THE OUTLAW VARJAK PAWby

SF Said

screenplay by

Elysia Wright

kitty-mew-mewconstellationkitty@gmail.com

CHAPTERONE

THE CITY DUMP

It's winter in the city. Night draws in, snow whips down.Our heroes are running through the streets - VARJAK PAW, asilver-blue cat with amber eyes, HOLLY, a spikyblack-and-white molly, TAM, a shaggy chocolate-brown tabby,and CLUDGE, a huge black dog. They arrive at the CITY DUMP.

VARJAK, THOUGHTSSo this is it. The city dump.

VARJAKCan't we keep hunting? I've got agood feeling. We're going to catcha mouse - we've got to!

TAMI wish we would. I'm starving.

HOLLYMe too. But we haven't even seen amouse since this snow started. Theymust be hiding from the weather. Orfrom /her/.

An amber street light flickers to life above their heads.The cats shift about on their paws -- even CLUDGE seemsnervous.

HOLLYLet's get it over with. We don'twant to be here after dark.

TAMEr - why don't you and Varjak gofirst? I'll stay here and keep alook-out - even if I have to eatlast.

HOLLY rolls her eyes.

HOLLYI might've known. Fine. Come on,Varjak. At least now we know who'sscared and who's not

TAMI'm not scared! It's just that weneed a look-out. What if /she/comes? It's actually braver to golast. It's actually...

She pauses, scratching her head.

TAMActually, I think I'll come withyou.

2.

HOLLY(Laughs)

Oh no you don't. You're right. Weneed a look-out - andcongratulations, Tam, you've gotthe job

TAM's eyes go huge with fright.

TAMBut - but -

VARJAKIt's all right. I'll be look-out.I'll stand guard, with Cludge.

TAMThanks, Varjak! I'll save you somefood - if we find any.

HOLLY and TAM disappear through the gate.

THUD. THUD. THUD.

VARJAK's fur prickles. He thought he could feel somethingmoving, someone watching him. He peers into the darkness atthe top of the alley, but no one is there. Just snow, andrubbish.

THUD.

Varjak realizes that the thumping is in his chest.VARJAK

(Sigh of relief)

CLUDGEVarjak! Varjak scared of rubbish!

He swats away a scrap of paper.

CLUDGENot be scared. Cludge here.

VARJAK smiles. CLUDGE always makes him feel better - what isthere to be afraid of with a giant dog on your side?

VARJAKHow about you, Cludge? You okay?

CLUDGECludge cold. Cludge hungry. ButCludge happy with Varjak!

His tail wags, and VARJAK feels glad he decided to stay outthere. VARJAK settles down by a car and closes his eyes. Herecalls JALAL, a cat who taught him the Way when he hadvisited the ancient land of Mesopotamia in his dreams.

3.

JALAL, IN VARJAK'S THOUGHTSThe First Skill is Open Mind.

VARJAK clears his mind of thoughts. He makes himself calmand still, open to everything

JALAL, IN VARJAK'S THOUGHTSNow, the Second Skill: Awareness.

He lets his senses flow out into the city. He detectedrubbish, feeling sure he wouldn't want to eat that. But healso felt a tiny shift in the air currents - a mouse! It washidden just behind a near car. VARJAK's belly growls. Heimagines crunching into the mouse, sinking his teeth in,savouring every bite -

VARJAK, THOUGHTSNo. Don't get carried away. Focus.

JALAL, IN VARJAK'S THOUGHTSWhen you stalk your prey, youbecome your prey. You make it apart of yourself.

VARJAK tenses his body, his muscles coil - and he springsforward, diving under the car, and WHAM - there the mousewas, beneath his paws.

HOLLY appears at the gate.

HOLLYThere's nothing good in there. It'sdisgusting. But hey... What's thatyou've got?

VARJAK(Grins)

What does it look like?

HOLLYOh - Varjak! You found one!

HOLLY licks her lips.

HOLLYBut how are we going to share itout, between us all?

THUD.

UNKNOWN (LUGER)What you're going to do... Is givethat mouse to /us/.

4.

CHAPTERTWO

THE CITY DUMP

VARJAK turns.

VARJAK, THOUGHTSOh no.

There are four cats at the top of the alley. Big, brawnycats with bristling fur. They swagger forwards through thesnow, tails thudding behind them.

HOLLY(Hisses)

It's a patrol from Sally Bones'sgang!

Sirens wail in the city night. But they can't run - Tam isstill in the dump.

HOLLYTam - come on!

CLUDGE whines softly, crouching down in the rubbish. VARJAKcould taste his friend's fear - or was it his own?

SALLY BONES isn't among the patrol, but VARJAK recognizestwo of her captains. LUGER is leading the patrol - a greycat with a flat snub nose and emotionless eyes. He lookscalm and poise, but in his every step is a threat ofviolence. He walks like he owns the street.

Behind him stalks RAZOR, a tiger-striped tomcat. He wastwice VARJAK's size. They'd fought last time they'd met.VARJAK had used the way to defend himself - but SALLY BONEShad stepped in and ended the fight, brushing them both asidewith ease.

VARJAK still remembers the thin white cat's ice-blue eye,burning into his mind.

SALLY BONES, IN VARJAK'S THOUGHTSWhere did you learn that? Whotaught you?

LUGERVarjak Paw. And Holly. What are youtwo doing here? Making troubleagain?

HOLLYOh, no. No trouble at all.

Her voice is gravelly as ever, but her whiskers are stiffwith tension. Above thenm, the street lamp crackes andfizzes.

5.

RAZOR(Scowls)

Hanging round with dogs now, areyou?

His voice is brash and loud.

RAZORDon't you know how wrong that is?It's enough to make you sick!

The rest of the patrol looks at CLUDGE, and flexes theirclaws. CLUDGE blinks.

