Original subtitles

Popcorn will cheer you up. Can I have one, please?

Yes. Here you go. Thank you.

Oh, Jonathan, isn't this fun?

I don't think we've been on a ferris wheel since our honeymoon.

Yeah.

Oh!

Lois! Clark!

Look over here!

Excuse me. No cuts.

Who are you?

Lois Lane, the reporter. Big deal. My mom finds your chest.

Well, that's no reason to be rude.

Hey, you want to race?

Loser buys cotton candy.

Just cotton candy?

On what you make? That's probably all you can afford. Lois, come on. She's

a kid. You're on.

Ready?

It ain't me. The computer's going crazy.

I think he said he had to phone in the story.

Well, other than Superman crashing the party, our little test went off just as

planned. Yeah, but how do we know he won't interfere with our next accident?

Because next time, he won't be able to hear the screams.

You looking for someone? Yes.

Lois Lane? Yeah, she's around somewhere. Go ahead and wait at her desk.

So, what do you think of the new offices?

Oh, they're beautiful, aren't they, Jonathan?

Huh?

Oh, yeah.

They're nice.

They're real nice. You know, Dad, we have a reporter here who covers trends

agriculture. Would you like to meet him? Yeah.

Lois, where's Roy?

I think he's in Idaho covering the Spud Festival.

It's okay, Clark. You don't have to entertain me all the time.

You want to meet someone that knows a lot about manure, stick around. Daniel

Hanson's here.

Who's that?

State senator. He's running for governor. He's in Perry's office right

trying to sucker the planet's endorsement. Oh, that's Clark.

Oh, glad you're still here.

Mr. Hanson was just saying how much he wanted to meet you.

Hello, hello.

I'm a big fan.

I've always enjoyed your investigative articles.

Well, thank you.

I'm sure if you get elected, we'll have a lot to write about.

Hi, Daniel Hanson, candidate for governor. Where are you folks from?

Smallville. Ah, great community, great. If I'm elected, I'll work hard to make

sure your town gets good jobs and quality education.

Hi, Daniel Hanson.

Might start with geography.

We live in another state.

Let's go, Martha. I'm sure Clark has plenty of things to do. No, no, now

No VIP tour of the Daily Planet is complete without a visit to the managing

editor's office.

Come on, you two.

You know, I haven't always been a...

Yes, jockey?

Sure, Dad, all right.

Things are kind of down.

His best friend died of a heart attack last week. He's been pretty upset ever

since. Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm doing all I can to keep him busy, but I'm running out of ideas.

I have a friend at the transit authority.

Maybe I could get him a couple tickets on the inaugural ride on the new subway.

Anything would help.

Oh, no.

He's telling him the Cuban snake story.

And there it was.

And I jumped.

You better get in there before he shows him where it finally fit him.

Miss Lane?

Yes?

My name is Stuart Hofferman. May I speak to you for a moment?

Sure.

May I?

I have to admit I'm a little nervous. I've never done this before.

Really?

Clean glass is like a pro.

I meant talking to a reporter.

Oh, I see a little humor to take the edge off. Very funny.

Mr. Hoffman, is there something I can help you with?

What would you say if I told you the accident at the Ferris wheel yesterday

wasn't an accident?

I'd say go on.

Before I do, I need your word that if you write a story about this, you'll

protect me.

Well, the planet always shields its sources.

I, uh... I don't, uh...

Throw them out until they're absolutely shredded.

You know, save the rainforest.

Miss Lane, I'm head of research at Biologic Electronics. We made the

for the Ferris wheel's computer.

Those switches were defective.

That's why the ride went out of control.

Go on.

What frightens me is that I knew those computer switches were defective before

they were shipped.

I sent a report about them to Mr. Thorpe, our CEO, but it was ignored.

What are you saying?

That Biologic deliberately endangered people's lives?

I guess.

Well, that doesn't make any sense. Wouldn't they know that the defective

switches would be traced back to them?

I would think so.

I don't get it.

Biologic is considered one of the best managed companies in its field.

There must be something more to this.

Clark! Why don't you take the rest of the day off? Spend it with your folks.

