"Was here name Dinah?" The Piper's grin continues as the Pillar tenses. I shrug, not knowing what's really going on. Has the man exposed me, or is he just referring to Alice's cat in the book? "Forgive my surreal sense of humor, but you look fabulous in this modern day Alice outfit," the Piper says.
"Does it really show?" I am beginning to worry like the Pillar. My outfit doesn't really make you think that way all at once.
"Please be one of us," he stretches out his long-fingered hand. "You must care for cats the way we do. This celebration is all wrong. We need to educate people that harming cats is unacceptable. It's a crime that deserves the death chamber, like killing human beings."
"We have appointments," the Pillar breaks in. "We love cats. Meow. But I am afraid she can't come."
The Piper turns to face the Pillar and I sense darkness in the air. Is it possible that this tall, tanned man is the Cheshire? Why is he dressed like a Piper, and not disguised among the others behind a mask?
The Piper and the Pillar stare at each other for a long time. I am starting to think this isn't the Cheshire, or the Pillar would have recognized him. I am puzzled all over again. I wish the Pillar wouldn't keep so many secrets from me.
"Professor Carter Pillar, I assume?" the Piper utters finally.
My heart drops to the floor.
"Do you know me?" the Pillar asks, and I am confused again. What's going on?
"It's a pleasure to meet you," the Piper stretches out his hand and shakes the Pillar's warmly as the grin on his face disappears. "I was told I might find you in the parade. In fact, I have two masks and tickets for you to join the Pro-Cats activists. I have heard a lot about your work. I hear you support cats, and love them dearly." I know the Pillar hates cats. "I heard about your great work in the field of Kittycology."
"Kittycology?" I know this is a joke, but I don't know what's happening. The Pillar knows it too, but he plays along. He likes games.
"And who told you about me, if I may ask?" The Pillar drags from his pipe, glancing at me from the corner of his eye.
"Mr. Warrington Kattenstoet, of course. He is the Director of the Pro-Cat activists. Unfortunately, he couldn't make it today," the Piper hands us the masks and tickets. "But he insisted it would be an honor if you and your daughter would accompany us."
I take my mask reluctantly as the Pillar secretly winks at me. He puts his mask on, accepting the invitation. The name Warrington Kattenstoet is a big joke. Warrington is where Lewis Carroll was born, and Kattenstoet is the event we're attending. The Cheshire is here and he wants us to play one of his games. He is inviting us to his ritual.
"And what should we call you?" the Pillar asks, as we cross over to join the Pro-Cats.
"Call me Piper for now," he smiles.
"I am curious why you're dressed like a Pied Piper at an event about cats," I have to ask.
"It's an in-house joke, young lady," he shakes his head and feet like a jester. "In the Pro-Cats community we think the Piper must have been a cat. Who better to call when your town is rat-infested? The Piper. He does the same job cats do in terminating the rat race."
"Oh," the Pillar and I gaze each other. We look silly in these masks.
"I know all the stuff about the flute and such, but after the Piper tempted rats out of Hamlin, what do you think he did with then?"
"I heard he drowned them in the river," I respond.
"Not true, young lady," he protests. "He ate them, of course. Just like ancient people of this town sent the cats to kill the rats in the clothes tower. Now, follow me. As we walk amid the tourists to the clothes tower, the Pro-Cats start singing a song:
Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been?
I've been up to London to visit the Queen.
Pussycat, pussycat, what did you there?
I frightened a little mouse under her chair!
I have my mouth open wide under the mask when I hear that. The Pillar does nothing but end it with a high note, shouting, "Meow!" He says it as if he's saying “Amen.”
Chapter 60
We pass through the crowd as they let us into the clothes tower. They agree we can use it, only for an hour, then leave so other tourists can use it. We step up. As we do, the Piper gives us mid-sized boxes with metallic hands on top. They are mildly heavy, and something is rocking it from inside.
"There are cats in these boxes," the Pillar says as we climb the stairs. I can hear a meow out of my box.
"Why cats?" I hiss at him. "It doesn't make sense. They are Pro-Cats. They won't be throwing them off the tower like other tourists."
"Other tourists don't throw real cats from the tower," the Pillar corrects me." They throw feline cats as part of the event. Maybe the tower is like Noah's Ark. The Cheshire is going to drown the world with some flood, so he decided to save as many cats as he can." I know the Pillar is being sarcastic. He has no clue what we're up to, and I don't like the anticipation.