"Oh Bombalurina?"
"Hi there Munkustrap, I am here to introduce myself to the new young one here. I would like her to come with me if she pleases because unfortunately, Demeter is busy at the moment and couldn't come, so she asked if she could accompany me to her. Is that all right Chrychaesa?"
"Sure I would like to meet Demeter."
"Good then come with me." The tall cat then started walking off in the direction of the woodpile.
"Ahh, so this is Chrychaesa." a voice rang out. A smaller cat jumped from the top of the pile and landed just a few feet from Bombalurina. "Hello, I am Demeter. Bombalurina tells me that this is your first Jellicle ball and You are trying to make new friends."
"Yes I am, Demeter. I am being very successful at it too. I already have a great number of friends, and I hope you and Bombalurina could be a part of them."
"Yes we would be happy to." Demeter said with a warm gentle smile.
"I would be very happy to be your friend. In fact, please, stay with us while Skimble auditions for the everlasting cat."
"Great. Shall we find a place.. Demeter? What's the matter, you look pale and skittish. What is the matter? Should I get Munkustrap?"
"No no I am fine. I am just getting another of my feelings."
"When Demeter gets her feelings Chryssie, she is usually right so you might want to be on guard." Bombalurina warned.
"Why what happened?" Bombalurina took her aside.
"Munkustrap told you didn't he? She was abducted by Macavity when she was your age. She fears him even now."
"Well now lets go on to happier matters." Demeter said brightly. "Skimble's tune is very lively isn't it? Lets go out and enjoy it. My work here is done so come." Chryssie followed Bombalurina to the dance sight. Demeter walked next to her smiling and laughing along with Bombalurina and Chryssie. Munkustrap noticed them and joined them, smiling too. The cats were forming a pyramid and Skimble stepped gingerly onto it. He then smiled wide as the cats finished
"The Cat of the railway Train!" then thunder struck again, and Munkustrap, Demeter, Bombalurina and Chryssie all looked on keen alert.
They then heard wicked laughter coming from everywhere.
"We have to get out there!" Chryssie told her friends.
"It's not safe for us to be in the shadows." Demeter, Bombalurina, and Munkustrap agreed. They crept out and joined the cats who were nervously circling. Thunder boomed again and Chrychaesa felt her pulse quicken again. Once again the laughter erupted and it seemed to come from everywhere. Then she saw the most hideous cat she could imagine. It was as she knew from the sight...Macavity! All the cats including Munkustrap seemed paralyzed with surprise or fear. Then two of Macavity's henchmen surrounded and captured Old Deuteronomy and carried him off. Old Deuteronomy struggled as much as his old bones would allow but to no avail. His efforts seemed useless as he was carried off into the darkness. Munkustrap coming over his daze grabbed Chryssie's arm and yelled to Demeter "She'll come with me. I need her skills at fighting. Maybe we can find Old Deuteronomy. You stay here. It will be safer for you. We will return shortly!" Chryssie, sensing Demeter's approval, scampered after Macavity with Munkustrap close behind.
"Which way do you think he went?" She asked him after Macavity had disappeared from their sight.
"Who knows? We lost him."
"Shhh do you hear that?"
"Hear what? Wait! yes I do hear something. It's coming from over there." Chryssie started toward the sound.
"Yes come on."
"No wait, I hear something from over here too. You check that one out, I'll check this out."
"Right. If either of us don't find anything, we go the way the other went."
"Agreed, now be careful. you never know what the Hidden Paw is planning."
"The same goes for you too." Then Chrychaesa headed her way. She reached the peak of the sound. It wasn't anything important, just the rustling of paper and...a dog! Slowly she backed away and ran off, hoping the dog hadn't caught her scent. When nothing came after her she continued the way Munkustrap went. She saw him concentrating deeply on something. She crept up as to not to disturb whatever he was concentrating so hard on. Then she dropped to all fours and continued her approach. Then she saw it wasn't Munkustrap but an unconscious agent of Macavity. She smelled the air. It smelled of Munkustrap. If Macavity's agent was unconscious then that would mean......She held down a squeal as someone jumped her from behind. She used an old trick that her father used on her all the time by throwing herself another direction. She then grabbed the paws of her attacker and forced him on his back. She looked down into the face of Munkustrap.
