Toys are 2 play

6- Cat and rat

President Gene's voice was also recognizable, british accented and adenoidal as though coming directly from his nose. "So glad to be here with you, Snow. This place, so well cared, you know how much I enjoy being here."

And I was already inside his office, crawling to under a small table at the corner. Lady had seen me crawling, and was finishing licking my face while I held her tight. Fortunately she was small, and not difficult to hug well hidden behind an armchair, in the shadows.

That place had almost no function inside Oxygen building. The boss was used to walking around giving orders; he never sat down. It was impossible for him to stay locked up in a room for hours, signing files, giving calls. He had another person to do that kind of jobs: Bridgette. Nevertheless, the accommodation and cleaned walls of his office have always amazed me. It was the place I liked to peek in sometimes - it reminded me of his personality. Oliver was the most organized and systematic person I knew. Everything he owned had value, and everything had the right place and order.

His chair was black, huge, and embraced you in a bear hug. It was placed in the center, behind a big desk made of synthetic wood, very shinny. In the back of the desk was a cabinet made of the same wood, with a thin glass cover to protect the books and appliances inside. Those books were not even half of what he owned; but I wasn't fan of historical theories or science fiction, so they were quite useless for me. Oliver, otherwise, dedicated a lot of his time breathing Greece, Rome, the 7 oceans and artificial intelligence...

The two men stepped into the room. The physical difference between them was booming, as though they were from different species. I let my hair fall to cover my face, which must be white and easy-spotted. Lady started playing with the curtain my hair made over my face. Shh!

President Gene was short, around the heigh of a child, with a round stomach forcing the way out through his pants. He wore a red tie style butterfly and gray pants. The gray pants were larger than the legs inside, giving him the aspect of a beggar. His face was pure new skin with no wrinkles, after all Gene was only 20 years old, but he had a fury beard, not tidy and young like Oliver's, but gray and without shape. He had almost no eyebrows, and that was odd. Also, his ears were enormous, maybe it was possible for him to fly with those like Dumbo.

After being severely contaminated by the blade and the venom within, a few aspects of little Gene stopped developing, but at the same time other aspects grew older than they should be. He looked like a mutant baby, something that didn't work out. I hugged Lady and made a low shh.

Arriving at the big desk, settled themselves. There was a bottle of cheap champagne near the president, and he poured some with pleasure. I knew it was cheap because Oliver hadn't poured a glass for himself, and I also knew a good bottle wouldn't be spent with Gene, as he was not actually welcomed. Still remembered when he was elected, in the middle of the war, and came visit us for the first time. Oliver showed up in my bedroom at night and confessed that Gene has became the meanest person he'd ever met, but we needed his services as the bridge with normal people.

When president Gene raised the goblet with champagne I noticed that his little finger was missing. Bombarded? Knife cut? Genetics altered?

"Let's see this contract." Oliver said. The president held some papers and arranged them in order onto Oliver's desk. Perhaps Gene had lost in a battle? A damn finger only? It was giving me goosebumps.

Oliver flipped over the bulk of papers. He showed no interest or emotion at all. That glazed look was common when facing political documents, especially when an important decision had to be made based on someone else's idea. Oliver liked to make his own accords; the only interference usually accepted was Bridgette's or Aleksei's.The office stayed in complete silence for some minutes: We at one side, they at the other. My head tilted a little, so I could have a better view. Still wasn't sure if it was best to show myself - of course Oliver wouldn't wide his eyes and point at us with a scream. The maximum he would do was suppress a laugh. The problem however was what he would do to me later.

Because his face, at that moment, was changing from neutral to sardonic. "What is this about, Gene?", he asked.

"As it is written there... the White House and Oxygen should make another deal..."

"Deal. Are you sure about that? Charging high taxes for the food consumed here and send the money to you own benefit, I think this kind of deal has an specific name, and is corruption."

"Snow! Dear Snowfields... you also have your part! In no time you will gave your American privileges... money..." He started walking with downcast paces while Oliver reasoned. The office was spacious, so a few feet from the desk was a coffee table surrounded by a set of retangular black sofas. He stopped, staring at the vase that was on the table. "Although I don't think Oxygen needs any more privileges or money..."

"Speak louder, Gene, and I will kick you out of my building."

"I am just saying... we can modify the contract if you prefer. I can give you men, for your army. A thousand men, ten thousand! You choose." - The minute these words left the president's mouth Oliver tossed what was in his hands onto the floor.

"Where are you going to get these men? From the shacks and bunkers spread throughout the whole country? I knew you were broken, Gene, but didn't know you were capable of this shame. This contract is not worth the paper it is printed on!"

Lady's heart beat faster, I could feel it beneath her fur, and I prayed for her quietness with my eyes closed. She was being a good girl... good girl...

"You didn't finish reading! There are also the last pages..."

Oliver went to where he was, but I couldn't see the expression in his eyes as his back was facing me. "I give assistance to your people because this war is not theirs, and I feel pity towards families. However, disgraced humans like yourself I try to avoid. Come back when you get a little more dignity, and then we talk." There was a loud ccrrikf! and the documents scattered around their feet were frozen instantly. The president whimpered, the floor smoked, the temperature dropped, and Lady scratched on my arms.

"Caiiin!"