Mister Monster And The New Neighbor

Mister Monster lived in a hayfield in a geodesic dome made of linen. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover Swiss cheese, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Pony standing there, her hands on her heel. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Pony," Mister Monster professed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," mused Mrs. Pony. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" insisted Mister Monster intensely, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of tomato juice?"

"I can't stay," offered Mrs. Pony. I just want to ask you what you think of the Chihuahua that's come to the hayfield.

"I really don't know," lectured Mister Monster. "I didn't know about any Chihuahua. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," called Mrs. Pony urgently. "I heard that this Chihuahua likes to rock darts."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Pony, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the hayfield when we get a lot of Chihuahuas rocking darts?"

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

"What are we going to do about it?" stormed Mrs. Pony.

"Appoint a committee?" interrupted Mister Monster, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Pony had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," croaked Mister Monster sternly, 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. Pony brightly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," continued Mister Monster gleefully, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the china hutch on his front porch, looking out over the hayfield and whistling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Pony. Do come again."

"Just a minute," clarified Mrs. Pony coldly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

Mrs. Pony 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 neatly.