A cautionary tale with a modern twist?
Written by:
Jolene Rice
Michael Raven
“Yes.” And as if Judy hadn’t said anything Peggy continued. “It’s to be wild. Not one of those sissy pet shop raised rats. A wild one with natures blood coursing through its vains.” She balled her hand up in a fist, shaking it victoriously in the air. “It needs to know the thrill of the chase. The scent of death. The fear of being caught.”
Judy stood in silence with her mouth open. “How?” She cleared her throat. “Where?” Continuing to sputter, “I don’t know.”
Peggy flapped her fingers toward Judy as to dismiss her. “Not my problem.”
“You might as well tell me to get 50 rats. I don’t know the first thing about rats.” She announced flabbergasted.
Peggy hummed to herself, almost dance toward the back of her shop, softly chanting. With child like glee, “Imma gonna get me a rat. Imma gonna get me a rat.”
It took Judy two months to catch the rat. It was big, fat and super wild. She couldn’t tell you how many laws she broke simply trying to find it. Then catching it. It hissed and clawed at the cage. It took all her strength to lift the live trap onto Peggy’s stained customer counter. The rat just glared at her. One bite was all it needed. One good scratch mark. Just one. Judy was too cautious for that, staying as far as she could from the vile creature.
Peggy was about to fuss over the unannounced intrusion, flinging the curtains to the back of her shop open with force. She saw the rat and squealed. Jumped up and down. With great care, she turned the trap to look directly into the rats face. “Hello baby.” It backed up from her, hissing. She scooped up the cage, disappearing into the back of the shop.
Judy stood in the lobby for what felt like an hour. From time to time she would hear noises and humming. One sound reminded her of scissors, Another, of an ax falling hard on a piece of wood. What was she doing back there?
When Peggy reappeared, her hair was a mess, she was panting, and her face was flush. “Take this!” She plunked another vile on the counter for Judy to drink. “Same instructions as before.” Turning, she danced back out of sight, humming. “I got a rat. I got a rat.”
Part Eight
