Chapter 4

(Chloe and Pete are sitting at a table in the Talon.  Resting open on the table is a rather large book which Chloe is reading.  She looks quite interested.  Clark enters and looks around.  Seeing them, he approaches.  They look up.)

Chloe (Smiling): "Clark!  How's Smallville's favorite farm-boy today?"

Clark (Sounding slightly distracted and distant, his smile is half-hearted.): "Fine, I'm fine."

Pete (Looking up at Clark): "Something wrong, Clark?  Last time I saw you like this you were getting ready to leave for Metropolis."

Clark: "Yeah, I'm fine."

(Looking for something to change the subject, Clark sees Chloe's book.)

Clark: "Looks like a real page turner you've got there, Chloe."

Chloe (Smiling a toothy grin): "Huh?  Oh yeah, right, it sure is."

(She sees Clark looks interested.)

Chloe: "It's, uh, 'Unexplained'."

Clark (Slightly interested, but just wanting to talk about anything except for what is really on his mind): "Seems right up your alley.  What's it about?"

Chloe: "A ton of strange, unexplained phenomenon.  It's by Jerome Clark."

Clark: "I think I've heard that name before."

Chloe: "He used to work for the government, investigating anything they couldn't explain."

Clark (Smiling): "Sounds like a dream job for you."

(Chloe smiles again.  Clark looks over her shoulder and sees Lana approaching, a tray balanced on her hand with several steaming mugs on it.)

Clark: "Lana, hey."

Lana: "Hi Clark."

(A slight pause occurs in which they are looking at each other.  Chloe goes back to reading and Pete picks up his mug, taking a sip.)

Lana: "So, everything alright, Clark?  You looked a bit scared last night."

(Chloe and Pete glance up at Clark.)

Clark: "Yeah, I'm alright."

Lana: "What was it?"

Clark (hesitating): "Just a head ache."

Lana (Seeing his hesitation.): "Clark?  Can we talk?"

(Lana sees Pete and Chloe busy themselves, pretending not to listen.)

Lana: "Alone?"

(Clark gets up and they walk over to the counter.  Lana sets the drinks down.)

Lana: "Clark, last night..."

(She thinks about what to say.)

Lana: "Was there something you wanted to tell me?"

Clark (Once again, hesitating): "I just wanted to say how scared I was when I found you."

Lana (Looking at him like she was expecting something else): "Yeah, I was too."

(She continues looking at him, expecting more.)

Clark: "Well, I better go do my chores."

Lana (Briefly shaking her head, the questioning look she had fades and is replaced by a smile) "OK."

(Clark turns and begins walking towards the door.)

Lana: "Clark?"

(He turns around to face her.)

Lana: "I was wondering, do you want to, maybe, go to a movie, or... something?"

Clark (Smiling, the burden that was on his face temporarily fading): "Yeah.  I'd like that."

Lana (Looking slightly relieved) "Okay then.  Meet me here at seven."

(Clark smiles and leaves, briefly nodding to Chloe and Pete as he exits.)