Come on, Jonathan. Maybe a little popcorn will cheer you up.
- Could I have one, please? - Yeah, here you go.
Thank you.
Oh, Jonathan, isn't this fun?
I don't think we've been on a Ferris wheel since our honeymoon.
Yeah.
Oh, Lois, Clark, look over here!
Excuse me. No cuts.
- Who are you? - Lois Lane, the reporter.
Big deal. My mom signs your checks.
Well, that's no reason to be rude.
Since when?
Hey, you wanna race? Loser buys cotton candy.
Just cotton candy?
With what you make, that's probably all you can afford.
- Lois, come on, she's just a kid. - You're on.
Ready, set... Hey, go!
Yes!
My favorite flavor?
It's pink.
The Ferris wheel's out of control!
My daughter's on there!
Oh, no!
Why can't you stop it?
It ain't me. The computer's gone crazy.
- Superman! - Thank you.
- Where's Clark? - I...
I think he said he had to phone in the story.
Well, other than Superman crashing the party...
...our little test went off just as planned.
Yeah, but how do we know he won't interfere with our next accident?
Because next time...
...he won't be able to hear the screams.
- Are you looking for someone? - Yes. Lois Lane.
Yeah, she's around somewhere. Go ahead and wait at her desk.
- So, what do you think of the new offices? - They're beautiful, aren't they, Jonathan?
Oh, yeah.
They're nice. They're real nice.
Dad, we have a reporter here who covers trends in agriculture.
- Would you like to meet him? - Yeah.
Lois, where's Roy?
I think he's in Idaho covering the Spud Festival.
It's okay, Clark, you don't have to entertain me all the time.
You wanna meet someone that knows a lot about manure, Daniel Hansen's here.
- Who's that? - State senator. He's running for governor.
He's in Perry's office right now trying to sucker the Planet's endorsement.
Lois, Clark. Glad you're still here.
Mr. Hansen was saying how much he wanted to meet you.
Hello. I'm a big fan. I've always enjoyed your investigative articles.
Well, thank you.
I'm sure if you get elected we'll have a lot to write about.
Hi, Daniel Hansen, candidate for governor.
- Where you folks from? - Smallville.
Great community, great.
If I'm elected, I'll work hard to make sure your town...
...gets good jobs and quality education.
- Pizza delivery. - Hi, Daniel Hansen.
You might start with geography. We live in another state.
Let's go. I'm sure Clark has plenty of things to do.
Oh, no. Now, look, no VIP tour of the Daily Planet's complete...
...without a visit to the editor's office.
Come on, you two. You know, I haven't always been a desk jockey.
Is your dad all right?
Seems kind of down.
His best friend died of a heart attack last week.
- He's been pretty upset ever since. - Oh, I'm sorry.
I'm doing all I can to keep him busy, but I'm running out of ideas.
I have a friend at the Transit Authority.
Maybe I can get him tickets on the inaugural ride on the new subway.
Anything would help.
Oh, no.
He's telling them the Cuban snake story.
And there it was.
And I jumped...
You better get in there before he shows them where it finally bit him.
- Miss Lane? - Yes?
My name is Stuart Hofferman. May I speak to you for a moment?
Sure.
May I?
I have to admit, I'm nervous. I've never done this before.
Really? You clean glasses like a pro.
I meant talking to a reporter.
Oh, I see. A little humor to take the edge off. It's very funny.
Mr. Hofferman, is there something I can help you with?
What would you say if I told you the accident at the Ferris wheel...
...wasn't an accident.
I'd say, "Go on."
Before I do, I need your word that if you write a story, you'll protect me.
Well, the Planet always shields its sources.
I... I don't throw them out...
...until they're absolutely shredded.
You know, "Save the rain forest."
Miss Lane, I'm head of research at Viologic Electronics.
We made the switches for the Ferris wheel's computer.
Those switches were defective.
That's why the ride went out of control.
Go on.
What frightens me is that I knew...
...those computer switches were defective before they were shipped.
I sent a report about them to Mr. Thorpe, our CEO, but it was ignored.
What are you saying?
That Viologic deliberately endangered people's lives?
I guess.
That doesn't make any sense.
Wouldn't they know that the defective switches would be traced back to them?
