Then next morning as Uniqua walked down a plank, Mungojerrie appeared at the other end. He had spent the previous evening watching Rumpel and Tugger and had decided he’d get Rumpel back. Uniqua was his natural choice for that position. She was perfect and even Rum Tum would be jealous. He smiled as he came closer. She smiled back and rubber cheeks.

"So how are you?" he asked. "Getting along well?"

"Oh yes quite… and what’re you up to?"

"Nuthin’ more than usual… Just off to make some mischief… Wanna come? Huh?"

Uni laughed. "That’s just about all you’re good for ain’tcha? Well, to tell you the truth I’d love to, but I’m not quite sure if I’m up to it yet. You know I lost my home because I wasn’t being what humans would call ‘a good little kitty.’"

"That’s ok… ya won’t get kicked out or nuthin’. Me’n Rumpel always did things, my family don’t care."

"Don’t worry, I believe you, but I’ve just gotta get accustomed to a new life so, come ask me in a couple-a days and I’ll be glad to go. ‘k ?"

"Yeah sure," said Mungo as he began to scamper away.

"Hey Mungo," made him stop and turn around. "Thanks for askin’ though!" made him smile. Mungo then jumped over a fence and was hidden from Uniqua’s sight.

***

Uniqua’s steps took her in the direction of Munku’s box. She felt she owed him an apology and also wanted to provide any help she could. She was so engrossed in her own thoughts that she didn’t hear the footsteps right beside her.

"You okay?" asked Rum Tum Tugger.

"What? Huh?" Uniqua asked startled, "Oh hi, yes I’m fine, thanks."

"I suppose I should apologize for scaring you. That’s the second time in three days. First when you just came and now again. I just seem to meet you at the most particular moments." His laughter rang clear and true.

Uniqua changed course, turning away from the path to munku’s box.

"So where’s Rumpel? I’d think you’d be able to attach her permanently to yourself," she stated mockingly.

"Well, to tell you the truth, I kinda got bored of her. I mean, you saw her last night, climbing all over me trying to get my attention. As to being permanently attached to me… she is. The only reason she’s not following me right now is that she’s asleep."

"You mean you just left her there?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"Why?"

"Cause I wanted to see if I could attach you permanently."

"Ooooh! I see. Well Mr. Lets-Attract-Every-Girl-Around-Me, let me tell you something about myself. I don’t just fall in love with the first tom I meet. If you ca prove to me that you deserve me – and that takes alotta proof – then and only then might I consider you…" replied Uniqua with an air of sarcasm, seriousness, denial, flirting, and punctuality all mixed together. "I am unique you know."

Not exactly knowing what to make of her comment Rum Tum decided to do it his own way. "May I begin with the proof? Well, first you are the most beautiful cat I have ever seen. You surpass every definition of feline beauty… am I getting warm?" She only smiled. "Okee... Your eyes are diamonds shining so bright, they make the morning radiant and light…"

"Why don’t you just sing sonnets?" interrupted Uni in a very sarcastic tone.

"Because they are too traditional for you supreme beauty… You…" Compliments continued to pour from Rum Tum’s mouth as the two exited the junkyard and entered the park. Macavity’s agents watched them, their traps set.

***

"Macavity’s a mystery cat, he’s called the Hidden Paw

For he’s a master criminal, who can defy the law,

He’s the bafflement of Scotland Yard, the Flying Squad’s despair,

For when they reach the scene of crime, Macavity’s not there!"

The chorus of cat and rat voices slowly died away as the Hidden Paw entered… The cats shook with fear, and the rats scampered into dark corners. All of Macavity’s agents and messengers trembled at the sight of their leader. As he stood at the top of a junk pile in the dark alley and waited, not a sound could be heard from those surrounding him. Macavity waited…

Finally he would be able to complete his plan with the catnapped Jellicle which his agents were to bring him. He would destroy all the Jellicles by his cunning trickery. The evil cat smiled as these thoughts entered his wicked brain. He snickered to himself as the long awaited end of the Jellicles approached.

