[instrumental music]
[theme music]
[music continues]
(Lex) 'As you know, recent cutbacks have forced the city'
to close the doors to many of its own museums
which is why the Lex Luthor Museum Of Natural History
is such a boon to the city's populace.
[camera clicking]
And a boost to Lex's popularity.
In anticipation of tomorrow's grand opening
I felt that you, the elite of the Metropolis press
might enjoy a sneak preview of the city's
newest state-of-the-art exhibition hall.
'The priceless artefacts are displayed in open cases'
'protected by electronic surveillance'
'and an impregnable automated security system.'
boom
- Did you hear that? - Just typical Luthor blarney.
(Lex) And now I will be happy to answer any questions
regarding the museum and its displays.
[intense music]
[gasping]
[screaming]
How do you respond to charges that the museum
is really just a large tax shelter for LexCorp?
Let's see him get out of.. Kent?
I wouldn't.
[chuckles]
Yow! Oh! Ah, ah..
You never listen.
[instrumental music]
whoosh
splash
[electricity crackling]
Yeah. What do you think we'll get for it, Neato?
(Superman) 'I'd say five to ten'
with time off for good behavior.
[intense music]
[grunts]
I hope you're planning on cleaning up this mess.
Aah!
[gasping]
[screaming]
[gasping]
You know, we can keep this up all day
or you..
Ah, ah..
[groans]
You know, uh, you don't look so hot.
Uh, maybe we should help him.
Sure, we'll send him some chicken soup.
Come on!
[grunting]
Now, if you'll all just follow me..
[automated response] 'Lex Luthor.'
[beeps]
Ladies and gentlemen
I give you The Lex Luthor Museum Of..
[crowd gasping]
Thieves. Two.
Stole the jewels. I try..
Get a security crew down here now.
[indistinct chatter]
[sighs] I thought
I could stop them.
Well, next time you see one of my museums being robbed
call someone who can do something about it
like the police!
What happened?
I don't know. I..
Ah. I'm sorry.
(Lex) Neato and Sam Coralli.
- See that they're dealt with. - Check.
Wait. Go back.
(Lex) 'Interesting.'
'As soon as he gets near the rocks in that display case'
he gets all wobbly and weak.
So weak that he let a couple of small-timers get away.
(Lex) 'And every one of those rocks belongs to me.'
And here we have some fine examples of the crockery
and dinnerware of the ancient Babylonians.
'Their practice of fabricating utensils'
'out of soft metal alloys proved to be their undoing'
'as the entire civilization was destroyed'
'by systemic metallic poisoning.'
[instrumental music]
Nothing's happening.
You were expecting them to dance for you?
I like the stuff they had in there before.
- Before? - Yesterday.
They came in this morning and changed
the whole display around.
The other media samples were ordinary carbon-based elements.
But this, its composition materials
are not even on the periodic table.
We believe it originated in an alien solar system
with properties totally divergent from our own.
We'll need to test it out on Superman himself.
See that it's in my office within the hour.
I don't think you realize what you have here.
On the contrary, I know exactly what I have here.
The very tool I need to completely control
and humiliate Superman.
But surely, the rock would be more valuable to mankind.
You work for me, Peterson. Don't forget that.
There shouldn't be an opinion in your head
that I haven't put there.
Yes, Mr. Luthor.
(Lois) Two points.
- 'Two..' - Does Perry know?
You're playing basketball on his time?
It helps me think.
Why didn't he nab those two museum thieves?
- It doesn't make sense. - Who?
Who? Superman.
Free throw. Three-point play.
By the way, where did you run off to yesterday?
[cell phone ringing]
- Yeah? - Ms. Lane?
It's Professor Peterson.
So what have you got for me this time, professor?
Something extraordinary, Ms. Lane.
Quite literally extraordinary.
[rattling]
Impressive, huh? I like to stay in shape.
- Wanna feel? - Feel what?
I don't think she's interested.
[chuckles] Sure, she is.
Aren't you, baby?
[clatters]
Don't call me baby.
Yeah, well..
Like I told you people over the phone
I don't do Metropolis.
Not since the blue guy showed up.
This job needs someone with your technical expertise.
I pull this heist of yours, it's a sure bet I'll get caught.
You don't understand. That's exactly what I want.
[instrumental music]
- Uh.. - Be with you in a second, sir.
[gasps] Ah, ah, ah..
Good catch. So what will it be?
I'd like the turkey meatloaf, baked potato, no butter
no soup, salad, house dressing on the side.
Give the whole thing legs.
Sorry, Kent. I'm in a hurry.
- Say, you don't look so hot. - I'm fine.
What's the rush?
Take a look at this.
[groans]
- Careful! - I'm sorry.
Just clumsy, I guess. What is it?
Lex Labs got a hold of some kind of meteor
that seems to have the ability to drain Superman's powers.
This is just a small sliver.
You're sure you're not catching something?
I'm okay, really.
I'm taking this piece over to STAR Labs
to let them have a look at it.
[groans]
I'll let you know what they say.
The gentleman would like a large orange juice
chicken soup and tea with lemon.
You gotta take care of yourself, Smallville.
- Ugh! - Yeah.
You really don't look so good.
[helicopter whirring]
Transfer of the treasury plates
to the Metropolis District Office is official.
The plates are yours, Commissioner Jones.
I'll take those plates now, Commissioner Jones.
