Chapter 4: The Newcomer
Most of the Jellicles were milling around the center of the Dumpster awaiting Munkustrap's return.
Rumpleteazer was lying next to Tantomile and Coricopat and was almost asleep when Tantomile sat bolt upright.
Rumpleteazer leaped into the air with a frightened shriek, falling off her perch.
The poor cat was ignored as Coricopat mimicked his sister.
"Munkustrap's back," said Tantomile.
"And he's not alone," said Coricopat.
The Jellicles ran for the entrance of the Dumpster and met Munkustrap as he was coming in. A hush fell over them when they noticed the gray kitten he carried. The Jellicles parted like the Red Sea before him. Demeter, who had been on the other side of the Dumpster when she heard that Munkustrap had returned, rushed up to met him, stopping dead when she saw the cat he held. Confusion marred her pretty features as she gave him a questioning look.
"She needs food," he said quietly. "She's weak. I'm afraid she'll get sick. Demeter, I need you to take care of her."
Demeter, I need you. That was something she had always wanted to hear from him, but this wasn't exactly the way she had envisioned him saying it. Demeter felt an odd sensation come on her as she look over the cat in Munkustrap's arms. No doubt she was very beautiful, any fool could see that. But Demeter didn't care for the tone of voice Munkustrap had used. She didn't care for it at all. Nor did she care for being put in charge of this outsider.
Munkustrap sat outside the pipe Jezabel was sleeping in to keep away curious Jellicles. He didn't want her disturbed. The moon cast a silver light down onto two figures making their way towards him. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer were being very careful to be very quiet.
"Ez she still asleep?" whispered Rumpleteazer.
"Yes," Munkustrap nodded.
" 'ow long do you think et'll be 'fore she's up and about?" Mungojerrie asked in a loud whisper.
"Ssshhh!" Rumpleteazer motioned toward the pipe. "Keep et down."
"I don't know," Munkustrap admitted, his eyes drooping sleepily. "Soon I -yawn- hope."
Rumpleteazer chuckled softly. "Poor chum. 'e's been up all day and night. Bout to fall asleep, 'e is."
"Get out of 'ere, Munk," said Mungojerrie, nudging the other cat. "We'll keep watch. Won't let nobody see 'er 'til you say. Off you go."
Munkstrap complied with no argument as Rumpleteazer and Mungojerrie settled down to keep a lookout.
The next morning Munkustrap returned to find a bright-eyed Jeazabel sitting up and talking animatedly to Rumpleteazer. Needless to say he was surprised to find the two talking as if they were old friends.
"Morning, ladies," Munkustrap said keeping a good distance between himself and Jezabel. "Where's Jerrie?"
"Out findin' breakfast. I sent 'im out so we could have a girl talk, if you know whot I mean," Rumpleteazer said standing up and stretching. "Well, loves, I best be off and make sure me Jerrie 'asn't got 'imself into trouble without me. See ya later, Jezabel."
"Bye, Teazer," Jezabel returned.
" She's a right nice little kitten, Munk," Rumpleteazer whispered as she passed Munkstrap. He frowned at the meaningful look he was given. Females! he thought and shook his head.
Turning to the gray cat before him who looked at him with expectant eyes he said almost self-consciously,
"Remember me?"
"Of course," she said. "How could I forget so quick the cat who saved me?"
Munkustrap smiled slightly. "Where are you from, Jezabel?"
Jezabel looked confused. "The Stratherin's house."
The tiger cat raised his brow in surprise. The Stratherins were quite well known in London. Very wealthy. That would explain the diamond collar; it would most definitely be real.
"How did you find the Junkyard?" he asked. If she was a Jellicle she would have gone to it on instinct. If not... Munkustrap would rather not think of that.
Jezabel shrugged. "I dunno. This huge dog that belonged to our neighbor got loose and chased me all over town. Eventually, he stopped and I kept going until I ran into the other dogs several days later." Munkustrap frowned; that hadn't answered his question.
"Teazer said something that I was wondering about," she said. "What's a Jellicle cat?" He looked up and smiled ruefully. "What's a Jellicle cat?" he echoed. "What's a Jellicle cat?"
