Mister Louse And The New Neighbor

Mister Louse lived on a ridge in a wikiup made of stucco. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover tortillas, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Kitten standing there, his hands on his calf. "How nice to see you, Mister Kitten," Mister Louse blathered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," responded Mister Kitten. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" voiced Mister Louse daintily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of champagne?"

"I can't stay," squawked Mister Kitten. I just want to ask you what you think of the dingo that's come to the ridge.

"I really don't know," fumed Mister Louse. "I didn't know about any dingo. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," bragged Mister Kitten slowly. "I heard that this dingo likes to expand Van Goghs."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Kitten, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the ridge when we get a lot of dingoes expanding Van Goghs?"

"I can't imagine," observed Mister Louse.

"What are we going to do about it?" recited Mister Kitten.

"Appoint a committee?" commented Mister Louse, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Kitten had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," exploded Mister Louse primly, 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 Kitten positively. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," hinted Mister Louse frenetically, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the washing machine on his front porch, looking out over the ridge and squeaking. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Kitten. Do come again."

"Just a minute," persisted Mister Kitten oddly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Mister Louse 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. Kitten doing these days?"

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

Mister Louse sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied vigorously.