"They found us out!" Exclaimed local rat artisan one day while combing the beach for ancient matter. We caught up with this local rattoonist, RATS JO and asked them to explain their statement.

"I'm a local ratisan and I've been hiding this secret knowledge about the portal for 2 hours. I knew that I had to keep it a secret as soon as I found it. But, I guess now that the sinkholes have been discovered, it's all a matter of time."

Moments ago, it was revealed that some marine historians discovered GIANT SINKHOLES just off the coast of Lake Michigan. The sinkholes are "500 feet underwater and 600 feet wide" according to Manitowoc reporter, Preston Stober (tmj4.com). Rats Jo is concerned about further studies which may attract unwanted attention to the sinkhole and associated portal to the Rat Dimension.

original image without information about rat dimension portal: see mr baillod on his most fabulous website.

"With enough eyes on these sink holes, they're bound to find the portal eventually. I'm going to have to start thinking about things on the larger scale." Rats Jo first emerged from Lake Michigan in 2022, though they were quick to correct us. "See you're wrong. I just got here, you must be talking about some version of me that travels back in time to 2022 after this interview. The year is 2024, right? Yeah see, I have literally just been in Wisconsin for 2 hours and still have yet to become the Rats Jo you all know and appreciate."

Rats Jo will own (already owns?) a small rat business run by her rats Hana, Thistle and Midnight. "I don't know those rats, I'm from a different time line." She sells artwork that she creates. Her rats are part of an MLM and have plans to expand. "Yes, that's right. Pyramid schemes are alive and thriving in the rat dimension, it's our only flaw, but everyone and their ferret owns one. It's just how life is there, you all meet in the street on a tuesday and rumble like it's Fury Road. Rats are excellent and terrifying drivers. You should see them tearing down the Hyperion 234 highway, it's really cool to watch. Anyway..."

Before coming to Wisconsin, Rats Jo briefly touched down in Atlanta, Georgia. "Georgia is actually alternate dimension Wisconsin."

is this real??

We asked Rats Jo to elaborate on this claim. "If you fold reality in half, the two states actually exist directly on top of eachother. Only, something strange happened with one of the realities and so Lake Michigan is actually Florida in that one. I mean it kind of makes sense, they look pretty much the same shape."

Rats Jo explained the physics and the way that the portal to the Rat Dimension came about.

"Well, you see years ago I was listening to my favorite podcast, Welcome to Nightvale, and I was really inspired. I think it had an impact on me and inspired me to embrace my inner oddities and start making creative and unnerving fiction." We clarified that we would like her to explain further the science of the portal, but it is still interesting to hear about her creative inspirations.

"Ah! Right, thank you. Sorry. See, because of the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, that created a chasm in the reality fabric."

That's better.

"I momentarily peered into the center of this cavity while attending the Savannah College of Art and Design where I recieved my BFA in Sequential Art (3.8 GPA, Deans List Honors) and I discovered the portal to the Rat Dimension. You can also take it to Wisconsin, which made it very convenient to visit my mom during school breaks, but I prefer to take it to the Rat Dimension these days. THey have more advanced technology than us there so they know how this type of thing works a lot better. No offense, Wisconsin. I'm sure you'll figure it out if you elect the right people and continue to participate in actively in demanding progressive change."

Since emerging from the portal, Rats Jo has been bringing the portal around to different locations which will provide adequate compensation for the toll, including furry conventions and local mini comic zine fests. "I'm a comic book artist, a storyteller at my core. The rats love it and I'm here to tell their stories and mine. I'm sort of glad I landed in this time first, so I can know what I'm getting into. I have to prepare the rats for the moment of discovery. It could happen any day now!"

It is a huge question as to what the discovery of the rat dimension will mean for the greater Wisconsin community. "On paper it makes a lot of sense. The kind of cultural exchange that could happen and be successful could include Wisconsin's cheese, you know. But, I hate to break it to you, but the truth is: everyone likes cheese. Rats don't have some special relationship with it. It's just a cartoonish stereotype, and *looks at camera again* HERE IN THE RAT DIMENSION, WE DO NOT SUPPORT CARTOONS. But we do support these cartoons.

"Rats like all tasty food, honestly. My rat Nickels loves Thai green curry, for example. But, I'm sure we can work something out. Rats are excellent at electrical work and dentistry. There is bound to be some exchange which will benefit both our dimensions."

Catch up with Rats Jo on the internet and be sure to ask a parent or guardian if you can use their credit card to buy a sticker on the rat dimension store.

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