It was one week before the Ball and Munkustrap was on his way to Old Deuteronomy's house way across town. The summer had been pretty lousy, and even though it was only September, the temperature was cold enough for it to snow. When he was about halfway there, it started to rain. He decided to try and walk under roofs and gutters, so as to not get as wet. It worked well at first, but then the gutter he was walking under gave out and freezing cold water spilled on top of him. He jumped out of the way before the gutter itself hit the ground. He shook his fur and continued on his way. He was getting rather excited about the Ball next week, since Demeter had helped him write and cast the play they were going to perform for Old Deuteronomy. This year was going to go just fine. He stopped using the word perfect after last years horrible performance. It was still raining when he reached Old Deuteronomy's house.
"Finally," he said to himself as he crossed the street after looking both ways. He looked up at the huge mansion. It was dark inside and the distant rumble of the thunder made it seem almost haunted. He walked down the stone path leading to the back of the house and stepped under the roof of the veranda. He saw Old Deuteronomy laying on a blanket nearby. At the sight of Munkustrap, Old Deuteronomy got up.
"Munkustrap," he said as a greeting. "What terrible weather to be out in. You're soaked!"
Munkustrap laughed. "It wasn't so bad until that gutter fell on me and a gallon of freezing water spilled all over me. But that's not what I came here to talk about. How are you feeling?"
Old Deuteronomy motioned for Munkustrap to sit down. "I'm good; I'd ask you to come sit by the fire inside, but my humans wouldn't appreciate that. So what brings you here?"
"Well I was thinking of the upcoming Ball next week. After all that happened with Macavity last year, I don't think we should take any chances with the safety of the kittens and younger cats."
"I agree, but what do you suppose we do about it?"
"I was thinking about it all last night and came up with the perfect idea. We could assign each adult cat with a younger cat to look after if Macavity does stop by again. That way there's less of a chance that someone would get kidnapped or hurt."
"Brilliant. Why don't you make a list and bring it here tomorrow. I'll go over it and then we could have a meeting at the junkyard."
"Okay, I'll do that tonight. One more thing though. Should we include the new kittens at the meeting? We usually don't include them in anything until their first time at the Ball."
"Yes, we should definitely include them. This is something new for everyone. How many new kittens do we have, now that we're on the subject?"
"I believe three."
"Very well. Now why don't you stay here until the storm dies down."
Munkustrap thought for a moment. "Thanks for the offer but I think I better get home. If I want to get that list finished tonight, I have to do it before my human gets home. I'll be here tomorrow though."
They said their good byes and Old Deuteronomy laid back down to sleep. The storm had gotten worse, but Munkustrap had to leave now, or he'd never make it before his owner got home. He took a quick glance outside and then dashed off the back porch and to the front yard. He ran as fast as he could and as far as he could. He decided that when he got to Gus's house, he'd stop and rest and see how Gus was doing.
When he got there, he saw Jellylorum and Gus on the front steps, under a roof. He ran up to them.
"Oh my!" Jellylorum exclaimed when she saw how wet Munkustrap was from the rain. "I didn't realize it had gotten so bad. Where are you going in this weather?"
"I'm on my way back from Old Deuteronomy's house." he looked over at Gus, who was laying on a worn blanket. "How's he doing?"
"I'm afraid not so well." she lowered her voice. "I came by to see how he was and he had just fallen trying to go down the front steps. He's not hurt from the fall, but his palsy is getting worse and worse."
"I was afraid it might lead to him falling. Is he hurt?"
"He doesn't appear to be. But that's not the worst of it. I heard his owners inside talking. I think they plan to put him to sleep!"
"I'll have to tell Old Deuteronomy tomorrow." He got up and walked over to Gus. He was sleeping. "I won't wake him. Jellylorum, there's going to be a meeting at the junkyard tomorrow night. Can you please tell Jemima and Bombalurina when you get back to the apartments? It'd really help me out."
"Sure, I'm on my way now."
"Good, I'll see you tomorrow then." With that, Munkustrap left. He didn't have to run anymore; it had stopped raining. Now it was just cold, so cold he could see his breath. As soon as he got home he laid in front of the heat register to warm up and dry off. He desperately wanted to sleep, but knew he had to work on the list. As soon as he was mostly dry he got to work. It was pretty easy and as soon as he finished, his human came home.
