Clark Kent IS Superman...Superman IS Clark Kent

For most young men growing up in the U.S. in the 1950's (I was born on 2-27-53), Superman was HUGE! You just had to have the latest comic book, and you NEVER missed an episode of the TV series. (More about the TV series later.)

I had to chuckle when I saw this political sign. I decided to go to the press conference where the candidate announced his running for office. But first...I went outside and picked out a medium-sized rock...went downstairs to my workshop...and painted the rock green...Moss Green if you are particular.

Mr. Kent opened with 10 minutes of his aspirations for the job. He was well-spoken. He then opened the floor for questions...a standing mike in place. I was 4th in line.

Question 1. "Mr. Kent...Most people know you to be very mild-mannered. How do you think that trait will hold up when you have to be tough?"

"I think I can be tough when I have to be. NEXT."

Question 2. "How could every person in the world know that you are Superman...except Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen? Are they daft?"

"I'll take the 5th on that one. After all these years...I'm still trying to get to 1st base with Lois...and don't want to say anything bad about her. Maybe not the sharpest pencil in the box...but OH-LA-LA! As for Jimmy...never trust a guy who carries his pencil behind his ear. Nuff said. NEXT."

Question 3. "How is it that you never got arrested for changing clothes in a phone booth? And...what happened to the suit you left behind?"

"It was the speed. I moved so fast that no one could see me change. As for the suits...somewhere in the big city...some guys are looking fine in worsted wool. NEXT!"

I was tired of the inane questions. I ducked around the mike, and rushed the podium...pulling the rock out of my pocket.

"WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WHEN FACED WITH A BIG HUNK OF KRYPTONITE? HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO YOUR JOB THEN?"

Who would have thought a trustee wanna-be would have a bodyguard? "Mitch" escorted me out. The kryptonite didn't affect the candidate. Maybe he wasn't the REAL Clark Kent.

To finish off a too long story...on June 16th, 1959...the headline of the Flint Journal read...SUPERMAN DEAD! APPARENT SUICIDE! George Reeves...who played the flying one...had died.

We were at my grandma's for lunch. I stayed in the car and cried. My 6 year old mind couldn't digest the fact that Superman was gone. How could he be gone? He was Superman. SAD.