The Zoo

The Zoo

The Zoo

A Game of Profits

A Game of Profits

Luke Olsen had been dreading this board meeting for quite a while. He had even considered pretending to be sick with the flu or some other ailment so that he could avoid his participation in this whole sorry affair. His wife had talked some sense into him and reminded him he could not run from his responsibilities, no matter how much he wanted to. Cynthia was a good woman, he thought to himself. He was a lucky man to have found such an encouraging and supportive wife, a woman he cared deeply about.

Luke Olsen was the youngest director of the Florida State Wild World Reserve Zoo at thirty-two years old. During that time, he had presided over the largest decline in revenue that the Florida State Wild World Reserve Zoo had ever experienced since its inception. Despite his best efforts, it was becoming increasingly difficult to source willing volunteers from the PIGS program. The PIGS program, an amusing acronym that represented a truly terrifying initiative.

PIGS was an acronym that was coined by the US federal government that stood for People In Grievous Situations. The scheme itself was still relatively new, having begun in the year 2040. Luke fondly remembered that decade. His twenties were a time that he felt he really grew and developed both professionally and personally. And now here he was in the year 2050, the start of a new decade. He had a wife who he loved dearly, a baby on the way, and he had just purchased a house with Cynthia.

Despite his moment of positivity, he was quickly morose again as he tuned back into the conversation that was occurring. The room was jam-packed full of the senior leadership of the Florida State Wild World Reserve Zoo. Everyone was present from the Chief Financial Officer to the Director of marketing. They were all seated around an elongated table, with Luke at one end of the table and the director of marketing at the other end of the table. The Chief Financial Officer was currently delivering a presentation on the current financial state of the organization, which was not going over well with the CEO of the business.

The CEO was a middle-aged Scottish man called Ronnie McFarlane. He sat at the head of the table with arms folded and a deep scowl on his face, clearly showing his irritation and dissatisfaction with what he was currently hearing from his head of finance. The financials were indeed dire. Most of the exhibits were hemorrhaging money. The presentation concluded and Ronnie tilted his head towards Luke at the opposite end of the table.

"Mr. Olsen, we have all heard the current state of our finances, and our colleagues' suggestions for improvements and cost-cutting measures. But I would like to hear from you, as the Director of the day-to-day activities of the zoo, how can we turn this situation around?" inquired Ronnie.

Luke leaned forward in his chair and mashed his hands together performatively. He briefly glanced around the room, making eye contact with his peers as he began his presentation.

"Thank you, Mr. McFarlane, for the opportunity to speak here this morning with you all. I believe to understand the situation we find ourselves in, it is imperative that we look back on the past and the beginnings of this company," Luke said as he opened his PowerPoint presentation. The first slide of the presentation featured a picture of an aerial photograph of the zoo.

"This is a photo of the Florida State Wild World Reserve Zoo as it stood in 2038. Back then, we were nothing unique. We were just another run-of-the-mill zoo that housed animals for the viewing pleasure of the public. We were making unsustainable monetary losses each year. We were burning through our cash reserves just to stay afloat."

"I know this very well, Mr. Olsen," Ronnie said dismissively. "I was the CEO of the company before you joined. Where is this going?"

"I believe that to guarantee success in the future, we must first understand the failings of our past," said Luke passionately. "Does anyone know why the zoo was losing money way back in 2038?" asked Luke.

"It was the advancement in virtual reality," replied Ronnie. "Who wanted to see a rhinoceros from behind a reinforced glass window when you could put on a virtual reality headset and stand next to the rhinoceros and experience as if you were beside the animal itself? VR was also a new and emerging concept, who wanted to pay to go to a zoo-it was an antiquated idea."

"Thank you, Mr. McFarlane, that is indeed correct. However, it was the disruptive innovation of GenTech in the field of cosmetic surgery that completely changed our business model. The emergence of human hybrids was a significant change in our industry, at last we could provide the public with something unique that they would flock in their droves to see with their own eyes," said Luke as he changed the slide to show a centaur.

