2012-06-20 A Reporter Walks into...

Stark Tower, New York City. With the seeds of possible story planted by a certain Mr. Worthington, Lois figures it wouldn't a bad idea to see if any of the -other- billionaires in the States might have some sort of something with Luthor that they don't want to talk about. The question is: how to get them to talk? Lois has often found that simply knocking on the front door and asking to borrow a cup of sugar can work, so off to New York she goes, and manages to talk her way into the Tower to look around. Not any of the more touchy floors, but some of the public areas, Lois has been able to easily gain access to. The wonders of a press pass, no? It's in that tiny boundary between where she was given permission to be, and where she wasn't that Lois inches herself. Okay, struts herself! Because if you act like you belong, most people tend not to question you.

Dr. Henry McCoy was actually on-site for a meeting which was running late, when he got conscripted to show a nosy reporter around. That nosy reporter of course being one Lois Lane of the Daily Planet. Spotting Ms. Lane, Hank adjusts his tie and checks his breath as he approaches. He's uncomfortable around reporters due to his own secrets, not to mention being somewhat uncomfortable in social situations in general. "Ms. Lane?" Henry calls out, approaching her and looking her over. She doesn't look too intimidating, but given Hank's experience with both Science and Mutation... appearances can be decieving. "I'm Dr. Henry McCoy, I've been asked to give you the nickle tour."

Violet eyes scan over at the sound of Hank's voice. The slim reporter turns to face him, gaze studying him even as she smiles at him and extends a hand. "Dr. McCoy. Pleasure to meet you," she says pleasantly, mind trying to place the doctor. "Physics, Robotics, Atronomy," she asks, trying to sort out what McCoy is a doctor of.

When Lois offers her hand, Hank hesitates for a moment. It's possible he's a germaphobe, but he does eventually take the hand and shake it lightly. It's possible that Lois might note that Hank's hand is rather larger, especially in relation to his build. "Yes." Hank jokes, flashing Lois a playful grin. "But my primary area of expertise is Bio-Chemistry and Genetics. But I tend to dabble in a bit of everything for fun."

Noting the hand saize, Lois glances down, her brows quirking faintly. "Big hands," she quips before completing the shake and withdrawing her hand. "Mind if I take notes on this, Dr. McCoy," she asks, reaching into her purse and coming up with a pen and a notepad.

Big feet as well, though his loafers seem to be chosen to try make that aspect less obvious. "Thank you?" Hank laughs. "My father always hoped I would go into football, but while his love was for the 'Sweet Sciences', my passions for actual Scientific Research." Hank perks a brow when Lois pulls out the pen and notepad from his purse. "Pen and Paper? You're a fan of the classics, I would gather?"

You know what they say about big feet. Lois grins at the classics remark, winking. "You have no idea," she says. The pen is a little odd for a normal ballpoint. The back end is thicker and had a digital display on it. "So... Dr. McCoy, what's new in Stark Industries that they'd send a Bio-Chemist and Genesist to give me the grand tour."

"Please, call me Hank. I'm not one who depends on titles to stroke my own ego." Hank turns, gesturing for Lois to join him so they can walk and talk. "I'm just a small cog in a giant machine, so I'm not sure what the rest of the company is up to. I was just here for a meeting and lost the draw." Hank glances over to Lois, offering a light grin that suggests he's joking. "Perhaps you've got some scoop brewing that might be of interest to us? Or at least Mr. Stark himself."

A meeting, huh? Lois smiles, falling into step at Hank's side. While she's got the notepad open and posed to write, she has yet to touch the tip of her pen to the faintly dotted paper. "Now, Hank. Don't go asking all of my questions for me. I don't want people to get the idea that just anyone can do this job."

Wanting to make Lois feel comfortable as they talk, Hank decides to lead her towards the cafeteria. "That's what they pay me for Ms. Lane, always thinking one step ahead." Henry offers with a sly wink, rolling his shoulders just a bit. "But if you have some questions, I'm happy to answer what I can. But first... can I buy you a cup of coffee or some lunch?"

Grinning, Lois nods to Hank, following where he leads. "Sure. I'd love some," she replies pleasantly, eyeing the innards of the building as she walks. The ballsy femme reporter drove (flew?) to New York to poke around Stark Tower. She told Perry: Got a hunch, be back Monday. Now, she's walking with Dr. Hank McCoy, her digital LiveScribe pen out and most likely recording their verbal conversation. "Who invited you to the meeting, if I may ask? I didn't think Stark was into any bio-medical or genetic applications...."

Dr. Henry McCoy gestures for Lois to take the lead in the cafeteria line, offering her a tray while grabbing one for himself. "Here you go, Ms. Lane. I know you're probably used to more sophisticated fare, but it's suprisingly edible." Hank grabs a couple of packets of Twinkies for himself, and a cup of black coffee. If Lois is paying attention, she might notice about 5 packets of sugar being added. "Well, like I said I sort of dabble in a variety of areas. Those are just the two I have PH.D.'s in."

"Oh, really," she asks, violet eyes taking notes even if her mouth doesn't immediately jump to questions. She sets her pen on the tray and moves through the line, opting for something easily chewed and swallowd, able to eaten in small nibbles, and then left on the plate in a hurry; water is her drink of choice for the moment. She stands at Hank's side, moving with him without comment on the food. TDP needs a cafeteria! "What do you dabble in? I'm curious what else yuo had time to study, given the two you got PhD's in."

