Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman s02e06 Episode Script
Operation Blackout
We spend $80 million on a new weapon and we've gotta sit on these hard wooden benches.
Well, the Army's not known for being big on comfort.
Tell me about it.
I just got a splinter in a very embarrassing place.
It's my great honor to introduce the base commander of Fort Truman Major General Ralph Marshall.
Thank you, Colonel Fane.
What you are about to witness is a demonstration of the A.
T.
A.
S the first step toward taking the United States Military into the 21 st century.
Forward five yards.
Check it out, a killer robot.
Actually, the A.
T.
A.
S.
Is an all-terrain automated soldier.
What's the difference? About a hundred thousand taxpayer dollars worth of P.
R.
The A.
T.
A.
S.
Has the ability to replace the firepower of an entire infantry platoon with pinpoint accuracy.
Set your target, fire.
Lower left quadrant, fire.
Target three-niner west.
Fire.
Fire! Fire! Remote voice-activated.
Cool.
- You wanna try these? - I don't need them.
They're hard to use with my glasses.
This is just one of the many state-of-the-art functions this new weapon features.
If the target is out of visual contact the A.
T.
A.
S will automatically reposition itself.
Target one-zero-zero south.
One-six-zero east.
- Lois, you all right? - Oh, yeah.
I think so.
Thanks.
- Where's Clark? - He went to get an ambulance.
It's too late.
General Marshall's dead.
Colonel Fane! For a man who's about to become base commander, you don't look too happy.
For God's sakes, we just killed a man, Ryan.
You know, sometimes I think you're as inhuman as that robot down there.
That could be a good thing, Chuck.
Because that's what it takes to hold the entire world hostage.
Is there anyone at the Pentagon that can say something besides "no comment"? "Goodbye" wasn't exactly what I had in mind.
Are you getting anywhere? No, but now I know all five verses to "Windy.
" Yes, this is Clark Kent with the Daily Planet.
I'm trying to get an official statement regarding the death of General Marshall.
I see.
Would that be "click" with one exclamation point or two? Shots of the accident, just out of the soup.
What do you think? This one's blurry.
This one's completely out of focus.
- Jimmy, is this the best we have? - Yeah, I'm sorry.
My finger froze on the shutter.
That happens when I'm being shot at.
Is this a picture of your feet? Yeah, but you can see the killer robot in between them.
No, no.
No, no.
I'm sure we'll find something we can use.
No.
Wait a minute.
This man is dead.
I know I'm still new at this, but that seemed obvious to me.
Not General Marshall, this man.
Lois, dead people rarely walk.
Clark, this is Ryan Wiley.
I went to college with him.
He was a computer engineer at Fort Truman, where he died a year ago.
Oh, I get it, he's a ghost.
Why didn't you say that in the first place? Is that supposed to be sarcasm? What, I wasn't clear enough? He dated my best friend in college.
They were engaged to be married.
So I think I would know what he looks like.
And I'm telling you, this is Ryan.
Did the military ever say how this guy died? Just that it was an accident.
There were rumors that it had to do with the Hawkeye Strategic Defense System.
- What's that? - It's top-secret.
Molly couldn't talk about it much but I think it's some sort of killer defense satellite.
Whatever it is, Ryan was dead, and that was that.
But now he's alive.
It's pretty weird, huh? What am I gonna say to her? Your boyfriend's back, we think he's starting trouble.
There it is.
Well, this can't be right.
It's the forwarding address her mailman had for her.
Molly's a computer engineer.
What's she doing running a flaky place like this? Technology is Killing Us by Molly Flynn.
What? When did she start writing this junk? I get the feeling that you and Molly aren't exactly on the friends-and-family program.
So we drifted apart a little.
I suppose you've kept in touch with your college friends? Well, yeah.
Well, sure.
I mean, that's easy when you go to Smallville U with a graduating class of 10 farmers and a cow.
You just hate losing those arguments, don't you? What is it? You hang them in the corner of your room, and they act as a spiritual air cleaner.
Is that her? Just barely.
I can't believe it.
Excuse me.
May I help you? - Lois? - Molly.
Come here.
You look wonderful.
Well, you just look so So not yourself.
I know.
So, what do you think? Oh, it is just quite You had a word for it out front.
- I think you said it was - Nice.
- Very nice.
- Thank you.
They have incredible healing properties.
You can either wear them or you can meditate with them by placing them on your forehead.
Wouldn't it fall off? Lois, you're supposed to do that while you're lying down.
Oh, well, I knew that.
It was just a little New Age humor.
Same old Lois.
Still can't admit you don't know everything.
That's not true, is it, Clark? So Lois tells me that you used to be a computer engineer.
That's right.
I gave it up after working on the Hawkeye project.
The machine that can kill from space.
It made me realize what a horror technology has become.
Are you serious? Without technology, we'd be in the dark ages.
Lois, it's killing us.
We have got to release its death grip and free the human spirit.
Jeez, I feel like I should yell, "Amen.
" Maybe it would help if you read my book, Lois.
Sure.
Do you have it on tape? Molly, I noticed that you mentioned your boyfriend's death on the last page but you don't go into any detail.
Did the Army tell you what happened? You went to the end first? Yeah.
I read a lot of mysteries.
It's a bad habit.
Well, they said he was installing the trigger system on the satellite when somehow it exploded.
They said that the blast was so bad that there weren't even any remains.
I wonder what they'd say if they knew he was at Fort Truman this morning.
What? This was taken at a weapons demonstration.
That's not Ryan.
- What do you mean that's not Ryan? - I mean, it's not Ryan.
It looks a little like Ryan, but then again, he has one of those faces, you know.
Do you know much about Chinese herbs, Clark? - Well, actually, when I was in China - Could we get back to Ryan? He's dead.
What more do you want? More than the military's official story would be helpful.
That is the only story that I know.
Now, this one is supposed to slow down the aging process by calming the organs of the body.
You might consider trying some, Lois.
You two have a very interesting friendship.
It's Ryan.
He's the only thing we ever argued about.
He was a user, and she just couldn't see it.
Let me guess.
You tried helping her see the light but in her love-struck state, she mistook your sound advice for meddling.
You think you're so smart.
She never used the word "meddle.
" But I'll tell you this, I was right about him then, and I don't believe her now.
I just can't believe you actually agree with her.
I didn't say that.
All I said was she's not alone.
A lot of people realize that there are drawbacks to technology.
Really? Tell me one technological advancement you would be willing to live without.
Oh, how about cable television.
Wait a minute, you said "advancement," didn't you? What is wrong with cable? We're talking about 500 channels.
That opens up a world of possibility.
Including the possibility that you may never again speak to another human being.
That is not true.
