Mister Quail And The New Neighbor

Mister Quail lived in a buffalo wallow in a housing project made of Sheetrock. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover succotash, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Unicorn standing there, his hands on his hair. "How nice to see you, Mister Unicorn," Mister Quail opined, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," harangued Mister Unicorn. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" piped up Mister Quail strangely, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Harvey Wallbanger?"

"I can't stay," urged Mister Unicorn. I just want to ask you what you think of the kitty that's come to the buffalo wallow.

"I really don't know," phrased Mister Quail. "I didn't know about any kitty. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," stated Mister Unicorn swiftly. "I heard that this kitty likes to spin antennas."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Unicorn, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the buffalo wallow when we get a lot of kitties spinning antennas?"

"I can't imagine," scoffed Mister Quail.

"What are we going to do about it?" swore Mister Unicorn.

"Appoint a committee?" cried Mister Quail, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Unicorn had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," responded Mister Quail daintily, 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 Unicorn warmly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," begged Mister Quail wildly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the wardrobe on his front porch, looking out over the buffalo wallow and swallowing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Unicorn. Do come again."

"Just a minute," chimed Mister Unicorn gleefully. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Quail sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied strangely.