Kristen, I'm off to check for you... but I'm thinking maybe that it's "Requiem for a Super Hero." Clark's upset because everyone says "where were you Clark?" and he says "I went to get help." Lois assures him it's okay, that even Superman didn't make it there on time. I think that's the point that he's chewing on the pencil... I'll go look.

EDIT...

Well, sorry, that's not it, either... he's definitely playing with a pencil, but it's not in his mouth. Hmmm, are you sure you aren't just thinking about Sue's Faustian Bargain? wink I'll e-mail Sue and see if there's a scene that she drew her inspiration from...

Smile and the world smiles with you ... frown and you're just giving yourself wrinkles.