First of all, there will always be an operator on standby someplace.
And last year I got to know my cable man so well that we exchanged Christmas gifts.
Lois, you're missing the point.
Just look at your trip back here.
You got money from the ATM.
You paid for your gas at the pump.
You used a security card to get into your underground parking.
And you did not interact with another human being the whole time.
Sometimes that's a good thing.
I'm gonna fax an order to the pizza place.
You want something? How about a delivery person who's interested in my opinion.
Hey, wait a minute.
Clark, do me a favor.
My college yearbook is in the closet, would you get it for me? - Why? - Ryan signed it for me.
So? So remember how everyone had to sign in at the front gate of Fort Truman? If we could get a copy of that sign-in sheet we could get the name Ryan signed in under by comparing the handwriting.
Which would prove he's alive.
Very clever.
Don't sound so surprised.
"To Stretch, no one swings like you do.
Love, Teddy.
" - Stretch? - We were in gymnastics together.
He was trying to be cute.
Stretch.
I like it.
And it's the last time you'll use it.
Here it is.
"Dear Lois, eye to eye we've never seen, but friends we will remain.
Let's stay in touch.
Ry.
" Yeah, right.
He never liked me any more than I liked him.
Everything about that guy was phony.
Even his death.
- Morning.
Any messages? - On your desk, sir.
Did that reporter from the Planet call? No, but she's faxing over a request for yesterday's sign-in sheets.
- Well, if she calls again - Excuse me, "when" she calls again, sir.
When she calls again tell her we had technical problems and never received this and she'll have to send her next request by certified mail.
Yes, sir.
How did you get in here? Pretending to be dead for a year is a challenge, Chuck.
Breaking into your office isn't.
In the future, ask.
- I'm in charge now, and I deserve a little - You're not gonna say "respect," are you? Because I'm the reason you're in charge, and I'm the man that will make you rich.
So I deserve the respect here, and don't you ever forget it.
There's a sergeant, I think his name is Cook.
Every time I'm in the control room, he's always hovering over me.
Reassign him.
I've already transferred everyone who can identify you.
Cook is a satellite engineer.
How am I gonna transfer him without raising suspicion? I don't care if he ends up peeling potatoes.
He's asking too many questions.
Now, I can't take over the Hawkeye if this guy is gonna be on me like a bad suit.
All right, I'll move him.
Speaking of questions, there's a reporter from the Planet nosing around.
Lois Lane.
- You know her? - She's one of my biggest fans.
Unfortunately, she thinks she saw me on the testing grounds yesterday.
She wants the sign-in sheet.
Maybe she wants to crosscheck handwriting samples, Chuck.
She always was a little too pushy for my tastes.
I don't know how long I can keep ducking her without making her suspicious.
How did you ever convince anybody that you were officer material, Chuck? Relax, Chuck.
Once I start the chaos in Metropolis Lois Lane's gonna be way too busy to worry about either of us.
Don't forget, the city's gonna have a major traffic problem.
Jimmy, watch out! Metropolis Transit Authority reports that all 10,400 traffic signals are stuck on green.
There have been several near disasters but thanks to Superman, no serious injuries.
You can say that again.
What are you standing here watching pictures for when you could be taking them? - Right, chief, I'll get my camera.
- Yeah, that would help.
Clark, where have you been? - I was stuck in traffic, chief.
- Oh, all right.
Now that you're here, piece together a story from this mess for the afternoon edition.
- Okay.
- All right.
- Lois, any idea what caused this? - Sounds like sabotage.
The Department of Traffic got an anonymous note saying: "Cars are isolating us from each other.
Walk among your fellow man.
" Lois, that is a direct quote from Molly's book.
- You think? - No.
No, not Molly.
She's an activist, but she's the last person to do something like this.
It's probably some nut who read her book.
Any luck getting information on Ryan Wiley's death? Zero.
Everything comes back "classified, access denied.
" But I did do a follow-up story on the A.
T.
A.
S.
I just lost my story.
Somebody get me MIS, my computer just froze up.
So did mine.
Oh brother, we're a half-hour before deadline.
All right, let's get the systems operator on the phone.
Never mind, I'll do it myself.
Judas priest, the phone lines are dead.
- Chief! - I thought I sent you to get some pictures.
The guard downstairs found this taped to the lobby door.
"Phones in Metropolis are mute.
Its computers silenced.
We have released the death grip of technology and freed the human spirit.
" What kind of sophomoric claptrap is this? It's exactly the claptrap Molly was ranting about yesterday.
Looks like Molly's graduated from activist to terrorist.
I guess.
There's nothing Molly can't do with a computer system.
No, no, now, just a minute.
You know who wrote this? Well, yeah.
Obviously not as well as I thought.
Well, what are you two hanging around for? Get on it.
All right everybody, listen up.
We may have lost the battle, but not the war.
- We still got a paper to put out.
- But we're fully computerized.
Jimmy, you're young, so I'm gonna excuse that.
Believe it or not, there was a Daily Planet long before there were computers.
There's no wire service or faxes, chief.
Then we're gonna pound the pavement like in the old days.
First rule of journalism, you publish or you perish.
- Dale? - Yeah.
Round us up some typewriters.
C.
D.
, go down there and see if that old Linotype machine still works.
Jimmy, I want you to stick with me like glue.
You're about to find out what it means to be a real newspaperman.
It sounds like some kind of religious chant.
Excuse me, have you seen Molly? Excuse me, I'm looking for Molly.
Excuse me, has anybody seen Molly? Hey, what are you doing? We're chanting here.
We were just wondering if anybody had seen Molly Flynn.
No, we haven't.
Well, who let you in? We have a key, okay? Just what exactly are you chanting for? Inner peace and brotherhood.
Now, go away.
He must be new to the group.
Clark, there's an apartment.
Well, I guess anti-technology stops at the refrigerator.
All her clothes are gone, big surprise.
There's nothing much here.
Yogurt, tofu, a couple of bottles of Golden Springs beer.
Lois, if you're thirsty, say something.
Clark, this just isn't any beer.
I know, it goes with sun and good times.
It's Ryan's favorite beer.
You have to special order it.
Molly doesn't even drink this.
- She was hiding him here? - And we scared him off.
I knew it was him in that photo.
They pulled these stunts together.
- But why was he at Fort Truman? - I don't know.
We should get to the Planet and find out who headed the investigation of his death.
That would make an interesting interview.
Help! Somebody help! My wife's having a baby.
I'll catch up with you later.
I'm gonna stay and talk to the chanters.
They might know something.
See if they know any chants for missing persons.
Hang on, honey.
The phones are dead.
The phone's dead.
Oh, God.
