Byron: I'm sorry, Father. I promise it won't happen again.
Mr. Moore: What is the one rule we live by in this house?
Byron: Byron stays in the cellar.
Mr. Moore: And why is that?
Byron: Because father knows what's best for Byron.
Mr. Moore: How the hell did you get out? I swear, you better give me an
answer right now, or I'm gonna--
Byron: I pried open the lock.
Mr. Moore: Get out again, boy, there will be more than a tranquilizer in
that gun.
Chloe: Ah, the sentiment's nice. But the fact that you found this in a
graveyard seems a little Amityville.
Lana: I think it's kind of romantic. I haven't had a love letter since
third grade. It seems like a lost art.
Chloe: Not true, not true. This morning in Trig, I intercepted a note
from a wrestler to a cheerleader. It wasn't exactly poetic, but, um, he
definitely got his point across.
Pete: Who do you think wrote it?
Lana: I have no idea.
Clark: Hey, guys. So, what's going on?
Chloe: Lana has a secret admirer.
Lana: It's nothing.
Chloe: What do you mean, nothing? What happened to romantic?
Pete: Just let the boy read it.
Clark: It's a little mushy.
Lana: I almost forgot. Clark Kent, the man of steel. I'll see you guys
later.
Chloe: Bye.
Pete: Bye.
Clark: If you ask me, it sounds more like a stalker than a secret
admirer.
Girl: Thanks.
Lana: No problem. It's kind of personal. Go ahead and read it. You'll
probably agree with Clark that it's sappy.
Lex: The, uh, imagery is a little naive, but the meter's actually quite
sophisticated. Who wrote this?
Lana: Either an admirer or a psychopath, depending on who you ask.
Lex: That had a little edge to it. Is everything all right?
Lana: Everyone's giving me a hard time about the poem. I guess I'm just
a little defensive.
Lex: "Take me to you, imprison me, for I never shall be free, nor ever
chaste, except you ravish me."
Lana: John Donne. He's one of my favorites.
Lex: If I didn't know better, I'd say I found your Achilles' heel.
Lana: I didn't realize you were so into poetry.
Lex: Anyone who doesn't appreciate poetry doesn't understand that it's
all about seduction.
Lana: It's nice some people appreciate artistic expression.
Lex: Kind of, uh, raises the bar for any other contenders, doesn't it,
Clark?
Clark: Lana, I know things aren't so great between us right now...
Lana: I'm fine, Clark.
Clark: Lana, I want to apologize for ragging on the poem.
Lana: Guess poetry's not for everybody.
Clark: I guess I was just surprised that you would show Pete and Chloe
and not show it to me.
Lana: You can't expect me to share everything with you, Clark, if you're
not going to be open with me.
Clark: Don't you think it's weird? This guy's sneaking around watching
you.
Lana: Come on, Clark. Tell me you've never watched somebody from afar.
Tad: So as you can see, sir, or maybe not actually "see" in your case,
it was an honest mistake. And one that I promise won't ever happen again
as long as I'm working for you.
Lionel: Thank you, Tad. That was a very heartfelt, if not interminably
long-winded apology. And I'm going to help you keep that promise, Tad.
Your things will be mailed to you.
Tad: Are you letting me go?
Lionel: Never lose that grasp of the obvious, Tad, it's one of your
strongest attributes.
Lex: That's the fourth one you've devoured this month.
Lionel: Where are you finding these people, Lex?
Lex: Little schools like Harvard and Yale. I spent hours going over
résumés looking for the perfect fit.
Lionel: You mustn't be fooled by a résumé, Lex. You have to look into
their eyes to see if they're up to the challenge. I need your eyes to
look for me, son.
Lex: I see. So somehow, the failure of your assistants is my fault.
Lionel: Forget the self-pity, Lex. I wasn't criticizing, I was
critiquing. There's a difference. And if I recall, I didn't ask for
help. You offered.
Lex: Well, I'm glad to see your condition hasn't softened your paternal
side.
Lionel: My condition has nothing to do with it.
Lex: You're not the master of the universe anymore and it's killing you,
isn't it?
Lionel: Just get me an assistant who meets my criteria.
Lex: I don't think I would fit your criteria.
Lionel: Probably not, but nobody's perfect.
Computerized Voice: "At the sound of the opening bell on the stock
exchange floor Monday morning, Luthor Corporation's stock adjusted
dramatically after weeks of speculation as to-
Martha: I couldn't listen to another word of that droning either.