"Oh my you scared me for a minute there, I thought you were one of them."
"Yeah so did I," Munkustrap agreed. "can you let me up now?"
"Sure. Are there any others around?"
"None that I can smell. I hear something."
"OK but this time we stay together. We almost killed each other the last time."
"I have no complaints about sticking together."
"Then lets go because I hear that sound too." They walked on silently and then they heard the sound completely. It was Demeter and Bombalurina singing.
"Hmm I was thinking this looked familiar. We'd better hurry, we don't want anyone to get the jump on us now would we?"
"Right." they both hurried to the site where Demeter and Bombalurina's voices were singing.
"Munkustrap!" Chryssie suddenly whispered sharply.
"What's the matter?"
"Smell the air. Doesn't something smell. It's right above us. It's familiar. I've smelt them before."
"What makes you so sure there is two of them?"
"Well, there are two separate scents, smells incredibly similar to the other one. It smells like.....Back Up Munkustrap!" They both jumped back as two cats jumped down from the tree above them and landed roughly on their feet, slightly dazed from not hitting their target. Munkustrap roughly grabbed the taller one and Chryssie took the shorter one, Munkustrap and Chryssie both knocking their foes to the ground. A weak female British voice emerged from the ground,
"Oh ge' off me will ya Chryssie?"
"Right, tha' goes fo' you too' Munkustrap!"
"It's Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser! What are you two doing out here and tackling poor cats?"
"Tackling?" Rumpleteaser said with sarcasm and disbelief.
"Poor?" Said Mungojerrie with the same tone.
"Are you sure you 'ave your cats straight?"
"Course!"
"Heh heh heh hah hah hah." Rumpleteaser laughed sarcastically.
"If you two want to continue doing this go on ahead, but come back soon" Munkustrap instructed. Then walked a little ways and stopped to wait for Chryssie.
"And look before you leap. Who knows? You could land on unsuspecting cats again, and that's not the best thing to do."
"All right, Now go on!"
"Right, I'm coming Munkustrap!" she then caught up and walked with him. They heard laughter again, called to Rumpleteaser and Mungojerrie to come back and then ran to the campsite, where Demeter and Bombalurina finished their song. Munkustrap and Chryssie both rushed to them where all four looked about them. They heard Macavity laugh. They then saw the henchmen with Old Deuteronomy. All the cats rushed to their leader, except Demeter. Chryssie noticed her hesitation, and approached her.
"Demeter, what is it? Something's the matter! Bombalurina, come talk to her, she won't tell me what the matter is."
"Demeter? What is it? We have Old Deuteronomy back. What is it?" Demeter only turned her back to her and continued to flinch and act skittish.
"Hmm," Chryssie thought out loud. Tugger and Bombalurina approached her and asked her what she thought.
"Well Demeter was abducted at my age so she would come to notice and recognize Macavity in an instant. She acts like we do around Old Deuteronomy, and she gets really scared when Macavity's voice rings out..." At this Demeter had charged all the cats away from Behind Old Deuteronomy.
"So this is Not Old Deuteronomy! Everybody stay back!" Munkustrap approached the place where Demeter who had come to Chryssie's side, and asked Chryssie and Demeter
"Why are you two acting like this? It's my grandfather."
"Yes, if Macavity is your Grandfather! See, Demeter is proving it right now." Demeter who had outlined to Chyssie what she was going to do, gave her a nod and then sprung onto Old Deuteronomy's back, who spun with surprising energy for an Old Cat and hurled Demeter off him. In doing so, his disguise came off and revealed Macavity! All the cats were in a state of total surprise. Macavity turned and started dragging Demeter off.
