The Red Rooster catered primarily to the country element, so staff and customers alike couldn't help but notice the exotic-looking woman in green sitting alone at the end of the bar. They watched with curiosity as she drank her beer and stared straight ahead; though she didn't speak a word, the expression on her face spoke volumes.

"So, what's his name?" The barmaid finally asked her.

Shego slowly turned her head and looked at the stocky middle-aged woman in jeans and a faded pink shirt. A plastic nametag with the name FLO written across it hung from the worn fabric. "Well…Flo…what makes you think this is about a man?" She asked.

Flo peered over her eyeglasses and met Shego's hard gaze. "Honey, when a pretty young thing like you drinks alone, it's about a man."

Shego slammed her drink onto the bar. "I gave that jerk the best years of my life! Then suddenly he goes and has some kind of midlife crisis and BAM! I'm tossed aside like yesterday's newspaper!"

Flo shook her head sympathetically. "Typical," she muttered.

"He'll probably get himself a new partner now," Shego growled. "Someone young and naïve…probably blonde…and forget all about us! About what we built together!"

Flo poured Shego a fresh beer. "Well, honey, the best way to get over someone is to find someone new. Someone younger, cuter, richer than him. A girl like you can find one of those in no time."

Shego considered it for a moment. "You have a point. He's not the only one out there, is he? I could do way better!"

"Good girl!" Flo smiled.

"No too good, I hope," a man at the other end of the bar said. He and his two friends got up and strutted over the Shego. "I'm Billy Joe, and this is Billy Bob and Billy Ray. We couldn't help but overhear you conversation. If you're looking to get with a real man, I believe me and my buddies can help you out."

Shego rolled her eyes. "Thanks, but no thanks. I'm fine on my own."

"C'mon, sweetheart, don't be like that," Billy Joe said, wrapping his arms around her. "We're just what you need."

Ten seconds later Billy Joe and his friends, beaten and bruised, were strewn across the sawdust-covered floor.

"Thanks, boys, I did need that," Shego smirked as she dusted off her hands. She paid Flo for the beers, plus a generous tip, and strode confidently out of the bar. "Flo's right," she said out loud. "Who needs Drakken? With my skills and experience, the super villains will be lining up to hire me!"

----------

Shego's optimism was quickly crushed under the weight of a startling new reality. Villainy, it seemed, had gone out of style; every villain Shego approached had given up crime to embark on a new career path.

Monkey Fist had given up his castle and title to work as a custodian at a museum.

Duff Killigan was now a dog trainer.

Professor Dementor now worked at a car wash.

Motor Ed had gotten a haircut and became an English teacher.

Finally, having exhausted all of her contacts, Shego was forced to resort to a staffing agency that specialized in placing criminals with super villain organizations: McCall's Criminal Staffing. She stood in front of the doors of the office for a full five minutes, her stubborn pride preventing her from going inside. After all, temp agencies were for lackeys, not high level management like her! Finally after much debate the need for a paycheck won out and she went in, a decision she immediately regretted; the waiting area was filled with Drakken's laid-off henchmen.

Shego pretended not to notice the stares as she approached the front desk and got an application. She filled it out, returned it to the receptionist, and sat back down to wait for her interview. After a minute she picked up a magazine and began to read; except for the sound of pages turning, the room was uncomfortably quiet.

Then the henchman to Shego's right foolishly opened his mouth. "Things are tough for you too, huh Miss ShegACK!" He cried as Shego applied a vice grip to his throat.

"Listen up, people," Shego addressed the room. "As far as you are all concerned, I was never here. If anyone ever asks you about me, ESPECIALLY Drakken, I have started my own crime syndicate and I am doing very well for myself. Understand?" Everyone nodded nervously. Shego released the henchman and returned to the magazine.

"Miss Shego? Miss Lansly will see you now," the receptionist chirped.

Shego rose and walked into the interview room. She was greeted by an enthusiastic young recruiter in an expensive suit and very white teeth. "Shego? I'm April. So nice to meet you," she said, extending her hand. Shego reluctantly shook it, and the two sat down. "Now let's see," April said as she looked over Shego's resume. "Your resume is very impressive, but I'm afraid I don't have anything at this time. Things have been very slow in the super villain industry lately."

