SUPERBOY
EPISODE 17
"MEET MR. MXYZPTLK"
BY DENNIS O'NEIL
SECOND DRAFT: 1/24/89
FADE IN
EXT. SHUSTER UNIVERSITY-BUILDING SITE-DAY
We're looking at the business end of a crane with a chain
wrapped around a wooden cylinder--a kind of totem pole with
inscriptions in an alien language. We hear the whine of a
straining engine.
CAMERA PULLS BACK to show us the crane and totem. Watching
the operation are Lana and TJ who is snapping pictures.
Whine continues.
ANGLE ON CRANE CAB.
The hard-hatted Mac Frayland is at controls. With a look of
disgust, he shuts off the engine and the whine stops. He
climbs down from the cab and crosses to Lana and TJ.
TJ
You weren't kidding, Mr. Frayland.
MAC
Darn tootin' I wasn't, youngster.
Doggone thing just won't move. And unless
we get it outta there, we'll never get the student union
built.
LANA
Is it attached to something underground?
MAC
Well, of course not, young lady! That
was the first thing I checked.
LANA
I'll bet I know someone who could
move it.
A breeze ruffles their hair and we hear the sound of air
rushing by as they look up, following something with their
eyes.
THEIR POV-SUPERBOY LANDING
He walks a few steps and joins the others.
SUPERBOY
Hello. I heard you have a problem.
TJ
Superboy! How do you do that--always
show up just when we need you?
SUPERBOY
Years of practice.
LANA
We seem to have the proverbial immovable
object here.
They cross to the totem.
SUPERBOY
And I'm nominated as the irresistible
force?
ANGLE ON SUPERBOY INSPECTING THE TOTEM.
SUPERBOY
Looks like some sort of Indian relic.
He grabs the totem.
ON MAC
MAC
Save your sweat, boy. If the crane
couldn't budge the doggone thing, you
sure ain't gonna and I don't care how
many capes you got on.
ON SUPERBOY, TRYING TO LIFT THE TOTEM.
SUPERBOY
(really straining)
You don't...mind if I... try...
ON TJ, LANA AND WES
TJ
I don't believe this. Even Superboy
can't lift it?
ON SUPERBOY, REALLY GIVING IT HIS ALL.
SUPERBOY
Don't be...too sure...
The totem begins to come out of the ground. Higher and higher
until-- Superboy yanks it free and drops it on the ground.
Suddenly, there is a dazzling flash of light as the totem
vanishes, and a loud Poit sound. In its place stands Mr.
Mxyzptlk. He tips his hat.
MXY
Hiya, folks. Mxyzptlk's the name,
dimension-hopping's the game.
FADE OUT
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
THE BUILDING SITE-DAY
Only a few seconds have passed. Mxy dances up to Superboy.
MXY
Superboy! Nice of you to meet me, pal.
Saves me having to look you up.
(sings)
I've come from far...to make you a star.
He gestures to Lana, Wes and TJ.
MXY
Look, I know these losers are your
people--and I love you for your loyalty
to them, really--but we got things to
discuss, so what say we take a meeting
on top of the biology building in, say,
28 seconds?
He tips his hat, winks and vanishes. We hear the poit.
ON LANA, WES AND TJ.
They can't believe what's just happened.
TJ
Okay, that does it. No more chili
dogs right before bedtime. (beat)
We are dreaming, aren't we?
LANA
It's too silly to be a dream.
MAC
If this is one of your college kid
pranks--
CLOSE ON SUPERBOY
SUPERBOY
It was no prank. And no dream, either.
He was here, all right.
Lana and TJ join Superboy.
LANA
But where did he come from?
SUPERBOY
Maybe from wherever the Totem went to.
TJ, did you get any pictures of the
totem before it vanished?
TJ
Sure.
SUPERBOY
Get them developed and show them to
Dr. Royer of the anthropology department.
LANA
You think he'll be able to tell us
something?
ON SUPERBOY
He's starting to walk away.
SUPERBOY
It can't hurt to ask.
We hear the poit sound. Superboy turns to look at Lana and
TJ. He reacts to what he sees.
ON LANA AND TJ
They are dressed in ludicrously outsized clown costumes.
Across Lana's shirt front: I'm Waiting. Across TJ's: For
You.
ON SUPERBOY
SUPERBOY
You'd better get back to the dorm.
(beat) And stay away from circuses.
He flies off.
BIOLOGY BUILDING-ROOFTOP-DAY.
