Mister Dachshund And The New Neighbor

Mister Dachshund lived on a moonscape in a manor house made of burlap. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover hot dogs, when he heard a knock at the door.

He sidled 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 carotid artery. "How nice to see you, Mister Camel," Mister Dachshund tittered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," implored Mister Camel. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" rambled Mister Dachshund slowly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a root beer?"

"I can't stay," stated Mister Camel. I just want to ask you what you think of the rabbit that's come to the moonscape.

"I really don't know," cried Mister Dachshund. "I didn't know about any rabbit. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," reminded Mister Camel crazily. "I heard that this rabbit likes to pluck clarinets."

"Um, I don't know what to say," fretted Mister Dachshund, 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 moonscape when we get a lot of rabbits plucking clarinets?"

"I can't imagine," admitted Mister Dachshund.

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

"Appoint a committee?" contended Mister Dachshund, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Camel had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," smirked Mister Dachshund ignobly, 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 dreamily. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," warbled Mister Dachshund furiously, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the water bed on his front porch, looking out over the moonscape and playing Farmer in the Dell. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Camel. Do come again."

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

Mister Dachshund thought he had answered, and was beginning to get cantankerous. "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 Dachshund sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied vacantly.