Have you ever noticed that being a cat person alters your purrception of reality? *Meoow?*

Yesterday, out shopping on a rainy Sunday, I found myself in a queue at the deli counter, attempting to acquire some ham for next week's lunches. Finally, it was my turn, the young girl served me, and I stuck my hand in my pocket for some change... and pulled out one of Cleo's mice!

I had been vacuuming shortly before I left for the store, and had grabbed it off the floor so It would not go up the vacuum cleaner. It is one of Cleo's favorites, and she has had a lot of fun "killing" it. Very realistic. So, being a cat person, and, assuming everyone has a cat, and everyone has fake mice for their cat, and that everyone ends up with a mouse or two in their pocket (we are on the teetering precipice of assumption now).

I pull it out for all to see... "look! a mouse!". The girl drops my 500 grams of sliced ham on the deli floor. It is not in a bag. It goes "PLOP!".

"AAARRRGGGHH! A MOUSE!" {{I'm NOT making this up}} People everywhere are staring at me. Confused, I put the little grey cat toy back in my pocket. "No... it's OK! it's just one of my cat's toy mice!"

"Well, it sure looked real to me!" said the girl, red faced, pupils still dilated.

I pull it back out. Cynically, with eyes narrowed, I say "Just how many real mice have a green feather for a tail??"

I couldn't get out of there fast enough. Maybe I'll never go back. I just don't see what's wrong in having your cat's mouse in your pocket.

Must be my purrspective.

Copyright © Bill Mason
October 19, 2001