It was getting late, and Emil had just past the ‘Crows Stadium’ on his way to the center of town. He had finally made it to what appeared to be the only hotel in the area. Emil walked into the lobby, and on his way to the front desk he saw the attendant. “Good evening sir, and welcome to the ‘Sullivan.’ Would you be getting a room tonight?”
Emil was happy to know the staff was friendly, for the way this establishment appeared on the outside he thought it would go against the idea that it employed cheery people. Sitting in his car looking at the hotel, Emil seriously contemplated on sleeping in the back seat for the night. But he remembered the adage ‘don’t judge a book by its cover.’
The lobby, unlike the outer structure, was well kept and the desk clerk well groomed. “Yes, I would very much like a room. For two nights please.”
He watched the desk clerk run her finger down a book. It appeared that she was looking for an empty section. Emil thought to himself that this place cannot be booked, for behind the clerk, he saw keys that were on hooks. Each key had a number above it, and from this he could tell that there were forty-eight keys. However, key number 26 was missing. “O.k. here we go,” said the clerk as she found an empty spot. “Room number 14 is unoccupied. He doesn’t have a great view, but the bed is one of the most comfortable we got. It’s a ‘Serta.’
“Great, number 14 it is.”
“That will be $60 for the two nights, sir.” Emil took out his wallet and handed her his Visa. “I’m terribly sorry sir, but we only accept cash.
“Are you serious? Who on earth keeps cash on them anymore? All I have is a twenty.”
“Well sir, the bank opens up at 8a.m. You can use their ATM once they open. Then you can pay your bill.”
Amazed, Emil asked, “You mean to tell me that I can get a room tonight, go to the bank tomorrow and come back to pay the bill?”
“Yes sir. That is our policy for anyone who checks in after 5p.m.”
Still shocked at their honor system, Emil asked, “Is that the only ATM in town?”
“Yes sir. It’s the only ATM and the only bank in town.”
Emil thought to himself that they don’t call this town ‘Smallville’ for nothing. The desk clerk handed Emil his room key. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Does this hotel have room service?”
“I’m sorry but we don’t. But there is a twenty-four hour diner right up the road. The patrons are mainly truck drivers that ride on the interstate.”
“Thank you, but I think I’ll just be heading up to my room.”
As Emil turn to leave he heard her say, “Enjoy your stay.”
______________________________________________________________________
Martha knocked on Clark’s door as she stuck her head in. When her eyes found Clark over by his desk she sang, “Happy birthday to you…”
“Please mom, I’m on the phone with Lana. Besides, I still have three hours ‘til it’s officially my birthday.”
“Alright Clark. But don’t stay on the phone too late with Lana. I’m sure Mr. Lang wouldn’t think a respectful young man would keep his daughter up all hours of the night.”
“Yes ma’am.” After Martha left Clark’s room, he said, “Sorry about that Lana. That was just my mom. I swear, I’m going to be eighteen tomorrow, and she still treats me like I’m seven.”
“Oh, Clark, your mom just cares is all. You know it’s a shame your parents could never get a hold of your biological birth certificate. Didn’t you once tell me that your parents actually thought you’re a year older than you are?”
“Yeah, they thought that I was bigger than usual. They believe that I started school when I was six instead of five. But had I, then we wouldn’t have graduated together.”
“That’s true. I don’t know what you’d have done without me.”
“I’d probably still be waiting for my first kiss.”
“Why Clark Kent, don’t you be fresh,” Lana said jokingly. “Besides, I only let you kiss me ‘cause I felt sorry for you.”
“Oh really? Well what about the second time? Did you feel sorry for me then too?”
“Clark…oh hold on a second.” Clark heard Lana lay the phone down and start to talk to someone. “Clark, that was my dad. I have to go.”
“That’s alright. Will you still make it for my party tomorrow?”
