Plato woke up at the end of his master's bed. His master was sleeping fitfully, and Plato decided to go to the kitchen and eat whatever leftovers he could find. His master, like him, was a bachelor, and had a small flat. Plato went over to his food dish and ate the rest of the kibble in it. It wasn't fresh, but he didn't mind. He then jumped through his master's open window into a tree, and proceeded to walk to the jellicle junkyard. When he arrived he saw that most of the jellicles were present and were talking or playing. His brother Munku was watching over them from the tire as usual, and his other brother Alonzo was joking with Rum Tum about something. He went over to them.
"Hey guys." Plato greeted them.
"Oh, hi Plato." Alonzo said without looking at him. Rum Tum simply gave him a nod and walked off. Alonzo followed closely behind him.
"Ok guys. I'll, see you later, I guess." Plato said to no one. He looked towards a group of queens all huddled around Bomb. Bomb gestured towards him and they all laughed. Plato looked at Bomb with a confused expression. She gave him a smile and began to walk towards him. Bomb's crowd, Rum Tum, and Alonzo watched with interest. Bomb came over still smiling and rubbed up against him affectionately. Plato was surprised and awkwardly began to rub back. But when he started to rub Bomb abruptly darted away causing Plato to fall flat on his face. The other queens erupted with laughter as well as Rum Tum and Alonzo. Plato got up and walked away good-naturedly. Plato sat down alone next to Misto's pipe embarrassed. Just then Misto darted out excited. Plato grabbed his tail and stopped him in his tracks.
"Hey you, where are you going so fast?" Plato asked.
Misto laughed and playfully pawed at Plato's face. "I'm going to see Victoria at her house."
"Alright, have fun." Plato said letting him go. Misto darted off lustfully. Plato was glad Misto and Victoria were getting along so happily. He then lifted his head toward the sound of familiar giggling. Teazer burst into the junkyard with Jerrie on her heals. She stopped suddenly and ducked as Jerrie sailed over her into the old car. She laughed as Jerrie swiped at her and then stalked off. Then Teazer looked in Plato's direction and smiled. Plato got up happily and was about to walk over when he realized that she was actually looking at Alonzo, who was standing a little in front of him. Alonzo walked over to her and they hit it off immediately. Plato sat back with a slightly sad expression on his face. "So what if none of queens notice me?" He said to himself. "At least I still have-"
"Plato!" Jemima said as she pounced on him. He rolled over and pretended to get hurt as she weakly pawed him.
"Ok, ok. You win, I surrender." He said laughing. "You dang kittens always get the jump on me." Plato told her.
"I'm not a kitten anymore, I'm a young queen." She said standing as tall as she could.
"A very pretty young queen too." Plato said crouching down to make himself shorter than she was. "So, my young queen, what are you doing today?"
"I don't know." She said rubbing Plato affectionately. "What are you doing?"
"I'm just going to sit here and be my plain old self." Plato replied.
"You're not plain or old." Jemima replied. "Any queen would be lucky to have a tom like you." She told him.
"Jemima, promise me that when you're all grown up you'll never stop being so sweet." Plato replied.
"Ok!" She said. Pouncival pawed her tail and then ran off. She chased after him.
"I wish all queens were like her." Plato muttered.
"Well, everyone likes different things I guess." Rum Tum said as he came up from behind.
"Hi Rum Tum." Plato said getting up.
"Why don't you be Jemima's mate?" Rum Tum asked. "She's an easy catch."
"Hah. If I were a year younger and she were a year older..." Plato replied.
Rum Tum laughed for a moment, but then realized that Plato was serious. "Oh, you're an old fashioned guy huh."
"I suppose..." Plato replied.
"Well, good luck." Rum Tum said as he walked away.
Plato decided to go talk to Munku. He went over to the tire where Munku sat with Demeter. "Hi Munku, hi Dem."
"Hello," Munku said.
"Oh, hi, um..." Demeter looked thoughtful.
"Plato." Plato told her.
"Oh, yes of course. I'm sorry, I just had a little memory problem." Demeter said, embarrassed.
"Heh, it happens more often than you'd think." Plato said a little sadly. "So what have you been up to?"
"Oh, we've just been talking about the last ball. What have you been up to Plato?" Munku asked.
"Just the usual. Hanging and playing with the young ones. They grow up so fast." Plato replied. Bomb came up to him from behind.
"Hey Plato, want to go down to the cafe with me?" She asked in her most charming voice.
"Really, with me?" Plato said happily. Then he caught himself. "Oh, I get it. Ha, ha, ha. You got me." He said. Bomb and the other queens laughed at him again and then walked away. Plato walked away sadly. Munku watched him worried.
"I wish you queens wouldn't be so hard on my brother like that." Munku said to Demeter.
"I'm sorry. Your brother is such a, hopeless romantic. He's not at all like you or Alonzo." She replied.
"I was like that before Old Deuteronomy made me second in command." Munku replied as he watched Plato sit down in an empty corner of the jellicle junkyard.
