Chapter 4
Metropolis – 2016
Holding up her press pass to the security guard at the Metropolis Museum of Art, Lois walked in unobstructed and made her way to the main hall where the reception was being held. Lex Luthor had not yet arrived, and the event had begun nearly half an hour before she arrived. She was hoping to catch Lex in the middle of a conversation that she could horn in on but no such luck.
"Damn," she muttered. She circulated through the well-heeled society types and helped herself to the hors d'oeuvres and champagne that was sitting out on cocktail tables or being offered from waiters' trays as they wandered through the crowd. Much better than my cold cereal dinner last night, she thought and scouted out more. She looked at the jewelry and clothing that was worn by those who had received an invitation. Although Lois looked great and had worn her best cocktail dress to the gala, she felt like she looked like a mechanic that just slid out from under an old car compared to the elegance around her.
She thought to herself, Well, I guess I won't be finding anyone here to take to the Daily Planet Christmas party and snorted at the thought. Ever since Cat Grant had mentioned it, Lois could not get that thought out of her mind. She hoped that she could find someone in the next few weeks who could accompany her to the party. If for no other reason, it would shut Cat up.
A noise in the crowd rose and Lois correctly assumed that Lex Luthor had arrived. The murmuring crowd parted, and Lex walked through like Moses parting the Red Sea. He smiled, shook hands, spoke to individuals briefly, and nodded in recognition of people as he made his way through the throng of admirers. He walked to where a small stage had been set up and he took the three steps onto it. At that point, the three-piece combo that had been playing typical elevator music ceased and someone from the Metropolis Preservation and Historical Society took the microphone.
The speaker welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming to this event. She droned on for a few moments about how important the Hobbs Ferry Naval Base had been to the founding and protection of Metropolis until 1954 when it was shuttered by the Department of Defense. Since then, it had fallen into disrepair and had become a haven for the homeless, addicted, and crime that drove businesses away and became an eyesore for the city.
She spoke of projected plans to revitalize the waterfront there and, through a partnership with the state and federal government, turn the property into an entertainment district so couples and families could enjoy the waterfront and businesses would return to Metropolis.
Lex Luthor was then introduced as a key player in the revitalization project. Lex stepped to the microphone and waxed poetic of the need to provide more family-friendly dining and entertainment activities to the people of Metropolis. He spoke of growing up and watching the dilapidated section of Metropolis become a hideous scar on the face of the city he loved. Lex talked at length of his desire to see Metropolis become a destination for tourists and out of town families year-round and that Metropolis needed more than just Centennial and Metropolis Parks to make that happen. It needed an entertainment district and what better way to attract people to Metropolis than an upscale, family-friendly entertainment district? He noted that the revitalization project would help create small business opportunities and bring good jobs to a depressed part of the city for decades to come. He said he was proud to be a leader in the move to revitalize the eyesore that Hobbs Ferry waterfront had become. In support of that project, Lex held up a giant check, made out to the Hobbs Ferry Waterfront Revitalization Project from LexCorp for the sum of $10 million.
The audience gasped and applauded the donation. Lex encouraged all those in attendance to consider donating to the worthwhile project. He thanked everyone once again and wished them a joyous holiday season and his hopes for a great and successful 2017.
The crowd applauded and he stepped down from the stage. The master of ceremonies commanded everyone to join her in thanking Lex Luthor and LexCorp for their generous donation. She then signaled the three-piece combo to get back to work.
The socialites all crowded around Lex and the scent of Parfums de Marly Valaya, Le Labo Santal 33, and Creed Fleurissimo filled the air around him as women flocked to the young billionaire and older men sucked in their guts and shook Lex's hand.
Lois held her ground as the crowd shifted in her direction. She stood fast and as Luthor came within reach, she said authoritatively, "Lex Luthor!" He stopped talking and stared at her a moment. He cocked his head and smiled, as though he was trying to place her.
"I'm sorry, have we met?" he asked.
"No, we have not," she said solemnly. "My name is Lois Lane, and I would like to know why you have been dodging my requests for an interview?"
The crowd quieted and Lex looked at the young woman who was clearly in control of herself and seemed unfazed by the pomp and circumstance surrounding her. She stood confidently, with an inscrutable expression and smoldering eyes. She was a natural beauty, strong-willed, bold, powerful in her own right, and determined, and he could deduce all that in the seven seconds they had interacted. Lois was exactly the type of woman that attracted Lex Luthor. Now there is a woman, he thought.
