Chapter 9
The sun shone brightly on Wednesday morning as the management and staff of Luthorcorp Plant # 3 assembled to listen to Lionel Luthor's announcement . Lex had to squint against the brightness that was making his head throb. Toby's pain killers were helping but it still took all of Lex's considerable control to appear nonchalant. Inside Lex seethed with worry over his father's next move. This would not be good.
Lex tried to focus as he looked out over the sea of faces standing before the podium. His father had given him 24 hrs official notice to pull this together and he had been incapacitated for most of yesterday. Thank heavens, Gabe Sullivan was efficient and had taken the initiative while the story was given that Lex was out of the country and unreachable. He still had some trouble with concentration as the pain was unforgiving. Movement was difficult. Lex had to look directly at his father and concentrate on what the man was saying.
"Due to management incompetence beyond your control, the plant will be subject to downsizing and a re-evaluation of production priorities. The plant will close temporarily while we remodel some aspects and bring in new management. This is effective immediately. The length of time required to turn this around is currently unknown."
Lex had just been fired.
Maybe the words were not registering. Management Incompetence. Lex's incompetence. His father was firing him and closing a division of the plant. Lex felt the accusation like a physical blow. All the acceptance he'd recieved here in Smallville was being ripped away. The town depended on this factory. Lost jobs would be blamed on him. His head began to pound in a rhythm with the throbbing in his sides. His father turned to walk away and Lex followed in shock. He grabbed his father's sleeve to stop his exit, arguing in defense of his workers and himself.
Lionel stopped, brushing off Lex's obvious anger. "You're not needed here anymore. Dominic will take over this position. Come home to Metropolis."
Lex stood in misery watching his father's helicopter lift off. So much for an impasse.
***
Lionel Luthor smiled as his helicopter lifted from the launch pad. "Checkmate, Lex." he whispered to the figure of his son below him. This would bring Lex back to total dependance. Lex was now fully aware that he no longer had his father's protection. He thought he had friends in Smallville but this would finally end that. According to his sources he was no longer seeing Clark Kent. Lionel's grin grew self-satisfied. What other friends he had were based on that relationship. With this blow to Lex's credibility he'd have trouble fitting back in to this small town. Besides that, he was now unemployed with no real money of his own. Lex had nothing. He'd hang in limbo until he realised he had to come to daddy. He would do it with his head bowed. This should bring Lex home.
***
Gabe Sullivan stood at the top of the steps leading down to the launch pad, suddenly realising how young Lex Luthor really was. Sure, he knew his age but Lex had always carried himself with a worldly air of experience. Right now he just looked lost. He also looked unhealthily pale and Gabe approached him slowly, unsure what to say when he got Lex's attention. He placed a hand on Lex's shoulder and saw him wince as if in pain. As he turned Gabe noticed dark circles under the boy's eyes as they seemed to have difficulty focusing on him.
"Lex, I'm sorry. I know you did your best and the plant was turning a profit."
Lex managed a small smile. "Thanks. It doesn't help much with this new development but thanks." Lex felt the world spinning and knew he had to leave soon. Lex's step stumbled and he caught himself.
Lex are you alright?" Gabe was surprised -- the boy looked physically ill.
"I'll be fine.." Lex said regaining his composure like shrugging into a well worn coat. Lex was good at appearing calm under pressure. "Give me 24 hrs to see what I can do."
***
Pete Ross was pissed off and sitting in the Talon picking at his wounds like a scab. His two best friends were acting strange, keeping him out of something, sharing looks he could not comprehend. Yesterday Chloe had pulled Clark aside to talk about the plant closing and not included him. He couldn't decide whether to let it ride longer or confront them about it. On top of that, the town was in an uproar. Lionel's announcement yesterday had left most of the town currently without work. No one knew what he meant by downsizing and things weren't looking good for this town. Word was Lex was the cause of it all and Pete could well believe that, having never liked the guy. Pete sat up a little higher seeing someone come out of the Savings and Loan. Speak of the devil and there he was. Lex had been noticeably absent from the local scene and people figured he was hiding in shame. Perhaps that was not true because he was certainly here now.
