Operation Area

Suddenly there is a thunderous crash, followed by the sound
of police sirens and flashing red lights. The villainous cat
Macavity is on the loose! The cats scatter, leaving an empty
stage.
Two off-stage giggles signal the entrance of Mungojerrie and
Rumpleteazer, a fun-loving, frolicking team of pranksters,
always getting in trouble with the family with whom they live.SOLO:
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer were a notorious couple of cats
As knockabout clowns, quick change comedians
Tight-rope walkers and acrobatsThey had an extensive reputation
Made their home in Victoria Grove
That was merely their center of operation
For they were incurable given to roveIf the area window was found ajar
And the basement looked like a field of war
If a tile or two came loose on the roof
Which presently ceased to be waterproofIf the drawers were pulled out from bedroom chests
And you couldn't find one of your winter vests
Or after supper one of the girls
Suddenly missed her Woolworth pearls
Then the family would say, "It's that horrible cat!It was Mungojerrie or Rumpleteazer!"
And most of the time they left it at thatMungojerrie and Rumpleteazer had an unusual gift of gab
They were highly efficient cat burglars
As well and remarkably smart at a smash and grabThey made their home in Victoria Grove
They had no regular occupation
They were plausible fellows who liked to engage
A friendly policeman in conversationWhen the family assembled for Sunday dinner
Their minds made up that they wouldn't get thinner on
Argentine joint, potatoes and greens
Then the cook would appear from behind the scenesAnd say in a voice that was broken with sorrow
"I'm afraid you must wait and have dinner tomorrow
The joint has gone from the oven like that!"
Then the family would say, "It's that horrible cat!It was Mungojerrie or Rumpleteazer!"
And most of the time they left it at thatMungojerrie and Rumpleteazer had a wonderful way
Of working together
And some of the time you would say it was luck
And some of the time you would say it was weatherThey'd go through the house like a hurricane
And no sober person could take his oath
Was it Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer?
Or could you have sworn that it mightn't be both?When you heard a dining room smash
Or up from the pantry there came a loud crash
Or down from the library came a loud ping
From a vase which was commonly said to be Ming
Then the family would say: "Now which was which cat?It was Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer
And there's nothing at all to be done about that!"ALL:
Macavity!