VARJAKCludge won't hurt you.

He was trying to sound calm, but his stomach feels tight andhis mouth has gone dry.

RAZORWasn't talking to you. The Boss hastaught us how to deal with dogs.Don't try anything, DOGGIE, oryou'll get hurt!

VARJAK, THOUGHTSDon't even look at them, Cludge. Wedon't want any trouble. We justwant them to go away.

CLUDGE looks down, still and silent.

LUGERGood. Now, we're searching for apair of outlaws. Twin cats: onebig, one bigger. Have you seenthem?

HOLLYNo outlaws here. We're justtalking.

RAZOR(Licks his lips)

You've been hunting! Look, Luger,they're got a mouse. It's agessince we've had mouse. Give itover. Now.

VARJAK looks at his mouse. Snow swirls through the alley.

RAZORI said, give me that mouse!

LUGER watches with emotionless eyes. VARJAK's heart thumpsin his throat. He feels dizzy, he's so hungry.

6.

HOLLYGive them the mouse, Varjak!

VARJAKWhy should I?

The words slip out of his mouth before he can stop them. Hestares down at the snow, not believing what he'd said.

RAZOR's ears twitch, like he can't believe it either. Hisfur puffs up.

RAZORYou'll do it because it's the law!If you're not in our gang, youcan't hunt mice. You have to eatrubbish.

VARJAK, THOUGHTSThe law? I've never heard of thislaw.

HOLLY looks troubled.

HOLLYWait. That's the law in SallyBones's territory, on the Westside. No one else would hunt there.No one would even go there. Butthis is the city centre. It'sneutral ground, free for all.

LUGERNot any more.

HOLLYWhat do you mean? What about uscats who live in the centre?

LUGERYou will obey the law. Anyone whobreaks the law will be taken beforeSally Bones and punished. Now,Varjak Paw: give Razor that mouse.

VARJAK shivers. He surrenders the mouse without a fight, andwithout a word. He stands there, silent, and lets RAZORsnatch it away from him. The gang cats gobble it down - thenthe rusty gate rattles, and TAM comes out of the dump,swishing her bushy tail proudly behind her.

TAMHey, Varjak, I found something goodto eat, buried at the back!

She sees the patrol, her tail curling up.

TAML-L-Luger? Razor?

7.

RAZORTam! Always thinking about food!Aren't you fat enough already?

The gang cats cackle. TAM tries to laugh along with them,but all that comes out of her mouth is a strangled-soundingnoise.

LUGEREnough!

The cackling stops dead.

LUGERThis dump belongs to Sally Bonesnow. If there's anything good toeat in there, it's ours.

He turns to the patrol.

LUGERUzi, Shane: come with me. Razor:stay here and guard these cats tillwe come back. Do it properly thistime, and perhaps we'll save you ascrap.

LUGER and the others go through the gate. TAM shudders asthey pass her. RAZOR stands there in the snow, tail swishingfuriously behind him.

RAZORRight. You three'd better not messthings up for me. Tam, you're in/such/ big trouble. You werebreaking the law. And you know whathappens to law-breakers? They getSally Bones's punishment.

TAM(Flinches and gulps)

Please - no!

RAZOR leans in close to her. He runs a claw along the edgeof her ear. TAM flinches away - but RAZOR moves faster. Hecomes in low behind her, and bites her bushy tail, hard.

TAMStop it! Leave me alone!

VARJAK clenches his paws. He catches Cludge's eye, and nods.The black dog stands up to his full height, and shakes thesnow from his pelt.

CLUDGEEnough.

8.

RAZORI'm not scared of you. A pack ofdogs - that's scary. But without apack, a little doggie on it's ownis nothing.

CLUDGECludge got a pack. Got friends. Youleave Cludge's friends alone!

RAZOR(Jeers)

Your friends are cats. You shouldstick with your own kind, youstupid, stinking moron! WHat'swrong - won't the other Doggiestalk to you any more?

CLUDGE's black eyes cloud over. He begins to quake - heleans close over Razor, so his muzzle was just above thetomcat's head - and then he roars a mighty, deafening roar,like thunder. VARJAK grins.

VARJAK, THOUGHTSGo on, Cludge. Razor thinks he's sotough. Let's see how tough he isnow!

But RAZOR stands his ground - and explodes into action. Hisclaws arch up, up, slashing a vicious curve through Cludge'snose. CLUDGE howls. He twists away, turning his face leftand right, spraying blood into the snow. He stumbles backfrom Razor's claws, hiding behind Varjak, trembling,whimpering, bleeding from the nose.

RAZOR strutted before them, tail held insolently high andproud, fur rippling in triumph.

RAZORWho else wants a fight? You. VarjakPaw. You were lucky last time. Ifthe Boss hadn't cut in, I'd havehad you. But they never let meforget it - never! This time,you're mine.

There's no time to think as RAZOR comes toward him, bargingthrough the snow. VARJAK knew only one thing: the Way.

JALAL, IN VARJAK'S THOUGHTSFourth Skill: Slow-Time.

VARJAK, THOUGHTS(Breathes deep)

In-two-three-four.

The world seems to shimmer.

9.

VARJAK, THOUGHTSOut-two-three-four.

Everything slows down.

VARJAK, THOUGHTSIn-two-three-four.

But VARJAK feels fast.

VARJAK, THOUGHTSOut-two-three-four.

Power rises up in him.

JALAL, IN VARJAK'S THOUGHTSNow, the Fifth Skill: MovingCircles.

TAMLook! Look, he's shimmering!

HOLLYVarjak, no! He'll kill you -

Wind streaks through Varjak's fur. Snow spirals down aroundhim. He braces himself, and as Razor springs through theair, he spins his Moving Circle out to meet him.