I would think so.
I don't get it.
Viologic is considered one of the best-managed companies in its field.
There must be something more to this.
Clark, why don't you take the rest of the day off.
Spend it with your folks. There's nothing happening here we can't handle.
- Is that all right with you, Lois? - Well...
Yeah.
It's a slow news day.
There we go.
Yes!
All done. Got anything else that needs fixing?
Mom, you're on vacation. Relax.
Just as soon as I finish making the sandwiches.
- Guess you didn't see that coming, Dad. - Yeah, I've learned...
...a lot of things you don't see coming in life, Clark.
Like Henry. We were supposed to go fishing this week.
Suddenly, he's dead and I'm sitting here playing checkers with you.
Dad, you wanna talk about it?
No. But thanks for asking anyway.
Clark, you have any more mustard?
Yeah, I left it out.
Here... Oh, here we go.
Thanks.
I've gotta go. Something's up at the Planet.
But, Clark, what about your sandwich?
That was great, Mom. Thanks. See you later.
I just hate it when he inhales his food.
Clark, what are you doing here?
Oh, this is what I'm doing here.
I know, it's shocking.
This could bring the country's largest electronics company to its knees.
I thought it was a slow news day?
Well, I didn't wanna bother you while your parents were visiting.
Try again.
Okay, the truth is, my source made me swear I'd protect his anonymity.
I don't think so.
Really? What do you think?
I think you smelled a Pulitzer and didn't wanna share.
Oh, and it was okay for you to run off...
...and phone in the Ferris wheel story without me?
- What? - Don't play innocent.
Your mother told me where you went.
All right, everybody. Listen up.
I've got an important announcement to make.
Viologic has just called a press conference. As I expected, that piece of yours...
...on Eric Thorpe has thoroughly ruffled his feathers.
I guess he wants his rebuttal on the 11:00 news tonight.
Who's Eric Thorpe?
He's that multimillionaire who took over Viologic.
Yeah, real whiz kid. Millionaire by the time he was your age.
Yeah, well, I had the mumps in sixth grade. It kind of slowed me down.
Esther, I want you and Owen to work up a background piece on Eric Thorpe.
Lois, you and Clark cover that press conference.
Oh, and take Jimmy "The Mumps" here with you.
Lois?
Things are gonna get very tense around Viologic.
This source of yours had better be rock-solid.
I'd stake my reputation on it.
Yes!
Interesting report Hofferman has on his computer here.
Too bad I never saw it.
I'm sorry. I didn't think it was that important.
Wick, our whole cover is supposed to be that Logar Electronics...
...has sabotaged our equipment.
This little techno-nerd's report could blow us right out of the water.
Boy, Stu, I wouldn't wanna be the guy who leaked this story.
That's right, you wouldn't.
Mr. Thorpe, what are you doing here?
Get out, Oliver.
Yes, sir.
I'll check those reports on that thing we tested.
Sit down, Stuart.
Did they leave anything out?
I don't understand.
You know, Stuart...
...I like to think of my employees as family.
So when someone betrays the family trust, it hurts me.
We shouldn't air our problems in public.
We should work them out between ourselves.
Believe me, Mr. Thorpe, I had nothing to do...
Don't lie to me!
Maybe it was my fault.
You spotted a problem and sent it to management.
Now, if we had done our job...
...we could have come to you and told you...
...we had shipped those switches by mistake.
You do believe it was a mistake, don't you?
Good.
Now, I have called for a press conference...
...and we're going to deny the Planet's story.
And you are going to back me up.
Is that clear?
- Yes, sir. - Good.
And just so you know how much I appreciate your concerns, I have ordered...
...all the defective switches to be shipped to a dump.
Now...
...we're all one big, happy family again.
Aren't we?
Oh, of course, they would hire Sheldon Bender as their attorney.
Champion of the corrupt.
So that's the boy wonder, huh?
- I can assure you... - Come on, pal.
Make me happy. Have some spinach stuck between your teeth.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm Sheldon Bender, counsel for Viologic.
We are here to respond to the scurrilous and entirely false accusations...
...made by a local newspaper regarding the quality and workmanship of our products.
Excuse me. Lois Lane, Daily Planet.
