Part Four: The Temptress

Chapter Twenty

"Good morning, boys," I sing-songed as I entered the junkyard the next morning. I'd had a good night's sleep—plus the added delight of my triumph over Munku the day before—which put me in quite a chipper mood.

"Well good morning to you, babydoll," Rum Tum Tugger sat up, his eyes suddenly very quick and bright. I flashed him a knowing smile. A seductress can spot a fellow seducer when she sees one.

I continued my walk through the yard, sashaying towards Jenny and Jellyorum. Tugger quickly caught up to me, snaking his arm around me in a friendly fashion. "I must say, Miss, you look rather ravishing today."

I smiled, never even bothering to look at him, "I know."

Tugger gave a small chuckle of surprise. Apparently he was used to queens just falling at his feet whenever he paid them a compliment. Not this cat.

"So, where ya headed?" He regained his smoothness. I felt the corner of my mouth curl into a grin, but I quickly checked it, "Oh, just out and about."

I stopped and turned to face him, "Where are you going?"

He stopped, a coy grin on his handsome features. "Baby, I'm going with you."

I have a wry chuckle, gently removing his paw from my shoulder, "I don't think so, Tugsy-boy. This is big-cat business. No little ones allowed."

Tugger took a step back. He had never been called a kit—and technically, he wasn't. He was actually older than me. He quickly recovered his coy smile, "Aren't you a feisty one?"

"I am," I purred, leaning into him.

I turned away, expecting him to follow after me like an obedient poodle.

But he didn't.

Tugger simply shrugged, walked over to another group of females, and at once resumed his usual occupation of being loved and adored. I turned back quickly when I heard the squeals of delight from the female kittens. Tugger smiled smugly back at me. His eyes were dancing, as if to say See? I don't need you.

I gave a wry chuckle, shaking my head in disbelief. Tugger continued to smile wickedly at me. I wagged a finger at him. I knew his game. And two could definitely play it.

~*~

I quickly found Demeter, who was seated next to Jennyanydots and Jellyorum. I jumped up beside her on the car—the very same car we had sat on as kits. It still amazed me at how much things hadn't changed.

"Good morning, Ladies," I said cordially. The greeting was returned. Demeter was still a little upset over Munkustrap's remark the day before. Last night, she had refused to talk about it—she simply said that she hated to be embarrassed in front of someone as important as Munku and left it at that.

"Look," I said, stretching out my neck so that they could see my new collar, "Our humans got Dem and me new ones yesterday."

"They match," Demeter added, turning her head so that her mother could inspect it.

"Lovely," Jellyorum said, although she didn't sound like she meant it. Demeter produced her old collar, "Here, Mother. This is for you."

"Never in a million years," Jellyorum turned up her nose. "No human will ever put such a thing around my neck."

Jennyanydots looked at her, "But it's not as if they own you. That's just so the cat-catchers won't get you."

"I won't wear it," Jellyorum said stolidly. Jennyanydots sighed. Demeter spoke up, "Mother, you need to. It's for protection."

"I don't need protection," Jellyorum sniffed haughtily. "I can take care of myself."

"Yes," Demeter admitted quietly, her light green eyes filled with concern. "But if you get caught, who will take care of Gus? You know Father can't survive without you, even for a day or two."

Jellyorum thought about this for a moment. With a sigh of defeat, she took the collar, disgust evident upon her face. I just smiled softly and shook my head. Demeter, despite her quiet, reserved ways, always knew exactly what to say to win an argument.

Demeter smiled brightly, "Now, that's better. Where are the kittens?"

Jennyanydots motioned vaguely to the other end of the junkyard, "Playing. Being loud and obnoxious. Breaking things; defacing public property—take your pick."

Dem and I giggled at this, "I bet you said the same thing about us when we were younger."

"I did," Jennyanydots admitted with a smile. "And you were all guilty as charged."

Dem and I laughed in agreement. Jellyorum just shook her head, "My, how time does fly. Look at you—both of you—all grown up and so pretty."

"And Bombalurina is still the spitting image of…" Jenny trailed off. Jellyorum shot her a warning look. Dem shifted uncomfortably. I looked away. This was not the first time I had been compared to the Glamour Cat.

After an awkward pause, I spoke, "I would like to see her."

