1
00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:31,600
Speaker 1: Hello, friends, and welcome to sleep Tight Stories. Remember in

2
00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:36,000
Speaker 1: the last chapter of Cat City, Julian is speaking to

3
00:00:36,080 --> 00:00:40,760
Speaker 1: the council and disagreeing with Tucker about the rats while

4
00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:45,479
Speaker 1: Susan waits. They are all still discussing what is to

5
00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:49,840
Speaker 1: be done with Susan, and she does not like the options.

6
00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:57,320
Speaker 1: In this chapter, an arriving cat has city center in

7
00:00:57,400 --> 00:01:01,319
Speaker 1: an uproar, and it takes some time before they are

8
00:01:01,360 --> 00:01:06,240
Speaker 1: able to get everyone quieted down again. They make a

9
00:01:06,319 --> 00:01:12,840
Speaker 1: decision about Susan because now something more important needs to

10
00:01:12,880 --> 00:01:29,280
Speaker 1: be taken care of. Cat City Chapter nine. Susan was

11
00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:32,640
Speaker 1: certain it would have turned into a battle if it

12
00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:38,400
Speaker 1: had gone on much longer. The fight, however, was ended

13
00:01:38,680 --> 00:01:43,119
Speaker 1: before it began by a commotion from one of the

14
00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:48,920
Speaker 1: four entrances. Susan looked up as the crowd parted and

15
00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:54,720
Speaker 1: a brown mass streaked her way toward them. The crowd

16
00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:59,639
Speaker 1: fell totally silent as the cat made one last leap

17
00:02:00,160 --> 00:02:04,680
Speaker 1: and collapsed at the base of the pedestal, almost on

18
00:02:04,880 --> 00:02:11,280
Speaker 1: top of Susan and Tucker. Susan gasped and wanted to

19
00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:16,800
Speaker 1: look away, but somehow couldn't manage it. The cat was

20
00:02:16,919 --> 00:02:22,359
Speaker 1: injured Susan could tell her fur was multicolored, but only

21
00:02:22,400 --> 00:02:26,960
Speaker 1: because the tip of her tail was clean. She was

22
00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:32,680
Speaker 1: panting heavily, her sides heaving in the effort, front paws

23
00:02:33,080 --> 00:02:39,120
Speaker 1: twitching uncontrollably. She could barely lift her head, but did

24
00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:46,079
Speaker 1: just a little and let out a pathetic meal. Susan

25
00:02:46,320 --> 00:02:51,160
Speaker 1: instinctively bent to the cat, cradling her head in her hands.

26
00:02:52,160 --> 00:02:56,040
Speaker 1: The cat looked up at Susan, and Susan knew this

27
00:02:56,320 --> 00:02:59,560
Speaker 1: was the end. She tried not to cry. As the

28
00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:04,240
Speaker 1: counsel jumped up and down and came to stand around Tinker,

29
00:03:05,040 --> 00:03:12,440
Speaker 1: Albert said softly, tell us it's horrible. Tinker whispered, I

30
00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:17,280
Speaker 1: barely made it back. Her voice trailed off, and she

31
00:03:17,480 --> 00:03:24,440
Speaker 1: coughed heavily. Once. Who attacked you, Albert asked. They caught

32
00:03:25,480 --> 00:03:29,040
Speaker 1: They caught me, but I I got away finally, but

33
00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:35,640
Speaker 1: I know they followed me. She somehow mustered enough strength

34
00:03:35,720 --> 00:03:41,160
Speaker 1: to raise her voice, her panic clear in it. They're coming,

35
00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:49,800
Speaker 1: who asked Miku and Muku in unison the rats, Tinker

36
00:03:49,880 --> 00:03:56,680
Speaker 1: said as she sagged again, strength gone. Susan, still holding

37
00:03:56,760 --> 00:04:01,520
Speaker 1: the cat, almost let go in surprise as a beautiful

38
00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:06,080
Speaker 1: rainbow of light rose from the body and passed through

39
00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:10,560
Speaker 1: her and up toward the surface, glowing softly as it

40
00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:17,760
Speaker 1: dissipated and vanished. A hum of sympathy rose from every

41
00:04:17,920 --> 00:04:25,800
Speaker 1: cat throat as Tinker's light went out. Susan gently released

42
00:04:25,839 --> 00:04:29,520
Speaker 1: Tinker's head, letting it settle softly on the ground, and

43
00:04:29,640 --> 00:04:33,920
Speaker 1: sat back, tears running down her face for the poor thing.

