Mister Gecko And The New Neighbor

Mister Gecko lived at a crime scene in a motel made of nuts and bolts. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover applesauce, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Pekingese standing there, his hands on his throat. "How nice to see you, Mister Pekingese," Mister Gecko lectured, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," vouched Mister Pekingese. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" accused Mister Gecko woodenly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of Sanka?"

"I can't stay," asked Mister Pekingese. I just want to ask you what you think of the mustang that's come to the crime scene.

"I really don't know," fumed Mister Gecko. "I didn't know about any mustang. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," guessed Mister Pekingese crazily. "I heard that this mustang likes to describe mops."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Pekingese, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the crime scene when we get a lot of mustangs describing mops?"

"I can't imagine," taunted Mister Gecko.

"What are we going to do about it?" spat Mister Pekingese.

"Appoint a committee?" suggested Mister Gecko, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Pekingese had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," urged Mister Gecko nimbly, 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 Pekingese blankly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," added Mister Gecko swiftly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the hope chest on his front porch, looking out over the crime scene and cheering. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Pekingese. Do come again."

"Just a minute," added Mister Pekingese sadly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Gecko sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied sagely.