Lois's chickens have come home to roost. Not surprising she was so focused on the Congo story she totally forgot she can't leave the U.S.
Mr. Edwards deciding to make Claude Editor in Chief apparently without Perry's input is a poor executive decision. And it's a poor reflection on Lois as an executive that the publisher sees her Assistant Editor as a secretary.
"I'm not going to marry you, at least not this way."
Go Clark!
Lois, I think you've finally used up your local superhero's patience.
"Sure you are, because if you don't, your dream of touching millions of people with the written word would have disappeared like so much steam." Lois folded her hands over the copy she had been working on. "If I had been deported and they and promoted Claude, he would have fired you immediately because you were associated with me, guaranteed." His phone started to ring. "Don't worry, as soon as the proper amount of time has passed, we'll get a quickie divorce and no one will be the wiser. But until then, like it or not, your wagon … is hitched … to mine." She pointed at his desk and said, "Telephone," as she went back to editing the copy.
Boy she sure takes arrogance to a new level. She wants a
huge favor from Clark to save her behind, and is telling him he'll do this. Not even asking him to put his freedom on the line, just telling him he's going to do it. To her it's a business decision, not personal. I find her acting like it's part of his job at the Planet particularly annoying. She's also about used up my sympathy for her. She doesn't seem to have a clue about kindness, tact or anyone else's feelings.
Clark finally said, "Well, you see, it's this way. Mr. Ramsbottom, Lois and I are just two people … that shouldn't have fallen in love, but we did. We kept it secret, because we felt that it would be deeply inappropriate to announce that I was being made an editor with equal, shared authority, over the newsroom if it were known that we were involved. I've loved Lois from the moment I saw her. It just took her a little longer to realize that she loved me as well."
Brilliant! Clark uses Lois's own words to give her what she wants, and then goes on to right the wrong and get more than the Assistant Editor that Perry envisioned. Glad to see Clark asserting himself.
And this is a great move for The Planet, as Clark is the only one other than Perry who can rein in Mad Dog Lane. Of course whether they'll return to be co-editors or remain reporters remains to be seen.
Eagerly awaiting Tuesday.