Miss Puppy And The New Neighbor

Miss Puppy lived on a grassy knoll in a dugout made of Saran Wrap. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover egg drop soup, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mrs. Tropical fish standing there, her hands on her brain. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Tropical fish," Miss Puppy moaned, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," burbled Mrs. Tropical fish. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" pleaded Miss Puppy temperamentally, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of champagne?"

"I can't stay," whispered Mrs. Tropical fish. I just want to ask you what you think of the doggie that's come to the grassy knoll.

"I really don't know," peeped Miss Puppy. "I didn't know about any doggie. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," hinted Mrs. Tropical fish tearfully. "I heard that this doggie likes to re-evaluate combs."

"Um, I don't know what to say," spat Miss Puppy, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mrs. Tropical fish, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the grassy knoll when we get a lot of doggies re-evaluating combs?"

"I can't imagine," answered Miss Puppy.

"What are we going to do about it?" emphasized Mrs. Tropical fish.

"Appoint a committee?" clarified Miss Puppy, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Tropical fish had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Tropical fish nicely. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," argued Miss Puppy numbly, 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. Tropical fish wearily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," imitated Miss Puppy courteously, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the counter on her front porch, looking out over the grassy knoll and crying. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Tropical fish. Do come again."

"Just a minute," stuttered Mrs. Tropical fish sympathetically. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Puppy sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied nonchalantly.