Professor George walked down to his basement workshop. It was a very special workshop — a small version of the bioengineering research lab that he directed at the university.

On his workbench were many tools and special ceramic parts. He also had lots of electronic equipment and a powerful computer, nicknamed Supie, which was connected to the big super computer at the university.

Professor George turned on his computer, typed in his passwords and said, partly to himself and partly to the computer, "Well, Supie, let's see what's wrong with Boing-Boing."

He unscrewed the small plate in the bionic cat's belly and opened the compartment containing the cat's little computer. Next, he attached some wires from his computer to the bionic cat.

"OK, Supie," he muttered. "Show me what's wrong with this little guy."

The computer screen lit up with a colored display of the wiring inside Boing-Boing.

Professor George used the mouse connected to the computer to follow the circuit controlling the voice simulator.

"Hey, isn't that funny," he chuckled to himself. "I'm using a mouse to fix a cat! Dan will get a real laugh at that when I tell him tomorrow."

"There it is!" exclaimed Professor George, peering closely at the computer screen. "A piece of dust is causing a short between two wires. That's why you're not purring, little fellow. No problem, I can fix you in no time at all."

After removing the dust with a pair of tweezers, Professor George said to himself, "Aha, I have an idea. I'll add a nice surprise to Boing-Boing for Dan."

So, he began typing some changes into the computer program that controlled Boing-Boing's voice simulator.

Professor George finished and put Boing-Boing on the floor. "There! You're even more special now. Let's see how your new talent works."

He tested the change and laughed at the results.

"Yes, indeed. Boing-Boing, you will really give Dan a big surprise tomorrow. Now, I must look at tomorrow's lecture notes and then to bed."