Smallville (2001–2011): Season 2, Episode 15 - Prodigal - full transcript

Very lucky tonight.

Sorry, Dirk.

- Come on!
- Who the hell are you?

Lucas, I'm your brother.

Well, come on!

Sure is peaceful in here
this early in the morning.

I never took you to be a coffee junkie...

...but I have the first pot brewing,
if you want to wait a sec.

Anything else I can get you?

Just a job.

Here?



If I'm gonna work,
why not do it where my friends are?

Don't take this the wrong way...

...but you don't have the best record
when it comes to keeping appointments.

But talk to Hank, I hear they're hiring
over at the hardware store.

Ouch.

Guess that was kind of harsh.

I can put you in the running
with the other applicants.

No, no, no,
it's a very important vote tomorrow.

I'm not moving the day
to accommodate Dobkin's fetish...

...for antique clocks.

I want him back from Prague now,
Steven, do you understand me?

Hello, Dad.

Lex.

To what do I owe the pleasure
of this unexpected visit?



I thought you might be interested
in meeting your youngest heir.

Lucas, this is your father.

Mr. Luthor.

Lucas.

Lucas.

Son.

At least biologically speaking, right?

I see we both share a passion
for Asian weaponry.

By the placement of the dragon,
it must be worn on the right hip.

A rare left-handed sword.

But it's a fake.

That's a very keen observation.

Especially from someone
you told me was dead.

Imagine my surprise to learn that Lucas
was alive and well, living in Edge City.

Come on, Dad.
You knew he was alive.

Lucas?

Tell my secretary to take you
to the executive dining room.

We'll join you shortly.

My chef will fix you anything
your heart desires.

Don't talk about me behind my back.

So the prodigal son returns.

But unlike his envious brother
in the gospel...

...it looks like you have welcomed Lucas
with open arms.

What do you expect
to get out of it, Lex?

Just a new brother.

One who's just turned 18,
if I remember correctly...

...and is now entitled
to claim his inheritance.

It was generous of you
to set up your living trust...

...so heirs automatically get
10 percent of your LuthorCorp shares.

It's the vital 10 percent you need
to vote me out of power.

Is that why half my board
has suddenly found a myriad excuses...

...for not taking my calls?
Oh, my word, you're staging a coup.

Careful, Lex...

...there are parables of many kinds
to be found in the Good Book.

Selma...

...get me my next call, please.

Working at the Talon.
Could you be any more obvious?

What happened to the Pete Ross rule
of proximity?

You wanna get in the game,
you gotta get on the court.

Clark, Lana will be your boss.

She's gonna take out her frustrations for
all the times you've ever let her down.

You won't be in the game. You'll be
in the locker room cleaning the toilets.

I'm probably not gonna
get the job anyway.

Guys...

...I want you to meet somebody.

This is Lucas. My brother.

What's up, guys?

- Lucas, you wanna shoot some hoops?
- Yeah, sure.

- Here you go.
- Come on.

All right.

Didn't mean to drop a bombshell on you.

I thought he was supposed to be,
well, dead.

Just buried by my father.

I've been looking for him
for several months.

Why didn't you say something?

Because I wasn't sure
what I was gonna find.

I've gotta straighten something out with
the bank. Lucas, we have to get going.

Hey, you can hang out here if you want.

Give me a chance to get to know him
a little bit.

Yeah, sure, absolutely.

I'll be back in an hour.

Here you go, Pete.

So you and Lex seem close.

What, are you kidding?
They're like brothers.

So, Lucas, where'd you grow up?

All over.

Must be kind of weird
not knowing your mom or your dad.

Not really. Parents always try
to make you versions of themselves.

Grow up without those constraints,
you can become your own person.

It's an interesting theory.
I don't think I buy it, though.

All right. Let's...

Let's take you and Lex, for example.

If he was raised by your parents
and you by Lionel...

...you wouldn't grow up
to be different people?

Trust me. You'd be rich and miserable
and he'd be wearing flannel.

But if you were left alone, abandoned...

...how do you think you'd turn out?
- I'm not sure.

That's when you find out
what you're really made of.

