He sighed, flopping down onto his office chair. He rubbed his temple, trying to massage out the growing headache. It was a rough day—well, everyday was at his job, but things were really getting on his nerves at the office. He just couldn’t handle the constant droning and nagging and pings of emails and to-do lists and “agenda items”. He wanted so badly to quit, but he needed this job, or to be precise, he needed the money. He was so stressed that he didn’t even notice his belly begin to firm up and expand, pushing at the seams and buttons of his dress shirt. Nor did he notice the prickling and puffing of dense, matted brown fur. It was only when he felt a pressure build around his nose and chin did he realize the changes occurring.

“Shit, shit, not here!” He said, but it was too late; it would be here and now that he’d transform into a bear, a ritual he’d undergone many times in his life, and one he had so desperately tried to hide. He had gotten very good at hiding and concealing any hint of bear-ness in public, but when he was under intense stress, he’d slip up and let some out. The only thing he could do was roll up his sleeves and watch as the impending girth popped one button after another. Looks like he’ll need to go clothes shopping.