Jezabel cocked her head sweetly to one side.
"Are you blind when you're born?" he sang and awaited her response. She nodded.
" Can you see in the dark?"
Another nod.
"Can you look at a king?"
She shrugged.
"Would you sit on his throne?"
"I don't see why not," she replied. Munkustrap laughed.
"Can you say of your bite that it's worse than your bark?"
She shrugged again.
"Are you cock of the walk when you're walking alone?"
"I've never been alone before," she said completely enjoying this Getting- To-Know-You type game.
"Why?"
"Because Jellicles are and Jellicles do. Jellicles would and Jellicles could. Jellicles would and Jellicles can. Jellicles can and Jellicles do.
"When you fall on your head, do you land on your feet?"
Jezabel smiled broadly.
"Are you tense when you sense there's a storm in the air?"
"Yep."
"Can you find your way blind when you're lost in the street?"
She blushed. "I didn't do very good on that one."
Munkustrap's smile diminished slightly. He paused in his singing. A true Jellicle would know the answer to next question.
He resumed with, "Do you know how to go to the Heaviside Layer?"
Poor Jezabel looked thoroughly confused. "The what? Why's that important?"
Munkustrap's heart fell.
"Because Jellicles can and Jellicles do." Jezabel's face fell this time. "Jellicles do and Jellicles can. Jellicles can and Jellicles do. Jellicles do and Jellicles can. Jellicles can and Jellicles do.
"Can you ride on a broomstick to places far distant?"
Jezabel looked back up. "I'd like to try."
"Familiar with candle, with book, and with bell?"
"I think so."
"Were you Whittington's friend? The Pied Piper's assistant?"
She shook her head.
"Have you been an alumnus of heaven or hell?"
"Depends on when you ask my masters," was the reply. This caused Munkustrap to stop his song again and look at her thoughtfully. Definately an alumnus of heaven, he decided and continued,"
"Are you mean like a minx?" Munkustrap already knew the answer was no. "Are you lean like a lynx?"
Jezabel stretched gracefully to show him.
"Are you keen to be seen when you're smelling a rat?"
She shook her head fervently no.
"Were you there when the pharaohs commissioned the Sphinx?"
Another shrug.
"If you were and you are, you're a Jellicle cat!"
Jezabel looked sad again.
"Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats.
We can dive through the air like a flying trapeze. We can turn double somersaults, bounce on a tire. We can run up a wall, we can swing through the trees. We can balance on bars, we can walk on a wire. Jellicles can and Jellicles do. Jellicles can and Jellicles do. Jellicles can and Jellicles do. Jellicles can and Jellicles do.
Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats.
Can you sing at the same time in more than one key?
Duets by Rossini and waltzes by Strauss?
And can you (as cats do) begin with a 'C'?
That always triumphantly brings down the house?
Jellicle cats are queen of the nights
Singing at astronomical heights
Handling pieces from the 'Messiah'
Hallelujah, angelical Choir
The mystical divinity of unashamed felinity. Round the cathedral rang 'Vivat', Life to the everlasting cat!
Feline, fearless, faithful and true, To others who do what Jellicles do and Jellicles can.
Jellicles can and Jellicles do. Jellicle cats sing Jellicle chants. Jellicles old and Jellicles new. Jellicle song and Jellicle dance. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats.
Practical cats, dramatical cats, Pragmatical cats, fanatical cats, Oratorical cats, Delphic-Oracle cats, Skeptical cats, Dyspeptical cats, Romantical cats, Pedantical cats, Critical cats, parasitical cats, Allegorical cats, metaphorical cats, Statistical cats and mystical cats. Political cats, hypocritical cats, Clerical cats, hysterical cats, Cynical cats, rabbinical cats.
Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle bells that Jellicles ring. Jellicle sharps and Jellicle flats. Jellicle songs that Jellicles sing. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats!"
Jezabel had been listening spellbound and as soon as he finished she jumped up, eyes shining.
"Oh, Munkustrap! I can do all that. I can dance and sing and anything you want. Please, I want to be a Jellicle!"