We gonna stand around and chitchat,
or are we gonna play some ball?

Clark, let's see what you got.

Check it up.

Is that all you got, Clark?

Be cool, man.

Hey, Rocket Man,
we don't want anybody to get hurt.

- All right.
- All right.

Come on.

Sorry, man, no hard feelings, right?
It's just a game.

Right.

Felt like you had a steel plate
in there or something.

- Any chance I can get a ride back?
- Yeah, I'll give you a lift.

Hello, Lana.

- Hey. Almond mocha with extra whip?
- Yeah.

Can you add an extra jolt of caffeine?
I'm in my postlunch-predeadline coma.

Thank you.

Katrina, could you get me an
almond latte, please, with extra whip?

- Clark Kent applied for part-time?
- Yeah.

And he didn't put me as a reference.
What's up with that?

- Doesn't matter, I'm not gonna hire him.
- Why not?

You work with him at the Torch,
isn't it strange supervising your friend?

Are you kidding? Bossing around Clark
is the highlight of my day.

Besides, he always comes through,
even if it is in his own special Clark time.

Yeah, that's kind of what
I'm worried about.

Lana, you and I both know
that Clark can do this job.

What's the real reason
you don't want him here?

I...

Yeah, that's what I thought.

I just spent the last two hours
at the bank.

Any idea why my accounts
would be frozen?

You know, Lex, I'm tired
of your constant attempts at mutiny.

You didn't leave me too many options.
It was that or the plank.

It wasn't wise of you, son, to wager
all of your assets as collateral...

...against LexCorp
when you took out your loan.

You see, now that your company
is a LuthorCorp property...

...everything you own belongs to me.

I want you out of the mansion.

Come on, Dad, isn't this a little futile?

Lucas and I will be back home
after we vote you out.

Don't be so sure about that, Lex.

Lucas and I had a very interesting
father and son chat.

Long overdue.

It'd be hard for you to imagine, Lex...

...but some sons don't ever question
their allegiance to family.

You're being incredibly naive
if you think you can trust him.

Something you pick up at the tables, Lex.
You size up your options.

You never know when you might
have to change your strategy midhand.

Well, Lex, looks like you lose.

I'll get it.

- Hey, Lex.
- Clark, I'm sorry to bother you.

- No problem. Is everything all right?
- No, it's not.

Lex, what is it?

According to my father,
I'm no longer a Luthor.

He's left me with nothing,
not even a place to live.

So I was wondering...

...if...

...I could stay with you for a while?

- You're up early, even for you.
- I couldn't sleep.

Does that have anything to do
with our new houseguest?

- Can you blame me?
- We can't turn our backs on Lex now.

Believe me, I have no intention
of turning my back on Lex now.

- Morning.
- Good morning.

- Anyone seen Lex?
- Yeah, he's out in the barn.

He got up at the crack of dawn, insisted
on doing some chores to earn his keep.

You got him mucking out
the stalls already?

Yes.

You're enjoying this, aren't you?

Yeah. Hey, son.

All kidding aside, I don't want you to
forget he did investigate you for a year.

Remember what's in the storm cellar?

- Dad, I trust Lex.
- Clark...

...I don't want him left alone
on this farm.

Well, I was gonna
give you some tips...

...but it looks like you have everything
under control.

My family had a ranch in Montana.

I used to go there in the summer
with my mom.

Sounds like fun.

We would work right alongside
the ranch hands.

Everyone did their fair share.

It was the only time I felt... normal.

Did you ever go back?

After my mother died,
my father sold the property.

I guess you could say
he was never a man of the people.

Let me give you a hand with that.

Thanks, but I'd like to prove
to your father once and for all...

...that some Luthors
pull their own weight.

Lucas?

We've got to talk.

Sure, Dad, what's up?

What's up is that you have yet to sign
over your shares to me as we'd agreed.

Please, turn that off.

Lucas, please, turn that off. Now!

Let's see, what's wrong
with this picture?

I trick Lex, I play along with your
little game, and you offer me, what...

...10 million dollars to walk away?

I'd say it's a little more lucrative
than your card scams.

Well, Dad, the deal sounded
really good at the time...

