Life In Smallville & Metropolis {10}

Chapter 18: Booster

Liana and Clark are walking the streets of Metropolis, when Clark says, "Liana, we're going against traffic." Liana says, "That's sort of the point here, Clark, try and keep up." Clark says, "These glasses are driving me crazy." Liana says, "So you've said for like the millionth time." Clark says, "And this jacket, it's not helping." Liana stops walking and turns towards Clark and says, "Okay, you were the one who chose to take this hero game public so either The Blur starts wearing a mask or..." Clark nods and says, "Clark Kent does, I know." Liana says, "Your words, not mine." Clark takes off his glasses and says, "Look, after all the hero hating of the VRA if The Blur doesn't show his face soon... people are gonna stop trusting me again." Liana holds up a newspaper article about how the mayor gave the Blur the key to the city and she says, "That didn't stop the Mayor from offering The Blur the key to the city." Clark says, "Yeah, but that's--" Liana cuts Clark off and says, "Yeah. But before that handsome hero face ends up on Jumbotron screens in all your red-and-blue glory we need to make sure that there is nothing handsome or heroic about Clark Kent." Clark says, "And that's supposed to help?" Liana says, "Yes! So, just, I don't know slope your shoulders a little bit speak a little softer, and stop being so... so..." Clark says, "What?" Liana says, "Great. Honey, you need to be invisible and forgettable and..." Liana sees a guy across the street being clumsy and she continues to say, "... exactly like that." Clark follows Liana's gaze, and the guy drops his backpack full of books and Liana sees a struck of realization across Clark's face and she says, "What is it?" Clark says, "Liana, I was like that, in Smallville. Every time I was around you, I would be awkward and weird." Liana says, "You we're only like that when I had my necklace on. Like for the first day of high school, you literally tripped, and your books fell everywhere." Clark nods and says, "Exactly. The thought of going back to that, I..." Liana says, "Clark, the real you can burn holes through buildings with a look and lift a freight train with one finger. Get over it." Clark says, "You know, the last thing you should be worried about is teaching me mild-manner 101. You should be focused on that promotion that opened now that Steve Lombard went to Daily Star. They said that desk could be yours." Liana smiles and says, "I'm counting on it." Liana grabs Clark's glasses and says, "These need to stay on." Clark frowns when Liana puts the glasses on him. Liana says, "Just work on it." Later, Liana and Clark are walking down the stairs of the Daily Planet and Clark talks about Booster Gold and he says, "He said "nice glasses", like he knew who I really was." Liana says, "Maybe he just liked your glasses." Clark says, "Liana!" Liana says, "Or not. Are you sure you've never seen him before?" Clark says, "How could you miss that? Booster Gold didn't come here for no reason. I need to figure out who he is and why he's here." Clark then accidently bumps into someone, and Ron says, "Hey, hey, watch it! When did you forget how to walk, Kent?" Clark says, "Sorry." As Ron walks away and Liana says, "Clark. Just excuse him, huh. I'm tryin' to help." Clark says, "Help, by making me stumble into Ron Troupe?" Liana says, "Yeah, it's a start. Clark, you want people to look down on Clark Kent so they can look up... to The Blur. Which, by the way, isn't exactly gonna be a fitting name after you, you know, stop blurring and start standing in the spotlight." Clark says, "Well, the spotlight's kind of crowded with Booster Gold." Liana says, "Okay, not that my curiosity isn't in overdrive about Booster boy. But you are making way more out of this than you need to. Okay?" Clark softly says, "Okay." Liana says, "I'm sure our flying car salesmen will... buzz off as fast as he buzzed in." They hear cheering and Liana walks into the room after Clark and she says, "Alright, everybody, back to work." Everyone then starts leaving and Booster Gold says, "Mm, there you are, the hero maker." Booster Gold walks up to Liana and he says, "Liana Lane... Booster Gold." Booster Gold shakes his hand with Liana and then he kisses her hand, and she says, "What can I do for you?" Booster Gold says, "We're gonna help each other, gorgeous. Because one exclusive in-depth interview with the gold guardian of Metropolis and you're gonna lock up that promotion that you're up for. It's a Booster Gold guarantee." Liana looks at him confused and says, "How did you know I was up for a... Never mind. I'm not interested in you, Goldilocks and neither is The Daily Planet. So, why don't you see if you can fit that big old head of yours through the exit door?" Booster Gold says, "Hmm. My Agent. Excuse me, folks, but... duty calls. We should do lunch... soon. See you later, pumpkin." Liana rolls her eyes