Mxy is waiting--"sitting" a few feet off the surface of the
roof--as Superboy lands.
MXY
Supey, baby, glad you could make it.
Gotta apologize for the quarters--it
ain't much but we like to call it home.
SUPERBOY
Looks like a rooftop to me.
MXY
You hurt me. You wound me, know that?
(brightening)
You gotta admit, the ventilation is
sensational.
SUPERBOY
Who are you?
MXY
Naughty, naughty, supester. You weren't
paying attention. I told you--name's
Mxyzptlk. (spells) M.X.Y.Z.P.T.L.K.
Don't try saying it fast, though or
tongue'll get wrapped around your eye teeth--
SUPERBOY
--and I won't be able to see what I'm saying.
ON MXY
He's suddenly, seriously furious.
MXY
Don't do that. Don't you ever steal
my lines again.
SUPERBOY AND MXY
SUPERBOY
What do you want from me?
MXY
I've been catching your act for a
while. It's a lotta yucks for us
Fifth Dimensioners to watch you humans foul up--
SUPERBOY
I'm glad we entertain you.
MXY
That bit with you and Clark being the same guy--
that cracks me up. Do you file two income
tax forms or what?
SUPERBOY
I do a joint return.
MXY
Wow. Identity crisis city. Anyway, I wanna
cut a deal. You come back to the
Fifth Dimension with me, help me
out, and when I take over, you get
to be second-in-command. Tell me
you love it.
SUPERBOY
The Fifth Dimension? Isn't that a rock
group?
MXY
You're a good-looking kid. Got a lotta
style. But I gotta tell you, in the smarts
department, you ain't exactly world-class.
(suddenly furious) You dummy! The Fifth
Dimension is...another universe. Lot snazzier,
though.
SUPERBOY
Scientists have theorized that other
universes might exist...in parallel
planes of existence.
MXY
Hooray. For once, humans were right about
something. That don't happen much.
SUPERBOY
And you want me to go there with you?
Why?
MXY
Where I come from, everybody can do
what you bozos...I mean, humans call
magic. But one thing they ain't got is---
ON MXY
We see a real malevolence.
MXY
--power. Raw power. You specialty,
Supes. They won't be able to handle
it. They'll be pushovers. You do the
pushing, I'll tell you who to push.
ON SUPERBOY AND MXY
They're walking along the edge of the roof.
SUPERBOY
Not interested. Not even a little.
MXY
Maybe I can change your mind.
Use your super vision for a sec.
See that lady down there?
EXT. STREET
Avery prim, middle-aged woman carrying a briefcase--
obviously a lady professor.
MXY (OS)
And the building next to her?
ANGLE ON THE BUILDING
A flowerpot slips from a window and begins to fall
downward toward the lady.
ON FALLING FLOWERPOT
Superboy flies in and catches it.
SUPERBOY AND LADY
He eases to a landing beside her.
SUPERBOY
You all right ma'am?
ON MXY-SUPERBOY POV
The poit. The imp is dressed in the old lady's clothes.
MXY
Ask yourself this, supester. Ask
yourself, "Can I be everywhere at once?"
What if stuff like this was happening
all over town?
SUPERBOY AND MXY
They begin walking.
SUPERBOY
Is that a threat?
MXY
More like a prediction. But I'm a sport.
Where I come from we settle things
with wagers. You a betting man?
SUPERBOY
Get to the point.
ON MXY
Again, we glimpse his essentially malevolent nature. He's
enjoying this.
MXY
That Lana chick. She ain't hard
on the eyes--for a human, that is.
So the bet is, I can make her fall
in love with me--in 24 hours. I lose,
I cut out.
SUPERBOY AND MXY
They've paused.
SUPERBOY
And if you win?
MXY
Supey baby, you know the answer to
that one. I win, you come back
with me to the Fifth Dimension and
we make it a happening place.
SUPERBOY
There's a third possibility. I stop
you right now.
Superboy lunges at Mxy, wraps his arms around the imp. We
hear the poip and--
ANOTHER ANGLE-SUPERBOY IS EMBRACING THE ORIGINAL LADY
LADY
Young Man!
She slaps him.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. PARK-DAY
Lana, wearing jogging clothes, is having a run. We hear the
poip and Mxy, also wearing jogging clothes, appears in
front of her. He runs backwards, facing her.
MXY
You hear this one? Knock, knock.
ON LANA
She rolls her eyes. This is corny, but what the heck,
she'll play along.
