We interrupt this program for an LMN special news bulletin.
We are now getting a report that a 797 is making its last...
- Chief! - What's happening?
There's an airliner coming down in France. You gotta look at this.
- What? - It's on the TV.
Okay, get me the Captain at the Paris bureau.
An airliner with both its landing gear and wing flaps inoperative.
Instead of a lone American pilot...
there are 120 passengers and a crew of 10...
living this past hour in the cold fear of a possible violent death.
They're only three minutes from touchdown.
We have an LMN reporter on the scene.
Let's see if we can go and pick up that satellite feed now.
In his last circle...
the pilot used up all but enough fuel to complete the landing.
What's going on?
We've got a serious situation at Orly.
Plane's trying to come in without any landing gear.
I just remembered, I left my story notes in the car.
- Clark. You don't have a car. - In the taxi.
- Look. - I don't believe it.
Superman, the famed man of steel from Metropolis...
It's Superman. He's there.
- What's he doing in France? - In Paris?
Great shades of Elvis.
Superman is setting the aircraft gently down.
- Hurray! - All right!
- Clark, that was so thrilling. - No, Mom, wait. That guy...
Yeah, all those people, we are so proud, son.
But I must admit it was quite a surprise seeing you in Paris.
I wasn't in Paris.
You? What do you mean?
It wasn't me.
What are you saying?
Look, it was somebody, something else.
I watched it, too, Mom, from the newsroom.
When I saw it, it was like my whole world turned upside down.
But, Clark, we saw you.
You flew.
You were wearing your outfit.
- Who else could do that? - I don't know.
Clark, maybe you ought to make some public statement.
Get this out in the open.
Let the world know there's an imposter out there.
No, Dad. Not until I know who I'm dealing with.
I'll call you guys soon, okay? Bye-bye.
Monsieur Kent.
It was very lucky that you were here in Paris on assignment, no?
I have read many of your articles on Superman...
in the international edition of the Daily Planet.
- Oh, c'est bon. - Well, thank you for meeting me.
I've arranged for you to examine the plane.
Great. I just need to verify something for my article.
Oh, well, s'il vous plait.
Good morning.
It's been three days since Superman's even been seen in Metropolis.
Don't you find that just the tiniest bit odd?
Yes, I do, but...
- Good morning, Mr. White. - Good morning, chief.
Look at this.
In the last 36 hours, Superman saved a plane in Paris...
righted a sinking ship in Rio...
and rescued a busload of schoolchildren in Surinam...
wherever that is. And on and on. Never once talking to the press...
or even hanging around to see how things turned out.
- What's the point? - The point is...
- Croissant? - Yeah, thank you. Why isn't he here?
Why isn't he saving sinking ships...
or rescuing schoolchildren here in Metropolis, like he always has?
These are incredible.
- Where did you get these? - This little French bakery.
You know, Lois, Metropolis doesn't own Superman.
I mean, maybe he's on vacation. Maybe...
I don't know. The truth is, I don't understand it, either.
Chief, I got you that brochure on the whitewater rafting trip.
But quite frankly, it looks a little dangerous.
Dangerous? Good.
- You were saying? - Right. I got you the brochure.
- Chief, everything okay? - Why shouldn't it be?
Good. Well, they say this trip is not for the faint of heart...
solid swimmers, etcetera.
I always hated swimming. Never much good at it, either.
Sometimes you just gotta live out there on the edge.
I'm just gonna leave this here on your desk, chief.
I mean, what is going on with Superman? Why is he gallivanting all over the world?
I left messages for him to call me...
with every correspondent and news bureau of ours worldwide.
Nothing.
Don't worry, Lois. I have a real strong feeling he'll be back. Soon.
- Don't tell me, reporter's intuition? - You don't hold the patent on it, you know.
No, but intuition is not just something you pick up. You're born with it.
And?
- I was. - Congratulations.
Superman. Please come home.
- What are you doing? - What am I doing?
Nothing, really, I'm just...
I didn't get to see the whole rescue, so I got some pictures. Why?
I thought I was the biggest Superman fan in Metropolis.
You should join the fan club. You get a button.
- It's crazy, really. - What?
