One More Round
By: Jason Tandro
Reno and Rude sit at a small table in a small bar, in the small town of Kalm. Their minds reel collectively like a cosmic slot machine, as they postulate the very existence of the universe.
"So, Reno. Are you gonna ask Elena out?" Rude asks. Rude is a quiet man. He would never speak more than necessary, but when drunk and with his best friend Reno, his heart opens, and the mess within is revealed.
"Ah… I don't think so," replies the inebriated Reno who taps his knuckle on the table in hopes of summoning service.
"Why not? She's right for you. All the signs are just… y'know they're there and…"
As Rude's train of thought is derailing, in walks Tseng, a tall man with long black hair and the boss of the two men here tonight who's only purpose in life seems to be to drink.
"Reno, Rude. Thought I'd find you here," Tseng sits down and orders another round for his men.
"So boss," Reno begins to ask. "Do you like Elena?"
Tseng does in fact like Elena very much so. His complete refusal to deal with the situation says far more than his words could.
"I'm afraid I'm here on business boys, can't talk pleasure right now, regardless how twisted and inappropriate it is," Tseng announces as if to make a declaration of his non-existent moral fiber.
"Work?" Reno whines. "They should pay us to test alcohol so that President Shinra doesn't accidentally ingest poison. I would gladly lay my life on the line for a Bloody Mary."
"Pull yourself together Reno. You're a Turk," Tseng barks. His similarities to a Midgar Fang seem surprisingly defined today. "In any case I need you gents to get some paperwork done."
Tseng hands Reno a folder with a black tip. This indicates the most pressing "paperwork"; an assassination.
"Got it," Reno said reviewing the folder. "Well, I guess that'll be last orders then. I hope this guy got his…"