"Munkustrap!" Chryssie called and pointed to Macavity carrying off a frightened Demeter. Munkustrap grabbed her by the ankles and tried to heave her back, sending her into a swing. Chryssie shouted to Alonzo. "When she swings your way, grab her and take her to safety!" Alonzo did as he was told. When Macavity tried to follow, Munkustrap blocked his path and prepared to fight. Macavity scratched Munkustrap's face and in turn, got his face scratched. They circled and once again started scratching. Macavity leaped onto Munkustrap's back. Munkustrap summoned what strength and threw Macavity off him. Then he leaped over Macavity and then jumped on his back. He was thrown off. Macavity and Munkustrap lunged at each other and then started clawing the other's back and legs. Munkustrap fell and rolled back, wounded. The female cats that were there ran to him. Alonzo then Jumped onto Macavity's back and when he was thrown landed a scratch that deeply hurt Macavity. He clutched at his wound and started backing up to the electric's. Chryssie started bounding close to him, trying to scratch him as did the other cats. He dodged her and tried to scratch them all. He then reached the electric circuiting, quickly rigged up something, connected a few wires and then the lights they had went out.
It was pitch dark. The only light was a light that Alonzo had used in Skimble's train session. The cats all whispered
"Macavity is not there!" Chryssie searched for Munkustrap. She found the place where he was last but the cats all pointed in the direction he went. She was worried about him, for he was the perfect cat. She found him crawling painfully towards Demeter. She bounded up to him and they both nuzzled very closely and affectionately. Chryssie saw this and immediately stopped in her tracks. She stared, and felt her heart break. She then saw Rum Tum Tugger and Bombalurina nuzzling in a corner and they too were as affectionate as Munkustrap and Demeter. She backed away for fear of being seen. She had found the most perfect one and he loved another. She tried to hide how aggrieved she was. But the more she tried the more she became.
"We have to find Old Deuteronomy." She sang sadly. Then she felt a rough tap on her shoulder. She looked about and saw the angry eyes of Jemima.
"Jemima, what is it?"
"So, you think that since I like Munkustrap you should take him away from me! I told you my secret and you just had to go and make me jealous!"
"No, you're all wrong. Look," She said and pointed with her claw to Demeter and Munkustrap. "He already loves another."
"Ahh Demeter! Well you still liked him to because you're crying! See the tears streaming down your face!"
"Hey what's going on here?" Tugger asked with Bombalurina entangled in his arm.
"SHE likes Munkustrap. She tried to take him away from me! Though he was already taken! She learnt my secret and tried to hurt me with it!"
"What are you going on about Jemima! I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Oh really, I saw you go into the woods after him! Just what we're....Oh hello Demeter! Wouldn't you like to know that Munkustrap was cheating on you with this!" and Jemima pointed a claw at Chryssie. Demeter looked puzzled and looked with an imploring look on her face to Chryssie for an explanation.
"She went into the woods twice with him. First after Grisabella decided to show her face and then shortly after Old Deuteronomy's disappearance!"
"Well I know about the second trip into the woods, I don't know about the first one."
"Explain, Chryssie. A good cat like you wouldn't do this." Tugger urged.
"Yes lass tell Old Skimble what happened both times in the woods with the lad."
"Well, the first time was when he was explaining to me why you don't allow Grisabella to join the Jellicle ball. The second time was, as Demeter knows, I was to accompany him to Look for Old Deuteronomy or Macavity."
"Yes but did you volunteer to go along?"
"No, he asked me to come with him..."
"I knew it!" Jemima screeched.
"I wasn't finished. He asked me to come with him because I know how to fight as well as a male. Old Deuteronomy told him why I was to accompany him and Munkustrap used this knowledge and asked me to go with him. Demeter even approved." Munkustrap came up.
"What is happening here?"
"Oh Munkustrap! This little one is in love with you!" Jemima finked.
"I do not!"
"Why are you crying then? You started crying after these two did their thing." Munkustrap looked at her with a little of surprise in his eyes, followed by light humor.
