I ran out of the favela behind Narcisa, turning around for one last look into that world…
Two kids kicking a soccer ball at a dog…
Jonathan smiled as we approached the bike and we hopped on.
My flip flops scraped against the cobblestone as we weaved up the jungle roads to the turnoff by the Corcovado where they give helicopter rides to tourists.
“Put you feet on the top of mine, then you don’t chop it off you toe!”
She told me, pointing down to her giant canoe-like extremities.
So I did, and we somehow managed to make it to the top of the hill without toppling over, Narcisa and I sitting there squished on the back like two bugs on a windshield, like suspended animation.
It was a Tuesday, and still winter at this point, so luckily when we pulled up we were the only “tourists” there.
Narcisa squealed with excitement and jumped up and down, twirling in her skirt like a happy giant mongoloid pointing to the chopper that was landing on the helipad.
Jonathan bought the tickets for the 10 minute ride around the statue of Christ, Pão de Açucar and the Praia Vermelho.
“Ey mister,” Narcisa said to the poor unsuspecting ticket guy.
“Yes, senhorita?”
“Can I bring it my cat on the heli-copter?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t understand.” He said, confused. Poor lamb…
“My cat. You know… MEE-OW. E’stupid fuck.”
“Oh… cat. Well, yes. I suppose.”
She cackled hysterically as she suggested to Jonathan that we go back down the hill to pick up Captain Kirk, her little black cat.
He said no, he thought that would be a bad idea.
“Maybe next time…” He told her, as he smirked at me.
She resigned.
She wasn’t on crack….  Definitely a few screws loose though.
We were briefed on helicopter protocol by the pilot, Jonathan sitting up front as co-pilot, Narcisa and I in the back, holding hands.
Narcisa fidgeted with joy as the helicopter began to lift off the ground.
“Joni, give it to me you ca-mera.”
He handed her his Blackberry, trustingly, and she began to snap pictures of us and the pilot.
“I’m so happy!” She said to me, as she leaned forward to take a picture with Jonathan.
“I love you all!” she shouted out the window. “I love you all!” and we were off.
“I want it the heli-copter for Christmas Joni. Got it?” She yelled up front, drowned out by the sound of the propellor.
“I got it, baby!” He shouted back.
Another great day with Narcisa? It was looking like it.

NOTIFICAÇÃO: Os eventos relatados neste site são contos de ficção registrados na Biblioteca Nacional com todos os direitos autorais revertidos ao autor Jonathan Shaw e Alessandra DeBenedetti. Os personagens mencionados são inteiramente fictícios. Certos eventos, personagens, lugares e relatos, foram baseados em fatos reais, porém qualquer semelhança a qualquer pessoa viva ou morta se trata de pura coincidência. As várias fotografias apresentadas se encontram com o rosto distorcido para preservar o anonimato das modelos que representam personagens fictícios.