EXT. LEX'S MANSION – DAY
From inside a LuthorCorp helicopter, Lionel Luthor stares down at the mansion. A long row of large moving trucks are parked out front, several burly looking men loading them each to their fullest capacities with various items and removed from inside the mansion estate.
Lionel angrily pats the pilot on the shoulder, motioning toward a vacant spot on the side of the mansion where to land.
LIONEL
Down there!
PILOT Yes, sir, Mr. Luthor!
The pilot lands the helicopter.
Mercy Graves runs out the back of the mansion with two security lackeys in tow, shielding her face from wafting foliage with her forearm. Before Lionel can even step foot out of the helicopter, she stops him.
They converse over the noise of the helicopter.
MERCY GRAVES
I'm sorry, sir, but Mr. Luthor asked not to be disturbed.
LIONEL
Young lady, I am Mr. Luthor. More importantly, I am the Mr. Luthor whose name is on the deed to this estate. I have every right to be here and I would kindly ask that you move to the side, assuming I cared enough to permit you the privilege of consequence, which I don't, so instead I will simply tell you to get out of my way. I'm here to see my son.
MERCY GRAVES
Lex is very busy and left me with specific instructions not to admit anyone. I'm afraid he'd be most agitated if I were to let you through.
Lionel goes to say something, but Mercy unexpectedly yields, stepping out of his way.
MERCY GRAVES
He's in his office.
Lionel scowls at her and heads toward the mansion. She smirks at him behind his back.
INT. LEX'S MANSION – HALLWAY
Lionel tromps through the near barren halls of the mansion, stopping a pair of men moving a rather large mural from one of the side rooms.
LIONEL
Where exactly do you think you're taking that?
One of the movers, an ethnic looking man, looks up at Lionel and tries to explain.
MOVER We... sir... put truck.
LIONEL
My industrial little gamin, you do not simply load an Alton Tobey into the back of an eighteen wheeler. That mural is worth more than whatever third world country you emigrated from, undoubtedly illegally.
MOVER
We wrap. Bubble wrap, outside, pop pop, yes?
Lionel cringes at the thought, shaking his head, furious at the mere thought of wasting any more of his time on the man.
The movers adjust their grip and head for the door.
MOVER
Jerk, how about I load it up your...
They head outside.
INT. LEX'S MANSION – LEX'S OFFICE
Lex converses with two movers over his completely empty desk. It is the lone remaining piece of furniture in the room. In fact, it's the only thing left in the room period. The bookshelves have been emptied, the carpets removed, and there are even faint dust patterns where once hung pieces of fine art.
LEX Okay, then, I think that's pretty much everything. We're all set.
Lionel explodes through the doors to the office.
LIONEL
Lex, we need to talk!
Lex only briefly acknowledges Lionel before parting ways with the movers.
LEX
Here, here's a little something for you.
Lex slips the man a tip with a casual handshake.
LEX
Buy yourself a coffee or something. There's a nice little place in town I highly recommend.
The movers thank him, splitting the tip before lifting the desk and carrying it out of the office.
Lionel steps right up into Lex's face, making sure to capture his son's utmost attention.
LIONEL
Would you care to explain just what it is you think you're doing?
LEX
Dad, what a pleasant surprise. I'm sorry, had I known you were coming I would have had them leave us with a few chairs.
LIONEL I'm not here for idle tête-à-tête, Lex. I'm here for an explanation. Why have you sold your shares in LuthorCorp and what are these people doing to my home?
LEX
They're helping me.
LIONEL
Helping you? Helping you to do what?
LEX
To take back my life.
LIONEL
::confused:: Forgive me, son, but it appears to me that the only "taking" going on here is by these ruffian simpletons rampaging my house! Exactly where do they think they are taking everything?
LEX
To their new rightful owners I would imagine. I've sold it all.
LIONEL
I beg your pardon?
LEX
I've sold it all. I've sold everything; the statues, artwork, the furniture, everything, except the mansion itself of course. That does still belong to you, although, if you're interested, I managed to get an excellent quote from...
LIONEL
You sold everything? How could you do such a thing without consulting me first?
LEX
But I did. Don't you see? I'm freeing myself, opening my eyes to the world around me, and it's all thanks to you.
LIONEL Thanks to me?
LEX
::nods:: Yes.
Lex walks over to the stain glass window where multicolored light shines down on him.
