Labby the Rat (And Other Stories About Rats, Science, and the Meaning of Life.)

By TK Wade

Labby may have looked like an ordinary lab rat, but with the help of advanced human science, he may end up becoming the savior of the entire planet. Bullied and misunderstood by his peers, he struggled with the vast potential within him to ascend to heights no rodent has ever known. Within the course of three stories, you will come to understand how one small rat somehow changed the course of the world as we know it.

Labby the Rat: The original tale of an intelligent and misunderstood rodent and his rise to greater things.

Blue Skies: Two rats are trapped within an automated lab that seems out to kill them.

Rodents of a Doomed Planet: The Earth becomes a wasteland filled with monstrosities. A brave group of rodents work together to escape to the moon.

This new collection of stories by T.K. Wade is filled with adventure, comedy, and action like no other.

• Language: English
• Publisher: TK Wade
• Release date: Sep 11, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370896653

TK Wade

T.K. Wade is a writer based in coastal North Carolina. His favorite author is L. Frank Baum who has inspired a great deal of his work. Although he specializes in children's literature, he enjoys writing in nearly every genre under the sun. He spends most of his time writing in a room filled with plush animals. Also, you can read his blog at http://tkwadeauthor.blogspot.com/Please enjoy!

Book preview

LABBY THE RAT

and other stories about rats,

science,

and the meaning of life.

by

T.K. Wade

SMASHWORDS EDITION

*****

PUBLISHED BY:

T.K. Wade on Smashwords

Cover Art Illustrated by:

Coy Fields II

Labby the Rat and other stories about rats, science, and the meaning of life.

Copyright © 2017 by T.K. Wade

ISBN: 978-1-370-89665-3

Thank you for purchasing this eBook. This book may not be reproduced, copied, or distributed.

Your support and respect for the property of this author is appreciated.

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

*****

LABBY THE RAT

and other stories about rats,

science,

and the meaning of life.

*****

Table of Contents

Part 1 – Labby the Rat

Part 2 – Blue Skies

Part 3 – Rodents of a Doomed Planet

~~~~~

Part 1 – Labby the Rat

Chapter 1 – Pyramid

I’ve almost got it, said Labby the white rat. The other two watched him as his twitching hands lifted the blocks in place forming a pyramid. After the feat had been accomplished, Labby let out a sigh. He had been working on it for almost four days. I can die now! he cried falling to his back.

What is it? asked the female named Cheddar.

Who cares?! I made it, and now, it’s done! Leave me to die in peace!

Traptail–a big, muscular male rat–elbowed the girl. Is he really dying? I’m only asking ‘cause I haven’t had a decent meal in a long time.

Cheddar ignored that remark and asked Labby, How can you die happy not knowing what it is?

It’s a work of genius, obviously, said the groaning rat. I had to churn my brain muscles around three or four times just to figure out what to put on the bottom of it. The humans will probably pass out when they see it.

But I still don’t know what it is. It just looks like a pile of blocks to me.

In the shape of a nipple, remarked Traptail.

Labby sat back up super-fast. His face was screwed up in a comical way. A nipple! he shouted in grief.

A square nipple, corrected the big rat. You sure you ain’t dyin’?

Labby stood to his feet and gestured dramatically towards his creation. This pile of square nipple-shaped blocks is the culmination of hundreds of days of experimenting on yours truly! It doesn’t matter what it is; only that I created it, and the world will find great significance in its creation! Who in this world cares what it’s called?! Cheddar raised her paw. Other than you! shouted Labby in anger.

Traptail shook his head as he regarded the odd structure. I don’t see how that pile of nipple will get you any sort of recognition. I mean… even if it is something special–and I don’t think that it is–the humans will take credit for it anyways.

Labby was so angry by what he heard, he raised a finger to put Traptail in his place, but nothing came out of his lips. Apparently, the big rat had a point. Oh, my gosh! he said in a panic. What do I do?!

Cheddar suggested, You could put your name on it.

Great! shouted Labby, but then he realized something. I don’t know how to write. All I know how to do is make this thing in three days.

Traptail gestured towards Labby. Why don’t you just pee on it?

The white rat gasped. What?!

Well, when my dad wanted to claim something as his, he always peed on it.

Cheddar tilted her head. As his son, didn’t you sort of belong to him?

Yup, said the big rat with a nod. It was a weird day.

Labby stared at the nipple blocks with the utmost consideration. That idea… might… just… work.

Really? asked Cheddar incredulously.

The white rat held out his hands. Everybody stand back and be quiet! I’m going to pee on this nipple!

As they had been ordered, Traptail and Cheddar stepped back and remained silent as the personal signature of Labby the rat took place before them. Actually, they found it was more impressive to watch than they thought it would be. There was a technique to it–a certain pissazz. So perfectly was the square nipple covered in the artistic embodiment of Labby that there would be absolutely no doubt that he should be credited for its construction.

There, said Labby with a nod of his head. I have finished.

Good job, said Cheddar fairly impressed.

Traptail added, You forgot to dot the ‘i,’ I think.

Never mind that, said Labby triumphantly. Soon the scientists will return to our cages and see me for the genius that I am. I will be given extra treats–so much so that I will be forced to share them with my friends who have supported me for all of these last three minutes.

The female nodded. Yeah, we did sort of do that.

Traptail whispered to her, We’d have even more food if he really did die. She nodded but said nothing back.

Soon, the researchers came in and found what Labby had done. Look at this, Juliet, said William as he adjusted his glasses.

The woman walked over to see what had been found. Oh, look at that. Labby put together the pyramid. Astounding.

He nodded. I still say that it looks like a nipple.

Nipples aren’t square, Will.

I know that, but why was the top block so pink?

It was necessary, Juliet replied, so that the rat would know which one the top piece was.

If you say so. He reached in to touch it. Hey, it’s wet. Oh, wait. I think he went wee-wee on it.

Labby pointed up at the human and screamed, It’s my signature!

Juliet giggled. He was probably so proud of it that he decided to sign off on it. Congratulations, Will, you’ve just touched a Labby original!

I can die now, said William as he wiped off his finger. I say we continue testing with him.

What do you suggest?

Electroshock and caffeine injections should just about do it. I’d like to see him build that pyramid after that!

Juliet scribbled something on a clipboard. Should be interesting.

Labby rubbed his paws together. I bet their talking about my reward right now!

I sure hope it’s a lot of cheese, said Cheddar.

Guess, we’ll find out sooner or later, said Traptail.

The next day, Labby was twitching like mad as little bolts of electricity jumped about in his fur. Pyramid blocks were scattered all over the cage. Suddenly, the rat started screaming and ran straight into the glass wall leaving an unusual snot impression on the glass as he slowly moved down its surface. Look, guys! Look at the glass! It’s art! I made more art! I’m a genius! He he ha ha!

Traptail and Cheddar shook their heads. The big rat said, I sure wouldn’t pee on that one.

