"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!" hollared Tugger as he slammed his fist against a tin trash can that stood beside him, makeing a huge rucous. "Tugger, calm yourself." Munkustrap replied. "We have to get those queens back!" argued Tugger who was virtually going insane. "I have to agree with Tugger Munku," said Alonzo, "I'm going crazy without Cassandra. I mean how much torture can one tom go through?" The toms were presently still at the "CATS SHABANG NIGHT CLUB" of Bustopher Jones. They were spending most of their time at night clubs lately. They're fur was crazed and they all looked like homeless bachelors. Lonely without their queens, they didn't want to go home, they figured spending time with each other would do them good. Mistoffelees slapped down the deck of cards in front of Mungojerrie and said, "Deal." but Tugger couldn't stop his yelling, "How could you go through another game? Can't you see we're falling apart?!" Misto rolled his eyes, "You all are allowing yourselves to fall apart! Now come on, they'll be home tomorrow night and everything will be fine. Now let's play." The toms then were silent as they played they're next game. They played for what seemed like hours into the night when the sun started to rise and the sky turned a purplish pink, signaling another day.
"Twenty one black jack!" cried Misto as he slapped his cards down and began taking up his chips. Tumblebrutus slammed his cards down and complained, "Why is this guy always winning?" Just then Tugger spotted a card sticking out of Misto's cape. He had a pocket in his cape? Furious, Tugger just snapped and reached acrossed the round wooden table, grabbed Misto by the collar of his cape, yelling and shaking him violently as cards from his pocket flew everywhere. "You little wart!" Tugger cried, "How many times do I have to tell you that you can't fool me with your petty tricks!" "Tugger let him go!" Munkustrap yelled stirnly and Tugger immediatly released him. Misto then straightened his cape as Pouncival said, "Come on guys can't we just play a friendly game of-"
Just then Bustopher Jones greeted them. "You guys are still here?" "Actually, we moved tables." replied Mungojerrie. This was sad, Bustopher thought. "Gosh you guys, I know the girls meant alot to you but-" Misto, who was very paranoid, stood and said, "We are fine! They'll be here tonight and-" "Tomorrow night." Bustopher inturupted. The toms frowned. "The schedule said tonight." argued Misto but Bustopher shook his head, "The tide is too far out for the boat to dock. They're going to have to spend another night out there." The toms went silent but Tugger then shattered it when he stood and pointed a finger at Misto, "That's it buddy! You're calling up Vicki and your telling you that you're hightailing it over there and I don't care if you have to get on your sticken knees and beg like a dog for her forgivness!" "We're not going anywhere." replied Misto in a definite tone. Tugger growled, "Why you stubborn son of a-" "TUGGER!" yelled Munkustrap, "SIT DOWN!" and Tugger did so. Coricopat shook his head, "Misto please, if you're not going to do it for yourself do it for us and for our sanity." Misto stood there not knowing what to do.
Just then, a scrawny young manx cat presented Misto with a letter. "Telegram for Mr. Mistoffelees." he replied as he handed it to him and ran off with a bag full of mail. Misto stared at it strangly. "Who's it from?" asked Skimblshanks. "Victoria." replied Misto and he opened the letter and pulled out the card. His face went pale and his breath was heavy. The toms sat their confused and anxious. "Well, what does it say?!" cried Asparagus. Misto slowly sat down afraid he was going to faint on the spot. Immediatly, Tugger snatched the card away from him to analize it. He frowned when he saw it was a photo. They all hoovered over him wanting to see as well and the same confused look came on them all. "Isn't that the Cheshire Cat?" Coricopat asked. "Yeah, from Alice in Wonderland." added Tumblebrutus. "Oh man Misto," said Tugger in a calm soothing voice, "I'm sorry. She's ditching you and running off with the Cheshire!" Misto rolled his eyes and laughed, "Oh honestly, don't you all see?" Mungojerrie frowned, "See what?" "She trying to make me jealous!" cried Misto with an amusing smile. The toms all looked at each other strangely. "She wants me to go over there and take her away from old what's his face and have me ask for her forgivness, well it's not happening!" The toms sighed and threw the card aside. "Well, I guess it's canned anchovies again tonight." said Tugger and Mungojerrie pulled out the tin can and asked, "Anyone got a can opener?"
