WOW!! That last part was really intense! Lex is so arrogant, so convinced that he's above everyone else, untouchable and answering to no one. It's never even crossed his mind that he, like all of us, can fall victim to an accident-- that none of us are
guaranteed a long, healthy life. How very, very ironic-- that this man, who acts like some pagan god among men, expecting wealth and privilege as his right-- should find himself simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Very similar, really, to the fate of Labby's villains in "Shape of My Heart": were they apprehended? No. Were they punished? Well, yes... they drowned when their car slid off the bridge.
Even if Clark is able to save him now, he faces a hell on earth, worse than any legal punishment that could ever be inflicted upon him. If he survives, he faces excruciating pain as his skin tightens as scar tissue forms. Before that, he faces even worse pain as his burns are treated--the bandage changes, the soaks, the therapy. He faces the loss of his extremities-- ears, nose, fingers burned completely away, and unsalvagable by even the most talented of plastic surgeons. He faces the complete loss of his face, his looks, which for many of us is tied so irrevocably to our sense of who we are. He faces the mental anguish of the uncontrolled horror in the reactions of people seeing him for the first time, before they have time to school their features. If he's very lucky, he faces the loss of his sight, so that he can't see their reactions, and can't see himself. He faces the anguish of remembering what he had, and what he's lost. He faces the pity of those very same people, everyday ordinary mortals, that he used to look down upon.
I don't think that there is any punishment on the earth that could exceed what he faces now.
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Now, to switch gears abruptly:
"Put me down!" he'd yelped.
"I could," Clark had told him idly.
That was good! What an effective way to... er...
convince Nigel to see the error of his ways...
And this:
"You may tell Inspector Henderson that I will be pleased to assist in his investigations."
Ah, the unflappable English Gentleman act... I can almost see him straightening his lapels (in mid flight
) and brushing a speck of lint off his sleeve...
I liked Henderson's interaction with Superman-- just about how someone of Henderson's caliber would probably really react: He's pleased to finally meet the Superhero, makes sure Clark knows how valuable an asset the police consider Superman to be, and reminds (without actually mentioning it) the superhero to try and avoid doing so much for the police that they become complacent. (A valid point, by the way--for most people, expecially those who serve in Police and Fire Departments everywhere, having a superhero to help out would probably just inspire them to do their jobs even better, make the world an even better place. But there are always those who look for the shortest, easiest route, and who are happy to be carried if they can find someone who will carry them. I imagine Henderson has people in his department like that. The Daily Planet does: look at Ralph!)
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You put this so eloquently and so thoughtfully, Janet, that I wonder why you're not writing yourself. You have such a great handle on the characters and a very articulate way of expressing yourself. Thank you again!
You are most welcome, and thank you for your compliment! I'm flattered that you think I could do what you guys do here so well. The thing is, I have a good handle on the characters because you, and Labby, and Mere, and Lynn, CC, Yvonne, Anna BtG, and all the others I haven't named, do such a great job of portraying them, in such believable ways. I read your stories and I just marvel at the wealth of ideas you guys explore. I can
react to your work, but I don't think I can create anything remotely like your stories. My talent is more taking an idea and running with it, as opposed to conceiving an intriguing plot device or a new angle on one of the well-known stories. Sort of "always an FDK-er" and "never an FDK-ee", if you will... :p
~Toc