He walked toward her and took her right hand, raised it to his lips and kissed it. "And it's not a mistake I shall make again," he replied. He held her hand in both of his. His eyes were intense, and they lit something deep inside Lois. He smiled a kind and disarming smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lois Lane. And as for an interview, let's say Monday morning at 11 AM at my penthouse." Lois smiled and nodded in return. "Perhaps you would join me for an après-interview lunch as well?" he added.
Her features softened. "Thank you, Mr. Luthor. It would be my pleasure to join you." He had warm, inviting eyes, she thought.
"Please, Miss Lane, call me Lex. All my friends do."
"Then please call me Lois. It's what my friends do as well." She paused and he continued to stare into her eyes, and she returned his stare. Finally, she spoke. "Well, until Monday then, mister, er, Lex," Lois said, and then rolled her right hand into his, gave him a firm handshake, and then stepped off.
She was intrigued and excited by the man but at the same time, burdened by his conspicuous display of wealth and self-serving generosity. But he was quite charming and very handsome though, she thought. Not Al Capone incarnate, like I had pictured him. Perry was right, I really need to find out more about this guy!
It was clear that Lex Luthor had been schooled in haute etiquette and was an exceptionally high-caliber person who had experienced a lot in his 30-something lifetime. She walked deliberately toward the exit doors and down the museum steps. Anyone watching her would consider her to be the epitome of cool, calm, and under control yet, all the while on the inside, she was cheering like a little kid and wanted to jump for joy. Once she was clear of the museum and any potential onlookers, she did a rather vulgar, thrusting happy dance before getting into her car.
As she drove home, she thought about what Ron Troupe had told her and decided that she would spend the weekend developing and refining questions that were tactful and tactical as she attempted to get a better glimpse into the real Lex Luthor and his world. She would bounce them off Troupe on Monday morning to get his take.
Ever since meeting him, Lois had a nagging thought that worked its way to the surface of her consciousness. What if Lex Luthor has nothing to do with the corruption in St. Louis? Because he greased the wheels with political contributions in Missouri to get factory permits expedited, that makes him a corruptor? She remembered what Andrew Busby had said about him but how well did Busby really know Lex versus how much was he told about Lex by Walter Billingsley? She needed to be fair in her assessment and not go in with a preconceived bias to color any and everything he said in that tone. She should be skeptical but not dismissive of his explanations or assertions. Just keep an open mind.
Lois had no doubt that Lex Luthor had done underhanded things to get to where he was at in the business world. But I'll bet if I checked closely enough, I could say that about every hugely successful businessman. Should they all be the target of an investigative reporter? she wondered. He seemed genuine in his comments. He seemed genuinely polite to those around him and never seemed narcissistic. Someone as wealthy as Luthor could be as rude as he wanted to others without worrying about consequences, yet he chose to be civil, polite, charming.
He kissed my hand. Who even does that anymore? She chuckled to herself. All the socialites, powerful people, and glitterati around him; had they all been fooled about him because they seemed genuinely at ease around Lex but equally in awe of the man? She thought about the crowd's reaction to Luthor and she came to the conclusion that either she was way off target based on hearsay, as Perry figured out, or the man was a sophisticated and certifiable psychopath.
On Monday morning, Lois went in to talk to Perry White without Ron Troupe backing her up. "Chief, I was invited to Lex Luthor's home for an interview. I wanted to let you know and get your…uh, thoughts about it," she said. Lois did not want to ask for his approval because she was worried he would not give it, but felt like she owed it to him to at least run it by him.
"Interview him about what, Lois?"
"I wanted to get a better picture of the man, Chief. Honestly, I met him on Friday at a ceremony in which he donated a huge sum of money to the Hobbs Ferry waterfront revitalization project. I want to know what makes the man tick and if the allegations about him hold any water."
Perry's eyes narrowed. "This is all about St. Louis, isn't it?"
She squirmed. "It started out like that, yes," she admitted. "But after meeting him and talking to him briefly, as well as watching those at the event interact with him, I'm not sure that the information I got from Busby was directly over the target." She cocked her head. "This is me doing what you suggested. I'm going to interview him."
