Part 2: The Supper Boy
Anita sat in history class.
"Now class, we know that slavery ended in 1865, with the end of the civil war, and ever since then blacks have been free."
"Free?" interjected Anita.
"Yes, The Emancipation Proclamation signed in-"
"That's just a piece of paper, that doesn't change the way things are, do you know that most blacks in Mississippi aren't even registered to vote?"
"And whose fault is that if they don't register themselves?"
"If they try to register, they get beaten or lynched."
"Now I know I've heard rumors of lynching but that happened decades ago-"
"From the stories my pop tells about the lynching. I know that they're not just rumors but the truth. Its good to tell people the truth about things. The way things really are. When people know the truth about something they generally do right by it. Our entire system of justice, with the jury system and all, is based on the idea that once people know the facts about a case, they will do the right thing. That's the American way of doing things isn't it?"
"Yes Anita," he said, "I suppose it is."
Out in the hallways afterwards.
"Anita?" one of the students approached her. "That is your name isn't it?"
" Er… yes?"
"I heard what you said in class, about the lynching and stuff, I just wanted to say that I agree with you completely. Most people don't know what's going on, but if they knew about it they wouldn't stand for it."
"You're right mon."
"Hey man, we should do something about it," said Ike who was standing nearby, "How about a protest march?"
"A march to the town hall to protest civil rights! I'm in," said the girl who had approached Anita, "I'm Lana, by the way, Lana Lang."
"Excuse me miss?" said Clark as he approached Anita.
"Er... ya mon?"
"I heard you speak in class just now, that entire bit about truth, justice, and the American way? Well I just wanted to let you know it was very inspiring."
"Hey Clark!" yelled Lana. Clark turned back to face them "Wanna go on a protest march?"
"A protest march? I say where not supposed to be conspicuous, not do anything that's is going to affect the future, not to engage Clark, not do anything to affect his future, and you're taking him on a protest march?" Robin banged his locker.
"What's the big deal Robin?" Anita replied, "It wasn't my idea it was Ike's and Lana's mostly, who's to say they wouldn't have been inspired on their own. Lana's is organizing the whole thing."
"C'mon Rob a protest march sounds really cool." said Kon.
"Ok," said Robin, "I admire the intention, but please people, no more surprises. We want to stay strictly incognito."
"Why should we stay in Cognito?" Robin was about to respond, when Impulse continued on, "All the action is happening right here in Smallville, there's no point in going to Cognito, I say."
The gang was walking home from school when a car pulled up and stopped beside them. The man on the passenger side was holding an open map. He rolled down his window, "Excuse me, we're a little lost. Can you tell us the way to Tim Buque-tu?"
Bartha approached the passenger, "Oh sure. It's 95 miles down highway 4, just turn right onto the highway."
"95 miles? Are you sure?" he looked at his map.
"Oh, maybe your right. You have to go 200 miles down highway 3, turn right onto the I-97, and travel anther 106 miles. Take a turn off at the highway 609..."
"Excuse me miss, but do you have any idea where the place we're looking for is?"
"Yes, I'm positive. I know where a lots of places are and how to get there." Impulse said smugly.
"Then how come you keep referring to roads that don't exist?"
"Oh yeah," said Impulse.
He shouted, "See ya later Lucy!" and rolled up his window.
The Young Justice crew had arrived home from school. They were sitting around the kitchen table looking bored and listless.
"Man, the fifties, suck," said Kon. "Hardly anybody has a TV. This town's movie theatre is tiny and did you see the selections. All the kids talk about the music and the radio. And the music, my god have you heard it. It like, totally sucks, I can't imagine anyone, especially our age, liking it."
Just then Impulse came in carrying a small transistor radio under his arm. It was playing loudly, "...I've been everywhere man, I've been everywhere man..." He was walking oddly in time with the music, dancing a bizarre jagged dance, "...traveling done my share man..."
"Hey you guys! This music is great!"
