I barely got out of the out of my jacket when Jimmy came bursting into my office, "I've got a way that we can get in to see Maples!"

"You do?" I felt those words hit me with between the eyes. I wasn't shocked by the words, per se, but I was struck by the excitement and determination that he spoke them with.

"Well Chloe actually gave me the idea but I think it will work."

"Are you going to let me in on the plan?"

"Alright, here it is… a deaf window washer." His smile lit the room.

"What?!"

"I will get into his office as a deaf window washer. It is great, right?"

I smiled back at him before sighing, "I like it, but I can already hear what the Chief will say…"

"ARE YOU MAD?" Mr. White bellowed. "You two are not going after Mugsy Maples!"

"But Chief," Jimmy tried to defend his idea. He looked almost defeated.

"No, come up with something else," Perry demanded. "The fact is you haven't turned up any kind of a story since our deal."

"Well, we're working on it," I jumped in, "In fact, we expect a break any minute now." Right on cue there came a knock on the door, before the guest let themselves in.

The stranger wore a brown bowler hat with is black umbrella tucked into the crook of his elbow. In his hand was an item that looked like a canister of shaving cream. His glasses sat on loosely on the bridge of his nose and his face was scrunched with a familiar and adorable look of determination.

"Well, Professor Pepperwinkle!" I love it when this man shows up at our office because he is simply so sweet and it always comes with an adventure.

"As I say, I don't remember how I invented it, but I know it works!" He rambled about the canister.

"Wait a minute, Professor, this is a brand-new conversation," Jimmy pointed out, "You just came in." Clark must've sent him in here.

Suddenly aware of the new surroundings the professor acknowledged Jimmy's critique, "Oh, so I did." And without a moment of lost momentum, "Well, anyway, if you'll just let me squish it at you—" He pointed the canister at Jimmy which had the Cub Reporter practically jumping out of his skin. "You remember anything that has happened in the last fifteen minutes."

"You mean—" I began to ask.

"Anti-memory vapor," he named it.

"Preposterous," Mr. White grumbled.

Not deterred the Professor just nodded, "Yes, indeedy. Uh, would anyone like to, us, test it?"

Jimmy was quick to decline, "No. Don't squish it on me."

I jumped in with a smile, "I'll tell you what I'll do, Professor. Leave it with me, I'll have it tested, and give you a full report."

Satisfied with that answer his handed me the canister and headed out the door. Once Professor Pepperwinkle was safely on the other side of that door Jimmy approached.

"Anti-Memory vapor, oh man," He said amazed.

"Well he is a little eccentric, but some of his inventions have worked in the past," I pointed out.

"And every time anyone of them did work, they caused nothing but trouble for everyone concerned," He bellowed.

"And got us a good story every time," I defended.

"You mean if this gizmo really works, we might get another story," Jimmy questioned.

"Well sure. Just like the one on Mugsy Maples."

"I forbid it," Mr. White demanded. "You're not gonna fool around goofy inventions or Mugsy Maples."

I've had enough of your attitude, Chief. "Uh, uh, uh, uh, Chief, remember the agreement. No interference." He grumbled under his breath but didn't object. I turned to Jimmy, "Well Jimmy, here is your chance to go get that story."

"Can I take this?"

"I think you better."

Jimmy left the office in a hurry and I stayed behind to take the brunt of the tongue lashing Mr. White looked like he was holding back.

"That boy is going to be found at the bottom of Metropolis Bay," Mr. White grumbled.

"Is that was every good reporter wants? To go down with pursuing a story they care about?"

"Are you justifying the death of that idiot boy?" Perry was on his feet with a finger pointed directly at my heart.

"No, Sir, but you have to let him make the choice. How are we supposed to get a story if we aren't willing to stick our necks out?" I stood a little taller and leveled a stare in his direction. Very rarely do I challenge my boss like this, but I needed to make this point.

"I see your point, Lois," He said after a brief staredown. "I did agree that we would do it your way, but just know that if anything happens to that boy you are going to be the one to regret it, not me. Now get out of here so I can get some work done."

I didn't argue and headed straight for Clark's office. Clark was seated on his couch with his head back and eyes closed. He looked so peaceful, and I got jealous for a second. I decided to take a piece of his sanity for myself. I closed the door as gently as I could, before moving to his side. Sitting next to him, I slid my shoes off so that I could curl up next to him better. I knew he was fully awake when he slightly shifted to accept my silent request to cuddle. We sat in there for a while.

"Did you send Professor Pepperwinkle into Mr. White's office?" I finally spoke up.

"What did you think of that Anti-memory vapor?" He chuckled.

"It is quite inventive. He says it is guaranteed to work every time."

"I know," Clark replied, "When I asked it if he tried it on himself, he said that he had but it wasn't a good test. He laughed about the fact that he had such a bad memory in general so he wouldn't even know what he was supposed to forget."

"I do love that sweet old man. He just wants to make the world a better place."

"I just hope it really works," I heard him sigh.

"He told you?"

I felt Clark nod, "He wanted me to know just in case something happened and he disappeared. I think he wanted me to have Superman on standby just in case."

"I respect that," I sighed, "I just hope he takes care of himself."

"You and me both, Lois."