It was the end of yet another fine day. Gubuloor was feeling blue; as usual. Whenever Gubuloor felt down he would get lost in his thoughts. He would think up brilliant and heroic plans to turn his luck around and maybe change his lot in life. He would daydream about his ideal future life which entailed working out regularly at the local fitness centre, meeting a cute young female graax who was still in her first decade (with flattering curves to boot), and maybe getting a job in the human pet industry. 

He personally didn’t agree with the human pet industry, let alone the human slavery industry but alas there was nothing anyone can do about it. It wasn’t like anyone cared enough to do anything about it anyway. He had an active human rights blog for the past five earth years now, with regular weekly updates. Despite all that time he only gathered a dozen followers. The comments from his followers dwindled year after year. Sure the troll comments always outnumbered the supportive comments but that never bothered Gubuloor before. It was the dwindling show of support that bothered him then.

Sometimes he entertained fantasies about being rich enough to buy a human pet. He loved human children in particular. He would teach it how to read, play mock battles with it that re-enacted the battles from its colourful history, and all kinds of human child shenanigans. Maybe, just maybe, that child would become a true friend. Maybe, just mayb-

“Hey Glooby!”

Gubuloor was awoken from his reverie. He was outside the entrance of the insurance building in which he worked. He looked up and to the left. There he stood the one who obnoxiously greeted him, the office douchebag. 

“Hey Flagbarg” replied Gubuloor in a bored tone

“Listen mate, I have a favour to ask you” said Flagbarg in earnest.

Gubuloor wasn’t surprised in the least. Flagbarg only spoke to him when he needed a favour. That’s why he earned the title of douchebag; in Gubuloors mind at least. He let out an exasperated sigh “what is it now Flagbarg?” he asked.

“Hey don’t be like that. I thought we were buddies” said Flagbarg, obviously feigning shock.

“Ok I’m sorry. It’s been a long day. The boss chewed me out for something that wasn’t even my fault. I submitted the insurance claim report on time she specified but the foolish customer wrote down the wrong numbers on their form and guess what? I didn’t go through!” ranted Gubuloor. He felt better letting it out of his system.

“Wow dude that sucks” replied Flagbarg. “You know what they say about female graax in their second decade”.

Gubuloor and Flagbarg chuckled together for a moment. Gubuloor chuckled uneasily.

“ Anyway Glooby, I need you to finish the rest of my report on the Duvork insurance claim. I would do it myself but I’m too busy trying to wrangle in a new customer. This is a big one Glooby, he’s one of the major human slave traders!” 

Gubuloor physically blanched. As much as he was against human slavery he had to admit that this was a great boon for his department. Maybe if he played his cards right he may get a pay raise. If that happened he could finally start saving up for his big move into his dream career. Moving town and taking an intensive course in human pet management wasn’t cheap. But then again he knew that Flagbarg was one to make wild claims in order to trick people into doing whatever he wanted them to do. Indeed that was his ace in the hole when it came to sales. Nevertheless Gubuloor decided to believe him this time out of hope and desperation.

“Alright Flagbarg It’ll be done by next week, you can count on it”.

“Thanks buddy! You’re a legend you know that!? There’s nobody else I would have in my corner than you. I really mean that.” 

“Don’t worry about it. You better be right about this big client though. If this is another tall tale then that’s it. No more favours from me”.

“Cross my heart and hope to die” replied Flagbarg. A smarmy grin spread across his face.

“See you next week Flagbarg” said Gubuloor as he began his descent down the steps. 

“See ya champ!” Flagbarg called out from behind.

A few blocks down the street Gubuloor boarded the metro to his residential area. He lost himself in thought once more on the ride home.