SMASH! The impact knocks VARJAK off his paws - but theMoving Circle holds true. He rolls with the blow. He twists,turns, and tips Razor off-balance.

RAZOR recovers fast. He lashes out with his back legs.Slashes at VARJAK's face. It's a fearsome kick, and itconnects with brutal accuracy. Blood spatters on the snowaround him - VARJAK is cut.

He ignores the stinging pain. Gathers his power. Lets theenergy rise up in him, lets it build - and as Razor comes tofinish him, he unleashes it in a blinding burst of force.

SLAM!

RAZOR blinks. His legs give way, he sinks to the ground.VARJAK dives in, pinning him, holding him down.

SLAM! SLAM! SLAM!

He pounds RAZOR, again and again. The power is so strong, itfills his mind.

VARJAK, THOUGHTSI'm going to teach Razor a lesson.This bully who's hurt my friendsand stolen my food - I'm going tosmash him up so badly he'll neverfight again -

10.

HOLLYVarjak!

Her voice sounds far away. He stops hitting RAZOR, and turnsaround. HOLLY is right behind him.

HOLLYVarjak, that's enough.

He looks down at RAZOR. The tiger-striped tom is gazing upat him, helpless. He's almost out cold. One more hit andhe'd be finished. VARJAK starts to shake.

VARJAK, THOUGHTSWhat have I done? I lost control.Lost it completely.

He drops his paws, put away his claws - he stands up,letting RAZOR go free.

RAZOR(Gasping)

What? Aren't you - aren't you goingto?

VARJAKNo.

He's shaking, shaking with the force of it. His friends arelooking at him, eyes wide.

HOLLYLet's get out of here. Before Lugerand the others get back!

CHAPTERTHREE

THE SECRET ALLEYS

VARJAK and his friends race away from the alley. They leftthe dump behind, sprinting into the night. The moon showsthrough the clouds.

TAMYou showed him, Varjak! Did you seeit, Holly? You saw what he did tothat big bully?

HOLLYIt was crazy! It was amazing!

VARJAK tries to smile with them, but he can't. He's scaredof his power. He might have killed RAZOR. He came out ofSlow-Time. It was hard. The side of his face started tothrob - that must haved been where RAZOR slashed him.

HOLLYWhat's wrong, Varjak? You won!

11.

VARJAKI went too far.

TAMRazor would have done worse.

HOLLYHe deserved it. He hasn't been thesame since he joined that gang!

TAMWhat's going to happen when Lugercomes back> And when /she/ findsout?

VARJAK glances over his shoulder. For a moment, he thinks hecan see SALLY BONES, the thin white cat, coming after himwith her ice-blue eye. But it's just a neon light, flashingthrough the snow.

HOLLYWe'll lie low. We'll hide for thenight! Follow me!

VARJAK follows, glad to have HOLLY by his side. She alwaysknows what to do. He doesn't want to fight any more - hejust wants to hide, to huddle up and go to sleep, somewheresafe.

HOLLY plunges into a maze of narrow alleys, leading themswiftly through. New snow fills in their paw-prints andcovers the trail from Cludge's bloody nose.

CLUDGECludge sorry. Should of... Couldof... Sorry.

TAMNo, Cludge! You were so brave. Youstood up for me, and I'll neverforget it. Except - maybe youshouldn't stay with us - you'llonly get in trouble -

CLUDGECludge stay! Stay with friends!Always!

Tam and Varjak smile, but Holly shakes her head.HOLLY

Cludge, you can stay as long as youlike. But don't you have a family?Or some friends who are ... Youknow ... Dogs?

CLUDGE's eyes go cloudy.

12.

CLUDGEFamily? Cludge got no family.

HOLLYWhy not?

CLUDGEAngry with Cludge. Can never goback. Never!

HOLLYWell, there's only one place tohide. And you're too big for it.Look.

They're standing before black iron railings, hidden behindheaps of rubble and coils of electrical cable. It's theentrance to a little network of alleys that only VARJAK,HOLLY, and TAM know about. They're stationed in the centreof the city, which didn't belong to SALLY BONES. It's theonly safe place they know.

Hisssss!

VARJAK's neck fur prickles. It sounds like a cat - acornered cat, with the strangest scent: something unnatural,like a cat's ghost.

An animal bolts out of the shadows, into the night. It'sjust a blur at the edge of VARJAK's vision, the size of acat, but it can't be a cat. It's the wrong shape - no tail,and it's head - VARJAK isn't sure what it is. He turns tolook, but the creature is gone.

VARJAKWhat was that?

TAM's fur is standing on end, like she had an electricshock.

TAMIt's - it's -

HOLLYIt's all right. It's gone now.

VARJAKBut what /was/ it? And how could itfind the secret alleys? And -

HOLLYIt's nothing to do with us. Forgetabout it. It was hiding in theshadows; it didn't find the alleys.

HOLLY disappears onto the other side of the railings.

13.

HOLLYIt's all clear. Everything's safein here. But you see the problem,Cludge? We're going through theserailings. They're too small for adog.

VARJAK still feels rattled by the strange animal - but itwas gone now, and HOLLY was right about CLUDGE. He could seeCLUDGE pressing his muzzle into the railings, trying tofollow, trying to fit.

CLUDGE(Pants)

Then... Then... Cludge guard it!

CLUDGE moves in front of the railings, covering them withhis body, making his most fearsome face.

CLUDGECLudge not scared! Cludge guarding!

TAMOh, Cludge. He can stay, can't he,Varjak?

HOLLYIt's dangerous! We can't leave himout there, like a giant signpost -

VARJAKHe's our friend. And he's stayingif he wants to.

He turns to CLUDGE.

VARJAKYou stay here, Cludge. Stay andguard it. Bark if anyone bad comes.

