Miss Lion And The New Neighbor

Miss Lion lived in a backyard in a chapel made of enamel. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover dry toast, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Llama standing there, his hands on his hand. "How nice to see you, Mister Llama," Miss Lion swore, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," whimpered Mister Llama. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" purred Miss Lion blindly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a latte?"

"I can't stay," muttered Mister Llama. I just want to ask you what you think of the android that's come to the backyard.

"I really don't know," howled Miss Lion. "I didn't know about any android. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," expressed Mister Llama threateningly. "I heard that this android likes to chop plaques."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Llama, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the backyard when we get a lot of androids chopping plaques?"

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

"What are we going to do about it?" piped up Mister Llama.

"Appoint a committee?" yelled Miss Lion, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Llama had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," harangued Miss Lion languidly, 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 Llama gruffly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," provoked Miss Lion victoriously, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the table on her front porch, looking out over the backyard and chuckling. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Llama. Do come again."

"Just a minute," exclaimed Mister Llama patiently. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Lion thought she 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. Llama doing these days?"

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

Miss Lion sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied blissfully.