Original Air Date: November 3, 1994
Starring: Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Courtney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry
Directed by: James Burrows

Synopsis: A blackout in New York City finds Chandler (Matthew Perry) locked in an ATM vestibule with a famous model (Jill Goodacre) and Ross (David Schwimmer) wanting to admit his true feelings to Rachel (Jennifer Aniston).

Featured Feline: The long-haired ginger cat steals the show when Ross is outside on the balcony with Rachel.  He is just about to tell her that he loves her when she squeals.  He thinks she has guessed his intentions but in fact she is squeeing over the cat which is on a ledge above and behind Ross.

Ross doesn’t see the cat until it jumps down on his shoulder, causing him to scream as the cat’s claws dig in.

We then see the others inside the apartment singing and Ross outside, freaking out with the cat clinging to his shoulder (obviously a fake cat was used for this segment).

Once inside Ross has his wounds healed and Phoebe and Rachel coo over the cat, which Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) calls a poor little Tooty.

Rachel and Phoebe set out in the dark apartment building to try to find the cat’s owner.  They knock on the door of neighbor Mr. Heckles (Larry Hankin) and ask if the cat belongs to him.

Mr. Heckles says the cat is his but the cat is trying to get away and Phoebe doesn’t believe him.

The cat runs away and Rachel finally finds it in the arms of a handsome Italian named Paolo (Cosimo Fusco).  The cat belongs to him.  Rachel and Paolo would date in the series, leaving poor Ross on the outs for the time being.  And all because of the cat.

The cat actor was trained by Benay’s Bird and Animal Training.

Final Mewsings: Cats don’t always have the best timing.

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