The Adventures of Superboy (1988) s04e20 Episode Script
Metamorphosis
(male narrator) Rocketed from a distant
planet, to a bold new destiny on Earth
found by a Kansas family
and raised as Clark Kent
He learned he possessed
the strength of steel
the speed of light and
the desire to help all mankind.
He is Superboy!
["Superboy" Theme
by Kevin Kiner]
[explosion]
[engine revving]
[distant chattering]
Ready!
Ready!
Go!
[engines revving]
[tires screeching]
Justin, hey man,
where you been?
[chattering]
[tires screeching]
What's the matter with him?
[swooshing]
[theme music]
[distant chattering]
Justin!
- Who is that?
- That's not Justin.
- Oh my God.
- What's going on?
- You alright?
- Oh my God.
Who in the hell?
That's not Jus.
He's dead.
[dramatic music]
Died of stress-related
cardiac arrest.
Police are checking his prints.
- Didn't he any ID on him?
- Oh, yeah.
It's right here, but it's not
gonna do you any good.
"Justin Steeps. Age 20."
See?
- That's three now.
- Three?
Old people who've died
with teenagers IDs on them.
Missing teenagers.
[sighs]
You and Lana.
You're always making everything
into a big mystery.
Well, isn't it?
There's no mystery here.
Read it.
"In case of emergency
notify Nathan Steeps."
Keep reading.
"Care of Havendell Rest Home."
It's simple. Who does this body
look more like?
A 20-year-old or someone
who'd been living rest home?
You're saying
this is Nathan Steeps?
What other explanation
could there be?
The old man probably took his
grandson's ID and his car keys.
Why would an old man
go drag-racing?
I don't know. Maybe, he'd been
around for 80 boring years
and wanted to go out
in a blaze of glory.
- Come on.
- Alright, alright.
Go to the rest home and find out
what you can about him.
Will that make you happy?
That'll make me very hap..
[chime music]
Clark.
- What is it?
- Oh, nothing.
I just thought
I saw somebody I knew.
- Excuse me.
- Mm-hmm.
I'm here about Nathan Steeps.
[sighs]
[chimes music]
Can I help you?
Yeah, I think so.
I'd like to speak to someone
about Nathan Steeps.
I'm the perfect person to ask.
I'm Nathan Steeps.
Justin stays with friends.
Different one every few weeks.
He doesn't have much rent money,
he's just a student.
Is there any place
he spends a lot of his time?
Well, yeah, just the gym.
Flawless Form or..
Whatever they call it.
He likes to stay in shape.
I'll see what I can find out.
If anybody hurt him,
I don't know what I'd do.
Look, I'm sure he'll be okay.
That's what the other one said.
What other one?
Old woman.
About my age,
came in a little while ago
asking the same questions
as you.
- Did you get her name?
- You can ask her yourself.
She started to feel weak.
Said, "I'm gonna go in
and lie down in the rec room."
[techno music]
(Matt) Alright, so, I
was wrong about Steeps.
- And Lana and me.
- Oh, I wouldn't go that far.
You wanted to see me?
I'm the owner, Adrian Temple.
- You can't be.
- Yes.
The same guy who did
all those ads in the 60s?
Have a flawless form
in 12 minutes a day?
I'm him.
- Well, you'd have be at least--
- Oh, as old as I wanna be.
Gentlemen, please.
[techno music]
(male)
It's party time.
[engine cranking]
Party time.
Aging is something you choose
to do. I really believe that.
Brittle bones,
wrinkles, senility.
So much of that iscultural.
Tell my grandmother that.
Uh, about Justin Steeps.
I'll check his record.
[chime music]
Umm, I gotta put some money
in the parking meter.
[tires screeching]
- Get out of the track!
- Oh!
[intense music]
- He's dead.
- Do you know who he is?
He's wearing
Jeff Olton's jacket.
It can't be Jeff.
[siren wailing]
Lana?
I don't know how it happened.
But Lana, there's gotta be
an explanation.
Think.
(Lana)
It happened two days ago.
Ready for your rubdown?
I went to workout at Flawless
Forms like I always do.
Like I always did.
Incense.
It'll relax you.
[dramatic music]
Had a little nap, huh?
Yeah, guess I was more tired
than I thought.
Yeah.
Oops, oops, oops.
Guess I was really tired.
(Lana) The next day,
I still felt weak.
