Smallville s06e20 Episode Script

Noir

I don't think this blindfold thing's gonna work.
I know these halls better than anyone.
Hey, it's not my surprise you're spoiling.
All right, but I can't get too far away.
I need to hear the phones.
All right.
I transferred your line.
It's not your fault you got phone duty during Senator Burke's visit.
But unless he makes a pit stop to the pole-dancing parlor well, then we can still make it a date.
Jimmy.
Have I mentioned you are the best boyfriend a girl could have? Right back at you, sweetheart.
I figured you could use an escape from your real-life soap opera.
What do you mean? Well, you live it every day, but from the outside.
Your real life's got Cagney and Stanwyck written all over it.
You've got your billionaire mogul, the confused damsel who chose money over love, and the friend who shows up everywhere because he can't get a job.
Not to mention the steadfast dame they all depend on.
A real glimpse into the mind of Jimmy Olsen.
FYl, "dame"? Not so flattering.
-What's your name? -Riley.
Doghouse Riley.
That's a funny kind of name.
You think so? What are you, a prizefighter? -No, I'm a shamus.
-What's a shamus? It's a private detective.
- You 're making fun of me.
-They don ' t make them like they used to.
Movies or people? You 're cute.
Yeah.
Thank you.
-That wasn't from-- -The movie.
Jimmy.
No, tell them we're on our way up.
Female, early twenties, gunshot wound to the chest.
-ls she gonna be all right? -She's hurt pretty badly.
Come on, Clark.
I'm sorry, Lana.
Sorry I got you caught up in all this.
I'll find whoever did this.
I'll find them.
-Lex.
-Where is she? She is being medevaced to our specialist in Smallville.
-She was with you at the opera.
-You didn't show up.
So I dropped your wife at her car.
-This was about an hour ago.
-You better hope she's all right.
Now, I know someone as alert and amazing at his job as you must be you must have some idea what happened here.
Nice try, Miss Lane -but it's not gonna work.
-Well, a girl's gotta try, right? -Hey, Phil.
-Excuse me.
Oh, man, I am such a klutz.
I'm so sorry.
So the police think it was a mugging.
-A mugging? -lnside the building? Normally I'd be the first to cry foul play but she was downtown, middle of the night, fancy dress stolen purse.
He probably jumped her before she knew what was happening.
Am I the only one that thinks it's weird that she was -with Daddy Warbucks instead of Lex? -Whoever attacked her is out there.
Jimmy and I saw him flee.
But the police will run prints on the gun.
Which the mugger left behind.
What was Lana doing here in the middle of the night anyways? I should've been watching.
Since she married Lex, I've been angry-- Clark, tell me you are not making this your fault.
I've always been there for her until now.
-I gotta find out who did this.
-Well, the police aren't saying much but maybe you'll have better luck.
Jimmy, I need you to download the photo of Lana's attacker.
You can ask her.
She never remembers anyway.
Just what did she forget about Sean Reagan? What did she tell you? Not half as much as you just did.
Take it easy.
I know slaps are good around this time of the evening.
You go too far, Marlowe.
All right, here's what I got.
-Right over here, boys.
-Listen.
I'll get it right to him.
Sleeping on the job? What's the big idea? Well, I don't-- I can't-- "l don't"? "l can't"? What's gotten into you, Jimmy Olsen? The town's hopping with the senator's visit.
I didn't take a job slinging coffee for just anyone.
I picked the best, I tell you, the best.
The Daily Planet's never seen a reporter like you.
I plan on keeping it that way.
Jeez, oh, jeez.
I'm sorry.
Miss Sullivan, we haven't even met and already I've ruined your blouse.
This is very-- Clark Kent.
K.
Kent.
I'm Clark Kent.
Chloe Sullivan, and it's quite all right.
What's with the glasses? Special delivery up from the mailroom.
So, what, I'm supposed to answer your phone now too? Hello.
Olsen here.
I hear you're the best.
I wanna report a murder.
Whose? Mine.
I hope I didn't keep you waiting, Mr.
Olsen.
Well, how do you like that.
The untouchable Lana Luthor.
Seems a lot of people got a lot of ideas about me.
Listen, I don't know if this is such a good idea.
