His Boss Had Kittens Over the Cat Excuse

MENLO PARK, Calif. — Like teachers, business executives have heard them all too.

The temporary agency Accountemps asked executives of 200 corporations for the best excuse they had heard from someone arriving late to a meeting. A sampling:

* My cat had a litter of kittens on top of the proposal needed for the meeting.

* I locked my shoes in the closet.

* My hamster had a toothache.

* I was on the phone with President Bush.

* The bartender wouldn’t let me leave.

* I had to rush my pregnant wife and my neighbor’s pregnant wife to the hospital.

* I had to round up my cattle this morning.

* Security stopped me, saying I looked like a guy on a “wanted” poster.