This is a story I would usually not tell, but because I am amongst friends I will share it with you. You see, it is a story that is not well believed. There's magic and laughter and fairytale dances. If you dare to believe in such "nonsense," then stay and hear my tale. Some time ago, there was a new kitten welcomed to the Jellicle layer. She was small and golden striped. Those stripes were truly golden for they sparkled with a life of their own. Some said that the gold was fairy dust, a gift from fairies that had blessed her with life and maybe even a kind of magic. She was named Luna for the stripe on her chest that was curved like the crescent moon. Luna was a very curious cat. She spent many a night searching for new discoveries and even a few follies. Here is the tale where Luna first enters the Jellicle layer:
One particular item caught her attention. It was a top hat lying on its side. Luna thought she saw something inside and took a closer look. She crept up to the hat and peered inside. It was very dark inside the hat, but Luna stuck her head and front paws inside to have a look. Suddenly, the dust from the hat made Luna sneeze. The sneeze was so violent that the hat tumbled upright with Luna in it. Struggle as she might, Luna could not turn the hat back on its side.
Now, it was about this time that Mr. Mistoffelees entered the yard, puzzled to find that his magic hat, the one he pulled seven kittens from, was suddenly upright. What was even more astounding were the feet and tail that were wiggling out the top. Mistoffelees approached the hat with care but also a touch of amusement at the predicament at the poor creature inside. At closer view, he discovered that it was merely a curious kitten trapped inside. Mistoffelees carefully lowered the hat so the young kitten could escape. Luna quickly darted out of the hat, it was awfully stuffy in there. She looked at her hero, not sure what to make of him. He had a kind face, but he was a stranger. She remembered the girl human's mother telling the girl human to be careful of strangers. So Luna kept her distance but did not flee. Mistoffelees was taken aback by this sparkling kitten before him. He'd never seen a cat like her before.
He smiled and asked "What is your name little one?" But Luna would not reply. Mistoffelees was disappointed at her lack of response. He reached out his paw to her and said, "My name is Mistoffelees. And this is the Jellicle layer. Please tell me your name."
Luna decided to be brave. "My name is Luna," she said very quietly.
"I am pleased to meet you, Luna," Mistoffelees said with a bow. "Tell me, what did you find so interesting about my hat?"
Luna was slow to reply. "I'm sorry, but you see, I thought that there was something in the hat," she said, unsure of what his response would be. Mistoffelees looked at Luna in amazement. Had he left some thing inside his hat? And if he did, how could she tell? Maybe she had a touch of magic.
"Well let's see what's in there shall we?" Mistoffelees smiled. Much to his delight, Luna smiled back. They returned to the hat and Mistoffelees set it upright again. With a wave of his paw over the hat, he reached in and pulled out a small red ball, some thing he was hiding from Rum Tum Tugger. He had forgotten about it. Luna seemed delighted by the ball. "Here you are my lady," and Mistoffelees presented her with the ball. Luna took the ball between her paws and began to bat it back and forth. But before she got to far away, she ran back to Mistoffelees and licked his ear in thanks. Then she darted away with her new found treasure. Luna decided that this wouldn't be bad place for a kitten like her after all.
Mistoffelees watched her leave, smiling, and wondering if he would see her again.
But what she encountered were the moths that led her here. Annoyed, she batted them away. Were these moths following her? And if they were, why?
Luna carefully padded through the junkyard in search of the black cat she had met the night before. But who she found was some one completely different. Leaning against a large sewage pipe was a, very obviously bored, black and orange striped cat, playing with the strand of pearls around her neck. Luna liked the pearls. They were very shiny and milky white. Milk. Luna suddenly got hunger pains and her tummy growled.
The new cat heard this and was startled. "Hallo!" she said. "What brings a littl' beauty like you to the yard?" Luna wasn't sure how to answer. This cat had a mischievous look in her eye, which both made Luna weary and feel a little frisky herself.
"Hello, my name is Luna. I found this place last night and met a cat named Misto…" she couldn't remember his name. The other cat knew immediately who Luna meant.
"You mean Mistoffelees. Oh, he's a gent, but not as sneaky as I am. My name is Rumpleteaser." " Mistos' not here tonight. Some sort of 'magical ball'" Rumpleteaser rolled her eyes. "You probably won't see him tonight." Luna looked dismayed. "But cheer up littl' one. I want to have some fun and I'll take you with me. I do believe that growl I heard was the sound of an empty stomach. Am I right?"
Luna nodded her head vigorously. "I'm starving, can you help me find some food?"
"Of course, love. I know just the spot, too," Rumpleteaser smiled with delight. This all sounded good to Luna so she followed Rumpleteaser out of the yard and out onto the streets of London.
Luna followed Rumpleteaser to a restaurant on Baker's Street. Rumpleteaser motioned for Luna to follow her to the back of the restaurant and began to fiddle with the lock on the window. "No lock can keep me out," she said with a grin. Luna wasn't sure why they didn't just go through the door, but Rumpleteaser seemed to know what she was doing, so Luna didn't say any thing. The lock was finally loosened and both cats slipped inside. There was the bustle of humans busily cleaning up. Rumpleteaser stealthily sneaked past them and over to a large cabinet. "Get over here before you're seen!" she hissed to Luna. Luna quickly darted to the cabinet, almost creating a gust of air. The workers seemed not to notice, thankfully.
