Episode #214 - "Rush"

Original airdate: February 04, 2003

Written by: Todd Slavkin & Darren Swimmer

Directed by: Rick Rosenthal

Act 1 Teaser

Pete and Chloe drive out to the field above the underground caves. Night. There are dozens of flashing colored lights, loud music, and people getting out of their cars. Chloe and Pete get out of Pete's car.

Pete: I don't believe this.

Chloe: I know, isn't it awesome? A rave in a cave.

Pete: Why didn't you tell me it was gonna be here?

Chloe: I didn't know. I just downloaded the directions on the internet.

Pete: Clark's gonna go crazy.

Chloe: Yeah. What is his obsession with these caves?

Pete: I don't know. I think Kyla really got to him. I better give him a call, give him a heads-up.

Chloe: Pete, Pete, Pete. These caves have survived hundreds of years. I don't think a little Moby is gonna hurt them. Okay? Let's go. (She walks to the entrance of the caves) Come on!

CUT TO the inside of the caves. There are more flashing lights shining on the walls. The music is louder inside and the cave is filled with dancing teens. Pete and Chloe enter and Pete sees a guy and girl making out next to the wall.

Pete: (To the couple) Excuse me! Hey, excuse me! Um, could you please step off the walls? The paintings.

The couple gives him a dirty look and goes back to kissing.

Chloe: Pete, I really don't think they care about the cave paintings.

Pete: Yeah, but Chloe, these pictographs are sacred.

Chloe: (To the couple) Um, excu-- I'm sorry, did you guys know that the clay doesn't wash out of your clothes?

The girl looks down at her clothes and pulls the guy away.

Chloe: You just got to hit them where it hurts.

Pete and Chloe join in the rest of the people dancing. A nerdy high school student, TRAVIS, walks up to Chloe and kisses her on the lips.

Chloe: Travis?! What are you doing?

Travis: Taking my shot. I always thought you were hot!

Chloe: I think you're kind of wasted.

Travis: No, I'm just high on life! Whoooo!

He runs over to one of the scaffolds holding the lights and starts to climb it.

Pete: Chloe, did I just see you making out with your chem lab partner?

Travis: (From the scaffold) Whoo!

Several people cheer back at him as he continues to climb.

Chloe: Travis!

Pete: Hey, get down from there!

Travis waves at the crowd to get them excited and they cheer louder.

Pete: Hey, get down from there! (To Chloe) This is hopeless.

Pete walks over to one of the wall paintings and sits down in front of it. There is a small crack in the wall right behind his neck that he doesn't notice.

Travis: I am invincible!

Travis jumps off the scaffold and plummets to the ground just as something shoots out of the crack behind Pete and into the back of his neck. He gasps and grabs at it. We see Travis unmoving on the floor. Pete squeezes his eyes shut. When he opens them, he takes a few breaths and starts to smile, becoming more comfortable. He starts to bounce his head to the music and walks into the crowd. The shot ends with a close up of the crack in the wall.

[Opening credits]

Act 1 Scene 1

Clark is reading the Smallville Ledger as he walks down the street. Day. The headline says “Local Teen Dies in Cave Rave” and there is a picture of Travis. He hears an engine behind him and turns around to see Pete riding up the sidewalk on his dirt bike. People gasp and dart out of his way as he rides up the side of a sign in front of a shop, using it as a ramp.

Clark: Pete!

Pete skids to a stop in front of Clark.

Clark: What are you doing? Are you nuts?

Pete: I was just out taking a little spin.

Clark: Yeah, without your helmet. You're driving like a wild man. You could've hurt someone, most likely yourself.

Pete: Yeah, that's a rush.

Clark: Hey, Chloe told me what happened. Sorry I wasn't there to back you up.

Pete: Hey, you're never more alive than the moment before you die. At least Travis had that.

Clark: Hey, you feeling okay?

Pete: I feel great.

Clark: If you want to talk about what happened, I'm here for you.

Pete: (Laughing) Clark. All you ever want to do is talk. For a guy who can't get hurt you never take any risks.

