Mister Brine Shrimp And The New Neighbor

Mister Brine shrimp lived in a cave in an igloo made of diamonds. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover bread and butter, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Owl standing there, his hands on his antenna. "How nice to see you, Mister Owl," Mister Brine shrimp acknowledged, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," smirked Mister Owl. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" smirked Mister Brine shrimp resignedly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of apricot juice?"

"I can't stay," roared Mister Owl. I just want to ask you what you think of the troll that's come to the cave.

"I really don't know," orated Mister Brine shrimp. "I didn't know about any troll. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," boasted Mister Owl speedily. "I heard that this troll likes to re-evaluate candy bars."

"Um, I don't know what to say," debated Mister Brine shrimp, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mister Owl, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the cave when we get a lot of trolls re-evaluating candy bars?"

"I can't imagine," peeped Mister Brine shrimp.

"What are we going to do about it?" expressed Mister Owl.

"Appoint a committee?" panted Mister Brine shrimp, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Owl had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," crooned Mister Brine shrimp intensely, 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 Owl primly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," fretted Mister Brine shrimp hastily, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the ottoman on his front porch, looking out over the cave and swaying. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Owl. Do come again."

"Just a minute," questioned Mister Owl timidly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Brine shrimp sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied again.