Clark: Wow, you're really putting in a lot of time on this equestrian
show. I didn't realize how important it was to you.
Lana: Well, I'm inviting the Smalls to come watch me ride in this
weekend's competition.
Clark: Oh, well I take it everything's good on the father-daughter
front.
Lana: Actually, they're great.
Clark: Well, this can actually work out then.
Lana: Let's just say I am cautiously optimistic.
Lana: I keep living my life waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Clark: You deserve to be happy.
Lana: Thanks, Clark.
Chloe: Clark, what happened to you? Story deadline... stop me when I'm
getting warm.
Clark: My article about the debate team. Oh, Chloe, I'm really sorry. I
got caught up helping Lana. I'll give it to you first thing tomorrow
morning.
Chloe: Well, unfortunately Clark, I needed it tonight. To fill in the
hole, I had to blow up the lunch menu to a 60-point type. I'm sure the
student body is going to find that fascinating.
Lana: Chloe, it's my fault. I asked Clark to help me.
Chloe: No, Lana, I don't blame you.
Lana: Well, um, I'm going to go lock up in the back. Thanks again for
your help.
Clark: Yeah. Chloe, I'll make it up to you. I promise.
Chloe: I can't say that makes me feel any better. Given your previous
track record on promises....
Clark: It's one story. What's the big deal?
Chloe: That you couldn't give up one riding practice to do.
Clark: Don't make this about Lana.
Chloe: I'm not. This is about you, and your perennial inability to be
there when I need you.
Clark: Whoa, don't you think you're being a little harsh?
Chloe: No. I don't. I'm never a priority in your life. I'm always just
your back-up plan, and I'm tired of it.
Clark: That's ridiculous.
Chloe: Is it?
Clark: Chloe, if that's the way you feel, then maybe I should quit.
Chloe: Maybe you should.
Clark: Fine. I quit.
Boy 1: Come on, help me get the stuff out of the back!
Boy 2: Right!
Clark: Hey! Hey! What do you think you're doing?
Boy 1: Get out of here!
Clark: Hey!
Boy: Hurry up, dude, hurry up. I got it, I got it.
Jonathan: How could they do that?
Clark: What, beat the crap out of me?
Jonathan: Clark...
Clark: I'm sorry, Dad. It's just--it hurt. It actually hurt.
Jonathan: What did you tell the police?
Clark: I left before they got there.
Jonathan: Son, you witnessed a crime. You have an obligation to report
it.
Clark: And put myself back on Sheriff Adams's radar? I don't think so.
Besides, what was I going to tell her--I used my X-Ray vision to see the
plate in his head?
Jonathan: All right, I understand. Just... calm down. What else did you
see?
Clark: He was wearing a class ring. I think he goes to Smallville High.
Pete: Clark, just because he has a class ring doesn't necessarily mean
he goes here. I mean, he could be a graduate. Meanwhile, in Lana Land,
it looks like your ship has finally come in.
Clark: Oh, I mean, we're....
Pete: Just friends. You better invest in a new set of cue cards, Clark,
because I've never seen her so happy.
Clark: Well, I wish it was just me, but Lana's been walking on air ever
since her dad stepped up. Pete, who's that guy?
Pete: You mean Eric Marsh? You really need to pick up a sports page.
Coach: All right Eric, show us what you got!
Coach: Let's go Eric, step up!
Eric: All right, give me some heat!
Pete: Whoo-hoo!
Clark: Nice swing.
Pete: Yeah. Eric's got the highest batting average in Smallville High
history. He can really put the team on the map. Rumor has it they're
getting corporate sponsorship for new equipment and uniforms because of
him. Not to mention the scouts that have suddenly added a detour to
Smallville. Funny thing though. He used to suck.
Clark: What do you mean?
Pete: Well, we played on the same Little League team for five years. He
was always a bench warmer.
Clark: When did he go from zero to hero?
Pete: I'm not sure. Guess sometimes you work hard enough, you get your
dream.
Clark: Or he's under some pharmaceutical enhancement.
Pete: You're thinking steroids?
