Exposures (Internships 5)

DJ Dubois

October-November 2023

Notes Part 1: This is the fifth installment in a series of stories starting with "Internships", "Fourth of July," "Orchard" and "Priorities". These stories cross Smallville Season 3 with The Amazing Spider-Man (diverging around Issues 91 or 93). Of course, we don't know who will show up as guest stars or guest fandoms.

Notes Part 2: This story runs concurrently with "Priorities" and goes off on its own course. Warning: Language, Violence and a brutal fight lurk within the story. You'll see….

Notes Part 3: Smallville belongs to DC and the CW. The Dark Rider and the characters from The Amazing Spider-Man belong to Marvel and Disney. The characters from ROM Spaceknight belong to Marvel and Hasbro. All other characters are mine unless otherwise noted. Please sends comments to dante0220 .

Chapter 1 [Sunday Afternoon, Between Chapters 28 and 29 of "Priorities"]

Holiday spirit bustled through Smallville. Early celebrations and late season football watching parties dotted homes across town. Others returned from weekend concert to the east. Shoppers knocked items off their gift lists. Knitting needles progressed through the Winter Craft Festival's last minute items. Coffee, specially crafted drinks and treats enticed one and all to the Talon of course.

Weekend wrapped up. Events transitioned toward last full week prior to holiday break. Such as it was….

[Talon]

Lana poured espresso shots and frothed milk into a mug. Her spoon stirred the concoction together. She turned toward the waiting silver-haired gentleman. "All right! There you go, Mr. Hudgins!" She set the mug on a serving platter. "Hope you're having a great day."

"I'm doing great actually." Hudgins accepted his drink. "The Wichita Symphony was great last night! The girl on the violin…isn't she the same person who works here?" He took a mouthful of his drink.

Lana grinned. "Sam's great, isn't she? She works so hard at everything! I'm really looking forward to next weekend's performance. You know that's right in the old theater?" She pointed toward the theater's doors. "Tickets are going fast."

"Oh yes!" Hudgins' smile spread across his face. "As soon as I heard, I bought tickets for both Friday and Saturday! Is she going to be working this week? I'd like to stop by and give her my best." He raised the mug. "Excellent as always, Lana. Thank you."

"You're welcome." Lana nodded. "Sam will be here Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. I'm sure she'd appreciate the good wishes. I'm letting her practice Thursday night. I'm looking forward to Friday and Saturday myself. Miranda was there last night. She promised a performance review tonight or tomorrow. Glad to hear it went great. I couldn't go because I had to close last night."

"The Symphony's always superb. Samantha never fails to astound me with her playing. We're very lucky to have her here. Thanks again, Lana. I'll be sure to stop by this week. Give my best to the Kents."

"Definitely! Thanks, Mr. Hudgins!" Lana watched Hudgins carry his drink toward a blonde-haired woman sitting in the corner. Sam will really like that. As hard as she works, she deserves the praise! Wish Mr. Reynolds could hear that! Reynolds' lecture rang in her mind anew. Hopefully, Paul and Nadia can stick around. She spied Nadia circulating from table to table. Prior Experience and Miranda's training set the newbie's routine. Approval prompted a nod and widening smile from Lana. Nadia like a natural! Can't believe someone with experience just walked in! Wish we could get someone else like that!

Paul trucked a full plastic bin with dirty plates, mugs, and silverware toward the front. Previous line had kept him at the counter. Greeting and Warm Attitude guided him through customers' interactions. He'd taken orders and payments. Slips remained in sequential order. After that, he'd cleared and wiped down several tables. "I'll see if I can sweep around those tables, Lana. They're ready otherwise." He disappeared into the backroom. A minute later, he reemerged from there. "How are we doing up here?"

"We're good here. If you want to get the broom and get those tables, that'd be great! Nadia's got coffee service. I'll start another pot." Lana watched a familiar girl walk through the door with an older woman. She placed the girl from school. Still, the latter's name escaped her. Who is she? I know I've seen her in the cafeteria! "Paul? Kind weird to ask but do you know who that is? I've seen her at school."

"Sure. Her name's Jill. She just moved here from back east. She's really shy. Mostly keeps to herself." Paul picked up the broom and dustpan. "Be right back. I'll keep an eye up here."

