Mister Computer And The New Neighbor

Mister Computer lived in a pasture in a dugout made of metal. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover cabbage rolls, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Duck-billed platypus standing there, her hands on her belly. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Duck-billed platypus," Mister Computer grunted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," belched Mrs. Duck-billed platypus. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" comforted Mister Computer fiercely, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of papaya juice?"

"I can't stay," stuttered Mrs. Duck-billed platypus. I just want to ask you what you think of the duck-billed platypus that's come to the pasture.

"I really don't know," intimated Mister Computer. "I didn't know about any duck-billed platypus. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," nattered Mrs. Duck-billed platypus nimbly. "I heard that this duck-billed platypus likes to open chamber pots."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Duck-billed platypus, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the pasture when we get a lot of duck-billed platypi opening chamber pots?"

"I can't imagine," rambled Mister Computer.

"What are we going to do about it?" cajoled Mrs. Duck-billed platypus.

"Appoint a committee?" squealed Mister Computer, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Duck-billed platypus had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Duck-billed platypus brashly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," opined Mister Computer woefully, 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. Duck-billed platypus recklessly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," brought up Mister Computer sympathetically, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the bunk bed on his front porch, looking out over the pasture and stretching. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Duck-billed platypus. Do come again."

"Just a minute," opined Mrs. Duck-billed platypus stupidly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Mister Computer 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 Mister Duck-billed platypus doing these days?"

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

Mister Computer sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied lickety-split.