6.17 Paths

By &

As Lionel hangs to life by a thread Lex imagines his life without his father. Use of a faulty source threatens to cut Chloe’s journalism career short.

So we open with Chloe trying to get work done at the DP.

What? You two wrote a teaser without the two of you in it?

Lionel is in a coma.

And Lex... well Lex has plenty of reason to be happy this episode.

So we decided to be magnanimous for once.

Did I wake up in Bizzaro world?

Does Chloe Sullivan wear fishnets in Bizzaro world?

Chloe doesn't wear fishnets in Bizzaro world or any other world for that matter.

Chloe is trying to get work done.

But Oliver is there breaking her concentration. He congratulates her on her ground breaking story on the relocation of 33.1. He was positive Lex had basically shut it down. He goes on to lament that with most of Lex's assets tied up in Omega-Tech it's not going to hurt him financially nearly as much as it should.

Chloe counters that she'll settle for hurting his pride. Besides with Oliver working on an Omega-Tech buyout himself it's not like Lex is going to be a winner there either.

Oliver agrees. Chloe sighs heavily.

Oliver asks her what's wrong. It's the story of a lifetime. She should be excited.

There's one thing left to do before she can put the story to bed, get LuthorCorp's official response to the allegations. It means confronting Lois with the evidence.

When Oliver tells her he doesn't have any sympathy for someone who would stoop to publicly defending LuthorCorp Chloe gets pissy.

"I don't agree with what Lois is doing either but she's still my cousin and I still love her."

"She might not love you after you publish this story."

Chloe tells Oliver that no matter what happens between them she and Lois will always be there for each other.

"Like you are right now?"

"You better watch it. The only reason I'm going to this ball with you in the first place is Lois wanted someone there she could hang out with other than Lex."

I can't believe you're re-hashing the ball plot. Please tell me there are not going to be exploding robots.

You're in luck. No exploding robots, but Lex in rare form.

You mean competent?

Shut up, Kristen.

Oliver takes Chloe's hand and kisses it. Staring into her eyes," Maybe there is something I should be thankful to her about after all."

Chloe smiles and pulls her hand away, "And I'm going to have to put this story to bed tonight if I'm expected to be with you in Gotham tomorrow."

"In other words, go away?" Oliver picks up Chloe's coat for her. As he helps her slip it on, "Give your cousin my best."

End teaser.

We return with Martha sitting next to Lionel in his hospital room his hand in hers.

Yay, a Martha scene! But thins should have been the teaser!

Oh, geez. And I thought Clark in costume was going to be the worst part of this episode.

The costume is actually next episode.

Joy.

Annette gets to do a stirring little monologue about how she never got the chance to tell the magnificent bastard how much she cares about him.

Her thoughts are interrupted, "Hello, Mrs. Kent."

She looks up, almost embarrassed.

I know I'm embarrassed.

"Lex."

"I didn't realize you and my father were so... close."

Martha lets go of Lionel's hand. "I... um"

"It's OK, Mrs. Kent. I know first hand how easy it is to fall into his web of deception. Even after all these years he still has a way of making me want to believe his lies."

Martha is flabbergasted. "Lex, how could you say that about your own father? He may not know how to show it but he does love you. You're his son."

"Mrs. Kent, you more than anyone know that a loving bond between parent and child isn't created by shared blood. At best he saw me as a possible heir, and an unacceptable one at that. He never thought of me as a son."

"That's not true, Lex."

"My life would have been some much easier without him. I can see that clearly now, how perfectly everything comes together when he's not around to interfere."

Chastising, "Lex, how can you say that?"

"Give my regards to Clark, will you, Mrs. Kent?" Lex exits.

Cut to Lex's office. Lana and Lex meet with Mercy regarding their plot against Oliver.

Oliver has taken the bait is buying up Omega-Tech shares like there was no tomorrow.