Clark: Right now, I don't know what to think.
Lionel: Lex....
Lionel: It's been too long.
Lex: And I thought we agreed to keep face to face contact to a minimum.
Lionel: For business perhaps. This is a social call. I've come to offer
my congratulations on your engagement... though I admit, I, um, well it
hurt that I had to learn of your pending nuptials via the gossip pages
of the Inquisitor.
Lex: Come on, Dad. Since when has my personal happiness ever been of the
slightest interest to you?
Lionel: And where is, uh.... um...
Lex: Helen?
Lionel: Helen. Hmm?
Lex: Helen's out of town at a medical seminar. Otherwise, I suspect your
visit would be putting her anger management techniques to the test.
Lex: But then, we both know you're not here to discuss my wedding plans.
Lionel: What is this? Oh, Lex, I'm surprised that you would, uh, put
stock in the reportage of a high school newspaper.
Lex: I usually don't, but... I did some checking of my own, and lo and
behold it's true. What are you moving around in the middle of the night
in unmarked trucks?
Lionel: Nothing out of the ordinary. I'd hate to think that you'd stoop
to use common thuggery to get back at me, son.
Lex: Wait a minute. Are you insinuating that I had something to do with
robbing your truck? Dad, that would be illegal.
Lionel: Legalities are inconsequential. I would want my property
returned.
Lex: For what it's worth, I didn't have anything to do with it. But the
fact that you came this far to ask intrigues me. What's in there that's
so important to you?
Lionel: Give my regards to, um.... uh... your fiancée.
Lana: Enjoy. Henry. This is a surprise.
Henry: Well, as they say, I was in the neighborhood.
Lana: Regular coffee, no additives. And when you come by three times a
week, you don't need the excuse.
Henry: I guess some small part of me is still getting used to all this.
Lana: What, dropping by for a casual visit with your daughter?
Henry: No, entering a business co-owned by a Luthor without an
injunction in my hand. Thanks. But it's been worth it.
Lana: I feel the same way.
Henry: What's this?
Lana: The seating chart for this weekend's show. They set aside a
section of the field for riders' families. I took a leap and reserved a
couple of seats for you and Jennifer.
Henry: Lana, that was thoughtful. Yes, I'll definitely be there.
Lana: But Jennifer won't. She's never really accepted me, has she?
Henry: She just doesn't know you like I do. Give her some time. She'll
come around.
Clark: Pete, check this out. Before Eric's sudden sports career, he was
an honors chemistry student with a straight A average.
Pete: Hmm. I guess you don't get the babes and the free Nikes for that.
Clark: Well, it says here that he was in a chemistry lab explosion at
Kansas State University last summer during chemistry camp. That's
probably why he's got the plate in his head.
Pete: Yeah, but what's he doing knocking over a LuthorCorp truck?
Chloe: I thought you quit the Torch?
Clark: Just cleaning out my desk.
Pete: Wait a minute. You quit?
Clark: Apparently I can't be counted on.
Pete: I didn't even know quitting was an option.
Chloe: Funny.
Pete: Tough crowd. Hey, I'll catch up with you later. Keep me posted on
Eric.
Clark: Yeah.
Chloe: Marsh? Why are you guys interested in him?
Clark: Doesn't matter.
Chloe: Clark, I didn't ask you to quit the Torch.
Clark: Yeah, but all I do is, uh, disappoint you.
Chloe: I didn't say that. I just said it seems like you drop everything
for Lana with no regard for anyone else.
Clark: I thought this wasn't about Lana.
Chloe: It's not. It's not.
Clark: Then why is it, every time you see us together, you look at me
like I'm cheating on you?
Chloe: Well, I'm sorry Clark, but you're wrong, and if that's the way
you feel, maybe we shouldn't hang out anymore.
Eric: Tell me it's workin', boys.
Guy 1: The stuff's incredible. With a score like last night, we'll have
enough to take it out on the street.
Eric: Yep. As long as there's enough for me. I got a major league scout
coming to watch me hit next week.
Guy 1: Well, then, you can make the next batch, champ.
Guy #2: What do we have here?