"Hey, Caesar." The man bent down and petted the grey cat who
immediately began to purr. "You look tired, did you have a long day?"
The human took off his shoes and coat and fed Munkustrap his dinner. "There
you go Caesar, your favorite." Then he went into his den and got to work
correcting papers. As soon as Munkustrap finished eating he fell asleep and
slept the whole night.
* * *
Munkustrap woke up late. His human had already left for work and there was dry
food waiting for him in his bowl. He reluctantly ate the food, then drank most
of his water to get the bad taste out of his mouth. He had a busy day ahead of
him. He had to go to every Jellicle cats house and tell them about the meeting.
As he stepped outside his cat door he hoped he'd see Alonzo so that he wouldn't
have to do so much work. His first stop was Demeter's house. He got there in no
time and walked over to the basement window and looked inside. He saw Demeter
sleeping on the couch. He scratched at the window and Demeter woke right away.
Startled, she nervously looked around to see where the noise came from. When she
looked up at the window and saw Munkustrap, she sighed in relief. She jumped
from the couch to the window sill and pushed the window open with her paws.
"Sorry if I scared you," he said as he helped her out.
"No, it's okay. I'm just paranoid." she smiled. "What brings you here?"
"I came here to tell you that there's going to be a meeting tonight in the junkyard."
"Oh, okay. What's it about?"
"I'd tell you but I still have to go to everyone else's house and be back home by 4:30, when my human gets home. Think you can stand the suspense?"
Demeter laughed. "I'll manage. Would you mind picking me up tonight?"
"Of course, I'll be here before dark. Sorry I can't stay."
"That's ok, I understand." Demeter stepped back inside and on the window sill. "See you later." she said and shut the window. Munkustrap next went to Rum Tum Tugger's house, and then Jennyanydots house. On his way to Pouncival and Tumblebrutus', he came across them with Alonzo.
"Alonzo, thank goodness!" Munkustrap said as he caught up to them. "I hope you're not busy, I could really use your help."
"We were on our way to Mistoffelees'." Alonzo answered.
"Good, the more the better. I need you to tell everyone south of the junkyard that we're having a meeting tonight about the Ball next week, and everyone is to be there."
"But--" Pouncival began.
"Thanks for you're help. If you need me I'll be at Old Deuteronomy's." With that Munkustrap ran off in the direction of Deuteronomy's house.
"So much for playing ball." Tumblebrutus mumbled as they continued walking to Mistoffelees house.
Munkustrap was almost to Old Deuteronomy's house when he came across Victoria and Jemima walking together.
"Hi, Munkustrap." Jemima said when she saw him. They stopped to go
talk to him.
"Jemima, Victoria, just the two I needed to see." Munkustrap paused.
"Can you do me a favor?"
"Sure, what is it?" Victoria asked.
"Here's directions to the houses' of the two new kittens that will be at the Ball next week. I need you to tell them that they must come to a special meeting tonight at the junkyard. Now the other one is a stray. I hope you can find her."
"What? A meeting?" Victoria was confused.
"No time to explain, just find the new kittens and be there yourself." Munkustrap ran on to Old Deuteronomy's house with the list in his mouth.
Jemima and Victoria stood there, looking at the directions. "Well, let's see," Jemima began. "One of them lives on the same road as Demeter, so let's go there first." They walked together on the sidewalk until they reached the house where one of the new kittens supposedly lived. "Here we are."
"Should we go around back?" Victoria asked.
"I guess so." they crept along the side of the house and peered into the back yard. It was empty.
"Maybe no ones here." Victoria said and then looked up at the house. "Oh, look, there's two kittens playing on the porch." They walked up the steps and watched the male and female kittens play.
The female pounced on the male. "Gotchya!" she said excitedly.
"Oh no you don't!" the male replied and with all his strength he pushed her off of him. She went rolling and rolled right into Victoria and Jemima who had been silent until this point.
"Oof." the girl said and got up. "Who are you two?" The male joined her.
"I'm Jemima, and this is Victoria. You're Jellicle cats, right?"
"Yeah, who wants to know?" the female asked.
"We're here to tell you there's an important meeting tonight about the Ball next week, Munkustrap wants you to be there." Victoria answered.
"What's it about?" the male asked.
