Remix story!

[rivkat]

Remix IDs are out, so I can confess to Conjoined Twin (Separation Anxiety Remix), remix of Jed/Velvetglove's Siamese Twin. It's Smallville clonefic, NC-17 with all that implies.

For those of you who read it, I have a very, very spoilery poll I'd love for you to answer.

[Poll #462235]

Please feel free to expand on your theory in comments.

Comments

[corinna-5.livejournal.com]

By the way, I guessed that it was by you when I read it, without even knowing for sure you were doing the Remix this year! I don't know if you'll take that as a compliment, but it's certainly meant as one.

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

I'll take it as one, and pretend you couldn't possibly be talking about my penchant for semicolon abuse. ;)

[chase820.livejournal.com]

This was great. I love how much it has in common with certain themes and images from Iolokus--all those clones and dead fetuses.

Here's why I think Lex won. Joseph didn't seem to share the infatuation with Clark to the same level as Lex did. He wanted him, but being a clone and having memories is not the same as actually experiencing those memories. The level of obsession simply didn't come off as intense to the same degree. Lex immediately turned Joseph's death into a way to bring Clark back to his side. Fucking with Lionel was secondary, and that would have been the primary motivation for Joseph, whose direct experiences all centered around his "father."

Anyway, that's my two cents. Marvelous story, Rivka. As always, I worship and ferociously envy your talent.

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I didn't realize the similarities, but that probably explains some of the appeal of the original story to me.

That's a great theory. Of course Joseph, convinced he was Lex, might have embraced the obsession as a way of proving he was back to himself -- but yours makes a lot of sense.

[lastscorpion.livejournal.com]

Yes, I realize that the only reason I see the answers I do is because I *want* it to have a happy ending, and I realize that it's a "better story" the other way.

*sigh*

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

Hey, it's ambiguous for a reason. I wouldn't be displeased if they got a happy ending. Surprised, yes, but not displeased!

[velvetglove.livejournal.com]

Once again, I absolutely love where you took this idea. I was 99% certain that you were the author and it took a conscious effort with my posts about the story to not say, "Look what Rivka did!"

As for who won...I maintain that it doesn't matter who won, and like to think that the winner wouldn't necessarily care to make the distinction, either. I'm never fond of a happy ending when an ambiguous, creepy one will fit just as well.

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

The original story was just great. I knew just switching the POV wouldn't be as interesting as adding some new twist, but all the elements I liked, particularly Lionel's boundary violations and Lex's willingness to use the situation for his own benefit, were present in your story.

I don't think the winner would make any distinction at all. In fact, winning was proof of qualification for the position of Lex Luthor.

Thanks for the opportunity to do the remix!

[jadedsilver.livejournal.com]

Omg, that was so fucking awesome and now my brain hurts but I don't even care, wheeeeee!

So deliciously evil and creepy and I really have no idea who won, even now, though after having read chase820's comment, I'm inclining more towards Lex having won. But then, I'm easily suggestible, so. ::shrug::

Despite the fact that it's probably going to drive me crazy for the rest. of. my. life. I LOVE the ambiguity at the end.

*loves*

*goes crazy*

*but still loves*

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I feel a bit like Dirty Harry -- to tell you the truth, in all the confusion I kinda lost track of who it was myself.

[jadedsilver.livejournal.com]

Hee! ICON LOVE!

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

Thanks! The words are taken from an early ad for "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." It just seemed right.

you say to-ma-toe, I say ta- mah-to...

[afearfulthing.livejournal.com]

Just for clarification of terms - when you say 'I think Lex won,' do you mean the guy referred to as Joseph in the beginning of the story, the guy referred to as Lex, or the archetypal 'Lex Luthor, of woman born,' who could have been either?

Re: you say to-ma-toe, I say ta- mah-to...

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

I mean the guy referred to as Lex, whether of woman born or not -- I think he was screwing with Clark's head at the end, which means he was the guy who left Belle Reve shortly after Lex Luthor entered.

[oehel.livejournal.com]

I said "I don't know" for both questions, but I am actually overjoyed that you are allowed to run loose with a mind like that. :P

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

Thanks! My continued freedom & I appreciate it.

[lapetite-kiki.livejournal.com]

That was awesome!

I love the uncertainty about it!

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Great icon, by the way.

[linzeestyle.livejournal.com]

As much as I want to believe that the "real" Lex Luthor was the one to come out on top (heh - so to speak), the ending in particular really made me feel like the clone was the one left standing. It seemed like "Joseph" - already presumably not entirely stable - was not only inventing the dillusion of being the "real" Lex Luthor, but making *himself* believe it as he told it to Clark. Not to mention the fact he seems so single-mindedly obsessed/infatuated with Clark in the end...it seems as though the real Lex Luthor would at the very least, be a little miffed that Clark had bought into the lies so quickly.

