Chapter 3 [Loft]
Clark sank back into the old couch's pillows. Weekend's toil wore even on his Kryptonian stamina. Consideration allowed him to put Travers' and Taylor's advice into context. He'd sandwiched drafts in between chores and tasks for parents, Lana and farm. In fact, with Lana's blessing and Lex's help, he rushed to Wichita and sat with his friends at the Symphony's Holiday Concert. He interviewed Sam, her conductor, and a few other symphony members after the performance.
Not for the first (or probably the last) time, his prose disappointed him. Beside him, Pulitzer's and Assembly's articles sat ready to go. Rough drafts scribbled across now-crumpled sheets from yellow pads. Text on screen proofed, revised and revised again. The aforementioned printed pages and attached photos represented his best attempted first steps toward Journalism's standard.
How does Chloe do this? He scratched his head. He poured over the interview notes for the dozenth time. Most newspapers have a dozen reporters at least. She did it by herself with occasional help from Pete, Lana and me. How did she do this? He took a big gulp from his mug.
Jor-El, at least, left him in peace on that particular afternoon….
That's something. I… He heard footsteps echoing up the wooden stairs. He glanced up from his labors to spy Lex watching him in turn with two Talon to-go cups in his hand. "Lex?"
"Hey, Clark. Figured I'd check up on the Torch's budding Editor-in-Chief." Lex sauntered across the worn floorboards. "Making progress?"
Clark raised an eyebrow. Sarcasm's snort sputtered from him. "Trying to. The assembly and Pulitzer articles are done. I'm just trying to put the one together now from last night's concert. I'm trying to get Sam in the best light." He sucked in a deep breath. "Sorry, Lex. You didn't deserve that. I just feel like I'm failing Chloe and everyone."
Lex frowned. He could see Frustration and Caring carved into Clark's face. Exasperation clearly rang through the latter's tone. "If everyone cared like you do, we'd have a lot less failure. Trust me. You're doing great. In this case, you happen to have a learning curve. On top of that, you researched and wrote two news articles in a weekend. Then, you're working on a third one. Yeah, that would burn anyone out." He handed Clark a cup. "Take a break on me. I stopped by the Talon a few minutes ago. I think you might have another new recruit."
"Lana texted me. Let's hope that girl shows up." Clark took a deep drink from his cup. Coffee broke Thirst's parched grip on his mouth and throat. Caffeine eased his nerves. "Thanks, Lex. I needed that." He set the cup down. "I just want to keep the standards up."
"Have faith. Chloe would tell you to do your best. It's your paper now." He picked up the finished articles. "Let's see. Mind if I grab some couch?"
"Sure, Lex. Feel free to shred them." Clark pushed himself over to allow Lex to sit down.
"Give yourself a break. Let me read them first." Lex allowed Clark a shrug. He settled onto the old couch. He drank from his own coffee. Then, he dove into the articles. The assembly article offered decent coverage of the event. Chloe's, Peter's, Jasmine's and Travers' insights fleshed out the piece. The Pulitzer article summarized the award's history. Again, Travers along with Taylor and Jenkins provided tidbits and information about the Planet's connections to the award as well as its previous winners. Despite Clark's self-flagellation, Lex found the articles easy to read and understand. "I don't know why you're getting so down on yourself. Yeah, maybe your wording could be a little better. For a high school paper, these are fine as is. You want a suggestion?"
"At this point, Lex, I'll take anything," Skepticism furrowed Clark's brow. His hand rubbed the back of his neck. His eyes pleaded for tips from his friend.
Lex nodded. "You really should take that Journalism class with Mrs. Donnelly. Peter raves about her. At least, see if she'll talk with your group. Speaking of talking to the group, maybe you might think about talking with Dave Dubois? Man's been where you are. He even put an issue of the Amherst High paper together in the Torch's newsroom back in 1981. You heard George Taylor, right? Take advantage of that experience and information. And Chloe's around too." He took another gulp. "I talked to Nadia just now. She's really excited that you're giving her a chance. Sounds promising. She was an editor back in Iowa apparently."
"That's something else I was debating, Lex." Clark squirmed. "I was going to email her old paper's Editor-in-Chief. Maybe he could give me a reference? I hate digging around behind her back. As far as I'm concerned, Nadia's definitely on the staff. I just want to know what she's good at. What did she do there?" He threw his hands up. "If she's been an editor, I might just make her one again."
