[SCENE — EARLY MORNING, BACKYARD FENCE HIGHWAY] [sound design: birds chirping, sprinklers clicking on, distant garbage truck] [Young Tuxedo: eager young male voice] Mr. Gray? Are we hunting today? [Gray Tabby: deep, experienced male voice] Good heavens, no. [Young Tuxedo: eager young male voice] Then how do we eat? [Gray Tabby: deep, experienced male voice] Education. [VERSE 1: GRAY TABBY] First rule, kid, never run The bowl comes out with the morning sun Mrs. Parker's first at eight Show up early, she'll fill your plate Then cross the alley, take it slow Wave your tail and put on a show By eight-fifteen you're looking thin Second breakfast is rolling in [VERSE 1: YOUNG TUXEDO] Second breakfast? Is that real? [Gray Tabby: deep, experienced male voice] Very. [Young Tuxedo] This is the greatest neighborhood deal! [PRE-CHORUS: ALL] Fence to fence and yard to yard The work looks easy, but it's hard Timing matters, don't be late The route decides your dinner fate [CHORUS: ALL] Follow the route Follow the route Every porch knows what to do Follow the route Follow the route There's always another bowl in view Left turn, hedge row, mailbox three A hungry face and a little plea Follow the route Follow the route The neighborhood provides for you [VERSE 2: GRAY TABBY] Maple Street at nine-oh-five Act surprised that you're alive Mrs. Reynolds loves a tale Give one dramatic swish of tail Don't mention breakfast number two Or breakfast one, that won't do Every meal must look like fate Every snack must seem too late [Young Tuxedo: amazed young male voice] How many breakfasts are there? [Gray Tabby: deep, experienced male voice] Depends how convincing you are. [VERSE 3: CALICO] [Calico: cheerful country female voice] Oak Street's got a hidden gem A retired couple feeding ten Nobody knows whose cat is whose That's why nobody ever loses Turkey scraps and bits of fish Three communal water dishes By noon the regular crowd arrives Living their nine different lives [PRE-CHORUS] Check the schedule, check the map Never waste a feeding gap Every block has something great If you coordinate [CHORUS: ALL] Follow the route Follow the route Every porch knows what to do Follow the route Follow the route There's always another bowl in view Left turn, hedge row, mailbox three A hungry face and a little plea Follow the route Follow the route The neighborhood provides for you [BRIDGE] [sound cue: bass drops out, handclaps] [Orange Cat: energetic radio-announcer male voice] Traffic report! [All Cats] Traffic report! [Orange Cat] Dog loose on Cedar Avenue! [All Cats] Boooo! [Orange Cat] Alternate route available through Mrs. Turner's flower bed! [All Cats] Yaaay! [sound of many cats sprinting through bushes] [Young Tuxedo: impressed young male voice] How long did it take to build this system? [Gray Tabby: deep, experienced male voice] Generations. [FINAL CHORUS] Follow the route Follow the route Every porch knows what to do Follow the route Follow the route There's always another bowl in view Morning snacks and afternoon treats Neighborhood legends on furry feet Follow the route Follow the route Tomorrow we'll do the whole thing too [OUTRO] [sound cue: collar bells, afternoon breeze] [Young Tuxedo: satisfied young male voice] I can't eat another bite. [Gray Tabby: deep, experienced male voice] Excellent. [Young Tuxedo] Why? [Gray Tabby] We're right on schedule for lunch. [sound of screen door opening] [Homeowner: distant voice] Oh my goodness, you poor hungry thing! [Gray Tabby: deep, experienced male voice] And there it is. [sound cue: happy meows, fade out]
