Chapter 1

As the jellicle moon was rising, the cats were starting to come out. Munkustrap looked around the junkyard before signaling the others to join him. Old Deuteronomy proceeded to his regular spot. The rest of the jellicles started greeting each other. Mr. Mistoffelees glanced around, looking for a cat in particular.

 "Looking for someone?" asked Munkustrap, noticing his sudden head movements.

 "Isn't it obvious?". 

"You still have your-". 

Mistoffelees spotted Victoria emerging from a pipe and he didn't catch what Munkustrap was saying.

 "Hey I'm talking to you, Mistoffelees!" snapped Munkustrap as he pawed at Misto's face.

 Mistoffelees took his eyes off of Victoria and looked at Munkustrap, moving his face away from Munkustrap's paw.

"I'm sorry, did you say something?" asked Mistoffelees, remembering that he was saying something before he zoned out. 

"Didn't you hear what I said?". 

"Um, not really" confessed Mistoffelees.

 "Unbelievable Mistoffelees. You really need to stop zoning out when someone's talking to you".

 "Do you ever zone out? Or am I the only one who does that?" asked Mistoffelees.

 Munkustrap glared at him with sorrow in his eyes.

 "Do you really want to know?". Mistoffelees bent his head down, dropping his gaze to the soft dirt beneath his feet.

"Yes" he croaked. 

Munkustrap leaned closer to Mistoffelees. 

"So far, you're the only jellicle in the tribe that-". 

"HEY GUYS! Whatcha chit chatting about?" Interrupted Rum Tum Tugger. 

"It's none of your business, Tugger," said Munkustap, turning away from Mistoffelees.

 "Are you giving Misto advice so he can win Victoria again?" said Tugger, out loud. 

"How do you know about that?" shot back Munkustrap. 

"I just happen to listen in on some of your conservations. Some by accident, and others on purpose". 

 "Tugger, if you-". 

Mistoffelees zoned out again on Victoria. She was talking to Alonzo. 

She's so Beautiful, thought Mistoffelees. 

And calm. Those-.

"Problem Misto?" asked Tugger.

 "Pardon?" said Mistoffelees, raising an eyebrow. 

"What do you mean pardon? I asked you a clear question," explained Tugger. 

"You did? I didn't hear all of your question, Tugger" said Mistoffelees.

 "But Misto, you've been in front of me the entire time. How could you not have heard me?"

 asked Tugger.

 "Are you trying to ignore me?". "Of course not Tugger! You haven't done anything to upset me"

 explained Mistoffelees. 

"So, something's bothering you isn't there?". 

"Well, um" mumbled Mistoffelees, looking at Munkustrap.

 Rum Tum Tugger looked at Munkustrap with a huge smile spreading across his face. 

"Don't even think about it, Tugger. This is just between me and Misto" warned Munkustrap. 

"OH, come on! You know Jemnia can help! She can make any problem go away" complained Tugger. 

"Yeah, that's true. But Misto's problem is something that Jemnia can't take away, only Misto can," said Munkustrap. 

"So go bother some other cat, Tugger".

" Ok, fine. I hear you. But can you tell me later?" begged Tugger. 

"We'll see. Now go on" replied Munkustrap, pushing Tugger away from him playfully.

Tugger walked over to where Alonzo, Jemima and Victoria were. Munkustrap turned to Mistoffelees again. 

"So, what do you think I should do about my problem?" asked Mistoffelees. 

"How about you try to focus on the cat that's right in front of you, like me for example," said Munkustrap. 

"Do you want to try it right now?". 

"I guess we can try, I hope I don't zone out again" sighed Mistoffelees. 

"Just try your best. Here we go. Are you excited for the jellicle-ball?" asked Munkustrap. 

"Yeah of course. I like the singing and the dancing. It's really fun," said Mistoffelees, cheerfully. 

"I wonder if Macavity will show his ulgy face again." said Munkustrap, darkly. 

"Surely you'll save us again, won't you?". Munkustrap looked at him with hopeful eyes, expecting an answer.

What if my father does show up again? 

What if I can't save the tribe from his wreath? 

Thought Mr. Mistoffelees. 

"Misto, can you hear me?" asked Munkustrap, with concern on his face. 

Mistoffelees looked up at him. "Yeah I can hear you" he replied. 

"Your face.....it's p-pale" said Munkustrap, trying to grasp the right words.

 Mistoffelees ran over to a puddle and peered at his reflection on the dark water. Surely enough, he was right; Mistoffelees's face was pale. Paler than it normally is. The gray tabby walked over to Mistoffelees and rested a paw on his left shoulder. 

"Is the thought of Macavity troubling you?" wondered Munkustrap. Mistoffelees slowly nodded his head, with fear swimming in his mind.

"Well let's not worry about him right now. I'm sorry for thinking that way. Let's just go join the others before we miss the jellicle-ball," replied Munkustrap, putting an arm around Misto's shoulder. 

Then the pair walked over to where every other jellicle-cat was; crowding around their leader: Old Deuteronomy. Munkustrap got up beside him, bowed politely and whispered something in his ear. A minute passed and complete silence. Then Old Deuteronomy whispered something back to Munkustrap. His face suddenly lit up. 

"I hope you all have been practicing your dancing," he announced. "Because it's time for the jellicle-ball!".