The Cat Who Clocked In

Every night around 2 AM, I kept hearing a faint clinking noise coming from the kitchen. At first, I blamed the house settling. Then I blamed the fridge. Eventually, I blamed ghosts.

But one night, I decided to investigate.

I quietly walked down the hallway, trying not to make a sound. As I peeked into the kitchen, I saw my cat standing on the counter. Not unusual. What was unusual was that he had somehow opened the cabinet, knocked over a mug, and was carefully pawing at a stack of coins I’d left there.

He looked up at me, completely unfazed.

I whispered, What are you doing?

He slowly pushed one coin off the counter. It hit the floor with that exact clink I’d been hearing every night.

Then he pushed another.

And another.

I just stood there, confused, until I noticed the food bowl behind him. Empty.

He pushed one last coin, stared directly into my soul, and let out a single, impatient meow.

Apparently, my cat doesn’t wake me up for breakfast.

He files a complaint.