"I didn't mind them 'Doing their thing' as you call it."
"Then why are you crying?" Both Demeter and Munkustrap said with concern. She quickly thought up another reason why she was upset. This was true too. She realized this after she had mentioned Old Deuteronomy.
"I failed. I had a responsibility to protect Old Deuteronomy and I failed. Some protector I am. I failed on my first try. I have been no help, and since I failed I can't come back next year. My parents would be too disappointed with me. I'd be lucky if I even get to come again!"
"Well you are to ask Mr. Mistoffelees the Original Conjuring Cat. There can be no doubt about that. Please, Listen to me, and don't scoff. All his inventions are off his own bat." Chryssie whispered to Demeter
"What is he going on about?"
"Beats me."
"Munkustrap do you know?"
"I'm afraid I am as in the dark as you are...which of course isn't saying much." Demeter, Bombalurina, and Chryssie laughed.
"The greatest magicians have something to learn from Mr. Mistoffelees conjuring turn. And we all say Oh, well, I never, was there ever a cat so clever as Magical Mr. Mistoffelees." Chryssie was watching Mr. Mistoffelees and Tugger. She did not see Bombalurina, or Munkustrap head off towards Old Deuteronomy's pedestal. Demeter caught up with Munkustrap and whispered a question in his ear. He responded yes. Demeter then walked back to Chryssie and gently placed a hand on the young, setback cat. Chryssie looked up into Demeter's smiling face.
"Will you join us Chryssie?"
"Oh I can't. I don't think you'd really want me there. Already I've lost a friend."
"Well you'll always have a friend in Bombalurina, Munkustrap and me. Whichever one of us is near, and you need help, you come to us. Now come. We want you with us." She said and Chryssie took her paw. She sat down at Demeter and Munkustrap's feet. Then she settled to listen to Tugger.
"and not long ago this phenomenal cat produced seven kittens right out of a hat." Mr. Mistoffelees received a yellow can and out from it blew a multicolored ribbon. He then handed it to Jemima who eagerly rushed away.
"And not long ago this phenomenal cat, produced seven kitten's right out of a hat." Mr. Mistoffelees let his eyes roam around the audience and his sight fell upon Cassandra who did a little curtsey. She sat near Chryssie. He took his magic sheet and then gestured towards Cassandra who did her curtsey. She then allowed the blanket to be tossed over her and soon she was on all fours and crawled along the ground. Soon she started struggling. Mr. Mistoffelees blew magic dust over the sheet and it flashed once. He then took hold of the sheet and then yanked it off. There was Old Deuteronomy! Chryssie heard herself and Demeter gasp.
"And we all say, oh well, I never, was there ever a cat so clever as magical Mr. Mistoffelees." Mr. Mistoffelees turned and saw his leader. Joyous he leapt into his leader's arms and gave him affections. All the cats then leaped for joy and surrounded Old Deuteronomy. Demeter smiled and was at ease. Chryssie relaxed too because they got their leader back. When all the cats had settled down, Old Deuteronomy and Munkustrap acknowledged each other. Jemima stood up and sang..
"Daylight, see the dew on the sunflower. 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." Munkustrap acknowledged his grandfather and spoke
"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." Some cats reached out with their paws imploring him to chose them. Grisabella walked out of the shadows. Mr. Mistoffelees noticed her and flounced away. Rum Tug Tugger drew behind her and waved his arm in front of her as if to say come in, it won't do much good though. Victoria reached out to her, but Jellylorum threw her arms away. Demeter wanted to help Grisabella but she had to remind herself of the rules. Grisabella then sang Chryssie's sad haunting ditty..
