Page 7 of Pink Kryptonite, by Jeanster

CHAPTER 7: WHAT JOHNNY KNOWS

"Can he really do that? Shut off crime just like that?"

"Apparently so. And not just crime. Also natural disasters and accidents."

"Wow."

"But it won't last forever. He turns all of that back into motion after we've had our, uh, date."

"Hmm."

"So what did you do while I was on patrol?"

"I took a tour of the Daily Planet." The Rawhide Kid paused and looked at Superman. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Before I do, let me tell you about a criminal I fought years ago. He called himself the 'Masquerader'. He was a true master of disguise."

"What about him?"

"His disguises were elaborate and very convincing. But I'm pretty sure that if he were to appear here in your world and time, he could get away with fooling the folks here with just a fraction of his abilities."

"What are you getting at?"

"While I was being given a tour of the Daily Planet we saw you fly past the window. Everyone cried out, 'Oh, look, it's Superman!' and rushed over to the window to see you. And just a few minutes before that happened Lois Lane who was giving us the tour mentioned how it was too bad Clark Kent was on vacation because she could have really used his help on a story she wants to complete. There was a large group photograph of the reporters of the Daily Planet displayed on the wall and she indicated which man in the picture was Clark Kent."

He paused again. Superman looked puzzled.

"So my question is why do most of the people in Metropolis have the impression that Clark Kent and Superman are two separate individuals? They talk about it like they don't know Clark and Superman are the same person. Are folks here just slow? Or am I the only here who can see it?"

Superman was stunned. Deny it, he said to himself.

"Johnny, you're mistaken. Clark Kent is a good friend of mine. He's just away on vacation."

"Oh, puh-leeze. Don't insult my intelligence. So if I were to simply change into a city-style business suit, comb my hair differently, lose the hat and don a pair of eyeglasses, could I pass myself off to everyone here as someone other than Johnny Bart the Rawhide Kid?"

Oh, great, thought Superman. How can I shut him up? I can't have him revealing my secret identity!

The sound of laughter suddenly broke Superman's thoughts.

Mxyzptlk appeared and was still laughing.

"Don't be surprised that Johnny figured that out. It's the same reason why men like him have great fashion sense."

"And that reason is what?" asked Superman.

Johnny answered for the imp.

"Because we're great at everything we do. It's a fact of nature. Get used to it."

"Superman, don't worry about your secret identity. After I send Johnny back to his homeworld and time he won't remember anything about what he experienced here. In fact for him it'll seem as if he never left his world."

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