What have you done to me, Luthor?
LUTHOR.
The same thing I do to everyone.
(Facing him) I control you.
(Beat) Of course with you, it isn't something as easy as slush funds or threatening your family. You're special. I had to have equipment built, satellites to monitor you etcetera etcetera etcetera.
LUTHOR walks over and taps the manacles with a new sterling silver pen.
LUTHOR.
You didn't think I was going to spend a few billion dollars to make you the most powerful THUG on Earth just to watch you walk away when you got bored, did you? It's all planning, my boy. That's why I am who I am and you are...
(Beat) Well, why you're stuck in that ridiculous chair.
METALLO.
Nobody treats John Corben like a chump.
LUTHOR.
Pay attention you idiot, I am treating you like a chump because, I don't know if you noticed or not, you are the chump. Without me, you're nothing.
METALLO.
Without you, I'd still be a man! I can't feel anything! The heat, the cold, nothing! I can't smell! I can't taste! Everything sounds funny. Nothing looks right. I can't stand this! You've made me into some kind of freak!
LUTHOR.
(Furious) I saved your life! If I hadn't invested in you, you would be a two-bit dead assassin and petty thief.
LUTHOR turns to leave.
METALLO.
This isn't over, Luthor.
LUTHOR.
(Furious) Is that a threat?
METALLO.
Why don't you call one of your lawyers and have them figure it out?
LUTHOR.
Better yet, why don't I call my technicians and have them take you apart one piece at a time?
(Beat) Bitch bitch bitch. Moan moan moan. You're alive and as jarring as it may be, it still beats the hell out of the alternative...
(Beat) ...Which is still an option.
No answer.
LUTHOR.
John Corben, you are alive because I want you that way and when or if I decide otherwise, there is nothing on this planet than can save you. Is that clear?
METALLO.
(Reluctantly) Yes.
LUTHOR.
Excellent. Now I'll let you go if you promise to behave and cooperate as agreed.
METALLO nods. LUTHOR has the remote MERCY had earlier and switches him "on."
METALLO stands and breaks free of the manacles that drop to the floor with a metallic clang.
LUTHOR.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have business to attend to.
LUTHOR turns before exiting.
LUTHOR.
And John, you may be a shell of your former self and you may be my pawn...
(Beat) ...but at least you have your health.
LUTHOR leaves. METALLO, furious, picks up the metal chair and tears it in half.
FADE TO BLACK:.
INT. METALLO'S PENTHOUSE.
TIME LAPSE: METALLO paces the room pondering his situation.
METALLO exits.
CUT TO:.
INT. HALLWAY.
METALLO walks the halls with a mission. People cross to get out of his way.
CUT TO:.
INT. LEXCORP COMMUNICATIONS CENTER.
The door slides open and METALLO enters. The room is covered with wall-to-wall state-of-the-art technology. There are several TECHS wandering about manning their stations. One sees METALLO and approaches him. TECH #1 Sir, this area is authorized personnel only.
(Recognizes him) You're Metallo.
METALLO.
(Polite) Yes, I am.
TECH #1.
I didn't know you were in the building.
METALLO.
I'm a guest of Mister Luthor.
TECH #1.
Well it sure is pleasure to meet you, sir. I saw what you did with the chemical fire on the East Side. My brother lives there and it's appreciated.
METALLO.
No problem. I was bored so I've been wandering the building. I just wanted to look around. Is that okay?
TECH #1.
Sure. We aren't accustomed to having guests but I can give you the nickel tour.
METALLO.
What is all this?
TECH #1.
This is the Communication Center for LexCorp. From here we keep in contact with the affiliates in Atlanta, New York, Tokyo, Coast City, Sydney, London and another three dozen cities worldwide. Mister Luthor can control information from his own private network as well as the sixty-eight satellites he has in orbit around the planet and on reconnaissance missions through space.
METALLO.
Pretty impressive.
TECH #1.
State-of-the-art. When NASA and NORAD upgraded they came to Mister Luthor.
There isn't another system close to this on Earth.
METALLO.
I guess all this is pretty expensive.
TECH #2.
Most of it is prototype. Some of it designed by Mister Luthor himself and only he knows the specs.
(Whispering) He's something of a paranoid and doesn't like to depend on others for designs.
(Beat) Most of it is irreplaceable.
METALLO.
Good.
METALLO pushes a TECH out of the way, RIPS A 25" MONITOR FROM THE WALL and lifts it over his head showering him in sparks. All the TECHS scramble for safety.
METALLO.
Excuse me.
Some TECHS in his way run for cover. METALLO throws the monitor and destroys a panel of computer banks.
TECH #2.
Somebody call Mister Luthor!
He begins to trash the room ripping components from the walls and flipping work stations over. Fires flare and components explode.
A TECH, cowering behind some equipment, reaches out and presses a button.
CUT TO:.
INT. LEXCORP SECURITY.
A SIREN wails accompanied by FLASHING RED LIGHTS. SECURITY MEN scramble for the COMMUNICATION CENTER.
INT. HALLWAY.
The SECURITY TEAM passes several intersecting hallways. MERCY GRAVES comes out of one and joins them.
METALLO rounds a corner to find MERCY and her men waiting for him. She is in the forefront. The TEAM is kneeling with rifles. MERCY is holding out his remote.
He pauses.
She presses the button.