Say My Name: The Chloe Collins Chronicles
A Collection of one-shots of the many facets of Chloe AKA Watchtower. These stories are tidbits into Chloe's life between her time with Checkmate and the start of A Hero by any Other Name. My goal is to offer a fuller picture of the Chloe Collins timeline and thought it might be fun to give the ID's I mention in my stories some life as I am working on my sequel.
If there are any flashbacks, IDs, stories I mention in A Hero by any Other Name that you would like me to expand on, please let me know. Definitely taking requests. Thanks so much for the support! Enjoy reading.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Not trying to make a profit, just trying to get through my quarantine. If you use any of my story lines or want to play in the Chloe Collins Chronicles universe, have at it and send me links to your work, would love to read!
Vicki Vale, Mildly Intrepid Reporter
"You Vale?" A gruff overworked, overweight, middle-aged man with thick glasses and a thicker mustache asked from the doorway of his office.
"Yes sir." Responded Vicki standing up from her chair and grabbing her briefcase which contained her portfolio of work, her forged references and her resume that detailed just enough skill to be hired, but not too much skill to be called upon too often.
For as much as Vicki Vale needed to pay the rent, Chloe needed time to work on her various other projects.
"Have a seat." Roger Westwood, Editor-in-Chief at the Gotham Gazette was Gotham City, if that city was put into human form.
As an up-and-coming Journalist at the Washington Post, Westwood was slated to be the youngest reporter to win a pulitzer. He showed fantastic potential until he got caught up in a scandal involving a couple other journalists in Washington accepting political bribes for access to bigger stories.
Now he was older, corrupted, rough around the edges and beatdown by the masses. On top of that, he was a notorious drunk and had an unfortunate gambling addiction.
Fallen from grace, he was very much like the city he currently wrote about. The true reporter in Chloe wanted to learn more about the man, find out if there was anything left of the once great journalist. However, Vicki Vale would never be a great reporter. She would be just good enough.
"I'm going to be straight with you Vale. I don't buy this freelancer crap that corporate has been trying to sell me on. Frankly I think you gotta be part of the paper to truly appreciate the news and people you're talking about. Selling stories to the highest bidder seems like a lousy way to use a journalism degree." Westwood.
Chloe internally rolled her eyes. Really you're going to lecture me about journalistic integrity
Vicki however, nodded her head solemnly. "I understand your concern Mr. Westwood, however I think an argument can be made that as an outsider looking in, freelance writers can offer a certain level of objectivity that is more difficult to reporters in the bullpen."
"As for selling stories to the highest bidder. I'm happy to give the Gazette first dibs on anything Gotham related, no questions asked, but national news...you know, a girls gotta eat." She said the last part with a conspiratorial wink
Westwood cracked a half smile, "Fair enough. I've read through your portfolio, checked your references. Things check out."
Of course they do. It's not my first rodeo, my friend. Vicki nodded politely.
"The truth is, right now we're understaffed and news is happening quickly. I'm at the point right now where I can actually assign you stories to fill gaps. Probably looking at general event topics, nothing too heavy. The Malcone trial has our best reporters swamped and fluff pieces are getting lost."
"I am happy to take what you can give me." She said, emphatically.
"Good, because I'm not here to make you a star. You gotta understand that you are the bottom of the totem pole and nothing is guaranteed. We have gaps now, but once things lighten up you're gonna have to come up with your own stories if you want to be paid. No more hand holding."
Again, Vicki smiled politely. "Of course Mr. Westwood, I know how it works. Like I said I am happy to take what I can get. I'm very good at hitting deadlines, and promise not to let you down. I appreciate the opportunity. "
He nodded dismissively, "Head down to HR and get your press credentials. There's some press conference about Wayne Enterprises donating money to an orphanage or something. I expect 500 words and a photo on my desk by 4 PM."
"Sure thing chief." Vicki stood, shook his hand and left the office satisfied.
She maintained her pleasant smile until she made it to the elevator. She pulled out a mirror from her bag and checked her long blonde hair. She reapplied the bright red lipstick she had put on earlier in the day and gazed into the blue eyes of her reflection.
I need to get better contact solution. She thought as she observed the redness just visible under the contacts. That or she needed to work on her disguises to avoid the damn things.
Or spend a little extra on the next pair you get. Chloe mused that the cost of living was the number one reason for creating the Vicki Vale persona.
The truth was, that even on the run with no personal possessions or regular bills, living was expensive and she could only steal so much before the trail started to follow her.
It was best for her to start earning money the old fashioned way and getting a job.
The key however, was getting a job that helped give her cover for her other activities. Which brought her to her second reason for making Vicki.
Journalism gave her access. It gave her excuses to be places that she otherwise shouldn't, provided cover for if she ever got caught, and offered her certain resources that the public library computer did not.
She knew it was dangerous to fall into something so similar to Chloe Sullivan, however she hoped that enough time had passed that her career at the Daily Planet was mostly forgotten by the masses.
She also figured that if she stuck to covering charity events and other non-controversial topics she'd avoid drawing the attention of those she was looking to avoid.
Overall, Vicki Vale gave her exactly what she needed for this particular mission. Afterall, what better way to learn about Gotham than from within the organization whose job was to write about it.
With that thought, Chloe put her mirror away just as the door to the elevators opened to drop her at the HR department.
It was time for Vicki Vale to make her debut.
Author's Note: Sorry it's short, but I had this written and ready to go already so figured we'd start here and will fill in as we go along. Thanks!
~Intrepid Reporter