Mister Fish And The New Neighbor

Mister Fish lived on a beach in a homeless shelter made of iron. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover macaroni and cheese, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Moose standing there, his hands on his palm. "How nice to see you, Mister Moose," Mister Fish mouthed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," asked Mister Moose. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" contended Mister Fish caustically, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of Kool-Aid?"

"I can't stay," shuddered Mister Moose. I just want to ask you what you think of the unicorn that's come to the beach.

"I really don't know," griped Mister Fish. "I didn't know about any unicorn. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," smirked Mister Moose coolly. "I heard that this unicorn likes to measure hip flasks."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Moose, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the beach when we get a lot of unicorns measureing hip flasks?"

"I can't imagine," murmured Mister Fish.

"What are we going to do about it?" blustered Mister Moose.

"Appoint a committee?" babbled Mister Fish, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Moose had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," professed Mister Fish valiantly, 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 Moose clumsily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," shuddered Mister Fish briskly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the floor on his front porch, looking out over the beach and partying. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Moose. Do come again."

"Just a minute," affirmed Mister Moose coldly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Fish sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied gratefully.