It was a cold autumn evening.  If not for the science expo in town, Snapdragon wouldn't have ever ventured outside.  His teeth chattered as he wrapped his tail around himself in a futile attempt to warm himself.

Snapdragon was a dark green alligator (or was he a crocodile?  Even HE was never sure) with a light green underbelly that extended along his arms and legs.  His snout was elongated, and his back bore two vertical columns of slightly longer, black scales.  Most distinguishing was his scaly hide, which was incredibly coarse front and back; his scales were so rough they could be used to sand wood.

I'm so COLD!  I'd better find some extra insulation before I retire to my hotel room.

Glancing up, Snapdragon noticed that he was passing by the expo grounds.  Despite the expo not opening until the next day, he could see that one of the exhibits was open.  The words "BLANKET MAKER" graced the top of a large, cubical thing the size of a bedroom, and made of shiny metal.  A single unobstructed doorway formed the entrance.

The crocodile (alligator?) approached the Blanket Maker, glancing it up and down.  A brown otter entered the exhibit ahead of him; Snapdragon began to follow, but a sign posted by the entrance caught his attention.

BLANKET MAKER by SLAM*BAM LABORATORIES
This exhibit is open early due to the unexpected cold front.  One person may enter at a time.
If you see a blanket inside, feel free to claim it.  If not, stand on the red line and press the button.

As Snapdragon finished reading, the otter left again, carrying an orange-yellow blanket with leopard spots.

Guess it's my turn, then.

Bravely, the alligator (crocodile?) marched into the room.  It was as white and shiny on the inside as on the outside, and lit by fluorescent lights on the ceiling.  As promised, a red line crossed the floor from left to right, and just behind it Snapdragon noticed a red button on a little box mounted at the end of a pole.  He followed the pole by eye up to the ceiling; the pole looked like it telescoped, but he wasn't sure why.

The room did not, however, contain anything resembling a blanket, much to his disappointment.

Well, I guess I'd better follow the instructions, then.  "Stand on the red line and press the button."

Snapdragon took his position on the red line, noting by touch that it was raised, like a speed bump.  Then he raised one finger and applied pressure to the button, letting it depress with a click.

Almost immediately, the pole the button was mounted on collapsed, retracting into the ceiling.  The crocodile (alligator?) blinked in confusion, but before he could contemplate the matter further two sections of floor swung up in front of and behind him, slamming together and smashing him flat.

Seconds later, the floor sections swung down again, allowing the newly flattened alligator (crocodile?) to flop to the ground.  Snapdragon caught a glimpse of the button sliding back down to its original position, preparing itself for its next customer.

It occurred to him that he was not only very flat, but very wide as well; if he had to guess, he'd say he was now a perfect rectangle the size of a bedsheet.

Okay, what the heck?  Why'd it flatten me?  This thing's supposed to make blankets, not... not... oh.  Oh, those sly weasels!

It all made sense in Snapdragon's head now.  He recalled the mental image of the otter carrying the leopard-print blanket.  The blanket had probably been a leopard who had pressed the button and gotten squished just like the crocodile (alligator?) had.  The Blanket Maker worked as advertised: it made blankets... out of whoever used it.

So I guess I'm going to be the next person's blanket, then.  Wonder who it'll be.

No sooner had those thoughts crossed through his mind than another person, a purple vixen, stepped into the chamber.  She picked up the alligator-turned... crocodile-turned... reptile-turned-blanket and examined him front and back, running her hands over him.

This won't be so bad.  I won't be directly insulated from the cold, but I'll still share someone's body heat.  It should still be a comfortable night.

"Ugh!  This blanket feels like sandpaper!  I'll never sleep comfortably under this!"

Oh.

Tossing Snapdragon roughly into a corner, the vixen stepped up to the button and pushed it.  The alligator (crocodile?) mentally winced at the sound of the floor plates slamming together again, turning the vixen into another blanket.

Frustrated at being rejected, Snapdragon tried to get up and leave, but being so flat left his muscles completely numb.  He couldn't even call for help; his throat was too thin to carry his voice.

As hours passed, customers continued to enter the Blanket Maker, some receiving blankets, others becoming them.  Every now and then someone would notice Snapdragon and pick him up, only to decide that his rough texture made him a poor blanket and discard him again.

Snapdragon froze to death in the Blanket Maker that night, a useless reptilian blanket that nobody wanted.