The day was hard and long for Misto. He spent most of it at the club with his friends till they all realized how pathetic it all was of them spending nearly three days at a night club either playing cards, talking or singing cariocky. The sun slowly lingered down and the day was turning into yet another lonely night. Victoria was suppose to be back by now but instead she wasn't and Misto was still alone with a furious bunch of toms. He wondered his way to the junkyard where it was desolate. The toms were still out having selfpity parties. The wind blew, rustling some dead brown leaves on the ground of the junkyard that looked haunted when empty. He stood in the center of the yard, the place where he and Victoria dance during last year's Jellicle Ball. Her sprawled out on the floor while he ran his fingers up her slender body then inviting her in a dance with him. It was a memory he planed to never forget. He suddenly found himself retracing his steps from that glorious night. He burst out his arms and glanced down at the place where Victoria once was. He then ran his fingers down his imaginary white cat and began his singing, never leaving out his invisible Victoria. In his eyes he saw her, beautiful and as pure as snow, dancing like a dove with graceful moves and her smile beaming at him. He was trying to relive the scene all over again but when he reached for her elegant petite hand, she disappeared in a fading ripple till he found himself alone again. Suddenly voices flooded his mind, yelling like spirits, "AND DONT COME BACK!" "FINE" the slamming of the door, and his voice echoed, "MAYBE LAST YEARS JELLICLE BALL WAS JUST ONE BIG MISTAKE! MISTAKE...MISTAKE...MISTAKE...MISTAKE.." and it faded into the wind. What had he done?
Suddenly a stirring made him jump. He quickly turned and saw..."Old Deuteronomy?" The huge wooly leader smiled and asked, "What are you doing out here alone Misto?" Misto sighed and said, "Having a selfpity party I guess." Old Deuteronomy patted the spot next to him on the tire, informing him to join. Misto slowly climbed up beside him and said nothing for a while. With the silence feeling awkward, Misto decided to ask, "So what are you doing out here alone?" Old Deut looked to the dark sky and said, "Looking at the moon." Misto glanced up high and frowned when he saw stars but no moon. He then looked at Old Deut who was still gazing high and thought, could he be losing it? "Um...there's no moon Old Deut." "Oh but there is!" he replied, "It's what we call a new moon. You can't see it but it's still there." He could see Misto wasn't really paying attention and decided to venture, "So I heard about you and Vicki." Misto said nothing so Old Deut proceeded. "So you miss her?" "No!" Misto quickly replied. Old Deut gave a soft chuckle then looked back up at the black sky. "You know why I love the moon so much?" Misto didn't ask but Old Deut didn't need him to and so continued to answer anyway, "You know Misto, the moon is just a rock. A dead old rock. It's only when the sun's light hits it does it shine and bring a light in the darkness." he then looked at Misto and said, "You can kinda call yourself the moon. Nothing but a rock when alone, but when the sun, in this case Vicki, is with you, your light shines bringing light in the darkness. You follow?" "So you're saying I'm not really complete without her?" Old Deut nodded in approval, "Yeah, you can say that! And even though you dont WANT TO believe the love for her is there, it's there none the least. Just like you thought the moon wasn't there, it never leaves whether you believe it or not. They say only the fool denies what he can't see, whether it be the moon or the wind. Don't be a fool Misto, and deny your love for your queen." "But I don't wanna be the one crawling back to her and begging for her to come back. I have my dignity you know." "Dignity?! Ha!" replied Old