"Sounds great! Thanks!" Relief coaxed another deep breath from Lana's lips. Paul's catching on. His first day was kind of iffy. Then again, how were you at the Creamery? Her eyes rolled at her initial performance there. Long live the Revolution! Her hand stifled a cough. Chloe wins a Pulitzer with Peter Parker. Clark's the Editor-in-Chief. I'm co-managing the Talon, changed from a Kryptonian and partner in kickstarting Krypton all over again. Revolution's a good word for it! She stepped closer to the register.

Jill and the older woman studied the overhead menu. Variety astounded them to say the least. Options clearly had exceeded Expectation's threshold to say the least. They looked toward Lana. Then, they surveyed the eating area once again. Their eyes alighted on Lana again.

"Oh, sorry! Guess I was off in my world again!" Embarrassment flushed Jill's cheeks. "This is great! I never expected this place to be like this. Whoever runs this place is doing great."

"Thanks! I run it with Lex Luthor. I'm Lana Lang. We go to Smallville High together." Lana extended her hand. Her senses discerned Jill's nerves and skittishness. "Welcome to the Talon! Welcome to Smallville! Great to meet you!"

"It's okay, Jill. Lana's trying to be nice." The older woman motioned toward Lana.

"Sorry, Mom. It's just a lot bigger than back home." Jill bit her lip. Awe widened her eyes. "Hi, Lana. Sorry. Getting used to everything. I'm Jill Muggins. This is my Mom, Renee. We're just looking around town."

"I have to say this is a pleasant surprise, Lana." Renee shook Lana's hand. "We're just getting everything taken care of. I just need a job." She shook her head. "This must be a great place to work."

"It is. We're really busy." Opportunity nudged Lana ahead. She considered Renee. "Have you done any waitressing or worked at a counter like this?"

"Mom?" Jill motioned toward Lana.

"I worked in our town's diner for a few years. I did work in a café in Arizona while I was in college. It's been a while but I've made cappuccinos and espressos." Renee sized up the Italian press. "That press wasn't as fancy as this one though. Why?"

Lana shrugged. "Actually, Mrs. Muggins, we're looking for someone to work thirty hours a week. Have you done any closing in that work?"

"I did. I don't mind doing that. Jillian can take care of herself after school." Renee looked toward the door and then back to Lana. "Sorry. I don't want to take away from anyone else."

"That's okay. You're fine. Tell you what. Are you free to come in tomorrow afternoon? I'll come here right after school. We'll have time to do an interview. You sound great already!" Lana smiled at them. "These drinks are on the house. Okay? What would you like?"

"I'll do a regular coffee," Renee indicated.

Jill considered the menu. "Can you do peppermint mochas? I really love cocoa with candy canes crushed up in it. I know that's corny but…."

Lana shook her head. "That's not corny at all. In fact, we have regulars who love that. I'll be glad to get that for you. So, if you don't mind me asking, what kind of things did you like where you were from?"

Jill squirmed. "I really liked walking in the woods by myself. At school though? I was on the newspaper. That's was great! I know it's midyear. Hopefully, next year, I can get on the Torch."

"Maybe you might try tomorrow?" Lana raised an eyebrow. "The Torch is looking for reporters. The new Editor-in-Chief is Clark Kent. He'd really love someone with experience." She pointed to Nadia. "Nadia's going to be at the meeting tomorrow. She's new here too. Clark's really great to work with."

"Oh wow! You mean I can try out?" Surprise widened Jill's eyes. "Mr. Reynolds wanted to know about that. I'm not like Chloe." She shook her head. "High school editor wins a Pulitzer? For real? She must be awesome!"

"She really is. She's a friend of mine too. Talk to Clark. You'll be great. Let me get to these drinks. Have them right up." Lana turned toward the press. Her fingers started on the mocha. "Nadia?"

"Yeah, Lana? What's going on?" Nadia looked over the two women. "Jill Muggins, right? You're in my Math class. I'm Nadia Evenstar. Good to finally meet you."

"Thanks. You too. Sorry. I just like to hang back and get used to everyone. Lana says that you're going to be on the Torch?" Jill shook Nadia's hand.

