Mr. Luthor, it's Lois Lane from the Daily Planet. I know your schedule must be overwhelming in present circumstances, but when might you be free for a conversation?
( Lois is there early, because of course she is. Clark was given the heads up, though he's nowhere in sight and is unlikely to be at any point. This isn't that kind of meeting.
Lois was at least telling the truth. She did believe this was a necessary meeting regardless of his present criminal standing or his obsessive tendencies toward Superman.
She claims one of the booths near the door, having a hot cup of coffee sitting in front of her and an opened sugar container next to it, clearly half empty. Did it start out that way? No comment. She's typing on a laptop, which if viewed displays a breakdown on "eateries of etraya," the diner's bulletpoint currently highlighted. Noted? The coffee is "only 45% petroleum product." )
Luthor. ( Lois glances up when he arrives, sliding out of the booth and holding out her hand for a shake. She smiles, perfectly pleasant, and utterly unimpressed. ) Are you fussy about your coffee?
( She seats herself back down again without a by your leave, picking up the thick, heavy white mug and taking a sip of her coffee flavored sugar. Hngh. Maybe she can 'invest' in finding better coffee while she's here in no-economy land. )
[The two of them can both play the civil part well regardless of any hidden feelings. He's a businessman and shaking hands with people he doesn't care for is second habit by now. There's no hesitation when he shakes her hand, offering a 'Miss Lane' in greeting.]
Not at all.
[Yes, he's totally picky about his coffee but he doubts anything here will worth it anyway.
After she sits, he also takes a seat across from her.]
Interesting choice in meeting place. Picked at random, or your preference?
( She pulls two of her notebooks out and sets them on the table, along with two pens, one rolling to rest against her coffee cup. Lifting her eyebrows, she flashes that same easy, professional smile: consummate professionals, either one of them. )
They've got the biggest working surface.
( One of those times where size can be a benefit, if not necessarily an advantage. Lois flips open one notebook, then folds the cover back before handing it across the table to Lex. It's a handwritten, bullet-point listing of stated 'facts' about their present situation, per Aurora and those she's spoken with to this point.
He's an ass, but if he pulls his head out of it, Luthor has earned his adulation for his intelligence. Too bad it didn't extend to emotional or empathetic intelligence, or the concept of sense. )
How much have you spoken with Aurora or any of the others caught up here?
( The companion bot in a neat apron with the word "DINER" embroidered across the front is already heading over, carrying an empty mug and the coffee carafe. Unless Luthor tells the bot to go away, he's about to be served. )
[... He actually can't argue with that. The tables are good for that. He'll give the place that much credit. Not out loud though.
The notebook is far more interesting. He picks it up, but only for a moment to look over and then slide it back her way. Her reputation is as accurate as the stories say. She's as thorough as they come. A useful skill to have.
Too bad she's on team: Superman.]
I'm aware of our situation and what that means. I assure you I am taking this seriously.
[Just putting that out there. He won't dismiss the companion bot, he actually barely gives it a side glance when it pours him some coffee.]
My question for you is, do you think Aurora and others here are telling the truth?
( She pulls it back under her other notebook, tapping the back of her pen against its cover. )
I think they're telling as much truth as they're aware of, to an extent. And that without an outside way to verify absolutely, the working assumption that the purpose of our being here is true enough is a better assumption than it being false.
( The degree of consequence is dramatically different depending on which way they swing. The cost of being wrong in assuming this whole set-up isn't true?
That's everything. The cost of participating like you believe it's true, even when you don't know if that's what you believe? )
Still insisting this is all engineered by Superman?
[Again he can't argue with that. It's starting to become an annoying point. How dare she be right.
And of course she has to bring up Superman. That might be the subject he knows the most about these days he's not a stalker, but the name drop still earns her a bit of a grimace or otherwise mildly disgusted look.
Though that might also be at the coffee.]
I think, I haven't fully eliminated his involvement as a possibility. But no, I don't believe he is currently behind his.
[He almost adds: he's not that smart
But manages to beat that comment down. It's so very hard.]
( The lengths this man will go to cling to his bias and the delusion it requires... is utterly exhausting to witness. She can't even think, good on him. About the extent is at least he's acknowledging there is a reality here not related to or informed by Superman.
In no world will she mention a different Superman having been around before. Irrelevant. )
And for the sake of the world you've repeatedly stated you love, and the humanity you've claimed to want to protect. Will you work alongside him, reluctantly or otherwise, to save our universe on the understanding that assuming our universe is not under threat can mean consigning ourselves and everything we know to oblivion?
( It's not a rhetorical question. Lex Luthor is an asset when he gets out of his own way. Moreover: )
For the record, everyone here in Etraya has enforced resurrection. Pointing that out as consistent in the interviews I've had with our longer term residents. It has factual basis. Fortunately or otherwise. Whatever's claimed all of its for its gameboard is operating at a level beyond anything we have on record back home, and I'd chance even the Green Lanterns wouldn't have much comparable on their records.
