Mister Gecko lived on the plain in a wikiup made of old bones. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover mashed potatoes, when he was surprised to hear a knock at the door.
He swung to the door, wondering who would be stopping for a visit at this time of day.
He was surprised to see Mrs. Flea standing there, her hands on her artery. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Flea," Mister Gecko brought up, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," chattered Mrs. Flea. "May I come in?"
"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" groveled Mister Gecko stupidly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a grape soda?"
"I can't stay," squawked Mrs. Flea. I just want to ask you what you think of the swan that's come to the plain.
"I really don't know," interpreted Mister Gecko. "I didn't know about any swan. I'm sure she is very nice."
"Well don't be so sure," scoffed Mrs. Flea sagely. "I heard that this swan likes to stain business cards."
"Um, I don't know what to say," shouted Mister Gecko, who really didn't know what to say.
"Well I do," said Mrs. Flea, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the plain when we get a lot of swans staining business cards?"
"I can't imagine," agreed Mister Gecko.
"What are we going to do about it?" quoted Mrs. Flea.
"Appoint a committee?" grieved Mister Gecko, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Flea had in mind.
"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Flea happily. "A committee to study the problem."
"Well that's a fine idea," yowled Mister Gecko hastily, who wanted to bring the conversation to a close quickly, without finding himself on this committee.
"I'd like for you to be on the committee," said Mrs. Flea madly. "You always have such good ideas."
"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," professed Mister Gecko glumly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the armoire on his front porch, looking out over the plain and freezing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Flea. Do come again."
"Just a minute," affirmed Mrs. Flea sheepishly. "You didn't answer about the committee."
Mister Gecko thought he had answered, and was beginning to get puzzled. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mister Flea doing these days?"
Mrs. Flea would have none of it. "So, let's meet at your house, say tomorrow at two?"
Mister Gecko sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied greedily.