By the time he figures out the company is just a shell Lex will have been able to sell off all his shares at a healthy profit allowing him to buy back an even higher level of ownership of LuthorCorp stock. Mercy informs Lex that unfortunately Lionel's old buddies to have noticed Lex dumping LuthorCorp. They see his diminished ownership as an open door for re-gaining control.

Lana is surprised. "Weren't they practically wiped out the last time? How could they raise that kind of money?"

Mercy says they're putting together a leveraged buyout.

Lex is pensive. He tells Mercy to keep a close eye on Lionel's partners. If he wants to sure up his control of LuthorCorp he might have to move out of Omega-Tech sooner than planned. "Even when he lies unconscious in the hospital he's still a thorn in my side!"

Dorm hallway. Lois tentatively knocks on the door.

We hear Clark's voice from on the other side, "Coming." He opens the door just a couple of inches. He seems surprised and nervous, "Lois."

Ha! I knew you couldn't do an episode without Clark! [Gets up and does a victory dance]

Shut up.

[Singing] I'm the episode! I'm in the episode!

Yeah, well there are only so many Martha scenes you can do before you have to have one with Clark.

And since we basically had to put you in one I figured why not do one more.

[Forms quotes with his hands] The Lori relationship has to progress.

Wait. I only have two scenes the whole episode?

Hey, like you said, you're not worried. Right?

Only two scenes?

But on the bright side at least you're getting shagged in one of them. She tries to push the door open but Clark holds it firm, "Clark I have a big favor to ask."

Shagged? Who's shagging Clark?

Quiet, Tom. Lori appears through the open door.

"Oh, Hi Lori!" Lois pauses, "You two weren't... busy... were you?"

Clark looks annoyed. Lori, however, is chipper, "Hi, Lois."

Clark makes a show of opening the door for Lois. Lori is revealed to be wearing one of Clark's man shirts and apparently little else. Lois, "You were busy."

Clark pipes up, "We went for a swim."

Lois, "Yeah, right. Hope you wore your swimming cap. Anyway, Lori could I borrow your boyfriend for a minute?"

Hope you wore your swimming cap? You don't seriously think the censors are going to let you get by with that do you?

Do censor's care about comic references to contraception?

I don't think they're going to care about that, Erica.

OK. Well, do you think I'm going to let you get by with such a lame line for Lois?

Seeing as how it's our episode.

And I seriously doubt you have five votes to overrule us...

Yes, I do think you're going to let us get by with it.

Finally even Lori seems a bit embarrassed, "Clark's not really my..."

"Great, thanks!" Lois grabs Clark by the arm and pulls him out in the hallway.

commerical break!

Jerking his head in Lori's direction, "Lois, can't you see I'm...." He stops.

Lois, "Busy?"

Clark rolls his eyes.

"This will just take a second. Lana and Chloe have a bloody billionaire on their arm for this stupid ball and I've got nobody."

Clark gives Lois a "get on with it" look.

"I should at least be able to score a good looking farm boy... as friends."

Trying to decline nicely, "Lois, I don't know that that's such a good idea. Isn't there anyone else?"

"Everyone else is busy. Come on, Clark. I'm completely out of options. Don't make me go alone."

"So I'm at the bottom of you list."

"I've seen you dance, Clark."

"Lois, I'm sorry..."

Lori slips out into the hallway, "I think it's a great idea, Clark." He gives her an "I can't believe you're getting me into this" look.

Lois smiles brightly and pats Clark on the chest. "Great! It's tomorrow night. And don't forget it's a costume ball." Walking away, "In Gotham. You've been on the corporate jet before, right?"

Seeing an escape, "Lois, I don't have a costume."

"I've got it covered, Smallville. See you then." To Lori, "I've have him back the next day, promise. And while they only booked one room don't worry. It's a suite. Clark can sleep on the couch."

"The couch?"

"You don't mind, do you? I'm sure it will be just as comfortable as one you used to sleep on at the farmhouse." Lois walks off.

Clark is playfully angry. Lori returns an innocent smile. "You didn't have a bed at home?"

"Not when Lois lived there."

Lori gives him a confused look.

"It's a long story."