“I wouldn’t miss if for the world. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Lana.” After Clark hung up the phone, he ran at super speed over to Lana’s house. He was suspended in air as he looked into her second floor bedroom window. He was just in time to see Lana hang up the phone. He watched as she took a picture off her dresser mirror and kiss it. As she put it back, he noticed it was his high school picture. Directly after, Lana stood up and shut the light off. Smiling, Clark flew home.
______________________________________________________________________
The alarm clock that he set the night before had just gone off. Emil sat up in bed and reached over to look at the time. In the same motion, he shut the alarm off. He began his daily routine by showering and shaving before he headed off down to the lobby.
On his way to the desk clerk he heard again, “Good morning sir, and welcome to the ‘Sullivan.’ Would you be getting a room today?”
Emil thought that this man must not have seen him get off the elevator. “I just spent the night here, but I have to make a trip to the bank to pay my bill for last night. Can you tell me if there is any good place to eat around here?”
“Well, there’s the Café on Farmington Road, but that doesn’t open until eleven. There’s also the hospital cafeteria which is in the hospital. That’s located on Farmington Drive. But you have to be either a patient or a doctor to eat there. And we got a twenty-four hour diner right up the road. Most of the cross country truck drivers stop in there since it’s not too far off the interstate.”
“Let me guess. The diner’s on Farmington Ave.”
Not getting the sarcasm, the clerk said very seriously, “No sir, Farmington Ave is in the opposite direction. The diner’s on Main Street.”
Ignoring this information, Emil asked, “Can you just point me in the direction of the bank?”
“Yes, sir. When you exit the lobby, make a left. When you come to the corner, go left and you’ll see the bank half way up the street. You can’t miss it.”
Emil simply said, “Thank you very much. I’ll be back shortly to pay my bill.”
______________________________________________________________________
Normally on his birthday Clark would have had the day off from his chores. But since the passing of his father, there was a lot more that needed to get done around the farm. However, he did manage to get everything done by lunch. When it came to his chores, Clark didn’t like to work at super speed, for being out in the middle of nowhere, life could get a little boring having nothing to do.
It was a few hours before his friends and family would be coming over to celebrate his eighteenth birthday. Martha was in the kitchen preparing lunch. She had just finished putting the icing on the homemade cake when Clark had walked in.
“Mmm. Something sure smells good. Is that fried chicken perhaps?”
“Now Clark, go get washed up before you get dirt all over my clean…” Martha felt a big breeze that went through her hair, “kitchen.”
“All washed up, mom.” Martha looked quickly behind her and saw that Clark was now sitting at the table. He had completely showered and changed his clothes in an instant.
“Stunts like this are why I treat you like a seven year old,” Martha said.
“What? How’d you know…”
“You’re not the only one with super hearing, boy,” she said with a smile. “I’ll be right back, Clark. Don’t go anywhere.” Martha left the kitchen and was gone for about three minutes. She came back to the table that Clark was sitting at and gave him a package that was wrapped with a bow.
“Mom, don’t you want to wait for the party?”
“This one can’t wait. Go on and open it.” Martha said as she pushed it a bit closer to him.
Clark looked at his mother with a bit of curiosity as he tore off the wrapping paper. When he got down to the gift box, he lifted off the top. Clark had seen this symbol before on his black and white blanket that he came wrapped in; however, this was the first time that he saw it in color. The marking of El was in bright red over a yellow background that made the letter ‘S’ stand out. He thought it perfectly portrayed the red sun of Krypton uniting with the yellow sun of Earth.
Clark stood up and unfolded the rest of his costume and held it up against himself. “What do ya think, ma?”
“Looks like a perfect fit. Why not try it on? You still have some time before Lana and the rest of your guests get here.”
“I’ll be right down.”
“Oh, Clark…I think you’re going to need these as well.” Martha hands Clark another bag, but this one is much taller and slender.
“What on earth is in here?”
“Well, I didn’t think your Nikes would coordinate well with your new suit.” Clark took both the box and the bag and just went up to his room to change. Martha bent down to pick up some of the wrapping paper off the floor, and as she was reaching for it she saw the tips of two big red boots from under the table beside some of the befallen paper. In the same bent position, she said, “Looks like I made the right size.”
