||Book I||
It has been a year since Grizabella the Glamour cat was chosen by Old Deuteronomy to be reborn and journey to the Heavyside Layer. Now it is time for the next Jellicle to be chosen, however the appearance of a new cat threatens the old ti...
Munkustrap: Now...Old Deuteronomy, 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.
As soon as the silver tabby had finished singing, the Jellicles crawled over to Old Deuteronomy and knelt before him with their arms outstretched and paws as close as possible, hoping to be chosen. The benevolent leader looked upon his tribe with love in his eyes yet great dismay written on his face.
The old tom cat had been thinking for quite some time now on whom he should choose to send to the Heaviside Layer. Many options had crossed his mind...but as he scanned the cat's faces in front of him, the one particular Jellicle he had decided upon could not be seen. Standing, Old Deuteronomy motioned for the Jellicles to step aside so he could pass by. Across the yard, still sitting absentmindedly on his stool, Gus stared off into the distance, his eyesight was not that great and his hearing had deteriorated over the years but when a large fluffy paw was placed upon his own, Gus could see the kind wide smile on Old Deuteronomy's face perfectly.
"Me?" Was all the old theatre cat could manage, his voice was crackly with age.
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"Indeed." Old Deuteronomy meowed clearly so the Tom before him could hear. Jellylorum watched with tears of joy pooling in her eyes as Old Deuteronomy help Gus to his feet. Feeling emotional themselves, Jenny and Asparagus placed a each on her shoulders.
Jellicles of all ages scampered over to Gus to connect paws, congratulate him and wish the tom luck in his new life. Munkustrap nuzzled his head against the old tom's arm before urging his kittens to come forward. Shyly, they each took a turn to press their small paws to his. The elders nuzzled with Gus, their scents were more familiar to him, and when Jelly finally made her way over he gave a croaky purr and leaned into her arms.
"Good luck my dear." She sniffed as they pulled away.
"Thank you, my love." With that, Gus was guided away, wearing the biggest grin. Old Deuteronomy and Gus wandered around the yard with the rest of the tribe, even Caligo, in tow. They sang in perfect harmony as the two toms made their way to the tire.
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.
Up, up, up, past the Russell hotel, Up, up, up, up, to the Heaviside Layer.
Up! Up! Up! Past the Jellicle moon! Up, up, up, up, to the Heaviside Layer!
Up! Up! Up! Past the Jellicle moon! Up, up, up, up, to the Heaviside layer!
Old D and Gus stood firmly on the centre of the tire, the leader raised a single paw to the air and the tire began its ascent to the sky. As the platform rose high over the Jellicles, clouds of fluffy white smoke poured out over the yard, swirling around the cats whom were swaying in some sort of trance like state. Paws waved and made pushing motions as if to urge the new everlasting cat higher. Gus could hardly believe what was happening, he kept glancing to Old Deuteronomy, thinking that it was all a dream. Newer Jellicles could merely stare in wonder at the grand spectacle that was happening in front of them, Caligo had certainly not seen magic work in such wonderful ways before.
Then, descending from the clouds, high above the Jellicle moon was a glittering staircase, ornate with whispy clouds and sparkling stars from the heavens. Old Deuteronomy urged the theatre cat forwards and he took a shaky step up.
The mystical divinity of unashamed felinity. Round the cathedral rang 'vivat!'
Life to the everlasting cat..!
Spreading out across the yard as the staircase lifted away, the Jellicles gazed up at their benevolent leader whom was lowered slightly. Such magical things happened at the Jellicle ball and now Old Deuteronomy was to ad-dress them all.
