Heya! Liking the story so far? Well, I'm happy to bring you the next chapter, although its short like the last, but seeing as I didn't get any complaints, I assume everyones happy with it. Now onwards to Eli's big day...

The Next Day…

Eli shifted uncomfortably as he sat in the crowded subway car on his way to the Business District in Downtown Zootopia. All sorts of animals occupied the car, mostly wearing suits, no doubt going for work, or to conduct business deals, etc. Eli himself was wearing his suit, the same one he wore to the ZTECH interview. And just like on that day, he was getting curious glances from some of the passengers. It was still not an easy task to go out in public as a human, as the rarity of the species meant that the presence of one was bound to turn a few heads.

Stepping off the train at his stop, Eli exited out of the station to a sight very different from the usual Zootopia. There were skyscrapers everywhere, each one belonging to a different corporation, some of them constructed in unique architecture and reaching astounding heights. Eli produced the card from his pocket and followed the address. Due to the complexity of the area, on more than one occasion he had to stop and ask a local for directions to 'The Fang' as he had been told. It didn't take him too long to find it once he was close enough though. The building was one of the taller ones around, and as the name suggested, its design seemed to be based on the shape of a big cat's fang. An intimidating yet modern looking structure that stood out amongst its immediate neighbors. The building was surrounded by ample space containing a well maintained garden with fountains and a large parking space. Various mammals, most likely employees, could be seen wandering, resting and talking in the garden. Eli even got a few stares from some of them as he walked down one of the paths through the garden that led to the building's entrance. Above the entrance, the words 'Khan Industries' was boldly written, above which was what appeared to be the corporation's logo: the letters SK written together stylized and encased within a circle. Eli deduced that this was likely just Shere Khan's initials.

Approaching the grand-looking entrance, Eli noticed what he figured was a doormammal, apparently a lion, standing right outside. He was wearing a security guard uniform with a grey shirt, darker grey pants and a black tie, along with matching jacket and peaked cap, as well as a utility belt with a tranquilizer gun and pouches for other equipment. Patches with the same symbol with Shere Khan's initials like in the company logo could be seen on the left and right upper arms of the jacket. The big cat eyed the man suspiciously and waited until he got closer to raise his paw in a 'stop' gesture.

"Halt! State your business." He asked in a gruff tone.

"Uh…My name is Eli Hopps. I'm here to see a Miss Anya Purranova."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"Well n-no, but she gave me her business card and told me to meet her in her office here whenever I could."

"May I see the card please?" the lion asked with an outstretched paw. Eli handed him the particular object and watched as he examined it critically, like a jeweler examining a gem for its authenticity. As if that wasn't puzzling enough, the lion then took the card to a nearby computer console embedded into the wall next to the entrance and slid it into the provided slot. Because of the angle, Eli couldn't make out exactly what information was being displayed on the screen, but it seemed to satisfy the lion, who retrieved the card and handed it back to him.

"Everything seems to be in order. You may enter."

As Eli walked towards the doors, he took a quick look at the card again, but couldn't spot anything out of the ordinary on it aside from its unusual thickness. He could only assume the card probably had an electronic chip hidden inside it for authentication purposes.

Beyond the doors was a short grand hallway featuring a guards' desk and a few other guards who stared at the new, unusual arrival. One of them, a jaguar, approached Eli with something in his paw.

"Sir, could you please stand still for a moment and raise your arms?"

Eli complied, and the guard used the detector wand in his paw to scan him, taking only a moment to do so.

"Very well sir, its all clear, go on."

"Jeez, looks like Mr. Khan doesn't compromise on security."

