Jim ran for the bedroom himself. Shoving the ferret into the top drawer of his bedside cabinet and slamming it shut, he leaped into bed and pulled up the covers. It wouldn't do to have Sharon see him like this!
Sharon came in less than a minute later. "Jim?" she asked. "Are you okay?"
"I'm sick," he lied.
"What's wrong? You sounded fine on the phone a few minutes ago!"
"It came on very sudden." That much was true. "Sorry, I tried to call back, but you'd already left."
"Let me get you something. That is, unless you'd rather I just took my gift and went!"
Jim knocked himself on the forehead with his hand. "The gift! I almost forgot! It's in the top drawer of the bedside table!"
"Is it okay to come near?"
"I don't think I'm infectuous. I'll look away if you want." Jim looked away as Sharon approached the table and opened the drawer. A small, furry head peeped out.
"Jim!" Sharon breathed. "A pet -- for me? Oh, how cute! What's it's name?"
"Uh, Goldie," said Jim, inventing one on the spot. "It's called that because of its eyes. It's a ferret."
"I love ferrets!" Sharon gathered it into her arms and started stroking it. The creature purred contentedly. Then she looked up, her eyes accusing. "Why were you keeping it cooped up in that tiny little drawer?"
"Sorry, it has a cage in the bathroom. It was out when I started feeling bad, and I didn't think to go back for it."
"Never mind. I'll get it." And she did.
On her return, Sharon had the creature securely in the cage. "I guess I'd better go now," she said.
"No!" Jim cried, suddenly unwilling to let the ferret out of the house. It might represent his only chance of getting back to normal. "I--I need some juice. Do you think you could get me some?"
Sharon nodded. "I thought you just wanted to be by yourself, but I'll be happy to stay if you like." Setting the cage down, she left the room.
Jim stared at the ferret. "Sure wish I knew how to get you to undo this," he said.
The ferret looked at him a little blankly, then motioned at one side of the cage with its nose. Jim looked. A small booklet was wired to the mesh, clearly labeled "instructions." He could have hit himself!
Just then there was a scream from downstairs. Sharon! Had she changed too? Heedless of himself, Jim threw off the covers and ran downstairs as quickly as he could impeded by his huge penis and balls. When he reached the kitchen, he stopped, aghast.
Fri Feb 9 16:59:12 2001