Mister Monster And The New Neighbor

Mister Monster lived on a plateau in a mud hut made of glass. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover hot dogs, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Crow standing there, his hands on his skin. "How nice to see you, Mister Crow," Mister Monster urged, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," instructed Mister Crow. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" admitted Mister Monster gleefully, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Cuba libre?"

"I can't stay," proposed Mister Crow. I just want to ask you what you think of the parrot that's come to the plateau.

"I really don't know," questioned Mister Monster. "I didn't know about any parrot. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," noted Mister Crow sweetly. "I heard that this parrot likes to bake playing cards."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Crow, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the plateau when we get a lot of parrots baking playing cards?"

"I can't imagine," laughed Mister Monster.

"What are we going to do about it?" suggested Mister Crow.

"Appoint a committee?" barked Mister Monster, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Crow had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," guessed Mister Monster gratefully, 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 Crow cruelly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," roared Mister Monster victoriously, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the chair on his front porch, looking out over the plateau and chortling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Crow. Do come again."

"Just a minute," began Mister Crow effortlessly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Monster sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied cruelly.