( Not that Guy's around to ask, and not like she thinks he'd say, because his code is always very conveniently enacted when he doesn't want to do something. Which is whenever it's something that doesn't cater to him or go his way, for the most part. )
[He hates the entire idea of it, but he also won't allow himself to die, that'd be silly. If it comes down to it he'll do what needs to be done while despising every moment of it.
Talking to a reporter about it isn't helping anything. But he reminds himself she can always write about how he saves the day in the end.]
You are telling me a lot of stuff I already know.
[Maybe not the resurrection part.]
Why exactly did you want to meet? To see if I'll play nice with the alien? Yes, if I must. I will.
( And, facts being facts, Lois would write what happened. Including if Lex Luthor keeps his head in the game long enough to be saving anyone.
She doesn't like him, and never will, but she can work with him for the ends that are at stake. )
Sure, nice enough to know that, Luthor. But it's really what I've been saying the whole time. What do you plan to do. Related to our situation.
( It's never been beyond her to understand he's an incredible intelligent person, when his ego and obsession and manic mood swings aren't getting in the way of achieving desirable results. (Pocket universes are not a desirable result.) )
Because we share one universe, and I know I want to be sure it still exists at the end of whatever days we're having in here.
[At least they both can play nice for a short period of time.]
I see. You are looking to me to be your savior and not your alien friend? Can't say I'm too surprised. As I said, don't worry. I'm playing along and I suggest you do the same. We've both established that we have no reason to disbelieve our situation.
[As much as he'd like to.]
But I've yet to see any criteria for 'what makes a world worth saving.' Clearly I believe ours should be among that, but what standards are we up against. That's what I want to know. Have we heard of anyone who's world has been chosen for saving? Are they immediately taken away when it's decided? As far as I've seen there's not much proof for anything.
( The way her eyebrows climb at the idea that she has ever or will ever want a savior in a situation like this. She doubts Lex Luthor will notice, but the look she's giving him is a good stand in for the 'o rly' owl of yonder youth. )
Nothing confirmed. We know the situation is occurring, not that the resolution is happening. Or what timescale all of this is happening on — or how relevant our timelines are to universe endings. It's a little more rare to have a number of people share a world and timeline, as we do, but even that doesn't seem to indicate what happens, or why it does.
( She grimaces, then sighs, pen tapping against her notebook. )
With the way the missions don't have debriefs or accessible summaries of anything that occur during them, it's as possible that mission could be a mistranslation. There are enough of these that read more like people are being run through social experiments versus anything else.
[Lex sits back in the seat and taps the table a few times with his fingers. What she says is unsurprising but also not what he likes to hear.
Social experiment? He can totally see it.]
It does seem that way. Which is not very amusing to think about. All of us here part of an experiment, a game for some -- what is she exactly? Nevermind, it doesn't matter.
[It really doesn't though. He will never like her regardless of what she is.]
I'll see if I can find out anything else. I'm sure there's people who've been here awhile. They have to know something. I'll contact you the moment I find anything important.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
audio | un: dailyplanet
audio | un: luthorcorp
no subject
( Belle Reve. You jackass. )
Unless your intellect is suffering significant setbacks from the reality shift, in which case my condolences, I'll send you a fruit basket.
no subject
[He still doesn't like you.]
Let's meet. I'm curious to what your view of everything is.
no subject
( It's for the Diner.
Because he'll hate it. So it's perfect. And also has food. )
no subject
I'll meet you there.
to action
Lois was at least telling the truth. She did believe this was a necessary meeting regardless of his present criminal standing or his obsessive tendencies toward Superman.
She claims one of the booths near the door, having a hot cup of coffee sitting in front of her and an opened sugar container next to it, clearly half empty. Did it start out that way? No comment. She's typing on a laptop, which if viewed displays a breakdown on "eateries of etraya," the diner's bulletpoint currently highlighted. Noted? The coffee is "only 45% petroleum product." )
Luthor. ( Lois glances up when he arrives, sliding out of the booth and holding out her hand for a shake. She smiles, perfectly pleasant, and utterly unimpressed. ) Are you fussy about your coffee?
( She seats herself back down again without a by your leave, picking up the thick, heavy white mug and taking a sip of her coffee flavored sugar. Hngh. Maybe she can 'invest' in finding better coffee while she's here in no-economy land. )
no subject
Not at all.
[Yes, he's totally picky about his coffee but he doubts anything here will worth it anyway.
After she sits, he also takes a seat across from her.]
Interesting choice in meeting place. Picked at random, or your preference?
no subject
They've got the biggest working surface.
( One of those times where size can be a benefit, if not necessarily an advantage. Lois flips open one notebook, then folds the cover back before handing it across the table to Lex. It's a handwritten, bullet-point listing of stated 'facts' about their present situation, per Aurora and those she's spoken with to this point.
He's an ass, but if he pulls his head out of it, Luthor has earned his adulation for his intelligence. Too bad it didn't extend to emotional or empathetic intelligence, or the concept of sense. )
How much have you spoken with Aurora or any of the others caught up here?
