print this pageSUSPECT
Airdate: January 28, 2003, 2003
Written by: Brian Peterson & Kelly Souders
Directed by: Greg Beeman
Transcript by: Kerrplop
TEASER
Lionel is on the upper level of Lex's study next to the bookshelves. Night. There is opera music playing in the background and thunder can be heard outside as lightning flashes. Lionel is reading a book with his reading device.
Computerized Voice: "That which is done out of love always takes place beyond good and evil."
A cell phone rings and Lionel closes the book, revealing that it is Beyond Good & Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche. He puts the book on the shelf and answers his cell phone.
Lionel: Yeah. Have my helicopter ready first thing in the morning. I'm going back to Metropolis. No, no, I'll be alone. I suspect, uh, Martha Kent is no longer in my employ.
Lightning flashes as he hangs up the phone. On the ground floor, we see the doorknob turn and the door open slowly. A shadow is cast onto the floor as someone enters.
Lionel: Who's there? (No answer) If this is someone's idea of a joke, I'm not amused.
We see the shadow come up the wall as the person climbs the stairs.
Lionel: Is that you? (Pause) Didn't I make it clear? The conversation is over.
Suddenly Lionel is shot twice, once in the chest and once in the front of his left shoulder. He loses his balance and tumbles over the railing, landing on his back on a glass coffee table that shatters beneath him. He remains there unmoving with his eyes partly open.
CUT TO Jonathan asleep in the passenger side of his truck. The rain is pouring down and someone shines a flashlight into the window causing Jonathan to stir. He groggily raises his right hand to his eyes and he is holding a gun. There is a liquor bottle in his other hand and a cop comes to the passenger window, pointing a gun at him. Sheriff Ethan's voice is heard over a megaphone.
Ethan: Jonathan Kent, put the gun down and step out of the truck.
Jonathan puts the gun down and starts to get out of the driver's side door where two more officers are pointing guns at him.
Cop: Keep your hands where I can see ‘em! Drop it!
He drops the liquor bottle as he opens the door. He comes out of the truck looking disoriented and holding up his hands. A helicopter can be heard and there is a spotlight waving around from above. The truck is surrounded by police cars. Sheriff Ethan approaches and hands the megaphone to another officer.
Ethan: Hold this. (To Jonathan) Everything's gonna be fine. Just keep your hands where we can see them.
Jonathan: Ethan. What's going on?
Ethan: Jonathan, as a friend, don't say another word until you get yourself a lawyer. (He cuffs Jonathan's hands behind his back and they walk to the car) You have the right to remain silent and refuse to answer questions. Anything you say may be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult an attorney and have an attorney present during questioning.
His voice fades as they get to the car.
[Opening credits]
Act 1 Scene 1
Jonathan, dressed in an orange jumpsuit, is sitting on a cot in his jail cell. Day. He gets up as Clark and Martha enter. They talk through the bars.
Clark: Dad. How you doing?
Jonathan: I'm fine other than a splitting headache. Is there any word on how Lionel Luthor is doing?
Martha: He was rushed into surgery, Jonathan. He may not make it.
Jonathan: How about the gun they found in my truck?
Clark: Well, the police are testing it now. It's the same caliber Lionel was shot with.
Jonathan: Clark, that was not my gun. I have no idea how it wound up in my hands.
Clark: Dad, what happened last night?
Jonathan: Well, I was out running some errands. Um, I stopped by the Wild Coyote for a beer.
There is a flash of Jonathan drinking a beer in a bar and then a flash of him paying the bartender.
Jonathan: When I got in my truck, everything started to go woozy on me.
Another flash of Jonathan stopping his truck and sticking his head out the window to let the rain fall on his face.
Martha: How many did you have?
Jonathan: Martha, I had half a beer. I promise. The next thing I know, I'm out on the side of Highway 91, I've got the police spotlight shining in my face, it's raining...
Martha: We need to get you a lawyer. I'm going to call my father and ask him to take your case.
Jonathan: Martha, that man has never believed in me before. I don't see any reason why an attempted murder charge is gonna change that.
Clark: Lana told me that Henry Small used to be a criminal attorney.
Jonathan: Well, he certainly wouldn't be intimidated by the Luthors.
