After a brief lecture on the relatively short but, it seemed, very strictly enforced Pets 4 You rules Christina the slug felt herself being lifted up again and placed back onto the floor. She can't have been in this form for more than a few minutes, but already Christina hated it. It seemed her relationship with Graham was over before it could begin if a prolonged version of this experience was to be her punishment for it.
To her immense relief, Christina quickly found herself growing back into her usual shape and, delighted to have arms and legs again, she used them to cover her private parts and arrange herself into a sitting position. Jenkins rolled his chair around to where she was and looked a little sympathetic as he spoke.
"I know that may have seemed harsh on you, but please understand I had no choice" Jenkins was actually using a less pompous and overbearing tone than usual "I have bosses too and I need to ensure their rules are adhered too. That contract you signed is far more binding than you may have realised. Still, should you wish to walk away from us at the end of it you will be free to do so, sorry as I would be to see you go"
Christina thought on those words for a moment. Just how binding could her contract be? Jenkins obviously meant she was trapped here in more than just a legal sense. She had so far signed up for two months and this was her fourth day. That meant she still had to work at least another forty. That was forty more transformations into potentially forty different species (though she assumed some would repeat) that Christina would have to endure. It seemed a lot, but at least once it was done she could walk away from this madness on two human feet and never look back.
"I hope this unfortunate incident hasn't soured your experience with us?" Jenkins checked as the girl continued to sit in contemplative silence.
"No" Christina answered, still scared of offending this man "And I'm sorry I lied to you. But Graham invited me for a drink after yesterday's assignment and I didn't see the harm"
"It's for your own safety" Jenkins explained "We have had a few unfortunate incidents where a client has become too attached to one of our workers and it has become problematic. The bond you share with your owners while you are a pet is a unique one and the lines can't be blurred."
Christina nodded her understanding.
"I will therefore explain to Graham this will be your last assignment with him and that it will not be appropriate for the two of you to meet again"
"Ok, that makes sense" Christina agreed a little sadly.
"I'm glad to hear it" Jenkins smiled "And I shall allow your job today to go ahead, since it has already been paid for"
"So what am I going to be?" Christina asked, genuinely intrigued as to what last nights date had planned for her.
"I'm glad you asked" Jenkins was now back to his usual, jovial self "You are going to be a domestic pet for the day. To be precise, you will be a.."