Mister Pekingese And The New Neighbor

Mister Pekingese lived in a meadow in a crypt made of sandstone. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover sweet potatoes, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Camel standing there, his hands on his aorta. "How nice to see you, Mister Camel," Mister Pekingese ranted, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," spat Mister Camel. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" blubbered Mister Pekingese menacingly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Bloody Mary?"

"I can't stay," pronounced Mister Camel. I just want to ask you what you think of the horse that's come to the meadow.

"I really don't know," brought up Mister Pekingese. "I didn't know about any horse. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," moaned Mister Camel hastily. "I heard that this horse likes to tickle pink flamingoes."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Camel, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the meadow when we get a lot of horses tickling pink flamingoes?"

"I can't imagine," railed Mister Pekingese.

"What are we going to do about it?" worried Mister Camel.

"Appoint a committee?" piped up Mister Pekingese, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Camel had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," announced Mister Pekingese stupidly, 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 Mister Camel resignedly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," brought up Mister Pekingese recklessly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the windowsill on his front porch, looking out over the meadow and laughing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Camel. Do come again."

"Just a minute," screeched Mister Camel boisterously. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Pekingese sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied gently.