CLUDGE barks and wags his tail, sending up a flurry of snow.TAM cheers.

HOLLYIt's asking for trouble, butthere's no time to argue. Now getin here, before Sally Bones comes!

VARJAK and TAM scramble through the railings. There are noneon lights; just the faintest glow from faraway windows.The alleys are sheltered from the weather, so the cobblesare dry and free from snow. Warmth filtered up from thesewers through the grilles in the ground. VARJAK could seesomething glimmering down there - water moving far beneaththe frozeZarnakn city. He curls up in a corner.

VARJAK(Sighs)

It's good to be back.

14.

TAMI'm never leaving the secret alleysagain.

HOLLYThen you'll never eat anothermouse. Except in your dreams.

TAMMmm... Sweet, sweet dreams.

HOLLYShame we lost that mouse. I wishwe'd eaten it before they gotthere. But then we would've hadSally Bones's punishment -

VARJAKWhat is Sally Bones's punishment,anyway?

HOLLYYou don't want to know. Thereshouldn't be a punishment, shouldthere? All cats should be allowedto hunt, not just her gang.

TAM(Mutters)

I'm never hunting again. Not aftertonight. And not when she doesthose horrible things -

VARJAKWhat things?

TAM flinches. HOLLY's ears and tail twitch.

HOLLYDon't say. It's too horrible.

She shakes her head.

HOLLYYou know what gets me most? It'sthe way they call it /the law/, asif it's something we all agree on.But it's not. They just do whateverthey want, and we have to acceptit.

TAMAnd now we can't even go to thedump any more! If we don't get somefood soon, I'll waste away! I'llbecome thin!

15.

HOLLYWhat gives them the right? Justbecause they're bigger and strongerthan us, they think they can pushus around.

There was silence for a moment, then she carries on, veryquietly.

HOLLYWe shouldn't be scared of them. Somany cats in the city hate theBones gang. Mrs Moggs always sayswe should stand up to them, but noone ever dares.

VARJAKMrs Moggs?

TAMThe oldest, wisest cat in the city. She lives by the river, inthe centre, where we grew up. Waittill she hears how you beat Razor!We'll take you to meet her tomorrow- right, Holly?

HOLLY(Yawns)

Maybe. Right now, though, we couldall use some sleep.

She curls up in the shadows, next to TAM.

HOLLYNight, Varjak,

VARJAK frowns. He'd always dreamed of being a great fighter,but reality was turning out to be more difficult than anydream.

VARJAK, THOUGHTSWait till she hears how you beatRazor.

He didn't want to think about how he lost control of hispower, or about Luger and Sally Bones, and that strangeanimal he'd seen outside the secret alleys... He shuts hiseyes, and falls asleep.

CHAPTERFOUR

No music - only wind blowing Note

VARJAK dreams. He's standing on a mountain at sunrise - theair tastes sharp and sweet, like wild mint. Everything isbrighter and clearer than normal, glowing with silentsunlight. The sky is so clear and blue - he could see the

16.

stars, though it was daytime.

An old cat stands beside him. He's not big, but somethingabout him looks dangerous. His fur is silver-blue and hiseyes are amber, like VARJAK's. It's JALAL: VARJAK'sancestor, who he met in dreams, and who'd taught him theway.

VARJAKWhere are we, Jalal?

JALALThe mountain's of Mesopotamia. Weare on top of the world. Everythingstarts here.

He gestures at a silver stream, which flows down into ariver that winds through hills and valleys below, making theworld green with life. On the banks of the river, far away,sparkles a city.

JALALYou were down there when last wemet. Down on the ground witheveryone else. But now see whereyou are?

VARJAK looks around. They are completely alone on top of themountain - the blueness of the sky is dazzling, the silencepressing in on his ears, and the wild mint air making himlight-headed. They're too hihg, higher than the sun.

VARJAKWhat am I doing here, Jalal? I knowthe Seven Skills, I know everythingyou've tuahgt me, and here I am, onthe highest mountain -

JALALThe highest mountain? Well. Perhapsyou are here because you have moreto learn. When first you came toMesopotamia, you were but ahelpless kitten.

VARJAKI didn't know anything back then. Ithought I wanted to be a greatfighter.

JALALAnd you no longer wish that? Thatis good. For truly great fightersknow there are things for mpowerfulthan fighting. Seeing, forinstance.

17.

VARJAK(Snaps)

I don't want to be a fighter!

JALAL just looks at him calmly.VARJAK

(Mutters)Anyways, seeing's not powerful.Everyone knows how to see.

JALALYes? You know how to see, and yetyou say you are on the highestmountain?

VARJAK looks down. He sees the hills and valleys below. Helooks up, and sees the sky with stars as clear as day.

VARJAKThat's right. The highest mountain.

JALALHmm. You have much to learn,indeed. Now see what is behind you.

VARJAK turns around - and he will never forget what he sees.A whole range of mountains rear up above him. They'reimpossibly huge and white. Their sheer faces fill the sky:massibe, unknowable, a perfect mystery - and he's only onthe lowest peak.

JALALThere are more mountains beyondthose too, and more, even higher onthe other side. Look in the wrongdirection, and you would nevernotice them. But up in thosemountains, perhaps you will learnwhat is more powerful thanfighting. So come now, Varjak Paw.Come climb with me.

CHAPTERFIVE

VARJAK wakes in the secret alleys. It's late afternoon, thefirst street lights are flickering above. A few brightwindows light up the dark outlines of city buildings. Thesnow had stopped, but it's freezing cold, and the windchills him. He huddles by one of those grilles in theground.

HOLLY and TAM are already up. They'd been searching thesecret alleys for food - but they hadn't found a thing.

18.

HOLLY(Sighs)

Where do all the mice go in winter?I wish I knew. Maybe Mrs Moggs'llhave some. You ready to go, Varjak?