Deut, "Stubborness is more like it. And this thick headed thought of yours is going to make things worse. Sure, you'll have your dignity but you'll be lacking your pride and joy. Sometimes in order to get those back, you have to get on your knees for them. That way you'll have your pride, your joy, your light and with all that comes dignity." Misto was impressed with Old Deut's words. He truely was wise. Misto never saw it that way. Maybe he was being stubborn and bull-headed about the matter which could cause him to loose Vicki and even his dignity. Old Deut stood and shook Misto's hand as he said, "Well, that's all the counseling I have for today. Know it's your turn to get up and do something about it. Enough sitting and moaping while playing cards at that pathetic cats night club. Where's your dignity?" and he gave Misto a wink, released his hand and left. Misto then found that he was holding something. He looked down, opened his hand and was nearly choked from emotion when he found that he held his crumpled poem and the crisp maroon rose. The flower still smelled as sweet as it did the moment he gave it to her and he uncrumpled the letter. He had to smile humoroursly at his poor hand writing and even poor spelling. The words were a little faded but you could still make out what it said. It was stained with brown coffee and tattered, looking like an old treasure map. He's eyes then wondered back at the center of the junkyard where he could see not only a whispy ghost of Victoria dancing but him as well, repeating the same steps of last year's Jellicle Ball. They were a few inches off the ground floating like angelic spirits. The music was even playing in the back of his mind like a small whispering symphony. Unable to stay there any longer, Misto leaped off the tire and took off in a hurry.
The group of toms walked down the city streets bored and still somber about their missing queens when Misto swiftly ran by. By the way he was sprinting, they thought that a pack of pollicles might have been on his tail. "Where's that guy off to in such a hurry?" Pouncival asked. Without waiting for an answer, they all ran after him. Misto came to a stop at the ship's dock. The air smelled of fish and people walked about busying themselves with lifting crates and bringing in nets. It was a harbor. There were many boats, some blowing huge horns, other letting out high pitched whistles signaling their departures. Out of breath, Mungojerrie asked, "Misto what are you doing? I don't know if you've realized this but their boat left nearly three days ago!" Misto stood there at the dock's edge, thinking. He then untied his black cape and swung it around as if teazing a bull in a toro ring. The toms looked at each other, puzzled. Misto then threw the satin cloth in the air with a blow of colorful sparkles and shouted, "SHININIYAH!!" and the cape floated stifly in the air like a magic carpet. The tom's eyes widoned in disbelief. Without looking at them, Misto leaped up on the "carpet". "You're really going out there?" Munkustrap asked. "I going for my sun!!" he shouted over the stiring waves. Skimbleshanks frowned, "You have a son?" Misto rolled his eyes, "Nevermind, if you want your queens get on and let's go!" The toms stood there a little hesitant. "Are you sure that thing'll hold us?" asked Tugger. "Yes! Now get on!" and one by one they hopped up till it was cramed with frightened Jellicle toms. And Misto yelled, "HAMBOCK! DILIAH!" and the magic cape shot off, slicing the wind like a jet. The toms yelled and held on for dear life. They flew inches above the waters, causing it to divide beneath them as they soared. Mungojerrie was enjoying the ride as he lifted his head high catching the wind in his ears and hollared, "WHOO HOO!!" Tugger dug his talons deep in the cape and yelled over the waves and the wind, "WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!"
