A Snake in the Lobby

I stepped out of the lobby of my building and saw something out of the corner of my eye. As I walked to my car, I glanced over and saw a black snake slithering quickly along the lobby wall and around the corner. I shuddered, "Uhhh-hhh-hhhh, a snake!" I hope he's gone when I get back.

When I returned from the store, I parked in my spot and got out of the car. I grabbed some bags from the front seat and headed toward the lobby door cautiously. I wondered why, just because it was 85 degrees this morning, I hadn't worn my ankle-high hiking boots.

I punched in my code on the callbox and the door popped open, but before I could even grab a hold of the door handle, that squirmy snake slipped in from behind the garbage can. It was whipping around in the tiny little lobby like, well, a whip.

I got another shudder, "Eeehhhhhh." I slammed the door shut, trapping the snake.

Thinking quickly, I dialed Mr. Ditmire's call code. He is the crotchety old guy that owns the building. "Who is it?" he grumbled.

"It's Jane Mr. Ditmire. There's a snake down here in the lobby and I’m afraid if I run to the elevator he'll get on with me."

"What? That little guy is back again?" He said in a very annoyed tone.

"Well, I guess. Is this a common problem? Can't you call somebody to come take care of him?"

"I'll call the police. He's a trespasser."

"Shouldn't you call, like the animal control people?"

He laughs, "Yeah, I guess that snake is an animal. Heh, heh, call the animal control, that's a good one. "

"Really, Mr. Ditmire, after all the problems you had with that old lady falling in the lobby here, you don't want another lawsuit on your hands. Isn't there some way we can shoo him away?"

"Yeah, you tell that no good snake to get out of my lobby with that slick lookin' shiny black suit of his!"

"Really, Mr. Ditmire, I don't think insulting him will work—-uh, how did you know it was black?"

"That's what he always wears."

"Seriously, Mr. Ditmire, can't you come down here with a shovel or something and hit him with it?"

"Well, Jane, I'm not a violent person. Just ignore him and he will go away."

"But I have groceries in the car."

"Don't worry, he will leave after a few minutes, just ignore him."

"Ok, Mr. Ditmire. I guess I'll go wash my car. Maybe he'll be gone when I get back."

I returned about 20 minutes later and sure enough, the snake was gone. I wondered how Mr. Ditmire knew he would go away on his own. I guess he has a lot of experience with snakes.

As I was waiting for the elevator, a very nice looking gentleman dressed in a sharp looking suit motioned for me to let him in.

I went to the door, "Can I help you?"

"Yes, young lady, I'm with Scaley, Fanger, and Vehenom, I'm here to see Mr. Ditmire, is he here?"

"Oh, sure, come on in. The elevator will be down in a second, you can ride up with me.