We know who you are, Miss Lane.
Mr. Thorpe, your denial begs the question: If your switches weren't defective...
...what caused them to fail at the amusement park?
- Sabotage. - By whom?
That's still under investigation.
We've received a tip from a source that implicates one of our competitors.
Could we speak with this alleged source?
I'll make you a deal, Miss Lane.
You show me your source, I'll show you mine.
There's an allegation of a report that was sent to you...
...warning about the defects in your switches.
How do you respond?
My head of research, Mr. Hofferman, will respond to that question.
In my position, I'm responsible for all...
...reports regarding quality, and I would know...
...if such a report exists, and it does not.
That's all that we're gonna say for now.
A formal statement will be handed to you on your way out.
- You betrayed me. - Stuart.
By the time I got back, Eric Thorpe knew I was the leak.
What? Not from my article. I wrote it as vague as possible.
I'm sorry I ever came to you. As of now, you've never heard of me.
Stuart, you can't go back on your word.
A crime's been committed. People have to know about it.
Maybe I can help settle this disagreement.
Chief?
Oh, Clark, I'm glad to see you. Listen.
Do you know anything that looks like a pomegranate?
No, not really, chief. Have you seen Lois?
No, I thought she was with you.
She should've been back by now. I'm gonna go look for her.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
They call this a crossword puzzle?
- Get down. - Don't do it.
No!
I hate reporters.
Superman!
Help, Superman!
No!
Piece of cake.
Help!
Lois, are you all right? Who did this to you?
Stuart, did you recognize those men?
They must be connected to Viologic.
Lois, I read your story.
I think the best thing is to take him to the police and put him in protective custody.
No. No more cops. I just wanna be left alone.
Stuart, you can't be alone. You're in danger.
I'll take care of him. I've got an idea.
Oh, I forgot to tell you. I bought you tickets for the inaugural ride of our new subway.
It's completely automated.
Now, that should be fun.
Excuse me.
Lois, what are you doing here?
They found out Stuart's my source.
- Someone tried to drown us. - Oh, my God.
Come in. We've gotta get you out of those wet clothes.
If it wasn't for Superman...
- Bless you. - May I have some tissue?
Clark, I want you to keep Stuart here.
I can't babysit him, Lois. Besides, my folks are here and...
Clark, we can take care of him.
- Mom, that's really not a good idea. - Clark, Lois is right.
This man needs a place to hide.
And as long as they think he's dead, he won't be in any danger.
He can stay here as long as you need.
It's no trouble at all.
- Thank you, Mrs. Kent. - You're welcome, Lois.
Can I fix you something to eat?
- A cheese omelet would be nice. - Sure.
Gouda, if you have it.
Can I call Oliver and have him pick up some of my personal items?
Of course not. You can't trust anybody.
Oliver's my best friend. I'd trust him with my life.
- I really need my razor and toothbrush. - We'll buy you a razor and a toothbrush.
I use an electric razor with the floating heads.
I need a toothbrush with the rubber pick, if you can find it.
Yeah, no trouble at all.
Copy repair.
I didn't hear anything about copier service.
When doesn't a copier need service?
- Security. - You forgot your replacement parts...
...Miss Jefferson.
I'm with her.
What are you doing here?
Perry thought it'd be nice for you to have help. You were almost killed.
- I got out of it. I don't need any help. - Well, calm down. We're partners.
- Excuse me. - We're partners.
Yes, we are. I am here covering the investigation.
- And, what? I'm suppose to babysit? - And only women are supposed to babysit?
- Lois, you know... - That was fast. I just called.
I beg your pardon?
I've tried everything. The thing just kind of sits here and blinks.
We're on an emergency call.
- We'll be right back. - Oh, no, no.
The copies that I need are for my boss. Nothing's more important than that.
Oh, it's obvious. This machine needs a new thermo master connector.
That would be the thing that connects the thermo to the master.
It's very expensive.
We'll order it and be back tomorrow.
Maybe you better explain the problem to my boss.
I don't wanna lose anything in the translation.
Well, what's to lose? It's broken. We'll fix it tomorrow.
Actually, I think maybe all it needs is a good kick.
A kick? It needs a kick?
He's joking. He's a trainee. They do that.