Pete leaned back in his chair watching Lex cross the street to his car. As Lex got closer a few of Pete's football teammates approached along the sidewalk and appeared to be talking to Lex. By the anger on their faces and Lex's controlled neutral expression, these were not fond greetings. Pete stood up. Mad as he was, he had a strong streak of honor in him and could never sit by while someone was out numbered. With Troy in the lead of that little pack, it could not be good..
Stepping outside, Pete heard the cursing that Lex was recieving. "Hey, Troy how ya doin'?" Pete smiled his most concilliatory smile and approached the group.
Troy Webber was a large, rather handsome boy, but the sneer on his face did little to enhance it. "I'd be better without this bastard walking around." He nodded in Lex's direction as Lex bent to unlock his car door, seemingly oblivious. Pete stood between them.
"Come on, Troy. You guys need to calm down."
"Back off, Pete. We don't have to kiss up to him. He's not the boss here any more. Matter of fact, seems he couldn't even get that right." Trevor's dad worked at Plant # 3, an ex-jock with no education and little hope of re- employment without the factory.
Lex who had appeared to be ignoring everything, spoke up. "Look, everything will be fine. You just need to be patient. The plant will reopen soon, I'm sure." His tone was even and friendly but the boys didn't want explanations. Their secure worlds had taken a frightening turn and they saw Lex as the cause.
"Oh, you're going to fix it like you fixed my dad right out of a job. My mom was crying last night. You gonna fix that too?" The circle around Lex and Pete got smaller."
"Look guys, this isn't gonna help anything." Pete stepped in front of Lex. Lex half-smiled at the younger man's courage. No wonder he was best friends with Clark Kent.
"Stay out of it, Ross. What do you and your lawyer family know about doing without?" Troy shoved Pete aside and grabbed the lapel of Lex's jacket. Pete saw Lex wince, surprising him.
Troy assuming it was fear, chuckled. He was a bully and was truly confident when unopposed. Lex looked a little green.
"Can I help you gentlemen?" a uniformed police officer approached the group and Troy immediately took a step away.
Lex's voice seemed strained. "Every thing is fine officer. These young men were just wishing me good luck."
The group began to move away but Troy took one quick step forward elbowing Lex in the side. "Yeah. Good Luck." Lex's eyes closed and his lips tightened to the point where the skin whitened around them. Pete, sensing something wrong, turned to the officers to thank them and reassure them that everything was fine. Apparently Lana had called them from the Talon, seeing the group and knowing them as well as Pete. The police officer was satisfied and turned to leave telling him to say hello to his mother. Being the son of a judge did come in handy. He watched as Lex tried to seem casual while putting a lot of weight on the car to steady himself.
"Thank you, Mr. Ross." Again an odd tone in Lex's voice as if the words were forced past something.
"It's Pete, Lex. Seeing as, according to sources close to both of us, I once held you at gunpoint, I think first names are OK." Pete's grin was apologetic.
"I didn't know you knew about that." Lex's smile did not carry the voltage of Pete's but it was sincere. "Thank you for your help. I'm sorry but I have to go." Lex felt faint and knew he'd have to leave soon.
"Oh, no." Pete argued. "That's Clark's line. And it doesn't work on me. What's going on?"
Lex felt the pain killers he'd taken to make it to the meeting give out. "I have to go home." he said in a whisper and turned to get in the car moving too quickly and overbalancing against the car. Pete came up and put a hand on his waist to steady him. Lex almost fainted with the pain. The edges of his vision went black.
"You can go but I'd best do the driving." Pete helped him into the passenger seat taking the keys from unprotesting fingers. Lex slumped, happy to give up control for a few minutes. As Pete pulled out, taking a teenage moment to enjoy the Porsche, Lex leaned his head on the cool glass of the passsenger window.
