Cat's Paw
Chapter 25
"Mr. Wayne, Lois Lane, Daily Planet." The intrepid reporter extended a hand, and Wayne shook it. The lady thief glared at Lois and stirred the plastic sword in her mixed drink. "Ms. Lane. Nice to meet you, but I believe that I've said all I can for today. I have nothing further for you to report on beyond my standard WayneCo press release." Bruce stated coldly.
Clark edged his way through the crowd and ended up behind Lois. He kept a sharp eye on Selena's quick hands, which were currently resting on the bar countertop. "I was going to request an exclusive interview from you for the Planet. Are you interested?" Lois insisted much to the chagrin of Selena.
"I'd been considering that, Ms. Lane." Bruce said diplomatically. "As I stated, at this moment I have nothing more to add." Lois sighed. Perry warned her that Wayne would be a tough interview to get. "Thank you anyway Mr. Wayne." Lois said tiredly. "By the way, I'd keep my hand on my wallet if you are going to continue to chat with Miss Light Fingers here." She threw in the dig.
"Excuse me?" Selena snapped and was halfway out of her seat. Bruce knew who he was dealing with already, of course. The Batman wondered what a catfight might look like between Lois and Selena. Clark rolled his eyes and muttered: 'Here we go!' "Your friend here just tried to lift my fiancée's wallet." Lois explained. "Is this true, Miss Kyle?" Bruce said as he tried to play innocent and Clark closed in on him.
"Don't be ridiculous, Bruce!" Selena feigned offense. "This is just another way for Miss Lane to get your name into her raggedy ass paper. I wouldn't even line my cat's litter box with the Daily Planet." Catwoman hurled the insult and now stood toe to toe with Lois. The bartender overheard the confrontation and sidled over to where the action was. He appraised the two women and the well-dressed men that escorted them.
Selena and Lois were about the same height and weight, but the Catwoman was more muscular and buff, and would be more than an even match for the army brat reporter. While the girls stared daggers at one another, Bruce turned to Clark. "Mr. Wayne, I can't prove that this woman stole my wallet and then returned it." Superman said honestly. "I see, and you are…" Bruce engaged him.
"Clark Kent, Daily Planet." He extended a hand to Bruce. "Bruce Wayne." Clark was now in a position to x-ray Selena and see if she was hiding anything. He ordinarily wouldn't invade a woman's privacy like that, but Lois's suspicions were egging him on. Clark lowered his fake plastic eyeglasses, and surveyed the beautiful but dangerous Miss Kyle. Sure enough, hidden beneath Selena's bra were credit cards, money, and an ATM card. Strapped beneath the waistband of her panties were some small gold rings.
Lois was right, Clark conceded. But how to handle it? He mused. "Ladies, can we not make a scene?" Bruce asked petulantly. "Miss Lane, thank you for your concern, but I can handle Miss Kyle." He added with some bravado. "Thank you, Bruce! Now, Miss Lane should apologize!" Selena's eyes narrowed.
"Fat chance of that, honey." Lois countered. "Mr. Wayne, It's your money!" She added. "Don't say I didn't warn you, if you end up going home without a dime on you." Selena literally growled at Lois, before sitting back down next to Batman. "I believe we're finished here, Miss Kyle." Bruce said angrily. "Should we go?" He asked as Selena smirked evilly. "Oh, let's stay and enjoy ourselves, Bruce."
"Uh, Mr. Wayne, a word please?" Clark invited Bruce to move away from the girls who were still glaring at each other. Batman shifted several seats over. Clark made eye contact with him. "I won't apologize for my fiancée's abruptness. I do believe that Miss Kyle isn't all that she seems. Be careful."
"Thanks, Mr. Kent." Bruce grinned thinly. "I wish that more citizens cared enough to watch out for one another. Back in Gotham City, life is tough for those who have not, and they are always after the haves' money and personal belongings. I haven't gotten that feeling so far, from here in Metropolis."
"The people of Metropolis are starting to have hope. The have nots and the haves aren't always at each other's throats." Clark commented. "They believe in a better way." Bruce nodded solemnly. "This is due to the involvement of the Blur and the Blonde in everyone's lives, isn't it?" Batman fished.
Lois was starting to cool off, and decided to ignore Selena's stares. She moved further away from Catwoman and ordered another drink. Selena nervously tapped her lengthy fingernails on the bar countertop. She was afraid to lose Wayne as her next mark.
