Ok, now to wrap up this completely pointless story.
****
<Metropolis, 1993>
****
“So, you say you’re from Kansas?” Perry White, the editor of the Daily Planet, asked as he looked skeptically at the Oriental man standing in front of him.
“Yes, that’s correct, sir.” Clark replied, used to this type of reaction. All the way up through high school, he had grown up as the only Asian kid around. Of course, that wasn’t the main reason that he had always felt different. Nevertheless, he had always received plenty of love – his parents couldn’t care less whether he was from China or from outer space.
They had understood how hard it was being “the Chinese guy”. They had marched vigorously for civil rights, and believed in complete equality. Of course, that didn’t stop people from just assuming that Clark could speak Chinese as he traveled the world after college. In the end, he had just decided to learn it – along with 345 other languages.
****
“Now, let’s get one thing straight…” Lois began, but then she stopped to reflect on the situation. She had been about to tell the new rookie reporter, Clark Kent, that, as he was just a hack from Nowheresville, *she* was in charge, “top banana” as she put it.
But then she looked closely at him. Asians were sometimes known to be oversensitive – what if he thought she was being racist?
“Just follow my lead.” she sighed. Stupid political correctness.
****
“Clark, are you crazy? This is never going to work!” Jonathan hollered fearfully as he looked at his son, who was wearing an awful red and blue spandex suit. “Somebody will recognize you!”
“No, they won’t.” Clark grinned as he demonstrated taking off and putting back on his glasses. “See?”
“What? Are you kidding me? A Chinese superhero showing up at practically the same time that Clark Kent arrives in Metropolis?” Jonathan continued to protest, not convinced.
“Dad, have you *been* to Chinatown? There are *plenty* of Chinese people in Metropolis! Trust me, this will work. It *has* to. Besides, everybody knows that all of us Asians look the same!” Clark insisted.
****
“Look, up in the sky!”
“Is that a bird?”
“Is it a plane?”
“No…it’s an Asian dude in tights and a cape.” the man with binoculars said, confused. Everyone groaned and started throwing popcorn at him.
****
“Clark, you should have seen him! Up close, he is the most magnificent figure of a man that I have ever seen!” Lois squealed.
“Sounds like he made quite an impression on you.” Clark replied, amused.
“He did- why? Are you jealous? Funny thing though – first you, now Superman. Of course, you’re both Asian, but he’s obviously more muscular than you are. Sorry, Clark.” Lois patted his arm apologetically.
Of course it had worked. Why had his dad even shown even a shred of doubt? Glasses were the ultimate disguise.
And that is the story of how Clark Kent, orphaned in Guangzhou but raised as an American farmer’s son in Smallville, Kansas, came to be the hero known to the world as Superman.
****
<epilogue>
****
“Chen Chow.” Clark’s new basketball buddy introduced himself.
“Clark Kent.” Clark responded as he shook Chen’s hand.
“Nice to meet you, Clark. By the way, do you have an original Chinese name?”
Clark shifted uncomfortably before answering, “Wang Da Zhong…”
Chen started smiling in amusement, before realizing that Clark was serious. His eyes grew wide as he suddenly struggled to contain his laughter. He ducked into the back of the store to prevent Clark from seeing him laughing.
“Grandpa! Lin! You won’t believe what this guy’s name is…”
****