...but that is until I realized
what a Luthor goes for these days.

You see, I went through
the LuthorCorp financials...

...and it turns out I'm worth five times
what you're offering me.

And that only takes into account
what you report to Uncle Sam.

Don't be getting delusions of grandeur,
my boy.

- Tell me something, Dad.
- What?

Why didn't you try and find me
before I was 12?

Because your mother lied to me.
She told me you'd died as a baby.

But I'm still not worth your time.

I took care of you the best way
I knew how, Lucas.

- At arm's length with a checkbook.
- There are worse scenarios.

Lucas...

...now it's your turn to live up
to our agreement.

Please. Just sign.

Please, son.

Okay.

Okay, Dad.

You might want to have your lawyers
look over that.

No, I trust that everything is in order.

Dad.

Lucas?

What the hell are you doing?
You could have killed me.

We both know you saw that ball coming.

- You're way out of line, son.
- When a blind man pours a drink...

...he holds his finger on the inside rim
to feel when the glass is full.

Yesterday, you didn't do that.

And just now, you couldn't hide
your reaction to my lack of signature.

What do you want, Lucas?

Lex is the past...

...I'm the future.

Lana, I got your message.
What's up?

Oh, I just wanted to let you know
that I filled that position.

Great.

- You didn't have to consult me about it.
- Yeah, I did.

Congratulations, Clark, you got the job.

Really?

What changed your mind?

A glowing recommendation
from the editor of the Torch.

- So the job's yours, if you still want it.
- Of course.

Are you sure about this?

No. But I remember Lex believed in me
when I wanted to start this place.

We all need someone to take a chance
on us. So when can you start?

Don't you think you should check
with the boss first?

Lana, this is Lucas, Lex's brother.

- Lex never mentioned he had a brother.
- I wasn't on his Christmas card list.

I like the whole Egyptian/ Assyrian vibe.

It's clear you put a lot of time
and effort into this place.

Yeah, so did Lex.

Well, Lex, is...

He's not exactly in the picture anymore.

Lionel threw Lex out of the mansion.

How's he doing
down on the farm, Clark?

He's doing great.

- He's a survivor.
- I hope that he can survive on nothing...

...because anything that was his
is now mine.

Including this place.

You should know that Lex
wasn't my boss, he was my partner.

Even better.

- Hey. I didn't know the Talon delivered.
- I decided to make an exception.

I assume you got the job, then.

Apparently, the editor of the Torch
put me over the top.

So how does it feel
to be a minimum-wage earner?

Great.

Though there seems to be some
personnel changes at the Talon.

Are you talking about Lucas Luthor?

Yeah, how'd you know?

Are you kidding?
The prodigal Luthor son returns.

And to top it all off,
the new heir has taken over the castle.

That story could land you a byline
on the front page of the Daily Planet.

I just... I don't trust Lucas.
I think he's hiding something.

Come on. Cut the guy a break.
He's had a really tough life.

He bounced from foster home
to foster home. He never got adopted.

When you were looking at his past,
you didn't find anything weird at all?

Just the source.

"Metropolis United Charities."

Chloe said Lucas' file didn't even exist
two weeks ago. Suddenly, there it is.

Like somebody wanted him to be found.

The detectives I hired didn't say
where they got their information.

- Think your father knew about Lucas?
- Do you even have to ask?

- Lucas was in on this from the beginning.
- Why would he suddenly let you find him?

Ever since he took LexCorp, he knows
I've been looking to get back at him.

He co-opted Lucas before I could.

While I've been playing checkers,
my father's been playing chess.

Wow.

Say, I love what you've done
with the place.

Is this your newest scam?
Corporate titan in training?

Unlike you, Lex,
I don't live in my father's shadow.

My training's over.

What can I do for you?

Feeling pretty good about yourself
right now, aren't you?

I got to admit,
you and my father played me brilliantly.

Just out of idle curiosity,
when did he contact you?

Three weeks ago.
He told me who he was...

...said you were looking for me, wanted
to use me for some corporate raid.

Let's face it, Lex...

...I'm the son he wants.

Careful, Lucas,
you're showing your hand.

Come on, what is it you're really after?

