FADE IN:


INT. DAILY PLANET – CLARK KENT'S DESK – DAY

CLARK KENT, glasses-wearing, mild-mannered journalist, types intensely. His screen shows a bold headline:

"OPERATION NIGHTSHADE: A CIA COVER-UP?"

LOIS LANE leans in, sipping coffee.

LOIS

Clark, this article could get you killed.

CLARK

Lois, the people deserve the truth!

Suddenly, the COFFEE MAKER behind them EXPLODES. Scalding coffee SPLASHES everywhere. Clark instinctively shields Lois.

When the steam clears, Clark’s shirt is soaked, but he’s fine.

CLARK

Huh. Maybe it was a pressure issue.

Lois eyes him suspiciously.


INT. CIA BLACK SITE – NIGHT

AGENT HENDERSON, seasoned and furious, watches live surveillance with AGENT RICHARDS, who sweats nervously.

AGENT HENDERSON

That coffee was laced with a micro-explosive! He should be missing his torso!