as Booster Gold walks away. Cat then runs in and says, "Booster, wait!" Liana says, "What an ass." Cat looks at Liana and says, "You mean 'asset'." Liana says, "What?" Cat says, "You wanted me to believe in heroes, Liana. Well, I think I finally might. He isn't hiding anything. You can see his face, his name..." Liana says, "Is Booster Gold." Kate says, "Booster Gold could be the city's answer to inspiration. And my answer to that promotion." Liana raises a brow and says, "You're up for the promotion?" Cat nods and says, "Yeah, and thanks to my reporting on the VRA. I've gathered myself a small but vocal fan base. You should read their tweets, they love me. And it's enough to convince the powers-that-be to put my hat in the ring for the desk upstairs. May the best reporter win." Cat walks away and Liana says, "Oh, boy." Clark says, "She's not as bad as him." Liana says, "Booster Gold's star will burn out faster than you can see, up, up, and away. Now let's focus on what's really important here." Clark says, "And what is that, Liana?" Liana says, "Unmaking Clark Kent so that we can get The Blur out there." Later, Liana's out in streets and she finds some teens laughing at a teen sprayed soda on himself and she watches a girl hand the teen a new can of soda. As the teen opens the can, it also gets sprayed on him and everyone laughs including the girl because she gave him the can on purpose. Liana rolls her eyes and mumbles, "Bitch." The teen walks over to the trash can near Liana and throws his can away. As the teen walks away, Liana sees a kick me sign on his back and she grabs it and says, "That's it." The teen looks at her and says, "And what's it say this time?" Liana says, "'Kick me.' A classic." The teen says, "I've had worse." Liana says, "Listen, kid. You should stand up for yourself. Don't slouch, talk with confidence and stop being so... so shy. It's okay to get mad." The teen says, "I-I guess so." Liana says, "Now, you go back over there, and tell them... tell them you're mad as hell and you're not gonna take it anymore." The teen opens and closes his mouth and Liana sighs and says, "Oh, just try it with me." The teen says, "I-I'm... I'm mad as hell, and I'm not gonna take it anymore." Liana says, "Okay. Now, like punish 'em with it, you know?" The teen confidently says, "I'm mad as hell. And I'm not gonna take it anymore." Liana says, "Okay, look, it's eat or be eaten. So, you get over there and enjoy your meal, right? Go ahead!" Liana sighs and watches the teen walk back over and he doesn't say anything, and she sighs. The teen grabs his stuff and walks past Liana, and she says, "Maybe he'll grow out of it." Later, Liana walks into Watchtower with yellow flowers and she looks at Clark and says, "I appreciate the thought, but you have to stop it. The all-new, all-different Clark would not be sending me roses. He's allergic to them, remember?" Clark says, "I didn't send these." Clark finds a card and says, "Booster." Liana tosses the flowers away and says, "Ew. Okay, Romeo will take the hint soon enough and lose interest." Liana looks at the screens behind Clark to see Clark stalking Booster Gold and she continues to say, "But you're obviously not." Clark says, "Did you know in the last 24 hours Booster Gold has made it to every major accident and crime scene in the city?" Liana says, "Okay, not to ask the obvious but what's wrong with having another hero in town? I mean, aside from his ridiculous personality. You know, Clark, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were jealous of this guy." Clark says, "Jealous? Me? No. Liana..." Liana says, "Okay." Clark says, "He seems to know when and where things are gonna happen. But he doesn't stop the accident. He just sweeps in at the last second. He makes the save, and he gets the photo-op." Liana says, "Okay, so drama sells." Clark says, "So do ratings. He's on every single station. But if people find out that he's doing this for personal fame... they're gonna lose faith in the heroes just like they did before. Booster is the least of our problems." Clark pulls up and news video about Ted Kord and he says, "I've, I've never been comfortable in a suit and tie. I'm more at home in the lab..." Liana says, "Hey, I recognize him." Mr. Kord says, "Inventing and testing--" Clark says, "It's Ted Kord, Kord Industries." Liana says, "Kord Industries. The Blackwater of the Midwest." Clark says, "Some kind of high-tech device went missing when one of his trucks crashed into Booster Gold. Now, Kord claims that his company is all about technology, but their research includes many things that are not listed on their annual stick report." Liana says, "Like what?" Clark says, "Disarming recovered superweapons. Liana, I need to clean up Booster's mess and find this missing tech. It could be dangerous." Liana nods and Clark speeds out the room. Liana says, "And I'll see what I can uncover about our gold-plated glory hound."