[instrumental music]
[indistinct chattering]
[keys clacking]
[laughing]
[thunder rumbling]
[thunder rumbles]
Tsk, tsk.
[music continues]
[snoring]
[thunder rumbling]
[sighs]
[exhales sharply]
[theme music]
[explosion]
[music continues]
[keys clacking]
[computer beeps]
[sighs]
[yawning]
[printer whirring]
[dialing phone]
[line ringing]
(Perry) 'Hello.'
- Mr. White. - Clark.
Yes, sir. How are you?
You sound tan.
'Well, you tell me.'
I get up around 9:00
take a walk on the beach.
I get back. Alice has breakfast ready for me.
'Weather's perfect. Never changes.'
Haven't been run down by a cab since I got here.
You're miserable.
Completely.
'How's the novel coming?'
Oh, um..
Well, not so good.
I've been spending most of my time
trying to figure out what really happened at the Planet.
Yeah. You and me both.
Anything interesting?
Nothing I can prove, yet.
Actually, the reason I'm calling is
have you heard from Jimmy?
He called about a week ago. Sounded fine.
Well, his telephone is disconnected.
And I went by his apartment today
and the landlord said that he's been thrown out
because he couldn't pay the rent.
Oh. Blast that kid.
Why didn't he tell me?
I'm gonna start an all-out search for him.
You need any help?
Well, I think I can manage, chief.
Oh, damn it, Kent. Tell me you need my help.
I need your help.
See? I thought so.
I'm gonna take the first flight out in the morning.
'I'll meet you at your place.'
That's great, chief. I'll see you then.
Good. See you then. Ha-ha.
(Lex) You see, this is right, but this is wrong.
This is wrong. I..
I want the doors on the master bedroom balcony
to be sliders, you see, because French doors
make the room look too small.
Lex, the master bedroom is 3000 square feet.
That's twice as big as my whole apartment.
[chuckles]
And what about this?
What about this exercise area?
Should we move that back down to the ground floor?
No, I think that's right.
It'd be great to get up first thing in the morning
and see that stair climber staring me in the face
saying, "Now, Lois, now."
No, darling, that'll be my line.
Thank you for understanding.
What?
About me wanting to wait till our wedding night.
I just want it to be special.
It will be.
[knocking on door]
Lex, could we run through your schedule for tomorrow?
Of course. Please come in, Mrs. Cox.
You'll notice the Series K field test
is set for 3:45 p.m.
Excellent.
[telephone rings]
(man over telephone) 'Mr. Luthor?'
Big Don is in Chicago.
Forgive me. I'll take it in the library.
So, what's "Series K?"
Something we've been working on.
The details are confidential.
Lex and I don't have any secrets.
Really?
Mrs. Cox, is there a Mr. Cox?
He died.
Oh. I'm so sorry, I--
Don't be. I'm not.
Anything else?
Nothing I can't handle.
Good. Well, thank you, Mrs. Cox.
That'll be all for now.
I don't like that woman.
Why?
She's the best assistant I've ever..
Yeah, but, Lois, if you're unhappy, she's--
No. Really, it's fine.
Just..
Lois.
What is it? What's the matter?
- Honey? - My mother's coming in..
The wedding preparations..
Yeah, I know, but what else?
I was wondering how everybody was.
I haven't talked to Perry or Jimmy or Cat.
Or Clark.
Or Clark, in weeks.
Alright. So, why don't you give them a call?
[chuckles]
I think I will.
Have you heard from Jack?
I don't understand that boy.
A-against my advice, he fires one of the best
criminal lawyers in the country.
He hires a woman out of law school.
I just..
I tried.
I'll talk to him.
I doubt that it'll do any good.
So..
Now, have we decided on a 12-car garage?
Or...the 15?
No cover, no minimum.
All girls all the time.
Girls, girls, and more girls.
Seven. Seven. Count 'em.
Seven revolving stages for your viewing pleasure.
(Jack) How much?
Jack?
'You're out?'
Uh, sort of.
It's no big deal.
It's not Alcatraz. It's juvie hall.
You are in a lot of trouble, pal.