44
00:04:35,720 --> 00:04:39,479
Speaker 1: She sat there quietly, crying and trying to stay out

45
00:04:39,520 --> 00:04:46,920
Speaker 1: of the way. As mayham erupted. Cats flooded the center

46
00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:53,480
Speaker 1: of the square, shoving and leaping over each other. Susan

47
00:04:53,560 --> 00:04:58,760
Speaker 1: could make out individual voices only occasionally as the cats

48
00:04:59,040 --> 00:05:04,919
Speaker 1: shouted and accused each other. She curled in on herself

49
00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:08,960
Speaker 1: as she was buffeted by the cat body suddenly pressed

50
00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:14,159
Speaker 1: against her from all sides. Tucker managed to crawl into

51
00:05:14,200 --> 00:05:19,560
Speaker 1: Susan's lap, ears flat sideways, pupils huge in his misery.

52
00:05:21,080 --> 00:05:24,960
Speaker 1: She cuddled him without fear, needing him as much as

53
00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:30,919
Speaker 1: he needed her at that moment. What was that, Susan

54
00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:34,479
Speaker 1: asked him, speaking directly in his ear so he could

55
00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:38,840
Speaker 1: hear her. Tucker looked up at her, putting both paws

56
00:05:38,920 --> 00:05:43,000
Speaker 1: on the sides of her face. Soft pink nose touching hers.

57
00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:48,360
Speaker 1: It was her last life, he said. When we lose lives,

58
00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:51,840
Speaker 1: the magic of each one leaves us and shows up

59
00:05:51,960 --> 00:05:56,520
Speaker 1: as a different color, and the last life is a rainbow.

60
00:05:57,040 --> 00:06:03,680
Speaker 1: Susan said. Tucker nodded, very sad. You can always tell.

61
00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:06,520
Speaker 1: He told her what life a cat is on by

62
00:06:06,560 --> 00:06:12,119
Speaker 1: the color of their magic. Susan wanted to ask more

63
00:06:12,240 --> 00:06:17,320
Speaker 1: questions about it, but Tucker looked so upset. She didn't

64
00:06:18,839 --> 00:06:23,599
Speaker 1: you knew her. She was Vinnie's cousin, Tucker said simply,

65
00:06:24,320 --> 00:06:31,000
Speaker 1: and Susan left it at that. It seemed like forever

66
00:06:31,480 --> 00:06:36,000
Speaker 1: before she heard the gong sound. It took three tolls

67
00:06:36,040 --> 00:06:38,880
Speaker 1: of it before the cats took their places again on

68
00:06:38,960 --> 00:06:45,880
Speaker 1: the steps the council, returning to their thrones. Susan could

69
00:06:45,920 --> 00:06:50,599
Speaker 1: tell they were all badly shaken. However, starting at the

70
00:06:50,720 --> 00:06:57,040
Speaker 1: least noise or touch from another cat, the four guards

71
00:06:57,040 --> 00:07:01,239
Speaker 1: who held Vinnie back approached and lifted Tinker's body onto

72
00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:05,200
Speaker 1: a black cloth before taking a corner each and carrying

73
00:07:05,240 --> 00:07:10,400
Speaker 1: her away. Susan saw a pair of cats turn and

74
00:07:10,520 --> 00:07:15,720
Speaker 1: follow the procession out Vinnie's aunt and uncle. Tucker said softly,

75
00:07:16,320 --> 00:07:22,760
Speaker 1: she was their only kitten. Susan hugged Tucker a little

76
00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:26,240
Speaker 1: harder as she felt a heavy body press against her

77
00:07:26,320 --> 00:07:31,000
Speaker 1: right side. Vinnie looked up at her, and Susan couldn't

78
00:07:31,040 --> 00:07:35,760
Speaker 1: resist running her fingers through his thick mane. He licked

79
00:07:35,920 --> 00:07:39,880
Speaker 1: the back of her hand. Tucker swiped his tongue once

