Mister Doberman And The New Neighbor

Mister Doberman lived in a desert in a homeless shelter made of junk cars. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover strawberry shortcake, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Ladybug standing there, his hands on his fingernail. "How nice to see you, Mister Ladybug," Mister Doberman preached, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," squawked Mister Ladybug. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" realized Mister Doberman bravely, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Scotch and soda?"

"I can't stay," acknowledged Mister Ladybug. I just want to ask you what you think of the donkey that's come to the desert.

"I really don't know," cackled Mister Doberman. "I didn't know about any donkey. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," yowled Mister Ladybug slyly. "I heard that this donkey likes to cook coconuts."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Ladybug, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the desert when we get a lot of donkeys cooking coconuts?"

"I can't imagine," purred Mister Doberman.

"What are we going to do about it?" rumored Mister Ladybug.

"Appoint a committee?" professed Mister Doberman, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Ladybug had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," quavered Mister Doberman effortlessly, 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 Ladybug roughly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," harangued Mister Doberman brashly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the sofa on his front porch, looking out over the desert and calculating. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Ladybug. Do come again."

"Just a minute," interpreted Mister Ladybug stupidly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Doberman sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied strangely.