"Pepsi! How about Pepsi?" Li Jie shouted from inside the supermarket. "This round's on me!"
The shadows deep in the alley stirred. Batman's towering figure stood like a sculpture melded with the darkness, only his white lenses glinting in the dim light, fixed on the back seat of the Crown Victoria. He didn't answer Li Jie. Instead, he took a step forward, his low voice carrying the gravelly edge unique to Gotham nights, cutting through the night air and straight into the car:
"Leave my city."
Clark adjusted his glasses, took a deep breath, and opened the car door to step outside. He stood beside the police car, looking a little awkward, like a reporter who had wandered into a restricted area. "I mean no harm. I'm just here for an interview."
"An interview."
There was no emotion in Batman's voice, only sheer oppressive force. "Conducting an interview with enough power to destroy a city block?"
"At least I didn't just break someone's arms and legs," Clark said with a slight frown. "Your methods weren't exactly legal."
"Hey! Hey! These two are my guests."
Li Jie walked back over and held a bottle of cola out toward Batman like an inept peacemaker, only to be completely ignored. "Um... let me introduce you. This is Clark Kent, a reporter for the Daily Planet. In my opinion, he's the kindest person on this planet, with the highest moral standards."
He glanced at the silent Batman and sighed. "All right, one of them. You count too."
"I don't need empty accolades," Batman finally couldn't help replying. "In your opinion."
"Ha, that's right. In my opinion." He pointed at Kara next. "This is his cousin Kara. She likes pop music and the Backstreet Boys. Seriously, she's a beautiful, adorable girl who would be perfect