Part 14
Alonzo nuzzled Exotica's neck and watched as Admetus and Tantomile curled up together. He grinned when he saw Coricopat. The Siamese was lying on his stomach and Misto was lying on his own stomach across Coricopat's back and Quaxo was leaning back on Coricopat's shoulder. Grizabella sat behind them and watched them fondly. Then Jelly started to sing:
Gus is the Cat at the Theatre Door
His name as I ought to have told you before
Is really Asparagus, but that's such a fuss
To pronounce that we usually call him
Just Gus
His coat's very shabby
He's thin as a rake
And he suffers from palsy that makes his paw shake – Here the grownups Strays' faces turned sad. Last time they saw the theater cat he'd been in much better health and it hurt them to see his paws like that.
Yet he was in his youth quite the smartest of cats
But no longer a terror to mice or to rats
For he isn't the cat that he was in his prime
Though his name was quite famous, he says, in his time – Alonzo and Admetus smiled softly.
And whenever he joins his friends at their club
Which takes place at the back of the neighboring pub
He loves to regale them if someone else pays
With anecdotes drawn from his palmist days
For he once was a star of the highest degree
He has acted with Irving, he's acted with Tree
And he likes to relate his success on the halls
Where the gallery once gave him seven catcalls
But his grandest creation as he loves to tell
Was Firefrorefiddle, the Fiend of the Fell
Gus: "I have played, in my time, every possible part
And I used to know seventy speeches by heart
I'd extemporize backchat
I knew how to gag
And I knew how to let the cat out of the bag – Admetus had to bit his tongue to keep from laughing. Once Gus had let him and Asparagus Jr. out of a bag they'd been trapped inside.
I knew how to act with my back and my tail
With an hour of rehearsal
I never could fail
I'd a voice that would soften the hardest of hearts
Whether I took the lead or in character parts
I have sat by the bedside of poor little Nell
When the curfew was rung then I swung on the bell
In the pantomime season I never fell flat
And I once understudied Dick Whittington's cat
But my grandest creation
As history will tell
Was Firefrorefiddle, the Fiend of the Fell"
Jelly: Then if someone will give him a toothful of gin
He will tell how he once played a part in East Lynne
At a Shakespeare performance he once walked on pat
When some actor suggested the need for a cat
Gus: "And I say now these kittens
They do not get trained
As we did in the days when Victoria reigned
They never get drilled in a regular troupe
And they think they are smart
Just to jump through a hoop"
Jelly: And he says as he scratches himself with his claws
Gus: "Well, the theatre is certainly not what it was
These modern productions are all very well
But there's nothing to equal from what I hear tell
That moment of mystery when I made history
As Firefrorefiddle, the Fiend of the Fell" Then Gus started to walk around and Admetus straightened up to go over to him.
Gus: These modern productions are all very well
But there's nothing to equal from what I hear tell
That moment of mystery when I made history… As the old cat started crying Jelly led him away and Admetus hurried after and his "brother" Asparagus came to them too.
"My boys", Gus said and took each of their paws. "I love you very much you know that right?"
"Yes father", they said in unison.
"Admetus… Don't cry for what's become of me."
"I-"
"I've seen you've find a mate and that is very well and I couldn't be happier for you."
"Thank you father."
Jelly led him away and then Deuteronomy grinned.
"Skimbleshanks" he sang and was joined be Jemima in: "The cat of the railway train!"
The Strays grinned because all of them loved Skimbleshanks.
"Let's join in", Exotica took Alonzo's paw and pulled him to his feet. "Come on Zo!"
"Okay, okay Exy I'm coming." They ran over and sat down on both side of Jelly. "Hey aunty Jelly." She smiled and put a paw on his shoulder and let Exotica hold the other. Tantomile joined in the dancing and Admetus sat down beside Deuteronomy and Coricopat sat on the trunk of TSE 1.
Skimble: …At eleven forty-two with the signal overdue
And the passengers all frantic to a man
That's when I would appear and I'd saunter to the rear
I'd been busy in the luggage van!
Then he gave one flash of his glass-green eyes
And the signal went "All Clear!"
They'd be off at last to the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere!
All: Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat
The Cat of the Railway Train
Skimble: You might say that by and large it was me who was in charge
Of the Sleeping Car Express
From the driver and the guards to the bagmen playing cards
I supervise them all more or less
All: Down the corridor he paces and examines all the faces
Of the travelers in the first and the third
He established control by a regular patrol
And he'd know at once if anything occurred
He would watch you without winking and he saw what you were thinking
And it's certain that he didn't approve
Of hilarity and riot so that folk were very quiet
When Skimble was about and on the move
You could play no pranks with Skimbleshanks! – When Tantomile took Electra and Pouncival's paws without them jumping away Deuteronomy smiled like he had at the big ball dance.
He's a cat that couldn't be ignored
So nothing went wrong on the Northern Mail
When Skimbleshanks was aboard
Skimble: It was very pleasant when they'd found their little den
With their name written up on the door
And the berth was very neat with a newly folded sheet
And not a speck of dust upon the floor
There was every sort of light
You could make it dark or bright
And a button you could turn to make a breeze
And a funny little basin you're supposed to wash your face in
And a crank to shut the window should you sneeze
Then the guard looked in politely and would ask you very brightly,
"Do you like your morning tea-
All: weak or strong?"
Skimble: But I was just behind him and was ready to remind him
For Skimble won't let anything go wrong
All: When they crept into their cozy berth and pulled up the counterpane
Toms: They all could reflect that it was very nice
To know that they wouldn't be bothered by mice
They would leave all that to the Railway Cat
All: The Cat of the Railway Train
All: Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat
The Cat of the Railway Train – Here they started to build the train and Coricopat, Alonzo and Admetus helped with the big tires and Tantomile held one of the smaller ones. Exotica joined the other three members so she could watch. Everyone was smiling.