~~~~~

Chapter 2 – Gerbils

Cheddar had been staring out of the glass more than usual which caught the attention of Traptail. The big rat was being lectured by Labby in an attempt to make him a bit smarter. Life doesn’t always have to revolve around food and sex, said the white rat. What if we actually attempted to use our brains more than just our instinct? Consider the possibilities, Traptail.

But Traptail was not even looking at him. He was looking at Cheddar and thinking about food and how nice it would be to mate with her. Somehow, Labby knew this and made a frustrated sigh.

Hey, Cheddar! called Traptail. What you looking at?

Cheddar glanced at both of them for a moment. There’s some weird rodents out there in another cage. They are kind of far away, but they look like they are trying to signal us.

Traptail went to her side and looked out with her. I see them. Yeah, I think they are waving to us. What the heck are they?

I don’t know, said Cheddar.

Labby’s curiosity finally got the best of him. He went to the glass as well and saw what the two others saw. Those are not rats, I think. I haven’t seen their kind before.

Do you think their friendly? asked the girl.

Edible? asked Traptail.

Labby rolled his eyes. How am I supposed to know?

Ain’t you the smart one? asked the big rat. Labby refused to dignify that with a response.

William soon walked into the laboratory with his partner Juliet. The man was scribbling something on a clipboard. So… tell me again why we received this batch of gerbils.

Well, replied the woman cautiously, the official story was that they wished additional tests done on this particular species.

And the unofficial?

They probably just wanted to get rid of them because their useless.

William nodded. And as usual, we are the rodent trash bin of the universe.

Exactly. I was thinking of selling them as pets–maybe, get a little income out of it.

Sure, said William. Why not introduce them to the rats before we do that. We’ll record the reactions.

She picked up the gerbil cage. What are we trying to learn from this experiment?

Nothing. I just finished my work early today, and now, I’ve got nothing better to do.

Cheddar gasped. They are coming this way!

Everybody, act natural! said Labby who immediately went into an all fours position. This act prompted Traptail to give him a quick kick in the rear.

The gerbil cage was placed so close to the rat’s that they could easily see and hear them. Hey, you! cried one of five gerbils in a grating voice.

Labby rubbed his poor rump and replied, Us? What do you want?

Who are all of you? asked Cheddar curiously.

They all