As Lois turns the corner, "You two crazy kids get back to whatever you were doing."

"We were just...." Clark gives up and shakes his head. To Lori, "A costume ball with Lois Lane. You have no idea what you just got me into."

Teasing, "I'm sure I'll hear all about it when you get back. You'll bring back pictures, right?"

Annoyed, "I wonder if your clothes are dry yet."

So they didn't shag.

Maybe, maybe not. We'll leave it to the viewer's imagination. But in my imagination? They totally did.

Flirting, "You're not trying to get rid of me are you, Mr. Kent?" She pushes him back into his room and smiles devilishly before following. The door closes behind her.

And now they're going to shag again!

I've got to say I think I hate Lori.

Why? I think she's fun.

That's the problem. She's already more fun than Lana ever was.

She's more fun than anyone on this damn show.

I strenuously disagree. Lionel is loads of fun.

If you're into being poisoned, double crossed, mind fried, or blown up.

You just don't know a good time when you see it, do you Tom?

Chloe struts into Lois' office.

Struts? Since when does Chloe strut?

Since we wrote it that way.

I'm not strutting.

If it's in the script you are.

The hell I am!

Don't worry, I'll show you how to do it.

Michael does have a pretty good strut.

No!

It's to "Her Strut" by Bob Segar. If you don't strut it won't make sense. Why are you so difficult to work with?

Me?!?!

Allison, just last week you had a tirade about how Chloe is never recognized as being sexually attractive. Michael finally gives it to her and you have a cow?

There are better ways to acknowledge sexual attractiveness than having Chloe amble along to that misogynic song!

I think you've forgotten the lyrics.

I remember them just fine. MR & JG: [singing] Ooohhh, they do respect her b-u-u-t.... they love to watch her strut!

That's totally humiliating. John, I can't believe you're going along with this!

If you hadn't co-opted "Sexy and 17" from Stalemate...

The same episode you wanted an Oliver and Chloe inspired rendition of "Father figure?"

That might not have been my greatest moment.

Besides, she's meeting her cousin. What does playing "Her Strut" say about that?

Chlois, baby!

Gross. Please get over yourself.

Michael, that is gross.

[getting serious] Well if even Erica is offended then maybe it's out of bounds. I still want Chloe to strut.

No.

How about to Sheena Easton's "Strut"?

That's even worse! I said no.

You're such a killjoy. [To JG] Where were we going with this scene?

Lois is friendly but Chloe informs her it's a business call, not a social one.

[Singing] They love to watch her strut!

Michael, come on. It was barely funny the first time.

Surprised, "What's going on?"

Chloe hands over a few papers and tells Lois she's only there to get the official LuthorCorp comment.

Lois inspects them critically, "Where did you get these?"

"I can't reveal my sources. You know that. How does LuthorCorp respond to charges it never shut down the level 33.1 project?"

"Chloe, these documents, there's something fishy about them."

"Don't try to skirt the real issue here, Lois. This isn't easy because you're my cousin but I need a statement on Level 33.1."

"Chloe, this is as a friend and as your cousin, don't go with this story. I don't know who gave you this documentation but it's total crap."

Chloe informs Lois that she's made several checks into the documentation and every single one has born out.

"Like what? I bet I can give you a perfectly reasonable explanation for every single one."

Chloe hesitates.

"Are you going to at least tell me what you've got?"

"Lex is really starting to rub off on you, isn't he?"

Offended, "Chloe."

"You know this game as well as I do. I can't show you my hand."

"This is not a game. I'm serious. So you don't want to show your entire hand? Fine, name just one thing."

"Alright. Here." She points to the document in Lois' hand. "John Doe #5. He died from gene therapy experimentation trying to make humans more resistant to meteor rock exposure."

Lois whispers, "Chloe this is completely off the record, and I'm only telling you this because I care about you. That was a completely legal but highly top secret program sponsored by ARPA."

"The Advanced Research Projects Agency? Do you honestly believe Lex is going to tell you anything other than what he wants you to believe? The man is dead because Lex's goons pumped meteor rock directly into his blood stream."

