You work at a major Drug Store chain, and while it's not your job,
you're helping put away the Christmas decorations. As you carry some
tinsel into the back, you see a box of red bows with a dog mask on
top.
"What's that doing here? It should be with the Halloween stuff," you
say to yourself as you pick it up. It is a really cool mask. Looks
more like bondage gear than the cheap plastic stuff the store normally
stocks. It feels like its real leather, and the best part is it has a
metal ring in its snout just like your septum piercing. It's like it
was made for you. You take it out of the Christmas box, and carry it
with you as you head back to the break room for your lunch. You check,
and there's no tags or anything. You wonder if it might belong to one
of the other employees? You stash it in the lost and found box for
now, but plan to retrieve it when you go home at the end of your
shift.
"Hey, sir," says the college intern who is assisting you this month.
He really keeps hinting that he wants a permanent job, but you know
that's not going to happen unless your or some other guy loses their
job. The company is not hiring, except to replace workers. He sure is
quiet. Was he in here when you entered? Because you closed the door
and it normally squeaks whenever it opens.
You look up at the kid. He's probably 20. You're a few years older,
but a lot more mature, and taller. So you stand up.
"Yes, Kenny?"
"Oh, the manager asked me to get you. There's a delivery, and he said
you need to sign for it. Sorry to interrupt your lunch, sir."
"Thanks, Kenny. Out front or back?"
"Uh, on the loading dock out back, I think, sir. The manager didn't
say."
You set your spoon down, you can reheat your stew in the microwave
when you get back. You track down the delivery guy, but this isn't
something you would normally sign for, it's just 8 crates of paper
towels. You shake your head, and sign the delivery slip, any
employee could have.
You head back to finish lunch, and run into the boss.
"Heya, Max, why'd ya want me to sign for the paper towels?"
"Paper towels? Your intern made me think it was pharmaceuticals. Sorry
to take you away from lunch," the manager said.
You go back and reheat your stew. It's odd, but it tastes a bit
different, and bit chewier. But you like it.
Kenny appears carrying a bag of dog food, it looks like it was opened.
"Damaged goods, boss sold it to me for half price," Kenny explains
putting it in his locker. "How's your lunch?"
"You asked me before. It's good, actually tastes better after
microwaving it a second time," you say.
Kenny gets this really weird smile on his face, and simply says,
"That's good, Jim." His hand moves toward you like he's going to pet
your head.
"I didn't know you had a dog, Kenny?" you say making conversation and
avoiding an awkward moment.
"I don't yet, but plan to pick him up tonight, Jim," replied Kenny
staring oddly at you.
You don't say anything, but Kenny's always called you "sir" up until
just now. You told him he could call you Jim before, but he hadn't.
"Uh, Jim, I'm debating about a couple of names for my new pet, and I
was wondering which you like better," Kenny said.
"What are they?" you answer. Boy is Kenny talkative today. He's
probably said more in the last hour than in the previous two weeks.
"Which name would you prefer: Rex, Boomer, Gem, Ringo or Bob?"
"That many choices, uh, hm? I guess, hmmm. Boomer."
"Boomer, yeah, his a big ol' dog, Boomer will suit him just fine,"
Kenny says stepping a tad too close for comfort. You can smell his
crotch inches from your face.
"Anything else, Kenny, I'd like to finish my stew before it gets
cold."
"Eat up, b-Jim," he says before finally leaving.
A few hours later, you are signing Kenny out, and logging out
yourself. It's been a long day, and for some reason, your senses seem
out of whack. The bell seems ten times louder than it should, and you
keep smelling stuff, and it's weird. You're alone in the break room,
and lock the door.
You grab the hooded mask from the lost and found, and try it on.
You've been wanting to all day. It is so hot, it looks like it was
custom made for you. You are modeling it in the mirror when you hear
Kenny's voice.
"Hey, Boomer, time to go home. But first we need to get you out of
those clothes," Kenny says.
You turn while trying to lift the hood off, but it won't budge. It's
like it's glued to your head. Kenny is there grinning, and holding a
collar and leash.
"Easy, boy. That's a good Boomer," he says softly. He can sense your
panic.
"Arf, thuff er reft?" you say appalled at your growly voice, "Woof?"
"Quiet boy, they don't allow dogs in the store,and I may get into
trouble," he puts his hand on your shoulder guiding you down on all
fours. "You wouldn't want that, Boomer, who'd take care of you and be
your master then. Now let's get those annoying clothes off you. The
moon is rising and you might pull a muscle if you finish changing out
of your clothing when you change into your new furry self."
"Frrrr?"
You are down on all fours now. He tousles the hair on your head. But
you're wearing a hood aren't you? How did he do that?
He's pulled one sleeve off your arm and is working on the other. You
stare at your now hairy biceps. Are you really turning into a dog? His
crotch is in your face while he takes your shirt off. But it's okay
now, his scent seems to calm you. It's good to be owned. What? You
take another whiff of Master Kenny's goods.
"I think we'll take your truck instead of your motorcycle, Boomer. I
got room in the pick up for it. Now it's time to go home boy."
He gathers your clothes and the dog food bag in a couple of store
bags, and leads you by the leash he attached out of the break room and
down the loading dock ramp...