The Jellicle queens were participating in a dance that was taking place up on the deck. The night was almost over and so was the dance. Night lights hung as the music played and felines danced. However, the queens sat at a table feeling down. They thought of nothing but they're toms. "Are we almost there yet?" Teazer whined. Bombalurina shook her head, "We wont dock late this afternoon or maybe even later." they all moaned in unison. Some were even feeling a little sea sick. Demeter chuckled, "I remember how Munkustrap use to take such charge at the Jellicle Balls. Hehe...what a guy!" "I remember how Tugger use to move his body and sing!" Bombalurina added, "What a beast!" Cassandra rolled her eyes, "Please, you're beginning to sound like Ectetera." "Cassi you miss Alonzo don't you?" asked Jemima. "OH GOD ALONZO WHERE ARE YOU!" Cassi cried and buried her head in her arms causing a heartbreaking bang on the table. Jenny cleared her throat as she stared strangly at Cassi, "Yes, well....I think we all miss our toms." Jenny's eyes began to water, "I mean I...I ....I MISS MY BUSTOPHER JONES!!" and she too went into deep despair alongside the crying Cassandra. Soon Teazer joined in about Jerrie along with Bomb, Tantomile and suddenly the table was drenched with crying queens. Ectetera sat there, her arms crossed as she rolled her eyes. She then noticed how Victoria wasn't there. She looked around for her from her chair and spotted her with...CLIP?? They were dancing to a slow song and were very close. But Ectetera was shocked to see a tear roll down Vicki's cheek. Poor Vicki was suffering too though she didn't want to admitt it. Ectetera grew angry as she whispered to herself, "Misto, if you were half the tom that Vicki needs right now you'd come and-" Suddenly her ears pricked at the sound of rushing wind. It sounded like an approaching jet! She looked over the railing straining to see as far as the horizon. She could see a miniture black dot that was making alot of noise, inches from the water. Soon she could hear far off yelling like a bunch of battleing pirates. She squinted trying to make out the light speeding object. Then it came into view. She could see who seemed to be a large cat crying out bloodymurder. It was drawiing closer till finally she could make it out...."TUGGER?!" she yelled in shock. That drew the queens' attention and they all ran simultaniously to the railing, knocking over their chairs and turning over their drinks. "Oh my God!" cried Bombalurina. "It's them!!" shouted Electra. Immedialty Teazer cimbed up the railing and stood up waving her arms as if signaling a plane to land as she screamed, "OVER HERE!! JERRIE IM OVER HERE!!" Jellylorum held on tightly to her Teazer's leg and nervously said, "Teazer be careful."
"I see them!!" hollared Coricopat. Mungojerrie gasped, "What is Teazer doing? She's going to fall over!" Alonzo laughed and shook his head at the frantic Teazer and mumbled, "God what a spaz." "Are we almost there?" whimpered Tugger, who was in a fetal position, groping for as much of the cape as possible with his eyes sealed shut. "I don't see Vicki." inquired Pouncival and Misto grew curious.
The queens jumpped up and down squeeling with delight as they drew closer. Finally, when the cape was centimeters from the railing of the ship Teazer along with all the other females began climbing on frantically trying to kiss and embrace their toms. But the toms had to keep them back in fear of them all tipping over the magic cape and landing in the sea. Soon they're were all on the boat and the kissing and embracing began. Cassi jumped on Alonzo causing them both to flip over the railing and leaving a huge splash. Tantomile nuzzled Coricopat, Teazer climbed all over Mungojerrie as he tried warning her that he never wanted to see her pull somthing that dangerous again. "What ever you say sweetie!" and she continued to hug and kiss him uncontrollably. Bombalurina tried searching for Tugger in the mass when she suddenly saw him still on the floating cape, shaking like a leaf, eyes still shut and holding on tightly. Bombalurina looked at him strangely and softly stroked his head, "Tugger?" the tom stopped his shaking and slowly glanced up. When he found himself face to face with the red queen he looked around and saw everyone's reunion. "You wanna come off that thing and hold me?" A little embarrassed, Tugger slowly and carefully with the help of Bomb, stepped on the ship. When he found himself safe on the ground, Tugger looked into Bomb's eyes and immediatly hugged her, "Oh God I was going nuts with out you!!" Bomb smiled then kissed him and said, "So was I! Never will I go on another vacation with you!"
"Hey you mind?!" yelled a cat sailor who worked on the ship. He approached the group of giddy Jellicles and said, "You can't just hop on this ship! We're in the middle of the Atlantic here! You could be imagrants! I going to the athor-" but Munkustrap grabbed the cat by the shoulders and tossed him over the ship. The jellicles gasped but soon broke out into laughter. "Munku, that's not like you!" Demeter said with a laugh. With an adorable smile the grey tabby replied, "Look, I've had a horrible time without you and during all that time I tried to keep my cool. And by God I sure didn't need him!!" Demeter laughed and gave him another huge kiss.
