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Post by Lex Luthor on Mar 16, 2010 3:26:40 GMT -5
Lex leaned back in his large leather chair and wiggled a bit to get more comfortable. It was the one thing in his office he loved, and the one thing he chose.
The rest of it, the rest of it could all go to hell for all he cared.
But his chair, yes, his high back, black Italian leather chair, with gold buttons and solid gold arm rests, the padding was thick down and a foam that contoured wholly to your body temperature, something he'd invented. He had it re-stuffed anytime he felt it going flat, he'd spent thousands of dollars on that chair, in fact, his last secretary once had sat in it, he had offered her the seat.
She was cute, young, blond with long legs and a short skirt, he'd let her try it, let her feel how it felt to be him for a short moment, in her otherwise miserable existence. When she stood up however, a metal notch in her belt had scratched the padding on the arm rest.
His only thought upon seeing the scratch was simple, he'd make sure, that she'd wear that belt to the grave.
The chair was excess, and Lex Luthor was in the business of excess. Although he never flaunted it outwardly, no, well other than the cars and the houses, but what billionaire didn't? Lex had a persona to keep, one of understanding of the common man, as he'd been just like those he kept employed one hadn't he?
He had of course, but his past, well his past he kept secret, he only wrote what the public wanted to read.
However Lex Luthor was no longer a common man, and would never be again.
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Clark Kent
- Masterful Virgin -
This looks like my job.%\0\%
Posts: 33
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Post by Clark Kent on Mar 16, 2010 12:56:33 GMT -5
Paris. It was beautiful in the morning sun, the way it glittered on white marble and off the surface of the Seine. It gave one a sense of just what humanity could do if it put its mind to it.
On the other hand, so did certain people. Stepping back from the edge of the bridge, and putting away his camera, one Clark Kent checked his watch. It was time. He resolutely adjusted his glasses, checked his hair and set his hat firmly back on his head--one wanted to give the best impression, after all, when one was going to be a spy.
It had taken some doing, but the Planet had agreed to send him to Paris as soon as Luthor had arrived. While the corporate mastermind had never met Kent, he had met Superman many times, and what the Kryptonian had seen in that man had deeply troubled him. This was the kind of person you kept safely away from others, perhaps to write their manifesto from a secure cell, and one could only wonder what he was up to here in Paris.
As he made brief small talk with the secretary, Clark could only hope that his efforts would once again prove to be enough.
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Post by Lex Luthor on Mar 17, 2010 4:51:34 GMT -5
Lex was informed as soon as Clark Kent entered the building, before he ever made it to his secretary, before he hit the button on the elevator.
Lex had instructed all guards, of all entrances, of all of his buildings to be well versed in the faces of the local media. He'd had far, far too many snooping reporters in his office, searching through everything that they could get their grubby little hands on. Especially that Lane, she was the very epitome of "hard-boiled reporter always gets the story" more times than not, Lois Lane always got his story.
And there was an obvious reason why; she, was, or at least had been, fucking, Superman.
And if anyone pissed Lex off more than Lois Lane, it was Superman. A foolish boyscout that happened to be gifted with the ability to gain super powers through the use of the earths yellow sun. Lex had contemplated so many times how he'd blow up the sun, or send it through a worm hole, and replace it was a red one. Something, anything to destroy Superman, if just by turning him normal and crushing him to death. But no matter how he tried, he could not make those plans feasible, so, for safe keeping, he kept a rock of green kryptonite on his person at all times, although today his pants were a slight bit tighter than usual, so it was in his desk.
He'd researched this Kent, and it seemed he took a lot of time off, but was just and pressing about things as Lane. Only, it seemed, a bit more back handed, as he was fairly cowardly in his interviews, but always seemed to get the information. Lex was sure he was in with Lane, who probably got Superman to get it all.
Adjusting his collar he awaited Clark Kent's arrival to his office, by sitting on his desk and tapping his foot softly against it.
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Clark Kent
- Masterful Virgin -
This looks like my job.%\0\%
Posts: 33
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Post by Clark Kent on Mar 17, 2010 16:06:20 GMT -5
It was easier, Clark found, to gather information if you let them feel superior to you. They weren't worried about giving information away. Hence his lovable, slightly-incompetent attitude. It kept Lois from digging too deeply, for that matter; she was always more entranced by Superman.
