Original Air Date on January 14th, 2004

We open with an outside sh*t of a chain link fence. Day. On the fence is a sign that says "Belle Reve Sanitarium, Keep Out!" Inside, hundreds of patients all dressed in the same light blue scrubs file up and down stairs, hallways, and around the commons area. There are several nurses and orderlies seen, dressed all in white. A line of patients waits outside a booth where a nurse distributes their medication. Lex, also dressed in the blue scrubs, gets to the head of the line, and the nurse hands him a small tray with a cup of water and another smaller cup with three pills in it.

Nurse: All right, rich boy, there you go.

Lex takes the tray, dazed. He glances at the nurse, then down at the three pills. One pill is red, one yellow, and one blue. He makes no move to pick them up.

Nurse: Come on.

Lex finally picks up the smaller pill cup and pours the pills into his mouth followed by a swallow of water.

Nurse: Next.

Lex walks away, and the line continues to move slowly. Seated all around are more mental patients. Some are seated at tables doing puzzles, others are painting on easels. Lex walks to the end of the room and sits down in front of an easel next to a translucent window. He picks up the brush and begins painting what appear to be random lines on the blank canvas. He lifts his other hand to his mouth in a fist and coughs once.

Before him on the easel sits three cups of paint, yellow, red, and blue. The bright colors are shocking against the cold blue lighting of the sanitarium. We see the yellow pill dropped in the yellow paint, the blue pill in the blue paint, and the red pill in the red paint. He nudges the red pill down further into the pain with his paintbrush, looking calmly from his painting to the surveillance camera on the wall above him.

Cut to Clark being led down a hall in the sanitarium by two orderlies. He looks around uneasily as he sees patients in various states of distress. One man is holding his head, crying quietly. Another man has his arms wrapped around himself tightly, afraid.

From a room to Clark's right comes Van McNulty from the episode Extinction, now a mental patient in Belle Reve. He sees Clark and is immediately furious.

Van: Well, look who it is. Hi, you freak!

He lunges for Clark, but one of the orderlies stops him, pushing him against the wall.

Orderly: Back off!

Two other orderlies grab onto him and keep him where he is as Clark continues on.

Van: [Screaming.] You're the one that should be in here! Ah! You're the one that should be in here!

The orderlies force him back into his room, but he continues to scream.

Van: They should lock you up, you freak!

Clark and the orderlies turn a corner in the hallway and walking in the opposite direction is Eric Summers from the episode Leech. He is also dressed in patient scrubs. He notices Clark and stops.

Eric: Hey, Kent. It's me, Eric. Been struck by lightning lately?

Clark stops walking until the orderly taps him on the shoulder, and another orderly pulls Eric away. Clark starts walking again. Behind him, pushing a cart of books and newspapers, is Ian Randall from the episode Dichotic, a third familiar face who is now a mental patient at Belle Reve.

Ian: Good to see you, Clark. Tell my two favorite ex-girlfriends I said hello.

Orderly: Keep moving, Ian.

Ian smiles bitterly back at Clark, but keeps going.

Orderly: [To Clark.] Jeez, kid. You seem to know a lot of people in here.

Clark: Where's Lex?

They arrive at the commons area and Clark sees Lex painting at the easel.

Orderly: You got ten minutes.

The orderly walks away, and Clark hesitates as he looks sadly at Lex. When Lex turns around and sees Clark, he puts down his brush and stands up, his eyes filling with hope. Clark walks to him.

Clark: Lex?

Lex: [Happily.] Clark. [He takes Clark's hand and holds it in both of his own warmly.] I was wondering if I'd ever see you again.

Clark lifts his other hand to cover Lex's.

Clark: I've been trying to visit you for the last month. The doctors said you weren't ready to see anyone. [Lex smiles strangely.] Are you okay?

Lex: [Still smiling.] I know your secret.

Clark looks up at the surveillance camera on the wall. Lex looks at the camera, then back to Clark.

Lex: [Whispering.] Don't worry. [He puts his index finger in front of his mouth.] I haven't said a word to anyone.

Clark nods. Lex grabs him tightly by the shoulders.

Lex: I need you to get me out of here. I've seen what you can do.

Somewhat startled, Clark holds onto Lex's shoulders.

Lex: That car h*t you at 60 miles an hour, and then you ... you tossed it like a toy. Breaking me out's not gonna be too much of a challenge.

Clark: [Reluctant.] Lex, I want to ...

Lex: Then do it, Clark. My father's never gonna let me out. [Clark doesn't respond. Lex holds Clark's face, pleading.] You're my friend. Please, Clark. Don't let me rot in this cesspool.

Clark: I'm sorry.

Lex slowly takes his hands away, eyeing Clark sadly. Then he suddenly lunges forward, grabbing at Clark's neck. The orderlies are almost immediately at his side, pulling him away.

Lex: Aaah!

Orderly: Hey! Hey!

Lex: Bastard!

Clark backs away slowly as Lex struggles against the orderlies.

Lex: I'll never forgive you for this, Clark! Never!

Lex's outburst has caused pandemonium in the commons area. All the patients are now screaming and running around, tipping over chairs and tables.

Lex: Never!

The orderlies wrestle Lex to his knees as another patient grabs onto Clark's arm.

Man: Save me.

Clark pushes him away and runs from the commons area.

Cut to an orderly entering Lex's cell, carrying a tray of medication.. The room is completely empty except for a toilet and a metal platform that serves as Lex bed. Lex lies still on his back.

