Lair of Lex. Papa Luthor walks up to Lex, who's sitting by the fireplace. Man, do you hear that? This music is loud! Can they even hear each other? Lex is bruised and sad. "Hmm, those Kents, they pack quite a punch, don't they, son?" Papa asks cheerily. He suggests avoiding press conferences. Papa suggests that a front-page story saying Lex was beat up by a jealous young lover won't help his bid for office. So many jokes...not enough space! Can't! Process! It all! I can't figure out if Papa is alluding to an actual story or saying a story might run in the future. Lex takes umbrage and suggests he doesn't need political advice. Papa counters that, the last time he checked, Lana had a boyfriend and wasn't in the market for a spare. Ouch! That stops Lex cold. He tells Papa to leave. Papa Luthor sagely says that this campaign isn't about power or serving the greater good: it's about Lex's need to change the way people perceive him. Papa says that even if Lex is president, it won't make any difference; those closest to Lex will always know what's in his heart. Lex takes a drink of his liquor, but it goes down just as sourly as what he's hearing. "That's why Lana Lang will never love you, son," Papa Luthor concludes simply. Lex is completely stupefied. Papa lets himself out. Goddamn, that was cold. That's why he's a magnificent bastard, I guess.

Kent kitchen. Clark tells the folks he's still trying to figure out what was real and what wasn't. Bo says that sending Clark out to a lab for testing wasn't real. Clark apologizes for tearing their shit up. He says that, no matter whom he trusts, he'll still have to worry about having his secret come out. Bo says that's the reason he's decided not to run for office against Lex. Clark looks disappointed. He says he won't let fear control his life or ruin Bo's. He wants Bo to run. "It's the right thing to do," he adds. He says that if anything happens, they'll deal with it together, as a family. Homespun music plays. Loudly. Bo puts his hand on Clark's shoulder. Thanks for permission, son.