"Where did you get that?" Robin pointed to the transistor radio, "I saw you eyeing one, exactly like it, earlier on today in school. You didn't-"
"Yes, I did Robin. I cannot tell a lie. I've done an immoral thing, in many peoples eyes."
"In many peoples eyes? What about you Bart? Don't you think what you did was immoral?" Robin gave him a parental stare.
"I dunno Robin, a little gambling never hurt anyone and it is completely legal."
"Gambling?" said Robin, "Splain, Bartha, splain."
"Well ya see Robby, I took a nickel that fell out this guys pocket."
"The kid that was carrying the radio?"
"Yeah, so I thought, hey I'd like one of those radios, but I couldn't afford it with just 5 cents - so I went to Vegas and put it all on red until I had enough to buy one. Oh I cheated too at the gambling, but I don't think that counts because I didn't lie. You have to lie and cheat for it count."
"That's what I've always heard," said Cissie.
Robin stood up from the table and went over to the kitchen window. He stared at the speck in the distance that was the Kent's farm. "This place is so different from Gothom. Look how far apart the houses are, so much space everywhere. In Gothom your neighbors are more than likely on the other side of the wall, everything so pressed in and claustrophobic. But here? Superman grows up physically isolated by the wide-open spaces of Kansas, but that attitude, the small town friendly atmosphere, the togetherness of the people here, it's like a total contrast to the land they live in. It's ironic, in a way." He turned around to face the group, "Anita could you head over to the Kent's and give Suzie a rest she's been watching the place the whole day".
"No problem mon," she said.
"Rob, can I go instead" said Kon.
"Sure thing Kon if you really want to."
Kon bolted toward the door and rushed out.
Anita closed the door behind him "He seems really anxious to replace Suzie"
Kon approached the farm, he saw the lights of the farmhouse and through the windows he could see Clark and his parents seated around the supper table, enjoying one of Ma Kent's home cooked meals.
"Hi Kon, what are you doing here?" said Secret. Her body was spread out over a great distance. He could see that part of her was still inside the Kent farm.
"Actually Rob told me to come over here, to give you a break."
"A break? What, am I not doing a good enough of a job?
"I'm sure it's not that Suzie, it's just that you've been here the whole day, don't you get bored watching over the house all day."
"Well in the daytime, it's a little boring because Ma and Pa Kent work on the farm all day, although it's been fun watching them. They really are a nice couple. But now that Clark's home well..."
"Yeah I guess," said Kon, "being able to see what Superman was like at our age. Well that's got to be pretty exciting. So tell me what did he do? What's he like?"
"Well after he got home from school, he started helping his father with the chores."
"Chores?"
"Yes well, he had to shovel the manure out of the barn, he went around filling up the trough for the animals, then he..."
"Whoa! Superman shoveled crap? " Kon looked like had been hit with a mallet.
"This is a farm Kon."
"Yeah but, I expected, I dunno, something a little more glamorous. I know that sounds stupid."
Suzie sat down by Kon and stared at the kitchen window where the Kent's were eating. "No, it's not glamorous. But it sure is nice. It's so cozy here. Clark is so lucky to have such nice folks, to live in such a nice place. Then she sighed, Kon do you ever wish you had a family like that. I mean if you could be Superman and not just his clone would you?"
"Yes!" he said hastily then he looked again at supper scene in the kitchen window. They had just finished their meal; Clark got up and helped Ma Kent clear away the dishes. "But not like that," he said pointing, "I mean look at him, all that power, and he acts just like a regular guy. I dunno if I could do that." Then he sighed and put his head down.
"What's wrong Kon?"
"It's just, well, Superman and me are so different ya know. I always wanted to be like him; hell I mean I want to be Superman. I always thought that Supes and I are different, ok, but I thought maybe it was mostly an age difference thing, I mean, that makes sense right? But here we are now the same age and well... we're still so damn different. I mean, he feels comfortable shoveling crap, while I feel more at ease beating it out of people. Ah hell, I've been wanting all day to get the opportunity to watch Clark," he paused looking again at the window to see ma Kent wash the dishes while Clark dried and put them away, "I wanted to get to see what he's really like and now..." his voice trailed off. He turned his face away from the farm.
