The cigarette barely had exited her hand before her phone buzzed to life. An elegant and thin fox looked down at it with disgust as she saw a message on it. It was from her job, which wouldn’t even give her a moment of peace.

Christina Green, a 26 year old fox, who was a rising star at Pinter & Adams, walked past her office and past the break room, her footsteps quiet, even in heels. The professional woman had a confidence about her that rubbed people the wrong way, at least if you asked her that. In reality, it was due to her horrific attitude towards others and those she considered “beneath her”. Which, in her mind, meant almost everyone at the firm, including the main partners.

She arrived at the conference room and opened the double doors to see the two named partners and two equity partners already seated and waiting for her. She smiled at them and gave them the usual pleasantries before taking a seat. Her thin rear barely filled the wide chair and her tail fluttered behind it.

“Thanks for coming up so fast, Christina”, Elizabeth Reynolds said. “I know you’re very busy and we don’t want to keep you”, the goat said, a kind smile on her face.

“Yes, I am busy, but not busy enough to speak with you all”, Christina replied, a shit eating grin pouring through her muzzle.

“And we appreciate that. We wanted, well, for one, congrats on signing Mark Miller. No one thought that would happen, and Xavier was stunned when you came in with the agreement.”

Ethan Olsen, a wolf, and one of the largest Christina had ever seen, bit into his crueller before continuing.

“That just continues what has been an incredible quarter for you and the firm, one that has really helped, even in these recession times. But.”

He was stopped in his tracks by Xavier Pinter, the named partner. The otter took a sip of his coffee and, with his gruff voice, interjected himself into the conversation.

“As great as this all is for our bottom line, something very troubling has come to all of our attention. You are incredibly gifted at schmoozing potential clients, but you are harsh, curt, and downright rude with people you work with here. And, while I can’t speak for anyone else, I do not appreciate it.”

Christinia bit her tongue, trying her best not to respond. She did not want to say something that could get her put on probation or worse, fired. She had to remain calm, even if she felt the old geezer was wrong.

“I’m sorry you feel that way, Mr. Pinter. I get very into my work and sometimes, I admit, I can get a little animated and boisterous. I have to tone it down, you’re right. “

She hoped this would shut them up, and she wanted nothing more than to go back to her desk. However, as she looked at the four most important people in the agency, it was clear they weren’t finished with her.

“Actually, we have a different approach. Ethan, can you pass me the materials?”

Ethan handed a pamphlet over to Noelle Adams, the other named partner. The gorilla, who was in her mid 50s thanked him before placing the papers on the table in front of the fox.

“With all the time and effort you’ve put in this past year, we think you’re stressed out. Overworked. It’s ok, it happens to the best of us.”

“Respectfully, I disagree with this, Mrs. Adams. I don’t think I’m overworked. I’ll concede to being a little stressed, but then again, who isn’t? This is a tough job.”

“Not everyone has to go outside ten times a day to have a cigarette though. How many packs have you smoked so far this week?”

“Three”, the fox replied, lying. It was actually 5.

“It’s only Tuesday, Christina”, Xavier said, chiming in.

“One a day isn’t the worst. And, it helps keep me calm. Not like I’m drinking on the job or anything. I get my work done, even taking smoke breaks.”

Her foot started nervously tapping the floor. This stress was giving her the urge to get her nicotine fix. Still, she had to appear professional.

“But, if you want me to cut back, I’ll buy gum. Whatever.”

“This honestly isn’t about smoking. It’s about you. We’re not just your bosses, we’re friends. Which is why we are treating you to a week at a spa. It’s one we’ve done business with before, “New Experiences. They’re only a few towns south. This is their brochure. “

Christina didn’t pick up the brochure, she just looked at the partners.

“I’m not taking a spa vacation. I’m perfectly fine. This is completely unnecessary and is going to end up causing my harm than good. I won’t be here for the clients or to sign more.”

Ethan, who was usually the most quiet, due to his species as well as his position compared to the other four, spoke up.

‘This, well. We all spoke and this isn’t so much as a request as it is an assignment. You need to take this week. You’ll come back refreshed and at ease.”

“But.”

“If you refuse, you go on probation. It’s that simple”, Elizabeth said as she folded her arms across her ample chest.

Christina knew she was screwed. The four furs were united in this and she could tell there was no way she was going to be able to convince them otherwise. She picked up the pamphlet and sighed.

“Guess I should go pack.”