Of Unkown Origins...

It was a great movie! Nope, nothing like TLOR or Star Wars or anything near, but it was a great movie! It had me sitting on the edge of my seat, and even had Emi, my eldest brother jumping with fright! Undoubtedly its old (1983), but if you've not seen it, you're missing out on a good, clean, horror movie (adaka clean horror?).

Maybe after having watched it, you might be tempted to extract a form of vengeance similar to what the film Jaws did to sharks - people were killing sharks by the thousands! Later, some businessmen were lamenting the waste of good shark fins, which could have brought in a handsome reward. Soon after, the same people who were killing sharks as an act of revenge, then began killing them for the rewards of the shark fin businessmen - a senseless massacre that led to money-sense massacre. I do have to admit guilty though, to having been treated to such gastronomic pleasure. But back to the subject matter...

Now, in certain parts of the world, this creature is considered by few, as being more tender than chicken, but slightly raunchy and bitter on the taste. In fact, several governments even had a campaign or two to encourage their good citizens to partake on such newly found treat. This is off course, one of the several methods used to lessen the number of such creatures and the economic nuisance they became. Sadly, it did not catch on and although some people do still eat them, it is more out of necessity of due to lack of proper food. As a means to control the numbers? For every one creature a person eat, 10 more are born!

And should you go back several centuries, perhaps it is justified for humans to extract vengeance on these creatures, remembering that they are dirty and have been known to cause a plague or two here and there! And if you are to take my own personal encounter with just one of this creature, then do I have a tale to tell.

It began yesterday afternoon when emak complained about the mess on her cupboard. Then before early evening, there was a noise from the kitchen where upon investigating, we found quite a few items fallen out of place. Emak and I just exchange glances and I instinctively knew what to do.

Less than an hour later, I placed a thick wood measuring some one foot by one foot on the kitchen floor just next to the refrigerator. As I was doing so, my eyes caught the strange slow movement of a snake-like object behind a small cupboard. The thing, was slowly sweeping the floor as it was slowly being retracted in...it was eerie! The first thing that crossed my mind was the film 'Alien', when Yaphet Kotto witnessed the creature for the first time! I, ahem, recoiled defensively and landed on my left foot which still swelled from last Saturday's 'Open House' at Istana Negara. Needless to say, I screamed with pain and hobbled out of the kitchen pulling the door shut behind me. I knew there was no sense in waiting out the creature, and thus drove to the nearest clinic for treatment.

When the doctor's assistant called my name at the clinic, I had no choice but to hobble in. And when the doctor saw the swell of my left foot, she exclaimed "Good God! Did you break it?". And my mind went "Good God! This must be the most *.@#^$% unlearned doctor I have come across!" I mean, if she is a good doctor, she should have known that no certain ways could I have come to the clinic by myself with a broken leg! But... Anyway, when she came to her senses, she bandaged my leg gently and gave me medicines to reduce the swelling and for the pain as well.

Early this morning, emak woke me with almost a glee on her face. I got up, went to the kitchen, and there was the culprit that caused a bigger swell on my foot! That's him, the blighter down there. No, not the guy, the rat!



Squeaking like the rat it is, it was lying flat on the piece of wood I laid, and with every ounce of energy it has, was trying to break free from the gum I pasted on the wood. I stood by the door looking at the rat and felt nothing but pity. Still, I could not find it in me to finish him off. Rather, I put the rat with the wood and all, into a trash bag and later into the bin outside. Today luckily, is one of the 3 days of the week where the trashmen comes along.

Later, as the trashmen rolled by, I watched with a mixed feeling of sadness and joy. Could this be what the director of 'Of Unknown Origin' was trying to convey?


Ps. Just received news from Doc Tokasid. It seems the 3 ministers appointed to look into the matter of the VK Lingam recording are: Nazri, Rais and Radzi! Knowing already the outcome of their findings, what I'd give to do to them what I did to the rat!

ps ps. It just occurred to me: What I would also give to receive treatment from a certain radiologist! :)