Part 10
A year later
Skimbleshanks stretched and started to walk down the station when he heard barking and… laughter? He looked around a corner just in time to see two small black forms dart past him followed by an angry bulldog. Skimble ran after the two black forms.
"In there lads", he yelled and pushed all of them into a luggage van.
"Did you see", chuckled one of the forms to the other. "Did you see his face?!"
"Yes Q", the other one said. He wasn't as happy. "It wasn't funny!"
"But it was Mio!"
"Uhm", Skimble said and they looked at him. "Why, pray tell, did that bulldog chase ye lads?"
"Oh Mio played with his dices and tricked the dog to give us the chicken he was eating."
"I did not Q", Mio protested. "You bit him in the leg because you wanted to see if you could outrun him! Zo told us to-"
"Wait", Skimbleshanks asked. "You're Alonzo's kittens?"
"Technically he's our guardian", Q grinned. "But yeah."
"I'm Skimbleshanks Alonzo's adoptive father."
"Grandpa", Q grinned.
"Or not…" Mio grumbled.
"Ye can call me that if ye want lads", Skimble said softly. "How is your tribe doing?"
"Oh we're just perfect", Mio said.
"What are ye names lads?"
"I'm Quaxo and he's Mistofelees", Quaxo grinned.
"I thought ye name was Mio."
"That's his nickname. Zo only calls us by our full names if he's mad at us or wants to lecture us. We go mostly by Q and Mio and if the grownies talk about the two of us we're just MQ… It's never QM have you noticed?"
"MQ rolls off the tongue better", Misto mumbled.
"It does doesn't it?"
"Why are ye on this side of town lads", Skimble asked.
"Just out hunting for the tribe", Quaxo grinned. "That reminds me, we better head back. See you grandpa."
"See ye lads."
Alonzo was listening as the kittens told them about their hunting adventure.
"I know you're brave and intelligent Q", he said. "But why did you think it funny to try to outrun a bulldog?"
"I wanted to see if I could do it and…" he trailed off and got a glassy look in his eyes.
"What is it?"
Quaxo looked around and smiled. "I don't know…" Alonzo turned to the twins, they'd reacted like Quaxo and they closed their eyes, took a breath and...
"I believe it is Old Deuteronomy", they spoke in unison or more sang.
"Can it be really", Exotica asked amazed and they looked at the gate.
"Who's Old Deuteronomy", Misto asked.
"Old Deuteronomy's lived a long time
He's a cat who has lived many lives in succession
He was famous in proverb and famous in rhyme
A long while before Queen Victoria's accession" Alonzo sang the song they remembered from their few Jellicle balls.
"He's the Jellicle leader", Admetus clarified. "The greates cat in the world!"
"I'm nothing special really", a friendly voice said and the Strays saw the old cat. "Well met my dears."
The grownups smiled and hurried over to great him.
"Welcome", Alonzo said and held out his paw in greeting and Old Deuteronomy took it. "What owe us the pleasure to have such legendary cat in our home?"
"My dear boy", Old Deuteronomy chuckled. "Look at you! You look so fit and strong. You all do and oh who's this?" He looked at the two kittens.
"I'm Quaxo sir and that's Mistofelees. He's a bit shy so he probably won't say a word."
"Q", Exotica said. "Be nice."
"I am nice it's the truth Mio is shy."
Old Deuteronomy laughed. "So these are the kittens that are under your care Alonzo?"
"Yes sir", Alonzo said and put an arm around each kitten. "These are my magical kittens."
"Magical you say? You can't give me an example can you?"
"I'm not magical", Alonzo grinned. "Come on Mio show him that card trick you showed us yesterday." Out of nowhere Misto got out a deck of cards.
"Pick a card sir", he said quietly. Old Deuteronomy took a card that turned out to be ace of spades. "Now without showing me, put it back in the deck."
Old Deuteronomy smiled and did has he was told. Misto looked around and saw an old car door. He threw the deck at the window and ace of spades stuck on it while the rest fell off.
"Is that you're card sir?" he asked.
"Yes", Old Deuteronomy said.