Somebody help! My God, the phone's still dead.
I can't get an ambulance.
Breathe, breathe! It's not how you planned it, I'm sure, but it's still the same result.
Take your daughter, get in the car.
I'll fly you to the hospital.
I can't believe it.
My daughter was just delivered by Superman.
Everybody buckled in? Ready when you are, Superman.
Honey, I just had a great idea for a name.
- Colonel.
- Sir.
Did you hear anything yet? For God's sake, salute me.
I'm your superior officer.
Get something straight.
There's nothing superior about you.
Ryan, for God's sake, people will notice.
So? So I made the offer to the mayor.
It's her call whether she wants the troops.
She better decide by 8 a.
m.
Tomorrow.
That's when the Hawkeye's in range for me to be able to override its tracking systems.
She's not gonna ask for the troops unless the city's out of control, and it's not.
Then tonight we're just gonna have to help it along, aren't we, sir? - Joan? - Yeah.
Tell the sports department I need their copy two hours earlier for paste-up.
Okay, everybody, you're gonna have to type faster.
Remember, I don't have a computer to help me edit.
Oh, boy, look at that.
Wite-Out.
I haven't seen that in I don't know how long.
Boy, does that bring back memories.
Mainly of mistakes.
Perry, it's hard enough trying to re-create my story on this antique without feeling like my teacher is standing over my shoulder.
You're going through technology withdrawal, huh? - Chief, where do you want this? - Take it easy now.
- Hopefully somewhere close.
- Yeah, in my office.
- Is that a shortwave radio? - It sure is.
It used to be a hobby of mine until Alice decided I was talking too much to it and not to her.
- Could you get Washington on that? - Well, sure, I could get Paris if I wanted to.
Unfortunately, I'd have to talk to the French.
Perry, I need to find out who investigated Ryan Wiley's supposed death.
Do you know anybody in Washington who could find that out? - Storming Norman.
- Schwarzkopf? Haberscnatzer.
Retired admiral.
Storming Norman's his handle too.
Do you think he'd mind looking into it? Oh, no, he'd love it.
Give him something to do.
There's only so much Battleship a man can play by himself.
Perry, is that you? Andy, thanks for coming by.
Well, thank you for inviting me.
I thought maybe everybody had forgotten about old Andy.
Oh, no.
Lois Lane, Andy Tucker.
Of course.
You're one of the 14-pointers.
- I beg your pardon? - What'd she say? In the old days, a 14-pointer was slang for a reporter.
See, Andy's one of the few pressmen I could find that still can operate the old Linotype machine.
Jimmy, I want you to meet Andy Tucker.
I want you to take him to the press room and show him that old Linotype machine.
- Sure, chief.
Follow me.
- What? You're gonna have to speak up.
Twenty years of running Linotype machines have affected Andy's hearing.
Follow me! - Nice meeting you.
- You too.
- What'd she say? - "You too.
" - Me too what? - Nothing.
Oh, boy.
Now, is this ready? - Mr.
Tucker! - That's as good as it's gonna get.
I can't believe how much I use my spell check.
You look tired.
Why don't you go home, get some rest.
We're covered here.
If Storming Norman calls, I'll send a runner.
Thanks, Perry.
Help! Help! Now, I realize that you probably have everything under control.
But since I'm here Well, I guess if you're not doing anything.
Thanks.
- You wanna tell me what happened? - Somebody pushed me out the window.
Looks like they're gone.
Stay here.
- I didn't see anyone.
- It doesn't matter, I know who it was.
I gave this charm to a friend of mine in college.
I guess we're not friends anymore.
Help, help! They're stealing my car! It's all right, go ahead.
I'll be fine.
Really.
Lois, I thought I sent you home for some rest.
I figured you'd be pulling an all-nighter, so I brought in some goodies.
Goodies.
Corn chips, chocolate chip cookies, licorice.
- No Double Fudge Crunch Bars? - I'm hoarding those for myself.
What's the city like out there? It's eerie.
They must have every soldier from Fort Truman on the streets.
It's like the city's under siege.
- Do we know what caused the blackout? - We think it's your friend.
The power company got a note that said something about electricity being the evil handmaiden of technology.
- Clark, where have you been? - I was covering Superman.
He's been out all night saving the day.
Here's the first copy, Perry, hot off the press.
Andy, good work.
You just pulled off a miracle, chief.
I couldn't have done it alone.
Oh, thanks, chief.
Andy, you're the best.
It's all right, I don't need a rest.
It looks like one of those papers that say stuff like, "I Had Elvis' Alien Love Child.
" Jimmy, what looks like a plow horse may just run like a thoroughbred.
- What did you say? - It looks great, Andy.
I know it's late.
You wanna run it? Chief, someone's calling you on the shortwave.
Andy, you get down to the press room and print like hell.
Jimmy, go with him.
He'll need all the help he can get.
Sun's coming up right around the corner.
- Come on, I'll give you a hand.
- Why are you yelling? By God, we're gonna be the only paper in this city to have a morning edition.
Superman told me what happened at your apartment.
Are you okay? Yeah, I'm fine.
So an old friend tried to kill me.
These things happen.
Okay, they happen to me.
I just can't believe Molly's behind this.
She's not capable of terrorism and murder.
People can have two sides to their personalities, Lois.
Believe me, I know.
Lois, the cavalry came through.
That was Storming Norman on shortwave.
- Schwarzkopf? - Haberscnatzer.
I'll explain later.
He got the name of that officer who investigated the alleged death of Wiley.
One Colonel Charles Fane.
- Fane? - Well, no wonder he's been ducking us.
It's hard to explain how a man you swore was dead is walking around your base.
- I wonder if they're in this together.
- But why paralyze the city? Unless You know, sometimes it's hard to spot a storm somewhere else when there's trouble brewing at home.
You're saying the stuff happening is a diversion? I don't know, but my gut instinct tells me that it's very coincidental for a man to take over a base and then empty it out 24 hours later.
A man who only took over because General Marshall was killed.
There's only one way to find out what's going on: Get on that base.
If Fane emptied out Fort Truman for a reason he's not gonna let us drive on with a smile.
Meet me outside in 10 minutes.
I worry when she gets that look in her eye.
Clark! Clark! Hurry up, hurry up.
Come on.
Get in.
Get in.
- You stole a jeep? - I didn't steal it, I'm returning it to the base.
Here, put these on.
Where'd you get? I don't even wanna know.
Forget it.
- Hey! - Hey! Hold it! Good morning, sir.
You just saluted with the wrong hand.
With everything that's going on, I doubt he noticed.
Boy, there's hardly a soldier in sight.
Great, no one's here.
Fane's gotta be around someplace.