Orderly: Get up, curly. Time for your nine o'clock meds.

Lex slowly opens his eyes.

Orderly: [More loudly.] Get up!

Lex rises to a sitting position and, unseen by the orderly, grabs a sharpened pencil sitting next to him on the bed. They look into each other's eyes for a moment, then Lex jams the pencil into the man's thigh.

Orderly: Aaaah!

The orderly continues to scream as he drops the tray of medication. Lex covers his mouth with his hand, pushing him against the wall. Keeping a hand over the orderlies mouth, Lex puts his other arm around the man's neck, squeezing tightly, as they walk toward the glass window at the front of the cell. The orderly's eyes cross as he finally loses consciousness and falls to the floor. Lex takes the orderly's nightstick and his ID card. He slides the card through the scanner, and the door to his cell opens.

He exits the cell and runs down the empty hallway. He turns around as a door opens and another orderly enters the hallway with an arm full of blankets. Lex's back is to the orderly.

Orderly: Hey, Luthor! [Slowly putting down the blankets.] What are you doing here, my friend? Huh?

Lex holds the nightstick ready in his hand.

Orderly: [Approaching Lex cautiously from behind.] I'm gonna take you back to your room, okay? [Lex nods.] Just relax...

Lex whips around and strikes the orderly with the nightstick several times in the face and in the legs until the man is unconscious on the ground. Lex circles around frantically, trying to decide which way to go. He finally breaks through a large air conditioning vent in the wall and into the narrow passageway. It is so short that he has to duck to run through it, and he eventually gets to a stairway that leads him outdoors. It is night.

He is still inside the fence of the sanitarium and sirens can be heard in the distance getting closer. He runs bare-footed along the road toward the main gate as two black cars with blaring sirens and flashing lights drive up behind him. Lex does get to the main gate in the chain link fence just as the cars come to a stop behind him, and he starts to climb the fence. When he gets to the top of the fence, he accidentally grabs onto several strands of barbed wire.

Lex: Aaah! Aaah!

Four men step out of the cars and sh**t Lex in the back with Tasers, sending sizzling electrical currents through his body.

Lex: Aah! Aaah! Aaah!

Lex loses his grip and falls to the ground unconscious, his bloody palms splayed on either side of his head. One of the guards kneels down to feel Lex's neck for a pulse.

[opening credits]

Outside sh*t of Kent Farm. Day. Inside, Clark sits at the dining room table with Jonathan and Martha. Clark gazes down at the table unhappily.

Clark: I've never seen Lex so angry with me. It's like he just went...

Jonathan: Crazy?

Clark looks at Jonathan.

Martha: Well, you can't take it personally, Clark.

Clark: Well, it's hard not to. He asked me to break him out .

Jonathan: You said no, didn't you?

Clark: [Nodding.] Yeah.

Jonathan: [Relieved.] That's good.

Jonathan takes his dishes from the table and walks to the kitchen. Clark does the same. Martha follows them, carrying a pitcher of orange juice.

Clark: Yeah, it's great. He just broke himself out and injured two guards along the way. He doesn't belong in there. He's being drugged.

Martha puts the orange juice in the fridge as Clark and Jonathan set their dishes next to the sink.

Martha: Well, we don't know that for sure. This isn't his first brush with mental illness.

Clark: Well, Lionel's never gonna let him out. I'm his only chance.

Jonathan: [Putting on his jacket.] Clark, you can't just break somebody out of a state institution. Then you would go to jail, and Lex would be out there, a fugitive, with your secret on the tip of his tongue.

Clark: Pete knows my secret, and that's turned out okay.

Jonathan: Lex is different. [Clark lowers his eyes.] Look, Clark, I'm not saying that you should put your secret above Lex's well-being. I just think that you should stay out of this one, that's all.

Clark: [Arguing.] Dad ...

Jonathan: [Stern.] Clark, you don't know everything that's going on here. Now if you get involved . . . it could just get worse.

Jonathan steps past Clark to kiss Martha on the cheek, then he pats Clark's shoulder and leaves the house. Clark walks out of the kitchen sullenly. Martha follows him into the main entryway where he is taking his coat off the rack.

Martha: You know, you've got another friend in a hospital that you haven't visited.

Clark: Lana doesn't really want to see me right now.

Martha: She was in shock, Clark, she didn't mean what she said.

Clark: Except she's right. All I've done is put her in danger. She's better off without me.

Clark starts walking to the door, and Martha stops him.

Martha: What about you? Are you better off? You know, you can save the whole world, Clark, but you got to take care of your own heart, too. Go see her.

Clark looks at Martha, considering her advice.

Outside sh*t of Smallville Medical Center. Day. Inside, Lana is in a physical therapy session. Her left thigh is in a brace and she is walking slowly along a mat as she holds on to parallel bars on either side of her. She is obviously in pain as she walks, and her physical therapist is at her side encouraging her.

Therapist: Good, Lana. One more step.

Lana struggles through her final step, and starts breathing heavily, near tears as the pain intensifies.

Therapist: Okay. Okay, that's enough for today. That goes for you too, Adam.

ADAM, a young man, is seated at a weight machine with his back to the therapist and Lana, working his legs. He doesn't turn around when he is addressed.

Adam: I know my limits.

Therapist: [To Adam, handing Lana her crutches.] If you overdo it, you'll undo all your hard work.

