VICTORIA (v.o.)- Text: The Fellowship of the Collar.
Text: The Fellowship of the Collar
ALONZO (v.o.)- Umm, I don't think you were supposed to say that part.
VICTORIA (v.o.)- Oops.
Text: The Junkyard… 60 years later
We see a map of England
BUSTOPHER JONES (v.o.)- The 22nd day of September in the year 1400, by Junkyard reckoning.
POUNCIVAL (v.o.)- Junkyard reckoning?
ELECTRA (v.o.)- Well, he can't very well say Shire reckoning.
POUNCIVAL (v.o.)- Oh.
BUSTOPHER JONES (v.o.)- The Pipe, er, St. James's Street, the big pile of rubbish on the left, the west corner of the Junkyard, the Junkyard. The third age of this world.
SKIMBLESHANKS (v.o.)- Well, that was… interesting. Munkustrap, I suppose you didn't write the lines either?
MUNKUSTRAP (v.o.)- Er…
We see a view of the old pipe. Bustopher is sitting next to it on a hat, writing.
BUSTOPHER JONES- There and Back Again: A Cat's Tail, By Bustopher Jones
ELECTRA (v.o.)- hehehe
Now, where to begin? Ah, yes. "Concerning cats."
Cats have been living and dancing in the Junkyard for many hundreds of years, quite content to ignore and be ignored by the world of the humans.
Some more scenes of the Junkyard, cats playing.
England being, after all, full of strange creatures beyond count, cats must seem of little importance-
POUNCIVAL (v.o.)- Hmph.
BUSTOPHER JONES- being neither renowned as great warriors nor counted among the very wise.
Shot of Cassandra arguing with Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer about her part. We hear knocking.
BUSTOPHER- Misto! Someone at the door?
Bustopher looks around for a door. As he is sitting outside, he finds none. He shrugs and continues writing.
BUSTOPHER- In fact, it has been remarked by some that cats' only real passion is for food. A rather unfair observation, as we have also developed a keen interest in catnapping and caterwauling.
POUNCIVAL (v.o.)- Not to mention catnip.
MUNKUSTRAP (v.o.)- Pouncival!
BUSTOPHER- But where are hearts truly lie is in peace and quiet and good tilled earth. For all cats share a love of things that grow.
SKIMBLESHANKS (v.o.)- No offense, laddy, but that doesna sound much like us.
View of Jemima gardening
MISTO (v.o.)- Jemima!?
ELECTRA (v.o.)- Gardening!?
EXOTICA (v.o.)- I really wish you guys would be quiet. I'm trying to film, here.
MISTO (v.o.)- But what-
TUGGER (v.o.)- Sorry I'm late. What'd I miss?
MISTO (v.o.)- Tugger! What's-
MUNKUSTRAP (v.o.)- Do you think maybe you two could discuss this later? Exotica's right, we're trying to film.
BUSTOPHER- And yes, no doubt to others our ways seem quaint. But today of all days, it is brought home to me: it is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life.
Cats raising a banner reading "Happy Birthday Bustopher Jones"
Knocking sound again.
BUSTOPHER- Misto, the door!
Bustopher looks around for a door again and shakes his head, then shrugs.
BUSTOPHER- Sticklebacks, where is that kit? Misto!
The scene shifts, and we see Misto sitting alone in a far corner of the junkyard practicing magic. Suddenly he pauses, looks up, and smiles. We see Old Deuteronomy walking slowly towards the Junkyard.
DEUTERONOMY (singing)- Well, of all things, can it be really? Yes, no, oh hi oh, my eye! My mind may be wandering, but I confess, I believe it is Old Deuteronomy…
Misto runs towards him across the Junkyard.
MISTO- Old Deuteronomy!
MUNKUSTRAP (v.o.)- Wrong line, Misto.
Misto looks embarrassed.
MISTO- Er, I mean, you're late!
DEUTERONOMY (sternly)- The Jellicle leader is never late, Mistoffelees. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.
Old Deuteronomy smiles fondly at Misto, who happily jumps into his arms.
MISTO- It's wonderful to see you, Deuteronomy!
DEUTERONOMY (still smiling)- You didn't think I'd miss your Uncle Bustopher's birthday?
Misto grins and falls into step beside him.
DEUTERONOMY- So, how is the old rascal? I hear it's going to be a party of special magnificence.
MISTO- You know Bustopher. Half the Junkyard's been invited.
ELECTRA (v.o.)- Half the Junkyard? That's not really that many, when you think about it.
