[MsJellicle]

Let's discuss the cat in white spats. How do you see his personality? Is he just an over-indulger? Or is there character behind those 25 pounds? Does he live with a rich family? Or is he a very good begger who happens to look classy? Who are his relatives? Why does he stay only for a short while at the ball? Does he not want to be chosen for the Heaviside? Any other thoughts on him?

~MsJ

ps~ I've decided I realy need to update my character descriptions on my Creative Cats website. And because I want the interpretations of the characters to remain 'open' I would like to put your varying opinions down. Does anyone have a problem with me quoting them?

[Rumblepurr]

I believe he is exactly who and what is said about him in the number. He truly seems to be a gourmet, and a high-class Tom. I do not think the Tribe fawns over him to humor him - they actually respect him in a "fan" sort of way. He comes in fashionably late, and, being somewhat of a dandy, runs back to familiar territory when danger (especially Macavity) threatens...

Of course, we can notice that the dishes he quotes are not really high-class ones. "Cabbage, rice pudding and mutton?" A rather routine dish... However, for the Junkyard cats, they might seems high-class...

In TJC, we put him in a bad way and made him into a cad... There was no actual reason to do it, but it made for a rather dramatic twist...

Rumblepurr
The Writer Cat.

[griddlebone_girl]

No problem with quoting me, i don't know if i'll say anyhting interesting tho lol

I think BJ does come from a rich family and dosn't like coming to the junkyard often because its 'below him'. I think that Misto and Victoria are his newphew and neice (i believe T.S. Elliot stated that somewhere) and they had persuaded him to attend the ball this year, it being Victoria's mating dance and all. But as soon at the Macavity scare happened he saw it as the perfect opertunity to get away and back to another resturant.
I don't think he'd want to be chosen for the heavyside layer because he's enjoying his life of luxery.

[Belle]

I LOVE Bustopher! While the other Jellicles, lithe, elegant, sensous, acrobatic creatures that they are, do have very feline elements - anyone who's had a pet cat will agree that 99% of their attention revolves around their stomachs. Bustopher's the balance in the tribe, he is such a real cat!

Of course it helps that one of my cats, a splendid black and white boy, did used to weigh around the 25lb mark - he's a big build and he was a recently neutered Tom, full adult muscle plus so much blubber! And a Splendid black coat and white spats, and a black goatee too. Poor old thing's got a thyroid problem now, is skinny as a rake, and lost his hearing and his marbles! But he's happy... until his friend Mr. Chair doesn't talk back to him...

[Nemi]

Oh Bustopher! He's fabulous!

A cat who was born in and lives in high society and is most definately spoiled to death, Bustopher has no reasons to complain about his life. Though, he surely once was a very dashing, thin tom in a tuxedoed pattern, he let himself enjoy the finer tastes of life once his middle age years hit. He's jovial, joyous, pompous, not rude, but very proud. He's a fine tom that everyone seems to like generally, and that most respect quite highly.

I like the idea that griddlebone_girl brought up about being the uncle to Mistoffelees and Victoria... I have similar ideas...

Here's some family ideas for ya, from my mind to my keyboard:

Siblings
Grizabella
Griddlebone

Children
Alonzo (mother - unknown)
Electra and Quaxo (mother - Jennyanydots)

Nieces and Nephews
Demeter (1st tom/Grizabella)
Victoria and Mistoffelees (2nd tom/Grizabella)
Cassandra (Genghis/Griddlebone)
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer (Growltiger/Griddlebone)

[abbeycat]

i think some dear old lady owns him, and has fed him up with whatever is in her fridge, maybe he is a companion replacement for her departed husband?

anyway, Bustopher is used to a life of luxury (not necessarily gold plates and caviar but certainly more than the junkyard can offer) maybe he eats, get brushed and pampered and then sleeps in front of the fire all day, in the evening he goes on a jaunt to the all the best bars and clubs that London can offer (think the tramp in lady and the tramp when he goes after dinner tidbits) and eats the scraps.

I believe he is an eccentric 'uncle'type, maybe to skimble as the railway cat does seem to get everything and gets very excited during Bustophers song, or perhaps he just wants to be able to retire from his railway career and become a cat-about-town.

either way, old Jones doesnt like to get his fur dirty as hes off in a flash at the first sign of trouble, maybe this is a clever ploy as he thinks if the dear old lady owner thinks he can get out and get food elsewhere she will stop feeding him, and he's not going to give up his cuddle and fire sleeping privileges just yet! Cunning yet loveable.

[griddlebone_girl]

[Spanish_Rumple]

Bustopher Johnes is not skin and bones in fact he's remarcably FAT!...

Hehehe that reminds me of the typical house cat, well fed and not willing to get out much. He may be the cat of a wealthy family or just the companion of a rich old English Sir. and that's why he tends to imitate his ways. He walks with pride and adores goooooood meals (not necessary caviar... but it may be added in his diet...hehehe).

He's an old "bachelor" but obviously his manners are adorated by ol. gumbie cat! "tootly pu!" (whatever he says at the end of his song when he gives a rose to Jenny Anydots )

In human age he would be in his 70s maybe.

He's funny but elegant.

[Nemi]

[Spanish_Rumple]

thanx Nemi! I thought it was something like that... I haven't herd it recently...

[littlgriz]