Suicide Monkey
I was just reminded of something I saw about 25 years ago.
I was visiting Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida. They had steel cables stretched tight over the walkways with monkeys on them. The monkeys were attached to the cables by collars and a length of chain. The chain was attached to the cable by a ring so it would slide freely. The monkey could run back and forth across the cable above the heads of the (presumably) delighted crowds. For the most part people just glanced up and hoped the monkey had good bowel control.
Anyway, there was one monkey who caught my attention. It was a cruel little spider monkey. It enjoyed upsetting the crowds below. It would run out to the middle of the cable and sway back and forth a couple times, then drop off the cable. It would dangle by its collar a couple feet below the cable 20 or 30 feet above the ground. Out of reach to anyone, it would flail its arms and legs about wildly, convincing the crowd that it was sure to die before any rescue could be mounted. Once there were enough shocked and distressed onlookers, it would casually reach up, grab the chain and pull itself back up onto the cable. After looking around at all the people watching it and chattering in a way that I felt certain was monkey laughter, it would scamper off to one of the trees that cable was attached to.
It would periodically repeat its performance in an effort to traumatize a new set of tourist.
Evil, mean-spirited little beast -- trying to ruin happy families' vacations… it was my favorite monkey in the whole park. :D
