Grizabella the Glamour Cat
"No," Old Deuteronomy said sadly.
"No?!" Grizabella gasped. "No?!"
"No," the Jellicle Leader repeated regretfully. "You do not have the strength and pureness of soul to be a Jellicle."
Grizabella collapsed on the ground, too surprised to cry. "I'm not good enough?" she whispered.
Tears shone in Old Deuteronomy's eyes, but he held them back. "George," he said to a strong young tomcat standing at his side. "Take her out of the Junkyard."
"What?" Grizabella asked. "Leave here? But father, what will I do?" As George started to help her up, she turned to him. "You can't let this happen," she pleaded.
George looked away, unable to look Grizabella in the eye. "I'm sorry," he said. Nonetheless, he knew he had to do his duty, so he took Grizabella by the arm and started leading her away from the tire in the center of the Junkyard.
"No!" Grizabella shrieked, digging her claws into the ground. "I won't go!" She turned around and stretched a paw out behind her towards Old Deuteronomy. "Father!"
Old Deuteronomy merely turned and walked away, but not before Grizabella saw a tear roll down his cheek. And she knew, that no matter the circumstances, he cared.
Stunned, Grizabella stumbled, unresisting, along as George pulled her away. When they reached the gate, George thrust her forward, out into the street.
"George, I--" she began, walking back towards him, but she was met by a hiss and a warning scratch at the air in front of her. The tomcat chased her away from the front gate, then he retreated back into the Junkyard.
"I love you," Grizabella whispered into the now-silent air. She let one tear fall before she turned her back on her old life, her old home, and her old friends, and walked bravely forward into whatever the dawn might bring.