You should talk. Nice gig.
It's all I could get.
Where are you staying?
I got a room at the Y. It's not that bad.
Want a roommate?
Jack, why did you break out, huh?
I overheard some stuff.
They brought in a new kid last week.
He's bragging about how he and his brother pulled this frame-up
planting incriminating evidence in some guy's crib.
So?
I was the framee.
He was talking about me and the explosive
they found in my place after the fire at the Planet.
I have to clear my name, Jimmy.
And it's not gonna happen with me on the inside.
I'm gonna need help.
[telephone ringing]
Hello.
Hi.
It's me.
Hi. How are you?
Terrific.
You?
Great.
So, how's the rest of the gang?
'Perry's actually coming out to stay with me for a few days.'
We're a little worried about Jimmy.
He, uh..
He moved out of his apartment.
'Well, he's okay?'
I-I mean, you'd think if he was in trouble
he would call me or you, wouldn't he?
Yeah, I'm sure he would.
[sighs]
'How is your new job?'
Oh.
You know, settling in.
'You?'
I'm busy, you know, exploring my options.
I'm sure you'll find something.
'Yeah.'
Well, it's kinda late.
I guess I'm gonna...go to bed.
Me too.
Clark?
Yes?
I miss you.
I miss you, too, Lois.
'Goodnight.'
[sighs]
[zapping]
[doorbell buzzes]
Ooh.
[groans]
- Chief. - Hey, Clark.
It's good to see you. So good to see you.
Well, it's good to be back
even if it is just for a couple of days.
Oh, thank you. Appreciate it.
So, what'd you tell Alice?
Son, I've been married 25 years.
And if there's one thing I've learned
it's don't lie to your wife.
So, what'd you tell Alice?
I told her I was going fishing.
[chuckles]
No word from Jimmy, huh?
Not a thing.
Boy, I wonder where that kid is.
(Jimmy) 'He's right behind you, chief.'
- 'Hey!' - 'Hey.'
- Jimmy. - How you doing?
Good, good. Good to see you.
How are you? Where you been?
Well, uh, it's a long story
but first things first.
- You got anything to eat? - Yeah. Yeah.
Canadian bacon, right?
You remembered.
Yeah.
Yeah, I'd like to order two large pizzas
to be delivered, please.
Uh, CK
I think you better make that three pizzas.
(Jack) Pete was his name.
Pete Black and his brother John.
Anything about who hired him?
Just that it was someone important.
They got paid a ton of money.
He called him "The Boss."
Alright, Jimmy, Jack
'I want you to find out where we can'
'contact this John Black character.'
And, Clark, get me whatever you can
on anyone called "The Boss."
I'm going to start digging into some of the
Daily Planet finances.
Just like old times.
You two might as well bunk here for a while with me.
What about me?
You're gonna go back to juvenile detention center.
We'll figure out some way to tell them--
'I can't.'
Pete Black just didn't happen to get sent to juvie.
'He was put there to look for me.'
Maybe it's time to call in the big guns.
The police?
No.
Lois.
Uh, no, chief.
She's too busy getting ready for her wedding.
[alarm ringing]
Uh, excuse me for a sec. Uh..
I left some clothes in the dryer.
Superman.
Thank you for coming but it's a false alarm.
The security system's just gone crazy all of a sudden.
Sorry to take up your time like this.
No problem at all. I..
Superman.
You okay, Superman?
Superman?
You okay?
Superman?
Uh, yeah, I'm okay.
[keypad beeping]
We have the genuine article, Lex.
Works like a charm.
I thought it was destroyed, too, mom
but then I remembered the chunk that was supposedly
sent to the university for testing.
Yeah. The piece that disappeared.
[man whistling]
Uh, the key's under the mat, chief.
Huh?
I will be careful, mom, I promise.
Yeah. Bye.
Clark!
Hey. How in the world did you know I was out there?
Oh, uh, here, chief. Let me take this for you.
Oh, thank you. How you doing?
Good. How did it go?
Well, every single member
of the Daily Planet's old board of directors
has been ducking me.