VARJAK nods, but TAM looks worried. She's crouched in acorner, by a fire escape, nibbling nervously at her paws.

TAMWe're not going now, are we? Idreamed of the white cat lastnight...

HOLLYWhat, Sally Bones?

TAMSsh! Don't say her name! She'llhear you! And then she'll -

HOLLYTam, calm down. It's okay.

TAMIt's not okay! She'll be lookingfor us, after last night.

HOLLYWell, we can't hide here forever.We've got to eat. ANd Mrs Moggsalways has something good to eat.

TAMI'm not hungry.

HOLLY(Grins)

Now that's a first.

HOLLY leans in close to TAM, and whispers temptingly.

HOLLYThink of the mice. The taste offresh mice -

TAMToo risky.

HOLLYHot, juicy mice -

TAM(Pleads)

Stop it.

HOLLYMelting in your mouth -

19.

TAMNo! I said stop it, Holly, and Imeant it! I'm not going out. It'llbe night soon, and /she'll/ be onthe prowl.

HOLLYFine. Stay here on your own. Comeon, Varjak.

She slips out through the railings. Tam gawps.

VARJAKCome on, Tam.

VARJAK knows it's risky, but he's going with Holly. He can'timagine being in the city without her. Besides, he wants tomeet Mrs Moggs.

He emerges from the secret alleys into the winter afternoon.CLUDGE is squatting in the rubble, guarding the railings. Hebarks cheerily at them.

CLUDGEWhere you go?

HOLLYWe're meeting some cats in town.

CLUDGECats? Cludge come?

HOLLY(Frowns)

Of course you can come. Only -you'll scare them. It's just that -well, you're a dog, Cludge, andwe're cats.

CLUDGE seemed relieved.

CLUDGECludge not meet cats. Cludge stay.

He plants himself firmly down in the rubble again.

CLUDGETam not go?

HOLLYNo, she's too scared.

CLUDGESilly Tam!

20.

HOLLY(Loudly)

Yes, she's a very silly Tam. Andshe's going to be a hungry Tam,too, because we won't be bringingany food back for her - no juicymice, no scrumptious fish -nothing!

TAM squeezes out through the railings.

TAMAll right, all right, I'm coming!But only because I'm a greedy,stupid Tam!

They all laugh, and the three cats set off into the city.For a moment, VARJAK thought he could see a flash of wintersun through the clouds, but then they closed -- and itdarkened quickly. The three friends avoid the cars andpeople, sticking to the alleys where the noises fade, andit's quiet enough to hear their own paws padding through thesnow.

As night fell on the city, even HOLLY looked nervous. Theycome to a wall with clusters of barbed wire along the top,and thick metal bars. They climb up carefully and tiptoeforwards, keeping their balance on the edge. One mis-stepand they'd fall, or be ripped to pieces by the barbs.

VARJAK's Awareness tingles with danger.

VARJAK, THOUGHTSIs someone following us?

His fur prickled up, focusing on the sounds. He heard paws,padding behind them. They're being followed. VARJAK's happythoughts vanish.

VARJAK(Whispers)

There's someone behind us!

The group whirl around. Facing them are three tall, thinSiamese cats, with tawny fur and pale green eyes. They looklethal.

HOLLYIt's the Scratch Sisters! Goodfighters -

ELYZAThe best fighters in the world!

The siamese cat who declared that is the leanest, meanest,tallest of them all.

21.

ELYZAI'm Elyza Scratch. These are mySisters, Malisha and Pernisha. Whoare you?

HOLLYI'm Holly - we've met before.

ELYZAHolly? Yes, I recognize you now,and you fat friend Tam. But who'sthat funny looking little cat withyou? You there: what's your name?

VARJAK doesn't know what to say. He can tell they're notHOLLY's friends; it's best to be careful.

VARJAKI'm new in the city.

ELYZANew? Where do you come from, then?

VARJAKMesopotamia.

The Scratch Sisters stare at him, eyes narrowed.

ELYZAMesopo-what?

MALISHAMessuppa-who?

PERNISHAMessed-up-wherever. He's obviouslynot from round here, is he? Helooks like trouble. Just look atthat cut on his cheek!

VARJAK tries to smile and seem innocent.

VARJAKOh, that's nothing. I just - er -fell down some stairs.

ELYZAHe's lying.

MALISHAHe's a cocky little so-and-so.

PERNISHAYou disrespecting the ScratchSisters? You think we're stupid?Get off this wall - you don'tbelong here!

22.

VARJAK's heart jumps. On one side of the wall, there'sbarbed wire; on the other, a long fall.

ELYZAWell? What you waiting for? We'rethe fastest claws in town - and wenever, ever back down.

MALISHANever!

PERNISHAEver!

The three Siamese knife toward him.

HOLLYTake it easy! Varjak's my friend -he's okay! He got that cut fightingRazor!

The sisters stop, just a whisker away from Varjak's face.ELYZA

Varjak? /You're/ Varjak Paw?MALISHA

We've heard about you.

PERNISHAThey say you fight like the bones.Try it. Go on, just try it, andwe'll cut your throat!

VARJAK's pulse is racing. This is becoming a nightmare -he's not going to fight them. He holds up his paws slowly.

VARJAKYou're write. It's true I can fightlike Sally Bones. But that wouldn'tbe enough against the ScratchSisters. No way. You're toopowerful. I wouldn't stand a chanceagainst you. No one would.

The sisters blink, surprised.

ELYZA(Purrs)

Hmm. Maybe he's not so bad, afterall.

MALISHAHe knows what's what.

PERNISHAI still say he's cheeky. But he'sgot a bit of respect. Not like/her/.

23.