Lionel: Who is that?
Martha: It's Martha Kent. I hope I'm not disturbing you.
Lionel: No, no. It's a welcome interruption.
Martha: I came by to pick up the monthly produce check from Lex. He
usually leaves it out for me.
Lionel: I'm afraid my presence here has thrown Lex's regimented routine
into a mild chaos.
Martha: I'm sure he's happy to have your here, even if he doesn't know
how to say it.
Lionel: Your assumptions are very generous.
Martha: "The plummeting stock sent a ripple through investment houses.
CEO Lionel Luthor attributed the drop to this quarter's anticipated
deficit." It's all a smokescreen, isn't it? You're trying to make
investors nervous so when LuthorCorp posts less than impressive gains,
the stock will have already adjusted.
Lionel: I had no idea Martha Kent had such keen business acumen. I
wonder if your talents aren't being wasted on organic produce.
Martha: I'm going to take that as a compliment.
Lionel: You should.
Mrs. Moore: I bought you this at the used bookstore.
Byron: Edgar Allen Poe. You really know how to pick them, Mother.
Mrs. Moore: Well, I read a couple of pages. I couldn't make heads or
tails.
Byron: I'm surprised. He writes about pain and suffering and people
being buried alive.
Mrs. Moore: Byron, I know you're upset, but things are better this way.
Byron: How can you let him do this to me?
Mrs. Moore: You have put your father through enough. Just be glad that
things are back to normal.
Byron: Normal kids aren't hunted by their fathers.
Mrs. Moore: I don't want to hear another word. You just stick to your
books and keep your mouth shut. Everything will be fine.
Lana: What am I doing? This is crazy. Wait! I got your other poem. It
was beautiful.
Byron: You really think so?
Lana: What's your name?
Byron: Byron.
Lana: Like the poet?
Byron: Like my great-uncle. But there's nothing poetic about him.
Lana: Why do you leave me these poems?
Byron: Because you inspire me. No, don't!
Clark: Get away from her!
Lana: Clark! Oh, my God.
Lana: Are you okay?
Byron: Yes. I'm fine.
Byron: I can't believe I passed out.
Clark: I'm sorry I scared you.
Byron: It's okay, Clark. You were protecting a beautiful young lady. It
was chivalrous. You're lucky to have a boyfriend who cares so much about
you.
Lana: Clark- Clark's just a friend. Uh, an overprotective one.
Byron: If I could write the beauty of your eyes, and number all your
graces, the age to come would say this poet lies. Such heavenly touches
ne'er touched earthly faces.
Lana: That was beautiful.
Clark: Which poet wrote that?
Byron: Shakespeare.
Lana: I can't imagine being home schooled and never seeing anybody.
Byron: You don't miss what you never had.
Clark: It seems like you don't get out much. Uh, your parents pretty
strict?
Byron: They only want what's best for me.
Lana: Oh, my God, that's our milk delivery.
Byron:] What time is it?
Clark: Quarter to five.
Byron: If my parents wake up...
Clark: You want us to come in and tell your parents what happened?
Byron: No, I'll be fine.
Mrs. Moore: Byron, hurry! I warned you not to leave, boy. No, no.
Clark: Byron!
Byron: Go away!
Mrs. Moore: Come on! I better not catch you around my son again! Now get
out before I shoot you for trespassing!
Jonathan: Lionel Luthor offered you a job?
Martha: I was just as surprised as you are.
Jonathan: What did you tell him?
Martha: That I wanted to discuss it with you. You know, I-I've been
thinking about going back to work for a while.
Jonathan: Why would you do it with him? You know that he's got an
ulterior motive for everything he does.
Martha: I know all about Lionel Luthor, but we could use the money. And
I could use a bigger challenge in my life.
Jonathan: Oh, I understand. Farm life's gotten just a little bit too
boring for you, hasn't it?
Martha: I didn't mean it like that. This is a chance for me to put my
education to use.
Jonathan: Even at the risk of losing our privacy here?
Martha: You don't trust me to make that call? I want to do this.
Jonathan: Martha-- Clark? Lana? You two been out all night?
Clark: No, it's not what you think. Um, we met this kid and we think
that his parents are abusing him.
Ethan: Mrs. Moore?
Mrs. Moore: Oh...
Ethan: I'm sorry to disturb you, but I'd like to speak to your son.
Mr. Moore: I'm afraid that's not possible, sheriff.
Clark: Where is he?
