Shadows of A Lonely Man: Chapter 1 - Recruitment

He pulled the door open and stepped inside, a sign outside the building above the door read SDAR (Shinra Department in Administrative Research) Vincent knew this was were he was ment to be. He closed the door behind him and was met by a receptionist at a table a little way from were he had come in. She wore a tight red skirt and top that pushed her breasts up to a stupid size and her brown hair was done up in a tight bundle. She was sat painting her nails as Vincent walked in but immediatly stopped when she noticed him, she greeted him with a warm smile that lit up her blue eyes as he stepped up to the desk.

"Can i help you?" she asked

Her voice sounded common as she spoke and Vincent couldnt help but notice how she sounded her words, he smiled a little and taking a breath answered her.

"My name is Vincent Valentine, i have an appointment"

"Ah" she said knowingly "Mr. Valentine...please take a seat"

She motioned to some chairs past the desk, they were lined up facing a door with a small light above it and a speaker. the room was completly empty apart from the receptionist of course and by the chairs was a stack of old magazines. He walked over and sat on the chair closest to the stack and picked one up and opened it. Upon opening the magazine he instantly saw the words "Black Hammer Strikes again!!" strewn across the page and a small article that he only read the first line of.

"For the second time the terrorist group known only as the Black hammer has attacked and destroyed another ShinRa munitions depo."

As he sat reading another article the speaker spewed out a buzzing sound and the light above it turned green then a voice was heard.

"Valentine..."

The voice was cold but Vincent paid no attention to it as he stood up and walked over to the door. Wrapping his hand around the knob he gave it a quick twist and pushed the door open and stepped inside closing it behind him. the room was dark, but through the black he could just make out a table and a large chair behind it. There was a window infront of the chair but blinds blocked the light from getting in and only that which creeped through the small gaps lit the room. The chair was turned facing the window so Vincent couldnt see who sat in it, however he did notice the smell of smoke and could see the smoke rising as it passes the small rays of light creeping through the blinds.

"Please take a seat.." a voice said

-glancing around and putting his hand out he felt a chair that he didnt notice before, it was just a simple wooden chair with a padded seat. He pulled it out and sat down.

"Now then Mr. Valentine.." the voice said again,

This time it was accumponied by a rustling sound like someone turning the pages of a book, Vincent only guessed that it was a file on himself and then it stopped.

"you have been with us at the ShinRa police force for 3 years now correct?"

Vincent nodded then realised the man couldnt see him and cleared his throat.

"yes sir thats correct"

"and how do you like your job?" he retorted

"its...tiring.." Vincent replied.

The man gave a small laugh and then went silent, he stood up from the chair and reached over to a small cord and twisted it causing the blinds to open. Light flooded the room and stung Vincents eyes, the glare completly hid the man only his outline seeable and he faced away from vincent looking outside.

"How would you like another job Mr. Valentine? One that pays better, better living arrangements, we'll send you to live on the upper plates with the exectutives, what do you think?"

"What is the job?" Vincent Asked

"Well.." he started "Know something, for you to take this job you have to forget everything you learned in the police force, good, bad, who to arrest, the world doesnt work like that. We have picked you because of your excellent record, outstanding Marksmanship skills and attention to your work. We want you to join the SDAR"

"the Turks?"

Vincent knew that they wouldnt want someone like himself for any other department.

"This is correct" the man replied.

Sitting there thinking, he remembered what it was like to be in the police force, minimum wage, awful rooms, crappy vehicles, disgusting living conditions and then thought about the snappy clothes and good pay the Turks recieved.

"So whats your answer?" the man pushed

"Yes..i will" he replied

"Excellent!" the man exclaimed "we'll start you tommorow 11o'clock sharp! youll get your stuff when you get there. "yes sir" replied Vincent

"you can go now Vincent"

And with that Vincent stood up turned and left the room the man simmply sitting down in his chair again. He left and closed the door behind him, then walking towards the door he entered through the receptionist stopped him.

"Excuse me Mr. Valentine?"

Vincent stopped and turned to her.

"Yes?"

The receptionist smiled and opened a draw, then she started rumaging through some papers within it. When she had finished she pulled out a stack of paper and handed it to Vincent.

"Please fill these out and return them tommorow when you start"

Taking them he took note of how much they weighed and blinked, he then smiled and gave her a nod as he walked out of the building and head for his appartment for what would be his final night in the slums.