Awwgust Drabbles

Wildcard

"Alright everybody, gather around listen up," Perry waved everyone over to him.

Clark stayed seated, he could hear him just fine where he was. There was still an echo in his ears from the police videotape. He didn't understand how such an annoying sound could put anyone to sleep.

"Nominations for the Kerth Investigative Journalism Prize are in," Perry smiled to each of his reporters, his gaze lingering on Clark. "And I'm  happy to announce one of our own has gotten the nod."

Lois beamed with pride. Clark smiled at her, but she refused to meet his eyes. They sat right next to each other, but she might as well have been on a different planet.

"So let's have a big round of applause. . ." Perry held his breath. Lois stood ready to gloat. "For Mr. Clark Kent."

Did he just step into the Twilight Zone? This has got to be a prank. Lois' smile crumbled, jaw slack with shock. Jimmy clapped Clark on the back and congratulated him. Cat blew him a kiss and clapped. "Well, come along, Clark, don't be shy. Stand up."

Perry pulled him out of his seat. Clark stumbled and knocked over the cup of pencils on his desk. "You know, you stand a real good chance of winning this." He didn't want to win if it meant digging an even deeper trench between Lois and him. Perry shook his hand vigorously. "That retirement home scandal –"

"WAIT!" Lois explained. "He got nominated for the retirement home piece?"

"He certainly did," Perry smiled like a proud father. "It was first class journalism. Emotional wallop."

"Good pictures too!" Jimmy added. "They didn't happen to mention . . ." Jimmy bit his lower lip nervously.

"Olsen. That was your first photo assignment," Perry said. "Even Secretariat didn't win the first purse the first time out."

"Who?" Jimmy asked.

"Boy am I glad you're not in sports," Perry said.

"Now, Lois don't you have anything to say to Clark?" Perry looked at her meaningfully.

"Clark . . . I uh," Lois played with her hair. "I'm very . .. uh." she fixed his tie.

"Surprised?" Clark suggested, thrilled to have her looking him once again. Even if she was upset. He'd take the win.

"Stunned. Shocked," Lois collapsed into her seat. "In need of oxygen."

"Lois, you've been nominated four years in a role. You won three times," Perry said. "Don't go getting petty. "The Planet is a team. One person's success is everybody's. Got it."

"Crystal clear," Lois grumbled.

"Alright, everybody let's get back to work," Perry said.

"Look Lois . . ." how did he approach this topic when they weren't dating anymore? It was already bad enough that he was nominated over Lois. It would add insult to injury if she were his arm candy for one night. But he didn't want to go to the Kerth rewards with anyone else.

"Here's what I think," Lois cut him off. "I think we should do a who and a what," Lois opened her notebook. "Who has the capability of making these sounds. And what would make them and what does it sound like?" she said the last bit under breath. It was back to business as usual.

"Okay. Let's . . ."

"LANE!" Perry screamed. "My office now."

Lois swore under her breath and stomped to Perry's office. Clark opened a doc and typed up a list of potential suspects. But then his ears picked out a stuttering heartbeat and he lost focus. She sounded afraid or angry. Maybe all the above.