[ WP ] You work for a company that builds lairs for villains , with small defects so heros can get in . One villain 's lair has been successfully keeping out heros and your sent to investigate .

`` No.'' 
 
 `` Okay, then you're fired.'' 
 
 `` What?'' 
 
 `` I said you're-'' 
 
 `` I heard what you, said, and that's bull shit! You ca n't fire me.'' 
 
 `` I can if you do n't say yes to this.'' Bill sighed heavily. Shit, I'd be making noises like that too if I had to do his job for 20 years. Bill was our liaison to a lot of the big name villains. He had the right connections and the villains would talk to him. 
 
 `` Look, professor doom just wants to talk to you for a bit. He asked for you by name, Dan. By name. Doom does n't even know his lieutenants names. And besides, this is beneficial for us.'' 
 
 `` Well it's nice to know *you're* getting something out of it.'' 
 
 `` Hey, do n't be a smartass about this. Doom's lair was scheduled to fall to James Blond a month ago. Instead, we have n't heard about the guy since he made the attempt.'' He sighed again. 
 
 `` I should n't have to tell you repeat business is our life's blood, Dan. Word gets out we've been double dealing, it's over, for all of us.'' I was just an architect, I did n't understand all the business aspects behind what we did. But I did know we took money from the league of heroes to install ways into their bases. Our little way of giving back to the community. Jesus, if Doom's found out about that, we're dead. And the fact that he wanted to see me? The architect? Not a good sign. But if I did n't go, we'd just look guilty. 
 
 `` So will you do it?'' 
 
 `` Yeah... fine. I'll do it.'' 
 
 `` Great! I knew I could count on you. So... do n't die, and if you can, find out what happened to to James.'' 
 
 I arrived at the airport, turns out Doom was flying me out on a private jet. Why did they always try to impress us? We get it, they're big and powerful people. Cool it... 
 
 I must have been on my third glass of wine when we touched down. I told myself that it'd help me relax, not be nervous. It was a damn lie, but it was a comforting lie. I was met by Clarence and Darcy, Doom's heads of research and security respectively. I remember having to deal with both of them extensively when I was building the labs. Darcy always wanted more security, Clarence always wanted more ease of access. The whole thing had been a massive headache. 
 
 `` The professor will see you immediately. Follow me please.'' Straight to the point. No bull shit. You stay you, Darcy. 
 
 Doom was on the observation deck, looking down at the floor below. Schemes, plots, deceptions and missdirections all manufactured under one roof. I was actually kinda proud of this place. And there was Doom. Standing tall and proud in his stupid blue cape and polished metal helmet. 
 
 `` I've been expecting you... DAN...'' Oh Jesus, was he going to do this the whole time? I bet he's going to do the dramatic turn next. 
 
 `` I'm sure you were. What was it you wanted to see me about?'' 
 
 `` You know... DAN...'' there's that dramatic turn. `` Darcy said it was a mistake hiring your people to build the base. But it turns out we picked the best people in the business! I've even finally caught James Blond, and oh, the things he's been telling me...'' 
 
 Fuck... 
 
 `` He claims that you're people had sabotaged the place, leaving an opening in the security. A drainage pipe leading out to the ocean, guarded only by a metal grate...'' The whole time he'd been speaking he was getting closer. By now I was n't sure if I was being interrogated or if he was making a move. Either way I was suppressing the screams coming from my brain to run and hide and cower under something. 
 
 `` In fact, if it had n't been for the secondary contractor, I might have missed it completely. And you... you would have fooled me. Do you take me for a fool, Dan?'' Oh, god, he actually wanted an answer. Think of something you dumb bastard, before he shoots you with a death ray or something. 
 
 `` I take you for a man, a great man, maybe, but even great men are not invincible. Anyone can be brought down if you're cunning enough.'' He stepped back, I felt like for the first time he was actually looking at me, observing me. 
 
 `` How would you like to come work for me. We could use someone like you. Someone who's tricked so many of my... associates, in the past.'' 
 
 `` I... I have a non-compete-'' 
 
 `` Oh, let the lawyers babble, meanwhile you'll be doing great things for me, and making some money in the process. Real money. Not whatever piss poor pay your outfit gives you.'' I had to admit, the pay was piss poor. Wait, what was I thinking, this was a terrible idea! 
 
 `` And what's to stop you from just killing me when you're done with me?'' 
 
 `` Keep doing good work, Dan, and the thought will scarce enter my mind.'' I could n't believe I said yes to this... 
 
 `` I ca n't believe I'm saying yes to this...'' 
 
 `` Funny, Clarence said the same thing when he first started, and look at him now. I think he might actually be ready to start his first plot all on his own...'' I will never forget hearing a super villain choke up like that. 
 
 `` Are you... crying?'' 
 
 `` They grow up so fast...'' Well... at least this would prove interesting...