"We don't know, but he said it was important." Jemima answered. She saw the female staring at Victoria. "What?"
The female was silent for a second. "Nothing. I'm Astraya." she held out her dirty paw. She expected the white cat to back away, but she shook it and smiled.
"Nice to meet you, Astraya. And who is your friend?"
"I'm Mackabie." he said.
"Well, we still have one more kitten to find. We better get going." Jemima said, and they walked off the steps. "See you tonight!"
Mackabie and Astraya watched them leave. "That white cat had a diamond collar, did you see it?" Astraya said.
"Yeah. Come on, let's play some more."
Victoria and Jemima walked in front of the house and took out the directions again. "The other cat lives near Etcetera. It's only a couple blocks away." They started to walk.
"What do you think the meeting is going to be about?" Victoria asked.
Jemima shrugged. "I don't know, but I can't wait. I haven't seen Alonzo for weeks. I miss him." They continued to walk until they got to the small blue house.
"Is this one it?" Victoria asked, looking at the directions.
"Yeah, come on, let's go around back again." They went around to the back of the house and no one was there. "Now what?"
"We'll have to risk no humans being inside." Victoria said, and they went around to the front and up the steps. They both began to meow. Instantly they saw a grey head popped out the window. "Can you come out please?" It took the grey cat a few minutes, but eventually she found a way out. She looked shy, but happy to have company.
"Hi," she said quietly.
"Hello, I'm Jemima and this is Victoria. Are you a Jellicle cat?"
"Yes."
"Munkustrap wanted us to tell you that there is going to be an important meeting tonight, and you're to be there." Victoria explained. The grey kitten asked the same questions Mackabie and Astraya had asked. She told them her name was Syllibub. "Well, we better get going. It's getting near lunch time."
"Okay, it was nice meeting you two. See you tonight." Syllibub said
as she jumped back into the open window. She also watched the cats leave. She
was glad they came by, now she would know some cats at the Ball instead of
coming alone.
* * *
Munkustrap went to his favorite blanket by the heat register, and curled up into
a tight ball. He had just closed his eyes when he heard a scratching noise at
the back door. Slightly annoyed, he got up and went outside to find Demeter
standing there with Bombalurina. Ever since last year Demeter had been so
paranoid, she rarely went anywhere alone.
"Did you forget about something?" Bombalurina said.
"The meeting!" cried Munkustrap. "Has it started already? Is everyone waiting for me?"
"No, but if we don't leave now, we will be late." Demeter answered for him. Munkustrap followed them out on the street. Everything was pretty quiet until they walked by Rum Tum Tugger's house.
"Let's wait for him," Bombalurina said. She was about to go up to the door when it opened. She quickly hid under a small shrub in the front of the rather large house.
"Fine, Clark! Just wait and see if I feed you tomorrow!" a rather heavyset lady with big hair said as she shooed Rum Tum Tugger out the door. She was muttering to herself as she closed the door behind herself. Rum Tum Tugger brushed himself off and tried to keep his cool. Bombalurina popped out of the shrub.
"Hello there, Clark. Are you being a bad kitty cat?" she said, jokingly.
"Very funny," he said a little annoyed at being made fun of.
"Come on, you two! I hate being late." Munkustrap said and started walking ahead of them.
Demeter ran to catch up. "What's this meeting going to be about?"
Munkustrap sighed. "After what happened last year, with Macavity and all, I decided that we should have an older cat be in charge of a younger cat. That way if something dangerous happens, everyone will have someone to be with. Sort of like a buddy-system."
"And do you think something dangerous is going to happen this year?" Demeter asked.
Munkustrap stopped in his tracks. He looked at Demeter. "I really don't think we anything to worry about. It's just a small precaution we're taking so that in the rare event of something happening, we'll be somewhat prepared."
Demeter nodded and they continued to walk in silence until they reached the junkyard. Munkustrap looked around the junkyard and saw that everyone was there except for Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer. He left Demeter by Bombalurina and Rum Tum Tugger and made his way to the old tire.
"Is everyone here?" Skimbleshanks asked, walking up to the tire and sitting down next to Munkustrap.
"Everyone but Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer." Munkustrap answered and then looked up. "Oh, there they are." he said as they two cats came running up the alley and into the junkyard. They sat down on the ground.
