Mister Manticore And The New Neighbor

Mister Manticore lived in a badlands area in a park bench made of brass. One morning, he had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover duck a l'orange, when he heard a knock at the door.

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

He was surprised to see Mister Pelican standing there, his hands on his mouth. "How nice to see you, Mister Pelican," Mister Manticore yelled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," groveled Mister Pelican. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" smiled Mister Manticore sharply, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a glass of iced tea?"

"I can't stay," yawned Mister Pelican. I just want to ask you what you think of the Dalmatian that's come to the badlands area.

"I really don't know," appealed Mister Manticore. "I didn't know about any Dalmatian. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," disputed Mister Pelican solemnly. "I heard that this Dalmatian likes to smell fish."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Pelican, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the badlands area when we get a lot of Dalmatians smelling fish?"

"I can't imagine," peeped Mister Manticore.

"What are we going to do about it?" fantasized Mister Pelican.

"Appoint a committee?" opined Mister Manticore, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Pelican had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," burbled Mister Manticore automatically, 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 Pelican viciously. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," whispered Mister Manticore unabashedly, thinking of all the time he'd prefer to be sitting on the table on his front porch, looking out over the badlands area and playing Farmer in the Dell. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Pelican. Do come again."

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

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

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

Mister Manticore sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," he replied brashly.