Beyond Camp Randall Chap 17
A/N: This story is all written, 20 chapters. The rest will be posted shortly.
FINISHING JUNIOR YEAR
KENT FARM
Clark and Lana are spending July 4th down on the farm. They have invited Chloe and Oliver to join them. Martha is in her element feeding 6 people; she had baked for a week, storing all sorts of goodies in the freezer.
Much to their chagrin, Jonathon has put Clark and Ollie to work doing chores. Clark can barely contain himself as he watches Ollie much out the horses' stalls. The girls poke their heads into the barn and giggle; Ollie gives them the side eye. Martha, wisely, stays in her kitchen.
Clark and Lana grabbed dibs on the loft for sleeping, Chloe & Oliver got Clark's remodeled room with its queen bed. The Queens on a queen. Get it?
Jonathon and Martha had wondered about entering a float in the July 4th Smallville parade, but decided against it. They all watched the parade from prime seats in front of the Talon. Afterwards they enjoyed a treat in the coffee shop. Chloe & Ollie opted for an a-la-mode piece of Martha's apple pie; the others chose various other sweet treats. They then piled into the pickup and returned to the farm; they planned to talk, helping Clark and Lana sort out their options and develop a Life Plan.
HELPING PEOPLE, FIGHTING CRIME
As the kids had talked in prep for this discussion, this broad topic had risen to the top. Clark's special abilities, Lana's enhanced physical prowess & Investigative Journalism all fall under this umbrella. It seems that working as members of the Justice League makes a world of sense; to organize their efforts and to minimize the risk of burnout. Everyone was in agreement that membership should be pursued; Chloe will get them an application and process that ASAP.
KENT FARM
Lana is anxious to learn what farming is all about; she would like to work side-by-side with Clark and her future in-laws. Besides increasing her knowledge base, this will be excellent exercise and help her gradually increase her strength. Jonathon is a little surprised, pleasantly so.
Lana also wants to work with Martha in the kitchen. Enhanced culinary skills will be a real asset as she approaches marriage and family life. Clark is ecstatic when she makes this desire known.
The two families will work together on a schedule, i.e. when Clark and Lana will be spending time on the farm.
Martha and Jonathon can hardly believe their ears!
INCOME/ART
Earning an income to support his new, little family (pending the wedding) has been troubling Clark for some time. He has his foot in the door at the Daily Planet, but significant $$$ seem a way off. Journalism has been his dream for as long as he can remember.
But recently his eyes have been opened by the success he and Lana have achieved through the sale of their art work. He has always considered art to be his hobby; but the results of the two shows (Talon in Smallville & Metropolis) have shown both of them that 'hobby' is too narrow a vision.
Lex had paid $25,000 for the portrait of his mother. Clark and Mrs. Morgan (SHS art instructor) both consider that price to be high; Lex could afford that, most people who might want a high-quality portrait could not. After conferring with his 'advisors', Clark chose to advertise portrait services for $15,000 per portrait. They would see what the community response & demand would be. He decided that he would start out doing 2 portraits per month, each on a weekend day. This way he would preserve as much family time as possible.
He was stunned by the results. Within 2 weeks he was booked solid through the weekend before Thanksgiving. He blacked-out December through New Years. He had planned to use their loft apartment as a studio; but with the response being so great, he spoke with the manager of the apartments and rented a 1-bed efficiency to use as a studio. In that space there was room for Lana to use for her projects also.
DAILY PLANET
The last thing discussed when the 6 were together in Smallville was working for the Daily Planet. Perry White had a scheme wherein Clark would be teamed with Lois Lane; the Planet's premier investigative reporter. In order for this to really work Lois, Perry and maybe James Olsen (owner & publisher) would need to know of Clark's plan to help people through his powers; otherwise, his occasional absences from work would seem to be dereliction of duty. They hoped his origin would remain a secret, however. This presented a real conundrum for Clark and Lana. They had no background with any of the three. They had no reason to trust, or mistrust any of them. They needed to rely on their friends and family for advice on who can be trusted.
A/N: The following is the Life Plan Clark & Lana will start out with. Following chapters will flesh out how they came to this conclusion. Therefore, this section can be safely SKIPPED and come back to for future reference.
LIFE PLAN, 1st PHASE
Clark & Lana
Join the Justice League; become active members.
Schedule time at the farm.
Lana working with Martha primarily; some work with the men.
Clark working with Jonathon.
Art work.
Clark follows portrait schedule. Increases or modifies as needed.
Lana improves her sculpting.
Both participate in 2 art shows per year.
Daily Planet.
Clark continues weekly Sunday column.
Clark & Lois work on developing their partnership.
Lana submits the occasional caricature as requested.
TBC Metropolis University Seniors