Adam: If I listened to people like you, I'd still be in bed.

Lana leans on her crutches, wiping sweat off her forehead as she catches her breath.

Therapist: [To Lana.] Good work today, sweetie.

Lana: Thanks.

The therapist leaves, and Adam turns around to look at Lana.

Adam: Hurts, doesn't it?

Lana: Like you wouldn't believe.

Using her crutches, Lana starts to slowly walk away from the parallel bars as Adam easily walks past her to grab his jacket and his gym bag.

Adam: I think you're getting off way too easily.

Lana: Excuse me?

Adam: You have to learn to push through the pain. If we all sat down every time it hurt, this country never would've been built.

Lana: [Annoyed.] Well, I doubt the founding fathers broke their legs in four places.

Adam: [Teasing.] What happened, bad pileup at cheerleading practice?

Lana starts to leave. Adams stops her.

Adam: No, no, no, seriously. How'd you end up in here?

Lana: Horse got spooked. I ended up under its hooves.

Adam: Hmm. I'm guessing that's not a good place to be. [Offers his hand.] I'm Adam.

Lana: [Shaking Adam's hand.] Lana.

Adam: All right, Lana. [Drops his gym bag on the weight bench and walks over to the parallel bars.] We both you know that you have one more lap in you on this puppy. Let's see it.

Lana: How about not?

Adam: [Walking closer to Lana.] I know "struggle" is probably not in your vocabulary, but just to let you know, here, it's credo.

Lana: [Getting angrier.] For your information, I haven't walked in a month.

Adam: Feeling sorry for yourself may work now, but it's not gonna get you up a flight of stairs, is it?

Lana: Are you always this obnoxious?

Adam: I'm just telling you how it is. No one's ever honest with girls like you. I bet you have a boyfriend that's always protecting you, right?

Lana swallows, not knowing what to say.

Adam: But, he's not here. No one's gonna fight this battle for you. You're on your own. See you around.

Adam leaves the therapy room, and Lana watches him indignantly.

An orderly slides his card through the scanner outside Lex's cell in the sanitarium. Day. The door opens as the fluorescent lights inside turn on, and Lionel enters the cell. Lex is lying on his metal bed, but now he is strapped down. In addition, there is a metal cage over his body, preventing him from moving his arms or legs. Only his neck and head have any sort of freedom.

Lionel: [Quiet, sad.] Hello, Lex. You were making such good progress, son.

Lex: [Turning his head to look at Lionel.] You're the one who taught me. att*ck adversity head on.

Lionel: [Coming closer to the bed.] And had you been taking your medication, you would've done just that. This institution is not your adversary, Lex. Your illness is the enemy.

Lex: [Calm.] But I'm better now. I don't need the meds. That story about you k*lling your parents . . . it was nothing more than a paranoid delusion. See, somewhere along the line, I ... I veered off into the abyss, but I managed to claw my way back.

Lionel kneels down next to Lex.

Lionel: [Whispering.] But that's irrelevant now.

Lex: What do you mean?

Lionel: When your attempt to escape failed, you sabotaged my efforts to have you released, to be cared for at home.

Lex: But I told you. I'm cured. A cured patient doesn't belong in a hospital.

Lionel laughs sadly, with tears in his eyes.

Lionel: Oh, it's painful to see you like this.

He touches Lex's face and rests his hand on Lex's scalp, running his thumb over Lex's forehead.

Lionel: You know I have your best interest at heart, don't you?

Lex: [Quietly.] The only interest you have . . . is staying out of prison. [In a furious whisper.] I'm not insane, and you know it.

Lionel: It's sad to see a man who's lost his mind. But it's tragic when he's convinced himself that he's sane.

Lex: [Barely audible.] You son of a bitch. [Screams.] Aaah!

Lionel jerks his hand away from Lex's face and stands up, backing away slowly.

Lex: You did this to me. You're the one who's insane! Aaah! You did this to me! Aaaaah! Aaaah!

Lex continues to scream like a wild animal as Lionel leaves the cell and the door slides shut behind him.

Ian and Eric walk into Van's room. Day. Van is sitting on his bed.

Ian: Well, if it isn't Ku Klux Van.

Van: [Standing up.] Get out of my grille, freaks.

Eric: I'd watch your mouth in here if I were you.

Ian: We heard about your little one-man ethnic cleansing campaign.

Van: I don't know what you're talking about.

Ian: Oh, come on. You were out there picking off meteor freaks like ducks on the first day of hunting season.

Eric: And now you're stuck in here with all us ducks. Quack, quack.

Van starts to leave, but Eric and Ian both grab onto him, stopping him.

Ian: We don't want to hurt you, Van. Believe it or not, the three of us have something in common.

Van: I seriously doubt that.

Eric: Clark Kent put us all in here.

Ian: And the word on the ward is you know his weakness.

Van: Why should I tell you?

Ian: Well, because we're looking to sample the sweet taste of revenge.

Eric: See, if you weaken him, I can leech his powers and break us all out of here.

Van: Wait, you took Clark's powers. How?

Eric: It was a lightning strike. He took them back with a high voltage shock.

Van looks from Eric to Ian thoughtfully.

Van: How do I know I can trust you freaks?

Ian: The enemy of your enemy is your friend.

Van looks at Eric who is nodding at him, then back at Ian.

Outside sh*t of Metropolis. Night. Inside LuthorCorp, Lionel talks to Lex's psychiatrist Dr. Claire Foster as they walk down the hall to Lionel's office.

