And it is - this really is a terrible place.

In spite of all the 'luxuries' I have managed to procure, it still remains a cage. A gilded cage to be sure - but still a cage.

My life has become unfathomable. I trust I can extricate myself from my present, unwarranted situation: though that still leaves many unresolved issues.

I am - I maintain - an innocent man.

As I sit here, sipping Napoleon Brandy (I fear my connections are not quite what they were. Napoleon brandy would have been unthinkable just a few short months ago. Not quite the cognac of kings - more an unprepossessing pretender to the throne.

To my wayward (and slightly indisposed) son Napoleon is a god. He always was easily impressed. Perhaps it is the uniform - the red and blue always fascinated him as a child.

And Cole Porter - usually so aposite thought that this sugary concoction was 'the top'. As the French say, it is more 'de trop').

No. It is simply the best I can do in the circumstances.

Anyway, I digress. As I sit here I find myself thinking of Kent senior - realizing the peculiar affinity between us.

Both our sons are ungrateful - both of us are suffering from terrible illnesses.

We have such history.

I should contact the man - and his wife of course.

I have such a special relationship with that family. I should help them in their time of need. Despite my own difficulties.

Such a tragedy.

Kent senior really does get himself into a flap about things.

I told him there was really nothing to worry about, but still he persists in roaring and bellowing every time we meet.

He is meant to be meeting me later. Perhaps I can assuage his vehemence. I do hope so.

He plans to stay in the city for a number of days.

I can not help but recall his little adventures last year when he chose to make a trip into town.

I have promised to do all in my power to help with his difficulties - he seems to believe I 'owe him' in some way.

I suspect those good people the Kents may not be on speaking terms with me at present.

My eldest son is also less than enchanted with me of late. One would think such a miraculous recovery would result in outpourings of joy, but maybe I am just being a naive old fool.

jonathan_kent has informed me he intends to pay me another visit very soon.

After that unfortunate business with the gun, and that even more unfortunate business with his wife, he has done his utmost to avoid me.

It is a great pity - the events that took place over the holiday season were most intriguing.

The time I have spent in Smallville these last few months is most likely at an end.

It has been an odd period in my life.

I fear I have made my motives all too transparent. Martha Kent is a fine woman; extremely perceptive.

And I sense jonathan_kent is becoming uneasy with the situation.

Amicitiae nostrae memoriam spero sempiternam fore. I hope he can understand that, and concur.

Lex is being Lex. I expect no less of him. I believe his interesting friendship with the Kent boy may prove more eventful than either of them can imagine.

I may have inadvertently signed up for a rather rash project - I don't know what has come over me.

Surprisingly, Martha Kent has agreed to help.

We will not be sharing our endevors with her husband jonathan_kent - he would not see the humor in the situation.

And we will definitely not be telling either Lex or Clark about this.

I have been on an extended business trip from which I have only recently returned. While away I had cause to ponder on events of the last few months. Changes must be made.

To this end I called jonathan_kent and told him to meet me here. Since his dear wife marthakent has been working for me relations have become a little strained.

It appears Mr Kent has been telling his son half-truths about events of the past - and while I agree that certain matters should be left unspoken, I disagree with his methods.

To his credit he apologized (very atypical) and even went so far as to get on his knees for forgiveness.

I applaud this new attitute.

It's been a fairly quiet week (far less frenetic since Wednesday at least.)

Lex left me alone on Thursday evening - he was going to some ridiculous costume party. He would not tell me what he was wearing but he assured me it was tasteful. Knowing Lex's eclectic tastes I can only imagine.

I had only the servants to keep me company and I insisted one of them read to me.

I have not had many visits from jonathan_kent of late - I believe he may be trying to avoid me. After the problems he has caused I cannot say I am entirely surprised.

Dear marthakent and I have just flown back from an enlightening few days in Metropolis. Her husband Jonathan disappeared last week and I felt obliged to come to her aid.

That family has become almost more precious to me than my own. Believe me I know how sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child.

As there was nobody at the farm left to take care of young Clark I agreed to let Lex take charge of the young man for a few days.

The remarkable Kent family has grown closer to me in the last few weeks - in all manner of ways.

The dear marthakent provides much needed succor, jonathan_kent continues to amuse and challenge me, and their enigmatic son Clark is a new object of fascination.