Still whispering, almost ashamed, "It's not a pretty picture, Chloe, but it's the truth. I don't know where you got this document but it's wrong. The man was a volunteer and his family doesn't know anything about it because it was top secret."

"Lois, when are you going to face the fact that Lex will say or do whatever it takes to cover his tracks?"

"I know you've always thought of yourself as a hell of a lot smarter than me but I'm not a complete idiot, Chloe. You're not telling me anything I don't already know. I'm trying to look out for you. I know for a fact your information is wrong because..." Lois stops.

"Because what?"

"All I can tell you is if you go with this story it's going to blow up in your face. If you know what's good for you and your career you'll kill it and kill it now."

"Enough of the off the record stuff. What's LuthorCorp's response?"

"Chloe, don't do this."

"What is LuthorCorp's response?"

commerical break!

Lois rubs her forehead, exasperated, "No comment."

Self congratulatory, "As much as I expected. Thank you Lois." Chloe heads for the door.

[Singing] They love to watch her strut!

Michael!

Desperate, "Wait."

Chloe turns as if she expects Lois to finally rat out her employer. "Yes?"

"What if I could get you proof that everything you've dug up is above board? Would you drop the story?"

"If everything is legitimate I might not have choice. But there is no reason the government should be hiding experimentation with meteor rocks. That needs to be exposed whether it's legitimate or not. But the final decision would be up to my editor."

"Give me a day to give you what you need."

"And give Lex another day to cover his tracks? I don't think so. This story is going to bed tonight. You have..." Chloe looks at her watch, "six hours." Chloe leaves.

Lana walks into a gown shop and tells a woman she's there to pick up her dress. The woman asks her name and she replies, "Lang, Lana Lang."

"Oh, Hi, Lana!" It's Martha.

Another Martha scene! Yay!

Lana asks what Martha is doing there.

Martha explains she's there to pick up Lois' dress for the ball. Apparently there's yet another LuthorCorp emergency and Lois asked if Martha could pick up the gown for her.

Lana asks if Lois ever settled on someone to go with.

"She didn't tell you? She's going with Clark."

Lana is silent for a moment before she can muster, "How nice."

"They're going as friends."

Lana calms down a little.

"I take it you and Lex will be there?"

"Yes. Yes we will."

"It must be tough for him with his father in the hospital."

"Actually, Mrs. Kent, Lex and his father have never been on the best of terms."

Martha shakes her head. "I never understood why some people have the hardest time letting the people they love the most know how much they mean to them."

The irony is going to kill me. [Sarcastic] John, you and Michael are so talented with words.

Pipe down Keurik.

They bring out Lana's gown and the lady asks if she would like to try it on. As first Lana says no but Martha insists she wants to see Lana in it.

Let's not forget to film it so there's a glowing aura around Lana as she models it.

Martha is not the one in love with Lana. No aura is necessary.

I'm thinking we'll do the aura anyway.

Can we let bunch of doves fly off and play harp music in the background too?

How about an angelic choir in lieu of the harp?

OK.

Done.

Finally Lana cracks and smile and agrees to try on the dress. Much Lana pimpage follows.

Then back to the harsh reality of the real world. Lois has her head buried in her hands. She exhales slowly, mustering up courage. She buzzes her secretary.

"Yes, Ms. Lane?"

Lois hesitates.

After several seconds, "Ms. Lane?"

"Get me the editor of the Planet."

She's going to try going over her cousin's head? This isn't going to end well, is it?

It's Smallville and she's Chloe. What do you think?

You know since we took over writing duties it doesn't have to go that way anymore, right?

It doesn't have to be. But that's just the way it is. Hey, that reminds me of an 80's song!

Please, no.

"That's just the way it is. Na na na. Na na na. Na na na. O but don't you believe it."

Your song proves my point, Michael.

What? That maltreatment of Chloe is like racism?

No!

You think Bruce Hornsby would make a good Green Arrow?

Ew! Forget it.

