From This Moment On – Chapter VI
Notes: ...And the story continues! So how is life for Lois now that she knows Superman's identity?
Disclaimer: I do not
own Superman. All characters are based on fiction and have no
relation to real life people.
Metropolis Federal Court Complex
"Maggie, get me Davidson at the Metropolitan police headquarters on the phone will you?"
"Yes, sir," replied the legal secretary over the intercom.
The phone began to ring as the secretary placed the call.
"Davidson speaking."
"Yes, this is Judge Parker. I need you to look into someone for me."
"Sure thing, your honor, who is it?"
"Lois Lane, she's a reporter at the Daily Planet."
"Yea, I know her. She's renowned for being pesky when it comes to one of her stories. Whatcha want to know, sir?"
"Mhmm. Everything negative you can get your hands on. Let's just say she's not on my good list."
"Can do, sir. I'll report back shortly."
Honorable Judge Parker hung up the phone and leaned back in his cushy, leather chair. He looked around his spacious office. Although he could spend the rest of his life being a district judge, he had higher aspirations. Not that the perks weren't nice, but they weren't nothing like those he would get as a justice of the Supreme Court. To get there he had to make a lot of rich friends in the right places: politics, business, and some rather unsavory types.
Lex Luthor was one of those unmentionable friends that one always needed to further oneself politically. Men like him wanted to know that they would be safe if they were ever caught. He has had many dealings such as this, but Luthor was the first one that actually scared him…especially after last week's events. Parker wasn't shocked when that reporter, Lois Lane, wrote that the incidents were caused by Luthor. They hadn't been in touch in awhile, which lead Parker to assume that he was up to something. So far he has managed to escape police, but it wouldn't be long until Superman catches him.
'Superman will find him and have him tried again, and I'll find a way to bust him out. Everything will go right back as it was before. Superman might be able to stop Luthor from his evil plans, but he can't stop me from using Luthor to gain power.'
With those thoughts, Judge Parker leaned further back in his chair; an egotistical smile on his face.
Next Morning –
Daily Planet Newsroom
"How do you spell antidisestablishmentarianism?"
Silence
"Oh come on, you guys haven't ever let me down before!" Lois sighed and pulled up an online dictionary. "How exactly are you supposed to find a word in the dictionary if you can't spell it in the first place?"
"I think the idea is to guess the first few letters and go from there." Clark had walked up behind her.
Lois swung around in her desk chair, "There you are. Are we still going down to the docks to win some interviews?"
Clark nodded, "Yeap, I made a promise and I try not to break them."
Lois gave Clark a knowing smile. She was surprised that she didn't start acting like an idiot when she first saw Clark that morning. However, it was hard to keep affection out of her voice and actions.
'Clark is Superman', she thought.
Just thinking about it gave Lois the shivers. She had apologized to him for practically ignoring him since day one, but he told her he never blamed her. It was his decision to have his Clark disguise after all.
"Let me just finish this article. I'm almost done."
Clark nodded, "Sure thing, I'll just go tell Chief where we are headed."
Metropolitan Docks
Lois and Clark made it to the docks around lunch time. They wanted to catch some of the workers on their lunch breaks so they would have enough time to interview them.
They walked up to the trailer office and asked the secretary where they could find the workers while on their lunch breaks.
"Pretty much everywhere, I guess. Some eat in their cars, some around the cranes, and a few leave. Why?"
"I'm Lois Lane from the Daily Planet. I'm interested in doing a story about blue collar labor on the docks."
The secretary sniffed, "Sure, whatever. Just don't go around where the cranes are operating. We had a kid almost get killed just the other day."
They walked back outside and headed towards the cranes.
"You'd think she didn't care that the kid lived."
Clark shrugged, "Some people just don't show emotion well."
"Uh huh," Lois said, "Sure Clark."
She gave him a smile anyways. He had such a good heart and wouldn't admit that some people are just frigid. She looked him over in his goofy three piece suit and he blushed.
"God, you are shy! It's a miracle you survived high school." Lois said while crossing her arms.
Clark grinned, "I guess my hormones didn't rage exactly like everyone else's."
Lois started walking in the direction of the cranes. "So you blush when I look at you in layers upon layers of clothing, yet…lowers her voice…you fly around in a skin tight costume?"
Clark laughed, "Sure, why not? That is how Kryptonians dress…and I blush anytime you look at me. You just haven't noticed."
Lois gave Clark her quirky smile and bit her lip, "Good."
They spotted a group of men sitting down on the ground with their lunch boxes open, so they walked in that direction.
"Hi," Clark said. "I'm Clark Kent from the Daily Planet. We're writing a story on blue collar labor here on the docks. Would anyone allow us to interview them?
A few men nodded and stood up. Lois got out her recorder and hit the green button.
"According to our sources, there have been several complaints with this particular company such as work ethic, wages, and hours. We are looking at doing a story that would voice these concerns."
A man of a good size and height stepped forward first. He was silver haired and looked to be around mid-forties.
The man nodded, "Sounds good. But, the first thing you need to know is that it's been this way a long time. This isn't some new thing that came out of the blue. "
Clark nodded, "I was told that employees who needed different shifts have not gotten what they need, wages are on the low side, and that the managers are ignoring the guilds."
The man nodded, "Yea, that's all true. The guild is very small and practically useless. Everything's been so corrupted for so long, that everyone is used to it. Why join the guild when you know it has no power? So, everyone just uses the old bribe method."
"Does the corporate office know of this corruption?" Lois asked.
The man shrugged, "Some may, but they don't care."
"And you have tried the proper government agencies?"
"Yea, the guild has. The lot of them got fired. Those agencies aren't worried with blue collar workers like us…they're to busy with professionals. No offense."
Clark shook his head, "None taken."
"So, basically every action to make your work environment better has been tried? Every move has failed and you fear for your job for anything more drastic?" Lois asked. "And you all feel this way?"
The group nodded.
"Obviously, I'm not going to ask for names, but would anyone like to volunteer any personal experiences with the corrupt management?"
Lois listened to some of the men and asked a few more questions.
Clark spotted a man walking towards them at a quick pace. He recognized him as the one of the managers in the office.
"Excuse me! What exactly is going on here?" He said promptly.
Lois turned and faced the man. "Lois Lane, Daily Planet."
"Really? And who let you onto our property?"
"No one, we stopped by the office and asked where the workers were. The secretary didn't seem to mind us."
Lois noticed Clark sizing the man up.
"We haven't broken any laws and neither has your employees." Clark said.
"My employees are my business, thank you. Now I must insist that you leave our property now."
Lois nodded smugly, "Sure thing, we got what we needed anyhow. I'd be reading the Planet if I were you."
Lois turned her back to leave and Clark followed her.
"Jack ass," Clark heard her mutter.
"Don't worry, Lois, the article will help change things."
She turned and smiled at him. "Wanna get lunch? There is a great deli not far from here."
Clark grinned, "Sure."
Across the street
from the docks
"That's her...Lois Lane."
Two men were standing outside a dark van.
"Call Pete…tell him we found her."
Feedback is wonderful! -Kristina Leigh