|
PREQUELS TO
THE JELLICLE TRIBES
CAT TOYS
By Dennis C. Callin (Rumblepurr)
Edited by Tailkinker
|
|---|
This action takes place during the fictional 20th Anniversary CATS Tour originally written by Anna-Karin Larsson
Denver, Colorado… After “Desert Stop”
Sometimes, things happen…
When the Twentieth Anniversary Tour of CATS came into Denver, the weather had turned chilly, and gray clouds laden with snow were being forecast for the Rocky Mountains. Load-In bothered some of the technical crew as they moved the various packing crates into the Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Most of the people involved in the Load-In, including union crews from the local area, wore jackets. Some even wore parkas… One individual, however, wore a bright yellow Tee with the caricature of a warm sun and a palm tree on the back. On the front, the Tee read “I (heart) Palm Springs, CA.”
“I hate Moose…” Candice said bluntly. The black Stage Manager was from New York, and she was still dressed in a fleece coat, turtleneck sweater and jeans, scarf and wool cap and knee-high boots.
“Can you blame him?” Tyson Mewabe, her assistant, laughed. He was similarly dressed for the cold in a hooded coat, jeans, sweater, and wool cap. “The guy was born and raised in Tok, Alaska… This is probably like a balmy Spring day to him…”
“Okay, smart ass… What about during those hot days over in Arizona? If cold days are okay by him, he should have been sweltering there. He just went to shorts!”
“Candice? When you understand him and what makes him tick, you tell me…”
“Oh, thanks a lot…”
Michael “Moose-Mike” Darkhorse stood well over six feet and weighed close to, if not over, three hundred pounds - most of it muscle… The standing joke of the cast and crew was that he did not use any assisting machinery to bring the huge hydraulic tire on or off. He simply picked it up off the truck and put it on the stage, or carried it off the stage and put it in the truck. The huge man was calm and quiet most of the time, and somewhat stoic. If he did speak, his voice was deep and just as calm as he was. His heritage seemed to be a mixture of several American Indian tribes, but he even claimed to have some Samoan blood in him from one of his relatives. No one could pin him down about his family, but no one actively disliked him, either. “Moose” was the most reliable man in the company, and always seemed to be nearby when he was needed…
Part of what helped make Denver memorable began with an observation by this quiet individual, but the “pebble in the water” started with something that occurred during the pre-Christmas Eve performance…
*****
Yanni White did not readily complain about being the unofficial wig custodian. His ability to work with the yak hair and skullcaps made him the obvious choice. His favorite wig was the Mistoffelees’ one since that was the part he truly wanted to play. Unfortunately, Jason Gray had the role, and very rarely felt sick enough or hurt enough to yield the part. So… Yanni was so far resigned to being the “wig doctor” and the swing role of Quaxo… The one wig he had the most problem with was the Tugger one worn by Keith Janson. The most obvious feature of the wig was the “kiss-curl” at the forelock position, and Yanni was constantly touching it up, and 'poofing’ up the coiffure. Of course, Keith was not the easiest of the cast to get along with… Most of the cast kept the wigs in good order, so Yanni’s conditional job was minor at best. He was just about to finish the Misto one when Jason came in.
“Don’t get too attached to that one, bud. That’s all mine,” Jason said.
“Don’t rub it in,” Yanni replied, handing the wig over to him. “I have to make sure it’s in prime condition… just to cover your fat head.”
Jason chuckled. “In a way, I’m sorry I had to come in here and mess up your hopes. You must’ve wanted to play this part just as badly as I did.”
“Yep… You, me and Stevie Lee… All of us want to be the Magic Kitty…”
As Jason inspected the wig, Yanni felt an awkward silence drift between them. Stephen Lee had wanted the part and really did it one night, only to lose even the part of Pouncival to cancer. His leaving soon after was an emotional time that Yanni did not like to remember…
“You getting anything for anybody for Christmas?”
“I hadn’t really thought about that,” Yanni replied, picking up the Quaxo wig that he wore. “I mean, I really should get Helen or Tasha something… Trouble is… you get something for someone, and you really feel like you should get something for everybody.”
“Well… There’s shops around here, and I’ll bet there’s gotta be something they would like. Helen’s kinda tricky, but then she’d like anything, really.”
“All it has to be is a present and she’ll squeal like Cettie, bounce around like a rubber ball on steroids, and probably kiss you half a dozen times… Now, I’ve gotta get something for Tasha, then, if you’re getting something for Helen…”
“I don’t know if Tasha’s that way, Yanni,” Jason chuckled. “She might just snort at your gift and say 'Is this all you could think of?’ and sulk…”
“Just go get ready, spoilsport!” Yanni said, turning the Misto actor around and giving him a playful push toward the dressing room.
Yanni shook his head, and touched the wig up slightly. He really did want to give Tasha something, but he really did not know what. Taking the head form with him, he went out into the hall, and found the room where Franklin Thomas was just putting on his makeup. The British performer looked up in the mirror as Yanni came up behind him.
“Hello, kitten… What brings you over to the tomcat lair?”
