Foreman Jack Laurel of the warehouse walks through it towards a young man, John Smith, in the middle of his job, packing crates on to a flatbed truck.

"Smith."

John turns to face Jack at the sound of his name.

"You're up."

Jack stops in front of John and turns slightly to reveal a young man coming up next to him.

"It's time for you to take your years of experience and put it to good use. This is Clark Kent."

John holds out his hand. Clark takes it and they shake hands.

"He's going to be joining us as of today and it's your job to show him the ropes. Teach him the basics and make sure that he doesn't break any bones."

"That won't be an issue sir." suggests Clark.

"Good. See that it stays that way." Jack says as he looks at John, "He's all yours."

Jack leaves Clark and John alone in their section of the warehouse.

John turns to Clark once he's gone, "You're not a moron, are you Clark?"

"No, I'm not."

"Good. Then I don't really have to explain the incredibly complicated rocket science of picking something up and moving it somewhere else." explains John.

"I'm sure I'll find a way to manage without that explanation." responds Clark.

"Then all I need to do is explain to you that they run a very tight shift around here. Every company we're contracted to expects us to deliver their orders on schedule and on time. If we don't, there are a million other warehouses in Metropolis that would jump at the chance to take business away from us. Anyone who makes something like that happen is getting fired... or worse." John suggests, going back to packing crates onto the flatbed truck, "Keep your head down. Do your job properly. Make sure that you're here when you need to be. And don't go being a hero."

"I'm sorry?"

"A lot of new people here like to try and prove themselves by trying to carry more then they can handle. Acting like some big shot hoping it will get them a permanent position. So I'm giving you the heads up ahead of time. Being a hero doesn't get you a long term paycheck. Don't go trying it." explains John.

Clark stands silent for a moment before responding, "Don't worry about it. I'm no hero."

"All right then. Lets get you familiar with the shipping schedule. You can start helping me with this any time Kent."

Clark starts helping John move the crates onto the flatbed.

* * *

A week later, Clark and John are finishing off the last order of the day by packing the boxes onto a flatbed truck for shipping.

"That's pretty much it. The entire schedule in a nut shell. It's fairly simple. Laurel will probably give you a complete schedule for you to follow at some point. Make sure to stick to it and don't go wandering into other areas of the plant." explains John.

"Why is that?"

John looks at Clark for a moment, "Just don't, all right?"

Suddenly, there's a loud crash about fifty feet away in the warehouse followed by a scream of pain. Clark and John look at each other for a moment before John begins rushing over to the sound of the crash. Clark simply stands where he is as voices are overheard talking near the crash site.

"What happened?" Jack asks as he comes up to the accident.

"I don't know. We just heard a crash." John points out.

"Someone get a lift over here and get this off of him. He's hurt badly. We need to get him to a hospital."

The end of shift whistle blows through the warehouse. Clark uses a nearby towel to wipe any wood or cardboard off his hands and then starts heading in the opposite direction of the accident.

* * *

Clark makes his way towards the entrance of the Packaging Plant. He is about to start a new day of work. As he does, he hears a voice nearby.

"I can't."

Clark stops to look around. He sees John standing enclosed by four large cargo containers ready for shipping. John is talking to a mystery woman. They appear to be involved in a heated discussion. Clark does not listen in, he simply walks into the plant.

* * *

Clark is busy working, packing boxes into the back of a truck. John comes towards Clark quickly.

"Kent."

Clark turns to face John with one of the larger boxes in his hands.

"What happened to you yesterday?"

"What do you mean?"

John stops in front of Clark, "The accident? You were right there but I didn't see you when it happened. You could've helped."

"I told you. I'm no hero." insists Clark.

"It doesn't take a hero to help out at an accident. It just takes a decent human being."

"I didn't want to get in the way."

John stares at Clark confused.

"Since when is it getting in the way to help someone who gets hurt?"

"I just thought it was better if I didn't make the situation worse by getting involved." Clark pushes back.

John looks down at the box Clark is holding.

"Isn't that heavy?"

Clark looks down at the box and then puts it into the back of the truck. He starts packing boxes on the truck again, "I'll be okay. So who's your friend?"

"Friend?"

"I saw you talking to someone on the way in. A woman." explains Clark.

"Oh. She was no one important."

John helps Clark with the boxes.

"Didn't seem like she was no one." Clark suggests.

"She's just a friend of mine. So, are you ready for another long day of lugging boxes and everything else around?" John says, trying to change the subject.

"I can't wait."

Clark and John begin working on the most recent shipping order together.

* * *

Young Clark is sitting in his barn. There are school books in front of him that he is studying. Young Clark is alone and there is nothing but the sound of crickets. Suddenly, Young Clark looks up at opening in the barn looking out into the night sky.

"Dad?"

Young Clark gets up from the seat he was sitting in and runs at super speed into his house nearby. Young Clark rushes into the house to find his father.

"Dad? Are you in here?"

Jonathan Kent walks into the living room from the kitchen, "What is it son?"

"Something's happening Dad. There are sirens nearby."

"What kind of sirens?"

"Fire engines I think. They're not far."

"Can you find where they're going? Can you find the fire?"

Young Clark listens intently for a few moments, "It's at the Ross farm. I can hear the crackling of the fire. It's so loud. I have to go."

Jonathan walks up to his son, "Clark, it's a fire. We don't know what would happen if you went in there and did something to help. You could get hurt."

"Or I could be able to help."

"Be careful Clark. You need to make sure that you're not seen by anyone. If they saw you, they might start asking questions. You can't..."

Young Clark cuts his father off, "I know Dad. I'll be careful. I'll save anyone in danger and be gone before they know what happened."

"Then go."

Young Clark disappears from the Kent household.