As she was getting up, Clark said, “It fits perfect, and I like the color you added to the crest.”
“Now all that is missing is a name. What are you gonna call yourself?”
“Well, I was thinking about that for awhile now and after listening to Jor-El, I’m supposed to be a man of tomorrow, a man of the people. So, I decided to let the people give me a name.”
Martha started to talk, but Clark wasn’t listening. Instead, he heard the sound of a car coming from up the road. “Mom,” Clark interrupted. “Someone’s coming.”
“I don’t see anyone,” she said as she went over to peer out the window. And within seconds, she saw some dirt being uplifted by an unseen vehicle over the corn field. “Whoever it is, they’re early.”
Clark said simply, “I just ran and checked. It’s that Professor Hamilton.”
______________________________________________________________________
She opened the door and was greeted by a man that she hoped she’d never see or hear from again. “Good day Mrs. Kent. I don’t know if you remember me…”
“Yes, I remember you quite well.”
Noticing the impoliteness in her tone, he said, “Oh, well I was wondering if I might have a word with your husband or son.”
“They’re not home,” she said rather rudely.
“I’m sorry, but I noticed that your truck is still here. Wouldn’t they need to use it if they stepped out?”
“’Roun’ these parts we also go by horse. And how dare you come to my door and insinuate…”
Interrupting Clark said, “It’s o.k. mom. He’s clean.”
Martha looked behind her at Clark, and she noticed he was back in his ordinary clothes. “You sure you checked him good?” she asked as they both stared at a now confused Emil.
“Oh yeah. He ain’t got so much as a paper clip on him.” Clark then turns to Emil, “So, what can we do for you?”
“That’s just it! It’s not what you can do for me, but rather what I can do for you.”
“What, you come to plow our fields?” asked Clark.
“Why exactly are you here?” followed Martha.
Emil looked around and asked, “Wouldn’t you want to include your husband in on this conversation?”
Martha looked at Clark and said, “My husband is no longer with us Professor.”
Realizing the ‘us’ comment the Professor understood that Jonathan had passed away. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”
“Why don’t you just say what you have to? My mother and I are quite busy today.”
“Well yes, it is your birthday, isn’t it?”
“Land’s sakes, how on earth did you know that?” asked Martha.
“Mrs. Kent, I know a lot more about your son then you think.”
Clark got angry and looked directly in the Professor’s eyes, “You don’t know a thing about me.”
“Clark, I think we should give the Professor a chance to inform us on what exactly he think he knows. Please Professor, won’t you come in and have a seat?”
“Thank you, it is awfully hot out here.”
______________________________________________________________________
I woke up with a massive hang over. I skipped breakfast and had lunch served to me. It wasn’t until dinner time that I decided to venture out of my room and head down to the dining area. I passed the main doors and noticed a guard standing post. “Hey, you, guard. Where’s Frederick?”
“Good afternoon. Frederick has the day off. He gave me instructions to take his place. I’m to be your personal guard and chauffeur for the day.”
“Am I still drunk, or are you a girl?”
“The name’s Officer Graves, sir. I was hired last night by your head security officer.”
Rubbing my head I said, “Good lord, I thought that was a dream.”
“No sir, not at all.”
“Well, whatever. Are you ready for your first assignment?”
“Absolutely sir. What do you need of me?”
Pointing to the door, I said, “Go get me my paper and tell George I’ll be having veal tonight.” I watched her walk away in disappointment. Perhaps thinking that this would be an important task I had for her.
I went over to the table to await my meal and paper, and George brought me a drink on the same round serving tray he always used. He stood there a bit longer than normal. That’s when I knew he had something on his mind. “That will be all George, unless you have something to share.”
“Sir, may I speak freely?”
“You know me, George. If it’s free then I’m all ears.”
“Sir, I’m concerned.”