After what seemed like hours of silence a struggling bundle was brought before the master criminal. The bundle was untied showing Uniqua. As the Hidden Paw looked at her he fumed with rage:

"You blundering imbeciles! She’s not even a Jellicle! Of all the idiotic things you do, I at least expect you to catch a Jellicle when I ask for one!" Macavity began muttering to himself and walked over to Uniqua. She sat petrified of the ugly and malicious cat. All her catnappers had crawled out of the way of their great leader. Yet his reaction to Uniqua as he approached was far from the expected. The mastermind of crime purred with pleasure at the sight of his prisoner. He rubbed against her and she turned her head away in disgust as he tried to lick her. She wanted to run, but had nowhere to go.

Macavity himself was confused with his feelings. He couldn’t understand himself at all. Where was his usual self-control? Also there was the question of which pursuit was of more importance to him: the girl or the destruction of the Jellicles. He needed time to think and so Uniqua was led away to her cell. No one noticed one of the agents slip away and follow her.

***

As soon as Uniqua was locked up Mungojerrie climbed over the fence. Her guards stopped him. He announced that he had an urgent message from the Hidden paw and that he must talk to the prisoner. Fearing the punishment lest his message be true, the guards let him pass. Mungo sprinted over to the cage’s entrance.

"Uni, you there?"

"Mungo! What are you doing here?"

"Shhh! I’m going to get you out of here…"

"But what are you doing here, how did you get past the guards?"

"I’m one of Macavity’s clan, didn’t Munku tell you that? No? It’s a long story… C’mon! I’ll get ya out!"

"Wait a sec. You unlock the door and then what? We’ve got wall on three sides and guards on the other. If we try to go past the guards then they’ll give the alarm and we’ll get caught… That’ll mean punishment for you and tighter security for me. That doesn’t do us any good, now does it? Come on Mungo think! You’ve got to think before you act. I don’t want to sound mean, but you’ve gotta think. Mischief’s not that simple all the time. I’d love to run away with you, but it’d only hurt both of us. I’m sorry Mungo, but you’d better go before you’re caught."

Mungo fumed inside. What did she think he was? Stupid? He turned away dejectedly, but Uniqua stopped him again. "I know I sound mean, but it’s cause I’ve had a rather bad time in the past couple of days. But don’t think that I mean that meeting you Jellicles was bad, cause that’s probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my entire life, and I love you all, especially you for trying to help me… However I just want to say: don’t worry about me, I’m sure the other Jellicles’ll think of something to get me out." Uniqua forced a smile.

Mungo however was in a less optimistic mood and muttered, "I wouldn’t bet on it."

Mungo climbed over the fence and out of the alley. Before him, the empty streets of the city were illuminated only by moonlight. Far ahead a lone street-lamp cast its dull glow. Feeling completely alone and rejected the turned away from the light, seeking consolation in the darkness. He felt as if he hated everyone, except for the one he truly loved: Rumpel. Having no set point of destination, he walked absent-mindedly forward.

***

Rumpel had awaken to find Rum Tum gone and had immediately gone off in search of him. After searching for over an hour she finally asked a kitten. The little cat told her of everything it had seen and heard that morning. The mischievous little critter told her that Tugger had said she was boring him and that he had been outrageously been flirting and complimenting Uniqua.

Rumpelteazer was outraged. Rum Tum had no feelings, she decided, and truly he didn’t care for any of the others. She couldn’t understand why she hadn’t seen how self-centered he was. Yet he had seemed so committed to her when he was trying to win her heart, and she had given hers away like a fool.

Suddenly a terrible pain gripped her heart. What had she done to Mungo? How did he feel? She now understood the other’s feelings, but now it was probably too late, Mungo’d never take her back. Her life was in turmoil and there wasn’t anyone there to guide her through her sorrow.

She stumbled, but continued to walk down the street. She didn’t notice herself leaving the junkyard. The quiet of the streets didn’t awake her from her thoughts. Then, unexpectedly, she collided with another. Frightened that it may be the human from the pound, she froze in shock, her face filled with panic.

Mungo, who had himself been quite surprised by the collision, upon looking at her standing here with her eyes squeezed tightly shut in fright, couldn’t stop laughing. Immediate recognition came to Rumpel and she tried to compose herself. Her attempts were fruitless. She was soon hugging, laughing, rolling on the ground, play fighting and licking Mungo at the same time. Happy that she still loved him, Mungo returned her kindness.