The soldiers outside the Planet said he stayed on the base.
They must have their own generators.
Hey, they said their fax machine was broken.
Oh, it's true.
You don't realize what you've got till it's gone.
Clark, look at this.
"To the Joint Chiefs: Fort Truman has just been destroyed.
The Hawkeye satellite is now under our control.
Like my book says, 'Technology is killing us, literally.
"' - What time is this supposed to be sent? - It's set for 9:00.
That's 15 minutes from now.
Perry was right.
Metropolis is just a diversion.
They killed Marshall so they could empty the base and hijack the satellite without interference.
There are hundreds on this base.
They'll never get out in time.
Let's get to the command center.
Maybe someone there can jam their transmissions.
Any idea where that command center is? No, and never a soldier around when you need one.
You try those buildings over there, I'll go this way.
Trespassing on a military facility is a federal offense.
Put him in the stockade.
Yes, sir.
Let's go.
Lois? Surprised to see me alive? What are you doing in that uniform? Why did you try to kill me last night? Kill you? Where's your psycho boyfriend? I have no idea.
He kidnapped me.
I have been locked in here for the last 24 hours.
Oh, my God, Molly.
- He's gonna hijack the Hawkeye.
- I know.
I thought you were working together.
Oh, nice to know you think so much of me.
Well, you lied to me about him being dead.
How do you explain that? I thought he was dead until he showed up and told me that he faked his death.
He said he'd stumbled upon military secrets and the Army was out to kill him.
And you fell for that? Lois, don't start with me.
Well, isn't this a surprise reunion? I thought you fell out a window, Lois.
You mean, was pushed out by a man who likes to dress up like his girlfriend.
Don't, don't, don't.
Don't make me use this.
All right, Chuck.
That sounded so menacing.
I'd like to stay and chat, Lois, but I've got a satellite to hijack.
You guys, listen to me, you're making a big mistake.
Colonel Fane is planning on blowing up the base.
Is that the best you can do? Just get in.
My name is Clark Kent.
I'm a reporter for the Daily Planet.
Mr.
Kent, in case you haven't heard the military and the media aren't exactly best friends.
Death affected your brain cells.
How are you gonna get all of this equipment out of here in 10 minutes? I don't have to.
I'm using the mobile remote system.
You remember that system, don't you, Molly? I'm sorry I ever designed it.
Spoken like a true anti-technology queen.
No, it's people like you she's against, not technology.
Yeah.
Actually, I am against technology, Lois.
- Don't be ridiculous.
- I'm serious.
- It's scientific advancement.
- Lf there were Ladies, ladies! You only have 10 minutes left to live.
Don't waste it arguing.
So, what are you gonna do? Use the satellite to blackmail government so can feel like the big man you never were.
We are getting catty, but you're right.
All in the name of the great anti-technology author, Molly Flynn.
- You think that's gonna work? - Of course it's gonna work.
Commencing Hawkeye.
They'll be looking for Molly.
But she, and now you, are both about to disappear without a trace.
And they won't be looking for me.
I'm already dead.
You can't just leave us here.
Just watch the whole thing on the computer screen.
When those cross hairs are directly over the command center: But don't worry, sweet thing, you'll never know what hit you.
No.
No.
No.
- Can you stop it? - I don't know.
- Get in.
- Fane is hijacking the Hawkeye satellite.
There's not a lot of time before this base is destroyed.
Sure.
Next you're gonna tell me you're Superman and you have to save the day, huh? Is it almost done? What are you doing? Replacing the motherboard that he took with this one.
Hawkeye target imaging system.
Just pray that it's compatible.
If it is, can you stop it? I don't know.
I can't think of anything else to do.
You don't have to get snippy with me.
I'm not the one who dated a psycho.
Lois, in what may be our last minutes on earth is this what you wanna talk about? Well, yes.
For once I would like it if you'd agree with me about Ryan.
Look, he was cute, we had a lot of common interests, we fell in love.
How was I supposed to know he was gonna turn out to be a psycho? - So you admit it.
- All right, I admit it.
But we're still gonna die, so what good does it do? Well, I feel a little better.
Great.
Hawkeye primary target identified.
There's the base.
- It's the base! - Okay, I see, Lois.
Hawkeye primary target selected.
You know what bugs me? - About me? - Yes, about you.
It bugged me that my best friend dropped out of my life over my boyfriend.
What was I supposed to do? I hated him.
And you ignored me, and that was that.
Well, a real friend would've respected my feelings and kept our relationship alive.
But I guess that would require somebody that wasn't judgmental and self-absorbed.
Hawkeye systems standing by.
Hawkeye target selected and locked.
Why are you stopping? Ryan made the file read-only.
Read-only? So you can't override it? So we're basically? I mean, this is? Lt.
Weapons charging.
Sequence activation in 60 seconds.
Superman, the Hawkeye's gonna blow up the base.
We can't stop it from here.
Target destruction in 15 seconds.
Commence firing in 10, nine eight, seven, six five, four, three, two, one.
Something's wrong.
The Hawkeye's facing the wrong way.
Let's see, satellite hijacking, attempted murder terrorism and, yes, speeding.
I'm gonna have to ask you boys to pull over.
This is not gonna look good come promotion time.
Lois, I'm sorry.
Me too.
I guess life-threatening situations don't always bring out the best in me.
- I missed you.
- Yeah, I missed you too.
I can't believe we let a man come between us.
Me neither.
I have not met the man yet who is worth giving up a good friend for.
Well, then again, I've never met Superman.
I wonder what he'd be like to go out on a date with.
You and me both.
- Clark, do you think I'm judgmental? - No.
No, not really.
- Am I self-absorbed? - No.
Not often.
Do you think I always have to be right? Well, not always.
Lois, why are you asking me these questions? Oh, it's just something Molly said.
Do you think I'm a good friend? I think you're a great friend.
Thanks.
Although you do have your little quirks.
Well, I like my quirks.
I think they make me unique.
You certainly are unique.
Well, I just got off the shortwave with old Storming Norman.
Hey, I hear you two held down the fort.
- Nice job.
- Thanks, Perry.
- How's your old friend? - Molly's fine.
She's got a lot to work through.
I told her we'd talk to her in a few days.
In person.
Chief, where's Jimmy? You know, I think he's got the heart of a real newsman.
Just lacks a little endurance.
Hey, look at this.
You know what, I think we've got time to run an extra edition.
We'll lead off with your story.
Oh, boy, I sure hate to do this, but - Jimmy, time to get up.
- I'm ready.
I'm ready.
Guess it's gonna take more than a few terrorists to keep this paper down.
Yeah, especially with Perry and Jimmy around.
- And you too.
- Thanks.
