"Mr. Kent goes to Gotham"

[BACKGROUND: It's summer. This story is based on the premise that Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne have recently become friends. Clark received two tickets to a national journalism conference in gritty Gotham City. Neither Bruce nor Clark will be wearing capes – that I can guarantee. But Bruce is moving relentlessly towards his destiny.]

Clark had waited all summer for this day. He had spent the better part of June on final exams and any spare time sowing the seeds for this season's crops and resupplying the Kent farm. He barely had time to whip up a resume for the journalism conference.

Bruce Wayne, captain of industry, philanthropist and reputed playboy, was the sponsor of this

conference -- a gathering of America's leading journalists, editors and mass media academics. Clark was going to check into the Gotham Hilton, but -at Bruce's insistence- would instead stay at the gothic Wayne Manor. "One of America's finest houses," according to Martha Stewart. Not that Bruce cared for such trivial labels.

He would be Bruce's guest -- as well as Chloe Sullivan. "I have more than enough space for the both of you," Bruce told him via satellite phone. [Bruce was jet-setting, closing a deal in Prague.]

"Gotham awaits us, Clark. First day of the rest of your life ... yadda, yadda, yadda." It was Chloe.

A train departed for Gotham twice a day. If they didn't catch the morning train, they'd have to wait for the afternoon one.

"All aboard. Train to Gotham City departing in five minutes," the porter announced, "Please have your tickets ready."

"Aren't you excited, Clark?" Chloe squealed, "A who's who of American journalism will be there. Perry White, Peter Jennings, Arthur Kent ... no relation to the Smallville Kents, I guess." She nudged Clark on the arm.

Clark's mind was a million miles away. "Did I remember to fertilize the wheat field?" he said aloud.

"Clark! We're on the brink of a life-changing experience ... and you're thinking about manure?!"

They boarded the train. Destination: Gotham City. First settled by the Dutch in the 1600s, it fell to the English, then to George Washington during the Revolution. In the Civil War, the Union Army drew the line at Gotham City -- under the command of a Colonel Jeremiah Wayne, and sent the rebels packing to Gettysburg.

Chloe had devoured volumes of articles and press clippings about the colorful history of Gotham City. He liked her curiosity.

"If the Waynes were any more American," Chloe concluded, "they'd be bald eagles."

"I'll tell him you said that," Clark said as he took his seat on the train. Chloe gave him a not-to-friendly kick in the shins. Once at Gotham Federal Station, Alfred would take them to the Wayne estate.

"It's a five hour train ride," Clark read his ticket.

"That gives us time to get acquainted, Mr. Kent," Chloe grinned.

I knew it, Clark determined, I DID forget to fertilize the wheat field.