PAGE ONE – 1 PANEL

[1.1] A FULL PAGE SHOT OF THE EARTH AS SEEN FROM SPACE.

1 Superman (TH, OP): Now this is what I call a view.

PAGE TWO – 4 PANELS

[2.1] WIDE PANEL. A MEDIUM SHOT OF SUPERMAN’S BACK AS HE IS STREAKING TOWARDS AN OLD RUSSIAN SATELLITE. IT IS BEGINNING TO GLOW AND BURN FROM RE-ENTRY. THE SATELLITE IS HIGHER IN THE PANEL THAN HE IS AND THE EARTH CAN BE SEEN IN THE LOWER RIGHT HAND CORNER. [H]

1 Superman (TH): Wish I had more time to enjoy it.

[2.2] LONG PANEL. A MEDIUM CLOSE-UP OF SUPERMAN UNDER THE SATELLITE PUSHING UP ON IT. BOTH SUPERMAN AND THE SATELLITE NOW GLOW RED FROM THE HEAT OF RE-ENTRY. SUPERMAN’S FACE SHOWS NO EXERTION, THIS IS AN ALMOST EFFORTLESS TASK. THOUGH THE HEAT IS BURNING OFF WHATEVER WAS WRITTEN ON THE SATELLITE, A SOVIET SICKLE AND HAMMER CAN BE STILL BE SEEN, AS CAN A NUCLEAR HAZARD SIGN. [V]

2 Superman (TH): This is the third one this month.

3 Superman (TH): Apparently the Soviet government didn’t believe in building their spy satellites to last.

[2.3] A LONG SHOT OF SUPERMAN FLYING THE SATELLITE UP OUT OF ORBIT. BOTH ARE STILL SMOKING FROM THE HEAT. [S]

4 Superman (TH): And since they used a nuclear power source, I’ve got to get rid of this the hard way.

[2.4] A LONGER SHOT OF SUPERMAN WINDING UP TO THROW THE SATELLITE. HE LOOKS LIKE HE’S WINDING UP TO THROW A FOOTBALL PASS. [S]

PAGE THREE – 3 PANELS

[3.1] WIDE PANEL. THE SATELLITE LEAVES SUPERMAN’S HANDS. CHIPS OF IT FLY OFF AS IT HEADS TOWARD THE SUN, WHICH CAN BE SEEN IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE PANEL. THE EARTH CAN BE SEEN BELOW HIM, THE MOON ABOVE AND TO THE LEFT. [H]

[3.2] WIDE PANEL. THE SAME ANGLE, ONLY NOW THE SATELLITE IS MUCH FARTHER OUT AND SUPERMAN IS WATCHING IT.

[3.3] WIDE PANEL. THE SATELLITE IS NOW ONLY A GLINT THAT CAN BE SEEN HEADING TOWARD THE SUN. [H]

5 Superman (TH): Touchdown.

PAGE FOUR – 4 PANELS

[4.1] WIDE PANEL. MEDIUM SHOT OF ROBERT HERBERT AND DR. HEINLEIN. THEY ARE BOTH LOOKING DOWN AT SOMETHING IN FRONT AND TO THE RIGHT OF THEM. BEHIND THEM IS A LARGE PICTURE WINDOW LOOKING OUT ONTO THE METROPOLIS SKYLINE. ROBERT IS IN HIS MID-THIRTIES AND DRESSED IN FAIRLY NICE CLOTHES THAT LOOK LIKE THEY’VE BEEN WORN THREE DAYS STRAIGHT. DR. HEINLEIN IS IN HIS FIFTIES AND WEARING THE WHITE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN’S COAT. THE SETTING SUN CAN BE SEEN IN THE DISTANCE. MAYBE THROW IN THE GLINT FROM PAGE TWO. THE SUN SHOULD OCCUPY THE SAME POSITION IN THIS PANEL THAT IT DOES IN THE PREVIOUS ONE. [H]