( The companion bot in a neat apron with the word "DINER" embroidered across the front is already heading over, carrying an empty mug and the coffee carafe. Unless Luthor tells the bot to go away, he's about to be served. )
no subject
The notebook is far more interesting. He picks it up, but only for a moment to look over and then slide it back her way. Her reputation is as accurate as the stories say. She's as thorough as they come. A useful skill to have.
Too bad she's on team: Superman.]
I'm aware of our situation and what that means. I assure you I am taking this seriously.
[Just putting that out there. He won't dismiss the companion bot, he actually barely gives it a side glance when it pours him some coffee.]
My question for you is, do you think Aurora and others here are telling the truth?
no subject
I think they're telling as much truth as they're aware of, to an extent. And that without an outside way to verify absolutely, the working assumption that the purpose of our being here is true enough is a better assumption than it being false.
( The degree of consequence is dramatically different depending on which way they swing. The cost of being wrong in assuming this whole set-up isn't true?
That's everything. The cost of participating like you believe it's true, even when you don't know if that's what you believe? )
Still insisting this is all engineered by Superman?
no subject
And of course she has to bring up Superman. That might be the subject he knows the most about these days
he's not a stalker, but the name drop still earns her a bit of a grimace or otherwise mildly disgusted look.Though that might also be at the coffee.]
I think, I haven't fully eliminated his involvement as a possibility. But no, I don't believe he is currently behind his.
[He almost adds: he's not that smart
But manages to beat that comment down. It's so very hard.]
no subject
In no world will she mention a different Superman having been around before. Irrelevant. )
And for the sake of the world you've repeatedly stated you love, and the humanity you've claimed to want to protect. Will you work alongside him, reluctantly or otherwise, to save our universe on the understanding that assuming our universe is not under threat can mean consigning ourselves and everything we know to oblivion?
( It's not a rhetorical question. Lex Luthor is an asset when he gets out of his own way. Moreover: )
For the record, everyone here in Etraya has enforced resurrection. Pointing that out as consistent in the interviews I've had with our longer term residents. It has factual basis. Fortunately or otherwise. Whatever's claimed all of its for its gameboard is operating at a level beyond anything we have on record back home, and I'd chance even the Green Lanterns wouldn't have much comparable on their records.
( Not that Guy's around to ask, and not like she thinks he'd say, because his code is always very conveniently enacted when he doesn't want to do something. Which is whenever it's something that doesn't cater to him or go his way, for the most part. )
no subject
[He hates the entire idea of it, but he also won't allow himself to die, that'd be silly. If it comes down to it he'll do what needs to be done while despising every moment of it.
Talking to a reporter about it isn't helping anything. But he reminds himself she can always write about how he saves the day in the end.]
You are telling me a lot of stuff I already know.
[Maybe not the resurrection part.]
Why exactly did you want to meet? To see if I'll play nice with the alien? Yes, if I must. I will.
no subject
She doesn't like him, and never will, but she can work with him for the ends that are at stake. )
Sure, nice enough to know that, Luthor. But it's really what I've been saying the whole time. What do you plan to do. Related to our situation.
( It's never been beyond her to understand he's an incredible intelligent person, when his ego and obsession and manic mood swings aren't getting in the way of achieving desirable results. (Pocket universes are not a desirable result.) )
Because we share one universe, and I know I want to be sure it still exists at the end of whatever days we're having in here.
no subject
I see. You are looking to me to be your savior and not your alien friend? Can't say I'm too surprised. As I said, don't worry. I'm playing along and I suggest you do the same. We've both established that we have no reason to disbelieve our situation.
[As much as he'd like to.]
But I've yet to see any criteria for 'what makes a world worth saving.' Clearly I believe ours should be among that, but what standards are we up against. That's what I want to know. Have we heard of anyone who's world has been chosen for saving? Are they immediately taken away when it's decided? As far as I've seen there's not much proof for anything.
no subject
Nothing confirmed. We know the situation is occurring, not that the resolution is happening. Or what timescale all of this is happening on — or how relevant our timelines are to universe endings. It's a little more rare to have a number of people share a world and timeline, as we do, but even that doesn't seem to indicate what happens, or why it does.
( She grimaces, then sighs, pen tapping against her notebook. )
With the way the missions don't have debriefs or accessible summaries of anything that occur during them, it's as possible that mission could be a mistranslation. There are enough of these that read more like people are being run through social experiments versus anything else.
no subject
Social experiment? He can totally see it.]
It does seem that way. Which is not very amusing to think about. All of us here part of an experiment, a game for some -- what is she exactly? Nevermind, it doesn't matter.
[It really doesn't though. He will never like her regardless of what she is.]
I'll see if I can find out anything else. I'm sure there's people who've been here awhile. They have to know something. I'll contact you the moment I find anything important.
[Really he will. Probably.]
I trust you'll do the same.