His affection?

Do you really believe if you stick around
he's gonna love you?

Trust me, you don't know him at all.

Get out, Lex. You lost.

I found you because he wanted me to.

- High school kids can track you down.
- You mean your friend Clark Kent.

I bet a lot of people are out
looking for you.

- Like your friends from Edge City.
- Oh, wow, Lex. Is that a threat?

You know, Lucas,
the Luthor gene pool is a shark tank...

...and our father's
just chummed the waters.

Good luck.

There you go.

- Where's Clark?
- Good question.

Lana! Sorry I'm late.

Don't worry about it. You can make it up
by taking these lattes to table three.

- I want you to fire him.
- Fire me? For what?

You're half an hour late. Were you
helping Lex dig up more dirt about me?

Lucas, I am not gonna fire Clark.

Okay, then I'll fire you too.

Check our partnership agreement.
You can't do that. Lex made sure of it.

Lex is history, and so is this place.
You can count on it.

- Lucas, wait. You can't do this!
- I'm a Luthor. I can do anything I want.

If you want me to quit, I will,
just leave Lana alone!

Too late.

You okay?

- Dad.
- Lucas.

I heard about last night.

You know, you wouldn't be a Luthor
if somebody wasn't trying to kill you.

It didn't hurt
that Clark Kent was there.

I don't know how
he reacted so quickly.

Well, Clark is a very special
young man.

Did you recognize the shooter?

His name's Dirk. I did some business
with him back in Edge City.

Interesting euphemism.

You don't sound too surprised.

Where do you think you are, Walton
Mountain? Come on, think a minute.

You walk in here, you take everything
that belongs to Lex.

You think he's just gonna give up
without a fight?

You know, that's funny because Lex said
that you wanted me out of the picture.

Of course he did.

But you're my son.

Why should I believe you, Dad?

Lucas.

- Look...
- You wanted me out of your life.

You even tried to buy me off.

Why the sudden change of heart?

It was a test.
But you stood up to me...

...turned the tables,
showed me your strength.

That's what it takes to win.

Lex doesn't have that.

Why do you think he's afraid of you?

You've thrown down
the gauntlet, Lucas.

You willing to go the distance?

Lex obviously is.

- Hey, Clark.
- Chloe, what'd you find out?

So they caught Lucas' shooter outside
of Metropolis. His name is Dirk Lee.

They tracked him down
with the license plate you gave them.

- Did he tell the police who tipped him off?
- Not exactly.

Somewhere between the booking desk
and a holding cell, Dirk mysteriously...

...keeled over and died.

Someone didn't want him to talk.

Yeah, someone who had enough power
to kill him in a police station.

- You have anyone that comes to mind?
- Cover for me, okay?

No, Clark. I drink coffee,
I do not serve it. Clark!

Mr. Kent.

I wanted to say thank you for everything
you and your family have done for me.

What, you going somewhere, Lex?

Well, I need to talk to my brother...

...and you know what they say about
fish and houseguests after three days.

You're welcome back anytime.

That's nice of you to say.

Look, I gave you every single
crappy farm job I could think of.

But you did them all,
you didn't complain, not once.

You would have made
one hell of a farmer.

Thanks, Mr. Kent.

Sure.

- Lucas, what are you doing?
- Finishing what you started.

- Who is that?
- It's Clark Kent.

Clark. Oh, Clark.

I'm sorry, I meant to call and thank you
for saving Lucas.

Your rescues are becoming
a bit of a Luthor family tradition.

I understand they caught the shooter
in Metropolis.

Yes, I heard that.

So I can assume you've also heard
that he died while in police custody?

That's unfortunate...

...but it happens.

It's just awfully convenient, isn't it?

Kind of like how Lex was able
to track down Lucas.

I think you've inherited
your father's paranoia.

We're not talking about my family,
Mr. Luthor. We're talking about yours.

Good night, Clark.

Send my regards to your mother.

Yeah.

What?

Lucas, where are you?

All right, all right, I'll take the chopper.
Be there in half an hour, my office.

Don't do anything rash,
you understand me?

Lucas?

Glad you could make it.

What the hell are you doing?

