Number Sixteen

Perhaps more interesting than the construction on my road is my small mishap in one of the animal facilities the other day. Unbeknownst to me, the welding on one of the rat cage lids had partially separated, loosening the seal and enabling the cage to be opened from the inside. Inquisitive creatures that they are, it doesn’t take rats long to figure out things like this.

I had covered all of the cages and was pushing the animal cart down the hall when I heard the frantic rustling. A rat appeared, and after a brief moment of surprise and disbelief I realized it was on top of the cage. As I moved toward it, Rat #16 leaped to the floor, scampering along the nearest wall in characteristic thigmotaxic behavior. It tried to zoom across the hallway to the opposing wall but its path took it across my shoe, the resulting confusion giving me just enough time to apprehend the fugitive.

While the whole incident occurred in the space of ten to fifteen seconds, suffice it to say it could have been significantly worse.