Nightwing: Heartless

Part 24: Daily Planet

The class of students stared up at the skyscraper, in awe of seeing the giant globe in person. They had been stuck on a bus all morning. They were on a field trip for Willa and Abby's communications class. Willa's heart was beating a mile a minute she was so excited. She had never considered a career in journalism and didn't think that would change, but the Daily Planet was the most famous paper in the country. Award winning journalists and photographers worked here.

The glass doors opened automatically for the group of thirty students. They were all in college but Willa had no doubt they looked like babies to all the adults in here, especially with the wide eyed looks on all their faces. The elevator dinged ahead of them and a tall man walked out. He walked up to the group and shook the professor's hand before turning to the students.

"Welcome to the Daily Planet, I'm Clark Kent and I'll be your tour guide today."

"Are you a reporter, Mr. Kent?" Abby perked up and made sure she was pressed close to the reporter on the elevator. Willa rolled her eyes and Abby stuck out her tongue in response. How mature.

"I am," Mr. Kent answered, "I usually cover events."

"You covered that Wayne Foundation party when Lex Luthor announced his campaign, right?" Brett piped up from the back. Mr. Kent nodded and a series of 'whoas' flitted through the elevator. "That's so sick. Have you gotten to interview Batman?"

Mr. Kent laughed, "he notoriously doesn't do interviews."

The elevator doors opened near the top and the group was met with a flurry of activity. People were in their cubicles typing or walking around, arguing, or talking, Willa couldn't tell. It seemed like everyone was very passionate. She craned her neck and looked around.

"Mr. Kent," she started, "is there a chance we'll get to meet Lois Lane?"

"That would be so sick, she's Superman's reporter!" Brett exclaimed and gave a fistbump to his buddy.

Willa scoffed, turning to face the group of boys, "she also won the Pulitzer Prize for her piece on Planned Parenthood." Brett made a 'yeah, yeah' shrug which just irritated Willa further. How many awards did the woman have to win for boys like Brett to take her seriously? What hope did non-Pulitzer Prize winning journalists have of being taken seriously?

"You're right," Mr. Kent said to Willa, "she's on the short list again this year for her work on climate change in the Midwest. Unfortunately she's on assignment today, though."

"Oh." Willa deflated a little. She had been hoping to get a picture with Ms. Lane. Her dad would have gone nuts, he was such a fan. Willa's gender studies class had read a study on Lois Lane's evolution and Willa had decided she was one of the most badass women today. Would've been awesome to meet her in person.

"If you'll follow me through the bullpen I'll introduce you to our editor," Mr. Kent said and led them forward.

Abby slowed down to walk beside Willa. "Do you think Dick would want to come out with us tomorrow? Sig Chi is throwing a neon party."

"I'll ask but he's been busy lately." Truthfully he had been more than a little busy. He had been distant and Willa didn't know why. Everything was fine two weeks ago at Dick's place for dinner.

Abby noticed Willa's hesitation, "chill out, babe, the boy's head over heels for you. He probably just has important rich boy things to do."

"Rich boy things?" Willa laughed. "I don't think Dick would describe foundation stuff as 'rich boy things'."

"Tomato, tomahto. Face it, you're dating a rich boy, even if he doesn't make a big deal about it."

"Kind of why I like him."

Willa looked straight ahead and could have sworn she saw Mr. Kent glance the other way at the same time. Had he been listening to their conversation? Was he that desperate for stories he had to eavesdrop on her relationship drama? Willa decided that was crazy, no way did Clark Kent care enough to listen in.