80
00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:46,760
Speaker 1: across Vinnie's nose in sympathy. How touching. Julian hissed at

81
00:07:46,760 --> 00:07:54,080
Speaker 1: them and juvenile, pathetic and weak. Susan felt Tuck her tense,

82
00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:59,520
Speaker 1: but felt her own anger rise even faster. Without thinking,

83
00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:03,520
Speaker 1: she reached out and cuffed the silver spotted cat across

84
00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:07,520
Speaker 1: the back of the head, and all eyes were on

85
00:08:07,600 --> 00:08:12,160
Speaker 1: her again. Way to keep on making a good impression,

86
00:08:12,320 --> 00:08:18,400
Speaker 1: she thought. Before Julian could react, Cynthia was prying Tucker

87
00:08:18,480 --> 00:08:24,080
Speaker 1: out of her grasp, assisted by George. On her right side,

88
00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:29,600
Speaker 1: Vinnie was being forced back as well. Susan let both

89
00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:34,760
Speaker 1: cats go, knowing that she hadn't helped her cause and

90
00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:39,600
Speaker 1: not wanting to drag them into it deeper. Tucker reached

91
00:08:39,640 --> 00:08:44,160
Speaker 1: for her with a loud no, but he was dragged

92
00:08:44,200 --> 00:08:48,040
Speaker 1: away against his will, and Susan was left to face

93
00:08:48,160 --> 00:08:57,800
Speaker 1: Julian and the council alone. I demand satisfaction. Julian was

94
00:08:57,880 --> 00:09:01,960
Speaker 1: a mess of rage, and Susan decided in that moment

95
00:09:02,640 --> 00:09:06,840
Speaker 1: she wasn't afraid of him anymore. He was just a cat.

96
00:09:07,600 --> 00:09:12,160
Speaker 1: She could totally take him. Oh, stop being such a baby,

97
00:09:12,559 --> 00:09:17,880
Speaker 1: she said. Julian's eyes were so wide Susan was sure

98
00:09:17,920 --> 00:09:20,920
Speaker 1: they would just pop right out of his head. She

99
00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:24,280
Speaker 1: actually grinned at the image. I think his head might

100
00:09:24,320 --> 00:09:28,360
Speaker 1: actually explode, she thought. As she watched him struggle with

101
00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:37,360
Speaker 1: her laughter counsel. He howled his rage. Justice Albert tail

102
00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:41,600
Speaker 1: thrashing hissed at the captain of the Guard, surprising both

103
00:09:41,720 --> 00:09:47,080
Speaker 1: Julian and Susan. Enough, we have more important things to

104
00:09:47,200 --> 00:09:54,280
Speaker 1: discuss than your revenge, Julian yowled softly, deeply, but slunk low.

105
00:09:55,400 --> 00:10:00,640
Speaker 1: His silver eyes practically tore a hole through Susan, however,

106
00:10:01,320 --> 00:10:06,199
Speaker 1: and she knew their conversation was far from over. Bring it,

107
00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:11,760
Speaker 1: she thought, we must discuss the rat brat. Albert told

108
00:10:11,760 --> 00:10:16,240
Speaker 1: the gathered cats, the child is now secondary. Take her.

109
00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:20,920
Speaker 1: He nodded to Susan, keep her safe until this is resolved.

110
00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:27,000
Speaker 1: Susan was surrounded by a dozen cats, all of them

111
00:10:27,160 --> 00:10:31,400
Speaker 1: large and angry looking. She looked up at the pedestal.

112
00:10:32,240 --> 00:10:36,120
Speaker 1: You could just let me go, she said, Like you said,

113
00:10:36,480 --> 00:10:40,440
Speaker 1: you have bigger things to worry about than me. You

114
00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:45,000
Speaker 1: will be dealt with, Albert said, heavily, make no mistake

115
00:10:45,840 --> 00:10:50,920
Speaker 1: take her. Susan felt a cat push against her legs

116
00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:55,880
Speaker 1: from behind. She turned mad again, and what if I

117
00:10:55,960 --> 00:11:01,200
Speaker 1: don't want to go? Twelve sets of claw and fangs

