"The thing is," Douglas took over the meeting, "there will almost certainly be some blow-back on the clinic. We'll likely lose some patients. We'll likely gain some patients."
Barbara nodded her understanding, her eyes sharp with intelligence. "There'll be lookie-loos, too. Folks dropping by in hopes of seeing a shifter."
"Yes, exactly. I expect we'll be fending off the press, too. And," Douglas paused, making sure he had everyone's full attention. "There may be some negative consequences as well. We've got plans in place for a security team, but for purposes of full disclosure, we must make you aware there could be some element of danger at some point."
Suzanne, from where she sat, nodded. "The crazies," she said succinctly.
"Oh, man, and I have to leave for college in August," Daniel mourned, making Douglas laugh.
"What we want to make sure you understand is this." Suzanne leaned forward in her chair to tap the table before her. "We are here for you. You are all valued employees, and most of you have been with us for years. Given these... unusual... circumstances, we'll be understanding if anyone doesn't feel comfortable staying. We'll do all we can for you... referrals, letters of recommendation, and our best will, should you decide you might be better off elsewhere."
"We don't want to lose any of you," Douglas emphasized. "But we will understand if you feel you can't, or shouldn't, stay."
Around the room, heads were shaking.
"Heck, no!" Daniel exclaimed. "I'm already wanting to come back, and I haven't even left yet."
"You said there would be security?" This question was from Tom, one of their older vet techs who'd been with them since the clinic first opened its doors.
"Yes, absolutely," Douglas affirmed. "We're contracting with a security firm to provide around the clock security for the entire property, as well as outdoor cameras. Anyone coming early or staying late can be assured of an escort to and from their car."
"That's good enough for me," Tom he nodded, as did those around him.
"Wild horses couldn't keep me from this," Barbara burst out, her typical businesslike demeanor giving way to pure enthusiasm.
"Oh my gosh, this is so exciting," Anna enthused. She eyed the caracal, still sprawled on the table before her. "Is it weird that I want to pet my coworker?"
Tamera turned her head, giving a contented purr.
"But shifters aren't only cats, are they?" asked another vet tech, Pamela, her gaze on Tamera. "The one on that video, that was a fox."
Douglas shook his head. "Not at all. We have wolves, bobcats, a Great Pyrenees, and that's just that I'm aware of. Most of the local shifters are waiting for Katerina's interview first, and to see how that's received, before more decide if, and when, they will make themselves known."
"So if you all wouldn't mind keep this under your hats for now," Katerina added. She gave them a mischievous grin. "You can watch me tonight on TV."
"Aren't you nervous?" Holly wanted to know.
Katerina smiled, shaking her head. "Not really. As a fashion designer, I'm accustomed to being in the limelight, in front of the camera, to having paparazzi shoving flash bulbs and microphones in front of me. And Cat, well," she grinned, eyes dancing. "She just loves the attention. She can't wait to do her thing with the whole nation watching."
The room exploded with questions, and she took a step back, laughing, holding up her hands as if to ward them off. "I know, Iknow, everyone has all these questions. And that's why I'll be on stage tonight, answering them. Just tune in and watch. I'll be in on Monday, though, so I can answer any follow up questions you might have."
"I have an idea," Liam said, speaking up from his corner where he'd sat quietly during all this. Given his position in the community, he wasn't one of those coming out in public, not even to the clinic staff here. "Let's check with Angus and Renee at the West Side Inn, and see if they'll let us rent their dining room for the evening. We can have a live streaming party, and it's large enough you can bring family members as well. We can all watch together."
"That's a terrific idea," Kester approved. "Tamera and I'll be there too, if we do it."
"Yes!" Daniel punched the air, as the various employees signified their approval. He leaned forward eagerly. "But I gotta ask. How did you get to be a shifter? Did you, like, get bitten? Like in the werewolf tales?"
Katerina laughed, and Kester snickered.
"No, it's genetic. Our mom and dad were shifters, and our grandparents, and going back, well, forever."
"No one knows how and when shifters were created, or evolved, or whatever," Kester explained. "We have a whole branch of scientists and geneticists working on it."
"Switzerland," Katerina nodded.
"Hell," Daniel said, sulking. Others in the room echoed the disappointment.
"It'd be so cool to be a cat," Barbara said enviously, and Holly nodded her agreement.