There's nothing happening here we can't handle.

Is that all right with you, Lois?

Well, um... Yeah.

It's a slow news day.

There we go.

Yes.

All done.

Got anything else that needs fixing?

Mom, you're on vacation.

Relax. Just as soon as I finish making the sandwiches.

Oh.

Guess you didn't see that coming, Dad.

Yeah, I've learned a lot of things you don't see coming in a life clerk.

Like Henry.

We were supposed to go fishing this week.

Suddenly he's dead and I'm sitting here playing checkers with you.

Dad, do you want to talk about it?

No.

But thanks for asking anyway.

Clark, do you have any more mustard?

Yeah, I left it out.

Oh, here we go.

Thank you.

Uh,

I've got to go. Something's up with the planet.

So, Clark, what about your sandwich?

Oh, uh... That

was great, Mom. Thanks.

I'll see you later.

I just hate it when he inhales his food.

Clark, what are you doing here?

Oh, this... is what I'm doing here.

I know. It's shocking.

This could bring the country's largest electronics company to its knees.

I thought it was a slow news day.

Well, um, I didn't want to bother you while your parents were visiting.

Try again.

Okay. The truth is, my source made me swear I'd protect his anonymity.

I don't think so.

Really? What do you think?

I think you smelled a Pulitzer and didn't want to share.

Oh, and it was okay for you to run off and phone in the Ferris wheel story

without me.

What? Don't play innocent.

Your mother told me where you went.

All right, everybody.

Listen up. I've got an important announcement to make.

Biologic has just called a press conference.

As I expected, that piece of yours on Eric Thorpe has thoroughly ruffled his

feathers. I guess he wants his rebuttal on the 11 o 'clock news tonight.

Who's Eric Thorpe?

The multimillionaire who just took over Biologic. Yeah, real whiz kid.

Millionaire by the time he was your age.

Yeah, well, the mumps in sixth grade kind of slowed me down.

Esther, I want you and Owen to work up a background piece on Eric Thorpe.

Lois, you and Clark cover that press conference. Oh, and take Jimmy the mumps

here with you.

Lois, things are going to...

It's very tense around biologic. This source of yours had better be rock

I'd stake my reputation on it.

Yes.

Interesting report Hofferman has on his computer here.

Too bad I never saw it.

I'm sorry. I didn't think it was that important.

Wick, our whole cover is supposed to be that Logar Electronics has sabotaged our

equipment.

This little techno -nerd's report could blow us right out of the water.

Boy, Stu, I wouldn't want to be the guy who leaked this story. That's right.

You wouldn't.

Mr. Thorpe, what are you doing here? Get out, Oliver.

Yes, sir.

I'll, uh, check...

Those reports on that thing we tested?

Sit down, Stuart.

Did they leave anything out?

I don't understand.

You know, Stuart, I like to think of my employees as

family.

So when someone betrays the family trust, it hurts me.

We shouldn't air our problems in public.

We should work them out between ourselves.

Believe me, Mr. Thorpe, I had nothing to do... Don't lie to me!

Maybe.

It was my fault.

You spotted a problem and sent it to management.

Now, if we had done our job... We could have come to you and told you we had

shipped those switches by mistake.

You do believe it was a mistake, don't you?

Good.

Now, I have called for a press conference, and we are going to deny the

story. And you are going to back me up.

Is that clear?

Yes, sir.

Good. And just so you know how much I appreciate your concerns, I have ordered

all the defective switches to be shipped to a dump.

Now, we're all one big happy family again, aren't we?

Of course, they would hire Sheldon Bender as their attorney.

Champion of the corrupt.

So that's the boy wonder, huh?

I can show you, Sheldon. Come on, pal, make me happy. Have some spinach stuck

between your teeth.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm Sheldon Bender, counsel for Biologic.

We're here to respond to the scurrilous and entirely false accusations made by a

local newspaper regarding the quality and workmanship of our products.

Excuse me, Lois Lane, Daily Planet?

We know who you are, Miss Lane.

Mr. Thorpe, your denial begs the question, if your switches weren't

what caused them to fail at the amusement park?