That I had the gall to think that Superman was mine or Metropolis'.
I mean, unselfishly speaking, I suppose he should belong to the whole world.
But, selfishly speaking...
- I thought this was his home. - It is. I mean, he's as much as said so.
Maybe. The fact remains I have no hold on him at all.
Well, better get back to work.
You'd be surprised. I mean, you...
Metropolis has a lot stronger hold on Superman than you may think.
Nice try, Kent. Then again, what are partners for?
Hey, you.
Who are you?
- I don't wanna talk. You're my enemy. - Why would you say that?
I am the most powerful man in the universe.
You have outlived your usefulness.
- Who told you all these things? - My father.
- Who is your father? - I promised never to tell.
I am not your enemy. I want to be your friend.
I want to know more about you, where you come from.
I was born in the womb. My father took me out.
Okay.
- How old are you? - As old as you are.
Catch me if you can.
Do you have any idea what time it is?
Sorry, Father.
I was just practicing, like you told me. My out-of-town tryout.
- I think I did good. - Yes. I saw you in Paris.
And I saved that sinking ship in Rio. That was fun.
All well and good, but when I say 10:00, I mean 10:00.
Sorry.
You've been out flying around Metropolis, have you?
- No, Father. You told me not to. - Good boy.
Come on, time for bed.
- Tell me a story? - Maybe.
If you're good, you get into bed quickly, and you make no fuss.
And then the Wolf said to Little Red Riding Hood:
"Are you sure the policy is in your name?"
Little Red Riding Hood said:
"Yes. Grandma promised that when she passed away...
"I would inherit everything. "
And the Wolf said, "Let's pay Grandma a visit. "
And so Little Red Riding Hood took off her hood and her cape...
and she gave it to the Wolf.
And the Wolf went through the forest to Grandmother's house and ate her.
And then he and Red Riding Hood split the money.
Quite right, and as it should be, for the grandmother was old.
It was time for the younger, the stronger generation to take over...
the way it is with you and the old Superman.
Now, you and I are destined to control the city...
eventually, the world.
But you must remember...
that all that counts is winning.
That ultimately, all that satisfies is power.
And above all, might is right.
Obey me in all these things...
then we will satisfy our dream...
to see Superman destroyed.
He is my enemy, therefore he is your enemy.
You will be the instrument of our victory.
And then you will be the one, the only Superman.
My...
Superman.
Lois, we've got a robbery and hostage situation...
at the Metropolis Merchant Bank. Shake a leg.
New suit?
Well, as a matter of fact, it is, thank you.
Special occasion?
No, not really.
You're okay?
- Lois. - Yeah?
- The bank. - Oh, right.
- Chief, are you sure you're okay? - Yes, I'm okay.
Why is everybody asking me if I'm okay? I'm okay. Okay?
Okay.
The very next person that asks me if I'm okay is gonna get fired.
- Okay? - Okay.
That man is not okay.
Lois Lane, Daily Planet. What happened?
We had a tense standoff until Superman got here.
- He's here in Metropolis? - Yep.
Flew through that window, apprehended the perp, freed the hostages.
He's right over there.
Superman, you're back!
- Hold it! - Watch it!
- Superman? - Yes?
It's me, Lois.
I saw him. He was 10 feet in front of me, and he looked exactly like...
He is me. And he has all my powers.
How can that be?
Some kind of trick. An illusion, a hologram.
No, he's real, Dad.
Is it possible? Could I have a twin brother?
No. Your father would've said something in the message he left you in the globe.
Maybe some other family from Krypton sent their kid here, too.
But did you say he looks exactly like you?
You're right, Mom. I'm just grasping at straws.
Mom, what is that?
I call it mano a mano. Isn't it neat?
Yeah, it's neat.
I think there's one other thing we ought to consider.
Why is he here? What does he want?
I saw this TV show. There was a parallel universe.
Please, Mom. Don't get all sci-fi on me.
There's only one way to find out.
I have to confront him. Just talk to him.
But first I have to find him.
Taxi.
I, for one, like his new look.
- I think he's sexy. - Mr. White sexy?
Very. I mean, you know, he's always had that aura of power thing going.
But now he's mixing it up with a little style.
