CHAPTER 2: Business Dealings
"Again?" the small, black-and-white tom whined.
"You haven't done this one before. Well, not for me, anyway," the Rum Tum Tugger smirked.
"I was referring to your hiring me," replied Mistoffelees flatly.
"Oh. Yes, again. Are you up for it?"
"What's in it for me?"
"What?" cried Tugger, taken aback. This was new.
"What's in it for me?" repeated Mistoffelees.
"Uh…" Tugger scratched his head, thinking rapidly. What would the young magician want? And what could Tugger give him? A larger den? No, Mistoffelees loved his own den as it was. New bedding? No, he probably wouldn't appreciate that, either. The only other thing Tugger could think of that Mistoffelees would want was…a queen. But how could he get him a queen? He could get himself any queen he wanted with a click of his perfectly-manicured tom claws, sure. But for someone else? And which queen would he convince? He knew that Mistoffelees had his eye on Victoria, his best friend, but he also had his eye on Jemima. And Demeter. And Bombalurina. Well, there was no way Mistoffelees was getting Bombalurina! Demeter would be difficult to get, too, since she was mates – and soulmates – with Munkustrap. However, Victoria and Jemima, admittedly the two most beautiful of the kittens, might not be so difficult… "I'll get you any queen you want!"
Mistoffelees' eyes went wide in shock. He had only been half-joking, and this was certainly not the reaction he had expected. Gee, Tugger must be getting desperate for my help! Mistoffelees almost chuckled to himself, but retained his surprised expression. "Really?"
Tugger groaned inwardly. Uh-oh… What had he gotten himself into? "Uh, yeah, sure, any queen," he said, forcing a smile.
"What if I can't decide which one I want?" Mistoffelees asked curiously. "What if I want two?"
At this query, Tugger almost fainted, but he couldn't say he hadn't already thought of that. He'd just hoped he could avoid it. Obviously not. "Um, can't you just choose one?"
"But you see," began Mistoffelees, walking closer to the older tom and circling him, "I like two and I can't decide who I like better."
"Oh…" Tugger was beginning to feel extremely uncomfortable.
"Haven't you ever been in that situation before?"
"Uh, yeah, I guess…" Tugger replied, remembering the days when he had been chasing after Bombalurina and Demeter, the stunning twins. He smiled to himself. He was ever-so-glad he had finally decided to focus his attentions on Bombalurina. Demeter belonged with Munkustrap. Not that she had ever given Tugger the time of day. Even as his sister-in-law, things were often pretty tense between the two. In fact, they were always practically at each other's throats. Tugger's attention snapped back to Mistoffelees as the small tom spoke again.
"Difficult, isn't it? They're both terribly pretty, and both very talented in their respective ways. They're kind, shy, polite, loving, caring, gentle…everything I'd want in a queen. I'm sure they would also both be very compatible with me."
"Well, hurry up and decide which one," Tugger said impatiently, crossing his arms and tapping his hind paw.
"Oh, but I've already reached my decision."
"Then why couldn't you just tell me instead of rabbitting on about queens?" Tugger virtually exploded.
"It helped me," responded Mistoffelees, looking hurt.
"So who's it to be?" Tugger asked slightly more calmly.
Mistoffelees hesitated as if to make sure the name he was about to say was that of the queen whom he really wanted. He was thoroughly enjoying this. After what seemed like an eternity to Tugger, Mistoffelees finally made his announcement. "Victoria."
"Victoria? You want Victoria? Okay, I'll get you Victoria." He turned to walk off, but Mistoffelees' voice stopped him.
"And I want Jemima."
Tugger turned around again, incredulous. "You seriously want me to get you two queens?!"
Mistoffelees shrugged. "Sure, why not?"
Tugger growled, annoyed. "Fine."
"And another thing –"
"What?" snapped the irritated older cat.
"No bribing them or telling them tall tales about me. Okay?"
"Not that you have any to tell," muttered Tugger under his breath, but he pasted a smile onto his face. "Very well, sir, anything else?" he asked sarcastically with a low bow.
"No, I think that's about it…for now."
Tugger walked off, groaning. Why did it seem that all of the younger kits were beginning to be tougher to deal with – particularly in matters of business - and tougher to impress? They were even starting to stand up to him! It was a Tugger's worst nightmare.