"So, you're from California?" Jimmy attempted some small talk with the young woman sitting next to him in the cab. "Is it as valley-girl based as the media plays it out to be?"
Dawn understood what he meant. "Yeah, at times it's like you've stepped into Barbie magazine with ditzy blonde girls and macho guys. I'm definitely going to enjoy a vacation from the bimbos. Trust me, living in Cali, is so overrated. I mean, yeah, the weather is great and there are plenty of beaches to surf at, but there's no substance to the California atmosphere. You know what I mean?"
"Yeah, I do, actually. Sometimes when you're living in a big city, you get the feel it's over rated," Jimmy felt connected to this Dawn girl, as if they instantly clicked. "You like to surf I take it. I'll be sure and have Kent and Lois take you to the local indoor surfing place. It's not the real thing, true, but it's better than nothing. It's not half bad, actually."
Dawn's ears perked up and turned to Jimmy in disbelief, "you surf? Did you have your own board or do you just rent?" Dawn never thought she'd bump into a fellow surfer while in Metropolis. "I've got one at a friend's house."
Jimmy shook his head, "I don't hit the waves enough to justify a purchase of a board, not like there's much room in my apartment for one. I just rent when I manage to get away from the office. It's not too often, unfortunately."
Dawn nodded in understanding, fighting along side with the Slayer nearly every night while taking care of Senior English homework didn't exactly leave her with much of a social life to enjoy things like surf and sun.
Leaning back into the seat, Dawn sighed as the cab continued down the road. Shortly later it jerked to a stop and Jimmy climbed out, offering Dawn a hand. She took it graciously and offered him a smile in thanks. After being paid, the driver sped off down the road and Jimmy showcased the immense building standing before them.
"I present for your viewing delight, the headquarters of the great 'Daily Planet', where numerous hours have been logged in by its dedicated staff in order to get the scoop and inform the public." Jimmy used a broadcasting host voice and cause Dawn to snicker. "If you'll follow me, we can begin our tour of the fine establishment." He pulled open the door as a couple rushed out and bumped into him.
The man was tall and burly, his broad shoulders and wide chest were only accented more by the collared shirt he wore. He had legs of a runner and his steps were made with force and determination. His eyes were soft but watchful and he scanned Dawn discreetly as the woman gathered herself from the crash with Jimmy.
The woman was dressed in a dress suit that was too dark for her skin and made her look like a ghost, Dawn noted. Dawn cringed at the moment the woman opened her mouth and began speaking. It was like Cordelia on a sugar rush, high pitched and frantic and Dawn decided she wouldstay away fromthis woman in the future to avoid clawing her own ears off in efforts to obtain sweet silence.
"Jimmy Olsen, we've been worried sick. Where the sam-hill have you been? What makes you think you can just up and disappear for an hour without telling anyone, especially when you're on the clock! You know, we've got that presentation today and you've still got to give me your notes. While Clark and I have had to spend our time looking for your irresponsible bum, that poor girl has been at the airport waiting to get picked up. I mean honestly, you can't keep acting like a child. You've got people depending on you Jimmy, you've got responsibilities now. You need to start acting like an adult. If you don't, there's no way you'll become an official reporter like Clark and I."
Dawn managed to catch bits of the woman's rant, pieces like 'Clark', 'airport', and 'reporter' and had a feeling this woman was one of her hosts. Inwardly Dawn rolled her eyes at the injustice of it all and outwardly she placed a hand on Jimmy's arm to remind him she was still here. Judging by the look on his face, he appreciated it. Dawn smiled, then turned her attention to the middle aged blabbering woman and extended out her other hand.
"You must be Lois Lane," Dawn shook her hand politely, pasting a fake grin on her face for the woman then shook the man's hand, "and Clark Kent, right? I'm Dawn, you were expecting me?"
The woman was clearly flabbergasted and struggled to put two words together. Meanwhile Clark nodded his head, "that's right. So it seems Jimmy boy here picked you up for us after all. Lois and I were otherwise occupied, sorry about that. But I'm glad you arrived safely. Well, why don't we continue this inside?" Clark was obviously the sensible of the two, Dawn decided as she nodded and followed Jimmy in.
Clark kind of reminded her of Xander in 'serious' mood, the few times he wasn't trying to impress Cordy, Buffy, or Willow with his jokes and jests. He could be a pretty mellow guy with the older girls weren't around, Dawn had discovered, and this Clark Kent emulated what she pictured Xander becoming in about nine or ten years, long after the "Scooby gang" broke up and they had to get real lives.
Dawn was getting one of her gut feelings. This one was telling her the trip to Metropolis wouldn't soon be forgotten, whether she wanted to remember or not.