Scarlet's Story
I was born to a small theatre family of cats. Because of my bright
red
fur, I was immediately named Scarlett, and put on center stage in all
the acts. I loved all the attention I got, being the star of the
family. Surprisingly, my brothers and sisters were not jealous of me
at
all.
By the time we were 3 and 4 months old, about half of my brothers and
sisters were adopted. I was sad to see them go, but they looked so
happy with their new families. I began to wish I would be taken. But
whenever someone would stop by to look at us, my parents hid me. I
guess they didn't want their star actress to be taken away by anyone.
I, on the other hand, wanted to leave. Yes, I loved acting, but even
more I loved the dream I held of sitting curled up on a child's lap,
while they lovingly stroked my belly.
I vented my frustration about my want to be adopted into my acting. I
so wanted to become someone else, to get away from the restrictive life
I was living. At 6 months, all my siblings had been adopted, so my
parents had me doing solo songs and dances, since there was no ensemble
anymore.
One night, while I was singing, I noticed a tom in the audience. He
was not the normal type of tom that came in to watch me. They were
scuzzy, with lice and smelly fur. This tom was debonair, smooth, and
very handsome. As I held the last note of my final song, our eyes
locked, and I think we both felt the immediate connection. It was
electric, and I knew we were meant to be together.
As I was leaving, he came up behind me from a dumpster. "Hello miss."
"Oh! You startled me!" I said, surprised by his presence in the
filthy
alleyway.
"I'm sorry. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Rhett."
"Pleased to meet you. My name is Scarlett."
"Well, Miss Scarlett, allow me to say that you are the most beautiful
queen I've ever met."
"Oh, thank-you, Rhett," I said bashfully, even though I was jumping
for
joy inside. Maybe he was what I needed to get away! "But I'm afraid
you flatter me."
"I'm not flattering you at all! Please, allow me accompany you home."
"O-okay," I said nervously. I didn't want this handsome tom to see my
parents' filthy home behind a Mexican restaurant. So, I led him in
circles, and we just talked. I knew that he knew I wasn't heading
home,
but he was kind enough to just stay with me. Soon we knew each other's
life stories, and he sympathized with me about the adoption of all my
brothers and sisters.
"But what I don't understand," he asked, "is why no one wanted to
adopt
such a pretty cat as you."
"Well," I said, embarrassed, "my parents never let me be seen by
prospective families. I guess they didn't want me to leave"
"Oh, you poor thing," he cooed. He took my paw in his and stroked it
gently. "Scarlett, listen to me," he said almost sternly. "I know
we've only known each other a short time, but I know enough about you
to
know, in my heart, that I can't let you go back to your parents. Come
with me."
"Where?"
"To the City. I know a group of cats there called the Jellicles.
They
live in a safe, secluded junkyard. You'll be so happy there! Please,
Scarlett, come with me!"
"I don't know, Rhett, my parents..."
"We'll be long gone before they realize you're gone! Please, it's the
only way you'll get out of here!"
"Okay," I said, extremely frightened by the thought of what I was
about
to do. "Let's go. If I don't do it now, I never will."
"That's what I like to hear," he said, as he lightly licked my nose.
"Now let's get moving before you change your mind." We headed towards
the City, him leading the way in case danger should come.
About 4 miles into the trip, which was the next day, both Rhett and I
were startled to hear a low, sinister laugh coming from the bushes.
Not
knowing what was happening, we went to side of the road and saw two
cats
fighting.
"Who are they?" I asked, scared.
"I don't know who that small one is, but the large cat is Macavity.
He's evil." Rhett shuddered as he told me, and that made me even more
frightened.
All of a sudden, the yowling stopped. I uncovered my eyes to see
Macavity coming towards us. Rhett stood in front of me, as if he could
protect me from whatever was about to happen. "Hello, Rhett," sneered
Macavity. "I see you've picked up a new stray. Trying to get her into
the Jellicles, are you?"
"As a matter of fact, yes. She'll be safe there, away from evil cats
like you." Rhett immediately regretted saying that. Macavity lashed
out at Rhett, and scratched him across the face with his sharp claws.
"Yeeeeeoooowww!" screamed Rhett, bouncing back in pain. He and
Macavity
began to fight vigorously, and I watched intently, scared to leave and
scared to stay.
I was startled as the other cat, who's name eludes me to this day,
grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the two fighting toms. This cat
led me away from the fight and told me to run. "Where?" I asked.
"Anywhere! If you head that way," he pointed towards the City, "one
of
the Jellicles will find you and take you somewhere safe. I have to go
back and help Rhett."
"You're going to leave me here?" I implored, feeling very small and
helpless.
"I have to. I'm a Jellicle, and I have to help Rhett because he needs
me more than you do. Now go!" He gently pushed me towards the City.
"Okay, I'll go. If Rhett and you survive, tell him that I loved him
the moment I set eyes on him, and ask him to come find me someday!"
"I'll do that, and will most certainly do all I can to help two lovers
be together. Now run while there's still time!"
"Good-bye!" I shouted over my shoulder as I ran, panting, towards the
City. I didn't look back because I knew I would find the only cat I
ever cared about, aside from my brothers and sisters, dead. Instead of
chancing the pain that would cause, I pushed the thought out of my head
and concentrated on surviving, on getting to the City and finding the
Jellicles.
After what seemed like days (but in reality was only a few hours) of
all-out running, I finally slowed. Collapsed, actually. I had reached
the center of the City, and, knowing I was finally away from Macavity,
I
was able to fall to the ground and sleep. I slept soundly for several
long hours, and awoke groggily.
When my eyes focused, I saw a gray striped queen looking at me.
"Hello," she said gently. "You're a stray, aren't you?"
"Y-y-es," I squeaked, still exhausted from all the running I had done.
"Do you know where I can find a group of cats called the Jellicles?" I
questioned, my strength coming back in one urgent flow. I had to find
them because only there would I be safe. At least that's what Rhett
had
said.
"As a matter of fact, I've just become a member of the Jellicles
myself. My name is Pouncivette. Do you want to join our Family?"
"Oh, yes, I do! Very much so! Thank-you so much," I whispered,
grateful to have a friend.
"Then come with me!" she said happily. We walked arm in arm down the
sidewalk and she chattered excitedly about the who's and what's of the
Tribe. Soon we were good friends, and I was ecstatic to reach the
junkyard.
Every one of the Jellicles received me with open arms. I felt very at
home among my new friends. They filled the hole in my heart that
formed
when all my brothers and sisters left. After the instant popularity of
being the "new cat" wore off, I was extremely content to assume a low
profile, counteracting the attention forced on me at my previous home.
Pouncivette and I remained friends, and I enjoyed watching (and
partaking in) the crazy antics of my fellow Jellicles. I was so happy
to have friends and family!
The End