Much to Eli's relief, there were no other hindrances in his way. The hallway opened up into a massive lobby unlike any that he had ever seen before. And if the size wasn't awe inspiring on its own, the place was lavishly decorated with various kinds of expensive artwork, sculptures and architecture, as well as exorbitant large windows, wall tiling and floor marbling, each with their own elaborate designs. Of note was an extravagant looking gigantic grand chandelier with numerous lights hanging from the high roof, as well as a large fountain right in the center of the lobby. Curiously enough, the fountain was decorated with a large statue of a 'feral' or 'savage' tiger, as in without clothes and completely in its 'wild' state, posed rearing back on its hind legs as if in a fight.

"Whoa… looks like he doesn't compromise on luxury either."

The lobby was quite the hive of activity. Numerous mammals in suits were either milling about, discussing topics with one another, making phone calls, or rushing around from one place to the next to finish their work, some carrying piles of papers, bundles of folders or briefcases. Those who caught sight of Eli ended up doing a double take, with some even staring. Making his way further, Eli approached the reception desk which was mammaled by multiple receptionists.

"Yes, how may I… help you sir?" asked the one attending to Eli, a female serval, taken aback momentarily as she looked up from her desk to the rare mammal in front of her.

"My name is Eli Hopps, and I'm here to see Miss Purranova. I was told to meet her here at her office." He explained, showing her the business card as further proof.

"One moment please." She replied, picking up the cord phone next to her and dialing a number. After a few rings the mammal on the other side finally picked it up.

"Yes, hello Miss Purranova? This is reception. I have a Mr. Eli Hopps here to see you. He says you asked him to come by?... I see. Shall I send him up?...Yes ma'am… right away ma'am." With that, the serval put down the phone and directed her attention back to Eli.

"You're in luck, Miss Purranova is available right now, and she's been expecting you. Just take one of the elevators at the end of the lobby to the ninety ninth floor, then head straight down the hallway and you should be at her door."

"NINETY NINTH FLOOR?! Sweet cheese and crackers! I'm gonna be in that elevator all day!"

Eli thanked the receptionist and continued past the desk to the elevators, lucky enough to find one empty… or, well, almost empty. It was occupied by a lioness who was just about to press her floor button when she was startled by Eli's sudden appearance.

"Er… going up?" Eli asked.

"Y-yes." She responded, stepping aside to allow him to enter. She pressed the button for the ninety eighth floor and Eli pressed the one above that.

"I'm sorry for startling you." Eli apologized as the elevator began its ascent.

"Oh, that's quite alright. I should be the one apologizing anyways. I guess I wasn't expecting to see a human in here. Especially this close." She chuckled.

"Understandable." Eli smiled. There was a bit of a pause before she spoke up again.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, but why are you here? Just curious."

"I'm here to see about a job offer."

"Really? Well that would be a first."

"Pardon?"

"I meant it would be a bit of a milestone for the company. If they hire you, you'd be the first human employed by Khan Industries."

"You're saying no other human has ever been qualified enough to work for the company?"

"Not necessarily. The same treatment goes for virtually every non-feline mammal. When it comes to employment, Mr. Khan prefers to hire fellow felines. He's never mentioned the reason, but many think its because it makes him more comfortable being amongst his own kind. Of course, if a non-feline mammal proves to be better than any feline in their particular line of work, then Mr. Khan will overlook their species. Despite his bias, he still prioritizes quality over biology."

Now that Eli thought about it, he realized that ever since he stepped onto the building's premises, the majority of all the mammals he had seen were indeed feline. The ones at the garden, the doorman, the security, the lobby crowd, the receptionists, all feline with the exception of a few.

"Huh… well that explains a lot." Eli said as the elevator stopped at the ninety eighth floor. Much to his relief, the elevator moved fast so it didn't take as long as he thought it would.

"Well, this is my stop. It was nice talking with you." The lioness bade goodbye and exited the elevator, leaving the man to ride the remaining short trip up alone. Once at his floor, he followed the receptionist's directions, noticing that this floor was much emptier than the ground floor. Then again, judging by the fewer number of doors, there were only a handful of offices. The one Eli had to go to was the largest, and even had a doorbell that buzzed when he pressed it to announce his presence. "Come in!" a voice called out from inside, prompting him to enter. The office itself was very spacious, well decorated and neat and tidy, with a large window looking outside just behind the desk that was the centerpiece of the office. Sitting at the desk was a familiar snow leopardess who looked up from her work to her visitor with a pleased smile.