"Want to see a half-man, half-horse? Now you could. Want to see a cat woman? Well, suddenly it was possible. The problem was, how could you convince any sane human being to agree to become a human-animal hybrid and live in a zoo?" Luke asked rhetorically.

"The answer came in the form of a governmental program designated as People In Grievous Situations, or PIGS for short. The US government in the 2040s had a serious issue on their hands. Crime rates were skyrocketing, and incarceration rates were rising sharply. The prison population was growing too large to be housed. So, the US government tackled the root cause of the issue," joked Paul. His statement garnered a chorus of laughter from around the table.

"No, of course, they didn't tackle the root issue of the crime. Instead, they offered women, specifically those serving lifetime sentences, an option. Spend the rest of your life behind bars or agree to be turned into a human-hybrid and agree to spend the duration of your life working in an exhibit at any zoo around the country. It was a tempting offer for enough women that we could sustain and grow an industry out of it. The 2040s was a decade of continued expansion for the Florida State Wild World Reserve Zoo," Luke said as his slide changed to show another aerial photograph, this time showing the increase in the zoos footprint.

"However, in the past two years, things have changed. A new administration is in power, crime rates are drastically decreasing and finding new candidates for the PIGS program is proving increasing difficult, if not outright impossible. For example, the mermaid exhibit was built to accommodate at the very least four mermaids, if not more. However, currently we only have three mermaids to hand. The mermaid exhibit used to be one of our biggest earners. Market research suggests that the public would respond overwhelming positive to the addition of a new mermaid to the exhibit. However, we just cannot find one. A new mermaid would provide the linchpin for the refreshment marketing campaign we so desperately require right now."

"And that is your job to find a mermaid," instructed Ronnie. "This is none of my concern."

"You are quite right," replied Luke. "And I will. The point I am trying to convey here today, ladies and gentlemen, is we need a paradigm shift in how we operate the zoo. We need to be open and innovative and, most importantly, we need the will to try alternative approaches to how we allow the guests to interact with the hybrids. We need to view them as more than just animals in an exhibit. We need to allow the guests more freedom in how they interact with the hybrid creatures. We need to cater to a more adult clientèle," said Luke apprehensively. This was the crux of his pitch. He needed to garner consensus and agreement from the board members. There were murmurs and whispers as the board considered the implications of what Luke had just said to them.

"Leave the room, everyone out! Except for you, Mr. Olsen, I would like to have a word with you in private," said Ronnie. Everyone in the room quickly vacated, leaving only Luke and Ronnie. Luke was perspiring. Maybe his suggestion had been a bridge too far for the CEO. Luke swallowed as he prepared for a dressing down from Mr. McFarlane, or worse still, a dismissal from his position. Luke was well aware of the wide-ranging and serious implications that his suggestions had; he was talking about turning their captive employees into sex workers.

"In 2038, I nearly left this institution crumble. My life's dream was nearly destroyed. I dedicated my whole life to this zoo, and to nearly have it wiped away was unbearable to me. I swore I would never let that happen again, no matter the cost. That is why I hired a man such as you, a visionary who is not afraid to do what needs to be done to ensure our survival. I know this plan of yours is not strictly legal. I just need to know one thing-will it work?" asked Ronnie.

"I believe this plan will not only work, but it will make you more money than you could have ever imagined and turn this menagerie of freaks into one of your greatest wealth generators," said Luke confidently.

Ronnie stood up and brushed his suit down and pushed his chair under the table. He turned to face away from Luke and stared out of the floor-to-ceiling length windows that overlooked the zoo. He stood, contemplating what he had just heard from his subordinate.

"You may proceed with your plan," said Ronnie as he walked towards the door. He stopped at the door and turned his head towards Luke. "By the way, I also want that mermaid situation handled. I don't care how you do it, but I want a new mermaid in that exhibit as soon as possible. I've given you more than enough time. If you don't have a new one in the next year your ass is gone from this company, understood? I know that some women that you have in the exhibits out there don't come from the PIGS program."

