Down the hall

"This way, darling," the receptionist calls to you as she steps along the carpet, in the opposite direction of the entrance. You turn around and look out the entranceway one last time. It's too late now for you to head back through that door, you suppose.

You turn back around and begin following the receptionist. It is only now that you notice a cow-like tail trailing behind her! The tuft of fur on the end swings back and forth with each measured step, no doubt helping her keep her balance at least a little bit. Her pace is still quite slow, however, which gives you plenty of time to look around at the lobby before you leave. Many who were in the lounge area when you entered have disappeared, but most of the vacated seats have since been filled by others.

Soon the lobby ends and the hallway begins. This hallway is both more plain and more ornate at the same time. There seem to be an endless row of featureless doors every few meters or so. In between each of these doors, however, is some piece of beautiful artwork. Such a collection must cost a fortune. The only indication of the purpose for each door is a small plaque next to it, but everyone seems to already know exactly where they need to go, slipping in and out of doors without even a second thought. The quick glimpses you get into these rooms show they are much more varied than the identical doors would otherwise betray. Several seem to hide laboratories of some kind, while others are storerooms, bedrooms, or even dining halls, and almost every room is bustling with activity. A couple even open to side hallways lined with even more doors.

You are glad to be following behind the receptionist. Her large, pregnant frame forces everyone to circle around her as she slowly ambles down the hall. The gentle ringing of her cowbell with each step signals her approach to anyone not paying direct attention. You don't look directly at any of the myriad creatures that pass you, hoping that nobody will take notice of you. Indeed, following so close behind her, you can't even see directly ahead, **** to just trust that she is taking you to the right place. Not that you would know any better on your own, of course.

Eventually, the receptionist stops and steps aside. She motions with one hand towards the door in front of her, the last door on your right. Behind her you can see an art piece, modeled after the same star-like insignia you saw at the top of the contract you signed, installed against the end of the hallway.

"Here you are, darling, head on through," she says with the same warm smile on her face.