Miss Computer And The New Neighbor

Miss Computer lived on a cliff in a cabin made of tempered steel. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover hamburgers, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

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

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" answered Miss Computer bravely, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a secret potion?"

"I can't stay," shouted Mrs. Chameleon. I just want to ask you what you think of the ghost that's come to the cliff.

"I really don't know," noted Miss Computer. "I didn't know about any ghost. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," joked Mrs. Chameleon repeatedly. "I heard that this ghost likes to label dollhouses."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Chameleon, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the cliff when we get a lot of ghosts labeling dollhouses?"

"I can't imagine," proposed Miss Computer.

"What are we going to do about it?" inquired Mrs. Chameleon.

"Appoint a committee?" trumpeted Miss Computer, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Chameleon had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Chameleon bitterly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," cajoled Miss Computer dolefully, 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. Chameleon defiantly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," purred Miss Computer blankly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the buffet on her front porch, looking out over the cliff and coughing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Chameleon. Do come again."

"Just a minute," barked Mrs. Chameleon sourly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Computer sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied noisily.