Then what are you splitting?
LUTHOR.
Now Angela, if I had a dime for every time someone asked me how I did something I'd be a millionaire.
ANGELA.
But you are a billionaire.
LUTHOR.
You catch on quick.
ANGELA.
(Reaching to the side and getting a report) This is a report from the Metropolis Energy Commission in which they reviewed your proposal. They objected to your not allowing the energy source to be tested by an outside safety committee or revealing the source of the energy.
LUTHOR.
Angela, you don't look into the face of God and ask him how he makes air. You should just be glad it's there.
(Beat) Let it be known there were only two people on that panel that oppose me and refused to move into the twenty first century.
ANGELA.
Then there is an issue of price. This energy would cost the citizens of Metropolis three times what they are currently being charged. Do you think this is fair?
LUTHOR.
Things cost money. Power plants cost money. Research costs money. Skilled EMPLOYEES cost money. Your children's safety costs money. People will say it's a lot of money but I can guarantee the people at Love Canal, Three Mile Island and Chernobyl wish they had that option. In fact, I bet there are people in Suicide Slum tonight that would pay for that option.
ANGELA.
But aren't you afraid people will look at this as a case of the rich getting richer? Don't you have a duty as a human being to- LUTHOR.
I want the best for my city, Miss Chen. I'm a business man, let Simon Carr and Ted Kord be philanthropists and humanitarians.
I have always thought Metropolis was on the forefront of technology and many of those advancements come from LexCorp.
They don't call Metropolis "America's City" for nothing. We are not the standard and never should accept that position. We are the example and if my beloved city refuses to look at the future because of a few extra pennies, then I think it's a sad day in Metropolis. How many more meltdowns do we have to incur before we realize safety is our responsibility and not that of some stranger in his underwear.
ANGELA.
Whoa! That almost sounded like an attack on Superman.
LUTHOR.
Let me just thank God for Metallo because without him there would be a few hundred thousand dead people Mayor Berkowitz would have to account for.
ANGELA.
Well, in an opinion poll taken this afternoon, citizens were asked who they would depend on in a crisis and an overwhelming eighty-two percent still said they would side with Superman. I think it may be a little premat-- S M A S H!.
The image, revealed to be on a television, dies. Inside the cracked screen is an empty liquor bottle.
METALLO (OS).
WHAT THE HELL?!.
METALLO is on a huge sofa with five scantily clad BIMBOS trying to caress a piece of him. The furnishings in the massive room reek of money. The wall-sized windows overlook the nightlit city. Along the floor are liquor bottles and empty plates where METALLO has been treated like a king.
His demeanor is 180 degrees different than what it was earlier. He is loud, thuggish and belligerent.
BIMBO #1.
Oh John, what did you have to go and do that for? That's the third set this week.
METALLO.
I can't stand this crap! Everywhere I go it's Superman save me and Superman you're my hero! How many people do I have to save?! How much of this do I have to put up with?!
BIMBO #1 can be heard in the background ordering a new television.
BIMBO #2.
I don't know what that Chen girl likes but I think you're so much sexier than Superman. Capes are so out this year. Besides, everybody knows nice boys finish last, and more importantly, are so bo-ring.
BIMBO #3.
Come on, John. Let's go in the back and we can take your mind of things.
She nuzzles his neck. BIMBO #2 starts unbuttoning his shirt and kissing his chest. It makes him uncomfortable.
BIMBO #3.
Doesn't that feel good?
METALLO.
NO!.
He bucks them both onto the floor.
METALLO.
It doesn't feel like anything! I can't feel anything! I can't smell anything!
(He kicks a plate of food across the floor) I can't taste anything! And I am sick of being second to that blue idiot! I'm just a shell of a man and I got nothing!
(Long Beat) Me and Luthor gotta have a talk.
METALLO stands up and BIMBO #4 hangs on him.
BIMBO #4.
Don't go anywhere, Johnny Baby. Stay here with us.
Picks BIMBO #4 up with one hand and tosses her through the air onto a sofa.
METALLO storms from the room. The BIMBOS all get very serious. They aren't as dumb as the pretend and their real purpose is keeping METALLO docile. BIMBO #5 picks up the telephone.
BIMBO #5.
Security? He's out.
CUT TO:.
INT. LEXCORP TELEVISION STUDIO.
LUTHOR and ANGELA CHEN are going to commercial. ANGELA --after these messages.
DIRECTOR (OS).
And we're off. Seventy seconds people.
MAKE-UP people rush the two and touch up the make-up. LUTHOR's cell phone rings.
He motions the MAKE-UP people away and answers it.
LUTHOR.
Yes. How long ago? Very well.
(Dialing another number) Mercy, he's on his way. Maneuver six.
CUT TO:.
INT. BEHIND THE CAMERA.
MERCY GRAVES is standing to the side watching the broadcast. MERCY (Into a cufflink microphone) Yes, Mister Luthor.
She leaves the room.
CUT TO:.
INT. HALLWAY.
Four SECURITY GUARDS scramble through the hall to meet METALLO. The elevator door opens revealing the hulking METALLO. SECURITY #1 (To METALLO) Sir, I'm going to have to ask- METALLO lifts him and throws him THROUGH THE AIR. He hits the floor and slides into a wall.
He grabs another and lifts him over his head knocking ceiling tiles down with his feet as he turns and drops him.
He takes another and pushes him into a wall denting the plaster rendering him unconscious. His limp body hangs in the broken plaster for a few seconds and drops.
The last GUARD draws his gun and fires into METALLO's back. METALLO turns. The GUARD fires Repeatedly.
METALLO.
Is that the best Luthor's got?
METALLO pushes him aside and he slides across the tiles and stops at the feet of MERCY GRAVES.
METALLO walks over the bodies to pass MERCY. She raises her hand for him to halt.
His hulking mass makes her look even smaller than she is. There is fury in METALLO's eyes and no fear in MERCY's.
MERCY calmly reaches into her pocket, retrieves a small remote control with one button.
METALLO.
You gotta be shittin' me.
She shows it to METALLO, and then presses the button.
METALLO lets out a quick scream and is silenced. He doubles over and drops to his knees in excruciating pain.
LUTHOR's voice is heard through her earpiece.
LUTHOR (VO).
Mercy, is our guest under control?
MERCY.
Yes, Mister Luthor.
LUTHOR (VO).
Good. Prepare him for company. I'll be up in a minute.
CUT TO:.
INT. LEXCORP PENTHOUSE - METALLO'S QUARTERS.
METALLO is seated in a large metal chair with thick, modified manacles on his wrists and ankles. He's immobile except from the neck up. His face strains as he tries to break free.
The doors are tossed open and LUTHOR saunters to the bar and makes himself a drink. LUTHOR John Corben. I have to say I thought our working relationship up to this point had been quite complimentary. You really must learn how to behave when you're a guest in someone's home.
METALLO.