Daily Planet. Chloe and Khan are arguing about her story. Khan mentions that a "lady" from LuthorCorp chewed her ear off for half an hour about how Chloe had everything completely wrong.

Chloe seems hurt. "Someone from LuthorCorp called you trying to kill the story?"

"I don't know what you expected. If there's any truth to it it's a bombshell. And that's why we need to be absolutely sure it's correct. This story is going to be under the microscope."

"I don't know what I expected."

Khan says she wants to go through Chloe's documentation one more time. She yells at a lackey and asks if they've finished vetting the photo copies from Chloe's source.

He says as far as they can tell they are legitimate.

OK. This is where the story should be killed. If they can't authenticate it they shouldn't print it.

It's a TV show, Allison.

It's not realistic.

It's a TV show about an alien who can shoot fire from his eyes.

And who's first love was a bald billionaire.

Yeah. Everybody knows bald billionaires don't really exist.

You guys are just trying to irritate me aren't you?

How'd you guess?

You know, we could always just have Chloe knowingly print stuff she is aware is false because she feels discrediting Lex is worth moral bankruptcy.

Hey, it is a show about aliens, right? Heh.

I thought you'd come around. Khan wants to know what the hell that means.

They can't prove the authenticity but can't disprove it either.

Chloe wants to know if Khan is going to believe a LuthorCorp mouthpiece over her.

Khan tells Chloe it's not a matter of believing one or the other. It's a matter of getting to the truth.

Chloe asks Kahn what she's going to do.

"I'm going to have a chat with Lex Luthor. You're excused, Ms. Sullivan. I'll let you know the minute I make a decision."

"Wait. I have contact within LuthorCorp who doesn't think the story is legit."

"Why are you telling me this?"

Because you guys want Lois to as blameless in this fiasco as possible?

If Lois were going to be blameless she would have shown Chloe all she had up front.

Exactly. Lois is just as much to blame as Chloe.

Hey!

"She told me she would get me the proof tonight. If she comes through we kill the story. If not I think we should print it."

Kahn doesn't seem swayed, "I'll think about it. Now get out while you still have a job."

Perry's office. Perry throws his hands up in despair, "The legal resurrection of level 33.1 is the backbone of you book!"

You guys do realize how busy my husband is, no?

Well we know we can't bring him in as a guest start, but I figured he wouldn't mind doing one scene here and there if it means a free flight to see his darling wife?

You devil.

Besides, we told him either come in for a few scenes or we kill off Martha.

You wouldn't really do that, would you?

He would.

You did make it clear you were talking about my character, not me, right?

Now that you mention it he did seem pretty agitated.

Well, for whatever reason he did agree to come by.

Lois is pacing while biting her nails. "I know. I know."

"If she breaks the story first..."

"I know! But here's the thing, half her information is all wrong!"

Perry wants to know what Lois is talking about and Lois explains that Chloe has no idea that all the stuff she has dug up is perfectly legitimate. It's so top secret no one can talk about it.

"This could end her career."

commerical break!

"I know. And she doesn't believe me."

See, that's not Chloe. She'd believe Lois.

I thought we covered this. Chloe believes Lois thinks she's telling the truth but she doesn't think Lois knows what the truth is.

Which is believable.

Hey!

Perry wants to know if Lois showed Chloe her data.

And that's what I have a problem with. If Lois cared about Chloe she'd show the data.

I guess Lois doesn't care about Chloe. Lois says she was hoping she wouldn't have to.

Perry speculates that even if Chloe's story is flawed it could negatively impact Lois' book.

Lois wonders why.

"If LuthorCorp can clear itself of legal charges no one is going to care about the details."

"My book will be seen as a last gasp effort to smear LuthorCorp after the first set of charges didn't stick."

"Exactly."

Lois wonders how they are going to get Chloe to bury her story.

Perry suggests Lois offer a shared by line on the book.

So she goes from ghost writer to a shared by line?

Lois doesn't think it's fair after having worked so hard.

Damn straight!

