Chapter 27: Memory
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I lied back against the trunk of the TS-E1. After Mistoffelees dissapeared, he came back as Quaxo and everyone bombarded him with questions. As it turns out, Quaxo is a magical cat, but he once had so little control of his magic he almost killed Bustopher. So, he went into a two week trance and shut his magic into a split-personality, Quaxo and .
After the excitement died down, Dueteronomy just sat at the edge of the junkyard for a while. He seemed to be deep in thought. So, I leaned back and tried to relax. Who am I kidding? I was itching to explode! It was almost sundown, which meant Old Dueteronomy would choose who would go to the Heaviside Layer soon.
Finally! Old D was moving, and Munkustrap followed after him like the loyal son he was. He turned, and then looked over at Munkustrap. He reached his paw out, and we all leaned forward. I dunno why, what was he-
Daylight
See the dew on the sunflower
Whoa, who was that? It was so beautiful, and I realized who it was before I even turned around (oh hey, Dad and Mom are in front of me). Jemima was standing high on top of the junk. And she was singing that same melody she sang before, except with new words.
And a rose that is fading
Roses whither away
Like the sunflower
I yearn to turn my face to the dawn
I am waiting for the day . . .
She was singing for the daylight, I realized. The Jellicle Ball was almost over. Man, and I had been having so much fun. But I was beggining to get sleepy.
Munkustrap smiled, as Old Dueteronomy turned his head to his son and nodded. Well, is anyone going to go check on Jemima, I think she tripped. Oh no, wait, she did that on purpose.
As Old Dueteronomy moved to sit, Munkustrap began to recite. "Now, Old Dueteronomy, just before dawn, through a silence you feel you could cut with a knife, announces the cat who can now be reborn, and come back to a different Jellicle life,".
Ooh, it was finally time! Everyone, including myself, moved to him, reaching our arms out to him. I wondered who he would choose. Most likely Gus. I hoped so, I mean, I didn't want him to choose Bomb, or Dad, or Mom, or Teazer, or Jerrie, or Metus, or Tumble, or Alonzo, or Jelly, or-
Suddenly, I noticed Quaxo (actually, he was still Mistoffelees, so) Mistoffelees suddenly look up. He turned, and then hissed. Everyone turned with him. I didn't even have to turn around to know.
Grizabella had come back to the Junkyard. Okay, this is it, Pouncival. Don't be like Tugger, don't ignore her. Don't be like Mistoffelees, don't be like Cassandra. Be like Victoria! She tried to reach out to her. But don't be like Jelly, don't ignore her again!
In fact, Pouncival, don't be like any of the other Jellicles. Okay, self! I had to show her I was sorry, and that no matter what she did...she had to be good now, she had to be!
But, as I walked towards her, Bombalurina suddenly shifted past me. She gave me a look. I gulped. In her look I read "Don't even think about it Pouncival,". I sighed. Crap. What was I thinking? No one would let me go near her...Dejected, I willed my body to move away from her, and I climbed up onto a junk pile. I knew everyone else had turned their bodies away from her, so I did the same. I felt crappy doing it, though....
Midnight
Not a sound from the pavement
Huh? What was.....oh, my, that's Grizabella. That's the same melody Jemima just sang...but...it sounds, well, better with Grizabella singing.
Has the moon lost her memory?
She is smiling alone
In the lamplight
The withered leaves collect at my feet
And the wind begins to moan
I finally turned around. She was moving slowly on her feet through the junkard. I knew that she was singing for forgiveness, for whatever she had done. I don't really know how, since she didn't really sound like it, but I heard it. She was asking her Jellicles to forgive her.
But would they? From the looks of it, I'm the only one facing her. Well, besides Old D, Munk, and Victoria. I looked into their faces. Munkustrap, you're the leader. You should be the bigger man here! But Victoria....what was her deal? Why did she seem to trust Grizabella the most.
Memory
All alone in the moonlight
I can smile at the old days
I was beautiful then
At this, I decided to try and picture a young Grizabella. I saw her, or..I tried to. She was real pretty in my mind. Oh, Etcetera, Electra, and Alonzo all had turned to look at her. It didn't surprise me Electra and Etcetera came around so quickly. But Alonzo, to be honest, that shocks me a little.
I remember the time I knew what happiness was
Let the memory live again
I continued to watch her. She looked so sad. Her eyes were beggining to wash over themselves. She was becoming wrapped up in her song, she was forgetting the others were here.
Her song was beautiful.
Demeter and Exotica had turned around now. It appeared Coricopat and Tantomile had heard her plea as well, cause their heads slunk over barely.
Burnt out ends of smoky days
The stale cold smell of morning
I wanted to run out to her then...no. I can't. Not yet. Mom and Dad have turned around. I can see Mom's eyes from here-she has forgiven Grizabella, Griz's song has won her over. I'm happy. Dad, a little harder to read...Oh, Tumblebrutus has looked at her too. I can't see Cassandra at all though....
Streetlamp dies, another night is over
Another day is dawning
Come on, Grizabella! You're doing so good, you're so close! Jellylorum and Asparagus have turned to look at you now. Everyone's coming through, Griz. Please, just go on for a bit more...
Daylight
I must wait for the sunrise
I must think of a new life
And I musn't give in
At last, Bombalurina and Mistoffelees both turned around. Bombalurina's face held an expression of shame and confusion-Mistoffelees just looked ashamed of himself. Well, glad someone else is feeling it...
When the dawn comes
Tonight will be a memory too
And a new day will begin
Oh no!
Grizabella suddenly let out a loud sob, and then she collapsed onto the ground. I looked up. Aw, no no no! Was she hurt? She didn't even look up!
Grizabella, look up, please! Everyone is worried about you! They understand, they care, they forgive you! Please, be okay. I have to go help her, I have to go help her!
Sunlight through the trees in summer
Endless masquerading
Jemima?
I looked up. She had risen once more. She was singing. Of course. Jemima's heart held the same song. Jemima was the only one who could help Grizabella... And I was right! As Jemima sang, Grizabella looked up. Finally, she heard. They sang together,
Streetlamp dies, another dawn is breaking
Then, Grizabella's face shown a new power in it. She sang alone, but powerfully:
The memory is fading
Then, as if being held up by strong arms, Grizabella rose to her full height. My heart began to ache when she began singing with all of her soul.
Touch me!
It's so easy to leave me
All alone with the memory
Of my days in the sun
I wanted to go and touch her. To understand how she felt....I didn't know how or why, but somehow I knew that was the only way to make everyone understand-to at last touch her, which had been denied from us all night long.
If you touch me
You'll understand what happiness is
And I want to, Grizabella.
Suddenly, she looked off into the night.
Look
A new day has begun
Indeed, the little crust of the sun began to peak out of the corner of the far away horizon.
Wait, Grizabella, where are you going? Gosh darnit, why doesn't anyone try to stop her? Of course, I ain't doing much either-Victoria! Victoria just stood up! Grizabella seemed to sense her, because she reached her paw out behind her. Victoria looked back at Old D, but he motioned her onward. Victoria moved forward, and then...
Graced her paw over Grizabella's. And Grizabella smiled.
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Done!