"You should ask Nadia first. Otherwise, sounds like a great idea. Great managers know their people. They have them do what they're best at. Meantime, they can improve on the follower's weaknesses." A chuckle escaped from Lex. "You've been hitting the beach pretty hard the last week or so. I overheard your interviews with Sam and the Symphony members. So did Chloe. She was telling me how impressed she was on the way back last night. Maybe you should take that endorsement?"
"Yeah well, I'm just figuring about Interview 101." Clark pointed at his interview notes. Once again, Sensitivity picked up on Lex's heart skipping at the mention of Chloe. Lex really liked that. Chloe has feelings too? What's going on? He managed to bury his reaction. "Maybe I'll sit in on Mrs. Donnelly's class on that day?"
"I'd say sit in on the whole semester. Just saying. There might be a future in this for you." Lex took another draught from his mug.
"Lex, I'm going to be a farmer." Clark shook the reporter notion off. "Now you're sounding like Mr. Reynolds." That reference sagged on his mood. A frown twisted at the sides of his mouth.
"Ouch." Lex raised an eyebrow. "Well, Mr. Reynolds was always insidious in his own way. Harry Osborn knew him too. We were just talking about the essay assignment the other day." His eyes rolled. "But is that Reynolds talking or your Dad? Clark, you're still you. Hey. Maybe you might be a farmer. I think you'd be great at it. It's a big world out there. Look around. Especially with what you can do, the world's your oyster." A shrug punctuated the statement.
"Yeah. I know. Thanks." A rueful smirk turned the previous frown upside down on Clark's face. "Guess it's like Peter's deal with his aunt. Mrs. Parker's still stuck on him being a scientist. And then there's the whole 'taking pictures of Spider-Man' deal." He gulped from his coffee on that note. "It's like my Dad just wanting Lana and me to act human-normal. Well, we're not. Wish he'd get that." Again, his head shook. "You should see him talking with Professor Dubois when she's here from New York." He winced.
Lex conceded a nod. "I can imagine. We've talked about that too. Where Peter's concerned, he knows there's a place waiting for him at LexCorp. All he has to do is ask. Same with Gwen. They're finding their own way. It's going to be okay, Clark. Same with you. You may have more powers than anyone. You also have to get in and out of situations too. You're dealing with scrutiny. I used to say you were the luckiest person I knew. Guess I know why now." He motioned again toward the note pile. "Be patient with yourself. Think you'll see that you do a lot of good in the world. You've done more than I'd expect from you in a weekend already. That concert article's just a bonus. No pressure, Clark. Text Lana. Maybe ask Nadia about getting that reference?"
"Okay." Clark pulled out his phone. His fingers typed, 'Hey, Lana. Sorry about the text. Lex is watching. Think Nadia can have a minute? I need to ask her something about the Torch.' He pressed send. "There it goes."
"Great. See? Everything's in motion. I'll let you work, Atticus. Thanks for coming with us last night." Lex toasted with his cup.
"Thanks for the coffee and the advice. It may not seem like it but it's helping." Clark grinned at him.
"Just doing what friends do, Clark. Good luck with that last article and the meeting tomorrow. Let me know what happens." Lex turned and walked back down the stairs.
Doing what friends do. Yeah. It's nice to have people who know and watching out for Lana and me. Clark drank from his cup. His phone's ringing stirred him from Reverie's embrace. "Hello?"
"Hi, Clark. It's Nadia. Lana said you wanted me to text. Something going on?" Nadia glanced at Lana and the counter. Fortunately, the Talon had settled into a lull at that point. Worries and Changes of Editorial Mindset concerned her.
"Not much. I'm writing up some articles for the next issue. Just a couple of questions. Back in Iowa, were you an editor on your paper? Maybe you told me. Sorry if I spaced it." Clark raised his pen.
"No problem. I was the Features editor last year. You can email the Editor-in-Chief. Matt'll fill you in. I have some of the past issues. They're also online if you want samples." Nadia nodded to Lana.
"That's great! Hey. I didn't want to email back there without asking you first. I just want to see what everyone has for experience. I want this to be a team effort." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Can you send me that web address and bring those papers with you tomorrow? I'll email back to Des Moines. Again, this doesn't change anything about you being on the staff. You're in. I'm going to ask everyone for samples of what they can do. I just asked you first."
"Sure, Clark. I appreciate that. Absolutely! Can I text you that info after work?" Nadia noted the building line. "Sorry. Lana needs my help. See you tomorrow."
"Sure. Thanks, Nadia. Appreciate how you're helping Lana. Great job there. See you later." He hung up. He flipped through the notes. This might actually work! He opened his laptop. His fingers danced across the keyboard once more.
Details to follow….