Well, you changed." Demeter said before giving Munku a kiss.
Plato turned his head away from Munku and Demeter and saw Teazer dart out of the junkyard. He got up and hesitated for a moment, and then quickly groomed himself. He then followed after Teazer. He stepped out of the junkyard and was about to go over to Teazer when his brother Alonzo shoved his way past. Plato watched as Alonzo and Teazer embraced and then walked off together. Plato decided to go home and walked away sadly.
Later Plato was sitting alone in the jellicle junkyard. Everyone seemed to have a mate except for him. He was about to leave when Teazer came in and walked over to him smiling. Plato glanced behind him to see if she was really looking at him. Then he locked eyes with her and she rubbed up against him purring. He rubbed back and they cuddled together on the old car.
"I love you." He said softly.
"Time to wake up."
Plato sat up and looked around confused. He was on his master's couch and his master was calling to breakfast. He laughed at himself as he realized it was all a dream. He ate and then left the flat when his master went to work. All the way to the junkyard he laughed at his crazy dream. Though he was laughing, it was a tragic laugh, and Munku sensed this when Plato walked past him.
"Hey Plato, what's up?" Munku asked.
"Oh, I was just laughing at a crazy dream I had." Plato replied.
"What was it about?" Munku asked.
"Teazer actually liked me." Plato said before walking away. He went over to and old paint can and sat down. Suddenly Teazer burst out of the can.
"Boo!"
Plato was so frightened he jumped two feet in the air. Teazer laughed and smiled at him. "I goch ya good." She said.
"You sure did." Plato replied. He looked around. "So where's Jerrie."
"Off wit Alonzo." She replied.
"Oh. By the way, I'm Plato."
"I know 'ou you ar silly." Teazer said giggling. "Jem never stops talking bout 'ou." She continued.
"Oh really? When did you talk with Jemima?" Plato asked.
"All the time. I luv them young ones." She replied.
"Me too." Plato said smiling at her. She smiled back. Plato looked around for a second and then saw Jemima walking towards Rum Tum and Bomb's crowd. "Uh oh, I've got a bad feeling about that."
Rum Tum was smiling at Jemima flirtatiously as she came near. Plato knew exactly what would happen. Just before she rubbed up against Rum Tum he stepped back, letting her fall foreword. The cats around them laughed and Rum Tum teased her as she got up humiliated. Plato knew the feeling all too well. Jemima hung her head in shame as the other cats kept laughing. Jemima's anguish, their horrible mocking laughter, it was all too much for Plato.
Suddenly a rotten old banana peel hit Rum Tum square in the face. The cats looked at him and then at the thrower stunned.
Plato stood as tall as he could as he stared angrily at Rum Tum and the others. "Listen up you vicious bunch of fleabags. You can mess with me all you want, but if I ever catch any of you being a jerk to Jemima or any of the other young ones again, I'll be one you faster than Macavity pouncing on a mouse. Got it!" Plato shouted angrily. All the jellicles in the junkyard stared at him in shock. He went to Jemima and spoke in a gentle voice. "Come on, let's get out of here." Jemima followed him silently to the other side of the junkyard. Teazer also followed after them.
"Thanks." She said as she rubbed against him.
"No problem, Jem." He said. He still tingled from the outburst. Teazer came over and spoke to Jemima softly.
"Ay Jem, you ok?" She asked.
"Yeah I'm fine. I'm going to go find Misto and Victoria." She said. She kissed Plato on the forehead before leaving. Teazer sat down by Plato.
"'At was a brave ting you did back dere." She told him.
"I've actually never been more afraid in my life. Rum Tum is going to kill me now." Plato replied.
"No, he'll being too busy cleaning 'is precious fur." Teazer said laughing. Plato laughed with her. Munku came over.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything. I'm proud of you brother." Munku said to Plato.
"Thanks." Plato replied simply. "Should I start running now?"
"Hey, if there's going to be a fight, I'll be on your side. I'll leave you two alone." Munku said walking away.
Teazer rubbed Plato affectionately. "So, want ta go do something?"
"Sure." Plato replied happily. They slipped out of the junkyard and Teazer immediately darted away laughing. Plato chased after her in total euphoria. The feeling didn't last long when he ran around a corner and saw Jerrie, Alonzo, and Teazer all standing together. "Oh, hi guys. I was just, uh, looking around and..." Plato said awkwardly.
"Yeah that's great, Plato." Alonzo interrupted. He went over to Teazer and rubbed her. "Let's go Teaz."
"Kay, bye Plato, ol see ya later." She said giving Plato a smile. They went leaving only Jerrie and Plato.
"I'm not sure I like that Alonzo Teazer's gone wit. Wat do you tink, uh, er..." Jerrie looked thoughtful.
"It's Plato." Plato said as he walked away disappointed. He went back into the jellicle junkyard. He glanced around. Rum Tum and Bomb were both giving him an evil look. "Time to go, Platom" Plato said to himself nervously as he walked back to his home.
