Miss Kitten And The New Neighbor

Miss Kitten lived in a backyard in a subway tunnel made of asphalt. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover mulligan stew, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Troll standing there, his hands on his cheek. "How nice to see you, Mister Troll," Miss Kitten pronounced, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," rebutted Mister Troll. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" spewed Miss Kitten thoughtfully, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a rum and Coke?"

"I can't stay," repeated Mister Troll. I just want to ask you what you think of the wolf that's come to the backyard.

"I really don't know," whimpered Miss Kitten. "I didn't know about any wolf. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," sputtered Mister Troll queerly. "I heard that this wolf likes to protect cactus plants."

"Um, I don't know what to say," sniveled Miss Kitten, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Troll, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the backyard when we get a lot of wolves protecting cactus plants?"

"I can't imagine," reasoned Miss Kitten.

"What are we going to do about it?" squealed Mister Troll.

"Appoint a committee?" yelled Miss Kitten, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Troll had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," groaned Miss Kitten hastily, who wanted to bring the conversation to a close quickly, without finding herself on this committee.

"I'd like for you to be on the committee," said Mister Troll deliberately. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," smirked Miss Kitten gratefully, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the bed on her front porch, looking out over the backyard and resting. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Troll. Do come again."

"Just a minute," wondered Mister Troll offhandedly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Kitten thought she had answered, and was beginning to get furious. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mrs. Troll doing these days?"

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

Miss Kitten sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied unnaturally.