Most of the Jellicles were milling around the center of the Dumpster awaiting Munkustrap's return.
Rumpleteazer was lying next to Tantomile and Coricopat and was almost asleep when Tantomile sat bolt upright.
Rumpleteazer leaped into the air with a frightened shriek, falling off her perch.
The poor cat was ignored as Coricopat mimicked his sister.
"Munkustrap's back," said Tantomile.
"And he's not alone," said Coricopat.
The Jellicles ran for the entrance of the Dumpster and met Munkustrap as he was coming in. A hush fell over them when they noticed the gray kitten he carried. The Jellicles parted like the Red Sea before him. Demeter, who had been on the other side of the Dumpster when she heard that Munkustrap had returned, rushed up to met him, stopping dead when she saw the cat he held. Confusion marred her pretty features as she gave him a questioning look.
"She needs food," he said quietly. "She's weak. I'm afraid she'll get sick. Demeter, I need you to take care of her."
Demeter, I need you. That was something she had always wanted to hear from him, but this wasn't exactly the way she had envisioned him saying it. Demeter felt an odd sensation come on her as she look over the cat in Munkustrap's arms. No doubt she was very beautiful, any fool could see that. But Demeter didn't care for the tone of voice Munkustrap had used. She didn't care for it at all. Nor did she care for being put in charge of this outsider.
Munkustrap sat outside the pipe Jezabel was sleeping in to keep away curious Jellicles. He didn't want her disturbed. The moon cast a silver light down onto two figures making their way towards him. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer were being very careful to be very quiet.
"Ez she still asleep?" whispered Rumpleteazer.
"Yes," Munkustrap nodded.
" 'ow long do you think et'll be 'fore she's up and about?" Mungojerrie asked in a loud whisper.
"Ssshhh!" Rumpleteazer motioned toward the pipe. "Keep et down."
"I don't know," Munkustrap admitted, his eyes drooping sleepily. "Soon I -yawn- hope."
Rumpleteazer chuckled softly. "Poor chum. 'e's been up all day and night. Bout to fall asleep, 'e is."
"Get out of 'ere, Munk," said Mungojerrie, nudging the other cat. "We'll keep watch. Won't let nobody see 'er 'til you say. Off you go."
Munkstrap complied with no argument as Rumpleteazer and Mungojerrie settled down to keep a lookout.
The next morning Munkustrap returned to find a bright-eyed Jeazabel sitting up and talking animatedly to Rumpleteazer. Needless to say he was surprised to find the two talking as if they were old friends.
"Morning, ladies," Munkustrap said keeping a good distance between himself and Jezabel. "Where's Jerrie?"
"Out findin' breakfast. I sent 'im out so we could have a girl talk, if you know whot I mean," Rumpleteazer said standing up and stretching. "Well, loves, I best be off and make sure me Jerrie 'asn't got 'imself into trouble without me. See ya later, Jezabel."
"Bye, Teazer," Jezabel returned.
" She's a right nice little kitten, Munk," Rumpleteazer whispered as she passed Munkstrap. He frowned at the meaningful look he was given. Females! he thought and shook his head.
Turning to the gray cat before him who looked at him with expectant eyes he said almost self-consciously,
"Remember me?"
"Of course," she said. "How could I forget so quick the cat who saved me?"
Munkustrap smiled slightly. "Where are you from, Jezabel?"
Jezabel looked confused. "The Stratherin's house."
The tiger cat raised his brow in surprise. The Stratherins were quite well known in London. Very wealthy. That would explain the diamond collar; it would most definitely be real.
"How did you find the Junkyard?" he asked. If she was a Jellicle she would have gone to it on instinct. If not... Munkustrap would rather not think of that.
Jezabel shrugged. "I dunno. This huge dog that belonged to our neighbor got loose and chased me all over town. Eventually, he stopped and I kept going until I ran into the other dogs several days later." Munkustrap frowned; that hadn't answered his question.
"Teazer said something that I was wondering about," she said. "What's a Jellicle cat?" He looked up and smiled ruefully. "What's a Jellicle cat?" he echoed. "What's a Jellicle cat?"
