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A couple of posts ago I told of the acquisition of Salty, our second boa constrictor, and the appetite he had for hamsters. Well, along about this time Mom was involved in a bridge club that met once per month in a rotation at the various members' houses. Whenever the meeting was at our house, we kids were under strict orders to stay out of the living room to avoid disturbing the play. One of those Saturdays, however, I decided that this rule was worth breaking, as a very important lesson in science could be had by all.
As per routine, I'd purchased Salty's weekly hamster at the Kresge's department store there in Orange. Normally I timed it so that a friend could come over and join me to watch him eat. For some reason none of my friends came over that day and I got busy, so the hamster was still running around in its little cage when the blue-haired bridge club ladies assembled for their monthly meeting at our place. They had been playing for a while when it dawned on me that - since the opportunity was still there - it might be a good idea to share the experience with some of Mom's friends. After all, why let something so interesting go to waste?
Realizing that I was breaking a rule, I went into the living room and headed straight for Mom and offered that some of her friends might be interested in seeing Salty eat. Some did express an interest, so Mom agreed and in fact announced to the entire group that they would take a break from play in order to watch. Bolstered by the acceptance of my idea, I enthusiastically set things up in an empty cedar chest we had in the playroom.
Four or five of the ladies gathered around the cedar chest while the hamster was inside exploring his new environment. I went to Salty's cage and brought him over, assuring the ladies that they were in for a treat, as they were about to see nature in action. After a moment to allow them to get a good look at Salty, I placed him in the cedar chest with the hamster. (Remember, from the earlier post, that I fed Salty teddy bear hamsters, the cutest kind but preferred as food due to their plumpness.)
It was a little later than usual on that Saturday for Salty to eat, so as soon as he caught the scent with a flick of his tongue he went immediately into stalking mode. Bit by bit Salty approached the hamster, who had taken to hiding as best as he could in a corner of the chest. Then the moment came and he struck, gripping the hamster in his coils.
All was well and everyone was watching with rapt attention. Then it happened. In the throes of its desperate kicking and gulping for air, the little guy let out a squeak, whereupon one of mom's blue-haired friends fell flat in a dead faint! Completely lost consciousness, eyes rolling back and everything. And were it not for the fact that she was surrounded by others who broke her fall she likely would have cracked her head on the hard linoleum floor.
Suddenly everyone's focus shifted from the wonders of the natural world to reviving the poor blue-haired lady, splayed out on the floor in a prone position. I discreetly closed the cedar chest lid, allowing Salty finished his meal in peace and darkness.
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