"Lois?" *CRASH* Clark Kent trips into someone in line as he enters behind the pair and tries to get in line. He knocks over the person's tray, spilling milk over a large radius of tile. "Oh golly, I'm so sorry." He says to the person, trying to help clean up the mess almost immediately. Realizing he'll need some napkins, he begins to pat down the young lady on the leg and gets an uncomfortable look from his victim. He reddens, "Sorry."

Beast sticks with just the coffee and snack cakes for now, deciding to wait until later for a full meal. "You name it, and I've probably dabbled." Hank seems a bit uncomfortable, like he doesn't like talking about himself. "I graduated from Harvard when I was 15, if that helps explain things." Hank offers, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. He breathes a sigh of relief at the sudden distraction from what appears to be another 'Guest' to Stark Tower. "Does this one belong to you?" Hank calls back to Lois, as he moves to try to help the poor woman before things get worse.

The familiar voice of the dork that Perry's leashed to her hip, makes Lois groan inwardly. Knowing what's coming as he steps in to join the line, Lois deftly steps to the side, taking her tray with her. Her violet eyes watch with an amused twinkle as the other reporter Clarks out and milk goes EVERYWHERE. She watches, surpressing a chuckle (if not the grin) as Clark begins to pat the poor girl down. "At least offer to buy her a drink or take her out to dinner before you feel her up, Clark," she quips at him, laughter dancing in her tones.

"Yes," she replies to Hank with a very tolerant tone, the way an elder sibling is tolerant of the younger that Dad's paid the elder to take with her to the Def Lepard concert even after the lengthy days of protesting. "Hank McCoy, Clark Kent," she states by way of introduction, voice dismissive as she turns to find a table to sit at. "You going to join us, Smallville? Or are you planning on gettig to third base first?"

Clark gives the woman a pained, "I'm sorry." She's obviously not too pleased and just kind of storms off. Clark readjusts his glasses, "What? Lois. I would never try...I thought you said I was...Hi, who's this?" Clark stretches out a milky hand towards Hank, but then thinks better of it and grabs some more napkins, dries, and offers again.

"Smallville?" Hank offers with a soft hrmm under his breath as he takes Clark's hand and shakes it lightly. He lets Lois handle introductions. "Pleased to meet you." His other hand is soon placed on Clark's upper arm and tries to lead him away from from the Cafeteria line before someone else gets manhandled. "Hmmm.... Smallville, Kansas.... right?" Hank asks, as he steers Clark towards one of the open tables. "So this must be quite the storylie you're working on Ms. Lane, if the Daily Planet felt the need to assign two reporters for a fluff piece."

Blast it! If Perry hadn't -insisted- Clark come with her, this story would have been in the bag! Lois forces a smile to her face. The expression fails to reach her eyes fully as she eyes Clark with more than a little rivalry. "Kent needs the extra experience shadowing," she states. A brow quirks, daring Clark to counter that in the open. She lifts her chin lightly as she sets her tray on the chosen table top, smirking as Clark nearly 'outs' himself in Stark Tower. Oh, the cheshire grin she gives him at that, hinting that she could have pounced and gone for the kill but didn't.

Clark summarily ignores Lois' cattiness and instead shakes Hank's hand vigorously. "That's right! Smallville, Kansas! You've heard of it? Is it the Corn Days festival? Everyone who knows of it seems to know the Corn Days festival."

There's just something about Ms. Lane's story that doesn't entirely add up. So Hank is somewhat on edge about the questions she's asking... or so far, not asking. "Dunfee, Illinois...." Hank offers, gesturing to himself. He's something of a farmboy himself. Hank takes a seat, sliding one out from under the table towards Clark. "Now, where were we?"

Oh, Dear, God! Clark did NOT just say that, did he? Lois drops her seat, fingertips going to her forehead. She eyes the two nerds silently, the cheerleader forced to sit with the brains of the school. Smiling again, pulling that story-winning expression back to her face, an expression she's practiced in the mirror, Lois nods to Hank. "Just wondering what other fields you've studied, is all," she says conversationally.

"Dundee?" Clark exclaims. "Well hey, two midwesterners on the East Coast. That's pretty swell." The comparisons between Dr. McCoy and Clark Kent seem to end there.

Dr. McCoy offers a soft chuckle at Clark. "No, Dunfee. But close." Hank took a sip from his coffee, relieved to have somethng to distract him from Ms. Lane's questions. "It's probably easier to relate what I haven't put time into studyng. You should see me play Trivial Pursuit. Sorry, I just hate talking about myself. It comes off as egotistical bragging."

Clark peers and shakes his head a bit. He knows Dundee is a suburb of Chicago. Dunfee? He's not so sure. "I'm not really sure where that is. I imagine it's very small. How'd you end up here, Dr. McCoy?"

Dammit, Clark! Lois gives Clark a bit of a look, but if Hank seems happy to answer those questions, Lois ponders briefly. Then, a wicked thought coming to mind, she excuses herself to go find the ladies room. She collects her pen and her purse, and rises to step away, not giving any attention to Clark if he moves to stand with her. Old fashioned, out dated, obnoxious... he did stand up, didn't he? He better have. Lois glances at him out of the corner of her eyes before she heads to the 'bathroom'. Yeah, that's it. Oh look! A hall way that look decidely 'off-limits' and office like. One glance back at the boys to make sure they're still entertaining each other - 'You let that gay-flag fly, Smallville! HOld his attention long enough for me to go find the REAL story around here,' she thinks to herself. - before slipping away fully.