Jonathan: Clark, let the sheriff handle this please.
Ethan: He's not in any trouble.
Mr. Moore: Look, I don't know what the hell's going on here sheriff, but
our son is dead. He drowned out in Crater Lake eight years ago.
Lana: We just met him last night.
Jonathan: My son says that you threatened him.
Mr. Moore: I've never seen these kids before in my life. Look, it's
taken all these years to get past this, and then you show up and pull a
prank like this. What kind of parent would raise a child to do a wicked
thing like that?
Ethan: We're awfully sorry. Look, Jonathan, I think we should go.
Lana: They're lying.
Clark: We saw him go in that house.
Ethan: This is a very awkward situation, Jonathan.
Jonathan: I know it is, Ethan, but if there's even a chance that young
man's in trouble, we wouldn't want that on our conscience.
Ethan: I'll get a warrant.
Chloe: It looks like your tortured artist is an unfortunate member of
the dead poets society. The certificate of death was signed by Dr. Emil
Jenkins.
Clark: It's got to be fake.
Chloe: Not that I don't trust your judgment, but could it be possible
that goth boy maybe is--
Lana: I don't think a ghost could polish off three pieces of cake and
two cappuccinos.
Chloe: I was just checking, I mean this is Smallville. Well, I ran Dr.
Jenkins' name through the computer and found out something very
interesting. Eight years ago, he supervised a medical file over at
Metron Pharmaceuticals.
Clark: Let me guess. Byron was a participant?
Chloe: Yeah, they were all kids who had exhibited antisocial behavior.
Lana: But it doesn't sound like Byron. He's so gentle.
Chloe: Could it be that our new Shakespeare has a-stirred the heart of
our young Juliet?
Lana: It's just nice to meet someone who's so honest with their feelings
I don't have to guess what they're thinking. We have to start looking
for Byron.
Clark: No, we should wait to see what the sheriff finds.
Lex: Chopin? I always thought you found him to be too sentimental.
Lionel: No, Lex, I find that he sometimes lacks subtlety... sometimes. I
take it from your tone you're angry at me. What transgression have I
committed now?
Lex: I wasted yesterday interviewing more prospects, only to find that
you've hired Mrs. Kent. What's your angle, Dad?
Lionel: Angle? Martha Kent is a very... capable woman. Unshakable
honesty like hers is hard to come by.
Lex: She just happens to be one of the few pillars of this community who
could ingratiate a despised tycoon to the citizens of Smallville.
Lionel: I hadn't thought of it in those terms. I suppose that is an
unexpected benefit.
Lex: I don't know what your sudden interest is in the Kents, but I want
you to stay away from them. They mean a lot to me.
Lionel: And I wonder what they would think of your trying to meddle in
their affairs. You think if you're a very good boy, they'll welcome you
into their family?
Lex: Well, it would certainly be a step up.
Lionel: You know, Lex, Zeus had a son, an adopted son, who thought he
could find a home among mortals. You know what happened to the
well-intentioned Prometheus?
Lex: His dad had him chained to a rock and his liver was eaten by
vultures. Why?
Lionel: Prometheus was immortal, Lex. No matter how much he wanted to
escape the world he was born into, the world of the gods, he never
could. It wasn't possible.
Lex: If I find out that you have any agenda that could hurt the Kents,
this amiable father-son détente will come to an abrupt end.
Pete: What happened to waiting for the sheriff?
Clark: I need to know if Byron's in here.
Pete: You're a regular Dr. Dolittle. This place is like an NRA petting
zoo.
Clark uses his x-ray vision to look through the floor. He sees a trap
door under a rug.
Clark: Looks like there's something under this rug. It's made of lead.
That's why I couldn't see through it.
Pete: That's good to know. Maybe you ought to think about publishing an
instruction manual.
Clark: Watch the door. Byron. What did they do to you?
Byron: It's not what you think.
Clark: I have to get you out of here.
Byron: How did you do that?
Clark: Rusty lock. Come on.
Byron: Don't! Last time I went out during the day I hurt my dad!
Clark: Byron, no one deserves to be locked up like this.
Byron: You don't understand!
Clark: Trust me, Byron, I understand more than you know.
Byron: No! Leave me alone! Aaah!
Clark: Byron, are you okay?
Byron: You should have listened to me! What are you looking at?
Pete: Byron, it's okay.
Byron: Get away from me!
Clark: Pete?
Martha: Pete? I saw your mom downstairs. Are you all right?
