CV Series Epilogue Version I

by &

OK. The first thing we're going to do is extend the scene where the doctors tell Martha how Lionel and Lois are doing.

There's a big surprise.

Shut up. Martha thanks them and they exit. She goes to the window and closes the blinds.

From off screen, "Lex is the one who did this, not Lionel." It's Clark. He steps out from behind the privacy curtain.

Wha? No sailors?

No sailors.

So how does Clark come back?

We're not going to waste screen time on that shit. They take him out in the sun and he heals. End of story. Who needs to see that?

I do.

Put it in your own ending then.

"You have proof?"

Clark looks down, "I have an eye witness account. Mine."

"Clark..., you can't."

"Reveal my secret? Why? Lex killed Lana and Chloe. He tried to kill Lois and Lionel. We can't let him get away with it! My secret isn't worth their lives. It never was!"

"Listen to me, Clark. It is about... your secret, but not how you think."

Irritated, "Then how it is, mom?"

"What do you think will happen in a court of law if you get up and testify that you're an alien?"

"That's not what's important. What's important..."

She cuts him off, "Is making sure Lex can't do this sort of thing ever again, right?"

Clark nods.

"You can't do that if Lex has you put in some government laboratory because he's convinced the government you're a threat to the world. Chloe and Lana died trying to save you. Don't you dare disrespect their sacrifice by becoming a sacrificial lamb."

"Mom, I'm not..."

"Lex has everyone scared to death of Kal-El. You show up to testify against Lex and what? It's your word against his."

"No one is going to believe Lex over me!"

"Because you've hidden your true identity your entire life? Clark you're been living a lie since your father and I found you. That's our fault, not yours, but if you think Lex's lawyers aren't going to take full advantage of that then you're one big dumb alien."

Hey!

[Chants] BDA, BDA, BDA.

Hey!

Could resist. "But if you think Lex's lawyers aren't going to take full advantage of that then you're fooling yourself. You'll be the one they put in a cage."

"So what am I supposed to do, mom? Sit on the sidelines while Lex continues to do worse and worse?"

"Absolutely not! Lex has stumbled. He has no stake in LuthorCorp and the company Lionel gave him is nothing more than a shell. Lex owes more than he owns right now. It will take him years to rebuild. Now is the time to finish your training with Jor-El so you'll be ready for him whe he is back on his feet."

"You're asking me to turn a blind eye to the fact he killed two of the most important people in my life."

"I'm doing no such thing, Clark Jerome Kent! I'm telling you to come back ready. And when you do let Lex Luthor know he won't be able to move a muscle without you knowing."

"But..."

"Leave Lex to us mere mortals for a few years."

Clark looks at Lois.

"Don't worry. I'll tell her you stopped by. You'll have plenty of time to catch up when you get back."

"It's just that I've already lost so much. I'm afraid if I leave now..."

They hug. "Don't live your life in fear of what you may lose, Clark. Nothing is forever. You can't change that. Complete your training. Now my be your last best chance to do it."

"I love you, mom."

Aw.

Then we're going to have a quick shot of Clark watching Lex through the window. Lex turns to look as if he feels someone watching him but Clark is gone.

Can his Kryptonite ring light up?

It's a fake.

Oh, yeah. Shit.

Then after the mystery person dies in the hospital...

You mean Lionel.

No, I don't.

It better be Lionel.

You better shut up.

I... [JG gives her the evil eye] I'm shutting up.

We have a scene where Lex enters a hospital room and puts his hand to another IV.

From off-screen we hear Martha's voice, "Hello, Lex."

"Martha. I didn't see you there."

She's sitting by the bed. "Come to finish what you started?"

"I was just checking in. Out of concern."

"Your largess is appreciated, Lex. Good day."

Lex moves to exit.

"By the way, I spoke to Clark."

Lex hides his anxiety, "Clark. What did he have to say?"

"He said he was looking forward to coming back home. And when he does he hopes the two of you can talk."

Lex hesitates, "I look forward to that."

Martha smiles knowingly, "I'm sure you do."

Then the cue card "Seven years later..."

Graveyard on a bitterly cold day. A man in black stands in front of a tombstone. The tombstone reads Lana Lang. From whenever she was born to 2007. It's labeled "Loved by All"

Piss off!

Suddenly the man turns to look behind him. It's Lex Luthor.

No. Lex is at Lana's grave seven years later?

I guess she took his balls with her.

And they say you can't take it with you.

They never said you can't take them with you.

Good one, Michael. He looks around suspiciously and then turns back around to lay a single rose on the grave site.