LANA
Okay, I'll bite. "Who's there?"
MXY
Jimmy.
LANA
Jimmy who?
MXY
Jimmy a little kiss.
Mxy grabs and kisses Lana.
MXY
How was that? Pretty sensational,
huh?
ON LANA
She wipes her mouth on her sleeve and makes a sour face.
Then she assumes a thoughtful expression.
LANA
So now I know, anyway. What it's
like to be kissed by a toad.
She runs off.
ON MXY
Deep thought, here.
MXY
We need maybe a little more work
on this...
CUT TO:
EXT. DORM-DAY
We're looking at a tree and, beyond, a dorm door. Superboy
lands, steps behind the tree, and Clark emerges. TJ comes
through the door.
TJ
Clark!
CLARK
TJ! What's up?
They begin walking.
TJ
For one thing, I've decided to stop
clowning around. (beat) You hear what
happened?
CLARK
The imp? And the totem? Yeah, I heard.
THE PARK-DAY
CLARK and TJ are walking through the same park we saw Lana crossing earlier.
TJ
I developed my pictures and gave them
to Dr. Royer--
CLARK
--in the Anthropology department--
TJ
--and he said he could probably translate
the inscription. I'm supposed to meet
Lana and then we're going to Royer's office.
CLARK
Mind if I tag along?
A van careens around a nearby corner, skids, rights itself
and speeds down the street.
TJ
What's his hurry?
CLARK
There's Lana.
EXT. -RESTURANT-DAY
Lana, still wearing her running suit, waits. She waves;
she' spotted Clark and TJ. A nanny with a baby carriage is
nearby. The van we saw a shot ago skids to a stop at the
curb. Clark and TJ enter the shot and move toward her.
LANA
Hi, guys. I thought we'd get a bite to
eat before we meet Dr. Royer--
ON POLICE CAR
It skids to a stop near the van and cops jump out, guns
aimed.
COP
FREEZE!
ON LANA, TJ AND CLARK
They're startled.
TJ
Us?
Cops, guns leveled, move past Lana, TJ and Clark to the
nanny, who has her/his hands raised in surrender.
ON COPS AND NANNY
A cop pulls off the nanny's wig, revealing a very nasty-
looking character.
COP
Cute outfit. But not cute enough.
Somebody down the block spotted you.
ON TJ, CLARK AND LANA
TJ is busy snapping pictures.
LANA
TJ, do you know what's going on?
TJ
Sure. That's one of the guys who busted out
of jail yesterday--one of the Fritts brothers.
COP
You could save everybody a lot of trouble if
you'd tell us where your brother is.
GERRY
Go climb your thumb.
COP
Okay, be a tough guy.
BENNY FRITTS (OS)
Let him go--
ON VAN
Benny Fritts is climbing out of the back of the van. He's
pointing a 12-gauge at Lana, Clark and TJ.
BENNY
--unless you want it to be open season on
college kids.
ON COPS AND GERRY
Gerry takes a submachine gun from the baby carriage and
aims it at the cops.
GERRY
Lose the hardware.
The cops drop their guns. We hear he poit.
ANGLE ON MXY MATERIALIZING
MXY
Cops and robbers. I love it.
ANGLE ON GERRY WITH MACHINE GUN COVERING COPS
GERRY
Grab the girl. We need a hostage.
Benny moves toward Lana.
ON MXY
MXY
Huh-uh. Not my sweetie-honey.
ON BENNY
He reaches out on Lana. We hear the poit. He executes an
about-face and grabs Clark.
ON MXY
MXY
Got yourself a real problem, huh
Clarky? Next time, maybe you'll
accept my offer.
ON BENNY, CLARK AND GERRY.
Benny hustles Clark toward the van. Gerry reacts angrily.
GERRY
I said the girl! Why'd you grab him?
BENNY
I dunno. Seemed like the right thing
to do, is all.
ON CLARK'S AND BENNY'S FEET.
Clark digs his heel into Benny's instep.
ON CLARK, BENNY AND GERRY
Benny hops around howling and holding his foot. Gerry
raises his gun over Clark's head.
GERRY
Wise guy, huh?
Gerry slugs Clark with gun. Clark stands there a second.
obviously unaware he's been hit. Then he rolls his eyes and
collapses.
GERRY
The girl!
ON BENNY AND LANA
Benny hustles her toward the van.
BENNY
Got her.