I placed my drink on the table and sat back to hear what this quiet man had to say. “Oh, what about?”
“Well, sir, I have been hearing you scream in your sleep. Most of the time you’re calling out for Ms. Lane. The other times, it’s as if you’re fighting with, with...”
Eager to know, I asked, “Who George? Who do you hear me fighting with?”
“Your father, sir. You say the most callous words. When in life, he’s shown you nothing but love.”
“Love!” I shouted.
“I’m sorry sir. I didn’t mean to upset you. Maybe I should…”
“That bastard has shown me nothing except how his wallet can keep me away. Keep me in the hospitals, keep me at boarding schools, and keep me watched over by his staff. I don’t recall a single moment he ever spent with me. He spent more time with his charities then he did with me. My father’s expression of love was shown around the world except for in his own home. And I’m going to show the world exactly where it was that he failed in life. And then I’ll show him when I’m more powerful and have more money than he ever dreamed.”
With a short sigh, “And that will be your downfall, sir. Your father never cared about the money. Money isn’t what killed him. But, I fear it will kill you.”
I said surprised, “Kill me? Lex Luthor! The richest man in Metropolis.” I leaned in a bit closer and said, “It’s not the money that kills, George. It’s the not knowing what to do with it that kills.”
George had much sadness in his eyes. For a man in his late sixties, he’s seen too much war and hatred in the world to continue living out his remaining days in a house with a man devoted to stay on a path of obvious self destruction. “I’m truly sorry, sir. In a way, I hope you’re right. However, I’m going to have to tender my resignation. I refuse to see my friend’s son hurt himself so.”
I watched George set his tray on the table and simply turned with a silent goodbye. He didn’t even say another word. I wanted to tell him not to leave, but then I remembered that everyone leaves. It’s only a matter of time. But no one walks out on me, no one forms an alliance with my father to prevail against me! I felt myself arising from the table and headed slowly toward George. I could feel the sense of anger growing stronger every second. I thought of my father never caring. I thought of Lindsay dying because of my orders. I thought of being alone for ever. I realized now that I can’t trust anybody; there’s no one left to trust. First I’ll rule from my board room then I rule from the White House. And soon enough, I rule from my throne. No one will tell me no. No one will walk out on me. No one will get a chance to say goodbye. “George!” I screamed. “You’re not going anywhere!” I raced down the hall to catch up to George.
“Sir?” All George could do was to see me stampede his way. His arms went up in self defense. “What are you doing?”
I watched myself take my hands and wrap them around his neck. I squeezed tighter as he clawed at my wrists. I heard a sound and looked up toward the front door as I continued to suck whatever little life was left inside this old man. His face now pale and his open eyes saw nothing but darkness.
I’ve killed men before both directly and indirectly; however, this was the first where I used my bare hands. And it felt good. For a moment, I almost forgot about Mercy standing watch down at the other end of the corridor. She heard the struggle between us and came racing down the hall. With a smile I said, “You work for me, remember that!”
She had an ill expression on her face as she noticed what had happened. She dropped the paper she was bringing back to me, and her hands covered her mouth in pure shock. She looked back at me then a quick look around where she was. Mercy regained her composure and remembered how much she was getting paid, “Did he have any family?”
“What’s it to you?” I asked.
“Just that it would be less messy if he doesn’t. There would be no one to explain anything to.”
I don’t think I’ve ever been caught off guard like this in a long time. Did she actually say this? I watched as the fear and panic fled from her face and was replaced by stone cold balls of steel.
“Lex, go have a drink. I’ll try and get in touch with Frederick. Don’t worry; we’ll get this taken care of.”
Somewhere between our conversation, George’s body fell to the floor. I went over to Mercy and said, “You try to screw me and…”
“Lex, I work for you. Nothing you do needs to be explained to me.”
She didn’t even flinch when I came closer to her. She stood perfectly still continually making eye contact. “Forget Frederick.” I pulled a key from my pocket and handed it to her. “This unlocks the basement. There you’ll find a furnace. Why don’t you warm up our friend George?” After all, making her an accomplice is better than killing her.