Jezabel cocked her head sweetly to one side.
"Are you blind when you're born?" he sang and awaited her response. She nodded.
" Can you see in the dark?"
Another nod.
"Can you look at a king?"
She shrugged.
"Would you sit on his throne?"
"I don't see why not," she replied. Munkustrap laughed.
"Can you say of your bite that it's worse than your bark?"
She shrugged again.
"Are you cock of the walk when you're walking alone?"
"I've never been alone before," she said completely enjoying this Getting- To-Know-You type game.
"Why?"
"Because Jellicles are and Jellicles do. Jellicles would and Jellicles could. Jellicles would and Jellicles can. Jellicles can and Jellicles do.
"When you fall on your head, do you land on your feet?"
Jezabel smiled broadly.
"Are you tense when you sense there's a storm in the air?"
"Yep."
"Can you find your way blind when you're lost in the street?"
She blushed. "I didn't do very good on that one."
Munkustrap's smile diminished slightly. He paused in his singing. A true Jellicle would know the answer to next question.
He resumed with, "Do you know how to go to the Heaviside Layer?"
Poor Jezabel looked thoroughly confused. "The what? Why's that important?"
Munkustrap's heart fell.
"Because Jellicles can and Jellicles do." Jezabel's face fell this time. "Jellicles do and Jellicles can. Jellicles can and Jellicles do. Jellicles do and Jellicles can. Jellicles can and Jellicles do.
"Can you ride on a broomstick to places far distant?"
Jezabel looked back up. "I'd like to try."
"Familiar with candle, with book, and with bell?"
"I think so."
"Were you Whittington's friend? The Pied Piper's assistant?"
She shook her head.
"Have you been an alumnus of heaven or hell?"
"Depends on when you ask my masters," was the reply. This caused Munkustrap to stop his song again and look at her thoughtfully. Definately an alumnus of heaven, he decided and continued,"
"Are you mean like a minx?" Munkustrap already knew the answer was no. "Are you lean like a lynx?"
Jezabel stretched gracefully to show him.
"Are you keen to be seen when you're smelling a rat?"
She shook her head fervently no.
"Were you there when the pharaohs commissioned the Sphinx?"
Another shrug.
"If you were and you are, you're a Jellicle cat!"
Jezabel looked sad again.
"Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats.
We can dive through the air like a flying trapeze. We can turn double somersaults, bounce on a tire. We can run up a wall, we can swing through the trees. We can balance on bars, we can walk on a wire. Jellicles can and Jellicles do. Jellicles can and Jellicles do. Jellicles can and Jellicles do. Jellicles can and Jellicles do.
Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats.
Can you sing at the same time in more than one key?
Duets by Rossini and waltzes by Strauss?
And can you (as cats do) begin with a 'C'?
That always triumphantly brings down the house?
Jellicle cats are queen of the nights
Singing at astronomical heights
Handling pieces from the 'Messiah'
Hallelujah, angelical Choir
The mystical divinity of unashamed felinity. Round the cathedral rang 'Vivat', Life to the everlasting cat!
Feline, fearless, faithful and true, To others who do what Jellicles do and Jellicles can.
Jellicles can and Jellicles do. Jellicle cats sing Jellicle chants. Jellicles old and Jellicles new. Jellicle song and Jellicle dance. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats.
Practical cats, dramatical cats, Pragmatical cats, fanatical cats, Oratorical cats, Delphic-Oracle cats, Skeptical cats, Dyspeptical cats, Romantical cats, Pedantical cats, Critical cats, parasitical cats, Allegorical cats, metaphorical cats, Statistical cats and mystical cats. Political cats, hypocritical cats, Clerical cats, hysterical cats, Cynical cats, rabbinical cats.
Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle bells that Jellicles ring. Jellicle sharps and Jellicle flats. Jellicle songs that Jellicles sing. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats. Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats!"
Jezabel had been listening spellbound and as soon as he finished she jumped up, eyes shining.
"Oh, Munkustrap! I can do all that. I can dance and sing and anything you want. Please, I want to be a Jellicle!"