Miss Rattlesnake And The New Neighbor

Miss Rattlesnake lived on an island in a convent made of diamonds. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover spaghetti, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mrs. Dragon standing there, her hands on her antenna. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Dragon," Miss Rattlesnake howled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," taunted Mrs. Dragon. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" giggled Miss Rattlesnake craftily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a shot of tequila?"

"I can't stay," yammered Mrs. Dragon. I just want to ask you what you think of the falcon that's come to the island.

"I really don't know," shouted Miss Rattlesnake. "I didn't know about any falcon. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," growled Mrs. Dragon zestily. "I heard that this falcon likes to grapple bugles."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Dragon, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the island when we get a lot of falcons grappling bugles?"

"I can't imagine," yawned Miss Rattlesnake.

"What are we going to do about it?" recited Mrs. Dragon.

"Appoint a committee?" drawled Miss Rattlesnake, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Dragon had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," stuttered Miss Rattlesnake openly, 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. Dragon anxiously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," whispered Miss Rattlesnake speedily, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the chest of drawers on her front porch, looking out over the island and getting upset. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Dragon. Do come again."

"Just a minute," rambled Mrs. Dragon daintily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Rattlesnake sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied temperamentally.