Cut back to show Clark Kent in a suit hiding behind a nearby tree.

Clark too? God!

Clark is wearing glasses. Lex walks off.

Cut to outside the DP. Chloe is on her cell phone bundled head to toe. She heads into the building. She see she's wearing the "LL" pendant Lois gave her.

The camera follows her conversation as she enters, gets on the elevator and then gets off. "Sorry, Bruce. I'm going to have to bail on you for lunch." Pause, she smiles, "So now you know how I felt the last three times we were supposed to meet." Another pause, "An old friend is in town." She looks irritated, "You promised to stop breaking into my email!" Then a smile, "Lex? Of course he'd know." She pauses again, "The timing is good. We mere mortals can only hold Lex Luthor down for so long." She rolls her eyes, "Come on admit it, even you could use a little help every now and then. It's not like you don't already have your hands full." The elevator doors open back up, "Gotta go!"

Chloe is buddies with Bruce Wayne now?

Could be Bruce Lee.

She dated Oliver Queen. It's not a huge stretch.

What does Bruce Lee have to do with Oliver Queen?

Forget it.

Chloe strides in and spots my hubby, Perry White.

That's a relief, I was afraid you'd have Martha marry Lionel.

No, Tom. The guy playing Perry is my hubby in real life.

Right. Shit.

Perry, "Good to see the resident big shot occasionally chooses to grace us with her presence."

"I wouldn't miss today for the world. Let me know as soon as he comes in, OK?"

"Well..."

She sighs, "You can show him around and let him meet all the appropriate people first, if you must."

"This guy better be as good as you say he is."

"Better. He's going to be one of your best reporters. Trust me."

"Better than the Pulitzer Prize winning Lois Lane?" he looks expectantly at Chloe.

Chloe smiles mischievously, "I said one of your best, Perry." She exits.

Cut to Lex at his desk.

He's on the phone. "I'm not going to wait. Let me know the minute he arrives. I need to know if it's really him." we hear Mercy object, "I understand your objection but if he were going to move against me he would have already done it. I'm perfectly safe for now." Lex hangs up and brushes his figures across an ornate box on his desk. A picture of Lana sits beside it.

Really, must we still pimp Lana so?

Yeah. Must we?

We must. We want Al & Miles to pick our version. MG: They have a point. Allison?

Yeah, yeah. I'll make the appropriate changes to our version.

Erica?

Bullshit, Tom. Our version is going to win on it's own merits. You'll see.

Erica...

I said no.

Let's talk after...

[Puts her hand up] You're talking to the hand, Tom.

Good for you, Erica!

Kristen, would you stay out of this?

Lex opens the box to reveal the kryptonite ring.

Graveyard. Clark stands before Lana's grave.

"I don't know if what I did was right, Lana. I'll wrestle with that decision everyday. Without the weapon Lex was ruined, at least temporarily. But without proof... " He trails off. "I knew it would be just a matter of time before he was up to his old tricks again. But, thanks to you he had to rebuild everything from the ground up. That's what gave me the time to finish my training. I hope I've put the time you gave me to wise use."

OK, Erica. Maybe you're right. I think I might choke on that little monologue.

I knew you'd come around.

That's a bitchin' monologue!

It could have been better.

What?

If you hadn't run off in hopes of meeting Sir Elton.

Don't bring that up again, John.

We lost a whole day!

I thought it was fine.

Well I think it sucks.

Then cut it.

We need to explain why Clark left.He lays down a tulip. When he walks away he uses a cane and walks with a slight limp.

I thought Martha explained that.

Right, she did.

So cut it, OK?

No. Lousy speech or not, I kind of like Clark groveling at Lana's grave.

Perry in his office. His secretary buzzes him, "Mr. Kent is here." Perry answers, "Send him in."

Clark walks towards Perry's office as Perry exits, "You must be Clark Kent!"

"Yeah."

He glances at Clark's cane.

"Old injury. Don't worry, I'm still able to run down a story with the best of them."

"You better. Let me show you your desk."

Surprised, "My desk? Aren't I here for an interview?"

"Not only does your reputation proceed you, you come highly recommended. And when I say highly I mean it doesn't come any higher." They arrive at a desk, "Here you are."

Clark notices a name plate on the office next to his desk. It's labeled Lois Lane. ""Wow. Who'd have thought."

Perry notices Clark reading the name tag, "Yeah. She put in a pretty good word for you. But if she ever finds out I told you that you're fired."

Clark smiles, "Is she here now? Can I see her?"

"I've got orders to send you upstairs first."