Perry reminds her it doesn't matter who works harder or even who finds the story first. All that matters is who gets it in print first.

That's right!

Deflated Lois says she'll talk to Chloe.

Crap.

I thought you wanted Lois to talk to Chloe.

I did, didn't I? Shit. Now I'm torn. That should be Lois' by line but...

But what?

She shouldn't screw her cousin.

She totally should. Chlois, baby!

Gross.

Cut to Lex's study. He's on the phone, "Again, Ms. Kahn, LuthorCorp has no comment on the matter. I'd like to apologize again for whatever Miss Lane told you. She gets a little over enthusiastic at times. I'll make sure I have a talk with her about respecting the press." He pauses, "You will delay this story until we can sort it all out won't you?" Another pause, "I wholeheartedly agree that the people have the right to the truth. That's why I'm strongly urging you to hold off on this story until the truth can be nailed down. The truth isn't going anywhere, Ms. Kahn." Lex pauses and smiles to himself, "I don't appreciate the insinuation." He pauses again, "Well you are free to believe what you want." Lex hangs up.

Lana asks, "What was that all about?"

"It seems your friend Chloe is attempting to drag me through the mud."

"And you don't seem the least bit upset. Lex, what is going on?"

"She has this ridiculous idea that level 33.1 is still in operation."

It is, isn't it?

Lana gulps, "But it's not."

Lex smiles and puts his hand on Lana's leg, "Of course not." And it's not. Well, sort of.

You guys have me confused. Is level 33.1 in operation or not?

Yes and no.

I think I liked the naked robot plot better.

Now, you see that John? I told you!

Would you give up on the robots for once, Michael? Lana, "Why would she think that?"

"Isn't it obvious? My father is using her." You can never go wrong with naked exploding woman robots.

Yes, you can. "But why?"

No you can't. "He's ordered his minions to attempt a leveraged buyout but their resources are too low to acquire a sizable stake in the company. So they're going to trump up false charges and drive down the stock price. Once they have the shares they need they'll refute the charges."

Yes, you can. "The stock goes back up and they not only have control of LuthorCorp..."

Can you argue the robots on break? It's getting hard for me to separate your comments from the dialogue.

Fine. "They've made themselves rich. But there's one thing he didn't count on."

"What's that?"

"The fact that I've already liquidated most of my stock. I don't think his lackeys were completely in on his plan because they started buying too early."

"And because you've already moved most of your stock out of LuthorCorp..."

"When the stock price does fall they will be the ones ruined."

"And you'll reap the benefits."

"I led Kahn along like a puppy dog. I made a big deal about getting the documents back and now she's convinced there's something to them. But there still is one wild card."

"What?"

"Lois. She's doing everything she can to stop Chloe's story."

"You know Chloe. There's no way Lois will stop her."

Because if she tried Chloe would taser her.

Quiet, Tom.

"It's best not to take any chances. We need to take that possibility, however unlikely, off the table." Lex buzzes his secretary, "Get me Miss Lane. I need to speak with her immediately."

Lana looks freaked out. Lex asks her if what's wrong. She says that when Chloe's story turns out to be fabricated it could ruin her career.

Lex asks her what she thinks Chloe is trying to do to them.

Lana seems sad, "But we're friends."

"Who has more to lose here, Lana? We're trying to defeat Kal-El. We're working for the good of mankind. We can't do that if my father and Chloe are there to block us every step of the way. They're following their own personal agendas. We're clearly in the right."

"I don't know, Lex."

"Lana, you told me you felt that defeating Kal-El is more important than your own life. Isn't a temporary setback for Chloe a small price to pay for the safety of mankind?"

"You're right, Lex, you're right. I just don't like it."

So now Lana doesn't have a backbone anymore?

Deep down she's evil and you know it. She's had it in for Chloe ever since walking in on her and Clark making out back in Rush.

Chloe did rub it in though.

See, you admit it!

So Lana is going to screw over Chloe now too?

You say that as if it's the first time Lana's screwed Chloe over.

