fandomhigh | Superheroing- Tuesday, February 20- 2nd period

Captain Liberty is clearly not in a very happy mood when class starts. "So I'd like to share a little tip with all of you on how to protect your secret identity: DON'T BE FIVE. That being said, anyone who brings this weekend up to me is getting soooo much detention. Now pass up your homework.

"Now," she continues, passing around a handout. "This was supposed to be next week's lesson, but I switched it. Because I wanna. So there are going to be times that you don't come off looking so good in the press. And the fact is, the press is really important. You look in any newspaper and they're going to report all the crimes. There are even police blotters detailing arrests. Studies are done on statistics, there are sociology reports on crime... Really, you get into crimefighting and you're putting yourself out there. Even if you're not really in the public eye, people will watch what you do, and there'll always be one person complaining that what you did was wrong or not good enough, and they'll be the most vocal. Sucks, huh? Now just imagine what would happen if they found out something more personal about you, like, randomly, say pictures in a men's magazine. It can even be something way smaller than that. Something you wouldn't even normally notice. You have to find a way to deal with it without damaging yourself or your reputation. Worse, at least.

"What you've got in front of you is a list. You've all been randomly given a prompt, something you've gotten in trouble for with the press. Now, these aren't all things that would happen while fighting crime. To be honest, I kind of just went through In Touch magazine and swiped stuff that happened to celebrities. Just run with it, it's only practice. You're going to pair up, one of you playing a reporter who's quizzing a superhero about this horrible thing that happened or didn't happen but it's in the newspapers anyway. Once you've either come to a reasonable conclusion, switch places. Any questions? Good."

The handout
Ant-Girl- You had a quickie Vegas marriage
Captain Kickflip- You ended up in What Are They Wearing? in a magazine
Darker Force- An ex is lying about your private life in the press
The Guardian of Candracar- The tabloids say you're having a nervous breakdown
Hulkling- Tabloids say you've gotten too heavy to be wearing your costume
The Human Spider- You had a clothing malfunction mid-crimefight
Lady Waterbender- You apprehended the wrong criminal
The Love Machine- A tabloid caught you drunk
Miss Normal- An unflattering picture starts rumors that you're on drugs
The Most Gigantic Doctor- You're linked to someone (friendship, relationship-wise) who turns out to be a criminal
Mr. Fantastically Awesome and Sometimes Spectacular- Get arrested for a DUI
Multiple Man- Bad guy sprained his wrist during an arrest you made
Pirate Princess- Accidentally flashed the camera during an interview
Plant Girl- You turned wee for a weekend and did a lot of embarrassing things
Pom Pom Power- You shave your head bald and people think you're nuts
Princess Powerful- You're accused of tax fraud
Psychic Wonder- Some girl accuses you of fathering an illegitimate child
Rendezvous- False accusations of you staging a daring rescue
The Rhode Island Blob- An ex is telling the truth about your private life in the press
Smart Alec- A sibling gets arrested
Violet Femme- A criminal is set free because your arrest wasn't entirely legal

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Peter laughed. "God I hope not." He then adapted his former Nathan-like expression. "But if he does I will support him 100% in his time of need."

"The National Enquirer of Crichton will only print the truth," John said, nodding solemnly. "You've my word as a reporter."

"Thanks." Peter grinned. "My turn to be the press?"

"Think so," John said and prepared himself to answer questions.

"Okay." Peter reread his handout to remember what John's problem was. "So, Mr. Spectacular, how do you face all your fans in light of what you've done?"

"With deep regret and apology," John said solemnly.

"Uh-huh," Peter said. In big letters where John could totally read them easily, Peter wrote down "I HATE ALL LOVERS OF BROCCOLI, SAYS MR. SPEC." "And what drugs where you on at the time?"

John blinked at the big, bold letters. "I took too many of my prescription pain medications and just a sip of wine and they didn't mix at all."

'BEEN USING METH SINCE I WAS TEN, CLAIMS MR. SPEC' went down on the notepad. "How do you respond to the rumors that you did this because you wanted Britney Spears to notice you?" Peter asked.

John started frowning now. "That they're just rumors perpetuated by those wanting to ruin my career as a parachuting rock star."

'SPEC SWEARS: PARIS HILTON IS MY ONE TRUE LOVE' Peter wrote down. "Is it true that the League of Especially Good Superheroes is refusing to re-up your contract?"