Displacement

"Yes immediately, I'm sorry to say. The whole room has to be cordoned off. You shouldn't even really be here right now."

Lucy was completely dumbfounded, where was she supposed to go? Being her only day off from studying and work all week, she had nowhere to be, and everyone she knew would be busy with other engagements. She looked at the stern health and safety officer and tried to plead to her sensibilities.

"B-But what am I supposed to do?"

The uniformed woman looked at the young zoologist student right in the eyes and promptly replied without any hesitation.

"I don't know, for all I care you can go for a coffee. But you can't be in here, I'm sorry for any inconvenience."

"At least let me find something to wear, I need my phone and belongings. Please."

The officer paused for a moment looking at Lucy in her makeshift outfit, basketball jersey dress up and down before settling her gaze on Lucy's slender neck.

"I don't think you heard me correctly, this WHOLE room will be closed up until further notice. That includes any THING in it. You should be glad I'm allowing you to keep what you have on you."

There was a short silence as Lucy looked back at the uniformed woman in stunned shock and disbelief. Once again her eyes were glued to Lucy's neck.

"Say, are you some kind of mascot or something?"

Still coming to terms with what was going on and thinking of anything she could do, Lucy was puzzled by the question and looked down at the pink collar and basketball shirt with 'Mud Dogs' emblazoned on the front staring back at her.

"W-What? What do you mean?"

"Oh, just by the looks of your outfit, I figured it was some kind of uniform. Looks kind of silly with the top on though if you ask me."

Blushing bright red, both of Lucy's hands went straight to her throat, grasping the menacing collar with both hands in shame.

Oh my god, I completely forgot about this horrible thing around my neck. What does she mean about looking silly with the top on? This dammed collar is the only other thing I have on!

"N-No I'm not a mascot, it's ju- just laundry day." Lucy replied to her utter embarrassment.

"Well can I just say, it's a good look for you."

Blushing even harder, Lucy couldn't believe what she was hearing. Arms folded in front of herself, she shifted her stance suddenly feeling more self conscious than ever before. What the hell is this lady even talking about?

"Look, you seem like a good girl, but you really need to go. There'll be a crew arriving here any moment and the premises needs to be vacated."

With that, the uniformed lady stepped towards Lucy giving her a reassuring pat on the head and gently ruffling her auburn tresses. Lucy was at a total loss for words, her mind racing and coming to terms with her potential options ahead. Without her wallet, her phone or even a decent outfit she was stuck, completely at the mercy of others. The options that immediately presented her were of course finding either Max or Kim, but she'd have to do so barely dressed and wearing this stupid collar to boot! How the hell was she going to explain herself?

"Oh one last thing, take this. Best you get yourself checked out. You may have come into contact with something harmful. Just a precaution, but it's mandatory practice sanctioned by the University. They're expecting you sometime today, so make sure you're there before it closes at nine."

With that, Lucy was firmly ushered outside her own dorm room with the health and safety officer locking it behind her with a skeleton key. Standing there alone and stunned, wearing only a pink dog collar and basketball jersey she looked down at what the lady had given her. It was a card for what looked like some kind of medical practice. It read 'Prompt response exotic clinic' and had the address underneath.

Lucy didn't even have any pockets to put the card. She simply held it in her palm and stood aimlessly in the hallway.