Ah, Superman! As easy as it would be to get conceited, the concept had never occurred to Clark: he was stronger than the citizens, so he kept them safe. It's what anybody would do--anybody with morals, anyway. That he happened to profit off it was simply a side effect, and it was good for Lois anyway.
He was very interested in what Lex would be like face-to-face, despite knowing full well that he would destroy the world if he thought he could survive with increased power. Ever casually, though, he knocked on the office door to announce himself, and stepped in.
"Morning, sir, and a lovely day."
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Post by Lex Luthor on Mar 17, 2010 19:52:14 GMT -5
Lex smiled "Mr. Kent I've been expecting you, and a good morning to you as well" walking toward him, his hand outstretched, Lex immediately got a sense of deja-vu. He had never met the man, ever in his life, but something about him...
You're just being paranoid Lex, just paranoid.
Taking his hand, he shook it strongly "What can I do for you today?"
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Clark Kent
- Masterful Virgin -
This looks like my job.%\0\%
Posts: 33
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Post by Clark Kent on Mar 17, 2010 20:41:51 GMT -5
Nothing special here. Subconsciously, everyone who saw Superman forgot his face when it came to recognize it later, and all it took to complete the effect was a pair of glasses. He gave his trademark laid-back, confident smile, and shook hands. A very firm handshake, but the reporter obviously worked out.
"I understand you're making investments in a new set of buildings for the City of Light. The Daily Planet would like me to ask about that."
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Post by Lex Luthor on Mar 19, 2010 1:55:33 GMT -5
"Of course, come sit down" he lead him over to his desk and waited until Clark had been seated before sitting himself, taking a moment to adjust himself in his chair.
"LexCorp became interested in Paris, at the time of Revolution, and although we knew that the American government knew better than to send people in to help either side when it comes to such delicate matters. We here, knew that once the revolution was over Paris, and all of France would be in a difficult state, and needing help to rebuild what it had lost."
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Clark Kent
- Masterful Virgin -
This looks like my job.%\0\%
Posts: 33
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Post by Clark Kent on Mar 19, 2010 20:15:55 GMT -5
Clark politely took his hat off as he sat down, nodding amiably and taking out his notebook.
Though it was only a cover, he at least made an effort to really be good at his job of reporting. Obviously, it was the only way he could stay on, and of course the citizens of Metropolis deserved to know the news, and hopefully the truth. He nodded at appropriate times and took notes.
"Of course."
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Post by Lex Luthor on Mar 22, 2010 4:21:49 GMT -5
"And although there are plenty of places in America that my company could have helped, my non-profit organizations are doing all they can for them. Paris and all of France needed more than that, homes for the homeless and the refugee's coming in from other parts of the country. Our first step is to build them homes, then find them jobs. We've all ready begun on phase two by employing only Parisian citizens to help on the building of the apartments."
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Clark Kent
- Masterful Virgin -
This looks like my job.%\0\%
Posts: 33
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Post by Clark Kent on Mar 27, 2010 19:07:48 GMT -5
This was, Clark noted, probably all true. As far as he'd seen, all of the charities Luthor gave to were in fact genuine. All the better to contribute to his image, no doubt; if it had been anyone else, it might even have been to appease a guilty conscience.
"Is space an issue?" It was an old city, and carefully planned.
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Post by Lex Luthor on Mar 27, 2010 23:17:31 GMT -5
"It always is, we've obtained many deeds to run down buildings around the town, and have tried our best not to encroach on the natural landscape of the town. But as most people might note, there isn't even much of that left Mr. Kent."
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Clark Kent
- Masterful Virgin -
This looks like my job.%\0\%
Posts: 33
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Post by Clark Kent on Apr 2, 2010 11:41:15 GMT -5
"So it would seem. A shame." He glanced up. "Rumor has it that you're planning some new designs, new building material, anything you can confirm or deny?"
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Post by Lex Luthor on Apr 5, 2010 3:50:37 GMT -5
"I'm afraid right now I'll just have to let that stew in the rumor mill" he chuckled, sounding almost friendly "we've got some new designs yes, but the Parisian people can rest assured, no designs will be too far off from the local aesthetic."
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