LEX
I've been a pawn my entire life. I didn't even realize it until the other day when you showed me the truth, when you showed me just how little control I had over my life, over my destiny. I don't know, maybe it's impossible for you to understand, someone in your position. You have the world on a leash. You've mastered the game. You don't just control it, you command it... whereas I...
Lex digresses to start again. He looks back at his father.
LEX
I've been blind. You tried to teach me that, but I wouldn't listen. I refused to listen because of some petty infantile enmity I'd built up in my head towards you. As a result, I placed my trust in the hands of the undeserving when I should have put it in the hands of family all along. I fell deeper into anger and hatred, spurning myself, not realizing that my agony was a direct result of my denying myself of what was so inherently mine; the Luthor stake.
Lex walks up to his father, prideful and thankful. Reluctantly, he makes a move to hug his father, but stops when Lionel takes a step back.
LEX
You were not only a father to me. Fathers do their best to mold their sons into great men, but you did so much more. You not only tried to mold me, you stood up where no one else would, and set out to mold the world into a better place where I could live. Today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life, I am proud to be a Luthor.
Lex again moves to hug Lionel, but this time the elder Luthor graciously accepts. There's even a hint of a tear in his eye.
LIONEL
Son, you have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that.
LEX
I love you... Dad.
LIONEL
I love you too, son.
It takes a moment, but once they break from their embrace Lionel remembers he's still standing in an empty room.
LIONEL
But I still don't understand why you've decided to sell all your belongings, and your shares.
LEX
You built LuthorCorp from nothing. You were just a poor orphan before climbing your way up, before making your ascension to the very top of the corporate ladder. You took control of your life the same way I want to take control of my own. I needed to wipe the slate clean. I want to live on my own merit, not on your heels. That's why I sold everything; my belongings, my shares in LuthorCorp, even LexCorp.
Lionel visibly turns gray.
LIONEL You did what? You sold LexCorp?
LEX
::nods:: And all of its assets. What was LexCorp anyway if not what you gave me, a fledgling offshoot of LuthorCorp with a different name? I had to free myself of that. So, I did. Everything under the LexCorp banner now belongs to Wayne Enterprises, from the Smallville plant to the Tenshi building in Gotham City. I sold it all.
LIONEL
The Tenshi building?! Lex, tell me you're not serious?!
LEX
I realize Tenshi Aerospace was your gift to me, but I have to earn my place on my own. Besides, Tenshi was showing heavy fourth quarter losses. Wayne thought he was getting it for pennies on the dollar, but I'm afraid he bought himself right into debt. The fool was just a little too anxious to clear out his territory in Gotham City of competitors.
LIONEL
Lex, listen to me, this is very important. It's absolutely imperative that you call off the deal with Wayne. You can't sign that contract.
LEX
I already did.
LIONEL
Do you have any idea what you've done?!
Lionel cringes as if in very real pain. He turns around and starts pacing, thinking on his feet.
LIONEL
No, we have to get it back. Wayne can't...
LEX
No, Dad, we don't. Don't you see? It doesn't matter anymore. All that matters now is that father and son are united, on the same front, with the fate of the world in the balance.
Lionel looks up at Lex.
LEX
There is a war coming, remember? And I plan to fight it with you, but I have to fight it in my own way. That's why I've decided to join the Army.
LIONEL
Lex! Do you even hear yourself, hear what you're saying?! This is madness!
LEX
No, I know what you're going to say. Luthors should be commanding armies, not serving in them as one of the grunts, and I plan to. I plan to rise up through the ranks, as an officer. I will command leadership. I will command respect, but there's no time to lose. That's why I had to sell everything so quickly. I'm leaving in two days to begin basic training.
Lionel thinks quickly, grabbing Lex by each arm.
LIONEL
You will do nothing of the sort. You will stay here, in this house, and wait for me to return. Do I make myself clear?
Lionel releases him and heads for the door.
LEX
But, Dad, I'm finally...
LIONEL
Do not leave Smallville!
Lionel storms out of the office, nearly knocking over Mercy in the process. She watches Lionel fly down the hall as Lex steps up next to her.
MERCY GRAVES
He seems...
Lex smiles, rather suspiciously.
LEX
Displeased? Perturbed? Vexed?
MERCY GRAVES ... irritated.