"Who?"

"This…Glamour Cat," I said, almost distastefully. The three queens looked at me with wide eyes.

"Whatever for?" Jellyorum asked breathlessly. I shrugged carelessly. "Everyone says how much I favor her. I've never even seen her! I would like to judge for myself."

"Oh, Bombie," Demeter said, almost reverently. "The Glamour Cat has been gone for a long time. She's probably dead by now."

I nodded in agreement. Jennyanydots quickly changed the subject and we never talked about it again.

But still, I wanted to meet this cat.

~*~

Munkustrap appeared, sauntering through the mid-morning crowd with such an air of authority that it made me catch my breath. I loved authority figures. I loved to defy them. It was a fatal attraction, so to speak.

"Good morning, ladies," he gave us a nod.

"Good morning, Munkustrap," I replied breathily. He stopped and actually saw me for the first time. I leaned over the edge of the car and smiled down on him, "Did you sleep well?"

"Fine, thank you," he replied, obviously thrown off by my question. He wanted to leave, but he didn't want to seem rude, so he stayed.

"Perhaps you should join us," I slid over to make room. "It is a lovely day and the sun is wonderful."

He shook his head, "I have duties to attend to."

"They can wait," I purred. "You've got to learn to live a little, Munku. Take time to smell the roses, all that jazz."

He looked up at me questioningly. He still hadn't gotten used to me calling him Munku.

"Perhaps another time," he gave a cordial bow and continued his patrol. Demeter giggled, smacking me lightly on the leg, "You shouldn't tease him so, Bombie!"

"But how could I resist?" I replied in a low tone. I could tell by the way Munku turned his head ever-so-slightly that he had heard us.

~*~

I quickly fell into the role as the resident seductress—I even surprised myself at how quickly I adapted. Of course, most of it came naturally, but there was some work involved—I had to keep juggling the toms, careful not to drop one, lest I lose an admirer. And where would that get me?

The younger toms were obviously the easiest targets—I didn't actually have to encourage them. Coricopat was never a target—he gave me the creeps. He had certainly changed over the years. He was quiet, removed, and always appearing at the oddest times. He hardly ever spoke, never smiled, and always stared at me with such intensity that I never could look him in the eye. It was as if he was trying to see the old Bombie in me, trying to figure out where she went. I avoided him like the plague.

My toughest competitor was of course Munkustrap. He just would not give in to my obvious charms. Despite the frustration he caused, I looked forward to my next meeting with him—he was a challenge, a mystery to me. But I promised myself that one day I would unlock his secret, and that kept me going. I never could back down from any obstacle—not even one as foreboding as Munkustrap.

And then there was Tugger. The Rum Tum Tugger—what a curious cat! Everyone assumed he was my equal, the male counterpart to my sassy ways. But to be honest, I was way out of his league. This did not stop him from trying (or me from encouraging him).

It was all a game—a wonderful, fast paced game. And I adored every minute of it.

Except for the gossip.

You see, Jennyanydots never really forgave me—although I'm not sure what crime I committed against her. My only offense was that I resembled the Glamour Cat—and that was something totally beyond my control. Still, Jennyanydots bore a grudge against me. I learned to bury down the feelings of guilt and despair that she incited and cover them up with a smile that would drive any tom wild.

And although Jellyorum never said so, I knew she didn't approve of my new flamboyant lifestyle. I could see the look on her face—that slight look of motherly disapproval, whenever I pranced into the junkyard after another night on the town. Even Dem would try to change my wicked ways, but to no avail. I was having too much fun. The more time I spent with my toms, the less I thought about my past. The times spent flirting and flitting about were like little candles, dispelling the darkness.

Of course, I had another supreme joy—baiting Jennyanydots.

"So," I said, sitting beside the Gumbie Cat and bathing myself with a look of careful disinterest. "How is Skimble?"

"Fine," she looked at me warily. "Why do you want to know?"

"No reason," I replied innocently. "It's just that when I saw him last night, he seemed—"

"You saw him last night?" Jennyanydots interrupted, her face turning pale. I quickly backtracked, my eyes wide with innocence, "At the train station. He-he-he was coming home. And I…was on my way to visit a friend. I took the midnight train."