Luke opened his mouth to dispute what Ronnie was implying, but Ronnie silenced him with his hand.

"I don't know how they got there, and I don't want to know. I just want this done, got it?" said Ronnie forcefully.

Luke shook his head in agreement and Ronnie exited the room. Luke was ecstatic. He had just received a carte blanche to do whatever he wanted. The zoo became his own personal kingdom, and he was crowned the monarch. He had many ideas and plans for the zoo that he could finally bring to fruition.

A Day Like Any Other

A Day Like Any Other

The incessant noise of her bedside alarm awoke Emily White. She turned over in her bed and placed a pillow over her head to try to block out the blaring sound. After several minutes, she was awake and groggily sat up on the edge of the bed and turned the alarm off. Emily yawned and surveyed her room as she slowly gained alertness. Her room was strewn with clothing and piles of books. She had just started her final year of university, after which she would be a fully qualified veterinarian. She had always dreamed of being a vet since she was a girl; she loved working with animals and knew that she wanted to make a career out of aiding them. Emily had shown an aptitude for science in school and her teachers had encouraged her to follow her passion for becoming a veterinarian. She had excelled in all of her exams and tests, and as a result, one of the most prestigious universities in the state of New York, her home state, accepted her. Her high scores in the examinations earned her a fully funded scholarship, allowing her to attend the university program.

Emily lived at home with her mother and sister in a small apartment in Queens. Emily's father, who was in the United States military, was stationed abroad in Japan. She missed him dearly; he was the optimistic and encouraging parent, which was a contrast to her mother's more pragmatic and stern nature. Her father would call her at least weekly, but lately he hadn't been able to speak with her as much as he used to. Emily had been watching the news and was aware of the heightening tensions between the countries in South-East Asia. The analysts on the television were warning of potential conflict over dwindling resources that would spark a broader worldwide conflict.

Emily pushed aside thoughts of war and stretched as she stood up to start her day. It was half six in the morning and time for her to get ready to start the day. She walked over and turned on her TV and scrolled to a local news channel that was delivering the weather forecast for the day. Emily left the TV on as she went to her en suite bathroom.

"Monday is expected to be a relatively warm day, with little to no chance of precipitation. High temperatures of seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit are expected, with low temperatures of sixty-one degrees Fahrenheit anticipated. The average humidity is seventy percent today," the meteorologist announced as Emily listened whilst in the bathroom.

Emily stared at herself in the mirror that was just above the sink. In her own thoughts, she acknowledged that she appeared tired. She supposed that was to be expected; she had been celebrating all weekend in Brooklyn. Emily and her sister Rachel received an invitation to a friend's twenty-first birthday party and they chose to attend. The birthday-bash had been amazing. It had been nice to catch up with all her friends. They had spent the weekend drinking cocktails and visiting different bars in the city. Emily had been exhausted, having got home late last night. She had had gotten into her pajamas and fell into her bead, too tired to even remove her make-up and mascara.

Emily turned on the tap and splashed her face with the cool tap water and washed away the mascara and make-up. She then dried her face with a fresh towel and stared once again back into her mirror.

"Much better," she said as she examined her cleaned face.

Emily then unbuttoned her pink pajamas blouse and removed it, exposing her white bra. She reached up and unclasped her bra, leaving it fall to the floor displaying her pert A-cup breasts. She then took off her pants and her black underwear, exhibiting her vagina and tidy pubic triangle. Emily glanced at herself in the mirror and was proud of her thin and athletic body and her small breasts.

Emily was a member of her university athletics' club, and additionally she also competed in competitions for her local club in Queens. She had won many races and events for both clubs, and she liked to keep herself in the best physical condition she could. To the end, after she finished her university classes each day, she would leave her apartment and embark on a seven-mile run around Queens.

Emily stepped into the shower and turned it on, closing the glass door behind her. Following the washing of her shoulder length black hair, she proceeded to apply shampoo and rinse it out. As the water cascaded over her body, she relished the warmth. She breathed in the shower's steam, letting it open her airways. She could see her face in the glass's reflection door, her deep brown eyes were staring back at her.

