Apparently keys, and copies of keys, is big business in Brazil (or at least Rio).
Throughout the city (quite densely in some areas) you will find small kiosks, supposedly 24 hours, that will make duplicate keys for you “quickly and securely”. In some places you can literally stand at one kiosk and see another down the street. Why so many locations exist or how they all remain in business is a mystery to be, but you can be sure you will never have an excuse for not getting that copy made.
I have been told that the work done at these facilities can be shoddy, and that should you decide to employ a Brazilian key-maker, then be sure to select one close to the key’s home as you may need to test the copy multiple times before a functioning version is achieved.
Despite the 24 hours a day advertisement, you will often find the key-making station abandoned and closed up. My dream is to one day call the number on the front of the kiosk coming home at four in the morning, to hear a phone ringing inside the booth, and then to be immediately greeted by a freshly awoken key smith.
I wonder if the “Do Not Duplicate” keys exist down here – and if I can in fact finally make a duplicate.