Claire: I don't feel comfortable moving forward with the procedure yet.

Lionel: Comfortable. Your comfort level is of no concern to me, Doctor. I've indulged you for a month while you've conducted this drug therapy of yours, and not only does Lex's memory remain completely intact, but he attempted to escape. I can't afford to waste any more time.

They enter Lionel's office.

Claire: Mr. Luthor, the procedure your proposing is draconian. It's successful in less than 50% of patients, and it leaves the other half with irreparable brain damage. Are you really willing to take that risk?

Lionel: No risk, no reward. Isn't that what they say, Doctor?

Claire: Performing this procedure on a patient who does not require it is unconscionable.

Lionel: But it's not the first time. You've experimented with it before.

Claire looks away, her resolve faltering.

Lionel: We had a mutual agreement, didn't we? I strongly suggest you keep your part of the bargain. So start the procedure. Immediately.

Lionel leaves the office.

Chloe enters the Torch office. Night. The lights are off, but Clark is working at the computer.

Chloe: Clark, turn a light on. It's bad for your eyes. [She switches on the desk lamp.] What are you doing burning the midnight oil?

Clark: Trying to prove Lex doesn't belong in Belle Reve.

Chloe: What'd you find on Lex?

Clark: [Handing Chloe a file.] Well, I have his medical record. Dr. Foster's definitely drugging him.

Chloe shakes her head as she looks through the file.

Chloe: Clark, there are millions of reasons why should could be administering this drug. Psychotherapy is just trial and error. This doesn't prove anything.

Clark: [Determined.] I know. But I got to do something. [He goes back to typing on the computer.]

Chloe: Well, why don't we work on this in the morning, okay? This is just a pit stop. I have to pick up Lana on my way home.

Clark: How is Lana?

Chloe: It's been really tough. She could use some moral support.

Clark: I sent her a card.

Chloe: Nothing says "I love you" more than a $1.50 piece of cardboard.

Clark: If she wanted me there, Chloe, I'd be there. Right now, I'm just trying to keep my promises for once.

Chloe: Well, keep me posted on the "Free Lex" front.

Chloe starts to leave, and Clark sees something on the computer screen.

Clark: Chloe, wait. Dr Foster has recommended Lex for radical electroshock therapy.

Chloe: That's a little extreme, don't you think?

Chloe walks back to the computer and looks at the screen over Clark's shoulder.

Clark: It is. [Reading.] Memory loss is almost a given, and if everything doesn't go exactly as planned, Lex could turn out a vegetable.

Chloe: When does this happen?

Clark: [Fearful.] 24 hours.

Van is in the weight room of the sanitarium doing biceps curls. Night. An orderly comes in, carrying a small box.

Van: Is that my package?

Orderly: Mm-hmm. I still don't get what you want with one of these rocks.

Van opens the box, revealing a rock of green kryptonite. He pulls some folded dollar bills from his shoe and hands them to the orderly.

Van: How about we just forget the whole thing?

Orderly: (Taking the money.) Whatever floats your boat, my man. (He leaves.)

Van looks at the rock. Ian comes into the weight room from the showers, wiping his face with a towel. He notices the box Van is holding.

Ian: So, did you get what you were waiting for?

Van: It's in the box. When Kent comes back, he's gonna have a little surprise waiting for him.

Van lies back on an inclined weight bench and starts doing bench presses, lifting a large amount of weight. He doesn't notice as Ian grabs onto the chin-up bar, bracing himself. He begins to shake and grunt as a human face, and then a body, emerges from his back, until they are separate. Two completely identical versions of Ian stand side by side. The second Ian is still behind Van as the first Ian stands to Van's left.

Ian: You need a spot?

Van rests the barbell on the rack.

Van: Look, when Clark shows up, I'll be ready. But until then, let's not pretend like we're friends.

Ian: Well, I just wanted you to meet my better half.

The second Ian comes around to Van's right. Van looks at them both in shock. They grab the barbell and push it down onto Van. He tries to push it away, but he is overpowered. The two Ians ram the barbell down onto Van's neck, strangling him to death.

Ian #2: You should know better than to trust a meteor freak.

Fade to black.

Outside sh*t of Metropolis. Day. In a Metropolis hospital, Dr. Foster enters a room where there is a nurse standing next to a bed. In the bed is a male patient. His eyes are open, but he lies completely still with no expression on his face.

Claire: What's the emergency?

Nurse: [Confused.] Everything's fine here.

Clark's voice: Is this what your planning on doing to Lex?

Claire turns around and sees Clark and Chloe standing in the doorway.

Clark: [Coming farther into the room.] There's nothing wrong with Lex. You've been drugging him. That's why he's having paranoid delusions.

Claire: If you're here to accuse me of criminal malpractice, I hope you have the facts to back it up.

Chloe: Oh, I'm sure you could talk your way out of Lex's dubious drug regime. But what about the existing lawsuit for radical electric shock therapy?

Claire looks down at the motionless patient on the bed.

Claire: What happened to Mr. Watkins was unfortunate. But for your information, that suit was dropped.

Clark: [Angry.] Because Lionel Luthor paid it off.

Claire: I'm very busy. So if you two will excuse me.

Claire goes to the door and Clark and Chloe follow her.

Clark: Do you think if you turn Lex into a vegetable that Lionel Luthor's gonna let you off the hook?

Claire turns around to look at Clark and Chloe, not responding.