Why do you think women flocked around Henry Kissinger? His tight buns?
I still think there's something going on. He's never acted like this before.
Ever since last week, half the time he's poring over the brochures I got him.
- Brochures? - Whitewater rafting.
Tent safaris. Death Valley hikes.
It's a far cry from his usual two weeks in the Catskills with the missus.
And the other day he said something about living on the edge.
Perry? That man's a permanent fixture in the slow lane.
Did anything happen last week that was unusual?
I was trying to think.
He had an awards dinner, stockholders meetings...
his annual medical check... up.
If you need any snooping around, let me know. It's my specialty.
One of them.
Clark, we have to talk. Something's wrong with Superman.
I watched him throw this robbery suspect into a police van 20 feet away.
Knocked the guy out cold. Superman wouldn't do that.
Are you saying you saw Superman? He's here?
Earth to Clark, yes, hello. I saw him this morning.
- Where? - Merchants Bank. Hostage situation.
- Where have you been, anyway? - With my folks.
With them on the phone, you know, talking on the phone.
And there's one other thing.
When I was talking to him, it was like he didn't recognize me.
In fact, he smirked at me. Superman doesn't smirk.
- It's like... - What?
I don't know. It's just bizarre.
I wish I could talk to him in private.
Me, too.
Okay, Mr. Jimmy.
- Where are you headed? - Lunch.
Try some of that Japanese delicacy: Blowfish sushi.
- The kind that can kill you? - Sayonara.
All right, what have we got here? No.
And the physical... No harm.
Wait a second.
Metropolis Bridge Jump?
Now, tell me once again.
- Why must the old Superman die? - Because he's outlived his usefulness.
And why is he our enemy?
Because he stands between us and unlimited power.
Very good.
- I saw her today. - Who? Lois Lane?
- What a babe. - Yes, indeed.
And she's also a very brilliant investigative reporter for the Daily Planet.
She talked to me like I was supposed to know her.
Dad, can I see her again?
You stay away from her.
- Lois Lane? - Yes.
I need you to sign right there.
Thanks.
I'm supposed to wait for a response.
"Dear Lois, please forgive my behavior today.
"May I see you tonight?
"Yours, Superman. "
The answer's a definite yes.
Hello.
- You're early. - Is that okay?
Sure. Everything's ready.
- Would you like something to drink? - Drink...
I don't need to, but I guess so, sure.
Well, nobody needs champagne, but that's what makes life interesting, n'est pas?
Well, life is interesting.
You spilled.
You look really, really hot.
Well, thanks.
- Can we sit on the sofa? - Okay.
- Do you like me? - Of course. You know I do.
Although I have been a little concerned about your behavior lately.
- I haven't done anything wrong. - No, it's just that...
I saw you throw that man into the police van.
Might is right.
How about a kiss?
Am I interrupting something?
- Go away. - I think Lois wants me to stay.
Yes, I do, please.
I have to go now.
I'll be seeing you again.
He was unbelievable. And you.
You actually faced him and you challenged him.
You must be out of your mind.
- Are you all right? Did he hurt you? - Not exactly. He kissed me.
- Superman kissed you? - Listen, Clark, I've kissed Superman.
I know what it feels like.
I don't know who just flew out that window.
But I'll tell you one thing: That was definitely not Superman.
- Chief, did you want to see me? - Yeah. Do me a favor, will you, kid?
Run down there to Manny's and get me taquitos with the green sauce...
that I like so much.
- Mr. White, it's 8:00 in the morning. - So what?
Sometimes you just gotta go with the gusto and damn the consequences.
Life's too short.
It's happening soon, isn't it?
How'd you find out?
Put two and two together, like you always taught me.
All right. Now...
I don't want any to-do, and I don't want anybody else to know.
- You got it? - Yeah.
You know, you spend your whole life saying, "later. "
Later I'll do this. Later I'll experience that.
Pretty soon, well, you run out of laters.
I understand you, chief.
I just want you to know that I think you're the bravest person I've ever met.
You're handling this with such grace and such dignity.
Life marches on, son.
You either accept life's process, or not.
No, wait, there's something else.
You've always been like a father to me. I love you for that.
- Jimmy, are you okay? - Me?
