Part 13 (2/2)
These are the facts: This morning, there was an unidentified malfunction at the Shuster Nuclear Facility. Attempting to stop a possible meltdown, Superman was rendered unconscious. The state of his condition was not known then and is still unclear. Metallo rescued Superman from the nuclear core of the facility and possible death.
(Beat) For that we are all grateful. At this time I would like to extend my personal grat.i.tude, as well as that of the great city of Metropolis, to Metallo, for averting disaster and saving our friend.
Double doors in the back of the conference room swing open and METALLO strides down the aisle to the podium. Cameras barrage him with flashes. He shakes the MAYOR's hand and steps behind the podium for a few words.
CUT TO:.
INT. LANA LANG'S HOME (SMALLVILLE KS).
CLARK and LANA are sitting on the sofa watching the broadcast. CLARK is dressed in his normal clothes sans gla.s.ses. CLARK I feel so... incompetent.
LANA.
Maybe you should stay here... with me.
The telephone rings and LANA answers it.
LANA.
(On phone) h.e.l.lo. Yes, I was watching it just now.
She mouths ”It's your mother,” to CLARK. He motions not to let her know he's there.
LANA.
(On phone) Sure, Mrs. Kent. I don't know either. Well, you know I will. Okay, give Mr.
Kent my best. Bye.
(Hangs up phone) Arrggghhhh! I hate lying to your mother. I feel so guilty.
CLARK.
She knows what happened. If she knows I'm here she's not going to want me to go back.
LANA.
(Disappointed) So I guess this means you aren't staying?
CUT TO:.
NEWS BROADCAST ”ACTION COMMENTS FEATURING SUPERMAN”.
CLOSE on ANGELA CHEN, the host. ANGELA Welcome to a special edition of Action Comments. I'm your host, Angela Chen.
With the near-disaster that took place several days ago, a debate has emerged regarding Metropolis' questionable power source. Our special guest for the hour is Metropolis' other favorite son, millionaire industrialist Lex Luthor.
The CAMERA snaps to a TWO SHOT putting an insulted LUTHOR in the frame.
LUTHOR.
Billionaire.
ANGELA.
(Embarra.s.sed) Oh, I'm sorry.
LUTHOR.
A common error.
ANGELA.
I would like to give a special thanks to Mister Luthor who not only agreed to this interview, but also permitted us to telecast from one of his soundstages in the LexCorp building.
LUTHOR.
I would have been happy to join you downtown but in light of recent (ah-hem) incidents, one can never be too careful.
ANGELA.
It's our pleasure, Mister Luthor.
(Beat) Now it's your opinion this whole incident could have been avoided.
LUTHOR.
Several months ago my engineers at LexCorp developed a revolutionary energy source. This source is able to produce the same results as a nuclear facility without the ugly side effects the citizens of Metropolis came so close to experiencing first hand.
ANGELA.
Without the chance of a hazardous leak?
LUTHOR.
None whatsoever. Our energy source is devised by splitting atomic particles and then harnessing that energy.
ANGELA.
Nevertheless, if you have eliminated the radioactive side effect, then you aren't splitting uranium or any other radioactive element.
LUTHOR.
Precisely.
ANGELA.
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