Emily exited the shower and closed the door. From the rack, she took a towel and used it to dry herself. She brushed her teeth and then she grabbed her clothes for the day; she wore blue jeans and a white tank top. While sitting on her bed, she proceeded to put on her socks, followed by slipping her feet into her shoes and tying the laces. She looked at her alarm clock and it was close to seven a.m. She stood up and turned off the TV, and then carefully opened her door and crept down the hallway, careful not to wake her mother or her sister.

Her mother, Laura, owned the local bakery down the street and was working there, and Rachel was also attending university studying English literature, although her classes didn't start until later in the day. Emily silently made her way down the stairs and into the kitchen, where she made herself breakfast. She ate the same food each morning. She scrambled some eggs and mixed some vegetables in for good measure and had a bowel of berries with a glass of water.

Quickly and efficiently, Emily packed her textbooks into her bag, along with a sandwich for lunch, and discreetly exited her apartment as silently as possible. She walked down the stairs of the apartment complex and exited the building onto the streets of Queens. The sun was already up, and the sky was a deep blue that drew Emily's eyes upwards. She watched a single solitary plane fly overhead; she tried to guess where the people on the plane were heading and to what adventures awaited them there.

Emily made her way to the subway and sat down, grateful that found a free chair. She placed her ear buds in and played a nature podcast. The topic the podcast was discussing was about human species, specifically that there was a time when four distinct human species all lived at the same time. According to the host, hominid fossils that were found in Chad, Ethiopia, and Kenya, it was determined that these four distinct human species all coexisted at the same time, and that time in question was roughly three million years ago.

Emily was so engrossed in the story that she failed to notice a woman sit in the seat beside her. Emily felt a gentle tap on her right shoulder, and she removed her ear buds. The woman next to her was wearing a purple t-shirt with black, skinny jeans. She had a friendly smile on her face as she leaned in next to her.

"Your name is Emily, right?" the woman said politely.

"That's right," Emily replied, and suddenly, like a light switch illuminating her mind, she remembered who the woman was. "Your Emma? We are in the same year at university. Sorry, I didn't recognize you immediately. I don't think we have ever talked before."

Emma nodded her head in agreement and offered her hand. Emily reached out and shook it.

"Nice to finally talk to you," Emma beamed.

"Likewise," said Emily. "I didn't realize you live in Queens too! How have we never met on the subway before?"

"Oh, no I don't live here. I was just visiting my father. He just moved here, actually; my parents recently separated, you see."

"Well, I'm very sorry to hear about the divorce," Emily said genuinely.

"Pfft, they argued constantly. It was a relief when they finally broke up," jokes Emma. "I'm fine, honestly." There was a momentary silence before Emma spoke again.

"So, tell me, have you got your work placement sorted yet?" Emma asked jovially, clearly not wanting to bring the mood of the conversation down after mentioning her parents' marital status.

"Unfortunately for me, not yet," said Emily. "Have you?"

"There is a small veterinary clinic near where I live," replied Emma. "They were happy when I approached them for work experience. They told me they were swamped with work at the moment and another set of hands would be really beneficial. You know, I bet if I asked, they would consider hiring you too. They need all the help they can get!"

"That's so sweet, Emma!" Emily said warmly. "I'll have to pass on the opportunity, though. You see, ever since I was a little girl, I've wanted to be a zookeeper. It's my dream job! I've applied to every zoo here in the New York area. I've also applied to the neighboring states: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Vermont, and yet none of them have any openings for me! They either don't have any vacancies or they want someone who has more experience than me. I got so desperate I even applied to zoos that were as far away as Florida!"

"Wow," said Emma. "I'm surprised that there were no available slots in any of the zoos in the state. That is surprising. Well, I hope you get accepted at one zoo. Something is bound to come up right?! And remember if it doesn't, my offer still stands. You can also come work at the veterinary clinic that I work at."