White laced his fingers behind his head and leaned back in his chair. "I've never known Lex Luthor to give interviews. Why do you think he gave one to you?"
"I called him out in front of a group of his admirers. I think he felt obligated at that point." She raised an eyebrow. "I tried to get an appointment through his secretary, but she said he doesn't give interviews."
Her boss smiled. "Good thinking. A little risky but good. Go ahead, Lois," he said and then unlaced his fingers and leaned forward in his chair and leaned on his forearms. "But a word of caution, Darlin'. Lex may be interested in more than just good press. He has a reputation as a ladies' man, and I'd hate to see you in a sticky situation with the third richest man in the world. So please, Lois, be careful."
She made a face. "What multi-billionaire doesn't have a reputation as a ladies' man? At least he's under 60 years old, doesn't look like a dried-out potato, and doesn't have four ex-wives and seven kids. They all have women throwing themselves at them, why should Lex Luthor be any different?"
"He's not," Perry said. "And that's why you need to be careful. I know Lex from the few times we've been at events together, and he can be a charming man. But I suspect he can be a ruthless man when it comes to getting what he wants. Just make sure it's good press, not you that he wants." Perry paused. "Look, Alice and I don't have a daughter but if I did and she had been invited to Lex's place for an interview, I'd tell her the same thing. I just want you to be careful and not be blinded by his charm. Okay?"
She felt like hugging the man. If only my father had been more like him, flashed through her mind. "Gotcha Chief. I have every intention of remaining objective with him. I'll keep him at arm's length."
"Atta girl," Perry said, slapped his desk and flashed a broad smile. "Now go get something good! And hey," he called as she was leaving, "I want something on that charity function before the day's out."
She swiveled around and smiled. "Already on it, Chief. Ron's going over it right now and will forward it to you in a bit."
Hours later, she was riding a private elevator to the top floor of the LexCorp building where Lex Luthor's penthouse condominium was perched. Before arriving for the interview, she had stopped at her apartment and changed into less utilitarian attire. Keeping in mind Perry's advice, she took care not to wear anything that might be viewed as provocative. Lois did not have an extensive wardrobe so early in her career, but she did have something a little more upscale than the usual business outfits she wore at work.
The elevator door opened into a generous and dimly lit foyer with gorgeous Italian tile floors. The walls were painted in subdued earthy colors, and what appeared to be expensive pieces of original art lit by tiny spots from overhead were tastefully arrayed on the walls. Twin antique-looking hallway tables faced one another from each side of the foyer, and each had a matching display of white lilies and red poinsettias in artsy blown glass vases.
The foyer opened into what appeared to be a study or sitting room with thick leather furniture and floor-to-ceiling shelves of books and trinkets collected over the years. It too was tastefully lit by overhead spots but also had floor lamps strategically placed by chairs and a sofa. The furniture surrounded a heavy wooden coffee table made from what appeared to be a reclaimed hatch from an 1800's-era sailing vessel resting on a Persian rug. In the center of the coffee table was another blown glass vase with the same white lily and poinsettia arrangement. The image of Lex sitting in one of the chairs wearing a satin-lapel smoking jacket with a brandy by his side, reading a book being illuminated by one of the floor lamps flashed in her mind and she suppressed a laugh. There was a lot of testosterone in that sitting room and Lex was not even in there.
A woman appeared from a hallway to the left of the sitting room. She was an attractive woman, dressed in a black business suit with a white satin blouse and black pencil skirt. She wore black frame glasses and wore her dark hair up. She had a black leather planner that she clutched beneath her left breast, no doubt having Lex's schedule and key information about those he would interact with during his activities for the day.
"Good morning, Miss Lane," the woman announced. "Mr. Luthor is awaiting your arrival."
Lois smiled and extended her hand. "Hi. You must be Michelle."
"No," the woman responded. "My name is Mercy. Michelle is Mr. Luthor's secretary. I'm Mr. Luthor's personal assistant." She took Lois' hand and shook it.
"Personal assistant," she remarked. "So, you're like Pepper Potts in the 'Iron Man' movie, or Higgins in the old Magnum PI show. Neat!" Lois quipped and Mercy said nothing.
"Follow me," she said dully and led Lois through the foyer to the short hallway from which she entered. That hallway opened into a large living room with panoramic windows overlooking Metropolis. Lex was looking out at Metropolis. "Mr. Luthor," she announced, "Miss Lane."