I finally did get a hold of a transcript of the session
where they agreed to sell the paper to Luthor
but my, uh, my instinct tells me
they're hiding something from me.
What I need is some leverage.
I just hope we're not too late.
Wedding's coming up pretty fast, huh?
Two days.
Maybe it doesn't even matter what we find.
Maybe Luthor's what she wants.
Here all this time I thought we were
trying to save the Daily Planet.
We are, chief. I just..
I'm just funning with you, son.
You know, women are a little like trout.
You get them on a line, you tug a little bit too hard
they're gonna go free.
You just gotta hope that fate and the currents
kinda drift them your way.
We still got a couple days.
Yeah. You're right, chief.
Let's get to work.
(Clark) Just about every criminal element in Metropolis
pays protection money to a shadowy character
they call "The Boss."
Most of them have no idea who he is
and those who might, too terrified to talk.
(Perry) There was additional insurance
on the Daily Planet building
through a subsidiary of LexCorp
called "Lexell Investments."
[baby crying]
(Jimmy) 'Well, I found John Black.'
Now, all we have to do is set the guy up.
The Planet board originally voted
not to sell to Lex Luthor
'then suddenly they all changed their minds.'
'They're all also driving new Ferraris.'
[upbeat music]
If Luthor first manipulated the board
to sell the Planet to him
and then burned it down to collect the insurance
what if the boss is actually Lex Luthor?
Okay. Good.
Exactly. That's what I thought.
Alright. Well, let's just keep at it.
See you back at the apartment.
[car honking]
Need a lift, big boy?
Present from Luthor?
I borrowed it.
Well, then I guess you owe him one, don't you?
Clark, come on, get in.
Please?
[sighs]
What do you want, Lois?
I want you to come to my wedding.
- I can't. - Why not?
I just, I can't.
You hate him that much?
Or is it me you hate now?
I could never hate you, Lois
but I'm not gonna sit there
and watch you walk down the aisle with that--
What? Thief? Gangster? Psychopath? Murderer?
Maybe all of the above.
Can't you see what is happening?
You are driving us farther and farther apart.
I'm not the one doing the driving, Lois.
You are.
And if you're so sure
Lex is filled with good intentions
you might wanna ask him about Lexell Investments
and the extra insurance policy
they took out on the Daily Planet.
A policy that may have made it very easy
to rebuild the paper.
You're an investigative reporter, Lois.
Investigate.
[tape screeches]
(Clark on recorder) 'You're an investigative reporter, Lois.'
'Investigate.'
Modern surveillance technology is such a beautiful thing.
Don't you think, Mrs. Cox?
If the Borgias had had it, they'd still be running Italy.
Shall I take the necessary precautions?
[sighs]
[smirks]
A billion for your thoughts.
Sold.
No, I was just thinking how
'everything's falling into line.'
I made the Daily Planet vulnerable for takeover.
I bought it and I destroyed it.
I broke Lois Lane from her comfortable routine
and made a few bucks in the process.
And now when these highly insulting accusations
of Mr. Kent prove false
well, it should drive the final wedge
between Lois and her old life.
Part one of your plan is complete.
'Time for Part two.'
To conclude our business with Superman.
Is everything complete?
- Yes. - Good.
Why don't you put in a call to Mr. Kent?
Tell him I'd appreciate very much
if he'd contact his friend Superman on my behalf.
I'd like a word with the Man of Steel
concerning Lois Lane.
[instrumental music]
[door opens]
Hm..
Not quite ready.
Come in! Come in, come in.
Don't be shy.
You know, they say that civilization was invented
so that men could cooperate in the making of wine.
What do you want, Luthor?
A favor.
A favor? From me? You must be joking.
Oh, but wait. Hear me out.
[sighs] Lois Lane, my fiancee
'should be deliriously happy'
'at the prospect of our forthcoming wedding'
but unfortunately, she's not.
She misses her friends at the Daily Planet
particularly...Clark Kent.
So..
Well, so you and Clark are friends.
He was able to bring you here.
I'm not following, Luthor.
I would like you to use your influence
to convince Clark to attend our wedding.
Of course, you're invited, too.
[scoffs]
You live in a fantasy world, Luthor.
