Final Paths Tweaks

[sits in his trailer playing with his Wii. There's a knock at the door] Come in.

[TW enters]

Hey, Mike. You got a second?

I'm kind of busy, Tom.

You're playing a video game.

Yeah.

I wanted to talk to you about Paths.

The discussion is over. You're not getting any more scenes.

Don't you realize that without a Lex and Clark scene we miss the whole point of the episode?

[Half paying attention] No. What are you talking about?

Clark needs to talk to Lex, mention all those times Lex felt like his father was controlling him, tell it it's finally his chance to go down the path that's right for him without interference.

We talked about that. John thought it was too sappy.

Back when we named the episodes we all talked about wanting that specific scene.

We did? I guess you have a point. But we'd have to cut a scene somewhere else and Annette's scenes are off limits. I don't see what else we can cut.

For one I was thinking that Lois' scene with Perry could actually be with Clark.

[The sound of a crash from the TV monitor. The game is over.] Shit! [Turns to TW] What was that?

The scene with Perry could actually be with Clark. It'd be easier on the budget without a guest star.

I thought we were talking about cutting scenes, but putting you in one in place of somebody else.

The whole Lori scene could go. Martha tells Lana all the audience needs to know.

She doesn't tell them Clark is shagging Lori.

First off I don't think that should be happening anyway. And second off it's not necessary to the plot.

It's the only fun scene in the whole episode!

Michael, we're talking about adding a scene for you.

I have plenty of great scenes already. Why do I want a scene where Clark gives Lex a moralizing lecture?

Lex can tell Clark to get out.

He always tells Clark to get out.

[A komode flushes.]

Who else is here?

Glover.

Do you think he heard us?

Probably.

Micheal! Why didn't you tell me he was here?

Sorry. John's in the can.

[Exits MR's restroom] Hello, Tom.

[Gulps] Hello.

I think you have a good idea.

[Surprised] Really?

Yes. But someone else should have the conversation with Lex.

Who?

Lana.

No. She's already going to the dark side. She can't offer lucid advice.

Martha.

No. She believes in Loinel. She'd never see his incapacitation as a way to redeem Lex.

Not Lois.

No. She's not as aware of the Luthor back story.

[Disbelieving] Chloe?!?

Why not? She could bump into Lex on the way to visit Lois.

Give him her condolences on his father.

He tells her it's finally his chance to choose his own path.

She'll counter that it was always in his control.

Lex tells her that she obviously doesn't know Lionel as well has she thinks.

Chloe?!?

I like it better with Clark.

Me too.

Chloe or nothing. Besides it adds that bit of forshadowing that while Chloe believes Lex always had control of his future she has no idea that at that very moment despite being in a coma Lionel has a hand in controlling hers.

I actually like that.

I don't. It should be with Clark.

[ignoring TW] So you think we should replace the Lori scene with that?

Hold on! That's my only other scene!

I never cared for the Lori scene anyway.

I'm getting only one scene?!?!

And now that I think about it maybe we could swap that Martha and Clark scene for one with Martha and Chloe.

What?!?!

Why is Chloe going to be visiting Lionel's hospital room?

She does think he might be her father. She should visit while she waits for Kahn's verdict on her story.

I guess you have a point.

No. You're not cutting my last scene!

But there's no reason for Chloe to get all huffy and storm off like Clark does. How's the scene going to work?

She doesn't have to get huffy. She doesn't want anyone to see her there anyway. She kind of just stumbles onto Martha and they have an awkward converstaion because neither one wants to admit why they are there.

So, what? Chloe walks in so focused on Lionel she doesn't notice Martha. When she finally does, "Mrs. Kent. What are you doing here?"

That's a good start.

Martha is conflicted. She tells Chloe she doesn't know. She didn't realize how much Lionel ment to her until he was hurt.

Chloe doesn't like this at all. She's surprised. "Are we talking about the same Lionel Luthor here?"

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

Chloe, ever the skeptic, scoffs, "How can you be so sure?"

Martha spouts some bullshit about knowing it in her heart.

Chloe asks if Clark knows about this.

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

Chloe says something lame about knowing how Martha must miss Jonathon, but...

Martha cuts her off. "Leave us."

"When Clark finds out about this..."

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

Flabergatsed, "What?"

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

Dumbfounded, "Respect?"

"I expect you wouldn't understand."

Suddenly Chloe looks sad. "You might be surprised." She turns and leaves.

So now you're not only going to cut all my scenes you're going to imply Clark doesn't respect Chloe?

When does he listen to her advice?

He listens plenty.

OK. But when does he follow her advice?

Well. That's just because he's written like a BDA.

It's not our fault he's written like a BDA.

[Stares at MR]

OK. Maybe it is. But that doesn't change the fact that Clark rarely follows Chloe's advice.

Which equates to not repecting her?

In my book, yes.

Did you ever think that maybe he respects her opinion but just doesn't agree with it?

I think Tom has a point there. Maybe having Chloe get all sad there is too much.

It's not like we made her cry. Don't back peddle on me, Rosenbaum. I like Chloe thinking Clark doesn't respect her.

Well, I don't.

We just cut him completely out of the episode. Let's throw him a bone. We'll do the scene with Lois. She doesn't think Chloe respects her.

Or we keep it with Chloe. She thinks Lois doesn't respect her.

What? Where do you get that?

She told her she was flat out wrong. She called her boss. It fits.

Everyone is going to assume it has to do with Clark.

Why's that? He's not even in the episode. Not everything is about Clark.

And in this episode apparently nothing is.

I love it when I can do something groundbreaking. Tom, thanks for coming by! We never would have figured out how to do an episode without Clark if it wasn't for you. Hasn't he been a great help, Michael.

[Turns his attention back to his Wii] Loads.

[Exiting the trailer] I'll go make those edits now.

[Engrossed in his video game] Fine, fine. Grab a controller Tom.

I'm not really in the mood, Michael.

Come on, it's not like you need to rush off and practice your lines.

[Rolls his eyes and exits the trailer]

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