Renegade

Can you guess what is going on in this picture?

You're looking at an animal escape simulation drill at a Tokyo zoo.

The mini can (car + van) is attempting to head off the "renegade ape." Now here's an important question: would the zebra stripes actually confuse or amuse a real ape? In any case, you know a lot of thought went into that paint job. The vehicle probably bears a special mark, "To be used expressly for animal escape drills."

Not to worry though--the ape was successfully apprehended by a lethal, yet virtual shot from a tranquilizer gun.

I am certain that this drill warranted an opening and closing ceremony with appropriate aisatsus. Was the renegade ape sent off with hearty "banzai" cheers? And how about the selection process for the ape... Surely it was deemed too "dangerous" for a woman. I'm certain that the "ape" had to go through some semi-rigorous warm up drills, both before and after his "escape."

What is even funnier is that this ape apparently frightened the hell out of a few children. I've since lost the article, but the look on the children's faces was priceless. It was not a look of horror--for the ape was clearly nothing like a live mammal. Rather, the look of horror was probably due to the horrific face that was created.

It was constructed with what looked like felt in various earth tones. The eyebrows were heavy and severe. The mouth was drawn from a disfigured clown with a demonic grin. Spooky. Definitely spookier than a real ape.

Poor children.