Most businesses are closed for Memorial Day and Veteran's Day. The exceptions are usually general stores or supermarkets who often do big business on those days when people are buying stuff for picnics, barbecues, and days at the pool. Horizon Labs doesn't fully close on those days either, though several people do take days off. The main reason they stay open is because on these holidays, veterans receive a discount for the conversion. And many former soldiers took the opportunity. Some years has less conversions than others, due to a variety of factors. This year has seen a notable handful of new Animalians.
Judy and Dr. Banjo were looking over some of the new converts. It was important to note which ones were most likely to develop RHS after conversion, if it wasn't already apparent.
"Ok, first we have Lorenzo, former SEAL, he wanted to be a seal Animalian," said Banjo.
"I would have thought he'd have more imagination," said Judy.
"Not just any seal, a leopard seal," said Banjo.
"Ah, that's definitely not a seal most people like," said Judy. While not overly aggressive with humans, leopard seals don't get a lot of love from their diet of lovable penguins. "Not as big as an elephant seal, but I'm sure he's gotten pretty big," said Judy.
"Yes, I understand he's already been taken up as a swimsuit model," said Banjo.
"Well, it's that time of year," said Judy before looking at another file, "Ok, and here we have Charlotte, apparently she served a tour in the Middle East about 10 years ago. Not a particularly good time to be over there."
"I take it she has some form of PTSD," said Banjo. PTSD tended to manifest in a number of different ways, some more severe than others.
"She apparently had a lot of trouble readjusting to civilian life. She kept reenlisting until the army gave her an honorable discharge and had her come here. They hoped we might be able to do something with her," said Judy.
"What kind of Animalian did she become?" asked Banjo.
"A Cocker Spaniel, she apparently had one when she was a kid," said Judy with a little disapproval. She felt an instinctive dislike towards hunting dogs, though the Cocker Spaniel was meant more for bird hunting.
"And has she gone RHS?" asked Banjo.
"She's working in the Meat Market now," said Judy, "Jones is going to have his hands full with her."
"Well, here's something that might catch your interest," said Banjo, "We have a group of retired soldiers who are wanting to become rabbits."
"Really?" asked Judy, "That's not something I'd expect from soldiers."
"Apparently their unit in the Army Rangers was known as the Rabbits. Must have something to do with their speed or their ability to go to ground fast," said Banjo.
"So why haven't they converted?" asked Judy.
"Even with the discount, they're having trouble getting enough money together to convert all of them, not to mention their needs afterwards," said Banjo, "But now they have a sponsor."
"Someone with a military background?" asked Judy.
"Actually, it's Joanne Mabel," said Banjo.
Judy tilted her head in confusion and asked, "Why would Joanne care about a group of old soldiers?"
"She had heard they were wanting to become rabbits. Apparently, they're going to involved with Morgan's third punishment," said Banjo.
Judy's ear twitched at that. Animalia's four-punishment system has developed a notoriety, particularly the third punishment which usually involves a certain jawbreaker. "That sounds a bit sketchy," said Judy.
"Nobody is going to force themselves on Morgan. And I have Joanne's assurance that there will be protection at all times," said Banjo.
Judy sighed and said, "Well, if Morgan's fourth punishment does involve the fennec double wedding, I guess they do need to get on with the third punishment."