"Look, missy," Shego snarled, slamming a glowing fist on April's desk. "I know you have jobs. You know I want a job. So cut the crap and give me a job before I turn that pretty little smile upside down, okay?!"

"Well, you're a real go-getter, aren't you?" April smiled. "In that case, I might have an opening. It's in a start-up, so the pay is lower than what you're used to."

"Fine," Shego snapped. "I'll take it."

----------

I can't believe I took this job, Shego thought as she listened to her new boss.

"I just want to take this opportunity to welcome you aboard," Frugal Lucre said. The two of them sat in his makeshift office in the Smarty-Mart break room. "Under my thrifty leadership we will soon bring the world to its knees! Normally I wouldn't hire additional help, but with all the other super villains throwing in the towel, henchmen are dirt cheap!"

"Whatever," Shego muttered, silently wondering how her life had come to this. "So what do you want me to do first? Steal something? Hurt someone? What?"

"I like your initiative!" Lucre smiled. "But before anything else you need to complete orientation. Watch this thirty minute video on Smarty-Mart policies and procedures." He put a videotape in the VCR.

"Why? What does that have to do with world domination?" Shego asked.

"How do you think we pay for the take-over-the-world plans? My schemes are cheap, not free!" Lucre handed Shego an orange vest and name tag. "After you watch the video, we'll fill out your tax forms and get you to work. And once again, let me welcome you to the Smarty-Mart family!"

After orientation Shego mopped the floor, restocked the cereal aisle and brought in all shopping carts from the parking lot. In her misery she found her thoughts wandering to Drakken. She tried and tried to make sense of what happened with him, but things just didn't add up. For as long as she'd known Drakken he had been obsessed with world domination; year after year, failure after failure, he never once wavered in his determination. Though she often mocked him, deep down she admired his resolve; it never occurred to her that he would just up and quit before he succeeded. She couldn't help but wonder if she was in part responsible for Drakken giving up his dream. Maybe if she had been more supportive…

Suddenly Shego snapped out of her funk. What was she thinking?! This wasn't her fault. She was nothing but loyal to Drakken, stuck with him through thick and thin, and in the end her pain and suffering was rewarded with a pink slip! She was now more determined than ever to make things with Lucre work; together they were going to take over the world, and when they did she would make Drakken her personal manservant. She couldn't wait to see the look on his face; that mental image got her through the rest of her Smarty-Mart shift. Once her day job was done, she headed back to the break room to begin her night job.

"Well, I must say you did a fantastic job today!" Frugal Lucre said. "But now the real work begins. We are going to crack open each of the registers and alter the scanners so that the light will brainwash everyone who looks at them, including the Smarty-Mart CEO when he visits this store next week! He will then have my 'new and improved' scanners installed in every Smarty-Mart in the country! Before long every person in America will be under my control! After that, the world will follow! HA HA HA HA!" He stopped and looked at Shego. "How was my laugh? I've been working on my maniacal laugh but I've never had anyone to try it out on."

"It's fine."

Lucre's face fell. "Oh…just fine?"

"It's good! Great! Worthy of the big leagues!" Shego snapped. "So, how do you plan on altering the scanners?"

"It's very simple," Lucre replied. "It's all about altering the light! And all I need to do that are rhinestones! They're on sale at Smarty-Mart for $1.99 a bag! So, Shego, I need you to buy rhinestones…using your employee discount! HA HA HA!"

"Or…I could steal some top quality diamonds. They'll last longer than rhinestones and it won't cost you a thing!" Shego said.

"Even better!" Lucre said. "Do it! HA HA HA!"