LEX
My dear, you have no idea.
From inside a LuthorCorp helicopter, Lionel Luthor stares down at the mansion. A long row of large moving trucks are parked out front, several burly looking men loading them each to their fullest capacities with various items and removed from inside the mansion estate.
Lionel angrily pats the pilot on the shoulder, motioning toward a vacant spot on the side of the mansion where to land.
LIONEL
Down there!
PILOT Yes, sir, Mr. Luthor!
The pilot lands the helicopter.
Mercy Graves runs out the back of the mansion with two security lackeys in tow, shielding her face from wafting foliage with her forearm. Before Lionel can even step foot out of the helicopter, she stops him.
They converse over the noise of the helicopter.
MERCY GRAVES
I'm sorry, sir, but Mr. Luthor asked not to be disturbed.
LIONEL
Young lady, I am Mr. Luthor. More importantly, I am the Mr. Luthor whose name is on the deed to this estate. I have every right to be here and I would kindly ask that you move to the side, assuming I cared enough to permit you the privilege of consequence, which I don't, so instead I will simply tell you to get out of my way. I'm here to see my son.
MERCY GRAVES
Lex is very busy and left me with specific instructions not to admit anyone. I'm afraid he'd be most agitated if I were to let you through.
Lionel goes to say something, but Mercy unexpectedly yields, stepping out of his way.
MERCY GRAVES
He's in his office.
Lionel scowls at her and heads toward the mansion. She smirks at him behind his back.
INT. LEX'S MANSION – HALLWAY
Lionel tromps through the near barren halls of the mansion, stopping a pair of men moving a rather large mural from one of the side rooms.
LIONEL
Where exactly do you think you're taking that?
One of the movers, an ethnic looking man, looks up at Lionel and tries to explain.
MOVER We... sir... put truck.
LIONEL
My industrial little gamin, you do not simply load an Alton Tobey into the back of an eighteen wheeler. That mural is worth more than whatever third world country you emigrated from, undoubtedly illegally.
MOVER
We wrap. Bubble wrap, outside, pop pop, yes?
Lionel cringes at the thought, shaking his head, furious at the mere thought of wasting any more of his time on the man.
The movers adjust their grip and head for the door.
MOVER
Jerk, how about I load it up your...
They head outside.
INT. LEX'S MANSION – LEX'S OFFICE
Lex converses with two movers over his completely empty desk. It is the lone remaining piece of furniture in the room. In fact, it's the only thing left in the room period. The bookshelves have been emptied, the carpets removed, and there are even faint dust patterns where once hung pieces of fine art.
LEX Okay, then, I think that's pretty much everything. We're all set.
Lionel explodes through the doors to the office.
LIONEL
Lex, we need to talk!
Lex only briefly acknowledges Lionel before parting ways with the movers.
LEX
Here, here's a little something for you.
Lex slips the man a tip with a casual handshake.
LEX
Buy yourself a coffee or something. There's a nice little place in town I highly recommend.
The movers thank him, splitting the tip before lifting the desk and carrying it out of the office.
Lionel steps right up into Lex's face, making sure to capture his son's utmost attention.
LIONEL
Would you care to explain just what it is you think you're doing?
LEX
Dad, what a pleasant surprise. I'm sorry, had I known you were coming I would have had them leave us with a few chairs.
LIONEL I'm not here for idle tête-à-tête, Lex. I'm here for an explanation. Why have you sold your shares in LuthorCorp and what are these people doing to my home?
LEX
They're helping me.
LIONEL
Helping you? Helping you to do what?
LEX
To take back my life.
LIONEL
::confused:: Forgive me, son, but it appears to me that the only "taking" going on here is by these ruffian simpletons rampaging my house! Exactly where do they think they are taking everything?
LEX
To their new rightful owners I would imagine. I've sold it all.
LIONEL
I beg your pardon?
LEX
I've sold it all. I've sold everything; the statues, artwork, the furniture, everything, except the mansion itself of course. That does still belong to you, although, if you're interested, I managed to get an excellent quote from...
LIONEL
You sold everything? How could you do such a thing without consulting me first?
LEX
But I did. Don't you see? I'm freeing myself, opening my eyes to the world around me, and it's all thanks to you.
LIONEL Thanks to me?
LEX
::nods:: Yes.
Lex walks over to the stain glass window where multicolored light shines down on him.