Well, now, it couldn't hurt to try, Miss Jefferson.
Maybe I'm kicking the wrong thing?
Stuart said there was a copy of his report in a file cabinet.
I hope this Lane woman's crusade doesn't reveal our connection.
Relax, we're taking great care to distance Viologic's donations to your campaign.
Speaking of which, how is the war chest?
I could always use more money for TV.
Would 100,000 help?
Two would be an even bigger help.
Don't drain me. We need to save some for the presidential campaign.
I don't know if I'm gonna be governor, much less president.
Daniel, stop worrying.
This is just the beginning.
In four years from now, you will be president.
And you will be appropriately surprised when I award Viologic...
... all those big fat defense contracts.
Mother ship to Clark.
Imagine how fascinating that wall would be if there was actually something on it.
Sorry, I was just lost in thought.
Lost in space, you mean.
Did you find anything?
What are you guys doing in here?
You're the reporters from the press conference.
Don't get excited. We're trying to help Stuart.
Help him? You've ruined his career.
- He's so upset, he's disappeared. - Oliver, you're his friend.
That's right, I am. And you've caused enough trouble. Now get out.
Did you know you can play over 50 songs with just three chords?
G, C, D.
Lighten up, Wick.
I just saw Lois Lane leaving the building.
Now, how can that be, Wick?
You told me you disposed of her.
Don't tell me you screwed up again.
Well, if she's alive, I suppose there's a chance Stuart is too.
Now, do you think you can find the little snitch?
Do it right this time.
What about Lane?
Lois, you're not going to get some pinhead in Washington...
...to order a recall without further proof.
- Lois Lane? - Yes.
Viologic has just filed a liable suit...
...against the Daily Planet and you in the amount of $20 million.
Consider yourself served.
What? Are you serious?
Haven't you ever heard of the First Amendment?
You think the Planet's gonna roll over because of bullying and scare tactics?
Listen, you're lucky we're not prosecuting you for illegal trespass.
Oh, yeah?
Well, wait till you get our bill for fixing your copy machine.
Do you believe this?
We should countersue for harassment.
Lois, listen to me.
I've been down this road before. And believe me, it's a bumpy ride.
What are you saying? We're not gonna fight this?
We're gonna fight it. But you're gonna have to bring in your source for ammunition.
What about the shield law, protecting a source?
Well, shield laws are great in theory...
...but there have been too many cases...
...where the judge has just thrown out the shield law. And then where are you?
I'm not revealing my source.
Lois, you gotta understand something.
Lawyers run this world.
When push comes to shove, they believe in cutting their losses.
Now, we can't take a chance.
A $20 million lawsuit would sink us.
You gotta bring in your source.
Lois, what choice does Perry have?
I mean, he's sort of stuck between a rock and a hard place, and he...
Mom? Dad?
- Oh, my head. - Mrs. Kent, are you all right?
Mom, what happened?
I don't know.
Stuart ordered takeout from a deli.
They delivered.
We ate. The next thing I know, you're here.
Where is Stuart? Stuart?
He was in the bedroom.
Clark!
Lois, I just spoke to the deli.
Someone stopped the delivery boy and paid him for the food.
He couldn't give much of a description, but he...
Lois, are you all right?
I wrote an article that got a man killed.
Lois, you used every means to protect his identify.
Nobody could've done that better.
No, because of my compulsive obsession to always outdo everybody...
...Stuart Hofferman is dead.
Forensics just faxed this over.
The blood stains on the sheet are a match of Stuart's.
There are also powder burns from a small-caliber weapon.
It would make my day if the trail led right back to Eric Thorpe.
I admit it. I'm jealous, all right?
Guilty as charged.
Hopefully, the boy wonder will be too.
Lois, you just can't just sit here.
We have to focus on finding that delivery boy.
He's the key to solving Stuart's murder.
You're right.
I owe him that much.
Lois, can I see you for a minute, please?
Come on in, hon.
What's wrong?
Well, I just went head-to-head with the publisher and five of the paper's lawyers.
Felt like it was the Alamo...
...and I was on the wrong side.
Lois...
I...
I'm gonna have to suspend you.
What? Perry...
I just spent the last two hours fighting a six-headed monster, and in the end...