:shiver: That fic *traumatized* me. Just so you know.

Linzee

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Of course, Lex himself isn't entirely stable -- he might make himself believe the story he told Clark, too. Luthors are twisty bastards.

[attolia.livejournal.com]

1. Joseph attacked Lex with a heavy trouser press. I assumed that meant he was stronger and, therefore, the clone.

2. Lex considered what to say very carefully. After the last few months, starting out a conversation with Clark by telling him "I need to explain what you're going to see" could only be a losing strategy, however true it was.

But Joseph wasn't around for the last few months. His Lex-memories ran out a few weeks before Lex's involuntary commitment at Belle Reve. So it has to be Lex at the end, pulling the amazing mindfuck.

I really loved this story.

[herohunter.livejournal.com]

But Joseph wasn't around for the last few months.
Ah, brilliant, I did not catch that!!
:D

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

Of course, after Belle Reve Joseph did have access to Lionel's dossiers and surveillance tapes, and we know Lionel has a pretty good idea of what Lex was up to from his conduct with regard to Lex's treasure map of China, so Joseph should have knowledge of the details of Lex's recent interactions with Clark if not direct access to the memories. But still -- I kind of like the idea of Lex pulling off the mindfuck.

Because I had to

[philexos.livejournal.com]

Not that it really matters - but my conclusion was:

Joseph/Joseph

You left behind so many tantalizing hints that pulled in one direction and then in another but in the end it was a single line, and a line of thought that convinced me: He'd hoped for a more controllable outcome in a son, but Lex had been his own man for a while, even as a clone. And the line of thought beautifully served more than one purpose, the first establishing a sense of self for Joseph, and the other to further confuse the audience in the closing (I want to say, Chapter... so I'm gonna) chapter.

The premise of the story makes it an even more engaging read, hinging on whether or not memories can be cloned along with a human body, and an impossible ethical dilemma. A determination of who is The Real Lex Luthor can only be drawn from absolute truths as the ethical truth is: They both are. Absolute truths are nowhere in evidence in the story. There is only circumstantial evidence. Even the absolute truth that Lionel Luthor is balls-out crazy isn't a theory supportable by physical evidence.

In the end, it was my sympathy for Lex Luthor that made me comfortable at all with the resolution of the story. Now I'd like to read one where it's not an impossible thing for there to be two Lex Luthor's in the world.

Meantime, I was left with only one question. What the heck is a 'Trouser Press'?

*

And, just so I'm clear: I loved the story. It was complex and challenging and rife with conflict, both emotional and physical. It pushed at the edges of my comfort level (a tough thing to do to me). Nothing not absolutely great here. I could quote the whole story back to you, as each line is a gem and has focus and purpose. Let's just say my favorite parts were every time Joseph referred to Lex in the third person--as someone outside himself--and then, consciously thinking of himself in the first person, as 'Lex', immediately after his epiphany. You are a genius.

Now.

Tell us.

Who do you think is the Real Lex Luthor?

Re: Because I had to

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

I think you're right, in that they're both equally Lex Luthor, which is a real assault on the mental integrity of the formerly sole Lex Luthor. And he's justified, I think, in being a little upset, which shouldn't translate into "justified in killing the other," but for a Luthor does so translate.

A trouser press looks like this (http://www.howardluggage.com/ImgUpload/P_502937_1035772.JPG); if you use Google Images you can find some more pictures.

[herohunter.livejournal.com]

WOW!!
Just read both stories, and loved each one with a passion.
I like to think that it was "Lex" Lex who won, but if it was Joseph, that works too, I LOVE not knowing for sure!

And in "Conjoined", I like the way he brought Clark back, it was fascinating, whether it be true or not!

*applauds you*
Thank you for sharing this!

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[disprove.livejournal.com]

This is completely brilliant! I have to say that I loveloveLOVE the fact that the first and only time they meet, the Lexes conspire, fuck and then try to kill each other in precisely that order. It's so utterly and deliciously Luthorian of them.

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I think Lex, when he gets his evil fully on, will definitely have "(1) use (2) fuck (3) kill" as his three options for dealing with people. And he's got a good start here.

[nataliadarimini.livejournal.com]

Eee! This story is so cool! I had to say "Joseph" for both because then it is Lionel who is doing the mindfucking and I dearly love a mindfucking Lionel. But I really, really like a mindfucking Lex, too... *wibble*

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Good point -- there's not exactly a mindfuck-free option here.

[jack-pride.livejournal.com]

I said that I don't know because I don't, however I *choose* to believe that what he told Clark was true, therefore it follows that Joseph is the real Lex and also the one who won the fight. ::nods::