Miss Fish And The New Neighbor

Miss Fish lived in a badlands area in a box made of Velcro. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover pot roast, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Badger standing there, his hands on his scalp. "How nice to see you, Mister Badger," Miss Fish accused, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," drawled Mister Badger. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" said Miss Fish positively, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a shot of bourbon?"

"I can't stay," fantasized Mister Badger. I just want to ask you what you think of the lobster that's come to the badlands area.

"I really don't know," uttered Miss Fish. "I didn't know about any lobster. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," yammered Mister Badger confidently. "I heard that this lobster likes to nuke muffins."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Badger, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the badlands area when we get a lot of lobsters nuking muffins?"

"I can't imagine," affirmed Miss Fish.

"What are we going to do about it?" panted Mister Badger.

"Appoint a committee?" squawked Miss Fish, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Badger had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," cried Miss Fish roughly, 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 Badger carefully. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," crooned Miss Fish ignobly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the dresser on her front porch, looking out over the badlands area and primping. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Badger. Do come again."

"Just a minute," voiced Mister Badger clumsily. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Fish sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied busily.