Interlude: Press Gang
CLARK
Lex has retreated so far back into his shell that I'm scared for him. Leave Lois in the office with an excuse about the dentist. Dither over the North Sea, because I don't know what to say.
I need to talk to Mom.
MARTHA
I wasn't expecting Clark home until the weekend. But heavy thump on the porch can only be one person.
He looks a little freaked. I wonder if he's come to talk about Lois - he thinks that Jonathan and I haven't worked that one out yet. But it's Lex he's worried about. So am I. I saw him on a news program a while back, and he looked like he did when he was fighting for the plant a few years back. He misses Chloe so much.
But Clark can't get involved. It has to be Chloe's decision.
Show Clark that irresponsible article in the Metropolis Journal. He takes off with a sonic boom that shakes the windows.
CLARK
Lex Luthor finally grants an interview to the 'Daily Planet', but only if Lane and Kent do it. Lois is furious at being out-manoeuvred by a farmboy. Wants to know what my personal pull is. I wouldn't do it, but he won't return my calls.
LOIS
My first thought is, he's young. Then that he looks desperately tired. A very charming smile as he shakes hands.
"Miss Lane..." (pause) "Mr Kent."
"Mr Luthor." Clark shakes hands, but he's glaring. They -know-each other. How does a Kansas hick, even a cute one, know the richest man in Metropolis? This will need investigating. Lex Luthor is smirking.
"I'm always happy to meet the Press."
"Close working relationship?"
The smirk snaps off.
They goad each other throughout the interview. I'm not sure how, but I can feel it. Halfway through, his intercom buzzes.
"A call from London?" Just a slight change of tone, but it sets off every instinct. Clark's head whips up, and his eyes narrow. "Mr Morrison - tell him I will call back in an hour." Not who Mr Luthor was expecting? Because his face and voice don't change at all, but his eyes are empty.
Young, good-looking, clever and charming. Yet he's as empty as his office - I don't think we met the real Lex Luthor at all. He's adept at heading off anything remotely personal. All our questions have been screened.
Then Clark veers right off track.
"Would you care to comment on the story of your prospective engagement as reported in the Metropolis Journal?"
We have expression. Half a second of total horror, gone so quickly that I might have imagined it.
"Complete fabrication." he says.
They look at each other, and something is definitely going on here. Clark nods.
"Thank you for your time, Mr Luthor."
"Call me Lex." He holds out his hand. "Thank you, Mr Kent. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to."
And although it's said in a perfectly friendly tone, I go absolutely cold.
CLARK
Lex has retreated so far back into his shell that I'm scared for him. Leave Lois in the office with an excuse about the dentist. Dither over the North Sea, because I don't know what to say.
I need to talk to Mom.
MARTHA
I wasn't expecting Clark home until the weekend. But heavy thump on the porch can only be one person.
He looks a little freaked. I wonder if he's come to talk about Lois - he thinks that Jonathan and I haven't worked that one out yet. But it's Lex he's worried about. So am I. I saw him on a news program a while back, and he looked like he did when he was fighting for the plant a few years back. He misses Chloe so much.
But Clark can't get involved. It has to be Chloe's decision.
Show Clark that irresponsible article in the Metropolis Journal. He takes off with a sonic boom that shakes the windows.
CLARK
Lex Luthor finally grants an interview to the 'Daily Planet', but only if Lane and Kent do it. Lois is furious at being out-manoeuvred by a farmboy. Wants to know what my personal pull is. I wouldn't do it, but he won't return my calls.
LOIS
My first thought is, he's young. Then that he looks desperately tired. A very charming smile as he shakes hands.
"Miss Lane..." (pause) "Mr Kent."
"Mr Luthor." Clark shakes hands, but he's glaring. They -know-each other. How does a Kansas hick, even a cute one, know the richest man in Metropolis? This will need investigating. Lex Luthor is smirking.
"I'm always happy to meet the Press."
"Close working relationship?"
The smirk snaps off.
They goad each other throughout the interview. I'm not sure how, but I can feel it. Halfway through, his intercom buzzes.
"A call from London?" Just a slight change of tone, but it sets off every instinct. Clark's head whips up, and his eyes narrow. "Mr Morrison - tell him I will call back in an hour." Not who Mr Luthor was expecting? Because his face and voice don't change at all, but his eyes are empty.
Young, good-looking, clever and charming. Yet he's as empty as his office - I don't think we met the real Lex Luthor at all. He's adept at heading off anything remotely personal. All our questions have been screened.
Then Clark veers right off track.
"Would you care to comment on the story of your prospective engagement as reported in the Metropolis Journal?"
We have expression. Half a second of total horror, gone so quickly that I might have imagined it.
"Complete fabrication." he says.
They look at each other, and something is definitely going on here. Clark nods.
"Thank you for your time, Mr Luthor."
"Call me Lex." He holds out his hand. "Thank you, Mr Kent. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to."
And although it's said in a perfectly friendly tone, I go absolutely cold.