"Try to take it…"
Old Deuteronomy walked over and tried to take the card but he couldn't. Somehow it had stuck inside the glass. He laughed and clapped his paws.
"Very good, very good", he laughed. "What more can they do?"
The kittens explained eagerly and Alonzo found it weird that Old Deuteronomy didn't mention once that they could be evil. Something Admetus also noticed.
"Excuse me sir", he said.
"Yes Admetus what is it?"
"How come you are so nice to them? You've told everyone magical cats are evil."
"I never said such a thing. I said sorcerer cats are evil."
"Good then that these two are conjurers", Alonzo grinned. "But why are you here sir?"
"Why to show the Strays my gratitude for everything you've done for us."
"How", Exotica asked.
"By inviting you to the Jellicle ball of course."
The Strays gaped.
"Y-you want us to come to the ball", Admetus asked. "Us? The dirty Strays?"
"Why shouldn't I?"
They didn't answer.
"I take that as a yes and will be happy to see you there." He rose and started to walk away.
"Uh sir wait", Alonzo called.
"Yes my boy?" Old Deuteronomy turned to look at him.
"Who're the nominees this year?"
"Jennyanydots, Gus the theater cat, Skimbleshanks, Bustopher Jones and Rum Tum Tugger."
A sly smile crept onto Alonzo's face. "We'll be there."
"We'll be there", Exotica yelled a little later. "Alonzo have you lost your mind?!"
"Nope it's still intact", Alonzo smirked.
"We can't go there!" Coricopat yelled.
"Why not?"
"Because… because… we just can't! What good would it do?"
"Revenge", Alonzo grinned.
"Huh", six voices said.
"Listen here's what will do." He explained his plan and when he was done everyone was grinning.
"This", Tantomile said. "Will be fun!"
"You did what", Munkustrap yelled at his father. "Father are you insane?!"
"I hope not", Old Deuteronomy grinned. "Munkustrap we've never thanked them for what they've done-"
"Why should we be grateful? Father they hunt us out with the help of a dog! They kicked us out whenever we tried to talk to them! Admetus and Coricopat attacked Tugger when Tantomile was flirting with him! They even kicked out Asparagus!"
"And what about saving Pouncival and Tumblebrutus?"
"Safir died because of it."
"Now, now that's a little harsh."
"It's the truth."
"And what about Rumpleteazer?"
"I'm still sure they kidnapped her."
"Hugo and Mungojerrie said it was Macavity."
"With those magical kittens it could've been an illusion."
"And what about Demeter?"
Munkustrap bit his lip.
"See my son, we have a lot to thank them for."
"Father can't we do it another way?"
"No they're coming to the ball tomorrow. You better tell the others."
"You can't be serious", Tugger yelled as Munkustrap told the tribe about their leader's decision. "Why did he invite the Strays?!"
"Because he thinks we have to thank them for-"
"For what attacking us", Cassandra spat.
"'hey save' Teazah", Mungojerrie said.
"How do you know it wasn't them that kidnapped them all along", Tugger growled.
"I' wasn'", Teazer yelled. "I' was Macavity an' 'is 'enchcats!"
"And Alonzo brought Plato back", Skimble said.
"And the magical cat saved me, Safir and Tumble", Pouncival said.
"And then they got Safir killed", Tugger spat and was knocked to the ground by Asparagus.
"It wasn't their fault!" he yelled. "I think that Deuteronomy wants to fix the relationship between our two tribes."
"What's there to fix?" Victoria asked.
"A lot", Jenny said. "Don't pout now dear I'm sure it will be fun."
"Do we have everything", Alonzo asked and looked out from a car.
"Everything's set and we're ready to go Zo", Coricopat grinned.
"This will be a ball they'll never forget."
The next night the Strays got to the yard when it was dark. They could hear singing and hid behind some junk and looked out. They saw the Jellicles dance and sing.
"Jellicle song for Jellicle cats", they sang.
"Mio", Alonzo grinned. "Now…" Misto grinned and rubbed his paws together.
As they sang and danced Asparagus caught sight of something, it was a fox looking at them in confusion.