"It's ok Kon, go on back. I don't mind watching the place." With that her cloud form stretched back into the farmhouse.
The next day at breakfast.
"Get it while it's nice and hot!" yelled Kon as he scooped piles of scrambled eggs onto the Bart's plate.
"Wow, you're cooking Kon!" yelled Cass.
"Well I thought I'd better do my share of the chores."
"Something smells burnt," Anita sniffed the air, as she scooped the eggs onto a fork and popped them in her mouth.
"What kind of peanut butter do you want on your toast, smooth or..." Kon had a butter knife at the ready.
"Crunchy," said Anita as she stopped chewing.
"So crunchy peanut butter then?"
"No crunchy eggs."
"Oh yeah," said Kon, "there might be a few pieces of ah... shell, in the eggs. I think. I kinda..."
"Dropped it on the floor?" said Robin out of the side of his full mouth.
"Er... um... yeah, how did you guess?"
"Well, this was my first clue," said Robin as he pulled a piece of twig from his mouth, "and this would be the second", he pulled out a small stone.
"That's roughage, helps with digestion," offered Kon.
"What's the deal with you anyways, mon. You're usually the last one who volunteers to do any chores."
"Hey Kon, you should've signed up for the home ed. class, you'd be able to hone up on your cooking skills," said Cass.
"Or acquire some," added Anita.
"Kon what are you doing here?" Cass and the other girls were decked out in aprons.
"Well I thought I'd take your advice and sign up for the course. They really looked at me kinda weird when I applied for it though. Where are all the other guys?"
"There are none. You're it," Cass replied.
"Oh you gotta be kidding me."
"Come on," Cass grabbed him by the arm, "put this on." She tossed him an apron.
He slung it over his shoulder, "I am not... wearing... an apron."
"You'll get your cloths full otherwise." Cass crossed her arms.
"I wont get my cloths dirty."
Just then Bartha walked by with a bowl of some concoction he had whipped up. He turned around hastily slopping the contents of the bowl onto Kon's shirt.
"Told you you'd get your cloths full," said Cass.
"Kon what are you doing here?" asked Bartha.
"He's taking this class," Cass interjected.
"Oh that's great," said Bartha. "You don't know how out of place it is being the only guy in the class."
"Would you look at this," Cass spoke to Cissie across the way from her. She held open a book in front of her. "Did you see this history book? It's like, totally chauvinist. Hardly any women are mentioned. Catherine the Great is only mentioned once. Josephine isn't even mentioned by name. She's referred to as Napoleon's seductive wife."
Then a girl, who was seated in front of her, turned around and said, "Yeah, you're right. I never thought of it that way before, but you're right. That is pretty chauvinist. They tell me I can't become a journalist because I'm a girl that I should be a teacher or a nurse or a housewife."
"Hell that's crazy," screamed Cass. "Women can be whatever the hell they wanna be."
Suddenly a paper airplane struck her, on its wing it had a small bat symbol. Cass opened it. In it, written in bold lettering, were the words "CASS SHUT UP". Then below it, in smaller lettering, "Remember incognito?"
She looked up to see Robin glare at her, from several desks away.
"You're damn strait. My name is Lana, Lana Lang. I got a great idea, we're having a protest march tomorrow, to raise awareness of the plight of blacks in the south, I have this pamphlet typed out to hand out, but now I can make it a... byline." She flipped the pamphlet over, the other side was blank, "I hate the fact that home ed. courses are mandatory for girls at this school don't you?"
Cass had no choice but to reply honestly. "Yeah I do."
"Well that's the second thing we'll protest. You guys want to come? You have to sign the enrolment sheet." She handed her a clipboard, it had around 15 names on it already. Cass looked down at it bit her lip and signed.