Your old man's gotta own half of Metropolis not to mention a certain building at 1 000 Broadway.
Big globe on top.
Just talking to you could lose me my job.
Better your job than my life.
My husband's trying to kill me.
Now why would you believe a thing like that? The other day I was crossing 6th Street when out of nowhere this car veered right toward me, then it sped away.
It was no accident, Jimmy.
You don't mind if I call you Jimmy, do you? Actually, it's James.
You're so confident and so brave, and I'm so afraid.
I wonder if you could spare a bit of your strength for me.
Please.
I always knew something didn't sit right with Luthor.
Just a shame a girl like you had to get caught up in this rotten business.
Do you have any proof? I knew I could count on you.
My husband's been sneaking out at night.
I found this in his pocket.
Consider it a thank-you for your help.
I'm here to see a friend.
Ain't everyone? Look, I don't want any trouble, honest, I just came-- The kid's with me.
Eyes back in your head, Olsen.
I didn't peg you as the kind of guy with a secret identity.
And you're never gonna.
Now, suppose you tell me what story you're chasing.
No story, just thirsty.
Come on, a guy like you, with a reputation to uphold? You wouldn't be caught unless you were sitting on a big scoop.
Rye whiskey.
Rocks.
Put it on his tab, Joe.
Name's Kent.
You stroll in here with this crackerjack kid.
You trying to land me in the cooler? Cool your jets, Mack.
Jimmy here's just a little down on love.
Ain't you, Jimmy? Poor sucker.
Man, dame's his poison.
If that's what you're after get in line.
No, no, I'm just.
-Who's your new heavy? -Relax.
I got nothing on Kent so far but his tab.
Losing your grip, Paps.
You used to run this town.
Now it looks like the only shots you're calling are from behind that bar.
So it's Luthor you're after.
Better wipe that newsy smile off your face.
Luthor can smell fresh blood a mile away.
Fresh? Now, you listen here, Kent-- Relax.
I'm one of the good guys.
Yeah, that's what they all say.
If it's young Luthor you're tailing, I got a tip for you, on the house.
Every night he makes a big exit, makes sure the whole joint knows it.
But when his car pulls off out of the alley he's not in it.
Lex.
Oh, I can't take it anymore.
You're never gonna let me in on your real life.
Believe me, angel my wife will be out of the picture soon enough.
You can't keep toying with a girl's heart like this.
I gotta know it's real.
Is this real? Hey! Did anyone follow you? No.
I lost them hours ago.
You shouldn't have come.
He could be home any minute.
I can't bear this much longer.
Has it all been in my head? Have I been so lonely, I've started making up stories to amuse myself? I'm afraid not.
You're right about your husband wanting to get rid of you.
And soon.
If I run, he'll track me down.
And if I confront him, he'll make it look like an accident.
Don't worry.
I'll take care of Lex.
Just to protect yourself, please.
I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you.
Nice driving back there.
And don't worry I kept my word.
I'm here alone.
I'm afraid your word's not worth much, Luthor.
Doesn't matter.
By tomorrow you'll be picking lead out of your lungs.
Not unless you want this to be the next headline.
I'm guessing this isn't about a raise.
It's about right and wrong.
Now, what you do with the singer, that's your business but I'm not about to let you bump off your wife along the way.
Oh, yeah.
I heard you say you were gonna get rid of her.
Sure I am once the divorce is final.
I filed for it today.
-Came as a shock to your wife.
-I doubt that.
Don't worry, Jimmy, you're not the first sucker she's spun in her web.
But you better get out before you stick.
Gardenia.
-Operator, get me junction 435.
-Would I lie to you? Just came over the wire.
Okay.
-What's all the flurry about? -There's been a murder.
And they say the victim is Lex Luthor.
Oh, criminy.
I am such a klutz.
I'm so sorry.
Listen, I'll cover you while you go clean up.
Mr.
Lex Luthor, dead on arrival.
A press badge from the Daily Planet was found on the site with a photo of Mr.
Luthor and that singer.
Now, a suspect was seen fleeing the scene of the crime.
Suspect, 5' 1 0", brown hair, brown overcoat, and medium build.
Jimmy.
Last call.
Give me another.
No, make it a double.
