Mister Banana Slug And The New Neighbor

Mister Banana slug lived on a beach in a villa made of adobe. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover mashed potatoes, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Tropical fish standing there, her hands on her fingernail. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Tropical fish," Mister Banana slug breathed, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," protested Mrs. Tropical fish. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" wondered Mister Banana slug doubtfully, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of KoolAid?"

"I can't stay," rambled Mrs. Tropical fish. I just want to ask you what you think of the fish that's come to the beach.

"I really don't know," judged Mister Banana slug. "I didn't know about any fish. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," orated Mrs. Tropical fish speedily. "I heard that this fish likes to face rubber stamps."

"Um, I don't know what to say," voiced Mister Banana slug, who really didn't know what to say.

"Well I do," said Mrs. Tropical fish, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the beach when we get a lot of fish facing rubber stamps?"

"I can't imagine," instructed Mister Banana slug.

"What are we going to do about it?" interpreted Mrs. Tropical fish.

"Appoint a committee?" enunciated Mister Banana slug, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Tropical fish had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Tropical fish carelessly. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," provoked Mister Banana slug temperamentally, 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. Tropical fish dolefully. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," decided Mister Banana slug daintily, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the dresser on his front porch, looking out over the beach and calming down. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Tropical fish. Do come again."

"Just a minute," affirmed Mrs. Tropical fish frantically. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Banana slug sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied carefully.