Lois & Clark Forums Forums Fan Fiction Lois & Clark Fanfic FDK: The Panhandler's Tale (in response to the "Canterbury Tales of Metropolis" Challenge) 1/1

Hello all,

It's true that Clark wasn't wearing his glasses when the homeless man saw him, but he was dressed in his regular work clothes. And since the panhandler lives on the streets (the script actually calls him "Homeless Man"), he would surely see all of the advertisements for "The Hottest Team in Town." It seems to me that if anyone had the clues to put together Clark Kent and Superman, it would be him.

As always, all feedback much appreciated.

Joy,
Lynn

Oh I definitely get this. Yup. Loved how Clark had a major impact on this guy's life - more than 'just a couple of bucks' impact.

Well done.

I agree with Katherine Kent. I'm glad to see that seeing this angel actually stopped someone from drinking!

The imagery, as always, Lynn is beautiful. I love the description of Clark's... er... Superman's cape as his wings.

I don't know how much Lois would like be described as "his gal" though, especially since it's a work billboard, but that's a cross many of us women have to deal with at work. (i.e. not being taken seriously in our career, especially when pictured next to a man in a work photo.) I know you, personally, don't feel this way. Just another example of views being expressed by our characters that we ourselves don't necessarily believe in.

I wonder how the priest takes hearing this news? Has he heard confessions such as this one before? Does he believe the panhandler?

It's definitely plausible that the panhandler would recognize that CK=S. He saw him without his glasses, in his civilian clothing, floating. Yeah ... that's kind of obvious.

Clark's lucky the guy can keep a secret (at least until he tells the priest, who can hopefully keep his mouth shut).

Great idea! Those stupid ads causing trouble again! I seem to recall reading (a LONG time ago) a story where Clark objected to that photo shoot. He should have tried harder! Love that more of these stories are still being written.

Here's an idea for anyone to steal: Superman goes to rescue someone on the street (stop a mugging, etc.) and happens to be standing right next to one of those posters. Who sees it and puts together the clues?

One of the best super short tales I've read! Loved it! It makes perfect sense that the panhandler would recognize Clark as Superman. And I LOVE that it made him better his life. I kind of want to read more about him - did he get a job? Reconnect with estranged family? Become someone who eventually helped to get other homeless people off the streets and into better lives?

Very well done!

As usual, such an awesome job, Lynn !

It completely amazes me how you can create such a feel in your story, so much of a 'personality' of a character we know, really, in so few words.

I've said it multiple times to you, and I'll go ahead and say it again ...I so very much love your way with words. How you are able to listen to a character, and 'find' that character in your stories, by your choices of words, and also by the order of those words that you choose. It's so fun to read what you write--looking for all the touches you create.

Some of my favorites:


I can just picture the tone of his voice right here...that whispered wonderment he used in the Pilot.


Loved this--I can totally hear what this would sound like coming from his mouth.


Percisely the 'little 'un' part...it reminds me of my grandpa, who was an old-time farmer, who so much spoke like this (lovingly in reference to me and my sister). He died--from Alzheimers--almost 10 years ago, but for that brief second while I was reading, you made him very near. Thank you for that .

Such a great job !
Laura

Beautiful story. Very impressive how much you convey in so few words.

Victoria, thank you. Yeah, Clark has a way of changing people's lives, even when he doesn't realize the impact he is having.

Virginia, interesting that you read it as "his gal." What I actually wrote was only "a gal." I actually like your version better. Yeah, Lois would be upset by it, but I have a feeling that Clark would be far more upset at being mistaken for an angel. (In his case, he wouldn't be upset as in angry, more upset as in flustered and uncomfortable.)

Susan, I've vague recollections of reading that story, or one like it. IIRC, someone may even have had photographs added to the story. I wish I could remember the author or the title; it was a good one. (I had forgotten about it when I wrote this story.)

Annie, since the narrator hasn't been to church in years, he probably doesn't know this priest and is just assuming that all priests can keep secrets well. Let's hope that he is right, at least about this one.

DC, one of the best super shorts you've read? Wow! That is high praise, especially since I know that you have immersed yourself in fanfic. I imagine that his meeting Clark was indeed the turning point in his life, and that much of your speculation is accurate.

Laura, one never knows how one's words are going to affect others. I'm so glad that my word choice helped bring back happy memories.

Cuidadora, thank you. One of my favorite authors, Fredric Brown, was a master of the short story. He made me see that incredibly powerful tales can be told in less than half a page. Although I am nowhere at his skill level, his stories have greatly influenced my writing.

Joy,
Lynn

The best thing that ever happened to that poor man was Clark!

Morgana, I agree; in fact, I think that Clark was the best thing to happen to many people.

Joy,
Lynn

Hi Lynn!

You certainly hit the tone of voice

Yeah, there’s been quite a couple of references to that in murder investigations and such. Poor priest. But he certainly doesn’t know enough to put two and two together, I gather. Maybe after a couple of weeks or months, if he actually keeps remembering that particular tale.

Michael

Thanks. I did my best. I only realized just how short I fell on it, though, when Magical graciously translated the story for me into more accurate AAVE. If you're curious to see the results, you can find the translated version on the archive. (I had already posted my version of the story here before Magical made the translation offer. I decided to keep my original one here, since others had already read and commented on it, and to submit the translated version to the archive.)

Joy,
Lynn