InsaneJournal

Who: Clark Kent and OPEN
When: Night, around 9pm
Where: Coffee shop
What: Drinking coffee, making career plans, and some crime-fighting
Rating: TBD, probably low
Status: In Progress

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Clark had somewhat good news. After calling the Colligo newspaper offices, he was to be set up with an interview in the morning. Hopefully the chief would hire him. He thought there was a good chance of it. After all, he knew that others here had gotten jobs with little hassle. As well as being able to attend the university. After reading what happened there in particular, from scanning over some network comments, Clark was glad to notice that the campus was still intact, and that there were no lasting casualties. He supposed that if there had been an explosion, then his acute hearing would have picked up on it while he was out in the city. Not to mention the fact that it would be on the news and police blotters. Thankfully everyone had come out of it okay.. he didn't know all involved, just that they were fine and no lives were ultimately lost. He really hated guns. Even though he knew that the police used them in the line of duty, though they never go into the job just intending to shoot people. He remembered the time when he was mortal, when Gabriel Duncan shot him for trying to stop the man from launching a nuclear missile on his hometown. Clark's biological father had raised him back, with all powers restored and was thus able to stop the nuke, saving Smallville. But he still remembered the pain of being shot, the sudden shock, the simultaneous warmth and coldness from it. And the fear of leaving his family forever as his life had slowly ebbed away. That was four years ago but he still recalled it in vivid detail. His mind was quite sharp with most things anyway. Statistically and from experience, he knew that firearms were one of the worst causes of death, not just for the victims themselves, but also responsible for tearing apart families too. So whenever he was in a situation dealing with robber types, he always made sure to disarm them first, as well as a good x-ray scan to see if there were any other hidden weapons on their person. Not that he was worried for himself; he could be hit by a tank missile, bullet, falling rocks, or go into a burning building and not be left with a scratch or any sign of pain. It was mostly for the safety of everyone else that would be around. He knew from his experiences that once a criminal was rendered to be unarmed, the chances of innocents getting hurt or killed were significantly lessened. He had done that plenty of times back home, so he was very skilled at it by now. Clark had definitely come a long way since his freshman year of high school almost nine or ten years ago.

There were other crimes going on, however. Nothing like the vampire or demonic legions from some months ago, which he was grateful for. It was mostly the basic human type criminals which could prove almost just as dangerous. People could still be tempted, they could still lash out, act upon negative intentions or impulses. He supposed there would always be a few who ended up making it worse for everyone else in the populace. He usually attempted to prevent it whenever he came across it or got wind of it, even though he couldn't be everywhere at the same time. But he would always try in any case. And there were still police that he felt were capable of dealing; he would secretly help them out if possible. There were a few occasions where he would catch a perp, restrain them, call it in anonymously, and make an exit just when he heard sirens nearby. Tonight, however, was not as eventful. Just a few instances. One was a burglar breaking into a home and pocketed several valuables, upon which the man suddenly found himself tied to a telephone pole outside the house about two seconds after breaking through a window. The thug had no idea how it happened; far as he knew, one second he was in the house swiping stuff, and the next second he was bound outside. Once a mile away from it, Clark had called it in as an anonymous tip. Another instance was when a young female had also run across the busy street at the wrong time, only to have the hero use his speed to get her out of the way; it was pretty much similar to the way he had previously rescued Sirius Black from an oncoming car during their first meeting, when he had helped the wizard locate his apartment. Clark had not stayed long on this one, had not given his name but only spoke to ask if the woman was okay.. then left as a barely visible red and blue blur once he was sure, having already done a quick x-ray scan in order to be fully certain. It was mostly small stuff that took place this evening.. so far, at least. Nothing like a police standoff or store robbery. Or a hostage situation or an arson for which he could blow out the flames. At least not yet. It could still happen in another night or maybe a week, possibly even a month later. Or it could just as well occur within a few hours. One thing he knew about city life, anything was remotely within the realm of possibility, both good and bad.

He knew there had to be a better way to do it. He had done it better back home, as he remembered. Here.. he simply was reactive, keeping his eyes and ears open, fine tuned to spot trouble in the areas he went to around town. Or listening to others call out or just simply reading about dangerous situations in the past. If he got a job as a reporter, he would have closer access to scenes. With a police radio as well, once acquired, he could use that, as well as the resources at the paper, to respond to crimes and threats much swifter than simply acting on his own. He could be better equipped to help people. Just another twelve hours and he would have an answer. That's all the time that was left until he had that interview by morning. He still planned to do a few things for a few hours before returning to his apartment, however. Paying attention to the city's sounds in case anyone else needed assistance was something he could do. But first he was on a break as he walked into the coffee shop. His ears were still ready to pick up any signs of sudden danger from miles away, but he had not heard anything interesting as of yet. He smiled at the clerk, ordering a good cup of hot coffee with sugars, then making his way to one of the empty tables. Clark noticed a newspaper there which another customer must have left behind a short time ago. Perhaps he would read something interesting in the local news. Or the sports section would have something, particular football related. He no longer did that but it was a good memory for him. Putting a few creams and sugar into his cup, he took a few sips of the coffee. It was just how he liked it. After another drink of his hot coffee, he opened up the newspaper and started reading. Perhaps he would come across an interesting story. He could probably even find something worthy of personal investigation for him to do, or possibly a chance to help someone else out if they needed it.