Lex swiveled around and smiled disarmingly. "Lois," he said and walked over to her with his hand extended. "So good to see you again and thank you for being so punctual." He looked at Mercy. "That will be all Miss Graves," he said, and the woman disappeared down the hallway that continued on past the living room. "Can I get you anything before we start; coffee, tea, water?"
She shook Lex's hand and thought she could use a stiff drink at that point. "No thank you," she said formally and smiled. "I'll wait until lunch."
He led her to a pair of chairs that had been arranged for an interview. They faced one another and had a small coffee table between them. Lois removed a small digital recorder from her purse and showed it to Lex. "So I'm accurately reflecting your responses," she assured him.
He smiled wryly. "And will you be providing me with a copy of the recording afterwards to make certain that I am quoted accurately?" Lex asked shrewdly.
Lois frowned and cocked her head. "This entire place," she looked up, around and back at him, "has no recording devices installed? You're not recording every conversation that takes place here?"
"Touché, Lois," he replied. "Of course, I do. I just wanted to see who I am dealing with."
She smirked. "Hope I measured up." She retrieved from her purse a small journal with questions she had transposed there from her laptop.
"You exceeded my expectations. Please proceed, Lois."
The interview lasted a little more than an hour and, in that time, she covered his background, family life, growing up in the shadow of Lionel Luthor, other family he had, his school years, college days, and then his business life. Lois was surprised that Lex had challenges that mirrored hers growing up. The accident that caused him to lose his hair early in life and the bullying he endured because of it. The loss of his mother, the house staff and boarding school officials that doubled as parents, and his difficult relationship with a brutally domineering father. Lois empathized with him at points, and the more she had interacted with Lex, the less she imagined him as some ultra-rich puppet master pulling strings to corrupt the system to circumvent the law and crush anyone who got in his way. She saw a person much like herself, only much wealthier. She was going to have to re-think her story.
"So, anything else you'd like to ask? I'm an open book to you, Lois," Lex declared. "If not, I'm sure we can close out any unfinished items over lunch." He rose and went to a phone, picked it up and said, "Please ready lunch for two." He hung up and walked back over to the chairs. He waited for Lois to collect her recorder and stow it and her journal back in her purse.
He led her out of the room and down the hallway where an hour earlier, Mercy Graves had disappeared into. "So," Lois began, "I thought you owned a mansion somewhere. Why do you live here?"
"Ah, so there were more questions," Lex quipped. "I own a mansion, but it's about a three-hour drive from here and the weather isn't always conducive to taking the LexCorp helicopter. I needed a place in Metropolis for my busier weeks to avoid commuting. The mansion is on the outskirts of a little town out in the country that is more of a family estate. My father would love to have called it our ancestral estate, but the truth is that my grandfather actually had it rebuilt from an English manor that he had brought over literally block by block and re-assembled in America after World War 2." He paused. "County records would have proven that this was not some Luthor ancestral home and my father knew it."
During lunch, Lex asked Lois questions about her background, her childhood, and what made her pursue a career in journalism. By the time they had finished eating, Lois felt very at ease around Lex. "Perhaps," he offered, "some night this week if you're free, we could have dinner out at a Metropolis restaurant."
Lois replied, "You may want to wait until the story is done before asking me to dinner."
He shrugged. "It's just dinner, not a romantic rendezvous. The truth is, I find you fascinating, Lois. I think you and I have more in common than most people would realize." He took a sip of his sparkling water but kept his eyes on her. "You come from a demanding home where you had no mom for much of your life. Mine was not much different except I was bounced around in boarding schools, not military bases."
Lois thought about the offer and remembered what Perry had warned her about. But she also liked Lex, in the way some people like undomesticated animals they keep as pets. "You know, Lex," she started. "Before I interviewed you, I went through about the last three years of articles the Daily Planet had referencing you." Lex nodded. "Let's just say that the paper hasn't always been very kind to you over the years. Wouldn't you agree?"
Lex narrowed his eyes. "I'd say that maybe you're being charitable in the way you characterized the paper's articles concerning me or my involvement in the stories. They have been less than kind, quite adversarial, and patently one-sided." He paused and then added, "In my opinion, of course. Which is why I had agreed to our interview today, hoping that with someone who hasn't been jaded by derogatory articles over the years might offer a reprieve of sorts."