ON CLARK
He's lying on his side facing van. He puffs out his cheeks
and blows.
BENNY AND THE VAN
Great rush of wind. It flings Benny into the back of the
van and slams the door behind him.
ON GERRY
Raging, he aims his gun at Lana.
GERRY
All right. Somebody's gonna get dead.
ON MXY
He tips his hat. The poit.
ON GERRY
The gun has changed into a cactus. Gerry howls, drops it,
and sucks his wounded fingers. Mxy enters shot.
MXY
I'll save you, sweetie-honey.
Mxy swings, missing Gerry by a couple feet. But: poit.
And Gerry collapses, Mxy turns, expecting Lana's gushing
gratitude.
MXY
Don't thank me. For you, I would gladly
face and ARMY of criminals...(beat)
Sweetie-honey? YO--
MXY POV-LANA KNEELS BY CLARK, FULL OF CONCERN
MXY (OS)
--OVER HERE!
LANA
Clark...are you all right?
CLARK
Sure. He only hit me once.
She kisses him.
ON MXY
MXY
So she likes him huh? Well, oooo-
kay!
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. CAMPUS-DAY
Clark and TJ again approach the dorm.
TJ
With all the excitement, we never
did learn what Dr. Royer said. (beat)
I've got a physics exam. See you later.
CLARK
I'll hunt up Lana.
Clark goes on a few steps, stops, reacting to Lana's voice.
LANA (OS)
Oh, Clark, you never told me that
before.
Clark raises his glasses and stares hard.
HIS POV-LANA AND CLARK II ARE WALKING ARM-IN-ARM
CLARK II
Then there was my uncle Marmaduke,
the lion tamer-
ON CLARK, STARING
FADE OUT
ACT TWO
FADE IN
EXT. -DRIVEWAY-DAY
Clark II and Lana are admiring a new red convertible. Clark
wears a jaunty hat.
LANA
Great car! Whose is it, Clark?
CLARK II
Yours! Happy Birthday, sweetie-honey.
LANA
But my birthday isn't for months.
CLARK II
Wait'll you see what I get you then!
(beat) Go for a drive?
EXT. -HIGHWAY-DAY
The convertible goes on down the road. Above it. Superboy
flies, pacing the car.
INT. -CAR-DAY
Lana drives, Clark II rides shotgun. Clark II turns on the
radio.
RADIO
This next one goes out to lovely
Lana from her adoring Clark--one
of the big hits of the Sixties-
The radio begins playing the Fifth Dimension's "Beautiful
Balloons." (Up, up and away, those beautiful balloons...)
Lana smiles, hugely delighted.
ANGLE ON SUPERBOY
Flying, looking down.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. -"COLORFUL PARK"-DAY
Lana and Clark II are walking. Lana carries a huge teddy
bear, a couple of heart-shaped balloons, a box of candy, is
wearing a souvenir hat. Clark II is buying something from a
vendor--maybe a souvenir cane. He adds it to her pile.
LANA
Please, Clark! I can't carry any more.
CLARK II
Then, sweetie-honey, I'll hire someone
to carry it for you. I'll hire and army!
LANA
What's gotten into you?
CLARK II
Your beauty. It fills my soul.
LANA
I don't know what to say to that.
CLARK II
You don't have to say anything. Just
keep looking gorgeous. (beat) Tonight,
we're going to the Rolling Stones concert.
LANA
But it's impossible to get tickets--
Clark II produces tickets with a flourish.
CLARK II
Nothing is impossible if it makes you
happy.
LANA
I'm beginning to think you're magic.
CLARK II
Now you're talking.
ON SUPERBOY
He's hiding nearby. He winces.
ON LANA AND CLARK II
CLARK II
Come on. We're going to the lake. I've
got a surprise for you.
LANA
Another one?
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. -LAKE SIDE-DAY
Lana and Clark II are seated on the grass surrounded by
debris of an elaborate picnic. Lana dreamily sips a soft
drink from a crystal goblet as Clark, shirtless, reads from
a book of poetry. Nearby a gypsy violinist plays something
soft and romantic. The music continues under the next scene.
CLARK II
"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and height my soul
Can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace--"
(beat) Pretty classy, huh?
ON LANA
LANA
Classy. Yes, I guess you could say classy.
Clark, I've known you for a while now and
you've always seemed nice, but...emotionally,
it was like you were from another planet.
ON SUPERBOY
Another, bigger, wince.
