Kat hadn't been gone five minutes when a group of men in business suits entered the restaurant. They stood near the hostess station, across from the tank. From inside, Dan's beady eyestalks managed to count six large, blurry forms. They were a passing diversion for the newly-formed crustacean until one of them broke from the pack and walked over to the tank. He bent forward. All jawline and classic features, the man's dark eyes surveyed the lively assembly of lobsters inside the tank.
"Mmmm, I love lobster," the man said aloud as another man approached and put a hand on his back.
"Well, we're here to celebrate that deal you landed," the other man said. "I say, the hell with it. Let's splurge. Lobsters for everyone!"
"Oh shit!" Dan's insides felt a sudden chill. He swiveled his eyestalks again. The tank contained about a dozen lobsters, including himself. The lunch party of businessmen consisted of six hungry individuals. Dan didn't like the odds that made his chances of becoming a lobster dinner a 50/50 proposition.
Dan scuttled deeper into his fellow crustaceans, thinking to hide out in the midst of them. Surely the ones on the outer edges would be the first plucked from the tank. At the same time, he tried to see if he might have any latent powers of magical persuasion.
"They're famous for their steaks!" Dan tried to push the idea into the thoughts of at least one of the men. "Doesn't a medium rare Porterhouse steak sound better than lobster. When you think about it, you might as well eat a grasshopper..."
None of the men seemed receptive to Dan's attempt at mental persuasion.
A waiter escorted them from the tank to a nearby table. To Dan's dismay, the men continued to point and glance toward the tank.
"Kat!" He felt his panic and arousal building to insane levels. He waved his claws, but saw only the restraining bands of blue rubber. "Kat!"
His sister's bubbly voice sounded in his head. "This is Kat. If you're trying to reach me, I'm busy. I have a party and I am getting ready, so please leave a message. I'll get back with you soon. Have a great day!"
"A message!" Kat had recorded a thought-mail message! How was that even possible!
A shrill beep sounded. "Kat! Get back to the restaurant! Now!" Dan began leaving his message. "There's a group of...."
He heard a pleasant voice interrupt. "I'm sorry. Message space is full!"
"Kat! You idiot! Dan screamed in his head.
He returned his attention to his surroundings and recoiled when he found a pair of blue eyes peering into the glass. The man licked his lips. "That looks like a plump one," he said and pointed at Dan.
"Good choice," said a server, dipping tongs into the water. Dan felt himself hoisted, still screaming futilely for Kat, from the tank. The intense pressure from the tongs released and he fell into a stainless steel bowl filled with ice cubes and frigid water. His entire body experienced an instantly numbing shock.
"No! Please stop!" Dan pleaded. "This can't be happening."
A pair of hands grabbed the bowl and whisked Dan to the kitchens.