Chapter 6

"Clark, have a seat." Perry White never even looked up as Clark entered the room. He was looking through some papers on his desk with great interest. Clark sat down, folded his hands in his lap, and waited.

"Clark?" The older man finally broke the silence. "We go back a long way, you and I. You've seen me at my very worst. And I've seen you…" He let the thought hang in the air between them.

"Mr. White, I—"

"It's Perry…or chief…or even old man, if you want. Clark, we haven't had more than a few words with each other since I came to the Daily Planet. Now, I've gone back and looked at your past work. I must say it's rather good, but I was a little disappointed in it." His eyes finally left the pages in front of him, and he looked at Clark expectantly.

"Disappointed, sir?" Clark gripped the arms of the chair.

"Yes. You see, I know you can accomplish so much more than this. I probably know that better than anyone. I know exactly what you are capable of, and I'm just not seeing it here." He gestured to the papers on the desk. It was only then that Clark realized the papers were all print-outs of his own work.

"I'm sorry, sir. I'll try to do better."

"No, you misunderstand me. Better is not what I'm after here. I want you to report what you know, what you see, the happenings that only you can report. I want you to quit giving way to Lois in just about everything you do. I assure you, the girl doesn't even know you're doing it. And, if she did, she wouldn't respect you for it."

"I'm not sure what you mean, Mr. Whi…" The man shot him a warning look. "I mean, Perry."

"I gave you both the Superman interview as a test." Clark watched Perry's mouth contort into a strange smile. "Want to tell me why you didn't even go to the interview with her?" Clark had always wondered what the phrase "a twinkle in his eye" meant; now he knew. Perry's eyes were doing just that – twinkling.

Clark's face remained serious. This was no game. "Mr…P-Perry, I didn't go because—"

"Clark, I always expect the truth from my reporters." Perry pointed a warning finger at him.

"The truth is, Perry, it would have been difficult for me to go with her. I had an appointment at that time myself." There! He'd done it without lying. "She did a good job on her own. She didn't need me to go with her."

"Very good." Perry White smiled and dropped a fist on his desk lightly. "Yes, she did. That article has Kerth award all over it and maybe even a Pulitzer. And you let the girl have it all to herself."

"I don't think I could have written an article like that, sir."

"No. No, I suppose you couldn't have." Clark noted that he'd placed just the slightest emphasis on the word 'you.' "Well, at any rate, you're going to get plenty more chances. I'm teaming you two permanently and moving you upstairs. I expect big things from the two of you. But somehow I think you both could use a bit more privacy than the basement affords you. Lois has the keys to your new office. The partner's desk will be arriving in a few days. You'll have to make due in the basement until then, I'm afraid."

Clark didn't move. It was all a bit much to take in all at once.

Perry's attention was back on the papers in front of him. "You have something else to tell me, Clark?"

"No, sir."

"Then get to it. Lois has the new assignment. Remember, big things!" Clark got up and headed for the door. "And, Clark, the biggest thing of all right now – you do know what it is?"

Clark opened his mouth, but he really didn't know what answer Perry wanted from him.

"It's Superman, Clark Kent, Superman!"