Being around Franklin long enough, Yanni knew being called 'Kitten’ was just 'the way’ in this show. “Are you getting Beth, or, uh…”
Franklin immediately chuckled. “I know what you’re thinking. As a matter of fact, I did get Beth something… and Marielle…”
“And even Denise,” Keith Jansen snarled as he came in with his chorus wig. “The man just likes to show up everybody…”
“What’d you get them?”
“That’s a surprise,” Franklin said as he began applying his white base. “I cannot afford to divulge the gifts or it will get around…”
Keith leaned in. “And that includes 'moi’… I’m his roomie and his best bud, and he won’t even tell me!”
“Did you try and get Ellie something?” Yanni asked with a smirk
“Some little squirt is asking for flying lessons here…”
“Keith? The present says you are thinking of them. It’s not the present…”
“Frankie, old bean, with them, it’s what is coming from you! Knowing you, the gift is ex-spen-sive… Anything I get will be a joke to Ellie…”
The Brit shook his head. “What can I really do for you, Yanni?”
“I’m trying to come up with something for Tasha…”
Keith snorted. “Quaxo with Electra? That’s one for the books…”
“Hey! She’s not always like her character, Keith!”
“Get her a bullwhip, a leather teddy, spiked heels and a biker’s cap, and then tell her it’s always been a fantasy of yours…” Keith grinned.
Yanni shook his head. “Franklin? I know you’ve got to have a better one than that…”
“That’s Keith’s fantasy, and I ought to inform Ellie to see if she packed it in her suitcase,” the Brit chuckled.
“Ha, ha…” Keith replied mockingly. “You’re wasting your time as Munkus, man. You should go do the Improv and wow them there…”
“Yanni?” Franklin finally said as Keith sat down at his table. “You’ve been around Tasha for six months now. You should know a little about what she likes.”
“That’s the trouble, Franklin. I’ve only been close to her for a little while. Well… maybe not that… Jason is around Helen so much that I think she’s going with him. Ramona is taken, so it’s either Tasha or Lydia…”
“In some ways, Lydia would be perfect,” Franklin said thoughtfully. “You are both swings, and you could prompt each other.”
“Yeah… but Tasha’s kinda fun when she’s not being Electra…”
“You have to go with your instincts with this, kitten. That’s what I did with my gifts. For example, here’s yours…” Reaching down into his dance bag, Franklin pulled out something that an envelope. “Merry Christmas…”
Yanni flipped open the envelope and found a gift certificate for the Wherehouse. “Ah, man… I don’t have anything for you…”
“That’s not the point, Yanni…”
“He likes to make a show out of having the money for it,” Keith put in from his mirror.
“Yanni? Now you can go get Tasha something. I’m sure there’s a movie or a CD that she’s looking for…”
“Yeah… Hey, Franklin, that’s a great idea! Thanks!”
As Yanni went back out the door, Franklin grinned at his reflection. From the mirror down the way, Keith shook his head.
“Ho, ho, ho… Bah, humbug!”
“Santa’s going to put coal in your stocking, Keith.” Franklin chuckled. “What’s buggering you anyway? You really bothered about what I’m giving Ellie?”
“Yeah… Because whatever it is, it’s going to outshine mine. You’re going to get… a lot more from Ellie than I’ll ever get…”
Franklin turned. “Keith? You forget that you went with her before I did… If anything, I should be worried about your gift outclassing mine…”
“I don’t have your dough, Frankie…”
“No, but you know Ellie longer and more intimately…” the Brit said softly. “I think you are giving her a gift that says that, even if you two are only tolerating each other now. Money is not what is talking here… It’s the thought behind the gift…”
Keith’s lips pressed into a line, and he tried to say something, but could not manage to get it out. As his roommate and friend thought, Franklin began applying the black and silver striping on his cheeks and chin.
“I bought her…”
“Keith? Don’t tell me… please…”
“Why, Frankie?”
“I want to see the surprise on Ellie’s face when she opens your gift…”
“Okay…” Keith nodded. “Hey, Frankie?”
“Yes?”
“Thanks, roomie…”
*****
When Candice came in the doorway, she saw Moose-Mike at the fog machine for the tire. He looked up to see her, smiled slightly, and then placed his attention back to pouring fog juice into the machine. She shook her head, her mood lifting just from the sight of seeing the huge stagehand. Because the show was being played on the Saturday night before the Christmas Eve, she was wearing a Santa’s hat. As she passed by the wardrobe table in the backstage area, Cybil waved hello. Candice felt her spirits climb a bit higher when both Cybil and Cynthia Henslow looked up. They, too, wore Santa hats, but they also had cat’s ear’s on.
“I need a pair of those,” she told the Wardrobe Mistress.
“Sorry, Candice,” Cybil chuckled. “We bought ours…”
Coming around the corner, she found Tyson waiting for her at her desk just behind the stage left wall. With him there, her spirits dropped…
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing that I know of,” he said innocently. He grinned and then brought a gift out from behind his back. “Merry Christmas, Candice.”