And my hair was grey
and my hands had spots on them.
And you think that Temple
caused this somehow?
It happened to others too.
Justin Steeps.
Jeff Olton.
But how?
I didn't eat or drink anything
while I was there.
When I was asleep..
maybe..
I don't know.
I really don't know.
What don't you talk to Clark?
Or Matt or..
Are they still here?
Matt's with the body,
I haven't seen Clark.
I didn't want them
to see me like this.
They would've understood.
The way people look at me.
The way you look at me.
Lana.
I told one person
Dr. Stern..
when it all started
happening.
- What did she say?
- What could she say?
She took some tests
and said she'd get back with me.
Well, that's a start.
We'll get her here.
Then I'll go talk
to Adrian Temple.
We'll both talk to him.
Shouldn't you rest?
And age another 10 years?
At this rate, I only have
a few hours left.
[dramatic music]
Let's go look for some answers
in Temple's office.
There's nothing here
to tell us where he's gone.
I'll be dead
by the time we find him.
Lana, you've gotta believe me.
We'll find him.
- Lana.
- Dr. Stern.
How are you feeling?
Same way as I look.
I told her to stay home and rest
but she wouldn't listen.
I know.
I think I might have
found something.
Remember that trace element
I found in your blood?
It's gold.
Or a derivative.
I've been doing
some research into..
into alchemy.
Alchemy?
- Dr. Stern, I don't have--
- Lana.
It's not hereditary.
It's not a virus.
We're running out
of possibilities.
But alchemy?
That's chemistry and magic.
The alchemist used gold
derivatives in their formulas.
And they were always
trying to extend life.
But this is doing
just the opposite.
For you, maybe.
What is that supposed to mean?
Hold on.
Here's your gold derivative.
Then it was Adrian.
But only he can tell us
how he used it.
And he's gone.
I'll take this to my office
and analyze it immediately.
Take care of Lana, Dr. Stern.
I'll work with the police
in trying to find Temple.
(Dr. Stern)
If there's a fountain of youth
I'm looking at a drop of it.
These golden cells
appear indestructible.
And they feed
on normal red cells.
Whoever has this
in his bloodstream
would need a constant
supply of new blood.
Blood from young people.
Price of immortality.
Everybody keeps saying
how young Adrian looks.
He must have switched
his blood with mine
when I was unconscious.
And now the same thing's
gonna happen to me
that happened to the others.
Not if I can stop it.
Stop it?
What about reversing it?
[intense music]
[knocking on door]
- Who is it?
- It's Sasha. Let me in.
Where's the formula?
I don't have it.
If I don't have
the formula soon..
Nowwhere's the formula?
A doctor named as Stern took it.
- Don't you lie.
- I have the address!
[screams]
Lana?
Stay awake.
Lana.
[Lana groaning]
I'm not dead yet.
But soon, my dear.
Soon.
Now, I want what's mine.
I don't think so.
I want what's mine!
Ah!
[Adrian groaning]
[grunting]
Oh!
[theme music]
We knew Sasha
would lead you here.
That's why we let her listen in.
The cure, Temple. Now!
Cure?
Cure.
Yeah.
I'd be delighted to cure her.
For a price.
Your blood.
Superboy, no.
What happened to me
will happen to you.
If I can stop this..
I have to.
With blood like yours
in my veins..
I may not need
anybody else's for decades.
This needs to be kept cold.
Your turn.
- You're shaking, Adrian.
- Shut up.
(Lana)
Is it really worth it?
Are you that afraid
of growing old?
Weren't you?
I thought I was.
That's enough.
Make the exchange.
Give me his.
[intense music]
Eternity.
Infinity.
Forever's hand in mine.
Eternity, infinity,
forever's hand in mine.
Now, do it.
No, no.
Is that a grey hair I see?
Tell me how to help her.
Oh, there is no way.
I lied.
Oh, yes, there is.
I read all about it
in one of Dr. Stern's books.
You don't know
what you're talking about.
It seems that if an alchemist
returns to his true age..
..his victims
become young again.
You're crazy.
[intense music]
This is the way I was before.
How did you do this? Your blood
should've made me young forever.
I never said it was my blood.
His blood's still in the cooler.
Then whose?
Nathan Steeps.
Remember my grandson Justin?
You killed him.
You had this all planned.
[Adrian grunting]
Nobody gets this.