Soon the pair was running to Victoria Grove, their home, to cuddle and to be themselves. Anyone who saw them run by knew they were two cats just looking for trouble. Even as they ran home cars were forced to swerve away to avoid them. The mischief-makers only laughed.

***

Only the monotonous snoring of the guards in the alley interrupted the night. A soft whisper awoke Uniqua. She walked over to the door of her cell.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"Uni, it’s me!" exclaimed Tugger quietly. "Are you ok? Sorry it took me so long to come, but Macavity’s rats beat me up pretty bad when they catnapped you… No one else was willing to come, even Munkustrap… I’m sorry, but I’ll get you out myself – I’ve got a plan!"

"You sure that no one else said they’d come? Quite sure?" Uniqua was greatly upset. She couldn’t believe Rum Tum’s words. She looked at him with confusion. Did the Jellicles want to get rid of her? No, it couldn’t be possible! Munkustrap… She had been so sure he enjoyed her company. A tear rolled down her cheek, yet there was no Munku there to comfort her. Tugger didn’t notice until she hung her head in despair.

"What? Don’t worry darling. I’ll get you out. Don’t cry, you’ve got me… C’mon sweetheart, brighten up…" It took Tugger quite a while to calm Uniqua. Had he understood the reason for the crying, his job would’ve been much easier.

Uniqua calmed down only when she was ready. Crying had given her time to think. Giving up hope of Munku, she decided that Rum Tum was much kinder and worth her time. If Munkustrap didn’t care about her, she didn’t care about him. Eagerly she perfected her escape plan with Tugger.

At dawn Tugger walked of happily, almost skipping with excitement. The following night was to make him the most envied tom in the city. As soon as he left the alley in safety, he let out a laugh. Life was only getting better.

***

All night Munkustrap had tossed and turned not getting any sleep. Uniqua had been missing all day and Munku was worried. The kittens had seen her in the morning and she seemed to have no plan of leaving. Tugger had been missing too, and considering her earlier interest with him, Munku was sure she must be with him. Yet why had they not returned? Where were they?

Munku got up before the dawn to search. His first decision was to wait for something to happen, but the moment he say down he began fidgeting with his paws and tail. He couldn’t sit so he got up and began to pace between two cars, there and back and there and back. Soon even the walking no longer calmed him, he needed some outlet for his worry. He began a slow jog, which soon turned into a sprint.

As a brown face peeked around a corner, he came to s sudden halt, but alas it was only Tumble, who was, as usual, covered from head to toe in mud. With panic filled eyes Munku looked towards the rising sun, as if looking for an answer to his puzzle. All of a sudden, the gray tabby raced out of the junkyard and down the street. He stopped before a large stone house with blue windowsills and a rose garden in front.

He walked up to the front door and began to scratch softly. By this time he was so tormented by his mind that at the sound of Rum Tum Tugger’s voice behind him he jumped five feet straight up into the air. Tugger rolled on the doormat from laughter and Munku was both relieved and more agitated by the encounter. Where was Uniqua? He had been so sure she’d be with Tugger, but there before him was Tugger and no Uniqua.

"Where’s Uniqua?" he finally asked.

"Wouldn’t you like to know?" teased Rum Tum.

"Yes actually I would… you have a problem with that?" replied Munku his agitation quickly turning to anger.

"Look, Munkustrap, she ain’t any of your business… Don’t worry I can take care of the girl, that’s my job… You stick to governing the Jellicles and I’ll do my job and take care of the dames. Understand my drift?"

"Yeah, I understand it. Don’t quite agree, but I’ll let you win this time... You win… Agreed?"

With a simple rub of agreement, the two Jellicles parted. Munkustrap turned the corner and stopped immediately. No, he wasn’t giving up the easily. Tugger had always won similar arguments and while growing up together they had had many. Yet this time Munku was going to fight, even if it resulted in a loss yet again.

Munku watched the beautiful and lean cat jump over the fence. Within seconds the gray tabby was on his track, following Rum Tum through the crowded busy streets. Munkustrap gasped as he saw the other enter Macavity’s alley. Could it be that Tugger had given Uniqua to Macavity? Had the popular tomcat become one of Macavity’s agents? With these thoughts running through his head Munku turned into the alley, only to find himself face to face with two guards dragging a senseless cat behind them. Munkustrap immediately recognized Uniqua.

PART 4

Jellicle Junkyard