1 Robert: She looks so peaceful lying there.

2 Dr. Heinlein: Yes, she does.

[4.2] WIDE PANEL. A POV SHOT FROM ROBERT. THE ROOM IS A ONE PATIENT HOSPITAL ROOM AT METROPOLIS GENERAL HOSPITAL. THE ROOM IS FILLED WITH BALLOONS, TEDDY BEARS, AND FLOWERS. IT TRIES ITS BEST TO LOOK HAPPY AND CHEERFULL. THE WINDOW IS JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE OF THE HEAD OF THE BED. IN THE BED IS A SEVEN YEAR OLD GIRL NAMED MINDI. SHE IS EMACIATED AND ALL HER HAIR IS GONE—SHE IS SUFFERING FROM LEUKEMIA. SHE HAS SEVERAL IVs GOING INTO HER ARM. SHE IS ASLEEP, TURNED OVER ON HER RIGHT SIDE. SHE IS CLUTCHING A TEDDY BEAR IN A SUPERMAN OUTFIT CLOSELY TO HER CHEST. HER MOTHER, VIRGINIA IS SITTING IN A CHAIR NEXT TO THE BED, HOLDING HER HAND WHILE SHE SLEEPS. VIRGINIA IS IN HER MID-THIRTIES AND ATTRACTIVE, BUT OBVIOUSLY VERY TIRED. DIRECTLY BEHIND THE WINDOW IS A DOORWAY INTO THE HALLWAY. [S]

3 Robert (OP): How much longer does she have?

[4.3] A SHOT FROM THE DOORWAY OF THE ROOM. ALL FOUR CHARACTERS CAN BE SEEN. [S]

4 Dr. Heinlein: I’ll give this to you as straight as possible, Robert…

[4.4] THE SAME ANGLE AS 4.1, ONLY TIGHTER. BOTH MEN LOOK WEARY. [S]

5 Heinlein: Mindi hasn’t responded to any of the chemo or radiation treatments, she has several opportunistic infections…

6 Heinlein: She shouldn’t even be alive, yet here she is. I can’t explain it.

7 Robert: It’s Superman.

PAGE FIVE – 5 PANELS

[5.1] A FLASHBACK PANEL. MAYBE IN BLACK AND WHITE OR BLURRED AROUND THE EDGES. THE PICTURE IS AN EXTREME LONG SHOT OF SUPERMAN GRABBING A BUS FALLING OFF A DAMAGED BRIDGE. [S]

1 Caption: "He was battling some villain over Hobs Bay when a stray blast hit the bridge."

2 Caption: "Superman saved her."

[5.2] STILL FLASHBACK STYLE. A SHOT FROM THE INSIDE OF THE BUS. MINDI , LOOKING MUCH HEALTHIER AND SPORTING A FULL HEAD OF HAIR, IS LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW IN AWE AT SUPERMAN. SUPERMAN IS SMILING AND WAVING AS HE FLIES OFF. [S]

3 Caption: "She fell in love with him—

4 Caption: "—He became her angel."

[5.3] A MEDIUM CLOSE UP OF MINDI SLEEPING. SHE IS CLUTCHING THE SUPERMAN BEAR TIGHTLY. [V]

5 Robert (OP): She won’t let go until she sees him again.

[5.4] A MEDIUM SHOT ON ROBERT. HE LOOKS EVEN MORE WEARY AND SADDENED THAN BEFORE. [V]

6 Robert: We never even tried to contact him because we were afraid that if she saw him again, we would lose her.

[5.5] A MEDIUM LONG SHOT ON VIRGINIA. SHE IS STILL LOOKING STRAIGHT

AHEAD AT THE BED. HER HAND CAN BE SEEN HOLDING MINDI’S. [V]

7 Virginia: We’re going to lose her no matter what we do. Call him.

PAGE SIX - FIVE PANELS

[6.1] INTERIOR SHOT OF THE DAILY PLANET NEWSROOM. CLARK IS SITTING AT HIS DESK TYPING AWAY ON HIS COMPUTER. AS IT IS LATE, MOST OF THE DESKS ARE EMPTY, AND THE EVENING EDITION CREW ARE JUST CLEARING OUT. JIMMY IS STANDING BEHIND CLARK, LOOKING OVER HIS RIGHT SHOULDER. JIMMY LOOKS A BIT WORN OUT. [H]

1 Caption: "Clark Kent"

2 FX: Klak, Klak, Klak

3 Jimmy: You about to finish up for the night, Mr. Kent?

4 Clark: Just as soon I finish this article for tomorrow’s edition.

5 Clark: And Jimmy, call me Clark.

[6.2] SAME SHOT, ONLY TIGHTER. JIMMY HAS A SURPRISED LOOK ON HIS FACE. [V]

6 Jimmy: Sorry, force of habit.

7 Jimmy: Anyway, I was wondering if you wanted to go down to the Ace O’ Clubs…

8 Jimmy: -- Whoa –

[6.3] AN OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT OF JIMMY LOOKING AT A BEAUTIFUL BLOND WOMAN WALKING IN FRONT OF CLARK’S DESK. SHE’S DRESSED IN BUSSINESS ATIRE, BUT HER SKIRT IS JUST A BIT TOO SHORT AND HER BLOUSE IS JUST A BIT TOO TIGHT. SHE IS LOOKING OVER TOWARDS THE TWO MEN. SHE HAS A COY SMILE ON HER FACE. [H]