Pete: Yeah. The doctor's say it's a hairline fracture, which is ironic
because it hurts everywhere else except my hairline.
Martha: Mm, sweetie.
Pete: Being part of this family should come with its own group health
insurance.
Jonathan: I thought we agreed you were gonna wait for Sheriff Ethan.
Clark: Dad, they had Byron locked in the basement, chained to the wall.
Pete: When Clark carried him outside, he kind of went Jekyll and Hyde on
us.
Clark: I tried to stop him.
Jonathan: You tried? How big of a change are we talking about here?
Mrs. Moore: You really shouldn't be here. My husband is out looking for
Byron, but he'll be back soon.
Jonathan: My son feels responsible. We want to help.
Mrs. Moore: You just... you can't imagine how hard it was for both of
us. You probably think we're horrible parents.
Clark: When I took Byron out into the light, why did he change?
Mrs. Moore: It was one of the side effects of the drug. He can't be out
in the sun. I wish we'd never gotten involved in that mess. They
promised that the drug would make him better. It would make him normal.
Jonathan: There's got to be somebody somewhere that-- that can help your
son.
Mrs. Moore: We tried everything. Dr. Jenkins watched six other boys die
trying to reverse the side effects. They had Byron hooked up to all
those machines like he was some sort of alien.
Clark: Is that why you faked his death certificate?
Mrs. Moore: We didn't know what to do. Finally, we-- we locked him in
the cellar. He cried for days. He didn't understand why we had to keep
him down here. We felt like the monsters.
Clark: If I get Byron out of the sun, will he change back?
Mrs. Moore: Yeah. He's so strong now. I don't know how anybody could do
that.
Lana: I just got back from seeing Pete. He told me what happened. Thanks
for the call.
Clark: Look, Lana I--
Lana: Why did you lie to me, Clark? Byron's my friend and I wanted to
help. You cut me out.
Clark: I didn't want you to get hurt.
Lana: Is that it, or don't you trust me?
Clark: You haven't seen Byron, have you?
Lana: No. But if I had, you'd know already, because I'd have been honest
with you.
Chloe: Okay, so I think I figured out why our would-be Shakespeare went
all pro wrestler on you. Jeez, is it just me, or did it get cold in
here?
Clark: What'd you find?
Chloe: Um, well, the drug that Byron was given during the medical trials
targeted his adrenal system.
Clark: It says here they were looking for a cure. We need to track down
the company.
Chloe: It's too late. Metron Pharmaceuticals was shut down before they
even finished their research.
Lana: Why would they do that?
Chloe: I don't know, but maybe Clark should ask his Mom's new boss.
Clark: Lionel Luthor owns Metron.
Chloe: Just one of the many LuthorCorp subsidiaries that promise us a
brighter future.
Clark: I'll talk to Lex.
Chloe: Um, I'd love to help you, but Pete just sent out an SOS for his
Play Station 2, so good luck.
Clark: Where are you going?
Lana: To look for Byron.
Clark: Wait, Lana. My dad, Mr. Moore, and half the sheriff's department
are out searching.
Lana: Are you telling me I should stay here and pour coffee?
Clark: No, I'm saying you should be careful. Byron's not the same guy.
If you see him don't get too close. Call someone.
Lana: Byron. It's me, Lana. I, uh, I want to help you.
Byron: I was down there for eight years. I'm not going back.
Lana: You could hurt people like this. The Byron I met wouldn't want
that. I know who did this to you. It was LuthorCorp. Clark's talking to
Lionel Luthor's son. They can find a cure.
Byron: There is no cure!
Lana: Byron, no!
Byron: I want you! They made me into someone no one can love. Not even
you! Aaah!
Lex: Another mark on the Luthor name. My father's leaving me quite a
legacy. You might give you mom a heads-up. If she's going to work for my
father, this is what she's getting herself into.
Clark: My mother can take care of herself, Lex. Besides, I haven't seen
her this excited in a long time.
Lex: To tell you the truth, Clark, I was a little surprised. Considering
all my offers to ease your family's financial situation have been met
with a resounding no, it stung a little to see her name on my father's
payroll.
Clark: Well, to be honest, it wasn't exactly a unanimous decision at the
Kent household.
Lex: My father's the poster boy for family strife. I'm sorry it's
spreading.
Clark: Look at it this way, Lex. At least my father's not upset with you
this time.