"Moonlight turn your face to the moonlight, let your memory lead you, open up enter in. If you find there, the meaning of what happiness is, then a new life will begin. Memory turn your face to the moonlight, I can smile at the old days, I was beautiful then. I remember, the time I knew what happiness was. Let the memory live again. Burnt out ends are smoky days, the stale cold smell of morning. A streetlamp dies, another night is over, another day is dawning. Daylight, I must wait for the sunrise, I must think of a new life, and I mustn't give in. When the dawn comes, tonight will be a memory too. And the new day will begin." Grisabella then sank to her knees and hid her face. Chryssie looked at her and sang which was joined in unison with Jemima
"Sunlight through the trees in summer, endless masquerading," Grisabella joined with them
"Like a flower the dawn is breaking." Chryssie stopped because her eyes were full of tears and her voice was stopped. Grisabella sang
"The memory is fading...Touch me.." she pleaded "It's so easy to leave me all alone with the memory of my days in the sun. If you touch me, you'll understand what happiness is...Look, a new day has begun." She then turned to leave but before she went she reached a paw behind her. Victoria rose and looked to Old Deuteronomy for confirmation, He gave a nod. She approached and laid her paw in hers. She then nuzzled her hand with her face and put her hands into Mr. Mistoffelees who smiled gently at her. He then handed her paws to another cat, then the next until it got to Demeter who smiled at her and handed her paws to Bombalurina who handed her paws to Munkustrap. Grisabella smiled happily. Munkustrap looked Chryssie's way and she nodded to him. He then said to Grisabella,
"There is your great niece." She looked behind her and saw Chryssie who smiled at her and blinked away tears. "Come back to us soon." She said. Grisabella nodded tearfully and then Munkustrap put Grisabella's paws into Old Deuteronomy's who then started leading her around to his pedestal. Chryssie started singing, joined by her friends..
"Up up up past the Russell Hotel, up up up up to the Heaviside layer. Up up up past the Russell Hotel, up up up up to the Heaviside layer. Up up up past the Russell hotel, up up up up to the Heaviside layer." Demeter and Munkustrap walked beside Chryssie and each took one of her paws in theirs. Then they sang loudly
"Up up up past the Jellicle Moon, Up up up up to the Heaviside layer. The Mystical Divinity of Unashamed felinity, Round the cathedral rang! "Vivat!" Life to the everlasting cat!" Then they turned around and listened to Old Deuteronomy who sang these wise words.
"You've heard of several kinds of cats and my opinion now is that you should not need an interpreter, to understand our character. You've learned enough to take the view that cats are very much like you. You've seen us both at work and games, and learned about our proper names, our habits and our habitat but how would you address a cat? So first your memory I'll jog and say: a cat is not a dog." Chryssie heard Demeter sing so she sang too. "So first your memory I'll jog and say a cat is not a dog." Old Deuteronomy sang again more pearls of wisdom
"With cats, some say that one rule is true. Don't speak until you're spoken too. I myself don't hold with that, I say you should address a cat nut always bear in mind that he resents familiarity you bow and taking off your hat, address him in this form.. 'o cat.' Before a cat would condescend to treat you as a trusted friend, a little token of esteem is needed like a dish of cream, and you might now and then supply some caviar or straussburg pie. Some potted grouse or sammon paste , he's sure to have his personal taste and so in time you reach your aim and call him by his name!" Demeter and Chryssie let their voices joyously ring out "A cat's entitled to expect these evidences of respect, so this is this and that is that., and there's how you address a cat!" Everyone sang with Old Deuteronomy
"A cat's entitled to expect these evidences of respect. So this is this and that is that, and there's how you address ....a .....cat!" Then with her new friends they grabbed paws and just stood in the breaking of dawn. Tears came to Chryssie's eyes as she looked to the sun.
"At last Grisabella, you'll be happy. Because I am. Now that I have my friends" and she smiled at Demeter and Munkustrap, Rum Tug Tugger and Bombalurina who in turn smiled at her. She looked off into the dawn again and let her heart soar higher then any Jellicle feelings had before.
"Cats" is created by T. S Eliott. The idea and theme was his. The cats, with the acception of Chrychaesa/Chryssie belong to TS Eliott. Music and lyrics are created by Andrew Lloyd Weber.