"I like what I learned here today, Lex." She smiled and cocked her head. "You wouldn't want a positive story, or even a longer-term different perspective of you at the Planet, being dismissed because of claims that we have a relationship and I am no longer objective on the subject of Lex Luthor, would you?" She shook her head and added. "I appreciate the offer and if I was not in a position where my objectivity would be challenging to the credibility of both of us, I'd gladly accept your invitation."
An odd, almost ominous smile flashed on Lex's face. "No. I wouldn't want to harm my chances of getting at least objective press at the Daily Planet and I certainly wouldn't want that to be your downfall either, Miss Lane." Lex rose from his seat and extended his hand to Lois. "It was a pleasure meeting you and I look forward to seeing an objective Daily Planet article about me in the near future. Now, if you will excuse me, I have other business to which I must attend. Have a wonderful rest of the day." He paused and glanced around. "Miss Graves will see you out."
At that, Lex did an about-face and whisked off leaving Lois to await Mercy Graves.
Lois returned to the Planet after stopping by her apartment and changing back into more comfortable office clothing. It was nearly 2:30 PM and she sat down with Ron Troupe to discuss her thoughts. She was adamant that Lex may not be the villain he has always been made out to be. On the other hand, Lois was convinced there was more to the invitation to interview him than an interest in a fresh perspective being taken on Lex Luthor. As Perry would say, he was more interested in getting an angle on me than getting an angle and good press.
"How does the information you got today dovetail with the story on Saint Louis corruption?" Ron asked.
"It doesn't," Lois admitted. "I don't think Lex is squeaky clean, but I also don't think that he's worried about permits taking longer for approval if he doesn't corrupt the entire process. I think he's probably spread some cash around to get projects moving, but I don't think the permits and purchases would not have been approved without the cash. It's not like there's been a lot of safety or health violations in those plants so…" she trailed off.
"So, you're at a dead end with Luthor?"
She squinted and wrinkled her nose. "I wouldn't say a dead end. I'd just say that maybe it needs to be in hibernation until I can dig something else up that either confirms or clears Lex of anything illegal."
Troupe agreed. "And what about the interview? You should probably put something together or there will be some questions raised about why you asked for it in the first place."
"I'll get something together and have it on your desk by tomorrow morning. It may be a bit of a puff piece." She made a face. "I guess they all can't be Pulitzer material."
Troupe chuckled and asked if there was anything else. She shook her head and started to leave his office when he said, "Lois?" She stopped and turned back. "You did a good job today. You controlled your interview; you weren't intimidated, star-struck, or swept off your feet into making a bad decision on your story. You held the line, and that's an important aspect to being viewed as a credible journalist. People need to know they can expect to get a fair shake from you. They may not always like what you have to say but they know what you say is not coming from a bad place. So good job with Luthor."
"Thanks Ron." She left the office and felt good about the interview and the way she had parried Lex's advances. She knew Luthor was put off by her rejection, but she would not let that color her story on the billionaire. Back at her desk, she pulled out her recorder, got out her journal, and snapped on her computer. A familiar voice caught her attention and she quickly dug out her earphones from the desk, plugged them in, and popped them into her ears.
"Lois," Cat said as she approached her desk. "Lois?" she said louder, and Lois looked up and pulled the earphones out of her ears and fiddled with her recorder.
"What is it, Cat? Can't you see I'm in the middle of working on a story?"
Cat smiled. "I heard you had a lunch date with the King of Metropolis. Any follow ups planned?" She sat on Lois's desk and leaned over and looked at her monitor. "I guess you gotta get started first, huh?" She stood up and chuckled. "I guess you're just a little slow out of the starting gate, right Lois? Spills over to other aspects of your life too," she said as she wandered off. "That explains a lot," Cat called back and laughed.
Lois tightened her jaw but did not take the bait. She focused all her attention on cranking out a fair story on Lex Luthor. She wrote, edited, rewrote, edited, and rewrote again. Her story was titled, 'What Makes a Billionaire? Lex Luthor Has an Answer.' Lois expected it would be suitable for the lifestyle section of Sunday newspaper. She re-read the entire story for the seventh time, and she thought for a puff piece, it was insightful, uncompromising, and above all, fair to Lex.