No!
No!
[intense music]
[theme music]
planet, to a bold new destiny on Earth
found by a Kansas family
and raised as Clark Kent
He learned he possessed
the strength of steel
the speed of light and
the desire to help all mankind.
He is Superboy!
["Superboy" Theme
by Kevin Kiner]
[explosion]
[engine revving]
[distant chattering]
Ready!
Ready!
Go!
[engines revving]
[tires screeching]
Justin, hey man,
where you been?
[chattering]
[tires screeching]
What's the matter with him?
[swooshing]
[theme music]
[distant chattering]
Justin!
- Who is that?
- That's not Justin.
- Oh my God.
- What's going on?
- You alright?
- Oh my God.
Who in the hell?
That's not Jus.
He's dead.
[dramatic music]
Died of stress-related
cardiac arrest.
Police are checking his prints.
- Didn't he any ID on him?
- Oh, yeah.
It's right here, but it's not
gonna do you any good.
"Justin Steeps. Age 20."
See?
- That's three now.
- Three?
Old people who've died
with teenagers IDs on them.
Missing teenagers.
[sighs]
You and Lana.
You're always making everything
into a big mystery.
Well, isn't it?
There's no mystery here.
Read it.
"In case of emergency
notify Nathan Steeps."
Keep reading.
"Care of Havendell Rest Home."
It's simple. Who does this body
look more like?
A 20-year-old or someone
who'd been living rest home?
You're saying
this is Nathan Steeps?
What other explanation
could there be?
The old man probably took his
grandson's ID and his car keys.
Why would an old man
go drag-racing?
I don't know. Maybe, he'd been
around for 80 boring years
and wanted to go out
in a blaze of glory.
- Come on.
- Alright, alright.
Go to the rest home and find out
what you can about him.
Will that make you happy?
That'll make me very hap..
[chime music]
Clark.
- What is it?
- Oh, nothing.
I just thought
I saw somebody I knew.
- Excuse me.
- Mm-hmm.
I'm here about Nathan Steeps.
[sighs]
[chimes music]
Can I help you?
Yeah, I think so.
I'd like to speak to someone
about Nathan Steeps.
I'm the perfect person to ask.
I'm Nathan Steeps.
Justin stays with friends.
Different one every few weeks.
He doesn't have much rent money,
he's just a student.
Is there any place
he spends a lot of his time?
Well, yeah, just the gym.
Flawless Form or..
Whatever they call it.
He likes to stay in shape.
I'll see what I can find out.
If anybody hurt him,
I don't know what I'd do.
Look, I'm sure he'll be okay.
That's what the other one said.
What other one?
Old woman.
About my age,
came in a little while ago
asking the same questions
as you.
- Did you get her name?
- You can ask her yourself.
She started to feel weak.
Said, "I'm gonna go in
and lie down in the rec room."
[techno music]
(Matt) Alright, so, I
was wrong about Steeps.
- And Lana and me.
- Oh, I wouldn't go that far.
You wanted to see me?
I'm the owner, Adrian Temple.
- You can't be.
- Yes.
The same guy who did
all those ads in the 60s?
Have a flawless form
in 12 minutes a day?
I'm him.
- Well, you'd have be at least--
- Oh, as old as I wanna be.
Gentlemen, please.
[techno music]
(male)
It's party time.
[engine cranking]
Party time.
Aging is something you choose
to do. I really believe that.
Brittle bones,
wrinkles, senility.
So much of that iscultural.
Tell my grandmother that.
Uh, about Justin Steeps.
I'll check his record.
[chime music]
Umm, I gotta put some money
in the parking meter.
[tires screeching]
- Get out of the track!
- Oh!
[intense music]
- He's dead.
- Do you know who he is?
He's wearing
Jeff Olton's jacket.
It can't be Jeff.
[siren wailing]
Lana?
I don't know how it happened.
But Lana, there's gotta be
an explanation.
Think.
(Lana)
It happened two days ago.
Ready for your rubdown?
I went to workout at Flawless
Forms like I always do.
Like I always did.
Incense.
It'll relax you.
[dramatic music]
Had a little nap, huh?
Yeah, guess I was more tired
than I thought.
Yeah.
Oops, oops, oops.
Guess I was really tired.
(Lana) The next day,
I still felt weak.
And my hair was grey
and my hands had spots on them.