Sabotage. By whom?

That's still under investigation.

We've received a tip from a source that implicates one of our competitors.

Could we speak with this alleged source?

I'll make you a deal, Miss Lane.

You show me your source, I'll show you mine.

There's an allegation of a report that was sent to you warning about the

in your switches.

How do you respond?

My head of research, Mr. Hoffman, will respond to that question.

In my position, I'm responsible for all reports regarding quality, and I would

know if such a report exists and it does not.

That's all that we're going to say for now. A formal statement will be handed

you on your way out.

You betrayed me. Stuart. By the time I got back to the office, Eric Thorpe knew

I was the leak. What?

Not from my article. I wrote it as vague as possible.

I'm sorry I ever came to you. As of now, you've never heard of me.

Stuart, you can't go back on your word. A crime's been committed. People have to

know about it.

Maybe I can help settle this disagreement.

Chief?

Oh, Clark.

I'm glad to see you.

Listen, do you know anything that looks like a pomegranate?

No, not really, Chief.

Have you seen Lois? No, I thought she was with you.

She should have been back by now.

I'm going to go look for her. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

They call this a crossword puzzle?

Get down.

Don't do it!

I hate reporters.

Piece of cake.

Lois, are you all right?

Who did this to you?

Stuart, did you recognize those men?

They must be connected to biologic.

Lois, I read your story. I think the best thing right now is for you to take

this man to the police and put him in protective custody. No, no, no more

I just want to be left alone.

Stuart, you can't be alone. You're in danger.

I'll take care of him.

I've got an idea.

I forgot to tell you. I bought you guys tickets for the inaugural ride of our

new subway. It's completely automated.

Now, that should be fun.

Lois, what are you doing here?

They found out Stuart's my source.

Someone tried to drown him. Oh, my God.

Come in. We've got to get you out of those wet clothes.

It wasn't for Superman.

Bless you. May I have some tissue?

Clark, I want you to keep Stuart here.

I can't babysit him, Lois. Besides, my folks are here. Clark, we can take care

of him. Mom, it's really not a good idea. Clark, Lois is right.

This man needs a place to hide.

And as long as they think he's dead, he won't be in any danger.

He can stay here as long as you need.

It's no trouble at all.

Thank you, Mrs. Kent. You're welcome, Lois. Can I fix you something to eat?

A cheese omelet would be nice. Sure.

Gouda, if you have it.

Would it be all right if I called Oliver and had him pick up some of my personal

items? Of course not.

You can't trust anybody.

Oliver's my best friend. I trust him with my life.

I really need my razor and toothbrush.

We'll buy you a razor and a toothbrush, okay? I use an electric razor, you know,

with the floating heads.

And I need a toothbrush with a little rubber pick at the end, if you can find

it. Yeah.

No trouble at all.

Copy repair.

I didn't hear anything about a copier needing service.

When doesn't a copier need service?

Security, you forgot your replacement parts.

Ms.

Jefferson?

I'm with her.

Perry thought it might be nice for you to have a little help. You were almost

killed last night. I got out of it. I don't need any help.

We're partners.

Excuse me? We're partners.

We are. I am here covering the investigation.

What, I'm supposed to babysit? Oh, and only women are supposed to babysit. That

was fast. I just called.

I beg your pardon?

I've tried everything.

The thing just kind of sits here and blinks.

Um, we're on an emergency call. We'll be right back. Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no.

The copy that I needed from my boss. Believe me, nothing's more important

that.

Hmm.

Obvious this machine needs a new thermo master connector.

That would be the thing that connects the thermo to master.

It's very expensive.

We'll order it and be back tomorrow. Maybe you better explain the problem to

boss. I don't want to lose anything in the translation.

Well, what's to lose? It's broken. We'll fix it tomorrow. Actually, I think

maybe all it needs is a good kick.

A kick?

It needs a kick?

He's joking.

If he's a try -nave, I'd do best. Well, it wouldn't hurt to try, Miss Jefferson.

Maybe I'm kicking the wrong thing.