Chloe: You have all the power here, Doctor. Please, help Lex and yourself.

Lex is strapped to the bed in his cell with the metal restraints still in place, only allowing movement of his head. Day. A buzz is heard and the door slides open admitting Ian with the cart of books and newspapers.

Ian: Newspaper? Magazine? Crossword puzzle?

Lex: [Quietly.] What do you think?

Ian: Right. It must be a little bit difficult to turn the pages. What do you do when you have an itch?

Lex turns his head to Ian slowly.

Lex: Get out of my face.

Ian: Boy, I bet you are just itching to get out of this place.

Ian runs a hand up the metal restraints, then leans against them so his face is just above Lex's.

Ian: Mr. Luthor, what would you do if I told you I had figured out a way for certain animals to escape the zoo?

Lex: I'd ask you why you're still here.

Ian: Funding issues. Once I'm out, I need to disappear. And a new identity doesn't come cheap.

Lex: Oh, I admire your ambition. But when you tried to m*rder my friends to get my money, you went a little too far.

Ian: I know I've made some mistakes in the past. But I'm all better now.

Lex: [Sarcastic.] And I'm happy for you. The both of you. Now take your little cart, and go sucker some other patient with a bank account.

Ian: Suit yourself.

Ian starts to leave, then turns back to Lex.

Ian: Of course, if my brain were about to be deep-fried, I might have a little bit different attitude. It's gonna be hard to get around when your toes are permanently curled.

Lex: [Laughs.] Fear is an effective sales tactic, but it doesn't work on me.

Ian: How about facts?

Ian pulls a chart from his cart and holds it up so Lex can read it.

Ian: See, you're on deck, Mr. Luthor.

Lex: [Nervous.] Where'd you get this?

Ian: I know everything that goes on in this dump.

Lex takes his eyes away from the chart and looks up at the ceiling, deep in thought. Ian puts the clipboard back on his chart and starts to leave.

Ian: If you want to save your cerebrum, you know where to find me.

Ian leaves. Lex's mouth twitches as he continues to stare at the ceiling.

Outside sh*t of Smallville Medical Center. Day. Inside, Lana is alone in the physical therapy room. She gets to the end of the parallel bars with a gasp of pain, then looks at her crutches several feet away leaning against the wall. She takes one cautious step forward, without the help of the bars, and falls to the ground just as Adam walks in.

Adam: Whoa. [Runs to her side.] You okay?

Lana: Yeah, I'm just pushing through the pain.

Using her arms, Lana pushes herself off the floor and onto a weight bench. Adam hands her the crutches.

Adam: I see you changed your therapy time.

Lana: Yeah, I wasn't crazy about the company.

Lana stands up and leans onto the crutches.

Adam: Would you believe me if I told you I was a nice guy once, with no issues?

Lana: Nice guys normally have the most issues. [Starts to leave.]

Adam: That's why I came. I wanted to apologize. I'm sorry for taking it out on you.

Lana stops and turns around to face Adam.

Lana: I was upset because you're kind of right. I haven't really been pushing myself. I guess it's because I know that when I get back on my feet, my life's gonna be different. I don't really know if I'm ready to face it. So you never got around to telling me why you're in here.

Adam: Isn't it obvious? Fine cuisine, post-modern decor.

Lana: [Laughs.] No, really. What happened?

Adam hesitates, leans against the parallel bars.

Adam: Well, uh, I tried to get into a burning building and a beam collapsed on me. My parents were inside. I thought I could save them.

Lana: [Coming closer to Adam.] I am so sorry.

Adam: It happened. Now I have to move on. See? I guess I'm a little afraid of my future too.

Outside sh*t of Smallville High School. Day. Inside, Clark and Pete walk down the hall together.

Clark: I convinced Foster to cancel the procedure. She's on her way right now to sign the cancellation papers.

Pete: And you think this is a good thing? Clark, he knows your secret.

Clark: I can't let him turn Lex into a vegetable just for that.

Clark goes into the Torch office. Pete hesitates outside the door, then comes in.

Pete: You can't trust him.

Clark: And you've never given him a chance.

Pete: And you give him too many. You think it's easy keeping a lid on your secret? I've got to think about it every time we're around other people to make sure I don't slip. I got to remember to say "meteor rock" instead of "kryptonite." And I always got to cover your unexplained exits.

Clark: Pete, I'm sorry. You've never said anything.

Pete: Clark, that's not the point. The point is that I got your back. But Lex won't.

Clark: [Looking past Pete.] Chloe.

Pete turns around and sees Chloe at the door. She is afraid.

Clark: What's wrong?

Chloe: Claire Foster's d*ad. They found her car wrapped around a tree off highway 54.

Pete: I feel the invisible hand of Lionel Luthor. You two had better back off before he sets his sights on you.

Pete leaves and Chloe walks to Clark.

Chloe: Now, I know you were just trying to help Lex, but I think you've made matters worse.

Clark: No, there's got to be another way to stop the procedure.

Chloe: Clark, Dr. Foster tried to stop it, and look what happened to her. Lionel Luthor is gonna make sure this procedure happens.

Outside sh*t of Belle Reve Sanitarium. Night. Clark walks up to the chain link fence and tears it open with his bare hands. He super speeds across the parking lot and into Lex's cell where Lex is still strapped to the bed.

Clark: Lex.

Lex turns his head to Clark and smiles.

Lex: Clark, I knew you'd come.

