Domino and Hart

Cloud was still panting as they exited the auditorium. It was too real. And why did it make him think back to Marco?

"Crazy-ass thing made me wanna puke. And not just 'cause of the presentation, but the content too. Oughta come with a warning! That ain't for kids!" Barret exclaimed.

"That wasn't just a movie," Cloud said. He was shivering now. Almost a premonition ...

"That huge meteor... What was that about?" Tifa said. "It didn't feel like a part of the presentation at all."

"Congratulations! You can call yourself a proud Shinra expert. Your mission is to go out and tell everyone about the wonders of Shinra! Next, you'll be visiting the repository for Shinra's expertise and know-how. Please make your way to the 62nd Floor, the Corporate Ar—"

"What the!?" Barret said, watching the guide glitch out. Instead, the door opened and an elderly man in a white suit came out to them.

"Tifa Lockhart and her companions," he said. "My name is Hart, and it's a pleasure to meet you. I've come to escort you to Mayor Domino, per his request."

"Hart?" Tifa said. "It's been a long time. Daddy Domino wants to meet us?"

"Well, you, my dear," Hart said smoothly. "These guys just happen to be the beneficiaries. That's Mayor Domino of Midgar, to you." He nodded at Cloud and Barret. "The most magnificent city ever built. That Mayor Domino. The Visual Entertainment Hall has been experiencing technical difficulties of late... and he suspected that these difficulties might impede your progress."

The mayor was waiting in the library, behind monitors and surveillance cameras. He had a fancy mustache. And looking at Tifa, this must be another guy that was a programmed client of hers. She definitely looked in heat.

"Tifa! I knew I saw you," Domino said happily. He looked less happy at the giant Black man and blonde twink accompanying her. "I am the mayor of the great metropolis of mako. Domino, at your service. I must say, you three haven't exactly been discreet. I wonder who's been cleaning up all your messes."

"What the hell's going on?"

"Come on. Think about it. You've walked in front of sooo many cameras. And you're accompanied by the best whore that's ever graced Midgar. Do you hear the alarm? No? You're welcome. I can only assume your cell wasn't looped in. I am AVALANCHE's man on the inside."

"Say what?" Barret asked, dumbfounded.

"Is it really that surprising to you? You've seen where they put me. The mayor of the greatest city in the whole wide world… tucked away in a secret broom closet in the damned archives! The nerve. Those stupid Shinra pricks thought I'd just shut up and accept their treatment, but they were wrong! Dead wrong!"

"We need to break into Professor Hojo's lab, Daddy Domino," Tifa said. Did Tifa have pet names for all her pervert clients, Cloud thought morosely.

"What? Why? You mean you're not here to give President Shinra his comeuppance? You have more reason than any, Tifa," Domino said.

"We're here to save a friend who was taken," Cloud said. Tifa had a history with the President too?

"But the president's gonna get his too if I have anything to say about it," Barret said. Cloud wondered if Barret had an agenda for **** beyond just that of the Planet.

"Well, I don't particularly care what you end up doing—so long as it hurts Shinra…" Domino said. "I can get you as far as the 64th floor."

"But you're the mayor," Cloud pointed out. "Get us to the Hojo's lab."

""But you're the mayor"? Does this look like the office of a mayor? I'm a glorified librarian—nothing more! They don't even invite me to their meetings! Sorting records and reports that's all I do! My hands and fingers have more paper cuts than skin! No one knows my pain—my daily torment! They've made me a pathetic shell of a man. Let me see that keycard of yours. Here you are. You can now use it to access the Recreational Facility on the 63rd floor."

"Daddy Domino ..." Tifa said. She looked at Cloud and Barret. "Can you give me a few minutes, guys?"

"Hart, get back in here," Domino said, an old glint in his eye.

***

It turned out to be more like half an hour, before she emerged from the doors, adjusting her top. Cloud gestured towards her chin and she pulled a thick dollop of seed from it, sucking it down. God, for those two perverts to sample the goods before Cloud ...

"There is an AVALANCHE Collaborator on 64. He created a countersign. I'll say 'BBC is' ... and the collaborator will say 'the best.'" Tifa reported.

"Well, that fool is right about one thing. And damned if he didn't know what you like, baby."