"I like to think that the Blur and his assistant have already made a difference in Metropolis." Clark continued as Bruce made eye contact with him. "I believe that the Batman is trying to make a daily difference in Gotham as well." He baited Clark. "I've read about The Batman." Clark countered. "The press media has mixed feelings about him. Is he a vigilante, or a concerned law abiding citizen?"
"The press media usually just takes positions based on political expediency." Bruce said solemnly. "It was the same way at first for the Blur and the others here in Metropolis." Clark debated. "It's an ongoing battle for the public's security and support balanced against those with hidden agendas, be they political or religious. I prefer to remain positive and hope that good will eventually overtake evil."
"That's a good point, Mr. Kent." Bruce was slowly becoming impressed with the young Daily Planet journalist. "I guess that's all I have to say." Clark stated as he caught another evil glare from Lois. "By the way, you didn't hear it from me, but the Daily Planet will break a huge story later this week." Clark teased. "I'm not overstating the fact by saying that it will be life changing."
Batman's eyebrows rose. "Really? I'm intrigued." Clark grinned thinly. "I thought that you might reconsider doing an interview with Lois Lane. Yes, I am biased!" He joked with Bruce. "I'll be in Metropolis for another day or two." Batman played along. "Maybe I should check my schedule?"
"That's up to you, Mr. Wayne, but after this week, The Daily Planet will become a premier publication in America and beyond." Clark continued his pitch. "The story is that big, Mr. Kent?" Bruce asked skeptically. "Yes, I would say it is." Clark confirmed. "Can you give me any more details?" Wayne pushed. "No, I'm sorry. We have litigation to consider." Clark fibbed slightly.
"If an interview with Miss Lane isn't convenient for you now, you can always call one in next week to us." Clark attempted to close the deal. "Lois and I are available on the Internet twenty four seven." Bruce nodded. "I will seriously consider that, Mr. Kent." He conceded. "You can call me Clark." The two disguised superheroes shook hands, and this time, Bruce got the worst of it, feeling a bit of pain.
"Thank you for your concern, Clark." Bruce said cordially. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Wayne." Clark returned diplomatically. "You can call me Bruce, but she still has to call me, Mr. Wayne." Batman joked.
Clark snickered and said goodbye. He passed by Selena again and gave her a dirty look, and then joined Lois at the far end of the bar. Bruce returned to his original seat, much to Catwoman's pleasure. Batman nodded a glance towards Lois before reordering a drink and one for Selena.
"I suppose you went over to Wayne and apologized for me." Lois snarled. "No, Lois, in fact I did the exact opposite. Mr. Wayne is now willing to consider an interview with you next week." Clark replied proudly. "What? How did you pull that one off, Smallville?" Lois smiled broadly, as she kissed Clark on the cheek and leaned heavily into his chest, holding him close.
"Mr. Wayne is actually a fairly decent guy." Clark praised. "I hate to admit it, but he kind of reminds me of Lex Luthor when I first met him, before he became consumed by his own self-importance." Lois shifted comfortably into Clark's arms. "This is the week, Lois." Clark began. "This is when we change everything. Our lives will never be the same again."
"You're sure about this, Clark? No regrets?" Lois asked lovingly. "None whatsoever." He answered. "We're a team, Lois. That's how we'll approach everything." Clark held her for a moment as she risked a glance at Selena and Bruce. "So, Wayne is aware that Miss Kyle is scamming him?" She asked.
"I get the feeling that Mr. Wayne knows how to deal with Miss Kyle." Clark responded. "He'll find out what she's up to, one way or another." Meanwhile, Selena was still endearing herself to Bruce, chatting pleasantly, and keeping her claws on the bar top. "Would you care to dance?" Bruce asked her gallantly.
"Yes I would." Selena answered and flirted heavily by rubbing Batman's chest and taking his hand. They finished their drinks and stood up. Bruce kept Selena in front of him and at arm's length. He purposely walked past Clark and Lois and said: "Good evening, Miss Lane, Clark." Bruce guided Selena to the dance floor, holding her hand. Lois nodded courteously, and Clark waved.
Lois turned to him. "Clark? Wayne referred to you as Clark! I have to say, I'm very impressed, Smallville. You've learned the fine art of schmoozing." Clark smirked. "Let's hope that you're just as impressed with my dancing. I've been practicing. Shall we?" He invited.
