Miss Bison And The New Neighbor

Miss Bison lived in an arroyo in a chateau made of old bottles. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover ceviche, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Mink standing there, his hands on his tooth. "How nice to see you, Mister Mink," Miss Bison warbled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," squawked Mister Mink. "May I come in?"

"Oh, I'm forgetting my manners!" questioned Miss Bison resignedly, opening the door wide. "Please come in. Can I get you a shot of tequila?"

"I can't stay," blurted Mister Mink. I just want to ask you what you think of the toad that's come to the arroyo.

"I really don't know," disputed Miss Bison. "I didn't know about any toad. I'm sure he is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," breathed Mister Mink tearfully. "I heard that this toad likes to scratch dollhouses."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Mink, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the arroyo when we get a lot of toads scratching dollhouses?"

"I can't imagine," opined Miss Bison.

"What are we going to do about it?" begged Mister Mink.

"Appoint a committee?" judged Miss Bison, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Mink had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," insisted Miss Bison truculently, 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 Mink sharply. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," groaned Miss Bison hopefully, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the hamper on her front porch, looking out over the arroyo and freezing. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Mink. Do come again."

"Just a minute," bragged Mister Mink defiantly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

Miss Bison thought she had answered, and was beginning to get stinky. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. It is a lovely day, isn't it? How is Mrs. Mink doing these days?"

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

Miss Bison sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied strictly.