CHAPTER 3: The Interview and More Hunting

Tatiana awoke the next morning about an hour after daybreak. After luxuriously stretching in her new, highly-comfortable bed, Tatiana suddenly had the sensation of being watched. Near her, the leaves of the bush rustled. Turning her head sharply, she spotted Mungojerrie coming towards her from the other side of the bush.

"Good mornin'," Mungojerrie greeted her cheerfully. "Did ya 'ave a good sleep?"

Tatiana nodded. "Yes, I did, thankyou," she said pleasantly. She gazed around, soaking in the morning sun and taking in her surroundings. Now that it was daylight, she could get a clearer picture of what the place looked like from this angle. She noticed that, beyond the junkyard fence, there was an open field, and beyond that was a forest. "That looks so nice," she said longingly.

"Oi'll toike ya there later if ya loike."

"Oh, yes, please!" Tatiana cried, still looking across the field.

"Munkustrap dropped by earlier," Mungojerrie remarked casually. "'E didn't want ta wake ya up, so 'e asked me ta tell ya that Old Deuteronomy is comin' down this mornin', so ya can 'ave yer interview then."

"Okay, thanks," Tatiana said, her stomach already beginning to knot up inside her.

Mungojerrie heard the nervousness in her voice and touched her shoulder gently. "Ya'll be foine," he soothed. "Toike a deep breath," he advised sternly.

Tatiana laughed.

"There," said the stripy tom. "Feels good ta laugh, 'ey?" He winked.

"I suppose I should head down to the entrance now, shouldn't I?" Tatiana sighed.

"Old Deuteronomy always does 'is interviews boiy the toiyre," Mungojerrie said. "We should probably woit there."

"We?" Tatiana was genuinely surprised. "Isn't he supposed to see me alone?"

"Yes," Mungojerrie said, "but Oi'll be nearby for moral support. So will Teaz, Etcetera and Misto, and Oi'm sure Vicki and Jemoima will be there, too."

"Oh. That's nice of you all." However, Tatiana felt like she was starting to panic.

The two starting walking towards the tyre. "Breathe," Mungojerrie reminded Tatiana as they neared their destination.

"I'll try," said Tatiana meekly.

Sure enough, Rumpelteazer, Etcetera and Victoria were already sitting a little ways from the tyre.

"Mornin'," Rumpelteazer beamed. She noted Tatiana's anxious expression. "Smoile. 'Tis on this mornin' that yoo will be crowned the new Jellicle," she said, trying to speak poshly, but failing – mostly due to her Cockney accent.

"Come sit with us," Etcetera invited.

Tatiana padded over and tensely sat herself beside Etcetera. Mungojerrie sat beside Tatiana in turn, and the group was soon joined by Mistoffelees and Jemima. They both smiled at Tatiana but tactfully kept quiet.

They waited for a while until Munkustrap walked over from the nearby pipe.

Tatiana's heart fluttered at the sight of him, but she told herself that it was just nerves.

Munkustrap approached Tatiana and smiled down at her kindly. "Old Deuteronomy will be here at any moment," he told her. "Come and sit by the tyre. That is where he will interview you."

Tatiana nodded and obeyed the second-in-command.

Munkustrap sat on the tyre, looking alert and awaiting the arrival of the Jellicle leader.

At last, a large, brown-and-grey-coloured cat ambled into the junkyard. Tatiana presumed that this was Old Deuteronomy. As this was a serious occasion, the young cats present bowed their heads respectfully and each received a nod in return.

As the cat neared the tyre, Munkustrap stood and, smiling, extended his paws. Old Deuteronomy did the same before turning to the young queen seated at his feet.

"Welcome," said the old cat in a deep voice.

Tatiana stood and smiled shyly, almost trembling as she did so.

Old Deuteronomy motioned for her to once more be seated, and he himself sat upon the tyre.

Just before the interview commenced, Tatiana glanced at the group of her new friends, who all nodded encouragement. She noticed Cassandra standing nearby. Tatiana almost laughed to herself. Inquisitive bunch, she thought.