9 Jimmy: When did she start working here?

[6.4] BACK TO THE SHOT OF CLARK AND JIMMY. JIMMY IS TURNED TOWARDS CLARK, SPEAKING TO HIM AND CLARK’S POSTURE IS THE SAME, EXCEPT FOR HIS GAZE WHICH IS NOW LOOKING UP TOWARDS WHERE THE WOMAN WOULD BE. [S]

10 Clark: I think she got hired about a week ago, in marketing if I recall.

11 Jimmy: Well, I think she was giving you the eye.

[6.5] AN OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT OF CLARK LOOKING AT HIS MONITOR. ON THE SCREEN IS A REFLECTION OF LOIS WALKING UP BEHIND THEM. [S]

11 Article Text: It could have been a disaster. Another Russian spy satellite was burning into the atmosphere. Its nuclear core would have spread toxic fallout for miles from the point of impact. Luckily, the government managed to alert Superman in time.

(fades off and becomes illegible.)

12 Clark: You think so, Jim?

PAGE SEVEN – 6 PANELS

[7.1] A MEDIUM SHOT OF CLARK. LOIS IS STANDING OVER HIS LEFT SHOULDER, BUT BOTH HER AND JIMMY’S HEADS ARE CUT OFF BY THE SHOT. CLARK HAS A BEMUSED SMIRK ON HIS FACE. [S]

1 Clark: It’s times like this I wish I wasn’t married…

2 Jimmy (OP): Uh, Clark…

3 Clark: …To the most intelligent and beautiful woman alive.

[7.2] A MEDIUM SHOT OF LOIS BENDING DOWN AND GRABBING CLARK’S TIE. BOTH SHE AND CLARK ARE SMIRKING NOW. JIMMY STANDS IN THE BACKGROUND. [S]

4 Lois: Nice Save.

5 Clark: Lois! I didn’t even see you there…

[7.3] LOIS AND CLARK KISS. JIMMY ROLLS HIS EYES AT THE DISPLAY. [V]

6 Lois: Shut up and kiss me.

7 Jimmy: Like a couple of teenagers…

[7.4] A CLOSE UP AS LOIS AND CLARK PULL BACK FROM THEIR EMBRACE AND STARE INTO EACH OTHER’S EYES. [H]

8 Lois: I thought we could have a romantic dinner tonight; I’m making beef bourguignon.

9 Clark: How can I say no to that?

[7.5] A SHOT OF JIMMY TURNING TO LEAVE. [S]

10 Jimmy: Since you’ve already got dinner plans, I think I’ll head out.

11 Jimmy: See you two tomorrow.

12 Clark (OP): Sorry, Jim. Say hello to Bibbo for me.

[7.6] A REVERSE SHOT OF LOIS AND CLARK WATCHING JIMMY AS HE LEAVES. LOIS IS SITTING ON CLARK’S DESK. [S]

13 Lois: Now we’re having dinner at eight, and you’d better be there.

14 Clark: I’ll be there as soon as I finish this article. Unless…

15 Lois: Unless there’s an "emergency." At least try to call if you’re going to be late.

PAGE EIGHT - 6 PANELS

[8.1] ALL PANELS ON THIS PAGE ARE FROM THE SAME PERSPECTIVE. THE PERSPECTIVE IS FROM THE FRONT EDGE OF CLARK’S DESK. THE EXIT CAN BE SEEN IN THE BACKGROUND. LOIS AND CLARK ARE KISSING EACH OTHER GOODBYE. [V]

1 Clark: I’ll try…

2 Lois: I know. I love you.

3 Clark: I love you too.

[8.2] LOIS IS WALKING OUT, ABOUT HALFWAY TO THE DOOR, CLARK’S HEAD IS TURNED TO LOOK AT HER. THE PHONE BEGINS TO RING. IT’S A NEWER MODEL SO IT HAS AN ELECTRONIC RING.[V]

4 Clark (WH): Clark Kent, how did you ever get so lucky?

5 FX: Beep Beep

[8.3] CLARK IS HOLDING THE PHONE TO HIS EAR BY SQUEEZING IT BETWEEN HIS HEAD AND SHOULDER, LEAVING HIS HANDS FREE TO TYPE. THEY ARE CLACKING AWAY, HE STILL HAS A GRIN ON HIS FACE. [V]

6 FX: Klak Klak Klak

7 Clark: Clark Kent. … Yes, I know Superman …

[8.4] HE STOPS TYPING AND HIS FACE TAKES ON A SOMBER EXPRESSION. [V]