Later, Plato was snuggling up with Teazer on a large plush bed. They locked eyes and gazed at each other lovingly.
"Time to wake up, Luke."
"How do you know my human name?" Plato asked her.
"Luke. Luke. Wake up Luke."
Plato awoke and realized that it was just another dream. His master petted him affectionately. "Good morning Luke." He and his master ate breakfast and the both left. On the way to the junkyard Plato couldn't get the thought of Teazer out of his head. He walked dreamily into the junkyard and almost bumped into Rum Tum.
"Oh, uh, sorry there," Plato said.
Rum Tum smiled. "Hey, no hard feelings. I can't say the same for Alonzo though, me and him had a little chat." Rum Tum smiled evilly and gestured behind Plato. Plato turned around slowly to find an unhappy Alonzo.
"Sounds like you've been getting pretty close to Teazer lately." Alonzo said flatly.
"Yeah, I mean no. We're just good friends." Plato said nervously.
"Just stay away from her, she's mine." Alonzo said. He pushed Plato down and walked away. Rum Tum then leaned over and dropped a banana onto Plato's face. Then he and his crowd walked away laughing.
"Maybe I could just lay here." Plato thought out loud with the banana peel on his face. He felt someone lifting him back onto his feet. He took off the banana peel and saw Munku. "Thanks buddy." Plato said to him. Munku just sighed and walked back to his tire. Plato went over by Misto's pipe and sat alone. Victoria walked out sleepily.
"Oh, hi Plato." She said giving him a rub.
"Hey Vicky, sleep over?" Plato asked.
Misto came out of the pipe yawning. "G' morning Plato. Good morning Victoria my love." They both laughed.
"You two are going to be just fine." Plato said to them. They were all silent for a moment.
"Oh no! I have to get home. There are probably worried sick about me at the mansion." Victoria said. She rubbed Misto and darted off. Misto watched her go, and then turned to Plato.
"Something wrong?" He asked.
"Same old, same old." Plato replied sadly.
"No," Misto put a paw on Plato's head, "Teazer."
"I guess you can't fool a magician." Plato said. "Yeah it's Teazer. But she's with Alonzo and I, I am nobody."
"No, that's not true Plato." Misto said. "For as long as I can remember you were always there for me and the other young ones."
"Well, I guess I'll always be uncle Plato then." Plato replied.
"Don't worry, things will get better." Misto rubbed him and left.
Plato sat alone with his loneliness. Then he saw Jemima coming and put on a smile. "Hello, my young queen." He said to her.
"Hi Plato." Jemima said as she rubbed him. "How are you doing?"
"Oh, I'm fine." Plato said with fake happiness.
"I heard about what happened earlier." Jemima replied. "It's ok, I know you're hurting and I am here for you." She said. Plato was at a loss for words. His false happiness vanished and he leaned on Jemima for support as his emotions took control. He rubbed Jemima and spoke to her softly.
"Thank you Jem. That means a lot to me." Plato blinked away a few growing tears and regained his composure. "You truly are not a kitten anymore, but don't worry, you're just as sweet as ever." Plato rubbed her again and smiled as she walked away with Pouncival. "Well, I guess everyone has someone but me now."
"Ah come off it you. Your much to gloomy ya know." Came a voice from behind. Plato turned to see Jerrie. "Dat's why no one 'members ya name. You never 'ave anyting intesting ta say." Jerrie came closer. "Ya need ta lighten up. Be toffa too." Jerrie came face to face with Plato and spoke very softly. "I don't like dat Alonzo, but ay do like you. And I know Teazer does too. Why don't ya go get 'er, ay?" Plato smiled and Jerrie smiled back. "Ata cat. See ya later." Jerrie stalked off. Plato got up, and mustered all the strength he could. He went over to Rum Tum.
Rum Tum was talking with Munku when a banana peel hit him in the face. He turned to find Plato staring straight at him. He took the peel off and threw back at Plato. Plato ducked just in time and the peel soared over him and landed right on Bomb's head. All the jellicles went silent. Then, Plato uncharacteristically burst out laughing. Rum Tum then also started laughing hysterically. Bomb then let out a great hiss and the two scampered up on a pile of junk where they continued laughing. Bomb walked away furiously. When Rum Tum and Plato were done laughing, Rum Tum leaned over. "You're not bad Ploto, not bad at all."
"It's Plato." Plato replied. They both started laughing again. After that they shook paws and both cautiously climbed down, weary of Bomb's wrath. At that moment, Teazer and Alonzo walked in. Jerrie winked at Plato from the old car and Plato proceeded towards them. He came up to Teazer. "So, want to go do something?"
"What are you doing, Plato? Teazer's with me." Alonzo said.
"I tink dat's for her ta decide!" Jerrie shouted from the old car.
"What do you say, Teazer? If you say no, I won't bother you again." Plato said.
Teazer laughed. "I'd love to." She turned to Alonzo. "Sorry Al, it was fun." Then she rubbed Plato affectionately and darted away. Plato chased after her, happier than ever.