Rumpleteaser began to paw at the door of the cabinet until it came open. "Ol' Tootsberry always keeps fresh cream for his puddings," she said. Luna licked her whiskers at the thought of fresh cream. Rumpleteaser climbed up into the cabinet and said, "Come on up and have a feast." Luna climbed up and stared at the large jug of cream. She knew that this was stealing and that it was wrong, but her noisy stomach made the decision for her. Both cats began to lick at the fresh cream. Luna, however, got careless and tipped over the jug of cream. I fell out of the cabinet and onto the floor with a crash. All of the workers spun around at the sound. One, with an angry voice shouted, "You darn cats! Get out of here before I turn you into violin strings!" that didn't sound appealing to Luna or Rumpleteaser so both cats began to run, followed by the angry man who was now carrying a broom. This made Rumpleteaser laugh. "Ol' Tootsberry! All threats. But he can't catch us, right Luna?" Luna wanted to make sure she wasn't caught, so she didn't respond and concentrated on running. They eventually lost "Ol' Tootsberry" and found their way back home to the junkyard.
"So did you have fun tonight?" asked Rumpleteaser. Frightened as she was, Luna had to admit it was exciting. Rumpleteaser yawned. "Well, it's almost dawn and I need my beauty rest. So, good night Luna. Thanks for the fun!" And with that said, Rumpleteaser went to her part of the yard to get her "beauty rest". This was a good idea, Luna decided. She found her barrel and curled up in it. She felt guilty about what she had done, but the cream was exceptionally good. There must be an easier way to get food though. With this thought in mind, Luna slowly fell asleep. In the distance she thought she heard a song, but that would have to wait until tomorrow night.
As she neared the central area of the junkyard, the music grew louder and she saw several cats dancing about and singing. She recognized Mistoffelees perched on an old car. He was shaking his head at the whole display before him. Happy to see her new friend again, Luna hopped up and joined Mistoffelees. "Hi, Mistoffelees! What's going on?"
Surprised at the sudden appearance of the golden kitten, he stared at her wide eyed. But then he shook it off and said, "Oh, hi, Luna! Good to see you again. I was just watching Tugger and the others make fools of themselves." He shook his head again.
"Who's Tugger?" she asked. "Rum Tum Tugger," he responded, "He's the lion-like cat that you see in the center. The other cats, Pouncival, Tumblebrutus, and Alonzo, are the others. They are tying to be like him. All the kittens love Tugger."
The dancing had stopped because Tugger noticed the sparkling new arrival. Interested in this new kitten, he headed in Luna's direction.
Luna was unimpressed. "What's so special about him?"
"I wish I knew," Mistoffelees groaned under his breath.
Alonzo, Tumblebrutus, and Pouncival were not far behind Tugger. They were equally curious about this new golden beauty in the yard. Tugger flashed his famous smile and winked. "Hello there, my little sparkler." Luna raised an eyebrow. He continued, "I am the Rum Tum Tugger."
Luna did not want to be rude. "Hello. My name is Luna."
"Ah, of course it is. You have a sparkle to rival the moon."
Mistoffelees rolled his eyes. Tugger pretended to just notice him. "Mistoffelees! I did not see you there. I must have been blinded by the beauty of this golden creature."
"Uhhuh," was all Mistoffelees said. Luna eyed Rum Tum Tugger. Is this cat for real?
Tugger continued with his admiration. I am so glad to have found such a glowing example of feline beauty," he said in a voice coated with honey. "Would you like to see another dance?"
Mistoffelees decided that he couldn't take anymore. He offered Luna an apologetic smile and went to search for something more interesting to do.
Luna rested her head on her paws and prepared herself for the testosterone brigade.
Tugger began his dance and the others followed suit. They were all excellent dancers. Luna had to admire that, but she could not help but laugh at the shows of masculinity. What hams!
Alonzo took a different step in hopes of getting Luna 's attention. And it worked, because he lost his balance and fell flat on his butt. Tugger and Pouncival both stopped and laughed at him. He stomped off angrily. They continued their laughter as he left, but Tumblebrutus was not finished with the dance. He continued to spin and flip with incredible skill and grace. He leapt, spun, and landed on one knee in front of Luna. He was gasping for air but he had a bright smile of satisfaction on his face. Luna could not help but be impressed by him. She smiled back and said, "That was really great. Better than Tugger." Tugger looked disappointed at this. He and Pouncival left, both grumbling in frustration.
Luna laughed at them and Tumblebrutus joined her. Luna smiled again and said, "That was a very impressive dance. Could you teach me some time?"
"Of course, my lady," he said with a bow. "And thank you."
Luna giggled.
"Have you met Old Deuteronomy yet?" Luna shook her head. "Then I shall introduce you to him tomorrow night. All new cats should visit Deuteronomy. Maybe he will make you a Jellicle cat. I hope so." He gave Luna another bright smile.
"Thank you," said Luna shyly.
"Until tomorrow night, my lady." He bowed and left.
Luna's heart glowed as she watched him leave. "I can't wait till tomorrow night!" Luna did not even remember that she was going to meet some one important. All she cared about was seeing Tumblebrutus again.
The night was not wasted after all.