“Wha…? Oh, Tyson… You shouldn’t have…”
“Hey… I saw it and I thought you might like it…”
She chuckled and then started to go by him. “Here…” he said suddenly, stopping her. “Let me have your things and you open the present.”
Candice looked at him sternly. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing… that can’t wait. Open. The. Present!”
Shaking her head, Candice directed her attention to the box placed in her hands. While Tyson put her score and clipboard down on her desk, she examined the box. The outside was red velvet-like paper, and it had a red bow on the top. She did not have to unwrap it - the lid would lift off. Doing that, she found a small dark blue crystal cat sitting on its haunches.
“It’s pretty, Tyson… When did you…?”
The black assistant chuckled. “Moose let me know…”
“Moose? Why that… when did he ever hear me talk about my glass collection?”
“How does that man know all he does, Candice? I swear he’s bugged every place we’ve ever been in!”
“Well for now, it’ll go on my desk… Thank you… What’s this…?”
As Tyson moved out of the way, she found another small box waiting for her on her console. This one was flat and rectangular, and wrapped in gold foil, red ribbon and bow. She placed the crystal cat on the desk and picked up the box.
“Who put this here? There’s no card…”
“All I know is that it was here when I came in. I wanted to be early to give you your gift. Someone obviously beat me to it…”
“Not really,” she smiled. “You gave me your gift before I found this. I wonder what it is? Looks nice from the outside at least…”
“Well?”
Whoever had wrapped the gift did so in a manner that made it easy to unwrap. The ribbon slipped off, and the wrapping paper was folded around the interior box using a technique close to origami. Candice felt like a little girl as she took out a velvet case, and then opened the lid. Inside was a necklace… The chain was 24k gold and a crystal cat hung delicately at the center…
“Oh… my…”
“Someone really beat mine…”
“Don’t be jealous, Tyson… Besides… we don’t know who this is from…”
Tyson shook his head. “I think I know…”
“Who?”
Now, he laughed. “Santa Claus, of course!”
“Oh… you!”
“Here…” Tyson reached out and took the necklace from her. Removing it carefully from the box, he placed it around her neck and clasped it. The cat hung just above the cleavage of her breasts. “Not bad, Candice…”
Her fingers caressed the little cat, and then she heard a soft trill. Turning slightly, Candice found Carbucketty staring attentively back at her. Reaching through the bars, he pawed toward the necklace.
“You little darling,” Candice cooed, and scratched the brown tabby through the bars of the hutch. “You got this for me, didn’t you!”
Tyson laughed with her. “Merry Christmas, both of you…”
“That reminds me…” Candice said, putting down her bag, and opening it. She brought out a foil bag of cat treats, and put a few inside the hutch. Meowing thanks, Carbucketty dove for the chicken flavored munchies. “And for you…” she added, giving him a box.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a bomb,” Candice giggled slightly. “Go open it outside…”
“Hey, lady… From you, I don’t know when you’re serious…”
“Go on and open it, scaredy-cat.”
Tyson grinned as he thumbed under the wrapping paper, and opened up the box. Inside, he found… “Paperbacks… James Bond… so obvious, Candice…”
“You hadn’t gotten to these three yet because you don’t take time to visit a bookstore,” she chuckled.
“It’s the job, my dear. Thanks.”
As Tyson took his gift with him, and went to his station, Candice sat down at her desk. Bringing out her clipboard, she then reached for her headset. Since she had the Santa hat on, she took it off long enough to put her headset on under it. Clicking it on, she began going over her pre-show list.
“Lights?”
“Fröhliche Weihnachten, mein Commandante!”
“Thanks, Chas… I think…”
“German for Merry Christmas, Candice.”
“From you, Chas, I’ll take that as a present. Status?”
“Oh, good, a cheap gift. That means I keep the gift certificate… Our status is green, Houston. We are free to launch…”
“I should know better,” Candice chuckled. Even the sarcastic assistant Electrician was not going to spoil her mood now. “Sound?”
“Merry Christmas, Candice,” Sylvester Flanders replied. “My board is green.”
“Good. Stage?”
“Stage has a clean list, Ms. Holt,” Moose-Mike replied solemnly. “Happy holidays.”
Candice smiled warmly. “You have a different Christmas, Moose?”
“I celebrate every day, Ms. Holt. Some are more special than others.”
“Thanks… Props?”
“Merry Christmas, Candice,” Cecil Benning said, slightly breathy. “I’ll be green in just a few seconds.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Some members of the cast put Santa hats on the Siamese helmets…”
“Say no more… I bet I know who did that one…”
“Sorry, Candice…”
“Don’t worry, Cecil. Merry Christmas to you, too. Wolfgang?”