Clark: That's not true.

Pete: (Pointing across the street where Lana is unlocking the Talon) What about Lana? Now that Fordman's toast, when are you gonna take a shot with her?

Lana smiles at Clark and goes inside.

Clark: Come on, Pete, Whitney was your friend. Besides, it's not that easy.

Pete: Why? Because you can't share your secret? You shared it with me and, uh, we're still cool.

Clark: That's different.

Pete: Clark, you're just afraid she'll shut you down. You only go around once. Forget about the past. (Pete starts his engine) Focus on the future!

Pete speeds away with a screech of tires. Clark remains on the sidewalk looking thoughtful. After a few seconds, he jogs across the street and into the Talon. Inside, Lana is writing the day's specials on the chalkboard.

Clark: (To Lana) Hey.

Lana: Hey. (She drops her chalk) Uh, did you hear about Travis?

Clark: Yeah. Pretty sad, huh?

Lana: Yeah. Uh, the police said that he might have been on something, which is the only explanation. I mean, we always assume that we have all the time in the world, but we never know. (She starts walking back to the bar) The school counselor told me I need to look forward, embrace living, carpe diem. At first I thought it sounded corny, but the more I think about it, she's right, you know? I just-- I don't want to be a spectator in my own life.

Clark: Yeah, me neither. (With sudden determination) We should go on a date. Together. In the near future.

Lana: (Shocked) Are you serious?

Clark: I was. But if you don't want to go...

Lana: When?

Clark: You mean you'll go?

Lana: Yeah. I assume that was the answer you were looking for.

Clark: (Smiling) Yeah, I just didn't think it would be that easy.

Lana: Well, all you had to do was ask.

Clark: Well, how about tomorrow?

Lana: Sounds like fun.

Clark: All right, it's-- it's a date.

Lana: Okay.

Clark looks at her for a moment, then turns to leave. Lana smiles excitedly.

Act 1 Scene 2

Clark enters the cave with a roll of trash bags and starts cleaning up. Day. A flashlight shines in his face as somebody enters. It's Lex.

Lex: Don't bother, I've got a maintenance crew coming.

Clark: Lex, I didn't see you there.

Lex: Just checking for damage. It looks like it was quite a bash.

Clark: Pete tried to break it up.

Lex: Oh, I'm sure it was a noble effort, but not many teenagers are interested in 500-year old cave paintings. What's your interest, Clark?

Clark: What do you mean? (Putting on his backpack)

Lex: When I fired the security guard this morning, I asked him who else he'd let in these caves. He told me you were down here almost every day. Now, you wouldn't be keeping secrets from me, would you, Clark?

Clark: Kyla gave her life for these caves. I'm doing a term paper on the drawings.

Clark turns his back to Lex and Lex grabs a book out of his backpack.

Lex: “Deciphering the Mysteries of Hieroglyphics” by Dr. Frederick Walden. Sounds like a real page-turner.

Clark: Hey, Lex, why did you start the preservation project? It's not like there's big business in caves.

Lex: I like a good mystery. This one promises to be fascinating. Wouldn't you agree?

Clark: I better get going. (He starts to leave)

Lex: I told the new security man nobody comes down here without my permission. (Clark stops and looks at Lex) Nobody except for Clark Kent, of course.

Clark smiles and leaves, as Lex shines his flashlight around.

Act 1 Scene 3

Lana arranges a vase of flowers in the Talon. Day. Chloe enters.

Chloe: Hey. I didn't hear you leave this morning.

Lana: Well, I had to be here first thing.

Chloe: You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were avoiding me.

Lana: Don't take it personally. It's just how I cope.

Chloe: Look, I don't want to be one of those annoying people that says I'm here if you need to talk, but... I am.

Lana: I appreciate it.

Chloe: Listen, if you don't feel like talking, um, I thought maybe we could go to Metropolis tomorrow and do some serious shopping. My dad even said that he would join in on the conspiracy and get us out of school early.

Lana: Ah, thanks. And I'd love to, but, you know, I already have plans with Clark.

