Miss Prairie Dog And The New Neighbor

Miss Prairie dog lived on a seacoast in a chalet made of fiberglass. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover bonbons, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mrs. Brine shrimp standing there, her hands on her mouth. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Brine shrimp," Miss Prairie dog bragged, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," commented Mrs. Brine shrimp. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" murmured Miss Prairie dog quietly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Manhattan?"

"I can't stay," alleged Mrs. Brine shrimp. I just want to ask you what you think of the kangaroo that's come to the seacoast.

"I really don't know," whined Miss Prairie dog. "I didn't know about any kangaroo. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," screamed Mrs. Brine shrimp frenetically. "I heard that this kangaroo likes to get lemons."

"Um, I don't know what to say," muttered Miss Prairie dog, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mrs. Brine shrimp, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the seacoast when we get a lot of kangaroos getting lemons?"

"I can't imagine," intoned Miss Prairie dog.

"What are we going to do about it?" spoke up Mrs. Brine shrimp.

"Appoint a committee?" panted Miss Prairie dog, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Brine shrimp had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Brine shrimp hopelessly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," invited Miss Prairie dog defiantly, who wanted to bring the conversation to a close quickly, without finding herself on this committee.

"I'd like for you to be on the committee," said Mrs. Brine shrimp briskly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," gabbed Miss Prairie dog fearfully, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the credenza on her front porch, looking out over the seacoast and snorting. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Brine shrimp. Do come again."

"Just a minute," orated Mrs. Brine shrimp dubiously. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Prairie dog thought she had answered, and was beginning to get menacing. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mister Brine shrimp doing these days?"

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

Miss Prairie dog sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied accidentally.