Clark: Let's get you out of here.

Clark grabs onto the metal cage holding Lex down, tears it away, and throws it across the room. He kneels down to release the strap on Lex's arm as Lex watches in amazement.

Lex: All this time . . . I was right about you.

Clark doesn't respond. His face suddenly fills with pain and he turns around to see Ian standing behind him with the kryptonite in his hand. He punches Clark in the face and Clark falls against the wall.

Ian: What do you know? It worked.

The second Ian comes in to the cell carrying a nightstick. While the first Ian punches Clark in the face repeatedly, the second Ian beats Lex with the nightstick.

Lex: Aah! Aaah!

Ian #2 rolls Lex onto his back and punches him in the face.

Ian: If it weren't for you, Kent, [Punches Clark.] I'd be at Harvard right now, [Punches Clark again.] with a co-ed on each arm.

Ian #2 punches Lex again, then picks up the nightstick and walks toward the door. Ian #1 drops the meteor rock down Clark's shirt, and Clark collapses onto the floor.

Lex: What the hell are you doing to him?

Ian: [Grabbing Lex by the shirt.] Your buddy's our first class ticket out of here.

Ian #2 kicks Clark in the stomach.

Lex: How do you plan to escape? I'm not giving you a cent. Clark's my friend.

Ian: Well, you ought to pick your friends better, considering he didn't tell you his little secret.

Ian punches Lex.

Ian: [To Ian #2.] Come on. Let's get out of here.

Both Ians grab Clark and start to drag him from the room.

Lex: [Weakly, trying to get up.] No.

Clark: [Whispering.] Lex... Ah...

Lex: Leave him alone!

Ian: Or you'll do what, Mr. Luthor? Considering they're coming to fry your ass in about five minutes.

Lex: Leave him alone!

Lex rolls off the bed and lands on the floor with a thud.

Lex: Aah!

He coughs several drops of blood onto the floor. Through the window, he sees the Ians lifting Clark onto a gurney and wheeling him away.

Lex: Ah...

Lex struggles to keep moving, but eventually loses consciousness.

Fade to black.

The two Ians wheel Clark into a boiler room in the sanitarium. Night. Eric is already there waiting, holding a set of jumper cables. We can still see the green bulge of the kryptonite underneath Clark's shirt.

Ian: Well, here he is!

Ian #2: Right on schedule.

Clark sees Eric standing next to the gurney.

Clark: [Weak.] Eric...

Eric: Time to give me those powers back. It's not like you use them anyway.

Clark: This'll never work.

Eric connects one end of the jumper cables to the generator.

Ian #2: Are you kidding?

Ian: There's enough voltage in here to power a small third world country.

Both Ians walk away from the gurney. Clark tries to sit up, and Eric pushes him back down.

Eric: Save your strength, Clark. I'm gonna need it.

Eric connects the other end of the jumper cables to the gurney.

Lex on the floor of his cell. Night. He regains consciousness and coughs as he starts to get up.

Lex: Clark!

He gets to his feet and runs out through the open door of his cell.

Lex: Clark! Clark!

Lex doesn't get far down the hall before he runs into two orderlies who push him to the ground and pin his hands behind his back.

Lex: They've got Clark!

Orderly #1: How the hell did he get out?

Orderly #2: I don't know, but I ain't taking any chances. Come on, hold him.

The orderly sticks a large syringe into Lex's neck.

Lex: No! No! Aah!

Lex loses consciousness almost immediately.

Adam helps Lana walk along the parallel bars in the physical therapy room. Night. He is holding her hand lightly, and she isn't holding onto the bars for support.

Adam: There you go. Almost.

Lana: Okay.

Lana gets to the end of the bars.

Adam: Done! [Lana laughs excitedly.] It's not Mount Everest, but it is a start.

Lana: A few days ago, I wouldn't have even thought that was possible.

Adam hands Lana her crutches.

Adam: Sometimes you just have to look impossibility straight in the eye.

They share a moment standing close to each other, looking into each other's eyes. Martha enters.

Lana: Mrs. Kent. What a surprise.

Martha: Chloe had a late deadline. She asked if I could give you a ride home.

Adam: I'm gonna go.

Lana: Okay.

Martha: [As Adam is leaving.] Hello.

Adam: Hello.

Martha: [To Lana.] Interesting physical therapist.

Lana nods. There is a moment of awkward silence.

Lana: So, how's Clark? I got his card.

Leaning on the crutches, Lana limps over to a bench where she sits down.

Martha: I'm sorry he hasn't come by to see you.

Lana: To be honest, that was kind of my idea.

Martha sits next to her.

Martha: Lana, I-I know that Clark's not always the easiest person to understand, but he never meant to put you in danger.

Lana: Did he send you to argue his case?

Martha: He doesn't know I'm here. I'm sure he'd be upset that I was meddling.

Lana: I just want him to be happy.

Martha: I know. But you need to be happy too, Lana.

Lana: Thanks, Mrs. Kent.

Lex wakes up strapped to a table in an operating room. Night. His head is connected to various wires, and a doctor stands above him adjusting the equipment.

Lex: [Desperate.] Please. I'll pay you whatever you want. You'll never have to work another day in your life.

Lionel: He doesn't want your money, son.

Lionel walks to Lex's side and rubs a soothing hand over his chest.

Lionel: He wants to make you better. Just like I do.

Lex: [Quietly.] You're a liar.

Lionel: No. Be strong, Lex.

