Mr. Jangles was a pet mouse from the movie, "The Green Mile". Mice, as well as spiders are common pets for men doing time. Here in Florida there are small lizards and geckos men catch and keep as pets. Anything to distract you from the present and occupy your time.
The confinement I'm currently living in is infested with mice and rats. As soon as the main lights are shut off at 10 pm, the floors become alive with furry rodents.
During the days, I set aside something small from my trays. A little lettuce here, a piece of cookie there. At the end of the day I have a small mouse buffet assembled. I find it entertaining to watch these little guys hop around and scurry back to their homes, carrying their treasures. They cause me to laugh out loud at the comical way they chew an item in half to make it easier to carry. Then dart off to stash it away somewhere safe. While right behind them another mouse carries away the other half of their prize. Shortly after the mouse returns and realizes someone raided his stash. So he runs in circles looking and searching before he finally realizes he's been had.
And so, a few days into my stay I was given a room mate. A young Haitian kid, age 24. He was amazed by the mice and decided he wanted to catch one for a pet. The plan was, lure the mouse into the room with food. Then block his escape route. The small slit directly under the door. Meanwhile the name of Mickey Mouse has been given to any mouse he sees.
The lights shut off for the night. Almost immediately Mickey Mouse shows up. As soon as he's eating, the bunkie jumps down and sits on the floor in front of the door. Pressing his leg longways against the crack. Mickey Mouse is now trapped in the room.
In order to take the mouse, you must first catch him, then toss him into the stainless steel toilet basin. The basin becomes a water-tread-mill as Mickey mouse tries to breast stroke, then doggie paddle his way to freedom.
Scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch, well---you get the picture.
Before long, he begins to tire and his head slowly drops below the surface. At this time you extend your hand down to his level and allow him to climb into your palm. You have become his savior. He recognizes your scent as the hand that saved him.
And should he decide to run once he gets his bearings, repeat the process as needed.
Mickey Mouse had a hard time getting with the program.
After the third attempt to tire him out in the toilet bowl, he still had enough spunk to launch himself out of bunkies hand and race for the door.
In a last minute effort to stop his escape, bunkie throws himself in front of the door. Mickey Mouse runs up the leg of his shorts and just shy of the mother-land, bunkie manages to grab him and hold him through the fabric. As he reaches another hand up his short leg to retrieve Mickey, he lets out a squeal and screams--"Mickey Mouse bit me!!"
At this time I'm nearly falling out of the bed laughing. There goes Mickey mouse back into the toilet. Except this time bunkie is reaching for the flush button.
Now I'm the one jumping out of the bed to save the mouse. I reach in and pull the mouse out, gently setting him on the floor by the door.
He looks at me and I swear his eyes don't say thank you. I think they said screw you- as he drags his wet ass down the hall.
Needless to say, bunkie doesn't want a pet anymore, and the mouse hasn't been back since. He's probably holding a little sign outside our door.
"Don't go into room 2102"
They'll drown you in their toilet!!!
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