ON LANA AND CLARK II
LANA
You were always so...earnest. Serious.
Now, something's happened to bring out
the little boy in you.
CLARK II
You didn't like the poetry?
LANA
The poetry was fine.
CLARK II
Then what? What little boy? Whaddya mean?
LANA
Don't be offended. I just meant that
all of a sudden you're childlike...
and...strange.
CLARK II
Is that bad? What?
LANA
No, not bad. Not at all. Just different.
Sort of charming.
ON CLARK II
Now he's hearing what he wants to hear.
CLARK II
Charming, huh? Well...ooooo-kay!
LANA AND CLARK II
He grabs and kisses her. Valentino he ain't. This is as
awkward as anyone's first attempt at kissing.
ON VIOLINIST
He smiles benignly at the young lovers.
ON SUPERBOY
He grits his teeth.
SUPERBOY
That's enough.
ON SUPERBOY, CLARK II, LANA AND THE VIOLINIST
Superboy, his back to the camera, steps from his hiding
place and moves toward Lana, Clark II and the Violinist.
LANA
Superboy!
The violinist his a dramatic chord.
CLARK II
I was wondering when you'd pop out,
Supes. What were you doing back there,
taking notes on my technique?
ON SUPERBOY
SUPERBOY
Lana, listen to me. This isn't Clark
--at least not the Clark you know--
ON LANA
LANA
I've noticed. This one is cute.
ON CLARK II
Gleeful. His true nature showing.
CLARK II
Oh, ho ho ho-got you that time.
ON SUPERBOY
SUPERBOY
You're not leaving me any choice,
Mxyzptlk. Lana, there's something
I've got to tell you--
ON CLARK II
CLARK II
Before you say something you'll regret--
He points upward dramatically. Another chord from the
violin.
CLARK II
Look, up in the sky--! That ain't
a bird, buddy-buddy.
ON SUPEBOY
He looks skyward and reacts, then looks down at Lana.
SUPERBOY
I'll be back.
HERE, WE INSERT THE SKY STUNT
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. -DORM BUILDING-NIGHT
A single window is lighted.
INT. -DORM ROOM
TJ is at desk, hitting the books. Superboy flies in through
the window. TJ looks up.
TJ
Superboy. You sure now how to make an
entrance
SUPERBOY
Clark said you had some information--from
Dr. Royer.
TJ
The stuff about the totem? Let me find my
notes...
He roots around the desk top for a second, finds a notebook.
TJ
Yeah, this is weird. Royer said that apparently
these Fifth Dimension creatures used to show up
all the time--
SUPERBOY
Is that what the inscription said?
TJ
No. He deduced that from old legends.
The inscription tells how to send 'em
back to the Fifth Dimension.
SUPERBOY
Okay. I'll bite. How?
TJ
This is almost too corny to believe...
according to Royer, you've got to get
them to say their names backwards.
SUPERBOY
Say their names backwards. Oh.
TJ
I told you it's corny. Royer figures that
the Indian Shaman blocked the gate to
the Fifth Dimension with the magic totem.
(beat) I can't believe I'm saying this
stuff.
SUPERBOY
And I unblocked it. Which makes me
responsible for anything the imp does.
TJ
I guess so. Anyway, the shaman inscribed
the totem as a warning. Got it?
SUPERBOY
Yobrepus.
TJ
Huh?
SUPERBOY
Just saying my name backwards...
CUT TO:
EXT-DORM BUILDING-NIGHT
Clark II and Lana are at the door to the dorm. Lana is
wearing something appropriate for a rock concert and looks
sensational. Clark II is also appropriately dressed.
LANA
It's been a fantastic day, Clark.
CLARK II
Tomorrow will be even better. I hired
a helicopter--
LANA
Well, tomorrow I should study--
CLARK II
We'll talk about it in the a.m., honey-
sweetie.
He kisses her. He's learned a lot about kissing since this
afternoon. She turns quickly and runs into the dorm.
ON CLARK II
He's smiling dreamily. Then: poit.
ROOFTOP-NIGHT
Superboy is waiting with his back to the camera. With
another poit. Clark II materializes.
CLARK II
Hey, supester. How's it shaking?
SUPERBOY
How did you know I was here?
CLARK II
Aw, who you talking to?
SUPERBOY
You can drop the masquerade.
ON CLARK II
CLARK II
What's'a matter? Don't like looking
at yourself?
The poit.
ON MXY
Standing where Clark II was a moment ago.