"Clark Kent says I'd be good. I hope I can be an editor. That'd be great! You have experience?" Nadia rubbed her chin.

"I was a reporter at my last school. I'd like to do that again. Maybe more if I can work with everyone." Jill took a deep breath. "Meanwhile, my Mom and I are just getting used to Smallville. When did you move here?"

"Just before school started in August. Smallville surprises you. You expect this dust bowl town in the middle of nowhere. It isn't. Granted, it isn't Metropolis but it's got a lot more than you think. Granville's fifteen minutes away too. So we've got a lot of great stuff. Did Lana tell you? Meeting's tomorrow after school. Hey! Tell you what! We're in class together last block. How about you come with me to the meeting? Strength in numbers, right?" Mirth raised Nadia's eyebrow and prompted a smirk.

Jill turned to her mother. "Mom, is that okay?"

Renee nodded. "I'll be here. Absolutely! That'd be a great way to ease in here. You really love that back in Tynesboro. Just let me know what happens or if you're going to be really late. All right?"

"Sure, Mom! Okay, I'll be there!" Jill rubbed the back of her neck.

Clark? You there? Lana spooned crushed peppermint candies into the hot cocoa.

Yeah. I'm just getting one of the articles typed up. You okay? Clark paused his typing.

I think we got the last Talon person and you have another reporter! Lana applied whipped cream to the drink.

Really? That's great! Did you tell her about the meeting? She's definitely invited! Clark replied.

I've got you covered, Clark. Jill will be there. I'll let you get back to work. Love you, Lana clarified.

Love you more. Clark cut the connection and went back to his typing.

Jill stared. She's a telepath? She forced herself to seem relaxed. Memoria recalled Sneers and Insults for being 'weird' and 'strange'. That's Clark Kent? He's working on an article at least. Guess he knows!

"Are you okay?" Nadia leaned close to look Jill over. "Something wrong?"

"Jillian gets distracted. Sometimes she'll space out like now." Renee shook Jill's shoulder. Don't screw this up! "Jillian? Come on. Don't go spacey on us."

"Sorry, Mom." Jill winced. The severed connection jarred her. She winced. Pain beat against her temples. "I was just thinking of something to say to Clark tomorrow. I hope he's nice."

"He's okay. He lives on a farm. He's just like us. He's learning the ropes so whatever help we can be, that'll be great." Nadia walked toward Jill. "Are you okay? You need something for that headache?" She looked to Lana and then back to Jill and Renee. "I've got some in my purse."

"Jillian will be fine. It happens." Renee narrowed her eyes. Impatience tapped her fingers against the counter. "Pay attention!"

Jill quivered. She leaned against the counter for support. She sucked in deep breaths. Why can't she accept me? I can't help it! Somehow, she held Emotions in check. She kept her eyes riveted on Lana and the brewing drink.

Restraint kept Nadia from pursuing the point further. She could see Jill's pain. Still, she wanted to distract Renee from that point. "Can I get something for Mrs. Muggins?"

"Regular coffee please. Thanks, Nadia!" Lana set the mug on a plate. She looked to Nadia. Then, her eyes assessed Jill. Can't her mother see she's in pain? Wow. "There you go, Jill. See how that is. Hope I got it right." She handed the mug and plate to Jill. Maybe it'll help her feel better.

Jill sampled her drink. Cream, cocoa, chocolate and peppermint danced on her tongue and down her throat. She savored the taste and experience. "Lana, this is the best! Mmm! Thanks! This really helps!"

"Great!" Even if I didn't actually say that but thought it. Can she hear my thoughts? "By the way, we've got a number of mocha drinks here. You should try them. If we don't have it on the menu, just ask. We'll try anything." Lana smiled at her. "Glad you like it! Again, you should definitely go tomorrow. I write for the Torch when I get a chance."

"You do? I'd love to read those articles," Nadia poured Renee's coffee and handed it to her.

"I'll be there." Jill savored another mouthful. Opportunity excited and unnerved her. Interests and abilities shared. Pain, despite attempted concealment, had made itself known. I hope they don't think I'm stupid.

What else could happen?