Ethan enters.
Ethan: I'm sorry, Martha, but, uh, you and Clark are gonna have to leave now.
Jonathan comes to Martha and Clark and puts his hand on the bar with tears in his eyes. Clark puts his hand on top of Jonathan's.
Clark: Dad, no matter what it takes, I'm gonna find out who did this.
Jonathan: Yeah.
Martha kisses Jonathan between the bars and she and Clark leave.
Act 1 Scene 2
Lex enters the Smallville Medical Center. Day.
Lex: (To Dominic who is waiting in the hall) I just got in from Metropolis. Where is he?
Dominic: In surgery. He's still in critical condition. If the downstairs maid hadn't been awakened by the shot, he'd be dead.
Lex: I want round-the-clock security. Whoever shot my father must still be out there.
Dominic: You can save the concerned son routine, Lex. I have everything under control.
Lex: The, uh, loyal lapdog sitting watch at his master's door, secretly hoping he doesn't make it?
Dominic: As I recall, you almost let him die once. Who's to say you didn't try to finish the job? God knows after yesterday, you'd have enough reason to want him dead.
Lex grabs Dominic by the jacket and slams him against the wall.
Lex: You know what I find so amusing about you, Dominic, is that you actually believe my father is grooming you. (He lets go of Dominic)
Dominic: It's unfortunate that they already have a suspect in custody. I can't think of a person with a better motive for killing your father than you. (He walks away)
Act 1 Scene 3
Henry Small, Lana, and Clark sit at a table in the Talon. Day.
Henry: I'm sorry about your father, Clark, but I'm afraid I can't represent him.
Lana: I don't understand. Why?
Henry: Because I'm not the right man for this kind of case.
Clark: Mr. Small, from everything I know about you, you're perfect for this case.
Henry: I'd be happy to make some referrals.
Lana: They don't need a list of names, they need someone they can trust.
Henry: I'm sorry, Lana. My decision's final. (He leaves)
Lana: Just when I thought I was getting to know him.
Clark: Looks like we need to find another lawyer. (Clark gets up)
Lana: Clark, um... there's something I need to tell you. I went by the mansion yesterday to drop off the Talon's quarterly tax bills, and your dad was there.
Clark: What was he doing?
Lana: Yelling at Lionel Luthor.
There is a flash and we see Lana walking through the hall to Lex's study. She stops when she hears yelling. She peeks around the corner and sees Jonathan and Lionel.
Jonathan: I want you out of our lives once and for all.
Lionel: You're jumping to conclusions, Mr. Kent. It was simply a token of appreciation.
Jonathan: Oh, I think it was quite a bit more than that, don't you?
Lionel: It's all relative, isn't it? I mean, a Roget DuBois watch from me is equivalent to a Whitman sampler from you.
Jonathan: You arrogant son of a... You know the worst thing that ever happened to my family was getting involved with yours.
Lionel: Oh, now, I seem to recall that the benefits to our families were mutual. Are you forgetting the circumstances of Clark's adoption?
Jonathan: You poison everything you touch. This town would be a whole lot better off if you weren't in it.
Lionel: But you're as much to blame for that as I am, aren't you? No. Martha was worried about that. She thought you wouldn't be, uh, big enough to let her live her own life.
Jonathan: You stay away from Martha, or I promise you you will regret it!
There is a flash and we're back in the Talon.
Lana: He threatened him, Clark.
Clark: My dad told me he was running errands. Why would he lie to me?
Lana: Look, the sheriff came by earlier. I told him what I just told you. I didn't want to, but I couldn't lie.
Clark: It's okay. I mean, you know my dad would never try to kill anybody. Right?
Lana: He was angry, Clark, but I know him and there's no way.
Clark: Thanks.
Act 1 Scene 4
There are police officers searching the Kent home as Clark enters. Day.
Clark: Mom? What's going on?
Martha: (Coming out of the kitchen with a piece of paper) They have a search warrant.
Ethan comes down the stairs.
Ethan: Martha, can I have a word with you?
Martha: Yeah.
Ethan: (Holding up a plastic bag) I found this watch on your bedroom floor. Is it yours?
Martha: It was a gift.
Ethan: From who?