Clark gives Perry a questioning look.

Shrugging, "The publisher wants to meet you. You've got friends in high places, my friend. Made a special trip to the office just for today. Let me tell you, that doesn't happen too often."

Clark half smiles, "Really?"

"Rumour has it the two of you go a long way back. Not that anybody is talking." He points towards an elevator and hands Clark a key, "Private elevator. Top floor."

Clark heads for the elevator and inserts the key. A grown up Jimmy is making copies nearby.

"You're here to see Luthor, huh? That can't be good."

Clark looks nervously at Jimmy and gulps. "Lex Luthor owns the Planet?"

Jimmy grins, "You don't know who owns the Planet? Have you been hiding under a rock?"

"I've been out of town."

"Have we met?"

Clark says, "I don't think so, name's Clark. Clark, Kent."

"You're Clark Kent? You look different."

The elevator doors open. "Thanks... I mean really?"

Jimmy sticks out his hand, "Jimmy, Jimmy Olsen." They shake hands. Clark enters the elevator, "See you around, C. K. Good luck [whispering]upstairs. The only person who doesn't shake in their boots when they get on that elevator is Lois."

Clark chuckles. "Figures."

Jimmy whispers again, "Rumor is they're somehow related."

Clark gets a quizzical look and starts to ask Jimmy a question but the elevator doors close on him.

Cut to a computer monitor on a fancy desk showing a security video feed from the elevator. A hand reaches to retrieve a glass of scotch.

Cut to Mercy on the phone. She's at the Planet building. "He's arrived."

We hear Lex ask her if she thinks it's really him.

Mercy explains she didn't get a good look.

The elevator opens to reveal a secretary's desk right outside. He looks at Clark expectantly.

"I'm Clark. Clark, Kent."

"You're expected, Mr. Kent."

Clark enters through double doors reminiscent of Lex's study from the mansion. Cut to show a huge desk. The chair behind it is swiveled facing away from Clark.

Clark swallows. Stiffly, "I must say of all places I never expected to see you here."

There's no response.

Clark continues, "All these years, I never knew you had the slightest interest in the Daily Planet."

The chair turns. It's Lionel Luthor.

Lionel!?! He's dead, dammit!

[chuckles] News of his demise have been greatly exaggerated. "I'm disappointed, Clark. I thought you paid better attention." He eyes Clark's cane, "The cane is a nice touch. Though I don't know who you think you're going to fool. Just about everyone who used to know you knows your secret."

Shocked, "Mr. Luthor?"

"The one and only"

"You're the publisher of the Daily Planet?"

Lionel self consciously touches the gold band on his left ring finger. "Your mother hasn't told you?"

Oh, shit.

"I just got back from..."

"Training?"

Clark is surprised he knows.

"Unfortunately Lois' book just about bankrupted LuthorCorp. Too old to start over I decided to liquidate everything and pour what was left of my resources into something I cared about."

"Since when do you care about anything but yourself?"

"Since I married your mother."

Oh, you bastard!

Hee.

You didn't.

We did.

Is this the death of the MB? Here he is married to Clark's mom and "caring" about crap. It's shameful!

Shut up.

Shocked, "You and my mom?"

Somehow I don't think Tom will have trouble pulling that line off.

"It took some convincing. After all she would have to step down from office to marry the man who runs the most influential paper in the world." He pauses, "Well, technically she wouldn't have to step down but you know the Kents' and their ethics. She landed on her feet though. The governor asked her to become secretary of education. She did so well she even survived an administration change. I must admit though that purchasing the Planet wasn't an entirely altruistic endeavor. There is the added benefit of exposing my son's various nefarious plans every now and again. And the pleasure of watching my favorite reporter to do the leg work."

Clark looks at him questioningly.

Lionel smiles, "Why don't you go down and meet her? I'm sure she's anxious to see you again."

Clark turns to leave.

"There is one last thing, Clark."

Clark stops.

Lionel picks up a remote and uses it to open a hidden draw. "I thought you might like these back. As far as I know I was able to retrieve them from my son before he was able to glean anything from them."

Inside the drawer are the crystals from the fortress. Clark, "Thank you."

"They'll be here when you need them." He pats Clark on the shoulder, "Now go."

You castrated the MB!

Clark exits.

Lionel returns to his desk and logs into his computer. The display shows all the research he's done on the crystals since Clark left. He smiles.

Or maybe not.

Clark stops outside Lois' office. She's sitting at her desk facing away looking out over the city.

"Lois?"

The woman inside tenses.

"Lois? Is it really you?"

