Last Son of Krypton Read Online Free Page A

a bank that had a private office for its president so he did not have to appear diligent for the amusement of his employees. He was considering his next tranquilizer.
    "Jimmy, I was wondering if you could do us a favor here." Parker was standing over Stone's desk. Policemen and politicians were the only people in Smallville who presumed to call him anything but Mr. Stone or Sir.
    "Captain Parker, good morning. What can I do for you?"
    "Mr. Eisner here would like to take out a short-term loan, y'see—"
    "I'm sure Miss Brackett over there will see to you. If you'll excuse me."
    "Well, it's not your normal everyday loan, Jimmy, if you know what I mean."
    "I have no idea what you mean. Perhaps you could explain it yourself to Miss Brackett."
    "I doubt it. It's sort of a third party loan. Mr. Eisner is from out of town and has no collateral and I'd like to back up his security, or whatever you call it."
    "Well, have a seat, I suppose." The old man and the policeman sat down opposite Stone. "Now, how much did you say you wanted to borrow, Mr. Eisner, and for how long?"
    "Two thousand three hundred dollars, for just a few days," the old man answered.
    Stone glanced at him over his glasses, hearing the accent for the first time. He weighed down his prejudice with his crisp manner. "What sort of identification do you have, Mr. Eisner?"
    "I don't have any."
    "What is the money for?"
    "I'd rather not say."
    "Do you have any references in Smallville other than the Captain here?"
    "No, I don't."
    "What are you smiling about, Parker?"
    "I was thinking that your expression is about the same as the one you had in high school when Martin Lang asked for your vote for Student Council president."
    The old man's eyes twinkled, and Stone's ears turned red. The memory of his ignominious defeat for the student government post by Lang didn't bother him so much as the reminder that he had ever been an insecure, gawky, acne-ridden adolescent in Smallville at all. He wished people would simply accept the exalted position he held today and not remember the fact that he was not born middle-aged.
    "This loan is out of the question, Parker. I'm sorry, Mr. Eisner. Now, if you'll excuse me."
    "That's what I thought he'd say, Eisner. Sorry I couldn't do much for you."
    "No, no, no, Captain. Don't get up." The old man put a hand on the policeman's shoulder as Stone surreptitiously popped a tranquilizer. "I still need you to co-sign my loan. Mr. Stone, I wonder if I could call a bank in New Jersey to confirm that my account will cover this amount?"
    "There is a public phone over there." Stone pointed without looking up from the records he wasn't reading. "The word over the phone of an out-of-state bank official is hardly valid collateral."
    "I know. May I have ten dimes for a dollar?"
    "Teller's cage."
    Parker sat smiling in a way that nearly annoyed the urbanity out of Stone. The banker tried in vain to think of some way to let Parker know that whatever the secret was, Stone wasn't interested.
    The old man stood talking on the pay phone in the corner of the bank for three minutes. Then he shuffled back to Captain Parker and asked if the policeman would like to be treated to an ice-cream cone down the block. The two left, and Stone's next trip to the coffee percolator was interrupted by the ringing of his private telephone line. He sat at attention when he heard the voice at the other end.
    Four minutes and seven seconds after Parker and the old man sat down opposite a corpulent pair of sundaes, the bell over the door tinkled, and in walked James Morgan Stone flashing a keyboard of teeth.
    "What kept you, Jimmy?"
    "Kept me? Nothing kept me. I just thought I would join you gentlemen in a snack. I have good news, Mr. Eisner."
    "How delightful. I love good news."
    "The bank has decided to grant your request for a loan immediately, for whatever terms you specify."
    "Yes?"
    "Well, isn't that good news, Mr. Eisner?"
    "Good, yes. News, no. May I buy you a sundae, Mr.