Mister Cat And The New Neighbor

Mister Cat lived at a crime scene in a retreat made of straw. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover egg salad sandwich, 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 Mrs. Ferret standing there, her hands on her leg. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Ferret," Mister Cat griped, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," cried Mrs. Ferret. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" stammered Mister Cat recklessly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Brandy Alexander?"

"I can't stay," boasted Mrs. Ferret. I just want to ask you what you think of the buzzard that's come to the crime scene.

"I really don't know," simpered Mister Cat. "I didn't know about any buzzard. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," continued Mrs. Ferret craftily. "I heard that this buzzard likes to seal stuffed owls."

"Um, I don't know what to say," sniped Mister Cat, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mrs. Ferret, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the crime scene when we get a lot of buzzards sealing stuffed owls?"

"I can't imagine," voiced Mister Cat.

"What are we going to do about it?" yowled Mrs. Ferret.

"Appoint a committee?" simpered Mister Cat, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Ferret had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," judged Mister Cat properly, 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 Mrs. Ferret wryly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," lamented Mister Cat carelessly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the carpet on his front porch, looking out over the crime scene and chanting. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Ferret. Do come again."

"Just a minute," argued Mrs. Ferret repeatedly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Cat sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied sorrowfully.