Chapter 1- A change in tradition
"Gather round everyone, I have an announcement"
The Jellicle leader, though softly spoken, immediately grabbed the attention of every cat in the junkyard. The Rum Tum Tugger stopped outrageously flirting, Etcetera and the other kits stopped gawking at him, Jellyorum and Jennyanydots looked up from their sewing and even the notorius cat burglers, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer put down their half filled sacks and turned to face him. Old Deuteronomy recieved such a high level of respect.
Munkustrap, Old Deuteronomy's son and the Jellicle Protector, held onto his father's hand and supported him as he made his way to the great tyre. By the time the leader had sat down and made himself comfortable, the rest of the tribe had gathered around awaiting his news.
"Well then, you all seem to be here- except for Bustopher and Gus but I'll catch up with them later" he began "So I'll start from the beginning. Yesterday, I was sunning myself on the vicarage wall thinking about happiness which is one of my favourite pasttimes. I had come up with a new philosophy when I heard the strangest thing-"
"Ooh I bet it was a pollicle! They say the silliest things!" Electra whispered to Etcetera who giggled in response. She quickly stopped when she caught a stern glance from Alonzo.
"No it wasn't a dog" Old Deut said with a smile. Electra looked at her best friend is disbelief as if to say 'how did he hear?!' whilst Etcy looked equally as bewildered. "I heard two humans talking."
"The first one said 'Well of all things, can it be really? Yes oh my! I do believe it is Old Deuteronomy!'. Naturally I lifted my head at this and looked straight into the eyes of my old owner. He was a charming old fellow but I only stayed with him for a year. I have a constant inclination to change scenery you see? I slowly made to go towards him in greeting but then I heard him say to his companion; 'He probably doesn't remember me, I'm not even sure how to address him anymore' and he walked on by. Well as you can imagine I stopped dead in my tracks, dumbfounded"
By this point, Pouncival and Tumblebrutus had got bored and started play fighting with each other. Admetus, who wasn't as rowdy, watched on in amusement.
"So!" Old Deuteronomy boomed in his deep baritone (causing Tumble and Pounce to collapse on each other)"I feel that the humans need educated on who we are, I bet some of them don't even know what a 'Jellicle' cat is!"
"Haha surely not!" laughed a few cats
"Oh I believe so" Deuteronomy continued "Thererfore I propose that we take it to the stage!"
A few gasps escaped the tribe members and they began talking excitedly to each other.
"Aswell as our traditional ball and mating dance, which I believe it is dear Victoria's turn to come-of-age-" Plato caught Victoria's eye at this, causing the snow white feline to blush "I wish to show them the most important part of our culture: the choice and ascension to the Heaviside layer and I think it would be nice to introduce some of our tribe members and finish off with a lesson on how we wish to be addressed by the humans."
"But Dad, the Jellicle ball is our most sacred ritual!" Munkustrap cried. "How can we reveal so much of something that is so central to who we are?!"
"Exactly, it's the perfect thing to show off. Its beautiful, its personal and its at the core of being a Jellicle. I believe its the best thing we have to educate the humans as to who we are" Deuteronomy retorted
"But-"
"Hey Straps, chill out! Its gonna be fun! Right girls?" Tugger shouted across whilst stroking underneath Electra's chin, which triggered a squeal from the kittens.
"I could show them my magic!" Quaxo said. Tugger rolled his eyes and smiled at his best friend.
"Oi Munky, if ya need to..em..borrow.. any props jus' give us a shout yeah?!" Jerrie yelled as Teazer nodded excitedly.
"Umm thanks I guess but y'know I'm still not comfortable with your...hobby you two" Munkustrap replied in a daze, but the calico duo had already run off to begin planning, almost knocking over Tantomile and Coriocopat; who were completely calm as having read Old Deuteronomy's mind and learned of his idea as soon as he entered the junkyard.
Munkustrap surveyed all the jellicles excitedly talking amongst themselves and some of them had begun to practise dancing already.
"Oh Dem" he said as he turned to his mate "what are we getting ourselves into?"