Mister Dromedary And The New Neighbor

Mister Dromedary lived on a mountain in a barracks made of seashells. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover tortillas, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Phantom standing there, her hands on her gut. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Phantom," Mister Dromedary amended, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," nattered Mrs. Phantom. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" repeated Mister Dromedary excitedly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of carrot juice?"

"I can't stay," brought up Mrs. Phantom. I just want to ask you what you think of the Dalmatian that's come to the mountain.

"I really don't know," alleged Mister Dromedary. "I didn't know about any Dalmatian. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," squeaked Mrs. Phantom ingeniously. "I heard that this Dalmatian likes to guard microphones."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Phantom, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the mountain when we get a lot of Dalmatians guarding microphones?"

"I can't imagine," growled Mister Dromedary.

"What are we going to do about it?" growled Mrs. Phantom.

"Appoint a committee?" shuddered Mister Dromedary, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Phantom had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Phantom coldly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," protested Mister Dromedary shyly, 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 Mrs. Phantom timidly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," purred Mister Dromedary roughly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the china hutch on his front porch, looking out over the mountain and lying down. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Phantom. Do come again."

"Just a minute," enunciated Mrs. Phantom wildly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Dromedary sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied firmly.