Come on, Dad.
This is exactly what you wanted.

Pitted us against each other, and we
played in your Cain and Abel fantasy.

You put the gun down, Lucas.
Put it down.

How do you know he's got a gun?

You twisted son of a bitch!

You're the one who told me
to finish what I started.

Well, as long as Lex is around, I'll always
have to fight for my place in this family.

Lucas, you are not going
to shoot your brother.

You're right.

You are.

What do you expect to achieve, Lucas?
Tell me.

Isn't it obvious, Dad?
Once we're both out of the picture...

...young Lucas here inherits everything.
- Pull the trigger.

Lucas, think. Just think, Lucas.

Think this through.
I'm not your enemy, Lucas.

I'm not the one who deliberately
kept you in foster care.

- You're not helping things, Lex.
- Wonder why you were never adopted?

If you were in trouble, how you
got bailed out at the last minute?

Don't tell me you thought
you were just lucky.

We're a social experiment. One son
gets everything, the other gets nothing.

That's ludicrous.
I would never do that.

You would.
Just like you tipped off the shooter.

Your friend Dirk was on our father's
payroll. Edge City was a setup.

- You wanted to use me too.
- Yes, I did and for that I am truly sorry.

But trust me, trying to gain
his love and respect is not worth it.

Is it true?
Is that what you did to me?

We've got a lot to talk about, son.

After you kill Lex.

For once, I want the blood
to be on your hands.

Time's up, Dad.

- No. I can't do it.
- Well, that's just too bad.

Lucas, please, don't.
I will not kill my son.

Psychotic little bastard!

It must be in the genes.

It's blanks.

This one too.

Checkmate.

Come on, Lucas.

- Good night.
- Thanks.

Lana. I realize you're locking up,
but I just need to explain.

It's not necessary. I understand.

- You're not mad.
- Somehow, when you let people down...

...you make it really hard for them
to be mad at you.

- Lana, I just...
- Clark, it isn't you...

So I guess that's it.

The shortest career in the history
of the coffeehouse business.

Second shortest.
Don't forget my one day at the Beanery.

Hope this doesn't change things
between us.

I don't see how things are ever
gonna change between us, Clark.

- That can stay.
- Yes, sir.

Lex.

Glad to see that you're making yourself
at home again, son.

I read your fascinating piece of fiction
in the Daily Planet.

People love to read about triumph
over adversity.

And your stock jumped five points.

How long have you been able to see?

Few weeks.

Playing the handicapped card is low,
even for you.

But I was able to see more clearly
than ever.

It's amazing what people try and get
away with right in front of your eyes...

...when they think you can't see.

I can only imagine.

All right, Lex.

How are we gonna repair
this rift between us?

You mean, how are you gonna
keep the whole Lucas affair quiet?

I was thinking
of giving you LexCorp back.

- Majority stake, no strings attached.
- Except for my silence.

I've always believed that family business
should be kept within the family.

And Lucas is under my protection now.

You remember the fable of the frog
and the scorpion, Lex?

Yeah, Dad.

The frog helped the scorpion
across the river.

The scorpion repaid his kindness
by stinging the frog.

"Why did you do it?"
The dying frog asked him.

And the scorpion replied,
"Because it is my nature."

Believe me, Lex,
your brother will never change.

I've watched him over the years.
The boy's a sociopath.

And I wonder which side
of the family tree he got that from.

Good night, Dad.
I'll be sure to give Lucas your love.

My mom told me you were gonna come
back and get the rest of your stuff.

Surprisingly, my dad's had
a change of heart.

Sorry Lucas didn't turn out to be
the brother you wanted.

Considering his father,
I'm surprised he's still alive at all.

Where is Lucas now?

Safe.

But I'm gonna have some work to do
to regain his trust.

You will. You're not your father.

Sometimes, Clark, we're all held
hostage by the will of our fathers.

The only difference is,
your dad's a good man.

All my father does
is push people away.

Your dad opened his home to me,
no questions asked.

As long as I live, I don't think
I'm ever gonna understand your family.

Neither will I.

Just remember...

...my father may try
and rule the world...

...but yours will inherit the earth.