Editing 729: Laser Pointer

{{comic
| number    = 729
| date      = April 19, 2010
| title     = Laser Pointer
| image     = laser_pointer.png
| titletext = It's a lasing cat-vity!
}}

==Explanation==
It is common to use a {{w|laser pointer}} as a cat toy because cats are attracted to the dot and attempt in vain to catch it in their paws. They will chase the dot as it moves around, sometimes pouncing on it or swiping at it with its claws, however, they will never be able to catch it.{{Citation needed}} This is very frustrating for cats (and dogs), because it triggers a hunting instinct, but removes the satisfaction of actually catching their prey.

Cueball is messing with his cat with a laser pointer, however, he is unprepared when his cat pounces and successfully grabs the laser dot. As Cueball looks around and tries to figure out what happened to the laser, his cat licks it, before eating it and starting to glow with a red light.

The cat then shoots lasers from its eyes and disintegrates a surprised Cueball on the spot in revenge for taunting it with the laser pointer.

It is then revealed that everything that happened was just a cat's dream. Only in its dreams can a cat successfully enact the rest of the comic.{{Citation needed}}

The last panel where it is revealed that the rest of the comic shows the cat facing away from the reader, which may be meant to suggest that the cat is remembering real events

Real cats' eyes (and some other animals' eyes) have a {{w|tapetum lucidum}} behind their retinas, which increases their sensitivity in low-light conditions.  This can cause their eyes to appear to glow, but they're actually just reflecting light from the environment.

The title text makes a pun on the chamber in which lasers are formed, known as a {{w|laser cavity}}.

==Transcript==
:[Cueball points a laser pointer at the floor. A black cat crouches, staring at the red dot.]

:[The cat pounces.]

:[The cat lands with its paw on the dot, claws out.]

:[The cat tugs on the dot.]
:''tug tug''

:[Cueball tries to use the laser pointer, which is no longer emitting a beam.]
:Cueball: ??? ''click click''

:[The cat nibbles on the red laser dot.]
:Cat: ''lick? nom nom''

:[The cat arches, emitting red shock lines.]

:[The cat shoots lasers out of its eyes at Cueball, who is covered in a bright red glow.]
:''FWOOSH''
:Cueball: AUGH!
:[The right side of the panel is the end of a thought bubble.]

:[The black cat, sleeping, has dreamed the entire strip.]

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]
[[Category:Cats]]
[[Category:Dreams]]