The orchestra, or at least what the small group of electrical instrumentation was called, was placed under the stage’s orchestra pit this time. Upon hearing his name, the closed-circuit camera came on to reveal the conductor at his keyboard. Instead of answering her, he looked at the members of the band. Suddenly, the hall was filled with the last verse of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” All around the stage, voices filled in…
“Twelve Trash Cans falling, Eleven Kittens yowling, Ten Toms a’leaping, Nine Queens a’dancin’, Eight shows in Denver, Seven days a’snowin’, Six Beers a’waitin’, Five Semi-trucks! Four in a room, Three square meals, Two bathroom breaks… And our Candice sitting in a quandary…”
Candice reached up and rubbed her forehead as Ed “Bigfoot” Harris added a few drum flourishes and cymbal crashes to the final note.
“That ought to last me until New Years’, gang… Cybil?”
“You want me to go on after that? No way! Dressers and makeup ready to go back here, Candice, and Merry Christmas…”
“House?”
“Any last minute changes, Ms. Holt?”
“No, sir. All parts are here.”
“We are ready to open when you are.”
Now at the bottom of her list, she made her last check, and looked up into the dark shadows of the fly above her.
“Merry Christmas to you! Now please grant me a clean Christmas show…”
The Theatre Gods smiled… The eggnog was for 'after’ the show…
*****
“Are you sure these are our seats?”
Julie Cartwright looked once more at her ticket, and then up at her mother. The tickets placed them on the aisle in the D section on the house left side. They were not the best seats in the house, but the little girl would be up close to the stage.
“Do you want me to sit on the outside?”
The girl shook her head. “I’ll be all right, mommy.”
Her mother smiled as they took their seats. Looking around, she noted the usher standing in front of the stairs going up onto the stage. “Excuse me?”
“Yes, Ma’am?”
“I was wondering if I could speak to a Mister… uh. Michael Darkhorse either at intermission or after the show?”
“You need to go to the Stage Door, Ma’am. Do you need directions?”
“I think I can find it, thank you.”
“Mommy? Who’s Mister Darkhorse?”
“I don’t know, baby,” Lynn Cartwright replied softly. “Someone from the Hospital must know him, and he got us these seats.”
“Are we going to meet him?”
“I hope so, baby…”
Backstage, the huge stagehand paused as he crossed behind the scrim. Something tugged minutely at his mind, and softly let him go. Shrugging his shoulders, he continued over to where Franklin Thomas waited as the Silver Tabby.
“Mr. Thomas…”
“Merry Christmas, Michael. I have a gift for you after the show so don’t leave before I have the chance to give it to you…” The huge stagehand lifted an eyebrow, which made the Brit chuckle. “I know… You do not leave until the last one leaves… What is it, Michael?”
“I was contacted by the 'Make a Wish Foundation’ recently, and I was asked if I could grant a little girl her wish. Ms. Holt knows about this and has approved it. She will be on the Stage Right aisle on the right when you go out into the audience. She should be wearing a CATS baseball cap…”
“That should be easy to spot,” Franklin nodded. “What’s wrong with her?”
“Leukemia,” the huge stagehand said softly. “She wants to meet as many of you as she can. Please pass this around.”
“Sure, Michael…” Franklin nodded. “This is like that hospital visit, isn’t it?”
“Yes, Mr. Thomas… only here it is just this little girl and her mother.”
“I shall see that we give her a good present then, Michael. Thank you.”
“My pleasure, Mr. Thomas.”
*****
Three 'Queens’ met with Franklin shortly before Green Eyes were called: Beth as Demeter, Denise as Cassandra and Marielle as Bombalurina. Naturally, Marielle had to vamp a little, suggesting that he had to come up to her room to unwrap the present she had for him. Beth shook her head, and Denise smiled somewhat painfully. Then, Patrick and Ramona Luna, as Alonzo and Victoria, paused long enough to hear the wish relay, and the word soon got around to the entire cast. Jason grinned when he found out that the little girl was right below his spot during the 'Naming of Cats.’
During the opening number, most of the cast had found Julie Cartwright and her mother. Those who paused long enough noted the shining face, bright eyes and the huge smile. Right now, the concept that the little girl was dying seemed to be a cruel joke for this Christmas season. However, they all seemed to know that their performance tonight had to be special for her… Each one who saw her felt their resolve strengthened to give her just that…
As the 'Naming’ began, Jason knew that this was his moment… However, he wanted something really special for this. As the group had begun to break up, he grabbed hold of Yanni’s arm. Pulling the younger “twin” with him, Jason placed Yanni right at Misto’s spot. Both looked down at the little girl, and chanted their lines in unison. They watched as the girl squirmed in her seat, the smile broadening. She giggled and then asked her mother for something. The mother handed something to her, and she held it up for them to see…
Both Yanni and Jason gasped as the little girl held up a large toy mouse!
“That’s mine…” Jason whispered.
“In your dreams…” Yanni whispered back.
“This is my spot…”
“Big deal…”
“On three…” Jason said, putting out a fist. Yanni matched him…
“One… two… three!”
Jason kept his closed - rock!
Yanni grinned. His palm was out and flat. “Paper covers rock, Jase.”