Stewart said there was a copy of his report in a file cabinet.

I hope this Lane woman's crusade doesn't reveal our connection.

Relax. We've taken great care to distance Biologics' donations to your

Speaking of which, how is the war chest?

Could always use more money for TV.

What, $100 ,000 help?

Two would be an even bigger help.

Don't drain me. We need to save some for the presidential campaign.

Look, I don't know if I'm going to be governor, much less president.

Daniel, stop worrying.

This is just the beginning.

Four years from now, you will be president.

And you will be appropriately surprised when I award biological, those big, fat

defense contracts.

Mothership to Clark.

Imagine how fascinating that wall would be if there was actually something on

it. Sorry, I was just... Lost in thought.

Lost in space, you mean. Did you find anything?

What are you guys doing in here?

Hey, you're those reporters from the press conference.

Don't get excited. We're just trying to help Stuart.

Help him?

You've ruined his career. He's so upset he's disappeared.

Oliver, you're his friend. That's right I am. And you've caused enough trouble

now. Get out.

Did you know you can play over 50 songs with just three chords?

GCD.

Lighten up, Wick.

I just saw Lois Lane leaving the building.

Now, how can that be, Wick?

You told me you disposed of her.

Don't tell me you screwed up again.

Well, if she's alive, I suppose there's a chance Stewart is, too.

Now, do you think you can find the little snitch and do it right that time?

What about Lane?

Lois, you're not going to get some pinhead in Washington to order a recall

without further proof.

Lois Lane?

Yes?

Biologic has just filed a libel suit against the Daily Planet and you in the

amount of $20 million.

Consider yourself served.

What?

Are you serious?

Haven't you ever heard of the First Amendment?

You think the planet's going to roll over because of your bullying scare

tactics? Let me see. Listen, you're lucky that we're not prosecuting you for

illegal trespass.

Oh, yeah?

Well, wait till you get our bill for fixing your copy machine.

Do you believe this?

We should countersue for harassment.

Lois, listen to me.

I've been down this road before, and believe me, it's a bumpy ride.

What do you think?

We're not going to fight this? We're going to fight it. But, well, you're

to have to bring in your source for ammunition.

Well, what about the SHIELD law protecting a reporter's source?

Well, SHIELD laws are great in theory.

But there have been too many cases where the judge has just thrown out the

SHIELD law. And then where are you?

I'm not revealing my source.

Lois, you've got to understand something.

Lawyers run this world.

And when push comes to shove, they believe in cutting their losses. Now, we

can't take a chance.

$20 million lawsuit would sink us.

You got to bring in your source.

What choice does Perry have?

I mean, he's sort of stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Mom?

Dad?

Oh, my head.

Mrs. Kent, are you all right?

Mom, what happened?

I don't know.

Stuart ordered takeout from a deli.

They delivered.

We ate. The next thing I know, you're here.

Where is Stuart?

Stuart? He was in the bedroom.

Lois, I just spoke to the deli. Someone stopped the delivery boy downstairs and

paid him for the food. He couldn't give much of a description, but he...

Lois?

Are you all right?

I wrote an article that got a man killed.

Lois, you used every possible means to protect his identity. Nobody could have

done that better. No, because of my compulsive obsession to always outdo

everybody.

Stuart Hofferman is dead.

Forensics have backed this over.

The bloodstains on the sheet are an exact match with Stuart's. They're also

powder burns from a small -caliber weapon.

It would make my day if the trail led right back to Eric Thorpe.

I admit, I'm jealous, all right?

Guilty as charged.

Hopefully the boy Wonder will be, too.

Lois, you can't just sit here.

We have to focus on finding that delivery boy.

He's the key to solving Stuart's murder.

You're right.

I owe him that much.

Lois, can I see you for a minute, please?

Come on in, hon.

Well, I just went head -to -head with the publisher and five of the paper's

lawyers.

Felt like it was the Alamo, and I was on the wrong side.

Lois, um... I, uh...

I'm gonna have to suspend you.

What?

Perry! I just spent the last two hours fighting a six -headed monster, and in

the end... I lost.

I'm sorry.