Notice how I didn't say anything about myself? I did.
But you could.
Yeah, I could.
Well, the Army's not known for being big on comfort.
Tell me about it.
I just got a splinter in a very embarrassing place.
It's my great honor to introduce the base commander of Fort Truman Major General Ralph Marshall.
Thank you, Colonel Fane.
What you are about to witness is a demonstration of the A.
T.
A.
S the first step toward taking the United States Military into the 21 st century.
Forward five yards.
Check it out, a killer robot.
Actually, the A.
T.
A.
S.
Is an all-terrain automated soldier.
What's the difference? About a hundred thousand taxpayer dollars worth of P.
R.
The A.
T.
A.
S.
Has the ability to replace the firepower of an entire infantry platoon with pinpoint accuracy.
Set your target, fire.
Lower left quadrant, fire.
Target three-niner west.
Fire.
Fire! Fire! Remote voice-activated.
Cool.
- You wanna try these? - I don't need them.
They're hard to use with my glasses.
This is just one of the many state-of-the-art functions this new weapon features.
If the target is out of visual contact the A.
T.
A.
S will automatically reposition itself.
Target one-zero-zero south.
One-six-zero east.
- Lois, you all right? - Oh, yeah.
I think so.
Thanks.
- Where's Clark? - He went to get an ambulance.
It's too late.
General Marshall's dead.
Colonel Fane! For a man who's about to become base commander, you don't look too happy.
For God's sakes, we just killed a man, Ryan.
You know, sometimes I think you're as inhuman as that robot down there.
That could be a good thing, Chuck.
Because that's what it takes to hold the entire world hostage.
Is there anyone at the Pentagon that can say something besides "no comment"? "Goodbye" wasn't exactly what I had in mind.
Are you getting anywhere? No, but now I know all five verses to "Windy.
" Yes, this is Clark Kent with the Daily Planet.
I'm trying to get an official statement regarding the death of General Marshall.
I see.
Would that be "click" with one exclamation point or two? Shots of the accident, just out of the soup.
What do you think? This one's blurry.
This one's completely out of focus.
- Jimmy, is this the best we have? - Yeah, I'm sorry.
My finger froze on the shutter.
That happens when I'm being shot at.
Is this a picture of your feet? Yeah, but you can see the killer robot in between them.
No, no.
No, no.
I'm sure we'll find something we can use.
No.
Wait a minute.
This man is dead.
I know I'm still new at this, but that seemed obvious to me.
Not General Marshall, this man.
Lois, dead people rarely walk.
Clark, this is Ryan Wiley.
I went to college with him.
He was a computer engineer at Fort Truman, where he died a year ago.
Oh, I get it, he's a ghost.
Why didn't you say that in the first place? Is that supposed to be sarcasm? What, I wasn't clear enough? He dated my best friend in college.
They were engaged to be married.
So I think I would know what he looks like.
And I'm telling you, this is Ryan.
Did the military ever say how this guy died? Just that it was an accident.
There were rumors that it had to do with the Hawkeye Strategic Defense System.
- What's that? - It's top-secret.
Molly couldn't talk about it much but I think it's some sort of killer defense satellite.
Whatever it is, Ryan was dead, and that was that.
But now he's alive.
It's pretty weird, huh? What am I gonna say to her? Your boyfriend's back, we think he's starting trouble.
There it is.
Well, this can't be right.
It's the forwarding address her mailman had for her.
Molly's a computer engineer.
What's she doing running a flaky place like this? Technology is Killing Us by Molly Flynn.
What? When did she start writing this junk? I get the feeling that you and Molly aren't exactly on the friends-and-family program.
So we drifted apart a little.
I suppose you've kept in touch with your college friends? Well, yeah.
Well, sure.
I mean, that's easy when you go to Smallville U with a graduating class of 10 farmers and a cow.
You just hate losing those arguments, don't you? What is it? You hang them in the corner of your room, and they act as a spiritual air cleaner.
Is that her? Just barely.
I can't believe it.
Excuse me.
May I help you? - Lois? - Molly.
Come here.
You look wonderful.
Well, you just look so So not yourself.
I know.
So, what do you think? Oh, it is just quite You had a word for it out front.
- I think you said it was - Nice.
- Very nice.
- Thank you.
They have incredible healing properties.
You can either wear them or you can meditate with them by placing them on your forehead.
Wouldn't it fall off? Lois, you're supposed to do that while you're lying down.
Oh, well, I knew that.
It was just a little New Age humor.
Same old Lois.
Still can't admit you don't know everything.
That's not true, is it, Clark? So Lois tells me that you used to be a computer engineer.
That's right.
I gave it up after working on the Hawkeye project.
The machine that can kill from space.
It made me realize what a horror technology has become.
Are you serious? Without technology, we'd be in the dark ages.
Lois, it's killing us.
We have got to release its death grip and free the human spirit.
Jeez, I feel like I should yell, "Amen.
" Maybe it would help if you read my book, Lois.
Sure.
Do you have it on tape? Molly, I noticed that you mentioned your boyfriend's death on the last page but you don't go into any detail.
Did the Army tell you what happened? You went to the end first? Yeah.
I read a lot of mysteries.
It's a bad habit.
Well, they said he was installing the trigger system on the satellite when somehow it exploded.
They said that the blast was so bad that there weren't even any remains.
I wonder what they'd say if they knew he was at Fort Truman this morning.
What? This was taken at a weapons demonstration.
That's not Ryan.
- What do you mean that's not Ryan? - I mean, it's not Ryan.
It looks a little like Ryan, but then again, he has one of those faces, you know.
Do you know much about Chinese herbs, Clark? - Well, actually, when I was in China - Could we get back to Ryan? He's dead.
What more do you want? More than the military's official story would be helpful.
That is the only story that I know.
Now, this one is supposed to slow down the aging process by calming the organs of the body.
You might consider trying some, Lois.
You two have a very interesting friendship.
It's Ryan.
He's the only thing we ever argued about.
He was a user, and she just couldn't see it.
Let me guess.
You tried helping her see the light but in her love-struck state, she mistook your sound advice for meddling.
You think you're so smart.
She never used the word "meddle.
" But I'll tell you this, I was right about him then, and I don't believe her now.
I just can't believe you actually agree with her.
I didn't say that.
All I said was she's not alone.
A lot of people realize that there are drawbacks to technology.
Really? Tell me one technological advancement you would be willing to live without.
Oh, how about cable television.
Wait a minute, you said "advancement," didn't you? What is wrong with cable? We're talking about 500 channels.
That opens up a world of possibility.
Including the possibility that you may never again speak to another human being.
That is not true.
First of all, there will always be an operator on standby someplace.