"I don't like it either. But it's what needs to be done."

Lois' apartment, Martha is dropping off the dress.

Lois thanks Martha profusely and tells her she's a life saver.

Martha asks if yet another crisis at LuthorCorp has been averted.

Lois tells her it may have gone from public crisis to personal crisis. She and Chloe had a disagreement over something Chloe wanted to publish and Lois ended calling Chloe's boss. She's pretty sure Chloe's going to be extremely pissed.

Martha tries to down play it.

Lois says she's seen Chloe pissed and it's not a pretty sight. "She tasered me and I wasn't even the person she was mad at."

How many times do you guys have to bring that up?

As long as it's funny.

I wasn't funny the first time.

As long as it's funny to me.

Martha laughs. "Don't forget she knocked me out with my own rolling pen."

Michael.

That's one's funny! Admit it.

Argh!

She says people have disagreements. It's part of life. If you love each other you apologize and make up.

Chlois, baby!

Gross!

Lois is still unsure. "But what if one of them has been hiding something important? It's a lot harder to forgive that than just an honest mistake."

Martha answers, only if you've been hiding it for the wrong reasons.

Sarcastic, "Great."

"Lois, is there something you need to tell her?"

Lois frowns, "I think so."

"Then better sooner than later. We all make mistakes, Lois. Your cousin knows that. I'm sure she'll forgive you."

Lois thanks Martha. Her phone rings. It's Lex's secretary. He wants to see Lois right away. Lois forces a smile, "It's Lex. I've got to go Mrs. Kent."

commerical break!

Lois enters Lex's office.

He admonishes her for calling Kahn and demands she promise never to pull another stunt like that again.

"I was just looking out for LuthorCorp."

"I appreciate your concern but in the future come to me before you take things that high up the ladder."

Lois is silent.

"I spoke with Kahn. She's agreed to kill the story."

Lois is relieved. She wants to call Chloe.

Lana interjects. "I talked to Chloe a few minutes ago and she's furious about your call. I'd let her cool off a little first."

So did Lana really talk to Chloe?

What does it matter? She's a bad person either way.

Lana ought to be able to cover her ass.

Kristen, you're always so worried someone wants to film your naked ass! There are body doubles for that, you know.

Real funny, Rosenbaum.

I agree. Lana should be able to cover her ass. It actually makes her even more conniving if she already talked to Chloe .

I can live with that.

Fine. Lana can cover her ass.

Lois supposes Lana is right.

Lana suggests they have a night on the town in celebration of having averted a crisis.

Lois protests that she has things to do.

Lana presses, "It's been a long time since we've just had fun together."

Lex suggests they take Mercy along. She's new in town and deserves to be shown a good time.

Reluctantly Lois agrees. Mercy hangs back while the other two leave. "She'll Catch up." explains Lex. He tells Mercy to make sure Lois doesn't have any contact with Chloe.

A noisy dance club. Lois keeps looking at her watch.

So what '80s song is playing, "Girls just want to have fun"?

I think we should save that one for a Lex and Clark scene.

Real funny. I was thinking Don Henley's "All she wants to do is dance."

Is that a dig at Lois or at Lana?

Both. Lana reassures Lois she'll patch things up with Chloe.

Finally Lois says she can't stand it. She doesn't care if Chloe's mad at her she shouldn't have called her boss. Lois is going to go apologize.

Mercy suggests they have just one more drink first. Chloe will still be there in a few minutes.

Lana gets doe eyed, "Please? We just got here."

Mercy volunteers to get drinks.

Lionel's room. Clark complains to Martha he's been looking for her everywhere. "What are you doing here anyway?"

"I'm a grown woman, Clark. No one is going to tell me what to do, least of all my son."

"Mom."

"Lionel worked tirelessly to get my education bill passed. He's a changed man. For him it's not all about Lionel Luthor anymore."

Scoffing, "How can you be so sure?"

Angry, "Leave us."

"What would dad think?"

She tells Clark she loved his dad very much. But there are things Lionel gives her his dad never did.