Mercy took the key, went over to George and began to drag him to the basement door. As I walked back to finish my drink, I realized that she called me Lex, twice. Why didn’t I notice it at the time and why didn’t it bother me? But, it was nice to hear my name spoken by a female voice again.
______________________________________________________________________
The two were sitting across from Emil listening to him reveal everything he thought he knew about Clark. Emil didn’t hold anything back, and he laid all his cards on the table and waited for them to respond and see just how accurate he was.
“Professor Hamilton…,” Martha began.
Emil stopped her and said, “Mrs. Kent, with everything that only I know, I want you to consider me a friend. If you’ll agree, please, call me Emil.”
“How should we consider you a friend after your last visit? You could have killed Clark.”
A little embarrassed he said, “I know that wasn’t a friendly thing to do, but look at it from my point of view. What was I suppose to do? Say, hello, my name is Professor Hamilton, and I think your son is an alien.
“Look, I did what I did to see if I was right. But mind you, I only brought with me a small piece of the meteorite. I calculated that it would take a much larger piece, say the size of a beach ball to kill your son instantly. And that would take a whole lot of hauling. The small pieces alone are quite heavy.”
Clark then asked, “So, what do you want?”
Emil shook his head, “Nothing. I just want to help you.”
“Help me?” asked Clark. “Even if I needed any help, why would you want to?”
“I did a lot of thinking, and I realized that anyone with this kind of special ability could do anything. And if this person, especially one your age or older, hasn’t caused any havoc yet then I don’t suppose they will.”
“You mean just because I haven’t tried to rob a bank or hurt anyone…”
Emil shook his head, “I was thinking much bigger. Like because you haven’t tried to take over the world.” Emil then looked over at Martha, “And may I say congratulations Mrs. Kent on doing an extraordinary job on raising such an extraordinary person.
“Listen, Clark, I don’t want to take up too much of your time. Especially today. Yes, I want to help you, but I would need to learn from you.”
Martha reached out and grabbed Clark’s hand out of concern, “You mean study him. Don’t you?”
“Mrs. Kent please, I don’t want you to think of it that way. It will just be me doing the work. My lab tech will be there to help with some minor calculations and reports as well. And not that I would be able to stop him, but Clark would be free to go whenever he pleased.”
Clark asked, “What about the meteorites you have? They could stop me.”
“Yes, I am aware; however, I no longer have access to them. All I have is the small one that I brought here last time. Someone more powerful has the rest. If he unlocks what these rocks are capable of, there would be no stopping him. He’s not worried about finding out the long term side effects these could potentially have on the human race.” Clark and Martha looked at each other. Martha had fear in her eyes, and Clark felt that all of this was his fault. “Listen we need to stop him. I believe I’ve made an instrument that you could use to block the harmful radiation that seeps out from these rocks that can kill you. You need to retrieve the meteorites and stop him. You’re the only one who can. He’s hurt and killed more people than I can imagine.”
Clark didn’t like the sound of someone who could do something like that, someone who is unstoppable. Clark asked, “Who is this person? What’s his name?”
“He is the richest person in Metropolis, Lex Luthor.”
Clark and Martha both remembered him stopping by and talking with Jonathan. Clark didn’t like him the moment he laid eyes on him. And he remembered the pain and struggle he helped cause on the Lang farm. Clark stood up and said, “Emil, I’m in! Let’s bring down Lex Luthor once and for all.”
Emil smiled and said, “That’s great. We could leave first thing tomorrow and head over to S.T.A.R. Labs.”
“I’m afraid Clark’s going to have to meet you there, Professor. I want him to enjoy the rest of his birthday, and then I’m going to have nice talk with him,” said Martha.
Clark looked confused at Martha but knew that he would be in for a good lecture. Emil said, “O.k. whatever you decide. How will I find you, Clark?”
“You won’t, Emil. I’ll find you.”
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