Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, bein’ a ratcatcher in Beato-Antonio is like livin’ in a wild circus. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s blazin’ through my window on Rua da Liberdade. I’m thinkin’, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Ha! Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First call comes in. Some lady on Rua da Paz is freakin’ out. She says her kitchen’s infested. I grab my gear, hop on my bike, and zoom through the streets. Beato-Antonio’s got this vibe, ya know? The cobblestones, the old buildings, the smell of grilled sardines waftin’ from the market. It’s a mix of charm and chaos.
I get to her place, and OMG, it’s like a rat rave in there. I mean, I’ve seen some stuff, but this? I’m talkin’ a whole family of rats throwin’ a party. I’m like, “Yo, this ain’t a club!” I whip out my traps, and the lady’s just standin’ there, screamin’. I’m tryin’ to calm her down, but she’s like, “They’re gonna eat my food!” I’m like, “Lady, they’re not gourmet chefs!”
So, I set the traps, and while I’m waitin’, I notice a rat chillin’ on the counter, just lookin’ at me. I swear it winked. I’m like, “Dude, you’re not gettin’ away that easy.” I finally catch a couple, and she’s all relieved. I’m feelin’ like a hero, right? But then she offers me a plate of those sardines. I’m like, “Nah, I’m good. I just saved your kitchen, not my appetite.”
Next, I head over to Avenida da Liberdade. I’m cruisin’, thinkin’ I’m on top of the world. But then, bam! A pigeon dive-bombs me. I’m dodgin’ it like I’m in some action movie. I swear, Beato-Antonio’s wildlife is out to get me. I’m laughin’ it off, but inside, I’m like, “What’s next? A squirrel with a vendetta?”
Then I get a call from this dude on Rua do Comércio. He’s got a rat problem too, but he’s actin’ all tough. I roll up, and he’s like, “I’m not scared of no rat.” I’m thinkin’, “Buddy, you’re not the one with the traps.” Turns out, he’s got a whole colony livin’ in his basement. I’m talkin’ a rat family reunion. I’m tryin’ to keep it cool, but inside, I’m like, “This is a rat’s paradise!”
I set up my traps again, and while I’m workin’, he starts tellin’ me about his life. He’s got dreams of bein’ a chef. I’m like, “Dude, you might wanna start with not attractin’ rats.” He laughs, but I’m serious! I mean, how you gonna cook with a rat watchin’ you?
Finally, I catch a few more, and he’s all grateful. I’m feelin’ like a rockstar again. But then, as I’m leavin’, I trip over a loose cobblestone. Classic Beato-Antonio! I’m sprawled out on the ground, and I hear some kids laughin’. I’m like, “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, future ratcatchers!”
By the end of the day, I’m exhausted. I ride back home, and the sunset over the river is just beautiful. I’m thinkin’ about how crazy today was. Rats, pigeons, and a wannabe chef. Beato-Antonio, you never cease to amaze me.
I plop down on my couch, and I’m like, “What a ride.” I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings. Maybe a cat? Or a raccoon? Who knows! But one thing’s for sure, I wouldn’t trade this job for anything.