Martha looks at Clark nervously.
Clark: Lionel Luthor.
Ethan: (Reading the inscription) "To Martha, with deepest affection, L.L."
Martha: I was gonna give it back. I knew if Jonathan saw it, he would be furious so... I hid it in the dresser.
Ethan: Well, looks like he found it.
Martha: Ethan, you've known Jonathan since high school.
Ethan: I can't let my friendship interfere with my job, and you gotta admit this looks like motive.
Martha: He found a watch and smashed it. That doesn't mean he's a killer.
Ethan: He also had an argument with Lionel yesterday.
Martha: What?
Clark: Yeah. Lana was there. She saw it.
Ethan: It was so heated, one of Lionel's assistants called the station about getting a restraining order. The way I figure, he was still hot under the collar when he got to the Wild Coyote. The bartender told me he got pretty drunk.
There is a flash of Jonathan draining a glass of beer and putting it down onto the bar.
Jonathan: (To the bartender) Hey, Mike. Why don't you give me a double shot of that tequila.
Mike pours the shot. Jonathan downs it and drops the shot glass inside the empty beer mug. Flash back to the present.
Clark: Wait a minute, Dad said he only had one beer.
Ethan: Well, I administered his blood-alcohol test myself, son. He was a 2.0. That's quite a bit more than one beer. From the sound of things he was really spoiling for a fight.
Flash back to the bar.
Jonathan: Lionel Luthor's a lying, miserable son of a bitch!
Mike: You won't get any arguments here.
Jonathan takes two more shots and holds up his glass.
Jonathan: Again.
Mike: I don't think that's a good idea.
Jonathan: All right, then why don't you just sell me the whole bottle? (He holds up a 20-dollar bill)
Mike: I'm not supposed to do that, Jonathan.
Jonathan: Come on, Mike. (He puts the money in Mike's shirt pocket) We've been friends a long time. Nobody's gonna know. (He takes the bottle, hides it in his jacket, and leaves the bar)
CUT TO Jonathan parking his truck and reaching into the glove box. He pulls out a gun and takes a swig of tequila. He gets out of the truck and loads the gun.
CUT TO Lionel on the upper level of the study.
Lionel: Is that you?
We see Jonathan's hand pointing the gun.
Lionel: Didn't I make it clear? The conversation is over.
Jonathan fires the gun twice and Lionel falls over the edge of the railing onto the coffee table below. Jonathan looks down at him-- -Flash back to the present.
Ethan: We have eyewitnesses who saw Jonathan's truck leaving the mansion after they heard gunshots. Forensics found powder residue on Jonathan's hand. I wish there were another explanation. For now he's our only suspect.
Fade to black.
Act 2 Scene 1
Pete and Clark drive to the area near the train tracks where Jonathan was found the night of the shooting. Day. They get out of Pete's car.
Pete: What exactly are we looking for? The police already checked this whole area.
Clark: But we have an advantage they don't.
Clark looks around with his x-ray vision.
Pete: You doing the eye thing? Hey, I need you to check my backyard some time. I buried a jar of quarters when I was 10. I never could find it.
Clark: (Walking over to a shed) They found my dad's truck right about here...
He looks through the shed and sees a bullet in the wall.
Pete: Did you find something?
Clark: Yeah, it's a bullet. We need to get the sheriff out here to dig it out.
CUT TO Pete and Clark driving away.
Pete: I don't mean to rain on your CSI parade, but the only thing that bullet proves is that somebody shot a shed.
Clark: Look, the sheriff said he found powder residue on my dad's hand. My dad said he'd never seen that gun before, much less fired it.
Pete: So? What does that mean?
Clark: It means that whoever shot Lionel probably drugged my dad and then followed him until he pulled over.
There is a flash of a gloved hand holding Jonathan's hand out the window of the truck and firing the gun with it.
Clark: If that bullet came from the same gun that shot Lionel, maybe we can convince the police that my dad is being framed.
Act 2 Scene 1
A doctor, Sheriff Ethan, and Lex are talking in the hall at the hospital. Day.
Doctor: Even though we removed the bullet, the kidney damage significantly slowed his metabolism. He's in a coma.
Lex: What are his chances?
