Mister Chameleon And The New Neighbor

Mister Chameleon lived in a park in a Cape Cod made of silver. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover duck a l'orange, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

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

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" invited Mister Chameleon excitedly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a cup of hot chocolate?"

"I can't stay," remarked Mrs. Computer. I just want to ask you what you think of the bullfrog that's come to the park.

"I really don't know," ranted Mister Chameleon. "I didn't know about any bullfrog. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," snarled Mrs. Computer cheerfully. "I heard that this bullfrog likes to break pails."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Computer, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the park when we get a lot of bullfrogs breaking pails?"

"I can't imagine," blustered Mister Chameleon.

"What are we going to do about it?" winked Mrs. Computer.

"Appoint a committee?" mused Mister Chameleon, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Computer had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," squealed Mister Chameleon gracefully, 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. Computer sorrowfully. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," alleged Mister Chameleon frenetically, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the mattress on his front porch, looking out over the park and dreaming. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Computer. Do come again."

"Just a minute," began Mrs. Computer needlessly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Chameleon sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied fervently.