Derrick continued to follow the Minotaur, who had left the lobby and was headed down a service hallway without saying a word. As he realized that his body was starting the change, he noticed that the minotaur was too. He was getting smaller and his fur was fading away.
Derrick started to hear the clop-clop of his hooves as they formed on the tile floor, then the shrinking and more human form of the minotaur opened a door to the outside where he was suddenly standing in front of a structure that looked like a stable. He turned and Derrick felt his jaw drop, it was him!
The imposter pulled the ring off his nose. "Here we are, your new lodging," he said with a grin. Derrick tried to protest but all that came out was a bellow. "Don't bother, no one can understand you. The ring makes it impossible for you to harm guests, which is why you can't even think to stomp on me."
Derrick realized it was true. He wanted nothing more than to reach out and grab the imposter, but stubbornly his body wouldn't respond.
"Don't worry, it's all just until you leave the hotel." He paused then smiled, "Of course, if I leave the hotel as you, then you get to take my place permanently. Wouldn't that just be a great prank!" With that, he slipped back though the door and disappeared.