Clark Kent: [footsteps, keys clacking, clears throat] Uh, hi, Eve? Not sure you remember me... [keys clacking, nervous chuckle] Uh, it's Clark Kent... finger flicking laminate, pause, keys clacking] Uh, from the Daily Planet, uh... I'm here to see- [nervous chuckle, pause] Uh, well, why else would I be here, right? [nervous chuckle] Is there a place I should be waiting or...
Lex Luthor: [door opens] Come on inside, Clark. [footsteps] Eve, hold my calls. I'm not to be disturbed... by anyone. Got it? [door closes] Clark...
Clark Kent: [sigh] Lex...
Lex Luthor: [pause] Still the cold shoulder, eh? Not even going to shake your president's hand?
Clark Kent: Of course I'll shake your hand if you want.
Lex Luthor: [pause, chuckle] Seems a bit forced now, doesn't it?
Clark Kent: I didn't bring it up.
Lex Luthor: [pause] Clark, hasn't this gone on long enough? You catch the faintest whiff of corruption in LuthorCorp and you have to write a scathing treatise on all the indiscretions of my past, practically indicting me as some proxy figure for the Anti-Christ.
Clark Kent: I don't think you're the Anti-Christ's proxy, Lex.
Lex Luthor: [chuckle] Suit yourself. [liquid pouring] How are Lois and all the kids?
Clark Kent: They're just fine staying out of this conversation. Thank you.
Lex Luthor: [crystal decanter clinking, footsteps, liquid sloshing] So, are they just not much for small-talk in Smallville anymore these days? Or just you?
Clark Kent: I am here because you promised the Daily Planet an incredible exclusive, on the condition it was me. Perry wants the story that bad, so I'm here. That's it.
Lex Luthor: [sipping] Not here for any other reason? Not even for old time's sake?
Clark Kent: Lex, what is this story? Why ask for me? Is this another publicity stunt like when you gave me the tip on the Advena Legion announcement?
Lex Luthor: [sipping] Mm. That wasn't a stunt, Clark. It's in the works. In fact, I think Superman is going to promote it for us... Maybe as soon as this month.
Clark Kent: [scoff] You got Superman to agree to do that?
Lex Luthor: [sipping] Mm. Not yet. But he will... If I know him as well as I know you, and I think I do, he'll do it. [pause, sipping] Something wrong, Clark?
Clark Kent: [pause] No... It's nothing. Please, continue... You, uh... You were saying how you would get Superman, a longtime detractor of yours, to do this.
Lex Luthor: [sipping] Mm. Just between you and I? [pause, sigh, footsteps] I am dying, Clark... Cancer from the meteor shower. Anyway, he's the only one I trust to see my vision through.
Clark Kent: [long pause] Lex... I... I don't know know what to- [sigh] I'm... I'm sorry. I didn't know.
Lex Luthor: [scoff, chuckle] Few do... There's myself, Dr. Kowalski, the First Lady, my daughter, Mercy, of course, and Eve in the next room... and now you.
Clark Kent: And now the four million and some odd subscribers to the Daily Planet...
Lex Luthor: That's not the story, Clark. I'd appreciate it if this remained our secret... for now anyway. When the time comes, I'll be sure to give you the exclusive... Hell, you can write my obituary, too. [chuckle, footsteps, desk drawer opens, papers shuffling, footsteps] Here's your story. [papers rustling] It's a file from a long since dismantled arm of LuthorCorp. I stole it off my dad's desk before he sent me to Europe... [papers rustling] I've kept it safe since then. Made sure only I saw it, until now... It's yours. Do with it as you will.
Clark Kent: [papers rustling frantically] No... No... No... This... This is impossible, Lex... This folder contains-
Lex Luthor: The identity of Superman, I know... [chuckle] Worth the drive from Metropolis, was it? [sipping, pause] Mm... or did you fly?
Trivia and Notes[]
This is a remastered version of Lex Luthor's Oracle File. The VOX from the original can be found in part as ObMod: Political Entanglements.