LEX
I've been a pawn my entire life. I didn't even realize it until the other day when you showed me the truth, when you showed me just how little control I had over my life, over my destiny. I don't know, maybe it's impossible for you to understand, someone in your position. You have the world on a leash. You've mastered the game. You don't just control it, you command it... whereas I...
Lex digresses to start again. He looks back at his father.
LEX
I've been blind. You tried to teach me that, but I wouldn't listen. I refused to listen because of some petty infantile enmity I'd built up in my head towards you. As a result, I placed my trust in the hands of the undeserving when I should have put it in the hands of family all along. I fell deeper into anger and hatred, spurning myself, not realizing that my agony was a direct result of my denying myself of what was so inherently mine; the Luthor stake.
Lex walks up to his father, prideful and thankful. Reluctantly, he makes a move to hug his father, but stops when Lionel takes a step back.
LEX
You were not only a father to me. Fathers do their best to mold their sons into great men, but you did so much more. You not only tried to mold me, you stood up where no one else would, and set out to mold the world into a better place where I could live. Today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life, I am proud to be a Luthor.
Lex again moves to hug Lionel, but this time the elder Luthor graciously accepts. There's even a hint of a tear in his eye.
LIONEL
Son, you have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that.
LEX
I love you... Dad.
LIONEL
I love you too, son.
It takes a moment, but once they break from their embrace Lionel remembers he's still standing in an empty room.
LIONEL
But I still don't understand why you've decided to sell all your belongings, and your shares.
LEX
You built LuthorCorp from nothing. You were just a poor orphan before climbing your way up, before making your ascension to the very top of the corporate ladder. You took control of your life the same way I want to take control of my own. I needed to wipe the slate clean. I want to live on my own merit, not on your heels. That's why I sold everything; my belongings, my shares in LuthorCorp, even LexCorp.
Lionel visibly turns gray.
LIONEL You did what? You sold LexCorp?
LEX
::nods:: And all of its assets. What was LexCorp anyway if not what you gave me, a fledgling offshoot of LuthorCorp with a different name? I had to free myself of that. So, I did. Everything under the LexCorp banner now belongs to Wayne Enterprises, from the Smallville plant to the Tenshi building in Gotham City. I sold it all.
LIONEL
The Tenshi building?! Lex, tell me you're not serious?!
LEX
I realize Tenshi Aerospace was your gift to me, but I have to earn my place on my own. Besides, Tenshi was showing heavy fourth quarter losses. Wayne thought he was getting it for pennies on the dollar, but I'm afraid he bought himself right into debt. The fool was just a little too anxious to clear out his territory in Gotham City of competitors.
LIONEL
Lex, listen to me, this is very important. It's absolutely imperative that you call off the deal with Wayne. You can't sign that contract.
LEX
I already did.
LIONEL
Do you have any idea what you've done?!
Lionel cringes as if in very real pain. He turns around and starts pacing, thinking on his feet.
LIONEL
No, we have to get it back. Wayne can't...
LEX
No, Dad, we don't. Don't you see? It doesn't matter anymore. All that matters now is that father and son are united, on the same front, with the fate of the world in the balance.
Lionel looks up at Lex.
LEX
There is a war coming, remember? And I plan to fight it with you, but I have to fight it in my own way. That's why I've decided to join the Army.
LIONEL
Lex! Do you even hear yourself, hear what you're saying?! This is madness!
LEX
No, I know what you're going to say. Luthors should be commanding armies, not serving in them as one of the grunts, and I plan to. I plan to rise up through the ranks, as an officer. I will command leadership. I will command respect, but there's no time to lose. That's why I had to sell everything so quickly. I'm leaving in two days to begin basic training.
Lionel thinks quickly, grabbing Lex by each arm.
LIONEL
You will do nothing of the sort. You will stay here, in this house, and wait for me to return. Do I make myself clear?
Lionel releases him and heads for the door.
LEX
But, Dad, I'm finally...
LIONEL
Do not leave Smallville!
Lionel storms out of the office, nearly knocking over Mercy in the process. She watches Lionel fly down the hall as Lex steps up next to her.
MERCY GRAVES
He seems...
Lex smiles, rather suspiciously.
LEX
Displeased? Perturbed? Vexed?
MERCY GRAVES ... irritated.
LEX
My dear, you have no idea.