The Time Traveler's Guide to Zootopia

Chapter 25: An Old Bustle

I felt incongruous with my surroundings as the eyes of every animal officer in the lobby stared me down. Their look was similar to the look they'd likely give convicted criminals guilty of the highest offense in the land, intensified by the fact that I didn't resemble any living being in their world.

My presence alone put them on edge, effectively changing the overall mood of the work environment. I felt nearly as uncomfortable as they did. Although I already knew what animals looked like from my world, they had no idea what a human looked like in theirs, especially not an interstellar one.

Needless to say, the situation got increasingly awkward.

Aside from my current predicament, I couldn't help but admire the main area we were in...

The multi-story lobby featured an impressive layout, complete with multiple tree gardens throughout the main level, and a centralized help desk surrounded by a giant sheriff's star engraved on the floor. Behind the circular desk, I saw an ironically overweight cheetah holding a large birthday cake reading, 'HAPPY 30TH!' and a couple of boxes of rainbow-sprinkled donuts next to him. At first, I wanted one until I saw a powdered donut lodged into the fat fold of his neck. Disgusting. I bet my appetite ran away faster than he ever could.

His mouth was full, and his cheeks were completely puffed up, but he didn't seem to swallow because my unexpected presence diverted his attention from the food. To the left of him stood many more ZPD animal officers of different sizes, heights, and species who all wore the same blue uniform.

There were two maned lions, another rhinoceros, four tigers holding mugs, two grey wolves holding a birthday banner on the upper balcony, a blonde-haired pig, a wide-eyed African elephant, a hippopotamus with twitching ears, two polar bears, a black panther, a black bear, a horse, two ugly sheep, and a... good hell... a minotaur-looking cape buffalo who looked like he wanted to put me in a chokehold.

He had a top-heavy build, dark grey fur, a four-star pinned shirt, and folded muscular arms. His pessimistic and suspicious-looking nature would not go well the next few moments if I kept staring at him, so I avoided eye contact and turned to face the other officers.

While the others weren't quite as intimidating or authoritative in appearance, they all seemed mildly confused and greatly disappointed by my unexpected arrival, which ruined the surprise party. The entire room transitioned from silence to murmuring among the animal officers, and I began to wonder what they were saying about me. Whatever it might've been, things weren't looking too swell, so I weighed my possible options out. Couldn't think of any at the moment.

"Wilde!" the buffalo bellowed out, pointing at me. "See to it that this mammal—whatever he is—gets checked in!"

"Gladly, sir!" smirked the fox, who began to guide me along. "I'll get our little party crasher here tucked away."

"And I want that paperwork done," the buffalo reminded.

The fox's eyes were focused on the table behind him. "How about some of that cake?"

"Paperwork first!" the buffalo growled.

The fox shrugged and weaved us further through the animal crowd, where they exchanged many inaudible comments with each other, perhaps regarding me. I didn't like it because I couldn't hear them well enough to determine whether it was negative. That is, until one person spoke out after checking the time on their cell phone.

"C'mon, everyone!" the female elephant officer announced. Grizzoli will be here any minute now, so get ready!"

That's when everyone in the lobby returned to their duties and began to chat nonstop. It was too much to keep track of, so I listened as we strolled along.