Everybody in Metropolis knew Superman. He was everywhere. You may not have seen him face to face, but you'd have seen him at some point, swooshing through the sky, always ready to help and to fight for truth, justice and the American way.
Everybody knew Superman, and everybody loved him.
No one knew Superman nor loved Superman more than Lois Lane, intrepid reporter at the Daily Planet. Her colleague Clark never thought much of the subject but Lois did, day in and day out. She thought about Superman and marveled at him and wondered where he came from, what he was really like, who he really was.
She had interviewed him, sure. And he had taken her in his arms and flew her across the sky. For the briefest of moments she experienced his world and it exhilarated her beyond comprehension.
And the feeling wasn't unrequited. Superman felt a kinship with her, a connection. Perhaps there was someone on this planet he could finally open up to, tell his secrets, and never be alone again.
One night, as Lois leaned by her balcony, staring at the Metropolis skyline, Superman swooped down gently, his cape flowing in the breeze. Even though Lois had seen him fly a thousand times the sight of it amazed her every time. At that moment, Lois would do anything to be with him, to feel the way he made her feel every day. She thought it would be worth anything.
But not this.
Superman told her, in full confidence, who he really was. He told her how she had been by his side every day but knew him by another name - Clark. He told her without hesitation, assuming she'd understand.
She didn't. After hearing what he had to say Lois made an excuse and entered her apartment.
The next day Clark saw Lois at work. She treated him like she always did, spoke to him like she always had and didn't mention a word about the night before.
That night Superman went to her balcony but she wasn't home. With his super hearing he heard the cries for help as a monorail train derailed and went to the rescue.
There, in the crowd, she saw Lois writing notes as Jimmy snapped away. When Superman came to say hello he expected her to act differently towards him but she was the same as she'd always been. She treated him like she always did, spoke to him like she always had...
...and didn't mention a word about the night before.
Because everybody in Metropolis knew Superman. He was everywhere. But Lois now knew a little more. She had always wanted to be special, but now that she was she wished she could be like everybody else again.
Because everybody thought they knew Superman, and everybody loved him.
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