Chloe: Oh. Uh, what kind of plans?

Lana: Well, um, he asked me out on a date.

Chloe: Wow. I thought you guys were giving up on the mating dance.

Lana: Yeah, yeah, me too.

Chloe: But you still said yes.

Lana: Look, Chloe, if this is gonna be too weird for you--

Chloe: No! My feelings for Clark are so ancient, they're-- they're fossilized. (She laughs) Uh, seriously, you should-- you should go for it.

Lana: Are you sure?

Chloe: Lana, does it really matter how I feel? I mean, if I was in your position, I'd do the exact same thing. Don't let me be your excuse.

Lana: Okay. Um, I'm glad we cleared the air.

Chloe: Me too. I'll see you tonight.

Lana: Okay.

Chloe leaves. Lana watches her go, looking unhappy.

Act 1 Scene 4

Clark comes down the stairs with his backpack. Day. Jonathan and Martha are talking in the kitchen.

Jonathan: These loans are very expensive.

Martha: You know, he might get a scholarship.

Jonathan: A scholarship would be great, especially with--

Clark: What's all this?

Jonathan: Well, now that we've got our finances under control, we're trying to get a head start on how we're gonna pay for your college.

Martha: If you ever graduate from high school.

Clark: What do you mean?

Jonathan: Clark, Principal Reynolds called this morning. It seems you've been chronically late. In fact, he actually asked me if we had some emergency here at the farm we needed your help with.

Clark: I've just been spending a little more time at the caves.

Jonathan: Listen, son, we know how much they mean to you. But until you get back on track, I don't want you going down there anymore.

Clark: No, Dad--

Jonathan: Don't argue with me. Now, once you get things straightened out, then we can talk about it, but until then, I want your butt in this house every day after school.

Clark: Just give me until tomorrow.

Jonathan: No.

Clark: It's really important

Martha: What is it?

Clark: I've got a date. With Lana.

Jonathan: A study date?

Clark: An actual date.

Martha: (Very quietly to Jonathan) Jonathan, you have to let him go.

Jonathan: (Exasperated) Will you promise me that you'll get your homework done and your chores done before you set one foot outside of that door?

Clark: Absolutely.

Jonathan: Okay.

Clark: Thanks, Mom.

Martha laughs as Clark leaves.

Jonathan: When you see Pete, make sure you tell him to stop cutting doughnuts out in the field. He's scaring the cattle.

Act 1 Scene 5

Frederick Walden, the author of Clark's book, is standing in Lex's study. Day. Lex enters.

Lex: I appreciate you coming on such short notice, Professor Walden.

Frederick: (Shaking Lex's hand) Well, normally I wouldn't. It's not often that I'm offered my weekly rate for a 10-minute consultation. As I told your associate, I'm not able to take on any new endeavors at this time.

Lex: Then when can you start?

Frederick: Next year.

Lex: I was thinking more like tomorrow.

Frederick: I leave for Chile on Tuesday.

Lex: I'm sure you can postpone your trip.

Frederick: It's out of the question. If you want the foremost authority in a field, Mr. Luthor, you learn to wait.

Lex: In my experience, when you want the best, you simply pay them what they're worth. (He hands a check to Frederick)

Frederick: Rich men with delusions of grandeur rarely sway me with a checkbook. (He rips up the check and drops it on the floor)

Lex: (Holds up a manila envelope) Does this sway you?

Frederick opens the envelope and pulls out a set of pictures of the caves.

Frederick: (Flipping through them) That is... quite unique, I can tell you that. It doesn't appear to be native North American, or even Mayan for that matter. (Pause.) These are amazing.

Act 1 Scene 6

Chloe is working in the Torch. Day. Clark enters.

Clark: Hey, Chloe. Have you seen Pete today? I think he skipped school.

Chloe: Well, I asked him to help me with the memorial issue, but he totally blew me off. Why?

Clark: He's just acting strange. I think Travis's death really got to him.

Chloe: Pete did try and save him, but he just couldn't get there in time. Maybe, you know, he feels guilty.

Clark: He definitely isn't acting that way.