...I lost. I'm sorry.
- Why? - Well, they're frightened, that's why.
Viologic has got deep pockets. We don't.
But my life is the Planet.
What am I gonna do?
Can't you just, you know, stick me in some other bureau or something?
I tried.
And if it was just a case of your not being able to produce your source, I could have.
But now that you're linked to his death...
...Legal feels that the Planet has got to distance itself from you.
Lois...
...I swear to you...
...l'll do everything in my power to see that you get reinstated just as soon as possible.
Sometimes I hate this job.
Perry said it was only temporary.
- You'll be back before you know it. - Doing what? Writing classifieds?
It's over, Clark. Stuart's dead and so is my career.
Miss Lane, I have to ask for your press ID.
Of course, the final indignity.
You know, it's funny.
I don't even know where the unemployment office is.
I don't believe you, Lois.
Where's the woman who rolls up her sleeves and gets into a good fight?
I appreciate what you're trying to do, Clark...
Clark! Clark!
The mayor called a press conference to announce the new chief of police.
Perry wants us down there right away. Taxi!
I'll call you later.
City Hall.
I'll miss you...
...partner.
Joey. It's Lois Lane. I need some information.
Oh, come on, Joey. Wait, wait, wait.
I've always protected you before.
I've been on the phone all night.
You're the last one who can...
Joey?
Maybe I should've called first?
Superman!
I... I...
It's such a...
I was... If I'd known you were coming...
I was just...
...spring-cleaning.
I heard about your suspension.
Lois, if anyone knows what it's like to be on the outside, I do.
Sometimes, I feel like I'm out there fighting all alone.
Sometimes, I feel like giving up.
But then I remember that what I stand for is more important than anything else.
Your work is very important to the people of Metropolis.
You're a brilliant, passionate journalist.
Adversity has never stopped you before.
Don't let it start now.
That's funny.
Clark said the same thing.
I'm not surprised.
Clark, he's a very smart guy.
- Would you like me to help you clean up? - Oh, no, it's really...
I'm... No.
- No. - It's no problem.
Gee...
You even alphabetized it.
Lois...
...don't stop believing in yourself. I haven't.
Clark?
What, what?
I know, I know. You're asleep. I'm sorry, I really am, but this can't wait.
I know you hate me now, but you're gonna love me in a minute.
- I doubt that. - Oh, Clark, it was the most amazing thing.
It came to me like a bolt out of the blue.
Well, not really since it's dark out, and it only came to me an hour ago.
- Hi! - Look, Lois.
It's past the babbling hour. Could you get to the point?
Yes! So I'm in my apartment, right?
I'm sitting there wallowing in the most disgusting self-pity...
...even I can't stand myself anymore.
So I stopped acting like a victim and I started thinking like a reporter.
We're on the edge of our seats, dear.
Now, follow me.
Someone comes in and drugs your folks and Stuart...
...so they can kill him without leaving any witnesses, right?
But why kill him here?
Why not take him someplace else and kill him...
...so you don't leave all the obvious signs of murder.
- Yeah? - So I called my friend at the police lab.
I still have some pull left in this town. And she checks Stuart's blood test for me.
No sign of drugs.
Stuart never ate the food.
I was right.
- His toothbrush is gone. - Yes.
- Why would a dead man need a toothbrush? - Exactly.
Stuart's not dead.
He faked it so everyone would leave him alone.
Nice work, Lois.
Do you think he's with Oliver?
That is his best friend.
I had my source at the police department fax me a copy of Oliver's driver's license.
As far as she knows, the address is still current.
Clark, that's him.
Oliver. Oliver was the delivery boy.
That's our next lead unless you tell us where Stuart is.
- I don't fink on friends. - Lois.
I get real angry when I've been played for a fool.
Okay, okay, okay!
He's washing up!
She's not a morning person.
Hello, Stuart.
Please, can't you just leave me alone?
Put down the toothbrush and we'll talk.
Mr. Thorpe said it was just a mistake. He gave me his word the rest...
...of the defective switches were shipped to a dump. There's no threat.
If that were true, why did he try to vacuum-pack you into a 55-gallon drum?
Stuart, I can't do this without you.
Even though we don't know each other that well...
