Mister Reindeer And The New Neighbor

Mister Reindeer lived at a crime scene in a manor made of snow. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover catfish stew, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Cockatiel standing there, his hands on his heart. "How nice to see you, Mister Cockatiel," Mister Reindeer wondered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," babbled Mister Cockatiel. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" burbled Mister Reindeer gruffly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you an Irish Coffee?"

"I can't stay," began Mister Cockatiel. I just want to ask you what you think of the dinosaur that's come to the crime scene.

"I really don't know," indicated Mister Reindeer. "I didn't know about any dinosaur. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," instructed Mister Cockatiel wryly. "I heard that this dinosaur likes to shave feathers."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Cockatiel, 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 dinosaurs shaving feathers?"

"I can't imagine," blubbered Mister Reindeer.

"What are we going to do about it?" insisted Mister Cockatiel.

"Appoint a committee?" analyzed Mister Reindeer, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Cockatiel had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," chortled Mister Reindeer awkwardly, 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 Cockatiel lamely. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," moaned Mister Reindeer nervously, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the workbench on his front porch, looking out over the crime scene and sniffing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Cockatiel. Do come again."

"Just a minute," remarked Mister Cockatiel miserably. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Reindeer sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied cautiously.