Misto sat in the pipe watching his sister dance gracefully. He was so excited for the ball. I finally get to attend! Okay, focus. He kept watching intently, admiring his beautiful sister. Then it was time to come out. He ran out and started to sing. "Jellicle Cats come out tonight. Jellicle Cats come one, come all. The Jellicle Moon is shining bright. Jellicles come to the Jellicle Ball. Jellicle Cats come out tonight. Jellicles come to the Jellicle Ball." And then Munk started to speak, and the rest of the Jellicles danced in unison. Misto smiled to himself, but frowned when he didn't see Tugger anywhere. When Munk started to sing Jenny's song, Misto really thought it was going to be about him, so of course he prepared himself. He said something about a song and Jenny's song, Misto thought. Oh, right, Tugger's song was after Jenny's. Oh pooh. Misto pretended to scratch his head and slid down with the kittens, who teased him while Bomba and Demeter whispered to him to forget about it. He was thankful Tugger wasn't there.

Then Tugger did come out, interrupting Jenny's song, making Misto laugh. He smiled at how nice Tugger's voice was. It's so sexy when he sings like that, Misto thought. Mh, damn, look at those hips. Me-ow. Tugger kicked the ball and Misto went to grab it, but instead it hit the trunk and sailed into the back. Very nice, Misto thought. But he is being so cocky. Oh my Everlasting, he really is different here. So arrogant. Misto smiled as a thought came to his mind.

"The Rum Tum Tugger is a terrible bore," Misto sang, and then strutted away.

Tugger went on normally, but inside he was boiling. Bore! Oh, Misto, you are in for it, he thought maliciously. He smirked. Just you wait. His adrenaline was running high, and then when Bomba came out it only made him frustrated, even though he seemed cool and collected on the outside. So he dropped her, not wanting her take his spotlight. He decided to annoy people since they were anoying him. He interrupted Jenny and Jelly's conversation and needlework. They're ignoring me! Then he teased Demeter who was hiding and completely ignoring him. He always teased Demeter because, one; she didn't like hime, but two; he didn't want Demeter to be with Munk. He wanted Alonzo to be with Munk because he liked their love so much better. He only got more annoyed when the kittens wouldn't let him finish his song. I'm gonna punch someone! Then Grizabella come out and that didn't leave him enough time to walk off coolly.

Misto sat by, watching this old, broken queen sing. She's so...eerie, he though. Misto wasn't sure what to think of her. Everyone else was hostile to her, so he decided to follow along, but really he didn't get why they were so mean to her. She just wanted to explore the world, he thought. He looked at Demeter as she sang, and he could tell she wasn't sure what to think about Grizabella either.

Then Bustopher came out and Misto was eager to see him, even though their last encounter wasn't too pleasant. Misto noted that Tugger wasn't there, and he smirked. Typical, he thought. He's only here for people he likes. Jenny started to sing for Bustopher, making it obvious she had a crush on him. Then Bustopher sang about his endeavors and Misto stood proudly, admiring his uncle.

A loud crash came out of nowhere and everyone scattered. Misto ventured in the back and looked for Tugger, curious as to where he could be. When Misto spotted him, he took notice that Tugger was not happy looking. Tugger caught eyes with Misto, and Misto knew he was in for it, so he scurried away, snickering to himself. He looked at Munkustrap, who was in fits, and was expecting Demeter to be calming him down, but instead it was Alonzo. Misto lurked a little closer to hear what they were saying.

"Just calm down," Zo said, rubbing his arm. "The ball never goes the way you want it to but every year it gets better and better. Trust me."

"Oh, believe me, I trust you," said Munk snappishly.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Alonzo let go of his arm. "Do you not trust me?"

"How can I trust when you have this stupid, kittenish crush on me still? Everlastin Cat only knows what you'd say just to get me to feel the same way." Then Munk walked away and Alonzo looked like he was about to cry.

Misto walked over and put a hand on Alonzo's shoulder. "Zo?" he asked.

Alonzo looked down, shaking. "I wonder how long he's known," he whispered. "I mean, I never knew he knew. He-he would always be so kind and sometimes he'd eve flirt around with me. Why would he lead me on like that?" He shook his head. "I would never lie to him..."

