Chapter 10

At the bar...

Tifa: You know Cid, maybe you shouldnt smoke as much, it's not good for you.
Cid: Don't you start, Tifa. You sound like Shera for crying out loud!
Vincent: I read somewhere that people who dont smoke are better pilots...
Cid: Really?! Wheres the damn ashtray?! (runs into kitchen to get rid of his cigarette).
Tifa: Is that true, Vincent?
Vincent: Not at all, but I hate the smell of cigarette smoke.
Tifa: I hope he doesnt get those withdrawal syndromes though.
Cid: (who just returned) Well, I feel better already...(starts tapping on table) yup, no problems here...(seems to lose it) Aaah!!!! I cant take it any more!! (Tries to get a cigarette from his headband but Vincent knocks him upside the head.) Owww! What'd you do that for, vampy?!
Vincent: I am not a vampire! Here, this might help (slaps a nicotine patch on Cid's arm).
Cid: What the hell is this?!
Vincent: Something to help with your cravings. Trust me, it works.
Tifa: How would you know Vincent?
Vincent: (sweatdrop) I uh, uh, uh, uh...
Cid: What brand did you smoke?
Vincent: (Without thinking) Lucky Strikes...that is, I never smoked!
Cid: Sure...
Vincent: Grrr...
Tifa: Dont be embarrassed Vincent, everyone does some stupid thing or another in their lifetime. Take Cid for example.
Cid: Yeah, take me for--Hey!

Later, Cid is still irritable from nicotine withdrawal so he, Vincent and Yuffie, are off to the store for some nicotine gum.

Cid: Why the *%^&# do I have to ride in your %&#$ car?!
Yuffie: Settle down, old timer!
Cid: OLD?! What the &$%^ do you mean, old?! Im only five ^#@% years older than Vincent.
Vincent: Yes, and you also have a more extensive vocabulary.
Cid: Shut the ^$&% up, vampy!
Vincent: Im not a vampire!!!
Cid: Sure, and I dont have a ^*#%* nicotine withdrawal!
Yuffie: Stop cussing so much Cid, or Ill tell Tifa.
Cid: Fine. Ill stop. Darn, nosy, good for nothing kid.
Yuffie: Thats better...I think.

At the store...

Vincent: Tifa also told us to get some other stuff for her.
Yuffie: Like what?
Cid: She needs *%#@&, $%^&%, %^*$#*, and %#%&!!!
Yuffie: You said youd stop cussing!
Cid: (mumbling) Tupperware, oranges, popcorn, and ice cream....
Yuffie: Ill get the ice cream!
Cid: Heck no! Last time you got some sugar enriched crap!
Yuffie: Please Vincent?!
Vincent: As long as you get us some normal ice cream, go ahead.
Yuffie: Yahoo! (runs to the freezers).
Vincent: Cid, go get your gum and some Tupperware.
Cid: Why the, uh, fudge, do I have to go?!
Vincent: Because my gun, which is under my cape, is aimed at your head.
Cid: Uh, OK. (goes off to buy what he needs).
Vincent: Now for some oranges and popcorn.

At the fruit area...

Vincent: OK, now for the popcorn. (starts to leave, but an young lady walks up to him).
Lady: Excuse me?
Vincent: (noticing she looks like a super model) Uh, yes?
Lady: Hi. I couldnt help but notice your fabulous cape. Where did you get it? You see, my husband would love it.
Vincent: (thinking) Damn, shes married! (sadly) Um, I got it at the Shinra Greatland.
Lady: Oh, thank you. Now I just need to get him a suit for his funeral...
Vincent: (thinking) Woo hoo! (trying to be nice) Im sorry to hear that.
Lady: Its nothing to worry about, we were only married for a day.
Vincent: (thinking) Score! (smiling) My name is Vincent, whats yours?
Lady: Its Crystal.
Vincent: (thinking) Crystal...*purr* (nervously) Uh, dont think Im some weirdo, but could I have your number?
Crystal: Sure. (gives him her card) Talk to you soon Vincent. (smiles and walks away).
Vincent: (quietly) Bye... (notices her number is 1-800-HOT-N-WILD) Doh!!!

Meanwhile...near the freezers...

Yuffie: Yum! Ice cream! (then a short person runs into her). Hey! (sees who it is)Shake! What are you doing here?!
Shake: Uh...hi?
Yuffie: Come here you little shrimp! (grabs Shake and stuffs him into one of the freezers). Heh, heh. [I know, this has no point, but come on, that little brat was asking for it].

At the cash register...

Cid: Do you know how much this spoony gum costs?!
Yuffie: No, and we dont care.
Vincent: Have you been playing the older Final Fantasy games again?
Yuffie: Guess what? I stuffed Shake in a freezer.
Vincent: Shake? That little person you had to fight in the pagoda?
Yuffie: Yup! So what did you do Vincent?
Vincent: Nothing!
Cid: Hey Vincent, that fine-looking babe over there is waving at you.
Vincent: Huh? (sees Crystal smiling near the exit) Oh...(waves back)
Yuffie: Hey, isnt that Elena next to her?

Elena is indeed standing next to Crystal. It seems that they start talking, then arguing. By the time Vincent, Cid, and Yuffie reach them, Elena looks teary and Crystal is blushing.

Vincent: What happened?
Elena: (wiping away her tears) Uh Vincent, this is my sister, Crystal.
Vincent: Weve met.
Elena: Aaah! (runs outside).
Vincent: Was it something I said?
Crystal: She likes you and when I told her you asked for my number, she thoughtyou liked me better than her.
Vincent: Oh...(thinks) Hmm...if I apologize to Elena, she might change her mind about me, but if I dont, Crystal might get mad, then wont go out with me, then again, she works for those nasty hot lines...what to do...
Yuffie: So what do you do?
Crystal: Im an agent. I handle a whole bunch of different companies. Whichreminds me, Vincent, the card I gave you is somebody elses. Here's mine (hands him another card).
Vincent: (still thinking) Hmm...shes not trashy after all, but what should I do?Maybe I can be kind to Elena and still stay here... (to Cid) Hey Cid, gocheck on Elena, would you? Im kinda worried about her.
Cid: (who put all the nicotine gum in his mouth, so is a little mellowed out) Huh? Groovy dude, the floors talking to me. La, la...
Vincent: Uh, Yuffie?
Yuffie: Ill take care of it. (pulls Cid with her as she goes out to check on Elena).
Vincent: So, uh, youre sisters, huh?
Crystal: Yes, she often spoke of a Vincent, but I never assumed it was you.
Vincent: Is that good or bad?
Crystal: Depends. Meet me at Elenas house, midnight. (winks and leaves).
Vincent: (thinking) Still got it Valentine...heh, heh. (runs his hand through his hair).
Yuffie: (from outside) Hey Vincent! Cid passed out and hes saying stuff about Shera!
Vincent: Doh!