...I think we have something very important in common: Our reputations.
You've worked too hard to just throw it all away and run.
And I can't salvage mine without you.
Stuart...
...if we found you...
...they will find you.
Okay.
What do we do?
Okay, if we're right, and Thorpe tried to kill you...
...because he's still shipping those switches, we need proof.
Distribution has the shipping manifests.
Their central office is upstairs from mine.
Forget it. Everything on that level is under heavy security.
- Even I don't have clearance to that floor. - But I do.
This thing scans the iris in my eye.
It's like a fingerprint.
- Uh-oh. - "Uh-oh"? What "uh-oh"?
This office has its own independent security system.
You have to punch in a code within 90 seconds, or an alarm alerts security.
And "uh-oh" means that you don't know the code?
- Uh-oh. - Uh-oh.
Here it is. The entries with a batch marked "420" indicate the defective switches.
It only shows two buyers.
The amusement park and the new automated subway.
We have the contract for the new subway's routing computer.
- What does it do? - It controls the direction and speed...
...of the trains. If the switches fail...
The inaugural run's just about to start, and the governor's on it.
So are my folks. Let's go.
That's the third station we've passed without stopping.
Governor, why doesn't somebody stop this train?
The authorities are taking appropriate measures to deal with this situation.
- We just need to remain calm. - You remain calm.
I'm worried about what happens when we run out of track and crash into the wall.
Jonathan!
Well, I just saw the latest polling numbers, and it doesn't look good.
Maybe, I should drop out before we waste any more money.
That's not the attitude of a winner.
Eric, let's face it.
There's no way to turn these numbers around by the election.
You disappoint me.
You know, Wick disappointed me.
I have been spending my days cleaning up a mess he should have handled.
But now we've worked things out.
Haven't we, Wick?
Now, let's get something straight.
I don't back losers.
Polls are meaningless.
After today, you'll be the only candidate anyone can vote for.
Why would Thorpe wanna kill the governor?
Because he's got Daniel Hansen in his hip pocket.
Winning this election is Thorpe's first step in getting Hansen to the White House.
Then Hansen can get him defense contracts.
- How do you know that? - You're not the only one with sources.
If they can trace the switches back to Viologic, it would ruin him.
He'd claim it was sabotage.
- Sorry, folks, emergency vehicles only. - We've got to get to the subway.
Forget it, ma'am. The new subway's out of control.
They're afraid it's gonna crash at Centennial Park Station.
Get over to Centennial Park. It's just a few more blocks.
I'll call main dispatch and tell them about the switches.
Maybe they can be short-circuited.
Was that the train?
- Have they stopped it yet? - No, it'll be here any second.
What do you think?
I think he just fainted.
Here it comes!
Superman.
I'm...
I'm feeling much better now, thank you. I appreciate it.
Do you need help?
He's gonna be okay, Clar... Superman.
No comment for the press?
You can't leave before we get a family portrait.
Oh, your mom is gonna be so proud.
Smile for the Planet.
Kind of a welcome-back present for Lois.
You think she'll like it?
I think it'll make her day.
I think what made her day was finding out...
...that Thorpe was already onto Stuart before her article came out.
No, no. Now, look, that's a story for another time.
Clark, we gotta go. I want to get over to see Al.
- Who's Al? - He's the guy we helped in the subway.
Turns out he's originally from Kansas.
Unbelievable how much we have in common.
We talked for an hour. I felt like I've known him all my life.
Looks like there's one more reason for us to visit Metropolis.
Lois. Oh, boy, you know me. I'm not a great one for speeches.
But, well, this place hasn't been the same without you.
I'm glad to see you back.
Oh, here.
Here's our press pass.
Thanks, Perry.
Well, okay. What's everybody standing around for, huh?
Nothing you can sell here for a quarter. Let's get back to work.
- Bye, sweetheart. You call us, you here? - Bye, Mama.
Okay.
- Drop by soon. - Okay.
Our byline is gonna look great on a Pulitzer some day.
Yeah, but whose name is gonna go first?
Mine, of course.
It is great to have you back, partner.
Lois Lane.
The trap is set?
Hundreds will die?
Poison gas?
Does anyone else know about this?
Lois.
Clark, relax.
It's just my exterminator.