by Meka
It was no ordinary night at the junkyard. Quite the opposite in fact. Munkustrap approached the junkyard only to hear someone shouting. It sounded like quite a heated argument. Munkustrap hurried up to the clearing to see what the commotion was about. When he got there he came to find Rumpleteazer yelling something at Mungojerrie who just sat there looking rather helpless holding a strand of pearls at his side. Rumpleteazer talked too fast for Munkustrap to understand. He looked to Bombalurina and Demeter for help "Who knows, we can't make any sense of it" Demeter sighed still watching the two of them argue.
Finally Rumpleteazer stormed away. Both Bombalurina and Demeter followed after her. Munkustrap watched as Mungojerrie slunk away into the shadows. "He's gone too far this time!" growled Rumpleteazer "Who does he think he is?! Do you have any idea how close we are to being kicked out of Victoria Grove!" she was pacing now "And what does he do? He goes and steals the mistress's favorite woolworth pearls! Behind my back even! I didn't know anything about it till I got a smack from the Master!"
Bombalurina flashed Demeter a knowing glance. "Maybe he had a good reason?" Demeter offered.
"Yeah, like to give to that no good queen Nicolette who he likes so much!" she yelled "And leave me the blame. Some friend he is. We used to work together on everything. Now its all changed, Well, that's IT!"
"Rumple dear, please don't be so hasty to judge Mungo's actions" Pleaded Bombalurina.
Then Rumpleteazer laid down and began to cry. Mungojerrie crept underneath an old tire to be alone. Off in the distance he heard Rumpleteazer talking to Demeter and Bombalurina. Though he couldn't really make out what they were saying. "How can I get her to understand?" He sighed and collapsed onto a pile of newspapers.
Unlike Rumpleteazer, Mungojerrie really had no other Jellicles to confide in. It was Rumpleteazer he told everything to. She was his best friend. But now all that's changed. It changed the day he looked at Rumpleteazer in a different light. When he saw her spending time with Plato and Tumblebrutus he began to grow oddly jealous. At first he didn't realize why but it soon hit him. He looked up to see her standing in front of him. He saw her very beautiful, very feline and very feminine body before him. Her eyes sparkled in the moonlight in such a way that he thought he would faint at her very presence. She had such special qualities about her. And a personality not unlike his. It struck him like a brick, he loved her. He was in love with his best friend, his partner, his companion, and his playmate. After that he wasn't sure how to act around her or tell her. He couldn't just strut around like Alonzo or Rum Tum Tugger. This was different, this was special.
But now with the pearl incident (as it came to be known) she probably wouldn't even talk to him again when they got home for supper. He also heard something about giving the pearls to Nicolette. Nicolette, she was a cat that was like a flea you just couldn't scratch off. He just couldn't shake her. And his worst fears were now confirmed, Rumpleteazer thought they were for Nicolette! He stole the pearls for Rumpleteazer, Not the wretched Nicolette. "I need some advice" he thought to himself and wandered off to find someone to confide in.
Mungojerrie sought Etcetera for advice who just giggled because she knew he loved Rumpleteazer long before he did. And also knew that although Rumpleteazer wouldn't admit it she was jealous of Nicolette. But nevertheless she told Mungo he ought to wait for Rumpleteazer to settle down then try to tell her. He found Rumpleteazer sitting on an old rusty car in the dump. He crept up behind her slowly holding the pearls behind his back. "Rumpleteazer?" he whispered.
"What?" she snapped back.
"Rumple, I just wanted to say.. I mean, I would like too...Uh, if its alright with you I would....." He stammered.
"Well, say what?". Gathering his strength he started "I wanted to say, I love you. I always have. I tried to tell you earlier but you saw the pearls and started yelling. I never meant for you to get in trouble. I just wanted to give you something that's almost as beautiful as you. If you can’t love me or forgive me I'll understand. But I do love you. You and only you"
He dropped the pearls and turned to walk away slowly. Rumpleteazer spun around and watched him walk away. Then looked at the pearls sparkle in the moonlight. She jumped up and pounced on him "Oh Mungo, I love you too. I always have" she purred.
Mungojerrie started purring back and licking her with joy. Then without a word he stopped her and walked over and picked up the pearls. He put them around her neck "For you my lovely Rumpleteazer" He added.
And there was nothing at all to be done about that!