"Sure, honey." Lois smiled broadly. Clark finished his drink and held Lois by the shoulder. "Practicing? With whom?" She fished. "Kara." Clark replied shortly. "I would've loved to see that." Lois chuckled as Clark began to lead her towards the dance floor. "You did stay off of our Super Girl's feet, didn't you?" She teased as they worked their way through the dense crowd.
"Yes, for the most part." Clark grinned thinly. What he failed to mention was that dancing wasn't the only thing that he and Kara had been practicing. With the wedding coming up, Clark was planning a surprise for Lois. The band played a number of slow songs, and Clark managed to stay off of Lois's feet. At one point, she'd playfully stepped up onto his shoes and made him synchronize the steps on his own.
Bruce and Selena danced well together, Clark noted. He still failed to understand why billionaire playboy, Bruce Wayne, insisted on surrounding himself with obvious thieves like Selena. Certainly, she was an attractive young lady, though he assumed that her tendencies were more towards evil.
Maybe it's because Selena was on the Edge of Darkness, and Wayne thought that he could pull her back from the abyss, Clark speculated. He, of all people, could relate to that struggle throughout his own life.
Bruce danced elegantly, but carefully with Selena. After a couple of songs, the Catwoman somehow managed to let Wayne under her skin. She melted into his arms and relaxed, nearly forgetting that she had originally set Wayne up as a mark. Selena purred in Bruce's arms, startling him. He already knew that Catwoman and Selena were one in the same, but somehow it didn't seem to matter as much.
After his discussion with Clark Kent, Bruce examined things more philosophically. The Catwoman was right here in his arms, enjoying his company, yet she was still on the way to becoming a master criminal, he mused. Maybe he and Selena were the same, split down the middle, half-light and half dark, one foot in the real world, and one foot in the surreal world of high pay and high crime, he analyzed.
Can I save her from herself? The Batman speculated. She could become a powerful ally or his ultimate archrival. By now, Clark and Lois had danced their way across the floor and were next to Bruce and Selena. "Mr. Wayne?" Clark interrupted his thoughts. "Would you care to dance with Lois?"
"Huh?" Lois perked up. She'd been relaxing in Clark's arms, and had nearly forgotten about Wayne's interview, or the mean, thieving Miss Kyle. "If it's all right with her?" Bruce was stunned. "Miss Kyle?" Clark asked the Catwoman, startling her. "Sure." Selena snapped, rising to the challenge.
The couple switched partners. Lois was too shocked to argue, and wanted to try and reel Wayne in for the interview anyway. Selena was pissed, but decided not to create a scene. She twirled over to Clark. He held her waist and grabbed her by the arm, and they danced to a slightly up tempo song.
"Miss Kyle?" Clark began. "Thank you for returning my wallet." He tried to catch the Catwoman off guard. "Um. No problem, Mr. Kent." She spun away and then back into Clark's arms. Lois quickly gave her the evil eye. "We shouldn't have accused you of the theft without proof. You know, a life of crime will ultimately never pay." He lectured. "Really?" Selena's eyes narrowed as she enjoyed the barb.
"What do you know about crime, Mr. Kent?" Selena baited. "Please, call me Clark. Lois and I cover the Metropolis crime beat for the paper. A majority of all recent criminals have been caught, tried, and convicted. Our crime rate is at an all-time low." Selena's eyes sparkled. She loved a good challenge. "Perhaps the criminals weren't very good." She sarcastically countered.
Meanwhile, Bruce and Lois were dancing pleasantly. She figured that Wayne was much smoother than Clark, and let the billionaire lead. "So, Mr. Wayne, what do you think of Metropolis so far?" Lois began her pitch with some small talk. "It's a fine, well run city." Bruce replied blandly.
"You realize that our crime rate has dropped, mostly due to the Blur and the other superheroes." Lois stated. "Superheroes?" Bruce echoed. "That's a bit presumptuous, isn't it?" Lois shook her head. "Not in my book." She countered, spinning away from Bruce and then heading back in.
"Clark tells me that the Daily Planet is breaking a big story this week." Batman smoothly changed the subject. "Did he?" Lois frowned. "That's true, but we weren't allowed to discuss it yet." Bruce nodded. "That's what Clark pointed out. Something about litigation?" he fished.
"Yes." Lois thought quickly on her feet. "After this week, the paper's circulation will go through the roof, and our multimedia divisions will be in the spotlight." She added. "Maybe I ought to invest in buying some stock in the company." Bruce smirked. "Maybe, you should." Lois smiled brightly.