ELYZA(Nods gravely)

No. He's not like /her/. Okay:we'll let you live, Paw. But ifit's true you fight like the Bones,you better watch out. She's beenhunting down the toughest cats intown, and beating them one by one.There's only a few of us left; hergang's taken almost all the city.It's not like the old days anymore. Watch your back.

With those words, the Scratch Sisters are gone. Theyjack-knife down from the wall and ghost into the evening,tails held high.

CHAPTERSIX

THE HARBOUR

TAM turns to VARJAK.

TAMYou made the Scratch Sisters backdown!

VARJAKIt was me who backed down. I didn'twant to fight them.

HOLLYYou did the right thing. We don'twant them as enemies. Now let's getout of here, before someone/really/ bad comes!

She leads them down the wall, heading to the river thatflows through the city. VARJAK can almost taste the freshfish. There's a harbour on the river, with boats coming into dock. Flags flutter on their masts. Their horns ring outloud, and lights play on the water. Seagulls wheel and turnabove.

Seagull soundsNote

TAMSmell that lovely fish? It's MrsMoggs's favourite!

A row of brown buildings faces the harbour, coated in snow.A flight of steps runs down between them, to a yard at thebottom. The yard is open to the sky, with fire escapeszigzagging up. Lights are on in many windows, which cast awarm glow.

24.

VARJAK, THOUGHTSWhat a cosy looking place. Butthose fire escapes... They're theonly way out, apart from the stepswe came in by.

The yard is bustling with cats - not gang cats, ordinarystreet cats. Some are nosing around a heap of old packingcrates in the corner of the yard. Others are clusteredtogether, grooming each other's fur, gossiping andchattering. A few are lapping at pools of ice on the ground,trying to get at the water below.

VARJAK looks closer. There didn't seem to be any food there.The cats look cheerful, but they are all thinner than theBones gang. In the centre of the yard, besides a ship'sanchor and a heap of chain, an old marmalade tabby istelling some kittens a story.

MRS MOGGSIt's the most wonderful place. It'salways warm, and there's more micethan you can eat.

JESSIEBut if it's so wonderful, Grandma,why don't we go there right now?

JESSIE is a young, marmalade kitten. Her eyes gleam withcuriousity.

MRS MOGGSWell, it's not easy to get there,Jessie. It's protected by fearsomeguardians, and there's the mostdisgusting smell you can imagine,so most cats don't even know aboutit! But we sheltered there, yearsago, when I was just your age.There was a great fire in the city,see, and we had to hide...

Above the yard, seagulls rise up on the river breeze.Harbour lights wink into the night.

HOLLY(Whispers)

That's Mrs Moggs. She told us thattale when we were kittens.Remember, Tam?

TAMI remember! If only it was true.

MRS MOGGS looks up at the steps, alert despite her years.

MRS MOGGSBut it /is/ true, young Tammie, mydear. Every word.

25.

TAMI - I didn't mean it wasn't -

JESSIETam! And Holly! Look, everyone -they're back! The Vanishings didn'tget them, after all!

A buzz goes around the yard. The street cats stop doing whatthey're doing and looked over, ears and tails perking upwith excitement.

MRS MOGGSWell, now.

JESS leads the three of them down to the anchor in thecentre of the yard.

MRS MOGGSHolly and Tam, it's mighty good tosee you two again! We was soworried about you. But who's thiswith you?

HOLLYHe's my friend. His name's VarjakPaw. He's the one who saved us fromthe Vanishings. It's thank to himthey're all over now.

The buzz of interest intensifies. The street cats smile andpurr at VARJAK - they're so different to the gangs, so openand friendly.

JESSIEI'm Jess. And if you're the cat whosolved the Vanishings, we shouldgive you a welcome feast, like ahero!

The street cats all nod, murmuring happily and licking theirlips - except for a skinny old cat with a sour look on hisface - OLD BUCKLEY.

OLD BUCKLEYSolved the Vanishings? He doesn'tlook big enough -

JESSIEWho cares how big he is? Justignore Old Buckley, Varjak. He's ahorrible grump!

VARJAK doesn't mind - he's enjoying himself.VARJAK

Well, Old Buckley's right. Icouldn't have done it without Holly

(MORE)

26.

VARJAK (cont'd)and Tam, and our friend Clduge. Andit's great to meet you all!

MRS MOGGSWhat a nice young cat. I like yourfriend, Holly.

TAMHe's /my/ friend too!

Everyone laughs. In the harbour, a ship's horn sings intothe night, rich and brassy. The yard is bathed in warmsounds.

TAMAnd guess what else? Varjak's beenstanding up to /her/ gang. Hefought Razor - and beat him!

A gasp goes round the yard. VARJAK shakes his head.

VARJAKTam - don't -

But little JESSIE is looking at him with bright blue eyeslike no one has ever looked at him before. There's a kind offaith there that makes his scalp tingle.

JESSIEYou beat that mean old Razor?Grandma's always saying someoneshould stand up to the Bones gang!If I was bigger -

OLD BUCKLEYDon't get your hopes up! He don'tlook like no fighter to me.

TAMVarjak /is/ a fighter. A greatfighter.

VARJAKI'm not. It's not true. I don'twant to fight anyone.

TAMWhy do you think the ScratchSisters backed down? They couldtell -

JESSIEThem cats never back down! I wishyou'd stick around, Varjak- wecould use your help.

27.

OLD BUCKLEY(Splutters)

Stick around? Think about it,Jessie! If he really beat Razor,they'll come looking for him.Haven't we got enough trouble as itis? I wish he'd get out of here andleave us alone!

MRS MOGGS(Shakes her head)

Sometime's I wonder about you lot.Jessie, that's enough talk aboutfighting. Varjak's our guest. Wedon't ask guests to get into fightson our behalf. And we certainlydon't insult them, Buckley!