She turns around. It's Chloe. Very unsure of herself, "Hello, Clark."

Um, why is Chloe in Lois' desk?

"Chloe?"

Chloe gets up, "I haven't heard that name in a long time."

On, no you didn't!

Clark bounds in and gives her a bear hug. "Chloe, you're alive! Thank god you're alive!"

"You aren't... still mad?"

Clark backs up to get a look at her, "Are you kidding?!? I can't believe you're really here!" A huge grin on his face as he looks around the office, "Can you believe this? Where's Lois?"

Yeah, where is Lois?

Six feet under.

Better not be.

Chloe looks down. She doesn't speak.

"What's wrong, Chloe? Is something the matter?"

Chloe looks up, "No one told you?"

This is just stupid. He doesn't know who owns the Planet. He doesn't know who's dead...

He doesn't know his mom re-married.

Yeah!

It's Clark. It's par for the course.

Shut up. You'd think Martha would have told him these things.

She would have if he was a good son.

A good son?

All those years training in the fortress. He never called. Never wrote.

You've got to be kidding me!

Tom, Clark just finished his training. Martha is off in Washington and he dropped by the Planet...

After dropping by Lana's grave.

Right that was the first stop, of course.

He's just there to inquire about a job.

So Martha isn't the first person he talks to. Big whoop. Clark, "Told me what?"

"Clark, we have to talk."

That can't be good.

Cut to a grave yard. Chloe and Clark stand in front of Lois' tombstone.

Oh, boy, you suck. You both suck. [To TW] Can we kill them in our version?

You want to kill Clark's mom?

Well, yeah! An eye for an eye.

Forget it.

What did you expect, Durance? Lionel to fall on his sword?

Would it have killed you?

Heh.

I mean...

I know what you mean.

"And so Lois slapped my picture on one of her old IDs. I guess she didn't really believe I was serious about leaving. It was the last time I saw her alive."

"I'm sorry, Chloe. Is that why you decided to keep her name?"

"Chloe Sullivan swore she'd die before she betrayed you, Clark. She's gone forever. Lois choose this name for me and I decided to keep it."

"Chloe, you had no choice. You thought Lex was going to kill me."

"We always have choices Clark. I made the wrong one. Lex tried to kill you anyway."

"You were trying to save my life."

"But I didn't. Lex thought you were dead. If he'd have any idea you weren't..."

"What matters is he didn't."

"But what about Lana? And Lois?" If I had done things differently maybe..."

Clark chuckles despite the seriousness of the conversation.

Because Lois' death is funny.

And Lana's.

I agree about Lana's.

"Now you're starting to sound like me."

Chloe smiles.

Why don't you just have them make out on her grave?

Can we do that?

Why not?

Just kidding!

We'll think about it. "So how did you wind up back at the planet?"

"After I made a bit of a name for myself at the Star City Tribune and Perry asked me to come back on. I think he bent the rules a little out of sentimentality but he'll never admit it."

"Bent the rules?"

"He had made it clear I needed to reprove myself before he'd hire me back on."

"You did, didn't you?"

Chloe looks down, "Sometimes I feel like I'll spend the rest of my life trying to reprove myself."

Pull back to reveal Mercy standing at the edge of the grave yard talking on a cell phone, "It is him."

Cut to Lex. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

"Tell me something, Mercy. How does a man come back from the dead not once, but twice?"

"I don't know sir."

Chloe's phone rings,

It's Jimmy, "Lois, there's a man about to jump off a ledge in the financial district!"

"That's my story, Clark. Think you can keep up with that cane?" But Clark is gone. Shaking her head, "I'll meet you there, Jimmy."

Lex "Someone who's not a man at all." He hangs up his phone and pulls the Kryptonite ring out of its box. Slipping it on, "Welcome back to Metropolis,"

Cut to Clark as he slows down from super speed downtown. The man jumps. Clark pulls back his shirt revealing the big red S and leaps into the air. The superman music rises. Cut back to Chloe, softly, "This looks like a job for..."

Two way screen split of Chloe and Lex as they both utter the same word, "Superman."

Cue Williams' Superman horns full blast. A final shot of a Clark flyby in costume. Go to black. Cue card: "The End"

Wow. Does anyone else have goosebumps?

No! This is bullshit! You killed off Lois?!?

I'm not wearing the suit!

How can you think of the suit when they killed off Lois?

I don't give a shit about Lois. I'm not wearing the suit.

I don't give a shit about the suit.

I don't give a shit about any of this!

Why are you still here, anyway?

It's a pay check.