Now, I'd like you all to drop your weapons
and kick them over here.
[clattering]
Ho, you don't wanna make trouble for me, commissioner.
whoosh
boom
[alarm blaring]
You'll never get away with this.
By now they've shut down all the exits and entrances
the stairs, the elevators.
'There's no way down off this roof.'
How about up?
whoosh
He's comin'. Let's do it.
Ah!
[dramatic music]
splash
[whooshing]
He's past checkpoint one, heading due north.
[whooshing]
[groans]
whoosh
boom
[screaming]
boom
[grunting]
Checkpoint number two.
[whooshing]
[grunts]
[groans]
[instrumental music]
[gasps]
[whooshing]
(Mercy) 'Checkpoint three.'
- He's coming. - 'Good.'
(Lex) 'Now just remember what I told you.'
I guess I've flown myself into a corner.
Okay, you win. I give up.
That's right, make him come to you.
Here.
[groaning]
Oh-ho, what's the matter?
Don't you want it? Here.
[groans]
Oh, gee. I'm sorry. Here. Let me help you up.
[groaning]
Hey, I guess all that time in the gym is payin' off.
Jab. Jab.
Cross. Uppercut.
What are you doing? Get him back to the center of that room.
Maybe I'd rather just finish him off right here.
[groaning]
[grunting]
[screaming]
splash
Mercy, get the rock. Fast.
[gunshot]
[thuds]
[panting]
Supe, you don't look so good.
(Lex) That's right. Put STAR Labs on 24-hour surveillance.
I want to know everyone who goes in or out.
My spies tell me that Hamilton has a piece of my rock.
I'd like to know who gave it to him.
I'm on it.
If you'll excuse us..
Actually, I'm glad you came. I have a deal to offer you.
I'm listening.
As long as I have the rock, you can't stop me.
But it is bothersome to have you always trying.
So the deal is this.
You leave me and my operations alone
and I and my little green rock
will leave you alone.
I don't make deals with criminals.
I control everything in this town, Superman.
Your cooperation is not really necessary.
The offer was merely a courtesy.
You will never control me, Luthor. Never!
[wind howling]
Well, then, I guess I'll have to kill you.
[dramatic music]
[crackling]
[zapping]
(Hamilton) Hm. Yes.
Interesting.
[bubbling]
My contact at Lex Labs thinks
it isn't even from this solar system.
Incredible!
Uh, what? Oh.
Oh, that certainly would be in keeping with my theory.
(Superman) Which is what exactly, professor?
The fact that your body chemistry absorbs
the radiation so readily leads me to believe
you share with it a point of origin.
You mean, it came from Krypton?
More than likely, it is Krypton, or rather a small piece of it.
Kryptonite, if you will.
The green radiation could have been created
by the energy released in the cataclysmic explosion
which destroyed your planet.
There is one bit of potentially helpful data.
Its radiation can be shielded by element atomic number 82.
[groans]
Lead.
Of course.
[cell phone ringing]
- Yeah? - Ms. Lane.
It's Peterson. Listen closely.
Lex Labs is developing
a synthetic version of the green rock.
It's imperative I get this information
to Superman immediately.
Yes, of course. Where should we meet?
(Peterson) 'The museum. Come in through the alley entrance.'
But the security system.
(Peterson) 'I designed the security system, Ms. Lane.'
'I know how to bypass it.'
'The door will be open between 9:05 and 9:06.'
'Make sure you're not followed.'
(Lex) 'Very convincing.'
[instrumental music]
You're certain he's there?
Our men saw him go in two minutes after the Lane woman.
Excellent, Superman will now insist
on accompanying her to the museum.
Ah, professor.
Mercy will see you safely home now.
Won't you, my dear?
Please. No. I-I mean, I can see myself home.
- Really. - But I insist.
Metropolis can be such a dangerous city, Peterson.
I'd hate to wake up tomorrow and find out
that something terrible had happened to you.
[dramatic music]
[whooshing]
He said the back alley between..
Right on time.
Wait. Let me check it out.
I don't see anyone. Lois?
Professor? Professor Peterson?
[gasps]
[roaring]
[gasps]
[dramatic music]
[roaring]
Kryptonite.
[thuds]
[whirring]
[roaring]
[gasps]
[rumbling]
Lois, get the Kryptonite out of here.
[music continues]
Aah!
[thuds]
Two annoyances with one stone.
[screaming]
If only we had some lead.
[groaning]
Entire civilization was destroyed
by systemic metallic poisoning.
[roaring]
[thuds]
Ah!
The cups. They're made of lead.
[music continues]
Aah!
[roaring]
Ah.
[grunting]
[panting]
[roaring]
[gasps]
[roaring]
Lane squares off.
She aims. She shoots.
[roaring]
clank clank
Two points!
[gasps]
[roaring]
[intense music]
- Ooh! - Huh!
Ahh! Ah!
Ah!
[roaring]
[grunts]
[electricity crackling]
No!
[electricity crackling]
[roaring]
[grunts]
[clatters]
Ah!
[thuds]
[electricity crackling]
[grunts]
(Lois) 'Thank you, Superman.'
No, Lois. Thank you. You saved my life.
- I suppose I did. - I owe you one.
I'd say an exclusive interview
would just about even us up?
[chuckles] Alright.
Under one condition.
You don't print anything about the Kryptonite.
[instrumental music]
No. Green. It has to be green.
[instrumental music]
[theme music]