Standings

"Lying, questions and thoughts"

Gotham Heights

Every society has its rituals, its customs. From the most Neolithic tribes in darkest Africa to the most advance post-modern societies they are understood by the in-crowd and help smooth the gears of the society.

Coffee Cake.

For those that live in the suburbs, coffee cake has become part of the ritual of welcoming a new neighbor. It says, hi, we are going to be living next to each other, so we spent five to ten bucks as a way of meeting you. For your part as the new neighbor, you are expected to invite them in for coffee and a piece of the cake while you all get to know each other. You may never actually speak to your neighbors again, only wave as you come in and out of your house, but it helps you become part of the neighborhood.

As Cubby and LuAnn Vinton made their way up the new neighbors sidewalk, LuAnn was still fussing with the presentation of the coffee cake.

"I don't know why you had to splurge on a bakery coffee cake," Cubby grumbled. "Sara Lee was good enough for all the other neighbors."

"I want to make a good impression, Cubby,' LuAnn replied. "They bought the biggest house in the neighborhood so they must have money. Aren't you always going on about first impressions in your business?"

"Well, yes," Cubby admitted. He turned and looked across the street at his own house. "I think our house stacks up just fine with this one. Maybe it's not as showy, but it's quality, you can tell."

"They have a pool, Cubby," LuAnn pointed out.

"Like I said, showy, but look at this, regular wood. That's going to be nothing but headaches for them. If you compare it to our house with the aluminum siding, I think we come out on top. That siding is built to last."

"Maybe you can talk them into siding their house,' LuAnn offered. Cubby was still looking fondling at his own house as LuAnn rang the bell.

'That aluminum siding is guaranteed for thirty years, while this wood will never stand up,' he was saying a the door opened.

"Yes," Diana said as she opened the door. Cubby was just finishing his thoughts on aluminum siding versus wood as he turned towards the voice.

"Holy, God Almighty," he gasped as he lay eyes on Diana for the first time. It took an elbow to the ribs from his wife to snap him out of it. "I-I mean, hello!"

"Welcome to the neighborhood,' LuAnn cheerfully said, holding out the coffee cake to Diana. She reflexively took it as it was pressed into her hands and looked at the two.

"Um, thank you,' she said, not sure what this was all about. They both just stood there smiling at her and then it suddenly hit Diana what they were waiting for. Fishing into her pants pocket, she pulled out a five-dollar bill and handed it to LuAnn.

"Thank you, I appreciate the work you do,' she said with a smile and then closed the door. As she carried coffee cake towards the kitchen, Clark was just coming out of the room he was using as an office.

"Was someone at the door?"

"Yes, a nice couple gave us a cake,' Diana replied, holding it up for him to see.

"Coffee cake? Oh, jeez,' Clark said and then quickly headed for the front door.

"It's alright, Kal, I already tipped them,' Diana called after him.

"I'll explain it later, Diana,' He called over his shoulder. Moving as fast as a normal man would, he got the door and opened it. Standing there were a rather stunned and confused Cubby and LuAnn. "Hello, I'm Clark Kent."

He smiled and offered his hand to them. LuAnn immediately smiled on seeing him.

"Hello, I'm LuAnn Vinton,' she replied. She held his hand a little longer than necessary, even using the two handed grip. For a moment, Clark wondered what that was about, but the man with her was holding his hand out as well.

"Cubby, Cubby Vinton,' he said. Clark managed to extricate himself from LuAnn and returned the handshake.

"Was that your wife," Cubby asked.

"Hmm? Oh, yes, yes, Diana, she's quite the kidder," Clark offered, going with the first thought that popped into his head. It seemed to work, as the two of them smiled and nodded their heads.

"She really had us going there,' Cubby chuckled.

"Yeah, she's a regular riot sometimes,' Clark replied. The three stood there for a moment, all politely chuckling then Clark realized they wanted to come in.

