Rat, Cat Or Possum

One of my coworkers was waiting for the elevator when a rat happened to walk by. It was almost as big as a cat and was dark grey, almost black. My coworker screamed and the rat took off running.

She reported the incident to the house supervisor who decided that this was a matter for security. That wouldn't have been my first choice, but I guess there is a certain logic in calling them because they do handle intruders. I wonder if the rat' s arms would fit in hand cuffs?

Security was busy trying to find the rat when the supervisor called the nurse to ask if she was sure that it was a rat. Perhaps it was a possum. Or a cat. My coworker said that she was sure it was a rat. They have big rats back in her country and she knows a rat when she sees one.

I'm not at all sure what difference it makes whether it was a rat, cat or possum. Would it be okay if the critter was a cat or a possum? I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that there are health department rules about having possums or cats wandering around in hospitals. Perhaps if they catch something furry, they could do a line up and let my coworker identify it, just to make sure what it is.

The supervisor called a second time to make sure that it was really a rat. In a loud voice that could be heard by the patients, my coworker exclaimed, "It was a rat!!! I know a rat when I see one and it was a rat!" Good. Now the patients know too.