Choices

Author: The Passionate Admiral

Rating: K+

Disclaimer: CATS belongs to Andrew Lloyd Webber and the Really Useful Group. I'm not a member of the RUG and I'm certainly not Andrew Lloyd Webber, so I don't own CATS.

Plot: This is the story of Mungojerrie's life and how he came to join the Jellicle Tribe. I apologize if this first chapter may seem a little complex. Believe me, the following chapters will be much more coherent.

He was born in a dark alley. He was an only kitten. When he was six months old, his parents were killed by a group of Pollicle dogs. He barely made it out alive himself.

He was alone... in the largest city in England.

Yet, somehow, he managed to survive on his own.

His name was Mungojerrie.

Mungojerrie was a tiger-striped cat. He was rather tall for his age, and he spoke with a thick cockney accent.

He survived on the streets on London for weeks on his own.

Then one day, his talents were recognized by another.

Mungojerrie had just stolen a ham sandwich from a passing tourist. The tourist had not noticed this until she was over a block away from him.

Mungojerrie was about to run off and enjoy his prize when he was stopped by a ginger cat.

The cat was very tall and thin, his mane was messed up, his coat dusty, his red face contorted, his eyes outlined in black. One of his eyes was blue; the other was green.

Mungojerrie immediately knew who this cat was.

It was Macavity the Mystery Cat.

Macavity put all other lawbreaking cats in London to shame with his crimes.

Mungojerrie studied the red and gold cat up and down. He gave no indication that he was there to cause trouble for him, so he decided to say something friendly.

"'ow do ya do, sih?" he asked.

"There's no need to call me 'sir,' Mungojerrie," the ginger cat grinned.

Mungojerrie's eyes lit up. He eyed the visitor suspiciously and asked him "'ow... 'ow do ya know ma name?"

"I've been watching you for some time now, my friend." Macavity explained. "But where are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself. I am-"

"Macavity," said Mungojerrie, still keeping his guard up. "What c'an Ah do f'or ya?"

"I would just like to talk with you, if you have the time," said Macavity.

"Sh'or, of cou'se." Mungojerrie agreed. "'ere, 'ave somethin' to eat." He took the ham sandwich and broke it in half. He gave half to Macavity and kept the other half for himself. "Thank you." said Macavity. It was not often that Macavity demonstrated such courtesy, but he wanted Mungojerrie to feel comfortable around him.

After they ate, Mungojerrie asked him "So, w'at would ya like ta ta'k about?"

"I have a proposition for you, my friend," Macavity began, "As you know, I work alone. I happen to know that you work alone, too. Both of us are highly efficient at criminal activity-"

"But you a'h definatley ta superio' one," Mungojerrie interrupted.

"Yes, thank you," said Macavity, looking a little annoyed. But he continued "I have a proposition for you, Mungojerrie."

"W'at might t'at be?" inquired Mungojerrie.

Macavity looked him right in the eyes and told him "Work for me. Together, we can be twice as efficient, twice as successful, and, most of all, twice as infamous."

Mungojerrie looked surprised, and yet thrilled, to hear this offer. He asked him "A'h you sar'ious, Mac? Can Ah call ya 'Mac?'"

"Of course I'm serious," Macavity answered. "And yes, you can call me 'Mac.' Can I call you 'Mungo?'"

"Sh'or," said Mungojerrie, "You cahn also call meh 'Jerrie," if ya like."

Macavity nodded. Then he asked him "What's your answer?"

Mungojerrie did not even hesitate. He held out his paw and said "Mac, ya got ya-self a partneh."

Macavity grinned and shook Mungojerrie's paw with his own. Mungojerrie gathered up all of his possessions in his old home (a large refrigerator box) and took them to Macavity's hideout (A large abandoned warehouse).

That day, he became Macavity's first henchcat.