Guy #1: Hold him.
Guy #2: You're not going anywhere.
Eric: What, you following me, Kent?
Clark: I know you robbed that truck.
Eric: Ha ha. You're pretty smart. But, you see, I'm smart too. Now, you
see, I finally found a way to have everything I wanted... and nobody is
going to mess that up.
Clark: You don't know what you're doing.
Eric: Well, it looks like you know about the meteor rock.
Clark: It's dangerous. I've seen what it can do to people.
Eric: What, like get me a multi-million dollar contract in the majors.
Eric: He knows too much. All right, get up. If he goes, our problem goes
with him. All right, listen, we don't know who else he told. So let's
pack up, let's get out of here. Let's go man... put this in the back.
Martha: Clark! Oh my God, what happened?
Clark: I saw one of the hijackers. He goes to our school, but I followed
him to the old foundry. Before I could do anything, they jumped me.
Jonathan: Clark, you still couldn't stop 'em?
Clark: No, I think it has something to do with refined kryptonite. They
had a huge amount of kryptonite bars--the same ones that were in
Lionel's safe. That's what they stole from the truck.
Jonathan: Clark, what would they be doing with kryptonite?
Clark: They're melting it down and inhaling it. That's what's giving
them incredible strength.
Martha: Jonathan, we have to bring in the police.
Jonathan: Yeah.
Clark: Don't you understand? The police can't do anything.
Jonathan: Clark...
Clark: Dad, they threw me into a blast furnace! They overpowered me! If
there was kryptonite in there, I wouldn't be here now.
Martha: But we can't let our concern about your secret intimidate us
into silence.
Jonathan: Maybe there is another way.
Adams: Marsh, drop the bat.
Eric: What is this?
Adams: I don't want to tell you again. Drop the bat, turn around.
Eric: What?
Adams: You're under arrest for assault and armed robbery.
Eric: What are you talking about?
Adams: We got an anonymous tip, we looked through your locker.
Eric: No, you can't look through my locker without a warrant.
Adams: Guess again, slick. We don't need a warrant to look through a
student's locker. The driver--he came to long enough to tell us about
the "aliens" that trashed his truck. Don't worry now. You can use your
one call to phone home.
Lana: OK, the only time you're ever this quiet is when you're sleeping.
What's up?
Chloe: Clark and I decided to... put our friendship on an indefinite
hiatus.
Lana: Over one newspaper story?
Chloe: Let's just say that certain insurmountable forces finally made us
raise the white flag.
Lana: I'm sorry. If there's anything I can do to help...
Chloe: Who is that?
Lana: Jennifer Small.
Lana: Thanks. Mrs. Small.
Jennifer: It's not what you think, Lana.
Lana: I don't know what you mean.
Jennifer: I am not cheating on my husband. I know that's what you
thought. But the man you saw me with was just... an old friend of mine
from college.
Lana: Why are you telling me this? I wasn't going to say anything to
Henry.
Jennifer: He also happens to be my divorce attorney.
Lana: Divorce? Henry never mentioned anything.
Jennifer: That's because he doesn't know. At least, not yet.
Lana: Why are you divorcing him?
Jennifer: Lana, I have learned to handle a lot in this marriage. That's
because through it all, I knew I was Henry's priority. Since he met you,
I am not sure that's true anymore.
Lana: I never meant to come between you.
Jennifer: But you did. Lana, you are all he talks about. You're a window
to a happier time. I guess I am telling you this because... I'm
admitting defeat. You win.
Lana: Mrs. Small... I don't want to win...
Jennifer: Goodbye, Lana.
Chloe: So much for an interview.
Lionel: I admire your dedication. Though I suspect the hospital might
not be quite so, uh... Understanding.
Chloe: Mr. Luthor, what are you doing here?
Lionel: Paying a bedside visit to a loyal employee. It's Miss Sullivan,
isn't it?
Chloe: You know who I am?
Lionel: I've been following your work at the Torch for quite some time.
Given today's front-page scoop, I assume you came, uh, hoping Mr.
O'Conner would confirm his, uh... connection with LuthorCorp.