Neither Clark nor I will ever do anything
to support your marriage to Lois.
I see.
Well, then I suppose I have no further use for you.
[clanking]
Bars won't...hold me, Luthor.
Oh.
I think they will.
[screams]
I live in a fantasy world?
Perhaps.
But my fantasy is about to come true.
[slurping]
[door closes]
It's about time.
(Jimmy) 'Where's CK?'
(Perry) 'I don't know.'
He should have been here by now.
Crayfish etouffee, anyone?
Uh...actually, we just ate.
Well, you'll eat again. You don't wanna miss this.
See, I use the sweet paprika, not the regular
and cayenne, plenty of it.
But the real secret is in the apple juice.
Just the half a cup.
Okay, let's get this table set.
What'd you get?
Plenty.
This John Black character
will do just about anything he's paid to do.
Break in, plant explosives, you name it.
Just like he did for this woman Mrs. Cox
and the case of our young Jack here.
This is beautiful.
We'll get that tape down to Inspector Henderson
first thing in the morning
along with a statement from Jack.
Well, looks like you're off the hook, buddy boy.
Congratulations.
Thanks. I've got something, too.
Mr. Simon Trusdale, former board member
of the Daily Planet
he's had a sudden attack of conscience.
He's now willing to admit he received a substantial
cash inducement, I think he called it
to support the sale of the Planet to Luthor.
Any particular reason for this sudden attack of conscience?
Well, it may have something to do with a certain video tape
which he hopes his wife never receives.
[chuckles] Poor woman.
Not after the divorce settlement.
What about you, chief?
Well, now, Lexell Investments did have additional insurance
on the Daily Planet building.
How much?
About twice what it would
take to repair it.
Lex Luthor walked away
with a cool 75 million.
Then that's motive. He's nailed.
So, what are we waiting for?
Clark. Sit down. Let's eat.
You know, this is all wonderful, of course
but the problem is
it's still not gonna bring back the Planet.
Well, you see
Elvis' first recording session with Sam Phillips
didn't turn out too well.
That was June, '54.
Yeah, but you see
July, he was right back in the studio.
Started turning out his first couple of hits.
Tell me there's a point to this.
Elvis didn't give up, we won't, either.
- You got it? - Yeah, I got it.
I hope you like it spicy.
Mmm.
[coughing]
[tap water running]
Ah.
[coughing]
[groaning]
A perfect evening.
I don't think I've ever had better garlic chicken.
I think that Chef André deserves a raise.
- Mmm. - Hm.
And a magnificent production of Othello.
I particularly liked the black and white sets.
I thought they were very inventive.
Mm-hmm.
[thunder rumbles]
Did you know that Shakespeare didn't write Othello?
That it turns out it was actually written by Dr. Seuss.
- Hmm. - Mmm.
Am I boring you?
What?
Am I boring you?
No, of course not.
I'm sorry.
I just keep thinking about that enormous stack
of RSVPs on my desk.
Mmm.
- Minus a few. - Mm.
At least my mom's gonna be there.
Hm.
You know, it's not just my family.
Not one of the people
I thought I was closest to is coming.
I just wanted our wedding day
to be something I could share with Clark
and Perry and the others.
I promise that after the honeymoon
all these old wounds will be healed.
You still haven't told me where we're going.
- No. - Not even a hint?
No, no. Alright, one.
Clothing is optional.
[both chuckling]
Lex, when the Planet was destroyed
you lost a lot of money, didn't you?
Mmm.
Well, luckily I have broad shoulders and deep pockets.
But I mean, it wasn't a total loss.
You had insurance?
Sure, several policies but, unfortunately
not enough to warrant reconstruction.
Why the sudden concern?
Well, I can't help but think that you
bought the Planet in the first place because of me.
I did.
I'm embarrassed to admit it
but I bought the Planet out of some
love sick attempt to bring us closer together
to bring my life in tune with yours
but ironically, it wasn't necessary.
Here we are together.
We were meant to be together.
It was fate.
We don't even have to change the monograms on our towels.
[chuckles]
In here, Mr. White.
