Chapter 2
Daily Planet
Lois and Clark stepped out of the elevator, hand in hand. Perry White spotted them immediately and called out energetically.
— Lois! Clark! Good to see you. Are you finally going to honor us with more than five minutes in the newsroom today? Because last week, it seemed like you were avoiding us!
Lois and Clark exchanged a quick glance. Clark tried to respond cheerfully.
— Uh, we were just really busy, chief. You know, the articles...
Perry wasn't fooled. He crossed his arms, but a mischievous smile formed on his lips.
— Yeah, yeah, the articles. It's not like that’s ever kept you from spending time here before. But I have to say, you’ve done some great work. Six front pages last week, and enough inside pages to know what to do with. No complaints there.
Then, shifting his tone slightly, he turned toward Lois and looked at her intently, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
— By the way, now that Superman is back, is Ultrawoman going to stay in Metropolis?
Lois, sitting at her desk, stiffened slightly, avoiding Perry’s persistent gaze.
— I don’t think so, she replied, searching for her words. That’s what she said when we interviewed her... She was only here to replace him during his absence.
— Alright, alright... Perry responded, though a trace of doubt lingered in his voice. His eyes remained fixed on Lois, as though he sensed more than she was willing to admit. - Anyway... His words trailed off. The entire newsroom had frozen, their gazes fixed on the live broadcast on the TV.
The reporter read her notes in a serious tone:
“An AP dispatch informs us that a young woman, practicing urban exploration, has been trapped in the old Johnston lead mine, east of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. According to local authorities, the mine, abandoned since the 60s, no longer has a water pumping system. With the current weather conditions, the young woman may be in imminent danger.”
Clark felt the urgency rise within him, his thoughts focused on the situation. He was already searching for an excuse to leave the office without raising suspicion, but Perry beat him to it.
— Lois! Clark! Head to the airport immediately! He pointed toward the exit. - Amanda, get them tickets for the first flight to Pittsburgh, and book them a car when they arrive!
— Got it, chief! Clark replied before turning to Lois. - I’ll get the car, he said, heading quickly toward the stairs, loosening his tie along the way.