Chloe: Well, I think you just did that for him.
Lionel: It was never a secret.
Chloe: Unlike the now missing contents of your truck?
Lionel: On or off the record?
Chloe: The police report says robbery, but no one's been able to find
anything that's been taken.
Lionel: We were moving some industrial material. It was nothing
important.
Chloe: Somebody sure went to a lot of trouble to get to it.
Lionel: Oh, it's a competitive world. You know that as well as I do.
Corporate sabotage is just one of them, uh, costs of doing business.
Chloe: Mr. Luthor...
Lionel: Miss Sullivan, I admire your zeal. And your work at the Torch is
exemplary, but, um, trust me. You're looking for a mystery where there's
none to be found.
Lana: Clark. Are you okay?
Clark: I got blindsided yesterday by a couple of guys. I guess I'm still
a little shaken up.
Lana: What happened? Did you get hurt?
Clark: I'll survive. It was more of a, um, "wrong place, wrong time"
kind of thing.
Lana: Um, I know the feeling. At least metaphorically speaking. I, uh,
ran into Jennifer Small today. Found out that she's filing for divorce
from Henry. And I'm the reason.
Clark: That's intense. Have you talked to Henry about it?
Lana: What can I do without making the situation worse?
Clark: Well, he should know what's going on. There might be a chance he
can salvage his marriage.
Lana: It sounds like you should be taking your own advice. I hear you
and Chloe are calling it quits.
Clark: That's different.
Lana: Why?
Clark: Because I can't just sit here and watch Chloe get hurt over and
over when I can't do anything about it.
Lana: What's so bad that's come between you two like this? Well? I wish
I could make it go away.
Clark: You can't.
Lana: Clark, you and Chloe have been friends forever. You can't just let
that go without a fight. At least the Clark Kent I know wouldn't.
Eric: If your father sent you, you can tell him I had nothing to do with
the robbery.
Lex: No, no... My father doesn't know I'm here. I'm sure his
representatives will be around though. I came to talk about your future.
Eric: What do you care?
Lex: I did some checking into your baseball career. I understand there's
interest from some big league scouts.
Eric: Yeah, there's more than just interest, all right? There's college
reps, there's agents. This is just a bump in the road.
Lex: Two felony charges with bail set at a quarter-million dollars. I'd
say that's more like
a brick wall, wouldn't you?
Eric: Why, do I look scared?
Lex: You look guilty. And if a jury agrees, you can kiss all that talent
and promise goodbye.
Eric: Like I told the cops, I didn't do it.
Lex: Well, I guess you have nothing to worry about. But if the charges
stick, you might need a friend.
Eric: All right, what is it that you want?
Lex: I want to know what you stole out of my father's truck.
Eric: Well, assuming that I even have a clue what you're talking
about... what's in it for me?
Clark: Chloe, what happened?
Chloe: Go away, Clark.
Clark: Are you okay?
Chloe: Physically, yeah, I'm fine. Emotionally... What do you care?
Clark: I want to help. No matter what it takes, we'll get the Torch back
on its feet.
Chloe: There is no we anymore Clark! There's only me! And this paper was
my whole life! It was the one place I could come to when everyone and
everything let me down, and now, I don't even have that anymore.
Clark: Where are you going?
Chloe: To find a friend.
Clark: Chloe....
Eric: Hey Kent. I heard the paper's not going to press.
Clark: Did you do this?
Eric: I don't know how the hell you got out of that fire! But you better
back off.
Clark: What are you doing out of jail?
Eric: Seems I've got friends in higher places that I didn't even know
about. And suddenly, you're not so anonymous.
Clark: I'll testify, if that's what it takes to put you away.
Eric: Oh no, I'd think about that Kent. I mean, I know you're
unbreakable, but people that you care about... aren't. I'd sure hate to
think something happened to those wholesome parents of yours.
Jonathan: Clark! Clark... Your mother.
Clark: How's Mom doing?
Jonathan: She's got some minor cuts and bruises, but I still want to get
her checked out. This pregnancy doesn't need any more complications.
