Mister Chicken And The New Neighbor

Mister Chicken lived in a countryside in a resort made of matchsticks. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover egg rolls, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Bandicoot standing there, his hands on his arm. "How nice to see you, Mister Bandicoot," Mister Chicken crooned, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," piped up Mister Bandicoot. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" ranted Mister Chicken fiercely, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a beer?"

"I can't stay," spewed Mister Bandicoot. I just want to ask you what you think of the turkey that's come to the countryside.

"I really don't know," agreed Mister Chicken. "I didn't know about any turkey. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," quavered Mister Bandicoot tensely. "I heard that this turkey likes to decorate campaign signs."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Bandicoot, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the countryside when we get a lot of turkeys decorating campaign signs?"

"I can't imagine," said Mister Chicken.

"What are we going to do about it?" debated Mister Bandicoot.

"Appoint a committee?" added Mister Chicken, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Bandicoot had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," raved Mister Chicken sheepishly, 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 Bandicoot coldly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," bragged Mister Chicken repeatedly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the bed on his front porch, looking out over the countryside and getting rigid. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Bandicoot. Do come again."

"Just a minute," offered Mister Bandicoot sweetly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Chicken sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied tearfully.