Location: Metropolis - Suicide Slums - Lex Luthor’s Press ConferenceIssue #2.05: Transformation Begins at Home
Lex Luthor was a man who was on the world stage, a man that was going to shape the upcoming world as things got crazier and crazier. He was already busy in much larger circles but no matter how much national noteriaty he achieved, his true test of mettle would somehow always come back to Metropolis. Never was there a place that he received more love and hate than the place he called home.
At this point in the process he had essentially already won the legal battle, paid his fees, even the demolition of the city block was already complete and the foundation of the future low-income apartments set, but the PR battle was still a hard fight and it was time to lay out his plans completely in the open. The stage was set, the reporters were in place, protesters against the building were already set up, and of course the police were ready for them. There were always those who would fight against the change that came with progress.
Lex Luthor stepped up confidently to the podium that had been set up in front of the construction location. Mercy and a private security detail were set up around the platform, just in case any of the protesters got any funny ideas. Camera lights flashed and signs waved in the sky as Lex Luthor gazed over the gaggle before him. The signs had sayings like 'protect our neighborhoods', 'Lex Luthor displaced our children', and 'down with the Oligarchy' as they waved them for the cameras to see. Lex Luthor put on his most gentlemanly smile as he prepared to give his speech, it was time to win over the hearts and minds of Metropolis.
"Citizens of Metropolis, welcome to LexCrop's newest project, the Future Vision Apartment Complex!" A model of the new facility was set up for all to see. "It has always been my dream to raise up my fellow man up in the world so that humanity may one day unlock its unlimited potential but that dream has always been locked away behind poverty and inequality. In order to achieve my lofty dream it is my duty, no, my privillage to prove myself in our own fair city of Metropolis! Compared to many other cities we are one of the brightest, wealthiest, cleanest, and best run cities in the world but even our bright city of tomorrow has its fair share of darkness."
Lex Luthor made a grand gesture to the run down streets and buildings in the Suicide Slums area. While of no comparison to some other cities, it was still the slums of Metropolis and the lack of care was evident in the surroundings. The suicide slums was Metropolis's very visible darker side, but Lex Luthor was here to provide some light.
"Ashamed that our fair city still has such a stain on its luster, I have designed these low-income apartments to meet the needs of the cities living here but of course merely providing shelter would do no good, opportunity is what these people need to change their lives around. Some of our brightest might be found right here in Suicide Slums but without the opportunity to thrive they will be lost to history. So, I have decided that every family housed in Future Visions will be given the opportunity to work at nearby LexCorp subsidiaries."
This revelation came as quite the surprise as flashes grew in intensity and the press started to ask questions even though Lex Luthor wasn't done talking. The offer was really quite generous and potentially quite costly to LexCorp, that much unskilled labor to suddenly just take on would be quite a strain on the system, plus a lot of those in suicide slums were not exactly the most reputable of folks. Lex Luthor ignored the clamor and continued.
"Now do not take me wrong, this is not a mere handout by any means." At this the crowd started to shut up to hear what he meant. "Any who decide to take up LexCorps terms will be subject to strict guidelines in order to keep their housing, only those with the will and intent to change their lives for the better will be able to fully take advantage of my most generous terms. Everyone deserves the opportunity to change their life around but the rest must be earned by their own efforts. Through my new Future Visions foundation we shall save those stripped of opportunity by the environment around them. Compassion, combined with accountability, shall save those long forgotten by society! I will make sure that the city of tomorrow will offer a better tomorrow to those willing to seize the day!"
Suddenly a commotion from the back occurred as a man pushed his way through the crowd to rush the stage. Somehow he slipped past the police and was rushing toward the podium while shouting at Lex Luthor.
"So destroying our neighborhood isn't enough huh Luthor!? You want to control our very lives now too!?" The man reached into his waistband and pulled out a handgun, before he could aim though, Mercy Graves had already intercepted him. With lighting quick reflexes she disarmed the man swept out his legs from under him. He fell hard on his back and Mercy already had a heel to his neck while the rest of the detail had him surrounded.
Lex Luthor calmly watched the proceedings and stepped down from the podium. "LexCrop only wishes to help the poor citizens of Metropolis get back on their feet from hard times. It is a shame you tried to lash out in violence, LexCorp would have been happy to help if you had given us the chance. Which brings me to my next point, all those who had to move because of the new construction will be the first to be offered an apartment in the new Future Visions Apartment Complex, LexCorp wishes to make amends with the displaced citizens of Metropolis as soon as possible!"
Mercy and crew backed off once the MPD got the situation back under control. The Press Corp looked a little shaken by events but soon regained their resolve and started to ask the hard questions to Lex Luthor and to the attempted assassination that had just happened. Without missing a beat Lex Luthor quickly entered the fray of questions, the future was coming to Metropolis.
A certain red-headed reporter had managed to slip away and secretly examined the actual building site. He knew he wouldn't get too much out of Lex Luthor himself so decided on another angle. While there could very well be no story he had a feeling there might be one to find away from the lime light.
"A stunning speech Mr. Luthor." Mercy complimented her boss as he went over the newly generated media data from the event. Already the news was circulating the web thanks to a little extra drama added to the mix.
"Hmm, I've actually done better but the speech was of course not really the point of the conference. As you well know the majority of Metropolis couldn't give a care about what happens to the slums, but certain fanatics do, so we had to expose that element to the public to show them the need of Future Visions. Imagine, the idea that some nobody from the slums would have the gull to turn their gun on someone as powerful as me? Think about what the common citizen must feel, seeing first hand the atrocities that can occur right on their doorstep. Suicide Slums needs someone to mold it, and who better to do that than Lex Luthor, who is kind enough to help even someone as ungrateful as him."
Of course if it was completely organic public opinion might actually side more with the man considering how many had been displaced by the project, but LexCorp's communication team was hard at work planting the seeds of trust to the public for Lex Luthor.
"Mercy, make sure Mr. Eavery gets his lawyer and bail as soon as possible, plus the payment for his services."
"Of course Lex." Mercy left to complete her new directives while Lex smiled. Of course he did believe in Future Visions, but his true project was already almost complete, beneath the foundation of the apartment complex. His little pet project for the betterment of Metropolis would be the perfect cover for the real story, hidden beneath the concrete.
Lord Wraith
