Miss Jackal And The New Neighbor

Miss Jackal lived in a field in a spa made of antimatter. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover lobster bisque, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Lemur standing there, his hands on his eyelid. "How nice to see you, Mister Lemur," Miss Jackal scoffed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," stammered Mister Lemur. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" squeaked Miss Jackal slowly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Mudslide?"

"I can't stay," brought up Mister Lemur. I just want to ask you what you think of the partridge that's come to the field.

"I really don't know," persisted Miss Jackal. "I didn't know about any partridge. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," raved Mister Lemur proudly. "I heard that this partridge likes to punch bowling balls."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Lemur, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the field when we get a lot of partridges punching bowling balls?"

"I can't imagine," indicated Miss Jackal.

"What are we going to do about it?" sniped Mister Lemur.

"Appoint a committee?" professed Miss Jackal, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Lemur had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," hissed Miss Jackal repeatedly, 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 Mister Lemur ruefully. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," reacted Miss Jackal demurely, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the chest of drawers on her front porch, looking out over the field and looking angry. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Lemur. Do come again."

"Just a minute," avowed Mister Lemur unnaturally. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Jackal thought she 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. Lemur doing these days?"

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

Miss Jackal sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied bravely.