8 Clark: … leukemia, I see. …. Which room? …

9 Clark: Yes, I’ll make sure he gets the message. … No need to thank me. … Goodbye.

[8.5] CLARK HANGS UP THE PHONE. [V]

10 FX: Click

[8.6] CLARK BEGINS TO STAND UP AND LOOSEN HIS TIE. [V]

PAGE NINE – 5 PANELS

[9.1] A SHOT OF MINDI’S HOSPITAL ROOM. MINDI IS THE FOCUS. MINDI IS STILL LAYING IN HER BED, THOUGH NOW VERY AWAKE AND ANXIOUS. THOUGH SHE STILL LOOKS VERY WEAK FOR ALL HER ENTHUSIASM. VIRGINIA IS SITTING AT HER BEDSIDE, HOLDING HER HAND. THE HANDS OF ROBERT, CAN BE SEEN ON VIRGINIA’S SHOULDERS. [S]

1 Mindi: So do you really think he’ll come, Mom?

2 Virginia: I don’t know, honey. I’m sure he’ll come if he can.

3 Mindi: He’ll be here. I know he will.

[9.2] A SHOT THAT CENTERS ON MINDI AS SHE TURNS IN SURPRISE TO THE SOUND. HER FACE LIGHTS UP. [S]

4 FX (OP): Tap Tap

5 Superman (OP): Can I come in?

[9.3] WIDE PANEL. SUPERMAN IS CLIMBING IN THE WINDOW. HE IS SHAKING MINDI’S HAND AND SHE IS UTTERLY BEAMING. THE SHOT ISOLATES SUPERMAN AND MINDI. VIRGINIA CAN BE SEEN ON THE EDGE, BUT NOT FULLY. [H]

6 Superman: You must be Mindi. You’re even prettier than your Dad said you would be.

7 Superman: Your Mom and Dad said that you wanted to go flying with me. Is that right?

8 Mindi: Y-yes.

9 Superman: I think that can be arranged.

[9.4] SUPERMAN STANDS UP AND STARTS REMOVING HIS CAPE. HE IS LOOKING DOWN AT MINDI, WHO IS TURN STILL LOOKING UP AT HIM, HER EYES FULL OF AWE. [H]

10 Superman: Now I’m going to wrap you in my cape so you won’t get cold. Okay?

11 Mindi: Okay.

[9.5] A SHOT OF SUPERMAN STANDING IN FRONT OF THE WINDOW. HE HAS MINDI, WHO’S HEAD IS THE ONLY THING VISIBLE FROM THE CAPE WRAPPING, IN HIS ARMS. [V]

12 Superman: I’ll be sure to have her back before midnight, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert.

13 Mindi: Bye Mommy. Bye Daddy.

PAGE TEN - 2 PANELS

[10.1] WIDE PANEL, HALF PAGE. THE SHOT IS FROM OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL. THE WINDOW TO MINDI’S ROOM IS NEAR THE UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER. VERTICALLY, TWO STORIES BELOW MINDI’S WINDOW FIT IN THE PANEL. MULTIPLE IMAGES SHOW SUPERMAN TUMBLING OUT FROM THE WINDOW BACKWARDS LIKE A DIVER OFF A BOAT, THEN SPEED LINES SHOW HIM FALLING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PANEL WHERE THE SECOND IMAGE SHOWS HIM RIGHTING HIMSELF AND FLYING OUT FROM THE BUILDING, AND THE THIRD IMAGE SHOWS IN THE FAR RIGHT CORNER OF THE PANEL TAKING UP THE FOREGROUND. SUPERMAN’S HAIR IS WHIPPING IN THE WIND. MINDI LOOKS LIKE SHE’S ON THE BEST ROLLER COASTER IN THE WORLD, HER ARMS CLUTCHED TIGHTLY AROUND SUPERMAN’S NECK. MINDI’S EXCLAMATION CAN BE SEEN IN BALLOONS AT ALL THREE LOCATIONS. [H]

1 Superman: Hope you’re not scared of heights.

2 Mindi: No waaaaaaaaaaa

3 Mindi: aaaaaaaa

4 Mindi: aaaaaaaay!

[10.2] WIDE PANEL, HALF PAGE. AN OVERHEAD SHOT OF THE TWO OF THEM FLYING OVER METROPOLIS. A GREAT DEAL OF THE SKYLINE IS VISIBLE, INCLUDING MOST OF THE MAJOR LANDMARKS, ALL LIT UP FOR THE EVENING. [H]

