Imagine being unable to open your bedroom room door because of what lurks on the other side. Now, imagine that the thing behind the door is your amazingly skilled cats.

So my cats knocked the handle off my bedroom door and I’m locked in my bedroom now. Nothing left to try but to Tweet this drama. — Claire Berlinski (@ClaireBerlinski) June 25, 2014

According to the Telegraph, Claire Berlinski is an American-born writer who fled to Paris last year following the Gezi Park protests in Turkey—but was now having trouble escaping her bedroom. Calling upon her writing skills, wit, and Nicorette gum, she took to Twitter to document her ordeal.

Tried: coat hanger, nail file, credit card, kicking the door down. (Very well made door! Bravo French construction!) Any other bright ideas? — Claire Berlinski (@ClaireBerlinski) June 25, 2014

This here is what the problem looks like. pic.twitter.com/8ocscidruo — Claire Berlinski (@ClaireBerlinski) June 25, 2014

Fortunately, there were far worse locations she could have been in.

Happily, I’m on the side of the door with the bathroom and the Internet (although not the phone, screwdrivers or 4D40.) I could last days. — Claire Berlinski (@ClaireBerlinski) June 25, 2014

Thank God the Nicorette is on this side of the door. #lockgate — Claire Berlinski (@ClaireBerlinski) June 25, 2014

She eventually contacted her father, who in turn called a locksmith.

Hark! I hear footsteps. A locksmith? I guess I’ll be free soon. — Claire Berlinski (@ClaireBerlinski) June 25, 2014

Granted, the duration of their efforts didn’t sit well with Berlinski, whose cats took to napping on the other side of the door following their handiwork.

This is France, folks. Do you understand how much locksmiths charge per hour here? I’d probably have to guarantee lifetime employment. — Claire Berlinski (@ClaireBerlinski) June 25, 2014

The sounds I’m hearing from the front door are the sounds of money burning like leaves in a raging furnace. — Claire Berlinski (@ClaireBerlinski) June 25, 2014

Fortunately, all ended well.

Well, I’m glad that amused everyone. But it wound up costing so much that I’m done laughing about it. #freeatlast — Claire Berlinski (@ClaireBerlinski) June 25, 2014

It’s probably a safe assumption that Berlinski will not be so inclined to seek pet-friendly hotels in her future travels. Her cat, meanwhile, has since taken a job designing doors in Sochi, Russia.

H/T The Telegraph / Photo by Rene (and then some)/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)