"Oh, why don't you come in," he said, stepping back to let them enter. LuAnn brushed against him and smiled at they passed him into the house. Diana had been watching all of this more than a little confused. Yes, it was a nice cake, but why did they have to let them in the house?

"Diana, these are our new neighbors, Chubby and LuAnn Vinton,' Clark said.

"Cubby, it's Cubby.' He corrected him, smiling at Diana.

"Yes, I said hello to you both at the door,' she replied. She glanced at Clark for an explanation.

"They came over to get acquainted."

"Oh,' she said, still not understanding what the cake had to do with anything. She did notice that LuAnn had pocketed the five dollars she gave her.

"Why don't you two come in and sit down,' Clark said. "We're still unpacking, so if you give us a moment, I'll see if I can find some plates and gets some coffee going."

Cubby and LuAnn nodded and stepped into the living room, sizing up the furniture. Clark was all smiles as he moved over and gently took Diana by the arm and led her into the kitchen.

"Talk about a looker, huh,' Cubby mused.

"Yes, he is,' LuAnn absently replied, watching Clark as he walked to the kitchen. Cubby turned and gave his wife a look, but didn't say anything.

In the kitchen, Clark was scrambling to make some coffee and find some plates, as Diana set the coffee cake on the counter.

"Why did you invite them in, Kal? We don't even know them,' she asked.

"It's just what you do, Diana," he replied, finding only paper plates.

"Why?"

"Coffee cake, Diana."

"What about it?"

"It's the universal signal in the suburbs that your neighbors are welcoming you to the neighborhood. You let them in, talk awhile, eat some of the cake and drink some coffee," he said. "And before you ask, I don't know why, it's just the way things are done."

"So anyone that shows up with food at our door, we have to let in the house?"

"No, not anyone, Diana,' Clark started to explain, but as he turned he saw Diana was smiling. "What?"

"That was a joke, Kal."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, give me some credit,' she said with a laugh.

"So closing the door in their face was a joke?"

"No,' she admitted. "But I did figure it out after you invited them in. I may not know what this ritual is, but I recognized one when I see it. Why cake though? Why not wine or spirits if they want to celebrate our arrival?"

Clark held up his hands and sighed, having no good answer for her question.

"Welcome to the suburbs, Diana."

In the living room, Cubby and LuAnn were inspecting the furniture and decorations, impressed with how expensive they must have been.

"Someone's must be doing pretty well to afford this stuff,' Cubby observed.

"I'm liking him more and more,' LuAnn said with a smile. They both turned as Clark and Diana came back into the room, carrying a tray of coffee and the cake.

"Hope paper plates are all right, as I said, we're still get situated,' Clark offered.

"Oh, that's fine, Clark, just fine,' LuAnn said, moving over to help him with the tray. As Diana set the plates and cups down, she couldn't help but notice how friendly the woman seemed to be towards Clark. This LuAnn seemed overly familiar with him and Diana found she didn't like it.

"Coffee, LuAnn,' Diana asked, holding out a cup.

"Yes, thank you."

"Chubby?"

"It's Cubby like a bear,' he explained with a smile.

"Oh, I thought it was Chubby because of you are so …" Diana started to say, but Clark cut her off.

"So who wants cake?"

The Watchtower

Zatanna stood looking out the observation lounge windows, trying to figure out what she was going to do. She heard the door open and feel the rush of air.

"Hey, Zee, what are you doing in here all alone?"

"Just thinking, Wally,' she replied. Zee turned and saw he seemed a little nervous. "What's going on?"

"Trying to avoid, Dinah,' he admitted as he walked over next to her.

"Why? What did you do?"

"Nothing, I swear!' He raised his right hand at this. "I was just talking with Plastic Man, you know. He just got back from Moscow and apparently the sewers are all safe there. So we're joking around, I mean the guy's a riot! Anyway, Dinah comes in and as soon as she sees him she gets this look on her face."

"She doesn't like him,' Zee replied.