5 Mindi: I’m flying! I’m flying!

PAGE ELEVEN – 4 PANELS

[11.1] A SHOT FROM OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL OF ROBERT AND VIRGINIA LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW. ROBERT HAS HIS ARM AROUND HER. [V]

1 Robert: I can’t believe he actually came.

2 Virginia: She never doubted it.

[11.2] A MEDIUM CLOSE-UP OF MINDI AND SUPERMAN. THEY ARE BOTH LOOKING DOWN. MINDI STILL HAS THAT "WOW" EXPRESSION ON HER FACE. SUPERMAN’S LEFT HAND CAN BE SEEN POINTING OUT THE OFF-PANEL SKYLINE. [V]

3 Superman: Look! There’s the Daily Planet and over there is the GBS building, and down there is Centennial Park.

4 Mindi: It’s so pretty…

[11.3] A LONG SHOT WITH PERSPECTIVE STRAIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM. SUPERMAN IS LOOKING AT HER AND SMILING. [V]

4 Superman: I thought you would like it.

[11.4] WIDE PANEL. A SHOT OF SUPERMAN AND MINDI FLYING BY LUTHOR’S OFFICE AT LEXCORP. LEX IS SITTING WITH HIS BACK TO THE WINDOW. HE IS WRITING SOMETHING AT HIS DESK AND DOESN’T LOOK UP WHEN SUPERMAN PASSES BY. HIS TWO BODYGUARDS, MERCY AND HOPE ARE FLANKING HIM ON EITHER SIDE. [H]

5 Luthor: Was that the alien?

6 Mercy: Yes, sir.

7 Luthor: Have someone fired.

8 Mercy: Right away, sir.

PAGE TWELVE – 5 PANELS

[12.1] WIDE PANEL. A FRONT PERSPECTIVE OF SUPERMAN AND MINDI FLYING. THE THEY ARE JUST BELOW ROOFTOP LEVEL, FLYING THROUGH THE STREETS IN THE CORRIDORS FORMED BY THE SKYSCRAPERS. THERE SHOULD BE A BIT OF AIR TRAFFIC, PERHAPS A HELICOPTER OR A JET PASSING OVERHEAD. THE LEXCORP TOWER CAN BE SEE RIGHT BEHIND THEM. [H]

1 Mindi: Everything looks so small from up here.

2 Superman: I suppose we could get a bit closer if you want.

3 Mindi: Yeah!

[12.2] SHOT MOVES IN ON SUPERMAN AND MINDI. SUPERMAN TURNS HIS HEAD AS HE SPEAKS. [H]

4 Superman: Ok. Hold on.

[12.3] SAME ANGLE. A MOTION LINE SHOWS SUPERMAN HEADING DOWN, OFF THE PANEL. THE EDGE OF HIS CAPE CAN STILL BE SEEN IN THE BOTTOM OF THE PANEL. [H]

[12.4] WIDE PANEL. SHOT FROM THE SIDE OF A BUSY METROPOLIS STREET. SUPERMAN AND MINDI ARE BUZZING IT AT ABOUT NINE FEET. MINDI HAS HER HANDS OVER HER EYES BUT IS PEAKING THROUGH HER FINGERS. SUPERMAN IS REALLY ENJOYING THIS MOMENT AS WELL. MOST EVERYONE LOOKS UP TO THE SKY IN WONDER. JIMMY OLSEN IS ALSO WALKING DOWN THIS STREET TALKING TO THE WOMAN FROM THE PLANET OFFICES. SHE IS IGNORING HIM. ALL THE LIGHT COME FROM THE AMPLE NUMBER OF STREET LAMPS, MAKING IT LOOK MORE LIKE DUSK THAN NIGHT. [H]

5 Crowd: --Look--

6 Crowd: --Superman --

7 Crowd: --Incredible --

8 Crowd: --Never seen ‘im this close—

9 Superman: Is this better?

[12.5] A LOW ANGLE SHOT FROM STREET LEVEL OF THE BUSY METROPOLIS STREET. SUPERMAN AND MINDI ARE FLYING ALMOST DIRECTLY OVERHEAD OF THE PERSPECTIVE. [H]

10 Mindi: Are you sure we’re not going to hit anything?

11 Supreman: Positive. I have something I want to show you.

PAGE THIRTEEN – 3 PANELS

[13.1] WIDE PANEL. SUPERMAN FLOATS DOWN TO THE TOP OF THE DAILY PLANET GLOBE. ONLY THE TOP HALF OF THE GLOBE IS VISIBLE. THE LIGHT SOURCE IS FROM THE OFF-PANEL BOTTOM OF THE GLOBE. STILL, IT IS FAIRLY BRIGHT AT THE TOP. THE WIND IS FLUTTERING THE ENDS OF THE CAPE/BLANKET AROUND. [H]

