Janitorial Fact: SOLDIER Floors STINK!
A Janitor's Pushcart always has a complete equipment on their Pushcart. They are to never go without a complete equipment as going back to the supplies room is a long trip and it'll be a bitch to go back just for one iddy-biddy item.
Their equipment depended on what floor they're cleaning. But the staples are always a mop, a bucket, numerous microfiber rags, cleaning chemicals, a vacuum cleaner, a duster, and janitors must be in uniform for their own sakes. The chemicals Shinra uses are so damn harsh on the skin it causes severe chemical skin allergies or injuries. Its a bitch to get the stains out in the laundry and three, the most important, never leave fingerprints behind. EVER.
He was assigned to the 50th Floor, where the Classrooms and Training Areas are for recruits like himself and the Cantina after school hours. But due to potential bullying issues, he never cleans the sleeping quarters, somebody else does it in order to hide he's a Janitor.
His superior did a maintenance check and he did well on his first day. For his first year, this is his job. For 60000 a month, not so bad. 25000 for himself and the rest, to his mom.
He got a call in his office.
/Cloud! Where on earth did you get this money?!/ Cloud held his phone away from his ear and Shields quickly pressed the Loudspeaker button for entertainment.
'Er, my job as a Janitor?'
/Don't bullshit me young man! Janitor job doesn't pay this big! Look at Mr. Carter working at the local Inn, his salary a month is 5000!/ the other Janitors winced horribly. They will NEVER work for THAT money. EVER.
'Ma, salary in Shinra is real high since we got so much stuff to clean.' said Cloud. 'I'd send photos if I could but I'd get in trouble if I send where I clean...Mr. Branfield, can I send my ma what our office looks like so she can believe I really work as a Janitor with a sky-high pay?'
'Sure kiddo, it ain't illegal.' said Mr. Branfield. 'As long as its not other offices.'
'Well ma, the rule in this company is that the dirtier your job is, the more you get paid.' said Cloud. 'Considering how messy most tenants here are, that's not so surprising anymore but at least all of us are well-compensated!'
/That's almost too good to be true...one gets 60000 as an Office Lady or a Clerk per month...heck, being a Cafeteria Lady pays that much too.../
'Well, get planning with old man Zangan mom. Pretty sure within the year we can afford our new place. We'll be free of them after 14 bloody years.'
/Alright. Zangan knows the outside world better than I do. Take care dear./
'Thanks ma.' and Cloud put his phone down. '...sometimes, culture shock is bad. Ma's stunned a Janitor gets paid big here...'
'Or your town's payscale just plain sucks.' said Reeves wryly. 'Janitorial work for 5000? Fuck that!' he said in disgust. 'Nobody will be willing to put up with shit for low-low pay! Just...no.'
'Even we have standards kid.' said Shields, shaking his head.
xxx
A year went by. Cloud works even on Vacation Season.
This was how he got wind of a kidnap attempt for a little girl by a loose-lipped scientist when he passed by the Science Department when he got chucked to Mr. Shields' floor because Mr. Shields had to pay for a check-up for his back.
It took him a while to get information and he found the address. He left the building to make an outside phone call...
xxx
Mideel...Rui Residence...
Shalua Rui, aged 14 shook hard.
An anonymous boy working for Shinra as a Janitor overheard sensitive information about her sister for her abilities. Since its known over there, she cursed the moron who revealed her sister to the public in school.
'Shelke! Get packing now!' Shalua cried at her nine years old sister. 'We need to leave! Fast! You're in danger!'
'F-from what?'
'Just go!'
This started the sisters' hard life of being on the run...and living outside any settlement to avoid getting tracked down fast. This was after burning down their house because Shalua knew Shinra would take what they can get just to find them quicker.
xxx
After a good deed, Cloud knew to act normal since that day.
He shattered his old phone and bought a new one.
When his first year ended, his salary rose to 80000. His grades are in the 90's. Not bad for the first year.
35000x12 as he keeps 25000 for himself, he helped raise 420000. That's enough to move to Cosmo Canyon and start a new life there. His mother selling their house helps with the expenses in buying them a new house.
However, in his second year...Mr. Shields had to retire, having earned enough money for an old man's retirement, so he was given Mr. Shields' old job of cleaning up Science Department C in addition to the SOLDIER Floors he was originally assigned to.
The SOLDIER Floors are legendary...in smelling too much of MAN in it.
It smelled of men who are too damn lazy to bath due to the strong air conditioning, and cologne in a bid to cover up the B.O!
However, because it IS the SOLDIER Floors, he has to be watched over by a low-ranking Turk.
'Gaia spare me.' he said dryly. 'Maybe its a good thing I know I'll flunk from the start if the facilities goddamn stink so much.'
'Huh? You know you're gonna flunk?' said low-ranking Turk, is Reno. Cloud had no idea how the kid was recruited as a Turk and made official when they're the same damn age.
'I know I'm gonna flunk red.' Cloud snorted. 'I knew right from the start.' he said, pushing his pushcart in.
'But why apply for SOLDIER if you knew in the get-go?'
'My body and mako are like oil and water since my accident in a natural mako pool as a kid. But I signed up for SOLDIER because the Director is nice to poor kids and I got this job as long as my grades don't fail.' said Cloud. 'Had I signed up for the Infantry, I'm pretty sure you know Heidegger by now.' Reno snorted at that. 'I'll never get a sideline.' he said. 'Any chance we can open the windows to let this nasty smell out?'
'That's nice and all but we live in a smoggy city and smog is worse than manly B.O.' said Reno wryly. Cloud groaned.
'Great, not even an option either...I'll have to keep the door open to let the nasty out and keep all airconditioning on hi-fan mode to help while I clean and sanitize the whole damn place. Is everyone here so lazy in going to the showers once a day...? They ain't gettin' laid anytime soon!'
Reno cracked up. This mouthy kid is really making babysitting fun.
Soon, the SOLDIER Lounge smells real nice and clean, while Cloud took all linens and carpets for the laundry department.
He is NOT looking forward to other places in the SOLDIER Floors.
xxx
'I'm back boss.' said Reno, reporting to Tseng.
'Anything about the new Janitor?'
'A SOLDIER Recruit who knows he's gonna fail right from the start, he's only in it to get an actual job sideline.' said Reno. 'He has a lot to complain about the SOLDIER Floors and frankly, I don't blame him. The rooms STINK of manly B.O the kid thought them beefy guys are too damn lazy to hit the showers! Not only that, poor kid got disillusioned about how the facilities are treated. Bloody stinks every-damn-where he kept the doors wide open to air the rooms out and the boys are damn messy. I took photos with my phone while he worked.'
'I'll have to tell Lazard how his boys behave then.' said Tseng wryly.
'Blondie stripped the furniture naked and swore to disinfect them in the Laundry Department. Well, ain't those SOLDIERs glad they got a meticulous Janitor? Too bad for him they'll stink the place again. Hahaha!'
xxx
SOLDIER Director's Office...
Lazard Deusericus twitched. Hard.
He got word from the Turks, complete with photo evidence.
'Somehow, I can't call this good SOLDIER Image...' he twitched. Good thing Sephiroth was here and he called the man over. When he came...
'You called, Director?' the young, overworked General asked him.
'Tell me what you think of this.' Lazard deadpanned, giving him the report and photographic evidence.
Sephiroth twitched.
Considering his miserable life that very few people know of, Lazard knew Sephiroth knew nothing but poker face. But very few things make him twitch...
Sephiroth handed him the evidence, and went out, with Lazard knowing he'll deal with his men when they get back.
Problem solved as nobody wants to piss off Sephiroth.