Doctor: His higher brain functions are shutting down. If he doesn't regain consciousness in the next 24 hours, he won't make it. I'm sorry. (He walks away)
Clark comes around the corner.
Clark: Sheriff Ethan. Can I talk to you for a minute?
Lex: Excuse me, Sheriff.
Lex walks away, brushing past Clark coldly. Clark watches him go.
Ethan: What is it, Clark?
Clark: I found a bullet in a shack near where you arrested my father.
Ethan: My men went over that area with a microscope.
Clark: Well, they must have missed it. Someone put that gun in my dad's hand and fired. That's why you found gunpowder on his skin.
Ethan: Or it could be your dad squeezed off a round while he was parked there drinking tequila, or it could be from a totally different weapon.
Clark: Whoever's trying to set up my dad doesn't want you to find that bullet.
Ethan: I don't know what it'll prove, but I'll get out there and have it tested.
Dominic walks up.
Dominic: Sheriff. I was wondering if we could talk. My name's Dominic Santori. I work for Lionel Luthor.
Ethan: Clark, would you excuse us?
Dominic: It's okay. He can stay. I don't think his father shot Mr. Luthor. But I'm pretty sure I know who did.
There is a flashback to Lionel and Dominic entering Lex's study where Lex is seated at the desk. Lightning flashes outside.
Lionel: All right, Lex. What's so urgent you insisted I fly in for a face-to-face? I'm missing Domingo's "La Bohème."
Lex: Well, consider this a curtain call on our own private opera, Dad. Would you ask your seeing-eye dog to wait outside?
Lionel: Anything you have to say you can say in front of Dominic.
Lex: A representative from an offshore shell company bears an uncanny resemblance to Mr. Santori here. He's been quietly approaching the LexCorp employees and buying up their voting shares.
Lionel: Hmm. Is that so?
Lex: I was under the impression they had no intention of selling. What'd you get on them?
Lionel: Now, now, Lex. Don't be a sore loser. I'm just realigning your priorities. Your attempt to build LexCorp was at the expense of our mutual goals.
Lex: The only thing we share is mutual enmity. This entire father-son reconciliation act was just a smokescreen to stab me in the back and buy out my company.
Lionel: If you were really ready to run LexCorp, there's no way I could have taken it from you. Look at this as an opportunity for us to work together again, father and son.
Lex: When I broke away from you, I swore I'd never be under your thumb again.
Lionel: It's my hope that you'll stay and rise to the challenge.
Lex: Your ego wouldn't allow it. I'll fight you on this and I'll win.
Lionel: You better have something stronger than words to back up those threats, son, because as of this moment you are just another employee.
Flash to the present.
Dominic: All Lex had to do was wait until Lionel was alone.
Flash to Lionel on the upper level of the study.
Lionel: Didn't I make it clear? The conversation is over.
Lex shoots Lionel. Flash to the present.
Dominic: After he shot him, Lex could've framed Mr. Kent. Then he drove his girlfriend to Metropolis. A convenient alibi.
Ethan: Thank you, Mr. Santori. I'll certainly look into that. Excuse me. (He walks away)
Clark: I know Lex and his dad have their problems, but it's hard to believe he'd do that.
Dominic: Face it, Clark. In your heart you've always known what Lex is capable of.
Dominic walks away leaving Clark with a thoughtful look on his face.
Act 2 Scene 2
Chloe is working in the Torch. Day. She is putting a front page together with a picture of Jonathan and a headline that says "Jonathan Kent Arrested in Luthor Shooting." Lana enters.
Lana: Hey. (Chloe looks up but doesn't answer) Are you okay?
Chloe: Sometimes being an objective journalist really sucks.
Lana: I can imagine. I still can't believe Henry didn't take Mr. Kent's case.
Chloe: Okay, usually when I do this, people seem to get really mad at me, but... I found it really odd that your dad passed up an opportunity to take on a Luthor so I ran a search on his legal history. (Pause) And since you don't seem to be freaking out, I guess I should continue?
Lana: If it helps explain why he won't defend Mr. Kent, then I want to know.
Chloe: Okay. It turns out that Mr. Small was a top white-collar criminal defense lawyer. He and his firm did a lot of business with-- surprise, surprise-- LuthorCorp.
