Pippin

I brought home two ambassadors from the Mother Ship yesterday. They were completely enclosed in helium-filled latex enviro-suits. As soon as they got inside my apartment, they headed for the ceiling with their long antennae hanging down to the floor. The cats started communicating with them immediately, with that well-known dropped-jaw, glazed-eye stare. As the ambassadors drifted slowly around the ceiling, 6 eyes followed their every move.

The blue one drifted close to the cat tree, where Mithu was ready to make First Contact - a looong paw stretched out cautiously to pat the ambassador. Apparently the ambassador didn't like it too much, as it drifted away from the tree. Later, Pippin tried stepping on the antenna and pulling on the rest with his teeth, but the wily ambassador stayed out of reach.

As the evening progressed, the specialized helium environment in the latex habitat was starting to wear out and the ambassadors started heading slowly towards the floor. Their antennae became irresistible to the kitties, who started chewing on them and dragging them around.

Finally this morning, the ambassadors lay dead on the floor, having used up all of their helium. Their empty air-filled shells were now perfect for batting around the floor. Mithu lay on his back and grappled with the white one. My husband and I stood around with our fingers in our ears, but those enviro-suits are pretty tough, no punctures from Mithu's claws. I wonder what their condition will be when I get home.

We remain deeply honored by their visit, although I wonder if we could have given them a better reception.

Copyright © Caroline J. Swindell
October 7, 2000