"Thanks for the breaking news,' Wally sarcastically said. "All of a suddenly she gets really pissed and starts muttering about some list. I figured I'd get out of there, pronto."

"What did he say,' Zee asked.

"It was just a silly joke,' Wally said. "Why does a blonde smile during a lighting storm? Because she thinks a picture is being taking. I mean, come on, that's sort of funny!"

Zee gave a little smile as she shook her head.

"She's going to kill him."

"I know,' Wally added. "She didn't look too happy with Jonn or me, either. I've never seen him phase through the floor that fast before. I figured time to exit, stage left!"

"You might want to stay out of her way for awhile."

"That was the plan. What's with her lately, anyway? Ollie cheat on her again or something?"

"I don't know. Why don't you ask her yourself?"

"That would make avoiding her really hard."

He was looking at Zatanna now and could tell something was up with her. It wasn't like her to be alone looking out at the stars like this. She was one of the more social of the members and always worth a laugh or two. She seemed down to him and he had to wonder why.

"So what's up with you, Zee,' he asked.

"Just thinking,' she replied.

"Superman?"

"Oh God,' she groaned. "Does everyone know about that?"

"Not everyone," Wally offered. "So are you going to make your move on Big Blue?"

"NO!"

"Okay, just asking,' Wally said, taking a step back.

"Sorry, I'm just kind of confused,' she admitted. "I don't know what to do."

"Seems pretty straight forward to me,' Wally replied. "You're single, he's single and you like him. What's the problem?"

"Diana."

'What about her?"

"Well, she is sort of married to him and they are living together."

"Yeah, that is weird,' Wally admitted. "See I thought this whole bet thing was about her and Bruce being interested in each other, but he was pulling that Mr. Cold Shoulder routine."

"That's what I thought too,' Zee said. "Now, though, I don't know what's going on. I thought she liked Bruce, but she's living with Clark. The bet's to prove she can understand Bruce's world, but she's married to Clark. I don't know what to do."

"What do you want to do,' Wally asked.

"Well, Diana's my friend, so if she's interested in Clark, I'll back off,' Zee explained.

"They do make a handsome couple,' Wally offered. This got him a look from Zatanna.

"The thing is if she's not interested in Clark and still interested in Bruce does that mean she wouldn't mind me maybe asking Clark out? Then, even if she were interested in Bruce, wouldn't it be too weird for me to be asking her sort of husband out? That's not even getting into is Clark even interested in going out with me. It's all so confusing."

"Well, you know if it was me and I was hot for someone, I'd just go ahead and ask them out,' Wally said to her.

"Really?'

"Yes, absolutely. So what are you doing this Saturday night,' he asked. He wagged his eyebrows and gave her sort of a leering smile that was meant be charming.

"Was that an example,' she asked.

"That's depends on your answer."

"No."

"Then yes, yes it was an example."

She gave him a look.

"I thought you were going to ask Fire out anyway,' she said. "What's happening there?"

"I'm working on it. Just waiting for the right moment, is all."

"Well, good luck with that, but don't do that thing with your eyebrows when you ask her out, it's creepy,' Zee replied. "At least your situation is straightforward. If things weren't complicated enough, Bruce got me to do any interview with Clark next week."

"Bruce did,' Wally said. "Interesting."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, come on, he's Batman," Wally replied. "He never does anything without a reason."

"What reason could he have for getting me to do any interview with Clark,' she asked.

"I don't know, but he's sneaky clever."

"Great, now I'm more confused."

"Maybe that's the reason he's doing it,' Wally offered.

"To confuse me? That doesn't make any sense at all."

"Doesn't it,' Wally asked. There was a look in his eye, like he'd just hit on another idea. "Maybe it makes so much sense it's blowing you mind! It's all riddles within puzzles within suitcases with Batman."

"Suitcases?"

"I ran out of analogies for puzzles,' Wally admitted.

"How about imbecile."

"No, I don't think that works,' he replied. "It doesn't even rhyme."