Chloe: Different people deal with grief in different ways. Um, any big plans for the weekend?

Clark merely shrugs. Chloe turns away to go through some more files.

Clark: Do you know if they found any drugs in Travis's system?

Chloe: The autopsy report was inconclusive, but they did find a small puncture wound in the back of his neck and his adrenal gland was unusually enlarged.

Clark: Adrenaline does give you a rush. Maybe that's why he jumped.

Chloe: Yeah, but he wasn't the only one. Two other kids at the rave, one from Grandville, the other one from Smallville Community College, they both turned up dead. One took a swan dive into an empty pool and the other one wrapped his Corolla around a tree. Same puncture wounds, same enlarged adrenal gland, and same extreme behavior.

Clark: It's like they all had a death wish. What do the police think?

Chloe: Somebody may have been sticking them with a new designer drug. (Clark looks at Chloe, suddenly worried) You think they got Pete?

Clark: I don't know. But I know I need to get him to a doctor. I'll see you later.

He leaves.

Act 1 Scene 7

Clark is walking down the sidewalk to the Talon. Night.

Pete: (Across the street) Yo, Clark!

He is standing on top of a jeep, laughing.

Pete: What's up?

Pete: Don't even worry about it, Clark. It's cool. (He comes down the stairs) We'll meet you in the car.

Chloe: (To Lex as she's leaving) You know, I always wondered. For a boy who has all the money in the world, you'd think he could afford a good toupee.

Clark laughs as she leaves.

Lex: What's going on, Clark? If I didn't know better, I'd say you guys were on something.

Clark: (Putting his arm around Lex) We're just having a good time. Not that it's any of your business. You ever hear of a phone? I'm sick of you just barging in like you own the place. It's really--

Lex: I came here to tell you, Clark. I talked to Walden. He won't budge.

Clark: He won't budge or you don't want me in the cave? Come on, don't lie to me. You're Lex Luthor. You pay a guy to do a job, he does what you tell him. Isn't that the way it always works?

Lex: Clark...

Clark: I'm gonna go into those caves whenever I damn well please. I dare you to stop me.

Lex: Is this really about a term paper?

Clark: You'd love to know, wouldn't you? I'm gonna go. So are you.

Clark pushes Lex out of the way.

Lex: I like to see you standing up for yourself, Clark, I really do. Be careful not to cross the line.

Clark: Is that a threat?

Lex: I'm just giving you a friendly piece of advice.

Clark: Let me give you some back. If you know what's good for you, stay the hell away from me.

Clark leaves.

Act 3 Scene 2

Pete, Chloe, and Clark speed down a dirt road in Pete's car. Day.

Clark: Come on, Pete, go faster!

Pete: I'm drivin', I'm drivin'.

Chloe: (Looking at Clark in the rearview mirror) Hey, Clark. What other superpowers you got?

Clark: Why don't you come back here and find out?

Chloe starts to climb into the back seat.

Pete: Hey, hey, hey, this isn't a pimp mobile. (Looking at Chloe's butt as she goes) Dang, Chloe! I never knew you had all that!

Clark: Just keep your eyes on the road, Pete.

Clark and Chloe kiss hungrily.

Pete: Guys, get a room.

Clark: Where's the fun in that, Pete?

Chloe: Oh, Pete, I want you to make a quick pit stop before we go to the gorge.

Pete: Where?

Chloe: The Talon.

Pete: (Laughing) Oh, man!

Act 3 Scene 3

Clark and Chloe are making out on a sofa in the Talon. Day. A waitress walks up to them.

Waitress: Um, excuse me? Hello? I'm gonna have to ask you to leave.

Clark: We're not going anywhere.

Chloe: Yeah, why don't you go get your manager?

The waitress leaves and Chloe straddles Clark's lap.

Clark: So what do you want to do next?

Chloe: How about we play a game of strip poker?

Clark: We don't have any cards.

Chloe: Sure we do.

Chloe starts to play some imaginary cards. Clark holds up his hand.

Clark: Full house.

Chloe: Royal flush.