And last year I got to know my cable man so well that we exchanged Christmas gifts.
Lois, you're missing the point.
Just look at your trip back here.
You got money from the ATM.
You paid for your gas at the pump.
You used a security card to get into your underground parking.
And you did not interact with another human being the whole time.
Sometimes that's a good thing.
I'm gonna fax an order to the pizza place.
You want something? How about a delivery person who's interested in my opinion.
Hey, wait a minute.
Clark, do me a favor.
My college yearbook is in the closet, would you get it for me? - Why? - Ryan signed it for me.
So? So remember how everyone had to sign in at the front gate of Fort Truman? If we could get a copy of that sign-in sheet we could get the name Ryan signed in under by comparing the handwriting.
Which would prove he's alive.
Very clever.
Don't sound so surprised.
"To Stretch, no one swings like you do.
Love, Teddy.
" - Stretch? - We were in gymnastics together.
He was trying to be cute.
Stretch.
I like it.
And it's the last time you'll use it.
Here it is.
"Dear Lois, eye to eye we've never seen, but friends we will remain.
Let's stay in touch.
Ry.
" Yeah, right.
He never liked me any more than I liked him.
Everything about that guy was phony.
Even his death.
- Morning.
Any messages? - On your desk, sir.
Did that reporter from the Planet call? No, but she's faxing over a request for yesterday's sign-in sheets.
- Well, if she calls again - Excuse me, "when" she calls again, sir.
When she calls again tell her we had technical problems and never received this and she'll have to send her next request by certified mail.
Yes, sir.
How did you get in here? Pretending to be dead for a year is a challenge, Chuck.
Breaking into your office isn't.
In the future, ask.
- I'm in charge now, and I deserve a little - You're not gonna say "respect," are you? Because I'm the reason you're in charge, and I'm the man that will make you rich.
So I deserve the respect here, and don't you ever forget it.
There's a sergeant, I think his name is Cook.
Every time I'm in the control room, he's always hovering over me.
Reassign him.
I've already transferred everyone who can identify you.
Cook is a satellite engineer.
How am I gonna transfer him without raising suspicion? I don't care if he ends up peeling potatoes.
He's asking too many questions.
Now, I can't take over the Hawkeye if this guy is gonna be on me like a bad suit.
All right, I'll move him.
Speaking of questions, there's a reporter from the Planet nosing around.
Lois Lane.
- You know her? - She's one of my biggest fans.
Unfortunately, she thinks she saw me on the testing grounds yesterday.
She wants the sign-in sheet.
Maybe she wants to crosscheck handwriting samples, Chuck.
She always was a little too pushy for my tastes.
I don't know how long I can keep ducking her without making her suspicious.
How did you ever convince anybody that you were officer material, Chuck? Relax, Chuck.
Once I start the chaos in Metropolis Lois Lane's gonna be way too busy to worry about either of us.
Don't forget, the city's gonna have a major traffic problem.
Jimmy, watch out! Metropolis Transit Authority reports that all 10,400 traffic signals are stuck on green.
There have been several near disasters but thanks to Superman, no serious injuries.
You can say that again.
What are you standing here watching pictures for when you could be taking them? - Right, chief, I'll get my camera.
- Yeah, that would help.
Clark, where have you been? - I was stuck in traffic, chief.
- Oh, all right.
Now that you're here, piece together a story from this mess for the afternoon edition.
- Okay.
- All right.
- Lois, any idea what caused this? - Sounds like sabotage.
The Department of Traffic got an anonymous note saying: "Cars are isolating us from each other.
Walk among your fellow man.
" Lois, that is a direct quote from Molly's book.
- You think? - No.
No, not Molly.
She's an activist, but she's the last person to do something like this.
It's probably some nut who read her book.
Any luck getting information on Ryan Wiley's death? Zero.
Everything comes back "classified, access denied.
" But I did do a follow-up story on the A.
T.
A.
S.
I just lost my story.
Somebody get me MIS, my computer just froze up.
So did mine.
Oh brother, we're a half-hour before deadline.
All right, let's get the systems operator on the phone.
Never mind, I'll do it myself.
Judas priest, the phone lines are dead.
- Chief! - I thought I sent you to get some pictures.
The guard downstairs found this taped to the lobby door.
"Phones in Metropolis are mute.
Its computers silenced.
We have released the death grip of technology and freed the human spirit.
" What kind of sophomoric claptrap is this? It's exactly the claptrap Molly was ranting about yesterday.
Looks like Molly's graduated from activist to terrorist.
I guess.
There's nothing Molly can't do with a computer system.
No, no, now, just a minute.
You know who wrote this? Well, yeah.
Obviously not as well as I thought.
Well, what are you two hanging around for? Get on it.
All right everybody, listen up.
We may have lost the battle, but not the war.
- We still got a paper to put out.
- But we're fully computerized.
Jimmy, you're young, so I'm gonna excuse that.
Believe it or not, there was a Daily Planet long before there were computers.
There's no wire service or faxes, chief.
Then we're gonna pound the pavement like in the old days.
First rule of journalism, you publish or you perish.
- Dale? - Yeah.
Round us up some typewriters.
C.
D.
, go down there and see if that old Linotype machine still works.
Jimmy, I want you to stick with me like glue.
You're about to find out what it means to be a real newspaperman.
It sounds like some kind of religious chant.
Excuse me, have you seen Molly? Excuse me, I'm looking for Molly.
Excuse me, has anybody seen Molly? Hey, what are you doing? We're chanting here.
We were just wondering if anybody had seen Molly Flynn.
No, we haven't.
Well, who let you in? We have a key, okay? Just what exactly are you chanting for? Inner peace and brotherhood.
Now, go away.
He must be new to the group.
Clark, there's an apartment.
Well, I guess anti-technology stops at the refrigerator.
All her clothes are gone, big surprise.
There's nothing much here.
Yogurt, tofu, a couple of bottles of Golden Springs beer.
Lois, if you're thirsty, say something.
Clark, this just isn't any beer.
I know, it goes with sun and good times.
It's Ryan's favorite beer.
You have to special order it.
Molly doesn't even drink this.
- She was hiding him here? - And we scared him off.
I knew it was him in that photo.
They pulled these stunts together.
- But why was he at Fort Truman? - I don't know.
We should get to the Planet and find out who headed the investigation of his death.
That would make an interesting interview.
Help! Somebody help! My wife's having a baby.
I'll catch up with you later.
I'm gonna stay and talk to the chanters.
They might know something.
See if they know any chants for missing persons.
Hang on, honey.
The phones are dead.
The phone's dead.
Oh, God.
Somebody help! My God, the phone's still dead.
I can't get an ambulance.
