The people may come and go, some of the haunted houses may have changed names, and the rats have definitely been replaced, but if there is one constant to the West Bottoms during Halloween season, it is Harry Lewezo – The Rat Man.
Starting in September and running through the Halloween season, Harry can be seen roaming around the streets under the towering vacated warehouses turned haunted houses, sticking live rats in his mouth. From scaring little kids to chasing former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Warren Moon down the street, Harry has become somewhat of a mini-celebrity during the Halloween season. Police Officer Dan Reed, who patrols the area around The Edge of Hell, the haunted house where Harry works, has noticed the popularity of the Rat Man.
“ He is the main attraction, people from all over come just to see him,” Reed said.
While most people only know Harry from his Rat Man persona, most don’t realize that after Halloween, Harry trades the rats and his gig at the haunted houses for early 6 a.m. wakeup calls and a job installing floors.
“I am just like anybody else, working from 9 to 5,” Harry said.
Even without the costume and the rats, Harry still can’t escape his Halloween character, when he was visiting his father on the west coast, he was identified by a random person. This shouldn’t come as a surprise as Harry has met countless people in the two decades he has worked at the Haunted Houses. The people that Harry remembers the most, is the fellow “actors” that work with him, Harry likens it to a family environment.
“ Many times after work, you sit around and have a beer and talk about who you scared, or the different reactions you get, it is good group,” Harry said.
One of those people Harry met ended up becoming his wife, and even his kids currently work at the Haunted Houses. Denny Jordon, who works at the Edge of Hell, knows of two things that will upset the Rat Man more than anything.
“ Bottom line, you don’t mess with his kids….or his rats.”
Harry, who has used countless rats through the years often gives the rats away to kids or local schools after the Halloween season is over. While Harry takes good care of the rats, it still doesn’t stop them from biting Harry whenever he tries to put them in his mouth, but he has a simple solution to that.
“You just got to bite them back, one good bite deserves another.”
Before the rats and the popularity of haunted houses, Harry got his start as a youngster tagging along with his future brother in law, working at the 4H haunted houses in Wyandotte county. He has been in the business ever since. In 1984, The Edge of Hell opened up in the West Bottoms near Kemper Arena in Kansas City, and Harry officially became the Rat Man. Along with Harry, the haunted houses popularity grew every year into what Harry refers to as the “biggest and best” haunted houses in the country.
While Harry and The Edge of Hell may be widely known, it still doesn’t stop people from running away in fear when chased by Harry and his rats. One reaction Harry remembers is when a father wanted him to scare his daughter on her birthday.
“ When she saw me she turned around and ran right into a light pole, they then left to go to the hospital,” Harry remembers.
Most encounters are safe ones, but Harry doesn’t have enough fingers on his hands to count the number of times he has seen people run away, scream, or even wet their pants. Harry has enough experience to tell which people to go after.
“You can tell by the way they try to avoid eye contact, or shuffle their feet. It is easy to point those people out.”
Tom, who runs a concession stand near the haunted houses has seen all types of people get freaked out by the rat guy.
“ The girls get scared the easiest, but the guys try to hide their fear, but they don’t want to get to close to him either.”
While Harry has no apprehension about making his mouth a home for the rats, others aren’t so eager. Often times Harry will inquire if anybody else wants to hold or even join Harry in sticking a rat in their mouth. While most decline the invitation, some take Harry up on his offer.
“On a good night you can get at least three people to do it, the girls will always stick the dry end of the rat in their mouths.”
After another strong year at the box office, the haunted houses still continue to attract a large number of people each year, and as long as it remains fun, Harry wants to keep doing his part.
“It is like a bad addiction I guess.”