1 Superman: This is where I come when I want to think, plus it has the best view in town.

[13.2] SUPERMAN AND MINDI ARE SITTING ON TOP OF THE PLANET GLOBE, THEIR FEET DANGLING OFF THE EDGE. SUPERMAN ON THE RIGHT, MINDI ON THE LEFT. MINDI IS TUCKED TOTALLY INTO THE CAPE. THE ONLY VISIBLE PART IS HER HEAD. HE HAS HIS ARM AROUND HER. THEIR HEADS ARE TURNED TO LOOK AT EACH OTHER. [S]

2 Superman: Did you enjoy flying?

3 Mindi: Yeah! My friend Brad said he went flying once and got sick and threw up all over the guy next to him. I didn’t feel sick once!

4 Superman: That’s good. These capes cost a fortune to dry-clean.

[13.3] FIGURES ARE IN SAME POSITION AS 13.2 [S]

5 Superman: So why don’t you tell me about yourself.

6 Mindi: You want to hear about me?

7 Superman: Of course I do.

8 Mindi: Wow. Okay.

PAGE FOURTEEN – 5 PANELS

[14.1] A MEDIUM CLOSE-UP ON MINDI. SHE HAS A WISTFUL LOOK ON HER FACE AS SHE RECALLS OLD MEMORIES. [V]

1 Mindi: I’m seven years old, I have a dog named Scrickets and cat named Tiger.

2 Mindi: My best friends from school are Brad and Jill and Meghan. We used to play together all the time.

[14.2] THE SAME ANGLE AS BEFORE. HER FACE GROWS A LITTLE SAD. [V]

3 Mindi: Brad and I were going to get married, but once I got sick he decided he wanted to marry Jill.

[14.3] THE SHOT PULLS OUT TO SHOW MINDI AND SUPERMAN SHE IS LOOKING DOWN, NERVOUSLY. [H]

4 Mindi: Are you and Wonder Woman married?

[14.4] A MEDIUM CLOSE-UP ON SUPERMAN’S FACE. HE IS SORT OF HALF-CHUCKLING. [V]

5 Superman: No, we’re just good friends.

[14.5] WIDE PANEL. THE SHOT AGAIN PULLS OUT TO SHOW THE TWO OF THEM. MINDI NOW HAS HER FACE UPTURNED TOWARDS SUPERMAN EXPECTANTLY. [H]

6 Mindi: Then would you marry me?

PAGE FIFTEEN – 5 PANELS

[15.1] A CLOSE-UP ON SUPERMAN. IF ANYTHING, HIS CHEERFUL SMIRK HAS GOTTEN WIDER. [V]

1 Superman: Maybe when you’re older. And call me Clark.

2 Superman: That’s what all my best friends call me.

[15.2] A MEDIUM SHOT. SUPERMAN HAS A MOCK STERN EXPRESSION AND IS POINTING AT MINDI. MINDI IMITATES SUPERMAN’S EXPRESSION. [H]

3 Superman: Only you have to promise never to tell anyone else.

4 Mindi: I won’t tell anybody. Promise!

[15.3] WIDE PANEL. SAME PERSPECTIVE. SUPERMAN RESUMES HIS HAPPY DEMEANOR, WHILE MINDI STAYS SOMEWHAT THOUGHTFUL. [H]

5 Superman: Anymore questions?

6 Mindi: Yeah…

[15.4] A CLOSE UP ON SUPERMAN’S FACE. HE IS BOTH SHOCKED AND SADDENED. SORT OF THE LOOK YOU GET WHEN YOU HEAR YOUR DOG HAS BEEN RUN OVER. [V]

7 Mindi (OP): …When I die, will I be able to come back like you did?

[15.5] AN OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT FROM MINDI. SHE IS REACHING UP TOWARD’S SUPERMAN’S FACE. HE HAS TURNED AWAY, THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS FACE OBSCURED IN SHADOW. [H]

9 Superman: No, honey, you can’t.

PAGE SIXTEEN – 5 PANELS

[16.1] REVERSE SHOT FROM 15.5. ON MINDI. [S]

1 Mindi: Why?

[16.2] MEDIUM SHOT OF THE TWO OF THEM FROM THE FRONT. SUPERMAN IS NOW LOOKING AT MINDI. THERE IS A DEEP AMOUNT OF SORROW IN HIS EYES, THOUGH HE TRIES TO HIDE IT. [S]

2 Superman: I really don’t know why. Things were just… different for me than for other people. I wish I could tell you why -- but I can’t.