"There's a fox over there", Asparagus sang and everyone went quiet. "With a look of surprise as much as to say: 'well how about that?'"
Munkustrap hurried up to him.
"Do I actually see with my own very eyes", he sang. "A fox that's not heard of a Jellicle cat."
"What's a Jellicle cat", the fox asked.
"What's a Jellicle cat", Munkustrap spat.
"What's a Jellicle cat", the others joined in. "What's a Jellicle cat?"
The Strays watched as the Jellicles stood beside each other and started to talk about a cat's names.
"The naming of cats is a difficult matter,
It isn't just one of your holiday games
You may think that I'm as mad as a hatter
When I tell you a cat must have three different names
First of all, there's the name that the family use daily
Such as Peter, Augustus, Hugo, or James
Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey -
All of them sensible, everyday names
There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter
Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames
Such as Plato, Vulcano, Electra, Demeter -
But all of them sensible, everyday names
But I tell you a cat needs a name that's particular
A name that's peculiar, and more dignified
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?
Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum
Such as Munkustrap, Edan or Deuteronomy
Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum -
Names that never belong to more than one cat
But above and beyond there's still one name left over
And that is the name that you never will guess;
The name that no human research can discover
But the cat himself knows, and will never confess
When you notice a cat in profound meditation
The reason, I tell you , is always the same
His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation
Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name
His ineffable, effable, effanineffable
Deep and inscrutable singular name
Name, name, name, name, name, name"
The fox took off and the Strays grinned and as one Admetus, Coricopat and Alonzo turned over some trash and the Jellicles fled. Thinking it was Macavity or some dog. Alonzo looked at Quaxo and nodded. The soon-to-be-tom ran out in the clearing 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." As he sang the Jellicles came out from their hiding places.
"Who're you", Etcetera asked. "You're not a Jellicle!"
"Yeah", Jemima said. "Get out!"
"How rude", Alonzo said and the Strays came out from their hiding. "And here we were invited."
Munkustrap grumbled something as the Strays joined them. Alonzo put an arm around Quaxo and grinned. "Hi there Munk."
Munkustrap ignored him and turned to the tribe.
"Jellicle cats has a feast each a year", he began. "At the Jellicle ball where we all rejoice. And the Jellicle leader will soon appear and think what is made for the Jellicle choice. When Old Deuteronomy just before dawn, through a silence you think you could cut with a knife, announces the cat who can now be reborn and come back to a different Jellicle life. For waiting up there is the Heaviside layer. Full of wonders one Jellicle only will see. And Jellicles asks because Jellicles dare. Who will it be?"
"Who will it be?" everyone asked.
"Who will what be", Misto mumbled to Alonzo.
"Jellicle choice", Alonzo mumbled back and then he saw Munkustrap come towards him.
"Well met Stray leader", he said and reached out his paw to great Alonzo.
"Well met Jellicle protector", Alonzo said and pulled Munkustrap into a hug. "Bet you are soooooo glad to see us."
"As glad as you are to see us."
"Don't be so moody Munk. Now who's the first nominee?"
Munkustrap scrunched up his face and turned away from them. The Strays sat down on top of the old oven or around it. Quaxo stood where he'd been before.
"I have a Gumbie cat in mind", Munkustrap began and cast a look at the Stray beside him and Quaxo hurried over to the other Strays.
"Good job", Exotica congratulated.
"Prey tell why we aren't doing anything", Misto asked as they watched the cats step looking like cockroaches.
"We agreed to not do anything towards our parents", Admetus mumbled. "Hello Uncle Skimble!"
"Well hello there lads and lasses", Skimble grinned and walked up to them.
"Father", Alonzo said and jumped down and hugged him. "How are you? Thanks for saving MQ."
"It was nothing lad and I'm fine. You look healthy as well you all do. My, my Exotica dear you look so beautiful."
"Thank you Skimble", she said and laughed. "Say who's nominated after Jenny?"
"I think that would be Tugger… What?" He looked as sly grins appeared on the Strays faces.
"Oh nothing father", Alonzo said and looked too innocent.
