Legenda
Prologue
"Mr Luthor, could you please explain how the expansion of the fertilizer plant in Oklahoma wouldn't affect the area as a whole"
Clark Kent heard the myriad of questions thrown at Luthor, but was not paying attention to any of it. If he would have known that his first assignment as a cub reporter was to cover this particular press conference, he would've called in sick. Not like that was likely to happen anytime soon, but desperate times called for desperate measures, and lying was certainly a desperate solution.
He couldn't help but glance at the rigidly standing figure by the podium. Luthor always radiated power and confidence by his posture, but there used to be an air of vulnerability, of countless possibilities, of unleashed desire; not anymore. Currently, his stand bellied anger, coldness and a darkness that chilled Clark to the core.
Whatever happened to the smirking, sarcastic and solicitous young man that he used to know? What about the man who was trying to best his father without resorting to questionable tactics? How did that person, as confusing and questionable at times as he was, evolved into this uncaring and cruel man? And whatever happened to their friendship? The stuff of legends? How did it come to this?
Clark felt a pang of regret; if he had done things differently 7 years ago, the friendship that meant so much to him wouldn't have been lost. If he hadn't been such a teenager, so judgmental towards Luthor, maybe they would be in each other's life, one way or the other. If he had been there for him when he needed him the most instead of casting stones; if only.
"Let me assure you, Ms.Bryant, that the people from Oklahoma would benefit from the expansion, not suffer from it. The state has a steadily increasing unemployment rate, and in badly need of additional income. The additional departments that the plant will open would not only create new jobs, but it would also be responsible for the relocations of various professionals and their families. I hardly think the influx of people and resources could be detriment to the state, wouldn't you agree?" Luthor responded, with an all too false smile playing on his lips. " Now, if your question has been responded to your satisfaction, I'd like to take some more questions from your colleagues".
Clark saw this as an opening; Luthor hadn't seen him entered the room and it was unlikely that he'd singled him out of a room full with close to 50 reporters; add that to the crouching position that Clark was currently in. Having come to a decision a couple of minutes earlier, Clark braced himself to be ignored, humiliated or acknowledged. He raised his hand frantically and shouted for a chance to talk.
" Yes, the reporter on the third row with the plaid jacket?
"Mr. Luthor, Clark Kent from the Daily Planet"
Clark was avidly looking Luthor's expression, trying to see if at least a glimmer of something, rage, hate, regret, anything, would appear on his once expressive blue eyes.
But instead, the same blank gaze, avoid of anything resembling feeling, looked back at him.
"And your question is?"
Why? How? Don't you care about me anymore? Can we be friends again? Can I save you? Can you forgive me? But none of those questions were appropriate at the moment. And how he ached!
"Mr. Luthor, there have been reports that, in order for you to go ahead with the plant expansion in Oklahoma, several of you other plants must closed. How true is that and if so, which are the locations that could be affected?
"Mr. Kent, is it? Those reports have been greatly exaggerated; yes, it is true that some of LexCorp fertilizer plants might be affected, either by closing or downsizing, but there aren't several;they're just three. As for the locations, well, the plant in Ohio will no longer have a third shift; one in Kansas will close, as well as one in Northern Texas"
"I'm sorry, which one in Kansas? And what about the sudden loss of jobs for those communities?" Clark asked, but he already knew the answer to at least one of the questions.
"The one in Smallville; that plant has been in the red for several years already. And I don't think Lexcorp can afford to maintain a plant open that is not pulling its weight. Besides, in my opinion, the town doesn't need more manure, especially a Luthor's. It does well with their own. You know, small town pride and all". Luthor finished with a slippery smile, which looked foreign and disgusting on his face.
Clark bristled at the veiled insult to Smallville, but kept on pressing.
"And what about the soon to be unemployed?" I believe Lexcorp was the main employer for the town, which includes the plant, the radio station and a coffee shop. Are those two venture at risk also?"
"Neither the coffee shop nor the radio station are part of Lexcorp any longer. As for the economy of the town, I'd be willing to work something with the mayor, but I have to protect my assets first and foremost. The board and I concur that we can not keep supporting a bleeding investment; besides, all the employees have been offered a generous severance package and those individual that excelled at the plant in its heyday have been offered positions within the company. Next question please"
Shocked at the casual dismissive tone, Clark realized that Luthor was cutting all ties to Smallville.
*Had Smallville been that bad for Luthor? Lex, Lex. Say his name* Clark's mind chanted.
Feeling desolate, his mind drifted, reaching those moments that meant so much and that he had long buried; remembering his friendship with Lu.., Lex, was painful, shameful and full of regrets, it was easier to pretend it never happened.
But not anymore. Clark would revise that relationship; would pick at it moment by moment, gaze by gaze and conversation by conversation. And hopefully, he'd come to terms with his role on the destruction of that friendship and look for a way to atone for his faults. And he'd hopefully get a clue as to what to do about correcting that error.