MXY
Before you say anything, I got a bulletin
for you. The bet's off.
SUPERBOY AND MXY
SUPERBOY
It is? Good.
MXY
For me, good. For you? The bit is, I
decided I like the chick. Dig it--
I'm smitten.
(sings)
Love is in the air, love is everywhere--
(beat)
So I'm taking her back with me.
SUPERBOY
She won't go.
MXY
Wanna bet your cape? Trust me, buddy-
pal--she'll go. One way or another.
SUPERBOY
You're not playing fair.
MXY
Fair? Did I ever say I was fair? Wanna
cut me a little slack!
ON SUPERBOY
SUPERBOY
Look, you said you were a sporting man.
I'd like to challenge you to a little
contest.
ON MXY
MXY
Am I hearing this? Supes, you surprise me.
You go some pizzazz after all. Whaddya
got in mind?
PULL BACK to include Superboy in shot.
SUPERBOY
Tongue twisters. I'll bet you can't
repeat what I say.
MXY
You're on.
SUPERBOY
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled
peppers kltpzymk.
MXY
Piece of cake. Peter Piper picked a
peck of pickled peppers kltp--
He catches himself, stops, gets mad.
MXY
Think you're pretty smart, huh? Tried
to trick me into saying my name backwards.
Okay, hot shot, no more Mr. Nice Guy.
I'm giving you till tomorrow
morning.
SUPERBOY
Then what?
MXY
Then either you and the chick go with me
or I start some real fun and games around
here. How'd you like a little nuclear war?
SUPERBOY
You wouldn't dare.
ON MXY
MXY
Try me.
The poit. Mxy vanishes.
MXY (OS--FILTER)
Maybe I'll have my fun and games no matter
what you decide. Pleasant dreams, sappo.
ON SUPERBOY
Long shot. He's all alone on the rooftop as Mxy's laugh
echoes in the night.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. -EXCAVATION SITE-DAY
Lana and TJ are standing near the hole. TJ has a camcorder.
Clark II is nearby.
LANA
But what does Superboy want?
TJ
Beats me. All I know is, he called and
told me to bring my video camera here.
CLARK II
It's gonna be good, kiddos. Trust me--it's
gonna be great.
Superboy lands. He's holding a sheet of paper.
SUPERBOY
TJ, Lana-and Clark. I've asked you here
because I want to...to say goodbye.
ON LANA, TJ AND CLARK II
TJ
Where are you going?
CLARK II
Yeah, tell us, Supey-baby. Give us the
scoop.
ON SUPERBOY
He's becoming very emotional.
SUPERBOY
A great distance...farther than you
can imagine. I'd like to say a few words--
not only to you, my best friends, but
to everyone on the Earth.
ON CLARK II
CLARK II
We're all ears.
ON SUPERBOY
SUPERBOY
TJ, the camera--
ON TJ
Operating the camera.
TJ
Rolling, Superboy.
ON SUPERBOY
Reading from his paper.
SUPERBOY
I've prepared a statement...(reads)
It is with great difficulty and infinite
regret that I say farewell to the
splendid and noble men and women of this,
the loveliest planet in the universe. I...
He chokes up, wipes his eyes on his sleeve.
SUPERBOY
Sorry...where was I? (reads) In the time
I've spent among you I have come to
understand and cherish...
Again, he chokes up. Helplessly, he turns to Clark II.
SUPERBOY
I can't go on.
CLARK II
Well, you better.
SUPERBOY
Could you help me?
He extends the paper.
ON CLARK II
A huge grin. He couldn't be happier.
CLARK II
Me read your bye-bye? I love it.
I love it a lot.
He takes the paper and begins reading.
CLARK II
(reads) I have come to understand and
cherish your warmth, your compassion
and, most of all, your humor. It is
this, the humor, that more than anything
kltpzyxm--
He looks up, understands, and is furious.
CLARK II
You cheated. You--
The poit. Clark II vanishes and in his place--
MXY
MXY
--tricked me into saying--
The poit. He vanishes.
LANA, TJ AND SUPERBOY
In the foreground, the paper flutters on the ground. Lana,
TJ and Superboy, in background, watch it fall. A long pause
as they take it in. Then, Lana, slowly--
LANA
Clark was the imp?
SUPERBOY
It's a long story, Lana. Just be glad it's
over.
They start to walk away. Superboy stops, looks back to where
he last saw Mxy.
SUPERBOY
If it is.
FADE OUT
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