"You're thirsty.

It seems like a strange thing to be surrounded by so much water, but still thirsty. It's been a warm day, though, and you haven't had much to drink. This is one of those days you're glad the office is underground, where the flowing waters can cool the space so well. You read the sign that says "Authorized Personnel Only" on the locked steel door in front of you. It sounds to you like an authoritative sentry, intent on keeping you out. Too bad you have a key. You're authorized personnel, after all.

You avoid the puddles that collect in the sides of the corridor. Hot day or not, you don't want to get your paws dirty. The ceiling gives way above you, and warm sunlight falls through it. You can hear birds chirping, from the trees up above you, and the water, lazily flowing by. If you closed your eyes, you could almost pretend you were standing in a peaceful forest. The office is on the left; you open the door and step inside. You grunt a short greeting to your coworker, who's sitting on the desk and smoking. His shift starts soon, but yours is finished. You punch your time card and head out the other end.

Your cave, your home, is across the river, and you don't feel like flying or swimming over. The bridge will have to do. The boards creak underneath your weight as you step across. If you were more squeamish, you might be worried, but the boards are stronger than they look. Even if you have to take care not to step in the gaps. Up the stairs, right at the T-intersection. You hear something coming, something big. It rumbles and echoes through the tunnel, growling and chugging. You're in no particular rush, so you lean on the railing and relax for a minute.

A dragon comes around the corner. She's not a dragon like you are; she has wheels instead of paws, and vents and fans in place of wings. She's got a mighty roar, though, and you've seen her breathe fire a time or two. It looks like she's brought a few friends with her, too. You wave to the engineer as the hodgepodge of ALCO locomotives thunders down the tunnel. You're pleasantly surprised when you hear a short toot on the horn come back at you.

As the train rolls on, a bunch of empty beer bottles catch your eye. You groan, and complain about how thirsty you are again. You turn around and head down the corridor, out of the mountain. There's a pitcher of iced tea in your refrigerator with your name on it."