Lana: Maybe he considered the Kent case a conflict of interest.
Chloe: As opposed to all the other times he's taken on Lionel and his buddies? (Opening a file) This is interesting, though. LuthorCorp files a complaint against Henry Small that got him fired from his firm.
Lana: Okay. So, uh, that explains why he might hate the Luthors, but it doesn't explain why he won't take the case.
Chloe: You know, Lana, my computer only spits out cold hard facts. If you want explanations, you're gonna have to go to the source.
Act 2 Scene 3
Lex is talking on the phone in his study. Night.
Lex: I understand. Very well, doctor, keep me posted.
Lex hangs up the phone and Clark bursts in.
Clark: (Angry) Dominic told me you got in a fight with your father just before he got shot. Why didn't you tell the police?
Lex: So now you're implying I pulled the trigger?
Clark: It's not like I haven't seen you shoot someone before.
Lex: Get out of here before you say something you really regret.
Clark: I'm not going anywhere. Not until I get some answers. Are you trying to frame my dad?
Lex: After all this time, I thought you knew me better than the average tabloid reader.
Clark: If you don't start trusting me with the truth, what else am I supposed to think?
Lex: Stay out of it, Clark.
Clark: My dad's life is at stake here!
Lex: So is my father's! Goodbye, Clark.
Startled, Clark leaves. Lex looks up at the railing where his father fell.
Act 2 Scene 4
Jonathan is sitting in his cell. Night. Martha enters.
Martha: Sweetheart. How are you holding up?
Jonathan: You know, it's funny how being locked up gives you time to reflect on all the mistakes you've made.
Martha: Why didn't you tell me you had a fight with Lionel?
Jonathan: ‘Cause I was angry.
Martha: At me?
Jonathan: No, at myself. I was jealous. When I found that watch it reminded me of all the things I couldn't give you. For the first time, it felt like I was losing you. Martha, I am so sorry.
Martha: For what?
Jonathan: I'm sorry for not having faith in us. I'm sorry for giving in to my own petty fears. And all it takes is one reckless moment to ruin everything
Martha: Jonathan, you didn't shoot Lionel.
Jonathan: No, I didn't shoot Lionel. But I... I let my anger get the best of me, I... I haven't exactly kept it a secret how Jonathan Kent feels about the Luthors. What jury could possibly believe me now?
Act 2 Scene 5
Pete and Clark drive up to the Wild Coyote. Day.
Pete: I know this place. My older brother used to come here all the time in high school. Word was they never checked IDs.
Clark: How'd they keep it up?
Pete: Good luck. Connections.
Clark: Well, if someone did drug my dad, this would've been the only place to do it.
They get out of the car and go inside where Mike is cleaning up.
Mike: I don't know what you kids heard, but we don't serve minors in here.
Clark: I just want to ask you a few questions. My name is Clark Kent, Jonathan Kent's son.
Mike: Jonathan? Listen, I'm, uh, sorry about what happened.
Clark: Do you remember if he was talking to anyone the other night?
Mike: He was talking to everybody, blowing off steam. It sounded like he had a major run-in with Lionel Luthor.
Clark: The sheriff said he bought a bottle of tequila from you.
Mike: Yeah. I wish I hadn't done it now. The cops want me to testify. I could lose my liquor license.
Clark: I've never seen my dad drink more than one or two beers. Are you sure someone didn't put something in his drink?
Mike: Nobody had to put anything in his drink the way he was knocking ‘em back. Listen, I know you don't want to hear this, but Jonathan said he was gonna take care of Lionel once and for all.
Clark: My dad would never say that.
Mike: I've known Jonathan since high school. He's always had a temper. There's no doubt in my mind he did it.
Clark grabs him by the shirt and lifts him up threateningly.
Mike: You're just as bad as your old man!
Pete: Clark, let him go, man! (Clark holds on) Clark, let him go! Be cool!
Clark puts Mike down and he and Pete leave.
CUT TO Clark and Pete driving away.
Clark: The guy's lying. He's involved. I think he's the one who spiked my dad's drink.
Pete: Clark, look, I'm on your side, but putting a bartender through spin cycle isn't the most intelligent thing to do right now.
