The title "Sullivan's Travels" is a clear allusion to the famous satirical work of fiction by Jonathan Swift, Gulliver's Travels. It is also the name of a 1941 American comedy film, written and directed by Preston Sturges. The film explores the need for the release of laughter, particularly in terrible circumstances, and the concept that poverty should be avoided, not studied or labelled.
Sullivan is the last name of the author, Chloe Sullivan.
Lionel: I'll come to the point, Miss Sullivan. I'd like to help you rebuild. I've instructed the LuthorCorp Foundation to make a donation to your school. The funds are specifically earmarked toward rebuilding and updating the journalism department.
Chloe: Mr. Luthor, I'm confused. I mean, the struggling editor in me wants to just leave it at "Thank You" but... the journalist in me has to ask, "Why?"
Lionel: I'm impressed with your, um, willingness to explore alternative ideas, options. You interned at the Daily Planet this summer, didn't you?
Lionel: Hmm. Well, I have a little influence there. They certainly could use some new blood. Maybe, um, a column... To introduce your unique point of view.
Chloe: I... I don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth, but... I don't understand why the most powerful man in the city is interested in helping me.
Lionel: We're after the same thing, Miss Sullivan: the truth. You know, um, journalists are the midwives of history. Perhaps, with my help, we could, uh... make history together.
Chloe: I'm surprised I hadn't noticed earlier. So much for my crack journalistic instinct.
Lionel: No, no, love has a way of blinding even the sharpest minds. We don't look because we don't want to see. But once love has been stripped away, then we see the real person clearly. They're revealed to us with all their flaws, their foibles, and their secrets. Oh, I've got a meeting. I'm sorry to rush you out like this.
Chloe: It's fine. Mr. Luthor? Why are you so interested in Clark?
Lionel: You don't expect me to show you all my cards, now do you?
Lionel: We had what I assumed was a private conversation, but imagine my surprise to have Lex throw my very own words right back in my face. You led me to believe, Miss Sullivan, that, uh, you were no longer in communication with Lex.
Chloe: Well, I'm not. But thank you for the wildly offensive insinuation. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm on a deadline.
Lionel: Not anymore. Your column at the Daily Planet's been cancelled.
Lionel: All right, all right. Here's the deal. You tell me everything you fed to Lex, I'll let things stand.
Chloe: I told you I'm not Lex's source. And while I'm sure you could kill my column, this is not the only piece I'm working on for the Daily Planet. I know I could interest them in a story about an eccentric billionaire with an obsessive interest in a Kansas farm boy.
Lionel: You threatening me? I'd be careful, Miss Sullivan. Very careful.
Chloe: I'll be whatever I want. Apparently, I don't work for you anymore.
Pauline Kahn: Well, that is a quite an accomplishment to have your own byline when you are practically still in diapers. I mean, a lot of reporters, well, real reporters, work for years struggling before they can get that kind of a chance. I just wanted to meet the kid who can pull that one off.
Pauline Kahn: Oh, well, don't thank me. Thank Lionel Luthor. He's the one who arm-twisted the old chief editor into dropping your juvenile babbling into this paper.
Pauline Kahn: Well, you didn't say "no" either, didn't you? Then you must have done something to piss Lionel off because he got you fired. Yeah, I remember that day. I believe we had cake.