Breathe, breathe! It's not how you planned it, I'm sure, but it's still the same result.
Take your daughter, get in the car.
I'll fly you to the hospital.
I can't believe it.
My daughter was just delivered by Superman.
Everybody buckled in? Ready when you are, Superman.
Honey, I just had a great idea for a name.
- Colonel.
- Sir.
Did you hear anything yet? For God's sake, salute me.
I'm your superior officer.
Get something straight.
There's nothing superior about you.
Ryan, for God's sake, people will notice.
So? So I made the offer to the mayor.
It's her call whether she wants the troops.
She better decide by 8 a.
m.
Tomorrow.
That's when the Hawkeye's in range for me to be able to override its tracking systems.
She's not gonna ask for the troops unless the city's out of control, and it's not.
Then tonight we're just gonna have to help it along, aren't we, sir? - Joan? - Yeah.
Tell the sports department I need their copy two hours earlier for paste-up.
Okay, everybody, you're gonna have to type faster.
Remember, I don't have a computer to help me edit.
Oh, boy, look at that.
Wite-Out.
I haven't seen that in I don't know how long.
Boy, does that bring back memories.
Mainly of mistakes.
Perry, it's hard enough trying to re-create my story on this antique without feeling like my teacher is standing over my shoulder.
You're going through technology withdrawal, huh? - Chief, where do you want this? - Take it easy now.
- Hopefully somewhere close.
- Yeah, in my office.
- Is that a shortwave radio? - It sure is.
It used to be a hobby of mine until Alice decided I was talking too much to it and not to her.
- Could you get Washington on that? - Well, sure, I could get Paris if I wanted to.
Unfortunately, I'd have to talk to the French.
Perry, I need to find out who investigated Ryan Wiley's supposed death.
Do you know anybody in Washington who could find that out? - Storming Norman.
- Schwarzkopf? Haberscnatzer.
Retired admiral.
Storming Norman's his handle too.
Do you think he'd mind looking into it? Oh, no, he'd love it.
Give him something to do.
There's only so much Battleship a man can play by himself.
Perry, is that you? Andy, thanks for coming by.
Well, thank you for inviting me.
I thought maybe everybody had forgotten about old Andy.
Oh, no.
Lois Lane, Andy Tucker.
Of course.
You're one of the 14-pointers.
- I beg your pardon? - What'd she say? In the old days, a 14-pointer was slang for a reporter.
See, Andy's one of the few pressmen I could find that still can operate the old Linotype machine.
Jimmy, I want you to meet Andy Tucker.
I want you to take him to the press room and show him that old Linotype machine.
- Sure, chief.
Follow me.
- What? You're gonna have to speak up.
Twenty years of running Linotype machines have affected Andy's hearing.
Follow me! - Nice meeting you.
- You too.
- What'd she say? - "You too.
" - Me too what? - Nothing.
Oh, boy.
Now, is this ready? - Mr.
Tucker! - That's as good as it's gonna get.
I can't believe how much I use my spell check.
You look tired.
Why don't you go home, get some rest.
We're covered here.
If Storming Norman calls, I'll send a runner.
Thanks, Perry.
Help! Help! Now, I realize that you probably have everything under control.
But since I'm here Well, I guess if you're not doing anything.
Thanks.
- You wanna tell me what happened? - Somebody pushed me out the window.
Looks like they're gone.
Stay here.
- I didn't see anyone.
- It doesn't matter, I know who it was.
I gave this charm to a friend of mine in college.
I guess we're not friends anymore.
Help, help! They're stealing my car! It's all right, go ahead.
I'll be fine.
Really.
Lois, I thought I sent you home for some rest.
I figured you'd be pulling an all-nighter, so I brought in some goodies.
Goodies.
Corn chips, chocolate chip cookies, licorice.
- No Double Fudge Crunch Bars? - I'm hoarding those for myself.
What's the city like out there? It's eerie.
They must have every soldier from Fort Truman on the streets.
It's like the city's under siege.
- Do we know what caused the blackout? - We think it's your friend.
The power company got a note that said something about electricity being the evil handmaiden of technology.
- Clark, where have you been? - I was covering Superman.
He's been out all night saving the day.
Here's the first copy, Perry, hot off the press.
Andy, good work.
You just pulled off a miracle, chief.
I couldn't have done it alone.
Oh, thanks, chief.
Andy, you're the best.
It's all right, I don't need a rest.
It looks like one of those papers that say stuff like, "I Had Elvis' Alien Love Child.
" Jimmy, what looks like a plow horse may just run like a thoroughbred.
- What did you say? - It looks great, Andy.
I know it's late.
You wanna run it? Chief, someone's calling you on the shortwave.
Andy, you get down to the press room and print like hell.
Jimmy, go with him.
He'll need all the help he can get.
Sun's coming up right around the corner.
- Come on, I'll give you a hand.
- Why are you yelling? By God, we're gonna be the only paper in this city to have a morning edition.
Superman told me what happened at your apartment.
Are you okay? Yeah, I'm fine.
So an old friend tried to kill me.
These things happen.
Okay, they happen to me.
I just can't believe Molly's behind this.
She's not capable of terrorism and murder.
People can have two sides to their personalities, Lois.
Believe me, I know.
Lois, the cavalry came through.
That was Storming Norman on shortwave.
- Schwarzkopf? - Haberscnatzer.
I'll explain later.
He got the name of that officer who investigated the alleged death of Wiley.
One Colonel Charles Fane.
- Fane? - Well, no wonder he's been ducking us.
It's hard to explain how a man you swore was dead is walking around your base.
- I wonder if they're in this together.
- But why paralyze the city? Unless You know, sometimes it's hard to spot a storm somewhere else when there's trouble brewing at home.
You're saying the stuff happening is a diversion? I don't know, but my gut instinct tells me that it's very coincidental for a man to take over a base and then empty it out 24 hours later.
A man who only took over because General Marshall was killed.
There's only one way to find out what's going on: Get on that base.
If Fane emptied out Fort Truman for a reason he's not gonna let us drive on with a smile.
Meet me outside in 10 minutes.
I worry when she gets that look in her eye.
Clark! Clark! Hurry up, hurry up.
Come on.
Get in.
Get in.
- You stole a jeep? - I didn't steal it, I'm returning it to the base.
Here, put these on.
Where'd you get? I don't even wanna know.
Forget it.
- Hey! - Hey! Hold it! Good morning, sir.
You just saluted with the wrong hand.
With everything that's going on, I doubt he noticed.
Boy, there's hardly a soldier in sight.
Great, no one's here.
Fane's gotta be around someplace.
The soldiers outside the Planet said he stayed on the base.
They must have their own generators.