"Mr. Hopps! So wonderful to see you! I'm so glad you decided to visit after all. Welcome to my office. Please, have a seat." She gestured to the seat on the other side of her desk as she stood up and approached to greet him.

"Nice to see you again too, Miss Purranova. Quite the impressive place you have here." He replied, shaking paws with her before sitting down.

"Why thank you! I keep it tidy and organized as best as I can." She chuckled. "Is there anything I can get you to drink? Tea? Coffee? Perhaps some fruit juice?"

"Uh… some juice sounds good right about now." Eli suggested. Anya nodded and went over to the small kitchenette to the side of her office, grabbing a selection of fruits and mixing them together in a juicer. She made enough juice for both Eli and herself.

"I hope you didn't have too much trouble finding your way up here?"

"Er, not really. Though I have to say, I've been wondering about the need for such security."

"My apologies if they gave you any inconveniences, but Mr. Khan doesn't take any chances with safety and security. The guards here are part of his private security force, and they follow his own set of rules and regulations regarding visitors and intruders. Still, if you brought my business card along, you should have been just fine." She picked up the two tall glasses of juice and placed them on her desk, one in front of Eli and the other for herself.

"Mmhmm. And does Mr. Khan also have a thing for residing miles above the ground in ominous looking buildings?" Eli asked half-jokingly as he picked up his glass and began sipping while Anya sat on her chair and did the same. She couldn't help but laugh.

"Magnificent, isn't it? Welcome to 'The Fang'." She gestured around herself. "Mr. Khan had a personal role in the design and construction of the building, especially since the design was based on one of his own fangs. With a hundred floors, its one of the taller structures in the Business District. Most of the floors contain office spaces but there are also 'special' floors, such as an observation deck, hotel rooms for VIP guests, research labs, etc. The ninety ninth floor, the one you're on, is where Mr. Khan's secretaries work, including myself. Mr. Khan himself both resides and works on the hundredth floor."

"Secretaries? As in, you're not his only one?"

"No. I'm his chief secretary, but there are others too. He's a very busy mammal you see. He handles the major business deals and overall operation of the company, while we handle the more intricate duties and assist him with his work. It takes many mammals to run a corporation as vast as this, you know."

"I can imagine." Eli finished. The two engaged in further casual conversation for a bit longer while they finished their drinks before Anya returned to the matter at paw.

"Seeing as you're here, I assume you've given some thought to the offer?" she asked after a moment.

"Yes actually. I… might be interested. But I'd like to know more about the job I'm being offered."

"Well, I can tell you the work is one that is of a highly sensitive nature, but on the plus side, I can assure you it would pay very well, more than any other job that you could get anywhere else in the city with your age and current experience. Beyond that, I'd recommend you direct your questions to Mr. Khan when you meet him, as he'll answer them better than I or anyone else could."

"W-Wait, hold on… I'm… I'm going to meet Mr. Khan?"

"Why yes. He's the one who specifically asked for you after all, and he's informed me that he would love to personally speak with you if you were to come by. Better yet, he has some time for you today from his otherwise busy schedule, making this a perfect opportunity. Oh, and theres absolutely nothing to worry about: I'll be there with you the whole time, and though Mr. Khan may seem a bit… intimidating at first glance, he tends to warm up once you get to know him." She assured, though Eli still remained nervous. Anya picked up her office phone and dialed the number to Shere Khan's office.

"Hello, sir? Anya here. Just wanted to inform you that Mr. Hopps has arrived if you wish to meet him… Very well sir, at once." She responded and placed the phone back.

"Mr. Khan has called you up. Are you ready to go?"

"I guess so."

"Then lets not keep him waiting." She smiled.