"I can't believe this. We are not here to set things right, we are not Sam Beckett, ok. We're here to interfere only insofar as we can prevent Superman's death. That's it."
"How can you say that Robin? Not here to set things right, since when do we do that huh? Since when did we change our name to "Young I Don't Give a Damns", let tyranny and injustice prevail."
"But they don't prevail Cass. This is the fifties, for crying out loud. You don't just come in and change the fifties."
"Actually I'm not really a history buff or anything, but hanging out with Traya you kind of pick up on things, and the fact is kids our age changed the fifties, and when they did they became the sixties. The protest marches for women's rights and for civil rights, started out with the kids you see around you. So I don't think there's any need to get so upset Robin."
"I am aware of the facts Cissie. Ok, what's done is done. But please, I mean it, no more surprises."
"Um... excuse me, can I ask you a question." A girl from Kon's home ed. class turned around in her seat. It seems they shared the same English class as well.
"Yeah sure," Kon replied, "but isn't that kind of redundant, asking if you can ask a question," he said smugly.
Her attitude abruptly changed from one of timidity to one of aggression. She asked him bluntly, "Why is your ear pierced?"
Robin had told him not to wear his earring and to keep his ear bandaged. Today though he had had enough. The bandage was annoying and he figured he looked disfigured enough already. Bad enough that he had the ugly scar, now he was supposed to walk around with his ear bandaged? So he had removed it. He hadn't figured anyone would notice, and now that someone did he was forced to come up with a reply.
"I'm going as a pirate to the Halloween dance and I have to wear an earring for the costume."
The girl raised her eyebrow then turned around in her seat.
Kon thought to himself. "Covered that one nicely."
"Hey fellas," said Kon as he past by two of his Smallville classmates. It seemed like they had given him a wider birth than normal. He had been used to that when being recognized as Superboy, but since arriving in Smallville and going undercover, he realized people didn't seem to be avoiding him respectfully as he walked by. They sometimes even bumped into him, which he didn't like at all. So it was good that the aura of the Superboy power remained, to let others know that he was a force to be reckoned with. He sat down smugly at the lunch table and joined the others.
"Ah the Superboy charm is back," he said. "Word musta got around that I was one tough mother."
"People have been avoiding you like that all day?" Robin asked.
"Yeah, pretty good huh?"
"Didja ever think why maybe?" Anita asked.
"No I figured it was-"
Anita smiled "The fact that you're the first male, in the history of the school, to take a home ed. Class."
"WHAT?"
"The second really." said Robin.
"Really?" said Impulse, "Who was the first?"
"That coupled with the fact that you have a pierced ear, in an era where only women have pierced ears." Robin pointed out.
"A pirate?" claimed Anita, "What a lame excuse."
"So the word has gotten around the school that you're somewhat of a pansy." Robin said without a trace of humor, but a smile cracked his lips nonetheless.
"What?!?" Kon screamed his face red, "What? I'm gay? Bart's wearing a freaking dress for chrissake, and I'm gay?"
Several people close to them turned and looked at him.
Kon fell face forward, totally defeated.
Robin caught up to Kon as they walked home from school. He walked up to him in private.
"Kon I'm sorry. This wouldn't have happened if I had used cosmetics, I would've been able to hide the earring hole completely. I considered that a bandage would help obscure you more, make you look different than Clark, but I didn't consider your vanity, and the fact that you might take it off."
"What? Is that your apology?"
"Believe it or not it is."
"Why can't we cover it up now?"
"Cat's out of the bag my friend."
"Yeah," he said motioning to the scar on his face. "That cat scratched up my face something fierce."
"I didn't do this to humiliate you, and you know that. Your problem is that you're too easily humiliated."
"Robin are you here?" Secret called out inside the barn.
"Yes, I'm over here." Robin was sitting on the supercycle. He had a small laptop hooked up to one of the ports on the cycle.