“Fine… Get your present and let’s go…”
Although the rules said that the performers were not supposed to get things from the audience, Yanni was sure Candice would make an exception here. Opening up his hands, Yanni waited. The girl got up and came to the edge of the stage. As she did, one of the spotlight operators caught her and Yanni. The audience hushed, and even the band paused before they went to the Invitation. Suddenly conscious of the attention, Yanni’s eyes widened, but he looked down at Julie Cartwright.
“Merry Christmas, Quaxo,” she said shyly. “I hope you’ll share this with Misto…”
Taking the mouse, he grinned and nodded. Holding up the mouse, Yanni bounded back to a tunnel and off the stage, leaving its lone occupant, the White Cat, waiting for the music to begin again. When it did, Ramona made it a point to drift down to where the little girl waited, and then started her dance.
All through the performance, the audience was keenly aware that the main action mostly took place in front of the little girl. During Tugger’s number, Keith naturally came off the stage and danced with her. When Roberto prepared to toss the flower as Bustopher Jones, he waddled down to stage right and tossed the flower toward Julie. The man behind Julie caught the errant throw, and then graciously gave the flower to her. The audience applauded loudly.
When Intermission came, the usher who stood at the stairs came over to Lynn Cartwright. “Ma’am? The Stage Manager would like for you and your daughter to meet Old Deuteronomy.”
The girl’s eyes widened. “Can I?”
The young man smiled. “That’s what the lady told me. Come on.”
He took Julie’s hand and helped her to climb the stairs. With a patient smile, Richard Taylor opened his arms. After looking first to her mother, who nodded, and then to the usher, who also nodded, Julie limped into the old Tom’s embrace. At that time, Candice came out and stood next to Lynn.
“I don’t know how I can thank you enough,” Lynn said, tears glistening on her face.
“I think it speaks for itself,” Candice said, nodding at the little girl now talking to Richard. “We’re only sorry we can’t do more…”
Almost as if his 'cat’s ears’ could hear, Richard turned. “We can…”
“What do you mean, Old Deut?”
Looking at Julie’s happy face, Richard grinned. “I’ll tell you after the show, my dear. For now, I am taking this little lady back with me for a few seconds…”
“Uh, Old D? We have…”
“I know how much time we have, my dear… This will only take half of that… Come along, Julie… Madame? You may come with us, if you wish.”
Lynn smiled at the performer. “Go ahead, Jellicle Leader. Ms. Holt…”
“Call me Candice, Lynn.”
Holding onto Richard’s hand, Julie stared wide-eyed at everything around her. True to his character, Richard walked slow enough to allow Julie to stumble alongside him. Waiting offstage right, the entire cast was there, and each offered to give the little girl a hug.
Patrick and Ramona stood back after giving theirs and watched as the girl happily received the attention of the others. The taller gymnast held his wife loosely around the waist.
“Another child…” she said softly. “Why, Pat?”
“I don’t know, Mona… Maybe… Maybe she’s here to help us understand that there are things we have to do… Like what we’re doing now… Look at her, Mona! She’s really happy now… and that’s going to stay with her a long while… for as long as she has…”
Ramona turned in his embrace and put her arms around him. “But she’s so young…”
A deep gentle voice startled her. “And that is what makes her so precious…”
Both looked to the side and found Moose-Mike staring at the scene. “Moose…?”
“Although this would make the Creator seem cruel to shorten a young child’s life, perhaps it is because they are precious to us that this happens. This fact prompts us to loosen the tightness around our hearts to give of ourselves as you have tonight… and as the hearts of many here in the audience will feel tomorrow. Because of Julie, some of the charities will receive generous donations from those patrons… Some may even offer their services… Perhaps… because of Julie… someone might find the cure, and end this loss once and for all…”
“You never cease to amaze me, Moose,” Patrick said softly.
The huge man nodded solemnly. “And people never cease to amaze me…”
“Here he is,” Candice said, leading a young woman toward the huge stagehand. “Moose? This is Julie’s mother, Lynn. This is Michael Darkhorse.”
The mother was somewhat awed at the size of the huge stagehand, and at the gentleness of his touch as he shook her hand.
“I can see why they call you Moose… Mr. Darkhorse, I am really in your debt…”
“And I have been amply paid for my service,” he replied calmly.
“Hey, Moosie?” The huge stagehand turned. Marielle had Julie’s hand in hers. “I got an admirer of yours here. Julie? This is Moosie. If you liked that big teddy bear out on the stage, you’ll really love this guy.”
“Wow! You’re so big!”
The huge stagehand knelt down so he was close to being eye-to-eye with her. “Merry Christmas, Julie…”
“This is my bestest one in the whole world! I got to meet everyone!”
At that moment, Julie put her arms around Moose-Mike’s thick neck and hugged him as hard as she could. His eyes closed as he gently returned the embrace, and rocked her in his arms.
“Hey, please excuse me,” Marielle said, dabbling at her eyes. “I haveta refresh my makeup for the Second Act. See you, Julie… Moosie… Come along, Deme…”
Beth Simpson had been silent all this time. She had, however, quietly shed tears as she watched everything. One gloved hand reached out and stroked the little girl’s slender arm.