Lex: Liar!

Lionel: I'm sorry, son.

The doctor holds Lex's chin so he can put a mouthpiece in Lex's mouth.

Lex: [Frantic.] No, don't do this, Dad!

Lionel: Be strong.

Lex: Don't do this, Dad!

Lionel: Be strong.

Lex: Aah!

Lionel: Be strong.

Lex: Aah! Aah!

The doctor gets the mouthpiece in, preventing Lex from saying anymore.

Lionel: Be strong. I'm sorry, son. I didn't think it would have to come to this. [Lionel has tears in his eyes.] If it were a gangrenous limb, we could amputate. But the brain, unfortunately, is infinitely more complex.

Lex: [Muffled.] No, don't do this!

Lionel: [To the doctor.] Do it.

Lionel steps away from the table and we hear the rising hum of electricity as Lex's whole body starts to convulse. His screams get louder and louder.

Cut to Clark lying on the gurney in the boiler room. Eric walks to the gurney, looking for Ian.

Eric: Hey! Come on, let's go!

Only one Ian comes forward.

Ian: I'm right here.

Eric: What happened to your better half?

Ian: It's a lot easier to break one person out than two.

Eric: Let's go.

Eric takes the kryptonite out of Clark's shirt and puts it in Clark's hand. He then holds Clark's hand tightly in both of his own. Ian stands next to a large lever on the generator. He flips the lever up and green bolts of electricity fly through Clark and Eric, causing the whole gurney to shake.

Cut to Lex in the operating room. The power goes out, ceasing his electric shock treatment. The red emergency lights turn on.

Lionel: What is it? What's happening?

Doctor: We don't have any power. There must be a short somewhere.

Lionel: Well, fix it.

Lex looks around hopefully.

In the boiler room, there is a final blast causing Clark to fall off the gurney and Eric to be blown in the opposite direction. Clark remains where he is, and Eric smiles, getting to his feet. He and Ian come to Clark's side, and Eric takes off his glasses and throws them away.

Ian: Do you feel any different?

Without answering, Eric lifts Clark above his head and throws him across the room.

Eric: Does that answer question?

They both laugh and touch fists in triumph. Clark tries to get up, but he is weak. The side of his face is cut and bleeding. Eric super speeds to his side and picks him up.

Eric: Welcome back to being normal, Clark. Kind of sucks, doesn't it?

Eric sends him sliding across the ground like a bowling ball straight into a cluster of oxygen t*nk, knocking them all down.

Clark: Aah! Ah!

Eric: All right, farm boy, you're gonna pay for the two wasted years I spent in here.

Ian: Eric, let's go.

Clark notices the meteor rock lying next to him.

Eric: I'm not through with him yet.

Ian: They're gonna realize we're gone. They're gonna be here any minute.

Eric: What do I care? It's not my problem.

Ian: No, no, no, wait a second. We're a team. I thought we were friends.

Eric: There's no such thing as friends in here.

Eric punches Ian in the face, sending him flying across the room where he crashes against a pipe and falls to the ground. Clark finally succeeds in sitting up.

Clark: Hey! Is that all you got?

Eric: That little jolt make you insane, Clark?

Eric pounds a dent into a nearby pipe, then comes storming to Clark angrily. When he gets close enough, Clark lifts up the kryptonite. The rock glows brightly and Eric stops in his tracks, gasping.

Clark: Look who's afraid to use their powers now.

Clark runs to Eric and pushes him against the generator, causing another massive electric shock to pass through them both. After a few seconds, Clark reaches over to the generator's lever and pulls it down, stopping the flow of electricity.

At the same time in the operating room, the power comes back on, and electricity pours into Lex's body. He convulses violently.

Lex: Aaaah!

Eric falls to the ground and Clark throws the kryptonite away.

Lionel watches in horror as Lex shakes on the table. The shaking finally stops, but Lex continues to whimper and twitch.

Doctor: I don't know what happened.

Lionel: Again.

Doctor: But, sir, the way this equipment is working, we should wait.

Lionel: [Holding back tears.] Do it. Again.

Reluctantly, the doctor turns to the control table and flips the switch, sending Lex into an even more horrific seizure than the last one.

Eric looks up at Clark as the cut on Clark's face heals completely. Clark wipes the blood away.

Clark: Tell me where Lex is! Now.

Lex continues to shake on the operating table until the doctor finally turns off the machine. Lex groans incoherently and his eyelids flutter, nearly closed. Lionel walks to Lex's side, crying. The doctor removes the mouthpiece from Lex's mouth as Lionel leans over the table and puts a hand over Lex's chest.

Lionel: Lex? Son?

Clark super speeds to the operating room and looks in through the window. He sees Lionel leaning over Lex on the operating table.

Lionel: It's over.

Clark watches helplessly.

Fade to black.

Adam is sitting up in his hospital bed reading a book. Day. He is hooked up to an IV. Lana enters carrying a picnic basket. She is limping and using a cane, but she isn't using her crutches.

Adam: Hi.

Lana: Hey.

Adam: Am I hallucinating? No crutches.

Lana: Well, it's pretty amazing what you can accomplish when someone's cracking a whip over your head. [Adam smiles. Lana notices the IV.] You okay?

Adam: Yeah. This ... don't let it spook you. I tend to get dehydrated from time to time.

Lana: Well, I know that these probably can't compared to the desserts in here, but I, um, I wanted to thank you for being such a pain in the butt.

