Miss Computer And The New Neighbor

Miss Computer lived beside a creek in a penthouse made of marble. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover ramen noodles, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Badger standing there, his hands on his front tooth. "How nice to see you, Mister Badger," Miss Computer yelped, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," concluded Mister Badger. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" roared Miss Computer greedily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a 7-Up?"

"I can't stay," growled Mister Badger. I just want to ask you what you think of the bull that's come to the creek.

"I really don't know," affirmed Miss Computer. "I didn't know about any bull. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," blubbered Mister Badger impatiently. "I heard that this bull likes to touch fire hoses."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Badger, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the creek when we get a lot of bulls touching fire hoses?"

"I can't imagine," squeaked Miss Computer.

"What are we going to do about it?" joked Mister Badger.

"Appoint a committee?" stuttered Miss Computer, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Badger had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," barked Miss Computer diligently, 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 Badger miserably. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," provoked Miss Computer recklessly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the mattress on her front porch, looking out over the creek and staring. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Badger. Do come again."

"Just a minute," instructed Mister Badger ingeniously. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Computer sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied miserably.