Oh, uh, Mr. Stern.
Come in, Mr. White.
- Please, sit down. - Yes, sir.
I appreciate you seeing me at this late hour.
Perry. May I call you Perry?
Oh, sure.
I put in a 14-hour day. Always have.
If I show my face at home before 11 p.m.
my wife calls the police.
[chuckles]
I'm sure you know what that's like.
Only too well.
It's strange we never met.
I'm very familiar with your work, of course.
As I am with yours.
I miss reading the Daily Planet.
It has imitators but no true successor.
Metropolis has lost an asset.
Well, those of us who worked there were proud
to call it home.
And well, that's, uh
that's the reason I've come.
I didn't think you were here looking
for a fourth for bridge.
Now, Mr. Stern
you own television, radio stations.
You have interests in book publishing.
Have you ever considered owning a newspaper?
Perry, correct me if I'm wrong.
There is no newspaper.
Now, the Daily Planet was a lot more
than just steel girders and concrete.
It was people, it was ideas, principles.
Those still exist.
There is a newspaper.
We just don't have a place to print it.
Even if that were true
why would I wanna own the Daily Planet?
I can't imagine anyone wanting anything else.
I'm sorry, my answer is no.
I wish you luck, though, in finding some way to rebuild.
When you do, you have my subscription.
I appreciate it.
I just hate to see Lex Luthor win.
- What? - Lex Luthor.
We've gathered evidence that strongly suggests
that he's behind the fall of the Daily Planet.
I'd just like to see the expression on his face
when I..
Ah. Oh, well, I, uh..
I appreciate you seeing me, sir. Thank you.
[groaning]
And how are we feeling today?
[Superman groans]
Oh, still feeling a little green
around the gills, are we? Heh-heh!
I on the other hand, am feeling wonderful.
She's beautiful, therefore to be wooed.
She's woman, therefore to be won.
It's Henry V.
Oh, I know, it must be tough
lying there, seeing me all decked up like this
on my way to marry Lois Lane
while you lie there helplessly and suffer.
And tonight.
♪ And tonight tonight ♪
♪ Won't be just ♪
♪ Any night ♪♪
I love Lois, I do. I really do.
But she's just a little too independent, don't you think?
Well, I'll take care of that.
Clark Kent knows where I am.
Well, yes, I'll have to kill him, too.
But that reminds me. Which one, the red or the white?
The red for passion and the white for purity.
Well, I agree. Definitely, the red.
[grunting]
Luthor..
Oh, how strange.
How strange to hear you say my name
and know that it may be
for the last time.
But am I making a mistake?
Will the pain of losing the challenge that you represent
be worse than the pain of constantly losing to you?
Nah.
I'll be back, when it's over.
'Then you and I will have a nice little'
heart, mmm, heart to heart.
Have a nice death.
♪ Tonight tonight.. ♪♪
[sobbing]
Oh.
[knocking on door]
(female #1) 'Ten minutes, Mrs. Luthor.'
Mrs. Lex Luthor.
Lois Lane Luthor.
Lois..
...Luthor Lane.
Lois...Lane..
...Kent.
Lois Lane.
Mom, what am I gonna do?
Oh, honey, if you're not sure--
It's too late.
No, it's not.
You do what your heart tells you to do.
[grunting]
[breathing heavily]
[whooshing]
[coughing]
[indistinct chatter]
["Bridal Chorus" instrumental]
You are a strange one, Clark Kent.
- Am I? - Yeah.
But I think I've got you figured out.
[coughs]
[whooshing]
Clark.
Just a sec, Lois, I..
[instrumental music]
[clanking]
[coughs]
Goodbye, Lois.
[whooshing]
[coughs]
The Arch Bishop?
Yes. I'm sorry. The pope had a prior engagement.
You look...beautiful.
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today
in the sight of God and in the presence of these
'witnesses to join together this man and this woman'
'in holy matrimony.'
'If anyone knows why this union should not take place'
'let them speak now or forever hold their peace.'
'Do you, Lex, take this woman'
'to be your wedded bride from this day forward'
'for richer, for poorer'
till death do you part?
I do.
