Lex is presenting his weapon, scientist next to him at the ready, to some bigwigs from the Pentagon. He says that this weapon will forever tip the balance in naval warfare to our favor. Well, until they develop a stronger version on the other side, right? "That's a bold claim," says a four-star...admiral?...who doesn't seem very dynamic for a naval commander. Lex sets the show in motion. The scientist turns on a "modulator." But suddenly there's static on one of her screens. "What the hell was that?" she asks. Lex asks what's up. "Looks to me like Lex Luthor's miracle weapon just self-destructed," the admiral says, exiting quickly. Wow, he sure was an impatient dude. I hope he's not working Iraq. The scientist goes after the military brass while Lex tries to figure out what went wrong from the image feed on screen. He wanders over to the lab and, through a window, sees a shape swimming fast out on the lake. Damn you, James Bond!

Commercials. They make an Icy Hot sleeve big enough to fit Shaq?

Lair of Lex, nighttime. Clark walks through the door as Lex is apologizing to the admiral for wasting his time. Lex? Security. Look into it. Please. I'm worried about you, man. Brinks has a good holiday special going now. I'll even send you the coupon. Lex snarks that he expected to see Clark protesting outside LuthorCorp. Clark says he was interested in seeing Lex's new kelp research. He asks if there've been any new developments with that. Lex chuckles and pours himself a drink. He says the project was derailed by some misguided vandals. He says bitterly that the equipment is damaged beyond repair. How is that possible? "Maybe it wasn't meant to be," says Clark smugly. Lex asks about Clark's friend. Clark says he hasn't seen him. Lex asks Clark to pass on the message that he looks forward to seeing the guy again. Clark steps forward and asks whether Lex ever thinks about where his life is headed. Lex smiles. "All the time," he says. "It's a complicated world, Clark. Only the naïve view it in black and white." Clark tells Lex about his professor telling the class that LuthorCorp is evil and that Lex is just short of the Devil. Lex takes the moment lightly, smiling as he says, "Well, you didn't tell him about my pitchfork, did you?" Clark responds, a little sadly, "I defended you." Ooh, burn, Lex. Devil burn! Clark exits, saying, "I guess I am naïve." And depressing.