Clark: I know. I'm sorry.
There is a semi truck coming toward them and it swerves into their lane.
Clark: Pete, look out!
Pete swerves out of the way and his car goes flying off the side of the road. They land in a dirt field nearby and bounce along the ground before finally coming to a stop. The semi truck stops as Clark and Pete are unfastening their safety belts. The truck driver, wearing a ski mask, opens the door and points a rifle at Pete's car. The gun is fired and we follow the bullet to Pete's car, through the back fender, and into the gas tank where it causes an explosion.
Clark kicks his door off and using his super speed, grabs Pete and runs from the car. He pushes Pete to the ground and lies down on top of him to block him from the explosion. When the smoke clears, only the frame of the car is left.
Clark: Are you all right?
Pete: Yeah, I think so. (Clark looks around, but the truck is gone) But you must've definitely ticked someone off.
They both look at the burning car.
Fade to black.
Act 3 Scene 1
A doctor listens to Pete's heart at the hospital. Day. Pete looks out the window where Clark is waiting. Lex approaches Clark.
Lex: Clark, I heard you had a narrow escape.
Clark: What do you care?
Lex: Because I think this hit-and-run may be connected to my father's shooting. I warned you to stay out of this, Clark.
Clark: Why? So you could control the situation?
Lex: I'm not controlling anything.
Clark: I don't know who to believe anymore.
Lex: Dominic must've made quite an impression.
Clark: This isn't about Dominic.
Lex: He's asked the hospital staff to keep me away from my father. Why do you think that is?
Clark: Probably to protect him.
Lex: Or himself. If my father regains consciousness, he may be able to identify who shot him.
Clark: Do you think Dominic's involved? Why would he suddenly turn against Lionel?
Lex: Because the decision to buy out LexCorp affects him as much as it does me.
Flash back to Lionel arguing with Lex as Dominic watches.
Lionel: You better have something stronger than words to back up those threats, son, because as of this moment, you are just another employee.
Lex: I'm going to Metropolis. When I get back I want you gone.
Lex leaves the room, walks to the end of the hall, and stops. He turns around and comes back to the study, listening to Dominic and Lionel.
Dominic: You never told me you wanted Lex back.
Lionel: I thought it was assumed.
Dominic: You know how much I care about this company. I can't believe you're giving Lex another chance.
Lionel: I gave Lex a taste of independence to demonstrate the futility of working against me. But I always intended to bring him back into the fold.
Dominic: You made promises to me. Promises that I expect you to keep.
Lionel: You've been loyal, Dominic. But, uh, Lex... is blood.
Dominic: I've worked too long to let you take everything away from me now.
Dominic turns to leave and sees Lex at the door.
Lex: (Smugly) I forgot my keys.
Back to the present.
Clark: You think he was angry enough to shoot your father?
A flash of Dominic shooting Lionel.
Lex: Seizing the reigns of a billion-dollar corporation is a powerful incentive. All he needed was someone to take the blame.
A flash of Mike drugging Jonathan's beer. Jonathan leaves the bar and Dominic enters. Mike hands him the bottle of tequila. Back to the present.
Clark: Why didn't you tell anyone about this?
Lex: My father was shot the same day he bought my company out from under me.
Clark: While you were playing it close the vest, my father was sitting in jail. How long were you planning on letting him stay there?
Lex: Until I knew for sure he didn't do it. Now I do. Look, this shooting is related to the buyout. I needed the guilty party to make a mistake.
Clark: Like trying to kill me and Pete?
Lex takes a deep breath and doesn't respond.
Clark: (Also taking a deep breath) So what now?
Act 3 Scene 2
Henry enters the Talon and goes to Lana. Day.
Henry: Lana. I got your message. What's the urgency?
Lana: I know about the complaint Lionel Luthor filed against you.
Henry: Have you been snooping into my past?
Lana: I was curious to find out why you wouldn't help one of my closest friends.
Henry: And that gives you the right to pry into my personal life?
Lana: I'm your daughter, and if we're every going to have more than the same DNA in common, we have to be honest with each other.
Henry: Look, I didn't ask you to come barging into my life.
Lana: (Hurt) Don't worry. You know, I won't be imposing on you again.