She starts to unbuttons the first two buttons of his shirt, and then rips it completely open. They kiss as Clark takes it off and throws it on the floor, the red meteor rock sliding out next to it. Chloe pushes Clark back onto the sofa as the rock's glow goes out.

Clark: Chloe, I can't do this! (He gets up.)

Chloe: Wh-what happened? Why the sudden Jekyll and Hyde? (Clark puts on his jacket) What-- don't tell me you're thinking about Lana.

Clark: This has nothing to do with Lana.

Chloe: You don't have any real feelings for me, do you, Clark? Every time we hang out, it's just to get answers. “Chloe, why don't you research this?” or “Chloe, why don't you look up that?” I'm nothing more to you than your own personal search engine and I'm sick of it. I want you, Clark.

Clark looks through her with his x-ray vision.

Clark: Chloe, you have the parasite.

Chloe: Well, I love the way I feel. So maybe this is exactly what I need. To spend more time actually living life and less time reporting it.

She kisses him, and when he pulls away, we see Lana standing in the background.

Clark: L-Lana, this is not what it looks like.

Lana walks past them to the door to the back room.

Chloe: Yeah, it is, Lana. It's exactly what it looks like. Oh, and guess what? Clark told me everything. And I mean everything.

Lana turns around with tears on her face as Chloe leaves.

Clark: Lana, I can explain.

Lana doesn't answer and goes into the back room.

Clark follows Chloe outside where Pete is waiting at the car.

Clark: Chloe, you don't understand. You're not yourself. You need a doctor.

Pete: What's all this doctor talk again? What happened to my little red rock?

Clark: (Realizing) Pete, how could you do that to me?

Pete: Relax, you needed it. Now let's go find the rock and jump the gorge. You guys can suck face later.

Clark: (Grabbing Pete's shoulders) No, Pete, I'm taking you to the emergency room! I don't care what you tell people about--

Pete punches Clark in the face, knocking him unconscious.

Chloe: Whoa! How'd you do that?

Pete: Clark's Achilles' heal. (Opens his fist, revealing a green meteor rock) He may be a boy scout, but I'm always prepared. Let's go.

They get in the car and drive away. Lana comes outside and dumps a bucket of water on Clark's face, waking him up.

Clark: Lana. Where's Chloe and Pete?

Lana: I don't know. And to be honest, I really don't care.

Lana starts to walk away and when she turns around, Clark is already gone.

CUT TO Pete and Chloe driving to Saunders Gorge. They stop at the edge of the cliff.

Pete: Look at that drop.

Chloe: It'll be like flying.

Pete: Who needs Clark?

Chloe: Yeah, screw Clark.

Pete puts the car in reverse and backs up several feet.

Pete: We've got ignition!

Chloe: What are we waiting for? Blastoff! Whoo-hoo!

The car speeds toward the edge of the cliff.

Fade to black.

Act 4 Scene 1

Pete and Chloe drive over the edge of the cliff. Day.

Pete & Chloe: Aaaaaaahhhh!

They laugh and scream as the car nosedives straight at the ground. When they are about to hit, Clark super speeds to the car and catches it and stands there holding it upright.

Pete: Awesome! That was awesome!

Chloe: That was awesome! One more time, Clark! Oh, my God!

Clark: Joyride's over.

Act 4 Scene 2

Clark visits Chloe at the hospital. Night.

Chloe: Hey.

Clark: How are you feeling?

Chloe: I finally made the Wall of Weird.

Clark: Congratulations.

Chloe: I heard about that thing they extracted from me. Did they get a picture I can see?

Clark: You don't need to see it.

Chloe: It's gross?

Clark: Pretty bad.

Chloe: How's Pete?

Clark: Pete's okay. He'll be fine.

Chloe: Good.

Clark: So what do you remember about what happened?

Chloe: Well, let's see, we were, um, we were in the cave talking to that obnoxious professor, and then I was coming out of surgery. Everything else is just blank. (Clark nods, relieved) Why, did I miss anything exciting?

Clark: No. Nothing exciting. I'm glad you're okay.

