Mister Peacock And The New Neighbor

Mister Peacock lived at a lakeside in a boxcar made of beeswax. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover wienerschnitzel, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mrs. Ox standing there, her hands on her knuckle. "How nice to see you, Mrs. Ox," Mister Peacock whispered, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," winked Mrs. Ox. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" decided Mister Peacock angrily, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a Long Island iced tea?"

"I can't stay," squealed Mrs. Ox. I just want to ask you what you think of the beagle that's come to the lakeside.

"I really don't know," conversed Mister Peacock. "I didn't know about any beagle. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," prattled Mrs. Ox valiantly. "I heard that this beagle likes to modify cages."

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

"Well I do," said Mrs. Ox, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the lakeside when we get a lot of beagles modifying cages?"

"I can't imagine," swore Mister Peacock.

"What are we going to do about it?" squealed Mrs. Ox.

"Appoint a committee?" exploded Mister Peacock, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mrs. Ox had in mind.

"That's exactly right," said Mrs. Ox joyously. "A committee to study the problem."

"Well that's a fine idea," informed Mister Peacock menacingly, 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 Mrs. Ox sweetly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," insisted Mister Peacock flightily, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the washing machine on his front porch, looking out over the lakeside and gazing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mrs. Ox. Do come again."

"Just a minute," breathed Mrs. Ox firmly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Mister Peacock sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied glumly.