Later that night, I sat down to dinner with the Jellicle tribe. It wasn't a formal affair, which relieved me. Never learned good manners. From what Bombalurina told me, all the cats went out hunting and brought something back for everyone to share. That was a new revelation for me. Everywhere I've been, the first rule was to fend for yourself. Like I said before, this was a nice place, but all nice places come at a price. Most cats brought in mice or rats, but there were a few birds too. All of a sudden, "Tugger" plopped down right next to me. The look Bombalurina gave me told me that she was deeply in love with that tom. Either that, or she was just as big a flirt. He kissed me on the side of the cheek, and the fury/resentment look on Bomba's face grew.

"You had your little field trip with the babies, how's about a real tour with me after dinner?" He asked in the sexiest voice I've ever heard. I could feel my heart quicken, and butterflies in my stomach. Quickly fighting away the feeling, I started to draw circles on his back with my tail. I was rewarded with a look of surprise and longing.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think I caught your name..." I trailed off on purpose.

"You tell me yours first, babes."

"Just call me Rose." I said in his ear.

"The Rum Tum Tugger, at your service, Rose. What a beautiful name."

"Who's? Your's or mine." I laughed.

"Both." He said, kissing me on the cheek again. I could tell he was starting to wonder if he actually had a crush on me, a new experience for him. Laughing, he put his arm around my shoulder. Rum Tum Tugger must have been a bigger flirt than I originally thought. Usually, when I do this, all the cats around me would be staring at me and whichever tom I was playing with. But all the Jellicles were carrying on as usual, not giving us any attention. Except for Bombalurina, who was seething. Quickly leaving the table, she stormed off.

I was starting to wonder who was the bigger flirt, Tugger or me, when I noticed that he had put quite a few mice on, apparently, our plate. I had my own plate when I sat down, but it was gone now. Delicately, I ate two of them, exclaiming that I was watching my figure. In reality, I never had found much food, so I was used to eating very little. He promptly replied that I was perfect, and actually purred on the last word. Finally, I stopped trying to kid myself. It was a tie, and I did have a crush on him. But he had a crush on me, too. So we were even.

After me and The Rum Tum Tugger finished eating, he again asked if I wanted to go on 'The Tugger Tour.' Shrugging, I agreed. There wasn't any harm in it. The only place we visited was his abode, an old car behind a big couch. Sitting on the couch, we asked each other a lot of questions. Our interviews were interrupted after a bit by a gold and black queen, who I recall as Demeter. She said that Old Deuteronomy wanted to see me. I hadn't met him yet, but the kits had told me that he was the leader of the Jellicle Tribe. I knew what was coming; he'd tell me what I'd have to do in order to stay here. It was always the same. Taking me to him, me and Demeter got acquainted with each other. Her mate was the silver tom I met earlier, Munkustrap. When I asked what kind of a cat Deuteronomy was, she frowned. She told me that he was a kind and gentle soul who would help anybody, even Macavity. Asking who Macavity was, she looked at me like I was crazy to not know.

"You've seriously never heard of 'The Napoleon of Crime,' The Hidden Paw,' 'The Flying Squad's Despair,' or 'The Bafflement of Scotland Yard?!'

"I've been a little bit of everywhere, Demeter. Actually, I traveled through quite a few towns before ending up here in the last month. To answer your question, I think I may have heard of The Napoleon of Crime in the last town over to the west." Her jaw dropped. Obviously, this Macavity person was infamous. It was news to her that I'd only heard of him. Every cat here must know of him. I was about to ask what he'd done when we arrived at where I was to meet Old Deuteronomy. I would just ask him instead. Bowing my head in his direction, he welcomed me. Munkustrap, who I hadn't noticed before, waved off his mate.

"So you must be Rose. You've caused quite the commotion in this tribe. Please, sit. I trust that the kittens gave you a good tour." Deuteronomy said kindly. I nodded. Duly noting that he had refrained from saying 'my tribe,' I sat down on the spot. My tail couldn't decide which side of me it wanted to lay on, and flicked about restlessly. Like most cats, my tail seemed to have a mind of it's own. Tails were like that.

"Do you wish to join our tribe?" he asked me. I knew this was coming.

"What's it take?" I replied suspiciously.

"Ask nicely." he laughed. My jaw dropped. It had never occurred to me that there actually could be a place like this, where all you have to do is ask to become part of the tribe. I just sat there, stunned by this revelation. After a few minutes, Munkustrap asked me if I wanted to join, again. Finally regaining some of my composure, I was able to answer.

"That's nice, and you really have a great place here, but I must turn down the offer. I need to be able to wander where I please, and I've never stayed in a place for more than a month."

"Then feel free to come and go as you please." was his reply. Remembering what I had wanted to asked Old Deuteronomy, I once again over came the shock of his kindness.

"Who's Macavity? I'm from... way out of town."

"He's a monster, a son of Satan." Munkustrap said quietly.

"What crimes has he committed?" I asked, knowing that they were thinking I was an idiot. But, if that's what they thought, so be it.

"Every crime in the book, and then some." Munkustrap answered. I nodded my head in understanding. Every crime... that's a lot. And judging by the nick-names Demeter gave me, he hasn't even been close to caught. This is where my skills came in handy.

"I'll see what I can do about him." I said seriously, in a tone that no body could question. Turning around, I left, Seeking further companionship with the Tugger. Sighing, I mentally berated myself for actually falling in love with him. Even if it would be short lived. But he liked me back, I could tell. I wondered what Griddlebone felt when she first met Growltiger. She must have loved him a lot, to leave her kittens from another relationship behind. I wondered if she ever had kits with Growltiger, or was even alive right now. After finding that The Rum Tum Tugger wasn't where I left him, I climbed up to the top of a large junk pile. My only soft spot was the stars. They had been my guide for my entire life. I knew the constellations of the night sky well. My mind was swept into blankness as I lost myself in the vastness of space.