Mister Monkey And The New Neighbor

Mister Monkey lived in a cesspool in a sand castle made of plywood. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover ice cream, when he heard a knock at the door.

He capered to the door, wondering who would be stopping for a visit at this time of day.

He was surprised to see Mister Cat standing there, his hands on his eyelash. "How nice to see you, Mister Cat," Mister Monkey quavered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," acknowledged Mister Cat. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" analyzed Mister Monkey slowly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a margarita?"

"I can't stay," screeched Mister Cat. I just want to ask you what you think of the cougar that's come to the cesspool.

"I really don't know," blurted Mister Monkey. "I didn't know about any cougar. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," spewed Mister Cat hastily. "I heard that this cougar likes to hide lollipops."

"Um, I don't know what to say," mumbled Mister Monkey, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Cat, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the cesspool when we get a lot of cougars hiding lollipops?"

"I can't imagine," intoned Mister Monkey.

"What are we going to do about it?" asked Mister Cat.

"Appoint a committee?" yowled Mister Monkey, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Cat had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mister Cat intensely. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," called Mister Monkey sorrowfully, 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 Mister Cat gleefully. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," responded Mister Monkey nervously, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the footstool on his front porch, looking out over the cesspool and grumbling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Cat. Do come again."

"Just a minute," stormed Mister Cat surreptitiously. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Mister Monkey thought he had answered, and was beginning to get intrepid. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mrs. Cat doing these days?"

Mister Cat would have none of it. "So, let's meet at your house, say tomorrow at two?"

Mister Monkey sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied diligently.