"Now that everyone is here, we're going to begin." Munkustrap
addressed.
"Why were we called here?" asked Bustopher Jones. "I missed a
wonderfully prepared meal for this meeting."
"I was just getting to that," Munkustrap said, smiling. "Lately we've been a little worried about the safety of the kittens and young cats during the ball. I think it would be a good idea for us to assign an adult cat to a kitten or younger cat for protection purposes."
At this everyone started talking and looking around. "I want Rum Tum Tugger to my partner!" Etcetera exclaimed happily.
"I can take care of myself!" said Electra.
"How young do you have to be to have one? We don't want one." Rumpleteazer said.
"That's enough everyone, there will be plenty of time of questions later." Munkustrap said, quieting everyone down. "We've already picked who will be with who so there would be no arguing."
"Oh man!" Etcetera said, disappointed. "Now I'll never get to be with Tugger."
"Shh!" Electra said to her friend.
"Okay, now I'll read off the names in a minute, just let me explain this a little more." Munkustrap said. "Now just because you're going to be assigned to someone doesn't mean you have to stay with them the whole time tomorrow night, and it doesn't mean you can't still have fun. All it means is that if something happens, like, oh I don't know, say Macavity comes during the Ball. If that were to happen, which I doubt it will, you are to find your adult and they'll make sure you're okay. I know you're all anxious to find out who you'll be with, so I'll read off the names.
"Okay, now, let's see. Pouncival, you're assigned to be with Bombalurina. Etcetera, you're with...oh hang on a second, I had it right here." Munkustrap was messing with some papers.
"Oh hurry up, hurry up! I can't stand the suspense!" Etcetera cried out. Then to herself she said, "Please be Rum Tum Tugger, please be Rum Tum Tugger."
"Oh, here, you're with Cassandra."
Etcetera's mouthed dropped to the ground. "Oh," she said, her mouth quivering. She was on the verge of tears.
"Electra, you'll be with Coricopat and Tantomile." Munkustrap went on.
Electra's mouth also fell to the ground. "Oh no! This is horrible, Etcetera."
"Tell me about it," Etcetera complained. "I'm stuck with her." she pointed disgustedly at Cassandra.
"Tumblebrutus, Plato, Admetus, and Alonzo, I know you're all old enough to take care of yourself, but you never know what might happen, so Tumblebrutus, you'll be with Jellylorum, Plato, you have Asparagus, and Alonzo, you're with me." Munkustrap continued. "Demeter, you'll be in charge of Mistoffelees if anything should happen and Rum Tum Tugger, you have Victoria."
Mistoffelees and Victoria were sitting near the back together with Jemima and Alonzo. "You're so lucky, Victoria," Jemima said and then looked at Alonzo. "I mean, never mind." she said and put her head down.
"Me lucky? I don't think so. I wish Munkustrap would have picked someone like you or Etcetera to be with Rum Tum Tugger. I certainly don't want to be with him." Victoria answered.
"Maybe he'll let us switch," Jemima suggested. "Oh, he said my name."
"Jemima, you'll be paired up with Jennyanydots."
"You hear that, Victoria? Want to see if we can change?" Jemima said, hopefully.
"Sure, after he's done."
"Skimbleshanks, you'll be in charge of Admetus." Munkustrap went on. "I believe that's all the--"
Bustopher Jones' paw went up. "I demand to know why I had to be here and miss a delicious meal when I wasn't even assigned with a kitten!"
Mungojerrie spoke too. "Yeah, and what about us? Don't we get anyone?"
"Again, I was just getting to that. There are three new kittens that will be coming to the Ball next week, and I asked them to be here tonight." he paused. "Bustopher Jones, you'll be in charge of...you, the grey kitten. What's your name please?"
Syllibub stood up, her legs shaking. Everyone was staring at her and no one said anything. "Syllibub." she said quietly.
Munkustrap couldn't hear. "Speak up, please. What did you say?"
Syllibub was silent. She looked over to the group of kittens who were all whispering, probably about her. She looked up at Munkustrap again, he was staring at her with his yellow eyes. Then she heard a loud voice.
"She said Sillybub!" Etcetera yelled loudly, and then sat down. Syllibub's face got hot.
"Okay...Could you come up here please?" Munkustrap said.
