Part 16 (1/2)

METALLO is still standing. She presses the b.u.t.ton again. Nothing. A look of fear sweeps over her face as METALLO gently takes the box from her hands and crushes it in his fist. MERCY (Quiet) s.h.i.+t.

He lifts MERCY and tosses her.

The SECURITY TEAM opens fire riddling METALLO with bullets. METALLO charges them.

SNAP CUT TO:.

INT. LUTHOR'S PENTHOUSE.

LUTHOR is in bed with another anonymous BIMBO when the videophone rings.

Annoyed, he sits and answers it. LUTHOR What?

SECURITY.

Mister Luthor, there's been a problem.

LUTHOR.

What kind of problem?

SECURITY.

You better just come down here.

CUT TO:.

INT. LEXCORP LOBBY.

LUTHOR enters what looks like a battlezone. The walls are on fire and riddled with bulletholes. There is a LEXCORP MEDICAL TEAM attending to the wounded.

Furiously, LUTHOR looks for someone to blame. SECURITY We did the best we could. We barricaded the exits to contain him.

LUTHOR.

Then where is he?

SECURITY GUARD points OFF CAMERA and LUTHOR turns as the CAMERA pans revealing a door-sized hole in the wall.

CUT TO:.

EXT. JUMPERS BRIDGE - NIGHT.

JUMPERS BRIDGE is the entrance to SUICIDE SLUM. METALLO walks across the desolate bridge, occasionally being pa.s.sed by vehicles.

EXT. SUICIDE SLUM MAIN STREET NIGHT.

Despite the hour, there are people, drug dealers, gangs and hookers wandering the streets. He walks into the center of the main strip. Traffic stops around him and comes screeching to a halt. Horns start to blare and people become irate that he refuses to move. A crowd starts to gather.

A car screeches to a halt barely missing him. DRIVER WHAT THE h.e.l.l IS YOUR PROBLEM?!.

METALLO reaches under the front end of the car and flips it over landing it on its top.

People are too frightened to move but the noise stops.

His voice, which starts as a low roar and escalates without effort.

METALLO.

(Bellowing and building) GET OUT!.

CUT TO:.

EXT. SMALLVILLE GENERAL MARKET (6AM).

CLARK is getting groceries. The market owner, METCALF, spots CLARK behind the shelves. METCALF Clark? Is that Clark Kent?

CLARK.

Hi, Mister Metcalf.

Excitedly, he comes around the counter and shakes his hand.

MERCALF.

I don't think I've seen you since you went off to the big city to be reporter.

CLARK.

That's not true. You saw me last Christmas.

METCALF.

Then it just feels like forever. You know, I bet we're the only store in all of Kansas that gets the Daily Planet sent in everyday. Granted, it gets here two days late but it's the effort that counts.

CLARK.

I appreciate that.

METCALF.

Where are your folks?

CLARK.

They're probably at home. They don't know I'm here. It's kind of a surprise.

CLARK hands him some money and METCALF gives him change.