"Like power and money?"

More like magnificent lovin'.

"I wouldn't expect you to understand."

Devastated, Clark leaves.

Martha turns to look at Lionel again and whispers sadly, "Respect."

Ouch!

Jonathon respected her. That's sacrilege!

Her opinions? No so much, Tom.

Argh! That's my whole other scene?

You were the one who wasn't worried. Don't start crying now.

Kahn's office. She informs Chloe they need to make a decision, has Chloe heard from her other source?

Chloe says she gave her a couple more hours to bring in the information.

Kahn says they don't have time to wait; they need to get the presses rolling.

Chloe will give her contact a call to find out what's up.

Lois' phone lights up in the club but the music is so loud she doesn't hear it ring.

Mercy pulls out an eye dropper and drugs one of the drinks she has on a tray at the bar. When she returns, "A virgin daiquiri for the young Miss Lang."

"Thank you."

"And for us old timers," giving the drugged drink to Lois, "their finest tequila. Bottoms up!"

Cut back to Chloe. She seems concerned. "She's not answering."

Kahn asks if Chloe thinks her contact really had something or just wanted to delay the story.

Chloe bites her lip. "I think she was giving Lex Luthor more credit than he deserves."

OK. Hold it right there...

Nope. We're moving on. Kahn studies Chloe for a moment, "Then we're going with the story. Congratulations."

Without much enthusiasm, "Thanks."

Cut back to the club. Lois notices she has a voice mail message.

Mercy and Lana seem a little nervous when Lois checks her call history and discovers it was Chloe.

Lana, "She's probably calling to bitch you out about calling her editor."

Lana is embracing the evil. I love it.

Lois sighs, "Maybe. Ever done something you wish you could take back?"

Lana gulps.

You have her back peddling already? Why don't you bathe her in another pool of light while you're at it?

Not funny, Annette. Lois sways a bit and blinks slowly a couple of times.

Lana asks if she's alright.

"I'm just really tired all of a sudden. I've been pushing myself pretty hard and I guess that drink hit me like a ton of bricks."

Lana says maybe they should call it a night.

Lois agrees. When she attempts to stand she falls over.

Mind whammied last week and drugged this. What's next?

They usually cap my year off with getting shot a couple of times.

Great.

Lana, "Lois, are you all right?" To Mercy, "She's passed out."

Mercy feigns concern, "Poor thing. We'd better get her home."

Lex's study he's drinking scotch.

Lana enters.

He asks her if she has any idea how easy everything falls into place without his father there to interfere. He then offers Lana congratulations for a job well done. "My contacts tell me Chloe's story will be on tomorrow's front page."

"This isn't something I'm proud of. Deceiving Lois and letting Chloe take a fall all so you can defeat your father?"

"This isn't about my father. This is about defeating Kal-El. Without LuthorCorp's resources at our disposal we could never take him on." He claims he could cite countless examples of celebrated men and women who did things they weren't proud of but history judges as heroes because they had the courage to do what needed to be done.

"Chloe used to be the closest thing I ever had to a best friend. Stabbing her in the back like this, it makes me sick."

Lex takes a drink.

"Lex, what are we turning into?"

With a far off look, "As Caesar attempted to consolidate power in Rome Marcus Brutus faced a dilemma. Should he stand by his life long friend and ally or do what was right to ensure the continued freedom of the Republic. He stabbed his greatest friend to death, Lana, and yet history judges him a hero. As it will us." Go to black.

That's it? Not much of a plot.

Well if you only paid attention to the parts Clark was in, no.

I paid attention the whole time. Where is the tension?

The tension is in whether Chloe's article gets printed.

[sarcastic] Now that's excitement.

I told you John's plan. No Clark, no freak, no powers. You sat at home and ate spare ribs rather than coming to the rescue.

The first quiet night at home with my wife in weeks and you expect me to fight for scenes in a show I'm the star of?

I thought you were dedicated.

I told you to call Allison.

Me? I would have hung up on him.

You did.

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