Syllibub slowly got up and walked up the stairs to the tire. She could hear laughter behind her, and she knew it was that kitten. She lowered her head. "My, my name is Syllibub." she said, embarrassed.
Munkustrap smiled. "That's much better." then he lowered his voice. "Don't mind Etcetera. She can be a little....outspoken sometimes." Syllibub giggled. She liked Munkustrap already. "Bustopher Jones, you'll be in charge of Syllibub the night of the Ball." Syllibub looked at the extremely large cat who was her new 'partner'. She sighed. Munkustrap went on to introduce Mackabie and Astraya. Astraya went with Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer. Mackabie was left over.
"We'll have to assign someone two kittens. Rum Tum Tugger, would you mind having another?"
Bombalurina nudged him in the side and he looked up. "Uh, whatever you say."
"Good, you'll also be in charge of Mackabie then." Munkustrap said.
Rum Tum Tugger looked at Bombalurina. "Who's that?" he wanted to know. She shrugged. "We'll ask Demeter later."
"Now that takes care of everyone. Are there any questions?" Jennyanydots raised her paw. "Yes?"
"It just occurred to me that Bustopher never seems to stay the whole evening. Should he really be in charge of a kitten? A new one at that?"
"You're right. What do you think, Bustopher?" Munkustrap asked. Syllibub was hopeful.
"I suppose she's right. I could never stay the whole evening. It would effect my midnight snacks."
"Very well. Would anyone else like to have another kitten?" Munkustrap looked around for a paw. Cassandra's went up.
"I'll take another one." she said. "I love kittens." she glanced over at Rum Tum Tugger and batted her long lashes. "Now that we both have two kittens, we'll have to really help each other out."
"What?"
Bombalurina narrowed her eyes at Cassandra. "I don't think so skinny cat. You leave him alone." Then she and Tugger walked away together.
"Okay, Syllibub, Cassandra's over there. She'll be your assigned adult." Syllibub looked over at the Siamese, who was ten times skinner then her previous partner. Cassandra smiled slightly. As soon as the meeting was over, Munkustrap got up to leave with Demeter when Jemima and Victoria ran up to him.
"Munkustrap, I was wondering, well, we were wondering if maybe we could switch adults. I want Rum Tum Tugger to be my partner." Jemima said.
"And I don't." Victoria chimed in.
"Well, I don't know. I guess since--" Munkustrap was interrupted.
"I need to have a new partner!" Etcetera exclaimed as she ran up to Munkustrap. She was out of breath. "Please," she began, "Please let me be with Rum Tum Tugger!"
"Well, now we have a problem. Jemima just asked me the same thing. Sorry, everyone has to keep their original 'partners', as you call them." With that Munkustrap started to walk away. He felt someone pulling on his leg.
"Please!" Etcetera begged him. "I'll just die if I can't be with him!"
"Don't you think you're over reacting just a little bit?" Jemima said.
"I'm sorry Etcetera, I'm sure you'll get along just fine without him." Munkustrap said, shaking her off his leg. "See you all tomorrow."
"Well this stinks!" Etcetera said. She started to pout.
"If it makes you feel any better, I won't have one bit of fun being with Rum Tum Tugger if need be," Victoria said. "I'd much rather have...who do you have?"
"Cassandra." she hissed.
"Oh, well, I'm sorry Etcetera." Victoria said.
"Well I'm going home now! And if I don't show up at the Ball next week, you'll know why!" Etcetera got up and turned to Electra. "Coming with me?"
"Nah, you go on. I'll meet you tomorrow at my box and we can play together." she answered.
"Yeah, maybe. If I show up!" Etcetera said angrily and stalked off.
"Boy, she can be annoying when she's in a bad mood." Jemima said.
"Only when it has to do with her not getting her way." Electra said. "She's kinda spoiled."
"I'll say." Victoria commented. "I better get going. My humans won't be happy with me if I'm gone all night tonight."
"Okay, see you tomorrow." Jemima said to her friend.
"Bye!" Electra called to her. When she was gone she said, "Well, I better get back to my box. The restaurant should be closing by now and the food they throw away is usually pretty good. Want to come?"
"Um...no thanks, I think I better head home too." Jemima said nervously. She didn't want Electra to see how unappealing the thought of eating from a garbage can was to her.
"Suit yourself. Bye!" Electra hurried across the street and over to her box.
