A Stowaway

So I realize the economy has most everyone cutting some corners and trying to save a few bucks. And I understand being smart with transportation is a good idea, with gas prices always fluctuating as they do. But to stow away to catch a ride? Come on now.

However, that's exactly what I discovered today--a stowaway--in my car just as I was leaving work. While I was sitting at a light in rush hour traffic, the stowaway made his last foolish (and ultimately fatal) mistake. He dared to try to take the wheel! Reached right over my arm. Of course, I had, until that point, no idea he was even there! As you can imagine, I screamed and shook him off (all the while realizing if anyone around me was looking, he or she would think I looked quite hysterical. I'm sure I did!)

Now possibly even more disturbing than the fact that I had a stowaway, is how long he may have actually been hiding there. It might have been several days!!

So who was this character who had the audacity to hide out in my car? He was none other than a son of Aragog and nearly as big! (Ok, maybe not quite that big, but he really, really was a very large SPIDER!!*)

I don't think I've been that scared of any kind of creature in a long while, but there's something about finding one so large crawling on you or not knowing where it is while being trapped in the car with it. (Sorry, if this is making your skin crawl as you read this!)

Well, let me tell you about AJ's (Aragog Jr.'s) fateful end. Now, had he come to me beforehand and asked if we could carpool, I might have been a bit more understanding, but no, he chose to be sneaky just to save a few bucks on gas. But as soon as I knew he was right there beside me, I wasn't about to drive him all the way to Chesapeake. I pulled into the nearest place I could and carefully opened my door and got out. He knew he was in trouble and was reluctant to show himself again, but I wasn't going to be fooled this time, and after several minutes I found where he was hiding. In my highly agitated state, I confess, I didn't show the mercy I probably should have, but considering the fact that he likely had been riding around town with me since Friday night(!), he owed me more than he could pay. You know what they say, "there are only two things certain in life: death and taxes."

So my advice to you--watch out for stowaways. Times are tough, and even those in the animal kingdom are getting desperate to find ways to save!

*photo from freefoto.com