2006 - Metropolis, Kansas - The Daily Planet
Chloe Sullivan has been working in the bullpen. She has been struggling with being eclipsed by the performance of her high school best friend, Clark Kent. As much as she enjoys seeing his success, she has no idea how he even gets the scoops he does, and it is maddening. How can she hope to compete with someone who breaks big story after big story before she can even crank out any moderately decent content? It's slightly discouraging seeing someone her age graduate with two degrees at the same time that she just got her high school diploma.
"Hey, Clark. You know it would be unethical for me to ask you to reveal your sources, but do you have any tips for your best friend?" Chloe asked.
"Find your passion," I said. "My passion is justice. I want to bring injustice to light. You have people like the Luthors who used the legal system as their personal weapon. If we use the fourth estate, the media, as a weapon, too, it can be just as powerful. Why are you a writer, Chloe? If it's just because you like to write and find the dirt on people, any writer can do that. But if you find your true passion and reason for being a reporter, it can transform you from a moderate reporter to a great one."
Chloe's eyes lit up, "So, your passion is going after corporate oligarchs/white collar criminals? And that is the secret to your success?"
I sighed, "Partially. It's certainly one of the reasons I even bother coming in here. When I read the paper before I joined The Daily Planet, I didn't like what I saw. I saw a lot of sycophants. People afraid to speak truth to power. They were afraid of being blacklisted from the industry, and they've certainly tried to do that to me, but I made it clear that I would expose even dirtier secrets of this corporate scum if they did get rid of me. And a wounded animal is a lot more dangerous. I think they were afraid of what I would do if I left here. At least when I work here, they have some input on the content I generate. Considering how well Kent Farms is doing, I certainly don't need the income, and I could put a lot of that money towards buying up some of these newspapers and using them for my agenda if they really push me."
Chloe looked surprised, "Would your parents really go for that, Clark? It seems Kent Farms is focused on the food industry, specifically. Are you sure they want to branch out into the cutthroat world of the media conglomerates?"
"If push comes to shove and someone like Lex Luthor were to buy The Daily Planet and censor what I wrote, then yes. We would happily buy competing papers and use them to attack the censorship and reveal even dirtier secrets. And if that didn't work, I would start my own website and maybe even start my own paper to get out the truth," I said.
Chloe said, "I'm really glad you have that passion. Sometimes, I feel as though I don't know why I do this. It's not as fulfilling as I thought it would be. I think there's something else out there for me, but I'm not sure what it is."
I smiled and said, "I think I have an idea."
"What?" asked Chloe.
"I've been considering starting an organization. How would you like to work for me?" I proposed.
Chloe looked at me curiously and said, "What kind of an organization?"
"An organization that fights for the truth, justice, and the American way," I declared.
"You almost make it sound like a crime fighting group." Chloe said.
I stayed quiet for an extended period of time.
"No way! Is that what you're talking about!?" Chloe said excitedly.
"Shhh! Keep your voice down. But yes," I whispered. "I'm thinking of calling it the Justice League as the overall organization name. As it grows, we could call the American branch the Justice League of America or the JLA for short. Foreign branch would be Justice League International. What do you think?"
Chloe looked even more excited, "I think it sounds amazing, Clark! But what would you do? How exactly are YOU going to fight crime? I mean, no offense, Clark, but you seem more of the passive type."
I smiled and whispered, "I plan on recruiting superheroes. You know the Red-Blue-Blur? I want to get him, the Green Arrow from Star City, the Batman from Gotham City, and many others. I have a list somewhere I can share with you, but you have to be sworn to secrecy. These are secret identities we're dealing with. I can't have you discussing it with anybody or using their identities against them."
Chloe looked offended, "I'm not like that, Clark! I would never do that! You know you can trust me."
I smirked, "That's why we're even having this conversation. I do trust you. So what do you say? Are you on board? Wanna help save the world?"
Chloe said, "Are you kidding? That sounds awesome! I mean, I'm not sure how you're going to do it, it sounds awfully ambitious. But if anyone could do it, I'm sure you can, Clark."
"Ok, then. After work, come with me to this address." I said, passing her a business card that says 'The Watchtower' with the address on it.
Chloe looks the card over and traces her finger over the embossment, "Now, you really have me intrigued. I'll be there."