Clark: I should have been there, Dad.
Jonathan: Clark, you couldn't have done anything anyway.
Clark: Still....
Jonathan: I'm not going to let you beat yourself up about this.
Clark: What happens if they come back? I think you and Mom should go
away for a little while, just till this settles down.
Jonathan: Clark, I have never run away from a single thing in my life,
and I'm not about to start now.
Clark: Dad, look around. Look at what they did to this place. You said
yourself I can't
protect you. You have to think of Mom. You have to think about the baby.
Jonathan: I am thinking about Mom. I am thinking about the baby. I'm
also thinking about you.
Clark: Dad, please! Please.
Jonathan: All right, I'll take your mother to a doctor in Metropolis,
and maybe stay with your grandfather for a couple days. Son, I'd feel a
whole hell of a lot better if you'd agree to come with us.
Clark: I can't.
Jonathan: Clark, I'm not going to stand here and ask you to do nothing
because you and I both know that I would not do nothing. But I want you
to remember something son. They have your strength, but they don't have
any of your other abilities. You make sure you give yourself a fighting
chance.
Clark: Lex.
Lex: I gotta let you go.
Clark: I just found out you visited Eric Marsh in jail. Were you the one
that bailed him out?
Lex: I wasn't aware my visit was public knowledge. What's Marsh have to
do with you, Clark?
Clark: I was the one who phoned in the anonymous tip. Him and his
buddies found out about it. They nearly killed my parents yesterday.
Lex: Whoa, whoa, are they all right?
Clark: They're in Metropolis. It's not even safe at home anymore. I
heard your father's come back to town. If this is some sick game
between...
Lex: It's no game. Clark, that truck was carrying a load of highly
refined meteor rocks. If I'm not mistaken, I think my father has resumed
his Level Three experiments.
Clark: What does that have to do with Eric Marsh?
Lex: Look, I bailed him out, hoping he'd provide answers. Maybe even
lead me to the meteor rock.
Clark: Where is he?
Lex: I don't know. He beat up a security guard I had on him.
Clark: Well, there's got to be a way to draw him out.
Lex: Clark, I don't have anything Marsh wants.
Clark: Except for the meteor rocks. Marsh has got to have a connection
inside LuthorCorp that tells him when the shipments go out. If he thinks
your father is bringing another load out of the Smallville plant...
Lex: I still have contacts at my father's firm. They can let the word
out. Only this time, the truck will be empty. When Marsh hits it, my
personal security team will be all over them.
Clark: No, Lex, I've seen what Eric can do. You have to get the police
in on this.
Lex: Just go home, Clark. I don't want you or your parents involved any
more than they already are.
Lex: Once Marsh and his friends have the truck, give them a lot of room.
Nobody does anything until they lead us to the meteor rock.
Security Guard: We're set, Mr. Luthor.
Lex: The truck's getting ready to move. Wait for my signal before you
start following. Nobody moves without my direct order
Eric: Change of plans! Okay, I've got the van. Get ready to make the
switch.
Guy 1: Anyone follow you?
Eric: I didn't see anyone, but we'd better hurry up with the switch.
Luthor's bound to have it bugged. How's it feel, Clark?
Clark: Eric. Eric, don't do this.
Eric: You don't understand Kent! It's done.
Pete: That's all of it.
Clark: At least for now.
Clark: Hey, Lex.
Lex: Clark, how are your parents doing?
Clark: Just fine. They got home from Metropolis last night.
Lex: That must be a relief.
Clark: Yeah, and now that Eric's arrested, it looks like your plan came
off without a hitch.
Lex: So it seems. The intriguing thing is, my people had nothing to do
with it.
Clark: Then who did?
Lex: No one knows. Marsh and his friends aren't talking, but they were
found unconscious, and the stolen meteor rocks are still unaccounted
for.
Clark: Who do you think has them.
Lex: I have my suspicions.
Henry: Lana? Hey.
Lana: Hey, Henry, um, thanks for coming.
Henry: Your message said something regarding the horse show. I hope
you're still planning to ride.
Lana: To be honest, um, I'm not sure.