And do you, Lois
take this man to be your wedded husband
'from this day forward'
'for richer, for poorer'
'in sickness and in health'
to love and to cherish until death do you part?
I..
Lois.
I can't.
Lois!
[indistinct chatter]
Lex, they came!
Stop the wedding. You can't marry this man.
Well, is there an echo in here? I just said that.
What's the meaning of this?
The meaning of this is, Luthor, you're through.
We have all the evidence against you we need.
Evidence? Evidence for what?
This is a warrant for your arrest for arson
and other crimes too numerous to mention.
You're out of your minds, both of you.
You have the right to remain silent.
You have the right to an attorney.
'If you cannot afford an attorney one will be supplied--'
Will you shut up? I can afford a thousand attorneys.
I'll have your badge. I'll have your head for this.
Get me the governor on the phone.
Get me the president!
'Get him on the phone!'
Et tu, Mrs. Cox?
[laughs]
Lois, I'm sorry.
'We'll take a rain check.'
Something's come up.
- Let's go, pal. - You let go of me!
[grunting]
(Inspector Henderson) 'Don't worry. We'll get him.'
I got the building sealed off!
This way! This way!
Oh, honey, I know things
haven't worked out the way you planned, but--
Why?
Isn't this the way every girl dreams
her wedding's gonna be?
Sorry, Superman, no time to chat.
I'll just take my pound of flesh and..
[screaming]
[sighs]
[siren wailing]
I've always been such a good judge of character.
Don't blame yourself. He fooled all of us.
- Not me. - I never trusted him.
Where's Clark?
(Clark) 'Right here.'
(officer #1) 'He's heading for the penthouse.'
[keys clacking]
It's over, Luthor. Give it up.
Lex Luthor will not live in a cage.
Luthor, no!
Did you know this is the tallest building in Metropolis?
Did you?
Top of the world.
[indistinct shouting]
I-I can't.
Ah!
[instrumental music]
I wish they'd just get it over with
and tear this place down.
Yep. Too many memories.
(Lois) Most of them good.
Well, you know, there's a lesson to be learned in all of this.
- Why am I not surprised? - Well..
We should appreciate what we got when we got it.
(Perry) 'I know I've said this before'
but I just hate it that Luthor
got his way in this one thing.
He didn't! Look!
What is that?
[applause]
Great shades of Elvis!
We'll start on the building next week
but first, I thought we'd announce
to the world we're back in business.
I, uh, reconsidered your proposal.
And I agree with you, Mr. White.
Metropolis does need the Daily Planet.
Besides, one more nail in Lex Luthor's coffin
would suit me fine.
I do have some ideas about modernization.
Uh, modernization?
Yes, improvements, expansion.
Wanna see the plans?
Uh, Mr. Stern, just a doggone minute here.
'I, uh.. Uh, Stern!'
'What do you mean by modernization?'
I've never seen anything so beautiful in my entire life.
You never gave up..
...on the Planet.
On your friends.
On me.
I couldn't.
You've just named probably everything in this world
that's precious to me.
I don't think I have ever..
Will ever meet anyone quite like you.
- Lois. - Clark.
[chuckles] No, let me go first--
No, no, no, not this time.
Lois, I'm sorry about a lot of things.
I wanted to bring Luthor down
but I never wanted to hurt you.
I shouldn't have said anything
about the way I felt toward you.
It put you in an incredibly awkward position.
No, Clark, I really--
No, no. The truth of the matter is, Lois
it wasn't true. I..
I'm not in love with you. I..
You're not?
I would have said anything
to stop you from marrying Luthor.
Oh.
Well, if that's how you feel..
I want the same thing that you want
for us to be friends
partners...forever.
Forever.
What did you want to say?
Oh...nothing.
Yeah, what you said, um, just that, sort of.
(female #2) 'Help! Help! Somebody, please help!'
Uh, could you excuse me for a second, Lois?
We can continue later. I have to go real quick.
Sure.
Why not? Go.
Run off and disappear like you always do
when we're having a discussion.
Well, guess everything's back to normal.
I'm not done with you, either, big fella.
[instrumental music]
[theme music]