“Thanks, Deme,” Julie said from against Moose-Mike’s cheek.
Giving the girl a smile, Beth nodded, and then went with Marielle toward their dressing room. Gently, the huge stagehand loosened the girl from his neck.
“We need to start the show again, Julie. Your mother will take you back to your seat.”
“Thank you, Mister Darkhorse…”
He nodded slowly. “Please call me Moose…”
“Bye… Moose…”
Candice and Lynn took the girl’s hands and helped her go out one of the house doors. For a while, Moose-Mike stayed on his knees, looking in the direction the girl had gone. He was only slightly aware of Franklin moving up alongside him.
“That was really something, Michael…”
“We do what we can, Mr. Thomas…”
Standing, the huge stagehand felt touches as the cast went by him in various directions. When the last one went by, he nodded. The Tribe had just paid him one of its highest compliments, and he felt very good…
*****
The Second Act went the way of the first - each cast member who had any type of a solo would drift more toward the right side of the stage than usual. Somehow, the cast managed to rearrange themselves just so it could be allowed… During 'Gus, the Theatre Cat,’ Roberto made it a point to have his paint cat placed downstage right for a change, and he fussed over it until Franklin personally handled it. Hans performed as much as he could in that corner as well. When Marielle and Beth did 'Macavity,’ center stage became stage right… And Jason? When he caught the “magic cup,” he made certain that the trick was done before the little girl.
The most poignant part of the night came when Elizabeth came out for her last time. Audiences waited for this moment, especially when they knew Elizabeth Fontaine was doing the part. Real tears glistened in the ex-ballerina’s eyes as she sang 'Memory,’ but her voice stayed strong. Many cast members knew… Grizabella, in real life, had two children of her own… For seconds after her last note died, the audience was silent… and then the applause swelled and she was given a standing ovation that lasted until Ramona stood. Both Elizabeth and Ramona had gauged the time rightly, and the 'touch’ came in that corner of the stage once more… This time, Ramona looked first to Richard for the 'official’ sanction. And then, she looked down at Julie… The little girl beamed her approval. The touch was given, and Grizabella was accepted once more into the Tribe…
When the final note sounded for the 'Ad-dressing of Cat,’ the applause started, and took the longest time to fade away. A standing ovation greeted the cast members as they appeared on stage for their bows. The audience had not starting leaving as Marielle stood, this time at Stage Right, for the trailer…
Keith stared first at her, and then at Julie. Giving the girl a Tugger smirk, he strutted over to the Scarlet Queen. The only thing he did not like was that one of Marielle’s hands was behind her back…
“What’re you hiding?” he asked, sotto voce. “A knife?”
“Something I think Julie will like, and something you’ll like more…” Marielle cooed.
Looking at Julie, Marielle grinned, and then brought out what she was hiding. Keith stared at the small twig of green leaves and white berries…
“Mistletoe?”
“Got it, Tugger… Merry Christmas…”
Keith got a kiss on the mouth that looked capable of raising the temperature of the stage a few degrees, and got quite a few catcalls. When she released him, she grinned again, and touched Keith in the center of his center. The Tugger fell over to land on his back in a mock faint. With a satisfied smirk, Marielle paused long enough to give Julie a 'thumbs-up,’ and then did a proper 'touch-tap’ jump over his chest. As she exited smartly, Keith popped his head up, and then yowled as he jumped up in pursuit…
At the stage door, the cast was still in full makeup and costume as Julie and her mother appeared. The little girl was given a brochure autographed by the entire cast and even the crew. Ramona gave up another autograph kitty from her collection, and hugs were freely given once more. By the time the cast managed to get back to their dressing rooms, everybody was happy and tired…
Yanni was looking at the toy mouse that Julie had given him, and he grinned. For a brief moment, he had been the star… Like a human cat, Yanni played with the mouse until Jason came by and caught it in mid-air.
“This should be mine, you know…”
“I won it fair and square, Jase, and you know it.”
“But you were in my spot…”
“Pipe down, you two,” Timothy Hicks said as he placed the Mungojerrie wig on the head form. “Here… As an impartial Judge and Jury, I hereby award the custody of this toy mouse to Jase on the even-numbered days and Yanni on the odd-numbered days… Now since it’s an odd-numbered day, Yanni gets the mouse… Okay?”
“Fair enough,” Jason nodded, and flipped the mouse back to land in Yanni’s lap.
As Yanni placed the mouse up on his table, Chris Recklens went by, cleaning off his Pouncival makeup with a towel. “That was pretty neat, Yanni. But you know something? It really should have been us giving her a toy instead. After all, it’s almost Christmas…”
“Well, we did give her all sorts of stuff from the show.”
“But that’s not the point. Kids get toys for Christmas… At least most of them do…”
“What are you going on about, Chris?” Timothy asked.
“I noticed a sign in the toy store in the mall about Toys for Tots. I thought it was cool that at least someone tries to help out the kids who don’t get anything to play with for Christmas. I bought a playball and donated it to them.”