I can feel Lex's ire at my newfound interest - but I am not 'messing with the Kents'. Is it my fault they, find me as endlessly intriguing as I in turn find them?

It's been an eventful few days.

Suffice to say I now have a clearer idea of why Lex is so attached to Kent the younger. He is an extraordinary young man blessed with a great deal of... what is the colloquialism? Ah yes, spunk.

I have come to realize what a very splendid woman is marthakent. She is a paragon. She understands, she sees without judging, she accepts.

Her husband visited earlier - he had left his dear lady wife asleep and by all accounts she had sent him here.

jonathan_kent is not someone to whom I would have ever given friendship in the past - but some people are infinitely adaptable I find.

I am constantly amazed by this town.

I have just returned from a bucolic sojourn. It is quite a while since I was so far away from civilization, and it made a refreshing change.

I also managed to get in a little angling, although my technique was rusty and I needed a few pointers.

It can get a little claustrophobic in the city, and even Smallville stifles. It was good to be out in the open for once.

I can get no peace here. All weekend, every time I tried to find somewhere secluded, I was interrupted by the sounds of my son and Kent the younger bickering about some new nonsense. I am beginning to think they get a perverse pleasure from their constant arguments.

Fortunately they seemed to have resolved their problems by Sunday evening.

Lex has left the house on business - he is expected back tomorrow.

I am expecting a delivery from Jonathan Kent later today. Perhaps I will have peace this evening.

Lex's servants are impossible. For a start they never seem to be around when one needs them.

I had another visit from Martha Kent this morning. She seemed agitated and told me not to tell her husband she had been here. I believe she was placated by the time she left, although her worries were probably justified if truth be told.

Jonathan Kent has another appointment with me this evening.

Six months ago I did not see myself in this position.

jonathan_kent seemed relieved after this morning's trip to Metropolis. Apparently he will not have to attend again.

I have dispensed of my assistant LC and I am considering employing somebody locally. In the meantime Lex's servants will do.

All is well.

Lex continues to disappoint. He has been skulking around all day - apparently Kent The Younger is annoyed with him. Again.

It will all be resolved by next week. It always is.

Jonathan stopped by. Have I called him by his given name before? It somehow seems appropriate today. He informed me that he 'hates the Luthors', and then proceeded to rant about keeping my son on a 'short leash'.

It was all a little bizarre.

Apparently his truck is broken so I have agreed to let him use the helicopter for his bi-weekly trip into Metropolis tomorrow.

He muttered something about 'not being bought that easily'. He seems to say much the same thing almost every time we meet.

It is fascinating the way that my son and his young friend react when the other is present. Lex thinks I do not see.

It seems the two spend all their free time together. I would wonder why but I fear the reason is all too obvious.

I had a visit from Mrs Kent this morning. She is a charming woman. We had a long discussion and I believe we have come to a mutually beneficial arrangement.

It is so very difficult to be a philanthropist, but salus populi suprema lex esto.

I am in a very odd mood, listening to the most peculiar songs.

Kent The Younger came to me this morning. He seems to believe I am able to intervene in some way to ease his father's plight. Would that I could.

I trust the issue will be settled soon, but until them who knows?

Lex accompanied the boy. I have a feeling it was not the last I will be hearing of young Kent.

De vrais pédés de fausses vierges - now why does that line keep repeating in my head?

I have just intervened on behalf of a certain individual. I am distraught - but all I could do was arrange for certain privileges to be afforded.

Of course my name will have to be kept out of this whole affair.

My lawyers are working on it. I am sure this unpleasantness will behind us in no time.

I am travelling to Smallville first thing in the morning. I am needed here - but there are more important things to consider now.

If nothing else I know at least that Lex is being honest with me for once. Foolish boy. Although, as Martial said, Calvo turpis est nihil compto.

The Romans were altogether too barbaric for my tastes, but they did say some very interesting things. Obtuse, but not without a certain charm.

Talking of which - I will have to clarify my intentions towards Mr Kent. He missed our appointment yesterday, maybe he took umbrage at my epistle. Ah well, Amantium irae amoris integratio'st. Or am I just being unspeakably sentimental again?

Whatever I do it will cause problems I fear.