----------

Shego knew just the place to acquire the diamonds. Senior Senior Senior had a large collection of jewels; having worked for him before she knew exactly what he owned and where they were kept. Late that night she sneaked into his island fortress. It was surprisingly easy; security wasn't nearly as tight as she remembered. She quietly made her way to the den where the Monet painting hung and slipped it off the wall, revealing the safe behind it. After that it was a simple matter of melting off the lock, a breeze for a seasoned thief with super powers. Seconds later the door swung open and Shego reached inside, only to grab air. A quick look inside confirmed that the safe was indeed empty. As if that wasn't bad enough, suddenly the lights came on; Shego whirled around to find Senior Senior Senior and Junior, dressed in their pajamas, standing in the doorway.

"I don't want any trouble," Shego growled, both hands glowing menacingly. "Just give me the jewels and I'll be on my merry way."

Senior Senior Senior smiled. "My dear, I would be more than happy to oblige, if I still had them. I donated them to charity some time ago. I am in the process of giving away all of my wealth."

"Yeah, right," Shego said.

"It is true!" Junior wailed. "Father has taken away all of my credit cards! We are living like animals! I am down to my last jar of LeGoop!"

"Junior exaggerates," his father said. "We will live like regular citizens once I have gotten rid off all this wretched excess. I will use the last of my money to buy a farm; soon we will be living off the land, rising with the sun and putting in a hard day's work."

Junior looked like he was about to faint.

"But, it is taking a very long time to get rid of my massive fortune," Senior Senior Senior continued. "Feel free to look around and take whatever you want. Junior will accompany you and help carry any items to your car. You kids have fun!" With that Senior Senior Senior went back to bed, leaving Junior and Shego to stare at each other.

"So…" Shego said. "What's the deal with your old man? Is he on some new medication or something?"

"I wish!" Junior groaned. "Then there would be some kind of explanation for father's insane desire to help others! I just don't know what happened! He's been like this ever since he got back from holiday!"

"Holiday?" Shego asked. "Where did he go on holiday?"

"A fancy five star-resort where they cater to your every whim, of course!" Junior said. "I believe it was called Paradise Valley."

"Paradise Valley?" Shego echoed. At that moment it all fell into place. Drakken had mentioned that he'd seen many other super villains there during his vacation, the same villains that had become average law-abiding citizens. Now that she knew where to look, Shego was determined to find answers.

"Junior, I don't think your dad changed his tune all by himself," Shego said. "I think something fishy is going on at that resort, and I'm going to find out what!"

"You are going to a five-star resort?!" Junior exclaimed. "Oh, please take me with you! It has been too long since I've been fussed over and pampered!"

"Sorry, junior, this is business, not pleasure," Shego said. "Besides, I work alone."

"I can be useful!" Junior cried. "I can finance the whole operation!" He pulled out a credit card. "I managed to hide one card from father. Take me with you and I'll pay for everything!"

"Is that a gold card?" Shego asked.

"Platinum."

"You're in," Shego said, snatching the card. "Go pack while I make the reservations."

"Hooray!" Junior cried. "I hope I remember where I put my zebra skin thong!"

"I don't," Shego muttered as Junior dashed off. She reached for the phone.

----------

Paradise Valley put Las Vegas to shame. It was a monument to lavish spending; the lobby alone was large enough to park a 747. Even Junior, who was used to such things, gaped in wonder. After a ten minute walk the pair finally arrived at the check-in desk.

"Hi," Shego said cheerfully to the clerk. "My fiancé and I have reserved the penthouse suite. The name's Logan."

"Ah, yes," the clerk said. He rapidly typed the information into the computer. "Here are your keycards. Enjoy your stay."

"Thanks," Shego smiled. "Come on…honey?" She looked around for Junior and found him talking to a pretty girl.

"So," Junior said. "Do you come here often?" Before the girl could respond Shego grabbed him by the ear.

"Sorry, honey, he's off the market," she barked at the girl as she dragged Junior away.

"OW, OW!" Junior cried. "Stop! My ears are very delicate!"

"I'll hurt way more delicate parts of you if you don't start acting like my adoring fiancé!"

"Well, when you are like this is it any wonder that I look for love in other places?!" Junior huffed.

----------

Unknown to Shego and Junior a sinister figure was watching them through the security cameras.

"Ah, Shego," the figure hissed in satisfaction. "I knew you'd show up eventually. Soon my victory will be complete!"

TBC…