is a pulsing light. He presses the intercom.

LUTHOR.

Miss Teshmacher.

SECRETARY (VO).

Yes, sir?

LUTHOR.

Tell the boys in R and D it works. They'll see my appreciation for the efforts in next week's check.

SECRETARY (VO).

Right away, Mister Luthor.

CUT TO:.

EXT. LOIS' APARTMENT - NIGHT.

SUPERMAN flies by her apartment window. Inside, she's on the telephone with her sister LUCY. Her arm is in a sling.

He notices an envelope pinned under the window with his name on it. He opens it and it reads: THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME... AGAIN.

He smiles, folds the letter neatly and takes off. LOIS sees something in the corner of her eye and runs to the window. Like a schoolgirl with a crush, she smiles.

CUT TO:.

INT. UNKNOWN COMPUTER CENTER.

The redheaded WOMAN seen very briefly earlier is behind her computer data center. On the monitors are images of METALLO/JOHN CORBEN with reports and articles with CIA/INTERPOL markings.

The REDHEAD's face is barely seen although we can tell she's wearing gla.s.ses and seated in a wheelchair. She types and presses ENTER. Her mail has been sent.

CUT TO:.

EXT. KANSAS COUNTRYSIDE - DUSK.

CAMERA pa.s.ses slowly overhead of the beautiful farmland with newscaster ANGELA CHEN's following voice-over. ANGELA (VO) This morning, sources at Interpol and the Central Intelligence Agency have confirmed internet speculation that Metallo's true ident.i.ty is that of John Corben, a known mercenary and thief wanted worldwide for crimes neither agency would elaborate on. How the human Corben became the superhuman Metallo, is still a mystery. Mayor Berkowitz has this to say: BERKOWITZ (VO).

It has been a difficult few days for us all. The loss of life cannot be replaced. We have suffered many tragedies and avoided more but today we are safe. Wherever you are, thank you Superman.

ANGELA (VO).

This is Angela Chen. Goodnight.

EXT. SMALLVILLE, KENT FARM - SUNSET.

JONATHAN and MARTHA KENT are standing in a field overlooking their farm. In the distance is an incredibly vibrant sunset. In the background is their house.

JONATHAN's arm is around MARTHA. CLARK walks up from behind them. Silent, he enjoys the view. CLARK (Beat) You never get tired of this do you?

They aren't startled. They were expecting him.

JONATHAN.

Never.

MARTHA.

I'm glad your home, Clark.

CLARK.

Of course, Ma. It's Sunday.

CLARK puts his arm around them.

CAMERA PANS OUT ENDING ON THEIR SILHOUETTES AND THE SUNSET AND THEN A SLOW FADE.

TO BLACK.

CREDITS ROLL.

CREDITS END.

CUT TO:.

AFTER CREDIT SEQUENCE.

INT. LEXCORP RESEARCH LAB.

Several SCIENTISTS are working on various projects. LUTHOR enters and approaches the lead scientist, DR WENG. LUTHOR My time is valuable, Doctor Weng.

WENG.

Then I will not abuse it. I thought you'd be interested in our progress.

LUTHOR.