The sun shone brightly on Wednesday morning as the management and staff of Luthorcorp Plant # 3 assembled to listen to Lionel Luthor's announcement . Lex had to squint against the brightness that was making his head throb. Toby's pain killers were helping but it still took all of Lex's considerable control to appear nonchalant. Inside Lex seethed with worry over his father's next move. This would not be good.
Lex tried to focus as he looked out over the sea of faces standing before the podium. His father had given him 24 hrs official notice to pull this together and he had been incapacitated for most of yesterday. Thank heavens, Gabe Sullivan was efficient and had taken the initiative while the story was given that Lex was out of the country and unreachable. He still had some trouble with concentration as the pain was unforgiving. Movement was difficult. Lex had to look directly at his father and concentrate on what the man was saying.
"Due to management incompetence beyond your control, the plant will be subject to downsizing and a re-evaluation of production priorities. The plant will close temporarily while we remodel some aspects and bring in new management. This is effective immediately. The length of time required to turn this around is currently unknown."
Lex had just been fired.
Maybe the words were not registering. Management Incompetence. Lex's incompetence. His father was firing him and closing a division of the plant. Lex felt the accusation like a physical blow. All the acceptance he'd recieved here in Smallville was being ripped away. The town depended on this factory. Lost jobs would be blamed on him. His head began to pound in a rhythm with the throbbing in his sides. His father turned to walk away and Lex followed in shock. He grabbed his father's sleeve to stop his exit, arguing in defense of his workers and himself.
Lionel stopped, brushing off Lex's obvious anger. "You're not needed here anymore. Dominic will take over this position. Come home to Metropolis."
Lex stood in misery watching his father's helicopter lift off. So much for an impasse.
***
Lionel Luthor smiled as his helicopter lifted from the launch pad. "Checkmate, Lex." he whispered to the figure of his son below him. This would bring Lex back to total dependance. Lex was now fully aware that he no longer had his father's protection. He thought he had friends in Smallville but this would finally end that. According to his sources he was no longer seeing Clark Kent. Lionel's grin grew self-satisfied. What other friends he had were based on that relationship. With this blow to Lex's credibility he'd have trouble fitting back in to this small town. Besides that, he was now unemployed with no real money of his own. Lex had nothing. He'd hang in limbo until he realised he had to come to daddy. He would do it with his head bowed. This should bring Lex home.
***
Gabe Sullivan stood at the top of the steps leading down to the launch pad, suddenly realising how young Lex Luthor really was. Sure, he knew his age but Lex had always carried himself with a worldly air of experience. Right now he just looked lost. He also looked unhealthily pale and Gabe approached him slowly, unsure what to say when he got Lex's attention. He placed a hand on Lex's shoulder and saw him wince as if in pain. As he turned Gabe noticed dark circles under the boy's eyes as they seemed to have difficulty focusing on him.
"Lex, I'm sorry. I know you did your best and the plant was turning a profit."
Lex managed a small smile. "Thanks. It doesn't help much with this new development but thanks." Lex felt the world spinning and knew he had to leave soon. Lex's step stumbled and he caught himself.
Lex are you alright?" Gabe was surprised -- the boy looked physically ill.
"I'll be fine.." Lex said regaining his composure like shrugging into a well worn coat. Lex was good at appearing calm under pressure. "Give me 24 hrs to see what I can do."
***
Pete Ross was pissed off and sitting in the Talon picking at his wounds like a scab. His two best friends were acting strange, keeping him out of something, sharing looks he could not comprehend. Yesterday Chloe had pulled Clark aside to talk about the plant closing and not included him. He couldn't decide whether to let it ride longer or confront them about it. On top of that, the town was in an uproar. Lionel's announcement yesterday had left most of the town currently without work. No one knew what he meant by downsizing and things weren't looking good for this town. Word was Lex was the cause of it all and Pete could well believe that, having never liked the guy. Pete sat up a little higher seeing someone come out of the Savings and Loan. Speak of the devil and there he was. Lex had been noticeably absent from the local scene and people figured he was hiding in shame. Perhaps that was not true because he was certainly here now.