Henry: I don't understand. I thought you were really looking forward to
this weekend.
Lana: I was, believe me. But I think it's more important that you spend
this time with
Jennifer.
Henry: Lana, she told me you two talked. If this is because of something
she said...
Lana: No, I... came into your life out of nowhere and dropped a bomb on
your family. I didn't know how our relationship was going to work out,
but after a rocky start, I finally know that you love me. I don't want
to lose that.
Henry: I don't know what Jennifer told you, but things between us aren't
that bad.
Lana: Henry, she's hiring an attorney.
Henry: What?
Lana: You need to talk to her, tell her how you feel. Whatever happens
after that is up to you.
Henry: You... you're my daughter. I just can't... walk away from... from
that.
Lana: You're not. You know I'll always be here. But right now, I think
Jennifer needs you more.
Clark: Hey Dad. How's Mom.
Jonathan: Well, the doctor called. You'll be happy to know that both
mother and child have gotten a clean bill of health.
Clark: Great.
Jonathan: Look, son, I wanted to tell you...
Clark: Hi Lana.
Jonathan: Um... I'm proud of you.
Clark: Thanks.
Jonathan: Miss Lang.
Lana: Mr. Kent.
Clark: You must be here for Donatello. I'll help you saddle him up.
Lana: No, I'm not practicing, Clark. In fact, I think I might drop out
of the show.
Clark: I take it things with Henry didn't go so well.
Lana: I told him I'd always be his daughter, but we should put our
relationship on hold until he gets his marriage back on track.
Clark: Wow.
Lana: Yeah. How are things with Chloe?
Clark: I went to go talk to her, but I think this whole Torch thing put
her over the edge. She told me to go away.
Lana: You two will work through this, Clark.
Clark: I hope so. I miss her already.
Lana: I know what you mean, but I think we should remain cautiously
optimistic that each of us will get a second chance.
Clark: You know who's really the loser in all of this? Donatello. The
poor horse worked so hard, and now he can't even strut his stuff.
Lana: I guess I can't disappoint him. Besides, I wanted to share this
with someone special, and I still am. You're still going, aren't you,
Clark?
Clark: You can count on me.
Lionel: Miss Sullivan.
Chloe: Mr. Luthor.
Lionel: Your principal told me you might be here. I hope I'm not
interrupting you.
Chloe: No. No, I mean I'm--I've never entertained a billionaire before.
Um, you'll have to excuse the destruction. I was recently vandalized.
Lionel: Ahh, so I heard. By the same men who hijacked my truck, I think.
Chloe: Actually, there's still a question.
Chloe: Eric Marsh owned up to the robbery of the truck and the assault,
but he said he didn't have anything to do with the Torch.
Lionel: Hmm.
Chloe: I mean, why confess to the heavy crimes and deny that?
Lionel: Well, it's not easy to understand the criminal mind. What's
this?
Lionel reaches out and touches an article titled "Local Teen Discovers
Indian Caves",
with a picture of Clark alongside it.
Lionel: Hmm... this is an interesting display.
Chloe: Yeah, I call it The Wall of Weird.
Lionel: I'll come to the point, Miss Sullivan. I'd like to help you
rebuild. I've instructed the LuthorCorp Foundation to make a donation to
your school--the funds are specifically earmarked toward rebuilding and
updating the journalism department.
Chloe: Mr. Luthor, I'm confused. I mean, the struggling editor in me
wants to just leave it at "Thank You" but... the journalist in me has to
ask "Why?"
Lionel: I'm impressed with your, um, willingness to explore alternative
ideas, options. You interned at the Daily Planet this summer, didn't
you?
Chloe: Yeah.
Lionel: Hmm. Well, I have a little influence there. They certainly could
use some new blood. Maybe, um, a column... To introduce your unique
point of view.
Chloe: I... I don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth, but... I
don't understand why the most powerful man in the city is interested in
helping me.
Lionel: We're after the same thing, Miss Sullivan--the truth. You know,
um, journalists are the midwives of history. Perhaps, with my help, we
could, uh... make history together.
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