“Hmmm… That sounds like a good idea. I think I’ll do that, too…”
Yanni, however, was in thought as the three other guys talked. After having his epiphany, he took out a black makeup pencil and found a spare piece of paper. Minutes later, he darted out the door. Coming down to the security desk at the stage door, he found Moose-Mike taping up a hand-lettered sign.
“Mr. White?”
“Hi, Moose… Hey! You had the same idea!” Showing him the sign he had drawn up hastily, Yanni looked at the one the stagehand had put up on the wall near the door. “I like yours better, actually… Your letters are nice and clear…
“Looks like a few of us think alike,” came a jovial voice from behind Yanni.
“Mr. Taylor?”
Richard was still in his Old Deuteronomy costume and makeup as he came up to the desk with a piece of paper in his hand. Looking at the sign Moose-Mike had put up, Richard laughed. “Well, I’ll be… Yanni? Let’s see yours…” He inspected the one the Quaxo actor held, and laughed again. “That’s great… Moose? I’m going to contact someone who will help us out on this. Your sign is the best of all three of ours, so let’s leave yours up there.” He once more looked at the one on the wall and then the two signs in his hands. Handing Yanni back his copy, the old Tom shook his head. “This time always does have its miracles…”
When the first members came out of the dressing rooms, however, they noted that small sign placed on the wall next to the stage door. Everyone read the sign as they left… even Luthor Sykes, who played Macavity, stopped and nodded. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve… and the Sunday Matinee…
*****
During the day, the cast was not to be found in their hotel rooms… or at the theatre… or even in the various nooks and crannies of the hotel itself. Moose-Mike glanced critically as Helen Marks and Jason Gray went by, each clutching something in their arms, and giggling conspiratorially. However, this time, he was totally in the dark…
Finally, after Franklin Thomas strolled in with a sizable box that had to be a present, the huge stagehand had to ask…
“Mr. Thomas?”
“Yes, Michael?”
“What is taking place?”
All he got was a warm grin from the Brit. “You shall see later on tonight.”
Michael Darkhorse was a patient man… He would find out in due time…
This performance did not have a little girl to play to, but the cast had not lost one iota of their enthusiasm or spirit… If anything, the Denver Post gave the show an unexpected “Miracle on 13th Street” article about the joy given to the population of the Mile-High City by an ensemble of Jellicle Cats. The Human Interest article had gone up on the Green Room bulletin board, and the theatre was absolutely packed that matinee. Even the complementary tickets went quickly. Anyone who went to this show was not disappointed…
Candice knew she had the time during Richard’s “Ad-Dressing of Cats.” The ending song was rather static and had cues that were easy to delegate to Tyson. Glancing at the time, she nodded, and then grinned at Carbucketty in his hutch.
“Michael Darkhorse, report to the Stage Manager’s desk.”
Behind the stage scrim, the huge stagehand looked up, and then at a pair of assistants. He nodded at them to take over, and he walked calmly over to Candice’s station.
“What is wrong, Ms. Holt?”
“Nothing,” she said with a strange smirk. “I need you to do something special for me.”
The huge stagehand waited patiently. At any time, Candice expected the spoken “What?” but never got it. Finally, she gave up…
“I have a card for you to read after everyone has left the stage. I know this is not our standard ending, but I need for you to do this…”
“An announcement?”
“Yes, Michael…”
One of the huge man’s eyebrows rose. “Should not you be doing this?”
“After what you did last night, the honor is yours…”
He nodded, and then took his place just clear of the old car’s tunnel.
As soon as Richard’s last high note faded, and the applause started, Andrew “Wolfgang” Chambers had the band play the exit music for the cast, and the performers scattered out every exit they could find. But, instead of the finale music for the bows, Andy signaled for the keyboard synthesizers to play a cascading trumpet fanfare.
Candice gave a thumbs-up to the stagehand. “You’re on, Moose…”
The audience quieted as Moose entered. Both spotlights hit him as he centered himself on the stage, and then stoically looked at the card.
“At this time,” he said, and was only minutely surprised that his mike now projected to the auditorium, “the cast and crew of CATS would like to have a member of our audience please come up on stage.” His head rose, and appeared to look into the spotlights. “Gunnery Sergeant Matthew Welding…”
From about six rows back on the right aisle, a Marine in full dress uniform gingerly stood from his seat. Once upright, the man straightened himself. Carrying his cap tucked under his arm, the man limped slightly toward the stage. As he struggled slightly with the steps, Moose glanced at the service ribbons on the man’s uniform blouse. The bronze star and the Purple Heart with clusters shone - newly earned and given…
“Reporting as directed,” the man said crisply.
“The cast, I believe, has something for you…” Moose said softly.
Led by Franklin as Munkustrap, the cast filed back on stage, each holding a gift. Of course, the audience applauded as they came on. Last on stage was Ramona, and she brought a white stuffed toy cat in her arms. Instead of lining up in the back, Ramona came forward and presented the Marine with the toy.