Pete leaned back in his chair watching Lex cross the street to his car. As Lex got closer a few of Pete's football teammates approached along the sidewalk and appeared to be talking to Lex. By the anger on their faces and Lex's controlled neutral expression, these were not fond greetings. Pete stood up. Mad as he was, he had a strong streak of honor in him and could never sit by while someone was out numbered. With Troy in the lead of that little pack, it could not be good..
Stepping outside, Pete heard the cursing that Lex was recieving. "Hey, Troy how ya doin'?" Pete smiled his most concilliatory smile and approached the group.
Troy Webber was a large, rather handsome boy, but the sneer on his face did little to enhance it. "I'd be better without this bastard walking around." He nodded in Lex's direction as Lex bent to unlock his car door, seemingly oblivious. Pete stood between them.
"Come on, Troy. You guys need to calm down."
"Back off, Pete. We don't have to kiss up to him. He's not the boss here any more. Matter of fact, seems he couldn't even get that right." Trevor's dad worked at Plant # 3, an ex-jock with no education and little hope of re- employment without the factory.
Lex who had appeared to be ignoring everything, spoke up. "Look, everything will be fine. You just need to be patient. The plant will reopen soon, I'm sure." His tone was even and friendly but the boys didn't want explanations. Their secure worlds had taken a frightening turn and they saw Lex as the cause.
"Oh, you're going to fix it like you fixed my dad right out of a job. My mom was crying last night. You gonna fix that too?" The circle around Lex and Pete got smaller."
"Look guys, this isn't gonna help anything." Pete stepped in front of Lex. Lex half-smiled at the younger man's courage. No wonder he was best friends with Clark Kent.
"Stay out of it, Ross. What do you and your lawyer family know about doing without?" Troy shoved Pete aside and grabbed the lapel of Lex's jacket. Pete saw Lex wince, surprising him.
Troy assuming it was fear, chuckled. He was a bully and was truly confident when unopposed. Lex looked a little green.
"Can I help you gentlemen?" a uniformed police officer approached the group and Troy immediately took a step away.
Lex's voice seemed strained. "Every thing is fine officer. These young men were just wishing me good luck."
The group began to move away but Troy took one quick step forward elbowing Lex in the side. "Yeah. Good Luck." Lex's eyes closed and his lips tightened to the point where the skin whitened around them. Pete, sensing something wrong, turned to the officers to thank them and reassure them that everything was fine. Apparently Lana had called them from the Talon, seeing the group and knowing them as well as Pete. The police officer was satisfied and turned to leave telling him to say hello to his mother. Being the son of a judge did come in handy. He watched as Lex tried to seem casual while putting a lot of weight on the car to steady himself.
"Thank you, Mr. Ross." Again an odd tone in Lex's voice as if the words were forced past something.
"It's Pete, Lex. Seeing as, according to sources close to both of us, I once held you at gunpoint, I think first names are OK." Pete's grin was apologetic.
"I didn't know you knew about that." Lex's smile did not carry the voltage of Pete's but it was sincere. "Thank you for your help. I'm sorry but I have to go." Lex felt faint and knew he'd have to leave soon.
"Oh, no." Pete argued. "That's Clark's line. And it doesn't work on me. What's going on?"
Lex felt the pain killers he'd taken to make it to the meeting give out. "I have to go home." he said in a whisper and turned to get in the car moving too quickly and overbalancing against the car. Pete came up and put a hand on his waist to steady him. Lex almost fainted with the pain. The edges of his vision went black.
"You can go but I'd best do the driving." Pete helped him into the passenger seat taking the keys from unprotesting fingers. Lex slumped, happy to give up control for a few minutes. As Pete pulled out, taking a teenage moment to enjoy the Porsche, Lex leaned his head on the cool glass of the passsenger window.