How do I sleep at night?

Thinking about it, I've only ever been asked that question twice thus far in my life. And although it's certainly true that the question itself was asked for basically the same reasons, I find it oddly amusing that, despite the question being asked by two people who have never even met… they're both female.

If I had to sum up as to why that's the case, well, it wouldn't take an intellect of my magnitude to point out the fact that the female of the species, no matter what species that may be, can feel the cold more than the males of their kind. Certainly, men and women are capable of… evil, if you wish to trivialise it with that rather comic book term for a perfectly natural trait. But regardless of whoever performs the act, it's after effects, the coldness of it all, will ultimately be felt more by the females.

Maybe it's a weakness. But it's of no consequence to me. I mean after all, we all have our own faults. Nobody is perfect.

Well, almost nobody.

Millions of innocent people will die… Billions…

Ah yes, I guess that's what it comes down to, the loss of life. I've been called many names by many people.

I've been called sick.
I've been called twisted.
I've been called murderer.
I've been called a diseased maniac.
Most recently I was called an 'old man' who'd created an 'idea of a sick joke'.

An old man… hmph… petty… but an insult none the less.

But all of those verbal assaults on my person have been taken with a pinch of salt. Does that really make me a monster? No. Oh I have blood on my hands certainly, metaphorically speaking of course. Soldiers, worker ants, cannon fodder, grunts, call them what you will, but it is the puppets that go into battle and shed the crimson seas of violence. Not the commanders. Have I directly killed? Of course, at the touch of a button I've ended a human life.

Did I feel anything?

No.

Have I shot another human being?

Yes, yes I have. I pulled the trigger back and watched as the lights of life faded in their eyes, leaving nothing more than a memory. Although I must admit, I detest guns. Oh I'm certainly aware of their practicality and I admire the great things done with them, but they're so… archaic. Death by gunshot is such a shallow way to end a life. There are far many more interesting ways to, dispose, of someone. I don't carry one myself, but I do respect the gun. Can I use a gun? Yes, and I'm a superb marksman, thank you.

I could of course continue in great detail about the lives lost by my actions or by my own hands but that isn't the point. The point is the question and the answer is what's wanted. After all, you ask a question to get an answer.

So here, in that vain, is a smaller question linked to the larger one.

Do you feel anything, when you kill?

The answer is simple… no.

That doesn't make me a diseased maniac or a sick and twisted murderer. Who are they to call me such things anyway, especially…?

I won't digress to him… Not yet…

You see, I don't feel a thing for the simple fact that every single life lost…. was out of necessity.

It had to be done.

I have… dreams, goals, aspirations, and desires just like anyone else, albeit grander due to the fact that I am, well I won't brag…. So it goes without saying that for me to get what I want, certain sacrifices must be made. Not personal ones of course as I can't really recall anything being sacred to me. So if it's the lives of millions or even billions between me and what I want, well who are they to stand there? The saying goes 'you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs'. And it's true.

And you certainly can't become the greatest criminal mind of our time, without being completely devoid of minor annoyances, such as a conscience.

So I feel no guilt for the so called horrors I have committed against mankind, the planet itself or even an alien from another world. All of those acts, all the lives lost or those that may be lost by my future endeavours are just stepping stones towards my destiny.

And regardless of what I've done, what I've tried to do and even now what I plan on doing, the answer to the question Kitty just asked me, the very same question Miss Teschmacher once asked me many years ago, has not changed at all.

How does Lex Luthor, the greatest criminal mind of our time, sleep at night?

Very well, thank you.