OLD BUCKLEYPff. I wasn't insulting no one.Just speaking my mind.

MRS MOGGSI'm sorry about him, my dears. He'sscared, that's all. You can't blamehim. It's unnatural, what'shappening in this city. We've seenthings we never thought we'd see.

VARJAKIt's all right. I know what youmean. We saw something strange lastnight - didn't we, Holly? It wassome kind of cat, only it didn'thave a tail, and it's head was thewrong shape -

He stops talking, for the atmosphere has shifted. Suddenly,no one is laughing any more, or purring, or even moving.Everyone is looking down at the ground. An uncomfortablesilence falls on the yard. MRS MOGGS shakes her head.

MRS MOGGSStrange days indeed. I wish wecould welcome you properly. I'd puton a good old-fashioned feast foryou, like Jessie said - only we gotno food.

TAM's face falls.

TAMNo food? Really? But - I thought -how can you have no food?

28.

MRS MOGGS(Sighs)

This winter's so hard already, see,there's precious little to go roundas it is, and now them Bones catsare taking what we got, and callingit the law. The fish from theharbour, that lovely fresh fish youcan smell? They come every nightand take it from us. Anyone whatsays different - well, we know whathappens to them. /Sally Bones'spunishment/.

The silence deepens. VARJAK scratches his head.

VARJAK, THOUGHTSAm I the only one who doesn't knowwhat Sally Bones's punishment is?Maybe Mrs Moggs will tell me.

JESSIEWhat was Sally Bones like, Grandma?Before she beat all them othergangs, and took over the city?

MRS MOGGS(Conspiratorial whisper)

No one knows. The Bones weren'talways in this city, see. They sayshe came out of the North, andshe's been wandering the earth fora hundred years, changing her namewherever she goes -

OLD BUCKLEY(Laughs)

Tales!

MRS MOGGS- And have you noticed? You onlyever see her at night. It's becauseshe'd burn up in daylight, she'sthat evil!

OLD BUCKLEYThat's the stupidest tale I everheard! Sally Bones is evil, allright, but she's just a cat - nodifferent to you or me. But next,Old Moggs'll be telling you there'sa secret city, what no one elseknows about -

MRS MOGGSThere is! I was just saying!

29.

HOLLYAnd I always believed you. But ifit's true - then where is thiscity?

MRS MOGGS(Takes a deep breath)

Well now...

Before she can say anything, a pair of kittens comesbarrelling down the steps into the yard. They're out ofbreath, eyes round with fear.

MRS MOGGSWhat is it?

KITTENIt's /them/! The Bones gang! Lugerand that lot - they're in theharbour!

Panic ripps through the yard like winter wind. VARJAK looksup the steps, and sees them coming. Ten of them or more.This is no ordinary patrol. It's a deadly fighting forcefrom Sally Bones's gang.

A claw of panic cuts into his guts. Cold fear spills out,flooding his body. JESS is looking at him, eyes glowing.

VARJAK, THOUGHTSShe thinks I'm a hero - she thinksI can take them on and win... She'swrong. My power can't be enoughagainst all those cats - The Waycan't help me; it only bringstrouble.

MRS MOGGS(Gently)

You better hide, my dear. It's youthey'll be after.

VARJAK nods - he can't speak. His legs feel heavy, his headlight.

HOLLYLet's use the fire escapes!

MRS MOGGSToo late. They'll see you, andchase you, and it'll be worse. No,you better hide, and fast.

TAMBut where? Oh, we should never havecome, Holly, I told you -

30.

MRS MOGGSThem crates in the corner. Do itnow!

VARJAK, THOUGHTSCrates?

HOLLY drags him and TAM over to the pile of old packingcrates in the corner of the yard. They're discarded, broken,covered in snow. One of them has a crack just wide enoughfor a cat to slip through, so they nose into it, and huddletogether in the dark. They can hear MRS MOGGS, calling outto the street cats in the yard.

MRS MOGGSNow don't panic! We done nothingwrong. Let's face them withdignity, for once.

The panic is contagious. It sweeps through all of them likea storm. As he hides in the crate with his friends, VARJAK'sheart hammers in his chest. TAM shivers beside him. EvenHOLLY is silent.

Through the crack, they can see them coming down the steps.The roughest, toughest cats in town - and it looks like theymeant business.

CHAPTERSEVEN

THE HARBOUR

It's dark in the crate -- full of buzzing flies and smellingof rotten fruit. The ground is slimy. VARJAK peers out thecrack, heart pounding. Sally Bones's cats are stalking downthe steps - they walk in line, tight, disciplined, eachguarding the other. They look bigger and stronger than thestreet cats.

They're led by LUGER, the grey cat with emotionless eyes.Behind him, RAZOR, strutting as tall as ever, and after him,UZI and SHANE and six others. The street cats cower awayfrom them, and cluster around MRS MOGGS, by the anchor.

LUGERWe're looking for a cat calledVarjak Paw. He's new in town. Whoknows where he is?

VARJAK's heart lurches. Anything can give him away - but thestreet cats don't say anything.

LUGERThis cat is small, but dangerous.He's an outsider, not from roundhere. He doesn't respect our laws.He was hunting mice in the city

(MORE)

31.

LUGER (cont'd)dump, which belongs to our gang.Then he attacked one of us, totallyunprovoked. Isn't that right,Razor?

RAZORThat's right.

LUGERSally Bones wants him, dead oralive. He's an outlaw, and so arehis friends Holly and Tam. We knowthey're your friends too. Where arethey?

VARJAK, THOUGHTSOutlaw? Dead or alive? How did thishappen?

MRS MOGGS(Quiet but firm)

Well now, Luger. First of all, I dobelieve the dump is part of thecity centre. It's neutral ground.It don't belong to your gang.

