Macavity: The Mystery Cat
By Bombakat
Part Two: A Traitorous Agent
*Pouncival speaks in announcer’s tones* When we last left the Jellicles, they had been tricked into swimming the river and got sucked down into Macavity’s underground chamber. Now, with the water rising fast, will they ever escape with their lives? *Continues like this for a few minutes, until Alonzo gives him an evil glare. Pouncival gulps* And now, back to our story:
**********
The Jellicles were now up to their necks in the icy water. It seemed hopeless. The stronger males were holding up the females. The kittens were held up by Jellylorum and Jenny. Could they escape?
Coricopat and Tantomile stood together and spoke to each other.
Finally they turned and addressed the Jellicles present.
"If the water can enter…." Began Corico,
"Then we must be able to leave." Finished Tantomile. Instantly, they caught on.
"It must be underwater!" Carbucketty said, using his common sense, as they could not see where the water was coming from, but it wasn’t coming from above.
Instantly, Alonzo and Munkustrap dived down and confirmed the water was flooding in through a vent underwater.
**********
Meanwhile, Macavity lay in the control centre. He monitored it all from here, and saw their discovery.
"I guess I’ll have to drown them faster then…." He sneered.
As he pulled the lever, however, one of the screens exploded and Macavity was knocked unconscious.
"My my my, who’d have thought it, me turning against my boss… my, times have changed." Mused the voice, as a white, fluffy tail wrapped around the lever and pulled.
**********
In the chamber, the water suddenly stopped!
"Salvation?" questioned Cassandra, as the water drained away.
"T’wasn’t ‘Cavy!" Mungo said.
"Prolly one o’ his ‘enchra’s ‘ot sick a ‘im!" Rumple replied.
"Not a henchcat, a trusted companion!" called down the white Persian, from the entrance where they could now exit.
"Where is Macavity?" queried Exotica.
"Shall we say, indisposed? Come now, if you wish to leave." The Persian said, and turned.
"Wait, who are you?" called up Jelly.
The Persian turned back, and spoke a name that filled the Jellicles with fear:
"Griddlebone."
The Jellicles realised that Griddlebone was their only chance, and so huried after her.
Griddlebone sighed. "My oh my, what has gotten into you, poor little Griddlebone.."
Bomba and Dem looked warily at each other. They hadn’t forgotten Macavity’s song:
"And they say that all the cats whose wicked deeds are widely known:
I might mention Mungojerrie
I might mention Griddlebone"
Why had Griddlebone turned on Macavity?
**********
Outside. Griddlebone addressed Munkustrap.
"Munkustrap, I’d like to join your tribe."
"No!" Demeter cried out sharply. Munkustrap gave her a withering glare.
"Provided you behave yourself, maybe it could be considered. But once you are a Jellicle, you do NOT give Macavity information."
"Fair enough."
"Why do you want to become a Jellicle?" Electra, the inquisitive kitten, asked the fluffy Persian, renowned for her most famous deed: killing Growltiger, the Terror of the Thames.
"Macavity is being slightly pushy right about now. I’m afraid his desire for Bombalurina is my fault. I refused him. He then realised Bomba would be in heat about this time and saw her as a solution to my defiance. Of course, having been refused by both of us, Macavity was not happy. I was the next to drown after you all."
Munkustrap nodded. "Consider yourself worthy of the name Jellicle."
**********
Macavity awoke with a splitting headache. He saw the Jellicles were gone, and saw red.
"Griddlebone, when we meet again, it is your life that shall be lost this time!"
To be continued…
onward to part III