Oh, man. Chief.
You're too much.
- A clone? - Yes. It's so obvious.
There's no technology in the world that could produce a robot like that.
- We know Superman doesn't have a twin. - How do we know that?
Because he would have told me. So there's only one possibility.
Someone has cloned Superman, made an exact genetic copy.
How? They can't do that yet. We're not that advanced.
Maybe we are. I was reading this article in the Metropolis Science Magazine.
Yes, I'd like the number for a Dr. Fabian Leek.
You see, my dear Miss Lane, it's child's play...
to clone individual cells.
It's as simple and as natural as the reproductive act itself.
But you wrote an article...
claiming that it was possible to clone an entire human being...
if you had the proper genetic material available.
Yes. Well, I was young, and unfortunately, overly optimistic.
It's been much more difficult than I'd assumed.
We're years away from applying the technique to human beings.
Why, it's taken me 30 years to clone a simple frog.
That process isn't exactly foolproof, is it, Doctor?
No, Mr. Kent, unfortunately, you are correct.
I'm so sorry I couldn't be of greater assistance.
Thank you.
I would, however...
be honored to take you to dinner, Miss Lane...
where we could discuss the miracles of life...
in perhaps, shall we say, more tangible terms.
You know, I have a better idea.
Why don't you go home...
change into something more comfortable...
pack an overnight bag, bring it back here...
and then...
you could release all those poor frogs...
to the nearest lily pond.
Boy, that guy's a piece of work. A lying, sleazy piece of work.
He completely backtracked on all his recent research.
Still, to even begin to make a clone of Superman...
they would have had to use some cell from his body.
- The man's invulnerable, so how? - I don't know, Clark.
But someone figured it out, and we're gonna figure out who.
Where are you going?
To find someone who might be able to help.
I'll meet you back at the Planet.
I need to ask you something.
The last time we talked, you said you were as old as I was.
Yes. That's correct.
Are you sure? Do you have any memories of your life?
Do you remember growing up? Do you have any friends?
When did you learn to fly?
- So what if I can't remember? - You can't remember because...
your father made you. He built you from a part of me.
You're a biological machine. You have no childhood memories...
because you didn't exist until just recently.
That's a lie. You're a liar.
You're not even really Superman. You're Clark Kent.
Have you told anybody else this? Your father?
Not yet, but I might.
- Please don't. - Why shouldn't I?
Because someone has been lying to you. But it's not me.
Found it.
"Superman donates lock of hair to charity auction. "
Of course, I remember this. Does it say who bought it?
I'm way ahead of you. Mrs. Doyle Alexander. I called her.
She said she had a break-in the day after the auction.
The lock of hair was stolen. Never found out who took it, never got it back.
Okay, so now we know how they did it. We just don't know who did it.
Follow the light.
All right, all done for now.
Isn't it his bedtime?
Yes, it's time for bed. You've had a big day.
I'm not a child anymore. I don't like to be told when to go to bed.
I'm still your father. You'll do as I say.
Why don't I have any memories of growing up?
That's not something you have to worry about.
Superman says I don't have any memories because I'm not real.
That's not true.
- I'm just a biological machine. - No.
- What is the truth? - How dare you question me?
I bet I know some things that you'd like to know.
- Like what? - I think it's my bedtime.
All right, what is it?
- We have a little problem. - Enlighten me.
His vital signs are weakening. His brain wave activity is erratic...
- his pulse speed is irregular, and so on. - Prognosis?
He's dying, like the frogs.
He was our first prototype.
I warned you there would be some complications.
Has he lost any of his strength or powers yet?
No, but time is running out.
Then it must happen tomorrow.
What makes you think he can win?
Because if it means the difference between winning and losing...
he'll pick up a passenger train filled with people...
and use it to bash Superman's skull in.
Unlike Superman, he has no restraints, no morality.
I taught him.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow he will kill Superman.
- Chief. - Not now. I'm in a rush this morning.
- Got a lot of things to do before I... - That's what I wanted to talk about.
I got a number here. Metropolis hotline, open 24 hours.
There are people there that are ready and willing to hear your problems.
I'll keep it in mind.
I'm telling you, there are people out there that know what you're going through.