Only one thing will drive a man to drink alone.
I wish it were as simple as a dame.
Nothing simple about them, kid.
Guess that's what keeps us coming back for more, huh? Jimmy, I've been to every gin joint in town looking for you.
-You're not the only one.
-Figured it'd be the last place you were but the first place I'd find you.
They think you shot Lex Luthor.
Yeah, I shot him, all right.
Went down cold right in front of me.
Listen, I'm not gonna let you go down for this, Jimmy.
Someone set you up, and I just might know who did it.
That telephone line you had for Mrs.
Luthor you weren't the only one dialing it.
Seems that shiny new reporter, Clark Kent's been spinning those numbers ever since he came to town.
What are you trying to tell me? Looks like the boss's old lady might be getting a little more from Kent than just the headlines.
Yeah, it's me.
Listen, boy wonder may have taken the bait, but he's onto you.
Doesn't matter anymore.
You're on top of the lowlife food chain and I'm out from under a suffocating marriage.
There's something I have to take care of.
I thought that's what I was here for.
Don't worry we won't have to sneak around much longer.
Guess you took me for a patsy, didn't you, Kent? You played me right from the very start.
You saw your chance to bump off the old man Iet me take the fall for it, and you get away with the girl.
But why'd you have to? He didn't, I did.
Aren't you full of surprises.
I'm sorry I had to drag you into all this, James.
I really am.
They are gonna put me away.
They won't get the chance.
Why'd you make me do it? It was all for you.
Gardenia.
I should've known better.
Rule number one never get mixed up with a girl not when you're on the job.
On the job? You're a cop? Undercover unit.
I was sent here to watch Lex Luthor.
Falling in love with his wife, that was.
That was my mistake.
Those were some eyes that she had.
Would have made any guy wanna be a hero.
Yeah, well, those eyes just got you the electric chair.
Someone should've told you, kid, there are no heroes in Metropolis.
Jimmy? Oh, my God, are you all right? Don't bother.
The picture of Lana's trigger-happy friend's gone.
Gardenia.
Okay.
It was right in front of me the whole time, I didn't even see it.
Jimmy, remember me? The one outside your head? Lana didn't know you were working.
What if she wasn't here to see you? -What if she's not innocent? -Why would she come to the cellar -if it wasn't to visit us? -Look I know Lana's your friend and you don't wanna think of her as a two-timing backstabber but, you know, maybe she had something she couldn't trust you with.
The cigarette case is missing.
Think about it.
Lana doesn't smoke.
What would she be doing with it? What was inside? A cigarette case? Maybe something big enough to get killed over.
And she was taking it to someone on the other floor when she was shot.
So, what, she just staggered into the elevator and ended up here? You know, the elevator has a memory.
So its computer could tell us what floor it was on last.
I was thinking more gossip column than political intrigue.
My God.
Lana, what have you gotten yourself into? When did you learn to do that? Some girls go for sports cars I figured you're more of a lock-picking kind of girl.
According to the building's exit records Brennan was the only reporter left on this floor when Lana was shot.
Bowling trophies don't exactly scream cold-blooded killer.
What the hell are you doing? We have reason to believe that Lana Luthor was with you last night.
I've never met her.
Maybe you shot her and snagged her purse to make it look like a petty robbery.
-I'm calling Security.
-Great.
You can tell how you knocked out Jimmy and erased your photo.
The entire building was sealed off.
Only someone with prior access could have done it.
Hey, look.
Mrs.
Luthor said she had a story and wanted to meet.
She must've been getting off the elevator when someone intercepted her.
I heard the gunshot, I saw the elevator going down, so I took the stairs.
But when I got there I heard you coming, and I guess I just panicked.
I'm sorry about your head.
But if the police had gotten your photo, they never would've believed me.
What was she bringing to you? All I know is she said she needed help, and it had-- Call 91 1.
Oh, man.
You didn't have to wait till the last second.
What fun would that be? Chloe.
Chloe.
Oh, my God.
Chloe.
-Did you get him? -I knocked him out cold, but-- You don't have a scratch on you.
I don't understand.
How is that--? Thank you.
Busy day, Miss Lane? Does breaking and entering not mean anything to rich people? About as much as removing evidence from a crime scene.