And you think that Temple
caused this somehow?
It happened to others too.
Justin Steeps.
Jeff Olton.
But how?
I didn't eat or drink anything
while I was there.
When I was asleep..
maybe..
I don't know.
I really don't know.
What don't you talk to Clark?
Or Matt or..
Are they still here?
Matt's with the body,
I haven't seen Clark.
I didn't want them
to see me like this.
They would've understood.
The way people look at me.
The way you look at me.
Lana.
I told one person
Dr. Stern..
when it all started
happening.
- What did she say?
- What could she say?
She took some tests
and said she'd get back with me.
Well, that's a start.
We'll get her here.
Then I'll go talk
to Adrian Temple.
We'll both talk to him.
Shouldn't you rest?
And age another 10 years?
At this rate, I only have
a few hours left.
[dramatic music]
Let's go look for some answers
in Temple's office.
There's nothing here
to tell us where he's gone.
I'll be dead
by the time we find him.
Lana, you've gotta believe me.
We'll find him.
- Lana.
- Dr. Stern.
How are you feeling?
Same way as I look.
I told her to stay home and rest
but she wouldn't listen.
I know.
I think I might have
found something.
Remember that trace element
I found in your blood?
It's gold.
Or a derivative.
I've been doing
some research into..
into alchemy.
Alchemy?
- Dr. Stern, I don't have--
- Lana.
It's not hereditary.
It's not a virus.
We're running out
of possibilities.
But alchemy?
That's chemistry and magic.
The alchemist used gold
derivatives in their formulas.
And they were always
trying to extend life.
But this is doing
just the opposite.
For you, maybe.
What is that supposed to mean?
Hold on.
Here's your gold derivative.
Then it was Adrian.
But only he can tell us
how he used it.
And he's gone.
I'll take this to my office
and analyze it immediately.
Take care of Lana, Dr. Stern.
I'll work with the police
in trying to find Temple.
(Dr. Stern)
If there's a fountain of youth
I'm looking at a drop of it.
These golden cells
appear indestructible.
And they feed
on normal red cells.
Whoever has this
in his bloodstream
would need a constant
supply of new blood.
Blood from young people.
Price of immortality.
Everybody keeps saying
how young Adrian looks.
He must have switched
his blood with mine
when I was unconscious.
And now the same thing's
gonna happen to me
that happened to the others.
Not if I can stop it.
Stop it?
What about reversing it?
[intense music]
[knocking on door]
- Who is it?
- It's Sasha. Let me in.
Where's the formula?
I don't have it.
If I don't have
the formula soon..
Nowwhere's the formula?
A doctor named as Stern took it.
- Don't you lie.
- I have the address!
[screams]
Lana?
Stay awake.
Lana.
[Lana groaning]
I'm not dead yet.
But soon, my dear.
Soon.
Now, I want what's mine.
I don't think so.
I want what's mine!
Ah!
[Adrian groaning]
[grunting]
Oh!
[theme music]
We knew Sasha
would lead you here.
That's why we let her listen in.
The cure, Temple. Now!
Cure?
Cure.
Yeah.
I'd be delighted to cure her.
For a price.
Your blood.
Superboy, no.
What happened to me
will happen to you.
If I can stop this..
I have to.
With blood like yours
in my veins..
I may not need
anybody else's for decades.
This needs to be kept cold.
Your turn.
- You're shaking, Adrian.
- Shut up.
(Lana)
Is it really worth it?
Are you that afraid
of growing old?
Weren't you?
I thought I was.
That's enough.
Make the exchange.
Give me his.
[intense music]
Eternity.
Infinity.
Forever's hand in mine.
Eternity, infinity,
forever's hand in mine.
Now, do it.
No, no.
Is that a grey hair I see?
Tell me how to help her.
Oh, there is no way.
I lied.
Oh, yes, there is.
I read all about it
in one of Dr. Stern's books.
You don't know
what you're talking about.
It seems that if an alchemist
returns to his true age..
..his victims
become young again.
You're crazy.
[intense music]
This is the way I was before.
How did you do this? Your blood
should've made me young forever.
I never said it was my blood.
His blood's still in the cooler.
Then whose?
Nathan Steeps.
Remember my grandson Justin?
You killed him.
You had this all planned.
[Adrian grunting]
Nobody gets this.
No!
No!
[intense music]
[theme music]