Lex: I'll look into Metron, Clark, see where my father's been hiding the
proverbial bodies. Now, I have to head over to the plant. Some Luthors
actually have to work for a living.
Clark: Wow. I didn't realize the traffic in Smallville had gotten so
bad.
Lex: It's my father. I hope your mom likes helicopters.
Clark: My family doesn't fly much.
Lex: Trust me. That's about to change. I'll talk to you later, Clark.
Martha: Watch your head. All right. Um, it's this way.
Lionel: What?
Martha: This way.
Lionel: First time in a helicopter, Martha?
Martha: I wasn't expecting a trip to Metropolis on my first day.
Lionel: All right, Bob, we're off!
Bob: Yes, sir.
Lionel: What's happening, Bob?
Bob: I don't know!
Martha: What's happening?
Lionel: Bob?
Martha: Oh, my God!
Lionel: What's happening?
Lionel: What is it?
Martha: We have to get out of here, come on!
Lionel: What is it? Martha!
Byron: Luthor!
Lionel: Who the hell are you?
Byron: You did this to me!
Lionel: Did what? What are you talking about?
Clark: I don't want to have to hurt you, Byron! We got to get you out of
the light!
Byron: No! You can't stop me!
Martha: Clark!
Byron: Clark?
Clark: It's okay, Byron. You're gonna be all right.
Byron: Clark.
Clark: Yeah, I brought you some light reading… They're a lost art form.
Byron: I don't remember our fight, but I cannot believe I didn't hurt
you.
Lana: Some people are just lucky.
Clark: Hey, how's the wrist?
Lana: Uh, it'll be better in a couple of days.
Byron: I can't believe I...
Lana: Hey, don't worry about it. I know it wasn't you.
Byron: You were brave to come and find me.
Lana: A friend warned me to be careful. I should have listened to him.
Byron: Let me see your hand.
Lex: Dad, I heard what happened. Are you okay?
Lionel: I'm relatively unscathed, thanks to Martha and Clark.
Lex: Clark?
Lionel: He's a rather extraordinary young man, don't you think?
Martha: Oh, hi, Lex. I, uh, spoke to the foundation and they can
transfer the funds directly into the new account.
Lex: Seven hours on the clock and you're already laundering money for my
father?
Martha: I'm convincing him to fund new research into Byron Moore's
condition. You okay?
Lionel: Mmm.
Lex: I'm sure my father's informed you that LuthorCorp is not in the
charity business.
Lionel: I did, I did.
Martha: Then I explained that he'll spend less helping this boy live a
normal life than he would on advertising to restore consumer confidence
in LuthorCorp. The papers will be here tomorrow for you to sign. I'll
see you in the morning.
Lionel: All right. Lex. I can feel your smirk from here.
Lex: You better watch it, Dad, or your new executive assistant might
start rearranging all your priorities.
Lana: You pulled one of your trademark disappearing acts last night.
Clark: Well, I figured, uh, you could use some time alone with Byron.
Lana: Sonnets? Not exactly you're usual reading.
Clark: Byron was really into them. I thought maybe I could learn
something.
Lana: What'd you think?
Clark: They really weren't for me.
Lana: An honest answer. I like that.
Clark: Lana, I'm sorry for not being straight with you from the
beginning.
Lana: It's okay. When I confronted Byron, I got so scared. The first
person I thought of was you.
Clark: Really?
Lana: I thought, if Clark was here he'd know what to do. I thought I
could save him. I just ended up making things worse.
Clark: You tried to help a friend. There's no harm in that.
Lana: I hope Byron's gonna be okay.
Clark: It doesn't bother you that he's so...
Lana: Different? If you really like someone, you accept every part of
them, but you can't do that until they're willing to share every part
with you.
Clark: I think people like Byron keep a part of himself hidden so he
doesn't scare people away.
Lana: If you want to get close to someone, you have to take that risk.
Clark: What if the risk is too big to take?
Lana: Then you might miss out on something that could be pretty amazing.
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, what's going on? 
logize for ragging on the poem. 
who cares so much about
you. 
anted to discuss it with you. You know, I-I've been
thinking about going back to work for a while. 
Look, Jonathan, I think we should go. 
just happens to be one of the few pillars of this community who
could ingratiate a despised tycoon to the citizens of Smallville. 
mother can take care of herself, Lex. Besides, I haven't seen
her this excited in a long time. 
me in a helicopter, Martha? 
nscathed, thanks to Martha and Clark. 
think? 
il they're willing to share every part
with you. 
