Mister Seal And The New Neighbor

Mister Seal lived in a landfill in a chalet made of old tires. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover lime sherbet, when he heard a knock at the door.

He sneaked 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 thigh. "How nice to see you, Mister Moose," Mister Seal began, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," smirked Mister Moose. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" hummed Mister Seal coldly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a shot of whiskey?"

"I can't stay," maintained Mister Moose. I just want to ask you what you think of the hermit crab that's come to the landfill.

"I really don't know," shuddered Mister Seal. "I didn't know about any hermit crab. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," divulged Mister Moose deliberately. "I heard that this hermit crab likes to trim key rings."

"Um, I don't know what to say," blurted Mister Seal, 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 landfill when we get a lot of hermit crabs trimming key rings?"

"I can't imagine," squeaked Mister Seal.

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

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

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

"Well that's a fine idea," interpreted Mister Seal trustingly, 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 arrogantly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," stated Mister Seal despondently, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the billiard table on his front porch, looking out over the landfill and playing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Moose. Do come again."

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

Mister Seal thought he had answered, and was beginning to get cute. "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 Seal sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied busily.