Chapter 3
[Smallville business district]
Lex reviewed the architectural designs for the Langs' new store. He rather liked the idea of restoring the town square to its original splendour. He saw Lana talking on her cell to her aunt. Something about the lease. Lana had tied her hair up into a ponytail and was also filling out inventory forms. This business partnership could be promising. The tax deductions from the restoration alone were an excellent incentive. Not to mention Lana's company.
"Lemme just run off to the bank for a deposit, and we can go over the architect's suggestions." Lana swept out the door. She spotted the silver newspaper box of the Daily Planet. "Hmm, maybe Chloe has a byline." She looked at the headline and gasped. WAYNE WOULD-BE ASSASSIN LINKED TO RUSSIAN ARMS DEALER. MONEY TRAIL LEADS TO LUTHOR PARTNER.
She ran back into the half-completed store. "Did you ...," she started.
"... know about it?" Lex completed her sentence. "Our man on the Planet's board of directors gave us the heads-up as the morning edition shipped out. Dad is on the media circuit issuing denials, despite my advice to the contrary. Knowing when to keep one's mouth shut is, I regret, a lost art to Luthor Sr."
"Aren't you worried about those arms dealers. They sound like a shady bunch."
"Yes, well, Father unfortunately made some questionable friends when he visited eastern Europe a few years ago." He is a fool, Lex concluded. His dad only saw dollar signs, ignoring the real chance those former Soviet generals may have underworld connections. "If you will excuse me, Ms. Lang, I'll have to review those plans another time." He hopped into his Porsche and zipped out of town.
I hope Lex has nothing to do with this, Lana worried. The Luthor name cast a wide shadow. The family was a famous for its ruthlessness - strike- breaking, mass layoffs - as the Wayne family was known for its sense of civic duty. Lana shook her head. "Sins of the father," she murmured as she read the article that could dethrone the Luthors.
[The Kent farm]
Jonathan Kent wondered what was taking his son so long. He spurred on his horse and trotted towards the flatbed truck. He saw his only son chatting with big-city reporter Summer Gleeson. His guard was up now. Let him be, Jonathan hoped, he's only in high school.
Clark waved him over. "Dad! I'd like you to meet Summer Gleeson, GCTV."
Jonathan warily extended his hand. "Jonathan Kent. Is there something we can help you with?"
Darn, Summer thought, I was hoping not to deal with any parental complications.
"I was just going into town to find a place to stay. You see, I'm following up on the Bruce Wayne incident last month ..."
"...and my son's involvement." Jonathan didn't like this at all. He watched the media frenzy unfold in Gotham. Now they're prying into Clark's life. He had worked his whole life to shield his son from such attention.
"Clark will show you into town, but I'm afraid if you any further questions, you talk to me or his mother." Clark thought about objecting, but one glance from his dad and he dropped the idea.
"I think Clark doesn't mind helping me fill in the blanks. Bruce Wayne is a public figure and I believe Clark can shed some light on the attempted assassinations."
"Clark is a Smallville high school student. Look, Clark gave a sworn statement to GCPD. All you need to know is in their briefings."
Summer knew when to back off. After the events of the past month, who can blame Mr. Kent for his skepticism? "Fair enough. Clark can show me the way into town, but I may be back with some questions for you later."
Clark hopped into his truck and drove up to the road. Jonathan Kent waved to them, then mounted his horse. He rode off. I need to clear my mind. Clark was becoming a man, but to his parents he would always be the defenceless baby boy who fell from the sky. A blessing from the heavens. He would allow nothing - not the Luthors, not the voracious media - to harm his son.
Martha Kent saw her husband galloping across the fields. "Something's going on."
[Smallville business district]
Lex reviewed the architectural designs for the Langs' new store. He rather liked the idea of restoring the town square to its original splendour. He saw Lana talking on her cell to her aunt. Something about the lease. Lana had tied her hair up into a ponytail and was also filling out inventory forms. This business partnership could be promising. The tax deductions from the restoration alone were an excellent incentive. Not to mention Lana's company.
"Lemme just run off to the bank for a deposit, and we can go over the architect's suggestions." Lana swept out the door. She spotted the silver newspaper box of the Daily Planet. "Hmm, maybe Chloe has a byline." She looked at the headline and gasped. WAYNE WOULD-BE ASSASSIN LINKED TO RUSSIAN ARMS DEALER. MONEY TRAIL LEADS TO LUTHOR PARTNER.
She ran back into the half-completed store. "Did you ...," she started.
"... know about it?" Lex completed her sentence. "Our man on the Planet's board of directors gave us the heads-up as the morning edition shipped out. Dad is on the media circuit issuing denials, despite my advice to the contrary. Knowing when to keep one's mouth shut is, I regret, a lost art to Luthor Sr."
"Aren't you worried about those arms dealers. They sound like a shady bunch."
"Yes, well, Father unfortunately made some questionable friends when he visited eastern Europe a few years ago." He is a fool, Lex concluded. His dad only saw dollar signs, ignoring the real chance those former Soviet generals may have underworld connections. "If you will excuse me, Ms. Lang, I'll have to review those plans another time." He hopped into his Porsche and zipped out of town.
I hope Lex has nothing to do with this, Lana worried. The Luthor name cast a wide shadow. The family was a famous for its ruthlessness - strike- breaking, mass layoffs - as the Wayne family was known for its sense of civic duty. Lana shook her head. "Sins of the father," she murmured as she read the article that could dethrone the Luthors.
[The Kent farm]
Jonathan Kent wondered what was taking his son so long. He spurred on his horse and trotted towards the flatbed truck. He saw his only son chatting with big-city reporter Summer Gleeson. His guard was up now. Let him be, Jonathan hoped, he's only in high school.
Clark waved him over. "Dad! I'd like you to meet Summer Gleeson, GCTV."
Jonathan warily extended his hand. "Jonathan Kent. Is there something we can help you with?"
Darn, Summer thought, I was hoping not to deal with any parental complications.
"I was just going into town to find a place to stay. You see, I'm following up on the Bruce Wayne incident last month ..."
"...and my son's involvement." Jonathan didn't like this at all. He watched the media frenzy unfold in Gotham. Now they're prying into Clark's life. He had worked his whole life to shield his son from such attention.
"Clark will show you into town, but I'm afraid if you any further questions, you talk to me or his mother." Clark thought about objecting, but one glance from his dad and he dropped the idea.
"I think Clark doesn't mind helping me fill in the blanks. Bruce Wayne is a public figure and I believe Clark can shed some light on the attempted assassinations."
"Clark is a Smallville high school student. Look, Clark gave a sworn statement to GCPD. All you need to know is in their briefings."
Summer knew when to back off. After the events of the past month, who can blame Mr. Kent for his skepticism? "Fair enough. Clark can show me the way into town, but I may be back with some questions for you later."
Clark hopped into his truck and drove up to the road. Jonathan Kent waved to them, then mounted his horse. He rode off. I need to clear my mind. Clark was becoming a man, but to his parents he would always be the defenceless baby boy who fell from the sky. A blessing from the heavens. He would allow nothing - not the Luthors, not the voracious media - to harm his son.
Martha Kent saw her husband galloping across the fields. "Something's going on."