From Chasing What Flies....
....To Escaping What Slithers
Four Floors of Wildlife and One Very Nervous Man
The Most Beautiful Game of Catch I’ve Ever Lost
She giggled, probably at the sheer sincerity in my voice. But I didn't care. I'd made it. Fourth floor. Done. Third floor. Survived. Second floor. Survived with minor emotional damage. I had reached the end. Except, apparently, I hadn't. One of the staff members informed me there was still the basement. The two of them looked at each other with smiles on their faces - the kind of smiles that immediately told me I wasn't going to enjoy whatever came next. Then they said it.
“Down in the basement, there are anacondas.”
What the f—
I stood there admiring them, taking pictures and occasionally letting out a quiet, “Hello, buddy,” fully assuming these butterflies could see me, hear me, understand English and appreciate the fact that I was delighted to meet them. Absolutely stunning little insects. The child in me was buzzing. And finally, all those shoulder days at the gym had found their true purpose. Forget strength. Forget muscle. Forget progressive overload. This was what I had been training for. I could hold my arm out for as long as necessary, happily staring at these little beauties as they rested on me, gently opening and closing their wings.
