[video]

[stickshift]

So, who all here is into racing?

[simple, direct, to the point. she's smiling as she says it, though. It's about equal parts mischievous and competitive.]

Oh! And for anyone working on or interested in Mr. Kent's newspaper, I'm going to be writing a section on automotives. If anyone has any information on any of the vehicles or mechanics here, I'd love to talk shop. Thanks.

[She gives the camera a little wave, and disconnects.]

Comments

[wherethestoryis]

Automotives, huh.

[Beware the look of anticipation.]

You race, or just a fan?

[stickshift]

A little bit of both, actually.

[She also builds them, but hey.]

[wherethestoryis]

Official racing, friendly spontaneous drag races with buddies, some combination of the above...?

[stickshift]

I've never really done anything officially, but I-- my father owned a race track back home, where we used to test our satomobiles. Um-- 'cars'.

[wherethestoryis]

'Satomobiles?' [She can't help asking.

And now, the actual purpose of this inquisition:] I don't suppose you've ever heard of something called monster trucks?

[stickshift]

My surname is Sato. My father is the inventor of the Satomobile, which is-- essentially like your automobiles or cars. My world is only just coming into a major technological revolution.

[It bothers her a little, to be so far behind in terms of technology, but she's learning.]

Um-- no, but it sounds a little dangerous.

[Right up her alley, in fact. She smiles.]

What are they?

[wherethestoryis]

[Lois actually looks really excited at that. Sure, they won't have the speed of modern cars, but...] First generation racing--that's great.

[A little envy and acquisitiveness in her tone? Maybe.]

Okay. You know how carts have a seat at the front, space for about two people, and a large cargo bed?

[stickshift]

It is pretty amazing.

[Even with all the bumps, she wouldn't trade her upbringing for the world.

Asami nods to the affirmative at Lois' question, her expression attentive.]

[wherethestoryis]

Now, imagine that a car--automobile--is built along the same lines.

That's what we call a pickup truck. They're good for heavy work--farms, construction, that sort of thing.

[stickshift]

[-- lightbulb! Asami reaches for the leatherbound notebook that Lieuen was 'gracious' enough to bestow upon the foreigners. She flips to a page and starts to sketch, her attention drifting back and forth between that and Lois.]

So... a monster truck would be like that, but larger?

[wherethestoryis]

Not quite. That's how they started. Back home there's all sorts of tech and modifications and re-engineered bodies. But the soul of it is: give a truck giant wheels and great suspension.

And then test them on race and obstacle courses. They can roll over and crush almost anything.

[She is an enthusiast.]

[stickshift]

[... omg.]

That sounds fantastic.

[you hear this, Lois? You've caused giddy schoolgirl level excitement.]

[wherethestoryis]

[Lois is just as gleeful. Finally, someone who understands!]

And that's leaving out the paint jobs. No monster truck is complete without a kickass paint job.

[stickshift]

Do you have any examples?

[yes tell her more.]

[wherethestoryis]

Well, the best ones have flames painted on--and not just boring colors like red and orange.

[So happy to share!]

[stickshift]

[There's something a little ironic about them being painted to look like fire.]

I think that would be wonderful to see. I wonder if my world will do something like that eventually.

[wherethestoryis]

Humans, take a useful transport tool and find a way to play and crush things with it?

My guess is probably.

[stickshift]

[she laughs.]

Well, Republic City does seem a little bit different from your 'Earth'. That's where you're from, right?

[wherethestoryis]

Yeah, one of the versions of it, anyway. Same one as Bruce.

[Because they did that whole flirting-in-public routine. No use letting it go to waste!

Though if Asami's paid attention to various network posts, she might have noticed Lois also knows a few others...]

[stickshift]

Bruce?

[She considers a moment, thinking back over recent posts, and then...]

Oh, Mr. Wayne, right?

[... wheels turning...]

And you're from the same world as Mr. Kent, too?

[wherethestoryis]

We've worked a lot of stories together over the years. He's one of the best reporters I know--though I'm better. [Sadly, that's justified arrogance.]

[Beat.]

He's my husband.

[Oh yeah. That too.]

[stickshift]

[her expression lights up a bit]

Oh, he mentioned you! I'm glad that you're able to be together here.

[As for the 'I'm better', well, that just makes her grin a bit. She knows what that's like.]

[wherethestoryis]

Yeah, I am too--as long as we're stuck here anyway, I mean.

Someone's got to keep an eye on him.

[stickshift]

He does seem a little... absent-minded when it comes to looking after himself.

[wherethestoryis]

[Lois just laughs.]

You have no idea. He always worries about everyone else, and forgets the same rules apply to him.

[...For certain values of 'same rules' and 'apply,' that is.]