"Grandpa", Quaxo asked and Skimble smiled happily. "Can you show me around the yard?"
"Well of course lad. Follow me and Alonzo…"
"Yes?" Alonzo still looked too innocent.
"Don't do anything stupid."
"Father you're hurting my feelings", Alonzo said and put a paw over his heart in mock horror. When Skimble and Quaxo left the Strays moved to the other side of the yard.
"Ready Zo", Coricopat grinned.
"You can bet I am", Alonzo grinned and darted out into the dark. "See ya in a little while."
When Jenny's song was over Tugger interrupted them with his song. The Strays scrunched up their noses in disgust when they saw him. Tugger meowed and tried to look sexy but Exotica and Tantomile only rolled their eyes.
"The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat", sang the Jellicles.
"If you offer me pheasant I'd rather have grouse", Tugger sang.
If you put me in a house I would much prefer a flat
If you put me in a flat then I'd rather have a house
If you set me on a mouse then I only want a rat
If you set me on a rat then I'd rather chase a mouse" Quaxo sat on TSE 1 and Tugger kicked a football at him and Quaxo dodged it and then looked really angry.
"I'll teach him", he thought.
"Disgusting", Admetus said as Tugger flirted with Jemima.
"Yeah look how he treats those kittens", Coricopat growled.
"The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat" sang the Jellicles again.
Tugger: And there isn't any need for me to shout it
Jellicles: For he will do as he do do
Tugger: And there's no doing anything about it
Quaxo: The Rum Tum Tugger is a terrible boar
The Strays started laughing loudly and Tugger glared at them but continued. Quaxo walked over to his tribe and noticed that his grandparents were looking at him with big eyes. He only smiled innocently.
Tugger: When you let me in, then I want to go out
I'm always on the wrong side of every door
And as soon as I'm at home, then I'd like to get about
I like to lie in the bureau drawer
And I make such a fuss if I can't get out
Jellicles: The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat
Tugger: And there isn't any need for you to doubt it
Jellicles: For he will do as he do do
Tugger: And there's no doing anything about it
Bombalurina: The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious beast
Tugger: My disobliging ways are a matter of habit
If you offer me fish then I always want a feast
When there isn't any fish then I won't eat rabbit
If you offer me cream then I sniff and sneer
For I only like what I find for myself… No
So you'll catch me in it right up to my ears
If you put it away on the larder shelf
Alonzo hissed when he saw how Tugger treated his sister but then he went back to preparing himself and then the Strays shouted:
The Rum Tum Tugger is awful annoying
The Rum Tum Tugger
That was Alonzo's cue and he jumped out from hiding and everyone stared. All they saw was a black tom looking like Tugger, he was as tall as him, not as thin but more muscular and his mane was made of the strands of a shaving brush. When Alonzo jumped out he sang:
Is chased by another
But I'll let you catch me in the middle of the clearing
For there's nothing I enjoy like a puddle of mud" By now most of the tom cats were laughing as Alonzo walked around imitating Tugger and the Strays sang again:
The Rum Tum Tugger is a dirty old cat
The Rum Tum Tugger doesn't care for a another
The Rum Tum Tugger is so full of shit
Alonzo: And there isn't any need for me to shout it
Strays: For he will do as he do do
Alonzo: And there's no doing anything about It" With a grin and a last imitating of Tugger's hip movements Alonzo darted into the dark again and Tugger took up his song again. Mostly the Jellicle queens were singing now the toms were still laughing… well not Munkustrap.
Jellicles: The Rum Tum Tugger is artful and knowing
The Rum Tum Tugger
Tugger: Doesn't care for a cuddle
But I'll leap upon your lap in the middle of your sewing
For there's nothing I enjoy like a horrible muddle
Jellicles: The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat
The Rum Tum Tugger doesn't care for a cuddle
The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat
Tugger: And there isn't any need for me to spout it
Jellicles: For he will do as he do do
Tugger: And there's no doing anything about - t it!
TBC Here's the first part enjoy and reviews are welcomed:) Songs owned by Elliot and Lloyd Webber