"Of course you wouldn't," said Misto. "He's just frustrated. He didn't mean what he said. He just took his anger out on you because you were the closest thing to him."

Alonzo looked at Misto. "You think so?"

Misto smiled. "I know so, and you know Munk best. Do you really think he'd hurt you intentionally?"

"No."

"What's this?" they heard Munk say.

All the Jellicles walked out as they saw Jerrie and Teazer carry bags of stolen goods. They circled them as they started to run, and then they threw the bags at them, since it was only catnip.

Misto sensed something. He turned and sniffed. "Old Deuteronomy?" he asked and then looked to Munk.

He looked at Misto quizzically and then turned to Tanto and Cori.

"I believe it is Old Deuteronomy," they sang in unison.

Everyone suddenly felt warm inside and smiled, nuzzling up to each other. Munk let Misto go and get Old Deuteronomy. He scurried quick to Old D's den, wanting to bring him to the ball immediately. He could barely hear Munk start to sing about his father. He caught sight of Old Deuteronomy and ran quickly to him.

"Ah, hello, Mistoffelees," Old D. greeted.

"Hi Deuteronomy!" Misto replied cheerfully.

"So, what's happened so far? I feel terrible about missing the opening. I heard you and Vicki opened the ball."

"Yes! We did! She danced and then I sang. Munkustrap introduced Jenny, and I kind of thought he as going to sing about me so I sort of embarrassed myself. Thankfully Tugger wasn't there, but then he decided to interrupt Jenny's song."

Deuteronomy laughed.

"Yeah, and then I called him a terrible bore."

Deuteronomy laughed louder. "Oh, how'd he take that?"

"He was getting kind of hysterical. No one else could tell except for me. He was very frustrated. Then Grizabella walked out and he stalked off." Misto looked up at Old D. "Why doesn't anyone like her? She just wanted to explore the world. Is that so bad?"

Deuteronomy sighed. "It's a trust thing, Misto. She left without anyone's consent, and we weren't sure where she went and who she was talking to. She could've told anyone about us. Though, now she's just trying to be accepted again, and I'm not sure, really. I feel sorry for her."

Misto looked down and decided to change the subject. "Yes, well, anyway. Bustopher came out after that, and then there was a loud crash and I think it might've been Macavity. Then-" He stopped as he realized he was about to say what happened between Alonzo and Munkustrap. "Then we caught Jerrie and Teazer stealing some catnip."

Deuteronomy laughed. "They sure are misguided."

"Yeah, they are."

"So you still haven't seen Tugger?"

"Well, I saw him, but I knew he wanted revenge for me calling him a bore. Though he hasn't returned to the ball yet."

As Misto and Deuteronomy made theire way to the ball, Tugger stepped out as he heard the cats sing about his father. He watched Munk sing and then decided to join in. "Old Deuteronomy's buried nine wives, and more I am tempted to say, ninety-nine. And his numerous progeny prospers and thrives, and the village is proud of him in his decline." He gave a knowing nod to Munk, letting him know he wasn't going to make this about himself.

Munk sang the next verse, and then together they sang about their father. "Well of all things can it be really. No. Yes. Ho. Hi. Oh my eye! My mind may be wandering but I confess. I believe it is Old Deuteronomy!" Then Tugger caught sight of his father with Misto, glad to see them together. He pointed excitedly.

The other cats started forward to Old Deuteronomy. When he emerged they all greeted him and nuzzled up to him greatfully. Munk thanked Misto and then led his father to the tyre. Tugger bowed to his father, all traces of annoyance gone from him.

Then it was time to tell Old Deuteronomy a story, Munk of course being the narrator. So began the story of The Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles. Misto sat next to Skimble and looked around for Tugger, but remembered something about bagpipes. He's probably gonna go get them. Misto stared, amused, as Jerrie and Teazer carelessly portrayed a peke and a pollicle, which only frustrated Munkustrap.

Skimble and Misto went out at the wrong time and teased Munk. He pushed them back into place, which left enough time for Tugger to strut out with his bagpipes, to at least get some spotlight. He knocked over the queens and quickly scurried off stage before Munk could get to him. They all looked for the Rumpus Cat, but of course Admetus came out from the wrong spot. Eventually, the story was over with, to Misto's relief. He even got to see Tugger humiliate himself in the process.