CHAPTER 4: INTERVENTIONS
EXT. - LUTHORCORP FERTILIZER PLANT - DAY
Meanwhile, across town, a man in his mid-twenties gets out of his car, in front of the local LuthorCorp building. His head is bald, and he wears a long, dark jacket over a shirt and slacks. Turbing briefly around to look at the scenery, his true identity is revealed - its Lex! Shaking his head in dismay, he simply utters one thought, before entering the facility..."Thanks, Dad."
INT. - LUTHORCORP FERTILIZER PLANT - DAY
Lex walks down a wide corridor, following the pipes attached to the ceiling above his head. Suddenly, another man appears from around a corner, and smiles. Offering his hand, Lex kindly shakes it. Introducing himself, the man's demeanor is both efficient yet a little too verbose. "Gabe Sullivan, Mr. Luthor; welcome to Plant 4. Did you have trouble finding the place?" "Not at all," Lex replies. "I've been to Smallville before, but it was a while ago." "Ah, yes, I remember now," Gabe chatters. "The meteor shower. That's how you lost your hair." Lex stops walking, and his expression is now cold. Noticing the change, Gabe quickly tries to save face. "My apologies, sir; I get carried away. I hope I didn't strike a raw nerve." There's a brief silence, followed by Lex's reply. "Your memory serves you well, Gabe...but its something I've spent the last decade trying to avoid mentioning in public. You are to do the same, from this point forward. Understood?" Stammering for a moment, Gabe nods. "Yes, sir...uh, I mean, Mr. Luthor."
"Mr. Luthor is my father; you may call me "sir" or "Lex", but I expect no more casual outbursts while I'm on the property. Now, shall we continue to your office?" Gabe nods again, and the two resume their pace. "This way, uh...Lex."
INT. - SMALLVILLE HIGH HALLWAY - DAY
The building's interor is like most middle-class American schools, with tile floors, rows of lockers on both sides, and a few windows. Reddish-orange flags hang from the ceiling, adorned by the silhouette of a black bird and some yellow text. These represent the school's football team, the Smallville Crows. We hear a loud bell signal the end of first period, and doors open while students fill the halls. Among them are Clark, Pete, and Chloe. Seeing Lana from about fifty feet away, Chloe turns to Clark. "Its decision time, Clark - you or me?" Gripping his backpack tighter, he starts down the hall, moving in Lana's direction. She sees him, and smiles again. "Hey, Clark; I only have a couple of minutes before the next class. What's up?" Turning back to look behind him, Clark sees Pete smiling, and Chloe with that determined look again. Facing Lana again, Clark stammers a bit. "Look, I know we've been friends for a while, but...uh...well..."
Sensing his nervousness, Lana tries to reassure him. "Go on, Clark; I'm listening." Suddenly, he just blurts it out quickly, like one long word. "Will you go out with me?" Lana's reaction is laughter, but not the cruel variety. Seeing Clark's reddened face, she simply nods. "Yes, I'd like that. Come by the house later, and we'll discuss it." Clark's expression is one of joy, but quickly turns to pain. The gem on Lana's necklace glows brighter, and Clark hears a high-pitched tone. Doubling over, he closes his eyes. Seeing this, Lana becomes worried. "What's wrong, Clark?" "Your necklace", he groans. "Its glowing. I gotta go; see you around five tonight." Backing up, he turns in Pete and Chloe's direaction; halfway back to them, his pain stops. Breathing heavily, he speaks to Chloe. "I tried telling you, but you pushed me. I hope you understand now." Leaving them behind, he disappears around another corner. Chloe turns to Pete, her face showing a small amount of regret. "I always thought he was just too scared. What's with him and her necklace?" Pete just shrugs. "Not sure, but it contains a piece of the meteor that killed her folks. Clark's always been sick around the stuff, but he could never explain why."
EXT. - LOEB BRIDGE - DAY
Having a free period in the middle of the school day, Clark decided to visit one of his favorite solo spots - the Loeb Bridge not far from the LuthorCorp plant. He often came here, day or night, to gather his thoughts and just vent his frustrations. His usual questions were always the same - "Why am I so different? Why can I do things others can't? Why do I get sick around the meteor rocks? When will I have any answers?"
Sighing to himself, Clark leaned against the rail, thinking of the last few days. His adoptive parents were great, and he knew he'd never want to lose either of them...but he often still wondered if another family was waiting for him. Martha had told him about being adopted when he was eight, but he got the sense she was purposely keeping more of the story to herself. He'd asked a few questions in the past, but it soon came to light they didn't really know much more than he did. At this moment, all Clark Kent knew was he hated being different. His powers came with some perks, like never being late for school and getting detention...but having to hide them was a huge burden, too.
EXT. - ROAD - DAY
Meanwhile, Lex Luthor raced down the street in his convertible, blasting the stereo to drown out his own inner turmoil. Trying to pass a truck in front of him, he shifted into the opposite lane...only to swerve back upon seeing another car headed in his direction. Suddenly, the car's brakes went dead, and Lex lost control of the vehicle. Desperately trying to regain it, he begins to spin and drift at high speed...rapidly approaching a young man oblivious to the importance of this moment in his life.
EXT. - LOEB BRIDGE - DAY
Hearing the sound of squealing tires, Clark's mind is snapped from his own thoughts. He turns briefly, and tries to move without using his powers. But its too late, as the car smashes through the bridge's guard rail, sending itself and Clark into the water below.
INT. - SMALLVILLE RIVER - DAY
Opening his eyes underwater, Clark is absent-minded for a brief time...until he remembers the crash. Kicking his way to the surface, he checks the riverbank for any signs of the car that struck him. Finding none, he dives back below the surface, searching. Within seconds, he locates it about thirty feet down. Briefly hesitating, Clark realizes he has no choice...and rips the car's steel roof backward like aluminum foil. Grabbing the driver, he swims back to the surface.
EXT. - RIVER'S BANK - DAY
Starting chest compressions like he was taught in health class, Clark tries saving the bald man, laying in front of him on the ground. Finally, he sputters, coughing up water. Dazed and confused, the victim can only offer one thought. "Thanks, but...I could've swore I hit you." Not know what else to say, Clark simply tells the truth. "You did." Puzzled, he looks back over his shoulder at the wrecked bridge, as the man's coughing resumes.
EXT. - SMALLVILLE MEDICAL CENTER - DAY
Jonathan Kent's truck screeches to a halt, in a parking spot outside the local hospital. Getting out, he races inside, toward the main exam area. Locating his friend, town Sheriff Ethan Miller, Jonathan immediately starts asking questions. "Is he okay? What on Earth happened?" "He's fine, John", the lawman replied. "I'd say its a miracle, to be honest. Not a bruise or scratch on him. He's in Room 4."
Finally seeing Clark okay improves Jonathan's mood. Giving his son a hug, he then turns to the nearest deputy. "Who was the maniac driving that car?!" Having heard the commotion, the bald man enters the hallway from the neighboring room. "That would be me, sir; Lex Luthor". He offers his hand, but Jonathan doesn't take it. Instead, he simply replies harshly. "This is my son, and you stay away from our family." Clark starts to object, but a silent raising of Jonathan's hand tells him now's the wrong time for it. Lex takes the brief silence as an opportunity to speak, in spite of Jonathan's clear anger. "Thanks, Clark. You saved my life. I really appreciate it." Clark simply grins slightly. "I'm sure you'd have done the same." Standing, he joins Jonathan's side, and the two depart...leaving Lex alone, apart from Ethan and a few staff workers.