LUGERAnd what else?

MRS MOGGSSecond, we don't know this parjakVaw, or whatever he's called.

LUGER(Shakes his head)

That's a shame. Because Sally Bonesis offering a reward forinformation. Fresh fish and juicymice, as much as you can eat.

VARJAK's heart twists inside his chest. Luger had offeredthem the one thing they all wanted - but everyone stayssilent; even Old Buckley. They just look down at the ground.Above, a seagull squawks a long, hoarse cry into the night.

No musicNote

LUGERLet me say it again, so there's nodoubt. Varjak Paw is an outlaw. Wewill find him, we will hunt himdown, and we will bring him tojustice. The same goes for anyonewho helps him or hides him. Theywill be hunted down in the sameway, and taken before Sally Bonesfor punishment. Do you understand?

32.

As VARJAK listens, an insect buzzes in his ear. It lands onhis nose - he can feel its legs, crawling on his face - butthere's nothing he can do.

VARJAK, THOUGHTSKeep still. Don't move. Don't evenbreathe.

LUGERUzi. Shane. Do your thing.

UZI and SHANE grin. They stalk around the yard, tailsflicking with menace. They push and prod the street cats.VARJAK can see the street cats' fur rising with fear; theirlittle huddles breaking up. He feels the fear himself,rising in his guts.

LUGERIt's going to get worse if youdon't tell us what we want to know.

MRS MOGGSCall your thuggs off. We don't knownothing.

LUGER sidles up to her.

LUGERIs that so?

VARJAK's stomach knots as he watches - but Mrs Moggs doesn'tflinch.

MRS MOGGSYes, it is. And I'll tell you whatelse, now you ask. Them fish andmice you're offering as reward?They belong to us anyway. You stolethem from us.

LUGER stares at MRS MOGGS. She looks straight back at him,dignified and calm. LUGER blinks first - he shakes his headwith irritation, and sneaks around behind her.

LUGERAnd who's this?

He drags out JESSIE.

RAZORIt's little Jess!

RAZOR struts over. JESSIE tries to back away, but LUGERholds her there. The knots in VARJAK's stomach tighten.

MRS MOGGSDon't you hurt my Jessie. Don't youhurt her, you hear me?

33.

RAZOR(Big and loud)

We wouldn't dream of it! We don'twant to hurt anyone. We just wantto protect you from a dangerousoutlaw. You understand that, don'tyou, Jess? Now why don't you saveeveryone a lot of trouble, and tellus where to find Varjak Paw and hisfriends, eh?

JESSIE(Wavery voice)

I d-don't know.

LUGER shoves RAZOR aside, and unsheathes his claws in frontof JESSIE's face.

LUGER(Cold as ice)

You're a pretty little kitten. Youwant to stay pretty, don't you? Youdon't want to end up with nastyscars everywhere, like Razor here./Now tell us where he is/.

JESSIE stands there, trembling - so does VARJAK, and HOLLYand TAM beside him. He feels helpless. Totally helpless.

MRS MOGGS(Pleads)

Have a heart, Luger. Jessie's onlylittle.

LUGER laughs. VARJAK sees him look at RAZOR, a question inhis eyes. RAZOR shivers, hesitates a moment - and then nods.

LUGERRight. IF you don't tell us what wewant to know, this kitten will bepunished.

A spasm of horror runs through the yard. LUGER seizes JESSIEby the scruff. She twists and turns, but it's no good. Hehas her, and he's dragging her away.

MRS MOGGSNo! Not my Jessie.

She reaches for her granddaughter - but the other gang catsshove her back. They flash their deadly claws and teeth atthe crowd, keeping them at bay.

RAZORWe'll give you a chance. You've gottill tomorrow night. If no onetalks by then - you'll have to dealwith Sally Bones herself.

34.

The street cats recoil at her name. They shrink back interror, sinking into the snow. RAZOR, LUGER, and the reststride up the steps, out of the yard, dragging JESSIE away.She's writhing, MRS MOGGS is howling, but no one is liftinga paw to stop it happening. There is no resistance. No onedares.

CHAPTEREIGHT

THE HARBOUR

In the crate, VARJAK's heart is pounding. SALLY BONES's ganghad left the yard, but JESSIE is gone, MRS MOGGS is sobbing,and it's all because of him.

VARJAK(Whispers)

Can't believe it. She's only akitten. How could they do that?

HOLLYI know.

They sit in silence a while, in the darkness of the crate.

TAMI'll miss Jessie. She was lovely. Iremember when she was born -

HOLLYYou're talking about her like she'sdead.

TAMIt'd be better if she /was/ dead.You know what they'll do to her.We're just lucky they didn't findus.

HOLLYThe only reason they didn't find usis because Jess didn't give usaway.

She gives VARJAK a long, hard look, her mustard eyes glowingfierce in the dark. VARJAK looks down. He hadn't wantedtrouble, but trouble had found him anyway.

VARJAK, THOUGHTSThe cats of the harbour yardwelcomed me... Treated me like ahero. They stood up for me - andnow Jess is gone, and I didn't lifta paw to stop it. I can't let thishappen - but what can I do?

Something stirs inside him. Something old and strong, andburied deep.

35.

VARJAK, THOUGHTSMy power. I don't want to use it...I'm scared to use it. But whatchoice do I have?

VARJAK(Takes a deep breath)

I know why Jessie stood up for us.Tam, you told her I was a fighter.She believed you. She believed thatif we escaped, we'd come back tohelp her.

TAMHelp her? How? They've declared usoutlaws! They'll be searching forus everywhere! And they've takenJess to her territory - /herterritory/, Varjak!

THE CITY DUMPTHE CITY DUMPTHE SECRET ALLEYSTHE HARBOURTHE HARBOURTHE HARBOUR