Jenny eyed me suspiciously. I had a done a very good job, making it seem like I was covering up something—perhaps a tryst with the ole railway cat? I smiled smugly to myself and turned to go, knowing that question would be on Jennyanydot's mind for the rest of the day.

Jenny and Skimble lived together—they had Coricopat and Tantomile together, but they weren't officially mates. It was just more of a long-term thing, although I'm pretty sure that Skimbleshanks had a few flings on the midnight rail. Jennyanydots dutifully looked the other way on such things, I'm sure. She always was odd like that.

But Jenny also had a little thing for another tom—Bustopher Jones. Bustopher was a large black cat with white paws. He was horribly snooty; he reminded me so much of Fergus the Finchfield. In all honesty, I didn't really care for him, but I flirted shamelessly with him, just because I knew it drove Jennyanydots to distraction.

And because Bustopher had one thing in his favor, something that could not be denied. Bustopher Jones had money. And with that came power. Power and money—those two simple things can do a lot to improve a tom. It certainly improved my view of him.

I was like a kid in the candy store, as the humans say. I was surrounded by toms—toms of every shape, size, and walk of life. I juggled them all brilliantly, taunting them with the hope that one day, they would finally get their chance to tame the beautiful Bombalurina. And during this whole time, I did not think of Macavity.

~*~

"Oh, Tugsy darling," I called in my most alluring of voices. He sat up, as if on cue, "Yes?"

"Would you help me?" I asked in my kitten voice, my eyes wide with innocence. I was the epitome of a damsel in distress.

He took the bait.

Tugger jumped down from his perch and came over, a soft smile on his face, "What can I do for you, darling?"

"My collar broke," I said, pouting a little. I offered it to him, "Perhaps you could fix it?"

"Me? Fix it?" This obviously was not the request he had expected.

I nodded innocently. "Yes. I've been told that you were a very clever cat…I was certain you could fix it. Dem said you could fix anything."

"She said that, did she?" Tugger puffed up a little more. I nodded and stepped forward, "I would be oh so grateful."

That was more than enough for Tugger. He sat down and quickly went to work on the collar. I stood over him, watching him with an amused smile. The way his face twitched as he tried to fix the latch…he really was a good-looking tom. Not that I hadn't already noticed, but it just seemed that he always looked more handsome when he wasn't trying to be.

He held it up triumphantly, "Got it."

I turned around dutifully and waited for him to slip it back around my neck. Ever so gently, I felt his nose brush the back of my head, "You smell good."

"I try," I said softly, trying not to laugh. I smell good? Is that the best he could come up with?

"What are you doing tonight?" He asked in a low tone. I shrugged, "I don't know."

"Perhaps you could repay that favor you owe me," he suggested. I turned around quickly, shocked at his presumption, "Excuse me?"

Tugger stepped forward, "What? Not up to it, Bombie?"

"Depends on what 'it' is," I replied coolly. Tugger laughed, "Dancing. There's a new club opening up three blocks over. I'd hate to go alone."

I smiled wickedly at this, "What? I thought you liked playing the role of the lone wolf."

"Sometimes," he smiled. "But not tonight. Besides, I need a dance partner, and you're the only queen who's tall enough to partner with me."

"Gee, thanks," I replied sarcastically. Tugger laughed again, "You know what I mean, Bombie. So, will you come?"

"What's in it for me?" I asked. Tugger grinned boyishly, "A night on the town with the Rum Tum Tugger. What else could you possibly want?"

"Oh, so much more," I replied turning away. "I won't let you parade around with me on your arm like some prize."

"But think of all those jealous queens," Tugger knew to play to my vanity. "All of them envying you…you'd love every minute of it; I know you would."

"I would," I admitted with a small smile. I turned back to Tugger. He thought he had won.

"But there's something you don't know about me, Tugsy," I replied sweetly. "I steal the scene in my own right. I don't need your help to do that."

~*~

Despite my obvious brush-off, I did go to the club. I didn't go with Tugger—in fact, I made it seem like I wasn't going at all. I arrived before he did and waited, leaning nonchalantly against the brick wall of the alleyway entrance.

Tugger appeared, another queen on his arm. She was shorter than I was, and not at all pretty—cute, sure, but not pretty. I smiled seductively at Tugger, "I see you don't stay lonely for long."