Why? Well, they're frightened. That's why.

Biologic has got deep pockets.

We don't.

But my life is the planet.

What am I going to do?

Can't you just stick me in some other bureau or something?

I tried.

And if it was just a case of your not being able to produce your source, I

have.

But now that you're linked to his death, well... Legal feels that the planet has

got to distance itself from you.

Lois, I swear to you, I'll do everything in my power to see that you get

reinstated just as soon as possible.

Sometimes I hate this job.

Perry said it was only temporary.

You'll be back before you know it. Doing what? Writing classifieds? Over, Clark.

Stewart's dead and so's my career.

Miss Lane, I have to ask for your press ID.

Of course.

The final indignity.

You know, it's funny.

I don't even know where the unemployment office is.

I don't believe you, Lois. Where is the woman who loves to roll up her sleeves

and get into the middle of a good fight? I appreciate what you're trying to do,

Clark. Clark!

The mayor just called a press conference to announce a new chief of police.

Perry wants us down there right away.

Taxi!

I'll call you later.

City Hall.

I'll miss you.

Partner.

Joey. It's all with Lane. I need some information.

Oh, come on, Joey. Wait, wait, wait, wait.

I've always protected you before.

I've been on the phone all night.

You're the last one who can... Joey?

Joey.

Maybe I should have called first.

Superman.

I, uh... I... It's such a... I was... If I'd known you were coming...

Um... I was just, uh... Ring cleaning.

I heard about your suspension.

If anyone knows what it's like to be on the outside, I do.

Sometimes I feel like I'm out there fighting all alone.

Sometimes I feel like giving up.

But then I remember that what I stand for is more important than anything

Your work is very important to the people of Metropolis.

You're a brilliant, passionate journalist.

Adversity has never stopped you before.

Don't let it start now.

It's funny.

Clark said the same thing.

I'm not surprised.

Clark is a very smart guy.

Would you like me to help you clean up?

Oh, no, it's really, I'm, no.

No. No problem.

Gee. You even alphabetized it.

Lois, don't stop believing in yourself.

I haven't.

I know you're asleep. I'm sorry. I really am. But this can't wait. I know

hate me now, but you are going to love me in a minute. I doubt that. Oh, Clark,

it was the most amazing thing. It came to me like a bolt out of the blue.

Well, not really, since it's dark out and it only came to me an hour ago.

Hi. Look, Lois, it's past the babbling hour. Could you get to the point,

Yes. So, I'm in my apartment, right?

I'm sitting there wallowing in the most disgusting self -pity even I can't stand

myself anymore.

So I... acting like a victim, and I started thinking like a reporter.

We're on the edge of our seats, dear.

Now, follow me.

Someone comes in and drugs your folks and Stuart so they can kill him without

leaving any witnesses, right?

But why kill him here?

Why not take him someplace else and kill him so you don't leave all the obvious

signs of murder?

Yeah? So, I called my friend at the police lab. They'll have some pole left

this town. And she checked Stuart's blood test for me.

No sign of drugs.

Stuart never ate the food.

Ha! I was right.

His toothbrush is gone.

Yes. And why would a dead man need a toothbrush?

Exactly. Stuart's not dead.

He faked it so everyone would leave him alone.

Nice work, Lois.

Do you think he's with Oliver?

That is his best friend.

I had my source at the police department back him a copy of Oliver's driver's

license. As far as she knows, the address is still current.

Clark, that's him.

Oliver. Oliver was the delivery boy.

unless you tell us where Stuart is. I don't think I'm friends.

No, Lois. I get real angry when I've been played for a fool. Okay, okay,

okay. It's washing up.

She's not a morning person.

Hello,

Stuart.

Please, can't you just leave me alone?

Put down the toothbrush, and we'll talk.

I told you, Mr. Thorpe said it was just a mistake. He gave me his word the rest

of those defective switches were being shipped to a dump. There's no further

threat. If that were true, why did he try to vacuum pack you into a 55 -gallon

drum?

Stuart, I can't do this without you.

Even though we don't know each other that well, I think we have something

important in common.

Our reputation.

