The Rattrap

The Rattrap -  By Paul McCann

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDzfQFRb0rY

 

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He sat on the edge of his mattress as Digby walked into the room with a mug in one hand and a cigarette in the other . Handing over the mug of soup the man on the mattress said   .

“What’s happening Digby ?” 

“ The kitchen is closing in 5 minutes John and the BBC camera crew are on their way . So I thought you might like a mug of soup as I’ll be busy for a little while .”

Looking up through half closed eyes John replied  ,  

“I wonder if the BBC would be interested in how I am going to blow up an army barracks on Thursday ?”

Digby replied , 

“John you better keep out of sight and don’t be talking to anybody about who you are and what you do. “

John drank down the soup and said .

“I don’t want to do this job but the money os too good to refuse it ?”

“Do you know who ordered the hit ?”

“I never do Digby . I just get a call and I’m told where to pick up all the information then I ring with a yes or no . I said yes to this one .:”

“Well you’re safe enough here John . Just another one of the homeless community .”

“Tell me about that new resident who you took in today .”

“His name is Gary , he’s 35 years of age . Was referred to us at the shelter by  the Department of health and social security. He has an issue with alcohol which cost him his driver’s license and consequently he lost his job as a taxi driver here in London . Following that his wife kicked him out and he’s been down and out living rough on the streets for the last six months .“    

“ Just another one of the community here then ?”

“That’s right John .”

“Which room did you give him ?”

“He’s in Room 66 , the double room on the top floor . He’s sharing with that Holy Hugh , the God fearing preacher man from Hackney .”

 

“Is that the same Hugh who lived on Hampstead Heath  for nearly a year ?”

  

“That’s him John .”

The conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door and the voice on the other side shouted .

“Digby , the camera crew are here at the front gate . “

 

“OK bring them inside to my office . I’ll be there shortly .“

John handed back the empty mug and said .

“I could give them the story of when I joined the French Legion Digby . I’m sure that would be something their audience haven’t heard before .’

“Just lay low John , this should be all over in about an hour .”

John replied ,

“No problem , will you leave me a few cigarettes . I can’t take a chance of going shopping out there , you know what I mean .”

“Sure , is there anything else you need John ? ”

John replied , 

“I just want to get this Thursday out of the way Digby . So tell me what are the BBC film crew doing here  .?”

“They’re here to do a live to air documentary on our homeless community in South London .’ 

Said Digby , them John lit up a cigarette and casually replied .  

“So Digby , are you going to tell the BBC how I persuaded the owner of this building to allow a hundred men of the street to take up residency in his building and then how I threw him off the roof when he signed over the deeds to our homeless project .“

“John don’t be silly ? ”

Said Digby .,and John continued , 

“Well it is a true story , isn’t it ?”

Digby replied ,

“Sure it’s true but  if I told that story that would be an end your safe  accomadation here in London and the end to our drug and arms dealing as well on and a few of us in here would definitely do some time in prison .“

John said  ,

“Well better not tell the truth then Digby . See you later “

Digby left the room and locked it from the outside then made his way to his office to speak with the BBC camera crew .

Meanwhile on the top floor in room 66 , Gary was settling in and getting to know Holy Hugh the occupant of that room . Both of them exchanged a few stories . Hugh spoke of the visions he had and told the tales of miracles he had personally encountered . Out of the blue , Gary produced a badge . Then he started talking quietly .

“I have done a thorough criminal history check on every single person in this place and you are the only person with a clean file . That’s why I am telling you this and I need you to listen to me and do exactly as I ask . Tomorrow is Thursday and I do not want you to be here in this place all day . Get up early and leave and do not return . This building is a front for running weapons and drugs . The place is full of murderers , mercenaries , terrorists and tomorrow we are  coming in and heads are going to roll . I am an undercover detective working along with some other groups of people and we will not be asking questions . So do as I say , stay out of this place tomorrow .“

Hugh could hardly believe what he had been told but after checking Garys badge a few times he realised that it was authentic and that he had to follow the instructions that had been given to him . Even the film crew from the BBC were part of the operation and they would be staying overnight due to a pre arranged problem that would happen with their transport veichles . The entire operation was going to be filmed in the morning when police and special forces descended upon the place . The operation code named Rattrap had been planned for six months . Now it was almost at an end . 

After a meeting with Digby the BBC camera crew spent a few hours talking with all of the residents in the shelter before going to a live broadcast . The camera crew stretched the time and sent out for lunch for all the residents and when eventually it was time to begin shooting it was now prime time viewing as everything was going to air . The committee of the homeless shelter were very happy with the response coming in as the one hour live documentary went to air . An estimated 57 million people were watching the show and soon people were ringing in with money donations and various other donations for all of the residents at Doss House Shelter .

In room 66 on the top floor Gary and Hugh both lay down on the mattress on the floor and slept soundly . Morning came and Hugh made his way out to the street were he remained until the next day . On the front page of the newspapers the headlines read , Caught In a Rattrap . So just for curiosity sake Hugh walked back to Doss House Shelter to have a look at the place . the building was a mess , it had been totally gutted and destroyed .

Hugh looked up at the sky and said ,

“ Thanks for keeping me safe .“

 

 

The End