Donner's Superman 2

Superman II
The Richard Donner version

Scenes 452 - 461, "Diner humiliation"

452 EXT. CANADA ROAD - NIGHT

A rented car speeds quickly down a northern Canadian highway.

453 INT. CAR - NIGHT

CLARK drives. LOIS sits next to him. There is an uncomfortable tension, an uneasiness between them. CLARK looks over at her. LOIS catches his eye, flashes a nervous smile.

CLARK
(pause)
All right, Lois - what is it? I'm supposed to be the shy one, remember?

LOIS
(guilt pouring out)
It's just that I'm... well, how would you feel if you'd robbed the rest of the world of... I mean if it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have...

CLARK
(quietly)
I didn't do it for you. Lois, I did it for us.

CLARK smiles, reaches over, takes her hand.

454 EXT. DINER - DAY

CLARK pulls the car off the highway into the parking area of a seedy-looking diner with a neon hot dog flashing on and off in front and the sign: DON'S BIG SLED DOGS. Several trucks are parked in the lot as well.

455 INT. DINER - DAY

CLARK and LOIS enter. A T.V. plays noisily in B.G. The counter is almost empty.

CLARK
(to LOIS)
I'm going to wash up. Grab us a couple of seats there.

CLARK exits. LOIS crosses, sits on the end stool. She picks up a menu, studies it, as a huge, burly TRUCKER enters, spots her, intentionally sits next to her, cutting LOIS off from the rest of the counter.

LOIS
I'm sorry, that seat's taken.

TRUCKER
It is now...
(to COUNTERMAN)
Coffee and a doughnut.
(to LOIS)
How'd you like for me to buy you a little breakfast, honey?

LOIS
How'd you like to blow up your pants?

CLARK comes up from behind, has heard.

CLARK
(to TRUCKER)
Excuse me. That's my seat.

The TRUCKER looks over at the Men's Room, then back at CLARK.

TRUCKER
You've just been sittin' on your seat, four-eyes.

CLARK
(pause - tense)
I think maybe somebody ought to teach you some manners.

TRUCKER
Yeah? Well you let me know when he comes in.

LOIS
Clark... it doesn't matter... we can move...

CLARK
(determined - to TRUCKER)
Do you... ah... want to step outside?

The TRUCKER rises. He's big. He pauses a moment.

TRUCKER
I don't mind...

The TRUCKER uncoils a tremendous right hand.

456 EXT. DINER - DAY

CLARK goes flying through a plate glass door, shattering it, lands in a heap on the ground. The TRUCKER is already on him. CLARK tries to get up, is immediately knocked down again. LOIS rushes through the doorway to help, but is unceremoniously flung off to the side. Feeling new rage, CLARK rises, rushes the TRUCKER, actually gets in a punch or two, but is cut to pieces by a series of expert combinations. CLARK falls to the ground, exhausted, his face cracked and bleeding, feebly tries to get up once more.

TRUCKER
You don't know when to lie down, do you, buddy?...

The TRUCKER kicks CLARK in the ribs - he collapses. With a sneer at LOIS, the TRUCKER heads off for his rig. LOIS rises, her eyes filling with tears, tries to help CLARK up.

LOIS
Oh, Clark... Clark... look at you...

CLARK tries to smile feebly through the blood, deeply embarrassed, bitter.

CLARK
What's... the line? I... guess I just didn't know my own strength?...

LOIS
It's all right, Clark. You don't have to prove...

A trickle of blood runs over his mouth. He wipes it away with a finger, inadvertently tasting it, stares at the stain on his hands.

CLARK
(stunned)
Blood... my... blood...

LOIS
Let's get you inside...

She helps him to his feet. He stands unsteadily, looks at her, ashamed.

CLARK
(bitter)
Maybe we ought to hire a bodyguard from now on.

LOIS
(deeply felt)
I don't want a bodyguard. I want the man I fell in love with.

CLARK
I know that, Lois. And I wish he were here...

CLARK turns, staggers in the direction of the diner. LOIS puts her arm around him, helps him inside.

457 INT. DINER - DAY

LOIS helps CLARK back to the counter, starts to clean his face, dipping paper napkins in a water glass.

LOIS
Boy, what a mess...

Suddenly - the loud television cuts off: After momentary static, a somber VOICE is heard.

T.V. VOICE
Ladies and gentlemen - the President of the United States.

CLARK, LOIS and the COUNTERMAN turn, listen.

458 ANGLE ON TV SCREEN

The worried PRESIDENT sits behind his desk, reads from a prepared statement, the paper trembling in his hands.

PRESIDENT
This is the President. On behalf of my country, and in the name of the other leaders of the world with whom I have today consulted, I hereby abdicate all authority and control over this planet ... to General Zod.

459 ANGLE ON CLARK AND LOIS

CLARK and LOIS sit watching, frozen in disbelief.

460 BACK TO TV SCREEN

PRESIDENT'S VOICE
Only through strict compliance with his directions will the lives of innocent millions be...
(sudden desperation)
Superman, if you can hear me... Superman, where...

There is a "squawk" as the mike is taken from him. ZOD comes on screen, sneers at the PRESIDENT.

ZOD
Who is this... Superman?

PRESIDENT
You'll find out, General! And when you do...

ZOD
(raging into camera)
Come to me, Superman! If you dare! I defy you! Come! Come, and kneel before Zod!

461 BACK TO CLARK AND LOIS

The TV goes dead. CLARK is stunned.

CLARK
General Zod... here...
(to COUNTERMAN)
But when...

COUNTERMAN
When? Where the hell have you been, Mac?
(no reply)
How about that Superman, huh? He's great at stuff like putting out fires but when the real trouble comes, he splits.
(walks away)
I always thought he was a phony, anyway.

CLARK looks at LOIS desperately.

CLARK
I have to go back... to the Fortress...

LOIS
But what can you do? There's no way now...

CLARK
I have to try, dammit! Something, anything...

CLARK shuts his eyes, deeply troubled. LOIS looks up at him tenderly, cups his bruised cheek with her hand.

LOIS
Don't... it's not your fault... you didn't know...

CLARK
(looks up)
He knew. I heard him. I just didn't listen.

Sources:
1 -

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