Chapter 5
Amelia crosses the line
"You mean that beautiful feline is your sister?" Jim said.
"I'll kindly ask you not to talk about her like she was some piece of meat, Mr. Hawkins!" Amelia said angrily.
Then the future TP crew began to sing and dance in front of the TV.
"I cannot believe I am watching this," Amelia said and turned the TV off. She went to the Computer and started to surf on the 'Net.
Then a knock on the door was heard. "Come in," Jim said.
"Hello," Kitty said after she stepped inside.
"I say, can you believe it," Amelia said. "Our Miss Petro actually does know how to be polite."
"Weren't you supposed to be down with your guests?" Jim asked.
"You watched?" Kitty asked. "Anyhow," she said. "I want to start the training now, if you want to."
Jim began to walk toward the door. Amelia, on the other hand, sat quite still.
"Are you coming, Amelia?" Kitty asked.
"No, I am not," Amelia answered.
"Why not?" Kitty asked and gave Amelia a glare that would have made Amelia feel only a millimeter high, if she had looked at Kitty. But Amelia was concentrating on the PC and didn't turn around.
"Because I dont want to," Amelia said.
"Very well," Kitty said and turned the TV back on. Victoria and Arrow were singing. Arrow had somehow transformed into a male feline and together he and Victoria sang:
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer were a notorious couple of cats
As knockabout clowns, quick change comedians
Tight-rope walkers and acrobats
They had an extensive reputation
Made their home in Victoria Grove
That was merely their center of operation
For they were incurable given to rove
If the area window was found ajar
And the basement looked like a field of war
If a tile or two came loose on the roof
Which presently ceased to be waterproof
If the drawers were pulled out from bedroom chests
And you couldn't find one of your winter vests
Or after supper one of the girls
Suddenly missed her Woolworth pearls
Then the family would say, "It's that horrible cat!
It was Mungojerrie or Rumpleteazer!"
And most of the time they left it at that
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer had an unusual gift of gab
They were highly efficient cat burgulars
As well and remarkably smart at a smash and grab
They made their home in Victoria Grove
They had no regular occupation
They were plausible fellows who liked to engage
A friendly policeman in conversation
When the family assembled for Sunday dinner
Their minds made up that they wouldn't get thinner on
Argentine joint, potatoes and greens
Then the cook would appear from behind the scenes
And say in a voice that was broken with sorrow
"I'm afraid you must wait and have dinner tomorrow
The joint has gone from the oven like that!"
Then the family would say, "It's that horrible cat!
It was Mungojerrie or Rumpleteazer!"
And most of the time they left it at that
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer had a wonderful way
Of working together
And some of the time you would say it was luck
And some of the time you would say it was weather
They'd go through the house like a hurricane
And no sober person could take his oath
Was it Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer?
Or could you have sworn that it mightn't be both?
When you heard a dining room smash
Or up from the pantry there came a loud crash
Or down from the library came a loud ping
From a vase which was commonly said to be Ming
Then the family would say: "Now which was which cat?
It was Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer
And there's nothing at all to be done about that!"
Amelia now had her eyes on the TV. "Now where were we?" Kitty asked.
"Sorry, but I'm still not coming," Amelia said.
"Oh, yes, you will," Kitty said.
"Listen here, you," Amelia said and looked Kitty into her eyes. "You have done nothing but humiliate me since I've got here. First, you make me come here in the first place by almost pulling my ear off, Then, you make me share the same bed with Jim---no offense, Jim---and then last, but not least, you bring Arrow and Victoria here. Do you know how hard it is to see the loved ones you thought were dead, trouping about and singing as though nothing was wrong at all?"
Kitty just looked at the furious Amelia.
"With that attitude, Amelia, things won´t get any better."
Then Amelia cracked. She was so angry with Kitty that witouth any warning, she slapped the girl across the face. When Kitty looked back again, Amelia discovered there was more to this situation. For, on Kitty cheek, there were three fresh cuts from Amelia's claws. Amelia saw Kitty's baleful expresion and knew that she had made a big mistake.