Prologue
"Mr Luthor, could you please explain how the expansion of the fertilizer plant in Oklahoma wouldn't affect the area as a whole"
Clark Kent heard the myriad of questions thrown at Luthor, but was not paying attention to any of it. If he would have known that his first assignment as a cub reporter was to cover this particular press conference, he would've called in sick. Not like that was likely to happen anytime soon, but desperate times called for desperate measures, and lying was certainly a desperate solution.
He couldn't help but glance at the rigidly standing figure by the podium. Luthor always radiated power and confidence by his posture, but there used to be an air of vulnerability, of countless possibilities, of unleashed desire; not anymore. Currently, his stand bellied anger, coldness and a darkness that chilled Clark to the core.
Whatever happened to the smirking, sarcastic and solicitous young man that he used to know? What about the man who was trying to best his father without resorting to questionable tactics? How did that person, as confusing and questionable at times as he was, evolved into this uncaring and cruel man? And whatever happened to their friendship? The stuff of legends? How did it come to this?
Clark felt a pang of regret; if he had done things differently 7 years ago, the friendship that meant so much to him wouldn't have been lost. If he hadn't been such a teenager, so judgmental towards Luthor, maybe they would be in each other's life, one way or the other. If he had been there for him when he needed him the most instead of casting stones; if only.
"Let me assure you, Ms.Bryant, that the people from Oklahoma would benefit from the expansion, not suffer from it. The state has a steadily increasing unemployment rate, and in badly need of additional income. The additional departments that the plant will open would not only create new jobs, but it would also be responsible for the relocations of various professionals and their families. I hardly think the influx of people and resources could be detriment to the state, wouldn't you agree?" Luthor responded, with an all too false smile playing on his lips. " Now, if your question has been responded to your satisfaction, I'd like to take some more questions from your colleagues".
Clark saw this as an opening; Luthor hadn't seen him entered the room and it was unlikely that he'd singled him out of a room full with close to 50 reporters; add that to the crouching position that Clark was currently in. Having come to a decision a couple of minutes earlier, Clark braced himself to be ignored, humiliated or acknowledged. He raised his hand frantically and shouted for a chance to talk.
" Yes, the reporter on the third row with the plaid jacket?
"Mr. Luthor, Clark Kent from the Daily Planet"
Clark was avidly looking Luthor's expression, trying to see if at least a glimmer of something, rage, hate, regret, anything, would appear on his once expressive blue eyes.
But instead, the same blank gaze, avoid of anything resembling feeling, looked back at him.
"And your question is?"
Why? How? Don't you care about me anymore? Can we be friends again? Can I save you? Can you forgive me? But none of those questions were appropriate at the moment. And how he ached!
"Mr. Luthor, there have been reports that, in order for you to go ahead with the plant expansion in Oklahoma, several of you other plants must closed. How true is that and if so, which are the locations that could be affected?
"Mr. Kent, is it? Those reports have been greatly exaggerated; yes, it is true that some of LexCorp fertilizer plants might be affected, either by closing or downsizing, but there aren't several;they're just three. As for the locations, well, the plant in Ohio will no longer have a third shift; one in Kansas will close, as well as one in Northern Texas"
"I'm sorry, which one in Kansas? And what about the sudden loss of jobs for those communities?" Clark asked, but he already knew the answer to at least one of the questions.
"The one in Smallville; that plant has been in the red for several years already. And I don't think Lexcorp can afford to maintain a plant open that is not pulling its weight. Besides, in my opinion, the town doesn't need more manure, especially a Luthor's. It does well with their own. You know, small town pride and all". Luthor finished with a slippery smile, which looked foreign and disgusting on his face.
Clark bristled at the veiled insult to Smallville, but kept on pressing.
"And what about the soon to be unemployed?" I believe Lexcorp was the main employer for the town, which includes the plant, the radio station and a coffee shop. Are those two venture at risk also?"
"Neither the coffee shop nor the radio station are part of Lexcorp any longer. As for the economy of the town, I'd be willing to work something with the mayor, but I have to protect my assets first and foremost. The board and I concur that we can not keep supporting a bleeding investment; besides, all the employees have been offered a generous severance package and those individual that excelled at the plant in its heyday have been offered positions within the company. Next question please"
Shocked at the casual dismissive tone, Clark realized that Luthor was cutting all ties to Smallville.
*Had Smallville been that bad for Luthor? Lex, Lex. Say his name* Clark's mind chanted.
Feeling desolate, his mind drifted, reaching those moments that meant so much and that he had long buried; remembering his friendship with Lu.., Lex, was painful, shameful and full of regrets, it was easier to pretend it never happened.
But not anymore. Clark would revise that relationship; would pick at it moment by moment, gaze by gaze and conversation by conversation. And hopefully, he'd come to terms with his role on the destruction of that friendship and look for a way to atone for his faults. And he'd hopefully get a clue as to what to do about correcting that error.