When she looked up from her computer, just about everyone had left the bullpen and it was already approaching 6:30 PM. She realized that she was hungry, even after a luxurious lunch. It would already be dark outside and by the time she got home, night would have fallen for over an hour. But a delivered pizza was not what she was looking for and she decided that she would get something a little better after she got home and got changed.
The weather was cold now in early December. Nightfall came earlier and people in her neighborhood were inside and buttoned up for the night by the time she arrived. She hurried inside, dropped her work on her dining table, scurried into her bedroom, wriggled into some jeans and a sweater, threw on a parka, and headed back out.
About four blocks from her apartment was a small family-run Greek restaurant that she liked. She walked in and the owner, Gus Theodorou, greeted her and sat her at a table. He recognized her from previous visits and knew what she had ordered in the past. "Shawarma chicken platter with hummus, pita, babaganoush, and a Greek salad?" he asked.
Lois smiled. "Why not," she answered and handed him the menu. "And can you throw an extra pita in there too?"
She ate and thoroughly enjoyed the meal. It always tasted fresh and clean to her. "You're here awful late," Gus said as he came to check on her.
"Are you closing?"
"Soon," he answered. "But I was mainly referring to your safety around here at night. This isn't the best neighborhood in Metropolis, you know."
"It's the best I can afford," she quipped.
"Lots of gang activity has begun to show up around here recently," Gus said.
"That's sweet of you, Gus. But you don't need to worry about me. I was trained in self-defense by Special Forces instructors. They don't play around and neither do I," Lois said confidently.
"Well, there are gangs that come out at night, young lady, and they are usually in small packs of five or six and just looking for trouble." He smiled. "I'm sure you got great training and all but five or six guys can just overwhelm anyone. And like I said, they don't care who they mess with, they're just looking for trouble."
She paid her bill. "If they mess with me, trouble is what they'll find."
Gus reached under the counter after handing Lois her change and pulled out a 9mm pistol. "They'll find it here too," he said. "It fires 18 bullets," he said, grinning. "I don't have to be accurate; I just have to be persistent." He put the gun away. "You be careful, Miss Lane."
"Will do, Gus," she said as she left. She zipped up her parka. "Have a good night!"
She closed the door behind her and headed down the sidewalk back to her apartment. The streets were empty at 8:05 PM, even with the Christmas season upon them and Lois was surprised that more people were not out looking to buy. She walked briskly as she crossed in front of a dark alley that ran between larger buildings. Though she looked, she did not see any movement in the alleyway. Stop spooking yourself, she thought.
She was about halfway to her apartment when she heard footsteps coming up behind her at a rate faster than she was walking. She sped up but it sounded like the footsteps were getting closer. Not wanting to turn around and see but not having anywhere to duck into, she turned around. There were three young males trying to look nonchalant approaching her. She turned back and walked as fast as she could until she reached the final block before her apartment. As she began to cross the street, Lois was grabbed by one large man and using her momentum and his weight, he swung her around and slammed her up against the building she had just passed. Her nosed burned and her eyes watered from the impact and she could feel blood starting to trickle down her top lip.
Reacting quickly, Lois gave her assailant a right elbow to the throat. He immediately released her and grabbed his throat as she pivoted back around and using her momentum, jammed her left knee deep into the man's groin. He crumpled to the ground, and she gave him a swift kick that landed on the bridge of his nose.
His accomplice was too slow to react to Lois's counterattack. He was left facing her directly and he swung his right fist at her head. She slipped the punch and countered with a hard straight right to his exposed throat that landed hard just below his jaw, and she followed it with a side stomp on his twisted right knee which caused it to buckle inward at an unnatural angle. He howled in pain and collapsed next to his partner who was gurgling and trying to breathe. The three young males reached the side street and turned to face her, she screamed at them to back off. She did not want to give up ground and end up further back from the main street, but she had to back up to get more maneuver space, size up the three as they walked toward her, and no one was coming from the main street anyway.
One ran wide past her and came around from behind her. He grabbed her, pinning her arms against her sides but before the other two could reach Lois, she head-butted her captor, breaking his nose and an orbital bone around his right eye. Before he could back off, she stomped on his instep, raking his shin with the side of her shoe as she did.