[16.3] WIDE PANEL. A MEDIUM LONG SHOT. BOTH OF THEM ARE FEELING DEPRESSED NOW. MINDI IS HANGING HER HEAD. [H]

3 Mindi: It’s just that I’m scared…

4 Superman: Everyone is.

5 Mindi: Even you?

6 Superman: Even me.

[16.4] A SHOT OF SUPERMAN TURNING MINDI TO FACE HIM, HOLDING HER BY THE SHOULDERS. HE IS LOOKING STRAIGHT INTO HER EYES. [S]

7 Superman: But you don’t have to be afraid. Death isn’t the end; it’s the beginning of something new.

[16.5] A MEDIUM CLOSE-UP ON SUPERMAN. [S]

8 Superman: I don’t know for sure what that something is, but I know it’s there.

PAGE SEVENTEEN – 5 PANELS

[17.1] A HIGH ANGLE SHOT ON MINDI. [V]

1 Mindi: I’m still scared.

[17.2] MEDIUM SHOT OF THE TWO OF THEM. SUPERMAN IS NOW HUGGING MINDI CLOSE TO HIS CHEST. SHE HAS HER ARMS AROUND HIM AS WELL. [H]

2 Superman: I know. I know. It’ll be okay.

[17.3] SAME ANGLE. [S]

[17.4] A MEDIUM CLOSE UP ON SUPERMAN. THE TOP OF MINDI’S HEAD IS VISIBLE. [S]

9 Superman: It’s getting late. We had better start heading back.

[17.5] WIDE PANEL. AN OVERHEAD SHOT AS SUPERMAN HAS MINDI IN HIS ARMS AND BEGINS TO TAKE OFF. MINDI AGAIN PUTS HER ARM’S AROUND SUPERMAN’S NECK. SUPERMAN HAS HIS ARM RAISED AND HIS FACE LOOKING TOWARDS THE SKY. THE DAILY PLANET GLOBE CAN BE SEEN BELOW THEM.[S]

9 Mindi: Can we fly over the park again?

10 Superman: Sure, though we better hurry because your Mom and Dad…

PAGE EIGHTEEN– 5 PANELS

[18.1] WIDE PANEL. SUPERMAN AND MINDI FLY IN THROUGH THE HOSPITAL WINDOW. BOTH PARENTS LOOK AT THEM WITH JOYOUS SURPRISE. [H]

1 Superman: … Will be expecting us.

2 Mindi: Hi Mom. Hi Dad.

[18.2] SUPERMAN IS TUCKING MINDI BACK INTO BED. SHE IS HOLDING THE CAPE UP TO HIM. [S]

3 Mindi: Here’s your cape back.

4 Superman: You keep it. I’ve got plenty more.

[18.3] MEDIUM CLOSE-UP ON MINDI AS SHE LOOKS AT THE CAPE WITH AWE. [S]

5 Mindi: This is so cool.

[18.4] A MEDIUM SHOT. THE TWO PARENTS ARE HOLDING EACH. SUPERMAN PUTS HIS ARM ON VIRGINIA’S SHOULDER. [H]

6 Robert: How can we ever thank you…

7 Superman: By never forgetting her.

[18.5] A MEDIUM LONG SHOT OF SUPERMAN STANDING IN FRONT OF THE WINDOW, WAVING GOODBYE. [V]

8 Superman: Goodbye, Mindi.

PAGE NINETEEN – 4 PANELS

[19.1] A SHOT OF MINDI’S BED FROM SUPERMAN’S POV AT THE WINDOW. ROBERT AND VIRGINIA ARE STANDING BY HER BED, ROBERT HAS MINDI’S HAND IN HIS. MINDI IS CLUTCHING SUPERMAN’S CAPE WITH THE OTHER HAND AND USING TO WAVE GOODBYE. [H]

1 Mindi: Bye Cla—I mean, Superman!

[19.2] A REVERSE SHOT ON SUPERMAN. A CLOSE-UP AS HE DOES HIS FAMOUS WINK. [V]

2 Superman: You be good.

[19.3] WIDE PANEL. THE SHOT COMES FROM OUTSIDE THE WINDOW, APROXIMATELY THE SAME ANGLE AS FROM 5.1. SUPERMAN FLIES OUT THE WINDOW AND UP INTO THE SKY. INSIDE, MINDI STARTS TELLING HER PARENTS OF HER ADVENTURES. [H]

3 Mindi: You should seen it! We flew all over the city! Then we sat on the Daily Planet and he said that he would marry me and…