Hey, they said their fax machine was broken.
Oh, it's true.
You don't realize what you've got till it's gone.
Clark, look at this.
"To the Joint Chiefs: Fort Truman has just been destroyed.
The Hawkeye satellite is now under our control.
Like my book says, 'Technology is killing us, literally.
"' - What time is this supposed to be sent? - It's set for 9:00.
That's 15 minutes from now.
Perry was right.
Metropolis is just a diversion.
They killed Marshall so they could empty the base and hijack the satellite without interference.
There are hundreds on this base.
They'll never get out in time.
Let's get to the command center.
Maybe someone there can jam their transmissions.
Any idea where that command center is? No, and never a soldier around when you need one.
You try those buildings over there, I'll go this way.
Trespassing on a military facility is a federal offense.
Put him in the stockade.
Yes, sir.
Let's go.
Lois? Surprised to see me alive? What are you doing in that uniform? Why did you try to kill me last night? Kill you? Where's your psycho boyfriend? I have no idea.
He kidnapped me.
I have been locked in here for the last 24 hours.
Oh, my God, Molly.
- He's gonna hijack the Hawkeye.
- I know.
I thought you were working together.
Oh, nice to know you think so much of me.
Well, you lied to me about him being dead.
How do you explain that? I thought he was dead until he showed up and told me that he faked his death.
He said he'd stumbled upon military secrets and the Army was out to kill him.
And you fell for that? Lois, don't start with me.
Well, isn't this a surprise reunion? I thought you fell out a window, Lois.
You mean, was pushed out by a man who likes to dress up like his girlfriend.
Don't, don't, don't.
Don't make me use this.
All right, Chuck.
That sounded so menacing.
I'd like to stay and chat, Lois, but I've got a satellite to hijack.
You guys, listen to me, you're making a big mistake.
Colonel Fane is planning on blowing up the base.
Is that the best you can do? Just get in.
My name is Clark Kent.
I'm a reporter for the Daily Planet.
Mr.
Kent, in case you haven't heard the military and the media aren't exactly best friends.
Death affected your brain cells.
How are you gonna get all of this equipment out of here in 10 minutes? I don't have to.
I'm using the mobile remote system.
You remember that system, don't you, Molly? I'm sorry I ever designed it.
Spoken like a true anti-technology queen.
No, it's people like you she's against, not technology.
Yeah.
Actually, I am against technology, Lois.
- Don't be ridiculous.
- I'm serious.
- It's scientific advancement.
- Lf there were Ladies, ladies! You only have 10 minutes left to live.
Don't waste it arguing.
So, what are you gonna do? Use the satellite to blackmail government so can feel like the big man you never were.
We are getting catty, but you're right.
All in the name of the great anti-technology author, Molly Flynn.
- You think that's gonna work? - Of course it's gonna work.
Commencing Hawkeye.
They'll be looking for Molly.
But she, and now you, are both about to disappear without a trace.
And they won't be looking for me.
I'm already dead.
You can't just leave us here.
Just watch the whole thing on the computer screen.
When those cross hairs are directly over the command center: But don't worry, sweet thing, you'll never know what hit you.
No.
No.
No.
- Can you stop it? - I don't know.
- Get in.
- Fane is hijacking the Hawkeye satellite.
There's not a lot of time before this base is destroyed.
Sure.
Next you're gonna tell me you're Superman and you have to save the day, huh? Is it almost done? What are you doing? Replacing the motherboard that he took with this one.
Hawkeye target imaging system.
Just pray that it's compatible.
If it is, can you stop it? I don't know.
I can't think of anything else to do.
You don't have to get snippy with me.
I'm not the one who dated a psycho.
Lois, in what may be our last minutes on earth is this what you wanna talk about? Well, yes.
For once I would like it if you'd agree with me about Ryan.
Look, he was cute, we had a lot of common interests, we fell in love.
How was I supposed to know he was gonna turn out to be a psycho? - So you admit it.
- All right, I admit it.
But we're still gonna die, so what good does it do? Well, I feel a little better.
Great.
Hawkeye primary target identified.
There's the base.
- It's the base! - Okay, I see, Lois.
Hawkeye primary target selected.
You know what bugs me? - About me? - Yes, about you.
It bugged me that my best friend dropped out of my life over my boyfriend.
What was I supposed to do? I hated him.
And you ignored me, and that was that.
Well, a real friend would've respected my feelings and kept our relationship alive.
But I guess that would require somebody that wasn't judgmental and self-absorbed.
Hawkeye systems standing by.
Hawkeye target selected and locked.
Why are you stopping? Ryan made the file read-only.
Read-only? So you can't override it? So we're basically? I mean, this is? Lt.
Weapons charging.
Sequence activation in 60 seconds.
Superman, the Hawkeye's gonna blow up the base.
We can't stop it from here.
Target destruction in 15 seconds.
Commence firing in 10, nine eight, seven, six five, four, three, two, one.
Something's wrong.
The Hawkeye's facing the wrong way.
Let's see, satellite hijacking, attempted murder terrorism and, yes, speeding.
I'm gonna have to ask you boys to pull over.
This is not gonna look good come promotion time.
Lois, I'm sorry.
Me too.
I guess life-threatening situations don't always bring out the best in me.
- I missed you.
- Yeah, I missed you too.
I can't believe we let a man come between us.
Me neither.
I have not met the man yet who is worth giving up a good friend for.
Well, then again, I've never met Superman.
I wonder what he'd be like to go out on a date with.
You and me both.
- Clark, do you think I'm judgmental? - No.
No, not really.
- Am I self-absorbed? - No.
Not often.
Do you think I always have to be right? Well, not always.
Lois, why are you asking me these questions? Oh, it's just something Molly said.
Do you think I'm a good friend? I think you're a great friend.
Thanks.
Although you do have your little quirks.
Well, I like my quirks.
I think they make me unique.
You certainly are unique.
Well, I just got off the shortwave with old Storming Norman.
Hey, I hear you two held down the fort.
- Nice job.
- Thanks, Perry.
- How's your old friend? - Molly's fine.
She's got a lot to work through.
I told her we'd talk to her in a few days.
In person.
Chief, where's Jimmy? You know, I think he's got the heart of a real newsman.
Just lacks a little endurance.
Hey, look at this.
You know what, I think we've got time to run an extra edition.
We'll lead off with your story.
Oh, boy, I sure hate to do this, but - Jimmy, time to get up.
- I'm ready.
I'm ready.
Guess it's gonna take more than a few terrorists to keep this paper down.
Yeah, especially with Perry and Jimmy around.
- And you too.
- Thanks.
Notice how I didn't say anything about myself? I did.
But you could.
Yeah, I could.