Mister Mare And The New Neighbor

Mister Mare lived in a valley in a duplex made of rubble. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover bonbons, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Whale standing there, his hands on his spine. "How nice to see you, Mister Whale," Mister Mare called, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," squeaked Mister Whale. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" blustered Mister Mare demurely, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Manhattan?"

"I can't stay," simpered Mister Whale. I just want to ask you what you think of the dolphin that's come to the valley.

"I really don't know," commented Mister Mare. "I didn't know about any dolphin. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," squawked Mister Whale frenetically. "I heard that this dolphin likes to annoint computers."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Whale, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the valley when we get a lot of dolphins annointing computers?"

"I can't imagine," wailed Mister Mare.

"What are we going to do about it?" ranted Mister Whale.

"Appoint a committee?" vowed Mister Mare, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Whale had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," voiced Mister Mare immediately, 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 Whale blindly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," trumpeted Mister Mare lamely, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the dresser on his front porch, looking out over the valley and jiggling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Whale. Do come again."

"Just a minute," chattered Mister Whale gleefully. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Mare sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied boisterously.