I caught your little maneuver at the Planet.
So it didn't surprise me that a piece of evidence was missing.
The silver cigarette case.
Really, Mr.
Luthor, I was lucky to get a quote from a parking attendant.
George.
Lillian loved this.
My wife, she was fond of gardenias.
But I think what you're looking for is inside.
You open this? There was nothing on it.
Ares is supposed to be operational.
We're in the final stages of testing, senator.
Well, after all my shuffling to keep the appropriations under the radar, I certainly hope so, Lex.
We both have a lot to lose, senator.
You didn't know Lex was working with Senator Burke, did you? You have got to give Lana major props for double-crossing both Luthors.
I'd be careful Miss Lane.
Whoever's protecting Senator Burke hired someone to kill the wife of a Luthor.
I doubt whether they'd think twice about silencing you.
Close call.
Luckily I don't remember much.
Let me fill you in on a few of the details.
Someone didn't want you and Brennan to expose whatever was in that cigarette case so they tried to kill you, and succeeded with him.
Now, I know that Lex would never do anything to hurt the love of his life, but who did? Chloe, if I could tell you, I would.
It's complicated.
I'm a quick learner.
Lionel.
He's been forcing me to dig into Lex and turn over everything to him.
Lionel has you spying on Lex? But instead of giving him the information you found you were gonna give it to the papers? Why? It was my only way to get out from under them.
I don't understand.
I mean, Lionel has a league of minions.
Why you? He needed someone on the inside.
Someone who could get close to Lex.
Holy.
Lana, is that why you went through with the wedding? Why would you do that? To protect Clark.
From what? Clark can take care of himself.
What about his weakness? Chloe, you admitted yourself that he has one.
Whatever Clark is capable of there's something stronger than him, isn't there? If you're keeping this from Clark because you're trying to protect him -he needs to know.
-He can't.
Chloe, I know that you confide everything in him but I need you to trust me.
Clark's life could depend on it.
I've been all over town, all I can find out about the guy who attacked Lana is that he's a hired gun.
He's out of commission, so it looks like we hit a dead end.
That's it? Someone takes a hit out on Lana and you're just gonna give up just like that? You're holding back something from me, aren't you? Chloe, I can't believe you'd lie to me.
I can't believe you didn't hear the irony in that statement.
-You know how much she means to me.
-First, ouch.
Second, if you really wanna help, Clark, just stay out of it, okay? Please.
I'm gonna find Lana's attacker, with or without you.
How long have you kept your secret from Lana because you were trying to protect her? Are you telling me Lana's doing this to protect me? Look, all I'm saying is that sometimes people do things that you don't expect, and you don't understand.
And sometimes they have a really good reason for it.
As much as I wanna believe that that reason is Lex-- We both know he'd never do anything to hurt her.
Well, then if it's not Lex, then.
There's only one other person who would manipulate her like that.
Take it from the look on your face the cops can't get Lana's attacker to talk.
Didn't have a chance.
Guy got knocked off right after he landed in county lockup.
Mr.
Luthor the gun at the crime scene didn't belong to the assailant.
It's yours.
Mine? -Police never mentioned-- -It's unregistered.
I pulled the ballistics report, it matches your gun.
The missing one.
My guess is Lana's been carrying it pulled it on whoever confronted her and lost.
Lana's never carried a gun.
What would she be so afraid of? There's my hero.
Just my luck.
I finally get a photo, I'm in front of the camera.
Even I was impressed with the Sam Spade quick thinking.
You can't tell me all that just came from a bonk on the noggin.
You know, it was so weird.
Half of it made sense, but Lana and Lionel working together and Clark Kent leading a double life as a reporter by day and crime fighter by night.
You know, it's funny what your mind will cook up.
So why the pilgrimage to Podunk at the peak of your fame? Well, I made you a playlist to keep you company while I'm gone.
Gone? I'm being sent on assignment.
-That's great.
-Yup.
Photo editor saw the paper, finally knows my name now.
Are you on the human-trafficking story in lstanbul with Fletcher? Actually, the Polar Bear Swim Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
-Bunch of old guys in a lake, but-- -It's a start.
I gotta go catch my plane, but there's something I gotta do before I go.

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