Misto looked frantically for Victoria. He manuvered around other dancing felines and made his way through the crowd, looking desperatly for her. He then turned a corner and froze when he spotted her dancing with the same tom that was in the postcard photo. He couldn't see her face which was resting on the Cheshire's shoulder. Heartbroken by what he was seeing, Misto slowly approached them. When he was close enough he whispered, "Vicki?" Immediatly, they stopped thier slow dancing and she gasped when she saw him while Clip frowned at the unfamiliar tom. "Misto!!!" she cried with a smile. "Hey, who are you bub?" asked Clip cruedly. "Mistoffelees and that's my queen you're holding?" he replied angrily. "Oh Misto, it's okay, you've got to understand, I-" but Vicki was cut off by Clip, "Hey look I don't know who you are, but you had best turn around and mind your own business you shrimp!" Vicki was apalled by his words, "Hey now wait just one cotton pickin minute buster." she began with her hands on her hip. But Clip grabbed her arm with a jerk and said, "C'mon, let's keep dancing." "No!" she cried. That made him angry and he gave her another jerk, "I said, let's keep dancing. Don't spoil the evening!" "I think it's a little late for that!" she retorted as she tried to struggle free from his tight grip. "Let her go!" Misto growled. Clip glanced at him with a shocked expression. Nervous at the cat's size, Misto stood his stance trying to hide his fear. "Do you know who I am?" Clip asked. Misto shrugged, "Alice's cat?!" "I'm one of Hollywood's best stars, you had best learn your manners!" "I don't care if you are King Tut's cat! I said let her go!!" Misto yelled. But Clip continued his gloating, "I've won seven awards for best animal actor, two global awards for spectacular stunts, three-" Suddenly Mistoffelees gave out a punch that landed square on Clip's jaw, throwing him on the table behind him and causing it to crumble beneath him, knocking him out cold. Vicki gasped. Misto rubbed him fist, "I told you to let her go!" he then chuckled as he said, "Oh yeah, and I won the oscar four times." Vicki laughed and added, "And I was nominated Miss America five times in a row!" and Vicki took Misto's hand as they both laughed and walked off joining the others.
"Where were you?" Munkustrap asked Mistoffelees. "I uh," he then glanced deep into Vicki's eyes as he answered, "I had to go get something dear to me that I thought I would lose forever." and Vicki blushed and smiled. "Vicki, I'm sorry. I guess we all say things that we don't mean and I know that's no excuse for my behavior and I guess what I'm trying to do is..."And Misto got on one knee, and with her hands in his, he said, "Vicki, will you forgive me? I want you back. For that past three days, I felt a part of me was missing. I was just too stubborn to realize what it was. I just let a part of me drift out on the open sea. Will you forgive me?" Vicki began to cry, "Of course I will." and she kneeled down on the floor with him, feeling unworthy to be higher than him. She then embraced him as she said through her tears, "I'm sorry too! I've missed you sooo much! I don't ever want to leave you again!" "So then you'll come back with me?" Misto asked with a radiant smile. "No." Vicki answered and Misto along with all the Jellicles frowned. But Vicki laughed and added, "And miss this time together! Misto we did it! We're finally out on our cruize! Now we can have some real fun!!" The jellicles looked at each with huge smiles. Vicki was right. Now it was time to party all night and day!!
And so that's just what they did. Night turned into day and it was sizzleing hot in the sun. The party music played and they all sat at a huge table with champain mingling among themselves. Ectetera wiped a happy tear from her face then frowned as she asked, "Um....where's Cassi and Alonzo?" and they all looked over the railing and found them on a giant yellow inflatable banana boat catching the sun's rays side by side!!!!