Lana puts the picnic basket down on the bedside table.

Adam: Any time. [Lana laughs.] So I guess this is goodbye.

Adam holds out his hand and Lana takes it.

Lana: Just because I've finished physical therapy doesn't mean I won't come back and visit.

Adam: Lana, please. I'm a memory from a painful moment in your life. Who wants to be reminded of that?

Lana: We all push through the pain, Adam. Maybe you're not willing to do that.

Lana starts to leave.

Adam: Lana, I'll be completely honest with you. (Lana stops.) I like you, but I get the feeling that there's someone else. I don't want to be caught in the middle of anything.

Lana: There is nothing to be caught in the middle of. But . . . I'm not really ready to be jumping into another relationship right away.

Adam: Trust me, I don't want to be your rebound boy either. But I would like to be your friend.

Lana: Yeah, I'd like that.

Adam: Good. Then we're friends?

Adam holds out his hand and again, Lana takes it, smiling.

Lana: Friends.

Outside sh*t of Lex's mansion. Day. Inside, Lex sits in front of the fireplace with his back to us. A servant comes in followed by Clark. Clark walks a little nervously into the study and the servant leaves.

Clark: Lex.

Lex turns around and stands up.

Lex: Clark.

Clark: How are you feeling?

Lex: [Calm.] Great, actually. [Lex takes Clark's hand in both of his own.] Never better.

Clark looks at Lex silently for a long moment.

Lex: I heard you came to visit me, and . . . I wasn't a very cordial host. [Lex holds Clark's shoulders.] If that's true, I'm ... I'm sorry.

Clark: Did your dad tell you why he had you committed?

Lex: He said I had a psychotic break. They think my island trauma precipitated it. I'm ... I'm just grateful my father recognized it in time.

Clark: [Sadly.] Me too.

Lex: [Reading Clark's expression.] Do you want to tell me something, Clark?

Clark: [Quietly.] No. It's good to have you back, Lex. Welcome home.

Clark turns to go and stops when Lex speaks.

Lex: You know, Clark, there is one thing I'll never forget.

Clark turns around.

Clark: What's that?

Lex steps closer to Clark.

Lex: How important your friendship is to me.

Lex pulls Clark into a hug closing his eyes. Clark's eyes close and his forehead wrinkles with regret.

Outside sh*t of Kent Farm. Day. In the kitchen, Martha and Jonathan stand on either side of Clark.

Martha: I'm sorry, Clark.

Jonathan: Lex is okay. Your secret's safe. You got to find some consolation in that.

Clark: Lex is right. Lionel got away with m*rder.

Jonathan: But you didn't tell him what really happened.

Clark: I figured what's the point?

Clark stares despondently at the counter.

Jonathan: Clark. Clark, I do not want you and Chloe taking up this charge.

Clark: [Quietly furious.] Someone's gonna make Lionel pay for his crime.

Jonathan: Someday, somebody is gonna make Lionel pay for his crime, but that day is not today, Clark. Now, I know this is very difficult for you, but you have to realize that there are people out there who are more powerful than you are.

Clark takes a deep breath and turns to look at his father. He nods.

Clark: [Barely audible.] Yeah.

Clark walks into the living room and sits down. Martha follows him.

Martha: You okay?

Clark: In a way, I envy Lex. He seemed so happy. I wish I could erase the last few months of my life.

Martha: [Rubbing a hand over Clark's back.] I heard they're having a welcome back party for Lana at the Talon. Why don't you go?

Clark: [Smiling faintly.] You never quit, do you?

Martha: It's called tough love. Come on, go.

Lionel and one of his assistants are in Lionel's office at LuthorCorp. Night. Lionel is leaning over his desk looking at a computer screen. On the screen is a surveillance video and he is rewinding it over and over, watching the same few seconds of video again and again. The sound is jumbled.

We see that the surveillance video is from the common room of Belle Reve the first day that Clark came to visit Lex. Lex stands with Clark in the middle of the room. Lionel rewinds the video again and we can barely make out Lex's words over the chatter of the other patients.

Lex: I know your secret. [Clark looks up at the camera.] I haven't said a word to anyone.

Lionel rewinds the video.

Lex: I know your secret. [Clark looks at the camera.] I haven't said a word to anyone.

Lionel stops the video.

Lionel: Why didn't you show me this sooner?

Man: We've been working all week to enhance the audio, sir.

Lionel: A week?! And this is the best you can do?

He turns the video back on, staring fiercely at the screen.

Lex: I know your secret. [Rewind.] I know your secret. [Rewind.] I know your secret. [Rewind.] I know your secret.

The following scene takes place in dramatic slow motion. Clark enters the Talon. Night. The room is full of people and loud music and a banner hangs from the ceiling that says "Welcome Home Lana." Clark comes farther into the room, squeezing past all the people, looking around for Lana. He finally spots her standing with Pete and Chloe, talking and laughing. She starts to walk away from them, and Clark unhappily notices Lana's cane and the brace on her left leg.

She notices Clark and stops walking. They hold eye contact, and Lana reflexively starts to smile. Then, as if reliving the pain of the last few months, her smiles fades and her gaze falters. Another of Lana's friends comes to her, and Lana gives Clark another glance before walking away. Clark's eyes lower, and he turns around and leaves.

Back at the bar, Lana watches him go, then turns away sadly.

End
{"type": "series", "show": "Smallville", "episode": "03x09 - Asylum"}