Another fly crawled right inside one of Matt's huge, flaring dark nostrils. He felt the filthy little pest's legs crawling in there. He snorted and tried to sneeze out the offending bug. For all he knew, the verminous insect was spreading some atrocious disease.
The fly eventually flew out on its own accord and rejoined the swarm that seemed to follow Matt as he stretched out his long neck and used his powerful legs and shoulders to pull the farm plow through some hard-packed earth. His tail flicked, a readymade flyswatter that only stirred up the irritating pests instead of ridding himself of them.
The sun beat down on him, too, warming him in his confines of thick hide and hair. The only brightness in his torment was the fact that the sweaty farm worker had pulled off his shirt.
He had enjoyed the sight of the guy's sweaty bare chest only for a brief interval before the swarming flies overwhelmed him again. Their infernal buzzing almost distracted him from a chime that sounded in his brain.
A mechanical chime followed by what sounded like an artificial simulation of a human voice.
"Forgive the intrusion, Matthew S. This is an automated query from Chronivac, Inc."
The makers of the Chronivac transforming technology had gotten quite accomplished in pushing the boundaries of their products.
"We are contacting you like this because you had stipulated you wanted the extreme swap experience."
Matt vaguely recalled something designated "extreme" but there had been hundreds of options. He hadn't studied all of them.
"We have obliged your request and have done our best to make your swap a difficult and challenging one." The chirpy mechanical voice sounded pleased. "Remember that you are free to fulfill the preprogrammed criteria and reverse the swap at any time of your choosing."
Matt's protesting bray took the farmhand by surprise. The dumb beast had been sullen and silent most of the morning.
"What do you think I have been trying to do?" Matt brayed, growing more frustrated as he continued to listen.
"In the meantime, rest assured, the makers of the Chronivac have lived up to the terms of the programmed exchange and have made it extremely difficult for you to reverse the swap before you have been completely satisfied with the experience."
"Say what?" Matt brayed.
"Anything less would not live up to our contractual obligations to you, Matt S."
He snorted in stunned disbelief.
"Have a nice day and remember to reflect your satisfaction with your Chronivac experience should you decide to rate us after you have effected your restoration."
"Wait!" Matt brayed. "Come back!"
"Jack, I think this sun's getting to you," the hand decided. "Let's head to the barn."