She walks away. Henry closes his eyes, realizing he was harsh and follows her.
Henry: Lionel Luthor has nothing to do with this.
Lana: I saw the complaint.
Henry: Payback after I refused to go along with one of his ethically dubious schemes. Business as usual for LuthorCorp. You should've kept on digging.
Lana: And what would I have found?
Henry: Kansas vs. Sutton. A murder trial back in the early 90s.
Lana: I don't understand.
Henry: I was defense counsel, court-appointed, which meant I didn't give a damn. Five years after his conviction, his family has the evidence re-tested, proving he was innocent.
Lana: So you were still able to get him out, right?
Henry: (Shakes his head) By then it was too late. He had been executed three months before. After that, I hung it all up. Now I try to save the world from my living room. But at least I know nobody's gonna die because of me.
Lana: I know you can't undo the past. But you can't hide from it either.
Act 3 Scene 3
Clark enters the police station. Day. Lana and Henry are there.
Clark: Lana? What are you doing here?
Lana: Just offering some moral support. Brought some reinforcements.
Henry: I'd like to handle your father's case if you'll still have me.
Clark: (Shaking Henry's hand) Of course. We need all the help we can get. Thank you. (Henry walks away) How'd you get him to change his mind?
Lana: Well, we set some ground rules for our relationship and we promised to be honest with each other no matter what.
CUT TO Henry speaking with Martha and Jonathan at Jonathan's cell. Clark joins them.
Henry: I've got another bail hearing set for this afternoon. Now, I'm sure with Jonathan's standing in the community we can have him out by supper.
Clark: I just got some good news from Lex. His dad's doing better. He's expecting to regain consciousness.
Martha: Oh, thank God.
Clark: Dad, and if he does, maybe he can ID the real shooter.
Henry: Well, that's a big if given his blindness. Look, we're not out of the woods yet. Lex Luthor's alibi checks out, but Dominic Santori's is flimsy.
Jonathan: Well, that should be good news for me, shouldn't it?
Henry: Except for the bartender who could corroborate his involvement has disappeared. Now, without him, it's going to be hard to keep your case from going to trial.
Act 3 Scene 4
Clark and Pete break into the Wild Coyote. Night.
Pete: Is breaking and entering really necessary? I thought the police already checked this place out.
Clark: Yeah, they checked out the area where my dad was arrested too. I'm gonna look over here.
Clark goes into the back room. There are several kegs of beer, but nothing out of the ordinary. He sees a small meat freezer and concentrates his vision.
Clark: Pete!
Clark breaks the padlock off the freezer door and opens it as Pete enters. Clark moves some bags out of the way and they find Mike's body.
Pete: Oh, man. Talk about sleeping with the fishes.
Clark looks above the freezer and sees a bulletin board with several notices tacked to it. He sees a photograph and takes it to have a closer look.
Clark: I think I know who shot Lionel Luthor.
Fade to black.
Act 4 Scene 1
Lionel Luthor's hospital room. Night. The door opens and a shadow is cast on the floor of a person holding a gun. The figure moves over to the bed and closes the blinds. The gun, with a silencer, is pointed at Lionel's bed and fired three times. Clark enters.
Clark: Lex had his father moved to another floor. (He lifts the blankets off the bed and there is nothing but pillows underneath) We put the word out that Lionel was getting better guessing it would draw you out. (He turns off the video camera that has been sitting at the side of the room) I kept hoping I was wrong.
The gun is pointed at Clark, but he grabs the man's arm and lifts it above his head. We see that it is Sheriff Ethan. He drops the gun and Clark throws him into the wall.
Ethan: What the hell?
Clark: You went to high school with my dad. (Holds up the picture he found in the bar, which is a picture of Ethan and Mike) So did Mike the bartender. Except you and Mike were more than just friends. You had a business arrangement.
Ethan: Clark, I can explain.
Clark: Explain how a bar with repeated violations stays open? Or how all the evidence conveniently pointed toward my dad? You found out about my dad's fight with Lionel and it all came together.