Keeping her eye on the other two, Lois swung her elbow but did not connect with the young man who had already fallen backwards grasping his shin and foot. That miss pushed her off balance and one of the two remaining young men pounced, pushing her hard up against the side of the building as his partner stepped in to keep her from kicking his friend and pushed his weight against her left hip, pinning her to the wall.
Each one had a wrist pinned against the wall and one hand free. Her assailant holding her left wrist grabbed her by the throat with his free hand and squeezed as hard as he could. Pinned as she was, she could no longer kick or punch. She tried to drop down the wall but the amount of pressure the other assailant had applied against her prevented that.
She tried to scream as the young man she had head-butted rose to his feet but only managed a croak. He looked around and saw Lois's purse lying on the ground near the two attackers who were still lying near the intersection where the attack started. He picked it up and started to return to her when a large, hulking figure appeared from around the corner at the opposite end of the block. The figure was running toward them and had nearly reached them before they could decide what to do.
They released Lois and turned to face the figure who, through a quick series of punches and kicks, left the three unconscious on the ground. There was very little light for Lois to see the figure and she was not sure what or who he was. She reached down to grab her purse as he reached out and grabbed her by the arm. She shook him off.
"It's okay," the man said. "I'm not here to hurt you, I'm here to help."
Adrenaline had coursed through her veins and was now leaving them. It made her shaky. With her attackers all subdued, she began to assess her situation. The figure was far too fast and powerful for her to try to elude, and although she was uneasy with him, he did come to her aid. "Who are you?" She realized she was having a hard time breathing through her nose and found blood dripping from it. She rummaged through her purse for a tissue. "Where did you come from?"
A car swung quickly onto the street and its headlights illuminated the man. He wore a form-fitting suit with armor on his shoulders and elbow. The suit appeared to have a bullet-resistant vest beneath or built into it. He wore what appeared to be a riot helmet on his head. On his chest as an insignia, a raised fist in a circle with a diagonal line through it.
The car came to a halt next to them, but the man who came to her aid did not turn around. "I'm Gangbuster," he said. "I guess you could say that I augment the police due to the rise in gang activity in this part of town." A woman got out from behind the wheel of the stopped car and Lois heard a police radio squawking. The woman reported her status and location and called for two ambulances. "That's Detective Sawyer," the man named Gangbuster told her. "You're safe, now."
Detective Sawyer reached them and looked at Gangbuster. "Help me cuff these scumbags and then you need to leave before others get here." She looked at Lois. "Are you okay? Do you need medical attention?" Lois shook her head. "Then stay here while we secure these shitbirds."
They quickly zip tied the five assailants, three of which were awake but could not walk, two remained unconscious. Gangbuster dragged them all onto the sidewalk. He returned to Lois. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked.
"I'll be fine," Lois replied. "Thank you for coming to help."
Gangbuster looked back at the five thugs. "If it wasn't for the fifth one, I think you would have been fine without me." He smiled. "Where did you learn to fight like that?"
"Special Forces unarmed defense instructors," she said. "I'm Lois Lane, by the way. I work for…"
"The Daily Planet," he finished. "I've read your work and now I don't know which work impresses me more, what you leave on paper or what you leave on the pavement. Both are pretty darn impressive."
"I'd like to interview you," Lois blurted out. "There's a costumed vigilante in Gotham City that gets a lot of stories but no interviews. I'd like to treat Metropolis to a little information about their good guy in…is that red armor?"
"Kevlar," he corrected. "Okay," he replied. "I'll reach out to you and let you know when and where we can meet for an interview." The sound of sirens started to grow. "I probably need to be going now. Not all the police are like Detective Sawyer. They all don't appreciate what I do."
"Well I sure as Hell do!" Lois quipped. "Thank you again and don't wait too long to call."
"I won't Miss Lane," he replied. "Gotta go, now."
He dashed off and Detective Sawyer came up to her. "Wow," Lois remarked. "Did he ever show up in the nick of time." She dabbed at the blood trickling out of her nose.
"As he told you," she began, "my name is Detective Maggie Sawyer, MPD. Gangbuster sort of works with us but off the books, so to speak. I appreciate him but not all of my colleagues do." She motioned with her head at the five thugs. "Some of that was your handiwork I hear. Nice!" She gave Lois a half-smile. "So, what happened here tonight?"