Skimble: In the watches of the night I was always fresh and bright
Every now and then I'd have a cup of tea
With perhaps a drop of scotch while I was keeping on the watch
Only stopping here and there to catch a flea
They were fast asleep at Crewe and so they never knew
That I was walking up and down the station
They were sleeping all the while I was busy at Carlisle
Where I met the station master with elation
They might see me at Dumfries if I summoned the police
If there was anything they ought to know about
All: When they got to Gallowgate there they did not have to wait
For Skimbleshanks would help them to get out! The train fell apart and everyone was laughing or chuckling.
All: And he gives you a wave of his long brown tail
Which says "I'll see you again!
You'll meet without fail on the Midnight Mail
The Cat of the Railway Train – They made the "train dance" and when they were done Skimble motioned for Alonzo to hurry over. Alonzo grinned and saw Mungo fall on his knees beside him. Alonzo leaned a bit forward and felt how his father climbed onto his back. Then it sounded as if someone dropped a plate and it became dark and lights flickered again. Then a sinister laugh was heard and they saw Macavity.
"Macavity", Demeter squeaked.
Macavity laughed again and Munk, Skimble and Alonzo surrounded the other cats to protect them. Macavity appeared on TSE 1 and when everyone was hissing and swiping at him his henchcats abducted Old Deuteronomy. The toms all scattered to go after them and only left the queens in the clearing. Well Jenny, Jelly and Grizabella hid and the two Jellicles went after the tom kits to keep them safe and out of trouble.
Exotica and Tantomile watched Demeter and Bombalurina said from the left side of the clearing near one of the big wheels used at Skimble's song.
"Don't you think they're exaggerating just a little", Exotica whispered.
"Yeah", Tantomile said. "Just a little… When the milk is missing I blame MQ."
"They always have a paw in every disappearance."
"You are right about that sister."
"As usual."
"And he hasn't broken every human law."
"Oh?"
"As far as I know he hasn't driven against red light."
"Mil are you always like this when neither your mate and brother are away?"
"What do you mean?"
"Pointing out small details."
"But they said he's broken every human law and he hasn't!"
"Sh", hissed Victoria as she listened to the two queens singing.
"Something wrong snowball", Exotica asked.
"Yes you two", Victoria answered. "You're giving me negative vibes."
"Two negatives becomes positive", Tantomile said and grinned. Then they all joined in the dancing and singing:
Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity
He's a fiend in feline shape
A monster of depravity
You may meet him in a by-street
You may see him in the square
But when a crime's discovered then Macavity, Macavity, Macavity!
Macavity…When a crime's discovered then Macavity's not there!
All the toms came back and Alonzo jumped onto the trunk of TSE 1 and looked around for Macavity. He knew the ginger tom was out there somewhere watching them. Then they all saw him holding up his paws in a peaceful gesture while his black henchcats were leading Old Deuteronomy towards them all. Alonzo raised an eyebrow in confusion and saw his other tribe members do the same. Misto and Quaxo stood protectively before and beside Grizabella. Alonzo's gaze turned to Demeter who had bared her teeth. She ran between the Jellicle leader and the tribe members so he was standing alone. Munkustrap was looking at her oddly. Alonzo jumped down from TSE 1 and Demeter jumped onto Deuteronomy's back and he started spinning around. Demeter flew off and so did the mask and fake fur on Deuteronomy and there was Macavity!
The ginger tom started to hit wildly around him and caught Jenny and Alonzo with his claws. Alonzo heard Exotica squeak in anger but he knew Coricopat was holding her back as he and Admetus protected the tribe. Anger filled Alonzo when Macavity hit Electra and Etcetera. Since Electra was his niece, Bombalurina had told him earlier that evening, it made him even angrier. He saw Macavity run up to Munk and threw him aside and then grab hold of Demeter. His little sister! Munkustrap caught her legs and they started some kind of pulling game. Alonzo ran forward and grabbed her and ran off. He felt Macavity in his heals but they escaped. He put her down in safety.
"You okay pretty queen", he asked and caressed her cheek.
"Y-yeah", she stuttered and hugged him. "Thank you Lonzie."
He smiled and returned the hug. "Anything for my little sister." Then he ran out into the clearing again and watched Munk and Macavity fight.
Alonzo moved from side to side waiting for a gap so he could attack.
"Alonzo", Jenny hissed. "Don't do anything stupid."
He didn't listen and when Macavity threw Munkustrap away he didn't hesitate to attack. He caught Macavity over the back and the ginger cat fell to the ground but was quickly on his feet again.
"Zo", he hissed. "What are you doing here?!"
"I could ask you the same", Alonzo growled and launched at Macavity. They clawed each other furiously and then Macavity kicked Alonzo in the chest so he staggered backwards. Alonzo regained his balance and ran at the ginger cat and Macavity ducked and pulled Alonzo onto his shoulders, spun around and threw him to the ground and lastly hit him over the back so he tumbled across the ground.
"ZO!" his tribe yelled in horror and to their shock saw that the first to go up against Macavity was Mungojerrie and then everyone swiped at him. The Napoleon of crime decided to escape and did it by pulling out the power cord. It went completely dark until Pouncival found a light and started to light around him. They saw Munk and Demeter find each other and then a scream interrupted them.
"Alonzo!" it was Exotica who yelled. Pouncival turned the light towards the fallen Stray leader. Exotica held him in her arms and was crying. Because Alonzo's eyes were closed and his body was limp. The Strays all hurried over.
"Zo", Quaxo asked. "Zo are you alright?"
Munk tried to see what was going on and a scream from Exotica told them all what had happened.
TBC Hope you liked it:)