A quick note to say thank you for all your kind words! I'm delighted that readers have enjoyed my vignette.
Yes, this is fascinating, Chris, but confusing too. Are you actually telling us that Clark is really dead? Does that mean that in your story, Clark really *isn't* Superman? (Kind of intriguing idea...) Or maybe he was shot with a kryptonite bullet, somewhat like in Stopquitdont's story, Unexplained Events?
Ann, I'm sorry that you were confused. You clearly weren't the only person who was!
As Carol suggested, I wrote this as an interlude to the episode. I was assuming that events would unfold as they had done on the show. That means that Clark didn't tell Lois that he had survived the bullet and that he was Superman. When Clark does reappear, Perry (presumably) will rethink the conclusions he reached in this story.
I'm fascinated that various people have, however, questioned whether I've really killed Clark off, or whether he really isn't Superman in this universe. Amazing how different people can read stories in different ways.
Thank you to everyone else who commented.
LabRat:
if I ever write a sequel to this -- and I have no immediate plans -- I'd like to use the title "Step Into My Office, Kent". It's too good to pass up.
Thanks again.
Chris