Gotham

It was getting towards evening. Bruce had learned over the years to prefer the night to the day. It was his element now. As he made his preparations for his nightly patrol, his mind seemed to drift to everything that was happening with the bet. He still didn't believe they would win, but had to admit there was a possibility. As determined as Diana was, Bruce knew she wouldn't give up without a fight.

Part of him wished she would, as it would make things simpler.

Then there was Zatanna. It still irked Bruce she had gotten a promise out of him to attend her show. She knew him much better than he realized. Somewhere along the line she'd grown up from that little girl he met all those years ago, yet she still teased Bruce like when they first met.

He'd of course heard about her crush on Clark. There was a part of him that didn't like it. For her to get involved with Clark would put a big target on her back, he thought, even bigger than if she were involved with … Don't go there, he told himself. You told her there wasn't a chance; so don't start second guessing yourself now.

As irritating as it was, Bruce knew he could use her attraction to Clark to his advantage. Knowing her the way he did, he knew the interview would involve some flirting. It was her nature, Zee was a flirt. Bruce had to smile at this while he double-checked his utility belt. If Diana and Clark made it that long, perhaps it would shake them up a little. The idea was to win and Bruce knew you use every available resource at your disposal.

Just to be safe, he would make sure to monitor the interview between Clark and Zatanna. It was the least he could do for a friend.

Gotham Heights

Clark and Diana were saying good-bye to Cubby and LuAnn. They'd done the perfunctory getting to know you ritual and now it was time for the vague promises to do it again sometime.

"So you've got my card, Clark,' Cubby said. "Now I want you and the little lady there to serious consider investing in aluminum siding. It might be the most important decision you make this year.'

"Why do you keep referring to me as the little woman, Cubby,' Diana asked. "I'm clearly taller than you."

"Well, um, I, ah,' Cubby stammered.

"She got you again,' Clark nervously said. "What I tell you, she's a kidder this one."

He put his arm around Diana, hoping she wouldn't correct him. As his hand skimmed over her side, Clark noticed that she flinched for a second. Interesting, he thought.

"Oh, you're a pistol, Diana, a pistol,' Cubby laughed. Diana smiled but didn't say anything in reply.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Clark,' LuAnn said, moving over to him. "I hope you won't be a stranger now that we're acquainted."

She was standing very close to Clark and then suddenly rose up on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. He was surprised by this, as was Diana.

"Remember, we live right across the road, Clark," LuAnn said.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"And when you do, Clark, stop for a moment and take a look at that siding,' Cubby said. "It's the future! Don't be left behind!"

"We will let you know what we decide, Cubby,' Diana said.

"You do that, Diana,' Cubby replied. "Oh and by the way, it was a really pleasure meeting you. Clark you are a lucky man!"

"Yes, he is,' Diana offered. She looked at LuAnn as she said this, smiling the whole time.

"Well, goodnight!"

"Night!"

The four waved to each other and then Diana closed the door.

"Well, that was interesting," Clark mused. "They seem like a friendly couple."

"She seemed a little overly friendly if you asked me,' Diana observed.

"I don't know, Cubby seemed to have a hard time taking his eyes off you the whole night,' Clark replied. He was in a good mood, so decided to tease her just a little. "Apparently your beauty dazzles everyone, Princess."

He received a punch in the arm for his trouble.

"I know you don't like being called Princess. I think I got it,' Clark said, rubbing his shoulder.

"I thought you might," Diana said with a smile.

"Well at least that's over.'

They were walking back into the living room to clean up as they continued discussing the evening.

"Why was she always touching you,' Diana asked.

"I guess she's just a touchy feely kind of person," he replied. "Why?"

"I didn't like it,' she admitted.

"What are you jealous,' Clark said with a laugh.

"Don't be ridiculous, Kal,' Diana said dismissively. "It's just you are my husband for the time being, so it seems rather inappropriate for her to be acting that way right in front of me."

"I'm sure it's nothing."

Diana had her doubts, but decided to let it go.