Flashback to Mike drugging Jonathan's drink, then Jonathan leaving the bar and Mike giving the bottle of tequila to Ethan. Jonathan pulls his truck over and loses consciousness. Ethan parks next to him and pulls him into the passenger side of the truck. He pours tequila onto Jonathan's lips and puts the bottle down next to him. Then he takes Jonathan's hand out the window and fires the gun with it.
CUT TO Lionel on the upper level of the study.
Lionel: Is that you?
Ethan is pointing the gun at Lionel.
Lionel: Didn't I make it clear? The conversation is over.
Ethan shoots him and he tumbles over the railing. Back to the present.
Clark: You faked my dad's blood-alcohol test. And when I started to check out your version of the story, you came after me. My dad trusted you. How could you do that to him?
Ethan: Don't you see, Clark? It's not just about me. It's the Luthors. They're-- they're like a cancer destroying everything they touch.
Clark: The Luthors didn't kill anyone. (Ethan starts to cry) The Luthors didn't frame my dad.
Ethan: What have I done?
Act 4 Scene 2
Clark is looking at a Smallville High School yearbook from 1976 in the loft. Day. Lex enters.
Lex: I just wanted to make sure your dad was doing all right.
Clark: He says he is.
Lex: You don't sound too convinced.
Clark: (Looking at the yearbook) I found this in the house. It's my dad's old high school yearbook. Him and Ethan were in the same class.
He hands the book to Lex who opens it.
Lex: (Reading) "To Jonathan, a great quarterback, a better friend. Ethan."
Clark: You grow up with someone, you think you know them, but... I mean, darkness like that just doesn't come out of nowhere. (Lex doesn't respond) I'm sorry about your company. What's gonna happen next?
Lex: My father thinks I'll go back to work for him.
Clark: Will you?
Lex: It's hard to imagine working for a man who can enrage four people to the point where any one of them had motive to kill him.
Clark: Even you.
Lex: You know that darkness you were talking about? I'm not sure we're born with it. I think people like my father find a way to bring it out. So, are we okay?
Clark: (He smiles) I wish I could help you with your father.
Lex: I can take him.
They share a long look.
Act 4 Scene 3
Lex enters Lionel's hospital room. Day. Lionel is awake.
Lex: Dad.
Lionel: Son. I understand you've had a busy few days.
Lex: In case you hadn't heard, Sheriff Ethan has been charged in the murder of the bartender and for the attempt on you.
Lionel: Oh... It truly is a sad day in Smallville.
Lex: I'm sure some version of the truth will come out sooner or later, but I was hoping to hear it from you first.
Lionel: Hmm. The sheriff and I simply... (He coughs) ...had a misunderstanding.
Flashback to Ethan opening the door of Lionel's limo.
Lionel: Ah, Sheriff.
Ethan gets in and closes the door.
Lionel: You have something for me? (Ethan hands him a piece of paper)
Ethan: These are all good people who just happened to have made a few mistakes.
Lionel: Yeah, well, we're all of us only human, Sheriff. These particular people sit on the board of my son's company, so they need a little incentive to sell their voting shares to me.
Ethan: Goodbye, Mr. Luthor.
Lionel: I hope this will be the beginning of a large and profitable relationship.
Ethan: Our arrangement was for this one time only.
Lionel: Now, did that proviso come before or after you insisted on cash in advance?
Ethan: I was strapped. But don't think you own me. I've documented your backroom deals. You push me and I just have to make one call.
Lionel: Would that be to your attorney? He, um, passed along your documented evidence... (Lionel holds up an envelope) ...along with his best wishes. You know, um, my reputation in Smallville is of no importance to me, but, uh, yours... It's your lifeblood, Sheriff. Sheriff-- Now, that's an elected position, isn't it?
Ethan: Don't threaten me, you son of a bitch.
Lionel: (Chuckling) Good evening. Sheriff.
Ethan gets out of the limo and it drives away. Back to the present.
Lex: So you took an honest man and destroyed him. And by proxy, almost ruined Jonathan Kent. How does it feel, Dad, knowing you brought this on yourself?
Lionel: But I didn't, Lex. You did... engineering your ill-advised employee coup.
Lex: And you actually believe that?
Lionel: It's all right, son. I forgive you. Now it's time to look to the future. Together.
Lex leaves the room. Lionel drums his fingers on his chest, satisfied.