118
00:11:01,480 --> 00:11:06,360
Speaker 1: made up her mind. Fine, she said to Albert. I'll

119
00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:11,320
Speaker 1: even go quietly. But I am not your enemy. We

120
00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:17,600
Speaker 1: shall see the orange tabby said. Susan followed the cats

121
00:11:17,679 --> 00:11:20,720
Speaker 1: out of the square to the sound of Tucker howling

122
00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:25,920
Speaker 1: behind her. Instead of going back toward his house, however,

123
00:11:26,559 --> 00:11:31,080
Speaker 1: she found herself winding down a narrow staircase on the

124
00:11:31,160 --> 00:11:36,440
Speaker 1: other side of the square, deeper under the city. She

125
00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:40,520
Speaker 1: hadn't known there was farther down to go, and tried

126
00:11:40,640 --> 00:11:45,920
Speaker 1: not to feel nervous. Where are you taking me? She asked.

127
00:11:46,840 --> 00:11:52,000
Speaker 1: None of the cats answered. Susan hugged herself with both

128
00:11:52,240 --> 00:11:55,479
Speaker 1: arms as they reached the bottom of the stone staircase

129
00:11:56,000 --> 00:12:01,480
Speaker 1: into a cold, damp hall of rock. She looked up

130
00:12:01,520 --> 00:12:05,160
Speaker 1: at the occasional light, passing the time trying to figure

131
00:12:05,160 --> 00:12:08,360
Speaker 1: out where the power came from. As they led her

132
00:12:08,400 --> 00:12:15,320
Speaker 1: down the long passage past doors and hallways, Susan started

133
00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:18,559
Speaker 1: to feel cold as the damp of the stone cut

134
00:12:18,640 --> 00:12:23,319
Speaker 1: through her thin raincoat. She was starting to get scared again.

135
00:12:24,559 --> 00:12:28,800
Speaker 1: At least in the city she could imagine she could escape.

136
00:12:28,840 --> 00:12:32,240
Speaker 1: Down here, in the dreary dark, she felt like she

137
00:12:32,360 --> 00:12:37,960
Speaker 1: was marching to her doom. The cats finally stopped in

138
00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:41,839
Speaker 1: front of what Susan's mind could only call a cell.

139
00:12:43,559 --> 00:12:48,640
Speaker 1: The door was heavy, rusted and pitted metal, with a

140
00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:52,520
Speaker 1: narrow slot at the bottom and a tiny hole at

141
00:12:52,520 --> 00:12:57,640
Speaker 1: her eye level. The door swung open in a glow

142
00:12:57,800 --> 00:13:04,040
Speaker 1: of blue light. Susan froze. There is no way I'm

143
00:13:04,120 --> 00:13:09,640
Speaker 1: going in there, she thought, just before heavy bodies push

144
00:13:09,679 --> 00:13:14,920
Speaker 1: against her, forcing her to stumble forward and into the

145
00:13:15,040 --> 00:13:23,640
Speaker 1: small cell. She turned too late. As the door clanged

146
00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:29,599
Speaker 1: heavily shut behind her, Susan pounded on it with her fists,

147
00:13:30,120 --> 00:13:34,240
Speaker 1: feeling the cold and wet on the old steel. Let

148
00:13:34,320 --> 00:13:39,000
Speaker 1: me out, she yelled. You can't leave me here. Help

149
00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:47,280
Speaker 1: someone talker. Susan dropped her arms, leaning against the door

150
00:13:47,320 --> 00:13:53,360
Speaker 1: with her back, feeling lost and very afraid. The room

151
00:13:53,679 --> 00:13:57,600
Speaker 1: was barely lit, just enough for her to see it

152
00:13:57,720 --> 00:14:01,960
Speaker 1: was empty except for a low shelf just big enough

153
00:14:02,000 --> 00:14:08,280
Speaker 1: for her to curl up on. Susan despair and fear,

154
00:14:08,480 --> 00:14:14,959
Speaker 1: finally winning did just that, and for the second time

155
00:14:15,080 --> 00:14:19,680
Speaker 1: in as many days, this time not bothering to fight it.

156
00:14:20,680 --> 00:15:11,400
Speaker 1: She cried herself to sleep, good night, Sleep tight. Two