You've worked too hard to just throw it all away and run.

And I can't salvage mine without you.

Stuart, if we found you, they will find you.

Okay.

What do we do?

Okay, if we're right, and Thorpe tried to kill you because he's still shipping

those switches, we need proof.

Distribution has the shipping manifests.

Their central office is upstairs from mine. Forget it.

Everything on that level is under heavy security.

Even I don't have clearance to that floor.

But I do.

That thing scans the iris in my eye.

Like a fingerprint.

Uh -oh.

Uh -oh? What uh -oh?

This office has its own independent security system. You have to punch in a

within 90 seconds or an alarm alerts security.

And uh -oh means that you don't know the code?

Uh -oh.

Here it is. All the entries with the batch mark 420 indicate the defective

switches. It only shows two buyers, the amusement park and the new automated

subway. We have the contract for the new subway's main routing computer.

What does it do?

Well, it controls the direction and speed of the trains.

If the switches fail... Clark, the inaugural run's just about to start and

governor's on it.

So are my folks.

Let's go.

That's the third station we passed without stopping.

Governor, why doesn't somebody stop this train? I'm sure the authorities are

taking appropriate measures to deal with this situation.

We just need to remain calm.

You remain calm.

I'm going to worry about what happens when we run out of track and we crash

the wall.

Jonathan!

Well, I just saw the latest polling numbers and it doesn't look good.

Maybe I should drop out before we waste any more money.

That's not the attitude of a winner.

Eric, let's face it. There's no way to turn these polling numbers around by the

election. You disappoint me.

You know Wick disappointed me. I've been spending my days cleaning up a mess he

should have handled.

But now we've worked things out.

Haven't we, Wick?

Now let's get something straight.

I don't back losers.

Polls are meaningless.

After today, you'll be the only candidate anyone can...

Why

would Thorpe want to kill the governor?

Because he's got Daniel Hanson in his hip pocket. And we in this election are

just Thorpe's first step in getting Hanson into the White House so that

can give Thorpe huge defense contracts.

How do you know that?

You're not the only one with sources.

If they can trace the defective switches back to biologic, it would ruin things.

You just claim it was sabotage again.

Sorry, folks. Emergency vehicles only.

Officer, we've got to get to the subway.

Forget it, ma 'am. The new subway is out of control.

They're afraid it's going to crash at Centennial Park Station.

Get over to Centennial Park. It's just a few more blocks.

I'm going to call Main Dispatch and tell them about the switches. Maybe they can

be short -circuited.

Is that the train?

Have they stopped it yet? No, it'll be here any second.

What do you think?

I think he just fainted.

I'm feeling much better now. Thank you. I appreciate it.

Do you need help? He's going to be okay, Clint.

I'm Superman.

No comment for the press?

You can't leave before we get a family portrait.

Oh, your mom is going to be so proud.

Smile for the planet.

Kind of a welcome back present for Lois.

I think she'll like it.

I think it'll make her day.

I think what made her day was finding out that Thorpe was already on to Stuart

before her article came out.

No, no, look, that's a story for another time.

Oh, Clark, we gotta go. I want to get over to see Al. Who's Al? He's the guy

helped in the subway.

Turns out he's originally from Kansas.

It's unbelievable how much we have in common. After talking to him for an

I felt like I've known him all my life.

Looks like there's one more reason for us to visit Metropolis now.

Lois, oh, boy, you know me. I'm not a great one for speeches, but, well, this

place hasn't been the same without you.

I'm glad to see you back.

Oh, here.

Here's our press pass.

Thanks,

Perry.

Well, okay, what's everybody standing around for?

Huh? Nothing you can sell here for a quarter. Let's get back to work.

Bye, Peter. Bye, Mama. You call us in here.

Okay.

Drop by soon.

Our byline is going to look great on a Pulitzer someday.

Yeah, but whose name is going to go first?

Mine. Of course.

It is great to have you back, partner.

Lois Lane.

The trap is set.

Hundreds will die.

Poison gas.

Does anyone else know about this?

Lois?

Clark, relax.

It's just my exterminator.