Chapter Text
When Lex pulled his Mercedes up to the plant, the workers were waiting outside.
Clustered in a group, spaced roughly six feet apart. Several of them were wearing cloth masks. Others had bandanas tied around their faces.
Lex gave a nervous wave that he hoped came across as friendly as he picked his way over in his driving loafers.
They really were more of an indoor shoe.
“Morning!”
All he got was a stiff nod from the foreman.
Seeing everyone gathered, Lex was reminded that the factory workers were seasoned, tough men. Men who’d lived hard lives, often made harder by his father.
Lex smiled nervously and made a show of patting down his pockets.
“I uh, I hope one of you guys has the key to the front door. The main office didn’t mail me one from Metropolis…” He chuckled weakly.
“We’re not getting back to work until we establish and enact safety measures.”
“Uh…okay.”
The forearm held out a clipboard.
“We have a list of demands.”
Lex nodded as he skimmed multiple pages.
“Okay, okay, okay. PPE, social distancing protocols in the plant, painting and signage to encourage compliance, job security throughout the current state of emergency and…oh.”
Lex blinked.
“You want to convert to production of hand sanitizer.”
The foreman crossed his arms and nodded.
“First priority is stocking the hospitals, then making it available for household use.”
Lex nodded.
“This is … through. You’ve certainly kept busy during time off.”
“If Mr. Lionel Luthor doesn’t meet our demands, we walk. We’re not setting foot in there until we have adequate safety measures. And in light of this current crisis, we have no intention of going back to business as usual.”
“Of course. Well.”
Lex’s mouth felt dry, suddenly.
Under his mask, he licked his lips.
“I know that Lionel has … very publicly stated that the office staff at LuthorCorp headquarters are taking precautions to work safely during the pandemic. So of course it would be consistent with … messaging and stated company values for safeguards to be taken at every LuthorCorp facility.”
The foreman’s eyes narrowed.
“I know your old man. It’s all about the bottom line with him.”
“Well, I had a very instructive phone call with him the other day, during which he advised me to raise my public profile and increase my philanthropic efforts.”
“So you’ll take these to him?”
Lex squared his shoulders.
“No.”
The foreman bristled.
“He’s appointed me as his representative, with full responsibility for all LuthorCorp operations in Smallville, so…”
Lex signed his name on the last page of the demands.
“Done. Approved. Can someone email a copy to my LuthorCorp account so I can make it officially official?”
The foreman’s eyes softened.
“Normally in these circumstances, I’d spit in my hand and shake on it.”
“Gosh, what a shame. Uh…”
He stuck his arm out.
They bumped elbows.
Lex felt bowled over as scattered clapping turned into a swell of applause.
“No, I, come on.”
Lex tucked the clipboard under his arm so he could clap as well.
“This is for you guys. Stuck at home during a tough time, and you’ve been not only thinking of how to help others, but putting a very thorough, actionable plan together. Bravo.”
Lex flipped through the pages and felt sweat break out on his head.
“Uh…now, who can help me put this well thought-out plan into action?”