You don't have to suffer alone.
Yeah? Oh, hi, Alice. Look, hold on a minute, will you?
- Is there anything else? - No.
I'm gonna be right outside, if you need a shoulder to lean on.
- Superman? Is it really you? - In the flesh.
Where've you been?
Trying to get the lowdown on this imposter.
- Lois, I need your help. - Anything.
Then come, fly with me.
Some girls have all the luck.
Excuse me, Cat. Has Lois come in yet?
She left a few minutes ago with Superman.
What?
They flew right out that window. Is something wrong?
I hope.
- Welcome to Metro Bros. Film Studios. - No!
We are driving.
Unfortunately, there's nothing shooting on our Old West street today...
so we'll proceed on to the tropical lagoon.
- No! - Let her go!
I never would have hurt you, Lois.
The only way I could guarantee Superman would fight me...
was to make him think your life was in danger.
See you later.
Stay here.
This town isn't big enough for the two of us.
Let's take this fight outside.
Stay here.
The Old West town was built in...
Apparently I was mistaken. They must be shooting something.
We're leaving.
Don't you understand? This is a fight neither one of us can win.
Go ahead. Finish me off. Might is right. Only the strong survive.
I don't want to hurt you.
You and I, we have so much in common, we're linked.
We're brothers.
- Why don't you want to rule alone? - I don't want to rule.
I want respect, yes.
But you earn that respect by caring for others, not overpowering them.
You all right?
I'm dying.
Maybe it's for the best.
I was created just to do my father's bidding, to kill you.
And there's nothing left to live for, anyway.
I have something to do. Will you wait here for me?
- Where's he going? - I don't know.
- Is it done? - No.
- What do you mean, no? - I know the truth now.
He is the rightful Superman.
I was just a pawn...
something for you to use to kill him.
- Open it. - I want the lock of hair.
I don't have it here.
You're lying. Give it to me or I will kill you.
Back!
You mustn't do this, you're my son. You're my own creation.
- Together we can win. - No.
It's over.
You breed them, you raise them, you want the best for them.
One day you're the center of their universe.
The next thing, they've flown the nest, and the phone never rings.
- Where's Lois? - Safe and sound, back at the Planet.
Here. They won't be able to clone you again.
- At least not after you take the last step. - The last step?
They could use some of my tissue to recreate another clone.
You have to destroy the lock of hair, and me.
I'm dying. I'm in pain.
- I don't think I can do that. - You have to.
My father once read me a story of a Viking funeral.
You understand?
- There has to be another way. - There isn't.
You do understand?
Yes.
It's not really the end, as long as you're still here...
- brother. - Brother.
- Where's Perry? - I think he left about 15 minutes ago.
Oh, no.
- What's going on? - I promised I wouldn't say anything.
But I found out the chief got bad news from his physical.
I think he's planning on doing away with himself.
- That's absurd. - I'm serious.
There's an entry in his calendar saying he's going to the Metropolis Bridge.
I think he's gonna jump.
Chief, no!
Mr. White, you can't, it's not worth it.
No!
Well, it's a long way to Tipperary, but here I go.
Oh, boy, I'm sure glad I didn't have anything to eat.
- Fifty? - Yeah.
- The big Five-O. - Yeah, well, congratulations, chief.
Well, thanks, son.
One more thing.
I think I like you a lot better without the hairpiece.
Alice says it turns her on.
Says it makes me look like a young Dan Rather.
I must say, though...
the other night when she called out, "Oh, Dan"...
well, I began to have second thoughts.
To tell you the truth...
I left that little sucker down there in the bottom of the canyon.
Well, so much for my midlife crisis.
I'm just glad I'll never have to do that again.
- Jimmy, I hope you learned your lesson. - Yeah. Never trust an old guy.
Well, there's just one Superman again.
Yeah. All's right in the world.
At least Metropolis.
- Almost. - Almost?
It might have been nice, you know, having two of them.
Why?
Superman could have a brother.
Someone to share things with, talk to.
- We all need that. - I'll say.
It's kind of sad.
It's sad?
Are we talking about the same thing here?
Sure. Companionship for Superman, right?
Right.
It's no problem. I'm available.