The First Step

Lex Luthor. If a picture is worth a thousand words it would take a multi-story art gallery the likes of which we've never seen to come remotely close to expressing the power, the genius, and the absolute excellence that beamed from those two words. "Lex Luthor". A Pillar of his community, the multi-billion dollar kingpin, Lex Luthor, has it all. He graduated at the top of his class at M.I.T., went on to found Lex Corp off his own sweat and ingenuity. When Lex Corp first came to fruition Luthor rented a small room in an outlet plaza to serve as it's headquarters. In a true rags to riches story, the Lex-Corp tower is now the largest and most prestigious landmark in all of Metropolis.

Lex Luthor is the definition of the American dream. Lex-Corp employs literally thousands of citizens from Metropolis and the surrounding areas. Originally dedicated exclusively to Aero-technology Lex-Corp is now amongst the most diverse corporations in the world with its finger prints on a wide array of industries including but not limited to weaponry and defense systems for our very own US Military. Yes, in addition to being a genius and the number one employer in all of Metropolis, Lex Luthor is indeed an American Patriot who stands proud behind the stars and stripes of our great nation and the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to defend it.

When Lex Luthor isn't keeping America's military as the dominate force for good in the world and serving as the leader of Metropolis' number one source for jobs, he chairs the Luthor Foundation, a non-profit organization geared to provide mentors and guidance to at risk youths as well as advancing the education and employment for at risk teens and young adults. Having lost both of his parents at a young age, this is a subject that speaks straight to heart of Lex Luthor.

Lex Luthor: Leader, Philanthropist, Humanitarian… Patriot.

……………

Lex Luthor. If a picture is worth a thousand words it would…

We slowly pan back showing that what we've just seen and heard was a video being played in the lobby of Lex-Corp. The words begin to sound muffled in the background as we switch to an office… Scratch that, THEE office… Way up high overlooking Metropolis from two large "walls" of windows with crimson colored leather furniture and a very modern, un-bulky but still massive desk, a full bar stocked only with top shelf liquors and a flat screen so big Ol' Shaq Diesel would look like Vana White at the Wheel of Fortune puzzle standing next to it. In the middle of the room was a putting green that was about ten feet long with limited width. Standing at the green in a black power suit with a custom tailored white shirt left unbuttoned at the top was the man himself… Lex Luthor.

"I Think it's time AJ."

As Lex tapped a golf ball up the green with his titanium putter a younger, classically handsome man became noticeable in one of the crimson leather chairs. This man was Andrew James Harrington and he was the executive president of Lex Corp. His looks resembled that of a Patrick Dempsey from about ten or fifteen years ago. He was in a light blue shirt with tan slacks and a blue and white diagonally stripped tie with a noticeable silver looking watch.

"I don't know."

As the ball finds its way into the hole Lex nods with satisfaction before looking over at Andrew and perking an eyebrow.

Andrew explains further, "I just don't know if it's a good idea to put up shop in Gotham with all of the crime going on over there. I'm not sure if we can produce a safe working environment in a city like that."

Lex snickers, "There's no crime in Metropolis? Why on earth am I shelling out a small fortune on security for this place? You could have told me this years ago and saved me a boat load of money. "

Andrew sighs, "Of course there's crime in Metropolis but not like there is in Gotham. That place is full of it. And not just your average criminals either. They have a whole insane asylum built for the crazies Gotham attracts. Psycho-Hallucinogenic gas admitting "Scarecrows" and homicidal maniacal clowns and do you remember what happened at that Gotham Knights game a few years back? The whole place was turned to ruin. Gotham makes Detroit and South Chicago seem like Disney Land. "

Lex shrugs and nods, he certainly couldn't deny anything Andrew had said.

Lex Luthor, "Those are certainly valid points. All of them. But you know what creates crime of that magnitude? Unemployment. Why do criminals become criminals? Because of a lack of other employment opportunities."

Andrew raised a skeptical eyebrow of his own, "You know I'm quite liberal, so I'm all for the downtrodden and the idea that the average criminal isn't so much an inherently bad individual as he or she is an individual placed in bad circumstances who elected to make some bad decisions to try and deal with those circumstances. However, as we just discussed, Gotham doesn't house "average" criminals. I mean did you see their recent fair or festival or whatever? There was an assassination attempt, two tragic deaths that were accidents but tragedies never the less and as far as Gotham is concerned it's just another day that ends in Y. How can we ask people to work for us in that environment?"

Luthor, "Aj…. Andrew… There's three types of people in this world… Those who lead, those who follow and those who are best suited to just get the Hell out of the way. Lex-Corp is a leader and so am I. Now you sit there and you tell me that Gotham is a cesspool and I don't disagree…"

Andrew interjects, "I didn't actually use the term "cesspool"…"

Luthor waves dismissively, "Well you should have because it is…"

Andrew, "I don't know about that… I mean there are some really good people in Gotham, I just …"

Luthor, "Yeah but they don't matter."

