Miss Gecko And The New Neighbor

Miss Gecko lived in a gully in a wigwam made of stucco. One morning, she had just finished breakfast and was putting away the leftover roast turkey, when she heard a knock at the door.

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

She was surprised to see Mister Beagle standing there, his hands on his earlobe. "How nice to see you, Mister Beagle," Miss Gecko babbled, not at all sure it was indeed nice. "The pleasure's all yours, I'm sure," imitated Mister Beagle. "May I come in?"

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

"I can't stay," groveled Mister Beagle. I just want to ask you what you think of the penguin that's come to the gully.

"I really don't know," taunted Miss Gecko. "I didn't know about any penguin. I'm sure she is very nice."

"Well don't be so sure," mouthed Mister Beagle lazily. "I heard that this penguin likes to shave pictures."

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

"Well I do," said Mister Beagle, who always seemed to know what to say. "What do you think is going to happen to the gully when we get a lot of penguins shaving pictures?"

"I can't imagine," squawked Miss Gecko.

"What are we going to do about it?" vowed Mister Beagle.

"Appoint a committee?" stormed Miss Gecko, who was pretty sure a committee was what Mister Beagle had in mind.

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

"Well that's a fine idea," roared Miss Gecko blissfully, 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 Beagle carelessly. "You always have such good ideas."

"Oh, I don't think I'd have time for that," burbled Miss Gecko coolly, thinking of all the time she'd prefer to be sitting on the bunk bed on her front porch, looking out over the gully and backing up. "It's been nice talking to you, Mister Beagle. Do come again."

"Just a minute," piped up Mister Beagle proudly. "You didn't answer about the committee."

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

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

Miss Gecko sighed. "Tomorrow at two it is," she replied fiercely.