POUNCIVAL (v.o.)- Yeah. You'd have thought he'd have invited all of us.
EXOTICA (v.o.)- You guys! Please!
MISTO (loudly)- And the rest of them are turning up anyway!
POUNCIVAL (v.o.)- Oh, well, that's okay then. But he still should have invited everyone to begin with.
EXOTICA (v.o.) Arg!
We hear sounds of stomping, and the camera stops following Deuteronomy and Misto. The two of them walk off the screen, while the scene stays focused on an old bicycle wheel.
MUNKUSTRAP (v.o.)- Exotica, come back!
BUSTOPHER (v.o.)- And so, life in the Junkyard very much as it always has, full of its own comings and goings with change coming slowly, if it comes at all.
The camera remains focused on the wheel.
BUSTOPHER (v.o.)- For things are made to endure in the Junkyard, passing from one generation to the next. There's always been a tuxedo cat living here in the pipe.
EXOTICA (v.o.)- Oh, all right. But Munku, please make everyone be quiet backstage. I'm trying to film.
The scene abruptly switches back to Bustopher, who is still sitting and writing.
BUSTOPHER- And there always will be.
Scene moves back to Misto and Deuteronomy who are still walking slowly through the Junkyard.
MISTO- To tell you the truth, Bustopher's been a bit odd lately. I mean, more than usual.
POUNCIVAL (v.o.)- *snicker*
MUNKUSTRAP (v.o.)- Shhhhh….
MISTO- He's taken to… Er, Locking himself in his study? Munkustrap, there isn't even a door! Yes but- Oh, all right. He spends hours poring over old maps and things when he thinks I'm not looking.
Bustopher looks around for a map.
BUSTOPHER- Where's it gone?
SKIMBLE (v.o.)- Ah, I think you're supposed tae be lookin' for the collar, Bustopher.
BUSTOPHER- Ah yes. Where has it gone?
Bustopher looks all around the pipe for the collar. Finally he finds it under the hat and sits down again, relieved. Scene switches back to Misto and Deuteronomy.
MISTO- He's up to something.
Deuteronomy shrugs.
MISTO- All right then, keep your secrets. But I know you have something to do with it.
DEUTERONOMY- Good gracious me.
MISTO- Before you came along- Munkustrap! I can't do this!
MUNKUSTRAP (v.o.)- *sigh* Just say the lines, Misto.
MISTO (embarrassed)- Before you came along, we cats were very well thought of.
DEUTERONOMY (smiling encouragingly at Misto)- Indeed.
MISTO- Never had any adventures of did anything unexpected.
DEUTERONOMY- If you're referring to the incident with the airplane, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out the door.
ALONZO (v.o., whispering)- Incident with the airplane? What was that?
We hear what sounds like Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer humming innocently.
MISTO- Whatever you did, you've been officially labeled a disturber of the peace.
DEUTERONOMY- Oh really?
A group of kittens come running up eagerly and rub affectionately against Deuteronomy.
KITTENS- Fireworks, Old Deuteronomy! Fireworks.
Deuteronomy smiles at them, but does nothing. Misto looks at him inquiringly. Deuteronomy glances down at Misto with a raised eyebrow. No one does anything, and the kittens start looking board.
MUNKUSTRAP (v.o.)- Misto!
MISTO- What?
Exotica comes running onto stage and whispers something to Misto, Deuteronomy, and the kittens. Then leaves.
KITTENS- Fireworks, Misto! Fireworks.
Deuteronomy glances down at Misto inquiringly. Misto rubs his hands together, then turns and launches some small "fireworks" out of his fingers.
KITTENS- Yay!
MISTO- Old Deuteronomy? I'm glad you're back
DEUTERONOMY- So am I, dear kit. So am I.
A yelp is heard from off stage.
CASSANDRA (v.o.)- Misto! Get over here and put these out!
MISTO (v.o.)- Oh Cassandra, I'm sorry!
TUGGER (v.o.)- Misto, you really have to learn to aim those things a bit better.
Smoke briefly obscures the screen before it goes dark.
~~~
Notes: Okay, sorry it took so long to get this next bit uploaded. I got hit by the last week of school (papers due week) followed by finals week.
To reviewers: Thank you all so much! *bounces* I love reviews. I read them all, and they really make my day. I'm so glad people are enjoying this. I do fully intend to carry it through to the end of Return of the King, which I finally get to see this Tuesday/Thursday. Midnight viewing! Yay!