The city workers proceeded to have a confusing, comedic discussion as Bryan listened, growing increasingly frustrated.
"Good question," said one of the men, turning to address Mr. Patel directly. He scratched his chin. "I don't know exactly where the hell we are supposed to take an animal that size. It must weight at least 1,500 pounds!"
Bryan did feel massive, strong, powerful, but he didn't have the slightest inkling that the worker, unfamiliar with breeds of cattle, had underestimated Bryan's weight by almost 700 pounds.
An irritating fly, buzzing around his hindquarters, caused Bryan to flick his tail in reflex at the aggravating insect. He peered sadly through the bars of the trailer as he continued to eavesdrop as the shelter workers made various phone calls to try to find a place to transport him.
He bellowed lowly. "It's all a big mistake," he wanted to tell them. He couldn't even turn around in the narrow trailer, and the sense of confinement was getting the better of his bullish nature.
"Hey, I found a place that'll take him," one of the men said. "The zoo said they can house him in the barnyard exhibit."
"I thought zoos house lions and hippopotami," his fellow employee said.
"I think you mean hippopotamuses," his friend corrected.
"Forget that," he said. "What the hell does a zoo want with this big bull?"
"The guy on the phone said something about needing a bull for their exhibit," he said. "I think the old one went on to greater pastures."
"Whatever," the man said. "I'll just be glad to get him off our hands." The man slapped the bars of the trailer, rattling the bull that bellowed from being startled.
"Just take it easy, big fellow," he said. "Looks like we found a home for you."
Moments later, Bryan watched familiar homes of friends and family in the neighborhood rush past as he was taken away from his home. Much worse, at least for his immediate prospects, was the fact that he was being removed from the Chronivac. Of course, in a moment of stupidity, he had let the bull he'd become shatter the device under his hooves. He'd need a new and functional one to reverse his ill-conceived change.
The truck finally took an exit from the highway and pulled to the back entrance of the city zoo. Bryan flared his nostrils, sensing a variety of exotic scents and odors.