Chloe: Me too.

Lana enters with some flowers.

Lana: Um, I'll just come back later.

Clark: Uh, it's okay, Lana, I was just leaving. (To Chloe) I'll catch up with you later, okay?

Chloe: Promise?

Clark: Yeah. (Clark gets up to leave and stops next to Lana) Lana, I'm sorry.

Lana: I didn't come here to see you, Clark, I came here to see my roommate. She's been ill.

Lana walks to Chloe's bed as Clark leaves.

Chloe: Hi.

Lana: Hey. (Puts the flowers on the table)

Chloe: Thanks.

Lana: You're welcome.

Chloe: Not that I really remember everything that happened, but, um, I have a feeling I should be apologizing to you.

Lana: Uh, let's just say you weren't yourself.

Chloe: So I guess your date with Clark was kind of a bust. Did I screw it up?

Lana: Trust me, Clark screwed it up all by himself.

Chloe: What'd he do this time?

Lana: Well... I caught him making out with another girl.

Chloe: Really?

Lana: Yeah.

Chloe: Who was the girl?

Lana: (Pause) I didn't recognize her.

Act 4 Scene 3

Jonathan, Clark, and Martha talk in the dining room. Night.

Jonathan: Clark, are you sure that Chloe doesn't remember anything?

Martha: I can't believe Pete slipped you a red meteor rock.

Clark: Well, it wasn't entirely his fault.

Jonathan: Son, that's exactly the point. He knew exactly what to do to control you and that's what scares us.

Pete enters.

Pete: It scares me to, Mr. Kent.

Martha: Pete, hi. You're out.

Pete: Yeah, back to normal. Whatever that is. Listen, I'm really sorry about what happened. I don't even remember what I did. Clark filled me in. And I just want to say that if you guys never want to speak to me again, I'll understand.

Martha: Pete, we knew the risks when Clark told you his secret. Our concern was always that it was an unfair burden on you, and as much as we'd like to take it off your shoulders, we can't.

Jonathan: Besides, everybody stumbles. The important thing is that you're safe, you're alive, and you're still a member of this family.

Clark: Whether you like it or not.

Pete: Thank you.

Act 4 Scene 4

Frederick enters Lex's study. Night.

Lex: Professor. I just got off the phone with Catmus Labs.

Frederick: The dissection is done, I take it.

Lex: The creature's physiology is completely unique. Its DNA is unlike anything on this earth.

Frederick: Are you suggesting that these parasites are somehow alien in origin?

Lex: I'm hoping the symbols on the cave walls might answer that question.

Frederick: Then I better get to work.

Lex: Before I allow you to continue, I'm afraid you're going to have to make a few concessions, Professor.

Frederick: We've already negotiated my fee.

Lex: This isn't about money. You're going to give Clark Kent unfettered access to the cave.

Frederick: Just what exactly is your fascination with this boy?

Lex: My instincts tell me Clark knows a lot more about that cave than he's letting on.

Act 4 Scene 5

Lana is cleaning up the Talon after hours. Night. Clark enters with a pizza and a rose.

Lana: What's this?

Clark: My pathetic attempt at an apology? I plead temporary insanity.

Lana: Clark, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that you and Chloe still have feelings for each other.

Clark: Lana, Chloe and I are just friends.

Lana: Obviously closer friends than we are. (She walks to the bar)

Clark: (Puts down the pizza and follows her) Lana, that's not true.

Lana: Clark, you can't lie to me about something I saw with my own eyes. For once, just be honest with yourself. I know why Chloe was kissing you. But why were you kissing her back? (Clark doesn't answer) I have to lock up.

Clark puts the rose on the bar and slowly walks out. Lana picks up the rose and smells it. Then she drops it into the trashcan.

Fade to black.

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This Episode of Smallville featured music by:

"I Just Wanna Be Loved" by AM Radio

"Never Gonna Come Back Down" by BT

"Bread And Water" by Sheila Nicholls

"Don't Dream It's Over" by Sixpence None The Richer

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Transcribed by: Kerrplop