I swear....they know when you're planning something. I was all set to pack the male off to time-out at the first sign of scrapping, and he was an absolute angel last night. Furthermore, DH said that the pre-breakfast spat was minor (compared to what they've been lately!). What is it about cats that makes them so darn perceptive? So I haven't tried the basement time-out yet...

Thanks for all of the suggestions!