The Rumpus Cat
"You can't be serious… You've never heard of the Rumpus Cat?!"
"No, in fact, I have not. Would you care to elaborate?" responded Munkustrap dryly. Mistoffelees whirled around to face Tumblebrutus, whose eyes were just as wide as the shocked mystic's. When Munkustrap asked for help in brainstorming ideas for the annual Jellicle Ball's theatrical performance, Mistoffelees and Tumblebrutus immediately jumped in to suggest one thing… an ode to the Great Rumpus Cat. Of course, they expected everyone to know about their favorite superhero already, considering the countless number of times they played Rumpus Cat and the Savage Serpent or Rumpus Cat and the Fearsome Feline of the Fell or Rumpus Cat Saves the Day and Gets the Queen or similar games of variable title lengths.
"Well…" Tumblebrutus started, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Some time later, after a debatably overzealous explanation – of course involving the appropriate amount of acrobatics and the occasional special effect, courtesy of the resident conjuring cat - about the Rumpus Cat's exploits, Munkustrap was about ready to collapse under the heaps of information the two young toms tossed at him.
"So let me get this straight," the confused cat stammered. "The Rumpus Cat possesses superior powers of intimidation and often emerges from his small basement flat when he senses some sort of disturbance on the streets of London."
"Right!" responded Mistoffelees, who eagerly explained, "His eyes are like fireballs fearfully blazing."
"He gives a great yawn, and his jaws are amazing!" added Tumblebrutus. Mistoffelees nodded vigorously and continued,
"And when he looks out through the bars of the area, you've never seen anything fiercer-"
"Or hairier!" piped in Etcetera, who snuck up on her friends and pounced on Tumblebrutus playfully.
"Nuh-uh!" Tumblebrutus denied, sticking out his tongue at her. "His fur is really short so that he can run super fast and jump really, really high!"
"So he's like me only without the gorgeous mane of perfectly groomed fur," concluded the Rum Tum Tugger, waltzing up to the group. "I must say, I think I like this idea, Munk. Old D will love it. Last year's skit was dreadfully boring."
Munkustrap thought it over, and eventually agreed. Tugger grinned enormously, imagining himself performing the lead as the Great Rumpus Cat. A thought occurred to him. "Say, Misto, do you think you could rig up a couple of magic tricks for the grand finale? I think that I'll – ahem – the Great Rumpus Cat will need huge sets of fireworks to celebrate my, uh, his awesomeness." Mistoffelees grinned and eagerly agreed.
"Now, we'll need someone to play the Rumpus Cat. Tug, what do you think of Admetus? Yes, I think he will make an excellent lead," Munkustrap decided. Tugger's mouth dropped open.
"Munk, don't you think we need someone more—"
"Tumble, Etcetera, would you go find Admetus? I should speak with him right away."
Tugger scowled and stalked away, muttering something about real talent and bagpipes. Mistoffelees seemed to catch the second part and ran to catch up with the curious cat.
"Hey, Tug, you should go talk to Skimble. He might have what you're looking for…" Mistoffelees smirked. Though generally well behaved, Mistoffelees enjoyed the occasional prank, like most adolescent toms do.
"Hey, thanks, kid. Catch you later," called Tugger as he picked up the pace toward Skimble's den. Mistoffelees grinned and walked away, humming a merry tune under his breath. This is going to be fun…