Andrew seems shocked as he says, "Of course they matter!"

Luthor, "You sure?"

Andrew, "Of course!"

Luthor, "But they don't matter enough to give jobs to?"

Andrew, "I didn't… I mean… Of course they deserve jobs but…"

Luthor, "Good, then it's decided. We're going to expand into Gotham. Bruce Wayne, eat your decaying heart out."

Andrew looks a little morose as he says, "That's not right. Bruce Wayne was a humanitarian… A truly great man in a city that so desperately needed a great man to do great things."

Luthor, "And now he's dead and Gotham needs a new "great man to do great things" and that man is going to be me. "

With that said Luthor walks to his desk, leaning his putter against the desk before reaching over and pushing a button on his phone.

Luthor, "Miss Shane, get me in touch with whomever heads the city council over in Gotham."

"Sure thing Mister Luthor."

Luthor is about to walk away when he appears to remember something and presses the button again, "Miss Shane, has the paper arrived yet?"

"Yes Mr. Luthor. You asked not to be disturbed."

Luthor, "Bring that in here first, then get ahold of the councilman."

"Yes Mr. Luthor."

Luthor turns, leaning back against his desk as he says, "Let's see who’s died in Gotham today. Hopefully somebody with a big chunk of land I can buy for cheap to start the construction of our next tower."

Andrew quips in a disappointed tone, "Oh Lex…"

The tall silver doors of Luthor's office draw open and in walks a young slender blonde with legs for days in a navy skirt that stops just above the knees and a white blouse. Tucked under her arm are two folded newspapers. Her classic black heels click against the glistening marble floor as she walks across the room and hands the papers to Lex.

Lex Luthor, "Thank you Miss Shane."

Laura smiles softly and nods before turning and heading back out the way she came. As she draws the doors closed behind her Lex tosses the Metropolis "Newstime" paper to the side. He draws open the Gotham Gazette and as quickly as he does his smug demeanor shifts to one of surprise and outrage.

Lex Luthor, “SON OF A…”

Luthor throws the paper through the air, letting land near Andrew’s feet. AJ bends down from his chair and grabs it, straightening out the front page… The front page which dons the headline “Bruce Wayne Lives!”

Andrew gasps in shock.

Andrew, “Bruce Wayne’s alive?! That’s… That’s…”

Lex Luthor and Andrew state simultaneously, “ Awful! / Great!”

Andrew, “Oh you can’t mean that. Bruce Wayne is a…”

Lex Luthor, “Yeah, yeah, yeah… Humanitarian, blah blah blah. He’s a swell guy. Sigh.”

Andrew, “What’s your issue with Bruce anyway? Admittedly I’ve only met him a couple of times and always in passing at charity galas but he’s always seemed like he’s lived up to his reputation.”

Lex snickered, thinking to himself ‘And that’s exactly what my *problem* with Bruce Wayne is’. But instead he said, “Look, I don’t have a problem with Bruce Wayne perse’. I’m sure he is a great guy. No Lex Luthor, but close enough for Gotham standards. It’s just the timing. It would have been tremendous P.R. If we could have gone into Gotham and been the first semblance of light and hope to shine through the darkness they’ve been shrouded in for so long. Would have gone a long way in getting better prices on real estate and getting some favors from city officials. Not that I can’t still make sure we get taken care of in this endeavor. Nobody negotiates better than Alexander Luthor… Nobody… It just knocks a chip or two off our pile as we sit at the table, that’s all.”

Andrew, “And the benefit of an extra ‘chip or two’ in negotiations is better than having a beloved pillar of the community alive and well?”

Lex shrugged, “Eh… I mean… He’s not a pillar of *my* community.”

Andrew had been friends and associates with Luthor for over a decade. This friendship only worked because after all that time Andrew was still naive enough to think quips like that from Lex were just a warped sense of humor at play. Had Andrew ever taken the time to realize that Lex meant the cold, harsh things he said he’d have surely gotten far, far away from Luthor and Lex Corp years ago but Andrew ever the optimist just refused to ever believe that this man he’d known so long could genuinely be so hateful and frigid.

From the intercom, “Mr. Luthor, I have the Councilman on line one…”

Luthor looked to Andrew who knew that was his cue. Andrew stood up and walked over handing Lex back his ruffled paper.

Andrew, “Lunch later?”

Lex, “Sure, sure.”

Andrew nodded and headed out of the office as Luthor just rolled his eyes, dropped the paper in the waste basket next to his desk and took a seat at the desk glancing at the flashing light on his phone. A Small smirk came to Luthor’s face. Bruce Wayne or no Bruce Wayne, Lex Luthor had big plans ahead and taking building his influence in Metropolis’ sister city of Gotham was the first step.

((OOC: While this rp physically takes place in Metropolis, I felt that because it is entirely based around Gotham it was appropriate to place it on the Gotham board. If this is an issue and you want to move the rp I totally understand))