Video: Subway Rat Vs. The Escalator

Ben Yakas

Published Dec 19, 2016

Modified Dec 20, 2016

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Ben Yakas

Published Dec 19, 2016

Modified Dec 20, 2016

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Zardulu may have been responsible for Pizza Rat, the worst rat meme (or rag) of 2015, but she can't be everywhere at all times controlling every rat who decides to eat a donut or murder its brethren. Even if a video of a rat fruitlessly climbing an escalator in the wrong direction would make for a pretty awe-inspiring metaphor for the human experience.

This scene was captured just before 9 a.m. this morning at Penn Station, at the top of the stairs at the 7th Ave entrance/exit. "The rat caused a bit of commotion," said witness Sam Mazur, who took the video and claims he isn't Zardulu or one of her minions. "But most people were more amused by it than anything. It's not like New Yorkers haven't seen a rat before. Still, I'm glad I took the stairs."

The video is also a pretty good Rorschach test for how you see the world. Do you think the rat is trying to get his morning exercise? Is it a metaphor for the Sisyphean struggle against conformity? Is it a reminder that New Yorkers are unfazed by unwelcome surprises? Like Donald Trump at the start of his campaign, did it blunder down the wrong escalator and get stuck in a seemingly endless race to the bottom against the overwhelming force of upward progress? Or is it a symbol of all New Yorkers just trying to get through the day with a little bit of dignity?

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escalator rat

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zardulu