Tugger returned the grin, dropping his arm from around the other queen's waist. She shot daggers at me with her eyes. I simply smiled.

"Well, well," Tugger came up to me. "You do know how to surprise."

"One of my many talents," I assured him. His grin got even wider.

"Still need a dance partner?" I asked in a low tone. He nodded, his tone echoing mine, "Yes, ma'am, I do."

I smiled up at his handsome face. I will never forget the look on his face when he saw me waiting for him. Priceless.

"Ladies first," he said, motioning for me and the strange queen to enter. I quickly stepped in front of her and made my way into the dimly lit building.

And that's when I heard it—that name.

"Look, it's the Red Queen!"

I smiled, more out of habit than happiness. I hadn't been called that in a long time; although I was still filled with a certain amount of glee that cats still remembered me. Bombalurina hadn't lost her fame or her power yet.

Tugger looked curiously at me once we reached a table, "The Red Queen?"

"Didn't I tell you I was a celebrity around here?" I reminded him playfully. The strange queen looked at me with renewed interest, "You're the poker player."

"Yes," I said, trying not to sound too short with her. She apparently was very daft if she hadn't picked up on the fact that Tugger was no longer interested in her. I stood, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to see if there is a card table around here."

There was. I quickly entered the game, much to the joy and shock of the other players—never had they played cards with the Red Queen!

After a few rounds, I excused myself for a drink. I returned shortly.

"Alright, boys," I said merrily. "Deal me back in."

Then I noticed the other figure at the table.

It was Macavity.

~*~

He stopped, his face a hurricane of tumultuous emotions.

"Red," he said, his voice barely a whisper. His mouth crooked into that familiar sideways grin, but this time it held the bittersweet tint of nostalgia. "You're alive."

There was an awkward, almost shocked silence. No one had seen the Hidden Paw so emotional before. I stood there, frozen.

"Y-yes, I-I-I," I stammered like a fool. I had not been prepared to face him again—even if I had been, I probably still would have reacted like an kit. "I am."

He smiled softly, "Of course you are."

He did not say anything else. He turned his sad face back to his cards. I quickly sat down and took the hand I had been dealt. I was back at Mac's table, and I would play this one out.

~*~

Before long, Tugger found me, "C'mon, Babe, there's a good song on."

"Not now, darling," I replied, waving him away. I was concentrating on the cards.

That's when Tugger saw Macavity. I could literally sense the hair on the back of their necks stand on end.

"Ah, the Rum Tum Tugger," Macavity replied smoothly, sitting back in his chair. He shot me a look, "I should have known."

"Macavity," Tugger spat the name, his mane bristling with fury. "Aren't you a little close to Jellicle Territory?"

"Aren't you a little outnumbered to do anything about it?" Mac motioned around the room. Tugger took a step closer to me, as if to shield me, "Let's go, Bomba."

"She can handle herself," Mac replied before I had a chance to respond. He smirked at me once more, "Trust me."

"Tugger, wait outside," I said in a low tone—one that would not be denied. He gave a curt nod and left the building.

"He's charming," Mac shifted his cards.

I rolled my eyes, "Don't."

Mac held up his hands in mock surrender. We continued our game. Eventually, the other cats surrounding the table drifted away. Finally, Mac spoke.

"So, you're a Jellicle again?"

I nodded. Another long pause.

"You like it there?"

I shrugged, "What's not to like?"

Mac chuckled softly, "So complacent. My, how you've changed."

"Mac," I said softly. He jumped at the name. Nobody but I called him that; I was suddenly aware of all the painful memories that name must have held. "Sorry. It's just—look, it's hard to explain—"

"You left me, made me believe you were dead for almost a year, and then you reappear in my brand-new club with a Jellicle on your arm," Mac said tiredly. "What is there to explain?"

"Don't be like that," I told him. I took a deep breath. "I can't say all the things I want to, but I do still want to be able to sit here and play cards and know that you won't act like a monster."

"We can't always have what we want," Macavity said in a low tone.

"What's that supposed to—"

My query was interrupted by Macavity flipping over the card table. It was such a violent motion, but his face and voice remained as calm and impassive as stone, "Game over, Red."

He tossed the cards onto the heap and slowly walked away.