“Gunnery Sergeant Welding requested to be in charge of the City of Denver’s Toys For Tots campaign,” she said clearly. “Each member of the cast went out and found a toy to give to his cause. It is still not too late… and the plaza stores in the Performing Arts Park is staying open for the next two hours. On behalf of the cast and crew of CATS, Sergeant… excuse me… 'Gunnie’? Please accept our gifts…”
Ramona curtsied as the Marine stood at attention. Then, each member of the cast came around in their line, and placed their gift at his feet. Some shook hands with the Marine… Marielle, however, started something different. After putting her gift down, she turned the man’s chin and kissed him on the cheek.
“Always did like a man in uniform,” Marielle purred, stroked his chin and then allowed the next lady, Beth, her turn…
Beth smiled because the man had blushed slightly. Her gift was placed, and she also kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you…” she said as she started away, “for serving…”
Hans grinned when his turn came, and he placed his gift down. Straightening up, he gave the Marine a stiff British military salute. Without batting an eye, the Marine returned it.
Soon, as the cast lined up again, the Marine found himself surrounded by boxes of toys. At that moment, Moose offered his hand.
“Thank you, Gunnery Sergeant…”
The reply was lost amidst thundering applause…
*****
“Man…” Yanni groaned as he slumped in his seat on the bus. “That was some night… Hey, Jase? Did you get goosebumps from all that applause?”
“Who didn’t…? What’d you put in?”
Yanni laughed. “I got a teddy bear - one that was big enough to hug really good. I remember having one…”
“Can’t beat them,” Timothy said calmly. He smiled slightly at Marilyn across the aisle.
“A hug goes a long way,” she nodded back. “I put in a stuffed snow tiger… What about you, Tim?”
“A Bengal tiger, what else?”
Marielle got up in her seat and turned around to face Franklin. “Hi, Frankie! Thanks for the necklace. I’ll definitely think of you when I wear it…”
As Franklin chuckled, Beth rose up in her seat, and quickly understood. Even though the seat’s headrests hid most of the redhead’s obvious superstructure, the ruby pendant of the necklace sat right at the top of her cleavage.
“Franklin, how could you?” Beth groaned and flopped back down in her seat.
“Why? What’s wrong, Beth? Franklin asked innocently.
“What’s wrong? She has enough to catch the eyes without needing more!”
“What’d you get Deme, Frankie?”
“A gold turtleneck sweater with a gold heart necklace,” he replied.
“What’s wrong with that, girlfriend?” Marielle called back. “After all, don’t sweaters do the same thing for a girl…?”
“Lady, Ellie,” Beth replied with a slight sulk to her voice.
“You do look good in a sweater, Beth,” Ramona offered from the seat behind her. “Perhaps that’s why Franklin got it for you…”
“Hey, Ellie?” The Brit turned back and smiled up at the strawberry blonde.
“Yeah, Frankie?”
“I’d like to know what Keith got you…”
Marielle’s smile turned warm. “He was real sweet for a change, Frankie. I thought maybe he’d get me something in lingerie and then ask me to model it for him, or something crude like that… When I saw what he got, I thought that you told him to get it for me… You did, didn’t you, Frankie?”
“No, Ellie… Whatever Keith got you, he got it for you. What was it?”
Reaching down in her bag, she pulled out a small toy panther, and nuzzled it. “When I opened it, I found this cute little guy, but that wasn’t what was really sweet of him… Keith put in a bottle of my bubble bath, and a card that said, 'Because of the good times…’ I really thought you told him what to get and what to write…”
“All Keith,” Franklin said with a grin. “I misjudged the guy…”
“I’ll thank him later…”
Candice stood outside the bus, chattering slightly with the cold. Because of the holiday, the Load-Out would start Monday morning. However, there was one thing that was a constant… the last one to leave the theatre was Moose-Mike. As the stage door opened and the huge stagehand came out, Candice shook her head. He still was in his black Tee and jeans… and no coat or even a cap. The one concession his did do was to have a cover over the pet carrier that housed Carbucketty…
“How do you do it, Moose? It’s freezing out here!”
“According to the weather report, the temperature in the city is 43 degrees. Where I grew up, this is…”
“Don’t say it, Moose!” Candice warned, and then undid the top part of her coat. “You gave this to me, didn’t you…”
Moose-Mike looked down at the crystal cat necklace. “Yes, Ms. Holt.”
“Lean over.”
An eyebrow rose, but he followed her instruction.
She kissed him on the cheek, and hugged him real hard.
Inside, Simon Bakker chuckled as Jessie pressed in against his back. The bus broke out in a combined cheer as they watched the kiss take place, and then rose for another one as Candice and Moose-Mike got on. As Candice sat down in the front seat, Moose-Mike went by with just a brief glance of interest at the “Twins” sitting in the same pair of seats instead across from each other. As soon as he cleared, Simon’s comment came to him…
“Yes, Virginia… There is a Santa Claus…”
***** Finis - and Merry Christmas *****
Go to PREQUELS Main Page
Go to TWOSPOTZ CATS Page
Go Back to the STORIES MAIN PAGE