[19.4] WIDE PANEL. A LOW ANGLE SHOT FROM ABOVE THE FOOT OF MINDI’S BED. MINDI IS STILL TALKING AWAY, THOUGH SHE LOOKS NOTICEABLY WEAKER. ROBERT IS HOLDING MINDI’S HAND WHILE VIRGINIA IS CARESSING MINDI’S FACE. [S]

4 Mindi: …We were flying real fast but I wasn’t cold at all because he wrapped me up in his cape …

5 Virginia: We know. We love you so much.

6 Mindi: I love you too…

PAGE TWENTY – 4 PANELS

[20.1] WIDE PANEL. THE INTERIOR OF THE KENTS’ APARTMENT. LOIS IS FINISHING A PLATE OF BEEF BOURGUIGNON. ANOTHER PLATE IS LAID OUT OPPOSITE HER. CANDLES ON THE TABLE MELTED DOWN ALMOST TO THE QUICK PROVIDE THE ONLY LIGHT IN THE APARTMENT. LOIS IS DREARILY PICKING AT HER PLATE. [H]

1 Lois: Mom always told me to marry an accountant. But no, Lois Lane had to have a superhero.

[20.2] A MEDIUM SHOT OF LOIS AT THE TABLE AS WIND FLUTTERS HER HAIR AND BLOWS OUT THE FLAMES ON THE CANDLES. [S]

2 Lois: Given that unseasonal gust of wind, I would guess that Mr. Can’t-find-a-phone-to-call-his-wife just got home.

[20.3] SAME ANGLE AS LOIS TURNS HER HEAD TO THE RIGHT AND A LOOK OF CONCERN COMES OVER HER FACE. [S]

3 Lois: Clark, what’s wrong?

[20.4] WIDE PANEL. A MEDIUM-LONG SHOT OF SUPERMAN STANDING IN FRONT OF THE OPEN WINDOW OF THE KENTS’ APARTMENT. HE IS TOTALLY OBSCURED BY SHADOWS AND HIS FEATURES CANNOT BE SEEN. HIS HEAD IS SOMEWHAT DOWN. [H]

3 Superman: A little girl is going to die. And there’s nothing I can do to save her.

PAGE TWENTY-ONE – 5 PANELS

[21.1] A MEDIUM SHOT OF LOIS WALKING TOWARDS WHERE CLARK WOULD BE. [V]

1 Lois: What are you talking about? What little girl?

[21.2] A CLOSE UP ON CLARK’S FACE. [H]

2 Superman: Her name is Mindi. She has leukemia. She wanted to know why she couldn’t come back to life like I did.

3 Superman: I didn’t know what to tell her.

[21.3] WIDE PANEL. A MEDIUM SHOT OF LOIS CARRESSING CLARK’S CHEEK. [H]

4 Lois: Clark, you can’t blame yourself for this. You did all you could. You can’t beat death.

[21.4] MEDIUM SHOT AS SUPERMAN TAKES LOIS’ HAND IN HIS AND BRINGS IT DOWN TO HIS CHEST. [S]

5 Superman: That’s just it Lois -- I have.

[21.5] MEDIUM CLOSE-UP ON SUPERMAN. [S]

6 Superman: I’ve died and come back to life. I’ve been to a future where I’m still alive 800,000 years from now.

7 Superman: I’ve beaten death, I just can’t help anyone else to.

PAGE TWENTY-TWO – 4 PANELS

[22.1] A MEDIUM CLOSE WHOSE PERSPECTIVE IS TO SUPERMAN’S LEFT. LOIS IS TALKING TO HIM, BUT HE IS TURNING TO LOOK OVER HIS SHOULDER LIKE HEARS SOMETHING BEHIND HIM. [S]

1 Lois: Clark, you can’t think like that…

[22.2] SAME ANGLE. ONLY NOW SUPERMAN IS MORE TURNED AROUND AND HE IS LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW. HE IS SQUINTING AS IF LOOKING AT SOMETHING FAR AWAY. LOIS IS LOOKING AT HIM INQUISITIVELY. [S]

2 Lois: Clark…

[22.3] WIDE PANEL. A SHOT OF THE HOSPITAL ROOM. DR. HEINLEIN IS PULLING THE SHEET OVER MINDI’S HEAD. EVERYONE IN THE ROOM IS VERY SOMBER. THE HERBERTS ARE HOLDING EACH OTHER AND CRYING. [H]

[22.4] WIDE PANEL. A CLOSE UP ON SUPERMAN. A SINGLE TEAR RUNS OUT OF HIS EYE. LOTS OF SHADOW PLAY ON HIS FACE. [H]

3 Superman: She’s gone.