Litter box facial recognition the new challenge for Mittens

Knock on the door and wait to be admitted. That’s the way it’s always been at the Catnip Cafe. Mittens enters the crowded room and strolls over to the bar. After the events of the last few hours it was time for a tall shot of catnip. He signals to the barkeep. Then decides to make it a double. His tail is still bushed out. In fact, it’s been quite some time since he’s had a shock like that. The tail was probably going to stay bushed for a while.

Meanwhile, Mittens can’t help but wonder how Tabby made out. The memory is still fresh. Trauma in the litter box. Maybe he should have known better than to enter when the facial recognition for Tabby activated. But who has time to wait when nature calls? Furthermore, what cat in the history of felines, has ever had to deal with facial recognition just to enter the litter box? No cat ever, that’s who.

The interior of the litter box was only slightly cramped. It’s not the first time one feline was leaving the box, at the same time as another’s entrance. In fact, it’s a very polite way for a litter box exchange. Unless one has a facial recognition program set up on a robotic litter box. Who could have known the box would activate and begin the rotating clean cycle! Furthermore, who could have foreseen the terrible cacophony that followed? No cat ever, that’s who!

The Facial Recognition Challenge for Mittens

The Catnip Cafe is one of the only places left where a feline can get away from it all. Mittens looks down the bar at all the other cats. Each seems absorbed in their own thoughts as they stare at their catnip. Furthermore, there are no bushy tails. Mittens turns his attention back to his own Catnip, and his recent brush with a thing most foul. His purr ceases almost immediately as he remembers the indignation. After a swift and hasty exit, this seemed like the best place to go. However, the bushy tail is starting to get more attention than he needs.

Mittens has been a regular at the Catnip Cafe for years. This might as well be his home away from home. When things feel like too much of a hassle at the first home, the Catnip Cafe is the place for Mittens. If things get too rowdy at the Cafe, Mittens likes having options. And tonight, it looks like those options will come in handy. Apparently the bushy tail is too unusual. The looks are starting to become more than just curious. Mittens frowns. This is icing on the cake. He tries to keep his attention on his catnip when a rough sounding voice stops the purr again.

“What’s up with the bushy tail?” the voice is sly and menacing. Mittens knows where this is going. Rather than play into the obvious, he decides it’s time to pay up and go check on Tabby. With this in mind he taps the bar for the barkeep. The music continues blaring from the old jukebox in the corner. Furthermore, the crowd of felines in the place, creates a backdrop of constant white noise. This could get scratchy. And fast.

Litter Box Facial Recognition

Mittens continues staring at his catnip, pretending not to hear the menacing voice when it purrs out another sly provocation.

“I said, what’s with the bushy tail?” a slight pause and then, “What’s the matter, human got your tongue?” Pockets of laughter break out in the room behind Mittens. Someone unplugs the jukebox and the Catnip Cafe goes quiet. This was definitely about to get scratchy. The purring in the room has an expectant feel to it. Like the moments just before a thunderstorm lowers the boom, the air feels alive with energy.

Mittens blinks, slowly. Then, without turning, and in his calmest voice, he answers with a few short words.

Litter Box Drama

“Litter box facial recognition gone bad.” The purring in the Catnip Cafe ceases immediately. It was so quiet, Mittens could hear a whisker drop, if one had fallen. Instead, he turns slowly on his bar stool. Every feline in the place stares in wide eyed awe. The large and gruff looking feline standing behind him backs away one step.

“Hey, look pal, we had no idea. You’re the first cat we’ve ever met that’s been through facial recognition. We’ve heard about the after effects, but have never seen it in real life. Sorry about the mix up pal. You look like you’ve been through a room full of rocking chairs.” And with that the rough looking cat summons the barkeep and buys Mittens another shot of Catnip.

Wait till Tabby hears about this, he thinks, as he makes room at the bar. Before long he is the center of attention as he details the dangers of the horrid, litter box facial recognition robot gremlin. In fact, shortly thereafter, the bushy tail became a badge of honor. The end.

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