"What are you doing?" asked Secret as she floated up beside him. She looked over his shoulder. On the laptop screen were what looked to be newspaper articles. "Hmm... There's something strange about the style of this newspaper."
"Yes Suzie, it's a paper from the 1950's, I downloaded from the supercycle. The memory banks of the cycle are something out of this world. "
"Literally."
"And figuratively. I was able to put the contents of a couple of Cray supercomputers into it. The cycle's computational power is amazing and... sporadic."
"You mean it doesn't work all the time."
"Yes, you see I think it's the cycle that does most of the computations in its own brain. When it gets antsy, everything slows down to a crawl."
"Antsy?"
"Yeah well, since we've been here we've pretty much have left the cycle unused, tucked away here in the barn. It needs to be taken for a ride every now and again, cuz well, it gets lonely otherwise, sitting there all alone by itself."
"Yes, that I can understand".
The radio was playing loudly. Bartha and Anita were dancing.
"Ok now mon", said Anita instructing Bartha, "you dive through my legs and pop up on the other side and swing around."
Bartha did as he was instructed, puling of the maneuver with a modicum of grace.
"Perfect you got it down, Bart mon."
Cissie and Cassie were looking on as they practiced maneuvers, popular in 50's style couple dancing.
"Why don't people do that anymore?" Cissie motioned to Bartha and Anita.
"Because it looks silly and the music sucks?" Cass replied.
"No, I mean dance as a couple."
"It's kind of sexist don't you think."
"Yeah well, I guess it can get romantic, especially on the slow dances."
"Not sexy! I mean sexist. Men lead women follow. "
"Yeah well, sometimes it's nice not to have to make the decisions, not to be the one to make the first move. Guys sometimes, it takes them forever. They're so clueless."
"Tell me about it." Cass agreed.
"That's it! I have had it with that class."
"Home ed.? But Kon, you were doing so well, and you were learning how to cook."
"I don't need to know how to cook. I just need to know how to read the instructions - insert packet in microwave oven on high for two minutes."
"Kon knowing how to cook is a skill any person, man or woman, should have. Plus the fact, do you see a microwave around here?"
"Look Cass, forget it, I'm not doing it. From now on I'm being a man."
"Is that what this is about? You care what those guys at school think."
"Wouldn't you? I mean if you had to go around with everybody staring at you and thinking..."
"Why do you care what they think Kon? You don't know any of them really. You'll never see any of them again and if you do they'll be like, so over the hill."
"Yeah, I don't know Supes. I'll never see him again."
"If we don't prevent his death you won't. Kon, I know I shouldn't bring this up but you're Superman's clone and..."
"If Superman dies before he could be cloned, then I will never have existed. Don't worry Supes won't die. We won't let him."
"Hera, I hope you're right" she said placing her hand on his shoulder.
"Hi Kon." Secret said as she floated out to him. "Come out to spy on Clark again."
"Spy? I am not now, nor have I ever been, a member of the communist party. So what's up today?"
"Well Clark came home after school and did all his regular chores."
"Yes the shoveling of crap and so forth. What else?"
"Well he chopped some wood."
"Ah ha. Chopping wood! If that isn't a manly exercise."
"Yes well, as you can see now they've just come in the house. Ma Kent is away at a church function."
"Raising funds for the needy?"
"Yes, through BINGO."
"Oh."
"Anyway, Clark's just started cooking supper."
"What?" Superboy could feel his heart sink. "Damn you Clark. Why do you have to be so damn good?"
"What's the matter?"
"He had to know how to cook, didn't he? That boy scout had to have that merit badge."
"You don't know how to cook?"
"I know how to burn stuff. I starting taking this home ed. class at school and what do I get for my trouble but... anyway I quit."
"What did you burn yourself?"
"Oh I got burned all right."
"Well just because you got burned once doesn't mean that you can't go back. You just have to be more careful. Don't you want to know how to cook?" she asked him.
He just stared strait at the kitchen window where Clark was peeling potatoes.
End of Part 2
"Young Justice in the Fifties" m