The Punisher

A close friend of mine is manager of a fast food restaurant. Sometime last year he dealt with a raccoon problem in the disposal area. His methods were questionable. The torturing of the raccoon became a sport to him, a sort of twisted pleasure. Here is my response.




Born to the world is the little creature. His innate behaviour, he has no control of. His hunger prompts him to search for fuel to sustain himself. He revels in joy when he plays with others, and basks in satisfaction when he is strong again.

The little raccoon also greives, fears, and experiences pain, emotions and sensations we ourselves try to escape. Yet there is a punisher who chooses not the high road. He is energized and is 'excited' by the little creature's crippling fear and pain as he strikes it with an iron rod, and douses it with unbearable scolding hot water.

"I want to burn him, I want to soak him in lighter fluid, light him on fire and burn him alive! I want to KILL him."

The little raccoon is then spat at. A giant ball of saliva and flem is catapulted from the punishers gaping mouth, saturating the face of the helpless creature. The little raccoon lowers his head and acccepts the abuse unleashed upon him.

An unknown cruelty hidden in the depths of the punisher is revealed. He is the punisher who chooses not the high road. The unnecessary display of violence could have been avoided with simple thought. Once again, simple thought!

There is a disturbing yearning to see the creature trapped and helpless. It presents a situation of unbalanced power where dark thirsts for suffering can be quenched. The little raccoon is scared. Over and over again he absorbs the punishing blows unleashed by the punisher.

"I'm hungry, my search was only for food. Yet, I found a cruelty I thought did not exist. Please don't strike me with the steel rod, it hurts alot. Death is my thought. I know my life is in your hands now. You are bigger, stronger, and much more INTELLIGENT than I. If you choose to take my life, please let me look into your eyes for the last time, so my last memory will be of the one who brought to me, suffering and death". These are the words of the little raccoon.

Prevent the raccoons from getting in, and all is well. 'Violence to stop violence, not violence for the sake of violence'. See you on the flipside, little raccoon!