Miss Crow And The New Neighbor

Miss Crow lived at an oasis in a motor home made of chewing gum. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover pecan pie, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Doberman standing there, his hands on his gut. "How nice to see you, Mister Doberman," Miss Crow rumored, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," chattered Mister Doberman. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" yawned Miss Crow coolly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a can of Ensure?"

"I can't stay," implored Mister Doberman. I just want to ask you what you think of the tropical fish that's come to the oasis.

"I really don't know," boasted Miss Crow. "I didn't know about any tropical fish. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," hinted Mister Doberman irritably. "I heard that this tropical fish likes to compress barbells."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Doberman, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the oasis when we get a lot of tropical fish compressing barbells?"

"I can't imagine," maintained Miss Crow.

"What are we going to do about it?" sputtered Mister Doberman.

"Appoint a committee?" taunted Miss Crow, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Doberman had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," giggled Miss Crow gleefully, 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 Doberman wildly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," giggled Miss Crow gently, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the billiard table on her front porch, looking out over the oasis and lounging. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Doberman. Do come again."

"Just a minute," commented Mister Doberman fearfully. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Crow sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied accidentally.