I'll throw my nickel or so in here:
Risked the wrath of my IT department today (they track which web sites we visit, and I'm certain this one is not on their approved site list!) and scanned quickly thru it at work.
The subconscious mind never forgets.
What came first, the chicken or the egg?
Knowing they're going to end up together at some level, even subconsciously, is a self-fulfilling prophecy!
I see that Andrus first appears in "Meet John Doe" and I thought it was hysterical, the first meeting between him and Tempus:
ANDRUS
Citizen Tempus? I am Andrus.
Utopian Peace Keeper.
TEMPUS
No? _Really_?
ANDRUS
I have a warrant for your
extradition. I will recite from (X)
the list of charges: Citizen
Tempus, for crimes against
humanity, vicious deeds
TEMPUS
... blatant disregard for human
life. Blah, blah, blah. Can we
_go_?
Andrus raises something that look like a TV remote, zaps it
and now a FAUX TEMPUS materializes -- a perfect double for
Tempus.
ANDRUS
I leave in your place this
replicant... a synthetic Tempus,
who shall keep the people of this
primitive time from asking
questions better left unanswered.
TEMPUS
Oh, god -- it's all starting to
come back to me ... they all talk
like you in the future, don't they?
Well -- let's get it over with.
The Faux Tempus takes Tempus' place. Tempus and Andrus step
into the Time Window. They both stand there, regarding each
other... and just before the window disappears, Tempus seems
to spot something behind Andrus --
TEMPUS (CONT'D)
Oh, look -- what's that?
Andrus turns his head and -- BAM!, Tempus clubs him on the
back of the head. Andrus drops to Tempus' feet -- just as
the WINDOW COLLAPSES and both Tempus and Andrus disappear
along with the window. Off the slack-jawed Barrett ...
Ah yes, he was destined to be a klutz.
And we know that Lois and Clark will meet Andrus again:
Clark registers recognition. Lois appears on the stairs,
looks at Andrus.
(CONTINUED)
--page break-- "Meet John Doe" (#14) FULL Blue 12/19/96 48.
47 CONTINUED: 47
LOIS
Ohmygod... you're...
ANDRUS
My name is Andrus. I'm from the
future. And I need your help...
48 INT. TOWNHOUSE - LATER 48
Lois and Clark sit with Andrus.
ANDRUS
I can't tell you what an honor it
is to meet you. You two.... You (X)
don't know how many people your
lives have touched. If it weren't
for you two, there would be no
Utopia. Whole generations would
never have had a chance. Men of (X)
peace such as myself wouldn't (X)
exist as leaders. Yes my world
is extraordinary. A true Utopia. (X)
The world your love made possible. (X)
Lois takes Clark's hand.
ANDRUS (CONT'D)
But now both our worlds are in
danger. Yours and mine. I've been
naive, I'm afraid. Thinking that
since Tempus is a Utopian held see
reason... but Tempus sees nothing
but himself.
CLARK
I'll do whatever I can to help.
ANDRUS
Good.
Andrus produces his Time Window...
ANDRUS (CONT'D)
I have the means to take Tempus
back -- but not the strength. That
much is clear. Will you come with
me to the future, Superman? Help
return Tempus to justice?
Of Course, Clark says "yes"
And later, more screw-ups:
ANDRUS
Have you nothing to say? No
remorse?
TEMPUS
What would you have me say?
ANDRUS
It's just as well -- Superman?
Superman takes Tempus by the arm. Tempus offers no
resistance. Superman steps with him into the SWIRLING TIME
VORTEX...Andrus is about to follow....but reacts as the (X)
Tempus with Superman DISAPPEARS, like a TV being shut off. (X)
And in that split second -- the door bursts open and (X)
there's Lois, pushing past Secret Service men -- (X)
ANDRUS
What? No! That was the
replicant! (X)
LOIS
Superman!
The DRAFT from the door blows the draped cover from the
object where Tempus was sitting ... it's the statue of the
RAISED FIST from Clark's dream ... and the symbol of Tempus'
reign. Superman sees that. He tries to break free of the (X)
window, but can't as -- (X)
SUPERMAN
Lois! Get out! Get out now!
--page break-- "Meet John Doe" (#14) Pink Rev. 12/20/96 52.
55 THE REAL TEMPUS 55
emerges from an adjoining room. (X)
TEMPUS
No. Let her through -- she should
see this.
Lois stumbles into the room. The Secret Service guys pull
the door shut. Tempus shoves Andrus aside. (X)
56 TEMPUS 56
raises his hands, reaching for the frame of the Time
Window...
57 ANDRUS 57
lifts his head, reacts in horror.
ANDRUS
No! If he touches the window
Superman is doomed!
LOIS
Clark!
Tempus lays his hands on the frame of the Time Window -- it (X)
begins to break apart, the VORTEX no longer being contained.
SUPERMAN
Lois!
Superman, caught in the time vortex, reaches out to Lois --
their hands touch. It's the dream, alright, but now it's
really happening ...
Now the AIR SHIMMERS, THICKENS with an electrical force as
the energy from the Time Window starts to implode on itself.
57A SUPERMAN'S POV 57A
of Lois disappearing from Superman's view as... (X)
LOIS
Clark
--page break-- "Meet John Doe" (#14) FULL Blue 12/19/96 53.
57B TIME WINDOW 57B
as it implodes, sucking everything in the room forward for
an instant, then blowing it all back. Everyone and
everything is flung against the four corners of the room.
Absolute stillness. Superman is gone.
Tempus shakes his head, sits up. He stands, brushes himself
off.
TEMPUS
Time to get on with the country's
work.
He exits, cackling. Lois crawls over to Andrus, shakes him.
He opens his eyes, looks at her.
LOIS
Where is he? Where is he?!
ANDRUS
Gone.
LOIS
What do you mean gone?
ANDRUS
He travelled into time without the
window... he's in eternity, now.
LOIS
You have to help me get him back --
But he's suddenly wincing, then a look of utter peace comes
over him.
ANDRUS
I feel... strange... it's not
unpleasant...
(he looks at her)
Everything's changing. I... I no
longer... exist...
And now he VANISHES. Lois just stares, then looks to the
room, devastated as the awful reality sinks in...
Now, one
has to ask the question: why did Andrus disappear, but not Tempus? Is Andrus a family member??? HMMMMMMM
Now, Nan has her Lori Lyons series, and now we can have your series: the "Utopia" series, which begins with WTWFO, part 2 is = In a Better Place, and part 3 could be: Silas and Petal: The New Adventures of Superman X (insert the correct Roman Numeral here).
Since you have brought these future characters alive to us FOLCs, we need MORE. Does Madge end up dating Tempus? Does Andrus get his due? How long does it take for him to find Wells in the locker? How long does Petal string poor love-struck Silas along before admitting her attraction to him?
The possibilities are ENDLESS.
Wonderful, uncharted territory. I'm going to have read those message boards more thoroughly from now on. Apparently there are lots of story ideas out there.
I don't think we actually need to vote for the best story in 2005. It's a done deal!