"Welcome to the Jellicle Tribe."

A round of cheers and applause filled the air. The young Jellicles rushed up to a beaming Tatiana.

"Woiy ta go, Tats!" Rumpelteazer yelled, giving the new member a high-five.

Etcetera, Mistoffelees, Victoria and Jemima also offered high-fives, while Mungojerrie affectionately ruffled Tatiana's head-fur.

Tatiana felt more like she had just won a sports match than been accepted into a tribe.

Munkustrap took her paws. "Welcome," he said with a wink and a gorgeous smile on his face.

Tatiana thought she was going to faint from pleasure. "Thankyou," she managed.

Cassandra walked over to her. "Nice to have a new member."

"Thanks."

Also smiling, Old Deuteronomy discreetly left the junkyard, leaving the younger generation to their eccentric, modern celebrations.

"But how do we get out?"

"That's easy." Mungojerrie winked. He put his paw against the fence and pushed. An opening just big enough for a large cat to fit through appeared.

"Ummm…are we actually allowed to go into the forest?"

"Sure, why not? We can go anywhere we please."

"Then why this secretive exit?"

Mungojerrie shrugged. "Well, there is one that everyone else uses, but…Oi don't know, Oi jes' koind of loike the oidea of 'avin' a secret passagewoiy, such as it is. Then" – he grinned – "Oi can go inta the forest without anyone knowin' if Oi want ta be alone. 'Sides, it's closer ta the forest. Are ya goin' through?"

"Okay." Tatiana padded through the hole and waited for Mungojerrie to follow.

When he was safely through, Mungojerrie led Tatiana quickly across the field and into the forest.

"Oooh…" Tatiana gave a shiver as the cool air suddenly hit her fur. "It' nice and a cool in here."

The two wandered about for a couple of hours, with Mungojerrie showing her his favourite haunts, including a couple of stone caves. Presently, Tatiana's stomach began to growl, and she realized, as did Mungojerrie, that it must be lunch-time.

"Oi think it must be toime ta foind us some food," commented Mungojerrie.

"Where do you find food around here?" asked Tatiana.

"Oh, several places," Mungojerrie said airily. "Oi'll show ya moiy favourite. I hope yer not scared of water?"

"Not in the least."

"Good. Follow me."

Tatiana followed Mungojerrie until he stopped beside a river on the edge of the forest. Mungojerrie motioned her closer.

"Look down in the water."

Tatiana did as she was told, straining her eyes to see.

"See them?"

Tatiana shook her head

"Down boiy the rocks at the bottom."

"Oh!" Tatiana cried. "I see them now!"

Presently, several fish jumped up out of the water and dived back in.

"Wow!"

"Now, Oi'm gonna teach ya 'ow ta catch 'em."

Tatiana looked at him, her eyes wide. "I'm not sure about this…"

"Ya'll be roight," Mungojerrie assured her. He then proceeded to show her how to catch fish.

"Do you do this all the time?"

Mungojerrie nodded.

The two were reclining after a large meal of fish. It had taken Tatiana a while to get the hang of catching fish, but she had finally succeeded. She had, however, fallen into the river in the process, causing Mungojerrie to have to fish her out, both of them laughing and Tatiana shivering from the cold water.

Mungojerrie looked at the sun. "We should prob'ly start 'eadin' back," he said.

Tatiana nodded in agreement as the two stood and ambled back through the forest, across the field and finally through the hole in the junkyard fence.

"Oh!" Tatiana cried suddenly.

"What?" Mungojerrie looked at her, startled. "Did ya 'urt yeself?"

Tatiana shook her head. "No, I just remembered that I'm supposed to have my first dancing lesson tonight."

"Oh. Well, that's orlroight then," Mungojerrie said, recovering from the scare she had given him. "Are ya ready?"

Tatiana nodded. "I think so," she replied.

"Ya'll do great," Mungojerrie assured her.

"Er…"

"Ya will. Yer the sort ta succeed at everythin' she does."

Tatiana laughed. "That's a nice thing to say, but I don't think so."